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The Receptionist
Murder, money, and ambition fuel a fiery love triangle in this darkly comic and deeply disturbing thriller of rage, manipulation, and revenge.
On the eve of her wedding, Emily, a top Hollywood agent, is devastated to learn that her CEO fiancé is a serial cheater. Refusing to follow her instincts, she goes ahead with the marriage in order to preserve her hard-earned membership in the one percent. A master maneuverer, Emily is confident that she can outsmart her husband, clean up his messes, while enjoying the fabulous fruits of high-powered coupledom.
When her husband embarks on an audacious affair with his volatile young receptionist, Emily’s savvy is put to the test. His reckless decisions set off a chain of shocking scandals, plunging Emily into a cat-and-mouse fight for survival. Someone will die. Someone will kill. The question is, who will be left standing?
On the eve of her wedding, Emily, a top Hollywood agent, is devastated to learn that her CEO fiancé is a serial cheater. Refusing to follow her instincts, she goes ahead with the marriage in order to preserve her hard-earned membership in the one percent. A master maneuverer, Emily is confident that she can outsmart her husband, clean up his messes, while enjoying the fabulous fruits of high-powered coupledom.
When her husband embarks on an audacious affair with his volatile young receptionist, Emily’s savvy is put to the test. His reckless decisions set off a chain of shocking scandals, plunging Emily into a cat-and-mouse fight for survival. Someone will die. Someone will kill. The question is, who will be left standing?
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2021
3246 people are currently reading
4800 people want to read
About the author
Kate Myles
1 book68 followersKate Myles has worked as television producer for a variety of networks, including Discovery, OWN and the Food Network. Before her producing career, she was an actor and comedian, enjoying a two-year stint as a host of the Travel Channel series, Not Your Average Travel Guide, among other adventures. Her short fiction has appeared in Quarterly West, Necessary Fiction, and Storm Cellar Quarterly. The Receptionist is her first novel. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 420 reviews
August 1, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
YASSS!! After a slight reading slump, I am happily surprised to find a winner with this saucy gem!
Emily is a very powerful talent agent. She’s a BOSS and she is in charge, except when it comes to her relationship with her douchebag husband, Doug. He’s a cheater and a liar, and manipulates her time and time again. Yet, she stays with him. They are a powerful couple who make loads of money.
Emily finds out that Doug is having intimate relations with his receptionist, Chloe. After Emily finds out she’s pregnant, she decides that enough is enough...and plans to end up on top after the dumpster fire that is her life is extinguished. Unfortunately for her, Chloe is unhinged...Seriously damaged and deranged.
Place your bet on who will be victorious in the end.
I’m not going to lie...I thought this would be a standard thriller. It’s so much more than that. In a familiar trope, the characters and situations they go through are complex and mostly original. This is in thanks to author Kate Myles and her remarkable writing style. The tension builds evenly and with much welcomed snark (I’m a sucker for snark).
BOTTOM LINE: Although it’s not necessarily groundbreaking, I was hooked like an ornament. I read it in one day. I planned to take a break and nap. Didn’t happen. I planned to stop and watch a movie I’d been eager to see. Didn’t happen. I couldn’t stop reading this book until the last page. It’s juicy and delicious...addicting and darkly fun.
4.5 stars rounded up. Expected publication date: 8/1/2021.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
YASSS!! After a slight reading slump, I am happily surprised to find a winner with this saucy gem!
Emily is a very powerful talent agent. She’s a BOSS and she is in charge, except when it comes to her relationship with her douchebag husband, Doug. He’s a cheater and a liar, and manipulates her time and time again. Yet, she stays with him. They are a powerful couple who make loads of money.
Emily finds out that Doug is having intimate relations with his receptionist, Chloe. After Emily finds out she’s pregnant, she decides that enough is enough...and plans to end up on top after the dumpster fire that is her life is extinguished. Unfortunately for her, Chloe is unhinged...Seriously damaged and deranged.
Place your bet on who will be victorious in the end.
I’m not going to lie...I thought this would be a standard thriller. It’s so much more than that. In a familiar trope, the characters and situations they go through are complex and mostly original. This is in thanks to author Kate Myles and her remarkable writing style. The tension builds evenly and with much welcomed snark (I’m a sucker for snark).
BOTTOM LINE: Although it’s not necessarily groundbreaking, I was hooked like an ornament. I read it in one day. I planned to take a break and nap. Didn’t happen. I planned to stop and watch a movie I’d been eager to see. Didn’t happen. I couldn’t stop reading this book until the last page. It’s juicy and delicious...addicting and darkly fun.
4.5 stars rounded up. Expected publication date: 8/1/2021.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
May 8, 2021
Every book needs an Outlier-and I guess it’s my turn!
This was a 5 ⭐️ for a couple of my GR friends who often share my taste! Sadly for me, it was just a 3⭐️ read.
The book opens ominously-with a prologue informing us of a crime scene that has been razed.
But, destroying it couldn’t stop an eleven year old from discovering what had once happened at the former 19472 Pacific Coast Highway address.
Off to a strong start.
We are then introduced to our three despicable characters-Power couple Emily and Doug, and his latest Mistress, Chloe.
Emily’s chapters are told in the first person POV-the strength of author, Kate Myles.
We are told about what Doug and Chloe are doing and thinking in a very detached third person POV.
(He did this and he felt that) I would have preferred each character to have been written in the first person.
Emily is top talent agent, a “ hyper polished mean girl” all grown up-with a soft spot for dogs! (which I loved) She tolerates Doug, because she enjoys their 1% lifestyle.
Doug runs his own Market Research firm and he is the kind of man that every woman seems to notice.
And, let’s just say that he notices them back.
And, Chloe, is a beautiful, but naive girl who does “on site performance art” and thinks she will find success with that, and with Doug, though she knows he is married and that she isn’t the first he has strayed with.
She confuses a gift of a Prada blouse, and his desire to “have her” in Public places for true love.
I found the Corporate shenanigans, the “performance art” and the frequent sex scenes, between Doug and Chloe, BORING.
