An intriguing look at 1920s Wall Street through the eyes of an ambitious young woman with a unique gift for numbers and a talent for picking stocks.

Bea Abramovitz is used to being underestimated. The daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, she’s faced poverty and antisemitism. But even with all the odds stacked against her, Bea is determined to build a better life for her family.

But the Wall Street boys’ club is less than welcoming, and Bea must use her gifts—and a modicum of sympathetic deception—to carve out a place for herself. With all signs pointing to a looming crash, Bea is faced with a difficult decision: risk it all in one final gamble, or lose everything she’s worked so hard to gain, including the love of her life and the respect of her family.

I enjoy books set in the 1920s, but it’s very rare to find a book about Wall Street written from the perspective of a woman, and Bea is such a sympathetic and lovable heroine. I related to her desire to help her family, even when her brother’s actions frustrated me. (And they did—immensely!) I could not put this book down, because I had to know how the Abramovitz family weathered the Crash. Brilliant historical fiction, steeped in Roaring ‘20s flair.

What an absolutely engrossing read! I loved The Lobotomist’s Wife and dare I say Woodruff has written an even better book in The Trade Off. Bea is an absolute dream of a leading lady and can you ask for a better setting than New York City in the 1920s?! I am embarrassed to admit that I know next to nothing about the Stock Market, so I found this aspect of the story particularly compelling… especially with the looming crash of 1929. For a great, empowering story that I couldn’t put down, check out The Trade Off! 4.25⭐️

I enjoyed this historical fiction novel set in the Roaring 20s about Bea Abramovitz, her twin Jake and their parents as they strive for success in NYC. Bea is a numbers whiz who dreams of being a stockbroker while her twin is a handsome dreamer who decides to go West and sell stocks in the oil industry. From humble beginnings, their father sells produce from a grocery cart in their NYC neighborhood. As each twin becomes successful, they help their parents improve their circumstances. Along the way, Bea meets a supportive group of women as she gets a job at J.P. Morgan’s- she meets Henny and Millie- two working girls from American aristocracy. She also meets Henny’s cousin Nate and falls in love. This novel captivated me as Bea fulfills her dreams to work on Wall Street and secure her family’s future. Romance ensues for Bea and friends. As we know, the Roaring 20s came to a screeching halt. I found myself hoping that the Abramovitz family would succeed despite the crash. I loved how the author painted a portrait of a booming NYC during the 20s while also making us root for this family and for the indomitable MC, Bea.

I absolutely loved The Trade-Off. It is historical fiction about Bea, a young woman in New York in the late 1920s with a mathy brain who just wanted to be a stockbroker. But despite her intelligence and knack for reading the markets, she was a woman and Jewish and was not even able to get a job at JPMorgan for female brokers. Everything about this book was perfection. From Bea’s drive and determination to still find a way to work at JPMorgan and to still advise on trades, to her combatting sexism, misogyny and antisemitism at every turn, to her dedication to her family and friends, doing what she needed to do and take the risks that had to be taken to support them. I loved the historical component too and learning the details about the stock market leading up to and after the crash of 1929. I love the tense build up about Bea’s trades and the gambles she was taking. I loved the reading about life in NYC back then, particularly for women. The emotion oozed from the pages and this book was compelling and so riveting and I did not want it to end. All the stars for this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

This historical fiction caught me by complete surprise. In my humble opinion, this is the crown jewel of my Canadian Thanksgiving read-a-thon. It's 1926 and Beatrice( Bea) Abramovitz wants nothing more than to become the next broker on Wall Street. But Bea is about to find out that even with the skills, those who run the financial district are not keen to see a woman take her place amongst them. Especially a Jewish woman from a poor New York neighbourhood. Her twin brother, Jack, on the other hand, the roads are paved in gold for men like him. With unwavering determination, Bea will persevere, but when she makes a critical error, it will take the support of her loyal friends and family to help her realize that she can continue.

As I stated above, this was a winner, a historical fiction that is equipped with a territory( Wall Street) I am unfamiliar with and a strong female protagonist that I kept on cheering. Even when I didn't always agree with her choices or blind loyalty to her brother. I selected this book on a mere whim and it presented me with a great deal of reading pleasure.


Don't skip by this one.






