Published by Red Dog Press on November 19, 2019
Pages: 330
Amazon UK
Goodreads
THERE’S A FINE LINE BETWEEN INNOCENCE AND GUILT. AN EVEN FINER LINE BETWEEN JUSTICE AND REVENGE.
Data scientist Laura prefers the company of her books to the real world – let alone that cesspit online. But when her best friend Emily becomes the victim of horrific cyberbullying, she makes it her all-engulfing mission to track down the worst culprits.
Petite corporate financier Suki is about to outshine the stupid boys at her firm: she’s leading the acquisition of Edinburgh’s most exciting start-up. If only she could get its brilliant, but distracted, co-founder Laura to engage.
Event planner Claire is left to salvage the start-up's annual conference after her colleague Emily fails to return to work. She’s determined to get a promotion out of it, but her boss isn’t playing ball.
As the women's paths intertwine, the insidious discrimination they each face comes to light. Emboldened by Emily’s tragic experience, they join forces to plot the downfall of all those who've wronged them.
But with emotions running high, will the punishments fit the crimes?
A pacy and suspenseful novel with its feet firmly in the #MeToo era. 9 to 5 meets Suits with a dash of Black Mirror.
✮ My Review ✮
This book, I mean wow! It is totally a now book, very relevant to the #metoo movement. I’m not going to voice my opinions on this movement but I did like the take Stay Mad, Sweetheart took on this and the wider scope of cyberbullying. I found this segment of the story heartbreaking. Bullying in any form is awful but to the degree, that occurs in this book is astonishing. It’s cruel, uncalled for and you can see elements of this on Twitter in this present day. There are way too many keyboard warriors out there and no one thinks of the consequences of the words they sent out on the WWW.
This is only the start of the story, we meet the three women that are all affected by the devastating events. We watch these women all affected in one or another by unwanted advances, being “protected” by a man and spoken down to just for being a woman. However, there is a spin on this story and I quite liked because it as not always as black and white as it seems and the men aren’t always at fault!
This is, at times, an uncomfortable read, it really doesn’t hold back and that I do love. It shows the deep, down and ugly side to things, Kist really did not sugar coat anything and I have so much respect for her. It would be so easy to glamourise things but here we have a scenario, a very real scenario and Kist shows the very real and gritty side to it all.
The three women in the story, Laura, Claire and Suki are powerhouses and not to be messed when they are combined. When the Avengers assemble boy do they! They are supportive and boost confidence in each other, a sisterhood that is to be treasured and I did enjoy them on the pages. Stay Mad, Sweetheart focuses on Laura and the sale of her IT company. I am a techie geek to an extent but I don’t understand all of it, so when we are told about a new piece of technology being built, it is explained in a way that helps us understand straight away. We aren’t treated as being “stupid” we are treated the same as Suki and Claire, as knowing a little bit to get by but the rest is explained. It is also a little terrifying where technology is going, however, this programme that Laura is testing is also fascinating! I mean how a programme can do what it can just wow.
I did enjoy how everything unfolded slowly, it didn’t rush, we took in every detail and every nuisance. When everything came together in its climatic way, it was shocking and quite gratifying.
Kist writing is compelling and enthralling. She knows how to intrigue the reading to keep the pages turning and she knows how to reveal things to the reader to shock and awe them. She is a great storyteller and I will be making sure I get to In Servitude quick smart!!!
Until next time xxx
Thanks to Dylan at Red Dog Press for the tour invite and the author for a copy of the book in return for my honest and unbiased review.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Heleen Kist says
Thanks so much, Zoé! I’m delighted you loved the nuances of the book; and great to hear that the tech aspect shouldn’t scare anyone off.
Heleen
Zoé says
It was a riveting read! So glad I got the chance to read it ! 🙂 Thank you xx
Zoé says
it really shouldn’t scare anyone off. Thank you so much for having me! x
Shalini says
Beautiful review Zoe as usual you have made me envy you… Kidding… Maybe not… ? ?
Zoé says
Oh sssh you! I love your reviews they are always fab without fail and see me adding my TBR!!! lol
Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles says
Brilliant review! I am in awe of the author and her novel. it was a blow to the head, a reminder we can’t stay silent and let things continue. The different aspects – technological, societal… matched perfectly and I just devoured the book! xxx