Cat's People revolves around Cat, a black stray/feral cat who has lived on the streets of Brooklynn his entire life, and the people who he encounters every day, helping to feed and care for him. There is Nuria, the frazzled barista with 3 cats of her own, who feeds Cat and other feral cats in the area, Collin, an author who lives in the brownstone adjacent to Cat's alley in Brooklynn who observes Cat and Nuria everyday while he struggles with writer's block, Omar, the friendly neighborhood postal worker who takes Cat to the bodega every day for a treat, Bong, the owner of the bodega, who is mourning the sudden death of his wife Conchita, and lastly, Lily, a young woman struggling to make ends meet in Brooklynn after dropping out of high school and leaving her hometown in GA to be closer to her half-sister who doesn't know she exists.
The book rotates from one character's point of view, to the next, as they interact with Cat, as well as each other, and as the plot moves forward, we see how they are all connected in their love of Cat specifically, while also becoming friends with each other. This is a lovely and heartwarming story, but definitely in the realm of fluff, with not much substance beyond the surface level. That said, it was a great little book, and definitely enjoyable for anyone, be they a cat lover or not. I'm rounding up from 3.5 stars to 4 stars.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. What a super sweet and fun book. I loved the characters very much!

What a charming palette cleanser this book is! While the dialogue and descriptions of Brooklyn became a bit caricaturist at times, I really found myself rooting for everyone (most especially, Cat).

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

4.5 I love a good story about found family, especially when strangers in close proximity bond over a mutual cause. The multiple perspectives are perfect for getting the insider view of each person’s feelings and place in life, yet still keep the story flowing. But the chapters from Cat’s perspective are by far the most fun.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

This book has a bit of a cozy feel and was a heartwarming story. It’s about a stray cat who brings together a group of strangers and turns them into friends. The book has alternating points of view, including Nuria, a colorful rainbow lady who is a barista, Collin, an author with serious anxiety, Omar, a kind mailman who’s struggling with his life purpose, Bong, a widowed bodega owner who is still grieving the loss of this wife, Lily, a young woman new to NYC who is struggling with family and roommate issues, and Cat (our main character). This is one of the few books that I’ve read that includes an animal POV and makes it work. The cat’s point of view is witty and charming, but also focuses on maintaining his freedom, a lack of trust in humans, and the importance of food and shelter to his survival. The author did a great job of making the cat POV integrate into the storyline. This book covers so many things; family, love, career, loss and grief, social anxiety, pet welfare, and it does so in such a way that it isn’t too heavy to process. The characters are well developed and a good reminder that everyone is going through something we don’t know about. Sometimes life brings us together with people in the strangest and most unexpected ways and that’s what happens within the pages of this book.
I recommend this book for those times when you need something cozy and warm, maybe a little restoration in humankind. It’s a light read and a feel-good kind of book.

**Book Review:**

*Cat's People* is a heartwarming and sweet story about a stray cat named Cat and the diverse group of people whose lives he touches. With a strong dose of 2000s rom-com energy and a distinctly New York atmosphere, the novel is a feel-good, found-family story that celebrates connection, love, and the quiet magic of a stray cat bringing people together.

The book alternates between multiple points of view, featuring characters like Nuria, a compassionate barista involved in rescue work; Collin, a socially anxious author; Omar, a cheerful but lost mailman; Bong, a widowed bodega owner in mourning; and Lily, a young woman newly arrived in New York searching for her half-sister. And, of course, we get chapters from Cat's perspective, adding a whimsical touch to the narrative.

This debut novel is lighthearted and cozy, full of charm and warmth. The prose reads a bit like young adult fiction, and while this keeps the story accessible, it also means that the writing isn’t particularly groundbreaking or literary. The book starts strong, but the middle section can feel a bit sluggish, losing the momentum established in the beginning. However, the ending is satisfying and ties everything together nicely, leaving you with a sense of contentment.

For cat lovers and fans of feel-good stories, *Cat's People* is a delightful read. It might not win any literary awards, but it does succeed in delivering exactly what it promises: a wholesome, uplifting story full of heart, coffee, and cats. It’s the kind of book you read to unwind, a reminder of the power of connection and kindness, all wrapped up in the charm of New York City.

With occasional moments of unexpected language and a diverse, inclusive cast, the book offers a cozy escape, perfect for anyone in need of a comforting, uplifting tale. It's definitely a 3-star read for me—sweet, enjoyable, and ultimately, very satisfying. If you're looking for a warm, romantic-adjacent read with a lovable feline protagonist, this one’s for you!

Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero was the perfect way to start the year. This book is simply adorable, with heartfelt moments that touch you deeply. The ending was particularly wholesome, leaving a lasting impression that stays with you long after you finish reading. There were moments in the story that had be sobbing, especially towards the end, and I had to stop, to hug and kiss my four cats. It reminded me of how truly grateful I am for their companionship and love. If you have a cat or dog (or any pet you simply adore), you’ll know exactly that feeling of deep, unconditional bond. This story captured the essence of those relationships beautifully and will resonate with any animal lover.

A sweet and heartfelt story. It is a little sad at times. It does have some thought provoking moments.

An uplifting tale of found family, friendship, navigating loss, romance, and the uniting power of a stray cat.

