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Career Girls
'A classic of the genre' Daily Express The first novel from bestselling author LOUISE BAGSHAWE, with her unique brand of glitz and glamour. Blonde, beautiful, upper-class Rowena Gordon is the perfect English rose. Topaz Rossi is a feisty, Italian-American red-head from Brooklyn. Both are determined and talented. And there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other. Until Rowena hooks up with Topaz's boyfriend. Now, years later, they are star career girls at the top of their game; Topaz in journalism, Rowena in the music industry. When their paths cross again, Topaz is not about to just forgive and forget. She'll do everything in her power to shatter Rowena's success. And Rowena will do anything to stop her...
503 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
30 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Louise Bagshawe
65 books489 followersLouise Daphne Bagshawe was born on 28 June 1971 in England, UK. She attended local all-girls Catholic schools near her family home in Surrey, before going to Oxford University in 1989. After graduating with a degree in Anglo Saxon and Norse, she worked as press officer with EMI records and then as a marketing official with Sony Music. On her 22nd birthday, her passion for writing was realised with a major publishing deal as Louise Bagshawe. She is the author of more than fifteen novels, published in more than eight languages. She is sister of the also writer Tilly Bagshawe.
Louise married Anthony LoCicero, and they had three children, but since June 2011, she is married with her second husband Peter Mensch. She lives in Northamptonshire with her family, and has been the Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northants since November 2006, and became the Member of Parliament for Corby after winning the seat at the 2010 general election.
Louise married Anthony LoCicero, and they had three children, but since June 2011, she is married with her second husband Peter Mensch. She lives in Northamptonshire with her family, and has been the Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northants since November 2006, and became the Member of Parliament for Corby after winning the seat at the 2010 general election.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 13, 2012
This isn't my usual sort of book, but the premise intrigued me and so I wanted to read it. It has ambitious young women, journalism, politics, rock music, and even delicious relationships with older men. At first it was entertaining, but I got bored after a while.
The repetitive descriptions of the female characters' outfits and their personality traits and the over-the-top gratuitous sex scenes didn't add to my enjoyment of the book. In fact, they detracted from it. By placing so much emphasis on Topaz and Rowena as sex objects, the author undermines the notion of feminism, which is bandied about far too liberally to make any real mark upon the reader.
As for the characterisation, it was lacking. The author was consistent from start to finish, but everyone - the protagonists included - was one dimensional. It got to the point I was wincing every time Topaz Rossi was described as a fiery Italian or Rowena's cool intelligence was mentioned. By the end, it was as though they had become parodies of themselves, which was a shame.
What irritated me the most was that Topaz, after envisioning marriage and children with Nate, decided several months after his death that she hadn't really loved him - casual as anything. There was nothing to indicate that the passing of the man she had shared her life with for a number of years had any lasting impact on Topaz. It was unconvincing, as was the relationship with Joe - although it was highly predictable. Why on earth would Topaz, who - as the author is relentless in reminding the reader - is a career obsessed independent woman - want to be with a misogynist? Joe believed that women are secondary to men in the workplace, that their place is more or less at home; in short, the antithesis of everything Topaz supposedly stood for. The mind boggles.
"Career Girls" was fairly well written, and despite its flaws, the plot was interesting enough (if a tad hammy, i.e. the tennis metaphor for the rivalry) that I kept on reading in spite of the novel's inherent flaws. It was good fun, but nothing special.
The repetitive descriptions of the female characters' outfits and their personality traits and the over-the-top gratuitous sex scenes didn't add to my enjoyment of the book. In fact, they detracted from it. By placing so much emphasis on Topaz and Rowena as sex objects, the author undermines the notion of feminism, which is bandied about far too liberally to make any real mark upon the reader.
As for the characterisation, it was lacking. The author was consistent from start to finish, but everyone - the protagonists included - was one dimensional. It got to the point I was wincing every time Topaz Rossi was described as a fiery Italian or Rowena's cool intelligence was mentioned. By the end, it was as though they had become parodies of themselves, which was a shame.
