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Boom Town Snap
When Georgie's boss-turned-lover, Nico, offers her a high-stakes job in Canada, she wants to say no. But burdened by debt and swayed by Nico's promises that the gig will be quick and lucrative, Georgie feels she has no choice – even though it means leaving behind the people she loves the most.
Swapping an Australian mining town for the rugged Albertan oilfields, Georgie's finally getting her life back on track. But as the stakes rise at work and at home, Georgie discovers the real reason she got the job – and just what she stands to lose.
Swapping an Australian mining town for the rugged Albertan oilfields, Georgie's finally getting her life back on track. But as the stakes rise at work and at home, Georgie discovers the real reason she got the job – and just what she stands to lose.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
7 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Jay Martin
2 books2 followersJay Martin lives in Fremantle, Australia. She has also lived in Poland, Canada, the UK, Vietnam, Japan and India, as well as Melbourne and Canberra.
Her first book, Vodka and Apple Juice: Travels of an Undiplomatic Wife in Poland, was published by Fremantle Press in 2018, winning the TAG Hungerford Award. Boom Town Snap (Fremantle Press 2025) is her first novel and second book.
Her first book, Vodka and Apple Juice: Travels of an Undiplomatic Wife in Poland, was published by Fremantle Press in 2018, winning the TAG Hungerford Award. Boom Town Snap (Fremantle Press 2025) is her first novel and second book.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 5, 2025
I grabbed this book off the shelf under “New Australian Author Releases”, wanting to throw myself into something completely different to my usual reads and I’m so glad I did as it was really Interesting and different from anything I’ve ever read. An absolute page turner after the first few chapters that I found myself finishing it in just two days!
The story line really captured the struggles of a woman working in a corporate male dominated industry, specifically in mining, oil and government, shining a light on the difficulties of balancing personal and professional life, gender bias, misleading diversity targets and workplace misconduct. It also touched on the social injustices of Australia & Canada and sustainability issues swept under the rug by corporate giants.
The protagonist Georgia is so real and relatable with emotions that are unfiltered and intense. Her internal monologue is plagued with raw and honest confusion, anger and frustration that as a reader, I felt I could relate to in my own overthinking of situations and feelings of imposter syndrome. Despite the insight into the turmoil of Georgia’s thoughts, her character offers a grounded resilience that brings a really great ending to the storyline.
I love how the author has drawn on her own personal experiences working in the corporate consulting sector and living in both Western Australia and Canada. She’s turned something quite niche into a really engaging story, touching on complex themes and interesting character development.
I will definitely be reading more of Jay’s books after this one!
The story line really captured the struggles of a woman working in a corporate male dominated industry, specifically in mining, oil and government, shining a light on the difficulties of balancing personal and professional life, gender bias, misleading diversity targets and workplace misconduct. It also touched on the social injustices of Australia & Canada and sustainability issues swept under the rug by corporate giants.
The protagonist Georgia is so real and relatable with emotions that are unfiltered and intense. Her internal monologue is plagued with raw and honest confusion, anger and frustration that as a reader, I felt I could relate to in my own overthinking of situations and feelings of imposter syndrome. Despite the insight into the turmoil of Georgia’s thoughts, her character offers a grounded resilience that brings a really great ending to the storyline.
I love how the author has drawn on her own personal experiences working in the corporate consulting sector and living in both Western Australia and Canada. She’s turned something quite niche into a really engaging story, touching on complex themes and interesting character development.
I will definitely be reading more of Jay’s books after this one!
June 2, 2025
My favourite way to read a book is to go into it knowing absolutely nothing about it. When I opened page one, I had no idea the emotional rollercoaster I would go on.
Such believable characters, living in a believable world, I half expected to see people I know show up on the pages. I loved Jay’s writing, and her ability to construct such a raw and emotional picture in so few pages, bringing me into the world right from the start.
Perfect for anyone needing to sink their teeth into a meaty book where pain and conflict are in your face. So many current issues that tend to be ignored are dealt with eloquently, not to overpower the narrative, just to raise the questions that should often be discussed more openly. Boom Town Snap made me think deeply, needing to ponder by myself for a while at times before continuing.
