This is a funny and poignant story about a woman's journey and desire to be an entrepreneur.

Antonia (Toni) is raising twin daughters alone after her husband disappears. He has some sort of midlife crisis and is seeking to find himself. That doesn't help Toni raise their teenage daughters. Luckily, she has friends and family who are supportive and push her to achieve more in life. One of these is a client, Mrs Eisenberg, who is a hoot. She has lived quite the life, and has a lot of knowledge and advice to dispense to Toni. That is, if Toni hears and accepts it, sometimes Toni gets in her own way.

I had a love-hate relationship with Toni. I admired her independence and gumption, but she also came across as wishy-washy when it came to her husband, Simon. She knows what she has to do, but her guilt is holding her back. That Catholic guilt will get you every time! Plus, her mother is pressuring her to keep her marriage intact. I despised Simon. He believes he can have whatever he wants without regard for Toni or anyone else.

Now, there is a bright spot in this book: Ash. He is the grandson of Sylvia Eisenberg and a gem. There are the usual misunderstandings between him and Toni, but he doesn't let that stop him from trying to win her heart.

Other characters help round out this book and support Toni in her dream. I did think the product that she pitched to Innovation Nation was genius.

Overall, this was a book about self discovery, and we give it 4 paws up.

A delightful novel. A wonderful variety of characters, especially the strong women ones. Engaging and heartwarming tale. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

When Toni was young she had her life planned out. However, life got in the way and now she is 40 something and has deferred all her dreams. She has two daughters and a husband that left them 2 years ago. A job at the local airport supports them. When is it Toni's turn? Could she still realize her dreams?

What a wonderful, hopeful story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This story definitely resonated with me. I would definitely recommend reading this book. It may just change your outlook on life and what is possible.

Thank you to #NetGalley, @alliandasha, and #Montlake for a copy of this book.
#BossLady

It's a good story, well written, but it didn't move me as much as I would have hoped, but I enjoyed it anyway.

I found this book to be entertaining enough, adorable, with engaging and relatable characters and a realistic storyline.
However, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea. Now and then I look for an upfiliting, heartwarming kind of story to read between my usual heavy drama reads. That's why I picked this one up.
It was fine, I guess. It's much more one of those cases "it's me, not the book". I'm sure this book has its audience - and other readers are indeed really enjoying this book - but I'm not really part of it.

BOSS LADY by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans

Genres: Humor, Women’s Fiction.

I had no idea these two authors had written other books together. Even reading Boss Lady, you cannot tell it was written by two people. The story flows as seamlessly as if it was written by only one person.

Boss Lady is a delightfully uplifting and humorous read that deals with everyday situations in the lives of true-to-life characters. At the center of the story we have our main character, Antonia "Toni" Arroyo, mother of teenage twin daughters, who was abandoned by her husband, Simon, who left them to "go find his true self". Thrust practically overnight into a life of single parenting with only her mother and two best friends, Zwena and Krish, as her support system, Toni navigates the challenges of everyday life - embarrassing moments and all - earning a living in airport transportation services, to make ends meet. But Toni knows she has more going for her than just her natural beauty. She has big plans for her future and those of her daughters. As a promising inventor and budding engineer, she develops a groundbreaking new product, and by a stroke of luck is afforded the opportunity to showcase and pitch her newest invention on TVs most popular show for entrepreneurs, Innovation Nation. But with her soon-to-be-ex-husband suddenly back in their lives, her world is turned upside down.

Luckily Toni has made another new friend, eccentric elderly traveler, and frequent passenger in need of Toni's airport transportation services, Sylvia Eisenberg. Then there is Sylvia's aloof grandson, Ash, whom Toni can't get off her mind.

With so much happening in Toni's life, the reader is taken on a wild ride alongside Toni and a wonderful cast of supporting characters for the ultimate prize of getting Antonia's budding business off the ground. Or could venture capitalist Ash or ex-husband-turned-life-coach, Simon, be what Toni needs more?

