Lake Effect - two families deal with the fallout from a passionate affair.

It's 1977, and the lives of the Larkin and Finnegan families are about to change forever. Both families of four live next door each another in Rochester, New York. Nina Larkin, though married to Sam, a good man, yearns for true passion in her life. Honey Finnegan keeps passion at bay, something husband Finn misses in their marriage. Daughters Clara and Bridie Larkin find their mother's copy of The Joy of Sex and are both shocked and intrigued by its content. They soon will have to deal with the fallout from the actions of Nina and Finn, whose clandestine affair escalates to much more. When the story shifts in the 1990s, the focus is on daughter Clara, who has moved to New York City and has never forgiven her mother for the scandal she caused. 

Lake Effect, by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, is a smart, engaging family drama. The lake-effect weather of Western New York serves as an ideal metaphor for the story, as it reflects the uncertainty of what lies ahead. The Larkin and Finnegan families experience the full extent of life's unpredictability and chaos. Sweeney authentically depicts the 1970s and 1990s, capturing changes in social mores, culture, and technology. The theme of food is cleverly woven throughout the book. The Finnegans own a chain of grocery stores, Nina writes a monthly food column, and Clara becomes a food stylist. The novel explores the complexity of the relationship between mothers and daughters and the consequences of our decisions. With no easy answers and no clear heroes or villains, this book is a perfect choice for Book Club discussions.

Many thanks to Ecco | HarperCollins for the advance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction.

Publication Date: March 3, 2026.

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