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Climbing the Ladder
ASIN B07GDN4YCP moved to the most recent edition here
Getting the job of your dreams is fantastic, until you bring the company to its knees in your first week.
Chloe Dixon just got her life back on track following an emotional break up. When she trusts the wrong person, she finds herself in the middle of a PR storm. She needs to fix her mistake if she is to keep her long-coveted job and save one of the most influential magazines in the country.
If you like laugh-out-loud romantic comedies, witty dialogue, and characters you’ll fall in love with, then you’ll love Climbing the Ladder.
Getting the job of your dreams is fantastic, until you bring the company to its knees in your first week.
Chloe Dixon just got her life back on track following an emotional break up. When she trusts the wrong person, she finds herself in the middle of a PR storm. She needs to fix her mistake if she is to keep her long-coveted job and save one of the most influential magazines in the country.
If you like laugh-out-loud romantic comedies, witty dialogue, and characters you’ll fall in love with, then you’ll love Climbing the Ladder.
256 pages, ebook
First published July 27, 2018
116 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
A.E. Radley
30 books467 followers***While I have a profile here on Goodreads, it is only to administer my books when necessary (add them, change covers etc).
I do not answer messages on here, I do not engage in groups, and I do not read the reviews.
I believe Goodreads is a place for readers and not authors and so I stay away for the most part. If you do want to contact me, please go to my website***
A.E. Radley is an entrepreneur and best-selling author living and working in England.
She describes herself as a Wife. Traveller. Tea Drinker. Biscuit Eater. Animal Lover. Master Pragmatist. Annoying Procrastinator. Theme Park Fan. Movie Buff.
When not writing or working, Radley indulges in her third passion of buying unnecessary cat accessories on a popular online store for her two ungrateful strays whom she has threatened to return for the last seven years.
I do not answer messages on here, I do not engage in groups, and I do not read the reviews.
I believe Goodreads is a place for readers and not authors and so I stay away for the most part. If you do want to contact me, please go to my website***
A.E. Radley is an entrepreneur and best-selling author living and working in England.
She describes herself as a Wife. Traveller. Tea Drinker. Biscuit Eater. Animal Lover. Master Pragmatist. Annoying Procrastinator. Theme Park Fan. Movie Buff.
When not writing or working, Radley indulges in her third passion of buying unnecessary cat accessories on a popular online store for her two ungrateful strays whom she has threatened to return for the last seven years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 17, 2018
3.8 stars.
Pros
*Well written
*Lots of great characters
*Good humor
*A light good feels book
Cons
*Too many characters
*Multiple storylines including the 'main' pairing's story doesn't conclude
Disclaimer
*I'm really bad with names
It took me forever to remember who is who. The book introduces so many characters at such a rapid pace that I couldn't follow there for a while. But by the end of the book, I could more or less understand most of the interpersonal relationships.
The book also doesn't conclude multiple storylines. This is definitely a beginning for a series that will most likely span more than just another sequel. I wonder why the book is not designated as part of a series. It might be that the author is holding off to see how the first book will perform before committing to sequels. I've noticed Radley has a knack for marketing and market analysis.
But other than that this is a light, funny read. Good for taking a break from some heavier reading material. I just wish the sequel was already out.
Pros
*Well written
*Lots of great characters
*Good humor
*A light good feels book
Cons
*Too many characters
*Multiple storylines including the 'main' pairing's story doesn't conclude
Disclaimer
*I'm really bad with names
It took me forever to remember who is who. The book introduces so many characters at such a rapid pace that I couldn't follow there for a while. But by the end of the book, I could more or less understand most of the interpersonal relationships.
The book also doesn't conclude multiple storylines. This is definitely a beginning for a series that will most likely span more than just another sequel. I wonder why the book is not designated as part of a series. It might be that the author is holding off to see how the first book will perform before committing to sequels. I've noticed Radley has a knack for marketing and market analysis.
But other than that this is a light, funny read. Good for taking a break from some heavier reading material. I just wish the sequel was already out.
August 16, 2018
Climbing the Ladder begins with young Chloe’s first day at her new job. She is all starry-eyed and eager to work for Honey, an LBT magazine she has loved since her teens. Hired as a digital assistant she is pumped and ready to be the best she can be and hopefully raise the profile of Honey in a market struggling to survive the digital era.
