"The Subway Girls" by Susie Orman Schnall (July 2018 from St. Martin’s Press)

Let me start by saying that I adored this book. The story follows two women in New York City: Charlotte in the 1940’s and Olivia in current day.

Living with her controlling parents in Brooklyn, Charlotte is finishing college and hopes to land a job at an advertising agency. She dreams of being the first woman to climb her way out of the typing pool to become an account executive, but her aspirations go far beyond what gender roles allows. Her goal seems impossible until she applies to be a model for the Miss Subway ad campaign, a choice that changes the direction of her life and her future forever.

In present day New York, Olivia works for a boutique advertising firm, has a crush on her boss, Matt, and has to deal with obnoxious comments from her misogynistic coworker, Thomas. While researching for a campaign pitch for the MTA, Olivia discovers the former Miss Subways campaign. Instantly captivated, she brainstorms ways to update this idea for the modern sensibility and highlight the lives of these women in a fresh and more empowering way.

Though the way the two women’s stories intersect is a bit coincidental, it didn’t bother me because Schnall’s writing is so smart, funny, and engrossing. I devoured this book in a few sittings and was riveted right up to the sweetly satisfying ending.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. I love the flashbacks to the 40s and all of the historical significance of the Miss Subways contest. I also love the female comradeship among the main characters.

I would absolutely recommend the book to anyone, but especially fans of Fiona Davis. I’m looking forward to reading more from Susie Orman Schnall!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early galley of this book for an opinion. I'm afraid I am the wrong audience here. Books about women seeking luv are not my cup of tea, and it was wrong of me to request a copy. I did keep hearing the music from On the Town in the background, but that wasn't enough to hold my interest.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) of New York City ran a ridership campaign from 1941 - 1976 which featured The Subway Girls. This fictionalized novel focuses on the July 1949 winner while also following the struggles of an advertising creative woman who is presenting a new campaign idea to MTA in 2018.

Both women's lives are fascinating in how things were, things are, in relationship to working women in society, but also in how alike choices can be.

All of the characters are well-developed and easy to love for their variety of temperaments, even when they aren't lovable you can relate.

The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall is a dazzlingly well-written story about two strong women, who aren't afraid to defy expectations and make a name for themselves.

This is yet another story based on real-life events. Did you know that the Miss Subways contest was part of the marketing campaign used to advertise the New York City subway? It ran from 1941 to 1976. You can find the overview written by the author at the end of the book. I found the author's account of how this story came about enthralling.

In The Subway Girls, there are two stories being told in parallel. One, is the story of Charlotte, the beautiful girl who is determined (against all odds) to prove her dad and society that there's more to women than meets the eye. She refuses to work in her dad's paint and wallpaper store and has made up her mind to create a career for herself no matter what.

Charlotte has a boyfriend, who is a lawyer and who's asked her to marry him more times than she can remember; but Charlotte declines every time. She loves him but isn't ready to settle down.

Charlotte is a dreamer, she's creative, and isn't afraid to be bold. I loved it when she picks up the phone and calls the advertising agency she dreams of working for, and tells the owner how disappointed she is with his decision on the job posting. Her boldness is refreshing, you can't help yourself but adore her.

She's too modern for her time and between Sam, her boyfriend, and JoJo, her best friend, she has a great support system. Though things don't come easy, she finds a way to make things work.

In alternating chapters, you're introduced to Olivia, a marketing and advertising exec. She's in love with her boss, but business comes first. Her work environment leaves much to be desired. Many a time I wanted to punch her boss and her sexist coworker. I do wonder if some readers will be upset at this part of the storyline, but I understood completely what the author was trying to show. Although it is 2018, some things have yet to change for women in the workforce.

I liked Olivia's character, though I thought sometimes she was a bit weak with some of her actions toward her boss. But I have to say she does come through. Once she's had enough and realizes some things will never change, I loved how she stands up for herself and gives her boss and her stupid co-worker a dose of their own medicine.

