The Closer

Ceiling Smashers: Book 1

Beverly Hills Book Award Finalist

One of Bustle’s “9 Fall Debut Books By Women Authors You’ll Want To Read Immediately”

There's a secret society of professional women called the Ceiling Smashers.

The Closer follows main character Vivien Lee, a founder of the Ceiling Smashers society, on her quest for business success. Vivien is an Asian American woman who dreams of becoming a CEO.

Vivien has spent her entire consulting career helping CEOs look good, so when she finally has the chance to go after her dream of running a business, she grabs it. A lifelong athlete, Vivien arrives at the Smart Sports campus in Portland, Oregon and is introduced as the first female president. It’s one of the highest-profile jobs in an industry inhospitable to women.

Principled but slightly naïve, Vivien believes her male peers will give her a fair shot. Stumbling early, Vivien makes a series of rookie mistakes. With guidance from the Ceiling Smashers, Vivien learns to navigate the treacherous business terrain.

A tight-knit group of male sports executives is determined to show that an industry outsider cannot prevail. The challenge is all too clear: will Vivien triumph in the sports industry against impossible odds?

You’ll want to stay up all night reading this page-turner to find out what happens to Vivien. The Closer is a fresh, riveting tale about a strong woman endeavoring to succeed with smarts, scruples, and style. And it delivers the kind of heroine we’re all searching for. The Closer is a slam-dunk as your next book club recommendation!

Praise

“Unreservedly recommended”
— Midwest Book Review

“An inspiring and fun take on women in business”
— Foreword Reviews

“[The] creation of Vivien as a strong character capable of weathering brutal situations speaks volumes—not just about the person she’s loosely based on, but also about the deeply ingrained stereotypes that persist today, both in fictional constructs of female characters and real women.”
— Meghan roos, Women Running Magazine

“I think this [book] is something that all of us can learn from... The story is a great reminder for us all as we look at our lives and what's in front of us and what it takes to get there.”
— Conversations Live! with Cyrus Webb, WMPR 90.1FM

“I love this... I feel like this has taken your life and put it into a fictional situation but it’s cathartic for readers at the same time.”
— Get The Funk Out, Radio Station KUCI Irvine Janeane Bernstein