As someone who thrives on efficiency and enjoys thinking about how technology and leadership intersect, I found Cohen’s portrayal of Shelley’s life both humorous and unnervingly familiar. It’s a brilliant commentary on the pressures of modern leadership in an always-on world.

What really drew me into The Glitch is how Cohen tackles the absurdities of overworking and tech dependency with wit and insight. While the story is exaggerated for comedic effect, it’s a relatable reflection of the challenges many leaders face when balancing ambition with reality. Cohen’s ability to explore the human side of work in such an entertaining way makes this book a fun yet thought-provoking read, especially for those of us in tech-driven, fast-paced industries. It’s a clever reminder that even in the most structured lives, the unexpected is always around the corner.

A quick read but a very strange book. Not at all what I expected based on the description but I really liked the concept, but found the narrative tedious

Shelley Stone is the workaholic CEO of Conch, a little device you wear behind your ear that gives you reminders and suggestions. She squeezes in some time with her two small children and husband but mostly leaves that to her team at home. When she was 20 years old, she survived being struck by lightning and has been extremely driven ever since. While on a business trip in Spain, she meets a young woman who are swears is herself at age 20. Is this time travel? Is this coincidence? Or has she finally worked herself to the point of insanity?

While this book did hook me at times because I wanted to find out what happened, I did not like it at all because the main character is completely unlikeable. Shelley works 14+ hour days. Her stated priorities are her job, her kids, the young tech wiz who created the technology hey company sells, and her husband, in that order. She schedules sex with her husband for 12 minutes at a time when they're already getting undressed so it's more efficient. She considered spending time with her children before work watching their early morning piano lessons (her children are 4 and 1) and their Mandarin lessons. She feels very superior that she pees twice as fast as all the other women in the airport bathroom so she has more time to do things with her day. The book opens with her realizing that her 4 year old daughter has gone missing on a French beach, and neither she nor her husband can be bothered to get off their business calls while they search for her. I could go on.

The writing is also kind of sloppy. Several things don't get wrapped up at the end, and the life decision she makes regarding her family has no discernable reason. It was just very frustrating. Also a fair amount of strong swearing. I wouldn't recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook.

At first I didn't see how the concept of this book would be funny, but it really came together and made me laugh. Well done.

Premise sounds great, but the execution is just seriously so all over the place. Shelly has no redeeming qualities and I have to like the main character in order to connect with the book. It was a chore to get through this one.

This book made me laugh out loud plenty of times - it was just what I needed in this Covid situation right now. I loved the characters and it was relatable as a busy working mom.

This is such a weird book, I don't even know where to start with it. It's a novel about a woman named Shelly Stone who is the CEO of a wearable technology company, who works all the time, basically ignores her family, and doesn't seem to experience normal human emotions, and a variety of weird things that happen to both her and the company. I guess it is meant to be a satire of corporate culture and overwork, but it's just so over the top and unfocused. It seemed like it had potential, but it was just very weird and meandering and not funny. And based on the other reviews, it seems like I'm not the only one who just didn't get this book.

This was a fun read though I sometimes lost a bit of focus. I ended up skimming a few chapters and wasn't too heavily invested in any of the characters but definitely didn't dislike it.

Quick, fun read. Lots going on in this story, so hold on and don't blink. Recommend for fans of Jennifer Weiner and Liane Moriarty.

I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately it was lacking in a few ways. While I really enjoyed the characters, the humor and plotline just wasn't for me. I am still interested to see what the author comes out with next because of the writing style. I do feel that there will be many that enjoy this read though!

We've all hoped for the little change in things that would make our lives perfect or easier. For Shelly Stone this happens and she thinks it will be the answers to all of her dreams but will it?

The story takes some time to get into but never really gains a lot of traction.

I am sorry for not reviewing fully but I don’t have the time to read this at the moment. I believe that it wouldn't benefit you as a publisher or your book if I only skimmed it and wrote a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for not fully reviewing!

I got about half way through this book and just couldn't finish it. There was too much going on, the story jumped from different times, and even thought I can usually work with unlikable characters, I just couldn't get behind Shelley. I definitely felt like it was trying to say something about our society and it's need for technology to be at our fingertips all the time, the message just got mucked up with all the other stuff going on including a doppelganger of her younger self that she didn't really seem to question. If a clone or whatever of me showed up I'd be much for alarmed than Shelley. I don't feel like the writing was terrible just the story really didn't do anything for me.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book is totally up my alley but unfortunately I found myself bored with this title. I'm not sure exactly what had me wandering off for other titles but I would give Cohen another chance!