Once Chloe arrives at the office the story morphs into an ensemble piece featuring the lives, loves and idiosyncrasies of the women who staff and manage the magazine. Like most of us working in office settings it is hard to keep secrets from your coworkers, the ones you share breaks and break ups with when they see you every day. I found the opening scenes at Honey a bit overwhelming as I tried to sort out who worked in which department and who they were attracted to or wishing they were noticed by. I found the number of people to remember daunting and distracting but then I’m old and barely remember the names of the people I work with so it might just be me.
Fear not for once the story gets rolling, the various players sort themselves out and this office melodrama begins to pull you in. Radley has a talent for giving us memorable characters to love, women you wish you knew and locations you wish you could experience first hand. Office politics are handled with humour and the genuine fondness most characters have for one another makes the story come alive.
There are many romantic threads left dangling at the end of Chloe’s first week in the spotlight so I can only assume that this is the beginning of a series.
A light and entertaining read.
ARC received with thanks from author for an honest review.
Once Chloe arrives at the office the story morphs into an ensemble piece featuring the lives, loves and idiosyncrasies of the women who staff and manage the magazine. Like most of us working in office settings it is hard to keep secrets from your coworkers, the ones you share breaks and break ups with when they see you every day. I found the opening scenes at Honey a bit overwhelming as I tried to sort out who worked in which department and who they were attracted to or wishing they were noticed by. I found the number of people to remember daunting and distracting but then I’m old and barely remember the names of the people I work with so it might just be me.
Fear not for once the story gets rolling, the various players sort themselves out and this office melodrama begins to pull you in. Radley has a talent for giving us memorable characters to love, women you wish you knew and locations you wish you could experience first hand. Office politics are handled with humour and the genuine fondness most characters have for one another makes the story come alive.
There are many romantic threads left dangling at the end of Chloe’s first week in the spotlight so I can only assume that this is the beginning of a series.
A light and entertaining read.
ARC received with thanks from author for an honest review.
November 1, 2018
The book is written in an unusual manner in that we are introduced to the supposed main character, Chloe, but then go on to enjoy the perspectives of other women she works with, throughout the book, at "Honey", a magazine for lesbians in London. We never stay with one character too long and no conclusions are reached. The book begs for sequels but is it a problem? No, not really. I wound up becoming interested in the various slices of life and a character who wasn't the main. The book is well written with just a few typos and I like the author's style of writing.
November 5, 2018
Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me! I was confused from beginning to end with the names of the characters.. also , where is the plot?
August 19, 2018
What a great introduction to what will undoubtedly be another fantastic series from A.E. Radley.
Chloe has just started work at Lesbian Magazine, Honey and she is beyond excited. She’s also extremely passionate about giving back to the magazine that was like a friend to her all these years, so how could she repay her gratitude? Answer: Help Honey stay out of the red and afloat. Making one risky decision could be the rise or fall for the magazine…
This book doesn’t just follow Chloe’s story but everyone at the Honey offices and we get a little insight into each of the women that grace the pages of Climbing The Ladder. A few budding romances or unrequited love stories are just begging to be told which each of these women.
I really hope A.E. Radley takes each book to concentrate on each potential couple because the series really has the making of some phenomenal love stories. Watch this space because this has the likelihood to be my new favourite series.
After I finished it I just kept thinking that this book is amazing and it’s just the start... enough said! 5 stars
Chloe has just started work at Lesbian Magazine, Honey and she is beyond excited. She’s also extremely passionate about giving back to the magazine that was like a friend to her all these years, so how could she repay her gratitude? Answer: Help Honey stay out of the red and afloat. Making one risky decision could be the rise or fall for the magazine…
This book doesn’t just follow Chloe’s story but everyone at the Honey offices and we get a little insight into each of the women that grace the pages of Climbing The Ladder. A few budding romances or unrequited love stories are just begging to be told which each of these women.
I really hope A.E. Radley takes each book to concentrate on each potential couple because the series really has the making of some phenomenal love stories. Watch this space because this has the likelihood to be my new favourite series.
