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Her Brilliant Career: Modern Chick Lit Redefining the "Career Woman"

evemrileyauthor
8 hours ago
3 min read

I'm a romance writer, but I have a massive soft spot for Chick Lit. She is Romance's slightly more platonic sister; but the two genres still touch on many of the same themes that are important to so many women; family, relationships and career. Many of my own romance books are set in the vibrant, demanding NYC tech world and are populated by characters trying to establish themselves in their chose niche. Whether its Sadie's ambitious career trajectory as a self-taught software engineer in The Hero, or Aiden's reinvention after selling his tech company in The Escape, my protagonists are never far from their vocations.


Careers are where we spend most of our time and can be a hugely rewarding source of purpose, satisfaction and personal growth. Aside from the opportunity to be a fly-on-the-wall in interesting job scenarios, the potential for platonic and romantic relationships to form at work is definitely something I am drawn to. Working with someone and seeing their mind; what makes them tick, how they respond to stress, what they are truly passionate about (see my article about nerds for further details)... I mean, come on. The chemistry writes itself!


With this in mind, here are some of my favorite "Chick Lit" books featuring brilliant careers "for her". If you have ever rooted for a woman (fictional or otherwise) who won't take her eye of the career ball no matter how gorgeous her love interest is, then these books could be for you!



Front cover of "The Devil Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger. A line drawing of the NYC skyline against a plain white background. A woman in a red skirt suit with black fur trim and black high heeled boots stands with her hands on her hips. She wears red lipstick and has a devil's tail. Anne Hathaway The Devil Wears Prada film 2

The Devil Wears Prada

by Lauren Weisberger


I'd be remiss not to mention this absolute classic of the chick lit genre! Andrea "Andy" Sachs agrees to be PA to the stylish and demanding Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of Runway (and a thinly-veiled portrait of Weisberger's own boss, Anna Wintour). The book has all the hallmarks of early-career trade-offs; particularly the idea that blood, sweat and tears now will turn into connections later on.



Front cover of Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams. braided hair and an ear with hoop earings in it against a pink background. Channel 4 series Kindle Amazon British Authors

Queenie

by Candace Carty-Williams


Another writerly novel; this time set in London. Queenie is a Brixton-based Jamaican-British journalist in her mid-20s finding her voice in the uber-competitive white-dominated publishing world. The novel follows Queenie's attempts to reconstitute the fragmented parts of her life; partner, daughter, writer.



Front cover of "The Partner Track" by Helen Wan. A black-and-white NYC skyline. Superimposed on top is an illustration of a young Asian woman with black hair and red lipstick, against an orange background. Netflix romantic drama Kindle Amazon

The Partner Track

by Helen Wan


Fans of the Netflix adaptation should note that romance plays a smaller role in this smart, incisive debut! Ingrid's law-school experience has made her a chameleon, masterfully blending into rooms where she should stand out (aka her prestigious law firm). But after a racist incident, Ingrid is now in charge of the new DEI initiative, and alienated from her colleagues. She is within touching distance of her American dream and making partner; but is compromising her personal values worth it?



Front Cover of "Secret Keeping for Beginners" by Maggie Alderson. The title is written in aqua ink against a letter background. The letter has am aqua wax seal on it. The author's name is in gold font.

Secret Keeping for Beginners

by Maggie Alderson


An intimate family portrait of not one but four women juggling motherhood, family, and creative careers. An outwardly successful and strong-willed muralist, makeup artist, caterer and PR manager are at pains to uphold the polished, successful veneer that masks past deceptions, traumas and financial woes. But secrets can't stay hidden for ever. A masterful exploration of the slow rot of self-deception.



Front cover of "Everything's Fine" by Cecilia Rabess. Two glasses pf red wine against a bright lime-green background. The title text is in bright pink.

Everything's Fine

by Cecilia Rabess


Another college-to-career arc featuring two rivals-cum-lovers who rekindle their fiery chemistry at an NYC bank. Jess is a brilliant young mathematician whose race and social background mean she must go above and beyond in order to succeed. In her Internship at Goldman Sachs, she runs into college classmate Jack, a wealthy nepo baby with whom she engaged in many a political sparring match. Their enemies-to-lovers chemistry drives a central conflict; the blurring of professional and personal relationships...



Front Cover of "The Refusal" by Eve M. Riley. A woman looks over her shoulder. She has red hair. Multi-award winning debut romance novel. Amazon kindle. Three awards including a Global Book Award and a National Indie Excellence Award.

The Refusal

by Eve M. Riley


Jo in The Refusal is my O.G. tech-girl; a whip smart, fiery redhead who takes no prisoners. As the founder of her own tiny tech security outfit, Jo is hyper aware of her status as (frequently) the only woman in the room, and also of the power her job role can afford her. When she meets Janus of Janus Industries, the contract could cover her payroll - but will his womanizing reputation ruin her chances of making it?



Do you have any recommendations of books with sizzling office chemistry or brilliant observations about career trade-offs? Drop your recommendations below.


Happy Reading!


Eve x





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