What irritated me the most was that Topaz, after envisioning marriage and children with Nate, decided several months after his death that she hadn't really loved him - casual as anything. There was nothing to indicate that the passing of the man she had shared her life with for a number of years had any lasting impact on Topaz. It was unconvincing, as was the relationship with Joe - although it was highly predictable. Why on earth would Topaz, who - as the author is relentless in reminding the reader - is a career obsessed independent woman - want to be with a misogynist? Joe believed that women are secondary to men in the workplace, that their place is more or less at home; in short, the antithesis of everything Topaz supposedly stood for. The mind boggles.
"Career Girls" was fairly well written, and despite its flaws, the plot was interesting enough (if a tad hammy, i.e. the tennis metaphor for the rivalry) that I kept on reading in spite of the novel's inherent flaws. It was good fun, but nothing special.
December 18, 2022
Типична, и то не лоша, деветдесетарка. Авторката е прекалила с пикантериите, което ми снижава оценката, но иначе сюжетът е приличен.
Англичанка и американка се срещат в университета. И двете си имат багаж от минали проблеми и желание за компенсирането им чрез успешна житейска реализация по върховете. Скарват се по възможно най-глупавата причина и после виждаме кариерите им, които ги отвеждат до заветните висини.
В една сцена за супер богаташи масата беше от хрупкаво тесто със сновящи по нея влакчета с вкуснотии - честно, искам и аз! Велико!
Топаз, американката, ми беше антипатична. Обвиненията на колегите и, че си пробива път през леглото на шефа си не бяха далеч от истината, макар че тя беше достатъчно агресивна и компетентна да прати всички в публиката. Точно тази агресия беше адски неприятна - никакъв стил!
Роуина, шотландката, въпреки номера, който скрои на приятелката си, ми беше далеч по-симпатична. За разлика от Топаз, тя поне ясно разграничаваше професионалното от личното, и беше много по-емоционално ангажирана и отдадена в проблемната си връзка със силно женен мъж, без да се самозаблуждава и без да меси нещата с работата. Коментарите на някои (явно) американски читателки, че не била истинска феминистка, за пореден път ме разсмяха. Ама наистина - тези отвъд океана феминизма като крещене и тъпа политкоректност ли го разбират? Явно да, и даже не подозират колко други житейски проблеми съществуват - отвратително лицемерие. С две думи, Роуина страшно ми хареса, и накрая даже имаше хепи енд.
Нещо друго дразнещо е изреждането на разни скъпи марки, но вярно, че през 90-те това беше популярно, аз тогава така ги понаучих. Е, и от “Космополитън” 🤣. И те си имат предимствата.
3,5⭐️
Англичанка и американка се срещат в университета. И двете си имат багаж от минали проблеми и желание за компенсирането им чрез успешна житейска реализация по върховете. Скарват се по възможно най-глупавата причина и после виждаме кариерите им, които ги отвеждат до заветните висини.
В една сцена за супер богаташи масата беше от хрупкаво тесто със сновящи по нея влакчета с вкуснотии - честно, искам и аз! Велико!
Топаз, американката, ми беше антипатична. Обвиненията на колегите и, че си пробива път през леглото на шефа си не бяха далеч от истината, макар че тя беше достатъчно агресивна и компетентна да прати всички в публиката. Точно тази агресия беше адски неприятна - никакъв стил!
Роуина, шотландката, въпреки номера, който скрои на приятелката си, ми беше далеч по-симпатична. За разлика от Топаз, тя поне ясно разграничаваше професионалното от личното, и беше много по-емоционално ангажирана и отдадена в проблемната си връзка със силно женен мъж, без да се самозаблуждава и без да меси нещата с работата. Коментарите на някои (явно) американски читателки, че не била истинска феминистка, за пореден път ме разсмяха. Ама наистина - тези отвъд океана феминизма като крещене и тъпа политкоректност ли го разбират? Явно да, и даже не подозират колко други житейски проблеми съществуват - отвратително лицемерие. С две думи, Роуина страшно ми хареса, и накрая даже имаше хепи енд.
Нещо друго дразнещо е изреждането на разни скъпи марки, но вярно, че през 90-те това беше популярно, аз тогава така ги понаучих. Е, и от “Космополитън” 🤣. И те си имат предимствата.
3,5⭐️
February 22, 2014
Possibly one of the most annoying books I have read in a long time. I read Passion by Louise Bagshawe and really enjoyed it, so I picked up her first offering, Career Girls. Big mistake.
