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The Trade Off: A Novel
A brilliant and ambitious young woman strives to find her place amid the promise and tumult of 1920s Wall Street in a captivating historical novel by the author of
The Lobotomist’s Wife
.
Bea Abramovitz has a gift for math and numbers. With her father, she studies the burgeoning Wall Street market’s stocks and patterns in the financial pages. After college she’s determined to parlay her talent for the prediction game into personal and professional success. But in the 1920s, in a Lower East Side tenement, opportunities for women don’t just come knocking. Bea will have to create them.
It’s easier for her golden-boy twin brother, Jake, who longs to reclaim all their parents lost after fleeing the pogroms in Russia to come to America. Well intentioned but undisciplined, Jake has a charm that can carry him only so far on Wall Street. So Bea devises a plan. They’ll be a secret team, and she’ll be the brains behind the broker. As Jake’s reputation, his heedless ego, and the family fortune soar, Bea foresees an impending crash that could destroy everything if she doesn’t finally take control.
Inspired by the true story of a pioneering investment legend, The Trade Off is a powerful novel about identity, sacrifice, family loyalties, and the complex morality of money.
Bea Abramovitz has a gift for math and numbers. With her father, she studies the burgeoning Wall Street market’s stocks and patterns in the financial pages. After college she’s determined to parlay her talent for the prediction game into personal and professional success. But in the 1920s, in a Lower East Side tenement, opportunities for women don’t just come knocking. Bea will have to create them.
It’s easier for her golden-boy twin brother, Jake, who longs to reclaim all their parents lost after fleeing the pogroms in Russia to come to America. Well intentioned but undisciplined, Jake has a charm that can carry him only so far on Wall Street. So Bea devises a plan. They’ll be a secret team, and she’ll be the brains behind the broker. As Jake’s reputation, his heedless ego, and the family fortune soar, Bea foresees an impending crash that could destroy everything if she doesn’t finally take control.
Inspired by the true story of a pioneering investment legend, The Trade Off is a powerful novel about identity, sacrifice, family loyalties, and the complex morality of money.
Audible Audio
First published October 8, 2024
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About the author
Samantha Greene Woodruff
2 books346 followersSamantha Greene Woodruff has a BA in history from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. She spent most of her career telling stories to executives at MTV Networks as the senior vice president of strategy and business development and, subsequently, audience research for the Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group. After leaving corporate life, she pursued her varied passions, teaching yoga, cooking, and taking classes at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. It was here that she combined her multifaceted background with her wild imagination and passion for history, reading, and writing. The Lobotomist’s Wife is her first historical fiction novel, and she is already at work on her next book. Sam lives in southern Connecticut with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
February 25, 2025
It does me well to stay in the genre I love. It is my happy place.
It’s 1926, just before the stock market crash. Bea has a gift for numbers. She wants to be a broker but she’s a woman and unless you are from an ivy league college, it’s impossible. She’s also an immigrant, Jewish and not with a lot of$$. Too many strikes against her. But she is determined and resilient. An opportunity comes up with her twin brother which she takes knowing the risks.
I do like my HF with strong female characters; with a circle of women who lift each other up; an opportunity to learn more about the stock market as well as the inspiration Woodruff drew from.
The only trade off for me was the time invested which was a net win.
4.25⭐️
It’s 1926, just before the stock market crash. Bea has a gift for numbers. She wants to be a broker but she’s a woman and unless you are from an ivy league college, it’s impossible. She’s also an immigrant, Jewish and not with a lot of$$. Too many strikes against her. But she is determined and resilient. An opportunity comes up with her twin brother which she takes knowing the risks.
I do like my HF with strong female characters; with a circle of women who lift each other up; an opportunity to learn more about the stock market as well as the inspiration Woodruff drew from.
The only trade off for me was the time invested which was a net win.
4.25⭐️
October 27, 2025
(4.25 stars)
The Trade Off opens on that dreadful day, Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, when the Roaring Twenties came to an abrupt end, with the huge stock market crash that set off the Great Depression. We briefly meet Bea Abramovitz, the main character, and then we go back three years to 1926 and see how things got there.
Bea is an unusual girl, especially for her time. She has a gift for numbers and can see patterns emerging before a lot of other people do. As a young girl, she studied the stock market with her greengrocer father, a Jewish immigrant from Russia, who had a university education “before.” Her twin brother, Jake, is more of a charmer and not interested in studies the way Bea is. But at that time it was unheard of for a woman, especially a young woman, to work on Wall Street as anything other than a receptionist or secretary. She tried to get a job as a broker, or a broker trainee, but on top of being female, she was Jewish and went to New York City’s Hunter College - which meant that she had no connections and wasn’t considered for any position that needed those connections.
Bea is easy to root for. Even decades later, we all know that women had/have a much tougher time being taken seriously in the business world. Bea’s friends were wonderful characters, very individual. I especially loved Henny (Henrietta). Her mother was a piece of work for most of the book, always going on about what a wonderful life they gave up when they fled the pogroms, but she came through for Bea in the end. I wanted to shake Bea several times during the story, and her brother too! But some of that’s 20-20 hindsight on the part of the reader.
Helen Laser did a terrific job with the narration and the story kept both me and my husband interested on a long car trip, wanting to know what would happen next!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Trade Off opens on that dreadful day, Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, when the Roaring Twenties came to an abrupt end, with the huge stock market crash that set off the Great Depression. We briefly meet Bea Abramovitz, the main character, and then we go back three years to 1926 and see how things got there.
