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The Glitch
Shelley Stone might be a little overwhelmed. She runs the company Conch, the manufacturer of a small wearable device that attaches to the user's ear and whispers helpful advice and prompts. She's married with two small children, Nova and Blazer, both of whom are learning Mandarin. She employs a cook, a nanny, a driver, and an assistant, she sets an alarm for 2AM conference calls, and occasionally takes a standing nap while waiting in line when she's really exhausted. Shelley takes Dramamine so she can work in the car; allows herself ten almonds when hungry; swallows Ativan to stave off the panic attacks; and makes notes in her day planner to "practice being happy and relatable." But when Shelley meets a young woman named Shelley Stone who has the exact same scar on her shoulder, Shelley has to wonder: Is some sort of corporate espionage afoot? Has she discovered a hole in the space-time continuum? Or is she finally buckling under all the pressure?
Introducing one of the most memorable and singular characters in recent fiction,The Glitch is a completely original, brainy, laugh-out-loud story of work, marriage, and motherhood for our times.
Introducing one of the most memorable and singular characters in recent fiction,The Glitch is a completely original, brainy, laugh-out-loud story of work, marriage, and motherhood for our times.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 22, 2018
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4344 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Cohen
3 books58 followersElisabeth lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and two sons. She graduated from Princeton University, studied writing at Johns Hopkins, and has a library science degree from the University of Maryland. She enjoys reading, writing, crosswords, running (sometimes), and spending time with her family and her dog (100%).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
November 29, 2017
What a peculiar reading experience. First impression is...chicklit, women fiction, no, no, say it ain't so and then, in fact, it ain't so, it's suddenly a satire about an uber type A personality female CEO of a tech company with the newest neatest gadget on the market. And then it's a possible kidnapping, possible corporate espionage. And then it's a doppelganger story or possibly some sort of scifi clone scenario. And then it's possibly a sappy morality tale of how not to waste one's life working. And then it's a mystery...what's going on with the Glitch. And then all things are revealed. And frankly it's pretty unsatisfying. Which is to say this is a competently written novel that seems to have had many chances to get really interesting and resolutely chose not to pursue any of them, opting for the most realistic plausible bland solution. The author is a technical writer in real life and this can actually be used by the way of explanation. This one is technically perfectly functional, unlike the novel's invention Conch, but there's something about its adamant refusal of get even slightly speculative or imaginative that leaves the readers wanting. The main protagonist is certainly a woman for the modern age, she lives to work, converses in corporate jargon and has children named Nova and Blazer, but if she is the soul of the story then the story's soul is mechanical. With a more developed satire angle this would have worked to a greater effect. In its present form with its most obvious and most disappointing ending, it's just not as good as it might have been, despite all the potential. Then again it is a first novel, allowances must or might be made. It's eminently readable and occasionally fun, took a day to get through, easily enough. Thanks Netgalley.
May 18, 2018
Please note that I received this via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
Ugh nope. I thought the premise of this one sounded so good! I loved the idea of a woman (Shelley Stone) meeting a younger version of her self. Maybe she would have a chance to change things up in her life. But nope, this book just floundered a lot for me. Probably because I don't know what this book was trying to be. It didn't make me laugh. There was some weirdness with Shelley and the nanny (like I think Shelley was attracted to her or something, so confused). And Shelley and her husband were odd, and I didn't really get their deal. This whole book made me feel like I had accidentally taking some mind altering drug. I kept saying, so would this be what it's like to read a book while high as hell?
"The Glitch" starts off with Shelley and her family (husband and two kids) on vacation in France. When their young daughter Nova (do not get me started on her full name, that was also weird) goes missing. Shelley is of course freaked, but when a random dude calls her up and says he has her kid, the whole book tips into weirdness central. I still don't get what that whole thing was about. I would have called a cop or whatever the name for a cop is in France. It just seemed like an odd way to hear about Shelley and her client who invented something called the Conch. No, I refuse to explain that to you. I want it out of my head.
The whole book just pings back and forth between Shelley and her hectic life and her meeting the younger version that she denies. I thought this would be more Freaky Friday or like that movie with Michael Keaton, Multiplicity, but nope.
I also didn't really care for Shelley. I don't know what was her deal, but she acted so unaffected by things I started to wonder if Cohen meant her to come across as possibly on the spectrum or what. I just felt baffled. Shelley has note cards on people, she talks to her children like they are peers at times which is odd.
I think that the book leaned too heavily into the sci-fi aspect of things. I just didn't care. Too many things kept happening for me to even figure out what the deal was.
There is zero development with other characters in this book so I wouldn't even bother with hoping there is something here besides Shelley that can intrigue you.
The ending had a forced resolution to me since I didn't believe it at all.
Ugh nope. I thought the premise of this one sounded so good! I loved the idea of a woman (Shelley Stone) meeting a younger version of her self. Maybe she would have a chance to change things up in her life. But nope, this book just floundered a lot for me. Probably because I don't know what this book was trying to be. It didn't make me laugh. There was some weirdness with Shelley and the nanny (like I think Shelley was attracted to her or something, so confused). And Shelley and her husband were odd, and I didn't really get their deal. This whole book made me feel like I had accidentally taking some mind altering drug. I kept saying, so would this be what it's like to read a book while high as hell?
"The Glitch" starts off with Shelley and her family (husband and two kids) on vacation in France. When their young daughter Nova (do not get me started on her full name, that was also weird) goes missing. Shelley is of course freaked, but when a random dude calls her up and says he has her kid, the whole book tips into weirdness central. I still don't get what that whole thing was about. I would have called a cop or whatever the name for a cop is in France. It just seemed like an odd way to hear about Shelley and her client who invented something called the Conch. No, I refuse to explain that to you. I want it out of my head.
The whole book just pings back and forth between Shelley and her hectic life and her meeting the younger version that she denies. I thought this would be more Freaky Friday or like that movie with Michael Keaton, Multiplicity, but nope.
I also didn't really care for Shelley. I don't know what was her deal, but she acted so unaffected by things I started to wonder if Cohen meant her to come across as possibly on the spectrum or what. I just felt baffled. Shelley has note cards on people, she talks to her children like they are peers at times which is odd.
I think that the book leaned too heavily into the sci-fi aspect of things. I just didn't care. Too many things kept happening for me to even figure out what the deal was.
There is zero development with other characters in this book so I wouldn't even bother with hoping there is something here besides Shelley that can intrigue you.
The ending had a forced resolution to me since I didn't believe it at all.
May 20, 2018
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book!
