I really enjoyed this book! Indiana is a female coder in a male dominated field and due to a slight mixup, gets to see how the IT world really treats men vs women. I'm not in IT but this book really spoke to me. It has some really funny moments and I was rooting for her the whole time.

I went into this thinking it was a romcom because of the cover but it wasn’t really. This is definitely women’s fiction comedy if there anything like that but the romance didn’t really play a main part in it. This book really tackles work place discrimination against women, the patriarchy, gender discrimination and women empowerment in a fun and crazy ways. It all starts when the main character who’s a woman in tech gets mistaken for a man by her boss. There are so many hijinks, plots and wild moments that make for a fun book. The romance is a back plot and I think if I had know that it wasn’t a huge part of the book going in I would have adjusted my expectations and enjoyed this more. Overall this was fun to read and if you want women’s fiction with a dash of romance lots of humor and a bit of satire you should read this.

Thank you Sourcebook Casablanca for this arc for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a fast and fun read with great characters. I also enjoyed the romance subplot.

Are you an unapologetically opinionated woman? Do you hate the patriarchy, male privilege and/or have recently watched Barbie? - this is the book for you!

This book is a laugh-out-loud comedy with a romantic subplot. I did initially expect the romance to be the main plot line, but I'm actually very glad that it wasn't. It was a sweet subplot which added the reminder that "#NotAllMen".

The characters in this book were very well written, especially the men, for better or worse. Indiana's father, Shane and her friends were all so likeable and all had such happy and healthy relationships with each other. The addition of Diana was also incredibly well written.

Melon Hamster, the MG and the rest of the sexist, obtuse men in the book were so easy to hate. It was a delight to see their boys club crumble before them and watch them get everything they deserve.

First things first - I know the cover looks like a straight up rom-com
BUT I would say this is primarily a great book about lighting the patriarchy on fire that also happens to have an excellent romantic subplot

Ana, Indiana actually, has had it. Passed over for a well-earned promotion was bad, losing it to a guy she trained - who didn’t even meet qualifications - and based on work she had done herself was worse. Finding out that there wasn’t even a hope of current or future raises because the funds had all been funneled into his new salary? That was the cherry on the fail sundae.
Finally daring to speak up, she fears she’ll be fired but instead is given a lecture about how she should keep her mouth shut - seriously - and reassigned to a new team working remotely.

After an email exchange where her new boss assumes she is a guy, she hesitates to correct him and then things snowball from there. The longer it goes on the harder it gets to backtrack, and also she finds it’s nice using the anonymity to get recognition and approval for a change.

The behavior of her bosses had me fired up and wanting some sort of retribution. I also got increasingly anxious about when and how she’d be found out because secrets hanging over a character’s head get to me

Instead of getting mired in the stress of it all though, I found there were enough antics to break it up. The legendary exploits and adventures credited to Indiana just got more and more outrageous and hilarious - My favorite was ebug for the Avs, and her friends trying to act like they could talk hockey almost had me in tears.

The more she got to know her new work team the more interesting I found them. I loved her friends, adored her father. And in the end I was extremely happy with where the story went!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the arc

Clearly I have been sleeping on Anastasia Ryan, because the woman knows how to bring the characters and the world to life. This was so delicious, I don't even have the words

4.5 stars! i really enjoyed reading this book. i expected this to have romance as a main plot, but it worked great as a sub-plot. if you're looking for a fast-paced, funny, lighthearted and cute read set in the workplace, this is for you.

This is a laugh out loud romance that highlights the absolute absurdity of being a female in a male dominated field. With slightly over the top instances, and situations snowballing out of control, I had a hard time putting this one down. I should have been prepared for an adventure when I realized the main character’s name was Indiana. But nothing could have prepared me for this ride. This was a great read.

Indiana is a coder, one of the best at her job. So when the guy she just finished training gets the big promotion over her, her lack of filter became a problem. In the middle of a big meeting. Transferred to a division in it’s last leg, she now works remotely from home. She hasn’t turned on her camera yet, and her new boss makes a big mistake. She emails him separately to correct him, and instead of getting angry he… thanks her in a group email to everyone. And included the title Mr. in from of her name. Her new team thinks she’s a guy and actually respects her opinion and treats her like one of the team. How long will this ruse go?

This was a cute romcom with plenty of zany antics along with some more serious discussions of misogyny in the workplace. The mistaken identity trope gets an assist from zoom, with the main character’s sec being assumed because her name is male (Indiana) and she has a profile picture of Indiana Jones. It was a clever premise!

There are a few goofy moments, but it adds to the romcom vibe. The secondary plot involving the main character’s father finding love in assisted living was very cute.

Of course, the villain got their comeuppance and we get a happily ever after for the main character.

This book was utterly ridiculous and absolutely fun. I could not put it down!

If you've ever been in a male dominated field, or when you said something first, but then a guy said the same thing but go the credit, or if you've ever been called "emotional" instead of "assertive" - you'll absolutely LOVE this book and feel so seen. I had an absolute blast reading it and can't wait for it to come out to share with all of my friends!

