4.5/5 Stars

This book was laugh out loud funny. I have high expectations for a rom-com, and this one tops the list.

Relatable main character - check

Hysterical side characters - check

Annoying, incompetent villain - check

Ridiculous scenarios and commentary - check check

This book recognizes the very serious issue of sexism in the workplace and, while spinning it in a bit lighter tone, also encourages women to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.

The romance portion of this book was cute. It is NOT a spicy book, so do not expect that going in, It is a sweet story and a quick read/listen. If you need a palette cleanser after a heavier read, but also want a book that sends a positive message, this is it! Enjoy!

Alexa play "The Man" by Taylor Swift 😂 This story is very entertaining. I love Ana and she is very relatable. The secondary characters are hilarious. Their outrageous antics had me laughing out loud. Ana's friends did a lot of silly things to help Ana continue to keep the secret of her true identity and keep everyone thinking she was a man. I was rooting for Ana’s success while hoping the terrible boss got what he deserved. I did want more romance, but her possible love connection took a back seat to the craziness happening at work. This choice made sense though! At 5% into reading/listening, I was already starting to identify with Ana. There were many moments of me nodding in agreement with Ana. The author does not shy away from important topics (pay inequality, women not having a voice in the workplace, etc.) and the story has an overall great message. This is my first book by Anastasia Ryan. I love her writing style and will certainly be reading everything else she publishes. Audiobook: The narrator did a fantastic job. I enjoyed listening and reading in tandem. Ana was portrayed well and I was highly entertained.

I'm in love with this book. I love the premise of a female being mistaken for a male and how to manage that. I once was a woman in a male dominated field and so much of this book was all too real.

Well, this was a funny read 😂 People started to think of Indiana as this legendary cowboy who parasailed in his spare time and delivered babies in office corridors. The closer the boss got to finding out the truth, the more outrageous the excuses that Ana and co found to get her off the hook.

One such person who was roped in was Shane, the handsome accounts guy that figured out her secret. I loved how he wasn't afraid to show how much he liked her, embracing her love of aquatic life and humouring her dad.

There had to be a lasting solution to get Ana out of the mess she was in, and this brought to light the incredibly flawed modern workplace that was still stuck in the past. The camaraderie she struck up with her workmates down the line was awesome to see, and I loved how "The Fellowship" she led got things done.

This was a fantastic read that had me chuckling disbelievingly whilst cheering on a girl desperate to be seen for her coding skills and not her gender. The narrator did a great job as well!

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book and the characters! Indiana was so fun! I loved how she spoke her mind and was cheering her on!

“Alexa… play The Man by Taylor Swift.” No seriously, this book is the definition of The Man by Taylor Swift mixed with the movie She’s the Man. This one seemed to be marketed as a romcom and the cover definitely gives off romcom vibes too, but this one was definitely more of a women’s fiction book, so go into it with that in mind. I really enjoyed this one. It talked about what it’s like to be a woman, especially in a STEM field and all of the struggles that come with it. I also loved that the main character was loud and outspoken, but of course seen as overbearing and rude (eyeroll) … it was so interesting to see how everything changed when they thought she was a man. This book really pointed out some of the horrible things that women have to deal with but did it in a way that was relatable, funny, and easy to read. Plus there was also a fun little romance subplot as well (definitely not the main focus of the book though). The audiobook production was great for this one and I would definitely recommend giving it a listen. I think it’s something any woman could relate to and that it was a fun and funny story.

- women’s fiction
- deals with sexism
- first person
- romance subplot
- comedy

Not Bad for a Girl by Anastasia Ryan is an exploration of what it takes for women to get ahead in the business/science world. What does it take for a woman to be recognized for her skills and abilities; be mistaken for a man?

I liked how this book took on the challenges that women can have in “non-traditional” work roles while being spun into a romance. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and the sweet romance that developed. I also enjoyed the narration by Jesse Vilinsky. However I was not a big fan of the antics to keep the lie going at work. It just seemed a bit much and distracted from the main storyline. Still I am thankful to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced audiobook copy of Not Bad for a Girl by Anastasia Ryan in exchange for an honest review.


