This story really shines a light on the #MeToo movement and it was very interesting to read. Well written.
Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Fresh off the back of the “Me-Too” movement, Winnie Li’s Complicit follows main character Sarah Lai as she recounts the life changing incident that derailed her chance at Hollywood fame and her film career.

When a journalist reaches out to discuss her interactions with a famous film producer, Hugo North, Sarah takes her opportunity to find revenge and justice for what happened to her and to others. But as Sarah recounts her story - she begins to wonder - is she just as complicit as Hugo in her choices?

While I really wanted to like this one, I found it hard to get into. There was a lot of cinematic plotting but the story itself moved very slow and thus made for a very long book. I would have loved to chop out half of the filler to get the good stuff.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Winnie Li for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely loved this story. It was sophisticated and really drew me in. I definitely became an automatic fan of this author before I even finished the book. his was a great read and I highly recommend it.

a very dark suspenseful book!

Hollywood washout Sarah has become a lecturer at a college, her dreams of producing movies long gone. She's asked by a journalist to be interviewed about a producer she worked with - hugo - who played a major role in her disappearance from Hollywood. She remembers all those who did her wrong, and maybe her role in her downfall.

Interesting premise but this book was very slow.

Similar set up to the 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. A former women in film starts to reveal her past through narratives in different times. But an entirely different story: this one is not nearly as sparkly as Evelyn. Unique to this story is something we have frequently heard in the news regarding Me Too and the terrible stories surfacing about men in power and what women have had to do to just be relevant. Not to mention the crap women have been subjected to, and continue to be subjected to. If you like the film industry, you might enjoy this look at it's seedy underbelly. Some complaints, including treatment of other sensitive topics like rape and cultural identify. The author should look to improve that for future publications.

This book was not quite what I was expecting. The synopsis gave me the impression that this would be a story filled with suspense, lurid behavior, and the exposure of powerful, wealthy players in the film industry. However, this is more of a slow burn. The initial setup is well done and piqued my interest immediately. But a few of the details left me wanting. It was unclear why Sarah decided to reveal her deeply hidden secret to this particular journalist from The Times. After separating herself completely from the industry and the public eye, why choose to expose everything now?

She often speaks to the reader often through her inner dialogue, which lends a more casual, conversational tone to the narration. I wished the author employed more of a "show, don't tell" technique, and allowed us as the reader to make connections and come to conclusions on our own. Sarah's story is told in an elaborate and detailed manner, making it seem more like an excuse for sharing a life story told under the pretext of a tell-all interview.

The writing style flows well and is quite enthralling. I think this book could have used additional edits and conciseness to make more of an impact. What this book did do very well was give the reader an inside look at the film industry and the movie-making process. Every facet was described, both good and bad; while sparing no detail. The book exposed much of the sexual misconduct that was common, primarily instigated by men with money and power. The author did veer into the territory of over-generalizations, particularly about Caucasian men and women and the tactics employed to get what they want.

There was a lot of buildup for two particular events which were revealed in the last third of the book. Although the buildup was done well, the payoff was not quite there.

The story, albeit long, felt fully developed. I enjoyed the writing for the most part, but this could have been a masterpiece.

Complicit is timely as it’s set in the #MeToo era, but it’s quite the slow burn. Touted as a thriller, it’s much more of a domestic drama. Repetitive and drawn out, things don’t really pick up until the 70% mark. All that coupled with a silly ending left me disappointed overall. Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

DNFed at 20%

The pacing was much slower than I expected — this is not a thriller. I liked the narrative voice but the story unspooled so slowly that I kept putting it down for days at a time and I didn’t feel a pull to continue and find out what happened. This is billed as a #MeToo story. I didn’t make it far enough into the book for content warnings so please Google those if you need them. Once again, I think this is a good book but not the right fit for me right now. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Atria Books for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah is the daughter of Chinese immigrants who is finishing college when she finds a flyer advertising the opportunity of working with a NYC producer. Sarah gets the job and soon becomes a valued employee. Her boss is Sarah Zimmerman and she owns the company. A British billionaire named Hugo North decides to invest in her company in order to become a producer himself. He acts like the book version of Harvey Weinstein, with a reputation of pursuing women. They end up in Los Angeles to film a movie but boss Sarah has to return to NYC because of a family crisis. This leaves Sarah in charge. The book opens with Sarah now in her late 30's, working at an obscure college teaching screenwriting. A NY Times investigative writer contacts her about the filming of the movie ten years prior. She then tells her story, which is revealed in the interviews with the writer. Her story is also told through transcripts from her former boss Sarah. Sexual assault and rape take place in the book, and it also discuses how it makes victims feel. It was a great read, although heartbreaking for Sarah. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

Super interesting look into the film industry but huge trigger warning for sexual assault. I was not the biggest fan due to the subject matter though that's the fault of my own. Recommend to those interested in the film and industry and who enjoy thrillers.