Urghhh, these so called "career girls" - supposedly strong women, feminists - are a pair of hussies who sleep with every bloke they meet. Rowena, who slept with her best friend Topaz's boyfriend at university, apparently learned her lesson years later by - what else? - starting an affair with a married man. Shows how principled she is, doesn't it? Oh, but it's true wuv, so it's completely excusable. And as for Topaz, ughhhhh - BITCH is the word that springs to mind. She gets pissed off at a guy for holding a door open for her. For god's sake, I'm all for women being treated as equals to men, but really? What's wrong with just a smile and a thank you? Oh and she is the champion for "real women" who are larger than a size 8, but apparently she has a figure like Jessica Rabbit. Yeah, cos that's how "real women" look.
Seriously. Bagshawe's snobby Tory roots definitely show in this book - and I quote, "some bunch of untalented northerners". Snob, snob, snob. I'm gutted because some of her later books seem to be really good. Maybe I should just avoid the ones she wrote in the 90s. Either way, utter trash.
Urghhh, these so called "career girls" - supposedly strong women, feminists - are a pair of hussies who sleep with every bloke they meet. Rowena, who slept with her best friend Topaz's boyfriend at university, apparently learned her lesson years later by - what else? - starting an affair with a married man. Shows how principled she is, doesn't it? Oh, but it's true wuv, so it's completely excusable. And as for Topaz, ughhhhh - BITCH is the word that springs to mind. She gets pissed off at a guy for holding a door open for her. For god's sake, I'm all for women being treated as equals to men, but really? What's wrong with just a smile and a thank you? Oh and she is the champion for "real women" who are larger than a size 8, but apparently she has a figure like Jessica Rabbit. Yeah, cos that's how "real women" look.
Seriously. Bagshawe's snobby Tory roots definitely show in this book - and I quote, "some bunch of untalented northerners". Snob, snob, snob. I'm gutted because some of her later books seem to be really good. Maybe I should just avoid the ones she wrote in the 90s. Either way, utter trash.
December 17, 2022
Сега си припомних тази книга, преди да прочета продължението. Определено едната героиня е самата авторка. Установих го , след като прочетох биографията й . Освен това е включен и настоящия й съпруг.
Много амбициозна и напориста.
Много амбициозна и напориста.
June 27, 2013
I'll start with good points, it was an east read...
my issue was similar to other peoples, in the feminism, shes totally contradicted herself, both women sleeping their way to the top, Rowena being completely submissive with Krebs, Topaz getting married to a guy who openly hates feminism and it didn't change and both using their bodies to make a point.
The sex in the book made me cringe, it got to the point it was on every page and it was ridiculous, the wording was a little offputting, 'slick' and 'nub' to mention a few.
Even more annoying was her saying what designer outfits they were wearing, every outfit, it didnt add to the story and it really started grating on me.
Finally how she skipped over the fact of Topaz saying she never really loved Nate, (a reason was he didn't have sex with her enough) his death was ignored after a few pages, Krebs poor wife just being cheated on and finally dumped and him getting what he wants, Rowena selling her business without a hint of regret and becoming president even after being fired so publicly, Topaz suddenly stops her vendetta, when thats what the whole book was about and both Topaz and Rowena getting jobs because they yelled at their bosses.
All that aside, I still continued to read, so something gripped me, I wouldn't read anymore of her books though
my issue was similar to other peoples, in the feminism, shes totally contradicted herself, both women sleeping their way to the top, Rowena being completely submissive with Krebs, Topaz getting married to a guy who openly hates feminism and it didn't change and both using their bodies to make a point.
The sex in the book made me cringe, it got to the point it was on every page and it was ridiculous, the wording was a little offputting, 'slick' and 'nub' to mention a few.
Even more annoying was her saying what designer outfits they were wearing, every outfit, it didnt add to the story and it really started grating on me.
Finally how she skipped over the fact of Topaz saying she never really loved Nate, (a reason was he didn't have sex with her enough) his death was ignored after a few pages, Krebs poor wife just being cheated on and finally dumped and him getting what he wants, Rowena selling her business without a hint of regret and becoming president even after being fired so publicly, Topaz suddenly stops her vendetta, when thats what the whole book was about and both Topaz and Rowena getting jobs because they yelled at their bosses.
