First of all thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the chance to read this early in exchange of an honest review.

I love historical fiction and hadn't read anything from the 80's time period so I was intrigued by the premise of the story. However half way through I was bored and thought there were too many side characters. I sadly lost interest and didn't finish the book.

3/5 stars for the portion that I did read. I wish Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas good luck with her book and I hope it finds the right readers. This one just wasn't for me.

Love this story idea. I enjoyed the flow, did not enjoy all the extra and for me unnecessary characters but really liked this book overall. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy.

Climbing in Heels is a story about women jumping hurdles to make their way in the “boys club’ that is the entertainment industry. Though this is set solidly in the 70’s and 80’s, I think it would be safe to say that many of these hurdles still exist today.

We got three female perspectives throughout the story, but I think we can easily say that Beanie is the main character, and who the story revolves around. Ambitious and cut throat, Beanie will be an unlikable character too many, but I found myself routing for her. Were there times I was yelling “girl no!”, absolutely, but mostly I just wanted to see her get what she wanted. Mercedes, also cut throat, was harder for me to route for. Perhaps because I had already “sided” with Beanie, but a lot of the choices Mercedes made felt petty to me, and while they were all making similar decisions I had an easier time rationalizing why Beanie made them. That’s probably on me though. Then there was Ella. I really can’t decide where I stand with her. She felt like the least developed of the three characters, the one we got to know the least.

The story was a bit of a slow burn, and very character driven. Because of this, as well as the unlikability of the three female POVs, I think that this will be hard for some people to get into and I can see this story being very divisive. Speaking of the slower plot, I was not a fan of the ending. It felt just a bit too abrupt in comparison to the overall pacing.

I really enjoyed this book, and would be interested to pick up future works by Goldsmith-Thomas. I don’t think this will be for everyone but if you are a fan of a slower paced, character driven story and want to read about bad-ass women making decisions (sometimes bad, or questionable ones) to further their careers; then I would suggest picking this one up when it comes out.

Climbing in Heels by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas is a captivating fictional story that delves into the journey of three secretaries as they navigate the competitive world of a top Hollywood agency in the 1980s. The novel offers a fascinating peek into the male-dominated environment of the era, where women were often relegated to serving roles despite their ambitions for more.

At the core of the book lies a web of gossip, revealing the intricate dynamics of agent politics, scandalous affairs, and power struggles within the industry. Through the author's vivid storytelling, readers are immersed in a world filled with celebrity name-dropping, behind-the-scenes drama, and the relentless pursuit of power.

With its compelling narrative and unforgettable characters, Climbing in Heels is a page-turner that will keep me hooked from start to finish. It's a must-read for anyone intrigued by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's golden age. I couldn't put it down and highly recommend it to all book lovers!

I think I would have given this book a solid 5 stars if there hadn't been so many secondary and tertiary characters who did nothing to advance the storyline. Another issue was that it bogged down so much in the middle that I felt I was reading a thousand-page book instead of a three-hundred-page book. There was really no character growth and just a bit too much descriptive nookie and cocaine for me. But then again, that was part of this era!

The story itself was unique in that I have never read anything about Hollywood agents or the women who broke into this industry and shattered the glass ceiling. Reading about the back-stabbing that was going on in this industry was attention-grabbing. Also, seeing in print how the men treated women during this time period will make the younger generation of women understand just what their mothers and grandmothers went through while trying to climb the corporate ladder.

It was interesting to see how this author wrote about this era and the breakout of women in all industries/careers. I came of age during this time period, so I could relate to Beanie, Ella, and Mercedes.

This was a worthy read. I think it will interest most book clubs because it raises many questions that will be worth discussing.


*ARC provided by the publisher St. Martins Press, the author, and NetGalley.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

Beanie, Mercedes and Ella are three woman born in the 50's and 60's. Not the greatest time for women who want to be someone important in a man's world. It never mattered to these three. They would do anything they had to in order to get to the top in Hollywood.. No matter what.
This is a captivating story that I hated to put down. Possibly because I was growing up and becoming someone in my world in that same time period, so I knew all the names and places in this whirlwind of a novel!
Don't miss this one!

