The author crafts her story around a young woman who is not interested in having children or conforming to the traditional roles society still fully expects of us.

While her friends seem to have thriving careers, relationships and lives in general, Margot can feel the lackluster of her own life. It is getting harder and harder to get praised for all her free time, the roles she is rarely paid to perform and her job in a seedy bar.

The fear of being left behind while everyone around her moves on prompts Margot to wrap the truth in a few white lies. If only to enjoy one last summer of fun with her lifelong friends.

But on a canoe-camping trip with them, she discovers that their campfire conversations have changed: between marshmallows, there is more talk of saving for retirement, home insurance and impending parenthood. Margot isn’t ready—not for these discussions, and certainly not for what awaits her when she returns.

‘‘He is one of the few people who understands both my fears and my poor ability to make choices between my freedom, friends, money, the leisure of pursuing an unstable but exciting artistic career and starting a potential family.’’

The perfect summer read, propelled by richly textured dialogue and emotionally charged scenes with the enchanting Mistassini River as its backdrop.