The story follows Indiana Aaron (AKA Ana) a programmer who gets overlooked at work until she's mistaken for a man thanks to a work from home situation. However, her mistaken gender results in her getting recognition and attention at work - a drastic difference from the way she used to be treated. However her new identity soon takes on a life of its own and things get complicated.

This book was hilarious, witty, and cute. I laughed out loud throughout the book and was smiling the whole time. I can't wait to read more of Anastasia Ryan's works!

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Not Bad for a Girl" by Anastasia Ryan offers a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges women face in male-dominated fields like IT. The book sheds light on the pervasive misogyny that persists, with relatable instances of women being unfairly labeled as 'emotional' when they assert themselves, a situation many female professionals can relate to (this reviewer included). The protagonist, Indiana, captures this struggle perfectly, as she remarks, "You know, if I were a guy, I wouldn't be bossy. I'd be assertive." This poignant portrayal of gender bias adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

One of the refreshing aspects of the book is the unexpected choice of love interest. I found myself pleasantly surprised by the twist in Indiana's romantic journey. Anastasia Ryan's writing is commendable; her prose is engaging and keeps readers captivated throughout the story.

While the author skillfully weaves historical examples of remarkable women who had to adopt male identities for recognition, I found that these instances are somewhat disjointed from the main plot. The introduction of figures like Pope Joan, while informative, could have been integrated more seamlessly into the storyline.

On the downside, the book takes a somewhat bizarre turn with the misunderstood identity plot, as Indiana's character suddenly becomes a pilot hockey player who delivers babies. This unexpected development may left me scratching my head. Additionally, the secondary characters, particularly Ana's friends, come across as unsupportive and critical, which is very frustrating. Ana's father's penchant for speaking in exclamation points may be an acquired taste for some.

In the romance department, the book falls short in building a strong connection between Ana and the mmc. Insufficient interaction between the two makes it challenging to root for them as a couple. Their relationship lacks the depth needed to evoke genuine reader investment.

Furthermore, the foundation of the misunderstood identity plot seems shaky, as it could potentially be resolved with a simple internet search, especially in the era of LinkedIn and online presence. The author's attempts to explain Ana's anonymity through her camera-off meetings and absence from the company website may not be entirely convincing in a highly connected world.

Lastly, while the writing is strong, some readers might find the plot's flow lacking fluidity, making it harder to fully engage with the story. Overall, "Not Bad for a Girl" offers a valuable perspective on the challenges women face in male-dominated professions, but it leaves some room for improvement in terms of plot coherence and character development.

This was witty, whimsical and very cute. I didn't expect this book to put romance on the back burner but I'm so glad it did. Workplace discrimination is a very real thing and I loved that that was covered in this.

Indiana Aaron is sick of being overlooked at work because she's a petite outspoken girl despite being a top notch coder. So while working remotely and the assumption is made, that Indiana is a guy, "Ana" doesn't correct it. But the longer she lets the lie go, the more ridiculous the legend of Indiana Aaron becomes around the office. A lot of over the top scenarios make for some hilarious situations! The book has a strong feminist message and unfortunately the misogyny and gender discrimination will ring too true to too many. Despite the serious theme, this is a witty crazy story. Quirky friends whose help really doesn't help, a loveable father and some unusual pets provide the humor and a cute and considerate co-worker provides the romance.

I absolutely loved the first book that I read by Anastasia Ryan, which was You Should Smile More - please read it, guys, if you haven't already. Anyway, this meant I was very excited when the author and her publishers were generous enough to give me an opportunity to read her new book.

Not Bad for a Girl is an excellent follow-up (not a sequel) to that first book. It showcases a situation that many of us may have found ourselves in when it comes to the workplace - albeit not in such a drastic form. Being underestimated and undermined within an organisation simply for being female is still not nearly uncommon enough, given that this is 2023...

Coder Indiana Aaron aka Ana is a talented women in a field heavily dominated by men. In a comedy of errors - unforced and otherwise - whilst working from home virtually, and based in Denver, she finds that her remarkably sexist boss Melvin, who is in New York, has assumed that she is a man, and has been talking her up accordingly as a talented coder.

When he meets Ana in person, Melvin assumes that she's the coffee girl. Or maybe even the daughter of the talented Indiana, who has by then reached an almost mythical status as the accidental deliverer of babies, lander of planes in emergencies, and survivor of an unnamed war - not to mention a gifted artist. But male, of course. Indisputably male.

After the overactive rumour mill, aided by some of Ana's well-meaning colleagues, has built up Indiana's reputation to an unmanageable degree, it simply makes it harder for Ana to out herself as a petite woman who lacks a pilot's licence and any artistic or athletic gifts whatsoever.

And if that weren't bad enough, when Melvin tries to pass off her work as his own, in an attempt to snag the all-important SJ Sports client account, Ana realises that she has to come clean and reclaim her identity as well as all her hard work on the account.

