Capitol Hell

by Alicia M. Long, Jayne J. Jones

When recent college graduate Allison Amundson, a small town girl from South Dakota, lands the highly sought after job of scheduler to the newly-elected and rising star of the United States Senate, Senator Anders McDermott III, she thinks she is on the fast track to success.

However, she quickly learns that crazy co-workers, a high maintenance boss, an over-the-top family and an unexpected Presidential bid make Capitol Hill seem even more dysfunctional than portrayed on TV. In fact, it is Capitol Hell.

The second Allison sets foot in the prestigious Senate Russell Building, things begin to go awry. Allison soon realizes her co-workers consist of a Chief of Staff who has little to no control over the antics in the office, a Press Secretary who is not only pompous, but who is constantly primping and preening, and worst of all the Senator himself, who cares more about his rise to fame than the people of Minnesota.

As Allison struggles to juggle a new career, her blooming love interest in Cam (a quiet but loyal Legislative Assistant), and her ever-declining bank account, she is comforted only by her co-worker Janet, a fireplug who spends the majority of her time on-line dating, trying to land a Senator of her own.

Just as Allison and Janet begin to figure out the ins and outs of Capitol Hill, their lives are turned upside down when Senator McDermott announces his bid for President of the United States. Soon, Allison and Janet find themselves at the center of one of the craziest campaigns in history, and hilarity ensues.

This off-beat, funny novel captures and shares what it is like to be a young staffer working on Capitol Hill.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Humor

323 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

Alicia Long is originally from Hartford, South Dakota, a small town just outside of Sioux Falls. In 2003, she received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Upon graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work on Capitol Hill. While working on Capitol Hill, she served for United States Senators Norm Coleman (MN), John Thune (SD) and George Allen (VA). She also served in various capacities, including scheduler, legislative correspondent, legislative aide, intern coordinator and caseworker. While working on the Hill, she became proficient at mastering the metro system, crashing the nearest receptions, and acting as a tour guide for friends and family.

In 2007, Alicia returned to the Twin Cities to pursue her J.D. at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She worked as a law clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office. Upon graduation in 2010, she joined the Department of Justice as a Presidential Management Fellow and spent nearly a year working as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia.

Alicia is board member of the D.C. Chapter of University of Minnesota Alumni Association and is also a member of the University of St. Thomas School of Law Annual Giving Committee. She is also a former inner city Girl Scout troop leader. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys working on her golf swing, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, and reading everything from “In Touch” magazine to “The Great Gatsby.”

Alicia loves finding good deals on fashion, funky high heels, and opts for wearing Calvin Klein dresses and a blazer in lieu of a suit any day. You can often find her out to happy hour with friends, checking out local shops or at the beach.
Her bucket list includes: going sky diving, traveling the world, mastering the New York Times crossword puzzle and marrying Green Bay Packer Quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Alicia currently resides in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia with her German Shepherd/Black Lab mix, Sarge.

Reviews

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, let me first say that this book was so much fun! Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area and being majorly afflicted with political fever, at some point in my life, I wondered what it would be like to work on the Hill. I went a totally opposite way after college so I really enjoyed living vicariously through Allison, the main character, in this book. All I can say now is that Allison definitely does not make the Hill as glamorous as I had dreamed that it would be.

Allison is a girl after my own heart. She's smart and all she wants to do is to do a good job. After all, the Hill is her dream. Unfortunately there is a cast of characters who almost seem hellbent on destroying her career or at least making her life miserable. Even if you don't have political aspirations, I think that anyone who has worked in an office setting will enjoy this book. There is the cast of characters that you may find in your own office. They are so dysfunctional that you find yourself wondering how they got the job in the first place. People like that are very funny to read about even if they are not funny to actually have to work with.

I love the writing in this book. Told from the first person perspective, it feels like Allison is a friend telling you exactly what's going on in her world. While the writing and some of the things that happen in the book are indeed funny, the writing is also very smart. I would say that this book is the kind of book you want to read when you need something lighter but you don't want just fluff. This book is definitely more of the brain candy variety.

