When an overbearing mother returns to New York City, her three adult children hatch a desperate scheme to marry her off to a wealthy suitor to regain control of their own lives. The narrative follows the siblings—Sigourney, Sharon, and Bruce—as they navigate their professional and personal crises while attempting to manage their mother, Phyllis. Faced with the prospect of Phyllis disrupting their fragile stability, the siblings prioritize self-preservation over familial duty. The story unfolds through a sharp, comedic lens, highlighting the friction between generational expectations and the realities of modern urban life.

This novel is recognized for its biting humor and its cynical, yet observant, take on family dysfunction in an urban setting. Readers often note the author's ability to balance sharp satire with the chaotic realities of navigating adult relationships. The narrative style is frequently described as brisk and entertaining, leaning heavily into the absurdity of the siblings' predicament. It serves as a commentary on the pressures of maintaining personal autonomy while dealing with the lingering influence of a demanding parent. The work fits well within the author's established body of fiction, which often dissects the social and personal lives of contemporary women.