REVIEW: OPENING BELLE

To read or not to read? Shelf Pleasure’s quick take on Opening Belle

Simon & Schuster (February 2, 2016)

By: Jackie Kimmel

Wall Street is a fascinating environment that captures the imaginations of those who have never worked there, like me. The idea of trading millions (possibly billions) of dollars in the blink of an eye always sounds fun, but isn’t fully understood by those outside the trading floor. Maureen Sherry’s Opening Belle is a novel that centers on the life of the most elusive Wall Street creature…the working Wall Street wife/mom.

The story details the struggles of Isabelle McElroy as she attempts to manage a career as a successful female trader, while being there for her family as a mom and wife—all while trying not to have a nervous breakdown. Throw in a former flame who becomes a new client and a women’s group at work who wants to remove the frat house culture from the firm and you’ve got one dishy read. This book is for any working mom who understands the struggle or anyone who wants to hear the Wolf of Wall Street story told from another perspective.