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Jane Valiante #1
The Maverick
Some rules are waiting to be broken.
Jane Valiante had put so much of her life on hold to care for her father and little brother back in Florida since her mom died, that she’d all but forgotten she once had ambitions of her own. She had nearly resigned to a life of ordinary when the hottest tech company in the world offers to fly her to New York for the job of her dreams.
After what shapes up to be a whirlwind of an interview, Jane starts to feel overwhelmed and insecure about her chances. Feeling defeated, she’s surprised to receive an invitation to the holiday party from the CEO and Founder, Peter Wright, planned for that evening. Hoping this could be her opportunity to seal the deal, she happily accepts. That’s when everything in her world turns upside down, as she finds herself back at her hotel room with Peter after the party. What started as a drunken misunderstanding leads to a brutal sexual assault that leaves Jane shattered.
Torn by the violence of what happened that night and the shocking choices she inevitably makes, Jane embarks on a precedent-setting journey to right the wrongs she has endured that could ultimately define the fate of a generation.
Jane Valiante had put so much of her life on hold to care for her father and little brother back in Florida since her mom died, that she’d all but forgotten she once had ambitions of her own. She had nearly resigned to a life of ordinary when the hottest tech company in the world offers to fly her to New York for the job of her dreams.
After what shapes up to be a whirlwind of an interview, Jane starts to feel overwhelmed and insecure about her chances. Feeling defeated, she’s surprised to receive an invitation to the holiday party from the CEO and Founder, Peter Wright, planned for that evening. Hoping this could be her opportunity to seal the deal, she happily accepts. That’s when everything in her world turns upside down, as she finds herself back at her hotel room with Peter after the party. What started as a drunken misunderstanding leads to a brutal sexual assault that leaves Jane shattered.
Torn by the violence of what happened that night and the shocking choices she inevitably makes, Jane embarks on a precedent-setting journey to right the wrongs she has endured that could ultimately define the fate of a generation.
- GenresFictionWomens Fiction
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2020
2 people are currently reading
2686 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 24, 2020
2.5 stars
Sometimes we make stupid decisions and they stay with us for a very long time leaving their imprint on our mind, heart, and soul.
Jane Valiante, twenty-seven year old, has felt a duty to her brother and he father to stay with them after her mother's death. Now, however a dream job opportunity might possibly be in the offering in New York City, and Jane heads from Florida to her interview. All seems to go well, and surprisingly she is invited to this company's holiday celebration. There's lots going in at the party, lots of drinking and indulging and Jane goes in for the drinking part quite heavily.
She unwittingly and drunkenly invites one of her soon to possibly be bosses, Peter Wright, to share her hotel room with her since he was so drunk he couldn't get home. He accepts and this sets in motion a tragedy for Jane that she didn't anticipate.
When she returns to Florida, reeling from the experience she keeps everything to herself, telling no one, not even her best friend. Jane thinks the job opportunity will be gone and is ever so surprised when she is offered the position with the allure of a large paycheck and many advantages but there is one disadvantage ...her new boss, Peter. Jane accepts the position and from there sets in motion Jane's ability to seek retribution and the ability to find out who she really is.
I applaud the author for broaching a topic that she herself was involved in. The criticism I have is about the writing. The dialogue often felt stilted and juvenile, although I do recognize this is a debut author. I hope in the rest of the books in this series, that Ms Valenti develops her writing style for she has much to say about the way our world works.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this story due out December 7, 2020.
Sometimes we make stupid decisions and they stay with us for a very long time leaving their imprint on our mind, heart, and soul.
Jane Valiante, twenty-seven year old, has felt a duty to her brother and he father to stay with them after her mother's death. Now, however a dream job opportunity might possibly be in the offering in New York City, and Jane heads from Florida to her interview. All seems to go well, and surprisingly she is invited to this company's holiday celebration. There's lots going in at the party, lots of drinking and indulging and Jane goes in for the drinking part quite heavily.
She unwittingly and drunkenly invites one of her soon to possibly be bosses, Peter Wright, to share her hotel room with her since he was so drunk he couldn't get home. He accepts and this sets in motion a tragedy for Jane that she didn't anticipate.
When she returns to Florida, reeling from the experience she keeps everything to herself, telling no one, not even her best friend. Jane thinks the job opportunity will be gone and is ever so surprised when she is offered the position with the allure of a large paycheck and many advantages but there is one disadvantage ...her new boss, Peter. Jane accepts the position and from there sets in motion Jane's ability to seek retribution and the ability to find out who she really is.
I applaud the author for broaching a topic that she herself was involved in. The criticism I have is about the writing. The dialogue often felt stilted and juvenile, although I do recognize this is a debut author. I hope in the rest of the books in this series, that Ms Valenti develops her writing style for she has much to say about the way our world works.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this story due out December 7, 2020.
September 29, 2020
This book.
This book brings up so many questions. So many emotions. So many whys?.
I have to applaud Jennifer Valenti on writing about something so personal. The first thing that comes to mind is how incredibly brave she is. But, why? Why does she have to be classified as brave? Why isn’t honest or heartfelt the first thing we think of, or genuine and strong? Because honestly, being a woman today, kinda sucks. Because, women are often objectified and we lose credibility because of it. Like it’s our fault.
Even from the beginning this book highlights how women downplay themselves, because society tells us this is how we should be.
“What was I doing here? I’m not qualified to work for this company, am I? What do I have to offer them?”
This was 100% relatable to me, and I loved it. There is so much pressure to be the pretty one, the easy going one, the one who has it all together, no baggage. Why can’t we fall apart? Why can’t we be real? Why can’t we be “unconventional”?
Usually, weak women characters bother me. I like my main characters, especially female, to show strength. To stand up for themselves. Just overall not give a shit what anyone thinks. So, right off the bat this book should not be for me. But, I think that’s the whole point of the novel. It definitely brings attention to why I look for the characteristics I look for. Because, I want to see women be badass. Even when I myself fell inadequate, or maybe that’s exactly why. Women standing up, women speaking out. That should be the everyday normal.
I loved how this book went through Jane’s thought process. I was so present in her head, I could not put this down. The comparison between the before and after was really well done. The spotlight on the crooked workings of companies, all to save face, was excellent. The attention to the warped justice system was spot on. Janes character overall, was the poster child for strength. Her journey was written wonderfully and I’m so glad I got to witness it.
I warned you this book brought out so many feelings.🙈
Jennifer Valenti knocked this out of the park, and with grace. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
The only thing left to say to Jennifer Valenti is keep on being your badass self. All generations of women need more of you.
Thank you book sirens and Jennifer Valenti for a chance to read this novel. All thoughts are my own.
This book brings up so many questions. So many emotions. So many whys?.
I have to applaud Jennifer Valenti on writing about something so personal. The first thing that comes to mind is how incredibly brave she is. But, why? Why does she have to be classified as brave? Why isn’t honest or heartfelt the first thing we think of, or genuine and strong? Because honestly, being a woman today, kinda sucks. Because, women are often objectified and we lose credibility because of it. Like it’s our fault.
Even from the beginning this book highlights how women downplay themselves, because society tells us this is how we should be.
“What was I doing here? I’m not qualified to work for this company, am I? What do I have to offer them?”
This was 100% relatable to me, and I loved it. There is so much pressure to be the pretty one, the easy going one, the one who has it all together, no baggage. Why can’t we fall apart? Why can’t we be real? Why can’t we be “unconventional”?
Usually, weak women characters bother me. I like my main characters, especially female, to show strength. To stand up for themselves. Just overall not give a shit what anyone thinks. So, right off the bat this book should not be for me. But, I think that’s the whole point of the novel. It definitely brings attention to why I look for the characteristics I look for. Because, I want to see women be badass. Even when I myself fell inadequate, or maybe that’s exactly why. Women standing up, women speaking out. That should be the everyday normal.
I loved how this book went through Jane’s thought process. I was so present in her head, I could not put this down. The comparison between the before and after was really well done. The spotlight on the crooked workings of companies, all to save face, was excellent. The attention to the warped justice system was spot on. Janes character overall, was the poster child for strength. Her journey was written wonderfully and I’m so glad I got to witness it.
I warned you this book brought out so many feelings.🙈
Jennifer Valenti knocked this out of the park, and with grace. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
The only thing left to say to Jennifer Valenti is keep on being your badass self. All generations of women need more of you.
Thank you book sirens and Jennifer Valenti for a chance to read this novel. All thoughts are my own.
November 18, 2020
Thank you so much to Hyde Park Press for providing me with a copy of this book!
Jane has been offered an interview for the job of a lifetime. Not only as an incredible opportunity for her own career, but working in a team that could change history in cancer diagnosis. When her interview goes well and she’s invited to a company holiday party, she’s on cloud 9… until she’s raped by the boss of the company. Falling apart, but determined not to let the experience cost her the job of her dreams, she accepts the offer of employment when it comes. But will she be able to face her rapist every day, while he goes unpunished?
The Maverick was the type of book I just didn’t want to put down. Jane’s story was so different to other books I’ve read with similar situations. Her choices were far from the usual portrayal of sexual assault survivors of either ‘make no waves’ victims OR kick ass heroines. Jane showed us the more realistic version – that you could be both. That you could make decisions out of fear, self preservation or anger. That there’s not always a clear path forward and importantly, society has a lot to answer for when it comes to the ways women view their requirement to ‘keep the peace’.
