The Shampoo Effect

by Jenny Jackson

“Funny, drama-fueled, and full of Jackson's breezy wit. . . Brilliant.” —Coco Mellors, New York Times bestselling author of Blue Sisters

An ambitious young woman insinuates herself into a tight-knit social set, shaking up friendships and marriages in a small seaside town. A frothy novel of love, money, sex, and friendship, from the New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street (“Laugh-out-loud-good.” —Harper’s Bazaar)

When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one.

Together, the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches, and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children, and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van’s baby, the delicate balance of the group’s friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next—in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak—exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather. Dazzlingly funny, sexy, and as juicy as it is astute, The Shampoo Effect is a story of late-night parties, early mornings with small children, the dawn of midlife, and a group of old friends finally growing up despite all their best efforts to the contrary.

Genres: Fiction, Summer, Romance, Summer Reads, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Beach Reads

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR

Reviews

[Caz (Underlined) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Jackson’s The Shampoo Effect is one of those stories that starts off feeling light, almost deceptively so, and then quietly gets under your skin in the best possible way.

At the centre is Caroline, a woman trying to keep her life (and expectations) neatly in order—emphasis on trying. She’s dating Van, and at first it all feels promising, the kind of relationship that could actually go somewhere… until it very suddenly doesn’t. A couple of months in, Van drops the kind of news that completely unravels things: his ex—and best friend—is pregnant with his baby. And just like that, Caroline is no longer in the relationship she thought she was in, but in the emotional aftermath of it. And so we follow this love/friendship triangle as it unravels in messy, uncomfortable, and painfully human ways, where everyone insists they’re doing the “right thing” while things continue to fall apart in very predictable, very human fashion.

What follows is Caroline trying to navigate the fallout, her own feelings, and the awkward reality of watching someone else’s life-changing situation collide with her own expectations. There’s a quiet dry humour running through it all—the kind that doesn’t announce itself, but slips in through the cracks of conversations, missed signals, and people saying one thing while clearly meaning another. Everyone is, in their own way, slightly overwhelmed but determined to act like they’re absolutely fine.

The characters are brilliantly drawn—Caroline especially is someone you can’t help rooting for, even when her decisions make you want to gently question her life choices. Van is equally well-written in that frustratingly believable way, and the ex adds another layer of complication that turns everything upside down without ever feeling forced, or particularly tidy, which feels very intentional.

Genre-wise, it sits firmly in contemporary fiction with sharp emotional realism and understated humour, but it has a dry, observational edge that makes even the most chaotic moments feel oddly grounded.

What really stands out is Jenny Jackson’s writing. It’s sharp without being showy, funny in a restrained, understated way, and quietly observant in a way that catches you off guard. Nothing feels overdone, but everything lands exactly where it should.

And that’s really the magic of it—you think you’re just reading a straightforward story about relationships, and then suddenly you’re completely invested in Caroline’s world, willing things to work out for her even when they absolutely should not be working out at all.

A funny, honest, quietly devastating read that really gets under your skin and stays there.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shampoo Effect - a big night of partying, followed up with a beer in the morning and being instantly drunk again, like the second squirt of shampoo produces oversized suds. This also applies to the dynamics of this friendship group that writer Caroline Lash joins when she arrives in Greenhead, where she falls for its New England charm as well as as for Van Whittaker. Despite the issues they have and of course, their decades long friendship, Caroline is determined that none of the groups antics will spoil her new romance. However, much as she might wish this when Bailey, Van’s ex on/off girlfriend of many years, discovers she’s pregnant with his baby, this could well wreck Caroline’s dreams.

Dysfunction thy name is this group! They really do the daftest, wildest things but that’s what makes this an entertaining read. It’s totally character driven and there are quite a few to wrap your head around but the author has created unique personalities making it easy to distinguish them. They all have something secretive they’ve buried in the New England sand but little by little they emerge. There’s nothing too earth shattering but that makes it a more authentic and realistic read. The dynamics are intriguing, the outsider in Caroline is the catalyst that throws things off but many tensions are pre-existing. The issues emerge quicker than they might without her.

I like the fact the novel is told from several points of view so their inner dialogue is clear and revealing. None of the adults are especially endearing but their offspring are. Of them all, Fran is probably my favourite character- she has a lot to deal with and I admire how she deals with her family issues.

One of the most enticing aspects of the book is the New England setting. It’s many years since I’ve been and it makes me want to jump on the next flight. It’s used most effectively in the storytelling.

