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The Assistant
Two women. One office. A fight to the death.
Laura has sacrificed a lot for her high-powered career – her marriage, the chance to have kids. Now, finally, she’s in line for a big jump up the corporate ladder – all the way to the boardroom.
But there’s a fly in the ointment in the shape of beautiful Vanessa, a lowly assistant who seems to have it in for Laura.
Vanessa is PA to Hank, the most powerful executive in the company, a man whose support Laura desperately needs if she is to secure the job of her dreams. Repelled by Laura’s naked ambition, fiercely possessive of her boss, Vanessa deliberately sabotages Laura’s every attempt to make a good impression on Hank.
Laura threatens and cajoles but Vanessa just won’t play fair. Soon their mutual dislike escalates to an all-out war.
But career-obsessed Laura has always been willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. And if Vanessa stands in her way… she’s going to pay the ultimate price.
The stunning psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Guest.
Laura has sacrificed a lot for her high-powered career – her marriage, the chance to have kids. Now, finally, she’s in line for a big jump up the corporate ladder – all the way to the boardroom.
But there’s a fly in the ointment in the shape of beautiful Vanessa, a lowly assistant who seems to have it in for Laura.
Vanessa is PA to Hank, the most powerful executive in the company, a man whose support Laura desperately needs if she is to secure the job of her dreams. Repelled by Laura’s naked ambition, fiercely possessive of her boss, Vanessa deliberately sabotages Laura’s every attempt to make a good impression on Hank.
Laura threatens and cajoles but Vanessa just won’t play fair. Soon their mutual dislike escalates to an all-out war.
But career-obsessed Laura has always been willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. And if Vanessa stands in her way… she’s going to pay the ultimate price.
The stunning psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Guest.
ebook
First published September 21, 2020
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About the author
Cathryn Grant
81 books397 followersCathryn is the author of over forty novels. She writes psychological thrillers, psychological suspense, and the ALEXANDRA MALLORY series which features a sociopath you can’t help but love. Readers say they're “absolutely addicted” to the series.
The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.
Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.
You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at cathryngrant.com/contact. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.
The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.
Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.
You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at cathryngrant.com/contact. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
March 12, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my ARC. First of all, this book is not a thriller. It is a character study of the lengths people will go to in order to achieve success and power professionally and personally. I almost DNF it a fourth of the way through. It was slow to start and continued that way until the last ten percent. I kept waiting for the story to pick up, but it never really did until the very end. I really enjoyed Cathryn Grant's previous book, The Guest, and was hoping I would have the same reaction to The Assistant. I definitely have read worse, but can't say that I would recommend this one. Read The Guest instead. Entertaining, but left me wanting more.
September 12, 2020
This was an entertaining read although it did stretch my limits of credibility. The characters are not likeable although very interesting and the fast paced plot make it an enjoyable read.
Laura is in line for a top job but her ambition has ruined her marriage and any chance of having children. Finally she looks to make that big career advancement but could everything be ruined by the beautiful assistant Vanessa who appears to dislike her. Vanessa is PA to Hank who is the top executive in the company and any promotions would require his support. Vanessa dislikes Laura's fierce ambition and is very possessive of her boss, so deliberately sabotages Laura’s every attempt to make a good impression on Hank. It is not long before Vanessa and Laura are at war to win the attentions of Hank. Vanessa does not fight fair but Laura is willing to take it to any level required to get her way.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Inkubator Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Laura is in line for a top job but her ambition has ruined her marriage and any chance of having children. Finally she looks to make that big career advancement but could everything be ruined by the beautiful assistant Vanessa who appears to dislike her. Vanessa is PA to Hank who is the top executive in the company and any promotions would require his support. Vanessa dislikes Laura's fierce ambition and is very possessive of her boss, so deliberately sabotages Laura’s every attempt to make a good impression on Hank. It is not long before Vanessa and Laura are at war to win the attentions of Hank. Vanessa does not fight fair but Laura is willing to take it to any level required to get her way.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Inkubator Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
September 25, 2020
A corporate psychological thriller novel
"It was part of the job. All jobs had disagreeable aspects. You just had to accept that, and not allow it to eat away at you the way sugar silently ate away at tooth enamel, until one day you woke up in unbearable pain."
In Avalon, there are a lot of things going on than meets the eye. Laura Bachman is eyeing a promotion to Ops Director that has been vacant for months. The promotion she has dedicated all her life for had turned into an obsession. Vanessa is the assistant to the VP and was very good at keeping his calendar straight and controlling everyone's access to Hank. Laura had a strong dislike for Vanessa because of the misconception of the assistant's power over the VP. Laura has become neurotic thinking that Vanessa is deliberately making it difficult for her to get an interview or even a minute to talk to the VP. While all these events are happening in the office, Laura had to deal with a creepy guy who have intruded her favorite track field where she goes for her daily morning run and Vanessa had a shameful secret that gives her excitement and pleasure.
I AM AMAZED! I LOVE IT! Lots of feminist theme on this book. At first I thought I wouldn't like it because it seems to me that there are two women in conflict but there is more to the story than that. This is one of the books I would place under the category of unputdownable. I was hooked from the very beginning and there is not one part of the book that I have lost interest.
I am pro women supporting each other and I was very interested how the author has put this idea in an ironic fashion. Most of the story circled around the office. I love that some of the characters have been level-headed. I would like Brent's character if he wasn't a guy. But I guess him being a guy makes Laura's character even more compelling.
"The universe seemed to cheat women out of the very thing that it first handed out so generously, and then yanked back more severely than necessary."
