What stands out most in The Shampoo Effect is the same quality that made Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson so memorable: her incredibly specific, almost hyper-observant writing style. She has a gift for taking the most ordinary, mundane moments and turning them into something meaningful—something that reveals character in a way that feels both intimate and sharply funny. It’s genuinely impressive.
When I read Pineapple Street, I laughed constantly. I loved how ridiculously specific every page felt. I’m a very fast reader—I typically get through 100–120 pages an hour—and I read a lot (usually a novel a day). But I noticed I read this book much more slowly than usual. That wasn’t because it dragged; it was because I was savoring it. I found myself lingering over sentences, appreciating their structure, and really taking in the character work.
The story follows Caroline, a 28-year-old woman whose mother is a famous author. Caroline works in publishing but ultimately resigns to focus on her own writing. Lacking major life experiences to draw from, she pulls inspiration from her everyday life. She begins a relationship with Van, who has that familiar “golden retriever” energy often seen in book boyfriends. Much of the novel centers on Caroline trying to find her place within Van’s friend group, while the narrative also zooms in on the women within that circle.
There’s Bailey, Van’s ex, who feels like a grown-up version of what Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield from Sweet Valley High might have become—blonde, polished, and a little over-the-top. Her family is described as “nouveau riche,” complete with a large, somewhat tacky mansion. Then there’s Augusta, who comes from old money and is married to her brother’s best friend; much of her storyline explores marriage, motherhood, and the expectations that come with her background.
That said, while I loved Jackson’s writing, I found myself agreeing with some of the lower-rated reviews in a way I didn’t with Pineapple Street. The characters there were firmly in the 1%, and here it feels like that scope has only slightly widened. These are still extremely privileged people, and as a result, the stakes often feel low. There isn’t a strong sense of conflict driving the narrative forward.
My biggest critique is that I wanted the story to mean more. Beautiful writing alone isn’t always enough. This isn’t quite “rich people behaving badly”—it’s more a detailed portrait of a very insulated, Martha’s Vineyard–adjacent social bubble. It captures everyday life within that world, but I was hoping for a deeper thematic thread that would leave a stronger emotional impact, especially for a sophomore novel.
That said, I will absolutely continue reading anything Jenny Jackson writes.
Recommend? Maybe. If you loved Pineapple Street, you’ll likely enjoy this one as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC.
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