For the first half of this, and by the premise, I thought it was going to be a 5 star book. But halfway through, I was bored. It was just the same story over and over for 10 years, women getting f’ed over in their job by men. I was rooting for them but wish the book continued with more focus on their lives and not the day to day work stuff.

Climbing in Heels
By: Elaine Goldsmith- Thomas
Pub date
Publisher

4👠👠👠👠

A witty and entertaining debut novel. Hollywood in the 80’s was wild and the shows were fun.
👠
We follow three secretaries at the hottest agency. Beanie, Mercedes and Ella are fun characters who each have their unique challenges/strengths and do it all in heels. They come from different backgrounds which make this story extra lively.
👠
Sex, spice, drugs, glamour and power are all explored which each handles differently.
👠
Thank you Netgalley and MacMillian Audio for the advanced audio. The narrators captured the characters perfectly.
#climbinginheels, #macaudio2025, #elainegoldsmiththomas, #stamperlady50

Three women we follow from little girls to full on adults. Enjoyable page turner, you know the one more chapter kind of book, well this is that. As the careers get going in the 1980s the competition and characters grow. Do you backstab or act honorably with ethics in your personal life as well as professional, that's the question for our three main characters, the entertainment industry is calling their names and making them choose. Thoroughly enjoyed this read from NetGalley for an honest opinion. It is one that is hard to put down. By

A story of three young women trying to make it in a male-dominated field by any means necessary.
I find this to be a quick read. I feel drawn into the politics and drama of the '80s and '90s talent agency.
I’m an 80s baby so I have no personal experience with this world and I don’t know all of the stars mentioned. All and all I enjoyed this book. The middle got a little confusing at first but I got it untangled.

This is a book I read. I didn’t love it or hate it. It was a solid OK book. In the way that fictional books are written by entertainment people, this feels more like a series pitch than a real book.

None of the characters had much to offer. It just wasn’t a really interesting book. I will check out the series they’re making though.


Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. It’s well-written and engaging, but I never felt too much of a connection with the characters. In fact, the only one I liked at all was Beanie Rosen who, we find out in the first chapter, dies. She’s really the star of the story, with Millicent/Mercedes and Ella playing supporting roles. Although I had sympathy for Millicent’s humble beginnings, and some understanding for Ella and her inability to fit in with her family, both were essentially self-serving, while Beanie was the one who worried most about hurting other people. Maybe that was part of her insecurities, while the other two women were more confident in their inherent value.

There were times when I was reminded of Valley of the Dolls, but perhaps it was the time period and setting because I don’t remember the writing that well. It was a long time ago. I guess the main thing is that there were three friends who were pursuing their dreams and overcoming obstacles in a time when things were stacked against them simply because they were women.

There were a few times throughout the story when I laughed, like when Beanie describes her parents: “They had two beds, separated by one night table and a good amount of dissatisfaction.” And another time, Beanie’s high school friend Elise is described like this: “...both slightly cross-eyed and a bit pigeon-toed, which somehow lent her symmetry. It was as if each eye followed the opposing foot.”

Describing the rampant misogyny and racism in the 70s and 80s, there’s this scene where one of the male agents “banters” with the black receptionist: “‘Whatcha got, black beauty?’ he said, leaning on the counter, cluelessly racist, flirting in the way men do when they think they’re as charming as they are clever, and they are neither.”

Each chapter begins with a quote from some “famous” person. I didn’t recognize most of them, but one made me laugh with how nebulous it was in its attribution: “The greatness of our lives is not so much in what we leave behind, but in what we send forward. —AS TOLD BY SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HAVE HEARD STEVEN JOBS SAY THAT TO SOMEONE ELSE.”

As I mentioned earlier, the book is well-written, but I was expecting something funnier. Based on the plot, I’m not sure why I would have chosen it otherwise. If I were interested in Hollywood, I probably would have enjoyed it more. There’s a lot of name-dropping mixed in with made-up names. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. I can’t give it a high rating because I didn’t relate to any of it. It is a good book. Not to be harsh, but I didn’t get the point. I suppose, it was a snapshot into another time.

