Scan barcode
A review by fromjuliereads
Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had to think on this one for a while for what my rating is and how I felt. I admit that I struggled with this one when I read it for a few reasons. There were aspects I liked but things I struggled with as well.
I liked that this was set in the world of IT. I liked a few of the characters, the friendships, that there was a romance but it definitely wasn't the main plot. And I loved that this showed the ability to make a big change in your life for your life and career, how you can switch into something but use what you know.
I also want to acknowledge that of course I cannot speak to the rep, and I believe some parts of this story could be taken from the author's experiences - but I might be wrong.
The things I struggled with.
The interactions with the only female coworker and other coworkers. The main character is determined to believe the worst in all of her new coworkers, except for 2 people - one who does turn out to be the worst of all. And the only other woman in the office? She worries about being judged by her, but all she does is judge and misunderstand the other woman. She doesn't even try with her, just takes literally everything personally.
She never stands up for herself. I have no idea how this character would have survived in the fashion world when all she did was take time off work and cry when things came up. It was a bit hard to root for her between this and the above point.
I think the biggest struggle I had was that I work in IT. I don't work in Silicon Valley or at a start up for an app, but I have worked in IT for over 6 years. This book felt a bit determined to show the worst sides of it which I was a bit surprised by. Sure, there are struggles to it and some of these things can happen at any company or job, but a lot of this book just felt so negative towards... well everything.
Anyways I think there were some truly important conversations brought up in this book and there were elements that I truly loved - like I said, the friendships, and definitely the way everything wrapped and the epilogue. Fantastic. It just isn't a book I could recommend highly.
I liked that this was set in the world of IT. I liked a few of the characters, the friendships, that there was a romance but it definitely wasn't the main plot. And I loved that this showed the ability to make a big change in your life for your life and career, how you can switch into something but use what you know.
I also want to acknowledge that of course I cannot speak to the rep, and I believe some parts of this story could be taken from the author's experiences - but I might be wrong.
The things I struggled with.
The interactions with the only female coworker and other coworkers. The main character is determined to believe the worst in all of her new coworkers, except for 2 people - one who does turn out to be the worst of all. And the only other woman in the office? She worries about being judged by her, but all she does is judge and misunderstand the other woman. She doesn't even try with her, just takes literally everything personally.
She never stands up for herself. I have no idea how this character would have survived in the fashion world when all she did was take time off work and cry when things came up. It was a bit hard to root for her between this and the above point.
I think the biggest struggle I had was that I work in IT. I don't work in Silicon Valley or at a start up for an app, but I have worked in IT for over 6 years. This book felt a bit determined to show the worst sides of it which I was a bit surprised by. Sure, there are struggles to it and some of these things can happen at any company or job, but a lot of this book just felt so negative towards... well everything.
Anyways I think there were some truly important conversations brought up in this book and there were elements that I truly loved - like I said, the friendships, and definitely the way everything wrapped and the epilogue. Fantastic. It just isn't a book I could recommend highly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Attempted sexual harrassment on page, sexual harrassment to a side character recounted (act off page)