Bea is an unusual girl, especially for her time. She has a gift for numbers and can see patterns emerging before a lot of other people do. As a young girl, she studied the stock market with her greengrocer father, a Jewish immigrant from Russia, who had a university education “before.” Her twin brother, Jake, is more of a charmer and not interested in studies the way Bea is. But at that time it was unheard of for a woman, especially a young woman, to work on Wall Street as anything other than a receptionist or secretary. She tried to get a job as a broker, or a broker trainee, but on top of being female, she was Jewish and went to New York City’s Hunter College - which meant that she had no connections and wasn’t considered for any position that needed those connections.
Bea is easy to root for. Even decades later, we all know that women had/have a much tougher time being taken seriously in the business world. Bea’s friends were wonderful characters, very individual. I especially loved Henny (Henrietta). Her mother was a piece of work for most of the book, always going on about what a wonderful life they gave up when they fled the pogroms, but she came through for Bea in the end. I wanted to shake Bea several times during the story, and her brother too! But some of that’s 20-20 hindsight on the part of the reader.
Helen Laser did a terrific job with the narration and the story kept both me and my husband interested on a long car trip, wanting to know what would happen next!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 17, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
This historical fiction caught me by complete surprise. In my humble opinion, this is the crown jewel of my Canadian Thanksgiving read-a-thon. It's 1926 and Beatrice( Bea) Abramovitz wants nothing more than to become the next broker on Wall Street. But Bea is about to find out that even with the skills, those who run the financial district are not keen to see a woman take her place amongst them. Especially a Jewish woman from a poor New York neighbourhood. Her twin brother, Jack, on the other hand, the roads are paved in gold for men like him. With unwavering determination, Bea will persevere, but when she makes a critical error, it will take the support of her loyal friends and family to help her realize that she can continue.
As I stated above, this was a winner, a historical fiction that is equipped with a territory( Wall Street) I am unfamiliar with and a strong female protagonist that I kept on cheering. Even when I didn't always agree with her choices or blind loyalty to her brother. I selected this book on a mere whim and it presented me with a great deal of reading pleasure.
Don't skip by this one.
#TheTradeOff #NetGalley.
Publication Date 08/10/24
Goodreads Review 14/10/24
This historical fiction caught me by complete surprise. In my humble opinion, this is the crown jewel of my Canadian Thanksgiving read-a-thon. It's 1926 and Beatrice( Bea) Abramovitz wants nothing more than to become the next broker on Wall Street. But Bea is about to find out that even with the skills, those who run the financial district are not keen to see a woman take her place amongst them. Especially a Jewish woman from a poor New York neighbourhood. Her twin brother, Jack, on the other hand, the roads are paved in gold for men like him. With unwavering determination, Bea will persevere, but when she makes a critical error, it will take the support of her loyal friends and family to help her realize that she can continue.
As I stated above, this was a winner, a historical fiction that is equipped with a territory( Wall Street) I am unfamiliar with and a strong female protagonist that I kept on cheering. Even when I didn't always agree with her choices or blind loyalty to her brother. I selected this book on a mere whim and it presented me with a great deal of reading pleasure.
Don't skip by this one.
#TheTradeOff #NetGalley.
Publication Date 08/10/24
Goodreads Review 14/10/24
June 11, 2024
Short sellers in the stock market have always been cast as villains - from James Bond’s Casino Royale to the GameStop short sellers in the news.
Let Samantha Greene Woodruff introduce you to her heroine - a Jewish protagonist with a brain for numbers from a poor immigrant family in the Lower East Side. Not your average stock broker, right? Certainly not one you’d expect to be a protagonist after the bad rap short sellers have been given or one you’d expect from a story set in the 1920s! Woodruff upends our preconceived notions and pulls it off with ease.
The novel opens with the scene on Black Tuesday (Oct. 29, 1929) and readers are instantly aware of the devastating effects of financial loss. I’d studied this before and even taught it in Canadian Grade 11 Social Studies. Studying the facts doesn’t put you in the shoes on the ground to experience the psychological, emotional and physical trauma experienced that day. Woodruff places readers there.
The novel then hops back to three years before the crash and readers are introduced to the Abramovitz twins - Beatrice and Jake - and follow them as their lives parallel the fluctuations of the stock market. It’s not difficult for readers to begin rooting for Bea when we discover how unfairly she’s treated by her mother. Bea has a dream of becoming a stock broker on Wall Street, but society isn’t ready for her yet. Even more disappointing for Bea, is that her Russian parents want the twins to play it safe with their future after all the sacrifices they’ve made to give Bea and Jake opportunities.
Woodruff writes to show readers that despite the 1920s being a time when women’s rights were soaring, the early days of women in Wall Street weren’t as welcoming. Every immigrant group struggles to establish themselves, but Woodruff’s examination of the Jewish immigrants in the early part of the 20th century is one that hasn’t often been highlighted in historical fiction. It was a refreshing change.
Woodruff definitely accomplishes her goal of writing to expose the complex morality of wealth. I was lost in her well-researched story examining perseverance and trusting oneself. I have no doubt data nerds will love this one, as will historical fiction lovers and those who love to learn as they read.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Let Samantha Greene Woodruff introduce you to her heroine - a Jewish protagonist with a brain for numbers from a poor immigrant family in the Lower East Side. Not your average stock broker, right? Certainly not one you’d expect to be a protagonist after the bad rap short sellers have been given or one you’d expect from a story set in the 1920s! Woodruff upends our preconceived notions and pulls it off with ease.
The novel opens with the scene on Black Tuesday (Oct. 29, 1929) and readers are instantly aware of the devastating effects of financial loss. I’d studied this before and even taught it in Canadian Grade 11 Social Studies. Studying the facts doesn’t put you in the shoes on the ground to experience the psychological, emotional and physical trauma experienced that day. Woodruff places readers there.