*
Quirky, tech-y, weird, intellegent, hilarious and just plain fabulous, THE GLITCH combines all of my favorite things in one story in the best way. If you are looking for standard domestic fiction or chick lit, that is NOT this book ~ this book is a complete satire on Silicon Valley and mommy-CEO's that had me laughing out loud so many times. Throw in the fact that the main character grew up in Wisconsin, and I fell in love! Highly recommend to fans of TOUCH by Courtney Maum and nominally, fans of MADE FOR LOVE by Alyssa Nutting ~ quirky all the way.
Okay, and after reading some of the 1-star reviews, I feel like I need to address the fact that the majority of them were honestly readers who are NOT made for this book. Not a bad thing, but sometimes reading outside of your genre leads to a less-than-pleasurable reading experience that is not really any fault of the book itself, you know? If you are expecting chick lit, this is NOT your book! If you are expecting straight up women's fiction, this is NOT your book! Head into it knowing that 1) you are not meant to take it seriously and 2) the main character is SUPPOSED to be weird. That's the POINT OF IT ALL.
*
Quirky, tech-y, weird, intellegent, hilarious and just plain fabulous, THE GLITCH combines all of my favorite things in one story in the best way. If you are looking for standard domestic fiction or chick lit, that is NOT this book ~ this book is a complete satire on Silicon Valley and mommy-CEO's that had me laughing out loud so many times. Throw in the fact that the main character grew up in Wisconsin, and I fell in love! Highly recommend to fans of TOUCH by Courtney Maum and nominally, fans of MADE FOR LOVE by Alyssa Nutting ~ quirky all the way.
Okay, and after reading some of the 1-star reviews, I feel like I need to address the fact that the majority of them were honestly readers who are NOT made for this book. Not a bad thing, but sometimes reading outside of your genre leads to a less-than-pleasurable reading experience that is not really any fault of the book itself, you know? If you are expecting chick lit, this is NOT your book! If you are expecting straight up women's fiction, this is NOT your book! Head into it knowing that 1) you are not meant to take it seriously and 2) the main character is SUPPOSED to be weird. That's the POINT OF IT ALL.
July 16, 2018
*The July, 2018 read for Doubleday's Keep Turning Pages group. I was fortunate enough to win a hardcover copy of the book in their monthly giveaway. Many thanks!
Shelley Stone is a high-profile CEO of a tech company that makes the Conch, a popular wearable data device that gives the owner all sorts of useful information, based on their personal lifestyle preferences. But suddenly glitches are being reported: a mentally-ill man was advised to jump into the river; an older woman was led into risky sexual behavior by her device's suggestion. It won't be long before their business plummets like a stone if they can't figure out what's going wrong.
But Shelley's personal life (what there is of it) isn't going all that well either. While on vacation in France with her husband and two children, her young daughter disappears from the beach while they are having lunch. Both parents are too busy on their phones with business calls at first to notice her absence and are slow to do what most of us would have done immediately in that situation; i.e. run around screaming and searching! Did she go into the ocean? Did she wander off? Was she kidnapped? And then Shelley's phone rings with an unfamiliar number and even weirder things begin to happen...
Such as: While in Barcelona giving a speech, Shelley meets a young woman who appears to be her younger self. How can this be? What advice would you give your younger self if given the chance? Shelley's answers to that are hilarious! Did I mention she was struck by lightning at the age of 20? She considers it the defining moment of her life that set it on a different trajectory--should she warn this young woman?
This novel is a satirical look at what our culture calls Success. Can a woman truly have it all? Shelley Stone is sure trying her best--she is an expert at time management and multi-tasking. She even has a time allotted for sex with her husband (12 minutes!) She feels very proud that she sometimes drives her daughter to school (albeit, with a driver while she's on her phone or laptop!) And she does have lots of help: nanny care, cook/housekeeper, driver, personal assistant. For her second child, she had a gestational carrier so as not to disrupt her work life. Are your eyebrows shooting up yet?
Is Shelley a modern day role model or is this a cautionary tale? Can a woman truly have it all? Or does something important have to give?
I couldn't help but picture Anne Hathaway as Shelley Stone as I read, remembering her role as Jules in The Intern with Robert De Niro (2015). No, Shelley as driven executive is not a likable person; you certainly wouldn't want her as your boss. Little wonder assistants come and go.
But I found this story to be compulsive and amusing reading and appreciated the touch of mystery at the end with its tie-in to a rather hot-button international issue. High points for inventiveness!
Shelley Stone is a high-profile CEO of a tech company that makes the Conch, a popular wearable data device that gives the owner all sorts of useful information, based on their personal lifestyle preferences. But suddenly glitches are being reported: a mentally-ill man was advised to jump into the river; an older woman was led into risky sexual behavior by her device's suggestion. It won't be long before their business plummets like a stone if they can't figure out what's going wrong.
But Shelley's personal life (what there is of it) isn't going all that well either. While on vacation in France with her husband and two children, her young daughter disappears from the beach while they are having lunch. Both parents are too busy on their phones with business calls at first to notice her absence and are slow to do what most of us would have done immediately in that situation; i.e. run around screaming and searching! Did she go into the ocean? Did she wander off? Was she kidnapped? And then Shelley's phone rings with an unfamiliar number and even weirder things begin to happen...
Such as: While in Barcelona giving a speech, Shelley meets a young woman who appears to be her younger self. How can this be? What advice would you give your younger self if given the chance? Shelley's answers to that are hilarious! Did I mention she was struck by lightning at the age of 20? She considers it the defining moment of her life that set it on a different trajectory--should she warn this young woman?
This novel is a satirical look at what our culture calls Success. Can a woman truly have it all? Shelley Stone is sure trying her best--she is an expert at time management and multi-tasking. She even has a time allotted for sex with her husband (12 minutes!) She feels very proud that she sometimes drives her daughter to school (albeit, with a driver while she's on her phone or laptop!) And she does have lots of help: nanny care, cook/housekeeper, driver, personal assistant. For her second child, she had a gestational carrier so as not to disrupt her work life. Are your eyebrows shooting up yet?
Is Shelley a modern day role model or is this a cautionary tale? Can a woman truly have it all? Or does something important have to give?
I couldn't help but picture Anne Hathaway as Shelley Stone as I read, remembering her role as Jules in The Intern with Robert De Niro (2015). No, Shelley as driven executive is not a likable person; you certainly wouldn't want her as your boss. Little wonder assistants come and go.
But I found this story to be compulsive and amusing reading and appreciated the touch of mystery at the end with its tie-in to a rather hot-button international issue. High points for inventiveness!
