frogggirl2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is strongly reminiscent of "All Her Little Secrets" by Wanda M Morris. This well-plotted and enormously feminist novel manages to convey small and large aspects of sexism, misogyny and abuse in the workplace. What resonated most strongly with me where the parts about motherhood, balancing/work life as a mother and the discrimination that mother's face (and that father's don't face) in the workplace.
It's not realistic that this would all resolve so completely positively for the women involved (or that the "bad" women and men would get their comeuppance). The lack of any substantial representation of, or discussion about, women of color (or the LGBTQIA+ community) truly limits this book. Because this is only about extremely high earning, bougie white women the novel lacks a certain amount of reality, depth and complexity - it doesn't really depict the real world for many today.
It's not realistic that this would all resolve so completely positively for the women involved (or that the "bad" women and men would get their comeuppance). The lack of any substantial representation of, or discussion about, women of color (or the LGBTQIA+ community) truly limits this book. Because this is only about extremely high earning, bougie white women the novel lacks a certain amount of reality, depth and complexity - it doesn't really depict the real world for many today.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault
exercise_read_repeat's review against another edition
3.0
I am going to give this book a 3.5, rounded down. Firstly, I am not sure it was the best book to listen to- would have probably been better to read. I’ve seen a lot of people making comparisons to Big Little Lies, which I see. However, I do not think that this lives up to the bar that BLL set. It was too slow of a burn- I had to wait until about 68% into the book to actually be into it. The premise was really promising, especially in the #metoo era, but I think it generally fell short.
jennabuythebook's review against another edition
2.0
While I’m sure this is a timely and important novel for women in the corporate world and the #MeToo movement, I walked away from it yawning and feeling wholly unsatisfied. It tried oh so hard to ride on Big Little Lies’ coattails and just never quite did it justice. Forgettable and unlikeable characters in a forgettable and rightfully unlikeable novel.
eawood's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pyker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
nhredhead's review
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
perfectionotincluded's review
4.0
3.75. This book is hard to review because the subject matter is so pressing. It’s something that is common and it’s terrible. Worth reading.
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While the book grew on me by the end, I found it really tough going, and not just because of the subject matter. It read as slightly stilted to me, trying too hard to show both sides when the author obviously (to me) didn’t have empathy for the other side - while I’m in the same camp, I would’ve preferred fewer caricatures to be honest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Rape