Thank you netgalley and Montlake for this ARC of ‘ The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan’

Wow! Where to start with this one! From opening this book I was instantly drawn in. As soon as I opened this book I had a feeling the picture perfect was too good to be true! Thoroughly enjoyed this one! I even ordered the paperback today as it’s a must have for my collection. Added the rest of the authors’ books to my tbr!

A sweet story of starting over on your own two feet and finding your voice and independence. Great potential but, doesn't quite 'land the plane' as they say.

Avery's story begins like a NYC Christmas Hallmark Movie - beautiful proposal, love story, apartment, but everything is not what it seems. This is a light, quick, and hopeful read that I enjoyed! It was fun to see Avery's transition from a passive, fairy-tale-princess-birds-getting-her-dressed-everyday into a true leading lady in her own life. As a musical fan, I LOVED the different references and I thought Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi did an exceptional job highlighting the highs and lows of auditioning and chasing a dream. Incorporating the last phone booth in Manhattan and Charles Dickens was a chef's kiss to this story. Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I definitely recommend this book to my fellow readers who are looking for a breezy tale about finding yourself again.

This book starts off with a bang, hello FBI banging on your door Christmas Day and hauling you and your fiancée off in handcuffs! But I found it pretty slow-paced overall. This story is about one woman finding her voice, quite literally, and her independence. It's a premise with good potential but, doesn't quite reach it.

Such a fun and different read to start the year! I really enjoyed this modern take on “a Christmas Carol” and loved all the Broadway references as well. There are elements of romance in the book, however I wouldn’t fully call it a “romance” - it was actually a good break from all of the same plots I have been reading. This was more the journey of the lead character in finding herself and her true happiness, whether or not that includes finding the love of her life is part of the journey! I laughed out loud a few times and found myself enjoying this one till the end, curious to see how it would end up!

This was just all right. First, it's not a romance novel. You should not think it is. Second, the beginning is SO SCHMALTZY that it doesn't even feel like there's tension because it's not remotely real. Third, you need a fair amount of Broadway knowledge for a lot of this to make sense (I do, and that part was kind of fun!). Gabe seemed like kind of a dud and I wish we got to know more about him and Marisol. But the Broadway and Dickens parts were cute.

After a lavish Broadway-inspired proposal, Avery finds out that her fiance Adam is a fraudster. Left outside the jail without her phone or money, and needing a ride home, she is given a number to call and directed to a phone booth, the last one in Manhattan.
When Avery rings the number, a mysterious person sends her to an address which turns out to be the home of her ex, Gabe. Is this telling her to give their relationship another try?
After returning to waitressing at a café where staff belt out Broadway numbers between food service, Avery also realises she wants to pursue acting again.
Inspired by Dickens’ tale of ghosts past, present and future, this story follows Avery on her journey back from rock bottom, as she learns to trust herself to make the right decisions and follow her dreams. On the bah-humbug side, the writing was sometimes a bit clunky and the magical elements were never fully explained. But if you love theatrical references and second chance stories, this may raise your spirits.

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake publishing for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book is loosely based on, Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. When Avery Lawrences life hits rock bottom she is given another chance to start over, and repair broken friendship and relationships by looking back at her past, present and her future.

Whilst the main page tag is listed as a romance, this book is more like a book about second chances, self love, healing and following your own dreams. On reading the synopsis online, I got a totally different vibe than that of the actual book now I have read it. Whilst it is based on the Scrooge story it isn't set at Christmas apart from the opening scene, as I presumed, despite the candy canes etc on the cover art. Which for me was disappointing.

It was a fun read, but just a little too cheesy in places for my tastes. There is a lot of corny names and exerts from other musicals and books, which I found boring by the end not really funny or entertaining as I think the authors wanted them to be. Having said that I loved Mimis and it sounds like a fun place to visit for special occasions. I am sure the book would appeal to anyone who is crazy about Musicals, the author obviously knows her stuff about Broadway Shows and the West End.

You know how some books you pick up because the cover catches your eye and you like the title? That was this book for me, and I was treated to an enjoyable, heartwarming “finding herself” story. Avery is living a romantic dream life, but when it comes crashing down around her, she realizes she had given up on her own dreams of making it to Broadway in the name of love, putting herself second and convincing herself it was what she really wanted. So when she is left with nothing, starting over at age 30, Avery decides it’s time to see if she has what it takes after all. A shining cast of characters coupled with humor and creativity make this book worth a read!

The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan by Beth Merlin; Danielle Modafferi. Montlake, 2024.

All who saw her perform in high school, at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, or at Mimi’s Shooting Star Diner could see Avery Lawrence as a Broadway star. Except Avery herself, after she botched a senior year showcase performance, had increasingly bad auditions and lost her confidence, and settled for less. After a six-year absence, a life-changing event sent Avery back to Mimi’s Diner.

This unique and wonderful book is not a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol, though there’s a Dickensian flavour to parts of it. And there are three cryptic advice-giving ghosts, one at the end of a number she calls from an old phone booth decorated with a string of broken Christmas lights, and two she encounters randomly both wearing silver bell lapel pins, a security guard and a hot dog vendor. And although there are men interested in winning Avery’s heart, it is not really a romance either, unless it is a new romance Avery has with herself.