February 10, 2018
*received an ARC for review*
I don't know what the hell this book is about.
I never got into the writing style, because there are entire pages of... I guess, backstory? explanations? basically unneeded descriptions that never ended. There was a page on how her husband's body looked and her thoughts on his genitalia. Like... Okay, I get the need for inner thought monologue, but it never ended.
Then there's the plot, that never made sense. It starts with a kidnapping... But was it really? 80% of the novel is about this woman's company that I'm still not sure what a Conch is. Is it a Bluetooth earpiece that acts like Alexa/Apple? Or it is an earpiece that reads your mind? Despite all the explanations, I don't get it. Then, after the kidnapping, it goes into a weird clone/her from the past/WTF plot line that never seems to have a purpose. She spends all this time denying that it's her younger self, asking questions back and forth for proof, and then... What? Nothing really came out of that.
Toss in a random plot line about her husband and a possible divorce, and some weird vibes with the nanny that never went anywhere (though it really seemed like she was up to something), and some super strange conversations that were completely out of place, and you've got yourself this novel. I just wish I could have figured out the point of this story.
I don't know what the hell this book is about.
I never got into the writing style, because there are entire pages of... I guess, backstory? explanations? basically unneeded descriptions that never ended. There was a page on how her husband's body looked and her thoughts on his genitalia. Like... Okay, I get the need for inner thought monologue, but it never ended.
Then there's the plot, that never made sense. It starts with a kidnapping... But was it really? 80% of the novel is about this woman's company that I'm still not sure what a Conch is. Is it a Bluetooth earpiece that acts like Alexa/Apple? Or it is an earpiece that reads your mind? Despite all the explanations, I don't get it. Then, after the kidnapping, it goes into a weird clone/her from the past/WTF plot line that never seems to have a purpose. She spends all this time denying that it's her younger self, asking questions back and forth for proof, and then... What? Nothing really came out of that.
Toss in a random plot line about her husband and a possible divorce, and some weird vibes with the nanny that never went anywhere (though it really seemed like she was up to something), and some super strange conversations that were completely out of place, and you've got yourself this novel. I just wish I could have figured out the point of this story.
January 12, 2020
Huh???
At 40% into the book, I found myself asking for the 100th (?), 350th (?) time "What's the point?"
At 65% in, I decided I just didn't care. DNF
At 40% into the book, I found myself asking for the 100th (?), 350th (?) time "What's the point?"
At 65% in, I decided I just didn't care. DNF
March 16, 2018
When Mad Men debuted I began watching the show and was pretty ticked off a few minutes in and my first reaction was to turn it off. But I stopped myself and thought, "Wait, perhaps the thing that's peeved you is there for a reason. Don't you want to know if there's more to the story?" I stayed and the pay off was worth it. I have to say, The Glitch was a bit in that same area for me. Shelley, our narrator, is initially not endearing, in fact, she's deeply off-putting. To the point that, her likability can only go up.
Shelley and Rafe are both doing the high-level job thing and they have two children, Nova (so named because they're innovators and Nova's a root word) and Blazer (no explanation on why the name but who is small enough that, in the first half of the book, he's often worn around by his parents & nanny making his name titter inducing). As we come into the story, they've misplaced Nova and are looking for her. Enter a stranger who has found her, and odd exchange with Shelley that makes one wonder if Nova was actually taken and finally enters a young woman who is so like the younger Shelley that Shelley is convinced the woman is her younger self. And then things start to get weird and start to unravel for Shelley at work and home.
The further along I advanced in the story, the more I enjoyed it and the more I pulled for Shelley to figure out what was going on with Michelle and Conch. It took until around 60-65% of the way into the story but the shift did occur.
While I never took to Shelley's style of being a parent or spouse, I definitely respected her decisions and her acknowledgement that she had made them and there were therefore tradeoffs. I had a Type A, high achiever father and she reminded me very much of him. It made for a complicated reading as I recognized and disliked some of Shelley's ways very much but Cohen, through Shelley and others here, gave me added insight as to what drives these people to the ends they chase so single-mindedly. The world needs all types.
I was quite stunned at some of the actions & non-actions taken by several characters:
In the end, I quite liked how Shelley's work endeavors with Conch resolved. It felt complete and I was satisfied. I daresay, I liked her in those moments. I felt the resolution to her family and marriage were too instantaneous with no real resolution to their actual deeper problems. I needed she & Rafe to continue the real talk they'd begun earlier in the story. The Epilogue reads like it should be heart-warming, but I felt it unsatisfying. Cohen really didn't give it the attention to detail the Conch resolution received.
I enjoyed reading this and it didn't take long because when I had to put it down, I kept thinking about it and wanted to get back to reading. I highlighted some witty lines along with lines and passages that struck me as so uncomfortable and so real. I also give points for the eel scene. That'll stay with me for a bit. Also, everything at the factories in Malaysia. Still, I did feel there were a few things that brought it down for me (mentioned above). Shelley isn't the most likable character but I found her fascinating and worth reading about. Definitely recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Shelley and Rafe are both doing the high-level job thing and they have two children, Nova (so named because they're innovators and Nova's a root word) and Blazer (no explanation on why the name but who is small enough that, in the first half of the book, he's often worn around by his parents & nanny making his name titter inducing). As we come into the story, they've misplaced Nova and are looking for her. Enter a stranger who has found her, and odd exchange with Shelley that makes one wonder if Nova was actually taken and finally enters a young woman who is so like the younger Shelley that Shelley is convinced the woman is her younger self. And then things start to get weird and start to unravel for Shelley at work and home.
The further along I advanced in the story, the more I enjoyed it and the more I pulled for Shelley to figure out what was going on with Michelle and Conch. It took until around 60-65% of the way into the story but the shift did occur.
While I never took to Shelley's style of being a parent or spouse, I definitely respected her decisions and her acknowledgement that she had made them and there were therefore tradeoffs. I had a Type A, high achiever father and she reminded me very much of him. It made for a complicated reading as I recognized and disliked some of Shelley's ways very much but Cohen, through Shelley and others here, gave me added insight as to what drives these people to the ends they chase so single-mindedly. The world needs all types.
I was quite stunned at some of the actions & non-actions taken by several characters:
In the end, I quite liked how Shelley's work endeavors with Conch resolved. It felt complete and I was satisfied. I daresay, I liked her in those moments. I felt the resolution to her family and marriage were too instantaneous with no real resolution to their actual deeper problems. I needed she & Rafe to continue the real talk they'd begun earlier in the story. The Epilogue reads like it should be heart-warming, but I felt it unsatisfying. Cohen really didn't give it the attention to detail the Conch resolution received.