I was also very excited to see that there might be a hint of a sequel to this book at the end. Will there be? I really hope so!

Bottom line: Funny, smart writing!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always a little dubious about starting a new “chick-lit” book; it isn't my first choice genre however, after reading psychological thrillers creepy enough to have me checking under my bed at night I often feel the need to lighten the mood and Capitol Hell sounded like just what I needed. Capitol Hell was laugh out loud funny as well as being interesting, engaging and insightful; it was clear that the personal experiences of the authors added credibility and authenticity to the story.

I really enjoyed experiencing life as Allison, there were points in the story I found myself a little confused or dazed by what was going on but, quickly realised that I didn't have all the facts, because Allison didn't either. As the book progressed the characters really came to life and I found myself taking breaks so I could update my husband on the latest antics or to complain about some unjustified office bitching.

I felt horribly frustrated and a little cheated when the book finished; I so wanted to know what happened during the presidential campaign, find out what craziness Karma pulled out the bag and whether Allison and Cam’s relationship developed further. I guess I will just have to wait for the sequel!

[Mary Aune · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book at a garage sale from the co-author, Jayne Jones. It’s a quick read. It starts out funny, then gets raunchy and ends ok.

[Cindy Roesel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank God, Amen and Whoopee! The 2012 Elections are over! But for all you political junkies out there going through withdrawal, there’s a new VERY FUNNY novel just for you! It’s called CAPITOL HELL and it’s about a gal working for a fictitious Senator based on my real-life neighbor, Minnesota Republican, Norm Coleman. Co-authors, Jayne Jones and Alicia Long worked on Coleman’s 2002 Senate campaign and for several years after as DC staffers.

Those of you in the Land of Ten-Thousand Lakes will instantly recognize the fictitious Sen. Anders McDermott III, everyone else get ready for a sizzling page turner. Politics is politics anywhere you play it, especially “inside the beltway.” No one ever said working on the hill was easy, but recent college graduate, Allison Amundson certainly isn’t home in the Midwest anymore. She’s hired as the senator’s scheduler and now she belongs to whoever is calling or texting her on the campaign Blackberry 24/7/365. That includes the Senator, his staff, and family, including the nanny.

Allison’s co-workers include a small circle of people whose job it is to jump, sit, run, and write and in some cases end up crying to make sure Senator Anders McDermott, III’s life flows effortlessly. The McDermott office motto is “ATD,” for Attention to Detail, which Allison is often reminded at various decibel levels. Allison finds comfort in fellow Midwestern co-worker and new BFF, Janet who is also shell-shocked to find she’s working inside what could pass for a carnival.

This novel isn’t your typical chick-lit. At one point, or actually, several, Allison tries to strike up a relationship with one of her co-workers, but that isn’t possible because the only real relationship she has is with her job. Since I once was in my early 20’s and had a prestigious pressure cooker position such as Allison’s, I can appreciate her focusing on her career. I really enjoyed reading CAPITOL HELL, going behind the scenes and the little bit of flirting here and there was enough for me.

What about all the antics performed by the politicians, their families and even nannies? Come on, it’s fiction, and it certainly provides a lot of comedy.

CAPITOL HELL is available on Amazon and B&N.com.

[Nicole R · Rating 2 out of 5]

The short synopsis of this chick lit novel completely caught my attention: two women who used to work for a U.S. Senator combined forces to write a book about what you really do in your job as a Hill staffer.

Allison is fresh out of college, straight off the campaign trail, and has been offered a job as a scheduler for the newly-elected Senator McDermott. She jumps at the chance to move to Washington DC, get paid much less than she ever expected, work insanely long hours for little thanks, and constantly wonders wonders why she is doing it. Of course, she has her office BFF, her office crush, and her ever at-hand BlackBerry to see her through the days.

Her stories are hilarious and hit oh-so-close to home. While I have never been a scheduler, I totally know what it is like to be asked things that there is no feasible way for you to be able to do....but you have to figure out a way! Things go wrong even though you set them up perfectly and it is still your fault. You had nothing to do what-so-ever with the error that has occurred but you still have to fix it.

