A witty, warm, and sharply observant novel about friendship, motherhood, and the messiness of modern womanhood. In Beautiful Bodies, Laura Shaine Cunningham captures the raw humor and emotional chaos of female friendship in the city.
 
When six lifelong friends gather in a New York apartment on a sweltering August evening, their conversation — and confessions — reveal everything from secret affairs to fears about aging, motherhood, and ambition. As wine flows and tempers rise, the women find that laughter, honesty, and love are the only things keeping them together.
 
What begins as a dinner party among old friends turns into a night of revelation — where each woman’s carefully constructed life unravels in surprising ways. Set against the backdrop of 1990s New York, the novel balances comedy and compassion, exploring what it means to grow up, grow older, and hold on to the people who truly know you.
 
Cunningham’s writing is smart, funny, and emotionally honest — a celebration of flawed, fabulous women navigating love, family, and the endless search for meaning (and a little peace) in the middle of it all.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Lively, character-driven story about friendship and self-discovery.
Blends sharp humor with emotional depth.
Perfect for readers who love strong, imperfect female characters.
Captures the energy and intimacy of New York life.
A mix of wit, heart, and hard-earned wisdom.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of The Group and Good in Bed.
Readers who enjoy women-centered literary fiction.
Book clubs discussing friendship, aging, and identity.
Anyone who loves urban fiction filled with humor and heart.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Beautiful Bodies, you might also like:
The Group by Mary McCarthy — classic novel of female friendship in Manhattan.
Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan — friendship, feminism, and finding your way.
In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner — sisterhood, humor, and second chances.