I enjoyed reading this and it didn't take long because when I had to put it down, I kept thinking about it and wanted to get back to reading. I highlighted some witty lines along with lines and passages that struck me as so uncomfortable and so real. I also give points for the eel scene. That'll stay with me for a bit. Also, everything at the factories in Malaysia. Still, I did feel there were a few things that brought it down for me (mentioned above). Shelley isn't the most likable character but I found her fascinating and worth reading about. Definitely recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
April 22, 2018
This is exactly the kind of smart, funny entertainment I crave. Shelley Stone is the singularly driven CEO of Conch, a success in Silicon Valley's highly competitive wearables space; her droll assessment of the sub-par performance of others (very a la Raviga Capital lead partner Laurie Bream on HBO's Silicon Valley) was a running gag I loved. Also her constant striving for gender equality (to the point of opting to take a men's multivitamin). Elizabeth Cohen manages to capture the entrepreneurial leadership vernacular, trends and culture perfectly and hilariously on point - far better than the celebrated Dave Eggers did in his The Circle, imo. Shelley and her dashing husband Rafe, live with their two littles Nova and Blazer (and modest live-in staff) in a home one can practically feel and smell, this writing is so transportive. Even Cohen's descriptions of tropical vacation sites and childhood memories of Wisconsin ring so true it's uncanny. The only location I felt was a little under-described was the factory in Malaysia where the storm didn't come across as authentically Asian, but that came towards the end and in the midst of a long action scene, that otherwise really did deliver.
May 13, 2018
Incredibly well written. The narrative is written in a style perfectly complimenting the main character, who isn't necessarily likeable. It's a breath of fresh air to have a main character who isn't likeable, but you're still rooting for them. This should be a must read of the summer as it tackles women in tech, motherhood, relationships, and tackling obstacles.
May 24, 2018
Thank you so much Doubleday Books for providing my free copy of THE GLITCH by Elisabeth Cohen - all opinions are my own.
I read Touch by Courtney Maum last year and loved it, so I was eager to give this one a try. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s more on the silly, humorous side than Touch, but I love the uniqueness of both books. I am quickly falling in love with whatever genre this is.
Shelley Stone is CEO of a tech company called Conch, who owns the market of a device that fits behind the user’s ear giving social cues and advice (seriously, I’m dying). She’s married to Rafe and has two small, genius children, named Nova and Blazer. On a family trip, Nova suddenly disappears while her parents are preoccupied, and they go looking for her, but an odd stranger ends up returning Nova. But then, weeks later she runs into another mysterious stranger, who is also named Shelley and who looks like a younger version of herself, right down to a distinctive scar.
This quirky, silly book is laugh out loud hilarious! Shelley is very rigid, analytical, and career driven, while Rafe wants to slow down a bit and be parents. I found myself laughing at some of the things Shelley says and does; but I found her endearing, even though she’s not exactly likable or the “warm and fuzzy” type. I haven’t laughed this much since I read Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. This book is not meant to be taken too seriously, but it does cover topics such as career, motherhood, and marriage. I loved reading it and highly recommend THE GLITCH for anyone looking for something smart, original, at times cringe worthy, and funny.
I read Touch by Courtney Maum last year and loved it, so I was eager to give this one a try. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s more on the silly, humorous side than Touch, but I love the uniqueness of both books. I am quickly falling in love with whatever genre this is.
Shelley Stone is CEO of a tech company called Conch, who owns the market of a device that fits behind the user’s ear giving social cues and advice (seriously, I’m dying). She’s married to Rafe and has two small, genius children, named Nova and Blazer. On a family trip, Nova suddenly disappears while her parents are preoccupied, and they go looking for her, but an odd stranger ends up returning Nova. But then, weeks later she runs into another mysterious stranger, who is also named Shelley and who looks like a younger version of herself, right down to a distinctive scar.
This quirky, silly book is laugh out loud hilarious! Shelley is very rigid, analytical, and career driven, while Rafe wants to slow down a bit and be parents. I found myself laughing at some of the things Shelley says and does; but I found her endearing, even though she’s not exactly likable or the “warm and fuzzy” type. I haven’t laughed this much since I read Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. This book is not meant to be taken too seriously, but it does cover topics such as career, motherhood, and marriage. I loved reading it and highly recommend THE GLITCH for anyone looking for something smart, original, at times cringe worthy, and funny.
January 9, 2018
*2.5 stars
I was so intrigued with the premise but there were a few places it fell short for me. First, it was way too long and a lot of it could have been edited out. Less of Shelley's long, rambling thoughts, explanations, and life insights and more dialogue.
It was Shelley herself who brought my rating down to 2.5 stars. Personally I have very little in common with her. Her savage competitiveness, aversion to home/family life, and single-minded drive to succeed at all costs is pretty much the opposite of how I live my life. I think she's meant to serve as an extreme example of today's all work, no play philosophy, but I couldn't relate to her at all. I found her incredibly unlikable and annoying, with too few amusing lines or insights that might have made her seem more human to me. I think what bothered me the most about her was her judgmental attitude towards anyone who wasn't a "high achiever" like herself. I found her incredulous disgust at her own husband's desire for more work/life balance to be extremely unappealing.
Furthermore, I find myself confused at the role of Michelle in the story. At first I thought the whole point of Shelley facing a possibly younger version of herself was to show her how work wasn't everything, work/life balance had certain appeal, remind her how her younger self had actually enjoyed life, etc. So I was disappointed at the end of the novel when it appeared Shelley had learned very little from Michelle. Perhaps I completely missed the point on that. On a related note, the resolution felt rushed, albeit realistic for the characters and their personalities.
What I most enjoyed about this book was Conch itself, which surprised me as I'm really not into technology at all. Conch and its business model took up a large chunk of the book, which I really didn't mind because I found it so interesting and enjoyed learning more about it. Cohen did a fantastic job making the product feel real and desirable.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was so intrigued with the premise but there were a few places it fell short for me. First, it was way too long and a lot of it could have been edited out. Less of Shelley's long, rambling thoughts, explanations, and life insights and more dialogue.
It was Shelley herself who brought my rating down to 2.5 stars. Personally I have very little in common with her. Her savage competitiveness, aversion to home/family life, and single-minded drive to succeed at all costs is pretty much the opposite of how I live my life. I think she's meant to serve as an extreme example of today's all work, no play philosophy, but I couldn't relate to her at all. I found her incredibly unlikable and annoying, with too few amusing lines or insights that might have made her seem more human to me. I think what bothered me the most about her was her judgmental attitude towards anyone who wasn't a "high achiever" like herself. I found her incredulous disgust at her own husband's desire for more work/life balance to be extremely unappealing.