The book was probably more funny for me since I experience it on a daily basis - other would probably think it is made up but I assure you it is not! However, the stories soon got to be repetitive and the complete lack of anything good happening was unrealistic. The story attempted to have a story line that progressed to a specific end point, but it was poorly put together and really felt like it ended in the middle of a larger story.

I probably could have overlooked some of that and rounded this book up to a 3 but then there was the storyline of Janet and her love interest. It was ridiculous. It involved a bit too much crude sexual foreplay description for me without any real point. And it was a situation that I like to think no staffer would ever be stupid enough to get herself into. And, if she did, there is NO WAY the media would not exploit it. It was just stupid and absurd. It made Janet look like an idiot. It made women look bad.

Okay, my rant is over. If you work on the Hill and especially if you are a scheduler then this is a good read as a quick, entertaining chick lit. If you are anyone else, I would give this book a pass.

[Teressa Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about Washington D.C. from the point of view of a wide-eyed 22 year old. I have never been to D.C., but the writers' sassy descriptions helped me to understand the ins and outs of an everyday staffer's life a little better. Allison describes her second day on the job, and her walk to work:

"DC sidewalks aren't the sensible sidewalks found in South Dakota or Minnesota. They're uneven bricks grouted together with large, heel-grabbing gaps in between. After five blocks I'd already lost the fight with the sidewalk three times. First, my shoe would get stuck in a sidewalk crack, which would cause me to trip. Luckily, I was just clumsy enough to have had plenty of past experience in balance recovery."

This paragraph reminded me of how many times I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk (even in flats) and also of the time I wore brand new heels to college and after walking around for a couple of hours, had another student approach me and whisper that I was bleeding from my heels and leaving a trail of blood behind me. What we won't do for fashion when we're young!!

The character of Allison is smart and sassy. I felt for her because she didn't want to take a lot of the crap that her boss and other staffers were dishing out, but she felt like she had to in order to be able to advance in the political world. Her friend Janet is her perfect counterpoint, shy, sweet and deferential, but with very dirty mind!! They find themselves in the middle of one minor catastrophe after another, but using creative problem solving, always manage to come out on top.

The political story line is creative and funny (If this book and the TV show Veep are any indication, it would appear that most members of Congress are, to be polite, more than a little eccentric). I think older women would enjoy looking back on their idealistic youth and younger women would identify even more closely with Allison and Jane. I would not recommend this book for most men - it's pretty firmly in the "chick lit" category.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's does working in the senate, and then jumping into a presidential campaign train head on make for? I'll tell you what, a hilarious adventure sure to get the driest souls laughing so hard they'll have tears streaming down their face. In Capitol Hell we join the lovely Allison and several of her companions as we make our way not only through the life of being an underpaid senate work, but being risen up to becoming an underpaid presidential campaign worker! Not only do you get to see the funny side of our government (I mean it is politics, who would have thought it was such a laugh riot when the root words are poli- which means many and tics referring to blood sucking creatures), but you can go through all the sweet little scandals and drama. From trying to get a fellow worker in the office to notice her to dealing with a hostile work environment complaint and who can forget the ever faithful CROTCH (when you find out what this is you will probably die laughing so don't go searching it until after you finish reading this please :p).
The characters were a laugh riot, with wit and sass and some misplaced here and there. They really know how to spark up an office building, but the work doesn't stop after you leave. Oh no, it follows you everywhere (remind to never go to work in politics).
I really don't know how to describe how much I enjoyed this book but I'm trying really hard here x3. From very literal blind dates to typos that can just about ruin anything, you've got yourself a book with laughter, lust, hard work that for the most part doesn't really seem to pay off (how could mom lie to me about that) and just so much thrown into the pages of a well written fast paced book that is sure to give everyone just what they want. In all honesty when I was first asked to review this book I was hesitant to read it, I mean when did politics suddenly become humorful. In fear of finding jokes that would make no sense to me I became pleasantly surprised that it was just the opposite.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 2 1/2 stars, but I like to round up.