This entire middle section of the book lacked the THRILLS I was expecting, especially after the JUICY opening scene where Chloe arrives for an interview with Emily at her talent agency!
Eventually the book circles back around to THRILLER territory in the final 25%, with a SATISFYING conclusion, but the middle is going to keep this one in the 3 ⭐️ range for me!
Still, I would be interested to see what the author comes up with next..
Thank You to Thomas & Mercer for the gifted copy! It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!
Available August 1, 2021.
This was a 5 ⭐️ for a couple of my GR friends who often share my taste! Sadly for me, it was just a 3⭐️ read.
The book opens ominously-with a prologue informing us of a crime scene that has been razed.
But, destroying it couldn’t stop an eleven year old from discovering what had once happened at the former 19472 Pacific Coast Highway address.
Off to a strong start.
We are then introduced to our three despicable characters-Power couple Emily and Doug, and his latest Mistress, Chloe.
Emily’s chapters are told in the first person POV-the strength of author, Kate Myles.
We are told about what Doug and Chloe are doing and thinking in a very detached third person POV.
(He did this and he felt that) I would have preferred each character to have been written in the first person.
Emily is top talent agent, a “ hyper polished mean girl” all grown up-with a soft spot for dogs! (which I loved) She tolerates Doug, because she enjoys their 1% lifestyle.
Doug runs his own Market Research firm and he is the kind of man that every woman seems to notice.
And, let’s just say that he notices them back.
And, Chloe, is a beautiful, but naive girl who does “on site performance art” and thinks she will find success with that, and with Doug, though she knows he is married and that she isn’t the first he has strayed with.
She confuses a gift of a Prada blouse, and his desire to “have her” in Public places for true love.
I found the Corporate shenanigans, the “performance art” and the frequent sex scenes, between Doug and Chloe, BORING.
This entire middle section of the book lacked the THRILLS I was expecting, especially after the JUICY opening scene where Chloe arrives for an interview with Emily at her talent agency!
Eventually the book circles back around to THRILLER territory in the final 25%, with a SATISFYING conclusion, but the middle is going to keep this one in the 3 ⭐️ range for me!
Still, I would be interested to see what the author comes up with next..
Thank You to Thomas & Mercer for the gifted copy! It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!
Available August 1, 2021.
January 24, 2021
Crazy Train Boarding Call.
My first favorite of 2021.
Keenly written, exquisite in its perfidy and the perfect storm of psychopathy, rage, and revenge.
This book had it all.
Add superb storytelling and a trio of strong protagonists and expect a delicious upending.
First we have Emily: As a carefully modulated and controlled person who’s ruthlessly climbed the ladder of success, Emily finds herself in a conundrum. She thinks her smart effortlessly charming husband is cheating on her with his receptionist. Meanwhile, she’s pregnant and feels compromised and weak.
Women are drawn to her husband Doug’s aging surfer appearance but behind his easy manner lies a superior mind. What is he up to? I envisioned him as a doppelganger for Aussie actor Simon Baker. His impalpable charm and disarming appearance as described in the book seem to match and assisted me with seeing his persona and ability to persuade.
As the beautiful young receptionist, Chloe has her own secrets and being unhinged is one of them. She’s also ambitious, creating a dangerous combination.
Stir, shake, and watch the results!
The characters are wonderfully developed although unlikable for various reasons. The author achieved a unique balance between imparting information, coercing my involvement, yet remaining distant. I wasn’t so invested as to hope for anything other than a spectacular outcome, but I loved reading about these loathsome people. That’s talented writing in my opinion.
I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed Kate Myles’ prose. Sharp and inventive, I had to put on my thinking cap as this had an intellectual bent. Kudos to a book stretching my imagination.
I also have to mention that a disappearing dog in this story comes to no harm for the pet lovers reading this.
Early reviews have taken a high-low trajectory with not much in between. I’m definitely in the former group as this will be a favorite. I loved it and will purchase a hardback for my shelf when available.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advance review copy. 🤸🏿♀️
My first favorite of 2021.
Keenly written, exquisite in its perfidy and the perfect storm of psychopathy, rage, and revenge.
This book had it all.
Add superb storytelling and a trio of strong protagonists and expect a delicious upending.
First we have Emily: As a carefully modulated and controlled person who’s ruthlessly climbed the ladder of success, Emily finds herself in a conundrum. She thinks her smart effortlessly charming husband is cheating on her with his receptionist. Meanwhile, she’s pregnant and feels compromised and weak.
Women are drawn to her husband Doug’s aging surfer appearance but behind his easy manner lies a superior mind. What is he up to? I envisioned him as a doppelganger for Aussie actor Simon Baker. His impalpable charm and disarming appearance as described in the book seem to match and assisted me with seeing his persona and ability to persuade.
As the beautiful young receptionist, Chloe has her own secrets and being unhinged is one of them. She’s also ambitious, creating a dangerous combination.
Stir, shake, and watch the results!
The characters are wonderfully developed although unlikable for various reasons. The author achieved a unique balance between imparting information, coercing my involvement, yet remaining distant. I wasn’t so invested as to hope for anything other than a spectacular outcome, but I loved reading about these loathsome people. That’s talented writing in my opinion.
I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed Kate Myles’ prose. Sharp and inventive, I had to put on my thinking cap as this had an intellectual bent. Kudos to a book stretching my imagination.
I also have to mention that a disappearing dog in this story comes to no harm for the pet lovers reading this.
Early reviews have taken a high-low trajectory with not much in between. I’m definitely in the former group as this will be a favorite. I loved it and will purchase a hardback for my shelf when available.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advance review copy. 🤸🏿♀️
December 1, 2021
This is a tough one to like – but I did. There are three totally despicable MCs (Emily, Doug, and Chloe) and, for the most part, a supporting cast of equally unlikable characters.
