(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

<I>Ivy and Rose Adams may be sisters, but they're nothing alike. Rose, the eldest, is the responsible one, while Ivy is spirited and brazen. After the unexpected death of their father, the women are left to reconcile the estate, when they make a shocking discovery: not only has their father left them in financial ruin, but he has also bequeathed their beloved family house to a brother they never knew existed. With only a photograph to guide the way, Ivy and Rose embark to New York City, determined to find this mysterious man and reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Once in New York, temptations abound at every turn, and soon the sisters are drawn into the glitzy underbelly of Manhattan, where they must overcome their differences and learn to trust each other if they're going to survive in the big city and find their brother. Filled with unforgettable characters and charm, Empire Girls is a love letter to 1920s New York, and a captivating story of the unspoken bond between sisters.</I>

*2.5 stars*

What should have really impressed me (I am a sucker for a novel set in the 20's-30s, especially if women are the central figures of the book) ended up leaving me somewhat disappointed and empty.

The biggest issue I had with this book was the lack of character or plot development - everything was instant: instant career, instant love, instant acceptance into the scene - no build-up or real care given to those things. And when you have such a great backdrop for the story, use it properly.

The other thing that disappointed me was that reason Ivy and Rose were actually in New York doesn't become important (it felt) until about the last 1/3 of the book. There was a lot of other stuff going on but there didn't seem to be any real sense of urgency or seriousness about finding their brother. And that is kind of what the blurb tells us - two girls go to NY to search for the brother they didn't know they had.


Paul
ARH

After the above book I was looking for something that was light and fun and this one perfectly fit the bill. I enjoyed this book about two sisters dropped into 1920s New York after growing up in a small town. They're very different though both a bit out of their element (though Ivy doesn't really know it at first). It was fun to read about them finding themselves and each other. The two sisters had never been close but here they're forced to lean on each other and they learn a bit about the other which was sweet. I liked this look at 1920s Greenwich Village which isn't the grand houses I've seen so often in historical fiction but isn't the poorest of the poor either. This isn't a silly romp and there's a good bit of heart but there's no grit or real staying power. I don't think it's one that will stick with me long after I've turned the last page but it is one that I thoroughly enjoyed while reading and was exactly what I wanted.