This story was slow for me, as there are a lot of characters to introduce and keep straight. However, Rachel Hauck still delivers a story of redemption that she's so well known for. I still found it a good read. The character's stories inspire and give a sense of hope.

When I heard the premise of this book, I knew I had to read it. Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read an advance copy. Story is a theme of this book, but it's also about second chances, facing hard truths, and learning how to recover from tough circumstances. What begins with a mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society is a journey that will leave you looking for your own invitation to the Story Society. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First it's hard for me to be objectionable with anything written by Rachel Hauck, she is one of my most favorite authors. For me she has never disappointed. The Fifth Avenue Story Society, her latest book has everything. I couldn't have asked for more. This book had me at the heartstrings right from the start. Like the Literature collage professor Jett stated, every author has their own voice. Although ideas or words can be plagiarized, the tonality and voice is unique to each writer. I love this authors voice. She inspires me.

Five total strangers receive an anonymous invitation to The Fifth Avenue Story Society which meets at a historic Library on Fifth Avenue. They think maybe they have been set up for a bad prank. They have no idea who has sent the invitation or why, but they continue to come week after week to meet. During these meetings they are learning more about each other, enjoying a meal and forming a lasting friendship. Rachel's a wonder at carefully crafting characters you will love, or love to hate. Although only one of the attendees is a published author, each through their baring of their soul, learns to rewrite their life story. I loved this book, maybe the best Rachel has written thus far. I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Five strangers in New York get an invitation to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society:
Coral, the heiress who was a runaway bride and has been in near seclusion ever since
Ed, the widower who is desperately hanging on to the too-short love story of him and his wife
Jett, the college proffessor who has been hanging onto a secret that destroyed his marriage and is slowly destroying him
Lexa, who is working for a jerk who refuses to recognize her accomplishments and worth, and promote her to CEO like she deserves
Chuck, who caught his wife cheating and blew up in a rage at the boyfriend and the wife and now has a restraining order against him. He hasn't been able to see his kids for over a year now.
They all think it must be a joke or some kind of mistake, but they all show up. There they begin to forge close friendships and help each other heal.
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber and Richard Paul Evans.

“See how much the written word can do? See how truth can set a soul free?”

Rachel Hauck does not disappoint in this beautifully written novel where friendships are formed, broken bonds made whole, and truth prevails.

No one knows why they received this mysterious invitation, but when five people show up in the Bower Room of the Fifth Avenue Literary Society Library, their lives are forever changed.

Intrigued by the mystery behind this Monday night meeting, Jett, Lexa, Coral, Chuck, and Ed make the decision to continue meeting each week for an indeterminate amount of time. What is revealed as the weeks progress is that each one has a story, and they each have a choice to make.

This story is multifaceted, but it all comes down to one thing: truth and the struggle thereof. Jett searches for truth but is afraid to find it; Chuck is afraid to share his story for fear of being hated; Coral needs to find the truth behind her failing company; Lexa prefers to run than to face her feelings head-on; and Ed? Ed has a story to tell, but which one?

Rachel Hauck has created realistic characters with so much depth, characters who have their own struggles yet long to be accepted. Each character is given their own sections in the story where the reader is able to see behind the scenes more clearly, a look into their thoughts and feelings.

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Coral. Through Coral's words and actions, her heart shines through, and it's a heart for God.

Though not in your face, God is evident throughout the book. He is seen through Coral's words, and clearly visible in the sweet librarian, Gilda. There is no question that God is a part of this group, and I enjoy how the author chooses to show Him.

I enjoyed this story and would definitely read it again. If you're looking for a contemporary novel that delves deep into struggle, choice, and truth, one where God is present in an almost physical sense, then this is one you should pick up.

The Fifth Avenue Society – Rachel Hauck
I have read many of this author’s books and I have always enjoyed her writing style, elements of romance and strong threads of faith. This book took me a few chapters to get into but once I persevered, I truly enjoyed how this story unfolded and came to a rewarding conclusion. The character development, the pace of their unfolding personal stories, and the interactions between the characters are a few things that captivated me and kept me reading whenever I could. Here a few quotes that highlight this author’s talent and themes of the novel:
“Coral had been guarded the first three weeks, but tonight she shoved back the draperies and opened a few windows.”
“People say Christianity is for the weak but let me tell you, it takes courage to follow God. To obey Him.”
“Loving someone who doesn’t love you in return is perhaps the greatest kind of love. Sacrificial. Without demand or condition.”
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

Rachel Hauck was on my to-read list for a while now, but this was my first read by her and know I understand why she is a favourite among my book-reading friends.