Emily has clawed her way to the top of her PR field riding the coattails of her biggest client, Dr. Maryn. Doug comes from money and is a rehabilitated (or so he claims) cokehead, sex addict, liar, and thief. He also heads one of the largest some-kind-of-techy consulting and research company, and, he is currently hawking his newest invention which will bring in even more millions - if only he can get the app to interface properly with the hardware . E&D are a match made in heaven (or hell, depending how you look at it). They meet, they marry, and they become a powerhouse team, the envy of every backstabbing employee clawing their way up to the top in their respective companies. Doug and Emily live high on the hog, until Doug steps over one line too many. Chloe, a bubble-headed beauty with serious anger management issues is a total loser who is, of course, looking to hook the prize, rich and handsome Doug. So, I ask you, what could be bad?! All the delicious ingredients combine to set the stage for a mega explosion which will come – abruptly – near the end of the book.
There is a lot of predictable in the story, yet I found myself furiously flipping the pages as I watched each of the MCs self-destruct. Emily pays a heavy price to financially guarantee her daughter’s future. Doug should go to church/synagogue and say the prayer for escaping near death. And Chloe? What does she need? A Lobotomy? Someone to adore her and fill the giant hole in her being? Committing to an insane asylum? – you will have to read the book to find out!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for an ARC which waited far too long to be read and reviewed. I enjoyed and I know that many other readers will love this book too!
Emily has clawed her way to the top of her PR field riding the coattails of her biggest client, Dr. Maryn. Doug comes from money and is a rehabilitated (or so he claims) cokehead, sex addict, liar, and thief. He also heads one of the largest some-kind-of-techy consulting and research company, and, he is currently hawking his newest invention which will bring in even more millions - if only he can get the app to interface properly with the hardware . E&D are a match made in heaven (or hell, depending how you look at it). They meet, they marry, and they become a powerhouse team, the envy of every backstabbing employee clawing their way up to the top in their respective companies. Doug and Emily live high on the hog, until Doug steps over one line too many. Chloe, a bubble-headed beauty with serious anger management issues is a total loser who is, of course, looking to hook the prize, rich and handsome Doug. So, I ask you, what could be bad?! All the delicious ingredients combine to set the stage for a mega explosion which will come – abruptly – near the end of the book.
There is a lot of predictable in the story, yet I found myself furiously flipping the pages as I watched each of the MCs self-destruct. Emily pays a heavy price to financially guarantee her daughter’s future. Doug should go to church/synagogue and say the prayer for escaping near death. And Chloe? What does she need? A Lobotomy? Someone to adore her and fill the giant hole in her being? Committing to an insane asylum? – you will have to read the book to find out!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for an ARC which waited far too long to be read and reviewed. I enjoyed and I know that many other readers will love this book too!
July 15, 2021
Oh boy, not gonna lie, it was quite a struggle to finish this one.
I had seen some great reviews by some of my most trusted book friends so I was expecting to love it too. Sadly, I didn’t. The opening was great with a very intriguing prologue and a first chapter where Emily and Chloe, the wife and the mistress, meet for the first time, but for me it all went downhill from there.
After such a promising start the story focuses only on Emily and her story the previous years, dragging quite a lot and making me lose interest pretty early on. Then the story forgets about Emily and focuses on Chloe and Doug, and it almost made me wish it would have stayed with Emily! I HATED all three characters! They were horrible people and could not, for the sake of me, find any redeemable trait in any of them. This made that I could not care less about what happened to any of them.
It could have been saved if at least the story managed to hold my attention but I found all the scheme with the data, the App Store, the money…pretty boring as well. Can we talk for a minute about Chloe’s group performances? OMG, it was so cringey! No wonder they needed day jobs! Some parts felt really disjointed, not adding much to the plot and being there only as another way to show how disgusting the characters were (the scene in the car with the driver was in such bad taste!).
The last quarter picked up the pace a little bit but was not enough to save all of the above.
With a very promising beginning, the narrative structure and some really dislikable characters made of what could have been a pretty decent domestic suspense a truly forgettable one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had seen some great reviews by some of my most trusted book friends so I was expecting to love it too. Sadly, I didn’t. The opening was great with a very intriguing prologue and a first chapter where Emily and Chloe, the wife and the mistress, meet for the first time, but for me it all went downhill from there.
After such a promising start the story focuses only on Emily and her story the previous years, dragging quite a lot and making me lose interest pretty early on. Then the story forgets about Emily and focuses on Chloe and Doug, and it almost made me wish it would have stayed with Emily! I HATED all three characters! They were horrible people and could not, for the sake of me, find any redeemable trait in any of them. This made that I could not care less about what happened to any of them.
It could have been saved if at least the story managed to hold my attention but I found all the scheme with the data, the App Store, the money…pretty boring as well. Can we talk for a minute about Chloe’s group performances? OMG, it was so cringey! No wonder they needed day jobs! Some parts felt really disjointed, not adding much to the plot and being there only as another way to show how disgusting the characters were (the scene in the car with the driver was in such bad taste!).
The last quarter picked up the pace a little bit but was not enough to save all of the above.
With a very promising beginning, the narrative structure and some really dislikable characters made of what could have been a pretty decent domestic suspense a truly forgettable one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2021
Wow! What a bunch of narcissistic sociopaths and I am here for it!
The story is told from the perspective of the three main characters: Chloe, Emily and Doug and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know (and dislike) them all. Safe to say three mentally unstable people in such close proximity is dangerous and atleast one has got to go.. but who is it going to be and who will do the deed? This read certainly keeps you guessing!
Crazy characters, crazy storyline, crazy addictive! Look forward to future releases from Kate Myles.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
The story is told from the perspective of the three main characters: Chloe, Emily and Doug and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know (and dislike) them all. Safe to say three mentally unstable people in such close proximity is dangerous and atleast one has got to go.. but who is it going to be and who will do the deed? This read certainly keeps you guessing!
