THE SUBWAY GIRLS is a
bittersweet tale of two courageous women, generations apart,
struggling to find their careers in the male-dominated advertising world
of New York City. Charlotte in 1949 and Olivia in the present day, they
have similar dreams and hopes for happiness in their future in this dual
story that will keep you glued to the pages as you travel their journey
filled with secrets, surprises, twists and turns leading to a stunning
climax.
Charlotte, 21, about to graduate from Hunter College, has started her
quest by applying for any position she can at advertising agencies. She
has sent applications to five of the most prominent agencies in the Big
Apple. Already declined by four, she has just received two letters: one,
a rejection from the agency she wished to work for the most, and
another surprising letter saying she has been selected as a finalist in
the Miss Subway Contest. Her boyfriend, Sam told her she was pretty
enough to win the contest and submitted her photo. Held by the City
Subway System, the rules of the contest were simple: live in NYC, travel
regularly by subway, and have a story to tell.
The winners are selected by John Roberts Powers, owner of the Powers
Modeling Agency, and her photograph is placed in the thousands of
subway cars for the "strap holders" to admire. The winner will receive
much attention and, sometimes a career in modeling or other exciting
pursuits. Charlotte is a winner but her parents are aghast. Her father
needs her in his Hardware and Paint store, which is failing, and his rule
is law. Charlotte's story is poignant as she listens to her heart in making
her future plans. Family or her dreams?
Olivia begins her career at Y&R as an assistant account executive in
2018. She works with Matt Osborne, falls in love with him, and when he
starts his own boutique agency, she goes to work for him, keeping her
feelings for him a secret. She prepares creative presentations and gets
to pitch them. She loves the work and she loves Matt too. Her co-
worker, James, presents problems but when she tells Matt, he tells her
"he is good with customers" and in the "good ole boy" manner, it goes
unresolved. She tries to keep her feelings for Matt restrained but one
night he insists they have dinner. After too much to drink, they end up
having a sexual relationship which continues. Not a good move for
Olivia. When the offer to create an on-subway advertising scheme for
the MTA, an idea involving the Subway Girls takes center stage with
Olivia.
THE SUBWAY GIRLS is an inspiring
story told by Susie Orman Schnall spanning two generations. I found
myself cheering for both Charlotte and Olivia as they weaved their way
through many challenges that met them head-on. I loved Ben and his
grandmother and the beginning for Ben and Olivia is the icing on the
cake for me. A delightful book that will not disappoint and praise for
Ms. Schnall. I would love a sequel to this one. It is a winner!
From the author of The Balance Project comes a
dual-timeline narrative featuring a 1949 Miss Subways
contestant and a modern-day advertising executive whose
careers and lives intersect.
In 1949, dutiful and
ambitious Charlotte\'s dream of a career in advertising is
shattered when her father demands she help out with the
family business. Meanwhile, Charlotte is swept into the
glamorous world of the Miss Subways beauty contest, which
promises irresistible opportunities with its Park Avenue
luster and local fame status. But when her new friend—the
intriguing and gorgeous fellow-participant Rose—does
something unforgivable, Charlotte must make a
heart-wrenching decision that will change the lives of those
around her forever.
Nearly 70 years later, outspoken
advertising executive Olivia is pitching the NYC subways
account in a last ditch effort to save her job at an
advertising agency. When the charismatic boss she\'s
secretly in love with pits her against her misogynistic
nemesis, Olivia\'s urgent search for the winning strategy
leads her to the historic Miss Subways campaign. As the
pitch date closes in on her, Olivia finds herself dealing
with a broken heart, an unlikely new love interest, and an
unexpected personal connection to Miss Subways that could
save her job—and her future. The Subway
Girls is the charming story of two strong women, a
generation apart, who find themselves up against the same
eternal struggle to find an impossible balance between love,
happiness, and ambition.