The Shampoo Effect - Jenny Jackson

 

Description

A VOGUE 'BEST BOOK OF 2026'

OVER ONE LONG SUMMER, WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT COME OUT IN THE WASH?

When writer Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, she falls immediately for its scenic beaches and New England charm – and even harder for Van Whittaker, a gorgeous, fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast.

She meets his friends: Augusta, old money and uptight; Fran, drowning in everyone else’s problems whilst keeping two kids (and an inebriated husband) afloat; and Bailey, who is sexy, confident… and inconveniently pregnant with Van’s child.

Determined nothing will dull the shine of her new romance, Caroline joins the friends as they run wild through Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, gossiping on beaches while their children paddle, and playing risky games.

It seems the fun will last forever – until it doesn’t. As decades-old friendships and marriages begin to fracture, Caroline’s place in their world is called into question. And with all the group’s most tightly held secrets at stake, who knows what might come out?

Dazzlingly funny, sexy, and as juicy as it is astute, The Shampoo Effect is a story of late-night parties, early mornings with small children, and old friends finally growing up – despite all their best efforts.

'The platonic ideal of a beach read: fun and fast-paced'
New York Times

'[A] juicy send-up of privilege in all its rowdy dysfunction'
People

'Astutely observed'
Booklist

Review

I loved Pineapple Street so eagerly began to read this one.

Caroline is starting afresh as a newly published writer in the New Yorker. She has secured a writers residency in a beach town and right away meets and falls for Van. He comes with a whole group of friends who have known one another for 30 years so it's a tough group to integrate into.

It started out ok, but I couldn't connect with any of the characters or feel anything towards them. Caroline was the strongest character for me, but as the book flips between the characters stories, she wasn't narrating all the time. 

At one point I did think why am I reading this, it's just people's lives that I have no interest in (apart from Caroline). I read on and I am so glad I did. I picked the book up and down several times until I had arrived at around half way through it. It was like a key turned and I really got it! I proceeded to read the rest of the book straight to the end, staying up late to do so. Seems like once everyone started to spill their feelings and secrets it became a lot more interesting. 

I loved the sweet ending.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. It gained an extra star during the second half and for the ending. My thanks to Negalley for the ARC to review. This book is out on 2 July 2026.