Pros:
* varied cast of colorful characters
* moves at a good pace; is rarely slow or dull
* provides an interesting behind-the-scenes look at politics
* the staffers have decent values, for the most part


Cons:
* needs extensive editing; lots of punctuation errors (including an extra period in the heading of every page of chapter eleven), poor word choice, etc.
* needs more plot structure; sometimes it just feels like a neverending list of anecdotes instead of a novel with a storyline
* many plot elements seem forced and show up out of the blue (a character's tendency to tearfulness/emotion is not mentioned until it is necessary; same with allergies, etc.)

All in all, a cute story, but very uneven. Some parts were lots of fun to read, but I had to struggle through others.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably actually 3 1/2 stars. This was a fun read. I liked the characters and the political storyline. And it's always a refreshing change of pace when the dominant relationship in a novel is a friendship rather than a romance. And it ended with me wanting to know what happens next. I would definitely read a sequel if one is written!

On the downside, the writing could use a little polishing. (Way too many exclamation points, especially in the beginning, and not every line of dialogue has to be accompanied by a "he exclaimed," "she whined," or as one other reviewer noted, "he questioned inquisitively"!) And there were one or two plot developments that seemed implausible enough to bug me. But overall, I'd recommend it for anyone who likes not-too-heavy political novels.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very funny portrayal of what a young woman, Allison Amundson from South Dakota, who landed a job on Capitol Hill deals with on a daily basis. The book was hard to put down and I finished it in a day. I enjoyed that no matter what Allison does to help Senator Anders McDermott III, something always goes wrong. She has to deal with the gossipy girls in the office and with their snide remarks. Just when you think that things can't get any worse, they do.

This book will have you laughing with all of Allison's and Janet's excursions and the crazy situations they end up in. I love how Allison is such a down to earth person, and how she really has everyone's best interest at heart but is not afraid to stand up for herself.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the book because the authors sent me a copy! Capitol Hell reminded me of my first job, working for Jimmy Carter's Gubernatorial Campaign, then in the Governor's Office. After serving as a go-fer, I was promoted to Prisoner Mail Answer-er. In those days, we typed a letter, and I signed Jimmy Carter's name to each one. It turned me into a Republican! However, Capitol Hell was a fun read for me. I'm into D.C. centric books right now. I no longer think like a 22 year old, so occasionally I wanted to say, "time out," but overall it was one of life's little pleasures - a good book.

[Sonja Ferrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I have ever finished. As someone who has had these jobs (granted for a Senator but not a Presidential candidate) and is from both South Dakota and Minnesota it literally gave me anxiety to read it because it was so inaccurate and silly. I can definitively say that their experiences on the hill and campaigns (not to mention the Minnesota State Fair) were very different than mine.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. The characters did frustrate me because they just took everything and never stood up for themselves. There were tons of Minnesota references that could be confusing to those not familiar with some of the Minnesota quirks.

I won this as a Good reads first and loved it. The authors are creative.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a lighthearted look into the life of a scheduler working on Capitol Hill. It definitely reminded me of the time I spent working as an executive assistant - the good times, along with the more trying times, of my tenure.

This is a great laugh out loud type of book for women of all ages. Can't wait for Jayne and Alicia to publish the sequel to Capitol Hell!

[Betsy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amateurishly written, poorly edited and trite. As a former Senate staffer, I picked this up with high hopes, but nearly tossed it across the room several times. (On one of those occasions, a character "inquisitively questioned" somebody. Repetitious much?) I'd call this a squandered opportunity.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very funny and lighthearted story of life on capitol hill. The characters were smart, a little sassy, but yet a little on the naive side. I enjoyed and got a few chuckles from their escapades. A really enjoyable book. I recommend it highly! I received this book free as a Goodreads First Reads

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was incredibly controversial and extremely conservative— it had so much potential. Jayne&Alicia you guys are kind of sick for the monkey jokes in the context of Obama being president at the time and the outright bigoted views on immigrants. This could have been so great but you let me down girls! All in all it was entertaining and had some clever plot points.

+I am so incredibly intrigued by who the target audience was and would love to talk to a three people who liked this book. Hit me up, ladies!

[Diane Lochner · Rating 1 out of 5]

So very, very, very, very bad. Picked it up for $1 at a thrift shop as a joke to send to a friend who was a Senate scheduler.