"Anastasia Ryan's 'Not Bad for a Girl' offers a refreshing and insightful take on the challenges women face in gendered workplace politics. Through the eyes of Ana, the protagonist, readers are taken on a journey that seamlessly blends frustration and delight. Ryan tackles this important issue with a deft touch, skillfully weaving humor and a touch of romance into the narrative, allowing the story to maintain a balance between a serious topic and an enjoyable read.

Watching Ana navigate the intricacies of a work environment that is often biased against women is both relatable and eye-opening. Ryan's portrayal captures the daily microaggressions and misunderstandings that women encounter, while highlighting the resilience and strength required to navigate these hurdles. The added twist of Ana being mistaken for a man, thanks to a Zoom assist, adds an extra layer of complexity and irony to the story.

It's commendable that Ryan chose to address this still-relevant issue, treating it with the gravity it deserves without rendering the story too heavy. The injection of humor allows readers to digest and reflect upon the realities of gendered workplace dynamics in a more approachable manner. The subtle touch of romance adds a further dimension to Ana's journey, showcasing her growth and personal development.

'Not Bad for a Girl' is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that strikes a perfect balance between shedding light on gendered workplace challenges and providing readers with an engaging story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the narrative is peppered with moments that will evoke both frustration and delight. Ryan's writing exhibits both sensitivity and wit, making it a book that captures the reader's attention from start to finish.

In conclusion, 'Not Bad for a Girl' is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of gendered workplace politics. Anastasia Ryan skillfully presents a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering a voice to the experiences of women in the professional world. By addressing these issues with humor and a touch of romance, Ryan creates a narrative that is not only relevant but also enjoyable."

Indiana "Ana" Aaron has a big name to live up to, especially when a case of mistaken gender following a departmental transfer result in her finally getting the recognition and respect she deserves from co-workers for her extraordinary capabilities in IT/coding. Being a diminutive pretty female in a traditionally male-dominated field, she has been struggling to be seen and heard. Well, actually she is heard alright, because her opinionated, straight-talking mouth has a way of running off before the filter is switched on. And that is how she found herself transferred to a different department after losing out on the promotion she thought was hers for the taking. Working remotely, her grand first name got her mistaken for a man and suddenly, her assertiveness now comes across as leadership material rather than mouthiness. With an important deal on the line that will either make or break her team, Ana's brilliance is finally allowed to reach its full potential. With so much at stake, her secret grows to mammoth status along with the legend of Mr Indiana Aaron's superhuman abilities. Hilarity follows as Ana and her growing gang of co-conspirators try to maintain cover in order to allow her to put the finishing touches to her project.

Yes, the book borders on the ridiculous at times, but like even the worst of the Indiana jones movies, it was all done with such charms and enthusiasm that it's hard not to jump on board and just enjoy the rollercoaster ride. The romance takes a backseat to Ana's fight against entrenched work-force chauvinism and that's okay.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Anna! She was an amazing female main character and I loved how outspoken and honest she was. She had me giggling with her banter. I was in love with all of the Lord of the Rings references and they were the icing on the cake for me. It was so important to see how women are made to feel inferior in the workplace and it really resonated with me. This book really shed a light on gender bias and the double standards women face every day. I loved this book for its message. Girl power!

I loved this story.
It was part fight the patriarchy and part rom-com.
Ana is a delightful character and deals with the issues of being a woman in the male dominated field of IT with tiny fierceness. Literally, she is petite.
Shane was perfection as the love interest. And no 3rd act breakup!
Additional bonus points for taking place in Denver. And making me laugh out loud so much my husband kept giving me side eye.
The narrator was great too.

What a refreshing story that had a love interest in it but played 2nd even 3rd to the plot. Indiana Aaron is a coder and one of the few women in a man’s field. She always felt excluded from the “boys club”. After being passed for a promotion, she is put on a remote team and her new boss mistakes her for a man. Indiana decides not to correct him. What more can she do now that she is perceived as a man? What boundaries and obstacles are not in her way anymore? I listened to the audiobook. This was a quick enjoyable listen, and that narrator did a fantastic job. This well-paced, lighthearted story had plenty of laugh out loud moments. I listened to the entire story in less than two days. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were adorable, and their interactions were a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what Ryan comes up with next.

The cover gives romance, but this is not a romance. Do not be deceived. This is women’s fiction through and through.

I am not a fan of the narrator, unfortunately. That being said, I do think she does an amazing job of shifting her tone based on which character she is depicting.

