Leverage has the potential to be a compelling critique of our hypercapitalistic society in which money is more important than anything including human life, but ultimately is fairly shallow with an emphasis on action and the protagonist, Ali “Al” Jafar finding his way out of increasingly absurd and violent situations.

Al Jafar is an analyst (or something like that! I couldn’t follow a lot of the Wall Street jargon) at an investment firm in San Francisco and manages to lose $300 million in one day. His sadistic boss who, among most of the other employees of the firm, subjects him to regular racism and abuse, demands that he recoup the money by any means possible or else he will face dire consequences. This takes place amongst a backdrop of an even more dystopian society than the one we experiencing in real life.

As Al struggles to earn the money back he falls deeper into a world where there are zero morals or ethics and barely maintains connections with the few trustworthy “normal” people in his life. Suicidal ideation features very heavily in this book and is a theme in most chapters along with Al’s reluctant relationship with his mother who he begrudgingly speaks to by phone occasionally. Much is made of the fact throughout the plot that Al’s father was a Pakistani man who got his white mother pregnant and then left them.

There are some excellent points made in this book such as the idea that the concept of “whiteness” centers around the owning of property, however this is only explored very superficially. Al makes note of the other characters of color he is friendly with in a mostly white supremacist environment, however these friendships are mostly superficial as well which is addressed in the plot at least.

This is the kind of action driven book that I could see working well as a TV series which might be a better medium to explore the characters in depth while still maintaining a fast paced plot. In addition, it was hard for me to follow a lot of the Wall St. lingo and jargon while reading, but that didn’t impact the plot too much.

Many thanks to Atria Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion

Ali Jafar (often addressed by his bully of a boss as Al – though far more egregious sobriquets are sometimes used) is a high flying portfolio manager at a San Francisco based hedge fund. Unfortunately, he finds himself in very deep water after having taken a major position on a company that’s now gone belly up. He’s just lost $300 million of the fund’s money. No problem, says his boss, who proceeds to threaten him with a huge a stitch up that’ll no doubt send Ali to prison for a very long time. Unless Ali can somehow get the money back in the next three months, that is.

Ali feels that he has no choice but to try find a way to achieve this ridiculous goal, even though he can honestly conceive of no way he’ll succeed. That said, he is a pessimist at heart, a glass half empty kind of guy. ‘Oh well, there’s always suicide’ seems to be the only though that gives him a modicum of cheer. He’s also a bit of a loner, is Ali. He has very few friends and gets on well with only a small number of his work colleagues. There is no father figure in the picture. He is in contact with his mother, but they’re not close. Essentially he doesn’t have a single meaningful relationship in his life.

Strangely, despite all the gloom this tale really is quite funny and moreover hugely engaging. Ali is a character I very quickly found I was rooting for, desperately hoping he’d succeed even as he got deeper and deeper into sketchy territory, seeking help from people he really knew very little about. Throughout, Ali never has any doubt that the threat posed to him is a real one, so if he’s going to go out it’ll be with all guns blazing – one way or another!

I enjoy financial stories (I spent my working life in finance) so this one was right up my street. In many ways, I suppose it can be seen as a critique of a financial system that allows (even encourages) financial institutions to cream off huge profits whilst adding no value at all to society. There is a lot of financial talk and use of acronyms. But though a good deal of this flew straight over my head, enough stuck so that I was able to get the gist of the action. However, that’s more than I can say for the regular, and rather nerdy, references made to American College Sport, none of which registered with me at all.

Overall, the tension here is well maintained throughout. I never lost interest in the story and grew ever more anxious for Ali’s fate as the clock continued to run down for him. But I confess to being somewhat disappointed in the way it was all wrapped up. To me, this was done in a rather odd way, and here I did get rather lost in the mechanics of it all. But that aside, I found it to be a wry and clever look at the world of high finance, all wrapped up in an adventure surrounding a guy I couldn’t help but warm to.