There were parts that pierced my soul and triggered me hard in this book. Especially the part about sexual assault, and doing so much work so someone else can take all the credit, and not even get listed in the recognition. I felt that. I teetered between 2.5 and 3 regardless because although this is a very timely book in the age of #metoo, it was super boring until the last 25% of the book. I am glad I read it, but it wasn't the most thought-provoking or entertaining book, but a couple of parts will probably stick with me.

Thank you so much to @Netgalley for this ARC for an honest review

TW: Sexual discrimination, sexual harrassment, sexual assault

Complicit takes place early in the #MeToo world, with an investigative reporter researching allegations against producer Hugo North. Sarah Lai is a community college teacher who is interviewed by NY Times journalist Thom Gallagher about her experiences as an associate producer on the movie Furious Her. Through flashbacks, Sarah’s thoughts, and interview transcripts, readers are drawn into the sordid behavior behind the scenes.

After college, Sarah went to work at Firefly films as an unpaid intern working closely with writer/director Xander and producer Sylvia, eventually moving into a paid position. They go to the Cannes Film Festival, hoping that a screening of The Cold Hard Blue can attract investors to pay for post-production costs and raise money for their next movie, Furious Her. Enter Hugo North, who will provide funding if he joins the production company.


Hugo uses his money to turn the production company, now called Conquest, to move the movie from New York City to Los Angeles. Money means power, and Hugo uses his power in questionable ways. Sarah appears to have opportunities as an associate producer but finds herself being dragged into Hugo’s dark world. Is Sarah another name on the list of Hugo’s victims, or is she complicit in Hugo’s indiscretions? Could she be both?

I added trigger warnings to this review because Complicit triggered me. I had to walk away from the book multiple times and almost didn’t finish it. Li’s description of the toxic work environment was excruciatingly vivid. While the #MeToo movement was sparked by the entertainment industry, too many women can relate to the story in Complicit. I can relate because my early career was in a similarly toxic work environment. The book’s detail can bring up unpleasant memories for women pushed down by The Good Old Boys’ Club.

Complicit goes beyond the explicit assaults and harassment used to subjugate women. Sarah’s experiences depict women facing the horrible choice of either compromising themselves and other women or getting forced out. One of the most painful aspects of Complicit is the impact the toxic environment had on women in the workplace. As women fought for relevance, they also undermined or ignored other women’s struggles. Complicit uses interview transcripts about other women’s views on Sarah and the production company to show the cruelty and lack of sensitivity to other women trying to deal with a toxic environment.

Complicit is not an easy read. It’s a fascinating look into movie making. But Li pulls no punches when she’s exposing the open wounds of the toxicity behind the scenes. Yes, the reader may be uncomfortable with the explicit detail. But Complicit succeeds because it makes the reader uncomfortable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Emily Beslter Books for providing a review copy of the book.

A very thoughtful, soul-searching story in which a woman now outside the entertainment business revisits her time within it, and what parts she played in the power hierarchies that live there.
Sarah chooses to examine her own behavior within a high-powered/high-pressured time in her life when she was a small but integral part of a film company, after being approached by an established journalist who is doing an investigative piece on a successful producer who's been at the center of rumors of sexual assault for years.
Ten years past the events that have brought her to her present life, Sarah struggles with what was reality and what was her part in it. She sees that business for what it was and continues to be, and like many before her, felt her actual lack of power prevented her from taking action.
In addition, Sarah wears the additional burden of her youth, her cultural heritage, her ambition, her tenacity, and wonders if any moments could have been changed at all.
Ultimately, this story is a musing not just on sexual imbalance but the imbalance of power; who has it, and when you get it what do you do with it.
Winnie Li doesn't provide "gotcha" moments, just strong, believable characters attempting to work within a system, with all its glossy subterfuge. I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.

Interesting premise that focuses on a Chinese American character and the film industry. And the suspense!? It was intriguing . I’ve always had an interest for the film industry so ultimately I was drawn in. I connected with Sarah and had deep sympathy for her. She gave a realistic portrayal of the industry and its racial injustices and unfair practices. Fun read.

