Author: Susie Ormand Schnall
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: July 10, 2018
Purchase Link: Amazon
My Rating: 5 Fabulous Hearts
*Many thanks to St. Martin's Press (Thanks, Jordan!) for an arc of this book.
Synopsis:
In 1949, dutiful and ambitious Charlotte's dream of a career in advertising is shattered when her father demands she help out with the family business. Meanwhile, Charlotte is swept into the glamorous world of the Miss Subways beauty contest, which promises irresistible opportunities with its Park Avenue luster and local fame status. But when her new friend—the intriguing and gorgeous fellow-participant Rose—does something unforgivable, Charlotte must make a heart-wrenching decision that will change the lives of those around her forever.
Nearly 70 years later, outspoken advertising executive Olivia is pitching the NYC subways account in a last ditch effort to save her job at an advertising agency. When the charismatic boss she’s secretly in love with pits her against her misogynistic nemesis, Olivia’s urgent search for the winning strategy leads her to the historic Miss Subways campaign. As the pitch date closes in on her, Olivia finds herself dealing with a broken heart, an unlikely new love interest, and an unexpected personal connection to Miss Subways that could save her job—and her future.
The Subway Girls is the charming story of two strong women, a generation apart, who find themselves up against the same eternal struggle to find an impossible balance between love, happiness, and ambition.
Review:
Nearly 70 years later, outspoken advertising executive Olivia is pitching the NYC subways account in a last ditch effort to save her job at an advertising agency. When the charismatic boss she’s secretly in love with pits her against her misogynistic nemesis, Olivia’s urgent search for the winning strategy leads her to the historic Miss Subways campaign. As the pitch date closes in on her, Olivia finds herself dealing with a broken heart, an unlikely new love interest, and an unexpected personal connection to Miss Subways that could save her job—and her future.
The Subway Girls is the charming story of two strong women, a generation apart, who find themselves up against the same eternal struggle to find an impossible balance between love, happiness, and ambition.
Review:
The Subway Girls is a heart-touching story, one that held me in the palm of its hand right through the end. Readers should know it's not just another historical read, but rather a story that utilizes a small piece of history in the telling of the beautiful, seductive, emotional journey of two women in their pursuit of true happiness. I love the way the author uses two women from different generations to portray and compare the plight of women pursuing their dreams and the choices they're forced to make. Charlotte & Oliva are both strong, determined women whose paths eventually cross, forever changing both their lives. The Subway Girls is their story.
In 1949, Charlotte's career avenue was limited if not nearly impossible. The idea that a woman could have a career beyond that of a typist or a wife and mother was ludicrous and those brazen enough to pursue it were often ridiculed. But, if they were pretty (and lucky enough to be chosen), they could go the modeling/beauty queen route and use their new found fame as a springboard to new opportunities. (Historical Fact: From 1941 to 1976, the New York Subways Advertising Company held Miss Subways' contests with the winning contestants featured on subway posters. The contest helped open some otherwise closed avenues to these women, affecting their lives in many different ways.) Through Charlotte's story, readers learn how it eventually changed her life.
In 2018, Olivia enjoys a women-friendly work atmosphere, but even in the here and now she faces challenges unique to women. She's living her dream job in advertising, but at what cost? Like Charlotte 70 years before her, she's facing some hard decisions while fighting the good-old-boys mentality of the corporate world. When an opportunity arises for her to pitch an advertisement campaign to the New York Subway Authority, Oliver discovers the past Subway Girls Campaign and a connection that elevates this story to another level comes to light.
The Subway Girls is a fascinating, entertaining work of historical fiction, propelled to life through the use of alternating past/present chapters until characters' paths cross, intertwine, and proceed forward together. As the fast-paced plot unfolds, it becomes clear that women of all generations still struggle with the same age-old battle of balancing love, family, and careers. At times, I found myself frustrated over the pain and indecision inner turmoil causes both women even as I recognized it as something I've dealt with myself. Schnall's descriptive abilities are evident, bringing characters and setting to vivid life - so much so that I felt I was there, struggling and fighting right along with them. The author's writing flows effortlessly from past to present, chapter to chapter, creating a story that's easy to follow and hypnotizing to watch unfold. A charming, fabulous, inspiring, burn-the-midnight-oil Must Read! I highly recommend this story to everyone!
My Rating: 5 Fabulous Hearts . . . And that's the truth!
Cross My Heart . . . xxx
In 1949, Charlotte's career avenue was limited if not nearly impossible. The idea that a woman could have a career beyond that of a typist or a wife and mother was ludicrous and those brazen enough to pursue it were often ridiculed. But, if they were pretty (and lucky enough to be chosen), they could go the modeling/beauty queen route and use their new found fame as a springboard to new opportunities. (Historical Fact: From 1941 to 1976, the New York Subways Advertising Company held Miss Subways' contests with the winning contestants featured on subway posters. The contest helped open some otherwise closed avenues to these women, affecting their lives in many different ways.) Through Charlotte's story, readers learn how it eventually changed her life.
In 2018, Olivia enjoys a women-friendly work atmosphere, but even in the here and now she faces challenges unique to women. She's living her dream job in advertising, but at what cost? Like Charlotte 70 years before her, she's facing some hard decisions while fighting the good-old-boys mentality of the corporate world. When an opportunity arises for her to pitch an advertisement campaign to the New York Subway Authority, Oliver discovers the past Subway Girls Campaign and a connection that elevates this story to another level comes to light.
The Subway Girls is a fascinating, entertaining work of historical fiction, propelled to life through the use of alternating past/present chapters until characters' paths cross, intertwine, and proceed forward together. As the fast-paced plot unfolds, it becomes clear that women of all generations still struggle with the same age-old battle of balancing love, family, and careers. At times, I found myself frustrated over the pain and indecision inner turmoil causes both women even as I recognized it as something I've dealt with myself. Schnall's descriptive abilities are evident, bringing characters and setting to vivid life - so much so that I felt I was there, struggling and fighting right along with them. The author's writing flows effortlessly from past to present, chapter to chapter, creating a story that's easy to follow and hypnotizing to watch unfold. A charming, fabulous, inspiring, burn-the-midnight-oil Must Read! I highly recommend this story to everyone!
My Rating: 5 Fabulous Hearts . . . And that's the truth!
Cross My Heart . . . xxx
Sandra
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