The novel then hops back to three years before the crash and readers are introduced to the Abramovitz twins - Beatrice and Jake - and follow them as their lives parallel the fluctuations of the stock market. It’s not difficult for readers to begin rooting for Bea when we discover how unfairly she’s treated by her mother. Bea has a dream of becoming a stock broker on Wall Street, but society isn’t ready for her yet. Even more disappointing for Bea, is that her Russian parents want the twins to play it safe with their future after all the sacrifices they’ve made to give Bea and Jake opportunities.
Woodruff writes to show readers that despite the 1920s being a time when women’s rights were soaring, the early days of women in Wall Street weren’t as welcoming. Every immigrant group struggles to establish themselves, but Woodruff’s examination of the Jewish immigrants in the early part of the 20th century is one that hasn’t often been highlighted in historical fiction. It was a refreshing change.
Woodruff definitely accomplishes her goal of writing to expose the complex morality of wealth. I was lost in her well-researched story examining perseverance and trusting oneself. I have no doubt data nerds will love this one, as will historical fiction lovers and those who love to learn as they read.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 30, 2024
The Trade Off by Samantha Greene Woodruff is an absolute must. Set in the 1920s on Wall Street, this book follows Bea Abramovitz (an absolute Jewish Queen) as she navigates dating, friendship and … the stock market? I am definitely someone who is burnt out on WWII historical fiction (as the phrase goes, people love dead Jews), so I love an opportunity to foray into a completely different genre of Jewish HF and this book absolutely blew me away - 5 stars!
Thank you to Lake Union & Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Lake Union & Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2024
This book is about our main character Bea, and Wall Street in 1920’s NYC. Bea, a Jewish immigrant, has always been good with math and numbers and is very interested in the stock market. She knows it's hard for a woman to succeed in this industry and comes up with a plan with her twin brother Jake. He can be the broker, and she'll do all the research and work so they can really succeed and make some big money. I loved that Bea was such a strong woman and was able to accomplish her dreams of working on Wall Street while also having groups of friends around her and even finding some romance. I loved the vivid descriptions of booming NYC in the roaring 20’s. The author did a great job. What was really nice is that this historical fiction book wasn't about war. I enjoyed a story that felt authentic and light. It was a really nice, and entertaining read. I'll be looking forward to more books by this author in the future!
Thank you to the publisher, Suzy approved book tours, and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, Suzy approved book tours, and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 23, 2025
DNF @ 10%
I do not get along with this author's treatment of women's issues. I can't decide if the tone toward these matters is sarcastic or snide. Either way, it made for unpleasant reading for me.
Partial Reading Notes
One thing I loved:
1. A really wonderful description of the 1929 market crash, from the trading floor. She humanizes the chaos through the thoughts of the narrating character.
Three things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. ["...What] drives the rises and falls? Why do prices land where they do? And how do they continue to soar and make our economy the greatest in the world?” p22 I don't think I will get along with this book's politics. One more dog whistle and I will close the book.
2. And, again. She, Bea Abramovitz, was about to become a real professional broker. She had never been so happy to be alive in the 1920s, when a woman could do anything. p29 A woman couldn't have a checking account or line of credit in her name in the 1920's. I can't tell if this is sarcasm or a jab at feminism, but I don't want to wonder through 300 pages of story.
3. It's fine for the author to express her own politics in her own book. But I don't have to like it or finish the book. DNF @ 10%
Rating: DNF @ 10%
Finished: Nov 21 '24
Format: Digital arc, NetGalley
Thank you to the author Samantha Greene Woodruff, publishers Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE TRADE OFF. All views are mine.
I do not get along with this author's treatment of women's issues. I can't decide if the tone toward these matters is sarcastic or snide. Either way, it made for unpleasant reading for me.
Partial Reading Notes
One thing I loved:
1. A really wonderful description of the 1929 market crash, from the trading floor. She humanizes the chaos through the thoughts of the narrating character.
Three things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. ["...What] drives the rises and falls? Why do prices land where they do? And how do they continue to soar and make our economy the greatest in the world?” p22 I don't think I will get along with this book's politics. One more dog whistle and I will close the book.
2. And, again. She, Bea Abramovitz, was about to become a real professional broker. She had never been so happy to be alive in the 1920s, when a woman could do anything. p29 A woman couldn't have a checking account or line of credit in her name in the 1920's. I can't tell if this is sarcasm or a jab at feminism, but I don't want to wonder through 300 pages of story.
3. It's fine for the author to express her own politics in her own book. But I don't have to like it or finish the book. DNF @ 10%
Rating: DNF @ 10%
Finished: Nov 21 '24
Format: Digital arc, NetGalley
Thank you to the author Samantha Greene Woodruff, publishers Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE TRADE OFF. All views are mine.
September 12, 2024
Samantha Woodruff’s new novel, THE TRADE OFF possesses all the literary goodies that historical fiction lovers will devour: rags-to-riches, love, loss, redemption, and my personal fave—Girl Power--during a time when women had none. Readers will fall deeply in love with the fiery, brilliant Bea, a young immigrant who believes in her own abilities against all odds. Bea is in love with numbers and yearns to become a stockbroker on Wall Street in 1925, despite the challenges and hurdles surrounding her. As the Great Depression looms, Bea will not only rise, but also she will ultimately raise the bar. Woodruff takes us on a journey rich with history, female empowerment, and page-turning prose. A powerhouse of a novel, The Trade Off is blue chip all the way!
September 14, 2024
The Trade Off tells the story of a young Jewish woman who arrives in Manhattan from Europe a few years before the Depression. She has nothing but her family and her love of numbers. As she learns about American society, she develops dreams of working on the stock market. Unfortunately, she lacks the proper pedigree. Being from humble means is strike one. A Jew, strike two. And a woman! Worst of all. But it turns out Bea Abramowitz is smarter than anyone gives her credit for. To say that I loved this book is an extreme understatement. It's a page turner from start to finish. A feel-good, empowering, smart read, that nobody should miss!!! This book is a true gem!