Crazy characters, crazy storyline, crazy addictive! Look forward to future releases from Kate Myles.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
July 2, 2021
The Receptionist an excellent modern thriller/noir set in current (before times) Los Angeles. A total page turner, it’s been a complete joy burying myself in it the past couple of evenings. Its a bit like a modern James M. Cain as you spend the bulk of the story peeling back the façades of the three main characters, all bad people doing bad things, all unreliable narrators, wondering who is going to murder who. It’s also a very sharp look at greed and ambition and sociopathy. Tightly plotted, highly recommended.
August 1, 2021
A deliciously fun, pure guilty pleasure. This book has pretty much only despicable characters, yet that in no way makes it less fun. I enjoyed reading about the terrible Doug, a dotcom millionaire type always running some scam or another who is also horrible to his wife. Then there’s his wife Emily, who is herself an awful person but you still feel bad for her because Doug is such a slimeball. Speaking of which, Doug is also sleeping with his totally unhinged receptionist….hence the title of the story.
I enjoyed the dark humor and the many plot twists, as well as the way the book poked fun at a lot of typical LA denizens. This book reminded me a little bit of a Bret Easton Ellis book, if Bret Easton Ellis wrote smutty books about jerky husbands who have affairs. You will find yourself turning pages at the speed of light in order to find out if Doug gets what’s coming to him.
Excellent job by Kate Myles, whose next book I can’t wait to read. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, the author and NetGalley for this bit of salacious fun.
I enjoyed the dark humor and the many plot twists, as well as the way the book poked fun at a lot of typical LA denizens. This book reminded me a little bit of a Bret Easton Ellis book, if Bret Easton Ellis wrote smutty books about jerky husbands who have affairs. You will find yourself turning pages at the speed of light in order to find out if Doug gets what’s coming to him.
Excellent job by Kate Myles, whose next book I can’t wait to read. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, the author and NetGalley for this bit of salacious fun.
January 20, 2021
The Receptionist
By Kate Myles
This a debut by this author, and she comes out the box swinging
Emily is the wife , she’s a cut throat publicist for top authors and stars In LA, she’s hardcore , smart and sees things for what they really are.
She’s married to Doug and for all purposes Doug is nothing without Emily. He has wonderful business ideas for an app that collects data on how you feel, when you look or see things. But really he wants to steal medical info and sell it.
But he can’t seem to cover his tracks
And Emily is documenting them all
Chloe is doug’s lover , and is a temperamental ticking time bomb
But that bomb may be for Doug or for Emily.
I give this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for
It’s debut. It’s POV chapters which I loved ❤️
Read this in July when it comes out
You won’t regret it
Thank you to netgalley for the Arc!! 🙌🏼🌟 and ps. The. Ending. 🤭😳. Omg. The. Ending
By Kate Myles
This a debut by this author, and she comes out the box swinging
Emily is the wife , she’s a cut throat publicist for top authors and stars In LA, she’s hardcore , smart and sees things for what they really are.
She’s married to Doug and for all purposes Doug is nothing without Emily. He has wonderful business ideas for an app that collects data on how you feel, when you look or see things. But really he wants to steal medical info and sell it.
But he can’t seem to cover his tracks
And Emily is documenting them all
Chloe is doug’s lover , and is a temperamental ticking time bomb
But that bomb may be for Doug or for Emily.
I give this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for
It’s debut. It’s POV chapters which I loved ❤️
Read this in July when it comes out
You won’t regret it
Thank you to netgalley for the Arc!! 🙌🏼🌟 and ps. The. Ending. 🤭😳. Omg. The. Ending
January 25, 2021
I read Kate Myles’ “The Receptionist” in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. The story is compelling and resonates for this age when it seems sociopaths are ascendent. At the same time, “The Receptionist,” harkens back to the best of L.A. noir, where the vulnerable and the damned were often one in the same and in the end no one comes out clean. The action takes the reader from the rarified salt air of Malibu to the salt sweat of Van Nuys; from the boardrooms of Hollywood to the Tech Bros and of course, the bimbos. It’s cynical. It’s brutal. It’s also a lot of fun. Myles made these horrible people a delight to hate read.
(I was not paid to write this. I got an advance copy via NetGalley and reviewed it entirely by choice.)
(I was not paid to write this. I got an advance copy via NetGalley and reviewed it entirely by choice.)
June 2, 2022
4 stars
Sizzling melodrama about despicable idiots, reading The Receptionist is equivalent to watching a trashy reality show about rich people — you hate them all, yet you're absolutely entertained by their own paths towards self-destruction.
Stay FAR away from The Receptionist if you need a protagonist worth rooting for in order to enjoy a story; Kate Myles is too good at making her cast the most detestable LA stereotypes around: a struggling actress with anger issue, a misogynistic marketing exec with loose moral compass, and an egotistical entertainment agent planning her husband's murder. The plots gets juicy and over-the-top as the characters scheme and cheat each other while stepping over everyone around them (and act victimized when discovered). It is all very crass and borderline insensitive (no proper mental health representation here), but at the same time brazen and delightfully removed from reality — I legit laughed out loud when the husband told his wife he might be a sex addict, and she simply told him to hire a sex worker full-time (he did and enjoyed it).
The Receptionist is equivalent to watching a Kardashian fails hilariously at chopping a cucumber — delicious junk-food for the brain. There are times when a McDonald's meal is an emotionally soothing exercise between healthy eating, and I picked this up at the perfect time after a couple 'highbrow' literature and ho-hum novels. I now feel refreshed.
Sizzling melodrama about despicable idiots, reading The Receptionist is equivalent to watching a trashy reality show about rich people — you hate them all, yet you're absolutely entertained by their own paths towards self-destruction.
Stay FAR away from The Receptionist if you need a protagonist worth rooting for in order to enjoy a story; Kate Myles is too good at making her cast the most detestable LA stereotypes around: a struggling actress with anger issue, a misogynistic marketing exec with loose moral compass, and an egotistical entertainment agent planning her husband's murder. The plots gets juicy and over-the-top as the characters scheme and cheat each other while stepping over everyone around them (and act victimized when discovered). It is all very crass and borderline insensitive (no proper mental health representation here), but at the same time brazen and delightfully removed from reality — I legit laughed out loud when the husband told his wife he might be a sex addict, and she simply told him to hire a sex worker full-time (he did and enjoyed it).