Let me be honest about the characters. They are not easy to like. In fact, as I read through the book I've grown a more dislike for them. They are women of strong characters however very much flawed. One is too ambitious that she couldn't find fault in herself. While the other finds thrill and excitement in shoplifting. This did not tarnish the great dynamic and interaction between the characters in the story. It is told between the two women's point of view. I miss the office scenario because I've been out of work due to the pandemic for six months now. What's happening in the office is very relatable and reading it gave me an experience of a soap opera. I like how the author have invoked so much feelings and emotions within me. Every scene and dialogue in her book had a good flow and sequence.
I could not find any fault in this book. To me it's flawless. Cathryn Grant has awesome writing and storytelling skills. Now I realized one of the benefits of being in NetGalley. I discovered authors and stories I never would have from big publishers. Authors and stories who don't make it to the main stream but are equally good and talented, if not better, than the popular books we see in the media. With this being said, I pre-ordered the book in Amazon and can't wait to have my very own Kindle book copy upon its release on September 27.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, publisher Inkubator Books, and author Cathryn Grant, for providing an advance reader's digital copy of the book, which allows me to discover your talented work and write an honest and unbiased review.
See more reviews in my blog.
I also talk about books on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
"It was part of the job. All jobs had disagreeable aspects. You just had to accept that, and not allow it to eat away at you the way sugar silently ate away at tooth enamel, until one day you woke up in unbearable pain."
In Avalon, there are a lot of things going on than meets the eye. Laura Bachman is eyeing a promotion to Ops Director that has been vacant for months. The promotion she has dedicated all her life for had turned into an obsession. Vanessa is the assistant to the VP and was very good at keeping his calendar straight and controlling everyone's access to Hank. Laura had a strong dislike for Vanessa because of the misconception of the assistant's power over the VP. Laura has become neurotic thinking that Vanessa is deliberately making it difficult for her to get an interview or even a minute to talk to the VP. While all these events are happening in the office, Laura had to deal with a creepy guy who have intruded her favorite track field where she goes for her daily morning run and Vanessa had a shameful secret that gives her excitement and pleasure.
I AM AMAZED! I LOVE IT! Lots of feminist theme on this book. At first I thought I wouldn't like it because it seems to me that there are two women in conflict but there is more to the story than that. This is one of the books I would place under the category of unputdownable. I was hooked from the very beginning and there is not one part of the book that I have lost interest.
I am pro women supporting each other and I was very interested how the author has put this idea in an ironic fashion. Most of the story circled around the office. I love that some of the characters have been level-headed. I would like Brent's character if he wasn't a guy. But I guess him being a guy makes Laura's character even more compelling.
"The universe seemed to cheat women out of the very thing that it first handed out so generously, and then yanked back more severely than necessary."
Let me be honest about the characters. They are not easy to like. In fact, as I read through the book I've grown a more dislike for them. They are women of strong characters however very much flawed. One is too ambitious that she couldn't find fault in herself. While the other finds thrill and excitement in shoplifting. This did not tarnish the great dynamic and interaction between the characters in the story. It is told between the two women's point of view. I miss the office scenario because I've been out of work due to the pandemic for six months now. What's happening in the office is very relatable and reading it gave me an experience of a soap opera. I like how the author have invoked so much feelings and emotions within me. Every scene and dialogue in her book had a good flow and sequence.
I could not find any fault in this book. To me it's flawless. Cathryn Grant has awesome writing and storytelling skills. Now I realized one of the benefits of being in NetGalley. I discovered authors and stories I never would have from big publishers. Authors and stories who don't make it to the main stream but are equally good and talented, if not better, than the popular books we see in the media. With this being said, I pre-ordered the book in Amazon and can't wait to have my very own Kindle book copy upon its release on September 27.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, publisher Inkubator Books, and author Cathryn Grant, for providing an advance reader's digital copy of the book, which allows me to discover your talented work and write an honest and unbiased review.
See more reviews in my blog.
I also talk about books on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
January 15, 2021
First published as “Getting Ahead” in 2014. 2020 edition has content and editorial changes.
It's a battle of the women. They both work for the same company. Laura is in line for a huge promotion. Vanessa is a lowly assistant who seems to have it in for Laura.
Vanessa is the assistant to Hank, the most powerful / important executive in the company. Laura needs his support in order to secure her placement .. and Vanessa is going to do whatever she needs to in order to thwart Laura's plans.
The war is on! And one of them turns to murder.
It's well written with an intriguing plot, but sadly the two female characters are really unlikable with no redeeming qualities. One's power-hungry, the other one whines when she doesn't get her way. They are both somewhat arrogant ... and the insults they sling at each other gets a little old. Alternating chapters gives the reader a glimpse of their thoughts, which wasn't that interesting. The pacing feels a little off ... not much in the way of action.
Many thanks to the author / Inkubator Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological drama. Read and reviewed involuntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
It's a battle of the women. They both work for the same company. Laura is in line for a huge promotion. Vanessa is a lowly assistant who seems to have it in for Laura.
Vanessa is the assistant to Hank, the most powerful / important executive in the company. Laura needs his support in order to secure her placement .. and Vanessa is going to do whatever she needs to in order to thwart Laura's plans.
The war is on! And one of them turns to murder.
It's well written with an intriguing plot, but sadly the two female characters are really unlikable with no redeeming qualities. One's power-hungry, the other one whines when she doesn't get her way. They are both somewhat arrogant ... and the insults they sling at each other gets a little old. Alternating chapters gives the reader a glimpse of their thoughts, which wasn't that interesting. The pacing feels a little off ... not much in the way of action.
Many thanks to the author / Inkubator Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological drama. Read and reviewed involuntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 20, 2020
It was an interesting read, I like the characters, even though Laura was a bit creepy. Climbing the corporate ladder is not easy. Thank you Netgalley for this book!
Read
September 26, 20203 Ambition Gone Wrong Stars
* * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
In this corner you have Laura, wishing to be more than what she is in her company's flowchart. She feels she has sacrificed her marriage, having children if she even wanted them, and now there seems to be one obstacle she cannot seem to overcome.
Vanessa. Yes, in the other corner is the seemingly good Vanessa, the little watchdog assistant who is guarding the most powerful man, the one person Laura needs on her side to be promoted.
These two women are in each corner and end up having the office political fight out in the open. What may have been an innocent, forgetful moment causes that "Butterfly Ripple" in the waters of the company and Laura's Psyche.
This isn't really a mystery/thriller like we have experienced, more women being icky, insecure, and scheming. For those with experience with Corporate life and all the ins and outs of what can be treacherous, you might see someone you know in this. I hope not.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
In this corner you have Laura, wishing to be more than what she is in her company's flowchart. She feels she has sacrificed her marriage, having children if she even wanted them, and now there seems to be one obstacle she cannot seem to overcome.
Vanessa. Yes, in the other corner is the seemingly good Vanessa, the little watchdog assistant who is guarding the most powerful man, the one person Laura needs on her side to be promoted.
These two women are in each corner and end up having the office political fight out in the open. What may have been an innocent, forgetful moment causes that "Butterfly Ripple" in the waters of the company and Laura's Psyche.
This isn't really a mystery/thriller like we have experienced, more women being icky, insecure, and scheming. For those with experience with Corporate life and all the ins and outs of what can be treacherous, you might see someone you know in this. I hope not.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
December 8, 2020
❤️ Review time! ❤️
This was a quick read. Chapters alternate between two characters and is super easy to follow. It flows well but I wish there was a bit more background into both characters. I enjoyed this and recommend! It's a psychological thriller type but not really with any twist at the end. You can see one character slowing becoming unhinged the more you read.
Vanessa and Laura both work for the same company. Vanessa is the assistant for the boss and Laura really wants a promotion. Laura believes that Vanessa is using her role to keep her from getting the promotion she wants and will do everything she can to try and get his attention.
This was a quick read. Chapters alternate between two characters and is super easy to follow. It flows well but I wish there was a bit more background into both characters. I enjoyed this and recommend! It's a psychological thriller type but not really with any twist at the end. You can see one character slowing becoming unhinged the more you read.
Vanessa and Laura both work for the same company. Vanessa is the assistant for the boss and Laura really wants a promotion. Laura believes that Vanessa is using her role to keep her from getting the promotion she wants and will do everything she can to try and get his attention.
October 12, 2020
The Assistant is hyped as a psychological thriller. Well, there are definitely a lot of psychological elements in this story. Vanessa and Laura are two ambitious women working for the same company. Vanessa is the assistant to Hank, who is the good-looking executive in charge. Laura wants a better job, and she will do anything to get it. She needs Hank to promote her, but Vanessa won’t put her on Hank’s schedule. Vanessa and Laura butt heads at every interaction.
On the surface, this sounds like typical office politics and cattiness. There are many deeper motives involved in the way each woman behaves. Vanessa is beautiful and dresses provocatively, hoping she will get noticed. As the story evolves, we learn she has some bad habits she resorts to because of a lifetime of not being noticed. Laura is a professional woman, obsessive about her career, and it seems about everything else. When she can’t control what is going on in her life, she uses exercise to let out her anger until she finds another, more dangerous outlet.
I’ve worked in many offices, and I’ve known Vanessas and Lauras. The characters in this book were not likable or relatable. There was no one to root for. The reader has to suspend a lot of belief while reading this book, especially around Laura and her shenanigans. The story culminates in an unbelievable conclusion. I thank NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I gave it 2 ½ stars, rounded up to 3.
On the surface, this sounds like typical office politics and cattiness. There are many deeper motives involved in the way each woman behaves. Vanessa is beautiful and dresses provocatively, hoping she will get noticed. As the story evolves, we learn she has some bad habits she resorts to because of a lifetime of not being noticed. Laura is a professional woman, obsessive about her career, and it seems about everything else. When she can’t control what is going on in her life, she uses exercise to let out her anger until she finds another, more dangerous outlet.
I’ve worked in many offices, and I’ve known Vanessas and Lauras. The characters in this book were not likable or relatable. There was no one to root for. The reader has to suspend a lot of belief while reading this book, especially around Laura and her shenanigans. The story culminates in an unbelievable conclusion. I thank NetGalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I gave it 2 ½ stars, rounded up to 3.
November 21, 2020
One weird book....
Ok this was one weird book, but I rushed to finish it so that says something about me. Lol. It's exciting enough to finish but I do admit skimming a few times. I mainly just wanted to get to the point. There wasn't much of one, but still. It's mainly being in the head of two crazy ass women. I didn't like either of them. The worst thing about this story was no one acted normal. Not just the two nutty females but everyone! I was like is anyone normal in this book?? Everyone reacted abnormally to every situation. Especially the old guy neighbor Charlie. What a nut job. One thing about it, it made me laugh my butt off and that's worth a lot. Three stars.
Ok this was one weird book, but I rushed to finish it so that says something about me. Lol. It's exciting enough to finish but I do admit skimming a few times. I mainly just wanted to get to the point. There wasn't much of one, but still. It's mainly being in the head of two crazy ass women. I didn't like either of them. The worst thing about this story was no one acted normal. Not just the two nutty females but everyone! I was like is anyone normal in this book?? Everyone reacted abnormally to every situation. Especially the old guy neighbor Charlie. What a nut job. One thing about it, it made me laugh my butt off and that's worth a lot. Three stars.
