an Upper west side story by Rachel Cullen
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Four twenty-somethings navigate work, love, friendship, and living in NYC in the early 2000's. An Upper west side story takes us back in time to life before smart phones and Uber, when Craigslist was the unofficial hub for roommate matchmaking, and phones were still just for talking.
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This book was so fun! It reminded me of an early 2000's TV dramedy, and I didn't want to put it down. Very binge-worthy!!
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The story is told in multi-POVs, four to be exact. For about the first quarter of the book I felt like four might be too many POVs to keep straight, but as the stories came together it got easier! Between the characters being so engaging, and the quick chapters, it was quite the page turner.
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Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book! Keep an eye out for its official release on July 6, 2023.

In An Upper West Side Story we have four individuals who need to find accommodation in 2004 New York where rental prices are excruciating and shared accommodation is normally the only option.
We have Robin whose best friend is moving out so she desperately needs another person to share the rent. Jessica is about to move in with her boyfriend only to discover him in a very compromising position with a work colleague, Tory has parents that are unfeeling and continually criticise and belittle her so she decides enough is enough and plans to move out, and Zach a successful tech geek that suddenly finds himself offering one of his rooms to rent.
These are four characters with good depth and the interaction between them gives each their own interesting story that adds humour and pathos to this book.
At first I found myself a little confused with four characters to get to grips with but soon found myself really enjoying the read, their individuality adding so much.
A feel good and very satisfying read, I look forward to more stories from this author.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

I loved the setting of this novel, it’s set in a time when I also lived in Manhattan (Upper East Side, but worked in the UWS) it’s fun and spicy and very relatable. This is the kind of book I love reading on vacation. Grab this one, you will eat it up!

Honestly this might be one of my favourite reads of the year.

The story is very character driven which I personally love in my books. The set of characters are all so intriguing,and the way we see them navigating their personal lives along with the relationship dynamics between them was EXTREMELY well done.

The premise of the book itself was also so well executed? Like this is the perfect cozy/beach read.

Absolutely recommend if in need to get out of a reading slump.0 complaints, this is 5 stars

The characters in "An Upper West Side Story" are relatable and endearing, each navigating their own personal challenges and aspirations.

The novel's strength lies in its engaging storytelling and the dynamic relationships between the characters. As their lives become intertwined, readers are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, experiencing the highs and lows of love, friendship, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. Cullen's writing style is fluid and engaging, effortlessly drawing readers into the lives of the characters and their journeys.

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
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Remember the world before iPhones, Ubers, and streaming on Netflix?

It’s 2004 in Manhattan, and real estate is the driving factor behind most relationship decisions. Only here can strangers go from roommates to friends to lovers in less time than it takes a co-op board to approve a purchase.
* Robin Cromwell is in desperate need of a roommate. She’s lucked into a rent-controlled classic-six on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, but her best friend is moving, and she can’t afford to live there alone.
* Jessica Barlowe is counting the days until she moves in with her boyfriend in his renovated one-bedroom co-op. That is until she walks in on him with another woman, and all her plans, including where she is going to live, disappear into thin air.
* Tory Wallace is determined to move out from under her abhorrent parents’ roof, even if that roof is covering a $50 million brownstone on the Upper East Side. Although Tory hasn’t spent much time thinking about being self-sufficient, the tension at home has reached a boiling point, and she’s got to get out.
* Zach Sullivan is a successful technology executive living in a modernized pre-war two-bedroom on West 78th Street. He’d never planned on renting out his spare bedroom, but a chance encounter results in an impulsive offer that will change his life forever.
An Upper West Side Story is an engaging and heartwarming story about love, friendship, and that time in life when friends are family and drinks at a dive bar in Manhattan can solve all your troubles.

This is a household that whenever we hear anything to do with the west side of NYC we break out into song “When You’re a Jet” …we are such geeks. Really bad singing aside, we always talk about how we miss the pre-technology days. Just last week we took a road trip holiday and got lost several times as the Google Maps would not load in rural Ontario as there was no cell service! Printed maps were sold out at the few gas stations we drove by next time we will know to take on with us. (BTW, thanks to everyone we saw on farms or at local businesses who gave us directions: we agree that the roads need larger and better signs!)

Manhattan 20 years ago, pre-covid would have been amazing: but just think what that brownstone must be worth now! (Fred Mertz would be in heaven at the value of his place!) Renting now if just as tenuous, anywhere in North America: rents have tripled in the city we live in as rent controls were abolished for many buildings during COVID (thanks Doug Ford!). We literally cannot afford to move into a non-hell-hole apartment as we have been priced out of living anywhere safe so we feel these characters' pains. (Especially the classic 6: I fell down that rabbit hole and spent a good hour ooopoooohing and awwwwwing over floor plans that we could never afford! Especially those with washers and dryers and "staff rooms" that we could use as storage!)

This book was really enjoyable: It was well crafted and will hold your attention for hours: if you take it to the beach (or backyard, fire escape, porch, etc.) don't forget to reapply your SPF as you will lose track of time. Enjoyable even if just sitting in front of the a/c or fan during what it supposed to be a record-breaking HOT summer (oh, yeah ... not) as it is a wonderful little book to pick up and add to your TBR pile. #shortbutsweetreviews

This book was super cute and light, and a quick and easy read! It hooked me and I couldn’t stop reading!