I can't recommend this book enough. With its funny, sometimes sad, other times witty dialogue, I couldn't put it down. So, if you're looking for something to read, go get this book now!

Two women, different generations, very different but yet have much in common. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The characters are complex and well developed. This book is very timely in its view of womens’ issues that are being addressed right now. I highly recommend this book for women of all ages.

From 1941 to 1976, the Miss Subways contest was held monthly to pick a local NYC beauty who took the subways regularly. The contest was managed by John Robert Powers, a top modeling executive. Posters of the current winner were placed in subway cars and encouraged riders to read about her while browsing other subway ads.

This story is about Charlotte Friedman, a senior at Hunter College in 1949, who entered the Miss Subways contest on a whim. The events following that submission changed Rose’s life. Then in 2018 Olivia, an account executive at a struggling ad agency in NYC, learned about the Miss Subways contest while working on an advertising campaign for the NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority. In the course of the research for the ad campaign, Olivia learns that her feisty 90+ year old next door neighbor, Mrs. Glasser, had been
the Miss Subways for July, 1949.

Both Charlotte and Olivia had dreams of working in advertising. However it was much easier for Olivia than for Charlotte. In 1949 it was unusual for a middle class girl to attend college. Female college graduates usually went into teaching before they married and settled down to the life as a wife and mother, far from the work force. The only way that Charlotte could get a job in advertising was to work as a typist. However at age 21, she had difficulty persuading prospective employers that she would be able to work for several before leaving to raise a family. Olivia had a much easier career path but still faced discrimination in the small advertising company where she worked.

The author did her research and was able to accurately portray life in the 1940s and 1950s for a bright, ambitious young girl whose parents expected her to delay her education to work in the family business when needed. Mrs. Glasser was able to explain to Olivia how much progress had been made by women in advertising and other traditionally male fields. Those of us women who came of age in the 60s had an easier time than Charlotte getting jobs and now see the progress our daughters are making in a workplace once exclusively dominated by men.

I enjoyed almost every aspect of this novel except for the romance aspect. It felt forced and unrealistic.
With that said- the characters were very well developed and the historical aspect of this book was well written. Overall, I enjoyed this story.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was very interesting and I would recommend this book to anyone.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s press for an advanced copy of this book.

Subway girls tells parallel storylines of Charlotte, a young woman who would love to break the stereotypes of her generation and Olivia, a Young professional woman still dealing with stereotypes years later.

Through a pitch for her advertising job, Olivia finds research on the former Subway Girls— which Charlotte herself was. Through both stories, we read about the stereotypes women deal with in their lives and choices, as well as, how important it is to make your own choices.

While I found the topic of this book one of interest, I wouldn’t say it totally hit the nail on the head about these can-be heavy topics. I found some of the ladies’ choices predictable and some a little far fetched.

While I think this book was a solid 3 Star read and it was just fine for me, I am sure plenty of others would highly enjoy it!

Truly captivating, I read The Subway Girls in one sitting. Alternating back and forth between 1949 and present time was an interesting, effective way to tell two interwoven stories and compare/contrast women's lives then and now. The Subway Girls sent me to the internet to find out more - always a sign of a good read!

Who loved Mad Men? Who loves New York City, the 1940's and fascinating women? Now that I have EVERYONE'S attention- let me tell you that THIS is the book for you!

The book chapters alternate between two characters and time periods. Rosemary is a young, fresh, optimistic college woman, in 1949 Brooklyn. Olivia is about 10 years older, an eager and talented woman working her dream job at an NYC ad agency, in 2018.

Charlotte is proud of herself for going to college and she has a plan for her life. She wants to work at an ad agency on Madison Avenue, move to Manhattan and be a success. But her plans have faltered until the day she receives a letter. "Dear Miss Friedman, We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a finalist for Miss Subways."

I enjoy history, so I was fascinated to learn that there was indeed an actual New York Transit ad campaign in NYC for about 25 years, that featured a "Miss Subway" of the month. Charlotte hopes that winning the Miss Subways contest will be her brass ring for the future. But love and life, and family and societal expectations can be messy.