The premise of the story rings true as far as women in a man’s world. The story feels like it was trying to give feminism. I.E. woman working in a male driven career field, the downfalls to that as far as not being taken seriously, not receiving recognition, etc. It’s all there. It was just extremely difficult for me to relate to our MC. It was one of those situations where I couldn’t put myself in her shoes and enjoy the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Dreamscape Media for the ARC of Not Bad for a Girl by Anastasia Ryan. I received both an ebook and an audio and switched between reading and listening. The narrator for this book was great with such a range of emotions to make it clear which character was which.

Overall, I loved this book! I’ve had a slump with some ARCs lately feeling like they were all very much the same. But this one was fun and funny with such a sweet, clean romance to it. The whole story of Indiana “Ana” being confused for a man due to the field she works in and being discounted due to being female is still so relevant in this day and age. It happens more often than it should. Yet all the love and support she ended up getting. Very much enjoyed this one!! 5⭐️

I don't know if it's the voice of the narrator, or what, but I can't seem to get into the story, but the concept so great. Hopefully one day when I finish I can come back and update my review.

I listened to this in one day while I was in the kitchen baking. It is so much fun. Indiana(Ana) is a woman in the male dominated tech world who isn’t being taken seriously due to her gender. The story line tackles the topic with humor and truth.

Ana likes to speak her mind and while doing that she hurt her bosses ego. She was transferred to a remote team as a punishment. Her new boss assumes she is a man due to her name and the fact that she never has her camera on during zoom meetings. What happens after this is so funny. For once in her career she is being taken seriously, but will people find out that she is a woman?

AUDIO REVIEW. ⭐️/4.5 🎤/ 4/5

Ryan’s book is a cute and fun read about mistaken identity, finding a sense of belonging & discovering love. Vilinsky’s narration is nicely done. She has to perform many male voices & she does a great job. In particular, I found both Shane & Jason to be her strongest and best voices.

Indiana “Ana” Aaron is a genius at coding and very outspoken. Her outspoken nature gets her transferred to a remote position. Remote work means her new boss mistakes her for male due to her name yet the remote position allows her to show her creative genius without revealing her gender. Her friends “help” in her situation to concealer her identity. The stories created and situations that happen become crazier and crazier everything moves forward. An added bonus is the new romance that comes from all of this for her.

I would have liked to see the development of the romance between Indiana & Shane develop sooner in the story. The romance of the story is so sweet that the romance just ended too quickly.

Overall, I recommend this audio. It is a quick & easy listen.

I really liked this, and I loved the middle finger it gives to the patriarchy. Anastasia’s stories both make you want to laugh out loud and punch a dude at the same time, and I’m here for it. Well done!

Indiana Aaron is an incredibly talented coder but after correcting her boss, she got moved to a different team that is mostly remote. She is determined to keep her head down, her camera off, and just do her job. But when her new boss makes a huge mistake she has to correct him. Only this time he publicly praises “Mr. Aaron” for his assertiveness and eye for detail. It doesn’t take long for the entire company to also assume she is a man and for her to be given a prominent role on the team. But how long can she hide that she is actually a woman?

This book is “The Man” by Taylor Swift in book form. This commentary on how women are perceived in certain industries is so important, but the way this story was told made this serious topic fun and full of laughs. I was here for the strong female characters and the girl power vibes. The side of romance between Ana and her coworker Shane with their incredible banter was the icing on the cake.

I flew through this audiobook, narrated by Jesse Vilinsky. Her narration was incredible and really brought this fun story to life. I didn’t want to stop listening!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for the advance copies.

Not Bad For A Girl
Anastasia Ryan
Release Day: January 30, 2024

I did enjoy this book! When I read what this book was about it immediately piqued my interest! As someone who worked in the corporate field I can see the balance of power favoring men just as this book shows.

I rated this book slightly lower only because the situations that her friends put her in gave me anxiety. I felt as though they were a little too far fetched and I just wanted the main character to fess up to all the lies. I did however really enjoy the romance between the two main characters and the relationship Indiana has with her father. Those were the sweet spots for me.

I’m so glad I was able to get an audiobook from NetGalley. The narrator was so fun and really made the story come alive.

Thank you NetGalley and Source books for the ARC!