After I finished it I just kept thinking that this book is amazing and it’s just the start... enough said! 5 stars
August 14, 2018
Hi, I'm AJ and welcome to my TED-talk. Today we're going to discuss the new romcom by A.E. Radley (aka as Amananananda when my auto correct plays up).
So, Climbing the Ladder is mostly about Chloe Dixon who is about to start her first day at Honey magazine. Chloe has just got her life back on track, but it won't last long (literally, less than a week). Is that a spoiler? Nah.
The interesting thing about Climbing the Ladder is that the book doesn't just focus on Chloe Dixon.
There's Wendy, the receptionist who is just too pure and must be protected at all costs.
There's Helen, who is the editor-in-chief and who continuously surprises me with her kindness.
There's Kim, who is Helen's personal assistant and who ends up in some existential crisis when she has to choose between her loyalty to Helen and her heart.
There's Pippa, I don't like Pippa. Go away. Pippa and Tess both work in editorial.
There's Fiona, head of sales and marketing; Lucy, Rose and Darcy are her team members. Darcy is one of my favs because she is wholesomely madly in love with the Celia who doesn't even know she exists. If that isn't the story of everyone's lives, I don't know what is.
There's Celia who is a non-executive direction and investor, who really needs to pay more attention to the puppy eyes that are thrown at her when she's at the office.
Within a week Chloe finds herself in a PR nightmare when she trusts the wrong person, and she may also be crushing a little, tiny bit on someone within the office. As you can see above there's plenty of women to crush on and I won't tell you who it is, because that'd be a spoiler and we don't do those, right?
Radley does as Radley does, because Climbing the Ladder is another masterpiece. You'll laugh out loud, you'll frown at Pippa and if you're anything like me, you'll be lusting after the only woman who isn't as prominently in the book as the others: Natasha.
I truly hope that A.E. Radley is going to turn this book into a series because it's perfectly set up for that. There are so many stories to be told within this universe and I want to hear all of them. EXCEPT IF PIPPA ENDS UP WITH NATASHA BECAUSE NO.
But I seriously want a book solely focusing on Natasha. For personal reasons.
So yeah. Five stars. I would give ten if I could.
Although, if it would make A.E. Radley write faster (or more), I'd give her four stars until she gives me my Natasha story.
So, Climbing the Ladder is mostly about Chloe Dixon who is about to start her first day at Honey magazine. Chloe has just got her life back on track, but it won't last long (literally, less than a week). Is that a spoiler? Nah.
The interesting thing about Climbing the Ladder is that the book doesn't just focus on Chloe Dixon.
There's Wendy, the receptionist who is just too pure and must be protected at all costs.
There's Helen, who is the editor-in-chief and who continuously surprises me with her kindness.
There's Kim, who is Helen's personal assistant and who ends up in some existential crisis when she has to choose between her loyalty to Helen and her heart.
There's Pippa, I don't like Pippa. Go away. Pippa and Tess both work in editorial.
There's Fiona, head of sales and marketing; Lucy, Rose and Darcy are her team members. Darcy is one of my favs because she is wholesomely madly in love with the Celia who doesn't even know she exists. If that isn't the story of everyone's lives, I don't know what is.
There's Celia who is a non-executive direction and investor, who really needs to pay more attention to the puppy eyes that are thrown at her when she's at the office.
Within a week Chloe finds herself in a PR nightmare when she trusts the wrong person, and she may also be crushing a little, tiny bit on someone within the office. As you can see above there's plenty of women to crush on and I won't tell you who it is, because that'd be a spoiler and we don't do those, right?
Radley does as Radley does, because Climbing the Ladder is another masterpiece. You'll laugh out loud, you'll frown at Pippa and if you're anything like me, you'll be lusting after the only woman who isn't as prominently in the book as the others: Natasha.
I truly hope that A.E. Radley is going to turn this book into a series because it's perfectly set up for that. There are so many stories to be told within this universe and I want to hear all of them. EXCEPT IF PIPPA ENDS UP WITH NATASHA BECAUSE NO.
But I seriously want a book solely focusing on Natasha. For personal reasons.
So yeah. Five stars. I would give ten if I could.
Although, if it would make A.E. Radley write faster (or more), I'd give her four stars until she gives me my Natasha story.
