Review: This Could Hurt by Jillian Medoff

by Donna Huber

I fell in love with Jillian Medoff's writing when I read I Couldn't Love You More (read my review) so I was excited when I was offered an advanced copy. In This Could Here, Medoff created interesting, well-developed real-world characters that you will truly care about by the end.
Amazon affiliate links. A free book was provided for an honest review.

January 2018; Harper; 978-0062660763
audio, ebook, print (384 pages)
literary, humor

"November 2009
HR had hit bottom. Ever since last year's crash, when Rosa's department shrank from twenty-two to sixteen to thirteen, her people had been terrified. Briefly, manic laughter punctuated their fears (This cannot go on!), but resentment followed, then bitterness. Now the group was down to eleven, and despair had set in."

When I started This Could Hurt, I wasn't sure if I could continue with it even though I was still loving Medoff writing style. I remember the recession and the anxiety I felt in 2009 about my own employment. Following the feel-good holiday stories, I wasn't sure if I was ready to jump into something that recalled that fear. I'm glad I persevered.

The more I got to know the characters, which was made easy by the alternating group of chapters focused on each of the main characters, the more I settled into the story and began to enjoy it.

It is not exactly a happy story; bittersweet would be more accurate. The growth and positive outcomes for the characters came at a cost, and the road to success was definitely a rough one.

The richness of the characters is truly the gem of this story. Honestly, a story about a bunch of HR business people could be really boring and their day-to-day job functions weren't exciting. The characters were like regular people that you might know in real life. Just like you would keep rooting for a friend going through a rough patch and anxious about the outcome, you will feel so close to this cast of characters that you can't help want to know they will be okay.

While I liked all the characters, Rosa holds a special place in my heart. I'm sure we all wished we had a boss like Rosa, one who will always fight for you and do that extra bit to help you out.

If you love a great character-driven story, then you must pick up This Could Hurt.

Buy This Could Hurt at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour. 

Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.