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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was really looking forward to Climbing In Heels because one of my sons worked for a Hollywood talent agency for a while. This story was supposed to focus on three women who climbed their way up in such an agency in the 1980s when it was still very much a “boys’ club.” The book seems to be semi-autobiographical, as the author became a very successful agent herself. Alas, this was incredibly disjointed and I lost interest pretty quickly. The three main characters don’t even interact with each other until about 40% into the book. Instead we get a lot of backstory as it jumps around from Beanie to Mercedes/Millicent to Ella.
I was able to bounce between the ebook version and the audiobook version, ably narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker. It was not the narrator’s fault that I just couldn’t get invested in these characters or their story.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Car accident
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for the advanced reader's copy of Climbing in Heels by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.
We're following three different women as they navigate the complexities of ambition, friendship, and betrayal within the confines of a powerful talent agency. The writing is sharp and engaging, capturing the essence of what was an era where power dynamics were skewed and opportunities for women were pretty limited. This novel delves into the challenges these women face, particularly their struggles and triumphs in a world that often sought to undermine them. I think this novel's themes will really resonate with our discussions about gender dynamics and the pursuit of success in challenging environments in today's current society. It made me reflect on the barriers women have historically faced and the strength required to overcome those barriers.
Younger readers may struggle a bit with the historical context and references throughout the book since there is a lot of name dropping throughout the novel.
We're following three different women as they navigate the complexities of ambition, friendship, and betrayal within the confines of a powerful talent agency. The writing is sharp and engaging, capturing the essence of what was an era where power dynamics were skewed and opportunities for women were pretty limited. This novel delves into the challenges these women face, particularly their struggles and triumphs in a world that often sought to undermine them. I think this novel's themes will really resonate with our discussions about gender dynamics and the pursuit of success in challenging environments in today's current society. It made me reflect on the barriers women have historically faced and the strength required to overcome those barriers.
Younger readers may struggle a bit with the historical context and references throughout the book since there is a lot of name dropping throughout the novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you are looking for a 1980s historical fiction book about the movie industry, filled with feminism, sex, and sexual harassment, have I got a book for you. I don’t like using the term chick-lit, but given the time frame for this book, it’s fitting.
For those of us who are old enough to remember POS males and all the stuff they got away with because they held the power, this book will be very familiar. The casting couch existed, even if you just wanted an entry-level job. The three women featured in this novel all come from different socio and economic backgrounds and deal with the men in charge in different ways. These women know that you have to play the game if you want to get ahead.
One of the best parts of the book are the frequent quotes that are like a feminist manifesto, giving life advice and holding no prisoners. What’s that old anecdote about Ginger Rodgers? She had to dance backwards and in high heels, yet Fred Astaire gets more credit than her. The same is true here. The women in the story resort to sex as a way to get what they want, and the men pretty much fall for it because they are driven by their penis.
This audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker, who did a great job. She really nails distinct women in this character driven book. I would definitely listen to more books with her as narrator.
I wanted to love this, but it was just meh for me.
The book follows three main characters as they do just about anything to rise in their careers at a Hollywood agency.
The book follows Beanie, Mercedes, and Ella from their childhoods into adulthood. Because the book spans from the 60s to the 90s, it felt like it dragged on in the beginning and then sped up toward the end. I didn’t really feel connected to any character except Beanie, so I think just focusing on two female characters would have made this stronger.
While I love and respect that the author was an actual Hollywood agent who rose to the top in her own right, I feel like the book characters made sudden and at times super outlandish moves in order to advance their careers. We also didn’t always get to see the immediate after effects of these decisions, which made them feel even more random. The ending felt super contrived and did not deliver the payoff I was expecting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
The book follows three main characters as they do just about anything to rise in their careers at a Hollywood agency.
The book follows Beanie, Mercedes, and Ella from their childhoods into adulthood. Because the book spans from the 60s to the 90s, it felt like it dragged on in the beginning and then sped up toward the end. I didn’t really feel connected to any character except Beanie, so I think just focusing on two female characters would have made this stronger.
While I love and respect that the author was an actual Hollywood agent who rose to the top in her own right, I feel like the book characters made sudden and at times super outlandish moves in order to advance their careers. We also didn’t always get to see the immediate after effects of these decisions, which made them feel even more random. The ending felt super contrived and did not deliver the payoff I was expecting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
This reminded me of Mad Men but with power heels, shoulder pads, and unapologetically ambitious women!
What I loved most is how this flips the script - instead of watching men climb the corporate ladder, we see women—flawed, fierce, and fabulous! 💋👠💁🏻♀️
Set in 1980s Hollywood, Beanie, Mercedes, and Ella storm into the male-dominated world of talent agencies and rewrite the rules of success on their own terms. There’s a whole lot of betrayal and survival in stilettos! 👠
Beanie, Mercedes, and Ella didn’t just climb to the top. They owned it!
P.S. ooooooh I loved to hate Beanie’s mom! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
P.S.S. This is going to be a drama series for Universal Television. #READitbeforeyouSEEit
What I loved most is how this flips the script - instead of watching men climb the corporate ladder, we see women—flawed, fierce, and fabulous! 💋👠💁🏻♀️
Set in 1980s Hollywood, Beanie, Mercedes, and Ella storm into the male-dominated world of talent agencies and rewrite the rules of success on their own terms. There’s a whole lot of betrayal and survival in stilettos! 👠
Beanie, Mercedes, and Ella didn’t just climb to the top. They owned it!
P.S. ooooooh I loved to hate Beanie’s mom! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
P.S.S. This is going to be a drama series for Universal Television. #READitbeforeyouSEEit