Review: The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall

The Subway Girls

by Susie Orman Schnall

Publisher: St Martin's

Pages: 320

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  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.

Kritters Thoughts:  One of those books that has two storylines, one in the present and one in the past.  I have to admit these are my favorite types of books, I get the historical fiction aspect, but also get to see something current and now.  Also, usually there is a little mystery as to how these two stories are connected, it is all of the genres I love rolled into one!

To focus on this book.  In 1949 there is Charlotte and she has huge dreams for a woman of this time to work in advertising and be an independent career woman before she settles down and does the wife and kid thing.  The current storyline revolves around Olivia and she works in advertising and is still feeling the effects of working in a "man's world."  

There was less of a mystery about how the stories were connected, it was just more obvious than most, but I didn't mind that at all.  Instead it was interesting to see the similarities between women in the workforce then and now and a few differences, wish that wasn't the case!

I loved this book even more when I found out that the Subway girls was based on fact and that this was a real campaign.  I love when an author chooses something that could be obscure and unknown from history and can create a whole world and story from this one little bit.  It makes me look things up and see the truth and I feel more engaged when there is fact behind the fiction.

I have read all of Susie Orman Schnall's books and I will continue she writes fantastic female stories with substance and depth.  After three books with two four star ratings and one three, I can give myself the fan status!


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2018 Challenge: 57 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from St Martin's Press.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.