The Maverick is not an easy book to read, the subject matter means it’s often frustrating and devastating, but it is so thought provoking and powerful too. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books coming to this series!
Jane has been offered an interview for the job of a lifetime. Not only as an incredible opportunity for her own career, but working in a team that could change history in cancer diagnosis. When her interview goes well and she’s invited to a company holiday party, she’s on cloud 9… until she’s raped by the boss of the company. Falling apart, but determined not to let the experience cost her the job of her dreams, she accepts the offer of employment when it comes. But will she be able to face her rapist every day, while he goes unpunished?
The Maverick was the type of book I just didn’t want to put down. Jane’s story was so different to other books I’ve read with similar situations. Her choices were far from the usual portrayal of sexual assault survivors of either ‘make no waves’ victims OR kick ass heroines. Jane showed us the more realistic version – that you could be both. That you could make decisions out of fear, self preservation or anger. That there’s not always a clear path forward and importantly, society has a lot to answer for when it comes to the ways women view their requirement to ‘keep the peace’.
The Maverick is not an easy book to read, the subject matter means it’s often frustrating and devastating, but it is so thought provoking and powerful too. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books coming to this series!
September 10, 2020
I had the privilege of reading this book on Net Galley as an advanced reader copy. I have to say I am impressed by this debut author. I was emotionally connected to the main character, Jane, and found it hard to put down the book for even a dinner break. The Maverick created a great visual imagery for me as I read and that was my favorite part of the experience. I felt present in Jane’s journey.
October 14, 2020
For what it is....it's a good story.
Rating: 3/5
The Maverick is a story about persistence, pain, and recovery in the face of assault. It follows Jane as she struggles to make sense of, and live with, the after math of a sexual assault that leads her to landing a new (albeit stressful and kinda crappy) job and to having to face her attacker every day. As a reader, and as a survivor, it was both hard and empowering to watch her come to terms (as best one can) and ultimately take down the man who stole her sense of autonomy and her sense of self.
However good the story is, the writing itself was extremely hard to get through at times. Words were jumbled, the dialogue between Jane and her best friend Carmen was stunted, and the most interesting tidbits of the story came when Jane was speaking with her coworkers - and even those were dry. I really enjoyed the plot, and could resonate on another level with Jane, but the writing made it hard for me to enjoy the book as a whole.
Rating: 3/5
The Maverick is a story about persistence, pain, and recovery in the face of assault. It follows Jane as she struggles to make sense of, and live with, the after math of a sexual assault that leads her to landing a new (albeit stressful and kinda crappy) job and to having to face her attacker every day. As a reader, and as a survivor, it was both hard and empowering to watch her come to terms (as best one can) and ultimately take down the man who stole her sense of autonomy and her sense of self.
However good the story is, the writing itself was extremely hard to get through at times. Words were jumbled, the dialogue between Jane and her best friend Carmen was stunted, and the most interesting tidbits of the story came when Jane was speaking with her coworkers - and even those were dry. I really enjoyed the plot, and could resonate on another level with Jane, but the writing made it hard for me to enjoy the book as a whole.
November 25, 2020
The Maverick by Jennifer Valenti. Thanks to @mindbuckmedia and @jennifervalenti for the Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jane has landed an interview at her dream job, in her dream city, NYC. When she aces her interview, she joins the company at the holiday party. The holiday party ends in a sexual assault and Jane is left to question her future not only with the company, but entirely.
I’d hate to describe this book as fun, given the subject matter, but it really was. It was important and deep, but you’re left with a great feeling at the end. There is a build up to a thrilling legal end, but never a slow moment. Getting to know Jane in the beginning, we are fighting with her the entire time. The reader may question some of her decisions, but it works as an example of the different directions victims take. We tell ourselves we’d be fighters, we’d never let someone get away with it, but when it comes down to it... that’s not always immediately the case. In the end, Jane becomes the Maverick she was meant to be. I cannot wait to read about, the Bombshell, in the next Jane Valiante book. The stage has definitely been set for some powerful ass-kicking!
TW: rape, sexual assault
“I always seem to have more questions than answers every time I try to piece that night together.”
The Maverick is out 12/7.
Jane has landed an interview at her dream job, in her dream city, NYC. When she aces her interview, she joins the company at the holiday party. The holiday party ends in a sexual assault and Jane is left to question her future not only with the company, but entirely.
I’d hate to describe this book as fun, given the subject matter, but it really was. It was important and deep, but you’re left with a great feeling at the end. There is a build up to a thrilling legal end, but never a slow moment. Getting to know Jane in the beginning, we are fighting with her the entire time. The reader may question some of her decisions, but it works as an example of the different directions victims take. We tell ourselves we’d be fighters, we’d never let someone get away with it, but when it comes down to it... that’s not always immediately the case. In the end, Jane becomes the Maverick she was meant to be. I cannot wait to read about, the Bombshell, in the next Jane Valiante book. The stage has definitely been set for some powerful ass-kicking!
TW: rape, sexual assault
“I always seem to have more questions than answers every time I try to piece that night together.”
The Maverick is out 12/7.
December 6, 2020
Jane is working in a dead end job in Florida, helping her father take care of her brother when she finds out that her dream job has become available in New York City. It's at one of the hottest companies in the world and they are interested in her and offer to fly her to New York for an interview. The interview goes well and she's confident that the job will be hers until she goes to the company Christmas party. What started as a drunken misunderstanding leads to a brutal sexual assault that leaves Jane shattered. She goes back to Florida very discouraged and is shocked when she gets a job offer. She has to think twice due to what happened with her boss but decided that she was strong enough to handle it. She is thrilled with the new job but is also dealing with PTSD from the assault. She tries to cope with her feelings of guilt and worthlessness by not telling anyone about it and trying to keep it buried. When she uncovers some information at work and realizes how toxic the environment is at the workplace, she decides that enough is enough and starts legal proceedings. Torn by the violence of what happened that night and the shocking choices she inevitably makes, Jane embarks on a precedent-setting journey to right the wrongs she has endured.
Jane is a perfect example of many working women. They have to work harder and be smarter than the men and never be emotional under any circumstances. Did Jane make some mistakes? She did but they were all very understandable and there was no way that she deserved what happened to her at the whim of her boss. At times in the story, Jane appears to be weak and willing to just not think about the rape but then the real Jane comes roaring out as a badass woman willing to help not only herself but other women in the same situation. I loved Jane and was rooting for her the entire book.
Jane is a perfect example of many working women. They have to work harder and be smarter than the men and never be emotional under any circumstances. Did Jane make some mistakes? She did but they were all very understandable and there was no way that she deserved what happened to her at the whim of her boss. At times in the story, Jane appears to be weak and willing to just not think about the rape but then the real Jane comes roaring out as a badass woman willing to help not only herself but other women in the same situation. I loved Jane and was rooting for her the entire book.
January 7, 2022
The Maverick is very interesting. We learn about Jane 27- year old who recover from a sexual Assault. We follow her through her confusion, pain an insecurity.. taking back herself and her body.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
October 12, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley, Love Book Tours, and Hyde Park Press for this ARC of THE MAVERICK. A special thank you to Jennifer Valenti for her transparency and vulnerability with regard to her own personal trauma that born the idea for this fictional story. THE MAVERICK is a relevant, valid, and a necessary piece of fiction in the world as we know it. For far too long the idea or concept of a females part in non consensual sex has been convoluted and manipulated into the role of seductress. While I believe we have made leaps and bounds there are still those out there who believe these outdated ways of thinking. As a sexual assault survivor I applaud this book.
**Jane is up for her dream job with a small but prominent tech company in New York. Their primary focus is a proprietary software that will help detect breast cancer early enough to save almost everyone from long term repercussions and even death. When the interview goes well enough to land her in invite to the annual holiday party she agrees to attend. What happens there, will alter the course of her life from that day forward. Journey with Jane as she manages, PTSD, anxiety, trauma, panic attacks, and low self esteem which manifest as a direct result of this altercation. Watch as she pushes through boundaries and stereotypes to have her voice be heard. Where she ends up will leave you smiling and eagerly awaiting book two.**
**Jane is up for her dream job with a small but prominent tech company in New York. Their primary focus is a proprietary software that will help detect breast cancer early enough to save almost everyone from long term repercussions and even death. When the interview goes well enough to land her in invite to the annual holiday party she agrees to attend. What happens there, will alter the course of her life from that day forward. Journey with Jane as she manages, PTSD, anxiety, trauma, panic attacks, and low self esteem which manifest as a direct result of this altercation. Watch as she pushes through boundaries and stereotypes to have her voice be heard. Where she ends up will leave you smiling and eagerly awaiting book two.**
September 19, 2020
This book was sent to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
-----
Oftentimes, when a woman speaks up about her sexual assault experiences, she is discredited. She is asked all kinds of questions. Why didn't she go to the police? Why didn't she fight back? Why didn't she speak up earlier? No one considers the magnitude of the situation. No one considers the trauma she may have experienced. No one tries to find out what she is going through. In The Maverick, Jennifer Valenti takes the reader through the emotional process a woman goes through during and after she experiences sexual assault.
