I definitely enjoyed this page-turner from a true industry insider! Goldsmith-Thomas knows this world so well, and she has crafted a compelling story that is imbued with her firsthand experiences. I absolutely love "Climbing in Heels" and I hope Goldsmith-Thomas will continue to write because she's an outstanding storyteller.

good story of what 3 women do to compete in Hollywood. There is Ella, beanie, and Mercedes. We see their journeys through the different time periods and some finding love or not. Interesting business of being an agent in Hollywood.

What a story, it was long but I enjoyed the book. Beanie was a go getter, she did not take no for an answer. I would have thought Mercedes would have been a little smarter with her upbringing. I guess in the end she knew what to do and who to do. Ella was the one who I think was the smartest of the three of them. Once she got away from her family and her nasty sister she really bloomed. I can’t say I knew a lot of the people that were name dropped as clients so I’m not sure which ones were made up and which one was really a star.

This book is everything! I loved the plot and the characters, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a book that accurately paints a timeframe in history and its impact on women.

Climbing in Heels is a delicious box of chocolates. It’s the story of three womens’ struggles to break the very low glass ceilings of the film industry in the 1980s. Beanie, Mercedes and Ella have very different beginnings but all come to the prestigious Sylvan Light Agency in Los Angeles. Their attempts to succeed are punctuated with ambition, betrayal, drugs and difficult relationships. Add designer clothes, celebrity style haircuts, fancy cars and glamorous parties to the mix and you have Climbing in Heels, a drama you’ll want to finish in one sitting.

In a style reminiscent of Jackie Collins, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas delivers a compulsively readable story of the prejudice against women in management and the sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace that makes you wish for the MeToo movement. Beanie Rosen and her dreams drive the plot. You’ll want her to win and you’ll celebrate each triumph, no matter how small. This is a beach read, a curl up on Sunday afternoon book and one to read at night. Wherever you are you’ll enjoy it…just like a box of chocolates. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. Easy reading and interesting. I think this would be a great vacation read. I could easily see enjoying this on a beach with an umbrellad drink!

Three women rise through the ranks at Hollywood's hottest agency in the 1980s, despite the boys' club dominating the industry. These women are determined to succeed, no matter the pressure to keep them down. The story highlights the friendships, betrayals, survival, and defiance needed to rise above.

Beanie Rosen, Mercedes Baxter, and Ella Gaddy seemingly have nothing in common except their determination to stand on their own and control their lives. The story pulls back the covers on the sex, drugs, and what it took to get ahead during this time. With cunning strategy and perseverance, these women find their way.

The narrative is led by Beanie, who introduces us to the culture of the Sylvan Light Agency. The author effectively depicts the toxic environment many women endured during this period. Their perseverance and cunning made me cheer for each win they achieved. The characters are deftly created, each woman distinct in her approach to overcoming the culture they were fighting against. This is the author's debut novel and clearly has a bright future.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Wow - this book was such an interesting story!

It follows a 1980's Hollywood agency as they manage the movie stars and is set around the three upcoming secretaries that dream for more and won't settle for less. It's a fascinating storyline - the characters are incredibly detailed and interesting - the whole concept is entertaining. I enjoyed following the three ladies in their climbs to the top and all the adventures that got them there.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This is a story about three women trying to make their way in the 80s, each hiding secrets but also so many hopes for the future. The women's stories revolve around Beanie. Think Peggy from Mad Men but it’s the 80s and she has to climb from limb to limb in a forest of trees, and she almost falls off many times. And each time she does the reader is so invested their heart aches for Beanie and wants to see her succeed. When I finished and read the author’s bio I understood immediately how the layers were so perfectly explored. Everyone will be talking about this book in Spring,2025!
Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.