Overall, I enjoy this latest novel from Jenny Jackson and the ending leaves me with a satisfied smile on my face.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K./Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[emilybookedup · Rating 3 out of 5]

teetering between 3-3.5 so rounding to 3 for GR. i liked this a lot more than PINEAPPLE STREET, but don’t think it’s the kinda book that will stick w me long term and be super memorable.

if you’re looking for an easy summer read, this is it! this was an easy summer binge by the pool. you follow a group of friends that have a lottttt of drama and a girl new to town who stirs a lot of things up.

what i liked is the friend group was all in their thirties so life looked a lot different yet they were still feeling like their young and wild teenage selves. as someone in their 30s that’s super relatable and i liked how the author explored that messy part of your 30s.

the beach setting was fun and i enjoyed the drama but overall i think for my taste i wanted some more from the plot. i wish she took it even further with the newcomer that stirred everything up iykyk 👀 i was waiting for one more reveal or something more wild/fun at the end to happen and wrap this one up.

pro tip: i reco this one on audio 🎧

love this cover!!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like her debut novel Pineapple Street, Jenny Jackson has once again crafted a strong narrative that I absolutely loved!

The Shampoo Effect is essentially the perfect summer read! It's a feel good story that's truly funny, with just the right amount of drama.

The story shifts perspectives between each character so you get to know each. The characters are very well written and so relatable that they remind you of your own group of friends. Modern relationships, the struggles of adulting and parenting as a millennial, and making new friends as an adult are just a few of the compelling themes covered.

I listened to the audiobook format which is narrated by one of my all time favorites, Marin Ireland. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson will be available on June 30. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Jackson is my new favorite author. She tells simple stories with a lot emotion, a big cast of characters, and a lot of honesty. I loved this book about how it took a complete stranger to get a group of friends to look at their lives and make some tough admissions. I can’t wait for her next book.

[Heather Lilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Okay before I get into all the reasons I loved this book, I just have to say: as a fellow New Englander/girly raised in Maine... Jenny Jackson fkn NAILED what wealthy, nepo babies with interpersonal drama are like in New England... down to their hobbies/mannerisms/incestuous friend groups and general demeanors.

Like, absolutely perfect. It felt like I was reading a book about the wealthy kids I grew up partying with and hanging out around, so absolute kudos for that. 👏👏

SECONDLYYYY though, The Shampoo Effect was EVERYTHING I expected (and more) from a salacious, summer, litfic novel. It brought the vibes, the setting, the atmosphere, the drama, the sex and most importantly: THE SUMMER.

Centered around a group of best friends entering the beginning of their midlives in MA, this book was sugar soaked and brimming with heart. The drama was great, the plot perfectly paced, and the characters well developed over a long period of time.

This book was everything I expected (and didn't get) out of The Wedding People last year and WHY YES IT DID restore my faith in summer litfic. A mashup of Carley Fortune's summer frothiness, Gossip Girl-esque interpersonal drama (but make it New England nepo baby), and the introspection/character development of Coco Mellors... I love love loved this book.

I actually think I have a book hangover and need something else like this immediately. Like right now, because I am sad it's over ☹️☹️☹️

(Also, my girl Bailey is perfect and may she never change 😘🤞)

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC I picked up from work. I enjoyed the book, but I don't think the synopsis matched the actual vibe. I was anticipating something more biting, but this was pretty mild overall.

I expected a more plot driven story, but considering the breakup occurs over half way through the book, and the subsequent fallout happens about 75% into the book, this was much more character driven. The "secrets" revealed, is really just one secret, the rest is simply a sharp critique of the group's lives and relationships.

The synopsis makes the group seem wild with constant drinking and partying, but nothing sordid every really happens. The biggest "scandal" is Bailey getting pregnant, which is a catalyst for nothing because the group just continues on as usual.

I think the multiple perspectives helped mix it up and keep the story moving. I would have enjoyed one of the men's perspectives as well, particularly Van's, but maybe that would have been too many points of view.

Again, even though this seemed to be marketed as more of a drama, it felt very low stakes, and the ending made me smile. Based on the release date, I do think this would be a fun summer read with its beach setting, relationships, light tension, and reflection.

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars "An ambitious young woman insinuates herself into a tight-knit social set, shaking up friendships and marriages in a small seaside town. A frothy novel of love, money, sex, and friendship."

When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenfield, Massachusetts, she disrupts a lifelong group of friends when she catches the eye of the dreamy Van Whittaker. Caroline is not welcomed by Van's group of friends. When she is betrayed by them, she plots a revenge that is one for the ages.

