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The Shampoo Effect
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.
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.
Hardcover
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
Jenny Jackson
2 books2,358 followersJenny Jackson is the author of The Shampoo Effect, a Read with Jenna pick, and Pineapple Street, a New York Times bestseller and Good Morning America pick. A graduate of Williams College and the Columbia Publishing Course, Jenny is Vice President and Editorial Director of Fiction at Alfred A. Knopf. She grew up in Ipswich, MA, and lives in Brooklyn, NY with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,165 reviews
July 28, 2026
4.5! no better feeling than when one of your most anticipated releases of the year, for no reason other than initially loving the cover, lives up to the hype you’ve created for it!! girl meets boy, they fall in love, boy introduces girl to his lifelong friend group, boy finds out he is expecting a baby with a friend in said group (from months before girl & boy met!) and then we sit back and watch all of them navigate their lives together. very character-driven, i can understand why some people didn’t enjoy it, but if you like Elin-esque writing, you’ll enjoy this too ◡̈
July 5, 2026
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.
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.
July 24, 2026
It was a bit difficult rating this one because it wasn't at all what I expected, but once it clicked... I kind of loved it?
This is one of those books where the branding of it doesn't quite match what you get. I expected a very summery, entertaining story driven by this spiralling & potentially toxic friend group. I expected it to be thrilling and full of excitement. Instead, we got a slower moving story following these dysfunctional characters who actually surprisingly showed a decent amount of maturity... which I grew to love, but was just completely not expecting it!
I'm a little frustrated that the synopsis for this book gives away pretty much the entire arc of the story. I generally expect a synopsis to tell you what will happen in the setup of the book, maybe up to 50-100 pages in... but some of the events mentioned in the blurb don't happen until much later in the book, and so I found it to just feel anti-climactic when I actually reached that point in the story, because I had expected it to happen much earlier.
All that to say... once I got over those humps, I will say this was quite a surprisingly feel good and kind of wholesome story in the end. I found the idea of the shampoo effect interesting to read, and loved how that was woven into the story in many different moments. The book & characters within all felt very self-aware which I enjoyed, with all our characters being refreshingly aware of their own toxic traits. And also with the overarching theme of how we as a society might have progressed immensely over the past few generations, but still have a ways to go - especially with things like our outlook on sexuality, etc.
Don't go into this one thinking it will be a super exciting, scandalous read. Sure - some "scandalous-adjacent" things happen, but it's so leisurely paced that it just feels very easy and almost lighthearted throughout. In the end, enjoyed this one!
This is one of those books where the branding of it doesn't quite match what you get. I expected a very summery, entertaining story driven by this spiralling & potentially toxic friend group. I expected it to be thrilling and full of excitement. Instead, we got a slower moving story following these dysfunctional characters who actually surprisingly showed a decent amount of maturity... which I grew to love, but was just completely not expecting it!
I'm a little frustrated that the synopsis for this book gives away pretty much the entire arc of the story. I generally expect a synopsis to tell you what will happen in the setup of the book, maybe up to 50-100 pages in... but some of the events mentioned in the blurb don't happen until much later in the book, and so I found it to just feel anti-climactic when I actually reached that point in the story, because I had expected it to happen much earlier.
All that to say... once I got over those humps, I will say this was quite a surprisingly feel good and kind of wholesome story in the end. I found the idea of the shampoo effect interesting to read, and loved how that was woven into the story in many different moments. The book & characters within all felt very self-aware which I enjoyed, with all our characters being refreshingly aware of their own toxic traits. And also with the overarching theme of how we as a society might have progressed immensely over the past few generations, but still have a ways to go - especially with things like our outlook on sexuality, etc.
Don't go into this one thinking it will be a super exciting, scandalous read. Sure - some "scandalous-adjacent" things happen, but it's so leisurely paced that it just feels very easy and almost lighthearted throughout. In the end, enjoyed this one!
July 31, 2026
「 ✦ full review ✦ 」
┊3.25 stars ┊finished july 20th
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · what to expect · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
✶ very character driven
✶ multi-POV (from 4 female main characters)
✶ follows an adult friend group, their children, their lives, their families, etc.
✶ lots of drama (peek at the synopsis unless you want to go in blind. i went in blind and had a good time doing it that way. i almost think the synopsis gives away too much.)
