Customer Reviews

CEO

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent portrayal of a woman who has been groomed to become America's first CEO sweetheart. She's classy, confident and the right woman for the job--at least to most. Naturally, there are some in the boys club who want to dethrone her, and the reader becomes enthralled in the behind-the-scenes politics of what it's like to be a female executive in today's world. Yet the reader is also privy to the softer sides of the main character, including her feelings on love and female friendship. We are able to experience all the facets of this woman's life and relate to her every thought and action. CEO is truly a refreshing and insightful read.

From the beginning the story gripped me. It wasn't easy to put it down when there were other things calling me. I had two initial reactions. First, this is apparently a book about feminism, but which way will it go? The other was my appreciation that my own career had not been in the corporate halls. The very integration of characters gave the feel of pressure, and of denial of private life.

The story follows the fictional first CEO of a corporation hitherto controlled by men, observing her ability to gain and maintain control of those in roles subservient to hers, the envy and intrigue that follows. Essential to the story is the talented and potentially attractive writer authorized to write a book on the heroine, a task which gives her access to inside information both business and personal, as well as raising the questions the reader might want to ask. It is her questions that maintain the mystery surrounding the CEO herself.

The end is basically a commentary on the personal and corporate survival mechanisms of a woman maintaining power in a man's world. But I won't tell you any more. Enjoy the last pages.

My one-point down rating belongs not to the author, but to the proofreader who let quite a few things slide. Unfortunately that seems to be common in many books these days. Ah for the days of Miss Pulsifer at Bristol High School who let absolutely nothing get past her.

The main character, ML, is the disciple of EF Haynes, who puts ML up for CEO.
At the same time, journalist Pamela Green plans to write a biography of ML but only if it's authorized.
When Pamela gets approval to shadow ML, the reporter gets to observe this other woman's rise to power, fighting off an corporate rival out to steal her title and destroy her company.
ML reminded me Tilda Swinton's character in the movie "Michael Clayton", with all the insecurities of someone who, although is successful in business, has never been in a successful personal relationship.
This slice of corporate life is fascinating, not only because it shows life at business's highest level (which many never see) but because it exposes the extra stresses women in charge have to deal with.
The ending came as a complete surprise, which I love in a novel.

Patricia has a terrific narrative voice that really makes this story move along. Also blows a lot of stereotypes out of the water--highly recommended!

ML Horn is the newly appointed female CEO of UCC. She is driven and molded for the position and she has finally achieved her goal. Yet lying in wait is a traitor who wants to destroy her and her company. It is her story of living in a man's world, yet being a woman.

As a woman myself, I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I could easily relate to many of the struggles ML fought to be accepted as a strong, smart leader in a male-dominated position. I also greatly appreciated her decision to temporarily walk away from that world in order to balance herself as a woman. I think one of the main problems facing women is finding that sense of balance in life. The author did a great job of walking the reader through that process.

The characters in this story were well-developed and thoroughly relatable. And ML was a true American heroine. She lived up to her responsibilities, saved the day, found herself, and jumped right back into the fray! Thank you for an uplifting and enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed reading this fast-paced book! The plot was engaging, the characters real, and the setting very realistic. It was also very educational for someone not involved in the day-to-day intrigues of the business world. I would recommend it to an adult audience.

-Maryann in California