[Donna Brown]

Earlier this year I read The List and enjoyed it immensely (read my review of The List here) but it wasn’t the political drama I’d expected. Capitol Hell offered the politics, along with a dash of humour and a glimpse in the life of staffers on the campaign trail.

I mean, really, it makes you tired just thinking about that life…!

I really enjoyed this read for so many reasons. It was funny, insightful, interesting, but most of all, the personal experience of the authors clearly added a level of authenticity to the story.

There was one aspect I didn’t like and unfortunately it made a big impact. Despite being a story set deeply in the world of politics, it cleverly avoids many political issues, making it a great read, whichever side of the fence you sit. Or – if like me – you don’t even live in the US. However, there was one point in the book where I felt a very, very clear statement was being made about ‘so-called’ asylum seekers versus the deserving. That’s a heavy issue for a book like this. It felt stilted and out of context and almost like it was there because it was too good an opportunity to miss making the point.

I did finish the book, although I debated leaving it. I wanted to see if perhaps these judgments would come back to haunt the characters. They didn’t, and that sense of the square peg being pushed into a round hole really had jarred me out of the story and my enjoyment of it. There are some books that cover the big issues and they do it beautifully or brutally. When it’s done clumsily, it makes it ever so hard to forgive because it does neither the book nor the issue justice.

I have to be fair and say that without this issue, this could have been a four star read. But I also have to be honest that for me, after that, it could only have been a three. Not because I have a political agenda or because I don’t expect anyone else to have one. Just because I expect its delivery to be better executed.

**I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation and all views are my own.**

[Fiona Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Capitol Hell tells the story of Allison Amundson, a small town girl who lands the highly sought after job of scheduler to the newly-elected and rising star of the US Senate, Senator Anders McDermott III. If you thought politics is all fundraisers and colored balloons, think again. Don’t think Hollywood; think hell. Allison has grandiose dreams at the outset. But her meteoric rise from South Dakota to Pennsylvania Avenue doesn’t quite work out the way she envisaged it. Life on the Hill is far more banal than she expected. From rescuing moldy laundry, to picking out lingerie for the boss’s pampered wife; from late nights to excruciatingly early morning starts; from petty office politics to full-blown office warfare; from sticking campaign labels onto water bottles to the inevitable humiliation of a missing “l” in the word “public,” Allison and her love-struck friend Janet fumble through an exhausting campaign trail, and discover the ultimate truth about their boss—perception isn’t always reality.

Based on the true-life experiences of authors Jayne Jones and Alicia Long, the book give readers a glimpse into what life is really like inside of the beltway. Capitol Hell is a witty novel about the crazy co-workers, high maintenance politicians, and the over-the-top entourages that only a political insider gets to see. Written with a humorous and irreverent style, sometimes a little saucy, the political behind-the-scenes antics will have you laughing (and wondering!). Allison and her sidekick Janet are well-rounded characters, as are the various co-workers that join the fray. The true-life experiences of the authors add that unmistakable ring of truth to sometimes downright strange occurrences. It is less a story with a dedicated plot line and more a series of anecdotes linked together. However, still very enjoyable.
First reviewed for Readers Favorite

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The timing of this book being sent to me was pretty rather lucky for the authors. I don’t read chick-lit as a general rule, but I fancied something light, and had nothing on my to be read pile, so I decided I might as well try this one.

It’s been described as a political ‘The Devil Wears Prada‘, and I think that’s a pretty accurate description. In some ways it has more bite than The Devil Wears Prada because Allison actually wants to work in politics, it’s not just a means to an end for her. The things which are horrible about it don’t seem to be a ‘just for the time being’ thing. Having said that, maybe things are not quite as bad as they seem?

Long and Jones have both worked on Capitol Hill, so there is a certain element of truth to their story. Sometimes I was thinking to myself ‘I hope this isn’t based on a true story’ and at other times hoped that story events were based on true events.

For something with a political background Capitol Hell was surprisingly non-political. Political issues were covered, but there was little real opinion given, or when there was it was basic, no political arguments, more statements. In fact the thing in the book which made it most obvious that the authors had worked in the senate were the descriptions of the senate building.