This book can be a conversation starter, or a gateway to exploring for yourself, or just your ideal winter read.
Such believable characters, living in a believable world, I half expected to see people I know show up on the pages. I loved Jay’s writing, and her ability to construct such a raw and emotional picture in so few pages, bringing me into the world right from the start.
Perfect for anyone needing to sink their teeth into a meaty book where pain and conflict are in your face. So many current issues that tend to be ignored are dealt with eloquently, not to overpower the narrative, just to raise the questions that should often be discussed more openly. Boom Town Snap made me think deeply, needing to ponder by myself for a while at times before continuing.
This book can be a conversation starter, or a gateway to exploring for yourself, or just your ideal winter read.
April 17, 2025
Women conflicted by professional relationships and crossing the barriers to intimate should never be. This novel Boom Town Snap by Jay Martin navigates a fine line of morals being tested, broken, and tested again. I found the novel interesting in the comparisons made between mining projects in Australia and oil projects in Albertan Canada, along with the conflicts that Georgia experiences between her marriage, her affair with a professional lead, the job she does, her family and how she attempts to prove herself as a successful professional, all the while her family life is falling apart, and her niavety through out the entire challenging experience is sad. The novel explores a move from Australia to Canada, leaving behind loved ones, attempting to maintain relationships whilst struggling with a project that is being manipulated by narcissistic men. I found the novel compelling and one you should consider once it hits the shelves for sale. Thanks Better Reading for the opportunity to review.
July 21, 2025
Boom Town Snap by Australian author Jay Martin is a compelling, engaging, and drama-packed fiction novel that will occupy your every thought while you read.
Thirty-eight-year-old Georgia finds herself in an existential crisis, she is separated from her husband Josh, has no home or anyone to live with, she’s working hard as a director in her consultancy role to pay off debts; to add to her chaos her boss Nico is her lover.
When Nico pulls strings to get Georgia a pivotal gig in Canada that could help her situation, she is hesitant to accept. Alberta wants to be more like Western Australia in the mining industry and the Canadians have asked Australia to help bid for Government contracts in the oil industry. Nico informs Georgia it will be her chance to prove herself to the head of the firms in the global oil and gas division.
Spanning across dual locations and dual timelines we see Georgia’s life as it unfolds, leaving behind her loved ones, and working in a male dominant workplace while addressing corporate politics, male dominance and control. As Georgia tries to algin her career goals with personal values she questions what price will she pay to get ahead?
The writing is intelligent, warm, and witty, which Martin uses well to balance the heavier problems that arise. The dramatic twists keep us on the edge of our seats in anticipation of the outcome with a few steamy scenes that keep the action moving forward.
The characters are exceptionally well-fleshed-out and, as a woman, I connected with Georgie. Her strength as a character is in her constant desire to move forward with her dreams, no matter what others think and no matter the pain it causes her. The supporting characters are full of personality with their backstories and relatable, in everyday life and work there will be those you will be rooting for and others you will take an instant dislike in their behaviour and attitudes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, from outback Karratha, Western Australia to the Canadian oil sands that extends beyond a simple backdrop into almost a character itself. The reader will be able to picture themselves in both settings.
This book surprised me because I thought it would be filled with a lot of politics and mining jargon, it is captivating, easy to follow and understand. It will provoke your thoughts and make you reflect on where we are going as a society if we continue yielding to the corruption of greedy corporations.
I appreciate the author taking a practical approach to the empowerment of women, so that we as a gender can develop the qualities needed to rise above the ludicrous conditions that the world sets upon us in the workforce. The enthusiasm to step out of your comfort zone, fight for what you believe, and find your path to happiness, fulfillment, and success is infectious.
I highly recommend to readers who enjoy a fast-paced contemporary read. I look forward to more tales by Jay Martin in the future.
Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Fremantle Press, for the opportunity to read and review.
