Capitol Hell Review

Book: Capitol Hell
Authors: Alicia Long, Jayne Jones
Genre: Women's Fiction

Book Synopsis:
When recent college graduate Allison Amundson, a small town girl from South Dakota, lands the highly sought after job of scheduler to the newly-elected and rising star of the United States Senate, Senator Anders McDermott III, she thinks she is on the fast track to success.

However, she quickly learns that crazy co-workers, a high maintenance boss, an over-the-top family and an unexpected Presidential bid make Capitol Hill seem even more dysfunctional than portrayed on TV. In fact, it is Capitol Hell.

The second Allison sets foot in the prestigious Senate Russell Building, things begin to go awry. Allison soon realizes her co-workers consist of a Chief of Staff who has little to no control over the antics in the office, a Press Secretary who is not only pompous, but who is constantly primping and preening, and worst of all the Senator himself, who cares more about his rise to fame than the people of Minnesota. 

As Allison struggles to juggle a new career, her blooming love interest in Cam (a quiet but loyal Legislative Assistant), and her ever-declining bank account, she is comforted only by her co-worker Janet, a fireplug who spends the majority of her time on-line dating, trying to land a Senator of her own. 

Just as Allison and Janet begin to figure out the ins and outs of Capitol Hill, their lives are turned upside down when Senator McDermott announces his bid for President of the United States. Soon, Allison and Janet find themselves at the center of one of the craziest campaigns in history, and hilarity ensues.

This off-beat, funny novel captures and shares what it is like to be a young staffer working on Capitol Hill.


Book Review:
    What's does working in the senate, and then jumping into a presidential campaign train head on make for? I'll tell you what, a hilarious adventure sure to get the driest souls laughing so hard they'll have tears streaming down their face. In Capitol Hell we join the lovely Allison and several of her companions as we make our way not only through the life of being an underpaid senate work, but being risen up to becoming an underpaid presidential campaign worker! Not only do you get to see the funny side of our government (I mean it is politics, who would have thought it was such a laugh riot when the root words are poli- which means many and tics referring to blood sucking creatures), but you can go through all the sweet little scandals and drama. From trying to get a fellow worker in the office to notice her to dealing with a hostile work environment complaint and who can forget the ever faithful CROTCH (when you find out what this is you will probably die laughing so don't go searching it until after you finish reading this please :p).
     The characters were a laugh riot, with wit and sass and some misplaced here and there. They really know how to spark up an office building, but the work doesn't stop after you leave. Oh no, it follows you everywhere (remind to never go to work in politics).
     I really don't know how to describe how much I enjoyed this book but I'm trying really hard here x3. From very literal blind dates to typos that can just about ruin anything, you've got yourself a book with laughter, lust, hard work that for the most part doesn't really seem to pay off (how could mom lie to me about that) and just so much thrown into the pages of a well written fast paced book that is sure to give everyone just what they want. In all honesty when I was first asked to review this book I was hesitant to read it, I mean when did politics suddenly become humorful. In fear of finding jokes that would make no sense to me I became pleasantly surprised that it was just the opposite.


Favorite Quotes:
"'I can't believe he's never been to a fast-food place' Janet said. 'I mean, come on, he can vote on legislation that will revamp our healthcare system. But he doesn't know where chicken nuggets come from?'"

"'How can a blind guy go jet skiing?' I asked. 'Trust me, I'll sail Jenkins boat any day! Anchors away!'"

All In All: 
All in all, you will be surprised to find how delightfully humourous this book was! It's got just the right amount of anything. So if you are into politics and are looking for a good laugh, you don't even have to be into politics to enjoy this book. I truly recommend it.