In this captivating novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel, five successful women play for high stakes in their careers at a boutique literary and talent agency.
Jane Addison is an ambitious young woman with big dreams of owning her own company someday. At twenty-eight, she arrives in New York to start a job at Fletcher and Benson, a prestigious talent agency. Eager to impress her new colleagues, Jane jumps right in as an assistant to Hailey West, one of the agents in the literary department.
Hailey is dedicated to the authors she represents, but her home life is chaotic and challenging. After her husband's tragic and untimely death, she was left widowed with three children to raise on her own. Then there's Francine Rivers, the stern and accomplished head of the literary department. Also a single mom after her husband's affair with the nanny, she has overcome the resulting financial hardships, but only with unbearable sacrifice.
Compared to Hailey and Francine, drama agent Allie Moore's life seems much more carefree and uncomplicated. She relishes her success and loves working with the talented actors they represent--until a passionate relationship with one of her rising star clients threatens to derail her career.
Merriwether Jones is the CFO for the agency. She appears to have it all--beauty, success, and a perfect marriage until her husband's jealousy over her career threatens to blow everything up.
Even though she's a newcomer, Jane quickly realizes that there are damaging secrets hidden behind the doors of Fletcher and Benson. As one of the youngest employees, she has the least power, but is also the least willing to accept things as they have been for years. When she puts everything on the line to right these wrongs, the consequences will leave no one unscathed.
In this riveting novel, Danielle Steel tells the story of a group of remarkable women navigating the challenges of balancing their families, their personal lives and the high stakes of ambition at the top of their game.
High Stakes by Danielle Steel is one of my favorite of her books that I’ve read recently. I liked that she took on the #MeToo movement with a vengeance. These characters were realistic and I was drawn into this book from the very beginning.
Jane Addison arrives in New York City ready to start her new job at Fletcher and Benson, a literary and talent agency. Jane is assigned to Hailey West, one of the best literary agents at the agency. Hailey is a widowed mother to three children and still struggles to balance her home life and the busy life of a literary agent. Also in the office is Francine Rivers, a divorced single mother to two children and head of the literary department. Her stern appearance hides some deep emotional hurt that she can’t let anybody uncover. Allie Moore is one of the drama agents and she loves her job mixing with top actors and actresses and wining and dining with her clients. Merriwether Jones is the CFO of the company, she’s married to an aspiring writer who also stays home and cares for their daughter.
The new woman, Jane, soon finds out the agency has some secrets and she’s not about to let the status quo continue. As the newest woman on the team, she has the least to lose, and she’s not afraid to shake things up.
I’ll admit at first there are a lot of characters, and it’s a bit difficult at first to remember who is who and who is married to whom. But, eventually, these characters become very clear and the journey each of these women takes makes for a very engaging story that kept me turning those pages as I read this book in only one sitting. What I loved was the way these women supported each other and took back their power. I thought the book was inspiring to all young women out in the workplace.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Danielle Steel
Danielle Steel has sold 650 million copies of her books internationally, and every one of her books is a bestseller. She is published in 69 countries and 43 languages.
Steel’s latest novel is Nine Lives. Other recent bestsellers include Finding Ashley, The Affair, Neighbors, All that Glitters, Expect a Miracle, Royal, and Daddy’s Girls, all of which have leapt to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, the Wall Street Journal list, and comparable best seller lists around the world.
Steel has written more than 196 books, 168 of which are novels; 18 children’s books, including Pretty Minnie in Hollywood and Pretty Minnie in Paris about her white long-hair teacup Chihuahua; four works of nonfiction, including His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina, A Gift of Hope: Helping the Homeless, and Pure Joy: The Dogs We Love; a book of poetry; and she has written the lyrics for a music album.
She also founded and runs two foundations, one named in honor of her late son, The Nick Traina Foundation, which finances organizations involved in mental illness, child abuse, and suicide prevention. The second foundation was established to assist the homeless. In 2002 Steel was decorated by the French government as an “Officier” of the distinguished Order of Arts and Letters and in 2014 she was decorated as a Chevalier (Knight) of the Order of the Legion d’Honneur in Paris. She lives in Paris and San Francisco and is the mother of nine children.
I just finished my review of this book so I came back to read yours. I recently came back to DS’s books too. She has been writing on fresh topics lately. I gave it four stars.
Wonderful review. I know Danielle Steel is a huge author, but I have yet to try her. I know I need to get her on my list sometime. I love when authors take on social issues, especially when the issue is very current.
