I love historical fiction, and The Subway Girls is a fabulous reflection of the genre, as well as a mix of women’s and contemporary fiction! It definitely has something that fans of all those genres will just love: history, love, romance, friendship, family drama, hints of unfolding secrets, ambition, heartbreak, and successes. It is the first book that I’ve read by Susie Orman Schnall, but she has a new fan in me and I plan on reading her other books! 

The Subway Girls is the story told in dual timelines of two very strong, amazing, and determined female characters: Charlotte in 1949 and Olivia in the present. Schnall’s newest novel uses the real-life history of the Miss Subways beauty competitions that ran from 1941 to 1976 to intersect the stories of these two women from entirely different generations to compare and contrast the roles of these omen, the societal expectations towards them, and each of the women’s dreams about their careers: both women aspiring to have a career in advertising.

Charlotte’s career opportunities were of course much more limited in 1949 compared to Olivia’s in the present, but Schnall addresses male attitudes toward women in both decades. Sadly, we see that at times nothing much has changed in Olivia’s day as she deals with her male co-workers than when Charlotte was searching for her independence and employment in the late 1940s. Nor has anything really changed as both women try to balance careers, love, and relationships. I understood their turmoil all too well based on my own experiences, as I’ve struggled with the age-old battle of trying to balance career, family, relationship, and I’m sure it’s one that most women of all generations are all too familiar with! 

The chapters take place in alternating timelines until the character’s lives intersect and they begin to interact in the present day, and it is a fast-paced, vivid, entertaining read! I absolutely loved Schnall’s flowing writing style and how effortlessly the stories came together. I had never heard of the Miss Subways contests, so it was very interesting to learn that such a contest existed, especially since the contest did open doors to many of the winners that otherwise would not have been available to the women. The characters in the book, all of them, not just Olivia and Charlotte were just fantastic, even the ones that I didn’t quite like! Schnall has so much talent as a writer in bringing her characters to life and making you feel like you are part of the story! 

This is a fun read that will keep you up late at night, turning the pages well past your bedtime! I definitely recommend you pick up The Subway Girls for one of your summer must reads, especially for any lover of excellent historical, contemporary and women’s fiction! You definitely don't want to miss it!

**Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for my review copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.**

Wow! The history in this novel was enlightening and I fell down a rabbit hole looking up Subway Girls. I even got a co-worker Googling. I loved the dual time line with Olivia and Charlotte. Both of them were formidable in their own way and for their time. 

I highly recommend picking it up.

Kudos to Susie Orman Schnall, Author of “The Subway Girls” for such an enthralling, informative, entertaining, enjoyable, and captivating read. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. I appreciate the thoughtful and thorough historical research that the author has done to bring this novel to light. This story has two timelines, narrated through two different characters. I love how the two-story  lines connect.

The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, courageous, and conflicted   possibly due to circumstances and events. There are secrets, and betrayals. Women are not treated equally as men, as shown in both timelines. In 1949, male employers think that employed women will get married and have babies, leaving the job.

In 1949, Charlotte is determined to finish school and find a job in advertising. Unfortunately the times are such, that jobs are not that available. Charlotte has a loving boyfriend, and a very strict father. Charlotte’s  father wants her to work in his financially failing hardware store. An opportunity arises for  Charlotte to enter the “Miss Subways Beauty contest”.  The winning contestants are hoping for a modeling job, an acting job, or fame. Charlotte is convinced if she wins, she can help her father’s hardware store by the publicity. Charlotte is also ambitious and hope that if she wins “Miss Subways Beauty Contest”, that will help her in her career in advertising.

Almost 70 years later, Olivia, an ambitious, hardworking advertising executive  is hoping to win the NYC Subway account. Olivia’s boss has her competing against a male colleague that tends to act in an in-appropriate way towards her. Often this colleague’s comments are sexist, and in-appropriate. Olivia finds herself looking at the history of  Miss Subway, and hopes that she can use that to make her pitch.