The Receptionist is equivalent to watching a Kardashian fails hilariously at chopping a cucumber — delicious junk-food for the brain. There are times when a McDonald's meal is an emotionally soothing exercise between healthy eating, and I picked this up at the perfect time after a couple 'highbrow' literature and ho-hum novels. I now feel refreshed.
January 31, 2021
I enjoyed this book, though didn't feel like the synopsis necessarily best indicated what most of the book is about- for example, the baby really plays a very small part, and I didn't get the indication that this was the thing that drove Emily's decisions. The story goes back and forth between Emily, Chloe, and Doug's POVs. Emily and Doug are married and Chloe is having an affair with Doug. None of these 3 characters is likeable, but the story itself is fast-paced, culminating in some pretty major events at the end of the book. The prologue gives you an idea of what is going to happen, but it takes the rest of the book to see how it will play out.
The first part of the book was a bit of a slow burn, but it totally held my interest. Chloe was unpredictable and there was always a feeling that something really big and/or bad could happen in any situation she was in. The reader learns interesting things about the inner workings of all 3 characters, as well as what is going on in their business and what risks they are willing to take to maintain their lifestyles.
There were a couple times where all 3 characters made decisions that I didn't think were reasonable (though were certainly in character) and there were also a couple times where one of the main characters showed a level of ignorance or naivete that I thought was unlikely based on their experiences and overall intelligence. These were few and far between, though.
Overall, I liked this book and thought it was fun- I enjoy books where you don't like any of the characters but can still find one to root for. I would recommend it for those who like domestic suspense and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The first part of the book was a bit of a slow burn, but it totally held my interest. Chloe was unpredictable and there was always a feeling that something really big and/or bad could happen in any situation she was in. The reader learns interesting things about the inner workings of all 3 characters, as well as what is going on in their business and what risks they are willing to take to maintain their lifestyles.
There were a couple times where all 3 characters made decisions that I didn't think were reasonable (though were certainly in character) and there were also a couple times where one of the main characters showed a level of ignorance or naivete that I thought was unlikely based on their experiences and overall intelligence. These were few and far between, though.
Overall, I liked this book and thought it was fun- I enjoy books where you don't like any of the characters but can still find one to root for. I would recommend it for those who like domestic suspense and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2021
Meh. With 3 despicable, mentally unstable characters this story could have been so much more but this is just a slow, drawn out domestic drama. While something does happen at the end, it wasn’t the big deal that it could have been. Not very thrilling. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 12, 2021
This is a decent enough domestic suspense novel, albeit with an entire cast of thoroughly despicable characters. Very few of them have a single redeeming feature, and you certainly have no sympathy for whatever befalls them.
It has plenty of twists and turns and lots to keep you guessing, although it also leaves a few loose ends and unanswered minor questions throughout the book. The let-down, for me though is all about the ending. Truly dreadful and anti-climatic and one of those endings that makes me feel like the author ran out of time, ideas or inspiration and just wanted to get it over with. Three stars because most of the book was pretty good, if I was judging just the couple of chapters it would be one star, sorry Ms Myles.
It has plenty of twists and turns and lots to keep you guessing, although it also leaves a few loose ends and unanswered minor questions throughout the book. The let-down, for me though is all about the ending. Truly dreadful and anti-climatic and one of those endings that makes me feel like the author ran out of time, ideas or inspiration and just wanted to get it over with. Three stars because most of the book was pretty good, if I was judging just the couple of chapters it would be one star, sorry Ms Myles.
July 29, 2021
My Review Of
THE RECEPTIONIST
By Kate Myles
Gifted & Published by Thomas & Mercer / @AmazonPublishing
On Sale 8/1/21 - Purchase Link in my Bio
*****
This is the ultimate story that gets weirder and more sinister the longer it plays out. As you may guess, it does involve a businessman/ married man having an affair with his Receptionist. Things that start as a matter of convenience can become an obsession that cannot be controlled. This tipsy, turvy & twisty tale gets pretty shocking and leaves you mind blown. The Author has so many plots at play and that keeps you hungry to find out what’s happening in the many intertwined stories. She did a magnificent job blending them into one final ending that ties everything together and brings forth a riveting close.
******
Synopsis:
Emily is a top talent agent who rules the land of talk shows and reality TV. Whip-smart and brutally practical, she outmaneuvers all rivals…except in her personal life. Emily willfully ignores her CEO husband Doug’s philandering in exchange for their glamorous one-percenter lifestyle, until a surprise pregnancy changes everything.
A TED-Talking business guru with a reckless streak, Doug embarks on an audacious relationship with Chloe, the stunning young receptionist at his market research firm. But Chloe has a secret: a volatile past she’s desperate to forget. Their chaotic entanglement sets off a chain of shocking scandals, plunging Emily into a scheming fight for survival.
As they each try to fight their way to the top, there’s only one question: How far will Emily go to protect her child and preserve her carefully curated life?
THE RECEPTIONIST
By Kate Myles
Gifted & Published by Thomas & Mercer / @AmazonPublishing
On Sale 8/1/21 - Purchase Link in my Bio
*****
This is the ultimate story that gets weirder and more sinister the longer it plays out. As you may guess, it does involve a businessman/ married man having an affair with his Receptionist. Things that start as a matter of convenience can become an obsession that cannot be controlled. This tipsy, turvy & twisty tale gets pretty shocking and leaves you mind blown. The Author has so many plots at play and that keeps you hungry to find out what’s happening in the many intertwined stories. She did a magnificent job blending them into one final ending that ties everything together and brings forth a riveting close.
******
Synopsis:
Emily is a top talent agent who rules the land of talk shows and reality TV. Whip-smart and brutally practical, she outmaneuvers all rivals…except in her personal life. Emily willfully ignores her CEO husband Doug’s philandering in exchange for their glamorous one-percenter lifestyle, until a surprise pregnancy changes everything.
