Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 7, 2022
Tracy Flick is back, now an overachieving vice principal at a public high school. A single mother, Tracy’s life is stuck in a rut until she receives news that the principal of her school is finally retiring, and, in pure Flick style, Tracy sets her sights on the position. As Tracy battles administrative red tape, including hob knobbing with the Superintendent and school board trustees, she is also tasked with nominating local alumni for the High School Hall of Fame. But the nomination process has Tracy reflecting back on her past, and the bad memories that came with it, which makes Tracy all the more determined to rise above and become the next Principal.
Tom Perotta brings Tracy Flick back to the page with “Tracy Flick Can’t Win”. Flick’s character was made famous in the movie “Election”, helmed by the fabulous Reese Witherspoon, and now, as an adult, Flick is still an uptight success-driven Type A, setting hew new sights on a new role.
The novel has short chapters, each narrated by different characters in the novel; Tracy, of course, but also two students who sit on the nomination board; Vito, a former NFL quarterback who leads the nominations for the Hall of Fame; Jack, the outgoing principal; Kyle Dorfmann, the young and exceptionally wealthy trustee who recruits Tracy for his Hall of Fame project and finally, the head secretary who also has a nomination for her years of service. Through each character, their background and relationships to each other are examined, as the battle for the Hall of Fame is fought. Tracy Flick plays a prominent role in the novel of course, but the amount of other characters was unexpected, and I did not expect to see so little of Tracy (although I loved her just as much as I did in “Election”). Although initially the additional characters seem extraneous, they tie together very nicely by the final pages.
“Tracy Flick Can’t Win” is a story of the patriarchy of the education system and school board red tape and politics, so it definitely won’t appeal to everyone. It does however, have a great deal of truth and realism, and depicts the male-dominated, #metoo world of administration and leadership.
The ending was unexpected and shocking, but Perotta ensured that all of his characters received a satisfying conclusion to their plotlines.
Perotta writes very well, and each chapter was easy to read. His characters are relatable and well-developed, and there is no arguing that Perotta has earned his many accolades. As someone who sees myself in Tracy (in far too many ways), I will always hold a soft spot for the goal-seeking, driven woman, now a dysfunctional adult trying to succeed in a male dominated world. I loved that Perotta brought Flick back and I hope to see more of her.

- 3.5 Stars -
A few things of note: SO. MANY. POVS. So many. If you can’t handle more than 3 pov’s in a book, this is definitely not the book for you my friend. And also, THAT ENDING, WHAT THE WHAT?! Alright…now let me compose myself here for this.

This book was good! I can genuinely say that I liked reading it, despite not super loving a bunch of the characters that we get to hear from/read about. Despite the book being named after what you would assume the main character, I feel like we barely get to read much about her at all! But those little parts we do get are great!

Something I noticed about this book that I really liked was some of the redemption arcs that were in there. The way that a few of the characters were working on bettering themselves, despite past issues/failings. Another thing I really enjoyed was the almost “once you’ve got it, you’ll realize you don’t need it” type thing that some of the other characters went through.

I think my favorite character in the whole book was probably Marissa as she just seemed like a sweetheart who got dealt a bad hand in the family life area (even though she has a ton of money, she still was just seeking out genuine companionship and friendship in Tracy - which I LOVED about her).

Overall, the ending shocked an extra .5 star out of me because I definitely did NOT see it coming, not even from a mile away. So you should definitely check this book out when its officially out!

Thank you @netgalley // @simonschusterca for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! All of the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Dr. Tracy Flick is a high school teacher, in fact the assistant principal. Her currently humdrum life becomes exciting when she learns her principal plans on retiring in the next year. She plans in getting a promotion that should have been hers long ago. If she plays her cards right, she will be a shoo-in for the job.

Tracy is a loner, something she’s been for her life. She has a ten-year old daughter born of an off/on relationship with a married doctor. The daughter spends more time with her father than her mother. Tracy likes it that way and so does the doctor and his wife. They include Tracy in their life, Christmas, Easter, and other holidays. Mrs. Doctor loves her extended family. I find this strange, personally. I wouldn't want anything to do with my husband's mistress.

The rest of Tracy’s “family” revolves around her colleagues at school. The principal, Jack Weede, and the selection committee for the first annual hall of fame for the Green Meadow High School.

