I listened to the audiobook version of Climbing in Heels and was completely pulled in, thanks in large part to the fantastic narration by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. She’s incredibly easy to listen to, and her performance was impressive, even doing a british accent with the perfect amount of snobbery. :)

Beanie was the standout for me. She’s one of the most thoroughly drawn characters I’ve come across in my recent reading, and I found myself rooting for her at every turn. I kept hoping she’d get to fully enjoy her success, but I think the fact that she didn’t was part of what made her story so real and poignant.

It’s also clear the author knows the agency world inside and out. The insider perspective added layers of authenticity to the glamorous (and not-so-glamorous) sides of the industry.

I really enjoyed this one -- 4.5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The setting was one of my favorites. The characters were well developed and the story line kept me turning the pages!

I really liked the historical aspect of the book. I loved seeing how Hollywood worked in the 70s and 80s. It was fascinating and heartbreaking. Climbing in Heels does an excellent job of documenting the rise of three women in the world of entertainment agency. I found it mostly fascinating and it kept my attention. I had only two major complaints. First, it could have gotten into the main story much faster. I understand the need for backstory, but it is possible to provide more than needed. The three main characters don’t even interact with each other until about 40% into the book. Instead we get a lot of backstory as it jumps around from Beanie to Mercedes/Millicent to Ella. Second, even though you find out the ending in chapter 1, I really was very unhappy with it. I didn't want to see Beanie die whether she died a legend at the top of her game or not. It's unclear to me whether the author is trying to reiterate the them of the Poem To an Athlete Dying Young or not. The author decided there was nowhere higher for Beanie to go at her death, but that's absurd. There's no reason that Beanie could not have become a studio head or any other thing she put her mind to. She COULD have climbed higher. She was whip smart-- except when it came to food-- so why kill her just to immortalize her?

Climbing in Heels is a wild ride through 1980s Hollywood where three powerhouse women try to make it in a world that basically says “boys only” but with way better hair and outfits. Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas delivers a story packed with friendship, betrayal, and the kind of drama that makes you want to say, “Did I just watch an episode of Dynasty or read a novel?” 💅✨

Beanie, Mercedes, and Ella are all so different but equally fierce, and watching them hustle, backstab, and sometimes have each other’s backs is like the ultimate girl gang energy. It’s messy, it’s raw, and sometimes they even become the monsters they were fighting against because let’s face it, power changes people (and not always for the better). 💃🔥

If you love a good “climbing the ladder while wearing heels that could kill” kind of story, this one’s for you. Just a heads up reading it might make you want to call your office and say, “I quit,” or at least request a raise!

I am a sucker for women's stories, especially when they are in traditionally male dominated fields. Circling three very different women, with three very different approaches to the workplace, author Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas gives us a powerhouse read. I will be thinking about these women long after the final page, titans in their industry with so many ceilings and circumstances seeking to hold them back.

Are you ready for an entertaining read? Check out Climbing in Heels. It was an great read. I listened to it in audiobook form and really enjoyed it. It's available now.

I loved this book about the cutthroat world of entertainment talent agencies in Hollywood in the 80s. I had a hard time keep track of the cast of characters, which was very large. I did like that the author used actual famous people for the agency's clients as lent a sense of realness to the book. Overall, a very entertaining read and one I would highly recommend.

I really was excited to read this book - a behind the scene peek into women breaking into the 1980’s Boys Club in Hollywood. The author is a current talent agent so can one assume it is semi-autobiographical?

The story follows three women, Beanie Rosen, Mercedes Baxter and Ella Gaddy - follows their trials and challenges and their relationship with one another.

The story had so much potential - the women are tenacious, determined and want to break the mold. They begin at the bottom of the ladder and work their way into powerful positions in the industry. The story read slow and at points it was a challenge to follow the narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early review of the book.

This was the perfect combination of fun, fast paced narrative that kept me turning the pages and truly interesting and well developed characters that you come to care about deeply. Add in the dishy behind the scenes glimpse into the cutthroat world of the entertainment industry and you have the perfect summer read. The only caution I would give before recommending is that there are a number of very graphic sex scenes that some readers might want to be aware of beforehand.

I listened to this one and I thought the narration was great! I enjoyed the book mostly, I felt like the sexual parts of the book were akward. I did enjoy the charaters and story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Reminiscent of Jackie Collins novels! Sex, Hollywood, multiple strong female voices. Climbing in Gerks had it all.

I thought this would be a fun, easy read (listen), which it was, but ended up being so much more! The characters had so much depth that I felt like I really knew them. A little bit of spice and a lot of a great plot, very well-done!

(2.25 stars)
I was really looking forward to Climbing In Heels because one of my sons worked for a Hollywood talent agency for a while. This story was supposed to focus on three women who climbed their way up in such an agency in the 1980s when it was still very much a “boys’ club.” The book seems to be semi-autobiographical, as the author became a very successful agent herself. Alas, this was incredibly disjointed and I lost interest pretty quickly. The three main characters don’t even interact with each other until about 40% into the book. Instead we get a lot of backstory as it jumps around from Beanie to Mercedes/Millicent to Ella.

I was able to bounce between the ebook version and the audiobook version, ably narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker. It was not the narrator’s fault that I just couldn’t get invested in these characters or their story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I adore novels about Hollywood and I love books that follow characters through time to see how they evolve and change. I was really excited to listen to this new title. Overall I enjoyed it- I like that it focused on women and trying to make it in the men's world of Hollywood business. I like that it took place from the late 60's to the 90's and the reader can see how the women evolved or not) with the times. I also enjoyed how goldsmith-Thomas seemlessly weaved in real movie stars interacting with our characters. I think there were too many characters to try and keep tract of and while Beanie and Ella were my favorites- and I liked how their friendship carried on through ups and downs- but I feel that Meredith was not comepletly fleshed out-- I didn't understand her reasonings behind a lot of her actions. I also felt like the sexual situations were cringey and sometimes thrown in "just because". Finally- especially in Ella's case- if we are protarying strong smart sassy women making it big in business- why do they constantly get hooked up with old men? definetly and fun and worthwhile read- I think this title will be seen by a lot of pools and beaches this summer! Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for this ALC

I liked Climbing in Heels for its bold tone and behind-the-scenes insight into Hollywood and career-building, especially from a strong female perspective. Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas clearly has a sharp voice and a wealth of experience. That said, some parts felt more like name-dropping than storytelling, and I wished for a bit more emotional depth. It was entertaining and witty, but didn’t quite leave a lasting impact for me.
The audio was fine, the story was lacking.

I enjoyed this look into this side of the entertainment industry. It was like Mad Men in heels in a different era. Fun read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillian Audio for the advanced reader's copy of Climbing in Heels by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas.

We're following three different women as they navigate the complexities of ambition, friendship, and betrayal within the confines of a powerful talent agency. The writing is sharp and engaging, capturing the essence of what was an era where power dynamics were skewed and opportunities for women were pretty limited. This novel delves into the challenges these women face, particularly their struggles and triumphs in a world that often sought to undermine them. I think this novel's themes will really resonate with our discussions about gender dynamics and the pursuit of success in challenging environments in today's current society. It made me reflect on the barriers women have historically faced and the strength required to overcome those barriers.

Younger readers may struggle a bit with the historical context and references throughout the book since there is a lot of name dropping throughout the novel.

DNF at 20%. Not sure how anyone can enjoy a story about the toxic relationship between a mother and the child she abandons and subsequent teenage child becoming the side piece of a married man. The storyline is just too gross to stomach.

Thank you for an advance audio copy of this book. It tells the story of 3 secretaries in the 80s working at a talent agency climbing the ranks in the mans world. I liked the women forward premise, and I especially loved the character of Beanie. The audio had alot going on at times and I did have to rewind a few times to keep track, but overall it was a fun, women powered story. Think this will be a big hit this summer.

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you are looking for a 1980s historical fiction book about the movie industry, filled with feminism, sex, and sexual harassment, have I got a book for you. I don’t like using the term chick-lit, but given the time frame for this book, it’s fitting.

For those of us who are old enough to remember POS males and all the stuff they got away with because they held the power, this book will be very familiar. The casting couch existed, even if you just wanted an entry-level job. The three women featured in this novel all come from different socio and economic backgrounds and deal with the men in charge in different ways. These women know that you have to play the game if you want to get ahead.

One of the best parts of the book are the frequent quotes that are like a feminist manifesto, giving life advice and holding no prisoners. What’s that old anecdote about Ginger Rodgers? She had to dance backwards and in high heels, yet Fred Astaire gets more credit than her. The same is true here. The women in the story resort to sex as a way to get what they want, and the men pretty much fall for it because they are driven by their penis.

This audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker, who did a great job. She really nails distinct women in this character driven book. I would definitely listen to more books with her as narrator.