September 17, 2018
A book full of quirky yet real life characters with real life problems. A story that grabs you to want to learn more about the characters in a very witty way. The ending leads me to believe there will be a book 2 Looking forward to it. and hopefully sooner than later.
Highly recommend this book
Rating: 4.5
Highly recommend this book
Rating: 4.5
August 17, 2018
This book was the h’oeuvres d’oeuvres of what is clearly going to be a multi course meal. And as such - it was delicious but ultimately unsatisfying in and of itself.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this work started life as The Bold Type fanfic. Similar leads and similar fearsome but respectable boss.
If future books in this series maintain a similar quality we’re going to be in for a treat. Having said that, this book is all tease, no payoff, and I really would have appreciated a bit more swoon.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this work started life as The Bold Type fanfic. Similar leads and similar fearsome but respectable boss.
If future books in this series maintain a similar quality we’re going to be in for a treat. Having said that, this book is all tease, no payoff, and I really would have appreciated a bit more swoon.
November 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, lots of plot, plenty of characters and I wondered how it would all end... and it did. I feel I missed the second half of the book - where was it? Is this the first in a series? No clue.
December 11, 2018
Not what I expected but hoping its the start of a new series, too many question left unsaid
August 15, 2018
Oh my gosh, I can't really express how much I enjoyed this delightful story! Chloe stole my heart from the first page and I couldn't suppress my loud laughter at the way the author described Chloe's experiences in Soho. I am a huge fan of comedies and this book did not disappoint me at all because I found myself chuckling and shaking my head while I was reading this book and I got a lot of funny looks and side eye glances while I read this book in the park, on the bus and even while I was at my desk on work (I guess laughing by myself in public made me look a wee bit looney!) I adored all of the lovely characters in this story and I really hope that this is not the end because I want to read more about these unforgettable and quirky women!
August 26, 2018
I love everything written by A.E. Radley. And, of course, I liked this book a lot. But... BUT... "to be continued". Sigh!
September 16, 2022
A story on everyone and no one…. Everyone who works in Honey and no one in particular…
March 29, 2019
Beginning of a series so there was much character introduction and therefore confusion. But it sounds interesting so I look forward to the next book in the series. There is teasing set-up for various relationships and office melodrama.
September 12, 2018
The end is like "sudden breaks" 🤔
August 25, 2018
I just loved it!
So this has been eluded to as the start of a series!!! YAY!!! And it has been set up perfectly to do so, and I can’t wait for more!!!
Chloe is the main focus of the story, but we are introduced to all her colleagues as she starts a new job at a lesbian magazine. Each character has their own little quirks, as well as a relationship, feelings for someone (crush), or other issues going on. All are explored a little in this book to build up nicely for more (i.e. the coming series).
My favourite characters, and the ones I found most relatable were Chloe and Darcy, but it didn’t stop me finding a small connection with all the characters and I am looking forward to finding out more about them all as time goes on.
Now believe it or not, but this book is a short time frame following Chloe’s first week at work and it manages to be action packed and engaging to the point it is just fabulous. It’s got funny moments that leaving you giggling randomly, to moments with Chloe’s parents that leave you feeling sorry for her but still you can’t help laughing, and moments where you are absolutely gutted for her, but it is just fantastic to experience it all with her. As it is to go through a range of emotions with her colleagues in that same week too.
So as I have already mentioned, this will be part of a series which, I CAN’T WAIT FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who just wants a light-hearted read, with a little romance, so crushes that have you rooting for the most amazing characters, and moments to make you laugh and smile until your cheeks hurt! Easy to read, engrossing plot and generally a lot going on to get you sucked into the lives of the endearing characters which will leave you wanting more, like right now!!!!!!! A great addition to A. E. Radley’s extensive collection of books, and a must have for any fan, and must read for anyone new to her work!
So this has been eluded to as the start of a series!!! YAY!!! And it has been set up perfectly to do so, and I can’t wait for more!!!
Chloe is the main focus of the story, but we are introduced to all her colleagues as she starts a new job at a lesbian magazine. Each character has their own little quirks, as well as a relationship, feelings for someone (crush), or other issues going on. All are explored a little in this book to build up nicely for more (i.e. the coming series).
My favourite characters, and the ones I found most relatable were Chloe and Darcy, but it didn’t stop me finding a small connection with all the characters and I am looking forward to finding out more about them all as time goes on.
