I’ve read a number of historical novels set in the roaring twenties but never one with the plot centered around the stock market crash. That made this book unique. It was fascinating to read about the rise of the market and the impact it had on the wealthy and the middle class. I enjoyed the fictional characters especially the main story line of a woman trying to become a broker.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a date and honest review.

My first #ARC review! How exciting! #TheTradeOff by Samantha Greene Woodruff is the story of Bea Abramovitz, the ambitious and whip-smart daughter of Jewish immigrants who is determined to use her gift for math and numbers on Wall Street as a broker. But women are not offered a seat at the table on Wall Street in the 1920s. She’ll have to make her own opportunities instead by forming a secret team with her charming, well-intentioned but undisciplined twin brother, Jake. He’ll be the broker, she’ll be the brains. What could go wrong?

I am a BIG fan of historical fiction and I love books about the 1920s. I knew about the stock market crash of 1929, but I wasn’t terribly familiar with it. Now I want to know everything about it! I’m not a numbers gal, but I was invested (see what I did there) in the story of the stock market. I was on the edge of my seat even though I knew what was ultimately going to happen (because…history). That’s why I love historical fiction so much - you know the big events and yet authors can still find ways to tell an intriguing story! Bea has all the gumption needed for a strong female lead. I'm a sucker for a strong female heroine who is making a place for herself in a male-dominated world. I cheered for her from the very first page.

This was well done and I loved reading a historical fiction book that wasn’t focused on a war! It was a fresh new take on historical fiction that didn't add to the already saturated field of WWII novels. And the Author’s Note at the end is so good. I'm glad I didn't skip it.

This book gave me subtle Thoroughly Modern Millie vibes. I loved the friendships, the budding romance, and the family bonds. My only small criticism is that there is a lot of 1920s slang that felt a bit campy to me at times.

4.5 rounded up to 5
The Trade Off is the newest book by Samantha Greene Woodruff. It follows protagonist, Bea, from her life at "free" college in the poor immigrant area of New York to her rise and fall (and maybe rise again?) on Wall Street.
I liked the women in the story best. Bea was smart but was human. I like Sophie with her drive and sense of fashion, and her new friends Henny and Milly. Jake and Nate seemed a bit more flat. I liked how Bea's parents evolved over time too.
Even though you knew the crash was coming the anticipation really made me anxious which was clever.
If you like historical fiction and strong female characters, you'll love this book.