I had to sit with this one a little bit to parse out what I truly thought about it. Because this book is a wild ride! It seems like it's one thing (a playful, snarky riff on The Whisper Network) and then out of nowhere, it morphs into something completely unexpected and different (Hocus Pocus-esque??).

And OH! there's some romance thrown in too. A love triangle, a fake boyfriend scenario, and a friends to lovers bit.

It is JUICY. And Laura Hankin is such a witty writer. She's truly fabulous. Biting and insightful and damn...super freaking funny. I laughed out loud several times. She can absolutely SKEWER performative white woman BS.

I went back and looked at my review of Hankin's previous book (Happy & You Know It) and I said "This one really surprised me. It was dark and witty and strangely insightful into all of the weird stuff that happens when you’re a mom. I just thought it was really well written, funny, and unexpected.".

Dark, witty, unexpected. EXACTLY.

I'm clearly now a huge fan of Laura Hankin.

So...after thinking about it, I've come to the conclusion that I adored this book because it's unlike anything I've read. It made me think, it made me laugh, and it made me "WTF". So so good.

4.5 stars rounded up

This book was gifted to my by NetGalley and Berkley. All opinions are my own.

Oh, this book is pure, Wicked fun. I read this entire addictive book in one sitting. I am a complete sucker for books about secret societies and this absolutely did not disappoint.
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Rumors run rampant among the New York Elite about a powerful secret women’s society. The top women in New York are supposedly a member of this group. Other rumors include $1,000 monthly membership dues, Rhianna stopping by when she’s in town and that this group single handedly got the first female mayor of NYC elected.
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There is not much this group of billionaire “girl bosses” don’t have a hand in. They are the taste makers of New York City. They are a subject of intense curiosity. Anyone who’s a member of this group is on the rise.
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Jillian Beckley is on the way down as she is dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s death and the loss of her journalism job. She needs a story and a job fast and sees her chance as she infiltrates the secret society, but nothing is as she expected.
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These women have all the power and dangerous things can happen if you cross them. This book is crazy in the best way. I loved it. It’s wicked, dark with laugh out loud moments that focuses on feminism but what if women don’t rise each other up but step on each other along the way? These women will do what it takes to get to the top no matter the cost.
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This witty and darkly fun book comes out May 11th!
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Thank you to #NetGalley and #Berkley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

At the end of her rope, Jillian attempts a last-ditch effort to save her career by pursuing an impossible story – trying to find out if this secret society took down one of the most promising politicians NY has seen in years. There are whispers of their influence, sky-high dues, and even witchcraft.

As she becomes embroiled in their society though, she starts to wonder if this is the place she actually belongs? Is it truly just a sisterhood of women looking out for each other?

I admittedly had very high hopes for this novel about a journalist infiltrating a secret society of high power women in NYC. I adored Hankin’s previous novel, Happy and You Know It, so I might have set my expectations a bit too high.

Overall this was a solid read and I picked it up often to find out what would happen. However, the ultimate wrap up just left me wanting more? The whole thing felt a little far-fetched, even knowing going in that these "rumors" of magic might actually be true.

I did enjoy how Jillian ultimately managed the two men in her life, realizing who she truly wanted and who would be best for her!

Reeling from her mother’s death and the loss of her job, Jillian takes on a new journalism investigation. She infiltrates a secret and notorious group of elite, wealthy women.

I loved the author’s first book so I was excited to read this one. It kept my interest but I never got as engaged as I did for Happy and You Know It. I liked that it was similar in that it exploded the lives of wealthy elite women. The journalistic aspect also was interesting. I couldn’t get into the romance subplot, as I didn’t like either contender. The book took an unexpected turn, which wasn’t something that I loved but I appreciated how it turned out. I know that’s vague, but I don’t want to give anything away. The main character was frustrating because she was so fickle! I did enjoy the ending.

“Because of power and sisterhood. Because to be a woman in this world is to know that you’re never truly equal, even when you put in ten times the work. Because it scares the men who want to control us.”

A Special Place For Women comes out 5/11.

A story about a shady elite, women-run cult?

Yes, please.

This book will have you screaming GIRL POWER into the void while dancing naked in the light of a full moon. (Intrigued yet?)

Things get weird!

On the surface, A Special Place for Women is about a down and out journalist named Jillian who wants to infiltrate a secretive millennial women’s club in New York called “Nevertheless.” She needs a big story, and this one could enhance her faltering career.

However, as Jillian begins to somehow edge her way into the elitist group, she discovers much more than she originally anticipated.

This culty group has new age Illuminati vibes and influences society under the radar. They are feminists and they are powerful. I was entranced.
It was magical. ✨

A Special Place for Women is full of snark and social commentary. I appreciated that it could make me laugh while also keeping me hanging on every page to discover more about this club of women. The members was endlessly fascinating to me.

I really wanted to grab Jillian by the shoulders and tell her to get it together quite a few times, though. As a character she was often selfish and frustrating...but also complicated and very human in her flaws. I couldn’t fully dislike her because of how entertaining her thoughts were. I really enjoy witty and quirky characters.