All that aside, I still continued to read, so something gripped me, I wouldn't read anymore of her books though
September 2, 2013
I was actually expecting rivalries, and struggles in climbing up corporate ladders, trumping each other in their field with their own brains....
This just wasn't what I was expecting... I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't with all the scandals going on.
This just wasn't what I was expecting... I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't with all the scandals going on.
August 21, 2011
wow, this book was amazing. Got a few more to read by this author, can't wait to read them!
June 25, 2015
As a teenager, I loved this book. I loved the glamorous worlds that Topaz and Rowena inhabited, from the old-world beauty of Oxford to the head rush that is New York to the glitter of LA. I was enthralled by the power and money and beauty.
As an adult, I - well, not hated, but really didn't like this book. I found it shallow, which in itself is not necessarily a fault, but I also didn't like a lot of the characters.
Rowena was one of the ones I liked the least. For the first two thirds of the book, she's snobby, condescending, and elitist - all the while telling herself that she's not. She hates Topaz for her sexiness, her comfort in her own body, and for the fact that she fell victim to Rowena and Peter's cheating. (Funny how so many people hate their victims, eh? I guess it relieves the guilt if you can look down on the person you shafted.) She continues the feud between her and Topaz - a feud which should never have been started, and which is admittedly asinine, but which Rowena seems to want to take to higher and higher levels for no apparent reason. Two thirds of the way in, after her fall from grace, she finally realises this:
She had plenty of time to look back over things, and she knew it had been her own fault. She'd betrayed someone who trusted in her, and then refused to admit any guilt. She'd taunted Topaz again and again because she'd hated her for being her own victim, and despised her because of her own success. A flimsy enough success, as she was just finding out. As if a veil had been lifted, Rowena could suddenly see what Topaz must have seen: a haughty, arrogant bitch who cared for nobody but herself.
Not just what Topaz sees, Rowena, but also what this reader sees.
During the last third, Rowena actually starts to act like a person with some genuine emotion and empathy for others, but for me it was too little, too late.
The only thing that gives me a bit of sympathy for Rowena is how badly she's treated by Michael. Michael is an absolute prick. I hate saying that, because I love the name Michael and think that Michaels should always be good characters (I'm weird about names). In fact, I'm going to call him Krebs from now on. Krebs is into control, domination, light BDSM, and like several other "heroes" of women's literature who have had similar kinks, he uses this to justify acting like an emotionally abusive dickhead.
I'm going to come right out and say it: I don't know much about BDSM. I know a little. Not a lot. But from my unknowing, uneducated point of view, there's a fairly easy way of distinguishing between BDSM and abuse. Does your partner love being controlled / hurt / humiliated / dominated / disciplined / delete as applicable? Then it's BDSM. Does your partner grit their teeth and put up with being controlled / hurt / humiliated / dominated / disciplined, because they love YOU? Then it's abuse. I wish authors would learn the difference.
To be fair, Rowena does seem to enjoy a lot of the sex with Krebs, but it's the way he treats her the rest of the time that upsets me. He clearly doesn't give a shit about her, or he wouldn't hurt her again and again. He only cares about his own feelings - Rowena's feelings are nothing more than an irritation to him. Men like this do not make good partners! Nor women, for that matter. I cheered when Rowena left him...and a little bit of hope died inside when they got back together at the end. Why so many of us go back to partners who treat us like we're unimportant, I will never know.
Topaz was a more likeable character than Rowena, though as a youngster she was brash, selfish and immature. She had spirit, though, and as she grew older and matured, I found myself liking her quite a lot. Her relationship with Joe, while too tempestuous for my taste, seemed fairly healthy and functional. Joe seemed a little sexist, a little entitled, but compared to a lot of chicklit heroes he wasn't at all bad.
After slating this book so badly, why am I giving it three stars, you ask? Well, partially for the clothing. This is going onto my clothing-porn shelf straightaway. Bagshawe can really write her outfits well - I was drooling, or whatever the mental equivalent is, at a lot of the descriptions of the women's wardrobes. Rowena's pink Regency gown, red velvet gown and white chiffon number that she wore to the first Martin party, and Topaz's green Chanel sheath and pink couture gowns went into my fashion-memory banks the first time I read this, and have remained there for the last thirteen years. The other thing Bagshawe writes really well is party scenes. The first Martin party was an utter delight from start to finish, and I still sometimes pull the book out just to read descriptions of Christmas trees full of free luxury gifts for guests, pumpkins and Easter eggs and fireworks all mixed in with no regard for the seasons, ice skating and dancing in the Keys...it really was a fantasy evening, and I'm so jealous that I wasn't there.