Furthermore, I find myself confused at the role of Michelle in the story. At first I thought the whole point of Shelley facing a possibly younger version of herself was to show her how work wasn't everything, work/life balance had certain appeal, remind her how her younger self had actually enjoyed life, etc. So I was disappointed at the end of the novel when it appeared Shelley had learned very little from Michelle. Perhaps I completely missed the point on that. On a related note, the resolution felt rushed, albeit realistic for the characters and their personalities.
What I most enjoyed about this book was Conch itself, which surprised me as I'm really not into technology at all. Conch and its business model took up a large chunk of the book, which I really didn't mind because I found it so interesting and enjoyed learning more about it. Cohen did a fantastic job making the product feel real and desirable.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2018
This book resonated with me in a lot of ways. Shelley Stone is a CEO for a wearables company, a woman who likes to work and has made her name doing it. Her wry narration is at the heart of the novel; she must cope with unusual goings-on, very odd things that are outside the scope of her normal realm. She is powerful yet also slightly naive, and her journey of self-realization unfolds as she hunts for answers. I loved Shelley, the writing, her world - everything.
February 12, 2018
This was a DNF for me. I gave it 50% before I decided I really didn't care what happened to this most ridiculous, unbelievable character. That's it for me folks!
March 28, 2018
Well written and quite different from what I expected, but great nonetheless!!!!!
May 31, 2018
So, when I first heard about The Glitch, I was all like - Wow. What cool idea for a story! This is going to be awesome. I need to get my hands on this one! And then I read it, and I was all like - WTF did I just read? Did someone slip me drugs? Did I miss something?
Shelley is like one of those Steve Jobs-esque corporate tech CEO robots who is basically all work and zero play. Her company is called Conch, and is sort of like a Siri for everyday life that clips onto your ear. Even Steve jobs seems like a wuss compared to Shelley. She's stiff, and brusque and her marriage and friendships are more of business arrangements it seems, as well as having children (Nova and Blazer?!? ummm what?), she has ZERO social life - and she likes it all this way. In fact she thrives on it.
The story starts out with Nova going missing on the beach and her and her husband CASUALLY STROLL around on the beach looking for her while they are both ON THE PHONE taking conference calls. I cannot even believe people like this might exist. Then a "glitch" happens with the Conch product and weirdness ensues. I'm all for weird books. I don't base a books review on unlikeable characters. In fact Shelley is written PERFECTLY. Elisabeth Cohen is apparently a technical writer by trade and she shines at developing Shelley as a character. Her writing is SO smart, and sharp and I LOVE the way she writes. I'm giving a slight pass since it's her first novel because the words are there - and they are exquisite! They just need some finesse in arranging the story better. But the themes here all ALL over the place. Kidnapping? Corporate espionage? Time travel? Lightning? Weird romantic feeling for coworkers and nannies? Women's empowerment? Technology? Work/Life/Mom balance? I had enough trouble with being in Shelley's head with her ramblings and descriptions - thoroughly written, and passionately descriptive - but the story itself just fell flat.
And the ending, just really unsatisfying. And a bit unbelievable knowing how hardcore Shelley was about most things - It was like she just conceded and gave up? Which seemed so out of character.. There were several times I was like "No WAY this type A personality would let this chick in her house!" and "Why isn't she calling the cops!" It was like you knew so precisely who Shelley was by the incredible character development of how robotic and precise her actions would be and then - what? Huh? What just happened? I'm still just really confused.
I hate when this happens. I find out about a book that sounds so ridiculously awesome that i rush out to find it wherever I can immediately. The description when I first heard of the book had a question in it like "What would you do if you met your younger self?" I want to read THAT book. That's what I thought I was reading and where it was going, but it turned into this whole other story that went somewhere else entirely. There was so much promise and potential and I'm pretty bummed. It wasn't worth all the hype I've been hearing.
Shelley is like one of those Steve Jobs-esque corporate tech CEO robots who is basically all work and zero play. Her company is called Conch, and is sort of like a Siri for everyday life that clips onto your ear. Even Steve jobs seems like a wuss compared to Shelley. She's stiff, and brusque and her marriage and friendships are more of business arrangements it seems, as well as having children (Nova and Blazer?!? ummm what?), she has ZERO social life - and she likes it all this way. In fact she thrives on it.
The story starts out with Nova going missing on the beach and her and her husband CASUALLY STROLL around on the beach looking for her while they are both ON THE PHONE taking conference calls. I cannot even believe people like this might exist. Then a "glitch" happens with the Conch product and weirdness ensues. I'm all for weird books. I don't base a books review on unlikeable characters. In fact Shelley is written PERFECTLY. Elisabeth Cohen is apparently a technical writer by trade and she shines at developing Shelley as a character. Her writing is SO smart, and sharp and I LOVE the way she writes. I'm giving a slight pass since it's her first novel because the words are there - and they are exquisite! They just need some finesse in arranging the story better. But the themes here all ALL over the place. Kidnapping? Corporate espionage? Time travel? Lightning? Weird romantic feeling for coworkers and nannies? Women's empowerment? Technology? Work/Life/Mom balance? I had enough trouble with being in Shelley's head with her ramblings and descriptions - thoroughly written, and passionately descriptive - but the story itself just fell flat.
And the ending, just really unsatisfying. And a bit unbelievable knowing how hardcore Shelley was about most things - It was like she just conceded and gave up? Which seemed so out of character.. There were several times I was like "No WAY this type A personality would let this chick in her house!" and "Why isn't she calling the cops!" It was like you knew so precisely who Shelley was by the incredible character development of how robotic and precise her actions would be and then - what? Huh? What just happened? I'm still just really confused.
I hate when this happens. I find out about a book that sounds so ridiculously awesome that i rush out to find it wherever I can immediately. The description when I first heard of the book had a question in it like "What would you do if you met your younger self?" I want to read THAT book. That's what I thought I was reading and where it was going, but it turned into this whole other story that went somewhere else entirely. There was so much promise and potential and I'm pretty bummed. It wasn't worth all the hype I've been hearing.