***

Filled with memorable characters, clever prose, and exceptional wit that will have you bent over with laughter, Boss Lady is an absolute treat. It features strong females and diverse characters; an engaging plot, and very realistic and relatable situations in which Toni finds herself.

What I liked most is the low-key romance that added a layer of sweetness to the story without being sappy. The main focus of the story is the friendships formed between all these assorted, quirky characters, and how they all come together to encourage and support our lovely protagonist, Antonia, in her venture for independence and the realization of a lifelong dream.

Boss Lady is ultimately a wonderfully lighthearted feel-good read, with a few wisdoms at its core. It might not be a book that takes itself too seriously, but it's certainly not a fluffy read either.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up

There is much to like in this book. I really liked that the old lady who chatted to Toni at the airport really was the entrepreneur and innovations guru who had supported some of the biggest names in the business – it was a clever reminder not to judge a book by its cover!

Toni has a brain which cannot stop coming up with bright ideas – she just needs one to work and be picked up by an investor so she can stop her job driving airport transfers. Her ex walked out, leaving her bringing up twins and shouldering all the bills and burdens. When Sylvia, her favourite client, falls ill and she goes with her to the hospital, their lives become more entwined.

Meeting Sylvia's grandson, Ash, changes everything – she finds someone attractive for the first time in forever, but he is completely out of reach... let alone she is still married. And now he is in a position to give her a chance at her dream on a TV investment show. Of course, her ex pops up, like a bad penny, and chaos ensues.

I felt that the plot got a bit overly twisted in places and could have been rejigged a bit to reduce the need for explanation, but I did really enjoy the characters and the storyline, as well as the outcome!

This book screams "girl power" all the way. Antonia “Toni” Arroyo is holding onto the strings of her life, raising her twin teenage daughters as her husband has left to "find himself". While doing this she has built a community of women of all ages who support and encourage her to chart her own path. It speaks to the importance of this and all that can be learned from women of all walks of life and all ages. It's good and enjoyable on many levels.

This book was an interesting read, as someone getting closer to 40 it’s not often you read a book with characters in your age bracket anymore. Toni who has been a self determined woman most of her life, is dealing with the struggles with a husband who disappears on them (by his choice), raising twin daughters, and dealing with her family. With her job at the airport she becomes friends with a variety pack of side characters. Some of which refuse to acknowledge that they are. (Looking at you Sylvia Eisenberg). Can Toni figure out a business venture that will help her make it on her own, while juggling very strong personalities in her life, and should she get divorced and love again. This is a fun quick read for anyone looking for people who are over the age of 30. Thank you NetGalley, Montlake, Alli Frank & Asha Youmans for picking me to be an arc reader of this book.

I know I keep saying this, but I absolutely adore Alli Frank and Asha Youmans, and so far, I have not read a single book by them I haven't loved. Boss Lady was no different and their blend of uniqueness, humor, and tear-jerking topics get me every single time, so it's no wonder this book blew me away! I love where they got their idea for Toni's job and their not-so-subtle references to a famous TV show and a certain male entrepreneur. 😏 The family and motherhood elements were on point as always and I loved Toni's character immensely, even as she debates taking her crappy ex back.

The cast of characters is very eclectic, and I couldn't help but fall head over heels in love with Mrs. Eisenberg. The banter between her and Toni was hilarious, and there were plenty of both funny and heart-wrenching moments. The audiobook is narrated by Bahni Turpin who has been the narrator for all of Frank and Youmans books to date, and once again she knocked it out of the park. Turpin is one of my favorite narrators for a very good reason, and she was a joy and pleasure to listen to. The romance between Toni and Ash took a bit to get going but the tension and chemistry were there, and I was rooting for this 'second chance' romance to win out. Boss Lady is inspiring, has lots of depth, and made my heart happy. And I dare you not to cry at the end...

Clever, humorous, and inspiring!

