When ambitious Jane Addison takes an entry level position at Fletcher and Benson she has no idea that she will force wide-ranging changes on the literary and entertainment agency. She’s welcomed by Francine Rivers, head of the literary department, entertainment chief Allie Moore, top agent Hailey West and CFO Merriwether Jones.

High Stakes is told in the voices of these five women and what a story it is! Their private lives are far different from their office personalities as each faces a personal crisis. Jane quickly discovers a long held secret that has affected many of her co-workers. The necessary and important decision she makes will change lives and careers.

Danielle Steel always tells a great story and High Stakes is no exception. The problems faced by these women - childcare, ambition, money problems, harassment, love - are almost universal. And, as usual, the settings - office, luxurious apartments and elegant restaurants - make you want to step into the pages of the novel. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Danielle Steel for this ARC.

This novel focuses on five women with successful careers in a literary and acting agency. Jane is the newest employee, and eager to make a name for herself in the business. She quickly encounters one of the male owners of the company who is brash and brazen in his treatment of the women, and definitely crosses the line of sexual harassment. The women have grown fearful of his threats, but Jane tells him that she won't stand for it. The story evolves as each women is dealing with their own personal challenges with their families and relationships.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


I would’ve liked the women to be more empowered, especially since it was a take on the #metoo movement. I feel like the women involved could’ve broken off and formed their own agency, had a more powerful story without pandering to the men in the story. It’s formulaic Danielle Steel though, women needing men in some fashion. It’s still my guilty pleasure. You know exactly what you get when you pick up a Danielle Steel book. That’s okay if that’s what you seek.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley electronically for review…I have read every book by this author and enjoyed many. This one is romance…there are too many explicit scenes for me, but others may not mind…I just skip those…the story is about romance but a,so big business and harassment…this theme runs through. It is evident that this author is ingenious at weaving a story.