Bond Girl

By: Erin Duffy

Narrated by: Robin Gwynne

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

When other little girls were dreaming about becoming doctors or lawyers, Alex Garrett set her sights on conquering the high-powered world of Wall Street. And though she's prepared to fight her way into an elitist boys' club, or duck the occasional errant football, she quickly realizes she's in over her head when she's relegated to a kiddie-size folding chair with her new moniker - Girlie - inscribed in Wite-Out across the back.

No matter. She's determined to make it in bond sales at Cromwell Pierce, one of the Street's most esteemed brokerage firms. Keeping her eyes on the prize, the low Girlie on the totem pole will endure whatever comes her way - whether trekking to the Bronx for a $1,000 wheel of Parmesan cheese; discovering a secretary's secret Friday night slumber/dance party in the conference room; fielding a constant barrage of "friendly" practical jokes; learning the ropes from Chick, her unpredictable, slightly scary, loyalty-demanding boss; babysitting a colleague while he consumes the contents of a vending machine on a $28,000 bet; or eluding the advances of a corporate stalker who's also one of the firm's biggest clients.

Ignoring her friends' pleas to quit, Alex excels (while learning how to roll with the punches and laugh at herself) and soon advances from lowly analyst to slightly-less-lowly associate. Suddenly, she's addressed by her real name, and the impenetrable boys' club has transformed into forty older brothers and one possible boyfriend. Then the apocalypse hits, and Alex is forced to choose between sticking with Cromwell Pierce as it teeters on the brink of disaster or kicking off her Jimmy Choos and running for higher ground.

Fast-paced, funny, and thoroughly addictive, Bond Girl will leave you cheering for Alex: a feisty, ambitious woman with the spirit to stand up to the best (and worst) of the boys on the Street - and ultimately rise above them all.

©2012 Erin Duffy (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

New Girl on Wall Street

I liked how the story was built around "the street" and the 2008 financial crisis. Wanting to see what would happen next kept me going. Generally an enjoyable read. On the down side the narrator's voice for the main character was sooo annoying, like this baby talk voice. And the ending was a bit anti-climactic. I think the author could have done more in closing out the story.

Good novel though, I would read work by this author again.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Ho Hum

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The problem with this book is that it doesn't live up to its potential. It's not well-written. The time-line seems mixed up and haphazard, opting for a day-in-the-life, now speed forward a month style. Also, the author assumes her readers hold the same value system that she does, expecting us to applaud the main character's choices. Consequently, the story also lacks a strong character arc. Alex is the same at the end of the story as she is in the beginning. She quits her job not because she comes to understand that it's not who she's meant to be, not because she comes to understand that the industry is corrupt or lacking. She quits because she doesn't have enough brilliance to overcome the problems facing her. In the end, she's an idiot who deserves everything she gets.

What could Erin Duffy have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

In the way of contemporary chick lit, rather than the story being empowering with the woman overcoming her problems and triumphing, the character walks away leaving the male culture of Wall Street. She admits defeat. It would be nice for stories like this to have the character find a way to beat the culture, rather than walking away in search of happiness elsewhere, but that's not happening here.

Have you listened to any of Robin Gwyne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think I have.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Bond Girl?

I would have cut out all of the drinking. It may be typical of Wall Street, but it wasn't necessary in the story. The character was more of a lush than anything else.

Any additional comments?

There was no way to connect to the character. This story could be made into a movie and find huge success like Devil Wears Prada, but like Devil Wears Prada, it's likely that the movie will be much better than the book.

4 of 7 people found this review helpful

Loved it! Quick read

What made the experience of listening to Bond Girl the most enjoyable?

The story line was great! I love stories about young women becoming successful and defeating odds

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character was great! I loved how brave she was.

What about Robin Gwynne’s performance did you like?

I think she did a good job with emotion and really allowing me to relate to the main character

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was really proud anytime she pulled through when the men didn't think she was going to

reader sucks!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

no, read the book

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chick

How could the performance have been better?

the reader's voice is AWFUL!!! I read the book and her voice does NOT match the character I had in mind.. too high, too little girlie... just plain AWFUL!!!! enjoy this book in print NOT audio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

the reader's voice made me cringe

Satisfying Chick Lit Fix

What three words best describe Robin Gwynne’s performance?

Dynamic, scratchy, personable

Was Bond Girl worth the listening time?

Yes, if you enjoy chick lit...otherwise, steer clear.

Any additional comments?

The storyline was interesting, especially the Wall Street setting, which was a nice twist on your run-of-the-mill chick lit plots (which are usually centered around career twenty-somethings in advertising or journalism). Good characters overall that may translate better when reading versus listening. Nonetheless, I found it entertaining and genuine.