The Subway Girls is a dual story of two women in advertising or aspire to be in advertising. The stories take place in two time periods- historic and modern. The premise is wonderful and the writing is really good, however I just did not connect as much with the women and their stories.

I knew nothing about the Subway Girls campaign, so this was not only an enjoyable novel but a mini history lesson as well.I found myself googling so I could have a little visual and also more detailed information. It was a unique and interesting idea to use for the basis of a book, and liked the dual time period. Meshing the two storylines together is no easy feat and I felt this came together nicely,

Thank you, NetGalley & St Martin's, for a reading copy to honestly review!

The Subway Girls features a dual narrative with two strong minded women, navigating in a world of men. I love dual storylines that intersect throughout, and especially the way that it was told through the life in New York City. So much history to be said through the Miss Subways contest, that showcased the struggles and relationships while living a life of glitz and glamour in NYC.

This is a really good story based on the Miss Subways women from 1941 to 1976. This particular story is a dual timeline about Charlotte, Miss Subways July 1949,and Olivia, a present day career woman in an ad agency. Their two paths cross as the story unfolds. This is a quick read, engaging, and telling of the way women were and are perceived in society. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced read opportunity. 4/5 Stars

“Her mother had always taught her to keep her expectations in check. That way she’d never be disappointed. Yes, mother dear, Charlotte thought, but that way you can never dream.”

The Subway Girls is the story of two young women two generations apart whose stories intertwine. Charlotte is coming of age in 1949. She dreams of working in advertising, but there are so few jobs in that field available to women that she comes up short. On a lark, she decides to enter the Miss Subways competition (which was a real subway advertisement campaign in New York from 1941 to 1976).

Olivia is a modern day advertising executive who, after a chance meeting in a bar, gets an opportunity to pitch for the New York City subways account. She comes across the old Miss Subway campaign and it sparks an idea. Conveniently, her elderly neighbour was once a winner of the competition, and they strike up an unlikely friendship.

“All that remained were memories that clouded her thoughts like black smoke from a fire, aches buried so deeply within Olivia’s soul that it felt like they would never go away.”

I like stories about strong, flawed women and both Charlotte and Olivia fit this bill in their own way. I guessed the twist in this novel, but still thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

The beautiful cover of this novel and the description are what originally drew me to reading it. I used to work in advertising and love reading books about the industry.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Grade: B

Enjoyable historical fiction read. A little too saccharine and contrived for my taste but overall something I could definitely recommend to readers.

Very enjoyable book by a loved Author. I would recommend this book to everyone. Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

I enjoyed this book even though there are definitely problems. One of the biggest problems I had with it is that it brings up the issue of feminism, but then doesn't do much with it. I did enjoy reading a historical fiction that didn't take place during World War II, and I also enjoyed the dual timeline. I would give it a 4/5 stars.

"The Subway Girls" was an enjoyable historical fiction novel and I highly recommend it!

I enjoyed the dual storylines. In 2018, Olivia learns about the historic Miss Subways campaign when she is creating a new pitch on behalf of her advertising company. She embarks on a research journey as she tries to locate some of these women and hear about how being a Miss Subway affected their lives.

In the 1940s, Charlotte yearns for a job in advertising but her father forbids her from working outside of his paint store. Unbeknownst to her father, Charlotte enters the Miss Subway competition. She hopes it will provide the spring board she needs to launch her into the career of her dreams.

I have enjoyed visiting New York City over the years and I had never heard anything about this local history. It was really neat and I did further research after reading this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it would make an incredible movie.

Wonderful story! I had never heard of The Subway Girls, a pageant type advertising campaign which the MTA ran approximately 70 years ago. This book goes back and forth, between two strong women, (one in current time, and one in the 40's), which share surprisingly similar struggles, despite the age difference. Their lives intertwine in an unexpected way, with love, friendship and family side stories, but mainly a focus on their careers. Very fluid transitions, interesting and enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley for the e-reader copy for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

One of my favorite parts of reading historical fiction is learning something new, and I really enjoyed learning about New York's Miss Subways beauty contest through this novel. The past and present parts of the book were woven together brilliantly, and Charlotte and Olivia were both great characters. It kept me interested the whole time and was a light read while still dealing with some relevant topics. If you're a historical fiction fan, definitely pick this one up!

An intriguing tale that mostly held my attention.... felt there was “something” missing maybe? Not “have to read again”, more of a “ok, & that was about....?” Will watch out for this author though & keep an open mind. But thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with a copy of Susie Orman Schnall’s novel, The Subway Girls, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- It’s 1949 and Charlotte Friedman has just finished a typist course at Hunter’s College. She is eager to figure out a way to break into the advertising industry, even if she must work in the typing pool while figuring out how to show her male superiors that she is not only eager, but also capable and creative.

Charlotte suffers a set-back when she learns that there are no jobs available in her dream agencies and what’s more, her father needs her help at the family paint shop. Charlotte is beginning to feel that her dreams will never come true, when she manages to become a semi-finalist in the Miss Subways contest. The Miss Subways are a joint venture between The New York Transit Authority and the famed John Roberts Power Modeling Agency: a contest where one ordinary, yet beautiful, local girl is picked a month to grace posters in Subway cars. Initially skeptical, Charlotte realizes that by winning the contest she might be able to leverage her five-minutes of fame to lure customers to her father’s business and in return, she will gain her freedom to pursue her dreams.

