So I picked this book because I thought that it could be a cross between Sex and the City & Gossip Girl. This was not that. It was like a SHEIN version of Friends.

I became a little bored with people just omitting things about themselves and then being shocked when it didn’t work out for them

You’re surprised someone thought you were a hooker when you hand out designer clothes like it’s nothing? Like just tell them your job.

The romance was a very very teeny tiny portion of the plot, and I didn’t believe the romance between the two.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

This book was good once it got going but it took me a while to get into it. Switching between narrators was confusing at first. I'm not sure why it was set twenty years ago, that felt like a gimmick.

An Upper West Side Story is a fun and quick read that focuses on four strangers who become roommates, giving it some New Girl vibes! I really enjoyed the fact that it's set in 2004 NYC. This "throwback" aspect really helped to set the story apart from other friends in New York type books. The four different POVs did make it difficult to follow the storyline at times, and I often found myself flipping back to the start of a chapter to see who the narrator was.

An Upper west side story by Rachel Cullen takes readers back to 2004 Manhattan, where real estate decisions shape relationships. Robin Cromwell finds herself in need of a roommate to share her rent-controlled apartment. Meanwhile, Jessica Barlowe's plans crumble when she discovers her boyfriend's infidelity, and Tory Wallace seeks independence from her wealthy family. Their lives intersect with Zach Sullivan, a successful executive with a painful past. As they navigate love, friendship, and the challenges of life, their experiences form the heart of this engaging tale.

The description of an Upper west side story sets high expectations for a captivating read, and the story flows quickly, making it suitable for a beach read or a light escape. However, the use of four first-person points of view in the present tense can be disorienting. It becomes a challenge to remember whose perspective each chapter represents, and the voices of the characters tend to blend together, making it difficult to form a distinct connection with any particular individual.

One aspect that detracts from the story is the lack of significant development when dramatic events occur. The plotlines seem to fizzle out without a satisfying resolution or meaningful impact on the characters' lives. This leaves the reader feeling somewhat disconnected and less invested in their journeys.

While Zach's character is initially presented as likable, his plotline takes a turn that may come across as creepy or uncomfortable for some readers. This detracts from the overall enjoyment of the book and creates a dissonance within the narrative.

Unfortunately, an Upper west side story does not live up to the initial excitement generated by its description. The lack of a strong connection with the characters, unresolved dramatic moments, and muddled voices make it challenging to fully engage with the story. While there are some enjoyable elements, the book falls short of delivering a truly compelling and unforgettable reading experience.

In conclusion, an Upper west side story offers glimpses of love, friendship, and the charm of New York City's Upper West Side. However, its execution falls short of its potential, leaving readers wanting more depth and cohesiveness in both the characters and their journeys.

I really, really enjoyed this arc & although lots of character pov confuses me normally, I found that the narrative points have really helped me to churn through it. I particularly found myself loving how it pushed the narrative on well.

I really liked this book! It took me a little while to keep all the characters straight but it was a fast read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes us back to early 2000's when we didn't have smartphones and other life essentials we have today. The story is well told over multiple POV's and at first it felt slightly overwhelming but soon adapted to the change in POV's and just made the book more fun. I read this book in a day because it was such a fun read and felt like I was back in the Gossip Girl era of TV and was so engrossed in the story.

Really loved this book and can't wait for more people to experience it when it is officially released.

Not really my type of story, I had a hard time really differentiating between the characters and their jobs and I just felt like I didn’t care or feel connected to the issues happening

An easy read which never really got going for me. I thought the book was OK but every time I thought something was going to get more dramatic it didn't really go anywhere. I liked the characters but wasn't particularly invested in them and as a result muddled them up most of the way through and kept having to remind myself who was who. Potentially my expectations for the book were high and therefore I was left disappointed. What I did love about the book was the acknowledgements - Rachel Cullen seems like a lovely person and that was a joy to read. I also really liked the publisher's font on kindle - that was a nice touch.

This is a light easy read, yet I didn't find it to be a big hit for me. The overall plot, writing and characters are decent but I wasn't blown away by anything and I didn't feel hooked into their lives and driven with need to find out what happens next. I think I may not have been the target audience for this as a lot of people enjoyed this and love the plot so maybe it just was not for me.

