SPLENDID LITTLE SCHEMES

In Strong’s novel, a group of women dare to challenge the status quo in their devoutly religious Utah suburb.

In 2014, Victoria Sterling is a pillar in her community of Kinderhook, Utah, where she’s a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has perfectly coiffed hair, heels for every day of the week, four well-behaved children, and a hugely successful blog. She’s also about to reach Royal Diamond status at Puremetics, for whom she’s a freelance seller of makeup and vitamins as part of a multilevel marketing scheme. All she needs is one more recruit to solidify her standing as the fastest-growing leader in company history. Luckily, she meets Anna Price, a woman who checks all the right boxes: She’s a single mom who’s new in town and who’s looking for new opportunities and friendships. Even better, she’s an unpolished “fixer upper” who may even be open to converting to a new faith. With laser-focus and plenty of pep, Victoria attempts to mold Anna into the perfect Puremetics salesperson: “Offer a compliment . . . make a connection” seems easy enough. In a town full of competing MLMs, however, Anna quickly finds herself at the center of a large-scale operation to take down Puremetics and its corrupt CEO, Christian White. As Anna goes undercover and rises up the ranks, secrets are revealed that threaten to shatter Victoria’s ambitions. Over the course this novel, Strong crafts a hilarious story that borders on the absurd, and she knowingly winks at the reader on page after page. Still, there are moments of genuine emotion, as well, as Victoria, a woman who targets her goals like a skilled assassin, still must deal with a husband who calls her endeavors a mere “hobby.” The author also expertly navigates heavier topics, such as the LDS Church’s anti-gay stances, and how domestic violence in overlooked in the local community. It’s a brisk read, but also a smart critique that asks readers to consider what separates a victim from a villain.

A clever and poignant suburban fever dream.