Jane Valiante lives a monotonous life with big dreams. She takes care of her father and her younger brother in Florida. She performs boring tasks as a data scientist at an insurance company. So when a recruiter calls to tell her that the position of senior data analyst at her dream firm, Imagiene, is empty, she rushes to apply. As she flies to New York for her interview, she is excited at the prospect of living in her dream city, working at a firm that is developing technology to detect cancer in patients before they reach Stage 1. After acing the interview, she is invited to a holiday party to meet all the other employees. She is excited and overwhelmed.
All this ends when she offers to let her potential boss, Peter Wright, stay the night in her hotel room so he does not have to drive too far to get home that night. After kissing her in the cab, he forces himself onto her at the hotel room, despite her constant protests, and despite the fact that she switches beds to be away from him. He doesn't care, and nothing stops him from raping her. Traumatized and devastated, Jane goes back home. She is unable to tell anyone what happened. She expects to receive a rejection from Imagiene due to this encounter. Instead, she is accepted. Not only that, but she learns that Peter was her biggest advocate. Unsure as to what game he plans to play, Jane accepts the offer, determined to beat him at his game. She knows that she is making a mistake by going to work for him, but she is in desperate need of an update to her life. Once at work, she tries her level best to concentrate, despite how much Peter's presence haunts her. She ends up doing really well, and being responsible for their team breaking a record. Amidst subtle threats, frustrating behavior, and high expectations, Jane adjusts to life at the company. Until she finds out that she is not the only employee Peter assaulted. Circumstances begin to get dangerous and Jane struggles to decide what to do. Will she do the right thing and get justice, or will she prioritize her job over all else?
The book is a heartbreaking yet fantastically written story. Full of excellent descriptions and creative metaphors, the writing style will keep you engaged through out. The author maintains a comedic tone, whereby she uses dark humor and clever references. Full of exciting events, enjoyable narrations, and sudden revelations, The Maverick will take you on a literary journey like no other.
We are shown certain contrasts between Jane's feelings and thoughts before and after she was assaulted. She is first shown to love New York and its views, and on her way back, notices nothing due to the fact that New York is ruined for her. We are shown how corrupt and biased the justice system is, the lengths people go to save their company's reputation, as well as the stages sexual assault survivors go through in coping with what happened.
-----
Oftentimes, when a woman speaks up about her sexual assault experiences, she is discredited. She is asked all kinds of questions. Why didn't she go to the police? Why didn't she fight back? Why didn't she speak up earlier? No one considers the magnitude of the situation. No one considers the trauma she may have experienced. No one tries to find out what she is going through. In The Maverick, Jennifer Valenti takes the reader through the emotional process a woman goes through during and after she experiences sexual assault.
Jane Valiante lives a monotonous life with big dreams. She takes care of her father and her younger brother in Florida. She performs boring tasks as a data scientist at an insurance company. So when a recruiter calls to tell her that the position of senior data analyst at her dream firm, Imagiene, is empty, she rushes to apply. As she flies to New York for her interview, she is excited at the prospect of living in her dream city, working at a firm that is developing technology to detect cancer in patients before they reach Stage 1. After acing the interview, she is invited to a holiday party to meet all the other employees. She is excited and overwhelmed.
All this ends when she offers to let her potential boss, Peter Wright, stay the night in her hotel room so he does not have to drive too far to get home that night. After kissing her in the cab, he forces himself onto her at the hotel room, despite her constant protests, and despite the fact that she switches beds to be away from him. He doesn't care, and nothing stops him from raping her. Traumatized and devastated, Jane goes back home. She is unable to tell anyone what happened. She expects to receive a rejection from Imagiene due to this encounter. Instead, she is accepted. Not only that, but she learns that Peter was her biggest advocate. Unsure as to what game he plans to play, Jane accepts the offer, determined to beat him at his game. She knows that she is making a mistake by going to work for him, but she is in desperate need of an update to her life. Once at work, she tries her level best to concentrate, despite how much Peter's presence haunts her. She ends up doing really well, and being responsible for their team breaking a record. Amidst subtle threats, frustrating behavior, and high expectations, Jane adjusts to life at the company. Until she finds out that she is not the only employee Peter assaulted. Circumstances begin to get dangerous and Jane struggles to decide what to do. Will she do the right thing and get justice, or will she prioritize her job over all else?
The book is a heartbreaking yet fantastically written story. Full of excellent descriptions and creative metaphors, the writing style will keep you engaged through out. The author maintains a comedic tone, whereby she uses dark humor and clever references. Full of exciting events, enjoyable narrations, and sudden revelations, The Maverick will take you on a literary journey like no other.
We are shown certain contrasts between Jane's feelings and thoughts before and after she was assaulted. She is first shown to love New York and its views, and on her way back, notices nothing due to the fact that New York is ruined for her. We are shown how corrupt and biased the justice system is, the lengths people go to save their company's reputation, as well as the stages sexual assault survivors go through in coping with what happened.
October 1, 2020
Whoa.
I received an advance review copy from the author and BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not going to lie, when I read the synopsis of this book in my suggestion feed for BookSirens, I hesitated. The premise of the book holds a huge trigger for me being a survivor myself. I took a deep breath and decided to read the book anyway. I’m so, so glad I did.
Jane is an average woman. She knows she wants more but like many women today, she feels self conscious about her odds or whether she even belongs. What happens next brings you on a whirlwind. Then....THEN.
And you, as the reader, are pissed. Angry. Enraged. Furious. Every other synonym and emotion that is even vaguely similar to anger crosses your mind. You FEEL for Jane.
As she cries, as she heals, as she grapples, you are there. Her character is so well developed and real.
As the story unfolds, you recognize that Jane is really altruistic. She’s not thinking of herself. She’s really making some of her choices based upon her mother and millions of women she has never and will never meet. Personally I found the information about her job and the data aspect to be quite fascinating. You can’t help but understand why Jane is making the choices she’s making even though she’s also clearly not over the trauma of her experience.
In the end, I have to admit I was fantasizing about kicking some major behind myself (if only I could crawl into the pages of the book and kick someone’s teeth in...wouldn’t that be satisfying??).
But really. Read this book. It’s amazing. You will root for Jane and hope a passing truck runs over a certain someone. (You will also volunteer to drive the truck.) This book will suck you in and won’t let go. Long after finishing you will feel Jane. She has definitely permeated my brain.
An amazing start to a promising series.
I received an advance review copy from the author and BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not going to lie, when I read the synopsis of this book in my suggestion feed for BookSirens, I hesitated. The premise of the book holds a huge trigger for me being a survivor myself. I took a deep breath and decided to read the book anyway. I’m so, so glad I did.
Jane is an average woman. She knows she wants more but like many women today, she feels self conscious about her odds or whether she even belongs. What happens next brings you on a whirlwind. Then....THEN.
And you, as the reader, are pissed. Angry. Enraged. Furious. Every other synonym and emotion that is even vaguely similar to anger crosses your mind. You FEEL for Jane.
As she cries, as she heals, as she grapples, you are there. Her character is so well developed and real.
As the story unfolds, you recognize that Jane is really altruistic. She’s not thinking of herself. She’s really making some of her choices based upon her mother and millions of women she has never and will never meet. Personally I found the information about her job and the data aspect to be quite fascinating. You can’t help but understand why Jane is making the choices she’s making even though she’s also clearly not over the trauma of her experience.
In the end, I have to admit I was fantasizing about kicking some major behind myself (if only I could crawl into the pages of the book and kick someone’s teeth in...wouldn’t that be satisfying??).
But really. Read this book. It’s amazing. You will root for Jane and hope a passing truck runs over a certain someone. (You will also volunteer to drive the truck.) This book will suck you in and won’t let go. Long after finishing you will feel Jane. She has definitely permeated my brain.
An amazing start to a promising series.
December 7, 2020
Oh wow what a book. The explanation at the beginning that Jennifer was in a similar position to Jane and that's what inspired to her write this novel. Jennifer you are an inspiration and should be incredibly proud of this stunning book.
I have never been in the situation that you and Jane have been in but if I ever was I'm not sure I could deal with it the same way. I know second hand the effects of sexual abuse and it makes me feel sick to think it happens, but it does.
It's people like you having strength to share your story and help people understand it more that will help reduce and one day eradicate it. That's the hope anyway.
I loved the connection between Carmen and Jane, such good friends. Yet still Jane couldn't share with her (understandably) what had happened. I was totally gripped reading this book. I felt so angry with Peter, how dare he think because he is a boss and a man that he can treat someone this way and not just one person, several. He is the epitomy of a (word I won't put in a review).
I was literally punching the air at the end. What an incredible woman Jane is and you are.
The Epilogue made me cry, what a difficult life, but like me you took the bad and turned it into positive. What an amazing novel and an inspiring woman, I cannot wait to read the next one. I felt so empowered once I'd finished this book.
I have never been in the situation that you and Jane have been in but if I ever was I'm not sure I could deal with it the same way. I know second hand the effects of sexual abuse and it makes me feel sick to think it happens, but it does.
It's people like you having strength to share your story and help people understand it more that will help reduce and one day eradicate it. That's the hope anyway.
I loved the connection between Carmen and Jane, such good friends. Yet still Jane couldn't share with her (understandably) what had happened. I was totally gripped reading this book. I felt so angry with Peter, how dare he think because he is a boss and a man that he can treat someone this way and not just one person, several. He is the epitomy of a (word I won't put in a review).
