Winner of 10 book awards including 2020 Readers’ Favorite and National Indie Excellence Awards for Women’s Fiction, IPPY Winner for adult fiction ebooks, 2021 Book Excellence award.Tech executive Carly can’t wait to marry the man of her dreams. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers her fiancé is already wed to Ryn – her company’s top investor! Can the two women overcome … overcome heartbreak together?
Silicon Valley investor Ryn Brennan is on the verge of achieving everything she dreamed. She’s succeeded in the sexist venture capital world, has a supportive husband, and is about to close the deal of her career. Everything is going exactly as planned, until she meets her husband’s mistress, across the negotiating table.
Carly clawed her way back from being a teenage runaway to become an accomplished scientist, caring single mom, and co-founder of her startup. Once she marries her loving fiancé, she’ll secure the complete family she craves. But she’s blindsided to discover her not so perfect fiancé is already married.
In an industry full of not-so-subtle sexism, can the two women rise above, and work together to overcome heartbreak, and ensure their success?
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THE EXIT STRATEGY is the book we need right now. Without giving too much away, it is about female empowerment and the importance of genuine friendship. Lainey Cameron developed multi-faceted, intriguing characters who are facing multiple challenges and pitfalls. The story is layered and fascinating; you will not want to put this book down. Cameron’s intimate knowledge of the world of executives and business from a female perspective is clear. The Bay Area setting is a perfect backdrop, and reading THE EXIT STRATEGY made me want to hop on the ferry from San Francisco to Tiburon for the views and a nutella latté. I can’t wait to see what she writes next, as I’ll be the first person to preorder it. This is a great book.
Two Unlikely Friends Challenge Sexism in Silicon Valley in Lainey Cameron’s “The Exit Strategy.” I enjoyed interviewing the author on Charlotte Readers Podcast.
Oh my gosh…We needed this book in the world! Really, we need more books about women lifting each other up rather than tearing each other down – which is exactly where the author could have taken it after the first couple of chapters, but she chose light instead of darkness and we’re all the better for it. The Exit Strategy is a book about women bonding – even under heartbreaking and unlikely situations – and realizing that we are stronger together. An absolute must read!
I listened to the audio version of this book.
This book was really powerful. The women in it take on a lying, cheating man who is determined to take everything from one of them and would have eventually done the same to the other. The two women who start as enemies (the boardroom scene still terrifies me) end up coming together to support each other. They also end up uniting to take on the sexism that exists in the tech industry in Silicon Valley.
I loved the strength of the women that Cameron shows in this book. It is very timely that the characters are taking on the sexist pigs that alienate and intimidate their female co-workers. I also loved the softer side of the women that is shown in their personal lives and their friendships. That kind of friendship would be priceless. The story was well rounded and kept me wanting to listen all day.
The narration by Susan Marlowe was superb. Her voice lent just the right classiness to these women.
I was gifted a copy of this audiobook via the author. All thoughts are my own.
This was a different read for me but I think that it is great! Two women coming together for a common goal makes for a refreshing read. I enjoyed this story’s plot and I recommend it!
The Exit Strategy reeled me in from the beginning. Cameron’s writing is tight and clever, and the fast-paced story–something so different from my own life and yet relatable at the same time–kept me engaged. This story is told from two female perspectives: Carly (a biotech startup cofounder) and Ryn (an executive at a venture capital firm). Instead of the often-used pitting of females against one another, Cameron pushes the two to work together. The book takes on female friendship, empowerment, misogyny and more, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Cameron.
What’s not to love about a book featuring two strong career-minded female protagonists? Nothing! Add to that the whammy of one being the unwitting “other woman,” and you’ve got high-charged conflict right from the get-go. Told in alternating POVs of these dynamic women, we are treated to a story that entertains and provokes a conversation about how women treat each other—or rather how things in male-dominated careers could change if women treated each other differently in many cases. While these women start out as something of enemies (thanks to a lying man), they realize they need each other to reach their goals. You will be rooting for Ryn and Carly to not only heal, but also to forge a true alliance and thrive.
Ryn, a San Francisco venture capitalist, is about to invest in a cardiac device startup, when she discovers the company’s cofounder and chief scientist, Carly, is having an affair with her husband. Carly has no idea her fiancé is married with a secret life. Can two unlikely allies help each other and become friends? I enjoyed the story’s unique premise and dual narrative. Reading about Bay Area places felt like taking a virtual vacation. Dive in for a satisfying ride to the end.
From the start of this book, I was hooked: two very different women, seemingly at odds, and one liar of a husband. I loved exploring the inside world of Silicon Valley venture capitalists. The best part though, was a completely satisfying ending.
An empowering, feminist story about two unlikely allies coming together to overcome their initial apprehension and fight as a team for what’s right. This novel tackles some heavy themes, from infidelity and fraud to workplace discrimination, but thanks to the author’s lovely writing and humane, compelling characterization, the story never gets bogged down.