March 26, 2018
I liked the idea behind this story, but gosh was it tedious. Despite it being awfully corporate, I could still relate to it because the main character happens to share a lot of professional and personal traits with myself - which, unfortunately, was not really very pleasant, because although she is certainly capable and successful, she is not portrayed in the least as likable. The writing is good first of all because the entire story is told through a detached, somewhat robotic person's point of view, and it is done well. But the corporate culture and virtues, although frowned upon between the lines (it was the whole point of the book to frown upon them, I believe), is still quite a bit too much. I have missed reading a book written in an enjoyable literary style where the beliefs of the narrator take up just as much, if not more than the plot. But I might have enjoyed it a lot more if it was slightly less corporate culture orientated.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book. This does not affect my review.
My Book Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book. This does not affect my review.
My Book Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
March 29, 2018
I drop the occasional book from boredom but this advance reader's copy got dented as I kept dropping it while laughing. The Glitch is truly different & surprising and tells a great story about the wonders and terrors of parenthood, California, and what to do when you realize your ten o'clock meeting is actually in Omaha. (Answer: use technology, then find out that technology makes things worse.) The book reminded me of Where'd You Go Bernadette? but also of classics like Frankenstein and the problem of what to do when your creation gets up off the table and walks away from you . . . and the really fun thing is that Frankenstein, in this case, might be anyone wearing a Conch--the glitching product made by Shelley's company--or anyone living in a world with Conches.
March 28, 2018
Cohen has truly written one of the most memorable characters ever! As others have said, it was not exactly what I thought it would be like, but it really is a great debut and is well worth the reader's time.
December 11, 2017
via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
I gazed at the girl. There was something peculiar about her, about meeting her. My Conch buzzed in an alert pattern. “Say hello,” it said, “To Shelley Stone.”
Shelley Stone has been running Conch from it’s start-up, a company that manufactures a device worn in the ear that gives advice, prompts much like one’s “inner voice” only better! She and her husband Rafe are raising two children, who of course were meant to be geniuses! Four year old Nova sings, plays soccer, is learning Chinese, likes to draw and if she isn’t showing any special gifts, well there is time. At the novel’s beginig she also shows a proclivity for vanishing. Do not be alarmed, this isn’t that sort of tragic story, but in that disappearance so much is evident by Shelley and Rafe’s reactions. Shelley may be a high flying, innovative powerhouse of a woman in a highly competitive tech career but she is completely absent from the present. Unable to find pleasure in anything but working, a worshiper of Mondays, pill popping to keep the energy to stay ahead of…well everything, controlling her entire existence in the world, and ‘planning’ happiness as if it can be ‘scheduled” she is about to meet her young self, in the flesh! Is this a scheme to bring down her technology, her career, her life? Could she really have crossed over into some alternate reality that made it possible to meet herself for a purpose? Maybe she is on the verge of a breakdown. More likely she is losing it and soon there are even bigger problems with the company. Just what is happening, why? Is she to blame?
What made me like this novel so much is daughter Nova, who just by being herself exposes the cracks in Shelley’s life. “Youtubing absense seisures”, that just tickled me! Shelley is clueless when it comes to her kid, forging ahead as if she can ‘will’ her child, as she has willed her great success with Conch, to be a model child. Even youngest, her son Blazer, isn’t free from exposure to a top education with languages and outings. Luckily she has a nanny to help assure her children will have bright futures! This novel is odd, Shelley isn’t the most nurturing woman out there, but isn’t it always more forgivable for a man to be all about his career than a woman? She talks to her children as mini-adults, of course they respond as children will, which is funny. Shelley is modern with a captial M but husband Rafe is sick of innovation, he just wants his wife, more time to be actualy hands on parents and some sleep! She just cannot let go of the hunger for success and wasn’t it Rafe who urged her to take this oppurtunity to begin with?
The Conch is an interesting idea too and not far fetched, come to think of it. There is something creepy about it, as if surrendering control is something so many desire, even if it’s just a voice in your ear or buzzing alerts. The idea that making money, launching a product on time to stay ahead even if it isn’t ready, even if it could be dangerous is more important than the safety of customers is terrifying. Hmm, like most things we buy.
I often wonder about the person behind the public persona of the most successful people, women and men like Shelley. Surely no one can be that ‘together’ all the time. Oh their poor children, all that pushing and pulling to give birth to their best self! How much sacrifice is worth your sanity, safety? It’s about ‘pressures’ but here is hoping no one’s life veers into her sort of problems. Truthfully, Shelley got on my nerves, she is the sort of person that would have far too much energy in the mornings, Monday through Sunday. I could never abide people who can’t simply relax into a moment. For once it seems the husband (Rafe) has a far better insight into what the family needs. But will Shelley be willing jump off the mountain of success she has built? And then what? What would she do if she didn’t have Conch to consume her every thought? Will her ‘younger self’ be a revelation, open her eyes to the dirty side of business?
It’s original but not the time trip I expected, still it’s a good read. People certainly go pretty far in this story to succeed, it’s much more manipulation. Motherhood, career, marriage, maybe she should have it all, but it’s not so easy. If only she would see things and people for who they really are, then maybe things would make sense. Maybe failure can be as much the way as success.
This is an advanced readers edition, and it won’t be out until May.
Publication Date: May 22, 2018
Doubleday
I gazed at the girl. There was something peculiar about her, about meeting her. My Conch buzzed in an alert pattern. “Say hello,” it said, “To Shelley Stone.”
Shelley Stone has been running Conch from it’s start-up, a company that manufactures a device worn in the ear that gives advice, prompts much like one’s “inner voice” only better! She and her husband Rafe are raising two children, who of course were meant to be geniuses! Four year old Nova sings, plays soccer, is learning Chinese, likes to draw and if she isn’t showing any special gifts, well there is time. At the novel’s beginig she also shows a proclivity for vanishing. Do not be alarmed, this isn’t that sort of tragic story, but in that disappearance so much is evident by Shelley and Rafe’s reactions. Shelley may be a high flying, innovative powerhouse of a woman in a highly competitive tech career but she is completely absent from the present. Unable to find pleasure in anything but working, a worshiper of Mondays, pill popping to keep the energy to stay ahead of…well everything, controlling her entire existence in the world, and ‘planning’ happiness as if it can be ‘scheduled” she is about to meet her young self, in the flesh! Is this a scheme to bring down her technology, her career, her life? Could she really have crossed over into some alternate reality that made it possible to meet herself for a purpose? Maybe she is on the verge of a breakdown. More likely she is losing it and soon there are even bigger problems with the company. Just what is happening, why? Is she to blame?