Complicit’s beginning is written in a sort of lyrically poetic way that was beautiful. It then reads as a first person recount, first in general and then as a response to an interview. I thought the concept of the story being an interview for an story/exposé was different and interesting. I found myself quickly drawn into the story of Sarah as she navigates the world of movie making and uncovers the more seedy side of the industry. The story is a little slow and therefore difficult to read at times but overall it was intriguing.

Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher and the author, Winnie M Li.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC of Complicit by Winnie M Li. Initially I was drawn to read the synopsis because of the cover. This story follows main the character Sarah who teaches at a small college. Attempting to leave her dreams of being a success Hollywood producer behind her. She more or less manages this untill a journalist reaches out and asks for Sarah's input/insight regarding a very famous producer who Sarah once worked with. Sarah realizes she may have more than a few words to share, possibly even thoughts of revenge toward this producer. The more the story continues, the more Sarah wonders what the truth really is and what her truth really is. In a time of #metoo experiences erupting every other second, this was still a good story to read. I do recommend it.

Sarah Lai’s dreams of success behind the camera have been put to the wayside. She lectures at a small obscure college and hopes to lead a quiet life away from the industry. Until a journalist comes around asking questions and wants her side of a story. Can Sarah finally tell her story and maybe get a bit of revenge in the process.

***4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account***

"There is a moment, just before a man assaults you, when you as a woman realize, way too late: So that's what this is going to be."

I don't think any words have chilled me more than the ones above. The riveting Complicit by compelling author Winnie M. Li left me drained and yet I couldn't stop thinking about it days later.

The theme is one we are all too familiar with where a so called boss, leader, powerful wealthy man grooms and abuses any woman within his reach. What makes this different is the subtle way the writer has our protagonist Sarah tells her story of loving film, defying her traditional Chinese restaurant owning parents, and working for free at a NY production company.

As Sarah works her way to a paid script doctor, assistant producer, and right hand to the bosses she thinks she is is on her way to the big Hollywood dream of making award winning movies and she almost does until..."I figured as producer whatever happened behind closed doors, after a few too many drinks, wasn't my concern."

Narrator Katie Leung deserves a standing ovation for her captivating performance not just of conflicted, victimized Sarah but of the leech Hugo, the ignorant Sylvia and the talented brave Holly.

This story is a very slow burn as Sarah, now teaching script writing, tells her story to Thom, a Ronan Farrow type journalist, not just as an assault victim, but as a guilt ridden participant in the accepted misogynistic, racist world of movie production.

What makes this #MeToo special is how real it feels. There are mundane moments of ordinary life. It is so subtle how everything escalates and though we know where it's going, just like in the real world we cannot always stop the bad from happening...or maybe we can and if we don't are we Complicit?

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! I will say, I feel that it could have been shorter. I enjoyed the story, I loved the way that it was told interview style, but still written in “normal” text, and I loved getting to see a background into the filmmaking industry, but some scenes I definitely think could have been shorter, cut out, etc.
…..
Overall, I love stories like this that focus on tough topics, especially when they involve some grey area such as this one did. I also loved the view of being the daughter of immigrants and of being a minority in the film world, specifically in the early 2000s. I would for sure suggest you give this book a shot, especially if you’re interested at all in the film industry! This was just one for me that I liked but didn’t love.

A Scandal in the Film Industry

Sarah Lai, once a rising star as a producer in the film industry, is now teaching screenwriting at a community college. When she’s approached by Thom, a journalist for the New York Times, wanting to know what happened during the filming of her last project, she wonders if she should talk about what happened to end her career. Finally, the decides to tell the story. In recounting the events she has to face her own demons as well at the degrading atmosphere on the set.

The book is Sarah telling her story interspersed with short interviews with other people. This is an interesting way to tell about an incident that affected Sarah so deeply. Her family were immigrants from China, and she felt lucky to land a job in the film industry which she loved. She was also very good at it and quickly rose to assistant producer on a major project for the small independent company she worked for. Things went well until Hugo North, a wealthy producer, took over the company and moved the production to Hollywood. This is the point that Sarah’s career goes awry and her desire for vengeance sprouts.

This is a very emotional story. The writer pulls you in to Sarah’s feelings and does a good job of making you understand the depths of her hurt. My only problem with the presentation is that the serial quality of Sarah telling her story at length gets a bit tiring. However, the book is a whole is well done and the topic is well worth exploring.

I received this book from Atria for this review.