March 21, 2025
4.25/5 stars
This book was so fun! Who knew that a book with a premise centered on the stock market could be so interesting? Bea Abramovitz is a Jewish girl from the Lower East Side. She has a way with numbers, and it is her dream to be a broker on Wall Street. But this is the 1920’s and no one will take her seriously. It is a man’s job, not meant for women.
Bea’s twin brother, Jake, doesn’t have nearly the same talent or qualifications that she does, and yet he has enough charm. He’s a man, and with a lot of help, he lands her dream job. But will things work out for either of them, in the end? The big stock market crash of 1929 is looming...
‘Life is about compromise, trade-offs. We all have to make them. We give up some things. We get others.’
Narrated by the fabulous Helen Laser (She’s such a favorite!) 👌
‘It turned out that some of the most magical things happened when you stopped predicting and just started living.’
I loved the characters, even the ones that drove me a little crazy with their dumb decisions.And the themes of sacrifice, family loyalty, and the tricky moral issues involved in stock trading were fascinating to me. It’s a more unique story as far as historical fiction goes, and I really enjoyed that aspect a lot. This book is the cat’s pajamas! IYKYK 😁
This book was so fun! Who knew that a book with a premise centered on the stock market could be so interesting? Bea Abramovitz is a Jewish girl from the Lower East Side. She has a way with numbers, and it is her dream to be a broker on Wall Street. But this is the 1920’s and no one will take her seriously. It is a man’s job, not meant for women.
Bea’s twin brother, Jake, doesn’t have nearly the same talent or qualifications that she does, and yet he has enough charm. He’s a man, and with a lot of help, he lands her dream job. But will things work out for either of them, in the end? The big stock market crash of 1929 is looming...
‘Life is about compromise, trade-offs. We all have to make them. We give up some things. We get others.’
Narrated by the fabulous Helen Laser (She’s such a favorite!) 👌
‘It turned out that some of the most magical things happened when you stopped predicting and just started living.’
I loved the characters, even the ones that drove me a little crazy with their dumb decisions.And the themes of sacrifice, family loyalty, and the tricky moral issues involved in stock trading were fascinating to me. It’s a more unique story as far as historical fiction goes, and I really enjoyed that aspect a lot. This book is the cat’s pajamas! IYKYK 😁
November 20, 2025
עלילת הספר מתרחשת בשנים שקדמו למפולת בוול-סטריט בשנת 1929, והסיפור מסופר דרך סיפורה האישי של ביאטריס, המשפחה והחברים שלה
שני נושאים עיקריים בספר הם אפליית נשים בשוק ההון ואנטישמיות שקטה
והנה, עברו כבר 100 שנים, ואנחנו בשלהי שנת 2025, והאנטישמיות בעולם כבר ממש לא שקטה ובשוק ההון עדיין יש רוב גברי מוחלט
ביאטריס רוצה להיות ברוקרית ולמרות שהיא מאוד מוכשרת, היא רק מקבלת ברקסים מכל בנק שהיא פונה אליו, וגם היום כעבור 100 שנים (לפחות בשוק ההון הישראלי) יש רק ברוקרית אישה אחת!
הסיפור עצמו קריא ומעניין, גם אם ההתחלה טיפה חלשה, ומותח לקראת הסוף
גם הנושאים הכלכליים שקשורים לבורסה ומונחים כמו מכירה בחסר (שורט) מוסברים לדעתי בצורה טובה וקלה להבנה גם למי שלא מגיע מהתחום
שני נושאים עיקריים בספר הם אפליית נשים בשוק ההון ואנטישמיות שקטה
והנה, עברו כבר 100 שנים, ואנחנו בשלהי שנת 2025, והאנטישמיות בעולם כבר ממש לא שקטה ובשוק ההון עדיין יש רוב גברי מוחלט
ביאטריס רוצה להיות ברוקרית ולמרות שהיא מאוד מוכשרת, היא רק מקבלת ברקסים מכל בנק שהיא פונה אליו, וגם היום כעבור 100 שנים (לפחות בשוק ההון הישראלי) יש רק ברוקרית אישה אחת!
הסיפור עצמו קריא ומעניין, גם אם ההתחלה טיפה חלשה, ומותח לקראת הסוף
גם הנושאים הכלכליים שקשורים לבורסה ומונחים כמו מכירה בחסר (שורט) מוסברים לדעתי בצורה טובה וקלה להבנה גם למי שלא מגיע מהתחום
September 28, 2024
Finished reading: September 26th 2024
"She knew this conversation wouldn't lead to anything but yet another petty argument with her mother about how unfair it was that Pauline treated her brother like a prince and Bea like a servant."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: yet another unexpected unpopular opinion review ahead!!
October 8, 2024
I first discovered Samantha Greene Woodruff from her debut The Lobotomist's wife which completely blew me away. A debut that knocked my socks off.
Now she's back with her sophomore book that takes place leading up to The Great Depression. At the center of the story is Bea, a math wiz fighting against a society where women were teachers and secretaries, certainly not brokers on Wall Street.
I absolutely loved this book, it was even better than I expected. Bea was such an amazing character, so much girl power.
This era is one of my favorites and Samantha really nailed it. It's full of great characters and phenomal writing that transported me to that time period, full of the highest highs and devastatingly lows.
This is truly a must read!
Now she's back with her sophomore book that takes place leading up to The Great Depression. At the center of the story is Bea, a math wiz fighting against a society where women were teachers and secretaries, certainly not brokers on Wall Street.