✶ exploration of friendships, relationships, healing, trust, hurt, betrayal, and family
✶ fairly summery setting
✶ imperfect characters
✶ distinct character personalities
✶ pretty fast-paced and easy to read for a lit fic
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · some thoughts · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
✶ i enjoyed that each of the characters felt very distinct to me and had very unique personalities. the downfall of this is that i couldn’t really connect to, well, anyone. they were well-written characters with relatable flaws and problems but personally, their imperfections didn’t really resonate with my life.
✶ as stated above, the writing was very digestible and flowed pretty well, but it took me a while to read this. i don’t usually expect much of a plot from literary fiction (this book is no exception), but the lack of direction or purpose slowed this story down for me. we don’t really get to ‘the point’ until the very latter portion of the story.
✶ this was honestly a pretty good lit fic experience. i love lit fic in the summertime for whatever reason. would i read this again? unlikely. would i recommend for a summertime lit fic? yeah, i think i would!
✶ this book is messy and raw with characters that feel very real. the lack of a plot, though intentional, slowed down this story a little bit for me. i did, however, love the last 15%-ish of this book and felt it wrapped everything up nicely. i loved the jelly donut (IYKYK).
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
┊pre-read┊started july 14th
i've been anticipating this one for a while now! it sounds messyyy. it's a lit fic kind of summer over here ♡
reading this with my fable book club ☺︎
┊3.25 stars ┊finished july 20th
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · what to expect · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
✶ very character driven
✶ multi-POV (from 4 female main characters)
✶ follows an adult friend group, their children, their lives, their families, etc.
✶ lots of drama (peek at the synopsis unless you want to go in blind. i went in blind and had a good time doing it that way. i almost think the synopsis gives away too much.)
✶ exploration of friendships, relationships, healing, trust, hurt, betrayal, and family
✶ fairly summery setting
✶ imperfect characters
✶ distinct character personalities
✶ pretty fast-paced and easy to read for a lit fic
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · some thoughts · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
✶ i enjoyed that each of the characters felt very distinct to me and had very unique personalities. the downfall of this is that i couldn’t really connect to, well, anyone. they were well-written characters with relatable flaws and problems but personally, their imperfections didn’t really resonate with my life.
✶ as stated above, the writing was very digestible and flowed pretty well, but it took me a while to read this. i don’t usually expect much of a plot from literary fiction (this book is no exception), but the lack of direction or purpose slowed this story down for me. we don’t really get to ‘the point’ until the very latter portion of the story.
✶ this was honestly a pretty good lit fic experience. i love lit fic in the summertime for whatever reason. would i read this again? unlikely. would i recommend for a summertime lit fic? yeah, i think i would!
✶ this book is messy and raw with characters that feel very real. the lack of a plot, though intentional, slowed down this story a little bit for me. i did, however, love the last 15%-ish of this book and felt it wrapped everything up nicely. i loved the jelly donut (IYKYK).
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
┊pre-read┊started july 14th
i've been anticipating this one for a while now! it sounds messyyy. it's a lit fic kind of summer over here ♡
reading this with my fable book club ☺︎
August 12, 2026
Sorry to say, but the characters in The Shampoo Effect had the emotional intelligence of slugs, so it was hard to get into a story like that.
The premise was interesting enough. Caroline goes off to Greenhead to work on her writing and falls in love with local boy Van, who then introduces her to his ragtag group of close friends. But it soon comes out that his ex is pregnant with their child, and so chaos and hilarity ensues. Or rather, I thought hilarity would ensue. But instead, I just got a lot of whatever the female equivalent of bro vibes is and the sort of drunken idiocy I haven't seen since college frat parties.
All the characters in here were really something. Clueless, self-absorbed, mean and cliquey, they really embodied the worst of growing up (or not growing up, as the case may be). We follow them as they drank and did weed and mushrooms, acting like fools and occasionally throwing in a game of truth or dare just to liven things up. But lest you think this was a story about teenagers, they're actually adults in their thirties with children of their own.
And so the stupidity continues. The problems were real, but the way they dealt with them was distinctively immature. Everyone's favorite miscommunication trope was here in spades. Why say a simple sentence to your partner when you can hold it in for years? Why speak your mind when you can just smile and swallow your anger and let resentment fester? And so these hapless people carried on, unable to discern why they were unhappy with themselves and their partners.
This is written with an ensemble cast. And while I don't necessarily mind such a structure, it is imperative that each character feels distinct and stands out on their own. Otherwise, they all just blend together and you start having trouble keeping them apart. And unfortunately, that's what happened here.