I was literally punching the air at the end. What an incredible woman Jane is and you are.
The Epilogue made me cry, what a difficult life, but like me you took the bad and turned it into positive. What an amazing novel and an inspiring woman, I cannot wait to read the next one. I felt so empowered once I'd finished this book.
September 15, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Jennifer Valenti's debut novel is impressive, considering this is her first published work. Please note *trigger warning * for sexual assault, PTSD.
Jane Valiente (a name which is very similar to the author. She disclosed at the beginning the book is based on her own assault) is a data scientist at an insurance company in Florida, living with her dad who is recovering from a stroke and her 13 year old brother. Jane's mom died of breast cancer. Jane gets an opportunity to interview for her dream job for a tech start up based in NYC. The product they are seeking FDA approval for would help diagnose breast cancer before it even gets to stage 1. Jane prepares for the interview. Except the thing she couldn't prepare to happen. Despite the horror of what happens, Jane accepts the job offer and moves in with her best friend Carmen, a public defender and DACA recipient. Jane tries to suppress what happened even though it's obvious she suffers PTSD.
Some of the tech details were lost on me. However it was a quick read & victorious ending with a follow up book due next spring. Jane has an excellent support system of friends. This book is one I'd recommend if you can handle the trigger warning.
Jane Valiente (a name which is very similar to the author. She disclosed at the beginning the book is based on her own assault) is a data scientist at an insurance company in Florida, living with her dad who is recovering from a stroke and her 13 year old brother. Jane's mom died of breast cancer. Jane gets an opportunity to interview for her dream job for a tech start up based in NYC. The product they are seeking FDA approval for would help diagnose breast cancer before it even gets to stage 1. Jane prepares for the interview. Except the thing she couldn't prepare to happen. Despite the horror of what happens, Jane accepts the job offer and moves in with her best friend Carmen, a public defender and DACA recipient. Jane tries to suppress what happened even though it's obvious she suffers PTSD.
Some of the tech details were lost on me. However it was a quick read & victorious ending with a follow up book due next spring. Jane has an excellent support system of friends. This book is one I'd recommend if you can handle the trigger warning.
September 24, 2020
Opportunities and experiences.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book via Net Galley, Broken Arrow Books, and Mindbuck Media. It should be available to the general public on December 7, 2020. I voluntarily read this book and this review reflects my honest thoughts.
Things to know upfront: There are a few scenes in this book that could potentially be a trigger for some people. There are sexual situations, drinking of alcoholic beverages, violence, and adult language. This is the first book in an ongoing series.
Jane Valiante is offered the work opportunity of a lifetime. Unfortunately, she experiences some setbacks that threaten to keep her from advancing forward.
The author did a wonderful job of sharing the main character's personality while presenting the "lemons" that life gave Jane and how she dealt with them.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book via Net Galley, Broken Arrow Books, and Mindbuck Media. It should be available to the general public on December 7, 2020. I voluntarily read this book and this review reflects my honest thoughts.
Things to know upfront: There are a few scenes in this book that could potentially be a trigger for some people. There are sexual situations, drinking of alcoholic beverages, violence, and adult language. This is the first book in an ongoing series.
Jane Valiante is offered the work opportunity of a lifetime. Unfortunately, she experiences some setbacks that threaten to keep her from advancing forward.
The author did a wonderful job of sharing the main character's personality while presenting the "lemons" that life gave Jane and how she dealt with them.
December 4, 2020
The Cover first drew my eyes to this book, then title made me curious to learn more about the book.
The main character in the book is Jane Valiante who has been living with her father and brother since her mum died, but has reached the decision it is time to spread her wings and get back on track with her career. Jane travels to an interview for a once in a lifetime position. The Interview ends up taking most of the day. With Jane feeling a little disheartened that she doesn’t really know if she has successfully in the Interview, she is surprised to be invited to the companies, holiday party. Seeing it as another opportunity to create a good lasting impression she agrees to go to the party. Jane does become a little carried away with the camaraderie of the other employees drinking glasses of champagne. Jane really feels like part of the group so when it turns out Peter, one of the company bosses needs a place to stay, the offer for him to stay in Jane’s hotel room, just slips out. After all the hotel is being paid by for the company that has two beds. Unfortunately for Jane, Peter seems to see it as a greenlight that she wants to have sex with him along with the offer of the bed! Despite Jane repeatedly saying no, Peter continues his unwanted advances and rapes her. Jane flies home the next day and presumes she will simply not get the job, but then starts to wonder what she should do if she is offered the position. Jane faces that very dilemma when she is offered the job with a great re-location package and the job would certainly look very good on her resume. The work she would be doing would advance detection and cancer care which is very close to Jane’s heart as unfortunately that is what her own mother died of, perhaps that is what pushes her to forgive her new bosses actions.
I don’t want to give away anymore as you need to read it from Jane’s point of view in the book. I found this book handled a very serious subject in its own unique way. Jane certainly approached things in her own way, whether as a reader you think it was right or wrong, the book definitely makes you think and would make an excellent conversation starter to discuss the subject of rape. I totally understood the reasons Jane felt she couldn’t report the rape straight away, as what proof did she have? She had been the one to naively invite him to share her room, when she hardly knew the man. Though when she was offered the job, I am not sure I could have taken up the career opportunity and acted as if the rape hadn’t happened.
Without revealing too much I will say that karma does come around full circle, and Jane does come out of things fairly well. I just imagined a totally different ending, with her gaining applause for all the hard work she and her team put in. As I have said this is most certainly a read that has you still thinking about it even when you have finished reading it. From the I thought she should have said/done this to the what would I do if I were in her situation. It’s very easy to be judgemental and say Well I wouldn’t offered a man the spare bed in my hotel room, but Jane was influenced by her alcohol intake, the feeling of the holiday season and the camaraderie of her potentially future workmates as well as being emotional about the possible part she would be in finding a faster way to detect cancer too. Things really are not always black or white. In this book Jane finds herself in the grey area and allow circumstances to unfold. Jane waits first for an apology, then for Peter to say something about what happened, then the job is so important to her personally and for her career she decides to put the rape behind her.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were that it was not the outcome/ending I had expected. Interesting, thought provoking read...makes you think what you would have done in Jane's position.
The main character in the book is Jane Valiante who has been living with her father and brother since her mum died, but has reached the decision it is time to spread her wings and get back on track with her career. Jane travels to an interview for a once in a lifetime position. The Interview ends up taking most of the day. With Jane feeling a little disheartened that she doesn’t really know if she has successfully in the Interview, she is surprised to be invited to the companies, holiday party. Seeing it as another opportunity to create a good lasting impression she agrees to go to the party. Jane does become a little carried away with the camaraderie of the other employees drinking glasses of champagne. Jane really feels like part of the group so when it turns out Peter, one of the company bosses needs a place to stay, the offer for him to stay in Jane’s hotel room, just slips out. After all the hotel is being paid by for the company that has two beds. Unfortunately for Jane, Peter seems to see it as a greenlight that she wants to have sex with him along with the offer of the bed! Despite Jane repeatedly saying no, Peter continues his unwanted advances and rapes her. Jane flies home the next day and presumes she will simply not get the job, but then starts to wonder what she should do if she is offered the position. Jane faces that very dilemma when she is offered the job with a great re-location package and the job would certainly look very good on her resume. The work she would be doing would advance detection and cancer care which is very close to Jane’s heart as unfortunately that is what her own mother died of, perhaps that is what pushes her to forgive her new bosses actions.
I don’t want to give away anymore as you need to read it from Jane’s point of view in the book. I found this book handled a very serious subject in its own unique way. Jane certainly approached things in her own way, whether as a reader you think it was right or wrong, the book definitely makes you think and would make an excellent conversation starter to discuss the subject of rape. I totally understood the reasons Jane felt she couldn’t report the rape straight away, as what proof did she have? She had been the one to naively invite him to share her room, when she hardly knew the man. Though when she was offered the job, I am not sure I could have taken up the career opportunity and acted as if the rape hadn’t happened.
Without revealing too much I will say that karma does come around full circle, and Jane does come out of things fairly well. I just imagined a totally different ending, with her gaining applause for all the hard work she and her team put in. As I have said this is most certainly a read that has you still thinking about it even when you have finished reading it. From the I thought she should have said/done this to the what would I do if I were in her situation. It’s very easy to be judgemental and say Well I wouldn’t offered a man the spare bed in my hotel room, but Jane was influenced by her alcohol intake, the feeling of the holiday season and the camaraderie of her potentially future workmates as well as being emotional about the possible part she would be in finding a faster way to detect cancer too. Things really are not always black or white. In this book Jane finds herself in the grey area and allow circumstances to unfold. Jane waits first for an apology, then for Peter to say something about what happened, then the job is so important to her personally and for her career she decides to put the rape behind her.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were that it was not the outcome/ending I had expected. Interesting, thought provoking read...makes you think what you would have done in Jane's position.
Read
December 5, 2020I would like to thank Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honorable review.