I absolutely loved this book, it was even better than I expected. Bea was such an amazing character, so much girl power.
This era is one of my favorites and Samantha really nailed it. It's full of great characters and phenomal writing that transported me to that time period, full of the highest highs and devastatingly lows.
This is truly a must read!
December 4, 2024
Maybe 3&1/2…a little light for me…wasn’t feeling it!
October 7, 2024
Ah, the Roaring Twenties, what a time to be alive, especially in New York City! Prohibition and speakeasies, flapper girls and the Follies, the magic of Coney Island, and, of course, a blooming stock market, Wall Street its beating heart. The Trade Off paints a colourful picture of what must have been a thrilling decade with seemingly endless opportunity to do whatever you wanted, to be whomever you wanted, to turn your rags into riches. Except maybe when you’re a poor Jewish girl with a brilliant head for numbers and much ambition, but neither the background nor the gender to be taken seriously…
She’s tenacious, though, our Bea, and that’s a quality I always admire in a person, fictional or not. She works hard to accomplish her dreams, even if I didn’t always agree with the ways in which she went about doing that. There’s quite a bit of family drama. I couldn’t stand Bea’s mother for most of the book, and I wasn’t fond of her twin brother either. So dismissive, so secretive, so arrogant, ugh.
The main focus of The Trade Off is obviously Wall Street. I did enjoy learning more about the stock market and Wall Street dealings, and the actual Crash of 1929. I don’t have a head for numbers – I’m no Bea, that’s for sure – and I will never be as fascinated by the financial market as I was by the history of lobotomy laid out in The Lobotomist’s Wife, but I was never overwhelmed or bored by the information offered.
The countdown to the Crash felt like a ticking time bomb. The reader obviously knows the Crash is coming and it is inevitable, but most of the characters don’t. It’s really only Bea who sees it coming and her sense of urgency and feeling of impending doom rubbed off on me. As the crash, and the final page, came closer I found myself reading more quickly, turning the pages faster because I’d become invested in Bea and I was genuinely afraid of what the Crash would do to her and her family and friends.
I found myself engrossed in The Trade Off before long, and I would happily recommend it to readers of historical fiction, especially those who take an interest in Wall Street.
Massive thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
She’s tenacious, though, our Bea, and that’s a quality I always admire in a person, fictional or not. She works hard to accomplish her dreams, even if I didn’t always agree with the ways in which she went about doing that. There’s quite a bit of family drama. I couldn’t stand Bea’s mother for most of the book, and I wasn’t fond of her twin brother either. So dismissive, so secretive, so arrogant, ugh.
The main focus of The Trade Off is obviously Wall Street. I did enjoy learning more about the stock market and Wall Street dealings, and the actual Crash of 1929. I don’t have a head for numbers – I’m no Bea, that’s for sure – and I will never be as fascinated by the financial market as I was by the history of lobotomy laid out in The Lobotomist’s Wife, but I was never overwhelmed or bored by the information offered.
The countdown to the Crash felt like a ticking time bomb. The reader obviously knows the Crash is coming and it is inevitable, but most of the characters don’t. It’s really only Bea who sees it coming and her sense of urgency and feeling of impending doom rubbed off on me. As the crash, and the final page, came closer I found myself reading more quickly, turning the pages faster because I’d become invested in Bea and I was genuinely afraid of what the Crash would do to her and her family and friends.
I found myself engrossed in The Trade Off before long, and I would happily recommend it to readers of historical fiction, especially those who take an interest in Wall Street.
Massive thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
October 8, 2024
Wow! Samantha Green Woodruff, the Author of “The Trade Off” has written an intriguing, captivating, and powerful novel. The Genres in this well-written and researched novel are Historical Fiction, Family, Romance, Sisterhood and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the 1920s, and takes place mostly on Wall Street, and in the New York boroughs. The author discusses how women in the 1920’s were not equal to men, and how society’s and family expectations of women’s roles and careers. There is also the contrast of wealth and poverty and differences in class. There was a big adjustment for immigrants that had been wealthy and now are trying to make a living. There was also anti-semitism.
The author vividly describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, and determined. Some were greedy and had entitlement issues. Bea and Jack Abramovitz are close twins, but extremely different. Bea is short and dark, and Jack is tall, blond and fair. Bea has always shown an aptitude for math and numbers, and Jack has the ability to charm everyone. After college, Bea realizes that she wants to be involved with stocks, bonds, and trading, and realizes that there are few opportunities for her, unless she is creative. Jack is impulsive, and has difficulty making good decisions. Although Bea has helped Jack, their mothers regards Jack as the “Golden Child”. Bea does create her own opportunities, with consequences.
Bea is loyal to one friend, and meets some other girls on Wall Street, and their friendship becomes a sisterhood of support and encouragement. I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, friends, sisterhood, self-worth, love and hope. I was intrigued how the author describes the tragedy of the Crash of 1929, and the historical ramifications. The author discusses how capable women had to find the courage and create opportunities in the financial world. I highly recommend this powerful, thought-provoking and memorable story.
The author vividly describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, and determined. Some were greedy and had entitlement issues. Bea and Jack Abramovitz are close twins, but extremely different. Bea is short and dark, and Jack is tall, blond and fair. Bea has always shown an aptitude for math and numbers, and Jack has the ability to charm everyone. After college, Bea realizes that she wants to be involved with stocks, bonds, and trading, and realizes that there are few opportunities for her, unless she is creative. Jack is impulsive, and has difficulty making good decisions. Although Bea has helped Jack, their mothers regards Jack as the “Golden Child”. Bea does create her own opportunities, with consequences.