Olivia, in the present day, is also struggling to achieve her dream life. Again, love and career aren't always smooth sailing. I read eagerly as chapter by chapter Charlotte and Olivia's lives intersected. The author presented the challenges of being a woman in different generations, the challenges of career, life purpose, love and self-esteem.
The love interests of both Charlotte and Olivia are well-developed characters, and each one is different. I agree with other reviewers, that some of the friends were one dimensional and didn't add to the story line. The Author is an adept storyteller and this book will both fascinate and move the reader.

Probably the best thing that both Charlotte and Olivia learned was that "Time has a really incredible way of dulling feelings that you think will be sharp for your entire life." Something for all of us to ponder.

And yes, there's even a positive happy ever after ending with a trip planned to Paris, the city of dreams. But when the main characters are guided by this quote, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined" then you know there will be a satisfying ending to the story of Charlotte and Olivia. I recommend this book. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for an ARC.

I enjoyed this book and thank #netgalley for the opportunity to read it.
This is a well-constructed story set in the 1940's and the present day and it is very interesting how the two parts are interwoven together. I found both parts to be enjoyable and read this in one day. I would read more about either characters and will look for more by this author. #thesubwaygirls

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
This was a book I really looked forward to reading, but unfortunately it disappointed me.
The story has 2 protagonists: Charlotte in 1949 and Olivia in 2018. Charlotte enters and wins the Miss Subways contest. Olivia works in advertising and wants to revive the Miss Subways contest.
The romance side of the book felt very unrealistic, the history of the Miss Subways contest was interesting, but I just couldn't get into the characters or the writing, it just didn't do it for me and I have to admit that I flipped through to the end...sorry.

I loved this book. I feel like I could be best friends with Charlotte and Olivia in their respective times. Well written!

Very enjoyable book about women’s roles in society.

I enjoyed reading this book. I knew about the Miss Subways contests and find it to be an interesting subject. I am also interested in New York during this period of time. I generally like the construct of following two stories, one in the present and one past. That worked well in this book. In the end, I wanted a little more of the Charlotte story. The resolution was a bit rushed for me.

Thank you NetGalley for digital ARC. This was an enjoyable light read. A past and present story that merge. I liked the past story much better. The problem with the present story was I did not have a lot of the respect for Olivia the main character and her decision making with regards to her boss. I also didn’t care for her boss or find it at all credible the way he ran the agency. I also didn’t care for the ending, especially with regards with the agency and the outcome of the MTA RFP. Overall promising story that didn’t quite deliver for me. (less)

Very much enjoyed this story, and I was pleased at the end to read the author's note telling me it is based on a true set of circumstances. The story is told from two viewpoints, that of Charlotte and Olivia. Both are young women just starting their adult lives, but Charlotte's story begins in 1949 and Olivia's in the present day. The narration alternates between the two. Both are plucky, admirable girls, faced with challenges that engage the reader. The pace is good, and the story pulled me in. Both girls threw themselves at solutions that failed, but kept trying, and we had a happy ending. The only ding on the writing is that there was quite a bit of telling rather than showing, but still, it was a good story, nicely told.

Solid 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story centers around two main characters, both female trying to get ahead in a male-dominated world. Charlotte in 1949, a college student, trying to break into the world of advertising via the typing pool. And Olivia, an modern-day executive in a small boutique advertising firm, trying to maintain a level of professionalism when surrounded by advertising men who think they are Mad Men (compared a few times in this book).

I enjoyed the time jump and the backstory of The Subway Girls advertising campaign. I thought Olivia's story was okay with the exception of her back story - we are told she is broke and homeless, living in a friend's apartment who is out of town because Olivia paid for her mother's hospital bills suffered at the hands of her abusive husband, Olivia's father. However this detail could have been omitted and the story would have continued on. As well, the coincidence of Ben and the crossover story is a little too much to be believed.

I may not recommend this book to others but that's not to say my opinion will be shared. Read it, enjoy it, and have your own opinion on this. I'm thankful to have had the chance to read it.