When you have so many unpleasant, emotionally stunted characters, it can make the whole thing feel off-putting. What should've been a group of friends discovering themselves and growing wiser instead turns into a shallow spree of mean girls and guys learning lessons they should've figured out a decade ago.
Speaking of mean, at one point, the story references Mean Girls (one of the sharpest satires on the school experience from the female perspective), so I have to wonder if that was the author's intention. But devoid of the necessary humor and insight that made the film so successful, what we have left here was just... mean girls.
So I leave this review with a selection of quotes from the book, all of them gems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
✧ This was a pick for my BOTM box. Get your first book for $5 here.
The premise was interesting enough. Caroline goes off to Greenhead to work on her writing and falls in love with local boy Van, who then introduces her to his ragtag group of close friends. But it soon comes out that his ex is pregnant with their child, and so chaos and hilarity ensues. Or rather, I thought hilarity would ensue. But instead, I just got a lot of whatever the female equivalent of bro vibes is and the sort of drunken idiocy I haven't seen since college frat parties.
All the characters in here were really something. Clueless, self-absorbed, mean and cliquey, they really embodied the worst of growing up (or not growing up, as the case may be). We follow them as they drank and did weed and mushrooms, acting like fools and occasionally throwing in a game of truth or dare just to liven things up. But lest you think this was a story about teenagers, they're actually adults in their thirties with children of their own.
And so the stupidity continues. The problems were real, but the way they dealt with them was distinctively immature. Everyone's favorite miscommunication trope was here in spades. Why say a simple sentence to your partner when you can hold it in for years? Why speak your mind when you can just smile and swallow your anger and let resentment fester? And so these hapless people carried on, unable to discern why they were unhappy with themselves and their partners.
This is written with an ensemble cast. And while I don't necessarily mind such a structure, it is imperative that each character feels distinct and stands out on their own. Otherwise, they all just blend together and you start having trouble keeping them apart. And unfortunately, that's what happened here.
When you have so many unpleasant, emotionally stunted characters, it can make the whole thing feel off-putting. What should've been a group of friends discovering themselves and growing wiser instead turns into a shallow spree of mean girls and guys learning lessons they should've figured out a decade ago.
Speaking of mean, at one point, the story references Mean Girls (one of the sharpest satires on the school experience from the female perspective), so I have to wonder if that was the author's intention. But devoid of the necessary humor and insight that made the film so successful, what we have left here was just... mean girls.
So I leave this review with a selection of quotes from the book, all of them gems.
She had checked her reflection and noticed, with complete horror, a hair poking from her chin. She had tried to grab it with her fingernails, but it had been futile, and so she’d spent the entire walk trying to hide her face.
She spent two hours studiously ignoring both the soccer and the other parents while she played with her phone. She knew it was antisocial, but she had real friends.
It was how they survived parenthood and life with small children: They took turns dosing themselves with weed, mushrooms, and booze, whatever made the hard edges softer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
✧ This was a pick for my BOTM box. Get your first book for $5 here.
April 10, 2026
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.
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.
July 23, 2026
3.5 or 3.75? ⭐️ a perfectly enjoyable beach read that started strong, fizzled for me a little in the middle, but won me back by the end!
i absolutely LOVED jenny jackson’s writing and wit, but the actual story sometimes felt a little… humdrum? i was fascinated by all the neighborhood gossip without ever feeling especially connected to the characters.
i really liked the idea behind “the shampoo effect” once the title finally clicked! (it gets explained!) this book does a lot of things really well and it was entertaining enough, but nothing about it really stood out enough to make it particularly memorable?
still a great pick for reading by the pool or on vacation, even though it felt much less summer-y than i expected! (honestly, you could read this one anytime). i’d definitely read more from this author! 🌊
i absolutely LOVED jenny jackson’s writing and wit, but the actual story sometimes felt a little… humdrum? i was fascinated by all the neighborhood gossip without ever feeling especially connected to the characters.
i really liked the idea behind “the shampoo effect” once the title finally clicked! (it gets explained!) this book does a lot of things really well and it was entertaining enough, but nothing about it really stood out enough to make it particularly memorable?
still a great pick for reading by the pool or on vacation, even though it felt much less summer-y than i expected! (honestly, you could read this one anytime). i’d definitely read more from this author! 🌊
August 2, 2026
5 Stars
Man do I love messy characters, with messy families - and in this case - a messy group of childhood friends. This was my second book by Jenny Jackson...and the second book of hers that I polished off in one sitting. Which I think is a testament to the quality of her writing. It just hits for me.
Jackson did a great job of capturing the way families - and a super tight friend group such as the one in this book - can feel both supportive and stifling all at once. How the guardrails that can keep you from crashing can also prevent you from safely off-roading when the mood strikes you.
I thought the nuanced way that she fleshed out all the involved relationships (both romantic and platonic) was really well done. Nothing felt black and white. And I loved it.
Man do I love messy characters, with messy families - and in this case - a messy group of childhood friends. This was my second book by Jenny Jackson...and the second book of hers that I polished off in one sitting. Which I think is a testament to the quality of her writing. It just hits for me.
Jackson did a great job of capturing the way families - and a super tight friend group such as the one in this book - can feel both supportive and stifling all at once. How the guardrails that can keep you from crashing can also prevent you from safely off-roading when the mood strikes you.
I thought the nuanced way that she fleshed out all the involved relationships (both romantic and platonic) was really well done. Nothing felt black and white. And I loved it.
August 11, 2026
4.25 ⭐️ I loved this!!!!
August 4, 2026
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 by 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.
Updated: Wow. I really ruffled some feathers with this review LOL. Anyways here are some quotes for those who said these things weren’t mentioned in the book and these aren’t even all of them mind you.. just the ones I could find. I will also include some honorable mentions that should’ve made me DNF earlier.
1. “——the view that life outside the city was provincial and possibly Republican, but Van's parents had a Prius in the driveway, NPR on the radio, a copy of The New York Times dismantled on the counter, and Caroline breathed a sigh of relief.”
2. "They let in all sorts of other waterfowl but not swans? That's bird racist, that's what it is,"
3. I won’t quote the whole thing but one of the FMC uses the song WAP as a guide for compressions during her baby CPR class… wtf
4. “While Fran mostly hated sports because of the toxic culture of masculinity, she also hated how they interfered with her buzz.”
5. “Christ. If her father was bringing her out in the yard to talk about being red-pilled or the feminist myth of the patriarchy or cryptocurrency, she was going to light the whole house on fire.”
6. “She made a point to avoid any event with hockey or football, believing sports to be for meatheads and those with retrograde sexual politics.”
7. “The program began a moment later as the master of ceremonies, a late-night host known for roasting conservatives,”
8. "Caroline, that is like congratulating Donald Trump on having Trump Tower named after him."
"What? No, you're being honored."
So like I said… it reads like someone’s whiny twitter feed rather than a character driven book.
America
Men
Sports (especially football)
Traditional Marriage
Republicans/Conservatives
I can’t imagine my life ever being so consumed by 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.
Updated: Wow. I really ruffled some feathers with this review LOL. Anyways here are some quotes for those who said these things weren’t mentioned in the book and these aren’t even all of them mind you.. just the ones I could find. I will also include some honorable mentions that should’ve made me DNF earlier.
1. “——the view that life outside the city was provincial and possibly Republican, but Van's parents had a Prius in the driveway, NPR on the radio, a copy of The New York Times dismantled on the counter, and Caroline breathed a sigh of relief.”
2. "They let in all sorts of other waterfowl but not swans? That's bird racist, that's what it is,"
3. I won’t quote the whole thing but one of the FMC uses the song WAP as a guide for compressions during her baby CPR class… wtf
4. “While Fran mostly hated sports because of the toxic culture of masculinity, she also hated how they interfered with her buzz.”
5. “Christ. If her father was bringing her out in the yard to talk about being red-pilled or the feminist myth of the patriarchy or cryptocurrency, she was going to light the whole house on fire.”
6. “She made a point to avoid any event with hockey or football, believing sports to be for meatheads and those with retrograde sexual politics.”
7. “The program began a moment later as the master of ceremonies, a late-night host known for roasting conservatives,”
8. "Caroline, that is like congratulating Donald Trump on having Trump Tower named after him."
"What? No, you're being honored."
So like I said… it reads like someone’s whiny twitter feed rather than a character driven book.
July 3, 2026
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!!
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!!
May 23, 2026
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
August 9, 2026
I hadn’t planned on reading this one, but…
Okay, I know this happens to me a lot. But what is a reader/reviewer to do when a hotlist book shows up as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed?
I read it, of course.