A TED-Talking business guru with a reckless streak, Doug embarks on an audacious relationship with Chloe, the stunning young receptionist at his market research firm. But Chloe has a secret: a volatile past she’s desperate to forget. Their chaotic entanglement sets off a chain of shocking scandals, plunging Emily into a scheming fight for survival.
As they each try to fight their way to the top, there’s only one question: How far will Emily go to protect her child and preserve her carefully curated life?
July 14, 2021
I despise the idea of being negative, it's not who I am, so this is tough to write. This was my Kindle First free book for July, because nothing jumped out as a "must have" selection, but I stuck it right on top my reading pile and started in.
First, the characters, every single one of them, are totally unlikable, and borderline unbelievable. So and so is perfect, so and so is crazy, so and so is a narcissist.
The plot offered no real unexpected twists (the one that may get some people late in the book was ruined because I have flight experience). This formulaic and loosely paced book offered nothing unexpected, nothing new, and nothing that I would consider noir, thriller, or suspense.
It would be one star, but it helped me get over my insomnia and put me right to sleep for seven nights in a row before I finished it, so it gets a second star for that.
First, the characters, every single one of them, are totally unlikable, and borderline unbelievable. So and so is perfect, so and so is crazy, so and so is a narcissist.
The plot offered no real unexpected twists (the one that may get some people late in the book was ruined because I have flight experience). This formulaic and loosely paced book offered nothing unexpected, nothing new, and nothing that I would consider noir, thriller, or suspense.
It would be one star, but it helped me get over my insomnia and put me right to sleep for seven nights in a row before I finished it, so it gets a second star for that.
August 2, 2021
3.5 This book is nuts 😂 The MC’s: a cold-hearted, calculating wife, a complete douche bag of a husband and a batshit crazy mistress 🤠 yeehaw! Who comes out on top in the end will keep you turning the pages. I took a bit off the rating bc I feel like it dragged a bit towards the end but it was fun.
June 19, 2021
Read the full review on my blog: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/rec...
Here’s to an exceptional debut! I brought this book camping a few weeks ago, chosen solely because I have two copies so I wouldn’t have minded if one got dirty. Little did I know that it would grab my attention and leave me unwilling to put it down! While I didn’t read it in one sitting because life got in the way, I easily could have despite its length.
This is the sort of book where all of the characters are narcissistic, toxic, truly awful people, and yet you still love to hate them. I love the sort of book that is a train wreck that you can’t look away from, and this book certainly fits the bill.
While every character is clearly unreliable, Chloe seemed particularly unhinged from the start, and I was eager to see how her scenes would play out. I love how the author built suspense around her interactions with Doug, and the reader just knows it’s all going to explode in the most entertaining way possible. I enjoyed the alternating POVs, changing between Emily, Doug, and Chloe’s perspectives. The writing style was very well done and attacked the plot effectively from all sides.
The beginning starts off a little slow with a lot of tone-setting: a lot of scenes where Doug is using Chloe for sex and Chloe thinks it’s true love, a lot of backstory, and a lot of reasoning why Emily is still with Doug. The ending is worth the wait though, with twists I didn’t see coming.
Here’s to an exceptional debut! I brought this book camping a few weeks ago, chosen solely because I have two copies so I wouldn’t have minded if one got dirty. Little did I know that it would grab my attention and leave me unwilling to put it down! While I didn’t read it in one sitting because life got in the way, I easily could have despite its length.
This is the sort of book where all of the characters are narcissistic, toxic, truly awful people, and yet you still love to hate them. I love the sort of book that is a train wreck that you can’t look away from, and this book certainly fits the bill.
While every character is clearly unreliable, Chloe seemed particularly unhinged from the start, and I was eager to see how her scenes would play out. I love how the author built suspense around her interactions with Doug, and the reader just knows it’s all going to explode in the most entertaining way possible. I enjoyed the alternating POVs, changing between Emily, Doug, and Chloe’s perspectives. The writing style was very well done and attacked the plot effectively from all sides.
The beginning starts off a little slow with a lot of tone-setting: a lot of scenes where Doug is using Chloe for sex and Chloe thinks it’s true love, a lot of backstory, and a lot of reasoning why Emily is still with Doug. The ending is worth the wait though, with twists I didn’t see coming.
January 27, 2021
Are you a shrewd, social-climbing Emily?
An apathetic, addicted, entitled, trust fund Doug?
A superficial, opportunistic, professional like Dr. Maryn?
An insecure, gullible, lonely, possibly mentally unstable Chloe?
Have you met such people? Have you been on the receiving end of their deceit? Or are you more of an instigator?
It absolutely is a dog eat dog world, survival of the fittest. But karma exists and even then, whomever she picks isn't assured of a clean win.
This book will tug at your morals or lack thereof. Some are utterly apalled at this blatant manipulation of vulnerable people, not realizing that this kind of thing happen all too often in real time. I love this book for venturing into the more brutal parts of reality.
A bunch of thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer for this free ARC.
This review is made of my own accord, with no compensation whatsoever, from any of the owners of this ARC.
An apathetic, addicted, entitled, trust fund Doug?
A superficial, opportunistic, professional like Dr. Maryn?
An insecure, gullible, lonely, possibly mentally unstable Chloe?
Have you met such people? Have you been on the receiving end of their deceit? Or are you more of an instigator?
It absolutely is a dog eat dog world, survival of the fittest. But karma exists and even then, whomever she picks isn't assured of a clean win.
This book will tug at your morals or lack thereof. Some are utterly apalled at this blatant manipulation of vulnerable people, not realizing that this kind of thing happen all too often in real time. I love this book for venturing into the more brutal parts of reality.
A bunch of thanks to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer for this free ARC.
This review is made of my own accord, with no compensation whatsoever, from any of the owners of this ARC.
