Clutch: A Novel

Five college friends—Gregg, Reba, Hillary, Bella, and Carson—reunite in Palm Springs after twenty years apart. Once inseparable as undergraduates, they have remained connected through group chat while building lives across the country. Gregg, a progressive Texas legislator, faces a major decision about her political future. Reba has returned to the Bay Area and is undergoing IVF treatment while caring for aging parents in a city she barely recognizes. Hillary's medical career in Chicago is thriving, but her husband's addiction has destabilized their home. Bella, a litigator in New York City, is managing the biggest case of her career while her personal life deteriorates. Carson, living in Brooklyn, is writing a novel and exploring a relationship with her estranged father. As the women navigate midlife challenges—marriage, career, and addiction—they confront how to balance professional ambition with personal crisis, and how much they can give to friendship, family, and themselves. The novel examines the experiences of ambitious American women while exploring the enduring bonds formed in youth.