At first, I thought I was reading about Caroline, a woman anxious to prove herself as a writer who suddenly gets an amazing opportunity to do just that. Then she meets Van—the perfect guy. Or so we, as readers, are led to believe.
Yes, he’s hot, sweet, and environmentally conscious. What could possibly go wrong?
Well…apparently, plenty.
We’re taken on several journeys with the characters in Van’s orbit, and Van’s status as the perfect guy begins to unravel when something happens to his ex-girlfriend. So, does this mean he doesn’t have enough time to be Caroline’s perfect guy, too?
And that’s when the story starts taking quite a few detours.
There are mean girls who aren’t particularly nice to Caroline, the outsider, and a slow-burn plot that keeps getting derailed by one side story after another. Caroline doesn’t exactly help her own situation with some of her choices, either.
Eventually, everyone seems to go their separate ways, leaving readers to wonder: Is there actually going to be a happy ending here?
Without giving away any spoilers, let’s just say that, for this reader, the story had potential and was redeemed slightly by what feels like a hopeful ending.
But the journey along the way?
Meh.
I wanted more from this one. There was a good premise buried in here somewhere, but all the detours and side stories made it difficult for me to stay invested.
Would I have picked this one up on my own? Probably not.
Am I glad I read it? Well…let’s just say I’m glad it was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. At least now I know exactly where it belongs. 😉
Most likely, I am an outlier, so please read other reviews.
🌟🌟.5 stars
Okay, I know this happens to me a lot. But what is a reader/reviewer to do when a hotlist book shows up as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed?
I read it, of course.
At first, I thought I was reading about Caroline, a woman anxious to prove herself as a writer who suddenly gets an amazing opportunity to do just that. Then she meets Van—the perfect guy. Or so we, as readers, are led to believe.
Yes, he’s hot, sweet, and environmentally conscious. What could possibly go wrong?
Well…apparently, plenty.
We’re taken on several journeys with the characters in Van’s orbit, and Van’s status as the perfect guy begins to unravel when something happens to his ex-girlfriend. So, does this mean he doesn’t have enough time to be Caroline’s perfect guy, too?
And that’s when the story starts taking quite a few detours.
There are mean girls who aren’t particularly nice to Caroline, the outsider, and a slow-burn plot that keeps getting derailed by one side story after another. Caroline doesn’t exactly help her own situation with some of her choices, either.
Eventually, everyone seems to go their separate ways, leaving readers to wonder: Is there actually going to be a happy ending here?
Without giving away any spoilers, let’s just say that, for this reader, the story had potential and was redeemed slightly by what feels like a hopeful ending.
But the journey along the way?
Meh.
I wanted more from this one. There was a good premise buried in here somewhere, but all the detours and side stories made it difficult for me to stay invested.
Would I have picked this one up on my own? Probably not.
Am I glad I read it? Well…let’s just say I’m glad it was donated to my Little Free Library Shed. At least now I know exactly where it belongs. 😉
Most likely, I am an outlier, so please read other reviews.
🌟🌟.5 stars
July 9, 2026
4.25 Whelp, I loved it. The "shampoo effect" is a great metaphor for the layered depth, complex emotions, and overall messiness of this tight-knit group of friends with so much shared history. It’s real, messy, and a total pleasure to read.
I was fortunate enough to have both the audio and physical copies. While the narrator is fantastic, this one just might be best enjoyed in print—the physical presentation, fonts, and titles add so much unique charm and personality to the experience. I look forward to diving into Pineapple Street!
I was fortunate enough to have both the audio and physical copies. While the narrator is fantastic, this one just might be best enjoyed in print—the physical presentation, fonts, and titles add so much unique charm and personality to the experience. I look forward to diving into Pineapple Street!
August 2, 2026
Well, I am definitely now a Jenny Jackson fan. After seeing this was selected as a @readwithjenna pick for July, I knew I needed to give it a try. What I was not expecting was to binge it in a sitting, unable to put it down for even a second. This, my friends, is the epitome of the summer beach read in all its messy glory. And I cannot recommend it enough.
There is a certain level of nostalgia Jackson brings— those longstanding friendships/relationships you just cannot seem to quit no matter how emotionally fraught and complex. For all the bad, there is also good. And watching this particular group of friends, with the additional outsider working her way in, was both joyful and heartbreaking as you see the effects of being that intertwined, especially once the long-buried secrets begin to surface.
