When the Bough Breaks — Otis Carney

The novel is set in the 1950s and follows the lives of a suburban couple, Helen and Paul. Helen is a housewife who feels increasingly isolated and unfulfilled in her domestic life, while Paul is a young, ambitious lawyer who is often preoccupied with his career. As Helen grapples with her sense of identity and purpose, she begins to question the choices she has made and the societal expectations placed upon her. The story delves into themes of marital strain, personal growth, and the search for meaning in a seemingly perfect suburban world. (There have been two movies made with this title. Neither are based on this book.)