Member Reviews

This is Definitely a 10/10 for Anastasia Ryan again. I love her books and will continue to push and recommend them to everyone. The humor and how the lead character seems to always finds herself in these odd situations that her friends seem to make worse adds to it each time. I also enjoy how she hits on how females are seen and treat though in the workplace, and the key points that even though men expect them to be a certain they are not and can actually be on the same level or better than them.

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This book was around 200 pages in eBook format so super short and no dragging part. Everything was happening quickly so it got me hooked till the end!! The drama was on point, and Ana was super relatable 💜 the character of Melvin was so annoying I hated him all the time !! It's so sad that these kind of things happen in real world but girls should definitely be like Ana now, and supportive boys are the best!!! 💜💐

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Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! I just couldn't get in the mood for this one, but I do love this author!

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A bit like a good Taylor Swift song, this books had a little of everything. Roman e, friendship, girl power and a strong family. Much more of a workplace drama than romance, but I enjoyed this quick read and the characters.

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I couldn’t get into this book. Not sure why but there was nothing there to grab me and make me want to stay. Thank you for opportunity to read this book.

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Was this a romance novel? Was it really? No. Did the plot sometimes feel as though it were following a step by step guide for how to write a 3 act novel? As much as I hate to say it, yes. Did I feel frustrated, angry, and yell at the frighteningly familiar gender discrimination Ana deals with? 100% yes!

Overall I enjoyed this, even in it's predictability, and very promptly picked up Anastasia's prior novel as my next read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

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This didn't do it for unfortunately, the set up had some promise but execution didn't connect for me or bring me to care about the leads.

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I loved this book so much! It had me CACKLING, gasping in indignation, swooning over Shane, and cringing over 100 fish

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Thank you for this ARC. Unfortunately, I've lost interest in the premise of this book. I think it will do more harm than good to read and review. I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

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Not Bad for a Girl is a witty and entertaining workplace comedy that perfectly captures the trials and tribulations of navigating office politics, gender assumptions, and the hilarity of modern remote work life. Anastasia Ryan delivers a fresh, funny, and relatable story that had me laughing, cringing, and cheering for the protagonist, Indiana "Ana" Aaron, from start to finish.

Ana, a talented coder and IT specialist, finds herself in hot water after clashing one too many times with her boss’s fragile ego. When she’s transferred to a remote team, she thinks it's a chance to fly under the radar. But a mix-up with her new boss leads him to believe she's a man—Mr. Aaron—and Ana hesitates to correct him. What follows is a series of increasingly awkward, and often hilarious, misunderstandings as Ana tries to keep her secret while balancing her growing reputation as the confident, assertive "Indiana."

Ryan’s sharp writing and Ana’s quirky, lovable character are at the heart of this novel. The workplace scenarios, from cringe-worthy Zoom calls to awkward lunch breaks, are spot-on and will resonate with anyone who’s ever dealt with office culture. The book also tackles themes of gender bias and workplace preconceptions in a way that’s both light-hearted and thought-provoking.

The supporting cast adds depth to the story, particularly Shane, the charming tech guy who starts piecing together the real story behind "Mr. Aaron." Their chemistry and camaraderie are a delight to watch unfold, making for some heart-warming moments amid the humour.

While the story is funny and engaging, some of the plot points are predictable, and the resolution could have been a bit more surprising. However, this doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Not Bad for a Girl is a delightful read for anyone who loves a good workplace comedy with a strong, clever heroine. Anastasia Ryan’s blend of humour, heart, and timely social commentary makes this book an enjoyable and relatable escape.

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My first book by this author and it did not disappoint ! I really loved the story !

It was well written ,unique and I can see how it can be relatable for those who work in a male dominated industry.

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Overall rating 3.75
This book overall was entertaining. Different than something I typically read. I enjoyed the side characters more than anything. More specifically the last couple chapters when her Diana team found out who she was. Those boys really saved the book in my opinion.
Things I could have gone without was all the excessive Lord of the Ring conversations. But overall the book was entertaining.

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What happens when you get a new role and get mistaken for a man? It's all virtual so it's not like the office really needs to know. This oh my how is this going to end question had me in stitches.

Unfortunately as a woman, some of the situations in this book hit way too close to home in the tech world where women in general work hard for so much less attention. I felt for Ana and enjoyed the ride of seeing how this new chapter would go.

The cover for the book is adorable but wish the publisher had been more forthright about this being a general fiction rather than a romcom. That's on the pub not the author. I saw on Anastasia's page, she was clear to mention it isn't a romcom. So I had better expectations. All in all great writing kept me entertained.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Review is my honest thoughts,

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DNF @ 40%

I really thought I was going to enjoy this more. As someone who works in a similar, male-dominated field, I thought I would've been able to relate more the FMC but I really just found her super annoying.

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A really fun read. Lighthearted and not too serious, with a cute touch of romance. Would read books from this author again.

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I really enjoyed this book! I have been in a male dominated industry & can tell you with 100% certainty that this book represents the struggles we as women go through to be seen, respected, & grow..let alone excel, in our careers. I loved the main characters & side characters. They were all so funny & witty. I will giggle every time I look at a fish tank from now on. I also thought the pacing was wonderful! You all should definitely read this one, especially if you’re an Ali Hazelwood fan. I will definitely continue to recommend it!

“..this leads to my own small problem. I have an opinion about everything. That makes me bossy, insubordinate, & emotional. It makes my counterpart, the manly Indiana, assertive, a risk taker, & an innovator.”

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4/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Anastasia Ryan for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is a rom com about a woman in a man's workplace. Our main character is the only woman coder and IT specialist at her job, this leads to a lot of people undermining her and not respecting her. After speaking up one too many times, she gets transferred to a remote team that is struggling to stay afloat. Hoping to blend in and stay under the radar, she keeps her head down and her camera off. However, an email to her new boss leads to a mistaken identity. Her new boss believes she is a man. Now everything she was getting criticized for at her old job, she is now getting praised for. Rumors begin to spread, and things take a wild turn, however her new friends have her back.

This is a funny and cute story. The characters are interesting and everything is well written. You can't help but root for the main character during her antics at work. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a cute rom com, and that has ever been underestimated while working because of their gender.

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I just finished reading "Not Bad for a Girl" by Anastasia Ryan, and I loved it! 😍 The characters are super relatable, and the story kept me hooked from start to finish. It tackles big themes like sexism and gender expectations with sensitivity and depth, making it both powerful and thought-provoking. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery and empowerment really resonated with me, leaving a lasting impression. 🌟 Some parts could have had more detail, but overall, it's a timely and compelling read that challenges societal norms. Highly recommend! 📚✨

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I enjoyed this book so much! I have to say that it's not much of a rom com as it's just a fun, witty book. It really reminds me of Didn't See That Coming by Jesse Q Sutanto, a YA book about a girl who games under a boyish username.

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This was a cute book. It was funny, with a dash of romance. I went into this thinking it would be more romance/rom com, but the romance genre definitely took a backseat in this book.

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