I love the way the author discusses the importance of  sisterhood, friendship, loyalty, and ambition. Quoting from the blurb” The Subway Girls is the charming story of two strong women, a generation apart, who find themselves up against the impossible balance between love, happiness and ambition.” I highly recommend this amazing novel for those readers that enjoy Historical Fiction and strong-willed characters. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

This book fascinated me.  I love the idea of Miss Subways, and learning more about the women of the time period.  Dual perspectives and timelines are always a favorite of mine, and The Subway Girls is no exception.  The writing is impeccable, the characters are all fantastic, and the story feels very realistic.  This is another winner by Susie Orman Schnall.

I received an advance reader copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

The Subways Girls is the delightful story of two strong women a generation apart, who both struggle to find a balance between love, happiness and ambition.

SUMMARY
Charlotte’s dream of a career in advertising is shattered when her father demands that she help out with the failing family paint business. In the meantime, Charlotte, who just graduated from college, is swept into the glamorous world of the Miss Subway contest, which promises irresistible opportunities. But when her new friend—the intriguing and gorgeous fellow-participant Rose—does something unforgivable, Charlotte must make a heart-wrenching decision that will change the lives of those around her forever. 

Nearly 70 years later, outspoken advertising executive Olivia is pitching the NYC subway account in a last ditch effort to save her job at an advertising agency. Olivia‘s search for a winning strategy leads her to the historic Miss Subway campaign.  As the pitch date closes in, Olivia find herself dealing with a broken heart, and an unlikely new love interest. An unexpected personal connection to Miss Subways arises that could save her job—and her future.

REVIEW
THE SUBWAY GIRLS is a charming fictional account of a historical contest that took place in NYC from 1941 to 1976 to promote the subway system. Two hundred women have held the title of Miss Subway. The story which is built around the contest is engaging and entertaining.  It effortlessly weaves a tale of two career-oriented women a generation apart, and blends multiple plot lines. Both women struggle with the balance between career and personal life.  

It’s a touching chronicle with two well-developed characters and some engaging writing. Both Charlotte and Olivia’s stories are gripping. I devoured this book in a day. I particularly loved the scene when Olivia makes her final pitch for the MTA account.  Don’t want to spoil it, so I won’t describe it, but it had me cheering.   Learning about the Subway Girls was enlightening and I appreciate the research that went into the book. It was delightful to read about the way Miss Subways contest memorabilia lives on today in a coffee table book as well as in the decor of Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Times Square.  Next time I’m in NYC I’ll have to check it out!

Author SUSIE ORMAN SCHNALL is also the author of The Balance Project and On Grace. She grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the founder of the Balance Project interview series and has spoken extensively on work-life balance. Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Griffin and Schnall for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 
Publisher 	St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication 	July 10, 2018

The Subway Girls is a lovely dual storyline historical novel.  It was well written with compelling characters.  I enjoyed it so much that I plan to reread it again at some point.  Recommended!

Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall has been an enlightening look at a little known piece of history.  The story is backdropped against the struggles of women involved in an ad campaign for New York Subway system.  Organized as a pageant with obvious objectification of the Miss Subways women that would be infuriating today, it examines the struggles of Charlotte who strives to get into an advertising firm even if only in the typing pool.  A common thread develops between the present day and the Miss Subways when we see that both women were so independent and had their own obstacles to their future. I am sitting blocks away from Ellen’s Stardust Diner as I finish this book and can not wait to go glimpse these posters on display!  I highly recommend this book.  I was given an ARC of this book but all opinions are my own.

I work in transit advertising and consult with the creative side of JWT in Toronto so I really liked this book - it all felt so familiar (other than the fact that no one really thinks transit advertising is cool anymore). The story was hopeful with just a little mystery to make you wonder which of the Subway Girls in Ben's grandmother and the text incredibly well written. You don't need to be in advertising to devour this book - you'll love it.

I love historical fiction.  Books that immerse me in a different time are one of the pleasures of reading!  The Subway Girls, by Susie Orman Schnall, brings Post WWII New York to life with colorful characters, and impressive details of fashion and how people lived.

