Alesia Holliday, Nice Girls Finish First

Nice Girls Finish First

Alesia Holliday

Berkley, Jul 2005, $13.00, 416 pp.

ISBN: 0425204057

In Seattle, Vice President of Marketing, a job she did not want, Kirby Green fires her entire her staff of four in a matter of four months for what she claims as incompetence, her boss Banning gives her an ultimatum. Kirby must get one person to say she is nice person within thirty days or she can forget her three week vacation in Italy with Jules and perhaps her job too. Kirby does not believe she went too far, and feels her punishment is extreme. She also wonders who will call her nice without her bullying them. No one she concludes so bullying it must be.

At the same time Kirby's new secretary Brianna wants to become an opera singer, but her instructor tells her she too underweight for any roles and her fianc Lyle wants a stay at home spouse and mom not a professional performer. Which dream should Brianna give up?

Readers will need to adapt to the changing first person perspective, but once accomplished will appreciate this fine insightful look at two women trying to make it. Interestingly, Kirby's bullying management style sounds much like the Bolden school of supervision. Both females seem real especially their ambitions, goals, and concerns. Alesia Halliday provides a refreshing reading experience in NICE GIRLS FINISH FIRST- just ask Kirby?

Harriet Klausner