Thirty-eight-year-old Georgia finds herself in an existential crisis, she is separated from her husband Josh, has no home or anyone to live with, she’s working hard as a director in her consultancy role to pay off debts; to add to her chaos her boss Nico is her lover.
When Nico pulls strings to get Georgia a pivotal gig in Canada that could help her situation, she is hesitant to accept. Alberta wants to be more like Western Australia in the mining industry and the Canadians have asked Australia to help bid for Government contracts in the oil industry. Nico informs Georgia it will be her chance to prove herself to the head of the firms in the global oil and gas division.
Spanning across dual locations and dual timelines we see Georgia’s life as it unfolds, leaving behind her loved ones, and working in a male dominant workplace while addressing corporate politics, male dominance and control. As Georgia tries to algin her career goals with personal values she questions what price will she pay to get ahead?
The writing is intelligent, warm, and witty, which Martin uses well to balance the heavier problems that arise. The dramatic twists keep us on the edge of our seats in anticipation of the outcome with a few steamy scenes that keep the action moving forward.
The characters are exceptionally well-fleshed-out and, as a woman, I connected with Georgie. Her strength as a character is in her constant desire to move forward with her dreams, no matter what others think and no matter the pain it causes her. The supporting characters are full of personality with their backstories and relatable, in everyday life and work there will be those you will be rooting for and others you will take an instant dislike in their behaviour and attitudes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, from outback Karratha, Western Australia to the Canadian oil sands that extends beyond a simple backdrop into almost a character itself. The reader will be able to picture themselves in both settings.
This book surprised me because I thought it would be filled with a lot of politics and mining jargon, it is captivating, easy to follow and understand. It will provoke your thoughts and make you reflect on where we are going as a society if we continue yielding to the corruption of greedy corporations.
I appreciate the author taking a practical approach to the empowerment of women, so that we as a gender can develop the qualities needed to rise above the ludicrous conditions that the world sets upon us in the workforce. The enthusiasm to step out of your comfort zone, fight for what you believe, and find your path to happiness, fulfillment, and success is infectious.
I highly recommend to readers who enjoy a fast-paced contemporary read. I look forward to more tales by Jay Martin in the future.
Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Fremantle Press, for the opportunity to read and review.
December 24, 2025
Boom Town Snap is a fast-paced novel set in Western Australia (Perth and Karratha) and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (the urban hub of the massive "Patch" oil sands region). These backdrops zig-zag between dual narratives: the "now" of protagonist Georgie's arrival in Edmonton to take up a consulting role; and the "before" of her life performing a similar job for her company's Western Australian office.
The story opens in a startling manner (no spoilers from me!), quickly setting up Georgie's backstory and the ethical dilemmas she faces as a highly principled woman who believes that corporations that dig up wealth from the ground - and the governments that regulate them - should do a lot more to take care of their citizens. Georgie's personal life is turbulent: she is in financial strife due to a recent "bust" in the mining industry in WA's Pilbara; she is estranged from her husband Josh after his mental breakdown and descent into addiction; in an uneasy relationship with her sister Tara and controlling brother-in-law; is deeply missing her young nephew Tommy; and is having a destabilising affair with Nico, a company executive who accompanies her to Edmonton and promises her a promotion to partner if she delivers the current project successfully. And on the career side of things, she finds herself under the thumb of Randy, a slippery Canadian executive whose behaviour is exemplary of the term, 'toxic masculinity'.
Boom Town Snap highlights the many similarities of the two countries, Australia and Canada, with their coastal and border-hugging cities, vast inhospitable interiors and staggering mineral and petroleum resources, magnets to communities of hi-vis-wearing workers and glass-and-steel office towers where the powerful spend punishingly long working days dreaming up strategies to maximise revenue from the treasures they dig up from the land.
While Boom Town Snap deals with serious themes, it does so with energy and wit. The tension between wealth and welfare is a central theme in the story but it is never handled didactically. The Alberta chapters are engaging "fish-out-of-water" scenarios in which Georgie lands herself in some ludicrous and embarrassing situations and regards the Albertan world with wide-eyed wonder: like her visit to a Canadian fast-food chain in the dead of winter where "tables groan under piles of clothing big enough to have their own postcodes" and "She's started thinking about dressing to go outside here like scuba divers think about airtime."