October 4, 2020
**Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for allowing me to read this ARC for an honest review.**
This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it until the end. It was really unsettling reading about Laura's character. I thought the author did an excellent job of showing the reader the steady downfall of Laura's unhinged personality and mental illness. It was hard to read about, but it was also interesting and held a new twist on a psychological suspense thriller.
Vanessa's character was a little flat, but I understood her place in the novel. Laura despised Vanessa's beauty, placement at work and the way men acted around Vanessa. She was potentially one of the reasons Laura became as unhinged as she was. Vanessa and Laura both hold an important representation of society: no one is who they seem to be on the outside.
I will definitely be reading from this author again. I thought this book was an interesting read for sure!
This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and held it until the end. It was really unsettling reading about Laura's character. I thought the author did an excellent job of showing the reader the steady downfall of Laura's unhinged personality and mental illness. It was hard to read about, but it was also interesting and held a new twist on a psychological suspense thriller.
Vanessa's character was a little flat, but I understood her place in the novel. Laura despised Vanessa's beauty, placement at work and the way men acted around Vanessa. She was potentially one of the reasons Laura became as unhinged as she was. Vanessa and Laura both hold an important representation of society: no one is who they seem to be on the outside.
I will definitely be reading from this author again. I thought this book was an interesting read for sure!
September 23, 2020
The Assistant by Cathryn Grant thanks to inkubator and @netgalley for the e-Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Laura is a career woman looking to get ahead at her company. In her opinion, the only one stopping her is her bosses assistant, Vanessa. Laura starts rumors and tries to get to the boss around Vanessa, while she becomes more and more unstable.
I knew I had to read this book. I am an executive assistant and it’s always fun reading about the things we know. The office politics and interactions between Vanessa and her boss were so true to life. It was an experience seeing how others in the office viewed Vanessa, as the big bosses assistant. I loved the drama and the politics between all the employees. This was definitely a fun and exciting thriller!
The Assistant comes out 9/27.
Laura is a career woman looking to get ahead at her company. In her opinion, the only one stopping her is her bosses assistant, Vanessa. Laura starts rumors and tries to get to the boss around Vanessa, while she becomes more and more unstable.
I knew I had to read this book. I am an executive assistant and it’s always fun reading about the things we know. The office politics and interactions between Vanessa and her boss were so true to life. It was an experience seeing how others in the office viewed Vanessa, as the big bosses assistant. I loved the drama and the politics between all the employees. This was definitely a fun and exciting thriller!
The Assistant comes out 9/27.
November 11, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like this book had a lot of potential but it ended up a DNF for me. And there are specific reasons.
It was interesting but I am just not here for women hating on each other and the cattiness.
You have the assistant that people claim dresses to slutty and is probably sleeping with the boss, which she isn't. And then you have an ambitious woman who is vindictive and will do anything to keep climbing the ladder. There were just too many negative stereotypes for me.
In thrillers I can sometimes overlook some because the people are supposed to be bad. But this just seemed to be the premise of the whole book.
But if you can set aside those things and enjoy a book, I think you might enjoy it.
I feel like this book had a lot of potential but it ended up a DNF for me. And there are specific reasons.
It was interesting but I am just not here for women hating on each other and the cattiness.
You have the assistant that people claim dresses to slutty and is probably sleeping with the boss, which she isn't. And then you have an ambitious woman who is vindictive and will do anything to keep climbing the ladder. There were just too many negative stereotypes for me.
In thrillers I can sometimes overlook some because the people are supposed to be bad. But this just seemed to be the premise of the whole book.
But if you can set aside those things and enjoy a book, I think you might enjoy it.
July 6, 2021
Ugh this book!
So disappointing... First of all, the blurb isn't accurate: it sounds as if Laura is the good girl, the victim of Vanessa's plotting when it was so not the case!!
Right when the story starts, you can see Laura for the psycho bitch she truly is.
And the ''nerve shredding ending'' the author promised? Lol where was it?
We already saw how mad Laura was in the first part of the book so what she did at the end was expected, in fact she announced she would do it a couple of chapters before she did it -_-
I was expecting something more dramatic in that last chapter, not that marshmallow ending not fitting for a thriller. Where were the OMG and NO WAY moments?!
Just a waste of time, that book may be enjoyed if skimmed through the pages.
Don't even bother reading it thoroughly, there are better thriller out there...
So disappointing... First of all, the blurb isn't accurate: it sounds as if Laura is the good girl, the victim of Vanessa's plotting when it was so not the case!!
Right when the story starts, you can see Laura for the psycho bitch she truly is.
And the ''nerve shredding ending'' the author promised? Lol where was it?
We already saw how mad Laura was in the first part of the book so what she did at the end was expected, in fact she announced she would do it a couple of chapters before she did it -_-
I was expecting something more dramatic in that last chapter, not that marshmallow ending not fitting for a thriller. Where were the OMG and NO WAY moments?!
Just a waste of time, that book may be enjoyed if skimmed through the pages.
Don't even bother reading it thoroughly, there are better thriller out there...
September 22, 2020
The cover was eye catching and the premise was appealing but the main characters, especially Laura were who is totally not likeable. The other issue I had was this was not very thrilling, it was lackluster even though Laura was creepy AF. Still an ok read just not one that will stick out or I will remember later.
Thanks to Netgalley, Cathryn Grant and Inkubator Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 9/27/20
Thanks to Netgalley, Cathryn Grant and Inkubator Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 9/27/20
December 29, 2020
Thank you @inkubatorbooks & @netgalley for sending me this ARC!
