The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close specializes in razor sharp, often hysterical, observations in its description of life in Washington DC among the young, hard driving politico set. Beth and Matt are young marrieds trying to find the right jobs. There is a very honest appraisal of the pressures of competition as everyone fights for attention and fragile egos are glorified or trampled. The author really gets the craziness of life in DC and the rigors of campaigning. It’s comical and compelling all at once.