It is well written with dialogue that flow smoothly between the characters. Supporting characters include Avery’s parents, her room mates and her colleagues at the diner, all interesting and likeable. There are some unexpected side narratives, like a cooking class in Paris, Avery’s rehearsals with Charlie, and voice therapy from a Reiki master.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheLastPhoneBoothinManhattan #NetGalley

The Last Phone Booth In Manhattan is not a christmas book. So if you are looking for a book heavy on the festive side this book is not for you. If you are looking for a feel good read this book is for you.
Avery is happily living her life with her boyfriend, when he proposes in a lavish way she couldnt be more happy. Until the next day everything comes crashing down around her with a knock at the door.
Avery finds out her fiance is a con artist when they are both arrested on christmas day.
When she is released without any charges, she is guided to the last phone booth in manhattan. A cryptic message later she is guided to her ex boyfriends front door. With no money or anywhere to live Avery has to decide what to do with her life. With the help of a phone booth will Avery be guided to her happy ever after ? I really enjoyed this book, A Christmas Carol is a well known story one thats been told many times before. The Last Phone Booth In Manhattan does a good interuption. Even though this one has no ghosts. Unless you count the ghosts of regrets. An enjoyable read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan" and all opinions expressed are my own. First I don't know anything about the theatre or Broadway shows. I think it made it a bit harder to follow or like the storyline. I originally was drawn to the title of the book and that is why I read it, kind of a personal story there. Strangely, the phone booth had a minor part in the book.

Make sure you listen to the cover and never not be able to find the last phone booth when needed! This was a definite great must read to add to your list!

The was a fun, quick read about the chance to write a different life, written in the style of A Christmas Carol.

After finding out her fiancé is a fraud, Avery sets out to find her “second chance”, and her journey just happens to start with the last phone booth in Manhattan. Though marketed as a romance, this definitely fell in the camp of a self-discovery novel instead. Readers will love Avery’s quest to write a new future, but I think I was expecting a different story, which led to my lower rating.

Theatre buffs will be in heaven as there are many Broadway references
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Thank you @netgalley and Montlake for the Arc!

Such a good book! I was intrigued by the A Christmas Carol theme but was wary as some books can seem too similar. I was presently surprised by the book and their unique twist on this old tale. The first thing I noticed was the author’s attention to detail. I could immediately picture the locations and felt like I was right there with the characters. I loved the theme of the book and how everything came full circle at the end. All the questions I had were answered and I loved the female empowerment aspect of the book all through the A Christmas Carol framework.

To say that I loved this book feels like an understatement. I absolutely adored this book. It felt like it was made for me - Broadway, romance, female empowerment, incredible friendships, and...Dickens? Okay less the Dickens for me but it was somehow woven into the fabric of the story in the most fantastically brilliant way. I love the main character, her journey, her growth, her defeats, and her triumphs. I loved the side characters who gave main character energy. I wish the story was longer but at the same time, the authors told the story they needed to and another word probably would have destroyed the balance they created. The ending was deeply satisfying and exactly right. Absolutely delighted to have gotten a copy from NetGalley but I'll be buying a physical copy ASAP.

It was a lovely, page-turning book that had me cheering for Avery in the end as she fought for her dreams and decided her own future.

With themes of how we define success, second chances and starting over, learning from mistakes, and finding what makes you truly happy, it had a wonderful cast of characters to help and support Avery.

And now I need to listen to the "Wicked" soundtrack!

The premise of this book is what made me gravitate to it. However, the storyline didn't hold up to that for me as much as I would have liked. It started strong but later was lagging.

This was more of a self-discovery book than a romance. The Christmas Carol aspect was a neat take. I also felt for her and her journey at times.

If you need a good read about finding yourself after a failed relationship this just might be the read for you.

Thank you @netgalley and Montlake for allowing me to read and give my honest review.

What a delightful romance novel! I don't read a lot of romances, but the synopsis was intriguing and I was looking for a holiday read. When Avery's seemingly perfect life implodes on Christmas Day, she returns to her old job and her old dream of being a star on Broadway. Guided by random strangers and "the last phone booth in Manhattan," she reflects on her past choices and her future. This cute romcom features lots of NYC landmarks, references to Broadway musicals, and an ode to "A Christmas Carol." A fun, quick read!

The Last Phone Booth in Manhattan is part love story, part magical realism, part platonic friendship and, at its heart, the story of a woman who lost her way but, with the help of a couple of ghosts, a rusty old phone booth, and the immortal words of Charles Dickens, gets a second chance at pursuing her dreams and putting herself first.

Avery Lawrence seemingly has it all: Adam, her gorgeous, generous boyfriend of 6 years who provides her with everything her heart desires including a star-studded wedding proposal under the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree…until it all comes crashing down when he’s arrested for fraud. Finding herself outside the prison with no money, she accepts the help and advice of a security guard who directs her to a phone booth to call the number she’s been given. When the call goes through, she’s given an address that leads her to her former boyfriend Gabe’s front door. Thus begins her do-over, but is it really a restart if she falls right back where she was before becoming a ghost of her former self by sacrificing her own dreams of a life in the theater for a man to take care of her?

After what turns out to be a ghostly encounter that guides her from a past she’s eager to put behind her, she begins to audition again while rekindling her relationship with Gabe. However, it’ll take another spectral presence to give her a glimpse of the future she might have if she’s willing to let go of her fears and insecurities, focus on her passions, and not let anything or anyone get in her way. This includes having to decide which path she’ll take so that she has no regrets in the future. A quote from Dickens keeps popping up as a reminder: “No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.”

This isn’t a Christmas story, although it begins and ends on the holiday. However, the themes from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol are featured heavily throughout. It’s all about Avery listening to her heart and the voice inside her head so that she’s finally set on a redemptive path that brings her joy and causes as little emotional hurt to herself and the people she loves. The authors have written a beautiful story that leaves you guessing until the very end about which path Avery will choose. Fans of Broadway musicals will thoroughly enjoy how infused the book is with performances at Mimi’s Shooting Star Diner where Avery and other Broadway hopefuls work between auditions and gigs. Highly recommended.