women's fiction with Body swap trope
Review,  Women Fiction

Delia Suits Up by Amanda Aksel @BerkleyPub // women’s fiction with Body swap trope

Delia Suits Up was humorous, fun and well written women’s fiction with Body swap trope,
friends-to-lovers romance, and workplace sexism.

 women's fiction with  Body swap trope

Delia Suits Up by Amanda Aksel

Publication Date : August 3rd 2021

Publisher : Berkley Books

Genre : Women’s Fiction / humour

Pages : 304

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Disclaimer : I received e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publisher and NetGalley.
This post contains affiliate links.

Synopsis

If you had one day to rewrite the rules you live by, would you? Delia Reese takes the financial world by storm in this breakout novel that’s 13 Going on 30 meets She’s the Man.

Just once, Delia Reese wants to be the one calling the shots—not the one waiting to be called. Despite her stellar resume, hiring managers at the big banks won’t give her a chance.

Following yet another failed interview, Delia commiserates with her roommates and drunkenly finds herself wishing she had the advantages that come with being a man. If society wasn’t locked into gender roles, she’d be climbing the corporate ladder in designer heels with no apologies. By morning, her mirror reflects a surprising makeover.

Now that the world sees her as a man, Delia’s determined to double down on society’s double standards. With a smart suit and powerfully pink necktie, she hits New York’s financial district with a big gamble in mind.  

Early Praise for DELIA SUITS UP

“In Delia Suits Up, her ‘Wall Street’ meets ‘Freaky Friday’ experience forces Delia to rethink everything that she values in life, and puts a whole new spin on girl power.”

—kc dyer, author of Eighty Days to Elsewhere

“A delightfully fun yet thought-provoking page-turner. Ms. Aksel delivers a smart, sexy tale of a woman determined to smash the glass ceiling who discovers that sometimes the most courageous thing you can be is yourself.”

—Melanie Summers, bestselling author of The Royal Treatment 

Delia Suits Up is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud, thoroughly entertaining story from the first page to the last.”

—Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author
“See life through a different lens in this thought-provoking, creatively told skewering of societal norms—perfect for fans of Freaky Friday and She’s the Man.”

—Julie Valerie, bestselling author of Holly Banks Full of Angst

Excerpt

Stay positive. That’s everyone’s advice, as if enduring opti­mism is some kind of elixir. Lately, positive doesn’t cut it.

The antique clock’s ticking pulse fills the room. It’s been thirty- two seconds since he’s said a word. I watch his reflection on the sleek mahogany desk scan my resume up and down. Up and down. What’s he looking for? Waldo? We’ve already established I’m well qualified for this position. I cross my fingers, keeping them hidden beneath my padfolio.

This guy’s view of the city stretches all the way to the East River. The window alone is half the square footage of the apart­ment I share with two roommates. He shifts again in his plush leather chair, grazing his bristly mustache with his fingertips. Twelve seconds later, he peers over the rim of his glasses and draws in a slow breath while I hold mine. Monty Fuhrmann is one of the top investment banking firms in the world. Landing a position here would mean being a part of larger- than- life deals with a pay­check to match. It’s more than a job. It’s a dream come true.

Okay, Delia. Stay positive.

“Mrs. Reese,” he says, sliding the stiff paper forward.

“It’s Miss, or you can call me Delia. It’s very important that you know I’m a Miss. I’m not married. No children. I don’t even have a boyfriend. Who needs the distraction? Am I right?” I say as if handing him a good- ole- boys brandy.

I clear my throat, resenting the fact that as a woman in this industry it’s better for me to admit that I have no life. And no prospect of having one either. He’s probably wanted to ask me ever since my resume came across his desk. But legally . . . he can’t.

He says nothing.

Maybe if I tell him that I’ve spent the last three nights in bed with a pint of Häagen- Dazs, he’ll hire me on the spot.

“What I mean to say is that work is my life, and I will make this job and this firm my life if you hire me.” My fist falls softly on my padfolio. I wish I had the balls to bang it on his shiny desk.

He raises his brow. “Right . . .”

Right.

Of course that’s all I get.

It’s typical in this industry for men to dismiss women. To them, we’re temporary fixtures around the office, bound to meet and marry Prince Charming, experience the miracle of childbirth after a miserable nine months of sobriety, then ultimately crumble under the pressure of balancing mommyhood with an intense ca­reer. We’re gone as quickly as we arrived; off to spend our morn­ings watching cartoons with small people, cleaning messy faces, and running bake sales with the other career abandoners. But that’s not me. I have as much potential as the applicants wearing neckties. And I’m dedicated. The most dedicated, in fact, and yet, I have to sit here beaming pleasantly and plead my case.

Mr. Mustache returns a smile. “Your resume’s very impressive. Any firm would be happy to have you on.”

That sounds promising.

“It was nice to meet you, Miss Reese. We’ll let you know.”

Right. Translation— we’re not interested. I catch myself frown­ing and immediately force a smile. Staying positive is like a full- time job in itself. I was optimistic after I was laid off, hopeful when I went on my first five interviews. But I’m not sure how much longer my bank account will stay positive.

He rises and extends a hand. I jump to my feet so I can meet his eye line, or meet it as best as I can. These heels give me an extra three inches.

I muster my solid I’m as good as any man handshake like it makes a difference. “I’ll look forward to your call.”