This story about 5 strangers receiving a strange invitation to a story society was intriguing and the author executed it well by the way she introduced the characters, hinting at their stories but slowly revealing more as the story develops. The story jumped between the characters, but it was never confusing and the flowed well between all the characters and the story as a whole.

The characters were flawed, had past hurts that influence their today and had to learn to face the truth to be able to move forward.

The Christian element came through more towards the end. This was about a group of lost souls who had to face truths and find the ultimate truth.

Now, for those readers who prefer very clean reads... this story included mention of adult romance which included mention of sexual intimacy and one heated kiss.

This is highly recommended to fans of contemporary fiction. I will definitely read more by this author

Moving beyond the stunning cover, this book delivers a story that'll enchant every book lover's heart. A special invitation has been delivered to five unsuspecting individuals for purposes unknown until they each begin to share their story.

I really enjoyed each character and the way their lives intersected with one another. Well-developed and memorable, each storyline was unique and carried a theme specific to the character and the emotional/professional/physical challenges they faced. There's romance, mystery, a whisper of soul-challenging issues that bring heart and emotion to the pages of this book.

I loved that this story carried part of the plot from The Writing Desk, which was one of my favorite of Ms. Hauck's novels and I can easily say I now have another favorite.

***I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.***

I found this novel very hard to get into. It was slow moving but with interesting characters. I usually enjoy Rachel Hauck's books but this one didn't appeal to me. Looking forward to the next novel.

This book provides a glimpse into the lives of five individuals that received a mysterious invitation. We are given a window into their lives that allows us to see their thoughts and feelings. Each character has a depth to them that drew me in. I became a cheerleader for all the characters as they started to trust each other at the Fifth Avenue Story Society. The mysterious invitation drew the five characters back every week to try and figure out who sent the invitations. Soon relationships are developed and each person are challenged to make a change in their lives. Rachel Hauck does a wonderful job of weaving individual stories into one flowing book. This engaging story made me contemplate how my life choices can affect those around me and how all things work together with a purpose. I recommend this book to those that enjoy reading romance and mysteries.
I received a complimentary book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the free review copy. All opinions are my own. 

What would you do if you found a mysterious invitation inviting you to a story society? That's what the characters in this book must decide when they are all presented with an invitation. There are five characters in this book, and the reader gets a glimpse into each person's POV. While this may seem like a lot, I actually found it to be pretty manageable with keeping stories straight because the characters are all different ages and have done different things in their lives. 

I think that Hauck did a great job at showing how strangers can become friends and how having a community is important for everyone's story. This book really centers around truth and how telling it is freeing. She also gives an awesome glimpse of what it's like to find, follow, and love Jesus wholeheartedly and how this decision can impact and change someone's life completely.

There's a bit of romance, drama, familial struggles, job struggles, and marital issues present in this book, so I think it would work for a large variety of audiences. I will say that this is different from some of her previously released books, but I think she did a stellar job with this novel.

Jett, Lexa, Chuck, Coral, and Ed receive a mysterious invitation to Fifth Avenue Story Society. None of them know the reason why they got an invitation and almost all of them are reluctant to continue attending the meetings. However, they return every Monday night out of curiosity and they start developing a friendship. Each of them has a story and painful pasts. By then end of the book, they become a freer version of their former selves and find love, forgiveness and most of all friendship.

I loved each of these characters and loved reading about their individual stories…their past and present struggles, their hopes, and dreams. I imagined myself sitting in that room with them. It was so well written. I especially loved how the author made New York City come alive for me.

Overall, it was an inspirational, uplifting and heartwarming story and I am glad I read it. I will definitely be seeking out the rest of Rachel Hauck’s books in the future.

