Like some other reviews I've read, I struggled to get into this as it was quite confusing, and the FMC seemed quite detached from the narrative.

However, as things progressed, I grew to like the story. It wasn't one of my all-time favourites, but it felt realistic. I could relate to quite a lot in the story, actually, such as struggling with my sexuality and feeling inadequate because of my job title and status.

I didn't like Laurie much until towards the end because she seemed a bit narrow-minded. However, I did quite like the romance - it felt raw and believable, which was nice because I haven't read many good sapphic romances.

Also, revisiting the 00s as someone born in the late 90s was fun. It was also somewhat political in its analysis of tech culture vs. the struggling American economy, but this didn't take away from the story.

Overall, it's a good lit fic book from a promising author, one that I'd recommend even though it's not my usual genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

I added this to my library because it was auto-approved for anyone, but I got accepted for more advanced reader copies than I thought I would for the time being so unfortunately this has to get moved down the totem pole in terms of priority.

Will update here if I do get around to reading it prior to the release! Predicted rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, for an ARC of this book (out Aug 15)

As much as it pains me to consider this historical fiction, since it's set at this weird turn of the century boom in Silicon Valley, a time of techbros and startups being so rampant, I must admit that as much as I dislike it, the 2000s are indeed a time of historical fiction.

It's hard for me to contain my enthusiasm as a millennial South Asian person working in tech in a predominantly white country for a story where one of the main characters is a very successful and enigmatic Indian woman who enjoys dominating Silicon Valley startups filled with men. Malini (Mal) Kumar is a fantastic character and deeply enigmatic to the reader. We observe her through Laurie's extremely empathetic lens, who is the point of view character. Both women are trying to make careers in predominantly male-heavy companies and environments and both are trying to mould the idea of marriage and love to something they can digest and embrace while being hounded by their families to just take the traditional path and not think too much about it.

Laurie struggles with the idea of being "just an admin" in a culture that raises up technical people, mostly men, above all else, and tosses around new buzzwords every month. Her attempts to find her people and fit in somewhere without feeling lesser than are relatable to most people, but her nature is one of deep empathy and "people skills", which really makes her compelling as a character who always feels on the periphery of her own life.

Mal is focused, driven, a mystery to everyone and completely secure in who she is, or so Laurie thinks as they form a bond despite being of such opposing temperaments, social and financial backgrounds, cultures, and salaries despite living in the same rent-controlled apartment and sometimes working at the same startup. Tech bros like to quote Mal as she leads teams of them into successes while diminishing or being patronizingly encouraging of Laurie in her role as the herder of geniuses and yet, the connection the two have feels authentic, engaging and supportive.

I absolutely loved these characters and this snapshot of a time in tech when startup culture was booming and people were exploring and working out their identities and intersectionality. Absolutely brilliant!

I liked the setting, the characters and the plot. I'm not quite sure what I needed to make this a five star instead of slightly above four, but I did enjoy this and would recommend.

Overall, Her Golden Coast is a tale that starts rough but evolves into a compelling read, showcasing the author’s ability to craft a thought-provoking narrative once the story gains traction.

Her Golden Coast starts off slow and initially feels hard to follow, with a somewhat disjointed sense of time progression that can be disorienting. The main character isn’t immediately likable, which adds to the challenging beginning. However, the narrative begins to find its footing around Chapter 5.

Chapter 6 maintains a somber tone. I found myself asking, “Is anything good ever going to happen to Laurie??” Fortunately, by Chapter 7, the story gains momentum as Laurie and Mal's relationship deepens, injecting some much-needed warmth and interest. Despite a sluggish start, I was determined to finish this book. By Chapter 9, I was fully invested — the story becomes notably engaging and the characters more relatable.

While the early chapters felt clunky and challenging to connect with, the author’s narrative style evolves positively as the story progresses. By the end, Her Golden Coast delivers a refreshing take on romance, infused with poignant reflections on personal growth and authenticity. Although the slow start is a drawback, the book ultimately rewards patient readers with a meaningful exploration of life and love.

*Disclaimer: I used AI to help me convert my chapter/book notes into a coherent, thorough, honest review.