What made me like this novel so much is daughter Nova, who just by being herself exposes the cracks in Shelley’s life. “Youtubing absense seisures”, that just tickled me! Shelley is clueless when it comes to her kid, forging ahead as if she can ‘will’ her child, as she has willed her great success with Conch, to be a model child. Even youngest, her son Blazer, isn’t free from exposure to a top education with languages and outings. Luckily she has a nanny to help assure her children will have bright futures! This novel is odd, Shelley isn’t the most nurturing woman out there, but isn’t it always more forgivable for a man to be all about his career than a woman? She talks to her children as mini-adults, of course they respond as children will, which is funny. Shelley is modern with a captial M but husband Rafe is sick of innovation, he just wants his wife, more time to be actualy hands on parents and some sleep! She just cannot let go of the hunger for success and wasn’t it Rafe who urged her to take this oppurtunity to begin with?
The Conch is an interesting idea too and not far fetched, come to think of it. There is something creepy about it, as if surrendering control is something so many desire, even if it’s just a voice in your ear or buzzing alerts. The idea that making money, launching a product on time to stay ahead even if it isn’t ready, even if it could be dangerous is more important than the safety of customers is terrifying. Hmm, like most things we buy.
I often wonder about the person behind the public persona of the most successful people, women and men like Shelley. Surely no one can be that ‘together’ all the time. Oh their poor children, all that pushing and pulling to give birth to their best self! How much sacrifice is worth your sanity, safety? It’s about ‘pressures’ but here is hoping no one’s life veers into her sort of problems. Truthfully, Shelley got on my nerves, she is the sort of person that would have far too much energy in the mornings, Monday through Sunday. I could never abide people who can’t simply relax into a moment. For once it seems the husband (Rafe) has a far better insight into what the family needs. But will Shelley be willing jump off the mountain of success she has built? And then what? What would she do if she didn’t have Conch to consume her every thought? Will her ‘younger self’ be a revelation, open her eyes to the dirty side of business?
It’s original but not the time trip I expected, still it’s a good read. People certainly go pretty far in this story to succeed, it’s much more manipulation. Motherhood, career, marriage, maybe she should have it all, but it’s not so easy. If only she would see things and people for who they really are, then maybe things would make sense. Maybe failure can be as much the way as success.
This is an advanced readers edition, and it won’t be out until May.
Publication Date: May 22, 2018
Doubleday
February 3, 2019
This is just terrible. Absolutely terrible.
October 23, 2018
Two stars: An interesting book that goes no where.
Shelley Stone is the corporate executive for Conch, a company that makes small computer devices that attach to the ear and provide all kinds of advice, think Siri or Alexa for all day every day. To get where she is today, Shelley is dedicated and driven. Her days are meticulously mapped out, her schedule is constant and she has little time for anything other than work. Then things take a strange turn when her daughter disappears, and Shelley seems to run face to face with her former self, and worse Conches begin to malfunction. What is going on in Shelley’s perfect life?
What I Liked:
*The Glitch is a hard books for me to review. It was interesting and unique, and the main character is a head trip.
*Shelly Stone is a character who will likely make you laugh or drive you crazy. I found her funny because she is so out there. Shelley is driven, to the point where she is almost maniacal. Her inner dialogue shows what a head trip she is. To me she is funny, even though she is annoying. I know that she will likely alienate some readers, but I saw her as an example of what not to be.
*The story is convoluted and weird and a lot of stuff happens, and I must admit, I finished the book scratching my head wondering what the heck it was all about. However, the main take away message is that you need to live your life and not get caught up in social media and electronic devices and career. Be present in your own life and take control of your own life. This is an eye opening read as to how detrimental technology can be.
And The Not So Much:
*This is a book that I struggled with because it seemed to have no direction. There are several story threads that come and go, and none of them are the main story thread. The book is all over the map. It needed focus. For me, it ended up being a chaotic mess.
*I really wanted to like this book, but I can’t. It just went nowhere. The reveals are ridiculous, and I ended up not liking this one at all.
The Glitch started out interesting but it quickly fell off track. The main character is a head trip, and the plot is twisted and convoluted and it lacks focus. I finished the book wondering what the heck I just read. The only thing I gleaned from reading this book was to be present in your own life. Sadly, this is a book I cannot recommend.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Shelley Stone is the corporate executive for Conch, a company that makes small computer devices that attach to the ear and provide all kinds of advice, think Siri or Alexa for all day every day. To get where she is today, Shelley is dedicated and driven. Her days are meticulously mapped out, her schedule is constant and she has little time for anything other than work. Then things take a strange turn when her daughter disappears, and Shelley seems to run face to face with her former self, and worse Conches begin to malfunction. What is going on in Shelley’s perfect life?
What I Liked:
*The Glitch is a hard books for me to review. It was interesting and unique, and the main character is a head trip.
*Shelly Stone is a character who will likely make you laugh or drive you crazy. I found her funny because she is so out there. Shelley is driven, to the point where she is almost maniacal. Her inner dialogue shows what a head trip she is. To me she is funny, even though she is annoying. I know that she will likely alienate some readers, but I saw her as an example of what not to be.
*The story is convoluted and weird and a lot of stuff happens, and I must admit, I finished the book scratching my head wondering what the heck it was all about. However, the main take away message is that you need to live your life and not get caught up in social media and electronic devices and career. Be present in your own life and take control of your own life. This is an eye opening read as to how detrimental technology can be.
And The Not So Much:
*This is a book that I struggled with because it seemed to have no direction. There are several story threads that come and go, and none of them are the main story thread. The book is all over the map. It needed focus. For me, it ended up being a chaotic mess.
*I really wanted to like this book, but I can’t. It just went nowhere. The reveals are ridiculous, and I ended up not liking this one at all.
The Glitch started out interesting but it quickly fell off track. The main character is a head trip, and the plot is twisted and convoluted and it lacks focus. I finished the book wondering what the heck I just read. The only thing I gleaned from reading this book was to be present in your own life. Sadly, this is a book I cannot recommend.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
June 10, 2018
Loved this funny, sharp, satirical read. Rarely has there been a protagonist who is so entertaining yet unlikeable at the same time. I had deep sympathy for her--maybe it's the earnestness. Extremely well done.
July 6, 2018
I was on the fence as to how many stars to give this book. Honestly, I did not enjoy the story itself, but the writing itself was good.
In the first few pages, the protagonist and her husband are so self-absorbed and career-obsessed that neither of them can get off their cell phones to look in earnest for their lost young daughter. I wanted to be able to develop some empathy but found instead I'd have been happy for these two lost souls to be bumped off early in the book.
The bigger picture of the book is the difficulty women in the workplace have it when they are in positions of authority -- how much more diligently they must work than a man in that same position. This is a dilemma with which I can empathize, just not in its treatment in "The Glitch."