I enjoyed this novel, especially as a throwback to my (younger) days in 2004 in NYC, The author has a nice, flowing writing style, and I was invested in what happened to the characters. Having said that, it was difficult to differentiate between the four main characters. They all have similar voices, even Zach, the single male character. They all have issues with their parents and their jobs, and the author even provided back stories for the B-characters (friends, coworkers, etc.) At the beginning of each chapter, I had to pause and think back to remember who this character was, what their relationship was with their parents, work, etc. This slowed me down, and it was a bit annoying, to be honest. I think four characters are definitely too many for a novel, especially when they are all so similar. I look forward to reading future books by Rachel Cullen.

Just one note to the author (which I forgot to add): the cheap handbags are sold at Canal Street, not Houston Street, and it might make sense to change either Robin or Tori's name because they sound so similar.

An Upper west side story
by Rachel Cullen
A good book. It was a lively crowd on the Upper West Side. Very good, and they highlighted each person, male and female. I would recommend this one.

This was an easy quick read, albeit predictable, still fun and entertaining. makes for a great beach read or sitting under the umbrella on a hot summer day

Rachel Cullen's "An Upper West Side Story" takes readers on a delightful journey through the bustling streets of Manhattan in 2004. Set against the backdrop of real estate-driven relationship decisions, the story follows the lives of four individuals whose paths intertwine in unexpected ways.

Cullen's vivid descriptions transport readers to the iconic Upper West Side, capturing the essence of the neighborhood's charm and allure. The characters, from Robin in need of a roommate to Zach with an impulsive offer, are relatable and endearing, each facing their own challenges and seeking a sense of belonging.

The author skillfully weaves together themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery, creating a heartwarming narrative that resonates. The story's charm lies in its ability to capture the spirit of a time before smartphones and streaming services, where face-to-face connections and a dive bar provided solace.

"An Upper West Side Story" is a delightful read, brimming with warmth and nostalgia. Rachel Cullen's writing effortlessly captures the essence of human connections and reminds us of the power of friendship and community in navigating life's ups and downs.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

I would recommend this to anybody looking for a sweet and light read. Although it's a bit difficult to grasp at first because there are 4 different POVs here but after a while of reading I find it very easy to follow, very easy to understand, and the characters are very likeable too. If you're in a reading slump ten you should go ahead and try to read this one!

The first time reading a book by Rachel Cullen and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed reading about each character and rooted for them all. I inhaled this book in a couple of days and that was me stopping myself read it in one sitting.

I loved reading all the things New York and will miss reading all about Jessica, Robin, Tory and Zach.

Thank you to netgalley for the download.

This was my first book by Rachel Cullen and it won’t be my last. I found it to be pretty standard chick-lit. I love NYC, so the setting made it more enjoyable for me.

This is a very charming and witty book with characters of very different personalities that a reader is able to relate to. The eye catching cover and title are a lovely bonus.

I received this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Obvious I only request books that I think I'm going to love, and the description of this sounded so good. Unfortunately it was not for me. I found the narrative voice - 4 first person POV and in the present tense not the best. At the beginning of each chapter I had to remind myself of who was who. The 2004 setting should have resonated with me, since I was the same age as the characters in 2004. Instead, I found it forced - people don't talk about their phones, they talk about their "Motorola Razr flip phone" there are references to what people are watching - and it's always TV that survived, no-one is ever watching a show that was cancelled after one season. The book goes on and on about what people are eating, I'm not sure why. Mainly the characters are wooden, hard to tell apart, it's hard to care what happens to them. The resolutions to their issues are facile and in some cases not consistent with their characters previous behaviour. Now I think about it, that was the core problem - non of the characters had personalities, so what they ate and where they worked had to stand in.
Oh well, can't win them all, and plenty of other people found this a light, satisfying read.

I quite enjoyed the book. It's a very character driven story and I love a novel set in NYC. It really captured what it means to be there and also the trials and tribulations of life. Really great.