A Special Place for Women
By: Laura Hankin
Published Year: 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 368
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion on this novel.
Summary (Provided by Goodreads): It's a club like no other. Only the most important women receive an invitation. But one daring young reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society, whose beguiling members are caught up in a dark and treacherous business.
For years, rumors have swirled about an exclusive, women-only social club where the elite tastemakers of NYC meet. People in the know whisper all sorts of claims: Membership dues cost $1,000 a month. Last time Rihanna was in town, she stopped by and got her aura read. The women even handpicked the city's first female mayor. But no one knows for sure.
That is, until journalist Jillian Beckley decides she's going to break into the club. With her career in freefall, Jillian needs a juicy scoop, and she has a personal interest in bringing these women down. But the deeper she gets into this new world--where billionaire "girlbosses" mingle with the astrology-obsessed--the more Jillian learns that bad things happen to those who dare to question the club's motives or giggle at its outlandish rituals.
The select group of women who populate the club may be far more powerful than she ever imagined.
And far more dangerous too.
First Impressions
The bright pink cover definitely caught my eye. Then reading how it was about an elite club of women that needed to be taken down? I was in. Admittedly, the summary did seem a bit dark for some reason which made me a little hesitant to pick it up until I was in the right mood, but it definitely was a strong first impression.
What I thought
While not quite what I expected, this book was so fun and fast ad exactly what I needed.
Jillian is a journalist who recently lost her mother and her job. When she runs into Margot at her friend Raf’s restaurant opening she is struck with the idea to write an article about the exclusive women’s club that Margot is a leader of, Nevertheless. Jillian believes they had something to do with the takedown of Nancy, the first woman elected as New York City’s mayor and a woman poised to become the first female president so she decides to infiltrate the society and take them down from the inside.
I love a good takedown of privileged people. This book, however, is a little bit more. I wasn’t at all bothered by the fact that there was some “witchiness” involved, but I could see how it could throw people off and make them dislike the book if they aren’t into that kind of thing. It’s not true supernatural magic, but it is important to the book.
The writing was quick and easy to get through. I never felt like I was slogging through and I couldn’t wait for Jillian to get further and further into Nevertheless. I also liked the addition of the fake romance between Raf and Jillian.
One of the things that worked so well with this book was the balance of sisterhood and secrecy and a little it of nuttiness. It never felt like it got over the top insane to me which I think is why I was ok with some of the turns taken. I could see this happening in real life, though I definitely related more to Jillian than I did to the other women in the story.
This book has a bit of everything. Mystery, betrayal, family, sisterhood, and even some romance. I think this would be a really fun book club book and am a little sad that I didn’t read this with the girls. Even though the tone changes a bit part way through the book I still found it balanced. If you’re looking for a contemporary book with a bit of a twist I highly recommend checking this one out. I didn’t read Hankin’s previous novel but am now considering going to check it out!