Books like A perfect arrangement by Suzanne Berne

Mirella and Howard Cook‑Goldman live what many imagine as the American dream: two careers, two children, a golden retriever and a colonial house in a quiet New England village. Yet the picture falls apart as their kids become troubled, the house disordered, Howard’s architectural work stalls and Mirella’s legal practice accelerates. The family's strain is compounded when a past‑approved au pair quits unexpectedly. Enter Randi Gill, an eager and well‑referenced nanny freshly arrived from a top child‑care placement agency and a former Sunday‑school teacher. Randi quickly becomes indispensable—cooking, baking, cleaning, and creative playmaking all take place in the home, including homemade play dough. The children, especially the quiet Jacob, grow attached to her, and Randi soon wins favor from neighbors. Mirella and Howard, however, grow wary of Randi’s growing bond with their children and of the marriage’s sudden unraveling, raising questions about trust, fidelity, and the fragile balance of dual‑career families in a tightly knit New England community.

First publish date: 2001