•
To be perfectly honest, this book was not one of my favourites. The story and principle was OK (at best), the characters were all over the place, and the end of the book was just blah. It took me nearly a month to read this because i just wasn’t interested. I was hoping the end would make it worth it, but I did not.
•
To be perfectly honest, this book was not one of my favourites. The story and principle was OK (at best), the characters were all over the place, and the end of the book was just blah. It took me nearly a month to read this because i just wasn’t interested. I was hoping the end would make it worth it, but I did not.
October 23, 2020
This book was an arc that I received on NetGalley. This review is honest and spoiler free.
I am a big big fan of mystery and thriller novels and this book is so promising to the genres. This book is just so incredible. An absolute page turner and such a fast pace read. The thrill I got while reading this book is very hard for me to explain. There was rage, fun, excitement, and every possible emotion, except for any bad one. This book made me fall in love with reading again. I am so so happy that I got a chance to read this amazingly written thriller.
The story was told from the perspective of two women, Laura and Vanessa. Each chapter is dedicated to one woman. The language used is very engaging. Also the characters are eye catching and you feel like a part of the book, a part of their life while reading it. The novel is a perfect mix of amazing and awesome, lol! I loved the story, the characters, the setting and everything about the book.
The book is promising, of course, and one can easily fall in love with the author’s work. I am so excited to read more from Cathryn. Just loved this work! Highly recommended read!
I am a big big fan of mystery and thriller novels and this book is so promising to the genres. This book is just so incredible. An absolute page turner and such a fast pace read. The thrill I got while reading this book is very hard for me to explain. There was rage, fun, excitement, and every possible emotion, except for any bad one. This book made me fall in love with reading again. I am so so happy that I got a chance to read this amazingly written thriller.
The story was told from the perspective of two women, Laura and Vanessa. Each chapter is dedicated to one woman. The language used is very engaging. Also the characters are eye catching and you feel like a part of the book, a part of their life while reading it. The novel is a perfect mix of amazing and awesome, lol! I loved the story, the characters, the setting and everything about the book.
The book is promising, of course, and one can easily fall in love with the author’s work. I am so excited to read more from Cathryn. Just loved this work! Highly recommended read!
October 17, 2020
The high-tech corporate world turns deadly in Cathryn Grant's The Assistant. Told from both Laura and Vanessa's point of view, readers may not know who the real villain is in this fast-paced thriller.
Vanessa is beautiful. As the PA to a top executive, Hank, she schedules his appointments, grabs lunch with him and engages in light flirting with the boss. She is tasked with keeping him on track and not letting employees interrupt him. Employees like Laura who like to spread office gossip that Vanessa and Hank are having an affair.
Laura believes she is ready to move up into a director position. She is the most qualified person on Hank's staff. She has put in her time and her work is superb. The only obstacle in her way is Vanessa who refuses to tell who who is interviewing for the internally and externally. She can't get Vanessa to budge, she is incensed that Vanessa won't let her sneak in to see Hank and she constantly worries that Vanessa is talking her down to Hank.
The tension between these two women in the office is palpable. What will happen when it comes to a head? Is Laura willing to kill for what she believes she deserves? Who is in danger and who is the threat?
The Assistant is a faced-paced thriller that readers will devour. Very well written and interesting. I will look for more books by this author.
Vanessa is beautiful. As the PA to a top executive, Hank, she schedules his appointments, grabs lunch with him and engages in light flirting with the boss. She is tasked with keeping him on track and not letting employees interrupt him. Employees like Laura who like to spread office gossip that Vanessa and Hank are having an affair.
Laura believes she is ready to move up into a director position. She is the most qualified person on Hank's staff. She has put in her time and her work is superb. The only obstacle in her way is Vanessa who refuses to tell who who is interviewing for the internally and externally. She can't get Vanessa to budge, she is incensed that Vanessa won't let her sneak in to see Hank and she constantly worries that Vanessa is talking her down to Hank.
The tension between these two women in the office is palpable. What will happen when it comes to a head? Is Laura willing to kill for what she believes she deserves? Who is in danger and who is the threat?
The Assistant is a faced-paced thriller that readers will devour. Very well written and interesting. I will look for more books by this author.
November 1, 2020
For me,
The Assistant
by
Cathryn Grant
has a promising synopsis.
It is clear that the author can really tell a story as I found the novel intriguing and compelling, and I was invested in the outcome of the characters. Told from the perspectives of two women, Laura and Vanessa, these were flawed women with some strong personality traits though they were not easy to like. This did not, however, ruin the great dynamic and interaction between them for me. Set in a high-tech corporate business environment, The Assistant was a swift-paced thriller and the tension between the main characters in the office was palpable. All in all a great, taut and compulsive story with an explosive ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Inkubator Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
It is clear that the author can really tell a story as I found the novel intriguing and compelling, and I was invested in the outcome of the characters. Told from the perspectives of two women, Laura and Vanessa, these were flawed women with some strong personality traits though they were not easy to like. This did not, however, ruin the great dynamic and interaction between them for me. Set in a high-tech corporate business environment, The Assistant was a swift-paced thriller and the tension between the main characters in the office was palpable. All in all a great, taut and compulsive story with an explosive ending.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Inkubator Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 17, 2020
While I enjoyed this book, I found it a bit odd. The two storylines didn't really mesh together - it almost felt like 2 different books in one. The only thing Laura and Vanessa had in common was the fact that they worked together. It felt very odd and jarring to me, like I had to switch back and forth between plots when the chapters changed.