It all started with the interview. Up for a big interview at her dream start-up company, Jane Valiante is beyond excited for the interview, and when it goes well and she is invited to the holiday party, Jane feels like the she's got in the bag. Then, the unthinkable happens, and Jane is raped by the boss of the company. Ashamed and hurt, Jane is unsure how to deal with her emotions and the pain she is reeling from. In Jennifer Valenti's The Maverick, follow Jane's painful journey through her acceptance of her sexual assault and the justice she seeks.
I don't know my exact thought process when first deciding to read this ARC. Maybe I thought it was interesting. Maybe I thought it was tragic and painful. What I thought, I'm not exactly sure, but after completing The Maverick, I can safely say that it's definitely not what I expected it to be. I was very shocked when, in the second chapter, Jane describes the rape in stark detail. In reading it, I instantly felt the pain she felt. I was angry with Peter, and I wanted him to pay. What I didn't understand was Jane's coping mechanism afterwards. Having a friend who has been raped, I know everybody's coping is different, but I couldn't understand why Jane decided to go and work for Peter's company. I mean, personally, I feel like I'm might not want to go work for my assaulter's company, but I honestly have no idea how I would react. I am glad that Jane did eventually decide to receive help. I gave me some peace of mind.
Reflecting back on the novel, I have to give The Maverick three out of five stars. Primarily, I disliked reading about Jane's work and the data sets she had work out. I wasn't interested in reading about the data sets in detail, and a large portion of the novel was about Jane's job in detail. I feel like I needed more about Jane and her struggle and less of Jane and her job. I do recognize that Jane's job is important to the story, but it was just in too much detail for me. Other than that, I really liked the novel, no matter how skirmish it made me feel. A three out of five stars read.
It all started with the interview. Up for a big interview at her dream start-up company, Jane Valiante is beyond excited for the interview, and when it goes well and she is invited to the holiday party, Jane feels like the she's got in the bag. Then, the unthinkable happens, and Jane is raped by the boss of the company. Ashamed and hurt, Jane is unsure how to deal with her emotions and the pain she is reeling from. In Jennifer Valenti's The Maverick, follow Jane's painful journey through her acceptance of her sexual assault and the justice she seeks.
I don't know my exact thought process when first deciding to read this ARC. Maybe I thought it was interesting. Maybe I thought it was tragic and painful. What I thought, I'm not exactly sure, but after completing The Maverick, I can safely say that it's definitely not what I expected it to be. I was very shocked when, in the second chapter, Jane describes the rape in stark detail. In reading it, I instantly felt the pain she felt. I was angry with Peter, and I wanted him to pay. What I didn't understand was Jane's coping mechanism afterwards. Having a friend who has been raped, I know everybody's coping is different, but I couldn't understand why Jane decided to go and work for Peter's company. I mean, personally, I feel like I'm might not want to go work for my assaulter's company, but I honestly have no idea how I would react. I am glad that Jane did eventually decide to receive help. I gave me some peace of mind.
Reflecting back on the novel, I have to give The Maverick three out of five stars. Primarily, I disliked reading about Jane's work and the data sets she had work out. I wasn't interested in reading about the data sets in detail, and a large portion of the novel was about Jane's job in detail. I feel like I needed more about Jane and her struggle and less of Jane and her job. I do recognize that Jane's job is important to the story, but it was just in too much detail for me. Other than that, I really liked the novel, no matter how skirmish it made me feel. A three out of five stars read.
December 2, 2020
Rating: 3.5
Jane gets a job opportunity of a lifetime, in the city of all cities, New York. But what happens when you're faced to work on an everyday basis with the man who has raped you?
We follow Jane, just an ordinary woman, like any one of us. Her guilty pleasure is keeping up with gossip blogs. She has OCD. Has a profile on multiple social media profiles. Lost her mom to cancer, and loves her dad and brother more than anything in the world. She has a good group of friends. She can be a bit awkward and shy but lets loose with a little bit of liquid courage. Jane is just a normal person.
If you are triggered by stories involving sexual assault, this may not be for you. We follow Jane through it all. The moment of getting raped, and the aftermath. We dive deep into all of her feelings - the guilt, the shame, the pain. The courage it takes to admit what happened. To deal with it all. To learn how to move on. To find a way to move on.
You get to see what victims of sexual assault feel, and what they go through. Open your mind and be ready to understand and learn.
I would recommend it to all those who want to maybe read something out of their norm. To get a glimpse into real life and how that life may look like for someone who has gone through something as horrible as sexual assault.
Jane gets a job opportunity of a lifetime, in the city of all cities, New York. But what happens when you're faced to work on an everyday basis with the man who has raped you?
We follow Jane, just an ordinary woman, like any one of us. Her guilty pleasure is keeping up with gossip blogs. She has OCD. Has a profile on multiple social media profiles. Lost her mom to cancer, and loves her dad and brother more than anything in the world. She has a good group of friends. She can be a bit awkward and shy but lets loose with a little bit of liquid courage. Jane is just a normal person.
If you are triggered by stories involving sexual assault, this may not be for you. We follow Jane through it all. The moment of getting raped, and the aftermath. We dive deep into all of her feelings - the guilt, the shame, the pain. The courage it takes to admit what happened. To deal with it all. To learn how to move on. To find a way to move on.
You get to see what victims of sexual assault feel, and what they go through. Open your mind and be ready to understand and learn.
I would recommend it to all those who want to maybe read something out of their norm. To get a glimpse into real life and how that life may look like for someone who has gone through something as horrible as sexual assault.
December 5, 2020
I want to start this review by saying that this book has sexual assault as a trigger warning. I heavily opposed everything that involves any violence towards anyone, especially women, seniors, and children, and I hate those in power who chose to use that power to harm others.
This book was written beautifully; it shows a story that people makes wrong decisions at times that placed them with situations that hurt them, it also shows all the emotional and mental hardships that comes after going through a traumatic experience and also tells the journey towards moving on, fighting back, and getting yourself back up. The author gave us a strong, admirable, and inspirational character in Jane. This is an extraordinary story that brought me to tears so many times. I am fuming against the assaulter like I am cursing him and wish I can hang him upside down while people throw rocks at him! (okay, that’s violent too, but ugh!). Anyway, this book is enormously powerful, impactful, tear-jerking, and enthralling. I highly recommend this not only for women but also for all readers to further educate yourself on how demoralizing sexual assault is and learn to empathize with the victims and lift them up.
This book was written beautifully; it shows a story that people makes wrong decisions at times that placed them with situations that hurt them, it also shows all the emotional and mental hardships that comes after going through a traumatic experience and also tells the journey towards moving on, fighting back, and getting yourself back up. The author gave us a strong, admirable, and inspirational character in Jane. This is an extraordinary story that brought me to tears so many times. I am fuming against the assaulter like I am cursing him and wish I can hang him upside down while people throw rocks at him! (okay, that’s violent too, but ugh!). Anyway, this book is enormously powerful, impactful, tear-jerking, and enthralling. I highly recommend this not only for women but also for all readers to further educate yourself on how demoralizing sexual assault is and learn to empathize with the victims and lift them up.
September 18, 2020
A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is not my usual genre, however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.
This is not my usual genre, however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.
September 21, 2020
The words flow immediately unleashing pain from personal secrets, it’s only at the end of this brave novel that one becomes fully aware of the deepest physical and emotional effects that result from terrifying violence against women and regrettable decisions we make.
The character Jane takes the lead by offering the reader a spectator of her story that only a deeply personal connected writer can provide. The author…delivers drama, personal growth, and her roadmap for recovery.
She is driven not by anger but by compassion and the desire to offer encouragement and guidance to others that experienced similar pain.
The character Jane takes the lead by offering the reader a spectator of her story that only a deeply personal connected writer can provide. The author…delivers drama, personal growth, and her roadmap for recovery.
She is driven not by anger but by compassion and the desire to offer encouragement and guidance to others that experienced similar pain.
September 13, 2020
It's a great read, even though it's not always an easy-to-swallow topic. Very well done for a debut. I'm curious how the series will be continued.
November 22, 2020
Thank you to Storygram Book Tours and Jennifer Valenti with this gifted copy to review this book. All opinions are my own.
“You can choose to be a victim, or you can find a path to becoming a victor. Either way, you wake up with yourself. So which one is it going to be?”
Jane was given an amazing opportunity to interview for a cutting edge starter-up company in NYC.
This company was was on the verge of many breakthroughs of finding possible connections to help save breast cancer patients. Interviews went great all day and the boss invited her to their company holiday party that night. Things didn’t end well that night and Jane was raped by the boss.
This book took me completely by surprise! I was expecting the same Fierce female lead you come to expect to read when being dealt with something so real and hopeless.
Nope, Jennifer Valenti wrote something that was completely REAL and happens way too often in corporate America about how REAL woman handle being raped. Jane, actually accepted the position and kept her mouth closed regarding the rape! This happens daily to woman and it has happened to me personally. It’s not about a fierce woman, it’s about what we as real woman do in these situations!!
As Jane continues working, it shows how we as woman handle these encounters with their rapist Boss. This book, shows how corporations try to cover-up these “disagreements” in terms of rape. But most importantly it brings you on complete emotional ride as Jane once weak finally becomes fierce after a second encounter.
Jennifer Valenti hit a home-run with this debut novel as it portrays what is happening to woman all over every day in the working field. This is a must read!!
“You can choose to be a victim, or you can find a path to becoming a victor. Either way, you wake up with yourself. So which one is it going to be?”
