Little Earthquakes: A Novel (Washington Square Press)

Jennifer Weiner explores the transition to motherhood through the lives of four women at different stages of their journeys. Rebecca Rothstein-Rabinowitz is a chef with a successful restaurant, a supportive husband, and a new baby daughter—but struggles with a difficult mother-in-law. Kelly Day appears to have it all, yet privately battles the demands of balancing work, motherhood, and marriage while managing an unemployed husband. Ayinde Towne follows parenting advice strictly, but her basketball player husband's infidelity threatens her marriage and exposes her family to public scrutiny. Lia Frederick has recently returned to Philadelphia from Los Angeles, leaving behind a glamorous career, her marriage, and a tragic secret to rebuild her life. The novel addresses the realities of new motherhood—from prenatal yoga to postpartum challenges—and examines how an infant can fundamentally reshape a woman's identity and relationships. Weiner presents the experiences of these women with attention to family dynamics, marriage, friendship, and forgiveness.