#TheTradeOff #NetGalley.
Publication Date 08/10/24
Goodreads Review 14/10/24

Set in NYC in the roaring twenties, with a countdown to the stock market crash of 1929, this work of historical fiction provides insight to the times. Bea is a smart young woman, the daughter of Jewish immigrant parents living on the Lower East Side. Bea becomes immersed in the patterns and numbers of the stock market, hoping to break into the male dominated field. The double whammy of being both Jewish and female serve as an obstacle, as her less accomplished brother, Jake, finds easier paths. Bea resists an early engagement to Nate, determined to succeed in a career first. The secondary characters, including friends and family members, give depth to Bea’s story. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for my copy of The Trade Off by Samantha Greene Woodruff. I saw some friends first post about this book and rave about it so I knew I needed to read it too and I loved this book.

This captivating Historical Fiction is set in 1920s New York City about an ambitious young woman who wants to be a stock broker. She has great insights into the stock market and a brilliant mind for numbers, but she's from an immigrant family in the Lower East Side.

I loved the look at 1920s with the financial side, especially seeing society through Bea and those involved. I loved the sisterhood and friendship Bea formed and the complicated family and sibling story too.

I highly recommend The Trade Off for anyone looking for a great historical fiction!

This book was everything I was hoping it would be. It had characters who were very realistic and a story that was interesting and entertaining plus very well written.

I really enjoy stories about women who entered jobs that were strictly for men. The courage and drive these women had is always fun to read. Bea is just this type of person. Being a stockbroker was strictly something men did back in the 1920s but that didn't stop Bea from being determined to get a job on Wall Street and become a stockbroker. I loved her drive and determination. I also enjoyed her friendships with other women and relationship with Nate.

I loved the author's writing style and the way she pulled me into the story. I had read 50 pages and thought I had only been reading 5 minutes. The pace was perfect for the story being told. I loved all of the details of life in the 1920s. It really made the story fun to read.

This book was so good that I read it in a day. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what happened to these characters.

The Trade Off is one of the best books I have read and in my opinion is a must read. I will be looking for other books by this author as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

WOW! Samantha Greene Woodruff has written a well-researched, captivating historical novel about the Crash of 1929. The Trade Off also details with women trying to break into the business world during the roaring 20's and antisemitism. Ms. Woodruff has also added a dollop of romance. As someone who has been involved in the financial world, I found this novel to be of interest. Little did I know, when I began reading it, that I would identify with the well written characters. Bee Abramovitz is an intelligent young woman, with a flair for picking stocks and determining trend in the market. We meet her family and friends, who are also multi dimensional. It's a must to read the author's notes at the end of the novel! I will most definitely read first novel, The Lobotomist's Wife and her future work. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

This historical fiction novel is set in the three years leading up to the 1929 stock market crash. Bea Abramovitz, gifted with a natural talent for numbers, has an uncanny ability to spot trends in the stock market and accurately predict the best times to buy and sell. Despite her dream of becoming a stockbroker, the societal norms of the 1920s make that impossible for a woman. Instead, Bea advises her brother, a stockbroker, guiding his decisions with her keen insights. The book vividly captures the economic atmosphere of the era, making the portrayal of the time especially compelling.

I was excited to read a historical fiction book in this field. Overall, the book is just okay. I think the writing was a little to simplistic I found myself a little bored by it, Thank you, NetGalley.

I love when books are based on true characters or true events, and when our main character is a powerful and fearless heroine that’s a complete win for me. This story kept me at the edge of my seat, it was exhilarating, inspiring and unputdownable.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳 by Sam G Woodruff Author released October 8, 2024.

I enjoyed this book so much! I haven't read many historical fiction novels set in the 20s, but now I want to find more to read as I'm not very familiar with that era and it was so interesting to learn more about that time. It was fun how the author included phrases that must have been common then like "fox's socks" and "cat's pajamas". I also loved the found family component of this book with Bea and her friends and their significant others. This was the first book I've read by Woodruff, but I'm excited to go back and read The Lobotomist's Wife!

Bea has a head for numbers and dreams of working on Wall Street, but there are very few women working there and even fewer people willing to take a chance on a young woman . She convinces her twin brother Jake to get a job as a stockbroker and she does all the research and work for him. They make a successful team and Bea’s family profits greatly. Bea’s family are Jewish immigrants and they did not have much money; they live in a Lower Eastside tenement. With all of Bea’s hard work and research, she begins to predict trends and she sees something that might change everything if she’s right. As the years go on, we get closer to the biggest crash in stock market history, Black Tuesday.