Jane was given an amazing opportunity to interview for a cutting edge starter-up company in NYC.
This company was was on the verge of many breakthroughs of finding possible connections to help save breast cancer patients. Interviews went great all day and the boss invited her to their company holiday party that night. Things didn’t end well that night and Jane was raped by the boss.
This book took me completely by surprise! I was expecting the same Fierce female lead you come to expect to read when being dealt with something so real and hopeless.
Nope, Jennifer Valenti wrote something that was completely REAL and happens way too often in corporate America about how REAL woman handle being raped. Jane, actually accepted the position and kept her mouth closed regarding the rape! This happens daily to woman and it has happened to me personally. It’s not about a fierce woman, it’s about what we as real woman do in these situations!!
As Jane continues working, it shows how we as woman handle these encounters with their rapist Boss. This book, shows how corporations try to cover-up these “disagreements” in terms of rape. But most importantly it brings you on complete emotional ride as Jane once weak finally becomes fierce after a second encounter.
Jennifer Valenti hit a home-run with this debut novel as it portrays what is happening to woman all over every day in the working field. This is a must read!!
December 7, 2020
TW: Sexual assault and PTSD.
I was given a free advanced reader copy (e-ARC) of Jennifer Valenti's book The Maverick by Mindbuck Media in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both Jennifer and Mindbuck Media for this opportunity.
Set in modern day, The Maverick follows Jane Valiante's journey at her dream job in New York. After spending years caring for her father and brother after her mother died, Jane was close to giving up on her dreams. But when her dream role in a world-renowned tech company came up, she jumped at the opportunity.
After the interview, the CEO and Founder of the company Peter Wright invites her to the staff party. Seizing the opportunity to make an impression and meet her potentially future colleagues, she accepts. Yet, when a kind-hearted gesture towards Peter goes misunderstood, she finds herself victim to a brutal sexual assault. Conflicted between taking on her dream position, or staying within the comforts of home, Jane has a life-changing decision to make.
It can't go without mentioning that this book does include a brutal sexual assault / rape. It is descriptive and quite graphic, and explores both the short and long-term after affects. Jennifer reveals at the beginning of the book that it's based on her own experiences, so this book is clearly close to heart and provides an honest portrayal.
I liked Jennifer's way of introducing her characters, immediately portraying Jane as an independent woman who didn't allow stereotypes nor prejudices to affect her. Written in first person, it gave us an honest insight into Jane's thoughts and feelings, enabling the reader to easily connect with her. There's also a wonderful chemistry between Jane and her friend Carmen; I really liked how the two interacted and supported one another.
I enjoyed Jennifer's unique writing style, particularly how she focused on specific events. While some authors would breeze over everyday tasks, Jennifer took the reader on a journey so we could embrace Jane's experiences with her. For example, when Jane is working through tasks on her computer, Jennifer slowly takes us through each one in detail. This allowed the reader to experience that journey with her, and I appreciate these little touches that really help to bring the character to life. I also enjoyed reading about the 'Hackathon', which was an event where two teams compete against one other in rounds to achieve an ultimate goal. This really highlighted each character's strengths and personality, and their true colours shone through.
There's not too much that I can mention about the plot without revealing all of the twists and surprises! So you'll just have to give this one a go for yourself! I was gripped and engaged with the story throughout. There's so many different themes radiating throughout this book, including trauma and loss, strength and ambition yet largely the importance of friends and family.
This book went above and beyond my expectations, I didn't expect to read such an inspiring, heart-warming and empowering story of a strong, independent woman fighting the wrongs of the world. I also liked how this book concluded, and was delighted to hear that this is only the beginning! This book is the first of The Jane Valiante Series so there's more on the way!
Overall, I'd rate this book five out of five stars. A truly empowering story, with a strong focus on strength through adversity. As mentioned above, there are some elements of this book that some readers may find triggering or uncomfortable to read, i.e. sexual assault and PTSD.
Thank you again to the author Jennifer Valenti and Mindbuck Media for this wonderful opportunity.
Read more of my reviews at: Love and Literature
I was given a free advanced reader copy (e-ARC) of Jennifer Valenti's book The Maverick by Mindbuck Media in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to both Jennifer and Mindbuck Media for this opportunity.
Set in modern day, The Maverick follows Jane Valiante's journey at her dream job in New York. After spending years caring for her father and brother after her mother died, Jane was close to giving up on her dreams. But when her dream role in a world-renowned tech company came up, she jumped at the opportunity.
After the interview, the CEO and Founder of the company Peter Wright invites her to the staff party. Seizing the opportunity to make an impression and meet her potentially future colleagues, she accepts. Yet, when a kind-hearted gesture towards Peter goes misunderstood, she finds herself victim to a brutal sexual assault. Conflicted between taking on her dream position, or staying within the comforts of home, Jane has a life-changing decision to make.
It can't go without mentioning that this book does include a brutal sexual assault / rape. It is descriptive and quite graphic, and explores both the short and long-term after affects. Jennifer reveals at the beginning of the book that it's based on her own experiences, so this book is clearly close to heart and provides an honest portrayal.
I liked Jennifer's way of introducing her characters, immediately portraying Jane as an independent woman who didn't allow stereotypes nor prejudices to affect her. Written in first person, it gave us an honest insight into Jane's thoughts and feelings, enabling the reader to easily connect with her. There's also a wonderful chemistry between Jane and her friend Carmen; I really liked how the two interacted and supported one another.
I enjoyed Jennifer's unique writing style, particularly how she focused on specific events. While some authors would breeze over everyday tasks, Jennifer took the reader on a journey so we could embrace Jane's experiences with her. For example, when Jane is working through tasks on her computer, Jennifer slowly takes us through each one in detail. This allowed the reader to experience that journey with her, and I appreciate these little touches that really help to bring the character to life. I also enjoyed reading about the 'Hackathon', which was an event where two teams compete against one other in rounds to achieve an ultimate goal. This really highlighted each character's strengths and personality, and their true colours shone through.
There's not too much that I can mention about the plot without revealing all of the twists and surprises! So you'll just have to give this one a go for yourself! I was gripped and engaged with the story throughout. There's so many different themes radiating throughout this book, including trauma and loss, strength and ambition yet largely the importance of friends and family.
This book went above and beyond my expectations, I didn't expect to read such an inspiring, heart-warming and empowering story of a strong, independent woman fighting the wrongs of the world. I also liked how this book concluded, and was delighted to hear that this is only the beginning! This book is the first of The Jane Valiante Series so there's more on the way!
Overall, I'd rate this book five out of five stars. A truly empowering story, with a strong focus on strength through adversity. As mentioned above, there are some elements of this book that some readers may find triggering or uncomfortable to read, i.e. sexual assault and PTSD.
Thank you again to the author Jennifer Valenti and Mindbuck Media for this wonderful opportunity.
Read more of my reviews at: Love and Literature
December 6, 2020
Maverick: an unorthodox or independent-minded person; a person to takes a stand against others; a rebel.
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect with this read, you hear Maverick and I immediately think of Top Gun. Maverick wasn’t always a team player and it sometimes hurt others. Sometimes it looked selfish BUT, it comes down to doing what’s right. Standing up for something that is very wrong and making people pay, is sometimes the only way to get people to see past their rose colored glasses. In the case of this book, to get selfish, narcissistic men to pay for thinking they can do whatever they please with no consequences.
This story is reminiscent of Jen’s life. *Jane has put so much of her life on hold to help out her father and brother after her Moms passing. After a surprising interview offer from a huge tech company comes her way, she’s floored and takes her time to prepare for the interview. After an all day interview with different people in the company, the CEO and founder, Peter invites her to their holiday party. After enjoying herself with complimentary champagne, it’s revealed that Peter doesn’t want to take the two hour train home. Jane tells him she has an extra bed in her hotel room, after all the company did pay for it, so she extends the offer. Never expecting or wanting anything more than that, the night turns into a nightmare and Peter violently rapes her. Then offers her a job the following week, she’s torn because the company is doing some really great work for cancer research but, how will this work? She decides to go for it, living in New York is what she’s wanted for a long time anyways. All good things must come to an end, or so they say…
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cheered on Jane. It was hard to read with the sexual assault details, but real life is like that. Something you can’t turn away from, details you can’t hide your eyes or ears from. Jane’s courageousness is purely amazing!
This book will be available next week so do yourselves a favor and PREORDER it!! I promise you won’t regret reading this.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And a huge thanks to the author, Jen and Kate with Kate Rock Book Tours. Beyond grateful to read amazing works of art!
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect with this read, you hear Maverick and I immediately think of Top Gun. Maverick wasn’t always a team player and it sometimes hurt others. Sometimes it looked selfish BUT, it comes down to doing what’s right. Standing up for something that is very wrong and making people pay, is sometimes the only way to get people to see past their rose colored glasses. In the case of this book, to get selfish, narcissistic men to pay for thinking they can do whatever they please with no consequences.