Now believe it or not, but this book is a short time frame following Chloe’s first week at work and it manages to be action packed and engaging to the point it is just fabulous. It’s got funny moments that leaving you giggling randomly, to moments with Chloe’s parents that leave you feeling sorry for her but still you can’t help laughing, and moments where you are absolutely gutted for her, but it is just fantastic to experience it all with her. As it is to go through a range of emotions with her colleagues in that same week too.
So as I have already mentioned, this will be part of a series which, I CAN’T WAIT FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who just wants a light-hearted read, with a little romance, so crushes that have you rooting for the most amazing characters, and moments to make you laugh and smile until your cheeks hurt! Easy to read, engrossing plot and generally a lot going on to get you sucked into the lives of the endearing characters which will leave you wanting more, like right now!!!!!!! A great addition to A. E. Radley’s extensive collection of books, and a must have for any fan, and must read for anyone new to her work!
August 16, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with many main characters who work in a lesbian magazine and also their interesting relationships . Although there aren't sex scenes I don't mind at all, I love a slow-burning and well written story.
I can't wait to read the next one !!!
I can't wait to read the next one !!!
August 15, 2018
This has a great cast of characters for starters, a storyline that will keep you engaged, wanting more and you won’t want to stop reading it. Personal relationships, business relationships, and social media are all explored and blended in this wonderfully crafted book by A.E. Radley. She has given care to develop all the characters with unique personalities, which I am sure cannot be an easy task to do with so many.
Her descriptions of the many locations, including the offices of Honey magazine and the surrounding streets and shops give such a vivid picture I could imagine myself walking down the street for a coffee, or walking into the building, riding up the elevator and getting out onto the floor. I admire an author’s ability to draw my emotions to the surface with descriptions and witty dialogue, and Radley accomplished that for me within the pages of Climbing the Ladder. Perhaps it is my English/Irish/Scottish ancestry, but I love British humor, and there was plenty to have me laughing aloud, that my dog kept looking at me to keep it down.
I do hope there will be sequels delving into the lives of many of the women from Honey magazine. There would seem to be many stories to be told and I, for one, will read them all.
Her descriptions of the many locations, including the offices of Honey magazine and the surrounding streets and shops give such a vivid picture I could imagine myself walking down the street for a coffee, or walking into the building, riding up the elevator and getting out onto the floor. I admire an author’s ability to draw my emotions to the surface with descriptions and witty dialogue, and Radley accomplished that for me within the pages of Climbing the Ladder. Perhaps it is my English/Irish/Scottish ancestry, but I love British humor, and there was plenty to have me laughing aloud, that my dog kept looking at me to keep it down.
I do hope there will be sequels delving into the lives of many of the women from Honey magazine. There would seem to be many stories to be told and I, for one, will read them all.
January 31, 2020
This was an enjoyable book. I thought it would be about Chloe, since she was the first character introduced, but there were many pairings and characters involved. There is plenty of humor, and also some thoughtful lines. I actually had to stop and think about a few of the thoughts on the pages because they hit me in different ways. Another reader said they thought this might be the first of a series. I hope so because I want to see how Chloe's story plays out as well as Fiona's and Darcy's.
August 15, 2018
Love this so much!!
I loved everything about this book. I want to work at Honey and I wish there were about.... oh I don’t know another 10 chapters (I’m greedy) the characters are fabulous.
I loved everything about this book. I want to work at Honey and I wish there were about.... oh I don’t know another 10 chapters (I’m greedy) the characters are fabulous.
November 6, 2018
.
This was actually a really cute read. At first I was afraid that so many characters and potential romances while overcrowd the relatively short book but surprisingly it really worked out. All the characters are unique and enjoyable and you find yourself rooting for all the romances. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
This was actually a really cute read. At first I was afraid that so many characters and potential romances while overcrowd the relatively short book but surprisingly it really worked out. All the characters are unique and enjoyable and you find yourself rooting for all the romances. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
October 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I became invested in all of the characters. I would have given it a 5 except for there seemed to be a lot of unfinished arcs. I hope this one continues as a sequel. I would love to see where a couple of the just barely established relationships end up.
August 21, 2018
I'm a fan of Mrs Radley work and this book didn't disappoint !