The book also has a lot of the family’s dynamics. Because the family was struggling to get by, Jake and Bea’s parents wanted the best for their children (like all parents) but they treat their kids very differently.

It’s so nice to read about not only the financial industry, but a female perspective as well. The 20s are also my favorite era to read about in historical fiction. The decade has such promise; everyone was doing well and women had just gained the right to vote. This was a home run in my opinion!

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @lakeunionauthors for my gifted ebook.

The Trade Off, by Samantha Greene Woodruff, was an amazing book that I could not put down. It is one of those books you wish would never end.
I am a true historical fiction lover who also loves numbers and dabbles in investing. I was so excited to read this and it did not disappoint.

The book begins a few years before the market crash of 1929. Bea, the main character, has always wanted to be a broker on Wall Street. Due to her being a woman and not being well off, it was practically impossible for her to accomplish. She was not suitable for the ladies' trading department because of her free state education, even though she did have a college degree. The story takes you on a journey with Bea, as she tries to use her brilliant numerical mind to reach her goal of being a broker.

Bea has a twin brother who she is constantly trying to bail out of jams, and a boyfriend who has had just about enough of her putting her brother first.

I cannot say enough about how the author captured my attention and brought me on a whirlwind journey. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Trade Off by Samantha Greene Woodruff captivating historical novel.
This book was so interesting.
I was completely fascinated by this story.
The Trade Off is a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat from start to finish, it was impossible to put down.

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I’m conflicted about this book. There is so much I love about it- the 1920s era of the Wall Street crash, Bea being so gifted and desperately trying to break into the very male world of stock brokers on Wall Street, and trying to save her family from the worst effects of the Crash.
What I don’t like is how Bea ultimately subjugates herself to her much lesser talented twin Jake, who takes advantage of Bea’s smartness quite unashamedly. Bea settles for being the brains behind Jake, who succeeds in becoming a stock broker by riding on Bea’s coattails. Bea is also taken advantage of by her toxic family, who expect her to bring home a very healthy salary to support them, but equally expect her to be home in time to help Mama with dinner!
Several parts of the narrative are repetitive, making this a much longer book than it needs to be.
I believe this book is based on a true story. I truly hope that the original Bea was better treated y her family.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

I wish this historical fiction book would have been around when I was in economics and studying the history of the stock market crash of 1929 because after reading this book I understand what led up to that crash.

The book has the most interesting main character in Bea who has a sense for numbers and a passion to be a Wall Street broker. Unfortunately, because of her modest income and Jewish heritage she can’t even be a broker in the ladies division.

But Bea gets a job in the wire department and uses her knowledge and that information to better herself and help her family out.

The book goes back in time and then leads us up to the crash. We meet Bea’s friends and family which really made me connect with their characters.

Bea is a visionary and a hero to her family. She does it all quietly and modestly.

This is a great book that gives the reader a feel of the obstacles a smart, educated, driven woman faced during the late 1920s and what she sacrificed for family.

I first discovered Samantha Greene Woodruff from her debut The Lobotomist's wife which completely blew me away. A debut that knocked my socks off.

Now she's back with her sophomore book that takes place leading up to The Great Depression. At the center of the story is Bea, a math wiz fighting against a society where women were teachers and secretaries, certainly not brokers on Wall Street.

I absolutely loved this book, it was even better than I expected. Bea was such an amazing character, so much girl power.

This era is one of my favorites and Samantha really nailed it. It's full of great characters and phenomal writing that transported me to that time period, full of the highest highs and devastatingly lows.

This is truly a must read!

How do I about the stock market?⁣ Not interested.
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But this book ? Very interested! I never thought I’d love a book about the stock market and the Wall Street Crash of 1929, but I was fascinated by this riveting story of a woman so gifted with numbers that she foresees the upcoming crash. But because of the times, because she’s ‘just a woman’ and women can’t be stock brokers - combined with being a jew with no family connections - and just flat out greed… no one believes her.⁣
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Money has made many people do crazy things and there’s nothing more volatile than the stock market. It was so frustrating how Bea was such a smart and level headed numbers girl and the male brokers benefitted from it - while Bea could never achieve her dream. And now, almost 100 years later the stock market is still such a boys club. But It was really fun watching her dominate the numbers game and seeing all of her girlfriends rally around her and prove that women aren’t just secretaries and housewives. We are creative, smart, and incredibly inspiring and will fight not only for our families but also our futures.