What’s a girl to do when she finds out that her husband has cheated on her? In Kim Moritsugu’s witty sixth novel, the answer is: start a neighbourhood dinner club as a way to meet potential new lovers of her own. Food, sex, and social satire blend in the story of Mary Ann’s quest for her own affair, which is interwoven with the tale of her best friend Alice’s attempt to escape her rut as a single working mother.

Set in the women’s hometown of Oakdale, a cozy yet classy locale outside of New York City, The Oakdale Dinner Club is light and entertaining and goes down as smoothly as the free-flowing dinner-party wine. The novel is voyeurism at its best, allowing readers a peek into the lives of the fabulously wealthy and the culture of no-strings-attached affairs. Moritsugu’s sparse, sarcastic style lends a reality-show vibe to the story, in a way that’s fortunately less trashy than what is on offer in the Real Housewives television franchise.

While the novel at first appears to be firmly grounded in realism, Moritsugu takes an abrupt turn into the fantastical when she reveals that, as teenagers, Mary Ann and Alice experienced a period of mutual telepathy. From different geographical locations, the two girls could send and receive pictures in their minds. Why they lost this ability as adults is never fully understood, but their mutual clairvoyance makes a surprise reappearance later in the novel, with very funny consequences.

Where the novel falters is in its characterization of Mary Ann. While her marital situation evokes immediate sympathy, her character isn’t overly likable. Her need for an affair, and approval from another man, often feels too desperate, and she is difficult to root for. Conversely, Alice’s struggle to find a balance between romance and independence is more relatable. Alice’s edginess and humility are endearing, and it’s unfortunate that she is relegated to a supporting role.