Boom Town Snap is lively, entertaining and thought-provoking read. Jay Martin's own career experience in WA and Alberta brings authenticity to her portrayal of the resources sector with its high-pressure work ethic and the presence of poverty and disadvantage in the very communities where such fabulous wealth is realised.
The story opens in a startling manner (no spoilers from me!), quickly setting up Georgie's backstory and the ethical dilemmas she faces as a highly principled woman who believes that corporations that dig up wealth from the ground - and the governments that regulate them - should do a lot more to take care of their citizens. Georgie's personal life is turbulent: she is in financial strife due to a recent "bust" in the mining industry in WA's Pilbara; she is estranged from her husband Josh after his mental breakdown and descent into addiction; in an uneasy relationship with her sister Tara and controlling brother-in-law; is deeply missing her young nephew Tommy; and is having a destabilising affair with Nico, a company executive who accompanies her to Edmonton and promises her a promotion to partner if she delivers the current project successfully. And on the career side of things, she finds herself under the thumb of Randy, a slippery Canadian executive whose behaviour is exemplary of the term, 'toxic masculinity'.
Boom Town Snap highlights the many similarities of the two countries, Australia and Canada, with their coastal and border-hugging cities, vast inhospitable interiors and staggering mineral and petroleum resources, magnets to communities of hi-vis-wearing workers and glass-and-steel office towers where the powerful spend punishingly long working days dreaming up strategies to maximise revenue from the treasures they dig up from the land.
While Boom Town Snap deals with serious themes, it does so with energy and wit. The tension between wealth and welfare is a central theme in the story but it is never handled didactically. The Alberta chapters are engaging "fish-out-of-water" scenarios in which Georgie lands herself in some ludicrous and embarrassing situations and regards the Albertan world with wide-eyed wonder: like her visit to a Canadian fast-food chain in the dead of winter where "tables groan under piles of clothing big enough to have their own postcodes" and "She's started thinking about dressing to go outside here like scuba divers think about airtime."
Boom Town Snap is lively, entertaining and thought-provoking read. Jay Martin's own career experience in WA and Alberta brings authenticity to her portrayal of the resources sector with its high-pressure work ethic and the presence of poverty and disadvantage in the very communities where such fabulous wealth is realised.
April 29, 2025
Down and out, Georgie takes a chance on a job opportunity in Canada. She’s a mining highflyer and is tasked with assisting to bid for a large government contract, only to arrive to find out she is leading the bid team. It’s her chance to make a partner, which is what she has always wanted, or is it?
The book is told in 2 timelines, one ending where the other starts making for an intriguing read. You are wondering how Georgie ended up where she is and are rooting for a happy ending, whatever that might look like to you as the reader.
There is a great cast of characters, not all likeable. Georgie herself represents a large proportion of corporate women in Australia. She’s ambitious and wants at all, but not at any cost, and the more down to earth and empathetic side of her is hustling to be seen and heard. Her husband has run into some bad fortune, with sad and believable consequences that tug at your heartstrings. The sister, seemingly a bitch at first, has a backstory that has you feeling sorry for her. Her work superiors, both Nico and Randy are douche bags, but fortunately her team are champions.
As a senior woman in a corporate role, this book is also quite relatable. It deals with imposter syndrome, gender bias, misconduct, diversity targets, sustainability goals, professional development, probity to name a few. I usually want to read books that help me escape from my daily grind, but this had me seeing things from a different perspective which I found highly entertaining.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced contemporary fiction.
The book is told in 2 timelines, one ending where the other starts making for an intriguing read. You are wondering how Georgie ended up where she is and are rooting for a happy ending, whatever that might look like to you as the reader.
There is a great cast of characters, not all likeable. Georgie herself represents a large proportion of corporate women in Australia. She’s ambitious and wants at all, but not at any cost, and the more down to earth and empathetic side of her is hustling to be seen and heard. Her husband has run into some bad fortune, with sad and believable consequences that tug at your heartstrings. The sister, seemingly a bitch at first, has a backstory that has you feeling sorry for her. Her work superiors, both Nico and Randy are douche bags, but fortunately her team are champions.
