"This isn't the 1800s, but for women in the workplace, especially in male-dominated fields like this one, it can feel like it. It's still a man's world. It's harder to get respect, we don't make as much money, we aren't pro-moted, and we're just as often mistaken as the girl who takes the coffee orders."

This book was really good!! I really enjoyed it!! A workplace romance that was sweet and funny and quite entertaining. This was the story of Indiana, known to friends as Ana, pretending to be a man because her boss mistakenly thought she was after reading an email and because he was quite the misogynist. And this is also the story of how she fell in love with Shane, her colleague who helped her out in this facade to make her fulfill her job and who falls in love with her in the meantime !!! I very much enjoyed meeting some of the other side characters that contributed to make this book the fun experience that it is and create a safe environment for readers to discuss themes such as injustice on the workplace!! So glad I could read it !!

I decided to start 2024 with this book because I adored Anastasia’s first book, so I knew this would also be great. This book made me laugh out loud, have a little bit of light swooning, and feel righteous anger for the FMC, Indiana. I really can’t remember the last time a book made me laugh as much as this one. This book touched on topics such as sexism and a little bit of racism. There were also some really interesting facts and stories sprinkled throughout with things in history I didn’t know about. Highly recommend!!!

Not Bad For a Girl by Anastasia Ryan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love when I get to start my year with a five star read. This romance novel about a female coder named Indiana who is mistaken for a man in her remote job is fantastic. Great romance plot, as well as a supporting cast of friends and coworkers anyone can laugh with makes this a fantastic story.

Anyone looking for a nerdy romance with female empowerment will love this book! Not Bad for a Girl comes out on January 30th. Thanks to @netgalley for the arc!

This was so good! The focus wasn't on the love story but rather on Ana's growth as a character and I loved that. The mysogynist aspect had my blood boiling, but was very well handled. Funny at times as well.

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. The first chapter was very cringey and to me, did not set up the story well. The main character was unlikeable from the get go. Hopefully other readers love this one more than I did!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader.

Indiana Aaron is a woman in a man's world. She's an excellent computer programmer, but doesn't "look the part" to her male colleagues. When she shares her opinion to freely at work, she gets herself reassigned to a virtual-only team - who all mistake her for a man. Before she can correct the misunderstanding, she realizes that they are suddenly taking her work seriously, and that there are definite advantages to continuing the charade. Before long though, she's in a complicated romantic entanglement with a coworker, her chauvinistic boss is still trying to steal her work, her friends are creating an even bigger legend, and she's in way over her head.

A fun romantic comedy for readers that like quirky characters and a clean romance.

This book had a nice premises, execution.... not so much,

When I read the synopsis I was totally in for a story about a girl in a men world and all the struggles she has to overcome to be seen.
But this book it's so absurd that it can be borderline fantasy for how much things don't make sense 😂 Like in a way it's funny, until it's just too much.

Also the love story between Ana and Shane was veeeeery weak, they met, spoke three words and then he brings her to buy a fish 🤔

I think the misogynist work environment was well depicted, but a part from that this book was very weak. I almost DNF it a couple of times

Anastasia Ryan's "Not Bad for a Girl" is a refreshing and a very realistic workplace romantic comedy that brings to light the challenges faced by women in the tech industry. The story follows Indiana "Ana" Aaron, a talented coder and IT specialist who, after one too many clashes with her boss, finds herself transferred to a remote team for what seems like her last chance to fit in.

The novel cleverly explores the dynamics of workplace culture, highlighting the struggles of women who speak their minds and excel in their fields, particularly in the male-dominated tech industry. Ana's character is a standout—innovative, assertive, and a natural leader who has been overlooked for promotions one too many times. Her journey into a new department, marked by a mistaken identity as a male employee, sets the stage for a comedic and insightful exploration of workplace biases.

The narrative skillfully weaves together the challenges Ana faces, from cringe-worthy Zoom calls to navigating the complexities of working remotely. The decision to run with the mistaken identity, as Ana sees the praise and recognition she deserves finally coming her way, adds a layer of humor and irony to the story.

The supporting cast, including friends Heidi and Patrick, contribute to the overall charm of the novel. The budding romance with Shane, a handsome tech guy who becomes an ally in Ana's quest to triumph over workplace preconceptions, adds a delightful romantic element to the narrative.

The novel successfully balances humor with a more serious exploration of workplace issues, making it relatable and thought-provoking. "Not Bad for a Girl" is not only a workplace comedy of errors but also a celebration of resilience, talent, and the importance of finding allies in the face of workplace challenges.

Anastasia Ryan has crafted a compelling and entertaining read that resonates with anyone who has experienced the quirks and pitfalls of office dynamics. "Not Bad for a Girl" is a delightful romp through the tech world, highlighting the power of friendship, the pursuit of recognition, and the unexpected twists that come with embracing one's true self in the workplace.

I had the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for a review. I'm grateful for this chance to read her book.
Fast-paced and charmingly witty, this book was delightful, capturing my attention over just a few days. Going in without any preconceived ideas, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself immersed.

The standout aspect of this book was undoubtedly its powerful female characters. They weren’t just part of the story's backdrop; they were its driving force, embodying a spirit of feminism that added depth and relatability to the narrative.

The writing itself was engaging, sprinkling the plot with intriguing facts and insights that had me pausing to look up more information.

At the core of the plot is Indiana Aaron, a character defined by her boldness and outspoken nature. These traits lead to her being transferred to a new team in a different city, where she works remotely. Her new boss and her colleagues mistakenly assume she's male, a misconception Indiana doesn’t rush to correct. This twist adds an interesting layer to the story, as she finds her previously criticized traits now welcomed. The tension of when she will reveal her true identity adds a compelling element to the narrative.

