Go On, Girl by Hilary Grossman

Food import company executive Sydney Clayton and her husband, Craig, have lived comfortably in the exclusive community of Forest River for 15 years. They had found the house of their dreams and renovated it bit by bit until it was perfect. Their only child, Amanda, was born there but with a two hour one-way commute each day they may be ready for a move closer to work and family. After all, with their schedules, they haven’t made close friends in the community until a blow up among the school moms guilts Sydney into becoming the PTA Treasurer.

As Sydney becomes more and more a part of the PTA moms, and an appealing young couple considers the unimaginably high price Craig has set on the house, the Clayton’s already tough decision to stay or relocate becomes harder and harder.

Grossman has written a fun novel set in a small community where everyone knows everyone else’s business, the sharing of which escalates via the marvel of social media. It was entertaining to watch as Sydney is drawn into the drama that develops over the school year and her building relationship with the other moms especially with Jackie Martin, the local Queen B. First impressions are not always the truth of the matter. Sydney’s internal struggling with how much she should try and protect or insulate her daughter as she grows up may hit a chord with some readers, too. Although Sydney is the focus of Go On, Girl, the secondary characters shine as well. Recommended for readers of contemporary stories of family life.