“When I was a teenager, I thought getting ‘old’ was the worst and most depressing thing that could happen to a person,” writes Christina Crawford. “I remember watching The Golden Girls growing up and thinking those old ladies were so sad and boring, just sitting around their house chatting while playing cards in their muumuus.”

Oh, but then age came for her, as well: “As I’ve gotten older, my view on that has completely changed.” And I bet you’ll agree about her current view — I certainly do.

Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor

Our latest Scary Mommy Book Club pick is set in New Zealand, and it’s moving, laugh-out-loud funny, and adorable.

Meet Greta and Valdin. Their mom is Māori and their dad is a Russian immigrant. They are both in their 30s, queer, and feeling unmoored in their lives and their identities. They share an apartment. Valdin is unsuccessfully getting over a relationship that ended because of his mental health struggles — and he doesn’t know how to fall out of love or move on. Greta is obsessed with a colleague who is obviously using her to get work tasks done. But then, after a few other dating disasters, she meets someone new and intriguing at a party. And in the background, there is a substantial amount of family drama to keep them both distracted and occupied.

I just can’t tell you how much I adored this read. I wanted to stay in the world forever and continue following the characters after the last page. It’s so sharply written and thoughtful, but at its heart it’s a rom-com. It deals with heavy issues like queerness, immigration, family secrets, race, and reality, but with such humor and speed that it feels like a beach read. And it’s a debut novel! I can’t wait for you to spend a little bit of April with this cast of characters or to talk to Rebecca at the end of the month with you all.

Sarah Aswell, Senior Editor