The good news is this book is the first installment of a serie, and I for one can't wait to read the next one !
The bad news is this book is the first installment of a serie, and you may struggle a bit at the beginning of the book to remember all the characters and storylines. However I becomed rapidly engrossed in all the drama of "the Honey" girls.
If A.E Radley can keep this quality and humour in the development of the many stories to come, we're in for a treat !
The good news is this book is the first installment of a serie, and I for one can't wait to read the next one !
The bad news is this book is the first installment of a serie, and you may struggle a bit at the beginning of the book to remember all the characters and storylines. However I becomed rapidly engrossed in all the drama of "the Honey" girls.
If A.E Radley can keep this quality and humour in the development of the many stories to come, we're in for a treat !
October 4, 2018
Great story
This is a great story, I enjoyed a lot but the unexpected ending left me dry. Hope there's a sequel coming because there still unfinished business and I want more. The story is long and sometimes I got lost on the characters, Helen and Darcy are my favorite.....oh! And Fiona, Kim, Chloe...... Guess I like them all. It's worth it and we'll written, I definitely recommend it.
This is a great story, I enjoyed a lot but the unexpected ending left me dry. Hope there's a sequel coming because there still unfinished business and I want more. The story is long and sometimes I got lost on the characters, Helen and Darcy are my favorite.....oh! And Fiona, Kim, Chloe...... Guess I like them all. It's worth it and we'll written, I definitely recommend it.
January 7, 2020
Really fun book to read! I loved all of the characters and the storyline.
July 5, 2020
Too many characters. By the time one learns everyones name to book ends. Too much drama between characters, you don't know who to focus on.
October 20, 2018
How do you get hired, then fired in 3 days?
Chloe tries to find that out, while trying to keep her crush under control, office politics straight & an evil co- worker at bay! A quick easy read, with lots of interesting characters!
Chloe tries to find that out, while trying to keep her crush under control, office politics straight & an evil co- worker at bay! A quick easy read, with lots of interesting characters!
July 15, 2020
What I Think: What I Think: Before I get into my reactions, I need to explain that I will be doing quite a few Amanda Radley reviews and why these tales mean so much to me. When I just started my blog, she had an LGBT outreach that I signed up with and within the week she had reached out to me. She was giving her tales for free to readers in countries like mine where being part of the community was and still is illegal. I didn’t believe she would follow through (my apologies, Mme. Amanda. I have learned to not be so jaded since then) but the next day I received over 4 tales from her. Unfortunately, I was just getting into the world of blogging and was so overwhelmed and grabby that I inundated myself with too many books and this is why it’s taken me 2 years to finally get to these tales (my apologies once more but you know how it is with bookworms and tales?) On behalf of everyone who received this largesse, thank you from my heart. Now, on with the review!
I associated myself with Chloe almost right away. We’ve all been there at some point or the other, doing temp jobs while waiting for a more permanent offer, then that mix of excitement and dread when you do find one but most of all because, like me, her appearance doesn’t scream lesbian, being very féminine and colorful to boot. If I had a dollar for everyone that scoffed at me when I told them my sexuality, especially those within the LGBTQ community… But on with the tale, especially as I threw my hands up and gave into the tale as Chloe immediately falls in crush with an older, un-haveable woman thinking it’s okay because it’s harmless. This right here is why I had my last crush over 6 years ago. No crushing on what I can’t have. And as the person is a senior colleague, I get the feeling Chloe is about to find out just how serious a harmless crush can be. Oh lawdess, the crushes and unrequited love in this tale between the Honey staff and their freelancers make me want to line them up and force them to talk to aforementioned crushes with my riding crop in hand. Why do people make emotions so difficult, hanging on and refusing to do anything about it while wasting time pining? Only for my girl Chloe to get herself into trouble that had me choking on my iced tea and crossing all crossable limbs in hope that her gamble pays off. Having worked as an assistant editor of a national news daily in a small west African country, my heart ached for Honey because I’d been there, and having them succeed became personal. And I thoroughly enjoyed the gender-bending terms. It’s something I’ve got into just recently but this tale gives me even more ammo. Just when it was at its darkest, the girls pull out a miracle, working together and overcoming their differences to create a team that clicks into place, taking the negativity and turning it around. The victory is so infectious and endearing that I didn’t want to let go of my Honey girls yet!
