Ep. 9: Workplace Drama (The Hating Game + All Her Little Secrets)

Summary: Holly and Devin dove into a super fun theme this week - workplace drama. Rarely in the podcast have they discussed a theme that pans out so differently in romances vs. thrillers, and the books they brought highlighted those differences well. Holly was pleasantly surprised by her book, as she is often left feeling like workplace dramas drag. Workplace romances are a common trope in the books Devin reads, and the inherent taboo of coworkers falling in love creates a tension she always enjoys. 

Topics Discussed:

• The Heart (1:43): Devin discussed The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. The book follows two executive assistants - Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman - who hate each other loudly, aggressively, and passionately. When a Managing Director role opens up at the recently merged Bexley & Gamin publishing house, their animosity is taken to the next level - and becomes mixed with another kind of passion. Her key takeaways were:

• The tension and banter in this novel are next-level, with great dialogue and intriguing evolution of Lucy and Joshua’s dynamic. The make-out session in the elevator is one of her favorite elevator moments of all time.
• The story is told from Lucy’s POV, which keeps Joshua’s feelings and intensions in the dark and maintains the “will they, won’t they” dynamic until the climactic end - sometimes to the point where you question Lucy’s empathy and perspective on Joshua, however. 
• This book is great for someone looking for a light romantic read. The character’s lives don’t extend much beyond work, with almost all of the scenes taking place in the office until the 3rd act. 

• The Dagger (19:34): Holly discussed All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris. The book starts off with a bang, as protagonist Ellice Littlejohn finds her boss dead in his office - the boss with whom she’s been having an affair. From there, Ellice is caught up in a world of police investigations, corporate plots and cover-ups, and reckoning with her own past. Holly’s key takeaways were:

• This propulsive corporate thriller has it all - Morris explores racism, white supremacy, childhood trauma, corporate corruption, and more. While Holly sometimes fears workplace thrillers can be dry or dense, Morris executed well in this instance. 
• Set in Atlanta, the tense sense of office atmosphere keeps the reader moving through the story and reflecting on who we are in the office and our personal lives, and if reinventing ourselves is even possible.
• Holly recommends this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers that weave more complex themes and social commentary throughout - Ellice is not only combating against a murder investigation, but also climbing the corporate ladder as a Black woman. 

• Hot On the Shelf (36:16):

• Devin: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
• Holly: Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (39:25):

• Devin: Her new car (named Ruth Zardo) a 2022 Hybrid Honda CR-V
• Holly: Pachinko on Apple TV

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