I absolutely loved this book. It is witty and full of drama and juicy group behavior. It examines what happens when deceit, loyalty, ambition and secrets abound. It is astute and highly observant in how people behave when they know someone for a long time - the shampoo effect. This was completely entertaining and immersive. Be prepared to be transported to New England beaches, bars and homes. Highly recommend adding this to your TBR!

The audiobook performance by Marin Ireland (9 hours 57 minutes) is perfection. She brings the drama and character studies to life!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Pamela Dorman Books, PRH Audio and Jenny Jackson for the gifted advance reader's copy and advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧

[Heidi Zuva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts while reading:

This feels just like Pineapple Street!

...ah duh, it's the author of Pineapple Street.

Yup, there it is -- the group of rich coastal people who are not particularly likable, nor deserving of their positions, nor happy, plus one 'outsider,' who's equally rich and born into this lifestyle, but is *slightly* edgy in that she pretends she's not interested in status, money, etc. (but *phew* he's a researcher and not just a tour guide -- crisis averted, wouldn't want to have to prove the aforementioned humility!).

Ja idk, Caroline is no more likable to me than the others, but I can tell she thinks she is...

ICKKKKKKKK this is the nightmare when your lover is friends with his bestie he's hooked up with.

NOOOOO. NO. nooooooooooooooo. Okay, fine, I saw that coming. *side eye*

This is fun and messy, but not really that messy, because everyone has a trust fund (or a partner/parent/etc with money and status) to fall back on.

Overall this felt identical to the reading experience of Pineapple Street, but with a new quiet plot (bf knocks up his bff with benefits) and a newish cast (same characters, new names).

Y'all I pictured this cast as sticks of Philadelphia cream cheese with crayon faces drawn on.🤣 I'm not kidding.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Caroline sucks, Van is annoying, and Bailey is too selfish to be in her 30s already. No one should be with anyone, everyone should be in therapy! The end.

It delivered. A fun, trashy, Hamptons-vibe beach read, for those times you wish you weren't a biracial, multinational, overly introverted weirdo. You know what, guys? I'm good.😅 I don't want to be included, don't invite me to the wedding.🙏🏽

[Angelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally like character driven stories with loads of drama, but this one just fizzled out for me, and became too alcohol and sex obsessed. I liked Pineapple Street, and like Jenny Jackson’s writing and wit. I like how she can make the minutiae of day to day both relatable and interesting. I liked the premise and the “shampoo effect” in relationships.

Sadly, though, there was a relative sameness of all the characters, which flattened everyone, and the constant digs at conservative humans was annoying, trite, and boring. I really only liked one character. The story started off funny and engaging, but there was just too many stretches of nothing.

I will certainly forget this book and these shallow characters by tomorrow, and that is both a bad thing and good thing.

[Tell · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5)

Fun, soapy, wry. A sly look at couples and friends in Greenhead, Mass, where a nepo baby writer moves after publishing a piece in the New Yorker and finds herself contending with small town politics. I love the insidery look at both worlds: the glamorous world of New York publishing, cold and cutting, vs. the small town insular meanness of the Mass clan. The friendships were jocular and lived in, but ultimately the book traded in a few of my personal least favorite tropes that I will not spoil here, and the ending was a bit too hopeful for my taste. (Sorry!) A perfect beach read at the end of the day!

[Resh (The Book Satchel)]

This is a rich people's book for thirty somethings, perfect for a summer vacation! I really enjoyed Jenny Jackson's Pineapple street (great on audio!), and I was positively excited to read her latest novel. The Shampoo effect did not disappoint;

Caroline Lash, daughter of a best-selling author from NYC, leaves her job after her short story in placed in the New Yorker. She takes up a writer's residency in a picturesque small beach town in Massachussets and falls in love with Van, and thus gets entry into his close-knit friend-group. The group has been in each other's lives since childhood but they are also confused in how their new roles in real life could fit into the friend-zone. The group spends their time hanging out, sunbathing in the beach, chilling with each other, but inspite of being together for many years, all is not transparent between them.


