BOND GIRL.

My first review for the publishers HARPERCOLLINS, I'm so honoured to be reviewing this debut novel from Erin Duffy who, graduating with a B.A. in English, went on to spend time working in the financial industry on Wall Street. 

BOND GIRL by ERIN DUFFY.


While her friends were dreaming about becoming doctors and lawyers, Alex Garrett set her mind on conquering the high-powered world of Wall Street. But life in bond sales isn't quite what she'd expected .......


Will she kick off the Jimmy Choos and run for higher ground, or stick it out with some of the most hilarious and loyal guys she's ever met?
......... Outer back cover.


FIRST SENTENCE (Prologue): I am too old for this.


MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 179): "Ninety-three thousand dollars." He snapped his fingers. "Gone. Just like that. ........"


MY THOUGHTS: Hmm, 'The Devil Wears Prada meets Wall Street in Bond Girl'?


Oh dear, I didn't enjoy the film and I certainly don't know anything about the finance industry, was I going to regret reading and reviewing this book?


Phew! Happily not. A enjoyable enough read, what I'd class as a good holiday/waiting room read, I quickly found myself engrossed in the world of Alex 'Girlie' Garrett the new girl at Cromwell Pierce, one of Wall Street's main brokerage firms.

Original and humorous (the practical jokes they play on each other have to be read to be believed) though somehow depressing at the same time - as I said I don't pretend to know anything about the financial industry, but this came across as all too believable, sadly so at times.

I say sadly as the men in it hardly came across as paragons of virtue but then again I kind of guess their behaviour may well be typical of what is a largely high-pressure, male dominated industry.


As for Alex, young, eager to please and somewhat naive, as one of only a handful of women mentioned, I found it interesting to see how the author compared her with the older, bitter and very cynical Kate/Cruella thus leading to the question was Kate always like this OR had the industry slowly hardened her? 

Well written and quite topical, though there is some financial jargon, the author doesn't delve too deeply into the workings of the industry but instead concentrates on Alex's relationships within the company.

Probably not a book you are going to like if you want a frank insight into the workings of the financial industry, but a good read if you just want something light. I loved the extras at the back of this particular edition which happened to be an uncorrected Proof Copy (the author's 'A Girl's Essential Guide to Surviving the City' was tremendous fun), the only element I could well have done without, being Alex's relationship with Will which, if I'm being honest, was a tad predictable.

DISCLAIMER: Read and reviewed on behalf of the publishers HarperCollins, I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.


NB The publication date for Bond Girl is the 5th of July 2012, however you are able to pre-book it on Amazon now.