What I Liked:
Setting: 

New York in 1948 was still a city getting over WWII.  Most families were still struggling, and women had limited choices in life.  The pressure to finish high school and then quickly marry and make babies was intense.  Reading about the oppression Charlotte endured was, at times, infuriating!!!  Although she was twenty-one years old, her father had complete control over her life.  He could dictate whether or not she went to college, if she could get a job, and what activities she could do.  

The story also takes place in the present, with Olivia, an advertising executive, trying to land a big account with the New York Subway system.  I liked how the book showed the frantic pace of life in present-day New York.  Everything is focused on work, and success.  It's as if the pendulum has swung completely the other way from 1948!

Characters:

Charlotte is ambitious, rebellious, but also kind and thoughtful.  When I envision her, I think of my own aunt who was a very independent woman (but in the 1950's).  Although she is a very serious person, she still is very interested in how she presents herself, taking great care in her appearance.  This is perfect, as she enters this beauty contest.

Olivia is the present-day main character.  She is a thoroughly modern, no-nonsense kind of woman.  
Even though work is her main focus, she is often drawn into her parent's marital drama.  I thought it was a bit of a cliche that she was in love with her boss.  But  I liked that she wasn't too love-struck to notice that she was being used.

Story:

The story of the Miss Subways contest was really fascinating.  Yes, it was totally sexist when we look back on it, but this was a real-life beauty contest held in New York City in order to encourage people to ride the subway.

The modern story of Olivia trying to land the advertising account for the New York Subways was fun.  There was a lot of tension.  Would she get the account?  Was someone trying to sabotage her efforts?

What I Was Mixed About:
Story:

I also found some of the twists in the story to be rather unbelievable.  I cannot say too much about this without giving away spoilers, but I think Charlotte was AMAZINGLY forgiving.  What she does for a person she barely knows was kind of unbelievable.

However, I did find that the ending redeemed this by not being too tidy.  Things don't resolve quickly for the characters.  I liked Charlotte didn't throw in the towel and surrender (as I had expected her to).

What I Didn't Like:
Character:

Given the times, I found Charlotte's ambition to work as an advertising executive somewhat unrealistic.  I'm sure women had such dreams in those days of breaking down those glass ceilings.  But Charlotte seemed surprised that she was getting so much resistance from advertising agencies.  I think she should have expected this.

If you love historical fiction like I do, please read The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall. The story follows two women in two different time periods, with a common interest. The Miss Subway Beauty Contest.  
In 1949 Charlotte is a very ambitious student at Hunter College and is hoping to get her first job in the typing pool .Her dream job is to work for J.Walter Thompson in advertising. Every time Charlotte receives mail, she's hoping it's a job opportunity, but so far every letter states "We are unable to offer you...". Her very strict and straight forward father informs Charlotte that as soon as school is finished, he needs her to come work for him at the family business, and this is the worst news for Charlotte, who has so many dreams of having a fulfilling career. A letter comes in the mail, and Charlotte is hoping it's a job offer, and it is in a way, it's a letter congratulating her for being a finalist in The Miss Subway Beauty Contest.  Charlotte is in shock.  She remembers her friend Sam asking her permission to submit her photo for the contest, but never did she dream she would get picked. At first she thinks the whole thing is silly.  What are the chances she'll win? Her father will never allow her to enter. If Charlotte can win the contest all her problems will be solved. J.Walter Thompson will want to hire her, and her father's shop will gain business by being seen on her poster.
Fast forward to current day and we meet advertising executive Olivia. Olivia is struggling to land a new account, and her job depends on it. The Osborne Agency isn't doing well, and they just lost the Green Goddess account to J.Walter Thompson.  Olivia needs to find a way to get a new account, and fast. Olivia meets her friend James out at the bar, and while she's waiting for him she strikes up a conversation with a very nice man, and after one too many drinks, becomes very open and honest about her life and work issues. Imagine her surprise when she gets to work the next day, and finds out the man she was speaking to is Jack Haldon, the chief marketing officer at the MTA! Jack was so impressed with Olivia that he called to offer The Osborne Agency the opportunity to pitch their ideas. The other companies were 6 weeks ahead of them, so they must work quick. Her boss breaks the staff into two teams, and they must come up with an idea that will win the account with only 2 weeks left. Olivia knows if she doesn't come up with an idea to not only get them the account, but to beat out Thomas, her fellow employee, that she can pack her bags and start looking for a new job. Olivia comes up with two ideas, but her favorite is bringing back an old campaign for The Miss Subway beauty contest. They can recreate the contest and bring back the posters of the girls that use to hang on the subway. Through a stroke of luck Olivia finds out her neighbor was a winner of this contest, and this helps her with the come up with ideas to pitch the idea. 
I loved both women's stories equally, and found the transition from one to the other to flow so easily. I was invested in both stories, and really enjoyed reading how this contest changes the lives of two women for the better. Both women have a love story, but I can't give away all the stories! Enjoy