In many ways, this book is a character study, with the character being these types of friendships, and what happens when they are tested. But it’s also full of biting humor, witty repartee, and a touch of social commentary, making it very easy to digest poolside. I am now endlessly excited to read Jackson’s debut, PINEAPPLE STREET, very soon.
🎧 One final note— this audiobook, narrated by the incomparable Marin Ireland, is so well done. I cannot recommend this format enough, or even better, an immersive read to fully escape into the pages of this one.
Read if you like:
▪️friendship fiction
▪️messy and complicated relationships
▪️juicy secrets exposed
▪️bingy books for summer
▪️ensemble casts
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Pamela Dorman and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
There is a certain level of nostalgia Jackson brings— those longstanding friendships/relationships you just cannot seem to quit no matter how emotionally fraught and complex. For all the bad, there is also good. And watching this particular group of friends, with the additional outsider working her way in, was both joyful and heartbreaking as you see the effects of being that intertwined, especially once the long-buried secrets begin to surface.
In many ways, this book is a character study, with the character being these types of friendships, and what happens when they are tested. But it’s also full of biting humor, witty repartee, and a touch of social commentary, making it very easy to digest poolside. I am now endlessly excited to read Jackson’s debut, PINEAPPLE STREET, very soon.
🎧 One final note— this audiobook, narrated by the incomparable Marin Ireland, is so well done. I cannot recommend this format enough, or even better, an immersive read to fully escape into the pages of this one.
Read if you like:
▪️friendship fiction
▪️messy and complicated relationships
▪️juicy secrets exposed
▪️bingy books for summer
▪️ensemble casts
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Pamela Dorman and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
July 6, 2026
I’m mad at myself for finishing this 😂
July 8, 2026
Bookclub Book… Eh 🙃🫠
Reading this book felt like listening to a story from my annoying coworker about people I don’t know or care about and the story never gets better or interesting.
Reading this book felt like listening to a story from my annoying coworker about people I don’t know or care about and the story never gets better or interesting.
Read
August 10, 2026LOVE this story so much. Thanks for reading with me, friends!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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!
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!
July 2, 2026
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.
July 7, 2026
2.5⭐️
These people were intolerable and I could not care less about them. Disappointing. The gorgeous cover is the best part.
These people were intolerable and I could not care less about them. Disappointing. The gorgeous cover is the best part.
July 4, 2026
One thing about me is that I love saying I want to read something light and fluffy and fun….. and then am so disappointed and underwhelmed that it is in fact light and fluffy and fun
November 23, 2025
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.
June 26, 2026
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. 📚🎧
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. 📚🎧
July 6, 2026
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.🙏🏽
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.🙏🏽
Want to Read
July 14, 2026 ˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀ — preread
my BOTM copy arrived today!! YAY can't wait to start this one in the coming weeks <3
this book is a July BOTM pick!! if you would like to join and use my referral code, i can get a free book and you get a book for just $5! https://www.mybotm.com/hxfx2nddyjs (not sponsored btw, just for fun!)
my BOTM copy arrived today!! YAY can't wait to start this one in the coming weeks <3
this book is a July BOTM pick!! if you would like to join and use my referral code, i can get a free book and you get a book for just $5! https://www.mybotm.com/hxfx2nddyjs (not sponsored btw, just for fun!)
July 7, 2026
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 😘🤞)
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 😘🤞)
July 27, 2026
I loved The Shampoo Effect, a soapy, drama filled story about a group of friends, mostly in their 30s, trying to grapple with relationships —romantic and platonic, work, and parenthood.
The Shampoo Effect is a contemporary story with authentic dialogue, characters who are far from perfect, and a beach setting that gives a strong sense of place, even when the story moves outside of the summer season.
This was an ideal beach read, offering bingeworthy, entertaining drama and a story balancing humor with a little depth. It was fun to soak up. While I enjoyed Jackson’s debut novel, Pineapple Street, The Shampoo Effect was even better — 4.5 stars
The Shampoo Effect is a contemporary story with authentic dialogue, characters who are far from perfect, and a beach setting that gives a strong sense of place, even when the story moves outside of the summer season.
This was an ideal beach read, offering bingeworthy, entertaining drama and a story balancing humor with a little depth. It was fun to soak up. While I enjoyed Jackson’s debut novel, Pineapple Street, The Shampoo Effect was even better — 4.5 stars
July 10, 2026
I will not be rinsing and repeating.
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