4/5 ☆
genre & tropes:
• contemporary
• chick lit
• romantic comedy

The scene is set in New York City, circa 2004; iphones ceased to exist, calls were made in place of texts, and high speed internet was a thing of dreams. Jessica, Robin, Tory & Zach, 4 twenty-something year olds, are going through some major life changes, and their paths all cross when they end up living in a ___ post war building, Together, they experience heartbreak & betrayal, as well as friendship & self discovery.

This was my first Rachel Cullen read, and it did not disappoint! An Upper West Side Story is fun, lighthearted, and reminiscent of the early 2000s. I thought of this as a ‘What I Like About You x Gossip Girl (minus the extravagant wealth)’ literary reboot.

The writing was eloquent & concise, despite the four POVs. The chapters were also very short, which would make this the perfect book to read if you don’t have the luxury of reading uninterrupted.

The only thing that could have been done differently, in my opinion, was the character development. While the main character were lovable with good back stories & conflicts, they seemed a little lackluster in terms of being interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed following these sweet friends on their journey, and I would love to see where their lives lead them!

*Thanks to NetGalley, Rachel Cullen, and Lime Street Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Prepare for an absolutely adorable and delightful read! This book effortlessly combines light-heartedness and fun, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating and enjoyable experience. While the author skillfully ties up the story, I couldn't help but yearn for a sequel to witness the continued adventures of these incredible friends. With multiple points of view, it's important to stay focused while reading, but the effort is well worth it. The book truly shines as it delves into the significance of friendship and the personal quest to discover one's true purpose. From start to finish, this charming tale brings joy and leaves a lasting impression.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lime Street Press for the chance to read and review this book. This book was completely adorable and is such a light and fun read! While I thought the author did a good job of wrapping up the book, I’d love a sequel to see where life took this new group of amazing friends. Several POV’s, so make sure you’re focused when reading, but definitely a must read!

Thank you to Lime Street Press & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a fun and nostalgic trip down memory lane to life before crazy iPhones and Wi-Fi! A true look at what life was like before you had the internet in the palm of your hand. The book shares the story of four different young people in Manhattan, Zach, Jess, Robin, and Tory. Through chance meetings they all become connected and intertwined, and as you read you start to learn each persons back story. Full of self growth, healing, and emotion you watch each character come into their own!

It is hard to weave four different characters storylines together, but Rachel did it seamlessly. And also delivered a happily ever after!

This one was a fast, cute and satisfying read. Is it the best book I’ve ever read? No. Am I mad I finished it? No. Should you read it? If you want to, I say yes! I can say I was interested in this story from chapter one, and at no point was I bored. I was rooting for every character, and was hoping for happy endings across the board. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t disappointed!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

I would recommend this to anybody looking for a sweet and fun read! An Upper West Side Story is perfect for those that love NYC or would like to visit one day.

Written from 4 different characters perspectives, I enjoyed the nostalgia feel of this taking place in the early 2000's, but it did not make up the fact that I couldn't connect with the characters. This story follows 4 people through the struggles of relationships and living situations in your early stages of adulthood. I felt like I didn't spend enough time with each of them to really get what they were about. We never spend more than one chapter on a character before switching to the next POV, and I found that difficult for me to follow any of the story lines.
This felt very reminiscent of those "Valentine's Day" New Years Day" type movies where by the end you see how all of the stories are interconnected.
Interesting book, but would not read again.

I loved the setting of this book! I've never been to Manhattan myself, but discovering Manhattan from 2004, when phones were used just for calling felt absolutely delightful and almost humbling.

Through the book we follow the lives of Robin, Jessica, Tory and Zach - who live in the upper west side or are trying to. Each character has a unique perspective and we get a deep dive into their personal lives and the ups and downs of a city life. For me, each character was pretty distinct and I loved how the author made them their own person so, I was never really confused on who I'm reading about. And, the way all these perspectives came together in the end felt like icing on the cake.
The author also was able to create a very beautiful and immersive picture of 2004 Manhattan in my head and I absolutely loved every bit of it.

With small chapters and crisp writing style, the story flowed really well that had me turning the pages. I'd definitely recommend this book to you if you're looking for a light-hearted, charming book that deals with love, friendship and navigating through life as newly turned adults.

Thanks to NetGalley, Rachel Cullen and Lime Street Press for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book. Maybe it's because I miss living in NYC but I devoured this story and wish it never ended. I need a million more stories about Jessica, Tory, Robin, Zach and Ethan. Maybe a spinoff about Tory's Mom? Ugh I'm sad this one is over!!

As someone who was 18 in 2004 and obsessed with New York City, I absolutely adored this book! I loved the old pop culture references. The one con I found in the story is in the beginning it was difficult to keep the characters straight and found myself confused about who was who. Otherwise, I actually loved all the characters. Tori was my favorite and she had some really decent character growth through a short book. I would love a book 2, I’d read it in a heartbeat!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this eARC!