Bea is loyal to one friend, and meets some other girls on Wall Street, and their friendship becomes a sisterhood of support and encouragement. I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, friends, sisterhood, self-worth, love and hope. I was intrigued how the author describes the tragedy of the Crash of 1929, and the historical ramifications. The author discusses how capable women had to find the courage and create opportunities in the financial world. I highly recommend this powerful, thought-provoking and memorable story.
May 27, 2025
About: Inspired by the true story of a pioneering investment legend, The Trade Off is a powerful novel about identity, sacrifice, family loyalties, and the complex morality of money.
Set in New York City in the mid-1920s, The Trade Off is a historical fiction novel about a courageous, proud immigrant Jewish woman named Bea Abramovitz. The book tells the story of Bea’s passions and brilliance, and her determination to make her way in what is perhaps the most male-dominated milieu of her time: Wall Street.
The Trade Off vividly captures the energy of a decade brimming with possibility—the kind of era where reinvention felt limitless, where ambition could transform rags into riches. But for a poor Jewish girl with a brilliant mind for numbers and boundless ambition, the road to success was far from easy. Without the right connections—or the privilege of being taken seriously as a woman—her dreams were met with obstacles at every turn.
Woodruff captivated me from the very first page, thanks to Bea’s quiet brilliance and unwavering determination. I couldn’t help but root for her throughout the story. Though her choices often left me frustrated, I had to remind myself that she was navigating a different era—one where women weren’t always encouraged to voice their desires as boldly.
It’s striking how a novel centered on extreme wealth and the daily struggles of the impoverished in late-1920s New York could just as easily unfold in today’s world. The characters may come from different backgrounds, but their aspirations, setbacks, and ethical dilemmas remain deeply familiar—along with their anxieties about gaining everything and the ever-present fear of losing it all.
10/10 for the research that clearly went into this novel. Be sure to read the ‘Author’s Note’ at the end for more on this
Set in New York City in the mid-1920s, The Trade Off is a historical fiction novel about a courageous, proud immigrant Jewish woman named Bea Abramovitz. The book tells the story of Bea’s passions and brilliance, and her determination to make her way in what is perhaps the most male-dominated milieu of her time: Wall Street.
The Trade Off vividly captures the energy of a decade brimming with possibility—the kind of era where reinvention felt limitless, where ambition could transform rags into riches. But for a poor Jewish girl with a brilliant mind for numbers and boundless ambition, the road to success was far from easy. Without the right connections—or the privilege of being taken seriously as a woman—her dreams were met with obstacles at every turn.
Woodruff captivated me from the very first page, thanks to Bea’s quiet brilliance and unwavering determination. I couldn’t help but root for her throughout the story. Though her choices often left me frustrated, I had to remind myself that she was navigating a different era—one where women weren’t always encouraged to voice their desires as boldly.
It’s striking how a novel centered on extreme wealth and the daily struggles of the impoverished in late-1920s New York could just as easily unfold in today’s world. The characters may come from different backgrounds, but their aspirations, setbacks, and ethical dilemmas remain deeply familiar—along with their anxieties about gaining everything and the ever-present fear of losing it all.
10/10 for the research that clearly went into this novel. Be sure to read the ‘Author’s Note’ at the end for more on this
October 4, 2024
This book so easily one of my favorites of the year. And it’s so great to read historical fiction about Jews that does not involve WWII. Bea Abramovitz is a recent college grad and daughter of immigrants. All she wants to do is become a stock broker yet those roles were near impossible for women in the 1920s. Set around the stock market crash of 1929, protagonist Bea experiences career, family, and love ups and downs along the way. Can’t wait to see what Samantha’s writes next!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
October 18, 2025
ואוו, איזה ספר נפלא.
אני לא מבינה כלום במניות ובבורסה ולכן דחיתי את הקריאה בספר.
אבל, מהרגע שפתחתי את הספר רותקתי.
מהעמוד הראשון אנו יודעים על האסון הקרב ובכל פרק, כמו בספירה לאחור, מציינים כמה זמן נותר לאסון.
בחורה צעירה, יהודיה, ענייה, בשנות העשרים של המאה ה-20, כל זה מתכון לאכזבה לבחורה המעוניינת לעבוד כברוקרית, בתקופה הנשלטת על ידי גברים ובעיקר על ידי בעלי הממון...
אבל בי לא מוותרת ומנסה לשבור את תקרת הזכוכית בזכות המוח החריף שלה וחברותיה הנהדרות.
נהניתי מאוד לקרוא- מומלץ בחום!
אני לא מבינה כלום במניות ובבורסה ולכן דחיתי את הקריאה בספר.
אבל, מהרגע שפתחתי את הספר רותקתי.
מהעמוד הראשון אנו יודעים על האסון הקרב ובכל פרק, כמו בספירה לאחור, מציינים כמה זמן נותר לאסון.
בחורה צעירה, יהודיה, ענייה, בשנות העשרים של המאה ה-20, כל זה מתכון לאכזבה לבחורה המעוניינת לעבוד כברוקרית, בתקופה הנשלטת על ידי גברים ובעיקר על ידי בעלי הממון...
אבל בי לא מוותרת ומנסה לשבור את תקרת הזכוכית בזכות המוח החריף שלה וחברותיה הנהדרות.
נהניתי מאוד לקרוא- מומלץ בחום!
November 12, 2024
4.5 stars
Favorite quote: Because you got something gweong one time? …the shame of her failure was tied up in her secret and she had been alone with herself for too long. …You made a mistake. I know you are not used to it but it happens.
Favorite quote: Because you got something gweong one time? …the shame of her failure was tied up in her secret and she had been alone with herself for too long. …You made a mistake. I know you are not used to it but it happens.
June 2, 2025
Enjoyable historical fiction set in NYC /Wall Street late 1920s. Likely to read others from this author.
