The Boy’s Club by Erica Katz

The Boy’s Club by Erica Katz – 416 pages

Finished ARC from Harper for an honest review

Book Blurb:

Alex Vogel has always been a high achiever who lived her life by the book—star student and athlete in high school, prelaw whiz in college, Harvard Law School degree. Accepting a dream offer at the prestigious Manhattan law firm of Klasko & Fitch, she promises her sweet and supportive longtime boyfriend that the job won’t change her. Yet Alex is seduced by the firm’s money and energy . . . and by her cocksure male colleagues, who quickly take notice of the new girl. She’s never felt so confident and powerful—even the innuendo-laced banter with clients feels fun. In the firm’s most profitable and competitive division, Mergers and Acquisitions, Alex works around the clock, racking up billable hours and entertaining clients late into the evening. While the job is punishing, it has its perks, like a weekend trip to Miami, a ride in a client’s private jet, and more expense-account meals than she can count. But as her clients’ expectations and demands on her increase, and Alex finds herself magnetically drawn to a handsome coworker despite her loving relationship at home, she begins to question everything—including herself. She knows the corporate world isn’t black and white, and that to reach the top means playing by different rules. But who made those rules? And what if the system rigged so that women can’t win, anyway? When something happens that reveals the dark reality of the firm, Alex comes to understand the ways women like her are told—explicitly and implicitly—how they need to behave to succeed in the workplace. Now, she can no longer stand by silently—even if doing what’s right means putting everything on the line to expose the shocking truth.

My Review: 4 stars

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The Boys’ Club takes readers into the world of Big Law and knowing from the start that this was optioned by Netflix allowed me to read this as a movie in my head. I haven’t read a legal thriller in quite some time so this was a welcome escape.

This book immediately takes you into the competitive world of corporate law. I got a glimpse of everything from the all-nighters, sleeping in the office, “uppers”, mentor relationships, the power struggle between partners, as well as associates, partying with clients and happy hours. I really enjoyed getting this insider’s look into their jobs and how gender played such a huge role. Many real world, outside of the office, issues were touched upon, mainly the #MeToo movement.

There was a lot of build up in regards to relationships, friendships and the “trial” which kept the plot pushing forward. With all of that force, the ending seemed anti-climatic in comparison. It may have been realistic, which I can appreciate, but after investing so much time into the novel I wanted more out of the conclusion.

Overall, this was an entertaining and different read for me. I can’t wait to see how Netflix adapts it. 

Quotes I liked:

We’re practicing corporate law at the biggest firm in the entire world. Whether we know it or not, we’re blazing a trail for women in the future. The key to having it all is redefining what ‘all’ is. I wanted three kids. That means I have two nannies. I want them to eat home-cooked meals every night. That means I have a chef.”

“By the way, nobody outside Big Law will ever get it. Maybe investment bankers. But they’re the client. They have the luxury of not responding. We don’t. Doctors keep horrendous hours, but they at least know when they’re going to be on call. There’s no predictability with us. No ability to unplug. Do you know how many vacations I’ve taken where I haven’t left my hotel room? I haven’t been anywhere without an internet connection in sixteen years. Planes used to be the only time I really slept, and then the airlines went and got fucking Wi-Fi. The ironic part is, I did the IPO for GoGo—the company that delivers it to them.” She smacked her head dramatically. “If anybody tells you they ‘get it,’ they’re lying. And they probably hate you for being on your phone so much.”