The year is 2004 and we find ourselves in Manhattan, the driving factor behind most relationships is real estate.
We follow four Characters (Robin, Jessica, Tory, and Zach) throughout the book.

Robin desperately needs a roommate as her best friend is moving and she can't afford the apartment on her own. The only thing going right in her life is the apartment and she isn't willing to give it up.
Jessica is on the verge of moving in with her boyfriend when she discovers him with another woman and she refuses to give up living in New York to move back home, so when a stranger in a hallway offers for them to live together she accepts.
Tory is determined to move out from her parent's brownstone and be more independent.
Zach is a tech executive who while successful career-wise his personal life is a mess having never recovered from a painful incident in college during a chance encounter he makes an impulsive decision to rent out his spare bedroom.

The setting was great. The characters have unique perspectives and are different in their own way

3.25 ⭐️

Such a light reading, perfect for when you don't know what to read and want something entertaining, several characters (each with their own struggles) and a cool setting (Manhattan in the 2000s).

I thought I would enjoy this story more but sadly, I wasn't too interested in it
I really liked the luddite times of it, esp in today's age
However, some characters povs were just a bit whiny so I really hated that

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This story was not what I expected, the writing was great, but story lacked motivation. Just felt like it was going in a circle with no real build, I kept waiting for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Limestreet Press for a copy of this story for my honest review.

I discovered that this novel resembled others I've encountered, and regrettably, it didn't possess any standout qualities. I simply couldn't engage with it.

I knew from the cover and the synopsis that it would be something I would like and I'm happy to say that I was right.

The first thing I liked was the short chapters. The total length of the book was similar to other books but the short chapters made it easy to continue (not saying it's hard to otherwise). The writing was smooth too.

I liked all 4 of the main character's stories but Tory's one was particularly my favorite. Among the scenes, I liked those of Zach and Jessica a little more than others. It was easy to connect to all of them and the twists made it more interesting. Multiple POVs helped to understand their feelings.

It wasn't a romance centric book. Of course there's romance but there's equally friendship too. It's not all about couple scenes but also hanging out with friends, sharing each other's problems, helping each other etc. And I liked that so much.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book wasn’t exactly what I thought I was getting into - probably why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. When I saw this book I thought it would be a modern spin on west side story based on the title and cover alone - which isn’t the case. That said, I did find it easy to get into this book and was intrigued to get a glimpse into the lives of a group of young Manhattans. This book is told from multiple narratives in the flip phone era (2004), which kept me engaged (I’m a sucker for nostalgia!) and I enjoyed exploring the work lives and personal lives of a group of fairly unlikely friends. The story had a good flow to it, the chapters were nice and short, and it was just an all around entertaining read!
I enjoyed Tory’s chapters and particularly the growth and friendship that forms with the other characters and Tory but also between Tory and her mother.

Thank you NetGalley for the electronic version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A feel good book about friendships, relationships and careers centred around New York. A fab read I loved it

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of An Upper West Side Story by Rachel Cullen. Four twenty something’s living in Manhattan, growing and learning who they are in the world. Friendships and romance are always a hit. Such a fun read.

A fun and brilliant twist on the story that we all know and love. Really enjoyed it. Would recommend and read more by the author

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

What a fun read! I truly enjoyed this one.

Meeting all the different characters was so much fun. Seeing them deal with different issues was so interesting too.
I can't say enough about this book except pick this one up and read you won't be disappointed.

This was not a romance for me, and marketing on that is not ideal, however this as a story of twentysomethings trying to figure it out in the world in family and work and life,it's good.

I originally picked this book up to fufill a bingo prompt and was pleasantly surprised by what I found inside.
I found each character compelling and couldn't wait to see how it all works out at the end when they come together. I think having this in audiobook form would have made me love the characters more. Hearing them say some of this dialog amd thoughts out loud would have been funny. Between Zach's thoughts on his therapist to Robin being convinced she knew Torys job it would have been a fun narration.
I would describe it as Friends with a new cast picking up where it left off in 2004. It was a light and very enjoyable book, a palette cleanser if you will.

"An Upper West Side Story" by Rachel Cullen offers a delightful glimpse into the bustling streets of 2004 Manhattan, earning a solid four stars. In a city where real estate decisions often dictate relationships, the story weaves together the lives of four diverse characters brought together by chance and a shared need for a place to call home.