In the meantime, she also has to cope with becoming the unplanned grandmother of a zillion guppies, find out about her father's new love interest, and unexpectedly encounter a new potential love interest of her own. So being Indiana clearly means there's never a dull moment to be had.

I loved this book. It was a quick and easy read, with a quirky, strong female MC, an adorable, low-key love story and a very, very important message about sexism in the workplace - all delivered with Anastasia Ryan's signature whip-smart humour. Get your copy now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC! I was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint. Anastasia Ryan’s debut, You Should Smile More, was hilarious and relatable and Not Bad For A Girl was even better! I adored Indiana and her friends, family and most of her co-workers 😉 the references were spot on, the humor was fantastic, the romance was excellent and the themes of misogyny and gender discrimination in the workplace was all too real. This is a must read for any feminist who wants something relatable, hilarious and full of heart.

This workplace story had me laughing, getting angry at inequality in the work force, and feeling emotional over the strong bond between a father and his daughter. Anastasia Ryan just became a must read author for me!

Indiana is an outspoken and opinionated woman working in IT, a male dominated field. After being passed over for a promotion for a man who didn’t deserve it, she loses it during a meeting and is placed on a remote team. An error makes the coders on her team believe SHE is actually a HE, and Indiana goes along with it once she realizes the new respect she is commanding as a man. Hilarity ensues as her friends build the story of the mysterious male Indiana to be more and more stereotypically manly.

The commentary on being a female in a male dominated industry seems to hit the nail on the head here. The biases and misconceptions due to someone’s gender are truly ridiculous and frustrating, particularly at times like when Indiana is asked to get coffee for the rest of the team and treated like she probably won’t understand what needs to be done. Ryan makes great points in Ana’s big speech towards the end, about equality and respect and the need for a shake up in office culture.

Ana and her friends are hilarious. Ana is snarky and full of truly ridiculous fish facts, and any time the fish were mentioned had me laughing out loud. She adores her father, and the scenes involving the two of them were precious and funny at the same time. She is unflinchingly herself at all times (except on those zoom calls when she pretends to be the goalie for a hockey team and a pilot). Her friends add such absurd details to the stories and I’d love to see them in future books, can this be book one in a series please??

The tone feels slightly campy and definitely cheeky, making for such a fun reading experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Anastasia Ryan writes THE BEST workplace comedies. Her books make me laugh because I can relate to her characters on such a deep level- it's like they live in my own brain! Honestly, I've adored everything she's written so far. Sure, it's two books but they are AMAZING in every way! If you're looking for something fun and relatable then make sure to grab this one. I've already preordered a paperback to have on my shelf!

Here is a little bit about the plot- Ana is fired at her job, which didn't really make her mad, due to the fact that the promotion she wanted and deserved was given to a complete idiot. Instead, she is going to work from home. What ensues is mistaken identity, and a whole lot of hilarity.

My thoughts? I received this book as an ARC, and boy am I glad I did! This was not your typical romantic comedy. It was a slow burn- type romance. I found myself several times laughing out loud. I loved Ana, and being inside her head. She is delightful and so funny. I think we would be friends in real life, because I feel like our thoughts are so similar. Shane is such a good guy, you are rooting for him the whole time. It is a fairly short book, which is a good thing, in my opinion. I like when I can sit down and finish a book in one sitting, especially since I am a mom and also work full time. I like books that can make me forget about my job (I'm a nurse, so it can be a bit stressful at times).

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a funny romantic comedy. I would give this book 4/5 stars.

For all the unapologetically opinionated women out there, figuring out how to thrive in a world made for men. You will love this book! I related to Indiana immediately. She’s confident and self assured, and she can’t keep her mouth shut.

After that mouth lands her in hot water at work, she decided to try a new approach. She’s gonna zip it; keep those opinions to herself; she’ll let her work speak for her. When she gets a new remote work assignment on a new team, the whole zip her lips strategy goes awry when her boss assumes that Indiana Aaron is a man and she doesn’t immediately correct him. Before she can get a handle on things the legend of Indiana has grown to epic proportions. Now the real Indiana has to figure out how set the record straight and keep her job.

This was such a fun read. I couldn’t help but laugh every time someone panicked and added a new crazy story to the legend of Indiana. The romance is a cute subplot, not the main focus of the story. This is a great, lighthearted comedy about what it’s like to be a woman in a male dominated field.

This is a sweet, fun, quick read! I loved Ama right from the start— how she’s not letting anything keep her from speaking out for what’s right and being her true self. It was really funny how this “concept” of Indians Aaron grew so outrageous, even Ana’s coworkers were relieved to hear he wasn’t real. This book touched so directly on how sexist this world is, especially the professional world. Women have been working for over 50 years and we are still treated so terribly in the workforce. Something I really want people to take from this is that not every man is Melvin—so outwardly, obviously sexist— but many, many, MANY are covertly, subtly, passively, implicitly sexist and that is so much harder to call out and fix. I appreciated the underlying messages here, as well as the cute love story between Shane & Ana, and how she became such good friends with her coworkers who totally had her back when they learned the truth.
thank you for the ARC!