Both characters were extremely unlikeable, but in different ways. I actually did enjoy that part of the story - which character would I like the least? I just wish they had had a bit more in common outside of work. I did finish the entire book in just a few days, so the writing was enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Both characters were extremely unlikeable, but in different ways. I actually did enjoy that part of the story - which character would I like the least? I just wish they had had a bit more in common outside of work. I did finish the entire book in just a few days, so the writing was enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley, Inkubator books and the Author Cathryn Grant for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting read that I could definitely see as one of those psychological thriller movies on the Lifetime network.
Two different Female protagonists in two different positions in the corporate world but yet they each had their own creepy idiosyncrasies.
All in all a fast entertaining read.
This was an interesting read that I could definitely see as one of those psychological thriller movies on the Lifetime network.
Two different Female protagonists in two different positions in the corporate world but yet they each had their own creepy idiosyncrasies.
All in all a fast entertaining read.
June 18, 2021
A great story of office politics gone mad (quite literally!). Shocking what ambition and feelings of entitlement can lead to. Gripping from start to end.
September 25, 2020
This book is definitely written for someone who enjoys chick lit and reading the thought processes of drama queens! I should have read between the lines of the blurb as I was expecting a corporate suspense thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher, Inkubator Books, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher, Inkubator Books, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2021
I am sorry to say I really struggled with this book.
I was expecting a thriller and characters with ambitions that we could understand and perhaps connect too.
Instead with got Vanessa (the beautiful PA who hated other women but didn't want to admit that) and Laura (who simply was not good enough at her job and blamed other people esp men for it).
I think the in depth look we received of these 2 women would have worked had they had any redeeming qualities at all...however they were just truly awful.
Hated both of them from beginning to end and this meant I really struggled with the whole book...at the halfway point I nearly stopped reading altogether but decided to persevere....unfortunately nothing happened that changed my opinion.
I also found the book challenging because there was alot of talk about glass ceilings and women and men being equal....which are important topics and I love stories that address these issues in an intelligent way....but neither of these women helped these topics in any way and the story wasn't nuanced enough to be clever or satire.
These women were both just disgusting humans who thought they deserved more because they were women...and that doesn't help with equality at all. To put it basically...neither were good enough for their jobs and neither were good enough period.
I would have loved to have seen strong able women competing against each other but this wasn't that. It was self entitled horrid women wanting something because they are women and blaming the fact they were not getting it on men...which was uncomfortable and actually went against equality of the sexes more than anything.
Also the men all wanted them to be housewives....so men are just generally archaic? Again its not nuanced enough. Why were there not different types of men and personalities shown? They were all of the same thoughts and that was disappointing on so many levels. Men are all the same and women are narcissists??
Why was Vanessa cooking steak when she got home from her job and shopping (of course!). It almost felt like satire but overshot and didn't end up being a commentary on modern life or a satire. It was just very uncomfortable. Matt confronting Vanessa about her nail polishes was truly ridiculous.
I would have had a few things to say to my other half about that confrontation and it wouldn't have been 'sorry 'or a wait for it...striptease!!! Come on!!!
Reading through my review now...was it satire that I missed? As surely it couldn't have been just a novel about awful women? & 1950s men?
Either way it definitely wasn't for me. Sorry.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was expecting a thriller and characters with ambitions that we could understand and perhaps connect too.
Instead with got Vanessa (the beautiful PA who hated other women but didn't want to admit that) and Laura (who simply was not good enough at her job and blamed other people esp men for it).
I think the in depth look we received of these 2 women would have worked had they had any redeeming qualities at all...however they were just truly awful.
Hated both of them from beginning to end and this meant I really struggled with the whole book...at the halfway point I nearly stopped reading altogether but decided to persevere....unfortunately nothing happened that changed my opinion.
I also found the book challenging because there was alot of talk about glass ceilings and women and men being equal....which are important topics and I love stories that address these issues in an intelligent way....but neither of these women helped these topics in any way and the story wasn't nuanced enough to be clever or satire.
These women were both just disgusting humans who thought they deserved more because they were women...and that doesn't help with equality at all. To put it basically...neither were good enough for their jobs and neither were good enough period.
I would have loved to have seen strong able women competing against each other but this wasn't that. It was self entitled horrid women wanting something because they are women and blaming the fact they were not getting it on men...which was uncomfortable and actually went against equality of the sexes more than anything.
Also the men all wanted them to be housewives....so men are just generally archaic? Again its not nuanced enough. Why were there not different types of men and personalities shown? They were all of the same thoughts and that was disappointing on so many levels. Men are all the same and women are narcissists??
Why was Vanessa cooking steak when she got home from her job and shopping (of course!). It almost felt like satire but overshot and didn't end up being a commentary on modern life or a satire. It was just very uncomfortable. Matt confronting Vanessa about her nail polishes was truly ridiculous.
I would have had a few things to say to my other half about that confrontation and it wouldn't have been 'sorry 'or a wait for it...striptease!!! Come on!!!
Reading through my review now...was it satire that I missed? As surely it couldn't have been just a novel about awful women? & 1950s men?
Either way it definitely wasn't for me. Sorry.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2021
I am bewildered how anyone could not be thoroughly bored by this book. A lot of mundane boring details and stupid behaviour.
October 13, 2020
A thriller just beyond the reach of fathomability, this office drama pushes the limits of what is within the parameters of belief. The characters are all solidly salty and the kind you wish you could punch through the pages, so there's some real love-to-hate stuff going around with this book. It's an interesting turn of events that eventually occurs, and there's certainly some twists and turns within the story, however, they're all a little bit much.
Given the nature of the setting and the social commentary that exists within the book is a little difficult. There may have been a better way of taking on issues such as the social commentary, and there needs to be a better way of going about getting the message across. I get that there's a whole different culture that surrounds being an assistant in a world dominated by men who if you blew on them they'd crumple. I also found the action pottered out a little bit, and there were some missing links after the big climax on the running field. The ending was so abrupt.
