The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You by Amulya Malladi

The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You by Amulya Malladi is a sharp, contemporary novel about ambition, corporate competition, and redefining success on your own terms.
 
Asmi, a globe-trotting biotech marketing director, feels most at home in international airports and hotel bars. When her boss retires and she’s forced into a high-stakes corporate showdown for promotion, she must confront her fears about ambition, relationships, and what it truly means to “lean in.”
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A smart, modern look at women in corporate leadership
International settings spanning airports and global cities
Explores ambition, independence, and societal expectations
Witty, contemporary tone with emotional depth
🌟 Perfect For
Readers of contemporary women’s fiction
Fans of workplace novels like The Devil Wears Prada or Up in the Air
Book clubs discussing ambition, feminism, and modern career pressures
Readers who enjoy global settings and strong female leads
 
In The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You, Amulya Malladi follows Asmi, a successful marketing director in a biotech company who thrives in the transient world of international airports and corporate travel. Comfortable navigating Copenhagen boutiques and Stockholm duty-free shops, Asmi has carefully curated a life built on independence and career achievement. But when her boss announces his retirement, she is thrust into a fierce corporate battle for promotion against her rival, Scott Beauregard III.
 
As she confronts workplace politics, an uncertain romantic life, and the expectations placed on women approaching forty, Asmi must decide what success truly means. Sharp, contemporary, and globally textured, this novel explores ambition, vulnerability, and the courage required to claim both career and personal fulfillment.