Will Tracy Flick finally get her due? Will she become principal of the school. Will Tracy Find Flick finally win?

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading this delightful novel by Tom Perrotta.

A fast read that catches up with Tracy in her early 40s. It brings up a variety of viewpoints and social issues, but doesn't really dig into any. The ending caught me off guard and seemed out of place to me. Beach read worthy, but not memorable. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you, Tom Perrotta, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for this ARC!

What a fun, satisfying read! I came to this book without having read Election (though had watched the movie adaption many times) and can confirm it reads well as a stand-alone. No prior knowledge is needed.

Multiple points of view told in short, punchy chapters build a full story that is laugh-out-loud funny as well as unexpectedly heart-wrenching.

I found myself wishing for a little more insight into Tracy's relationship with her daughter but I think the lack of detail there is intentional. Tracy's identity as a mother isn't a huge part of who she is.

The glimpses into the lives of the other characters were also very compelling.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. 4 Stars.

This was a fun read. The story is about Tracy coming to terms with her life path in comparison to her high school plans and ambitions. The same teenage fierceness and drive is there within a more aware and kinder understanding. The story touches on the imbalances of power in 'Me Too' situations and on what we as society value and choose to honour. We get perspective from several other characters but it is Tracy that I wanted more of as well as Vito's redemption path.

'I'm not angry. That's just how my face gets when I'm thinking.'

'She was hard at work, as usual, hammering away at her keyboard like she was mad at the letters.'

'I was the one with the mission; she was just support staff.'

'New fires kept popping up, and I was the person with the extinguisher.'

'That's the thing about a can of worms. It doesn't always come with a label on it.'

'I know, Principal of a midsize suburban high school isn't the same as Senator or Judge or CEO, but it's something, and it becomes your identity. Let go of that and you become a smaller, sadder person.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tracy Flick is back in a hard-to-put down novel, which explores her life in her forties, as she vies to become principal of her high school. Her story intersects with those of several characters as they prepare to induct notable individuals in the high school hall of fame.

Admittedly, I never read Election - I only saw the movie. I was pleasantly surprised by this book; even though most characters are unlikeable, they are compelling. What I didn’t expect was the rather dark turn taken at the end; although the author, through his characters, prepares us for the dénouement, it still took me aback.

I recommend this quick, engaging read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.

This is my first Perrotta book, but I do remember the movie "Election" with Reese Witherspoon. Her character in the movie was an eager overachiever and this novel picks up when Tracy Flick/Witherspoon is a middle aged assistant school principal at the school she once attended. When the long reigning principal decides to retire, Tracy jumps at the opportunity to "campaign" for the job. On a mission to impress, she is enlisted to serve on the selection committee for the newly developed high school hall of fame. Tracy is left disappointed when the other committee members select a former NFL player as their first inductee and she is forced to face the reality that she might not have the support that she needs to reach her goal.
Overall, this was a quick and entertaining story about a resilient woman.
The only quibble I have with the story is that I wanted to read more about Tracy Flick. There were many characters in the novel and some of the plots were underdeveloped and didn't add anything to the novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, Scribner and Tom Perrotta for this ARC.

Tracy Flick can't win or can she? It sure doesn't seem like she can however she never gives up. Great cast of players with an ending you won't see coming. I loved this book and can see it on the big screen.

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I couldn’t get into this book so I couldn’t finish it.

I have not seen the first book in this series nor did I see the Reese Witherspoon movie. Indeed I can't even remember now quite what it was in the summary Netflix provides that prompted me to request this book.

There is something about it that is remarkable. As soon as I started reading it I was captured. I had to keep reading. The narrative shifts between characters who each have their own point of view. And their own histories - all of which are somehow intertwined, and inseparable. I cannot say any of them is especially likeable or for whom I felt some kind of identification. This is a world that preoccupies Americans but is quite foreign to me. High school seems to be the place where people find out who they are, but only in a certain limited number of available roles. Those who fit in and those who stand out.

Tracy Flick wanted to be Someone - but as Assistant Principal feels she gets no respect. She does all the work, someone else gets the credit. I know about yearbooks - but do they really have a Hall of Fame? They seem to agree that one is needed - and it seems almost inevitable that the quarterback gets pride of place, even though others are obviously better people. No I won't write spoilers. I am sure that once you start reading this book you will have to keep reading to see how it all works out.