Review of A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin

 A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin 

"Instead of worshipping some male deity, they worshipped themselves."  

Hankin can really write women so well! If you haven't read Happy & You Know It please go read it! This second novel really has so much in it that you must consume it to know what will happen in the end! And boy does she know how to write a twist! In this book, she rights a group of women that are all different and unique but so relatable and likable. I could totally see myself getting a drink with Jillian. Overall this novel is about womanhood, trust, grief, and in some ways, it's a coming of age. I loved every aspect of the club and the facade of what it was intended to be. It did have serious sorority vibes but with such a twist. Without giving too much away, those last few chapters were so fascinating and well written that you almost want to believe it's possible that all of this is real. 

This follows the story of Jillian a journalist who is still healing from her mother who passed from cancer and is in the process of grieving and moving on when she thinks of an idea for a story. The Nevertheless club is a secret club for women that is rumored to have a hand in not just base level activities like gallery openings but also the reach to affect politics. Jillian decides to go undercover to find out just how powerful this club really is. One of the many things I loved about this novel was Jillian's humor and then her unknown need to be surrounded by women. The book moves quickly and has you thinking anything just might be possible. 

Stand out quote: 

"Both were ways for women to distract themselves with some illusion of control. " 

Some questions to ponder: 

1. Would you join a club like Nevertheless, with all the rumors and gossip surround it? 
2. Why does Jillian put all her hope and happiness into writing this article? 
3. How does Jillian's tarot reading parallel to the plot? 
4. Why does Jillian really sign the contract when she knows what the consequences could be? 

Thanks for stopping by! 

-MDB