And maybe it’s just me, because I was entering the workforce myself in the 80s, but it’s not exactly a snapshot I look back on fondly. This was just a reminder of how skewed things used to be, not only in the workforce, but also in society. Back then, the first female CEO was a big deal. A female astronaut was unusual. I was thinking women had come a long way, but as I look at current efforts in the US to erase the accomplishments of women and POC, it strikes me how easily it can all be taken away. I like to feel good when I finish a story, and maybe I should feel happy for Beanie for all of her accomplishments in the face of such adversity, but instead, I feel disheartened to think we may be headed that way again. I don’t want to spiral, so I’ll leave it at that.

“Climbing in Heels”, the debut novel from right hand woman to Jennifer Lopez, producer, and former agent Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas has been described as “Sex in the City” meets “Nine to Five” (I’d also add in a little bit of “Working Girl” meets “Gossip Girl”. Which is a lot to live up to! But man, this book does it. I loved every minute of this rollicking ride.

“Climbing in Heels” tells the story of Beanie, Ella, and Mercedes, three young women trying to make it all the way to the top at LA’s premiere talent agency in the 80s and 90s. They’ll do absolutely whatever it takes to get where they’re trying to go, and it’s so fun to read about their exploits.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of and sometimes the character development of the lead characters suffers because of this but honestly that didn’t bother me. The plot moved so quickly and the twists were so surprising and that’s what really kept me interested more than character development. Also, I have this book to thank for reigniting my fascination with the world of Hollywood talent agencies.

I was honestly so sad when this delightful book ended which is why I’m so glad that it’s already been optioned for TV and is being written and produced by the author and her friend (and SATC creator) Darren Star. Can’t wait for the show and can’t wait for more people to read this book so I have people to talk to about it!!

Climbing in Heels by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas

4 Stars

This is the type of book that is needed in 2025!! It was a fun, and engaging novel that still tackles the issue of gender gaps in professional environments. The women in this book are headstrong, and willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead in a world where men have the upper hand. This message was delivered in such an engaging and inspirational way. In a race that is not fair, you do not just quit...you put in the extra effort to make sure you come out victorious. I will be highly recommending this novel to my friends, family, and followers.

( I will be sharing my review to my socials on May 10th)

This book is about women who are desperate to get ahead and will do anything it takes to do so. I really liked that it highlighted women's determination and friendship/betrayal in a "man's world".

Really enjoyed this one! It felt like Working Girl meets old-school Hollywood drama, with strong female leads fighting for their place in a male-dominated industry. The insider details were fun, and the story moved quickly. Some parts felt a little rushed, but overall, it was an engaging and empowering read. Perfect for fans of career-driven, glamorous fiction! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was fun! It reminded me of the Wolf of Wall Street only feminist and on the West Coast. Bernie, Ella, and Mercedes are all forces to be reckoned with in their own ways; learning how to rise to the top of their games in any capacity.

The chapters were short, sweet, and dated which for me was very helpful to note chronologically what was transpiring. I did predict a few things that were going to happen (thanks foreshadowing) but they fit well in the story and kept me interested in the plot line.

Overall, I would recommend this book to someone looking for a feminist period piece that doesn’t mind a bit of lude humor.

3.5 ⭐️ I thoroughly enjoyed this story of three young secretaries in the 1980’s riding up through the ranks in the Light talent agency to become talent agents.

The story was a realistic telling of women breaking the glass ceiling in the male dominated entertainment agency business. Loved the characters of Beanie Rosen, Ella Gaddy, and Mercedes Baxter, each trying to reinvent themselves in a cutthroat world.

Well written and engaging, it fell off a little towards the middle with a lot going on with many storylines, but the ending was very surprising and satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

Beanie, Ella & Mercedes are three women who want a different life than what they are told they have to have. They want to break through the glass ceiling in Hollywood. This is their journey, and all that was happening. I liked that the book, seemed to be the same pace as where the women were in different parts of their journeys. They went through a lot, and I enjoyed stepping back in time to see the women, started breaking into the good old boys clubs.
I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.