Verdict? A feel-good tale that will become very personal very fast with an ending that will make you whoop for joy!
I associated myself with Chloe almost right away. We’ve all been there at some point or the other, doing temp jobs while waiting for a more permanent offer, then that mix of excitement and dread when you do find one but most of all because, like me, her appearance doesn’t scream lesbian, being very féminine and colorful to boot. If I had a dollar for everyone that scoffed at me when I told them my sexuality, especially those within the LGBTQ community… But on with the tale, especially as I threw my hands up and gave into the tale as Chloe immediately falls in crush with an older, un-haveable woman thinking it’s okay because it’s harmless. This right here is why I had my last crush over 6 years ago. No crushing on what I can’t have. And as the person is a senior colleague, I get the feeling Chloe is about to find out just how serious a harmless crush can be. Oh lawdess, the crushes and unrequited love in this tale between the Honey staff and their freelancers make me want to line them up and force them to talk to aforementioned crushes with my riding crop in hand. Why do people make emotions so difficult, hanging on and refusing to do anything about it while wasting time pining? Only for my girl Chloe to get herself into trouble that had me choking on my iced tea and crossing all crossable limbs in hope that her gamble pays off. Having worked as an assistant editor of a national news daily in a small west African country, my heart ached for Honey because I’d been there, and having them succeed became personal. And I thoroughly enjoyed the gender-bending terms. It’s something I’ve got into just recently but this tale gives me even more ammo. Just when it was at its darkest, the girls pull out a miracle, working together and overcoming their differences to create a team that clicks into place, taking the negativity and turning it around. The victory is so infectious and endearing that I didn’t want to let go of my Honey girls yet!
Verdict? A feel-good tale that will become very personal very fast with an ending that will make you whoop for joy!
October 16, 2018
Great story/ Great characters / Great Book...
I loved all the characters and it had the right amount of drama/fun/wittiness and length. All in all I would highly recommend this book!!
I loved all the characters and it had the right amount of drama/fun/wittiness and length. All in all I would highly recommend this book!!
November 2, 2018
Funny ensemble cast
While this is a fine standalone story, it might be helpful for the reader to know that the author has planned this as the first in a series. While I thoroughly enjoyed the story as is, I was pleased to know that we can expect more stories about this large cast of ladies in the future. Why, you ask? Because, while this particular episode in their lives found resolution in the course of these pages, it also left so many issues in their lives unresolved, in particular when it comes to matters of the heart.
While Chloe Dixon was, technically, the protagonist of this story, it really felt more like a story with an ensemble cast centered on the women working for "the biggest lesbian magazine in the UK." - Honey Magazine, and no true protagonist. Indeed, the perspective in the story shifts between four characters: Chloe, Darcy, Kim, and Fiona, each of whom have their own story-line and love interest, or potential heartbreak, depending on how optimistic one is feeling on a given day.
Given the large cast, it's surprising how well developed the perspective characters are, as well as a few of the supporting characters, Helen in particular. Of course, she would need to be well developed, since she is the object of Chloe's crush and the editor in chief of Honey Magazine. While she doesn't really get chapters as the perspective character, there are still sections where we peer inside her mind enough that she counts as one of the primary cast and she plays a huge role in the story, not only as the boss giving everyone their jobs to do, but in other ways that I won't mention because it actually did surprise me a bit and that was a very pleasant surprise. I'm not easily surprised by plot twists in stories of this sort usually, though, to be fair, the information wasn't really available ahead of time. The twist is good, none the less...
The character of Darcy is also a very interesting character, with much in common with Chloe in many ways. She has her moment to shine in the story, in addition to several moments where she provides laughter... we're laughing with you... honest...
Kim, who's role in the office is Helen's personal assistant, and is dating one of her coworkers, Lucy, who is the advertising specialist, seems to be equal parts angst and comic relief. The events as they unfold in the story cause her such internal conflict that she is practically tied up in knots, but it comes across with such humor that it almost seems unfair to the poor woman. Meanwhile, she seems to be the only one of the perspective characters who is in an actual relationship, which is moving forward as the story progresses. Lucy is less well developed than some of the other characters, but hopefully that will be changed in upcoming volumes.
