I loved the way strangers got together to tend to Cat, a black stray, when he suddenly became ill. In fact, Cat may have orchestrated the way in which some of the characters were brought together. But in the end, the grieving widower, the cheerful mail carrier, the barista, the writer, and the young woman searching for her half-sister all become friends, united in their care for this beloved creature.

4.5 stars rounded up

This is such a wholesome, cozy book. The book alternates between 5 characters and they are all brought together by a black stray named Cat. I really enjoyed the chapters from Cat’s POV.

I definitely recommend this book for all cat lovers and anyone who likes a feel good story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Do you ever wonder if cat's can truly understand us? Do you feel like cat's choose us rather than the other way around? Cat's People is a wonderful story about a black stray cat who earns the love and affection of all of those he encounters. Guerrero does a wonderful job of balancing multiple viewpoints, including the thoughts of a quirky feline companion throughout the course of the novel. While initially confusing trying to keep each character straight, their slow interactions to one another revealed a small community in the big streets of New York. The read itself was cozy and a feel-good story for cat lovers and cat enjoyers alike.

Geared towards an adult audience based on the main character ages, Guerrero's "cozy tail" could easily be adapted to a young adult audience. With one awkward romance and navigating finding oneself, the themes in this novel hit adults of all ages - young and young at heart alike.

A spoiler right off the bat: THE CAT DOES NOT DIE. With that out of the way, this book was such a beautiful story of connection, unlikely friendships and kindness. I loved the way Cat brought these five people together and seeing their friendships grow was so wonderfully done. I especially loved Bong and Omar’s friendship so much. And I LOVED that Cat has his own point of view in the story. His chapters were my favorite! There are mentions of animal death and cruelty, but it’s not graphic. I think any animal lover, especially ones who rescue, will love this book so much. I cried several times (all happy tears!) and I’m so glad I read it. This was an absolute warm hug of a book and I highly recommend it.
CW: mentions of animal death and cruelty, sexual assault, death

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an advanced digital reader’s copy!

I didn't know quite what to expect when I started reading Cat's People. Ms. Guerrero uses a cat to tie together the lives of five different people in Brooklyn. Nuria takes care of stray cats. Lily comes to New York to find her sister (long story and explaining more would give away too much). Omar is the friendly mailman. Bong owns the neighborhood bodega. Collin is the famous author. How Ms. Guerrero ties together these very different characters and related plot lines makes this novel all the more enjoyable. And of course Cat is the theme, the string that ties all items together. Well done!

This is an adorable book and so good for a feel-good read. Cat (or Gatito, as the mailman calls him; or Itim to the bodega owner) is a stray, and he'd like to stay that way, thank you. But somehow he manages to charm and bring together a handful of people.

Apart from Cat, the other main characters are Nùria, a barista; Omar, a mailman; Collin, a blocked author; Bong, the recently-widowed bodega owner; and Lily, the supermarket checker. Each one needs something that the others can give, and it’s got to be Cat that brings them together.

It sounds a little corny but it really is charming. I'm not particularly a cat person, so I don't think you need to be to enjoy this book. Its not exactly a romance, but it's not exactly not either. It reminds me a little bit of 84 Charing Cross Road. My recommendation is to get this book and just enjoy the heck out of it. Feel, don’t think. Smile.

"Cat’s People" by Tanya Guerrero is a beautifully woven tapestry of love, friendship, and family, masterfully narrated through multiple perspectives. The novel explores the intricate dynamics of human relationships with a poignant and heartwarming touch that stays with you long after the last page.

Each narrator offers a unique voice, providing a multifaceted view of the storyline that enriches the reader's understanding and connection with the characters. Guerrero's ability to capture the essence of human emotions is truly remarkable. Her prose flows effortlessly, inviting readers into a world where love and family are at the heart of every twist and turn.

The themes of love and friendship are delicately intertwined, demonstrating the profound impact these elements have on our lives. The characters are well-developed, their interactions authentic, and their journeys resonate with truth and compassion.