What I enjoyed:
- I enjoyed Caroline's POV as the outsider to the friend group and also the person who has to move out when her relationship with Van goes through rocky times. I enjoyed her mind, I loved the way her author-mind worked trying to fictionalize real life characters and subplots into a story that could be placed in a literary magazine. I loved her insecurities and how they came out, and loved (in a strictly literary enjoyment sense), how mean the girls in the group talked behind her back. But occasionally Caroline felt more like a narrator and less of a character we want to be invested in.
- Great choice to mix up POVs so we know what everyone's thinking!
- I thought the endings were well done and realistic! All characters get an ending, some of which are predictable which makes you let out a huge sigh of relief. The fact that you feel the endings are alright in spite of many characters being unlikeable is testament to Jenny Jackson's talent in crafting good characters.
- I really enjoyed reading about Fran, who is fiercely independent and doesn't want to to tied down to marriage to the father of her children. She might be my fav character in the novel. I enjoyed how she and her husband talk in the end about how people (and partnerships) evolve, how she becomes the daughter who gets clarity about how to deal with her financially irresponsible parents, how she understand how to communicate her worries, and how she might be the most grounded person in the group.
- I loved how this novel tastefully acknowledges privilege and the choices privileged people often make.

What didn't work well enough for me:
- You expect something scandalous but the scandals (or the way they are narrated) do not hit the high spot. I was still invested in the story though. And I really wanted to know how things end.
- Caroline Lash often becomes a medium to tell the story, which means I could not get into her own insecurities or grief or struggles as a writer trying to go the non-nepo way.

What to expect?
- many unlikeable characters
- Even though the setting is the lives of rich people, the 'richness' is mostly limited to the family/parents of the friend group we are following. So we see less of that, but get hints of privilege, and more of growing up in terms of relationships, principles, embracing new roles in personal life etc.
- Is this plot heavy or character-sketch heavy?—A mix of both.The basic plot = unveiling secrets, personalities, insecurities, beliefs, betrayals within the friend group.
- LOVED the Acknowledgements where the author talks about John Updike and things that are relevant to this novel and inspired her plot. Love it when authors give us a glimpse into how the idea formed.

Overall, great read and perfect for summer!
Check out the Most anticipated books of 2026

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own
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[Prologues and Prosecco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this upcoming summer read “ The Shampoo Effect”. I was very curious why the author titled her book the shampoo effect which most people use as a term for drinking the morning after heavily drinking so you feel better… When I realized that she talks about the shampoo effect based on a group of friends and how they view each other exactly the same way as they had since high school and how even when they try to have different experiences with each other they keep going back to their old ways that feel normal to them, I was blown away… The shampoo effect is all about having opinions about every single person that you see and know, and preconceived notions. Caroline is an outsider to this friend group and comes to Greenhead to write a novel. When she becomes ingrained into this friend group by dating one of them, she starts to see that even though this group is insanely close, they always revert back into their old ways , traditions , etc. This book will make you think about every relationship you have and if you actually want them to ever evolve , or if you’re fine with a “ rinse and repeat” relationship.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

I loved this book so much. It took me awhile to finish it, since I was on vacation. Ironically, this is the perfect vacation summer read.

It’s the perfect book about middle-aged people doing middle-age things, discovering love, being a parent, having reckonings with where their futures may lie.

For superior to Grant Ginder’s So Old, So Young, Jenny Jackson writes a fun, character driven novel about getting older and finding happiness.

[Daria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted so much more from this book! It felt like I was just following along with a modern day American WASPy group of friends, where nothing *really* that interesting happens… Sure, it touched on the realities of what could happen in relationships, friend group dynamics, but in a way that was sort of forgettable. It just kind of felt like neighborhood gossip that was interesting, if maybe you knew the people, but otherwise not so much…? I didn’t particularly care for any of the characters, and I don’t think the story will stick with me

[eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Caroline Lash moves to Greenhead after taking up a writer's residency, she falls immediately for its charm, and even harder for Van Whittaker. With him, also comes his tight-knit friend group, who barely seems to tolerate her, no matter how hard she tries to win them over.

I had been itching to pick this one up for a while, and I am so glad I finally got around to it. This feels like the most perfect book to binge sitting at the beach; it fits that vibe so perfectly, and it is so incredibly addictive, it is simply impossible to put down. It has everything you would want in a beach read— or at least everything I would want.

I loved the choice to have multiple point of views, as I think it fits perfectly this kind of story. While I think Caroline might have been my favourite, mostly because it was so interesting to see an outsider looking into this friendship that is so built into their lives, each of these women was so incredibly fascinating to me in their own ways, and I was never bored with any of them.

There are some things that didn't quite work for me, most of all the way Caroline was often used as a mean to an end— tell the stories of these characters— and therefore failed to be her own person, in a way. It feels like her personality, her struggles, just her character in general, truly, is much less developed than the others, which is truly a shame, since she is one of the most interesting ones, to me at least.