Fiona is the last of the perspective characters. She has a longstanding crush on a freelance photographer who works with the magazine, but has a unique ability to always say the wrong thing around people she wants to impress, outside of the business world one hopes, since she is the marketing director for the magazine. Her issues lead to the other main story-line, which is somewhat separate from the rest, and has a rather sweet resolution, suggesting that future volumes could have some promising development for Fiona and her crush.
Overall, I found that the characters were wonderful, the pacing fantastic, the plot well thought out and well written, and the twist near the end actually managed to surprise me, which is fantastic. The humor varies from 'shake your head and grin' to 'laugh out loud'. The one functioning romance is sweet, though a bit underdeveloped, however the budding romances of the other characters show a great deal of promise, particularly Fiona and Chloe, though Chloe's is purely one sided at this point, as far as we know. (As is Darcy's... that one also shows some promise, but seems a bit more far fetched. However, I expect it to be hilarious in terms of how she goes about making it happen.)
All in all, it is a wonderful ensemble cast I will be happy to come back and visit again!
While this is a fine standalone story, it might be helpful for the reader to know that the author has planned this as the first in a series. While I thoroughly enjoyed the story as is, I was pleased to know that we can expect more stories about this large cast of ladies in the future. Why, you ask? Because, while this particular episode in their lives found resolution in the course of these pages, it also left so many issues in their lives unresolved, in particular when it comes to matters of the heart.
While Chloe Dixon was, technically, the protagonist of this story, it really felt more like a story with an ensemble cast centered on the women working for "the biggest lesbian magazine in the UK." - Honey Magazine, and no true protagonist. Indeed, the perspective in the story shifts between four characters: Chloe, Darcy, Kim, and Fiona, each of whom have their own story-line and love interest, or potential heartbreak, depending on how optimistic one is feeling on a given day.
Given the large cast, it's surprising how well developed the perspective characters are, as well as a few of the supporting characters, Helen in particular. Of course, she would need to be well developed, since she is the object of Chloe's crush and the editor in chief of Honey Magazine. While she doesn't really get chapters as the perspective character, there are still sections where we peer inside her mind enough that she counts as one of the primary cast and she plays a huge role in the story, not only as the boss giving everyone their jobs to do, but in other ways that I won't mention because it actually did surprise me a bit and that was a very pleasant surprise. I'm not easily surprised by plot twists in stories of this sort usually, though, to be fair, the information wasn't really available ahead of time. The twist is good, none the less...
The character of Darcy is also a very interesting character, with much in common with Chloe in many ways. She has her moment to shine in the story, in addition to several moments where she provides laughter... we're laughing with you... honest...
Kim, who's role in the office is Helen's personal assistant, and is dating one of her coworkers, Lucy, who is the advertising specialist, seems to be equal parts angst and comic relief. The events as they unfold in the story cause her such internal conflict that she is practically tied up in knots, but it comes across with such humor that it almost seems unfair to the poor woman. Meanwhile, she seems to be the only one of the perspective characters who is in an actual relationship, which is moving forward as the story progresses. Lucy is less well developed than some of the other characters, but hopefully that will be changed in upcoming volumes.
Fiona is the last of the perspective characters. She has a longstanding crush on a freelance photographer who works with the magazine, but has a unique ability to always say the wrong thing around people she wants to impress, outside of the business world one hopes, since she is the marketing director for the magazine. Her issues lead to the other main story-line, which is somewhat separate from the rest, and has a rather sweet resolution, suggesting that future volumes could have some promising development for Fiona and her crush.
Overall, I found that the characters were wonderful, the pacing fantastic, the plot well thought out and well written, and the twist near the end actually managed to surprise me, which is fantastic. The humor varies from 'shake your head and grin' to 'laugh out loud'. The one functioning romance is sweet, though a bit underdeveloped, however the budding romances of the other characters show a great deal of promise, particularly Fiona and Chloe, though Chloe's is purely one sided at this point, as far as we know. (As is Darcy's... that one also shows some promise, but seems a bit more far fetched. However, I expect it to be hilarious in terms of how she goes about making it happen.)
All in all, it is a wonderful ensemble cast I will be happy to come back and visit again!
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