Walking back through the polished waiting area, I see noth­ing but suits and ties. The only other woman is the receptionist behind the front desk. I swipe my lips with a fresh coat of Fierce Crimson on the elevator ride down to the thirty- second floor. That’s where I’ll find Eric. He’s my friend and colleague from the Howard Brothers Group. We were laid off along with a bunch of others after the merger. That was four months ago. Eric’s been employed here for three. Rows of desks set up with bright LED monitors and ergonomic keyboards fill the floor. Young underwriters talk into their headsets while typing away into so­phisticated software programs. I catch tiny fragments of their conversations— capital, prospectus, issue price, shareholder, syndicate— dialogue that always energizes me. That’s how this industry is. Never a dull day. For a moment, I forget I’m not one of them anymore and hold my head high. This is my playground.

When I was little, Giggles candies were my favorite— specially the watermelon flavor. Every paper wrapper had a silly saying written on the inside, almost like a funny fortune cookie. My fa­vorite one said, “A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don’t need it.” Out of all my fourth- grade friends, I was the only one who got the joke, which made me feel special. Granted, my dad is a financier with his own firm.

He took me to the Giggles candy factory once for a private tour. I sampled so many sweets that day that I couldn’t stomach dinner. Dad explained that it was his company that helped Giggles grow so big that lots of kids like me could enjoy those funny treats. His eyes radiated pride as we walked the factory lines that day. That’s when I decided that I wanted to help companies grow too. And I wanted to be the best at it because if I were the best, maybe he’d look at me with the same pride. That’s why I came to Wall Street, to play with the big boys, which now that I think about it doesn’t leave much room for big girls like me. And my current circum­stances are proof of that.

Eric peeks around his own monitor, catching me with his al­luring eyes. My breath gets stuck in my throat. I don’t usually go for the whole blue- eyed- blond thing, but he makes my tempera­ture rise like a bull market.

“Hey, Delia!” There’s something thrilling about the way he says my name. I could listen to him say Delia all day long and never get sick of it. “Did you kill it? You’re starting Monday, right?”

Kill it?

Sure. A little piece of me dies every time I have to fake it twice as much as any guy interviewing for the same position.

Review

women’s fiction with Body swap trope

Delia Suits Up was entertaining fiction that revolved around Delia who got her birthday wish turning her day crazy and soon regretting and learning from it. The story was about sexism in workplace, gender inequality, friendship, preconception, confidence, passion, and love.

Writing was gripping, entertaining and fast paced. It was written in first person narrative from Delia’s perspective. Setting of NY added its own charm to story.

Plot was fun and dramatic. It started with Delia being frustrated with series of rejection for months, struggling to find another job after she was laid off because of merger. On night of her birthday, she ranted her frustration to her friends wishing she was born man, how she wouldn’t have to struggle in industry of men and could have advantages of being a man.  But when she woke up next morning, she found her wish came true. Waking up in male body with different face and no identity was absolutely crazy. But Delia was determined to make most of it, take advantage of being a man and opportunity in her hand.

It was interesting to see how she was going to survive, find job with no ID, resume that was of her female body, no one could recognise her or vouch for her experience in finance industry, and what she would learn by being in male body.

Delia was absolutely terrific throughout the book. She was smart, clever, passionate but losing job affected her confidence and determination. Her rant in the beginning felt so true and I sure agree with her thoughts (but unlike her I wouldn’t want to be man!). I loved how being in man’s body changed her perception. She took more risks, body swap returned her confidence she felt was missing before and it was great the way she realised it wasn’t just male body that made it possible to live her dream but it was her, her skills, and daring to take risk, taking what she wanted than asking for it.

I loved secondary characters, especially Delia’s roommates and best friends, Frankie and Regina. Frankie was gay ENT doctor, logical of three, and amazing person. He made me smile often and I loved his and Delia’s conversation around climax. Regina was marketing executive, lively, fun, and fierce. They were so supportive to Delia and helped her throughout her body swap experience.

Whole plot and many scenes were unbelievable but that made it entertaining and it was filled humorous moments. Best scenes were those initial chapters where Delia found herself in male body, her speech and time at top investment banking firm she wanted to work with, saving their deal. There was small part with friends-to-lovers romance. It wasn’t at centre of the story but I loved reading those moments.

Twist and turns were interesting and enjoyable. Climax was great. I felt for Delia even though I knew this was coming and her lie will be exposed sooner or later. I was curious to see what she would and how she will save the deal if her body changed. I loved this part and it was amazing how she pull it off. End was lovely and satisfactory.

Why 4 stars-

I enjoyed this but I didn’t like constant comments and focus on anatomical changes. It sure gave it comic relief but at the same time I would have like more focus on other aspect, a little more exploration on work place sexism.

Overall, Delia Suits Up was humorous, fun, refreshing and well written women’s fiction with lovely and developed characters.

I recommend this if you like,
Body swap trope
friends-to-lovers romance
Wall Street setting
workplace sexism
Fast pace

Book Links

Buy this book : Amazon IN | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Buy Women’s Fiction : Amazon IN | Amazon US | Amazon UK

About the Author

Amanda Aksel is a West Coast transplant whose curiosity about people led her to earn a bachelor’s in psychology. Instead of pursuing a career as a couples counselor, she wrote about one in her first novel.

‘This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon’ 

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Hi, I'm Yesha, an Indian book blogger. Avid and eclectic reader who loves to read with a cup of tea. Not born reader but I don't think I’m going to stop reading books in this life. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

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