I could not finish this book. For one Netgalley approved me for it the day it came out which was odd to me. Anyway the writing was just too much. It seemed the author focused on banal things instead of the actual story. The main character Shelley is too hard to like or even feel empathy for. She is obviously too into herself and her job to even mother her own children or be in her marriage. Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday publishing for my honest review

Shelley Stone is the CEO of a major tech firm, a startup that is creating the Conch, an earpiece that constantly offers the user helpful tips and reminders. She’s a workaholic as well as a wife and mother of 2, and she’s constantly on the move to keep up with her own ambitions.

But as busy as she is, as chaotic as her life is, she’s happy. This is the life she wanted, the one she planned for herself after she was struck by lightning as a young adult and given a second chance at life. And now that she has it all together, it starts to slowly unravel on her.

A chance meeting with her younger self leaves Shelley stunned and uncertain. But as she keeps moving forward and figuring out what’s happening, she finds her way back to the self she’d been burying under constant movement and chaos.

The Glitch by Elisabeth Cohen is a witty satire of our tech culture and the busyness that tends to run our days. With smart writing and sassy characters, Cohen has created a world where anything seems possible.

I was really excited to read this book, as I love a good humorous novel, and this idea has so much potential. But it felt to me like it lost its way somewhere in the middle. Once Shelley meets her younger doppelganger, I couldn’t tell what was coming next. Was this about time travel? Was it turning into sci-fi, with parallel dimensions melting into each other? What was going on? Once Shelley figures it out and heads toward the resolution, it starts making sense again. But that middle? It made it difficult for me to stay on board until the end. I did, but barely.

Is The Glitch worth reading? Absolutely. There are a lot of likable things going on here. But I can’t say that I love it as much as I wanted to.

Galleys for The Glitch were provided by Doubleday through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Two stars: An interesting book that goes no where.

Shelley Stone is the corporate executive for Conch, a company that makes small computer devices that attach to the ear and provide all kinds of advice, think Siri or Alexa for all day every day. To get where she is today, Shelley is dedicated and driven. Her days are meticulously mapped out, her schedule is constant and she has little time for anything other than work. Then things take a strange turn when her daughter disappears, and Shelley seems to run face to face with her former self, and worse Conches begin to malfunction. What is going on in Shelley’s perfect life?
What I Liked:
*The Glitch is a hard books for me to review. It was interesting and unique, and the main character is a head trip.
*Shelly Stone is a character who will likely make you laugh or drive you crazy. I found her funny because she is so out there. Shelley is driven, to the point where she is almost maniacal. Her inner dialogue shows what a head trip she is. To me she is funny, even though she is annoying. I know that she will likely alienate some readers, but I saw her as an example of what not to be.
*The story is convoluted and weird and a lot of stuff happens, and I must admit, I finished the book scratching my head wondering what the heck it was all about. However, the main take away message is that you need to live your life and not get caught up in social media and electronic devices and career. Be present in your own life and take control of your own life. This is an eye opening read as to how detrimental technology can be.
And The Not So Much:
*This is a book that I struggled with because it seemed to have no direction. There are several story threads that come and go, and none of them are the main story thread. The book is all over the map. It needed focus. For me, it ended up being a chaotic mess.
*I really wanted to like this book, but I can’t. It just went nowhere. The reveals are ridiculous, and I ended up not liking this one at all.

The Glitch started out interesting but it quickly fell off track. The main character is a head trip, and the plot is twisted and convoluted and it lacks focus. I finished the book wondering what the heck I just read. The only thing I gleaned from reading this book was to be present in your own life. Sadly, this is a book I cannot recommend.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

Let me warn you - "The Glitch," the debut novel by Elisabeth Cohen, is a scary, tongue-in-cheek novel. Not in the traditional sense of horrors, but in the modern sense of the techno, fast-paced world we live in today. It's a story that frightens us at our core - the essence of who we are, or at least who we "think" we are.

Shelley Stone, a lightning-strike survivor, is a workaholic CEO who just happens to be married and have two kids. Her life is controlled by her drive, corporate aggression, jam-packed schedule and her most treasured Conch, a device that combines all types of technology to keep her on track. If she were to describe Shelley as a super hero, it would be a Wonder Woman on steroids!

After the near-kidnapping of her daughter and the appearance of a young woman with her same name, Shelley gets taken on the wildest ride imaginable. Everything that she valued soon comes into question. Is she finally losing her grasp, not only in reality but on the corporate gameboard?

Cohen lets readers look at their own lives and reliance on technology in a new light. What's most important? What's the real meaning of a "full life?" The author puts it all out there to consider in this fast-paced, oddly funny novel.

ARC provided by NetGalley

As I'm sure you are aware, this was one of the most popular books of summer, and I could not wait to read it. Unfortunately, I quickly became fed up with how unlikable Shelley was. Towards the end, she became truly insufferable. While the plot was good, the characters really just killed it for me. Very disappointed in this one.

A cute, lighthearted tale ..... nothing that’ll keep you up all night with, but definitely worth the read! Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity.