Bond Girl by Erin DuffyGrowing up Alex always new she wanted to work on Wall Street. But fresh out of college now that she's never, she's not quite sure what she got into. Will she be able to survive as one of the only females in a male dominated field?
When this book first came out I was dying to read it. Except I kept reading negatives reviews of it, and the more I read, the less sure about it I was. But when a friend lent me a copy, it was a perfect time to check it out. And I definitely wish I went with my initial impression, because I really enjoyed this.
I haven't seen this book classified as New Adult, likely because it was published before the current craze, but I think it fits pretty perfectly. After all, Alex has just graduated college and is starting her first job, two things that feel "new adult" to me. Maybe the reason is that Alex seems mature and knows why she's doing, while most of the typical new adult characters seem to not know what they're doing with their lives.
In a way this feels a bit like a memoir, and I think it could have worked as one as well. But I think it works better as fiction. You have to imagine a lot of the events in here happened to at least one person. But since this isn't actually a true story, there's no reason why the experiences of many couldn't all happen to Alex.
There is a bit of a love story in here, but I don't necessarily think it was needed. Part of me understands why it was there, but at times it seemed to take away from all of Alex's work drama.
Duffy does do an awesome job at getting the feel for what it's like working in finance. You may not be there with her, but it sure feels like you are. And while I still can't quite picture what the floor actually looked like, I do have a much better idea of it.
Parts of this book had me appreciate my current job. And yet others made me wonder, what if I had taken a similar career path? What parts of her job sounded exciting to me? I'm not quite sure I'm ready to make that type of career changing decision, but it was fun getting the chance to experience it with Alex.
4.5/5
Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!
Sounds great! I'm getting into the NA thing, too, and am liking the ones I've read so far (mostly, anyway, haha). I don't know a thing about trading, so this sounds like something I'd be interested in. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt isn't necessary marketed as NA, or like a lot of the ones I've read. But if I was defining the genre, this would be NA, aka a book about a smart & mature girl getting starting her first job. My biggest pet peeve with NA is how naive all the girls seem to be. After all don't most people have a little more knowledge once they graduate from high school or college and start "real life"?
DeleteLike you, I wanted to read this one when it came out. I still haven't. I'll grab it the next time I see it.
ReplyDeleteHonestly the only reason I finally read it was because I friend lent it to me. But definitely is a book I'd love to own.
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book. Adding it to my goodreads list :)
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it too!
DeleteI know several people who read this and really enjoyed it but I was in the minority and really disliked it! I think I gave it 2 stars on goodreads, mostly because the relationship aspect of the book DROVE ME NUTS. It was interesting to read about someone who works in my industry though, as it was like reading about where I work to some extent. And that vending machine challenge? That actually happened in the office I now work in now. It was many years ago, but I guess back then people did whatever they wanted and the office lacked a sense of professionalism.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading your review back when you read it. Maybe it's part of the reason it took me so long to read it. And I agree with you about the relationship. It was by far my least favorite part of the book. But maybe she felt girls wouldn't read the book unless their was some type of romantic story? Either way, I don't think it was necessary.
DeleteI really want to read this!!
ReplyDelete