And Now There's Zelda

And Now There's Zelda by Carolyn Clarke presents another engaging family drama, a clever exploration of the challenges of familial relationships. The narrative unfolds five years after Allison Montgomery's father-in-law, George, passes away, leading to her tetchy mother-in-law, Margaret, moving in. Despite initial clashes, Allie and Margaret have managed to not only coexist but thrive as business partners in a home staging venture. However, their harmony is disrupted when Allie's son, Cameron, brings home Zelda, his mysterious fiancée. Allie doesn’t feel like she can trust Zelda and even though she is not ready to be a mother-in-law, she sees much in Zelda to worry about. Margaret is just there to offer advice.

The novel cleverly taps into the universal theme of navigating in-law relationships and introduces readers to the amusingly titled “Project Zelda.” Allie and Margaret join forces in an intervention aimed at unraveling the enigma that is Zelda and preventing a potentially disastrous union. Clarke excels at weaving humor into the narrative, infusing the narrative with relatable scenes and laugh-out-loud moments that keep them wanting more. The author writes about everyday life with intelligence and introduces a resonant family conflict. The prickling prose and the captivating dialogues enrich this narrative, and the author’s gift for character shines through every finely drawn character. Allie and Margaret have contrasting personalities and the author exploits them cleverly. And Now There's Zelda is a delightful read for readers who enjoy a family-focused narrative with a blend of humor and realism. Fans of Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan will adore Clarke's novel. It is filled with heart and drama.