Given the nature of the setting and the social commentary that exists within the book is a little difficult. There may have been a better way of taking on issues such as the social commentary, and there needs to be a better way of going about getting the message across. I get that there's a whole different culture that surrounds being an assistant in a world dominated by men who if you blew on them they'd crumple. I also found the action pottered out a little bit, and there were some missing links after the big climax on the running field. The ending was so abrupt.
November 9, 2020
Nope. It’s reads like a “bodice ripper”.
I thought this was supposed to be a psychological thriller yet it’s written like a cheesy romance novel. If I want to read about “kissable lips” or if I want to read a whole paragraph dedicated to a characters makeup routine I would read something different. There is so much useless filler in this “book” that it distracts from the plot. Also the inner workings of the two female characters is just confusing. I don’t understand them; they’re not relatable. Overdone premise and poor execution.
I thought this was supposed to be a psychological thriller yet it’s written like a cheesy romance novel. If I want to read about “kissable lips” or if I want to read a whole paragraph dedicated to a characters makeup routine I would read something different. There is so much useless filler in this “book” that it distracts from the plot. Also the inner workings of the two female characters is just confusing. I don’t understand them; they’re not relatable. Overdone premise and poor execution.
September 23, 2020
Sorry to say I found this book a real drag. I had to read over a hundred pages before anything actually happened. It's billed as a psychological thriller but it is far from thrilling.
A tale of office politics with an overabundance of detail and introspection, ultimately it left me feeling cold and unfulfilled.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A tale of office politics with an overabundance of detail and introspection, ultimately it left me feeling cold and unfulfilled.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2020
Not anything close to a “gripping psychological thriller with a nerve-shattering ending”. Almost a DNF for me.
September 25, 2020
I have read, reviewed and enjoyed a couple of Cathryn’s books now. I read the synopsis for ‘The Assistant’ and it certainly liked an interesting sort of read. So without further ado, I grabbed my Kindle, grabbed a cup of tea and settled down to start reading. Overall I did enjoy reading ‘The Assistant’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to be honest and say that I didn’t particularly like either of the main female lead characters and I certainly didn’t warm to them. In fact, if anything I became frostier towards them as the story continued. The two female leads are called Laura and Vanessa. Laura is a highly ambitious individual who is desperate for promotion and she will do anything to get it. She doesn’t come across very well and she certainly doesn’t seem to have many, if any redeeming features. Her ruthlessness started little alarm bells ringing in my head. I certainly wouldn’t want to turn my back on her because chances are she would stab you in it if it meant that she could get ahead. Vanessa doesn’t appear to be any better. She is the personal assistant to the head of the company and to say that she is fiercely protective of him is an understatement. She is worse than an office Rottweiler (that used to be my nickname when I worked in an office). She will not let anybody have access to him nor will she let them get too close to him. I think that Vanessa sees Laura as a potential rival and she sabotages Laura’s efforts to make a good impression on Hank. Who will triumph in this battle of the fittest? Is there a twist to the tale? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I must be honest and say that it took me a while to get into this story. I think part of the problem was that I didn’t take to either of the lead characters and so I wasn’t really bothered about what happened to them. After I got into this story then that was it and I was away. This was one of those books that was perfect for binge reading. I wasn’t able to read the book over the course of a single day as I had other commitments but I did manage to read the book over the course of a few days, which is still pretty good for somebody with a short attention span and who is easily distracted. I seemed to race through the latter half of the book as the tension increased and my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew.
‘The Assistant’ is well written as are Cathryn’s other books. The story was more of a slow burn which is perfectly fine as it meant that we could get to know the different characters a bit better and the tension steadily grew and grew. Cathryn certainly knows how to create characters and have them engage in a sort of ‘Survival Of The Fittest’ competition. I did feel as though I was part of the story myself and that’s down to Cathryn’s really good storytelling. At the end of the book, I was just thankful that I didn’t know such people let alone worked with them.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading ‘The Assistant’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Cathryn’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I have to be honest and say that I didn’t particularly like either of the main female lead characters and I certainly didn’t warm to them. In fact, if anything I became frostier towards them as the story continued. The two female leads are called Laura and Vanessa. Laura is a highly ambitious individual who is desperate for promotion and she will do anything to get it. She doesn’t come across very well and she certainly doesn’t seem to have many, if any redeeming features. Her ruthlessness started little alarm bells ringing in my head. I certainly wouldn’t want to turn my back on her because chances are she would stab you in it if it meant that she could get ahead. Vanessa doesn’t appear to be any better. She is the personal assistant to the head of the company and to say that she is fiercely protective of him is an understatement. She is worse than an office Rottweiler (that used to be my nickname when I worked in an office). She will not let anybody have access to him nor will she let them get too close to him. I think that Vanessa sees Laura as a potential rival and she sabotages Laura’s efforts to make a good impression on Hank. Who will triumph in this battle of the fittest? Is there a twist to the tale? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I must be honest and say that it took me a while to get into this story. I think part of the problem was that I didn’t take to either of the lead characters and so I wasn’t really bothered about what happened to them. After I got into this story then that was it and I was away. This was one of those books that was perfect for binge reading. I wasn’t able to read the book over the course of a single day as I had other commitments but I did manage to read the book over the course of a few days, which is still pretty good for somebody with a short attention span and who is easily distracted. I seemed to race through the latter half of the book as the tension increased and my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew.