July 31, 2021
Emіly іѕ a top talent agent who ruleѕ the land of talk ѕhowѕ and reality TV. She is practical and fierce. Emіly wіllfully іgnoreѕ her CEO huѕband Doug'ѕ philandering іn exchange for their glamorous one-percenter lіfeѕtyle, untіl a ѕurprіѕe pregnancy changes everything. Doug has a reckless streak and embarks on an audacious relationship with Chloe, his receptionist. The thing is Chloe has a past, a volatile one. All Doug’s exploits cause attention and Emily’s perfect life is threatened. Now Emily must do what needs to be done. How far will Emily go to protect her child and preserve her carefully curated life?
Thoughts: First off thank you to @amazonpublishing for my gifted copy! So let me start by saying this is a familiar troupe. Emily is a bad ass and her husband is a total cheating douche. Emily stays for the money and doesn’t want the drama to ruin her reputation. Okay-I get it. Heard it before with thrillers right? Sounds like it could happen in real life. I will say, familiar or not I was hooked by the beginning and all the domestic drama that continued to pop up. I could not get over what an idiot Doug was. I wanted to smack him several times upside the head. With that being said-Could it have been keyed up a bit more? Sure! Could Chloe have been a bit more cuckoo bananas? Yes! I would not call this ground breaking in any way. Was it maybe a bit too long for what it was? Maybe?! It was however juicy and dark addicting fun. If you are in a book slump, this may help! I look forward to Kate Myles next.
Thoughts: First off thank you to @amazonpublishing for my gifted copy! So let me start by saying this is a familiar troupe. Emily is a bad ass and her husband is a total cheating douche. Emily stays for the money and doesn’t want the drama to ruin her reputation. Okay-I get it. Heard it before with thrillers right? Sounds like it could happen in real life. I will say, familiar or not I was hooked by the beginning and all the domestic drama that continued to pop up. I could not get over what an idiot Doug was. I wanted to smack him several times upside the head. With that being said-Could it have been keyed up a bit more? Sure! Could Chloe have been a bit more cuckoo bananas? Yes! I would not call this ground breaking in any way. Was it maybe a bit too long for what it was? Maybe?! It was however juicy and dark addicting fun. If you are in a book slump, this may help! I look forward to Kate Myles next.
January 18, 2021
The Receptioniost by Kate Myles, published by Thomas & Mercer, is a stand-alone, full length, not a romance.
This new to me author managed to keep me in suspense from start till the last page.
The Receptionist is a story full of twists and unexpected turns, a brilliant storyline with grandious writing.
I fell in love with the characters right from the start, I connected very easily with them.
Chloe makes a formidable villain and surprised me with her cunningness every single time.
A great read, 5 stars.
This new to me author managed to keep me in suspense from start till the last page.
The Receptionist is a story full of twists and unexpected turns, a brilliant storyline with grandious writing.
I fell in love with the characters right from the start, I connected very easily with them.
Chloe makes a formidable villain and surprised me with her cunningness every single time.
A great read, 5 stars.
August 1, 2021
I was hooked pretty quickly by the premise of this book but it did end of being quite a slow burn for the first two thirds before picking up near the end!
While all the characters are seemingly unreliable, narcissistic, toxic, and truly unlikeable, I was still intrigued and invested in their story! I do tend to enjoy a good love to hate character and domestic dramas usually have quite a few!
I also relished knowing that Myles had been a former television producer while reading this so everything felt a little more realistic and extra juicy!
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for goodreads
While all the characters are seemingly unreliable, narcissistic, toxic, and truly unlikeable, I was still intrigued and invested in their story! I do tend to enjoy a good love to hate character and domestic dramas usually have quite a few!
I also relished knowing that Myles had been a former television producer while reading this so everything felt a little more realistic and extra juicy!
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for goodreads
July 2, 2025
This was annoying and boring at the same time and I hated everyone (well, except the dog). All those details about market research and client meetings made me feel like I was back at work.
* shudder *
* shudder *
November 30, 2021
Oh no! This is bad! I hated both of the characters! I got confused with the writing style and I pushed myself damn hard to finish it even though dnf-ing was so tempting!
I did my best to find something good to hold on because as a writer I always focus on positive attributes of the book to form a better review.
I can only say the opening was not hooking but somewhat interesting. At first we had prologue about 11 years old girl’s finding out about brutal murder news and then we are introduced two heroines: the wife and the mistress( at the beginning she was just the receptionist at womanizer a.hole husband’s office) Emily: ruthless, competitive, a real shark talent agent gets threatened by beauty of Chloe who is stunning and nearly 25 years actress wannabe/ receptionist as I mentioned before at market research firm ( Emily’s husband Doug owns it as I mentioned and he’s douche bag as I defined with other word! )
Emily thinks Chloe sleeps with her husband but as their talk continues she changes her mind: Chloe just an innocent, naive lamb, don’t have any competitiveness in her bones so she decides to humiliate her with snarky comments, critiquing her style ( including her bag) Poor Chloe leaves her office with shaky hands. As we start to feel sorry her she just pushes an old woman who wants to help her. We realize she has anger management issues and she did a bad thing in the past.
As we start to get intrigued, the author ends the chapter and at least for 90 pages we never hear from Chloe. We read about slow paced Emily and Doug’s meeting and marriage story. We hate Emily more: she’s narcissistic, selfish, arrogant and cutthroat bitch who was also mean girl and ruined a girl named Destiny’s life when she was young and she never feels sorry for it ( sociopath alarm!) and Doug is also narcissistic womanizer who cannot keep it in his pants. We see his dangerous side, too. Finally we turn back to see how Doug and Chloe’s relationship started.
Emily gets pregnant, interestingly she hides it from her husband but her husband already knows, still sleeping with Chloe. Then things get messier and the story loses its direction. It gets more unreliable, nonsense and boring.
I yawned more, trying to gather my patient but especially the last chapters are like B movie kind of ridiculous and the holes of plot get bigger than my husband’s sock holes! ( grandiose)
The epilogue of Emily’s daughter was also painful ( not in emotional way, too painful to read , too irritating to absorb)
Aimless story telling, awkward conclusion, very punchable characterization earned my two unfortunately this didn’t work with me stars!