It had just the perfect amount of drama, and it was perfectly structured to keep you coming back for more. I hated having to put this down, and I could not wait to have a moment to pick it back up and dive in. The writing made it so easy to get lost in this story, too. I am absolutely obsessed with this, and this author very quickly and very easily jumped up my list of favourites.

Many thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[rachnreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! 4.5 stars rounded up. A perfect litfic beach read

[Samantha // fictionfigurine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is possibly my favorite read of 2026! I binged this one day and absolutely loved the narration by Marin Ireland. Our main character, Caroline gets mixed into a small, tight-nit group of friends and things get messy! If you loved the author’s first book PINEAPPLE STREET, you’ll enjoy many of the same themes here—juicy drama, rich people, in-depth character perspectives with solid pacing (not overly long and really keeps you flipping the pages). There is quite an event that occurs later in the book that I wouldn’t consider a twist, but there’s build-up and shock value which made this perfectly entertaining. This book had an equal amount of drama paired with intimate explorations of social status, identity, and friendship. This book was everything I needed and more.

I highly recommend the audio version but definitely read this if it interests you! The narration is done by Marin Ireland who just has a way with her voice that so effortlessly expresses each character’s emotions. She somehow makes each character feel like an actual person I’m getting to know. It’s also no surprise to me that @readwithjenna picked this book for July. I can’t wait for more from Jenny Jackson, she has easily become an auto-buy author for me!

[Tracy Greer-Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I was looking for a good cleanse after my last true crime read and "The Shampoo Effect" delivered.

Coastal New England with WASPy people, whom you do not like. The challenges of midlife, parenthood and friendship. Late night parties and very questionable decisions. This was indeed soapy. There was a lot of eye rolling and and a bit of cringe; yet somehow it kept me turning the pages.

I previously read, Pineapple Street, by this author, which i enjoyed as well. JJ constantly delivers a solid read that doesn't need to be taken too seriously. The ultimate beach summer read.

[Stephanie Zimmerman · Rating 1 out of 5]

How fitting that I’m DNF-ing this on America’s 250th Birthday because it’s clear this author hates

America
Men
Sports (especially football)
Traditional Marriage
Republicans/Conservatives

I can’t imagine my life ever being so consumed around politics that I’d have to insert it into my life’s work.

I wasn’t even 10% in before I heard about Republicans and immigration, which truly had nothing to do with the book just a jab the author had to throw in there.

Anyways…
Alexa please play Obsessed by Mariah Carey.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was perfect.

[Karrie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juicy, witty, endearing, funny, & a little gut wrenching if not cringey at times. In other words, a perfect package of relational dynamics. I love when a book peels back the layers on the mundane lives of others. Laying doubts, and secrets bare. A group of life long friends in their same small town have their harmony shattered when a new face enters their circle. It feels like a tale as old as time but I couldn’t put the book down. Delightfully messy.

[Chloe McCotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Comes out Jun 30, 2026.

Caroline is a nepo-baby fledgling writer from NYC who meets and falls for local guy Van while on a writers residency in a picturesque Massachusetts beach town. It’s told from her POV and that of the women in Van’s friend group - a tight-knit group that have been friends since childhood. Events unfold, secrets are revealed, and all the relationships are thrown into turmoil. Sounds like the set-up of a Hallmark movie, but it’s much smarter and less predictable.

There were mixed reviews of the author’s last book (Pineapple St) but I liked that and I like this one. I thought it was smart, funny, and did a good job depicting the challenges of old friend groups and marriages as people grow and evolve. It’s really hard to break old patterns and I thought Jackson did a good job with the nuances of old friends. I felt like I knew all these women and was rooting for them all by the end. Read it in one day.

[Brynn Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! Regardless of what critics say, Jenny Jackson’s writing is immediately captivating from the first page. I found myself far more invested in Caroline’s perspective at the beginning than in the other POVs, which made me wonder whether Jackson is subtly self-inserting through this character. That said, the multiple points are reminiscent of Pineapple Street, a novel I loved. While the longer chapters aren’t my personal preference, the novel excels in its portrayal of a perfectly constructed love triangle and its thoughtful exploration of the varied challenges that arise in marriage and parenthood. This novel would make a great beach read for next summer!

Thank you, NetGalley!

