Fling

A long-married couple struggling with fertility issues rekindles their passion through unexpected means in Murray’s insightful debut. After Tara and Colin’s third attempt at IVF fails, Colin is heartbroken that Tara won’t even discuss trying again, and their sex life, which was already more chore than pleasure, becomes nonexistent. Couples therapy isn’t working, so they both secretly turn to Fling, a dating app for married people looking to have anonymous affairs. Sleeping in separate rooms allows them to text with their secret potential lover every night, sharing their deepest desires and marital issues. The twist? Though neither realizes it, they’re texting with each other. It’s pretty much the same plot as “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” but that doesn’t detract from the joy of watching this couple rediscover their deep connection. Murray makes the tale as humorous as it is heartfelt, with tough lessons on communication and compromise along the way. Even readers who usually balk at infidelity plotlines will have no trouble empathizing with the nuanced and well-matched protagonists. (Sept.)