Thank you Lime Street Press and NetGalley for the eARC of An Upper West Side Story! All opinions in this review are my own.

I DNFed this one at 31%. I felt like it was hard to differentiate between the characters when they all had a similar issue, trying to find an apartment or a roommate. I expected this to be more about a group of 20 somethings living in one building similar to Friends. Overall, this one wasn't for me but I can see why people connected with the story.

Really liked this book, loved taking a trip back in time to 2004 rather than it being set in 2023. Also really liked the setting and the characters. Thanks for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

Rachel Cullen's "An Upper West Side Story" takes readers on a nostalgic journey back to Manhattan in 2004, where real estate decisions drive relationships and friendships blossom in the most unexpected places. With its engaging plot, relatable characters, and heart-warming themes of love and friendship, this novel is a delightful and captivating read that will resonate with readers of all ages.

Set against the backdrop of the bustling streets of Manhattan, the story follows the lives of four individuals whose paths intersect in unexpected ways. Robin, Jessica, Tory, and Zach find themselves facing pivotal moments in their lives, from navigating the challenges of finding roommates to grappling with the complexities of love and self-discovery.

What sets "An Upper West Side Story" apart is its authentic portrayal of life in the city that never sleeps. Rachel Cullen expertly captures the essence of New York City in the early 2000s, from its iconic landmarks to its vibrant culture and bustling energy. Readers will find themselves immersed in the sights and sounds of the Upper West Side, feeling as though they are walking alongside the characters as they navigate the streets of Manhattan.

Moreover, Cullen's characters are wonderfully drawn and highly relatable, each with their own hopes, dreams, and struggles. From Robin's determination to find a roommate to Zach's unexpected offer to rent out his spare bedroom, each character's journey is filled with humour, heart, and genuine emotion. As they forge unexpected connections and form lasting friendships, readers will find themselves cheering for their successes and empathising with their challenges.

In addition to its engaging plot and well-developed characters, "An Upper West Side Story" is also a celebration of the power of friendship and the importance of human connection. Through their shared experiences and shared moments of laughter and tears, Robin, Jessica, Tory, and Zach discover that true happiness can be found in the bonds we form with others.

In conclusion, "An Upper West Side Story" is a charming and heart-warming novel that captures the spirit of New York City and the magic of friendship. With its nostalgic charm, relatable characters, and heartfelt themes, Rachel Cullen's novel is sure to leave readers with a smile on their faces and a warm glow in their hearts.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of An Upper West Side Story by Rachel Cullen in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This was a fun trip back in time to 2004 which was life pre cell phones, etc. I really enjoyed the trip back in time as I truly think life was easier than! Great read and if you love NYC than you will really enjoy this.

This story is told from the perspectives of Jessica, Robin, Tory and Zach; four young adults living in New York in 2004 who are going through changes in their lives. Multiple housing mix ups and roommate searches cause them all to intercept and develop friendships and an unexpected romance.
I loved how each character was so different and came from such differing backgrounds but in their own ways each character was trying to figure out their life and therefore had enough in common to build relationships with one another. There was definitely a few miscommunications throughout the story but the one between Robin and Tory just added a comedic element and the miscommunication between Zach and Jess provided the catalyst for their relationship to strengthen. I was pleasantly surprised by this story since I went into reading it only knowing a brief description. It had a sweet love story element along with strong female friendships and self-discovery. I would absolutely recommend this book.

This was a great quick read! At certain points it was a bit hard to follow the different points of views but ultimately found the book to have a satisfying conclusion and it was interesting to see how the different character’s story lines fit together.

While it took me much longer than expected to start this book. I am so glad that I finally got into it. It was such a fun and refreshing story. I loved each of the characters and the story was so light-hearted. It was definitely a quick read and filled with nostalgia that I was not expecting going into it. I am not sure what I expected but it was not what this and I am very pleasantly surprised with the outcome of this book!

An Upper west side story follows 4 individuals who all live in New York and whose lives come together due a series of unfortunate events but change their lives for the better. Jessica, Robin, Tory and Zach all have a different story to tell and are in their current situation but are fearful of how to get out of it. In time they encourage each other to take the brave steps forward to change their lives and in time become the best of friends.

This story was so wholesome and heart warming; this was a story that you could find relatable as you read it which made you route for each of the characters. The plot lines are quite predictable but with the way it was written I wasn't mad about this. I loved that everything came together at the end and each of them had what they had been looking for in the end which was satisfying. Cullin's writing style was so smooth and you felt that you rolled along with the lives of each of the characters; completely wrapped up in the story.