"Cat’s People" is a testament to Guerrero's storytelling prowess—a must-read for anyone seeking a story that is as touching as it is unforgettable. Five stars for a novel that gracefully portrays the complexities of the human heart.

Cat's People is a sweet story about a New York black stray feline and the five people who feed him, love him and ultimately save him. It's one of those novels that every cat lover will want to reach for. It's short and charming, although not a masterpiece. The plot hit all the right points, but the writing was a bit burdened by too much tell. The fact that we dive into 6 different POVs (including cat) also didn't allow me much time to become attached, or get to know very well any of the characters. Lilly and Bong got short shrift and I think the novel would have worked very well without Bong and Omar to be honest. Nuria, Lilly and Collin plus Cat may have been enough to carry this story. The ending was incredibly sweet though. And the cover plus dedication are 10/10 stars. Would highly recommend when you need a low stakes cozy contemporary novel to unwind.

Simple and sweet! Strangers are brought together only by their adoration of Cat, until all of their lives begin to mingle and intertwine in new, sometimes life changing ways. This was a very fast read, and had many heartbreaking and equally heartwarming moments. A perfect cozy read for crazy cat ladies or fans of warm, slice-of-life writing.

“I don’t know how, but that damned cat somehow stole my heart.” A quote from this book-but could have been my dad talking about Brody!

Cat spends most of his life hiding in the hedge. Unless one of his trusted people comes by, he knows that people can be terrible, specially to a stray kitty, and a black one at that. Over time, his people start to meet each other, and while each has their own troubles, the friendships begin to grow.

Not me reading this on a walk crying at only 11%. Cat, Gatitio, Itim, reminded me so much of my Brody and made me miss him all the more. This book has Clare Pooley/Steven Rowley vibes, and if you know me you know that is the best kind of book I could ever read! It obviously helps if you are a cat lover, but honestly, even if you hate cats you will still enjoy this book! I just adored our cast of characters, and naturally Cat was the best! I stayed up way too late reading this one because I just adored it so much!

Thank you to @delacortepress for my gifted copy of this book!

This is such a cute story! I loved the POV chapters from the cat’s perspective and I loved how one of our main characters was vegan!
If you enjoy light-hearted, feel-good stories with characters who have lives that intertwine, this book is for you. I found it to be a similar style to cozy Japanese fiction, so if you’re a fan of that sub-genre, you might like this one.
I did want to see a bit more of Cat’s story and a bit less of the characters crushing on each other, but that’s a personal preference. I also felt like the pacing was a bit off, with the story starting and ending strong but dragging a little in the middle.
I know it’s a little cliche, but I’d also have preferred if this book did more showing and less telling.

Overall, I liked this book and I’m so grateful Megan reached out and offered me an ecopy for review! Thank you!

Five strangers in Brooklyn brought together by a stray cat? Sounds like a dream for cat lovers. And it was mostly a hit for me.

Besides Cat, who has made a life for himself as a stray wandering around NYC for 11 years, we have the diverse group of humans with whom he interacts. Omar the mailman who always has kindness for Cat; Nuria the lady who takes it upon herself to feed not just Cat but a plethora of strays; Bong who has recently become a widow and is lonely in his grief; Collin the author who builds Cat a home, and Lily who has come to the city to find her half sister. It was really lovely to see what Cat does and doesn't understand about the humans in his life, as well as seeing those humans interact with one another. When Cat becomes ill, the humans must band together to save him. (He does end up ok for any cat/animals lovers out there.

Overall it is heartwarming if a little cheesy. A fun read with a satisfying ending.

It's a book that will make you long to stand out on your stoop and say hello to your neighbors more often.

Oh my gosh.

This book just is a such a warm hug!

I am a certified (able?) cat lady so I may have totally gone with this book based purely on its cover but obviously sometimes you CAN choose a book by its cover because this book is just as inviting as the cover leads you to believe.