This story is reminiscent of Jen’s life. *Jane has put so much of her life on hold to help out her father and brother after her Moms passing. After a surprising interview offer from a huge tech company comes her way, she’s floored and takes her time to prepare for the interview. After an all day interview with different people in the company, the CEO and founder, Peter invites her to their holiday party. After enjoying herself with complimentary champagne, it’s revealed that Peter doesn’t want to take the two hour train home. Jane tells him she has an extra bed in her hotel room, after all the company did pay for it, so she extends the offer. Never expecting or wanting anything more than that, the night turns into a nightmare and Peter violently rapes her. Then offers her a job the following week, she’s torn because the company is doing some really great work for cancer research but, how will this work? She decides to go for it, living in New York is what she’s wanted for a long time anyways. All good things must come to an end, or so they say…
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cheered on Jane. It was hard to read with the sexual assault details, but real life is like that. Something you can’t turn away from, details you can’t hide your eyes or ears from. Jane’s courageousness is purely amazing!
This book will be available next week so do yourselves a favor and PREORDER it!! I promise you won’t regret reading this.
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And a huge thanks to the author, Jen and Kate with Kate Rock Book Tours. Beyond grateful to read amazing works of art!
December 7, 2020
A timely novel set against the backdrop of assault (both sexual and mental) in the modern day tech community.
A much needed trigger warning is front and centre at the start of the book. Being a male reader who has never been sexually assaulted it was easy to blow by this warning but given the fantastic writing I found myself thinking back to that warning upon my completion of the book and being more appreciative that it was there.
Jane is like many young people today: burdened with student debt, dealing with aging parents, feeling pressure to become “something”. She is given the opportunity to interview for a job at a company she admires in New York City that is run by men she considers to be somewhat inspirational. After a day full of interviews, she is invited to a party the company is throwing that night. Seeing an opportunity to further ingratiate herself, she gladly accepts the invite. After a boozy night for all concerned, an assault occurs and the emotional rollercoaster of The Maverick takes off and barely lets go.
Not only is this novel well written and engrossing, to me it was educational. Yes I have friends who have been sexually assaulted but I’ve never had the nerve to really pry into their thought process after something so raw. The Maverick has given me the opportunity to learn and understand through a likeable main character and the right amount of supporting cast, all of whom with distinctive background stories.
Jane’s story, handled with equal parts heartbreak and humour, will stick with me. Admittedly parts of the book slowed for me when it dove a little too deep into the technical aspects of her job, but that may not be the same for others as it allows a peek behind the curtain of what happens during a hackathon. Also, being so enamoured with her, I felt the ending came up quick compared to the tempo of the rest of the novel. That said, it was handled well and features a cool little twist.
A great read and, dare I say, a good one for any male looking to do a dive into an assault victims psyche for a better understanding of what a friend, co-worker, or relation is fighting through.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Broken Arrow Books for supplying a copy of this work for review.
A much needed trigger warning is front and centre at the start of the book. Being a male reader who has never been sexually assaulted it was easy to blow by this warning but given the fantastic writing I found myself thinking back to that warning upon my completion of the book and being more appreciative that it was there.
Jane is like many young people today: burdened with student debt, dealing with aging parents, feeling pressure to become “something”. She is given the opportunity to interview for a job at a company she admires in New York City that is run by men she considers to be somewhat inspirational. After a day full of interviews, she is invited to a party the company is throwing that night. Seeing an opportunity to further ingratiate herself, she gladly accepts the invite. After a boozy night for all concerned, an assault occurs and the emotional rollercoaster of The Maverick takes off and barely lets go.
Not only is this novel well written and engrossing, to me it was educational. Yes I have friends who have been sexually assaulted but I’ve never had the nerve to really pry into their thought process after something so raw. The Maverick has given me the opportunity to learn and understand through a likeable main character and the right amount of supporting cast, all of whom with distinctive background stories.
Jane’s story, handled with equal parts heartbreak and humour, will stick with me. Admittedly parts of the book slowed for me when it dove a little too deep into the technical aspects of her job, but that may not be the same for others as it allows a peek behind the curtain of what happens during a hackathon. Also, being so enamoured with her, I felt the ending came up quick compared to the tempo of the rest of the novel. That said, it was handled well and features a cool little twist.
A great read and, dare I say, a good one for any male looking to do a dive into an assault victims psyche for a better understanding of what a friend, co-worker, or relation is fighting through.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Broken Arrow Books for supplying a copy of this work for review.
December 9, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honorable review.
It all started with the interview. Up for a big interview at her dream start-up company, Jane Valiante is beyond excited for the interview, and when it goes well and she is invited to the holiday party, Jane feels like the she's got in the bag. Then, the unthinkable happens, and Jane is raped by the boss of the company. Ashamed and hurt, Jane is unsure how to deal with her emotions and the pain she is reeling from. In Jennifer Valenti's The Maverick, follow Jane's painful journey through her acceptance of her sexual assault and the justice she seeks.
I don't know my exact thought process when first deciding to read this ARC. Maybe I thought it was interesting. Maybe I thought it was tragic and painful. What I thought, I'm not exactly sure, but after completing The Maverick, I can safely say that it's definitely not what I expected it to be. I was very shocked when, in the second chapter, Jane describes the rape in stark detail. In reading it, I instantly felt the pain she felt. I was angry with Peter, and I wanted him to pay. What I didn't understand was Jane's coping mechanism afterwards. Having a friend who has been raped, I know everybody's coping is different, but I couldn't understand why Jane decided to go and work for Peter's company. I mean, personally, I feel like I'm might not want to go work for my assaulter's company, but I honestly have no idea how I would react. I am glad that Jane did eventually decide to receive help. I gave me some peace of mind.
Reflecting back on the novel, I have to give The Maverick three out of five stars. Primarily, I disliked reading about Jane's work and the data sets she had work out. I wasn't interested in reading about the data sets in detail, and a large portion of the novel was about Jane's job in detail. I feel like I needed more about Jane and her struggle and less of Jane and her job. I do recognize that Jane's job is important to the story, but it was just in too much detail for me. Other than that, I really liked the novel, no matter how skirmish it made me feel. A three out of five stars read.
It all started with the interview. Up for a big interview at her dream start-up company, Jane Valiante is beyond excited for the interview, and when it goes well and she is invited to the holiday party, Jane feels like the she's got in the bag. Then, the unthinkable happens, and Jane is raped by the boss of the company. Ashamed and hurt, Jane is unsure how to deal with her emotions and the pain she is reeling from. In Jennifer Valenti's The Maverick, follow Jane's painful journey through her acceptance of her sexual assault and the justice she seeks.
I don't know my exact thought process when first deciding to read this ARC. Maybe I thought it was interesting. Maybe I thought it was tragic and painful. What I thought, I'm not exactly sure, but after completing The Maverick, I can safely say that it's definitely not what I expected it to be. I was very shocked when, in the second chapter, Jane describes the rape in stark detail. In reading it, I instantly felt the pain she felt. I was angry with Peter, and I wanted him to pay. What I didn't understand was Jane's coping mechanism afterwards. Having a friend who has been raped, I know everybody's coping is different, but I couldn't understand why Jane decided to go and work for Peter's company. I mean, personally, I feel like I'm might not want to go work for my assaulter's company, but I honestly have no idea how I would react. I am glad that Jane did eventually decide to receive help. I gave me some peace of mind.
Reflecting back on the novel, I have to give The Maverick three out of five stars. Primarily, I disliked reading about Jane's work and the data sets she had work out. I wasn't interested in reading about the data sets in detail, and a large portion of the novel was about Jane's job in detail. I feel like I needed more about Jane and her struggle and less of Jane and her job. I do recognize that Jane's job is important to the story, but it was just in too much detail for me. Other than that, I really liked the novel, no matter how skirmish it made me feel. A three out of five stars read.
March 16, 2024
Imagine being in your 20's and having the world in your hands. Planning a future, a career, a life. Coming to NY for a job interview in a company so posh, so trendy, with not only its employees and work environment looking like in the movies, but with its mission to change the world developing a cutting edge algorithm for discovery of breast cancer. Sounds like a dream, right? ⠀
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That is what happened to Jane, the main protagonist of this novel. Excelling at the job interview and being invited to a company party was almost a promise of a new life. Until her future boss raped her. And then a job offer came through.⠀
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I loved the way the author led us through the train of thoughts of the main character. She was offered the opportunity of her life, but at what cost? Neglecting herself, her feelings, her entire being in exchange of a better life, not only for herself but also of a milion women in the world. At moments there was a bit too much of technical data that I had to read slow to be sure that I understand, but as a whole I really did enjoy this story. All the characters were well done and the plot was interesting. I could totally imagine the busy work environment, with the long hours, hackathons and challenges for employees and a rough reality of a business world of today. ⠀
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Sexual assault at work is something so many women experience at least once in their lifetime. It only takes few words to make an impact, let alone something worse. Just a few words to feel insecure, unworthy, hurt. Just a few looks or a wandering hand to make you feel incomfortable, incompetent, scared. The author confessed into going through it herself and I can say that she really portayed all the emotions perfectly. She showed the insecurities, fears, deep sadness, anger and in the end a genuine strength to stand up for herself and all the women experiencing the same. ⠀
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This is the first book in the series that focuses on telling women's stories, and I just cant wait to read the next one! ⠀
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A special thnx to @JenValenti and @katerockbooktours for providing me an ARC of this book. ⠀
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That is what happened to Jane, the main protagonist of this novel. Excelling at the job interview and being invited to a company party was almost a promise of a new life. Until her future boss raped her. And then a job offer came through.⠀
⠀
I loved the way the author led us through the train of thoughts of the main character. She was offered the opportunity of her life, but at what cost? Neglecting herself, her feelings, her entire being in exchange of a better life, not only for herself but also of a milion women in the world. At moments there was a bit too much of technical data that I had to read slow to be sure that I understand, but as a whole I really did enjoy this story. All the characters were well done and the plot was interesting. I could totally imagine the busy work environment, with the long hours, hackathons and challenges for employees and a rough reality of a business world of today. ⠀
⠀
Sexual assault at work is something so many women experience at least once in their lifetime. It only takes few words to make an impact, let alone something worse. Just a few words to feel insecure, unworthy, hurt. Just a few looks or a wandering hand to make you feel incomfortable, incompetent, scared. The author confessed into going through it herself and I can say that she really portayed all the emotions perfectly. She showed the insecurities, fears, deep sadness, anger and in the end a genuine strength to stand up for herself and all the women experiencing the same. ⠀
⠀
This is the first book in the series that focuses on telling women's stories, and I just cant wait to read the next one! ⠀
⠀
A special thnx to @JenValenti and @katerockbooktours for providing me an ARC of this book. ⠀
December 3, 2020
I would firstly like to thank Kristen from Mindbuck Media for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I also applaud the bravery and courage it has taken for Jennifer Valenti to share her story with the world whilst this is a work of fiction it is based on her own personal experiences.