In 2018, Olivia is living Charlotte’s dream of working in advertising, yet, the dream is not fully realized. Olivia is smart and capable, yet she struggles to be heard in a business that is still a “boy’s club.” Olivia has a debilitating crush on her boss, Matt, with whom she has been carrying on a secret, casual sex-based relationship. When the agency has a chance to pitch a campaign to the New York Transit Authority, Matt pits Olivia in an idea contest, against Olivia’s rival, Thomas. One of Olivia’s ideas takes her down the rabbit hole of the Miss Subway’s contest and she meets women from a different generation who make a big impact on her life.

LIKE- I’m a fan of Historical Fiction and I love the concept for The Subway Girls. After finishing Schnall’s novel, I spent a few hours looking at the original posters and reading about the real-life inspirations for this story. It was fascinating and I hope to visit the New York Transportation Museum in the near future to see the exhibit about the Miss Subways campaign. Schnall had a great idea to write a story that parallels the lives of two characters, two women from different generations, both with huge dreams.

The comparing of women from two generations, looking at how much things have both changed and stayed the same with regard to expectations and opportunity, was compelling. Although Olivia isn’t expected to marry and let her husband take care of her, she still must fight for equal treatment in her workplace. As a woman born in the late 1970’s to a single, working mother, I had been raised to believe that anything was possible. If I worked hard enough, I could do or be anything that I wanted. I still believe that, but it is slightly dampened by my work experience in male dominated areas. It is a fight sometimes. I could relate to Olivia’s situation.

I did not anticipate the big twist with Charlotte’s character. That was quite a surprise and well-done.

DISLIKE- I can’t give specific examples because it happened throughout the story, but I often felt the dialogue rang false. It took me out of the story-world. I enjoyed the characters and overall plot enough to push past the dialogue issues. I felt the problems were primarily with the younger Charlotte chapters.

RECOMMEND- Maybe. Yes, if you’re a fan of Historical Fiction or mid-century New York City. I enjoyed The Subway Girls, but in the long-run, I’m not sure that it will make my list of most memorable novels of 2018. Whether or not you read Schnall’s novel, make sure to look up the Miss Subways for a bit of yesteryear nostalgia.

I loved the contrast between the 1940s and the present day; to see Charlotte struggle to prove herself as a career woman to her father was so interesting because that isn't something Olivia had to deal with. However, Olivia did have to deal with other sexist behavior and in turn, you see that neither is the ideal situation and both have strong similarities.

The Subway Girls by Susie Orman Schnall is a wonderful story of strong women and happiness over love, It also shows the still inadequate situation of men and women in the work place. Charlotte gives up her dream to be in publishing to help with her fathers business. She becomes intrigued with living the glamourous world of love and small town fame. From the 1940's to the 1970's it is the story of the the subway system and their "beauty" competition based on submitted pictures of girls on the subway to be named the new Miss Subway.. Another cheer for historical fiction, so interesting and beautifull written. Thank you #netgalley #stmartinspress #susieprmanschnall

I love historical fiction, especially set around this period and Schnall delievered a gem of a book. Charlotte's story was so engrossing and I couldn't wait to return to the story each day. Wonderful read.

When I meet women in their eighties and nineties, it's easy to forget that they were living these vibrant lives when they were younger. It's awful, but I admit that I underestimate older women. I don't give them the credit they're due. I realize that they paved the way for us and all, but still, not enough credit. We could probably learn so much from them.

Two women from different eras come together full circle in this historical fiction.

Charlotte in the 1940's was determined to be in advertising. She knew to get her foot in the door, she would have to start in the typing pool. She also was aware the sexism that was prevalent , but it become personal when she approached her own male professor and her own father. She saw hope in the Subway Girls. Subway girls were selected from a pool of women to represent the subway. A poster girl that many people riding the subways would come to recognize. And the poster girl would go on to possible greater things. A stepping stone to modeling, acting, and to some business. That is how Charlotte saw it, however, her own father did not. Charlotte's journey included other women trying out for the Subway girl, her boyfriend and the tension between her parents.

Olivia in the present time works in advertising. A single woman who is in love with her boss. Always attracted to the wrong type of man, she is striving to find her way. Olivia's journey includes the tension in the office, knowing her time at her apartment is on a time limit, and the attraction she feels for her elderly neighbor's grandson. All the while an advertising campaign becomes available regarding the New York Transit Authority. Olivia comes across the Subway Girls of the 1940's and she believes she hits a gold mine. The big break that she has been dreaming about.

Olivia and Charlotte's stories are narrated as they come together in surprising and not so surprising ways. It is a little predictable but a lovely story on the fortitude of women. How in the end, when women stick together they are stronger and how men are strengthen when they validate the power of women. We don't have to be in competition with the sexes.

Great read!

A Special Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Fun read! I love fictional history. This book enlightened me on a time I am not too familiar with. I would love to see more from this author.

Loved this book! What a cool storyline for a historical fiction novel. I absolutely love this genre and this book did not disappoint. I was thoroughly engrossed with the book. I enjoyed how the author went back and forth between the two characters, one from the past and one in the present. I also enjoyed this book, because it introduced me to a part of history I knew nothing about. It was interesting to compare the two lives of women in the work force. It was also interesting to see how poorly women were treated not only in the forties, but even now. We've come a long way since then, but there is still so much more work to be done in order to make it easier for the women who enter the work force now and in the future. Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC of this book. It was an honor to read it.

This is my first book by this author, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. Although I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction, this book held my attention from the beginning to end as it mirrored the lives of the two main characters from 1949 to present day. The author did a great job tying it al together. I will admit, it wasn't one of those books that you "just can't put down" but by no means does that mean it's not worth the read. The story was a "nice" story, albeit kind of predictable, but an easy reading story addressing the struggle of balancing family and careers while also trying to do the right thing to help. Anyone who rode the train/subway can relate to this story and the Miss Subway competition of days past and see how the author made it her own to present day.