I got hooked from the start on this story.

Lois Saunders felt crushed by her loveless marriage and besides has always felt like an outsider, a young woman with a suspect background of new money and ethnicity in a staunch and wealthy WASP stronghold.

We meet Lois as the novel …more opens on her train ride to the Golden Yarrow, a glamorous Nevada divorce ranch where six weeks of residency will qualify you for a divorce in 1951 America, when women have few rights.

Lois has taken the plunge and abandoned her insulated life but comes to realize that all she has before her after the divorce is the prospect of going back to live in her father's house. At the Golden Yarrow, though, she meets a new guest — Greer is enigmatic and fascinating and a bit dangerous, and through her Lois begins to see herself in a new light. The novel builds to a crisis where Lois is forced to ask, how far will she go to create a new life for herself?

After reading a couple of reviews I want to add: do not expect a frothy romp about swinging divorcees. This novel builds slowly and powerfully to a very satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend. (less)