James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review

Deftly laced throughout with elements of romance, suspense, and the unexpected, "The Scandal Clause: Can $700,000 Buy a Life?" showcases author Sydney Stern's genuine flair for originality and the kind of entertaining narrative storytelling style that will keep the reader's rapt and compulsive page turning attention from beginning to end. I look forward to your next title.

This review will also appear in the Cengage Learning, Gale interactive CD-ROM series "Book Review Index" which is published four times yearly for academic, corporate, and public library systems. Additionally, this review will be archived on our Midwest Book Review website for the next five years at http://www.midwestbookreview.com

Rik Feeney / Author: Editing Basics for Authors and Self-Publishers

Sydney Stern’s new book The Scandal Clause is an exciting and sometimes blood boiling account of the issues women face in business dealing with men of power. I can’t wait until the movie version comes out!

S. S-O’Connor BSN, RN

This is a great book! It drew me in from the beginning and kept me thinking about the characters even when I wasn’t reading. As a nurse, I found that not only did the author portray the main character accurately in her profession, but as a woman in my 30’s the content felt very relevant to experiences I’ve had professionally and personally. The ending was great and kind of unexpected. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the sequel!

P. Rubenstein

A Compelling Read Well-written, fast-moving book that explores the timely subject of sex in the workplace from a very original perspective.  The plot is imaginative and the characters believable and interesting. The Scandal Clause is thought-provoking while it entertains - a rare combination.  Definitely a good read!

J. Minear

Some books come with sticky covers; you can’t put them down! This first offering from author, Stern makes the reader feel the net tighten systematically on the nurse at the center of this whirlwind tale. So much contemporary angst as well as just the right amount of glamour, so easy to identify with her dilemma. Well-developed cast of characters as well as a heaping serving of masculine arrogance. Highly recommended.

A. Headlam

A job that fills the fantasy is offered and accepted, but it comes with a huge price to pay. In this work of fiction by Stern, she piques our interest with realistic characters and a plot so dramatic that the reader won’t want to put the book down. Who wouldn’t want to explore the possibility of an adventurous relationship with power and prestige? The reader is pulled chapter by chapter through events that build into a finish both surprising and unpredictable. Anyone who has ever dreamed of what life could be like, if they were given opportunity and money, will find this story compelling.

G. Kalt

Sydney I thoroughly enjoyed your book. I put it on my Kindle and read it in two days. I admire the research you must have done on all the places travelled to and on law and contracts. It was unpredictable which I really loved! Kudos on a book well done.

M. Benoit

"Right from the submit button, I couldn’t take a breath. The action kept me riveted to the page. All along the way I kept wondering how I’d react if this were my life. Before I could think about it, I was off to the next action-packed adventure!"

D. Cohen

"I begin to read one evening. The next morning, I stayed all cozy in bed and finished it. Easy reading. Interesting characters. Detailed work of characters, sites, fashion, food and drink. Although it takes place in a medical surrounding, it can be applied everywhere. Did the author have a great imagination? do an incredible amount of research? was it biographic?"

F. Goodman

"Finally, a story that held my interest.
I haven't read a book in a while that inspired me to read past the first chapter. This book held on to me. It's the right mixture of intrigue, sex, characters and distinction. Refreshing subject that keeps you wanting more. I felt like I knew the characters as friends and now that I've finished the book, I miss them.
It was an honest, easy read and I loved the shorter chapters.
I can't wait for another novel by Sydney Stern, I want to read more from her! "

B. E. Turner Delisle

"I Loved this book!! What an enjoyable and engaging read. Not only was it entertaining but the topics that formed the story line were well researched giving me an inside peek into the unique challenges of providing medical services to high powered, influential people around the world, including how politics affects the decisions made. The author used such enjoyably descriptive language that I often felt I was on location or right in the room with the characters. The characters were so believable and accessible that I felt I knew them. And the sexual tension and exploits—varied, abundant, relatable and stimulating! Each chapter ended cleverly, always leaving me with the desire to know what the next moves were going to be, making it hard to put the book down. And the ending.... I wanted more!!! I can’t wait for a sequel so I can find out what happens next!!"

M. Hertz

"I enjoyed “The Scandal Clause.” It took me only three days to finish it…And I was struck by the detail with which you describe nearly every meal! I actually laughed out loud in the book when you described a meal with only three foods—that’s the kind of meal I’m used to. Overall, it’s a great story!"

C. Kibe

"The author captured all the crazy power struggles and politics of life in DC….I liked the characters and the intense pace and the experience of the story, and could not put it down. The ending chapters are full of suspense and made me want to read a sequel. Great read! "

K. Byrne

"I LOVED the book! I stayed up till 2:30am to finish it. It was so good I couldn’t stop. "

P. Meyerhoff

"A gripping & intense novel as vulnerable surgical nurse Laura accepts a $700,000 job contract with an unusual clause to work with a narcissistic, controlling neurosurgeon Dr Russell whose subtle grooming of Laura leads to an unexpected feminist #MeToo response to male dominance in the work place."

T. Hertz

"An enjoyable read for anyone, including those homebound during these difficult times. The character development was excellent. The arrogance of Dr. Russell was believable. Laura seemed a little naive, but one never knows what one would do it one could make all that money in two year. It was a real page turner, as you never knew until almost the end what would happen. I really enjoyed it, could not put it down. I read the last quarter of the book in one sitting, finished at almost 1:00 AM"