Opening Belle

A Novel

By: Maureen Sherry

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Maureen Sherry’s funny insider novel about a female Wall Street executive also trying to be a mother and a wife is a “compulsively readable…cheeky—and at times, romantic—battle-cry for any woman who’s ever strived to have it all and been told by a man that she couldn’t” (Entertainment Weekly).

It’s 2008 and Isabelle, a thirty-something Wall Street executive, appears to have it all: the sprawling Upper West Side apartment; three healthy children; a handsome husband; and a job as managing director at a large investment bank. But her reality is something else. Her work environment resembles a frat party, her husband feels employment is beneath him, and the bulk of childcare logistics still fall in Belle’s already crowded lap.

Enter Henry, the former college fiancé she never quite got over; now a hedge fund mogul. He becomes her largest client, and Belle gets to see the life she might have had with him. While Henry campaigns to win Belle back, the sexually harassed women in her office take action to improve their working conditions, and recruit a wary Belle into a secret “glass ceiling club” whose goal is to mellow the cowboy banking culture and get equal pay for their work. All along, Belle can sense the financial markets heading toward their soon-to-be historic crash and that something has to give—and when it does, everything is going to change: her marriage, her career, her bank statement, and her colleagues’ frat boy behavior.

Optioned by Reese Witherspoon who called it “smart, biting, and honest,” Opening Belle is “funny, relevant, and often shocking….Even if your own life is far from a fairy tale, it will allow you to laugh, learn, and maybe even lean in—to hug your own family a little closer.” (The Washington Post).

Great story but not funny at all

I found the sexism and harassment wildly unsettling!
But I’m so glad she didn’t sign the non disclosure agreement

Julia Whelan’s narrative skills…

Alexa and I are looking forward to listening to this Audible gem. Will write more later. Over and out for now. Carry on.

Interesting, entertaining and witty

Really quick and fun read! Great summer book for book club. The storyline jumps right in a captures the reader.

Good story, so-so narration.

I enjoyed this compelling story, but the narration was too much. I could have done with less of the character voices; especially the male characters who all sounded like drugged up stoners.

good book

although I have some critique for the book, overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it.