As an adult, I - well, not hated, but really didn't like this book. I found it shallow, which in itself is not necessarily a fault, but I also didn't like a lot of the characters.
Rowena was one of the ones I liked the least. For the first two thirds of the book, she's snobby, condescending, and elitist - all the while telling herself that she's not. She hates Topaz for her sexiness, her comfort in her own body, and for the fact that she fell victim to Rowena and Peter's cheating. (Funny how so many people hate their victims, eh? I guess it relieves the guilt if you can look down on the person you shafted.) She continues the feud between her and Topaz - a feud which should never have been started, and which is admittedly asinine, but which Rowena seems to want to take to higher and higher levels for no apparent reason. Two thirds of the way in, after her fall from grace, she finally realises this:
She had plenty of time to look back over things, and she knew it had been her own fault. She'd betrayed someone who trusted in her, and then refused to admit any guilt. She'd taunted Topaz again and again because she'd hated her for being her own victim, and despised her because of her own success. A flimsy enough success, as she was just finding out. As if a veil had been lifted, Rowena could suddenly see what Topaz must have seen: a haughty, arrogant bitch who cared for nobody but herself.
Not just what Topaz sees, Rowena, but also what this reader sees.
During the last third, Rowena actually starts to act like a person with some genuine emotion and empathy for others, but for me it was too little, too late.
The only thing that gives me a bit of sympathy for Rowena is how badly she's treated by Michael. Michael is an absolute prick. I hate saying that, because I love the name Michael and think that Michaels should always be good characters (I'm weird about names). In fact, I'm going to call him Krebs from now on. Krebs is into control, domination, light BDSM, and like several other "heroes" of women's literature who have had similar kinks, he uses this to justify acting like an emotionally abusive dickhead.
I'm going to come right out and say it: I don't know much about BDSM. I know a little. Not a lot. But from my unknowing, uneducated point of view, there's a fairly easy way of distinguishing between BDSM and abuse. Does your partner love being controlled / hurt / humiliated / dominated / disciplined / delete as applicable? Then it's BDSM. Does your partner grit their teeth and put up with being controlled / hurt / humiliated / dominated / disciplined, because they love YOU? Then it's abuse. I wish authors would learn the difference.
To be fair, Rowena does seem to enjoy a lot of the sex with Krebs, but it's the way he treats her the rest of the time that upsets me. He clearly doesn't give a shit about her, or he wouldn't hurt her again and again. He only cares about his own feelings - Rowena's feelings are nothing more than an irritation to him. Men like this do not make good partners! Nor women, for that matter. I cheered when Rowena left him...and a little bit of hope died inside when they got back together at the end. Why so many of us go back to partners who treat us like we're unimportant, I will never know.
Topaz was a more likeable character than Rowena, though as a youngster she was brash, selfish and immature. She had spirit, though, and as she grew older and matured, I found myself liking her quite a lot. Her relationship with Joe, while too tempestuous for my taste, seemed fairly healthy and functional. Joe seemed a little sexist, a little entitled, but compared to a lot of chicklit heroes he wasn't at all bad.
After slating this book so badly, why am I giving it three stars, you ask? Well, partially for the clothing. This is going onto my clothing-porn shelf straightaway. Bagshawe can really write her outfits well - I was drooling, or whatever the mental equivalent is, at a lot of the descriptions of the women's wardrobes. Rowena's pink Regency gown, red velvet gown and white chiffon number that she wore to the first Martin party, and Topaz's green Chanel sheath and pink couture gowns went into my fashion-memory banks the first time I read this, and have remained there for the last thirteen years. The other thing Bagshawe writes really well is party scenes. The first Martin party was an utter delight from start to finish, and I still sometimes pull the book out just to read descriptions of Christmas trees full of free luxury gifts for guests, pumpkins and Easter eggs and fireworks all mixed in with no regard for the seasons, ice skating and dancing in the Keys...it really was a fantasy evening, and I'm so jealous that I wasn't there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2011
Unbelievable.