I found Capitol Hell to be an amusing, light, and easy read. I liked Alison well enough, although I felt no particular attachment to her. It certainly served the purpose for me.

If you liked The Devil Wears Prada you probably will like Capitol Hell. And it lends itself to a sequel more than The Devil Wears Prada does (seriously I want to read Revenge Wears Prada just to see how a sequel is even possible!).

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aside from School House Rocks! I know absolutely nothing about the actual political process in this country. At least, nothing after 1946. It was fascinating to read about how things actually work inside a senatorial office.

I was struck by the actual amount of work, organization, and ATD (attention to detail) that is required to keep a politician in office and out of his or her own way.

Although this is fiction, possibly to protect the guilty, I can see it all being factual in most ways.

Everyone who has ever worked in an office knows the characters that surround Allison at every turn. From people who do absolutely nothing and get paid obscene amounts of money for it, to the sycophants, to the incompetent boss (in this case a senator), I found myself sympathizing with Allison and her everyday hell.

It was educational in the sense that I really had no idea what a Capitol Hill staffer was and what they do. And I thought they were better paid.

What was hilarious was the drama and issues that cropped up each day that are probably left out of the job description when working for a politician. From babysitting the wife, and other staffer’s children, to being available 24/7 to answer questions from the boss in addition to actual job duties, the staffer’s job is never done.

Overall, a fun, twisted, lighthearted examination of our nation’s political culture. Recommended for anyone who likes politics or just a good chick lit story.

[Jaimie Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to put down, which I unfortunately had to do several times during the reading of this book. However, every time I did all I could think about was what was going to happen next.

When I saw this book had a political backdrop I immediately expected the book to be boring and dry. As it turns out, nothing was further from the truth. While the book itself read like a novel I suspect there was at least some kernel of truth within it, which made it a real eye opener.

I wasn't expecting a cliff hanger of an ending, but that's exactly what I got. i do hope the authors are planning a book two. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have spent any time in Washington, DC, or Capitol Hill, or interested in political insights - you will really want to read this book. It will keep your attention from beginning to end. It has some humor - some so close to realistic it made me giggle.

The authors of this book obviously had insider information - it was interesting and informative as well as entertaining. I am sure Allison's office mates are similar to office mates everywhere - you may relate to some of them.

There were some unanswered questions left at the end. Does that lead us to a sequel?

More reviews at Ope's Opinions.com

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like chick lit books, but this was really, REALLY bad writing. Unbearable, in fact. Exclamation points everywhere (and I love exclamation points!) to the point of distraction, unvaried vocabulary, and yes, I get it, you're from the Midwest and everyone from there is also a god-send. I wanted a book about capitol hill drama, but it was not even an interesting story. I only read the first few chapters and skimmed the rest. Awful!!!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time! It was a treat to read and I love politics. But, this book gave me an insight into life on the Hell/Hill. A few Minnesota references made me wonder. I will pass this one around. I hope they come out with book 2. I will be first in line to get it. Great and fun read.

[Jennifer Toliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hilarious account of a young Senate staffer! I've known quite a few and can attest to the "realness" of this novel. I couldn't put it down. My only complaint is that the first 90% of the book is written in very great detail and the last little bit was rushed and left me craving more. Hopefully we'll be graced with future novels from this dynamic duo!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review: This book will keep you laughing and shaking your head at the antics behind the scenes of a U.S. Senator, his staff and his family. There are just too many things intertwined to even try to tell in a review. If you need a good laugh this a must read. On the sad side from some of the headlines we read today this isn't really a fiction book. I give this 5 stars.

[Catherine Cardno · Rating 3 out of 5]

CAPITOL HELL is a reasonable beach read. Worth reading in a gulp, but weighed down with OMG!!!-type pacing and 20something dithering. SAMMY'S HILL is a better book, if you're looking for a girl-on-Capitol-Hill read.

[Benjamin Ellefson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a hilarious read with a real, believable character fighting day to day in the underbelly of Washington. It provides a unique perspective on politics and has you laughing out loud chapter after chapter.