Wow, it’s been years since I read anything by Steele. I remember first reading her back in the 80’s. 🙂 This one sounds pretty timely with the #MeToo aspect. I’m so glad this one was a hit for you!
Ages ago I read one of her books and loved it. Then the next one I read I didn’t care for. I think it was the explicit sex–which was not in the first book at all. She certainly has been popular and prolific. At some point it sounds like I should give her another try.
Danielle was favourite author of mine in the past. I haven’t read any of her books in the longest while. This one sounds pretty good. Glad you enjoyed it.
I stopped reading Danielle Steel because her books all seemed the same, but this sounds quite good. Wonderful review Wendy, I am going to put this on my library list.
Sounds like a good women’s fiction read! I keep getting hung up by one of the characters being name Francine Rivers. Back in January I read a book by a novelist named Francine Rivers.
This sounds wonderful. I don’t remember the last time I read one of Danielle Steeler’s books but I think I need to change that. Jane is definitely my kind of character ❤️ Excellent review!
I just finished my review of this book so I came back to read yours. I recently came back to DS’s books too. She has been writing on fresh topics lately. I gave it four stars.
Thank you Bonnie, I’m headed over to your site to check out your review.
Sounds like a really good read! We need more books like this!
Yes, it was really interesting, current, and enjoyable.
Wonderful review. I know Danielle Steel is a huge author, but I have yet to try her. I know I need to get her on my list sometime. I love when authors take on social issues, especially when the issue is very current.
Danielle Steele is hit or miss for me. But, High Stakes is definitely one of my favorites of hers.
Wow, it’s been years since I read anything by Steele. I remember first reading her back in the 80’s. 🙂 This one sounds pretty timely with the #MeToo aspect. I’m so glad this one was a hit for you!
Thank you, Tanya! I used to read her books back in the 80s too!
Ages ago I read one of her books and loved it. Then the next one I read I didn’t care for. I think it was the explicit sex–which was not in the first book at all. She certainly has been popular and prolific. At some point it sounds like I should give her another try.
She can be hit or miss for me too. This was one of my favorites. An earlier release, Invisible, I didn’t like at all.
I’ve never read a Danielle Steel book and I’ve always been interested in reading one. Do you think it matters which one I read first?
She has hundreds of books, it would be tough to find one. High Stakes is my favorite of her recent books.
I haven’t read Danielle Steel in ages! This sounds really good though. Great review!
Thank you, Cathy. I used to read her books many years ago, and have just started reading her books again recently.
Danielle was favourite author of mine in the past. I haven’t read any of her books in the longest while. This one sounds pretty good. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, Nadene
I stopped reading Danielle Steel because her books all seemed the same, but this sounds quite good. Wonderful review Wendy, I am going to put this on my library list.
Thank you, Carla. I know what you mean.
I have this one too and I haven’t read it yet so I’m going to wait to read your review until I’m done reading. I bet it’s awesome though!
I hope you love it, Bonnie!
I haven’t read a book by Danielle Steel in forever! I’m glad you enjoyed this one so much.
Thank you, Lark!
It’s been years since I read a Steel novel. Finishing it in one sitting is a testament to how engrossing it is – great review, Wendy!
Thank you, Teri!
Sounds like a good women’s fiction read! I keep getting hung up by one of the characters being name Francine Rivers. Back in January I read a book by a novelist named Francine Rivers.
That’s interesting. I always wonder how authors name characters.
I enjoy a story with strong female friendships, and it says a lot about a story if it compels you to read in one sitting. I’ll check this out.
Thank you, Rachel! It is a good one!
It’s been ages since I’l read a Danielle Steel book! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Great review.
Thank you! This is one of her better recent books.
Great review, glad you enjoyed reading 💕
Thank you, Jenny!
I like the first one better. The setting of this in the literary/talent context sounds really appealing.
Thank you, Mallika!
Sounds interesting. I like that first cover most. Great review!
Thank you, Yesha. That first cover has some bold colors that really catch the eye.
I still haven’t read any of her books, but I absolutely love reading about women supporting women. Great review, this sounds like my kind of book.
Thank you, Rae! DS has been writing for decades and her style is a bit old-fashioned. But, I find her stories comforting.
This sounds wonderful. I don’t remember the last time I read one of Danielle Steeler’s books but I think I need to change that. Jane is definitely my kind of character ❤️ Excellent review!
Thank you, Tessa. High Stakes is one of her better books IMO.