October 18, 2025
I loved this book! It’s 4.5 stars for me. It may be because my career was in the financial industry but it’s well written and kept me wanting for more. It’s a novel -more like historical fiction than pure fiction! The crash of 1929 was fascinating and this book does a great job of explaining it!
September 30, 2024
First of all, the historial aspect of this novel is astounding and fascinating. I am in awe of the amount of research that went into every detail—from the fashion to the various Jewish immigrant experiences, to the drama of Wall Street. I devoured the information with zeal. Also, I must add, it is even more frustrating than usual
—given that we know what happens to the stock market—to see a bright woman’s concerns and opinions so easily dismissed time and time again. Almost a hundred years later, in the middle of an election that should be a no-brainer, we see how experienced, prepared women are quickly dismissed. This book pushes through quite a lesson in this regard, without being preachy. Ultimately, a woman who trusts her skills saves her family. Let’s remember that when we go to the polls this year.
As for the human stories in the novel? I love that is was written in a voice authentic to the era. I enjoyed the romance and family dynamics. The pace of the story was unrelenting! It was hard to put down.
—given that we know what happens to the stock market—to see a bright woman’s concerns and opinions so easily dismissed time and time again. Almost a hundred years later, in the middle of an election that should be a no-brainer, we see how experienced, prepared women are quickly dismissed. This book pushes through quite a lesson in this regard, without being preachy. Ultimately, a woman who trusts her skills saves her family. Let’s remember that when we go to the polls this year.
As for the human stories in the novel? I love that is was written in a voice authentic to the era. I enjoyed the romance and family dynamics. The pace of the story was unrelenting! It was hard to put down.
May 27, 2024
“The Trade Off” by Samantha Greene Woodruff is a great story about perseverance and the importance of believing in yourself despite the challenges of life. The story is about a brilliant young woman from an immigrant Jewish family whose dream is to become a stockbroker in the 1920s. It is fascinating to learn about Wall Street at that time and the lead up to the crash of 1929. This is a compelling look into the struggles of being a woman who wants a career in banking at that time is our history. This book ultimately is about the resilience of family, love, and the strong bonds of friendship. This novel will appeal to many age groups and to anyone who likes to read about extraordinary women! Also, the authors notes at the end of the book are a must read.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2024
An inspiring histfic tale of Bea Abramovitz, a brilliant Jewish math genius and stockbroker wannabe, just as the market crashes in 1929. Readers who love to read about exceptional women will devour this.
September 17, 2024
Advanced Book Review! Thank you @amazonpublishing and @netgalley for sending me this book for review. Opinions are my own.
“A brilliant and ambitious young woman strives to find her place amid the promise and tumult of 1920s Wall Street.”
I’ve read historical fiction books that include the 1929 stock market crash, usually as part of a decades-long family saga where the focus is more about how the crash affected the family and New York City. It’s always hard to read about people losing everything in the aftermath of the crash and, to be honest, it scares me that it could happen again.
The Trade Off is the first book I’ve read that is focused specifically on the crash, and it’s actually written from the point of view of a young Jewish woman, the daughter of immigrants, living on the Lower East Side of New York City.
The author writes, “the stock market wasn’t actually relevant to immigrants on the Lower East Side who didn’t have the time or money to buy shares of America’s great companies.” However, for Bea, “Wall Street wasn’t about getting rich; it was about numbers, and patterns, and strategy.” This book examines the rise of the stock market in the years before the devastating crash, and the involvement of many lower income Americans and immigrants in investing in the booming market of the 1920s, while following Bea who, as a woman, and a Jew, could not become a broker on Wall Street, but had great insight into the market.
With Jewish representation, and themes of the immigrant experience, antisemitism and gender roles in the 1920s, The Trade Off is a powerful and enlightening examination of a complex period of history.
“A brilliant and ambitious young woman strives to find her place amid the promise and tumult of 1920s Wall Street.”
I’ve read historical fiction books that include the 1929 stock market crash, usually as part of a decades-long family saga where the focus is more about how the crash affected the family and New York City. It’s always hard to read about people losing everything in the aftermath of the crash and, to be honest, it scares me that it could happen again.
The Trade Off is the first book I’ve read that is focused specifically on the crash, and it’s actually written from the point of view of a young Jewish woman, the daughter of immigrants, living on the Lower East Side of New York City.
The author writes, “the stock market wasn’t actually relevant to immigrants on the Lower East Side who didn’t have the time or money to buy shares of America’s great companies.” However, for Bea, “Wall Street wasn’t about getting rich; it was about numbers, and patterns, and strategy.” This book examines the rise of the stock market in the years before the devastating crash, and the involvement of many lower income Americans and immigrants in investing in the booming market of the 1920s, while following Bea who, as a woman, and a Jew, could not become a broker on Wall Street, but had great insight into the market.
With Jewish representation, and themes of the immigrant experience, antisemitism and gender roles in the 1920s, The Trade Off is a powerful and enlightening examination of a complex period of history.
July 19, 2025
5 underdog stars 🌟
- 1920s
- Stock market / black Friday
- feminism
- genius heroine
- immigration
What an under-hyped book! I have seen this on Audible and took my chances to prove how there are so many hidden gems overlooked by general population 😅
Bea is one of the strongest female leads I have ever read, her fight in a man dominated world is nothing but admirable.
I wish they didn’t spoil the story in the synopsis about Jake and Bea’s agreement, as it is one of the drivers and would have been good to keep it as a twist for the readers. Having said this, get ready as Jake is the absolute worst, a self-centered narsistic human being, he pissed me off so much, underestimating and manipulating Bea for his own gain.
