As a former employee of a large university the setting drew me into this book. I also can’t help but love a book narrated by non-cis men.

The characters offered very different perspectives and experiences as a result of the scandal which I appreciated. You’ve got Anne, the newest intern in the athletic department, Lauren, wife of scandalous Sal, Alexis, English professor with romantic connections to the athletic department, and finally Nora, interim Athletic Director.

Renton University is upheaved by Sal’s wrongdoings and there’s many more people involved. The story captures the sexism experienced by non-cis men in the workplace throughout the book.

That being said, it felts a little obvious and redundant each time the characters pointed out the sexism. By the second half of the novel I was getting frustrated by the callout of the same instances of sexism over and over again. It was also a bit anti-feminist that the best piece of advice the only other non-cis man athletic director could give Nora was to wear sensible shoes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review “Break the Glass” by Olivia Swindler.

Corruption in the athletic department causes an upheaval that will affect not only Renton University but the lives of four women involved in that department. Lauren Higgins first learns of the scandal when her husband Sal is fired as in a predawn call from the president. Another early call to Nora Bennet lets her know she’s the new athletic director. Professor Alexis Baily is caught up because she’s been seeing the assistant football coach. And Anne finds out when she reports to the athletic department for her first day as Sal Higgins’s intern. Then comes the NCAA investigation into corruption and bribery. Now each woman will have to deal with their careers, their families and the media at the same time without knowing who at the University can be trusted. Their lives will get a lot more complicated before the investigation ends.

Told in the alternating voices of Lauren, Nora, Alexis and Anne, Break the Glass gives a realistic, captivating look into campus life. Olivia Swindler’s personal experiences make this novel shine! Each character is so well described that you feel you would know her if you saw her on the street. Break the Glass is deftly plotted with a conclusion that you won’t see coming. I cant wait to see what this talented author does next. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Olivia Swindler for this ARC.

Loved this book, such a good story! I liked the way the stories of each of the four women were connected, and how despite being so different from each other, they all managed to find strength within themselves, and later on in each other, to deal with all the challenges thrown at them. The ending left me with a great sense of comfort. Definitely recommend it!