If you enjoyed the author’s other book, Happy & You Know it, I recommend picking this one up when it’s published on May 11th. It has a similar feel and flow but a totally unique storyline.

I had fun reading it and will be thinking about this novel for days to come.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes you start a book not really knowing what you're in for, and then WHAM! You're so sucked in you can't stop reading. This is that book.

A Secret Place for Women grabbed me instantly. Laura's writing style is incredibly engaging and conversational. I don't want to get into too much about the book, simply because it will give away some of the best surprises, but this secret women's club is much more than what it appears.

I loved Jillian's sharp wit, and she was sarcastic, cunning, and also charming. Her inner dialogue had me laughing out loud. During one particularly serious scene in a pivotal part of the book, she thought to herself "Shit, I'm hungry" because of the smell of charring meat (spoiler: it wasn't the kind of meat meant for eating).

This is one of those books that I'm going to have to go get myself a copy of so it can live on my bookshelf forever.

Once again, I have finished a Laura Hankin book and I have no idea how to feel. I enjoyed the ride of her first book HAPPY & YOU KNOW IT but in many ways I feel like A SPECIAL PLACE FOR WOMEN is a stronger novel, at least for my tastes. This is probably mostly because satire about white, Pinterest feminism is infinitely more interesting and relatable to me than the perfect mommy satire. But the twist here was as equally unexpected as it was in her last novel, and I think the "rich mother sells her mommy play group speed" was more believable than the twist used in A SPECIAL PLACE FOR WOMEN...and that's really saying something. However, Hankin's books are an absolute blast to read and are filled with some very smart commentary, tongue-in-cheek humor, and compelling characters. I look forward to seeing what she does next!

I heard rumblings about this book months ago and was so fascinated by the premise. So, I went into this book with expectations for a wild ride, and was not disappointed!

Nevertheless is a secretive, invitation-only social club for elite NYC women with membership dues rumored to be $1,000 a month. Remind you of anything in real life (ahem, The Wing)?

Jillian Beckley is a journalist in desperate need of a job and money after taking time off to take care of her sick mother.

So what is left to do? Infiltrate this secretive club, learn their secrets, and expose them to the world, of course!

I think this book is best experienced knowing less than more, so I’ll leave the description at that, but this page-turner book had my attention from the start. It’s like finally getting to know what the life of really put-together (and highly intimidating) women is like, but still from the perspective of a normal ol’ gal. Plus, there’s a little bit of romance, which was mostly an enjoyable sweetness compared to the insanity of the rest of the book.

I will say that the conclusion felt very quick compared to the build up, and I wish it had a bit more oomph to it, but despite that, I loved this book. I’d recommend it to fans of Little Big Lies, Gilmore Girls, and Mean Girls. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this novel! Reporter Jillian Beckley needs a big story badly. She decides to work to get a membership in a New York women-only social club. Membership dues are $1,000 a month, and what happens there is supposed to stay there. Outsiders don’t even know where the meetings are held.
Word has it that these women, many of whom are CEOs, were instrumental in the election of the city’s first female mayor, and later in her downfall.
Jillian begins to realize just how powerful some of these women are and that she’s poked a hornet’s nest that contains many secrets.
Loved this different look featuring powerful women rather than the old boys’ club.

Ummm, this story was f***ing WILD. I honestly have no idea how to categorize this book - was it a thriller? paranormal? "women's fiction" (man do I hate that term)?

Let's break this down: There is an uber elite secret society for the select few women of Manhattan. Jillian is a journalist trying to re-start her career and decides to infiltrate said society to expose their secrets. While we learn about these ladies it's unclear if they are the ultimate feminists poised to make major breakthroughs for women everywhere, or just self-righteous rich bitches who enjoy power and prestige. Also, why so much drama around the term witches?

My initial thoughts: This book was so unique and unlike anything I've read before. If I can make any on-screen comparisons I'd say it's a mixture of Gossip Girl, Scandal, and The Craft. I was definitely sucked in from the beginning and read it compulsively in less than 48 hours. Some parts got a little weird for me and I wasn't completely satisfied with understanding the characters' motives, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

This was a fun book, espeically if you were a member of all-female coworking space, "The Wing." The details and parody of The Wing were the best part. I enjoyed the characters, although I thought the end tied together too quickly and cleanly. Overall, I'd defintely recommend this to anyone interested in NYC subcultures, feminism 'brands', or anyone just looking for a fun fiction book.

A SPECIAL PLACE FOR WOMEN - ☆☆☆☆
Thank you @netgalley & @berkley for the e-ARC!

From @goodreads: “It’s a club like no other. Only the most important women receive an invitation. But one daring young reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society, whose beguiling members are caught up in a dark and treacherous business.”