‘The Assistant’ is well written as are Cathryn’s other books. The story was more of a slow burn which is perfectly fine as it meant that we could get to know the different characters a bit better and the tension steadily grew and grew. Cathryn certainly knows how to create characters and have them engage in a sort of ‘Survival Of The Fittest’ competition. I did feel as though I was part of the story myself and that’s down to Cathryn’s really good storytelling. At the end of the book, I was just thankful that I didn’t know such people let alone worked with them.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading ‘The Assistant’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Cathryn’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
October 5, 2021
Read Full & Detailed review: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2021/...
Laura aspires to a promotion in Avalon Systems. It is her dream to be appointed the Ops Director, just the first of achievements in her rise to the top. It is for this dream that she has given up her marriage.
The only person who stands in her way is Vanessa, the admin to the boss, Hank. Vanessa won’t let Laura meet Hank, won’t even fix an interview with him. Feeling aggrieved, Laura begins a rumour that Vanessa and Hank are sleeping together. When the rumour fails to gain ground, she decides to do whatever it takes to get the promotion she deserves.
How far will she go to get the job of her dreams?
The book is written in the third person limited point of view of Vanessa and Laura, in alternate chapters.
The book brings out the class distinctions that permeate the corporate world. How the jobs people do are often judged on the basis of status and prestige within the company. How women are often judged even when it is the man’s fault. How people in a subordinate position are dismissed as part of the machinery, and not expected to have a constructive opinion about the business.
Both women are stereotypes, conforming to type. One meets less pronounced versions of both Laura and Vanessa at work. Lauras who are ambitious and entitled and Vanessas who let their looks and closeness with senior colleagues define them.
This is the second book set in the corporate world I’ve read in the space of a month that eschews the use of the surname, mentioning them at the end of the book. Laura’s surname, Bachman, is mentioned only at the 79%-mark, Hank’s surname, Conti, came at the 87%-mark, and Vanessa’s surname, Hillman, comes at the 93%-mark. I found it off that the author let us have such a close look at the characters' lives but refrained from sharing their surname earlier on.
This book also uses interior monologue to post information about the past. There is a lot of character exposition and not enough action to warrant being called a thriller. We get to see endless details about their personal lives, their relationships with their partners, the minutiae of their lives. But not so much of the two women and the dynamics between them.
The women are stereotypes at work, but outside the workplace, they have complex, layered lives, and face different kinds of issues.
Both women are alone, Laura actually so, and Vanessa, craving excitement in her relationship with fiancé, Matt. Both live dangerously, Vanessa with her guilty pleasure, and Laura with her decision to keep running at the school track, even though the mentally disturbed homeless man who runs at her heels is making her uncomfortable. Both have a guilty secret that could wreck their lives. Both have different kinds of expectations from Hank.
But the book does raise some pertinent questions about the lack of diversity at the workplace, especially at higher levels, how women have to work twice as hard to have their contribution recognised, how they are constantly judged for their appearance, and accused of using their sex appeal to get ahead.
As a plot for a thriller, it wasn’t very strong. The Assistant was more about human nature and the compulsions that drive us. The writing was good. A whole universe existed inside each human skull.
I’d definitely read this author again.
Laura aspires to a promotion in Avalon Systems. It is her dream to be appointed the Ops Director, just the first of achievements in her rise to the top. It is for this dream that she has given up her marriage.
The only person who stands in her way is Vanessa, the admin to the boss, Hank. Vanessa won’t let Laura meet Hank, won’t even fix an interview with him. Feeling aggrieved, Laura begins a rumour that Vanessa and Hank are sleeping together. When the rumour fails to gain ground, she decides to do whatever it takes to get the promotion she deserves.
How far will she go to get the job of her dreams?
The book is written in the third person limited point of view of Vanessa and Laura, in alternate chapters.
The book brings out the class distinctions that permeate the corporate world. How the jobs people do are often judged on the basis of status and prestige within the company. How women are often judged even when it is the man’s fault. How people in a subordinate position are dismissed as part of the machinery, and not expected to have a constructive opinion about the business.
Both women are stereotypes, conforming to type. One meets less pronounced versions of both Laura and Vanessa at work. Lauras who are ambitious and entitled and Vanessas who let their looks and closeness with senior colleagues define them.
This is the second book set in the corporate world I’ve read in the space of a month that eschews the use of the surname, mentioning them at the end of the book. Laura’s surname, Bachman, is mentioned only at the 79%-mark, Hank’s surname, Conti, came at the 87%-mark, and Vanessa’s surname, Hillman, comes at the 93%-mark. I found it off that the author let us have such a close look at the characters' lives but refrained from sharing their surname earlier on.
This book also uses interior monologue to post information about the past. There is a lot of character exposition and not enough action to warrant being called a thriller. We get to see endless details about their personal lives, their relationships with their partners, the minutiae of their lives. But not so much of the two women and the dynamics between them.
The women are stereotypes at work, but outside the workplace, they have complex, layered lives, and face different kinds of issues.
Both women are alone, Laura actually so, and Vanessa, craving excitement in her relationship with fiancé, Matt. Both live dangerously, Vanessa with her guilty pleasure, and Laura with her decision to keep running at the school track, even though the mentally disturbed homeless man who runs at her heels is making her uncomfortable. Both have a guilty secret that could wreck their lives. Both have different kinds of expectations from Hank.
But the book does raise some pertinent questions about the lack of diversity at the workplace, especially at higher levels, how women have to work twice as hard to have their contribution recognised, how they are constantly judged for their appearance, and accused of using their sex appeal to get ahead.
As a plot for a thriller, it wasn’t very strong. The Assistant was more about human nature and the compulsions that drive us. The writing was good. A whole universe existed inside each human skull.
I’d definitely read this author again.
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