Trading Secrets

A Woman in a Man's World

Nicola Pearson is a new recruit to the Federal Bank in Sydney, hired to devise a new system to manage the trading risks of the bank. It is the mid-1990s and she has to prove herself professionally and intellectually to win over the dealers, especially their boss Tom Forrester. He has recently returned from a three-year stint in London to run the Federal Bank’s financial trading operations.

Nicola has been left in the lurch by her ex-husband and does not trust men, lacking confidence in her judgment of them although she is confident of her workforce skills. She lives quietly, keeping her private life to herself and worrying over a secret.

Tom is also divorced, following a marriage experience which left him very disillusioned. The world sees him as living in the fast lane and Nicola is not his usual ‘type’ but something about her calls to him.

He gradually recognises she is bottling up a secret. Does he hold the key to relieving her worries and changing her life?

A 'slow burn', second chance romance.

Amazon AU, 5 stars, Charming Office Romance and More. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance. If you are looking for a romance between mature adults with an interesting twist, then I recommend this one. The author's love of Sydney, NSW, and in-depth portrayal of a woman making her way in a male-dominated banking industry shine. Both provide a glorious setting for Tom and Nicola to find their happy ending. I'll be looking for more from this author. P Johnston

Amazon AU & Goodreads. 5 stars. A wonderful read. Set in the fast paced world of banking, Nicola Pearson is a single mum, working in a mans world. Her boss Tom Forrester finds her intriguing and wants to get to know her but Nicola is wary of men and has her daughter to consider. Will a secret that they are both hiding help bring them together? Lilian  Magill

Amazon UK & Goodreads, 5 stars. Nicola Pearson has a lot to prove. It’s the mid 90’s and she’s forging a career in the male-dominated banking world of Sydney. But one man, Tom Forrester, is different – and off-limits. Not just because he is her boss, but because once office hours are over, she becomes the loving single mum of her young daughter Thea. Tom is intrigued by Nicola, despite the fact that she is a single mum .... This story will keep you turning the pages as Tom and Nicola’s pasts reveal themselves and their growing attraction becomes stronger until the answers they’ve each been searching for are uncovered. Sunnygirl

Goodreads, 5 stars. This cleverly titled book is a very "good read". The plot reflects a wide knowledge of the banking world which is the writer's background .... The romantic relationship of the two main protagonists maintains momentum throughout with credible but fascinating twists and turns. This is not just a workplace romance but a much broader discovery of other interesting worlds of experience. I always learn something unexpected from this writer's work and I strongly recommend her book. Frances

Kobo, 5 stars. Well worth the read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love reading books set in places I am familiar with, and people whom I feel I could know. This author writes with a knowledge of her subject. Yvonne B

Kobo, 4 stars. Very likeable and familiar. This book is very likeable for a number of factors: firstly the author knows her subject and setting well; secondly, the detail and explanations of the subjects' roles in the trading area of work is commendable; and thirdly the author's writing style is very readable and easy to understand. Initially I found a certain amount of suspense in the story, however, I gave the book a rating of "4" because the suspense wasn't maintained until the end. P.T.

Instagram & Goodreads, 4 stars. Phil's Book Review. I got a lot of joy from the story as it took me on a journey from the corporate finance boardrooms to the world of fertility clinics. Nicola is passionate about her career in banking and starts at a new bank. As a single parent to a toddler she does the daily juggle act to sustain both roles she has. A back story of betrayal and hurt acting a shield for future protection. Tom is a divorcée, scarred from a marriage that was tainted with narcissism and secrets. A perfect  specimen that knows he is a drawcard to female world. Meeting Nicola in the boardroom lights a fire in his heart. Protective shields removed and corrosive secrets revealed pave the way for a romance if both are willing to forge through their own issues. I reiterate how much I enjoyed the book set in a world I’m familiar with. HappyValley_BooksRead

Goodreads, 5 stars.  Well paced, entertaining read. I found myself picking the book up in any spare moment. We need a sequel please! Rachel

Goodreads, 5 stars. In Louisa Valentine’s novel Trading Secrets, Nicola Pearson faces formidable challenges .... Despite her strong track record in finance, there are battles over status in her new job, complicated by the fact that she is dealing with men with no previous experience of taking directions from, or even listening to, a woman in a work environment. The novel is set in the 1990's when there were no established paths for a female banking executive – no corporate policy, few legal or cultural precedents. The challenge is increased by her recent divorce, a two-year old daughter, little family support. Her caution about any romantic entanglement is increased with the possibility of one with another bank executive. The efforts of her male work colleagues to undermine Nicola’s status are met by her own shrewd countermeasures. Many of the characters and events in Nicola’s bank are familiar to anyone who worked in the industry in the 1990's and are clearly based on the author’s own work experience. Trading Secrets gives the reader an insight into the strange world female banking executives entered 1990's as background to an engaging and very readable romantic story. Nigel Stokes.

Goodreads, 5 stars.  Having really enjoyed Louisa's first book 'Retreat into Paradise' I was keen to read 'Trading Secrets'. It …. certainly didn't disappoint. Louisa draws you in with her characters and storyline. Trading Secrets is also set in an area where I have lived for many years which added to the enjoyment of this book. I thoroughly recommend this book. Marilyn Thrupp

Amazon AU & Goodreads, 5 stars.  Very much enjoyed this read. I thought Louise captured the Aussie vernacular really well especially how it pertains to the finance and economic area. And the storyline provided great insight from a female's perspective into a man's, boys-club world. I also found the whole fertility treatment area fascinating. It was so lovely to read about Sydney and The Rocks and surrounds and Manly ferry. I've been to those spots and done the ferry ride and it brought back some great memories. The way Louisa described those areas and the ferry ride, totally resonated with me and my experience! Look forward to reading more from this author. Sandra Carmel

Goodreads, 5 stars.  Congratulations again, Louisa Valentine: another page turner. So very Australian. I love strong female characters with a story to tell, challenges to overcome, with passion and courage to share. Ava Niall

Amazon US & Goodreads, 4 stars.  Adorable fated HEA. I admit I was a bit worried after the first chapter that I might not have enough financial background to get into this book (derivatives are scary to me!), but happily that wasn't an issue. While the story was centered around business in the financial district as a workplace, financial knowledge was not necessary and had no bearing on the story itself. Did I guess the exact HEA scenario in the second chapter? Yes. There was no real mystery in this story, although there was always the possibility of a surprise ending. That said, the storytelling quite simply was intriguing enough to allow me to enjoy the entire book through to its inevitable conclusion. It was a pleasure to sit back and allow the story to unfold before me. Sort of like watching the Titanic ... You know the conclusion, but the story is still worthwhile. Sara Cabrol 

Goodreads, 5 stars.  I thought 'Trading Secrets' would be foreign territory, but the secrets traded in this novel are not those of the banking industry; they are personal ones, the kind that make and break relationships .... I confess that the resolution of the big question moved me a little. Louisa Valentine demonstrates in 'Trading Secrets' the power of a good plot twist to draw the reader on to the end of the story. Peter Prineas