I really enjoyed Laura Hankin’s last novel, HAPPY & YOU KNOW IT, and this one was even better. From the start I was dying to know what went on in this elitist secret society. The tension was immaculate. 😂 Even when things took a *weird* turn, it stayed really fun and not overly silly. Sharp, funny, twisty, spooky, and even a little romantic— it has it all, honestly. Even some really thought-provoking cultural commentary!

Is this one on your radar?! It’s out May 11th!

This book was amazing. The story was engaging and unique and the characters were beautifully flawed. The pace and flow of the plot pulled me forward and made it impossible to put down.

Well, where to start? I thoroughly enjoyed the first. half of the book when our plucky heroine investigative journalist infiltrated a secret group of professional women, supported her best platonic pal's restaurant launch, and grieved the loss of her mother. The turn into magical realism was a disappointment, not because it was not somewhat engaging as storytelling, but because I had already invested emotionally in the realistic fiction narrative. It's like ordering a hamburger and halfway through eating it, it turns into pie. I love pie. But I was eating a hamburger. T

Bexley has hit rock bottom. She is grieving the recent death of her mother and has abruptly lost her job. Her childhood home has been sold and she desperately needs to find somewhere to live. She’s trying hard to be happy for her childhood friend Raf as his new restaurant opens to rave reviews.

Bexley is with Raf at his opening when she meets Margot, a beautiful socialite rumored to be a part of the most exclusive women’s club in the city. Bexley uses Raf’s connections to finagle an invite. As she meets this circle of wealthy, powerful, and influential women, Bexley thinks that penetrating this secretive circle of women could get her back in the writing game-and her ex editor and crush Miles is eager to help her succeed.

But as Bexley begins to get to know these women and unravel the secrets of the group, she is drawn to the power and magic that seem to dwell within their circle. As she gathers information for her article, she must decide if she can truly betray this new sisterhood... or what it would be like to truly belong.

Hankin has written a smart novel and almost social commentary on the rise of “girl power” and resistance in this current climate. Enthralling and thought-provoking, I recommend this novel.

A woman only social club, secret meetings, clubhouse
A journalist struggling, needs to get her credibility back

I could not stop reading once I got into story
I will recommend this book to everyone

Witchy Women

Laura Hankin’s 2020 novel Happy & You Know It combined chick lit (I say with love), suspense, classism, New York real estate porn, the feelings of being an outsider, and working girl ambition. Her latest, A Special Place for Women, touches the same pleasure points with a similar story about women’s work, friendships, and our singular quest for independence and love (partner and family--blood or not) at the same time.

We know from the first page that there’s a mysterious women’s only club called Nevertheless “where the elite tastemakers of NYC met to scratch one another’s backs.” Jillian Bechley is a young reporter/writer out of a job when the news website where she worked, Quill, gets sold. She has a few heavy things going all at once: a story hunt to pitch to her ex-editor and inappropriate crush Miles working at another paper and going through a divorce, supporting her childhood friend and the new hottest chef in Manhattan Raf, dealing with the loss of her mother to cancer (”all those mornings over the past couple months where I’d woken up thinking that I still had a mother, and then had to reorient myself all over again”), selling her childhood house, and working as a bartender in a dive to pay the bills.

So when she meets Margot, the beautiful rich millennial influencer who runs a hip horoscope app, she plots to get into her club Nevertheless and write an exclusive story busting the doors wide open and their possible part in taking down a promising female politician whom they recently backed but who fell from grace. Page turner for real! Bonus points for tackling what it’s like to be physically vulnerable as woman, “I knew that nobody would come to help me, that I was finally in that moment so many women experience, the moment when our luck runs out.”

Wendy Ward
http://wendyrward.tumblr.com

The setting for this book is a combination of like a Goop business, spa and country club for women. It’s an incredibly fun narrative about the current scape of luxury for women. While the characters may not all be relatable they are very much people you will recognize. The plot will provoke, incense, and intrigue you. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the the ARC.

More like 3.75/5 but still it was fun, fast paced read! I love reading books where white women confront other white women who are misusing their privilege (injected with humor and satire) and this one didn't disappoint. It does get a little *~weird~* but it manages to steady itself even then and concludes well. A must read for anyone who's interested in elite women's clubs like The Wing and the weirdness that rich ladies do. This book is very of the moment.

It does go into the grief of losing a parent quite a bit, so if that's a sensitive topic to you, maybe wait or sit this one out.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the eARC of this lovely book!

Alexa, play all the girl power songs you have.

This was such a fun and enjoyable book to read. I was hooked from the first chapter. The main character, Jillian, was so relatable and I was sucked into her writing this story about Nevertheless as much as she was I think. This was a perfect blend of girl power, wit and humor, romance, mystery, and witchy vibes. I loved every character - they were all perfectly fleshed out (one of them even had an emotional support snake which is perfect). I thought the ending of this was perfection, it was literally women empowering women until the end (with only a few minor hiccups). And of course sweet Raf, loved that ending for him and Jillian as well.

This book is out on 05/11/2021 and you do not want to miss it.

(publishing my review on GR and Netgalley now, will publish my review to IG on pub date)