Unexpected delight. Really enjoyed this story and couldn’t put it down. Read all night. Strongly recommend and will read the author again. Great characters and wonderful writing.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is a story about Al, a financial analyst at Prism Hedge Fund. It all begins when a fund that Al is responsible suddenly cost the Firm $300 million. He winds up talking to Paul, the funds owner, and told that unless he makes the $300 million back, he will be going down for Insider trading. Yhe catch is that he only has 3 months to get it done.

Read along and learn what Al is willing to do to meet this requirement. See how his actions impact the people around him. Find out what was the final approach that Al had to employ as his time for completion got shorter.

The conclusion of the story is quite interesting and will answer a lot of the questions that you had.

Well worth the read!

3.5 stars rounded up

Fast-paced and gripping at its best, Leverage reads like it was written by someone who truly knows the finance world ( better or worse).The dark humor worked for me. Lots of talk about suicide and I get why that's hard for a lot of readers.

I enjoyed the peek into such a wild industry, even though it’s pretty unknown to me. I totally get why people compare it to Wolf on Wall Street. I had a similar feeling watching that... a little lost at times, a definite “bro-y” vibe. With Leverage, it always felt true to the perspective character. So not really my thing, but definitely someone's thing.

A fun read. If the premise grabs you, it’s worth picking up.

I am not in the mood to read this kind of book right now. It just makes me angry and depressed about the entire world. Bad timing, not a bad book.

At only twenty-seven-year-old, Ali Jafar is a high-performing hedge fund manager for Prism Capital in San Francisco. He’s smart, respected, and has earned the confidence of his powerful boss, Paul Kingsley, founder of the firm and a man whose influence stretches deep into both government and law enforcement. But when Ali loses $300 million in a single investment, his life takes a sharp and terrifying turn. Rather than fire him, Kingsley gives him an ultimatum: recover the money in three months or face false charges of insider trading. And Kingsley has the leverage to accomplish that.

What follows is a downward spiral into desperation and depression. Raised by a single white mother he’s always resented, Ali has never had it easy. He’s endured racism throughout his life, and his current situation is no exception—particularly when dealing with Paul’s arrogant, racist son Brad. With his options running out, Ali turns to Damon, a loyal friend who connects him with an organization that traffics in “sensitive information, and Ali decides to give it a chance. He starts making back the money, but of course, the story doesn’t end there. In fact, readers will not anticipate all the twists in the story.

"Leverage" is not only a faced paced thriller, but also an emotional story of its central character. Throughout the novel, the author uses self-deprecating humor to reveal Ali’s emotional state. Ali reevaluates the meaning of family and trust and realizes that you often must work with your perceived enemies to achieve your end goal. Just as important, he learns that he is not the only emotionally damaged person in his sphere.

Fast paced with surprises at every turn, "Leverage" offers a sharp critique of the industry’s excess and systemic exploitation. The hedge fund world is portrayed not just as greedy, but predatory built on a zero-sum mentality that chews up the vulnerable and rewards only the ruthless. And there are victims everywhere.

(This review will be posted on UnderratedReads on August 19, 2025)

Al is a rising hedge fund star manager. But he messes up and loses $300 million . He is sure he will get fired but his company tells him to get the money back or he has to take the fall. It sounds an impossible task but he has to try. Interesting and funny!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a good financial thriller, and it gave similar vibes to high-stakes bank movies! To me it seemed that the stakes felt real, and that Al was genuinely being toyed with by both his boss and by the FBI. The relationships between characters — which were truly awful, as they weren’t for the faint of heart or easily offended — were incredibly accurate to real “finance bros” that actually exist and actually act like this. In fact, a lot of the book seemed well researched and situated in the reality of ultra wealthy finance firms.

I will say, though, that there should be several trigger/content warnings. For one, Al is extremely suicidal and continually references this fact and makes plans. More than one would expect for a depressed hedge funder. There’s also some pretty extreme racism committed against Al by his employer. Like, extreme extreme. It was… a lot to read both of these (and a few other similar things).

Leverage was a total page-turner! Armani Gowani brings the heat with high-stakes drama, bold characters, and nonstop twists. I was hooked from the first chapter and didn’t want it to end. So addictive!

“Leverage” is by Amran Gowani. It’s obvious from Mr. Gowani’s writing that he knows a lot about Wall Street / Financial speak. I’m fortunate to have someone I could ask financial questions to because there is a LOT of “fin bro” talk in this book. Putting that aside, this book was a LOT to take in. First there’s basically the unlikable characters - every single person in this book Is unlikeable. Maybe that was the point - but even when it was looking like the main character was in the clear - nope, shoe drops (and if one is paying attention it was an obvious plot twist) and one is back to thinking “yep, NO ONE is likable in this book.” There are a number of times that Mr. Gowani uses $10 words when a much simpler one could (and should) be used - yes, it’s stylistic, but … Also, I didn’t need to know that Al “micturated” or actually used the facilities at all … ditto for all the times he masturbated (again, don’t need to know and not sure what it added to the story). This book wasn’t my cup of tea and, honestly, it was so darned depressing (and the mentions of ways to commit suicide didn’t help any). Is there anything good about this book - for me, not much - although it does take place in San Francisco (except for the parts that occur in/around NYC). 1.5 stars rounded up to two for the sole reason that I actually finished the book.

This is a fast-paced financial thriller that reeled me in quickly. A hedge fund star employee has just tanked and is now close to being on the cutting block if he doesn’t pull out all the stops to rectify the colossal losses for his cut throat and ever-raging boss, the founder of Prism Capital, or else…I thought the writing of this debut novel was a bit of a mixed bag - brilliant, darkly humorous, and wonderfully phrased on many occasions; at others times cringeworthy and really? I had to say to myself. I didn’t care for any of the characters - but then again, I don’t think I was meant to, given the plot of the book and the ick factor. The author did a great job conveying the ruthless, sordid, and unethical world of finance and its high stokes that drove the engine of this book, which hopefully doesn’t happen too often in the real world, says Miss Pollyanna! I’m still thinking about what happened in the book, been though I didn’t like any of the characters…says something about the book for sure. I gave the book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for the ARC. The pros: this was super fast paced. The cons: finance. I don't know how I ended up accepting the widget for this, but this was too much finance for me to enjoy during the weekend.

*Leverage* by Amran Gowani offers an interesting exploration of strategic thinking and influence. The book presents a mix of personal anecdotes and lessons aimed at encouraging self-empowerment and professional growth. While some concepts may feel familiar to seasoned readers of personal development, particularly those with a financial background, the book still held me captive to figure out the end.

"Leverage" by Amran Gowani is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the intricacies of power dynamics, personal ambition, and the ethics of success. The story follows its protagonist as they navigate a world where leverage—whether in the form of social connections, financial resources, or personal influence—plays a critical role in achieving one's goals.

Gowani's writing is sharp and insightful, capturing the complexities of modern life and the often murky waters of ambition. The characters are well-developed, each representing different facets of the struggle for power and success. The protagonist's journey is both relatable and challenging, as they confront moral dilemmas and the consequences of their choices.

The pacing of the novel is engaging, with a mix of suspense and drama that keeps readers invested in the outcome. Gowani expertly weaves together themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the cost of pursuing one's dreams, prompting readers to reflect on their own values and aspirations.

Overall, "Leverage" is a powerful exploration of the human experience and the lengths individuals will go to achieve their desires. It's a must-read for those interested in contemporary fiction that tackles real-world issues with depth and nuance.

Thank you to NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Leverage by Amran Gowani is one of those rare finance thrillers that manages to be both entertaining and surprisingly introspective.