Regardless of how well written this book was, or how exciting the story was, I just cannot say that I enjoyed it. Maybe it's my aversion to serial adultery and mixing business with pleasure - or maybe I'm just too old to relate to a couple of teenagers (essentially) with daddy issues - but I just didn't like it.
Regardless of how well written this book was, or how exciting the story was, I just cannot say that I enjoyed it. Maybe it's my aversion to serial adultery and mixing business with pleasure - or maybe I'm just too old to relate to a couple of teenagers (essentially) with daddy issues - but I just didn't like it.
May 25, 2010
Good story, but be warned, there's a lot of sex and bad language!! A good fast read!!
May 21, 2011
Louise is another writer that I admire. Career girls is a great read that I find inspiring. Down to earth; fun; enjoyable.
Read
July 29, 2011very steamy book, loved it!!
August 20, 2019
Ehhh. You know, a lot of people look down on "chick lit" books. If it's anything less than what they call great literature then it must be trash, and if you read it you are a shallow inferior being.
Well, I happen to enjoy chick lit. I appreciate it for what it is. Sometimes you just need a break from HEAVY books (as much as I enjoy them) and indulge in a bit of mindless, easy going FUN.
I have read some of Louise Bagshawe's other books and mildly enjoyed them. The title alone of this one sounded promising. I like books with strong female leads.
Well. After reading this book I can see why a lot of people think chick lit is trash. If I was judging it on this book alone, I'd agree too.
The "Career girls" in this book are not career girls at all. They're painted as feminists, driven and out to succeed, but in reality they only got to the top by having sex with men. Very "feminist" of them. And every other page we are reminded of how beautiful the two main characters are. Which is fine except for the fact that they only got their jobs based on their looks. If they were plus size and unattractive they wouldn't be where they are now.
Topaz (which is a name I have a HUGE problem with. Ugh) marries a very rich man, who then dies and leaves all his wealth to her. Very convenient. Rowena, Topaz's ex friend (who betrayed her by sleeping with her boyfriend) spends most of the book chasing after a married man. Again, very feminist.
The sex scenes are cringe-worthy and I grew more and more frustrated with these women as time went on. Where's the moral compass?
It's a shame because the author has written better books. But after this, I probably won't pick up another one of hers in a hurry.
Well, I happen to enjoy chick lit. I appreciate it for what it is. Sometimes you just need a break from HEAVY books (as much as I enjoy them) and indulge in a bit of mindless, easy going FUN.
I have read some of Louise Bagshawe's other books and mildly enjoyed them. The title alone of this one sounded promising. I like books with strong female leads.
Well. After reading this book I can see why a lot of people think chick lit is trash. If I was judging it on this book alone, I'd agree too.
The "Career girls" in this book are not career girls at all. They're painted as feminists, driven and out to succeed, but in reality they only got to the top by having sex with men. Very "feminist" of them. And every other page we are reminded of how beautiful the two main characters are. Which is fine except for the fact that they only got their jobs based on their looks. If they were plus size and unattractive they wouldn't be where they are now.
Topaz (which is a name I have a HUGE problem with. Ugh) marries a very rich man, who then dies and leaves all his wealth to her. Very convenient. Rowena, Topaz's ex friend (who betrayed her by sleeping with her boyfriend) spends most of the book chasing after a married man. Again, very feminist.
The sex scenes are cringe-worthy and I grew more and more frustrated with these women as time went on. Where's the moral compass?
It's a shame because the author has written better books. But after this, I probably won't pick up another one of hers in a hurry.
January 16, 2022
Ce livre a des gros défauts, je suis d'accord. On aurait pu considérer ce livre "féministe" il y a longtemps, mais aujourd'hui, ça paraît plutôt vulgaire. Même si les deux femmes sont brillantes et extrêmement talentueuses, elles sont aussi des objets de désir de A à Z et couchent constamment avec des hommes plus vieux et en position d'autorité. Les scènes de sexe sont très abondantes, généralement un peu malsaines et pas très réalistes. Et j'en passe.