I enjoyed tthis story so much, it felt like i was watching a movie.
Its really easy to read, entertaining and its not at all complictaed.
Some characters are better than others, there is one that for me has the best character development (Tory) and there is the one tthat i liked at first but aat the end i couldnt stand anymore (Jessica).
Also, some problematics are actually true and really human-type that made me feel like i was part of the story.
The ending, i didnt quite like it, i would have loved for all the characters to end up together in the same aparments and i wish i could haver ead more about their friendship, but its a stand alone so it makes sense that it has to end like this.
For me, its a 4 stars, i wih i could make the movie out of this book and story

an Upper west side story by Racherl Cullen had such a nice premise and it seems like a chick lit which is one of my favorite genres.

Unfortunately it didn't live up to the expectations.

First of all, I had a problem at the beginning of each chapter to remember which character is which. Their stories were very similar, there was nothing distinctive about either one of them and they all blended in together. The tales were also pretty repetitive. Same old, mundane things on repeat.

I couldn't connect with the characters. There weren't good or bad, I was ambivalent about them, I simply didn't care.
The setting is excellent, New York City, the city that never sleeps, which is perfect choice for this kind of story.
I very quickly lost interest and skimmed through the rest of the book.

This might be my favorite book of this year. I LOVED this book!

If you love sitcoms, friendships, roommates to lovers, Read this book!

Its a cute and easy read about 4 people who find each other because of moving in and out, and roommate searches. Love how they use this to create friendships. Takes places in the early 2000's so it was a throwback in a good way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Line Street Press for supplying this ARC.
Hold the technology and imagine a time machine transporting you back to the year 2004.
Told through a cast of twenty-something characters’ points-of-view, Rachel Cullen authors a book which depicts life in New York City during that era.
Among those coping with the problems common to that age group, such as parents, money, clothes, roommates, affordable rents and jobs are Zach Sullivan, an Expedia co-founder and MIT grad with a formidable past and Tory Wallace, a trust-fund recipient and editor/writer wannabe who discovers the truth behind her parents’ marriage and the contracts made at the time.
And then there”s Jessica - the graphic event in the first chapter results in her hasty decision to abandon her plans to move in with her boyfriend and puts her on a collision course with Zach.
This book is more reminiscent of a rom-com than a “he’s done me wrong” novel and as such would appeal to an audience spanning from young people contemplating a move to a big city in their twenties to those people who did and remember what it was like.

A nice, easy read with multiple story line. I really enjoyed each chapter being a different character’s point of view. The book started a little slow, but quickly get more complex and exciting as the different characters’ story lines develop and merge.

This would make a great travel book, since the chapters are relatively short, making it easy to put down and pick up.

Thank you Lime Street Press for the eARC!

As someone who truly appreciates a good nostalgic trip, I found "An Upper West Side Story" by Rachel Cullen delightful. The book transported me back to 2004 Manhattan, a time and place significantly different from today's tech-dominated era. I was engrossed in the lives of four characters - Robin, Jessica, Tory, and Zach - each offering a unique perspective on the ups and downs of city life.

The characters were well-crafted and diverse, each facing their unique struggles and victories. At times, it was a bit challenging to keep track of the multiple points of view. However, as I got accustomed to the narrative style, these different perspectives only enriched the story, adding layers and depth to the plot.

The author has a knack for evoking the spirit of New York City - a vibrant, chaotic, and enchanting city that seemed to breathe life into the narrative. As someone who has experienced the pleasures and pitfalls of shared housing, I found Cullen's depiction amusing and incredibly relatable.

That said, some plotlines seemed to wrap up quickly, and the resolutions felt somewhat rushed. Also, the pacing of the book could have been slightly better. Despite these minor drawbacks, I found the narrative captivating enough to keep me turning the pages.

The book strikes a chord, especially if you've navigated the waters of early adulthood, juggling personal growth, friendships, and the ceaseless hustle of the big city. It offers a heartwarming exploration of these themes, making it an engaging and relatable read.

I'd give "An Upper West Side Story" a four-star rating. It's a charming, light-hearted trip down memory lane, filled with humor, drama, and the quintessential New York spirit. Despite some minor hiccups, I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back to the early 2000s. I found the book to be an engaging exploration of life, friendship, and the never-ending pursuit of self-discovery. Thanks to NetGalley, Rachel Cullen, and Lime Street Press for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lime Street Press for my advance electronic copy.

It's 2004 Manhattan, and where you live determines who you are friends with. After all, the iPhone, video streaming, and ride-share apps are just over the horizon. We follow four young people whose lives, hopes, and misfortunes interweave a la "Friends" as--through a series of events--they end up living near each other in the same building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

I found this to meet the promise of being "heart-wearming." It was a feel-good glimpse into the recent past that was a formative time for me, having been the same age as some of the characters at this time. I found them all flawed, liked some of them and disliked others. As always, the misunderstandings that drove aspects of the plot frustrated me, but they were well-written.

An interesting story about life without the technology we all hold so dear.

I did find it a little slow in places but it’s unlike anything I’ve read previously which kept me invested.

This book is a strong 3.5 stars, and here’s why: I enjoyed the multiple POV that the book was written in, I wish the characters were more developed. Secondly, the setting is great, the details make it seem like you’re there…almost. Something about it didn’t click for me but it was a light, easy read that read like a early 2000s one season TV show.

What a lovely light-hearted summer read! The story follows a group of 20-something’s in NYC in the early 2000s. There are different POVs, but I didn’t find it hard to follow. The story was short, pace was perfect, and the nostalgia and dialogue were great. This is an ideal beach read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.