Boss Lady is a flirty, charming tale about the hardworking, driven Antonia Arroyo who, after her husband walks out and doesn’t return for more than a year learns to juggle her love of science, her extreme creativity and drive to succeed, the raising of her twin teen girls, her monotonous job in airport transportation, and the reappearance of a crush from a lifetime ago.

The prose is smooth and sharp. The characters are focused, amusing, and dependable. And the plot is a lighthearted, funny blend of life, love, introspection, friendship, awkward situations, embarrassing moments, taking chances, and the ups and downs of being a single mother and an entrepreneur.

Overall, I found Boss Lady to be a smart, simmering, entertaining read by Frank & Youmans that’s brimming with empowerment, female friendships, and delectable romance.

Boss Lady by Alli Frank; Asha Youmans was a wonderfully written story.
I enjoyed everything about this one.
The writing was fun, the characters are engaging and the storytelling was entertaining.

Thank You NetGalley and Montlake for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This is very much about female empowerment. Toni's husband went off to find himself and now that she's got something going_ having dealt with the mess he left behind-he wants to come back. She's focused on her business and with the help of Mrs. Eisenberg (great character), it's going very well. And it's getting even better. Thanks to Netgalley for the arc. A good read.

Toni works in airport transportation, shuttling people to their gates. She has always had a fascination for science and entrepreneurship, and with Puerto Rican heritage, she is trying to formulate a body lotion for women with different skin colours. And Toni, whose husband Simon upped and left her and their twin daughters to go find himself, is used to hustling.
One of her favourite airport clients, the elderly Mrs Eisenberg, has a grandson, Ash, who is a venture capitalist. Toni may have once had a crush on him at college – and maybe still does.
This was an inspiring read about her pursuit to invent a successful product as Toni faces various challenges in her personal and entrepreneurial life. It centres around her business dreams, strong friendships with work colleagues, her burgeoning ties with the Eisenbergs, and the unwelcome return of her self-absorbed ex.

Toni is a recently single mother of twins trying her best. When she has a new business endeavor and an opportunity to pitch it on a tv show, she is excited but her past will get in the way.

This story is perfect for someone in my age group: forties! The main character carves her one path at middle age and follows dreams, despite obstacles along the way. It was slow paced at times and parts were hard to get through but I appreciated the story, the strong female independence, and the support shown.

Boss Lady comes out 7/2.

Toni's life took an unexpected turn when her husband walked out to find himself through self actualization. It's two years later and he has now returned and wants to pick up like nothing has changed. During this time Toni has worked to find her place in the world and start the business she had always wanted.

I loved the idea of women supporting women and that help comes from where you least expect it. The story did a great job of highlighting the uniqueness of skin and the variations in color.

I needed this book to be more concise, there was a lot of set up and building that could have been done in less time. It took me a long time to get into the story.

Boss Lady is a quirky, fun story. The main character, Antonia, is a mother to twins whose husband has left to “find himself.” That leaves Antonia to pick up the pieces to support them. She has already had to quit school since her father had died and had to help support her mom and brothers. But Antonia has lots of ideas and wants to try to find “ the next big one.” She takes a job transporting people around the airport when she meets a woman, Mrs. Eisenberg. The story continues from there with their connection and Mrs. Eisenberg’s influence.
Definitely more of a beach read than a heavy novel.

I read about 16% of this title but I was getting bored. Unfortunately, the writing style is heavy on exposition. I suspect that the grandson the protagonist met will come back, but there is SO MUCH telling and not much showing. I think the premise is somewhat interesting and I really like the setting and many interesting side characters. Just too much backstory and explanations on the side.

Think rags to riches, meets set backs, divorce/estranged partner.

Overall I felt that the relationship of the main couple lacked any depth. It felt like this was forced, or just added for plot thickening or something.

The premise of the book seemed to be a great idea, but overall, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Boss Lady is a heartwarming story of chosen family, self actualization, and grit. I couldn’t help but fall in love with the cast of characters as I followed along on Antonia’s journey. This is my second read of Alli Frank and Asha Youmans and I am a fan!

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.