Mais quelle lecture! Je me suis énormément amusée. L'histoire est très excitante et bien rendue. Les filles sont réellement compétentes, et c'est jouissif à voir. La sexualité est un peu too much, mais assez amusante. Elles baignent dans le luxe, et tout est décrit en détails, ce que j'ai beaucoup apprécié. Si vous pouvez passer par-dessus ses défauts évidents, je crois que vous allez avoir beaucoup de plaisir.
Mais quelle lecture! Je me suis énormément amusée. L'histoire est très excitante et bien rendue. Les filles sont réellement compétentes, et c'est jouissif à voir. La sexualité est un peu too much, mais assez amusante. Elles baignent dans le luxe, et tout est décrit en détails, ce que j'ai beaucoup apprécié. Si vous pouvez passer par-dessus ses défauts évidents, je crois que vous allez avoir beaucoup de plaisir.
July 21, 2020
This was my first book that I have read since the library reopened and just wanted to grab something and go and was hoping this would keep me going until my next visit and I wasn't let down. This book was thoroughly enjoyable with a really good story. The only thing was I couldn't work out if this book was supposed to be about feminism because both characters seemed to be sleeping their way to the top! The other thing was that I also got a little bored of the last few chapters because I think some of the story was dragged out too much and too much repetitiveness of characters' names. All in all it's a really good read with some great characters and would definitely read another of Louise Mensch's books.
December 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This book is so 90's its ridiculous. I've read it a few times, you could say it's a comfort read, but now that I'm a lot older I probably won't read it again any time soon.
I can't really say it's good, but it is an entertaining read. It's not feminist by today's standards at all, Rowena especially is ridiculous and a massive hypocrite.
I've seen a few reviews saying that both the main characters sleep their way to the top and I just want to put my two cents out there: no they don't. At all.
This book is a lot of questionable things, but saying the two main characters only got to where they did because they slept with men is just not true and even more misogynistic than the admittedly overall misogynistic writing.
This book is so 90's its ridiculous. I've read it a few times, you could say it's a comfort read, but now that I'm a lot older I probably won't read it again any time soon.
I can't really say it's good, but it is an entertaining read. It's not feminist by today's standards at all, Rowena especially is ridiculous and a massive hypocrite.
I've seen a few reviews saying that both the main characters sleep their way to the top and I just want to put my two cents out there: no they don't. At all.
This book is a lot of questionable things, but saying the two main characters only got to where they did because they slept with men is just not true and even more misogynistic than the admittedly overall misogynistic writing.
Read
September 2, 2019I read this over 10 years ago and loved it. But after trying to read it tonight, I can't quite remember what I loved about it. There was so much headswapping, it bordered on ridiculous. The MCs were fairly unlikable and insufferable. There was so much detail about who had studied at Oxford, the college itself, etc. that I was bored by it. The cheating elements were a complete put off, and although both Rowena and Topaz got a HEA (I skimmed A LOT to get to that point), I didn't care about either of them and their lives. This was a DNF for me, really, and a book that will now be leaving my keeper shelf.
July 21, 2019
I read this book because it was featured on the Sentimental Garbage podcast. I like to read the books they cover and then listen to the episode.
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I had read it when it came out or at least when I was younger. I enjoyed the first half, the second seemed more far-fetched. It’s great to read a story that focuses on women with career goals who make that their priority (it’s rare!) but wowza at the descriptions of them. Everything is very male gazey which was distracting.
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I had read it when it came out or at least when I was younger. I enjoyed the first half, the second seemed more far-fetched. It’s great to read a story that focuses on women with career goals who make that their priority (it’s rare!) but wowza at the descriptions of them. Everything is very male gazey which was distracting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2023
A very straightforward title to an otherwise lackluster delivery of a promising plot, Career Girls is about two go-getters who had had a rift because of lust and temptation. When they went on their separate ways but found themselves meeting again in later years, Rowena, the one who got betrayed by her best friend Topaz, was set on participating—if not engineering it herself—in the crumbling of Topaz's career.
Although there was true potential for the book to be great, it was just not well-written. Most of the imagery gets ruined by unnecessary spice. It was as if the book itself just wanted to be spicy all throughout and completely ignored transitions that could have made a huge difference in how the story progressed.