As a senior woman in a corporate role, this book is also quite relatable. It deals with imposter syndrome, gender bias, misconduct, diversity targets, sustainability goals, professional development, probity to name a few. I usually want to read books that help me escape from my daily grind, but this had me seeing things from a different perspective which I found highly entertaining.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced contemporary fiction.
March 28, 2025
;
Georgia is known for having a level head for business and is confident in her ability to present a successful proposal to close a deal. The same cannot be said for her relationships which seesaw through her life integrating tears with laughter, good times with not so good.
Married to Josh she moves with him to outback mining town of Karatha, but their dreams do not evolve how either imagined.
Georgia’s colleague & eventual lover persuades her to move to snow laden Alberta in Canada to present a proposal. Living in an in/out relationship with Nico and her distrust of the mining companies environmental tactics, the move and the job soon becomes her nightmare.
Back in Perth, family issues lay heavily on her & soon she has to make a life changing decision.
If you like to read about a high profile life in the fast lane this book is for you, enjoy.
Georgia is known for having a level head for business and is confident in her ability to present a successful proposal to close a deal. The same cannot be said for her relationships which seesaw through her life integrating tears with laughter, good times with not so good.
Married to Josh she moves with him to outback mining town of Karatha, but their dreams do not evolve how either imagined.
Georgia’s colleague & eventual lover persuades her to move to snow laden Alberta in Canada to present a proposal. Living in an in/out relationship with Nico and her distrust of the mining companies environmental tactics, the move and the job soon becomes her nightmare.
Back in Perth, family issues lay heavily on her & soon she has to make a life changing decision.
If you like to read about a high profile life in the fast lane this book is for you, enjoy.
May 19, 2025
Thank you to Fremantle Press & Jay Martin for the opportunity to ARC review Boom Town Snap.
I will start off this review by saying I am usually sat in my small 3x1 mining funded rental, reading romance or fantasy books. Reading general fiction was a refreshing and needed change.
I enjoyed this ever-so-real-fiction book about the Australian mining conditions and how it translates to other parts of the world that are also grossly exploited. There were many parts in the story that were wildly relatable to my struggles as a woman in mining, which gave a sense of solidarity and community.
Boom Town Snap has a good mix of suspense, politics, humour and dare I say spice? I recommend Boom Town Snap for those with a love for general fiction, my fellow romance readers who want a palate cleanser or any St. Georges Terrace uniform wearers.
I will start off this review by saying I am usually sat in my small 3x1 mining funded rental, reading romance or fantasy books. Reading general fiction was a refreshing and needed change.
I enjoyed this ever-so-real-fiction book about the Australian mining conditions and how it translates to other parts of the world that are also grossly exploited. There were many parts in the story that were wildly relatable to my struggles as a woman in mining, which gave a sense of solidarity and community.
Boom Town Snap has a good mix of suspense, politics, humour and dare I say spice? I recommend Boom Town Snap for those with a love for general fiction, my fellow romance readers who want a palate cleanser or any St. Georges Terrace uniform wearers.
May 5, 2025
I thought this book was a great read. It has an interesting narrative arc, taking the reader back and forth between the rather extreme-sounding settings of the resources sector in Canada and Australia, while telling a very relatable personal story of what it’s like for someone caught up in the wheeling and dealing of the high-stakes consulting world. Feels a lot like “House of Lies” at times. And interesting for me, as a guy, hearing some of what it’s like for women in the workforce. Some of it I felt I knew (or was aware of) but there were also plenty of “Damn, is it *really* like that/that bad for women?” moments. I also appreciated how the author was able to express/explain some of the tensions between competing actors through the narrative: governments, corporate/resources sector interests, resources workers, the environment, marginalized communities and the Australian and Canadian people who live in these remote and harsh environments. What I particularly appreciated was the author’s attempt to not just cast the various interests as “good” vs “bad” (although there are plenty of those!) but to show the shades of grey when it comes to individuals, businesses and governments attempting to navigate their interests and choose the “best” path. Very accessible and one of those books I didn’t want to put down. Five stars.
