I was asked to review “The Snap” by Elizabeth Staple. As I like to do with authors I am not familiar with, I jumped right into the book without reading the synopsis. Though one of the novel’s focus is on professional football, I still found this novel to be an enjoyable read.

Poppy is the Media Relations Director of an NFL team. For support, she belongs to a group of high profile women in traditionally “men” fields. But the group begins receiving threatening notes and the coach of the team Poppy works for is found dead.

The novel is told in dual storylines—the present and fifteen years into Poppy’s past. I appreciate how the author’s background helped fuel the details that immersed me into this tale. Parts of it were slow for me, but overall I found the story to be satisfying and would happily read the author’s next work.

Thanks to Elizabeth Staple, NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this novel.

This novel captured me from the kick-off and held me till the touchdown ending. Sorry. Couldn’t resist. But, no kidding, I loved this book.
I’m a big fan of football and even though I was attending a basketball tournament when I read it, I was immersed in professional football when I was reading. Learning that the author is an attorney who once worked in media relations for several football franchises gave the story even more credibility. I can only hope the situations in this book are not based on her life experience.

What situations, you ask? Try putting a woman in a traditionally male environment, add some sexual tension, a locker room full of secrets, and a hushed-up murder—those situations. The plot unfolds by going back and forth between the protagonist’s present-day experience and her experience fifteen years ago. I am so impressed that debut author Elizabeth Staple pulled this tricky format off with such aplomb. And, kudos to her for creating complex, flawed, unpredictable, and interesting (read: non-stereotypical) characters.

Themes centered on a woman negotiating a “man’s world,” toxic workplaces, professional sports, the sacrifices and compromises a woman makes when she pursues a career, and women’s friendships. Staple brings a nuanced look at owning your decisions.

Many thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for an advance reading copy.

Mixed emotions about this book. The first half started out as a blockbuster. In the second half, the author fumbled in the red zone and never recovered. Too bad. It had such potential

This book made me uncomfortable in the best way. In two equally compelling timelines, Elizabeth Staple explores what it means to be complicit (or not) in a system that subordinates you. This book gives a fascinating, spot-on perspective on working in sports, and that’s part of the fun, but the themes of female ambition and the dynamics of friendship and work relationships are universal. And the sharp, witty voice kept me entertained the whole way through.

I raced to the finish and was sad when it ended. Poppy is one of those characters I’ll wonder about—how she’s doing now, what she’d think of the latest sports scandal—for a long time. I’m excited to see what this author does next.

I had a blast reading this. I will likely reread during fall for the vibes, Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Poppy Benjamin has spent the last fifteen years building her career and making space for herself in the boys club that is professional football. As the Media Relations director for an NFL team, her life revolves around her work. Except for her close knit group of other females in prominent positions in the sports world. When the coach of Poppy's team is found dead at home, Poppy and her friends all receive threatening notes to expose their secrets and put their careers at risk.

Poppy Benjamin, is the Media Relations Director of an NFL team. It's not an easy job for a woman and she leans on her other high profile female friends for support. When the group begins receiving threatening notes and some of their darkest secrets are uncovered, Poppy flashes back to when she first started working for the team.

Through a series of flashbacks we learn that her rise to the top was not easy and she may have a skeleton in her closet as well. Who is sending the notes? Can Poppy keep her job and her reputation? Does she deserve to?

Elizabeth Staple has a long and storied background in similar jobs and her expertise shows. I hope more novels are to follow ! It was an engrossing mystery about a topic I knew very little about. I loved the pacing and the detail and you will too!
#doubleday #thesnap #elizabethstaple