- 1920s
- Stock market / black Friday
- feminism
- genius heroine
- immigration
What an under-hyped book! I have seen this on Audible and took my chances to prove how there are so many hidden gems overlooked by general population 😅
Bea is one of the strongest female leads I have ever read, her fight in a man dominated world is nothing but admirable.
I wish they didn’t spoil the story in the synopsis about Jake and Bea’s agreement, as it is one of the drivers and would have been good to keep it as a twist for the readers. Having said this, get ready as Jake is the absolute worst, a self-centered narsistic human being, he pissed me off so much, underestimating and manipulating Bea for his own gain.
September 8, 2025
רומן היסטורי המתרחש בשנות העשרים של המאה העשרים, וסובב סביב המשבר הכלכלי שהתרחש אז וספציפית המפולת בבורסה בוול סטריט.
בי אברמוביץ היא יהודייה, בת למשפחת מהגרים יהודיים מפולין. לבי יש ראש מבריק למתמטיקה וזיכרון חריף, וחלומה הוא להיות ברוקרית. בתקופה ההיא לא היה מקובל שנשים ימלאו תפקידים כאלו, במיוחד אם הן באות ממשפחות מהגרים עניות. בי מנסה לפלס את דרכה בעולם הבנקאות. ברקע מתרחשת הבועה הפיננסית של אותם זמנים, ובי מוטרדת מאוד מהתחזיות שלה בנושא, במיוחד שאף אחד אחר לא חושב כמוה.
ספר שכתוב טוב ומאוד מעניין. . הדמויות הן פיקטיביות אך הרקע להתרחשויות הוא של אירועים היסטוריים אמתיים (הבנקים, ההתרחשויות בבורסה וכו'). יש אפילו ציטוטים של מדד הדאו-ג'ונס של אותם ימים בתחילת כל פרק. אמנם הדמות של בי קצת עצבנה אותי כי לא הייתי בוחרת להתנהג כמוה, אבל אין מה לעשות - זה מה שגורם לסיפור להיות מעניין...
שמחתי שהסופרת בחרה להתמקד בדמויות ממוצא יהודי - הנוכחות של יהודים והתרבות היהודית בספרות חשובה בעיניי. באחרית הדבר של הסופרת היא מתייחסת גם לאנטישמיות של אחרי ה7 באוקטובר - ועל כך שהשורשים שלה נעוצים עמוק עמוק עוד מלפני כן, וזה בא לידי ביטוי בספר.
בי אברמוביץ היא יהודייה, בת למשפחת מהגרים יהודיים מפולין. לבי יש ראש מבריק למתמטיקה וזיכרון חריף, וחלומה הוא להיות ברוקרית. בתקופה ההיא לא היה מקובל שנשים ימלאו תפקידים כאלו, במיוחד אם הן באות ממשפחות מהגרים עניות. בי מנסה לפלס את דרכה בעולם הבנקאות. ברקע מתרחשת הבועה הפיננסית של אותם זמנים, ובי מוטרדת מאוד מהתחזיות שלה בנושא, במיוחד שאף אחד אחר לא חושב כמוה.
ספר שכתוב טוב ומאוד מעניין. . הדמויות הן פיקטיביות אך הרקע להתרחשויות הוא של אירועים היסטוריים אמתיים (הבנקים, ההתרחשויות בבורסה וכו'). יש אפילו ציטוטים של מדד הדאו-ג'ונס של אותם ימים בתחילת כל פרק. אמנם הדמות של בי קצת עצבנה אותי כי לא הייתי בוחרת להתנהג כמוה, אבל אין מה לעשות - זה מה שגורם לסיפור להיות מעניין...
שמחתי שהסופרת בחרה להתמקד בדמויות ממוצא יהודי - הנוכחות של יהודים והתרבות היהודית בספרות חשובה בעיניי. באחרית הדבר של הסופרת היא מתייחסת גם לאנטישמיות של אחרי ה7 באוקטובר - ועל כך שהשורשים שלה נעוצים עמוק עמוק עוד מלפני כן, וזה בא לידי ביטוי בספר.
September 6, 2024
The first thing you need to know about The Trade Off is that you need to read it.
The second thing you need to know is that I do not like Historical Fiction as a genre.
The third thing is that Samantha Greene Woodruff's storytelling is so good, so captivating and addicting that I could not put this book down, despite the fact that this is ordinarily not a genre that I enjoy.
I loved our heroine Bea Abramovitz, a mathematical genius determined to become a stockbroker on Wall Street, even though it was not a job suitable for a woman in the 1920s (let alone a Jewish immigrant). I loved the suspense that arose as the timeline of the story brought us closer and closer to the stock market crash of 1929. I loved the fantastic cast of characters that make this a full story about navigating friendship and family, love and ambition.
It's a five star read, I absolutely loved it cover to cover! I also loved Woodruff's previous book, but I have to say there is something particularly special about this one. And I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
The Trade Off will be out 10/8. Thank you to the publisher and the author for sending me an ARC.
The second thing you need to know is that I do not like Historical Fiction as a genre.
The third thing is that Samantha Greene Woodruff's storytelling is so good, so captivating and addicting that I could not put this book down, despite the fact that this is ordinarily not a genre that I enjoy.
I loved our heroine Bea Abramovitz, a mathematical genius determined to become a stockbroker on Wall Street, even though it was not a job suitable for a woman in the 1920s (let alone a Jewish immigrant). I loved the suspense that arose as the timeline of the story brought us closer and closer to the stock market crash of 1929. I loved the fantastic cast of characters that make this a full story about navigating friendship and family, love and ambition.
It's a five star read, I absolutely loved it cover to cover! I also loved Woodruff's previous book, but I have to say there is something particularly special about this one. And I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
The Trade Off will be out 10/8. Thank you to the publisher and the author for sending me an ARC.
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