Read
July 23, 2025So NOT my kind of book
A very naive girl
self-centered, career-guided men
And a corrupt corportion
Sigh
Pretty much everything that gets me angry
But hey, everything turns out juuuuuust fine
Yuk
But: a page-turmer
A very naive girl
self-centered, career-guided men
And a corrupt corportion
Sigh
Pretty much everything that gets me angry
But hey, everything turns out juuuuuust fine
Yuk
But: a page-turmer
June 4, 2025
Obviously I loved this smart, engaging novel set between WA, Australia, and Alberta, Canada – my endorsement's on the cover :)
June 15, 2025
a wonderful story that highlights that there are ways to change our trajectory as we move forward, in relationships, work, and our interactions with this beautiful planet we live on.
Read
August 28, 2025DNF
September 8, 2025
it was a slow burn not a gripping book.
September 16, 2025
fantastic book. highly recommend.
June 4, 2025
*Thank you to Better Reading and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read an ARC. The following is my honest review*
As someone who lives in a mining town, I was really excited to read this book. While my local area is slightly different to WA, the similarities with the 'miner’s mindset' resonated with me. The author has captured the weaknesses, strengths, questionable motives, professional drive and personal growth so impressively, it's hard not to feel some level of empathy for the female protagonist. The internal turmoil that she goes through with the breakdown of her relationships, and her own mind, is captured in such a raw, emotionally charged and fraught way that at times, I struggled to push through due to the anticipation of the inevitable 'snap' that you could feel building. The tension shone through in a way that made it hard to continue reading, if only because I wanted to scream at the main character and shake her until she saw the truth. A well written nod to the difficulties within the mining industry (both personal and professional), Boom Town Snap is a novel with great depth of character that captures the struggles of a female in a mainly male dominated world.
As someone who lives in a mining town, I was really excited to read this book. While my local area is slightly different to WA, the similarities with the 'miner’s mindset' resonated with me. The author has captured the weaknesses, strengths, questionable motives, professional drive and personal growth so impressively, it's hard not to feel some level of empathy for the female protagonist. The internal turmoil that she goes through with the breakdown of her relationships, and her own mind, is captured in such a raw, emotionally charged and fraught way that at times, I struggled to push through due to the anticipation of the inevitable 'snap' that you could feel building. The tension shone through in a way that made it hard to continue reading, if only because I wanted to scream at the main character and shake her until she saw the truth. A well written nod to the difficulties within the mining industry (both personal and professional), Boom Town Snap is a novel with great depth of character that captures the struggles of a female in a mainly male dominated world.
July 17, 2025
This has to be one of the top books I have read this year. And I am so happy that it is by a local author. This is a relatively short book (274 pages) but manages to tackle a lot of big themes.
The Perth boom-bust culture is hard to explain to outsiders but Martin does it brilliantly. I love how she shows the duality of Perthites - we love the environment and spend all our leisure time camping, swimming and 4WDing. But nearly everything about our life style comes from oil and gas or mining aka wreck the environment we love so much.
While the book is set in Perth and Alberta, the underlying themes are universal. What hit me the hardest was the crippling imposter syndrome that Georgie has. She lets herself down so many times because she feels she isn’t good enough or because she feels like being a woman is a disadvantage.
An excellent book and highly recommended.
The Perth boom-bust culture is hard to explain to outsiders but Martin does it brilliantly. I love how she shows the duality of Perthites - we love the environment and spend all our leisure time camping, swimming and 4WDing. But nearly everything about our life style comes from oil and gas or mining aka wreck the environment we love so much.
While the book is set in Perth and Alberta, the underlying themes are universal. What hit me the hardest was the crippling imposter syndrome that Georgie has. She lets herself down so many times because she feels she isn’t good enough or because she feels like being a woman is a disadvantage.
An excellent book and highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews