Because She Can

By: Bridie Clark

Narrated by: Lynde Houck

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

An irresistible, wickedly funny debut that pulls back the curtain on the book-publishing industry...starring a villainess you won’t soon forget.

Life is really looking up for Claire Truman. In a New York minute, she lands a plum job at a top publishing house, catapulting her out of editorial assistant status and tripling her salary. In the same stroke of good luck, Claire goes from loser magnet to girlfriend of her decadelong crush: the fabulously successful and gorgeous Randall Cox (who’s a nice guy, to boot). The perfect guy, the perfect job...it seems like Claire’s dreams are all falling neatly into place.

Enter reality. It doesn’t take long before Claire realizes she’s working for the publishing world’s most ruthless tyrant: the outrageously abusive Vivian Grant, a woman who churns out New York Times best-sellers with nearly the same frequency as she sends traumatized assistants flying out of her office in tears. Soon, Claire is in staff meetings that feel more like war zones, at a book party thrown at a strip club, and watching Vivian run her employees into the ground and into therapy.

As Claire’s job steals more and more of her time and soul, her relationship with Randall begins to feel the strain. It doesn’t help that Claire’s been spending overtime with Luke Mayville, a handsome, brilliant novelist whose career she’s helping to launch.

With her love life at a crossroads and her work life driving her crazy, Claire can’t help wondering if her future will have a happy ending. Her career may be on the fast track, but does she like where it’s taking her...and who she might turn into?

©2007 Bridie Clark (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Clark...nails the dark side of the vulgar, spiteful boss archetype....[T]hose in the Page Six and Lloyd Grove set will appreciate this devilish read." (Publishers Weekly)
"Vivian's vitriolic tantrums are laugh-out-loud funny." (Booklist)

I didn't finish it

I think a big part of the audio experience is the narrative. I was very unhappy with the narrator on this one.

This character was supposed to be my age and she sounded so old!

Also, this book was supposed to be in modern day times, but the way the characters were set up, it sounded more like the 1950's.

The relationship between the main character and the fireman, I had a hard time envisioning it and didn't feel it.

I wouldn't recommend this book. Sorry

perfect Audible read!

While the plot is too easy to figure out, this is great fun to read when you want something mindless. The villains are REALLY fun.

Nice book

If you liked the Devil Wears Prada, you'll like this book. The main character was interesting, but I surprised at how little she changes as a result of what happens to her. Otherwise, the book was fun to listen to.

Much like Prada but still good...

I really enjoyed this story although it is very much like The Devil Wears Prada. I was caught from the first and was engaged throughout..not a bad read at all...

Silly, Silly, Silly.

Silly plot, silly characters and mediocre narrator. I finished it, but only because I am too cheap to stop listening to a book I paid full price for. But, man was I tempted to give up!
Pass.