Robin Cromwell's quest to find a roommate to maintain her rent-controlled Upper West Side apartment forms the foundation of the narrative. The characters, including the determined Jessica Barlowe and Tory Wallace, each facing their unique challenges, bring depth and relatability to the story. The unexpected connections that form among these strangers living under the same roof create a heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and resilience.

While "An Upper West Side Story" is engaging and heartwarming, there are moments when the pacing could be more dynamic. However, the charm of the characters and the nostalgic backdrop of pre-iPhone Manhattan more than compensate for these minor pacing issues. This novel is a testament to the power of human connection and the belief that sometimes, the most rewarding leaps are the riskiest ones. If you're looking for a story of love, friendship, and the magic of Manhattan, this book is a heartwarming choice that will leave you with a smile.

I found this novel similar to others I have read. There wasn't anything too special about it sadly. Just couldn't get into it. Could not get into it.

Thanks @netgalley for this review copy.

It’s 2004 Manhattan.
Jessica walks in on her boyfriend cheating. And she has to move as well.
Robin is a model and done with men. And she needs to find some roommates because she can’t afford her house anymore.
Tory, 26, thinks it’s time to go live by herself.
Zach, a real nerd, starts with therapy. He never had a girlfriend. And then he meets Jessica, crying right outside Robin’s house. She just got rejected as a roommate at Robin’s. And he offers her a room in his house.
A story about a couple of people at the upper west side, which all comes together.

It was written very easily. In Dutch I would say: it reads like a train.
I really loved this one.
Rich people, lovely people, desperate people. It was everything I was hoping for.

Although later on in the book, it got me a little bit bored. But I still really enjoyed the ride.

If you enjoy nostalgia and you are an “elder millennial” like myself. You will love this little piece of flashback to the early 2000’s just as much as I did! Great book! This throwback style book was such a breath of fresh air. Back when checking your followers on instagram wasn’t everyone’s soul focus. The chapters were short and sweet. The ebbs and flows of this book were easy to digest. And it had me hooked as I read from page to page so swiftly that I was finished with it before I ever even had the chance to glance down and check how far I was through it even once. Such an entertaining little number!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased, and completely my own.

Remember the world before iPhones, Ubers, and streaming on Netflix?
It’s 2004 in Manhattan, and real estate is the driving factor behind most relationship decisions. Only here can strangers go from roommates to friends to lovers in less time than it takes a co-op board to approve a purchase.

Robin Cromwell is in desperate need of a roommate. She’s lucked into a rent-controlled classic-six on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, but her best friend is moving, and she can’t afford to live there alone. In addition, Robin is struggling romantically and professionally - her attempts at online dating have left her with nothing but amusing stories, and she’s overdue for a promotion she’s unlikely to get. Though the rest of her life may be spiraling downward, Robin will do what it takes to hold onto this once-in-a-lifetime real estate opportunity.

Jessica Barlowe is counting the days until she moves in with her boyfriend in his renovated one-bedroom co-op. That is until she walks in on him with another woman, and all her plans, including where she is going to live, disappear into thin air. Jess is using her degree from RISD to work in a graphics department editing presentations all day - a far cry from her dreams of having her own photography gallery in SoHo. She refuses to give up on her New York City dreams and run back to her family in Northern California. When she meets a stranger in the hallway, it seems crazy to accept the invitation to live together, but sometimes the riskiest leaps are the most rewarding.

Tory Wallace is determined to move out from under her abhorrent parents’ roof, even if that roof is covering a $50 million brownstone on the Upper East Side. The tension at home has reached a boiling point, and she’s finally ready to forgo the comforts of trust-fund-living, and she’ll pick through ads on Craigslist or learn how to cook and take the subway if that’s what it takes.

Zach Sullivan is a successful technology executive living in a modernized pre-war two-bedroom on West 78th Street. While triumphant in his career, Zach has never recovered from a painful incident during his senior year of college, leaving a gaping hole in his personal life. He’d never planned on renting out his spare bedroom, but a chance encounter results in an impulsive offer that will change his life forever.

An Upper West Side Story is an engaging and heartwarming story about love, friendship, and that time in life when friends are family and drinks at a dive bar in Manhattan can solve all your troubles.

The plot flowed, the characters showed great character development. It was nice to read a story that was a throwback to a much simpler time in life. Will recommend to others.

this was just such a fun and delightful read! i really liked this and it was so much fun!! if you're into this type of book, you should definitely check this one out!!!!