Inside the cover you'll meet what is seemingly a random grouping of people who are all connected to one another by a sweet stray cat named Cat. Throughout the book you get to know each human and the cat through their POVs and learn about them and how the cat brings a bit of sparkle to their lives, and not just through the dusting of cat hair he leaves behind.

If found family and cats make your heart happy pick up this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, and especially since I am allergic to cats. But, I was charmed! I loved how all the stories intertwined and especially enjoyed the perspective of the cat. It's heartwarming and a quick reader. I thoroughly enjoyed it while on vacation.

Thanks for the advanced reader copy Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press and Netgalley.

Thank you to Random House - Ballantine and Netgalley for this ARC. Unfortunately this didn’t work for me and I had to DNF. The prose reads incredibly juvenile and it isn’t a style of writing I enjoy. I did like the cat character, but other than that, this was not for me.

This was a cute book. It revolves around a group of people and one cat. One cat changed everyone’s life and the cats too. It’s the perfect book for all cat lovers

I love a book about a diverse group of lonely people coming together over something, and coming together over a stray cat? Oh heck yeah, sign me up! The primary FMC is a barista with three rescue cats who volunteers for a TNR organization (trap-neuter-return) in her meager free time. One especially perceptive little guy, Cat (whose perspective we get to see and who we learn goes by many names), has quite a few friends in the neighborhood; he's a good listener, and each of our other MCs confides in him. There were some traumas and twists, but overall this was a sweet and gentle read that made me tear up and feel warm and cozy.

I received a digital copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero--This upcoming novel releases on April 1. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance digital copy. Cat's People is a heartwarming story of 5 strangers in a NYC neighborhood who are brought together because of and through the efforts of a stray black cat. Told from rotating points of view (including the cat), the story reveals how their encounters lead to the friendship and found family each are seeking. The book teeters right on the edge of cheesy without going there and has a sweet resolution. It also has good racial and sexual diversity representation.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House for an early copy of Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero. This book publishes on April 1st and I HIGHLY recommend!

This book was soooooooooo stinkin' cute. I am a sucker for a third person POV story, where it alternates POVs, and none of the characters know each other but they are all connected. That may be oddly specific, but if you know what I mean, you know what I mean.

There are 6 POVs: Nuria (a single, vegan cat lady), Bong (a widow who owns a convenience store), Collin (a NYT best-selling author), Omar (the neighborhood mailman), Lily (a random foodstore employee), and of course, Cat (the neighborhood cat). It gets a tad confusing at first trying to remember all of the characters, but once you're in the swing of things, I promise these characters are so easy to know and tell apart - they all bring something so different to the table and have their own fleshed out personalities. I loved how diverse this book was, our POVs feature 3 POC and there are LBGTQ+ characters. This takes place in a neighborhood in Brooklyn. While the characters don't really know each other now, they all become intertwined in each other's lives, and who to bring them all together other than Cat, the neighborhood cat who lives on the streets, and greedily eats multiple breakfasts a day. I seriously loved Cat's perspective. I have read another book with a cat POV and didn't like it, so this satisfied that curiosity. I would compare this book to Remarkably Bright Creatures, and maybe a dash of Elin Hilderbrand style books.

The author dedicates this book to "all the cat people in the world," giving props to the "suckers" who give in to the cat distribution system, the people who adopt old and sick cats, and the volunteers that help get cats on the street fixed. So, if that's you, this book is for you. I can say if I wasn't such a cat lady myself, I probably wouldn't have loved this book as much as I did. If you're weird and don't like cats, maybe stay away? But if you are a cat lover, do yourself a favor and read this heartwarming novel.

Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero is a charming and uplifting novel about connection, love, and the unexpected ways a stray black cat brings five strangers together in New York City. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, showcasing the unique journeys of its diverse characters while celebrating themes of compassion, resilience, and found family.

I appreciated the book's light tone and its refreshing focus on the good in humanity. While the pacing was slow at times, the heartfelt conclusion made it a satisfying read. This is a perfect choice for anyone seeking an easy, feel-good story that highlights both human and feline bonds.