'The Shampoo Effect' is a tired tale of gossip & upper-class apathy

Welcome back to book club friends! Things are heating up down under, hence our desire to choose Jenny Jackson's New England set contemporary novel 'The Shampoo Effect' as our September book club pick. The hype surrounding this book has been hard to ignore, with VOGUE calling it one of the "best books of 2026".  Many readers have likened the reading experience to overhearing juicy gossip about a friend group you know only tangentially. But does the story, focused on one accidental pregnancy and a tight-knit group of dysfunctional friends in their 30s, live up to the buzz? Fortunately, the answer lies in this loving diss (about a book that would have been a far better television show). Warning: this episode contains spoilers for the book's central plot twist. You can purchase The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson online from QBD Books using the following link: https://www.qbd.com.au/the-shampoo-ef... Use code BOOKSMART for 5% off your purchase with QBD Books in-store or online.