Carly and Ryn are both wonderful characters, smart and strong but battling their own vulnerabilities and regrets. Each woman was so well-rounded and sympathetic that I was rooting for both from the start. The Exit Strategy is a wonderful book about the power of friendship and solidarity to triumph over adversity. Relatable and satisfying with a big heart.
This book was selected for my book club and we thoroughly enjoyed the behind the scenes peek into the male dominated world of Silicon Valley from a female perspective. Although the male character of Todd is essential to the plot and pushes the story forward, it is the two women, Ryn and Carly, who are the heart and heroes of the this fabulous debut. Women supporting and uplifting other women in business is something we need more of in Women’s Fiction.
This was an uplifting and refreshing read that explored the sexist and corrupt dynamics of the workplace (though this is Silicon Valley, it is applicable to all work arenas). The story bridges two women who should be enemies, but instead become powerful allies and friends. They use their wits and compassion to forge a new opportunity while also seeing justice for the man that wronged them both. Cameron’s debut book does not disappoint. Her writing is fresh, engaging, and page-turning. I felt each lead character (Ryn and Carly) was both well-fleshed out and relatable. Both had weaknesses and strengths. The world-building and authenticity were wonderful, and I felt like I was there with them, on their journeys.
This lovely book swept me away for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
The main characters were well-drawn and relatable. I especially loved the way that their personalities played off one another and ultimately brought out the best in each other. The male lead is the cheating husband Todd, who is a piece of work. He was a fascinating character that I had such fun hating.
The novel is a commentary on the sexism thick in the tech industry and as such its themes are particularly relevant in this time. The author’s note even mentions that some of the stories within are fictionalized accounts of real incidences. More than a story of sexism and #metoo, Cameron’s debut brilliantly captures the power of female friendship and mentorship in the journey to self-empowerment.
What a story! It starts out with a married man having an affair and becomes so much more! Two strong female characters overcome pain and adversity to form an unbreakable bond. Add to this story a #metoo storyline in the venture capitalist realm and the story is a winner. It’s so much more than I described but I don’t want to give more of the storyline away! It’s that good!
You will not want to miss this book.
It’s edgy! It’s timely (think #MeToo). And it’s timeless (remember those girls in high school that were always perfectly dressed with perfect hair and makeup who you were always intimidated by? Does that ever end?)
It does!
What would it be like to discover that even those girls (now women) sometimes need help or friendship? What if you could be a friend? What if you needed a friend? What if you read this book and discover all the answers (plus a few you never saw coming!)
Looking forward to Ms. Cameron’s next project!
I love Lainey’s first novel and read it in less than 24 hours, it was that much of a page-turner. Her characters? Well, I want to have coffee with Ryn and Carly and then stay for wine; and Todd needs a punch in the face. In short, they are well rounded, interesting and definitely pull my emotions around. It is wonderful to read a book that shows women do not always end up in catfights, and men can get what they deserve. Oh, that women would rule the world? There would be much more compromise and creative solutions. Well done Lainey!! I eagerly await your next book.
3.5 stars This book really had me interested in the mistress and wife turn friend aspect. I kept expecting a really big twist and although there is one towards the end, it wasn’t what I was expecting from this book. It turned into more of a #metoo movement read and that was on me for not seeing that from the reviews. I was expecting more of a psychological suspense. Overall a good read. Women supporting women and that’s always a good thing
Lainey Cameron’s debut novel blasts out of the starting gate on the first page and never slows down. Set in the male-dominated venture capitalist world of Silicon Valley, there’s no doubt Cameron knows whereof she writes. The mix of power, sexism, misogyny, and betrayal are all stirred into the plot with enough twists to keep your head spinning. And yet, in the end, after being captivated throughout, the part of the storyline that deals with a powerful women’s friendship was most fulfilling for me. Well-crafted characters combined with some (admittedly) real-life scenarios and never knowing just how it’s all going to turn out, had me wanting more from this author. Please!
The Exit Stratagey is about Ryn Brennan who is on the verge of achieving everything she dreamed. She’s succeeded in the male-dominated venture capital world, has a supportive husband, and is about to close the deal of her career. Everything is going exactly as planned, until she meets Carly, her husband’s mistress, across the negotiating table.
Carly clawed her way back from being a teenage runaway to become an accomplished scientist, caring single mom, and co-founder of her startup. Once she marries her loving fiancé, she’ll secure the complete family she craves. But she’s blindsided to discover her not so perfect fiancé is already married—to Ryn, her company’s biggest investor.
Wow what a triangle you never saw coming. This was such a page turner. Can two powerful women figure out how to get past their personal issues and work professionally together. This is a wonderful read. I can’t wait to read more by Lainey Cameron.
Never a dull moment in The Exit Strategy. I loved this book and stayed up late a few nights reading it. Lots of interesting twists and turns, but also real life scenarios of what women in business deal with on a regular basis. The importance of female friendship and support shines in this novel about women nearing the top of their careers struggling to break through the glass ceiling. I don’t want to say too much about the story as you need to read it yourself. There are too many surprises to give away. A fantastic debut novel by Lainey Cameron.