Valenti throws us straight in with a brutal sexual assault that was tough to read. What follows is Jane’s emotional journey to stay a victim or become a victor. This isn’t a classic rape to trial story. Instead Valenti shows a completely different side and perhaps a path that some wouldn’t understand. I know I questioned Jane’s actions at certain points but came to realise that it was obviously her way of working through her trauma.
I admired Jane and the love she had for her dad and brother. The motherly role she took on and how she always thought how her decisions would affect others around her was as far from selfish as you could possibly get. I also disliked her for the choices she was making. I wanted to cuddle her, scream at her, kill for her, all at the same time! However Jane’s most admirable quality was her ability to admit her mistakes. Jane clearly couldn’t understand why she was taking certain actions and making questionable choices at times but she could admit that she was lost and it was this candid nature that made her so relatable.
Whilst some of the technical aspects went over my head I did enjoy learning about her job at Imagiene and thought the hackathon was particularly entertaining. I could understand why working for a company like that was so important to Jane and had it not been for the fact that the entire workplace was toxic I think she could of been very happy there.
For me this book was a refreshingly honest read that will shock many of its readers, it is clear that Valenti has poured her heart and soul into the pages of this book. I’m intrigued to see where the next book leads and can not wait to see what adventures Jane, Carmen and Erin get up to.
Congratulations once again Jennifer, you’ve written a cracking debut!
Valenti throws us straight in with a brutal sexual assault that was tough to read. What follows is Jane’s emotional journey to stay a victim or become a victor. This isn’t a classic rape to trial story. Instead Valenti shows a completely different side and perhaps a path that some wouldn’t understand. I know I questioned Jane’s actions at certain points but came to realise that it was obviously her way of working through her trauma.
I admired Jane and the love she had for her dad and brother. The motherly role she took on and how she always thought how her decisions would affect others around her was as far from selfish as you could possibly get. I also disliked her for the choices she was making. I wanted to cuddle her, scream at her, kill for her, all at the same time! However Jane’s most admirable quality was her ability to admit her mistakes. Jane clearly couldn’t understand why she was taking certain actions and making questionable choices at times but she could admit that she was lost and it was this candid nature that made her so relatable.
Whilst some of the technical aspects went over my head I did enjoy learning about her job at Imagiene and thought the hackathon was particularly entertaining. I could understand why working for a company like that was so important to Jane and had it not been for the fact that the entire workplace was toxic I think she could of been very happy there.
For me this book was a refreshingly honest read that will shock many of its readers, it is clear that Valenti has poured her heart and soul into the pages of this book. I’m intrigued to see where the next book leads and can not wait to see what adventures Jane, Carmen and Erin get up to.
Congratulations once again Jennifer, you’ve written a cracking debut!
October 31, 2020
A brutal sexual assault by her employer leads to one woman's unexpected journey to shape a generation. The Jane Valiante Series, beginning with The Maverick, examines the modern challenges women still face as they make their way through the post-Me-Too era.
Firstly congrats to Jen on a brilliant debut novel. For using her own experience with sexual assault to write such a great book.
I find it hard to say I liked this book as it's a tough one to read being about sexual assault. Janes assault happens early on in the book and the rest of the book is based around that. The assault is itself hard to read. I was upset reading it and just wanted to give jane a big hug. How jane feels she needs to keep the assault to herself is heartbreaking. The fact the author is a victim of sexual assault upset me reading about Janes attack. Although this book is fiction, the feeling and emotions are clearly real.
I really liked Jane. Although I didnt always agree with her decisions I did accept them to an extent as she was struggling with trauma from the attack. I loved how strong she was and very likeable. Even Going through such a tough time she was always thinking of how it was going to effect others be it friends, family or fellow work colleagues. I just loved her friendship with Carmen. It was so special and they are both so lucky to have each other.
Imagiene sounded like such a toxic place to work. It had the most intelligent people working there trying to make a difference but controlled by nasty management.
Overall I really enjoyed the book. There was good flow and kept me engaged throughout. It does come with trigger warning: rape, sexual trauma. It is descriptive without being to graphic.
I'm so happy I got to be part of this book tour. Thanks Love Tours and Jen for my ARC copy and amazing extras that came with it. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series
Firstly congrats to Jen on a brilliant debut novel. For using her own experience with sexual assault to write such a great book.
I find it hard to say I liked this book as it's a tough one to read being about sexual assault. Janes assault happens early on in the book and the rest of the book is based around that. The assault is itself hard to read. I was upset reading it and just wanted to give jane a big hug. How jane feels she needs to keep the assault to herself is heartbreaking. The fact the author is a victim of sexual assault upset me reading about Janes attack. Although this book is fiction, the feeling and emotions are clearly real.
I really liked Jane. Although I didnt always agree with her decisions I did accept them to an extent as she was struggling with trauma from the attack. I loved how strong she was and very likeable. Even Going through such a tough time she was always thinking of how it was going to effect others be it friends, family or fellow work colleagues. I just loved her friendship with Carmen. It was so special and they are both so lucky to have each other.
Imagiene sounded like such a toxic place to work. It had the most intelligent people working there trying to make a difference but controlled by nasty management.
Overall I really enjoyed the book. There was good flow and kept me engaged throughout. It does come with trigger warning: rape, sexual trauma. It is descriptive without being to graphic.
I'm so happy I got to be part of this book tour. Thanks Love Tours and Jen for my ARC copy and amazing extras that came with it. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series
December 8, 2020
Even though the subject matter is a difficult one for many women, the author managed to create a sense of empowerment within. After reading The Maverick, I felt like I would be able to take on any injustice thrown my way with triumph, making this an inspiring read for all women.
Knowing this book is based on the author's personal experience, as the trigger warning at the beginning of the book states, you immediately become invested in her roller coaster of thoughts, emotions, and inner dialogue making this book hard to put down. The author's descriptive throughout pulls the reader into the main character's (Jane) world, at times immersing the reader into Jane's character as though you have been transported into a virtual reality, where you become one with Jane.
The experience of this story was so realistic that I could actually feel my facial expressions changing with every word as though Jane were sitting next to me with a glass of wine telling her story. I felt at home with her thought process, reasoning, and sometimes hard choices as I put myself in Jane's shoes, trying to overcome the struggles of her sexual assault while living in a man's world.
The idea of a woman thrown into such a complicated situation, launched with doubts and insecurities from the beginning, really had me eager to turn each page to see what comes next for Jane. As this scenario plays out, I was excited to see Jane able to turn the table by emerging as a larger than life, confident, and strong individual who is ready to take on the big boys, by no longer following the rules.
The Maverick sends a powerful message that is sure to motivate and encourage women to stand strong as we navigate through the murky waters of today's culture during the "Me Too" movement. The Maverick is a must-read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Knowing this book is based on the author's personal experience, as the trigger warning at the beginning of the book states, you immediately become invested in her roller coaster of thoughts, emotions, and inner dialogue making this book hard to put down. The author's descriptive throughout pulls the reader into the main character's (Jane) world, at times immersing the reader into Jane's character as though you have been transported into a virtual reality, where you become one with Jane.
The experience of this story was so realistic that I could actually feel my facial expressions changing with every word as though Jane were sitting next to me with a glass of wine telling her story. I felt at home with her thought process, reasoning, and sometimes hard choices as I put myself in Jane's shoes, trying to overcome the struggles of her sexual assault while living in a man's world.
The idea of a woman thrown into such a complicated situation, launched with doubts and insecurities from the beginning, really had me eager to turn each page to see what comes next for Jane. As this scenario plays out, I was excited to see Jane able to turn the table by emerging as a larger than life, confident, and strong individual who is ready to take on the big boys, by no longer following the rules.
The Maverick sends a powerful message that is sure to motivate and encourage women to stand strong as we navigate through the murky waters of today's culture during the "Me Too" movement. The Maverick is a must-read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
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