The book follows Ali “Al” Jafar, a hedge fund hotshot who loses $300 million in a single afternoon and finds himself not fired, but blackmailed into salvaging the mess or taking the fall for an insider trading probe. From there, it’s a descent into the cutthroat world of high stakes finance, full of sharp elbows, frayed nerves, and ethical gray zones.

What works really well is the tone. Gowani nails the gallows humor of someone spiraling under pressure but still clinging to some sliver of self awareness. The pacing is tight, and the financial lingo walks the fine line between authentic and accessible. Al is a compelling, if occasionally frustrating, protagonist, equal parts cocky, self destructive, and vulnerable.

Something that bother me was that some of the character development feel a bit rushed or underdeveloped. I wanted just a bit more depth in Al’s relationships and maybe a cleaner emotional payoff at the end. But the themes race, power, capitalism eating its own land with punch, and Gowani clearly knows this world inside and out.

If you like smart thrillers, timely, and with a satirical edge this is the book for you!

Looking forward to what Gowani does next.

3.85 Stars!

#NetGalley #Leverage #AmranGowani #AtriaBooks #FinancialThriller

This book is a thriller but set around finance bros. The main character loses a ton of money in a trade gone bad. This obviously earns him the ire of his boss and finds himself in a predicament to either earn the money back or go to prison.

There’s a lot to unpack here. The main character goes through blatant racism throughout the entire book. There’s suicidal ideation ingrained in the themes of the book. Plus add in all of the things from the finance world (insider trading, regular trading, winning and losing obscene amounts of money).

Overall, I didn’t think this was bad. This is not a world I am familiar with so a lot of that went over my head, but I do like how the story eventually played out.

This is not something I'd generally read, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It's billed as a fast-paced financial thriller, and it definitely lives up to that. I was a bit lost on all the financial lingo as I have just a basic understanding of stocks and such, but it didn't detract too much from the story.

The book follows Al, who is given the monumental task of recovering 300 million dollars that he lost on a trade. We watch as he gets involved in increasingly shady deals with shady people in an effort to meet his task before the deadline. Al has an incredibly dark sense of humor - he makes suicide jokes at least once a chapter, in between talking about masturbating. There are plenty of racist jokes to be had as well. Mostly against Al, but there are some to do with other characters. This is definitely not a book for people who are sensitive about these kinds of things. While we all wish racism and such would go away, it does still exist in this world and pretending it doesn't isn't helpful. I've never worked in finance, but I'm guessing when you get up to high stakes trading, hedge funds, and the best of Wall Street, there is a lot of unsavory things going on, like those described in here. Think The Wolf of Wall Street and that will give you an idea of what to expect here. I wasn't bothered by Al's humor - in fact, I think it helped to make the story flow better. It would have been a lot harder to read and enjoy if everything was dry and humorless. I do feel the ending was a bit soft. After everything that had happened throughout the book, the ending was way less dramatic than I expected. I was hoping for more, especially since the pacing was so fast the rest of the time. It wasn't a terrible ending, just not what I thought it would be.

I think anyone who enjoys a well-written financial thriller will enjoy this. It's obvious the author has spent time in finance and knows what he's talking about. A basic understanding of finance and stocks is helpful in understanding this, along with not being offended by suicide jokes, racist comments, and knowing that this shady stuff is probably happening every day in real life.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. It was a bit out of my usual reading genre. We get up close and personal with AL and his private habits/thoughts while he deals with a life and death situation at work at a financial company. It's definitely a rich boys club and Al being a POC makes it easy to target him. I won't say that Al is a superhero, but it seems very unlikely that he will manage to save himself from these rich and powerful men. The ending wrapped up neatly, but somewhat unlikely.

LEVERAGE - While not one of my usual genres, I liked some of this fast paced, sometimes funny, sometimes icky story. Good characters and story lines. The extremes in language usage ($25 to 5cent words), the bodily functions (defecation and masturbation), and certain unexplained references make reading painful sometimes, which made it difficult to continue reading. Other times, I was immersed in the story. The story is well written considering. Source: Netgalley. 3*