Cat lives on the streets of Brooklyn and his frequent presence in the lives of several passerby's has a profound impact. Though Cat is very cautious, as a street cat must be, he also is quite perceptive. There is the cat rescue/barista, the floundering one hit wonder of a writer, a widower, a mailman, and the secret half-sister all coming into contact with Cat for various reasons and it's working magic in their lives. When things take a turn for the worse for Cat, this group of seemingly disparate people come together in a way that brings joy to the reader's heart.

This is author Guerrero's first adult novel. Though the characters are mostly nearing 40, I often found the book to be written more closely to the New Adult audience. I enjoyed the story, but often found the characters a bit young in speech and behaviors. Also, the reference to the "hair bun" is such a frequent description, it could have been a character itself.

What I loved about the book is the observations that come directly from Cat. It brought a sparkle to the book. In fact, there is just a bit of magical realism floating around the ending. I enjoyed that as well. A fun book that is perfect between heavier reads.

Really a super cute book! Cat lovers and romance come together to make this incredible book. A light hearted read.

Cat’s People was a cozy feel good read that brought people from all ages, cultures, and walks of life together via their relationship to a lovable stray black cat named: Cat, Gatito, or Itim depending on the person. Told from the perspective of each person and the cat, the story follows the threads of each character arc as the find the intersections of each being arranged and orchestrated by Cat.

This book was almost so cozy it felt slow paced the first 30% of the way through, but then the story took off and was the perfect amount of cozy and feel good with challenges enough to keep the story moving but not so emotionally intense it veered outside of the bounds of a cozy read. I enjoyed the connections and friendships weaved through each character arc.

I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A very delightful story of a street cat bringing together five people, all of whom need something. Nuria is a street cat feeder for a local humane society. She is bothered by her mother’s over concern. Colin is an introverted author falling for Nuria even though he has only seen her from his apartment window. Bong runs the local bodega and is grieving for his deceased wife. Omar is the mail carrier who longs for a different job. Lily is Nuria’s unknown half-sister. All of them journey toward friendship through Cat.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is a charming tale of different types of people connected by their affection for a stray cat in NYC. I enjoyed the chapters told from the cat's perspective, and his opinions on the strange behaviors of people.

I loved this book. It was a sweet story but dealt with some heavy topics. I loved that part of the story was told through Cat's POV. All of these very different but loving characters were taking care of this stray cat in some way. I love that through Cat they are forged a bond and friendship. However it wasn't a light an fluffy read. It dealt with grief, abandonment, toxic family members, and struggling to find out who or what you want to be. I loved that all of these flawed but loving characters were able to become friends and help one another.

I would highly recommend this book. Even if you don't like cats, you are sure to love Cat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press for the ARC of this ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cats People by Tanya Guerrero is a heartwarming tale about a stray cat who plays a pivotal role in the lives of the people he interacts with, bringing them together and helping them forge connections they desperately need.

The story is told through alternating points of view, offering insight into the lives of several characters: Nuria, a compassionate barista in her thirties working with Trap/Neuter/Return programs and animal rescues; Collin, a socially anxious, struggling author; Omar, a cheerful mailman unsure of his life’s direction; Bong, a widowed bodega owner deeply grieving his loss; and Lily, a young woman who has come to NYC in search of the half-sister she just discovered she had. And, of course, we also get chapters from the cat’s perspective!

The novel beautifully weaves together these characters’ stories, showing how they find solace and healing through the unexpected connections they form, all thanks to the stray cat who brings them together.

If you’re a cat lover or simply in need of a heartwarming story, Cat’s People is an absolute must-read!

As an animal lover and a regular recipient of gifts from the mysterious cat distribution system, I can confidently say this is one of the best cat-centered stories I’ve ever read. Guerrero weaves together a vibrant cast of characters, each grappling with personal struggles, who take time to show kindness to a stray cat in New York. In turn, that cat gives them something even greater—courage, love, bravery, and the sense of family they didn’t know they needed.

This book is a perfect fit if you love:

Cats: The cat’s personality, humor, and clever perspective make him unforgettable.
Explorations of the human condition: Through slice-of-life moments, the story shows how small acts of kindness can transform lives.
Comforting, feel-good reads: The tone reminds me of translated Japanese fiction, with its subtle yet profound charm and sense of connection.
Cat’s People is a beautiful reminder that even the smallest gestures—like feeding a stray cat—can create ripples of change. For anyone who’s ever been lucky enough to receive a cat from the universe, this story will feel like a warm hug.

A wonderful read from start to finish!

A perfect warm bowl of soup type of book. Cat’s People will make you have faith in people again. It will make you laugh, cry and hug your fur babies very tightly. Guerrero crafts a diverse pallet cleanser of a book that will definitely lift your spirits. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley & Random House- Ballantine for the E-ARC! Really enjoyed this. Fun concept & characters. A very interesting read.

This was a sweet, easy read. I love a story that takes place in New York and I am surprisingly into animal narrators, more so than I thought. Even though the premise was simple - a cat connecting five New Yorkers - it was still fun to be in their world.

A cute, heartwarming book about a cat who brings people together unexpectedly. A little corny and slow at times but overall I enjoyed it