In the first few pages, the protagonist and her husband are so self-absorbed and career-obsessed that neither of them can get off their cell phones to look in earnest for their lost young daughter. I wanted to be able to develop some empathy but found instead I'd have been happy for these two lost souls to be bumped off early in the book.
The bigger picture of the book is the difficulty women in the workplace have it when they are in positions of authority -- how much more diligently they must work than a man in that same position. This is a dilemma with which I can empathize, just not in its treatment in "The Glitch."
May 23, 2018
Reading this book is like watching a high wire act. Cohen manages to keep the main character's voice at such a crescendo level that I expected it to come crashing down at any moment. So I kept reading, with eyes wide and heart pounding. And when the cracks do start to appear, it's all the more satisfying. A completely unique character, voice, and book.
May 31, 2018
When I started reading The Glitch, I immediately thought that if someone decided to do a skit on Saturday Night Live (and this may have already happened but I'm usually too tired to stay up and watch) that was based around a parody of Sheryl Sandberg, Elisabeth Cohen's debut would provide the perfect script.
"I take my daughter to school myself. People are always surprised by this, that I do that. You know, some things are important and those are the things I make time for. I can’t drive the car myself, of course, because I have calls or I’m on my laptop, but I put my daughter in the car with me and I nudge her with my shoe when she gets too loud."
In this laugh-out-loud satire about a woman who is a CEO in the tech industry ("wearables"), Shelley Stone is a married mother of two (and fully acknowledges how thankful and fortunate she is for live-in childcare assistance) who seems to think she's balancing her life well; that is, until she is stumped by a young woman who appears to have striking similarities to the way Shelley was before the life-altering event that has caused her to become so focused and determined.
In addition to the undeniable humor and wit, I love that Cohen pokes fun at this notion of "having it all, " a la Sandberg's Lean In days, and Shelley Stone fully believes, during the early chapters of the novel, that she is fully engaged in all facets of her life; however, she slowly begins to realize and dolefully acknowledge that she's been absent in many ways.
"I had thought adulthood would be a series of viscerally felt triumphs, like the moment when a plane lifts off, and the stresses of our lives merely gnats in the turbines, but stress had turned out to be the airstream in which we flew."
In terms of its wit, satire and comedy, I would definitely recommend The Glitch to fans of novels like Crazy Rich Asians and The Nest; Shelley has some interesting quirks which also reminded me of The Rosie Project. You'll fly through this one and it has a thoughtful message; an extremely fun summer debut!
"I take my daughter to school myself. People are always surprised by this, that I do that. You know, some things are important and those are the things I make time for. I can’t drive the car myself, of course, because I have calls or I’m on my laptop, but I put my daughter in the car with me and I nudge her with my shoe when she gets too loud."
In this laugh-out-loud satire about a woman who is a CEO in the tech industry ("wearables"), Shelley Stone is a married mother of two (and fully acknowledges how thankful and fortunate she is for live-in childcare assistance) who seems to think she's balancing her life well; that is, until she is stumped by a young woman who appears to have striking similarities to the way Shelley was before the life-altering event that has caused her to become so focused and determined.
In addition to the undeniable humor and wit, I love that Cohen pokes fun at this notion of "having it all, " a la Sandberg's Lean In days, and Shelley Stone fully believes, during the early chapters of the novel, that she is fully engaged in all facets of her life; however, she slowly begins to realize and dolefully acknowledge that she's been absent in many ways.
"I had thought adulthood would be a series of viscerally felt triumphs, like the moment when a plane lifts off, and the stresses of our lives merely gnats in the turbines, but stress had turned out to be the airstream in which we flew."
In terms of its wit, satire and comedy, I would definitely recommend The Glitch to fans of novels like Crazy Rich Asians and The Nest; Shelley has some interesting quirks which also reminded me of The Rosie Project. You'll fly through this one and it has a thoughtful message; an extremely fun summer debut!
July 2, 2018
This book was not what I was expecting, the main character was not someone I could relate to, despite being a working Mom myself. There is such a thing as too much description in a book, this book could have probably been 100 pages (or more) shorter, and perhaps less irritating, just by omitting a lot of the inner monologue descriptions of every single thing that Shelly encountered. I was really disappointed by the entire book, overall.
May 16, 2018
Thank you DoubleDay Books for sending me this free copy, in exchange of an honest exchange. All opinions are my own.
I rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book, was crazy, weird, and highly entertaining. Shelley Stone is one unique character. This book had me laughing out loud often, and cringing at other times. (Because of the whole corporate lifestyle) I don't even know what this book should be described as, ChickLit? Humor? SciFi? Women's Lit? Contemporary? It's honestly a mish-mash of all of them. This was a good book to read when you need something different, and refreshing, something to break up the monotonous of your typical reads.
My only complaint with this book, is that it seemed a bit too long, some parts seemed very dragged out. I feel like it would have been much better if it were 75-100 pages shorter. But honestly that's just my personal preference.
I rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book, was crazy, weird, and highly entertaining. Shelley Stone is one unique character. This book had me laughing out loud often, and cringing at other times. (Because of the whole corporate lifestyle) I don't even know what this book should be described as, ChickLit? Humor? SciFi? Women's Lit? Contemporary? It's honestly a mish-mash of all of them. This was a good book to read when you need something different, and refreshing, something to break up the monotonous of your typical reads.
My only complaint with this book, is that it seemed a bit too long, some parts seemed very dragged out. I feel like it would have been much better if it were 75-100 pages shorter. But honestly that's just my personal preference.
April 3, 2018
A smart, engaging read. It’s rare that I find a main character I like this much when she’s thoroughly unlikeable to everyone around her! I would highly recommend this book.
January 17, 2025
I personally loved this delicious played straight corpo-stype character study romp. American Psycho for mothers who have a good attitude and gleefully childless women who love unpleasantness. The intrigue straight up intrigued me. Really quite funny, I smiled a lot and I'm still remembering it and smiling.
Pissed myself off by looking at negative reviews whining about categorization and nobody was likeable and there was no romance. I think your agent selected the wrong consumer group to send previews to, but the industry hates something genre-defying. Definitely on my top books of the year and it's ONLY JANUARY. Wow, it's just January. It's only just January now.
Pissed myself off by looking at negative reviews whining about categorization and nobody was likeable and there was no romance. I think your agent selected the wrong consumer group to send previews to, but the industry hates something genre-defying. Definitely on my top books of the year and it's ONLY JANUARY. Wow, it's just January. It's only just January now.
September 30, 2020
2.5 stars ✨
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