This book was a fun summer read. I enjoyed reading about a topic I had never heard of.  The Subways Girl campaign in the NYC subway sounds super intriguing.  In Charlotte's narration the life of a woman in 1949 is so different and I was reminded how much things have changed.  I liked seeing Charlotte work hard to support her father's store and find a job in the career she wanted.  I also liked Olivia's character in present day, but didn't love her storyline as much as I had hoped.  Overall a book I will recommend to others and I enjoyed reading.

This is a wonderfully executed book with parallel narratives. The two stories intertwine in just the right ways to create tension and make it hard to put the book down! The character development was great.

I want to thank netgalley and the author for an advanced copy of this book! I loved this story it was a quick read and a light read , sometimes I need that after so many mystery’s and thrillers. The story takes place in 2018 with the character Olivia who works in advertising and 1949 and the character Charlotte, who is attending college for advertising and struggling to find her place in a mans word who think woman need to be at home in the kitchen and taking care of children. Olivia is trying to find an idea for her advertising job she comes up with bringing back the subway girls like they did in 1949 , which showed posters of young beaufil intelligent woman who are trying to beak into the working world and they had a new subway girl for each month! Well Charlotte who ends up being Olivia’s neighbors won a subway girl in 1949 and decides to help Olivia bring back the subway girls and help her. I loved the back and forth stories about how both Charlotte in 1949 and Olivia 2018 both have the same struggles In the workforce and the love and struggles they have . I especially loved charlottes story that takes place around the 1949 time period and the struggles she had not just being a subway girl and her personal life! I recommend this book as a light reader and you will fall in love with the characters as well!

The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall

This historical novel set in New York City has been based on the real life Subway Girls competition that that took place between 1941-1976. The author heard about this on a radio broadcast of NPR. She was so fascinated by the story she read "Meet Miss Subways: New York's Beauty Queens 1941-1976 written by Fiona Gardner and Amy Zimmer, Seapoint Books 2013. 

This story was absolutely fascinating although the two main character's Charlotte and Olivia are fictional. The writing was vivid and descriptive. This is a story that I will buy the book when it is published because I enjoyed it so much. Charlotte and Olivia characterizations are richly developed. Both are independent, strong women who each face the struggles of trying to find balance in the disparities in a world where men are still paid higher salaries than women for doing the same job in some cases.

Charlotte's story time line is set in 1941 where she wants to work in an advertising agency after she graduates from college. She doesn't stand a chance as becoming a copywriter or an account executive. Her only option is becoming a typist. Her younger brother Harry, who was the favorite child has passed away, so Charlotte's father expects her to work in the family owned Hardware store. Charlotte has a steady boyfriend that wants to marry her.

Olivia's character takes place in 2018 where she also works for an advertising agency but she reflects how far women have come in the work place as she competes with a man who steals her idea to pitch an ad campaign, I really admired both Charlotte and Olivia. I was hooked from the very first page to the last and read this gem of a novel in one sitting.