In short, this book was more than just a quick read; it was an engaging exploration of identity, perceptions, and the power of being true to oneself. It kept me hooked, not just with its plot but with the way it made me think and reflect.

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Not Bad For a Girl by Anastasia Ryan
Not Bad For a Girl
by Anastasia Ryan (Goodreads Author)
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This book was legit hilarious, I haven't read a proper comedy (this book is not exactly a ROMcom, although this book does have a romance subplot) in a long time!

The plot gets more and more outrageous and engaging as the book goes on + the MC's narration is SO likeable. I was rooting for her so hard.

I also liked the way the author wove in the (very real) issue of women being disrespected in the workplace into the book. It's definitely hard to write something like that without hurting the comedy aspect of the book, and the author has really pulled it off.

TWs - misogyny (both casual and systemic) in the workplace, mention of death of parent (past), professional sabotage

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Not Bad for a Girl was a fun and somewhat depressingly realistic workplace romantic comedy. It definitely emphasized how it is for women in the workplace, especially the tech industry, who aren't afraid to speak their minds are are extremely talented at their jobs, which unfortunately too often causes issues with male coworkers and bosses. Indiana is a great character - innovative in her work and clearly a leader who was looked over for promotions too many times. Pushed into working remotely in a new department, Indiana is mistakenly identified as male by her new boss and once Indiana sees the high praise she is finally getting for her work - she decides to run with it as long as she can. Thankfully she finds a few allies to help her along the way and finds other male coworkers who respect her more and want to work as part of her team. The fun friendships with Heidi and Patrick and the budding romance with Shane are great bonuses as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this novel.

Loved Anastasia’s first book and this one was just as good 👏🏻 absolutely adored everything about this,

This novel unfolds with a delightful mix of humor and genuine insight into the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries. Ana's voice is authentic, and readers will find themselves cheering for her as she strives to make her mark in a world where assertiveness is both a strength and a double-edged sword. The remote work setting adds a contemporary touch to the story, capturing the nuances of virtual communication and the quirks of online meetings. The exploration of workplace preconceptions and gender dynamics is handled with both humor and sensitivity. Indiana "Ana" Aaron's journey is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and tech-savvy brilliance, making this book a recommended read for anyone looking for a lighthearted yet thought-provoking tale set in the ever-evolving landscape of the digital age.

Love a good stick it to the man book! This was cute and had a few good funny moments.

I think I would have enjoyed more if Ana didn’t seem like such a little kid at times & if Shane was around the story more.

Overall still an enjoyable and worthwhile read though! Girl power.

3/5 stars!

This was an okay book. Definitely more fiction than romance which was fine. The premise was literally ludicrous and I couldn’t stop laughing at some parts. A company directory search would have squashed this ridiculous notion but I digress. Good commentary on women in tech. I really hated the storyline with the fish. It was just not for me. Ending was satisfying enough. I gave it three stars.

I loved Anastasia Ryan’s Not Bad For A Girl! It was creative and different than anything I’ve read before. I loved the witty writing and relatable story line, both were exceptional. I could imagine something like this actually happening. The author was able to bring comedic relief to the all too real issue of misogyny in the workplace, while still acknowledging the seriousness of it. I was feeling all the emotions for main character Indiana, who I adored. Her friends are great as well and definitely added to the entertainment value. I was literally laughing out loud throughout. The romance subplot was great too! I definitely recommend if you enjoy workplace humor and awesome FMCs. Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Not too bad of a read. I would say this was more of a personal life/work journey for Ana than a romance. There was a bit of a romance, but not the main part of the story. It was more of an addition.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I would recommend Anastasia Ryan’s Not Bad for a Girl to literally any woman looking to feel seen in her job! It is funny and honest, and I couldn’t put this down! It’s Taylor Swift’s “The Man” in book form. Indiana “Ana” Aaron is a talented coder, but when she’s passed over for a promotion, she can’t help but speak up. Only this lands her a transfer to a work from home position where her team assumes Indiana is a guy, and suddenly she’s being recognized for her hard work. This cast of characters is quirky and kind. Indiana is eccentric and funny; her fish obsession teetering between weird (in the best way) and endearing. Her friends are amazing, I want to work at this company just to interact with these people. And it’s such a statement, in such an approachable way, on how hard it can be to be a woman in the corporate world. I just loved her perspective; it’s so relatable. Plus her dad is adorable, and the romance aspect of this book is done really well. Shane, the love interest, isn’t super developed but I loved how he supported Ana. I love how the people in her life really had her back all around. There is so much in this shorter book. It’s funny and smart and just a great read!

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Not Bad For a Girl releases January 30, 2024

A promotion that was supposed to go to Indiana went to a lesser-experienced male colleague instead. She’s now on thin ice and at risk of being fired for speaking out.
After being transferred to a remote position, Indiana decides that her best bet is to appear more masculine, which proves to be easy when her new team lead mistakes her name in a group email as a “Mr.”

I get what this was trying to do; female empowerment and equality in the workplace and all that, but the thematic message felt a little cheapened by how incredulous and unrealistic they made the male version of Indiana to be — in addition to being a coder, he’s a pro-hockey player, can crash land a plane, deliver a baby, put out a fire — I mean???

The whole false identity farce went on for way too long and as a byproduct of the main character’s innate feelings, I couldn’t find much enjoyment since it was rather frustrating how misogynistic others were.
It also didn’t help that the author chose to make the leading female a small, 4 foot, young looking individual with freckles and all the pink, glittery accessories to further fuel a stereotype.

This title definitely leans more towards being women’s fiction with a small romantic side plot, rather than the romcom it’s marketed as.

A side note:
I really hope this goes through another round of edits because character names were consistently misspelled throughout the whole book — is it Taggart or Taggert? Pick one!