Perhaps this is because the author, Louise Bagshawe, wanted to re-encapsulate one of her better-known books, 'A Kept Woman', and tried to run with the same formula. However, the excessive sexual encounters and details that followed just didn't work with what was supposedly about women, rejected by the men in their lives, trying to prove that they can be just as strong and successful by becoming industry professionals. It only sheds a poor light on something most career girls try to dismantle: that the only way to the top is found between a woman's legs.
At the end of it, the silver lining in mending friendships and turning out alright despite adversities at work and in life, especially as a woman, was still quite inspiring. It's an okay read, to say the least, but it's not something you would recommend to any true career girl.
This review is also published here: https://mkpermejo.com/2023/08/01/book...
Although there was true potential for the book to be great, it was just not well-written. Most of the imagery gets ruined by unnecessary spice. It was as if the book itself just wanted to be spicy all throughout and completely ignored transitions that could have made a huge difference in how the story progressed.
Perhaps this is because the author, Louise Bagshawe, wanted to re-encapsulate one of her better-known books, 'A Kept Woman', and tried to run with the same formula. However, the excessive sexual encounters and details that followed just didn't work with what was supposedly about women, rejected by the men in their lives, trying to prove that they can be just as strong and successful by becoming industry professionals. It only sheds a poor light on something most career girls try to dismantle: that the only way to the top is found between a woman's legs.
At the end of it, the silver lining in mending friendships and turning out alright despite adversities at work and in life, especially as a woman, was still quite inspiring. It's an okay read, to say the least, but it's not something you would recommend to any true career girl.
This review is also published here: https://mkpermejo.com/2023/08/01/book...
October 6, 2025
I really liked the premise of this book and I thought the characters and story and all the link ups were really clever.
The age of the book definitely made it harder to read - the leading women are meant to be powerful and independent so I found the sex scenes pretty demeaning in a lot of ways - like … they just felt like there was so much focus on their never ending horniness and their bods? dunno maybe I’m just being prudish but they didn’t feel like … positive sex scenes and maybe that would be the point but then the ending ruined that?
Listen I liked the story. 🤷🏼♀️
The age of the book definitely made it harder to read - the leading women are meant to be powerful and independent so I found the sex scenes pretty demeaning in a lot of ways - like … they just felt like there was so much focus on their never ending horniness and their bods? dunno maybe I’m just being prudish but they didn’t feel like … positive sex scenes and maybe that would be the point but then the ending ruined that?
Listen I liked the story. 🤷🏼♀️
March 16, 2023
If you like smutty chick lit then this book is for you! I love the personality difference of the heroines and their stories were very inspiring.
Very well written and enjoyable!
Back in my teenage years I loved how fashion and appearance centred Louise’s books were but now I’m older I look for more substance in the main characters so that’s why I’m giving four stars and not five. I’d like more descriptions on how the characters personally grow and not so much on their appearance.
Very well written and enjoyable!
Back in my teenage years I loved how fashion and appearance centred Louise’s books were but now I’m older I look for more substance in the main characters so that’s why I’m giving four stars and not five. I’d like more descriptions on how the characters personally grow and not so much on their appearance.
September 11, 2017
Dvě pipiny, co byly nejlepší kámošky, pak se pohádaly o kluka, budovaly a ničily si kariéry a pak se zase staly nejlepší kámošky.
Musím se odnaučit brát v akcích eReadingu knížky zadarmo či za hubičku.
Musím se odnaučit brát v akcích eReadingu knížky zadarmo či za hubičku.
October 9, 2022
it was just too long and boring to read. I predicted what happened right from the beginning. if it was condensed down into half the book it would be better. could have been interesting but soooooo dreary. went on TOO long :/
June 16, 2018
Their hatred for each other was gripping and I think just an exaggeration of how women really do compete with each other at times. Not adverse to the happy ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2019
Good book
Want to read
September 23, 2020I have read the book like five years ago,it's entertaining with the two ambitious young women.it amazing and I will like to read again.
August 21, 2021
One of my top three books by Louise. I absolutely devoured this book when I read it about 10 years ago. I think I have read it 3 more times since then and it’s still just as good. Love.
October 14, 2023
An inspiration to all women around the world.
September 19, 2025
Not my type of read.
Sexual scenes at every turn of a page.
Not intimate or desirable but addictive and vulgar.
Very trashy!
Sexual scenes at every turn of a page.
Not intimate or desirable but addictive and vulgar.
Very trashy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews