my take: As with the best Fun Female Fiction, Young Jane Young serves up an easy to read tale with discussion worthy ideas: aging, mother daughter relationships, marriage, friendship, social acceptance.

A young female intern falls in love with her married, much older, state congressman boss and the repercussions of that affair for herself and the women in her life round out the basic plot.

The story is told from various generations of women – young, old, mothers, ‘enemies’ – and the reader has the distinct advantage of seeing the event from several sides, even as the reader discovers more ‘truths’ as each woman’s voice is heard.

How does one make a life again when their name, face, and action have been national headlines? (Monika Lewinsky, for example) Is there empathy, grace, derision, or slut-shaming from society?

The role of female relationships in the lives of the characters and how they make their way through life with or without the help of the others was interesting to note and ponder. Very timely in the midst of the #MeToo movement, which seeks to give space for women speak their truth and to create an environment where women support each other.

my source: Daughter Anne. I love it when she makes a recommendation AND hands me the book.

my verdict: Great fast read – I also recommend Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Firky