In 1941 women were not considered to have careers and hire nannies while raising families. While reading I was transported to simpler times where there was no cell phones and it was nostalgic for me when somebody had to make a phone call they looked for a phone booth. Each chapter jumps back in forth in time alternating between 1941 and 2018.

Charlotte devises a plan by entering in a contest held by a modeling agency to win a contest that features a poster of the winner on the inside of each subway car. She hopes if she wins it will bring free publicity and breath life into her father's hardware store which is losing business. She thinks that is the only way she can get a job as a typist as her father expects her to work in his store. Her father forbids her to enter the contest.

This book explores themes of family, relationships, romance, adoption, alcoholism, abuse, love, friendship and the interesting Miss Subway girls. It is a kind and gentle story with quiet writing. It is refreshing to read about a part of history that is largely unknown that is timeless. I really think the author did a great job with making both protagonist's background story converge so seamlessly.
I highly recommend this novel to all who enjoy great storytelling and learning about historical events.

Thank you to Net Galley, Susie Orman Schnall and St. Martins Press for providing me with my digital copy for a fair and honest review.

The Subway Girls was another fantastic book by Susie Orman Schnall. It's a dual time line novel about life in NYC in 1949 and present day. Despite the 70 years between the two main character's lives, their struggles are surprisingly similar.

In 1949, Charlotte dreams of a job in advertising which is only a man's job at the time. Her friends encourage her to enter the Miss Subway contest. This contest picked one young lady every month to have her picture shown in all the subway cars in NYC. The resulting fallout from the award changes Charlotte's life forever. In current time, Olivia is working at a start up advertising agency. As she struggles to save her job, she comes up with a new advertising campaign for the city that focuses on the Miss Subway contests years earlier. Will this campaign succeed and save her job and her struggling agency?

The story of both of these women are interesting and I loved the way that the author brought their stories together. Despite the 70 years between their lives, both women fought the fights that women have always faced in the work world - discrimination and how to balance work and life and still be happy in both areas. I thought that this was an excellent book with a great message.

I read an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was a miss for me. The first part I enjoyed. I liked the history of the Subway Girls, but half way it turned into a saccharine romance novel. I like books that jump between past and present, but I didn't care for the present character. Thanks Netgalley for the book in exchange for an honest opinion. I would give this 2.5 stars.

I loved this book. It was an effortless read that pulled me in from page one. Its refreshing to read something that has two leading women. The differentiator was that they were  from two different times. I felt they would somehow intersect and couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to find out when and how.
This book portrays the strength and challenges for women at any age and and different times in history. I would recommend it for anyone wanting an uplifting, effortless, intreging read.

The Subway Girls follows the lives of Charlotte from March 3, 1949 through July 11, 1949 and that of Olivia from March 1, 2018 to March 16, 2018 as viewed through the eyes of Mrs. Glasser, Miss Subways of July 1, 1949. 

Miss Subways was essentially a beauty competition of young women from the greater NYC area run by the New York Subways Advertising Company. Up to 1,400 copies of photos of the monthly winners  adorned the advertising wall in subway cars in order to draw the eyes of male riders to that wall. Though the method of choosing Miss Subways varied over the years, she was always a local resident, girl-next-door wholesome in appearance, and a New York City Subway user in real life.  It was a very successful ad campaign that ran from 1941 through 1976.  Around 200 women held the title of Miss Subways over the run of this program. 

Both women we encounter in The Subway Girls were avid feminists and well educated for their time, both were radically independent and insistent that women in general and certainly they themselves should be able to pursue their chosen careers even if it meant sacrificing the idea of marriage and children. Both women were already in a relationship with their life love, so they knew what that sacrifice would involve. 

This was an interesting novel.  I enjoyed the look into the minds of both Charlotte and Olivia, and the details of both NYC and the family interactions and neighborhoods of these ladies.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Susie Orman Schnall and St. Martin's Press, Griffin in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

I loved this! A captivating story based off true bits of history. Some parts were your typical cheesy quick novel storyline but overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend.

This is a mildly interesting double historical narrative but overall lacks depth and developed characters. A good easy read for my commute though.