[Jordyn (readingwithjordyn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Oh man I LOVED this book!! The perfect messy fiction book with allll the relationship and friend drama. I personally love a fiction book focused on dysfunctional and realistic groups of friends and interpersonal relationships and with a very summery setting, this is my ideal summer read!! Thanks so much to @vikingbooks for the free finished copy!!

The Shampoo Effect follows a group of friends who have grown up together and fallen in love since becoming friends as kids living in Greenhead. When their best friend Van suddenly begins dating an outsider, Caroline, the friend group is shaken up. The big problem?? The group has been rooting for Van to get together with their friend Bailey after dating on and off for years. The other problem? Bailey has just announced that she is pregnant with Van’s baby. And so Caroline has to figure out whether she should stick out this relationship.

This friend group is messy and full of drama!! I really liked how the book alternated POVs between the female main characters. Each person has a unique relationship and it was very interesting to see their dynamic with their partner, while also getting their inner thoughts about their friends and Caroline coming into their group. Each relationship is very unconventional in certain ways but also seemed very reflective of modern US society and the ways our romantic relationships have evolved.

I really liked Caroline as a narrator! Even when she frustrated me I felt like she brought so much to the story, from an outsider perspective. This is a tight knit, closed off group and I think seeing their dynamic from an outsiders POV brought so much color and friction to the story.

The whole concept of this book was so fun. Watching Caroline come in and out of the group and causing such inner conflict, even when she left! Although this friendship group felt so fictional, I think the friendships and relationships were so realistic and relatable. I think if you are in your late 20s and 30s you will really relate to this!!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

The Shampoo Effect came at just the right time for me. I didn’t realize how much I was in the mood for a contemporary fiction novel with a touch of romance. Jenny Jackson delivered a humorous, drama-filled beach read that was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

My first experience with Jackson’s writing was her debut, Pineapple Street. Unfortunately, I never finished it because I couldn’t quite connect with the characters. Thankfully, The Shampoo Effect was a completely different experience. The characters felt more relatable, and I connected with the story much more this time around. I especially enjoyed the alternating perspectives among the women and all the everyday nuances of their lives. The friendships, relationships, and small-town drama felt relatable, believable, and genuinely authentic. It was a character-driven story that quietly pulled me in and kept me invested.

Overall, this was an enjoyable change of pace. I’m glad I gave Jenny Jackson another chance because this was exactly the kind of story I didn’t realize I was missing.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books and PRH Audio for the gifted advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Reading this book I was reminded of the old Toys R Us jingle; “I don’t wanna grow up …” That is THE SHAMPOO EFFECT in a nutshell. Take a group of privileged longtime friends who are still acting like immature brats and introduce a stranger. Shake well, stand back, and wait for the chemical reaction.

Jenny Jackson once again uses her incredible observation skills to craft characters that are both stereotypes and highly nuanced. This time she takes us to tony Greenhead, Massachusetts where aspiring author Caroline Lash arrives as the recipient of a prestigious writing fellowship. She soon meets dashing Van Whittaker and sparks fly. It’s when Van introduces her into his tight knit group of friends that those sparks ignite something unexpected.

Caroline is not exactly welcomed with open arms and that rejection leads to a rash decision on her part which starts the rapid dismantling of the tenuous foundation upon which the friendship stands. Similar to her debut novel, PINEAPPLE STREET, Jackson uses an ensemble cast to showcase how deceit, loyalty, entitlement, and secrets affect relationships. I found this to be an interesting character study with some laugh out loud moments balanced by poignant instances of vulnerability.

THE SHAMPOO EFFECT is exactly the kind of juicy, messy, sexy, chaotic character driven book I’m drawn to for the ideal summer read. It is a voyeur’s dream.

Read by Marin Ireland, the audiobook oozes all the big emotions associated with love, lies, and loss. Her performance is flawless.

This is the July Read with Jenna pick and I can see why.

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, soapy, drama-filled read! It gave me F.R.I.E.N.D.S. vibes, but make them millennials with messier relationships. The writing reminded me a lot of Elin Hilderbrand with the coastal setting, beach town atmosphere, and all the juicy friendship drama. I loved getting multiple POVs from the entire friend group because it made everyone feel real, even when they were making questionable decisions. There were so many moments that had me laughing, but it was the drama that kept me most engaged. If you’re looking for the kind of book you can read by the pool or on the beach, this one is such a great pick!

[Al Robi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters in this novel were absolutely addictive-I never wanted to leave them behind. And that epilogue? I was completely unprepared for it. It was the perfect ending and left a lasting impression.