There wasn't an awful lot to the plot; it felt quite simple which made it such an easy read but wasn't one that I was desperate to keep picking up.

I found this to be pure entertainment - just what I needed - about 4 people who end up living in the same Upper West Side apartment. It was a bit of nostalgia for me - I lived on the upper west side back in the day and it was fun to revisit places from that time (this book takes place in 2004 - is that historical fiction at this point?).

At times I wished the author was a little less heavy handed (e.g., Tory's dad's dialogue was a bit over the top) - but I was really drawn into the story and enjoyed it very much. Grateful to NetGalley for a copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

I really enjoyed this story and I felt as though I could connect to the story. I kept wanting to pick the book up which is always a good sign! A solid 4.25 stars for me!

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I grew up in the time this book is taking place so it was a fun read. This is a book that is told from multiple POVs. There are four of them. They are doing their best to survive work, life and love while living in New York City. It reminds me of romantic comedies of the times. I kind of think that is the point. It is the kind of read to bring you out of a reading slump if you find yourself in one.

This one was an absolute treat! It gives me Friends vibes - set in early 2000s before everyone was deep in smartphones and doordash etc.

It tells the story of 4 friends living in the UES and it gives all of their POVs - it was a bit hard remembering who was who in the beginning but as you go on, it gets easier! The chapters weren’t 7 million pages long which made me want to keep reading - sometimes books with multiple POVs have chapters that go on and on.
Some of the conflicts were a bit too bland in my opinion - but it’s a cute, light hearted book that will definitely make you laugh out loud.

Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

For fans of Sex and the City, a predictable but enjoyable singleton's sharing apartments - finding "the one" and the " I thought he was wrong but...maybe..." story.
I would have liked more complexity in the characters than poor, poor little rich girl, computer geek etc etc but I shouldn't quibble as this is perfect for a bit of escapism on cold winters day.
Thanks for the publishers for providing a review copy

I enjoyed this book so much. It’s so well written. It’s funny, serious, charming and so relatable. I was routing for all the characters and just couldn’t wait to keep reading to find out what happens next. So enjoyable.

I’m obsessed, and that’s an understatement!!!! Delight!

This book is pure entertainment that had me hooked from the literal beginning and had me chomping at the bit to see what was going to happen next.

I loved that the chapters were short and easy to get into. The story flowed and is a great, easy read.
It made me think of the Friends era, as it’s set in Manhattan.

This is told in multi-POVs, which is always a favorite for me.

For probably around the first part of the book I felt like four might be too many POVs to keep straight, but as the stories came together, I was so happy and grinning from ear to ear.

The depth of all the characters is incredible, I’ve never hated a character so much like I do for the parent of one of these characters. I love how defined these four characters are (Zach, Tory, Jessica and Robin) we learn so much about them and still see them change and develop in such a manner that speaks to my soul!

This is one of those light, frothy books where everything fall perfectly into place for a satisfying ending.

It focuses on four young adults in New York in 2004, which for me was the year I graduated college so a bit nostalgic.

Tory, Jessica, Robin and Zach are all navigating family, work, and romantic problems and end up in a tangle of friendship.

An Upper West Side Story" offers a charming and nostalgic glimpse into the intricacies of 2004 Manhattan life, where the pursuit of love and independence is intricately woven into the city's real estate dynamics. The characters, from the desperate yet resilient Robin to the betrayed Jessica, the determined Tory, and the unexpectedly connected Zach, form a diverse ensemble that captures the essence of friendship as a surrogate family. The narrative, set against the backdrop of pre-digital era New York, beautifully portrays the enduring power of human connections amidst life's challenges. With its engaging storytelling and heartwarming moments, the novel becomes a delightful exploration of love, friendship, and the timeless quest for identity in the ever-evolving landscape of city living. "An Upper West Side Story" is a captivating read that seamlessly blends nostalgia with relatable human experiences, making it a delightful and memorable journey through the streets of Manhattan.

I found the blurb interesting but I ended up not liking the story. It felt flat and uninteresting, it didn't really keep my attention and I had a difficult time not putting this down.

This was an enjoyable read that takes you through the lives of several friends/neighbors and their lives. When there are misunderstandings, secrets, relationships, new friendships and family, it's always fun to read about peoples interactions and experiences.

I enjoyed the different places the characters went to, i enjoyed reading about heir work experiences. Sometimes it's not all what you expect when you get into the real world, sometimes you just have to follow your dreams.

I really enjoyed the book overall. The writing was very smooth and transitions were great from story to story. Great read.