The Assistants by Camille Perri
Summary
A wry and astute debut about a young Manhattanite whose embezzlement scam turns her into an unlikely advocate for the leagues of overeducated and underpaid assistants across the city.
Tina Fontana is the hapless but brazen thirty-year-old executive assistant to Robert Barlow, the all-powerful and commanding CEO of Titan Corp., a multinational media conglomerate. She’s excellent at her job and beloved by her famous boss—but after six years of making his reservations for restaurants she’d never get into on her own and pouring his drinks from bottles that cost more than her rent, she’s bored, broke, and just a bit over it all.
When a technical error with Robert’s travel-and-expenses report presents Tina with the opportunity to pay off the entire balance of her student loan debt with what would essentially be pocket change for her boss, she struggles with the decision: She’s always played by the rules. But it’s such a relatively small amount of money for the Titan Corporation—and for her it would be a life-changer . . .
The Assistants speaks directly to a new generation of women who feel stuck and unable to get ahead playing by the rules. It will appeal to all of those who have ever asked themselves, “How is it that after all these years, we are still assistants?”
Book Setting: New York City
The L-train Canarsie Station - Tina daydreams about keeping her reimbursement check, deciding (in vain) to rip it up as the train came in to the stop.
Michael’s - the Midtown restaurant where Margie first blackmails Tina and Emily into providing her assistant with money to cover her student loans.
Lucky’s Famous Burgers - Where Kevin and Tina have lunch outside of the Titan building for the first time
Central Park/Columbus Circle - After getting burgers and shakes at Lucky’s, Tina and Kevin walk to Central Park through Columbus Circle and Tina mentions her “project” for the first time.
New York University - Where Tina earned her Bachelor’s degree
Nougatine - the French restaurant where Tina and Kevin have their first date
Mangia 57th - Where Robert asks Tina to order sandwiches from during a meeting with the men in the office
Chelsea Bow Tie Cinema/Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas - where Kevin and Tina have their second date to see a Jennifer Lawrence movie
The Guggenheim - the art museum Kevin and Tina visited as they got more serious.
Bar Nine - the Midtown bar where Emily, Tina, Ginger, Lily, and Wendi often met to discuss their scheme
Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop - where Tina buys Robert a honey glazed donut to ease her guilt since he loves Peter Pan donuts (and often asks her to get him one at 6 am)
Cipriani 42nd St- where Tina and Emily host The Assistance launch party
Diner - Restaurant in South Williamsburg where Kevin and Tina have dinner after Tina is fired by Robert
The Central Park Sled Dog - where Margie gives Tina incriminating evidence about Robert’s past tax evasion
Reviews
“This really was good fun, and a tremendously entertaining, quick read. If you're the type of person who roots for the "bad guys," you might enjoy this book. I definitely did.”
- Goodreads review
“Ocean’s Eleven meets The Devil Wears Prada”
- The Skimm
“Anyone who’s ever struggled to pay down a student loan and make the rent on that rat-infested apartment will savor this wry, keenly observed debut.”
—People
“Attention readers fed up with their jobs: call in sick tomorrow and dive into this[crackling] debut…Perri’s writing is quippy and the pace breezy…enjoy the sweetness of plotting revenge over cocktails (expensed, of course). You’ll feel better after reading, promise.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This delicious page-turner is a rallying cry for everyone squandering their 20s in thankless servitude to those who will never share the wealth—unless someone cleverly forces their hand.”
—Nicola Kraus, co-author of The Nanny Diaries and How To Be A Grown-Up