I’m truly sorry because the beginning of the story was hopeful and I know this is debut novel and the author is successful TV producer but I tried to write my honest thoughts even they are harsh and criticizing . I still want to read future works of the author. I know she has good potential to share better stories with us.
So many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions. I wish I could like it more.
I did my best to find something good to hold on because as a writer I always focus on positive attributes of the book to form a better review.
I can only say the opening was not hooking but somewhat interesting. At first we had prologue about 11 years old girl’s finding out about brutal murder news and then we are introduced two heroines: the wife and the mistress( at the beginning she was just the receptionist at womanizer a.hole husband’s office) Emily: ruthless, competitive, a real shark talent agent gets threatened by beauty of Chloe who is stunning and nearly 25 years actress wannabe/ receptionist as I mentioned before at market research firm ( Emily’s husband Doug owns it as I mentioned and he’s douche bag as I defined with other word! )
Emily thinks Chloe sleeps with her husband but as their talk continues she changes her mind: Chloe just an innocent, naive lamb, don’t have any competitiveness in her bones so she decides to humiliate her with snarky comments, critiquing her style ( including her bag) Poor Chloe leaves her office with shaky hands. As we start to feel sorry her she just pushes an old woman who wants to help her. We realize she has anger management issues and she did a bad thing in the past.
As we start to get intrigued, the author ends the chapter and at least for 90 pages we never hear from Chloe. We read about slow paced Emily and Doug’s meeting and marriage story. We hate Emily more: she’s narcissistic, selfish, arrogant and cutthroat bitch who was also mean girl and ruined a girl named Destiny’s life when she was young and she never feels sorry for it ( sociopath alarm!) and Doug is also narcissistic womanizer who cannot keep it in his pants. We see his dangerous side, too. Finally we turn back to see how Doug and Chloe’s relationship started.
Emily gets pregnant, interestingly she hides it from her husband but her husband already knows, still sleeping with Chloe. Then things get messier and the story loses its direction. It gets more unreliable, nonsense and boring.
I yawned more, trying to gather my patient but especially the last chapters are like B movie kind of ridiculous and the holes of plot get bigger than my husband’s sock holes! ( grandiose)
The epilogue of Emily’s daughter was also painful ( not in emotional way, too painful to read , too irritating to absorb)
Aimless story telling, awkward conclusion, very punchable characterization earned my two unfortunately this didn’t work with me stars!
I’m truly sorry because the beginning of the story was hopeful and I know this is debut novel and the author is successful TV producer but I tried to write my honest thoughts even they are harsh and criticizing . I still want to read future works of the author. I know she has good potential to share better stories with us.
So many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions. I wish I could like it more.
July 5, 2021
Couldn't put it down!
Very suspenseful, fast paced and riveting. Characters have depth, although it's still difficult to decide if I liked any of them. If you want a riveting read and aren't averse to rooting for the bad guys, this is your next novel!
Very suspenseful, fast paced and riveting. Characters have depth, although it's still difficult to decide if I liked any of them. If you want a riveting read and aren't averse to rooting for the bad guys, this is your next novel!
Read
February 3, 2023rtc
March 16, 2022
This was so unexpected. A lot of greed. Just so wicked people are when they have a lot of money. I really enjoyed Emily. But Chloe was a clear crazy person. And Doug just irritated through this whole book.
January 24, 2021
This book starts out with a quote from Our Town: Whenever you come near the human race, there’s layers and layers of nonsense. Boy howdy! This wicked satire’s three main characters, Emily, Doug and Chloe, try to hide their brutality behind money, looks, and power (or, in the case of Chloe, just good looks). Just when you think you can sympathize with one of them, off they go and do something depraved. Then – forget sympathizing -- you just enjoy the bumpy ride into hell!
When a baby enters into the mix, the frenetic energy ramps up even more. With baby Grace on the scene, we also see some half-hearted attempts at humanity and love… and a possibility for change. But can baby fix crazy? Hmm..
Some of the secondary characters –co-workers, and some extended family members -- watch what’s unfolding in horror (and not a little judgement). Most of us have watched acquaintances make disastrous decisions – in this book, the choices are deadly, but the Los Angeles scenery is fabulous.
This fast-paced, character-driven thriller is also quite funny at times. Looking forward to more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Thomas and Mercer for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
When a baby enters into the mix, the frenetic energy ramps up even more. With baby Grace on the scene, we also see some half-hearted attempts at humanity and love… and a possibility for change. But can baby fix crazy? Hmm..
Some of the secondary characters –co-workers, and some extended family members -- watch what’s unfolding in horror (and not a little judgement). Most of us have watched acquaintances make disastrous decisions – in this book, the choices are deadly, but the Los Angeles scenery is fabulous.
This fast-paced, character-driven thriller is also quite funny at times. Looking forward to more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Thomas and Mercer for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2021
I literally couldn’t put this book down once I started. The story goes at a fast pace, is remarkably well written and (as the last reviewer mentioned) wonderful, entertaining snark. Who doesn’t love their share of snark?! The characters explore the familiar territory of narcissism and the unbelievable reveal and look into the mind of a psychopath. (Which if you’ve ever met or dated ‘crazy’ you can appreciate! Set in Malibu and Los Angeles, there are parts that are (for better or worse) remarkably true to the culture and style that can only be found in a city replete with the glamour and darkness. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. Great summer read… highly recommend. Also makes a great gift !!
May 27, 2021
I’ve had two seriously toxic books back to back!
This one is full of loathsome, reprehensible characters and scandalous, unhinged drama
______________________________
Emily knows that her husband Doug is a perpetual cheater, but she looks the other way in order to maintain their lifestyle.
That takes a sharp turn for the worse when Doug starts sleeping with his new receptionist.... 👀
This one is full of loathsome, reprehensible characters and scandalous, unhinged drama
______________________________
Emily knows that her husband Doug is a perpetual cheater, but she looks the other way in order to maintain their lifestyle.
That takes a sharp turn for the worse when Doug starts sleeping with his new receptionist.... 👀
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