Everyone has a story. The five New Yorkers invited to The Fifth Avenue Story Society soon find out their stories stand between their tendency to hide from themselves and their need to live a full life. Rachel Hauck has created flawed characters you'll come to love. As in life, the reader gets to know each one, in a slow deliberate fashion. By the end of the book I was rooting for them to figure out what they needed and to accomplish their life desires. I especially enjoyed Coral's journey. She's the most honest, even when she holds back a bit of her story until she can't. Ed is lovable, Chuck's story tugs at the heart. By the end of the book, I was reminded of the beauty and importance of friendship and the joy of encouragement. This is a great read to cozy up with on a long winter day. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a story with an unusual situation that hooked me from the beginning. Five different people receive an embossed formal invitation to attend a story society meeting at a Fifth Avenue literary society. There is not a postmark...they just appeared to each person. They are all strangers but for two people...Jett Wilder, an associate professor of literature at New York College and his ex-wife, Lexa Wilder, an executive assistant of an up and coming gourmet hamburger restaurant. The rest of the group includes, Coral Winthrop, an heiress, leader of a cosmetic company, and whose family own the literary society, Chuck, an Uber driver, and Ed, a retired publishing worker and now super of his apartment building. What they don't know is why they are there and who invited them. They all have emotional hurts and real problems that are hindering their happiness. Each person's story is told away from the group. As they continue meeting, they develop a relationship and become friends that depend on each other and look forward to their Monday night meetings where they enjoy a meal, visit, talk, and eventually have to gain enough trust with each other to turn loose of their closely held secrets that keep them from moving forward. This is an emotional story where each person has to figure out unresolved issues, meet them head-on, sometimes in a painful way. There are surprises and healing, courage to go on, romance, and faith in the mix. Another winner by Rachel Hauck and her unique voice and storytelling. This is a thought provoking story that stayed with me/
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

"Every day we tell, listen to, live and breathe stories."
Set in New York City, this interesting mix of characters from different walks of life are brought together by a mysterious invitation to a "Story Society". Their stories unfold and the group quickly forms friendships, helping each other in ways they would have never imagined. There is a connection to the story from The Writing Desk, but the book is a stand alone.

"We want to be seen, heard, and loved."
This author definitely knows people--with all of their fears, flaws, hopes and dreams--and skillfully draws the reader in to care about this struggling group. Told from their five perspectives, it was easy to follow along as their lives intersected and they began to have a positive impact on each other. They were all stuck because of something in their pasts, preventing them from moving on and fully living. It takes courage to change and overcome some obstacles, and they helped each other in this way. It reminded me of the verse in Proverbs that says, "Iron sharpens iron." We all have a story and never know if ours can help someone else.
A touch of divine intervention is at play here, something this author does well, adding a bit of mystery. Some faith and inspirational moments later on interjected a lot of hope. Overall this is a story of second chances, redemption, and love. I wondered how it would all come together, and the ending was definitely worth the wait.
Recommend to readers who enjoy contemporary women's fiction with flawed characters and adult romance. 4.5 stars

This is an engaging tale of five (mostly) strangers brought together by a mysterious invitation. They meet at a library and become an unlikely group, the "Fifth Avenue Story Society." Everyone brings something unique to the group that someone else needs, even though that's not apparent from the start.

Hauck's writing quickly draws the reader in, and it's easy to feel a part of the unlikely group. Character development is strong. I loved that the story was told in multiple POV's, as it gives the reader the full picture, and you're really able to connect with each person. And, it's focused around a library, so what's not to love about that? :)

I had a hard time putting this one down, as I couldn't wait to see how things turned out in the end. It's a testament to how God works in ways we may not (okay, often don't) understand.

An absolutely enthralling tale of five people brought together under the most unusual circumstances. A diverse group of men and woman, from all walks of life, receive a mysterious invitation to join a Story Society. They all have various reasons for showing up, but as their stories unfold, their reasons for staying are deeply personal and yet intricately tied to one another. The stories unroll in a savory, deeply satisfying fashion that I could not quite get enough of; truly. I was up way past my bedtime as the culmination of all intersections were revealed. True to Rachel’s style, the Divine was present in a mysterious character that kept progress moving along right when someone felt stumped or stuck. This story shows the power of surrendering yourself to friends, love and truth. Another captivating book by Rachel Hauck that I wholly endorse and recommend. You will not regret the time spent in this treasure. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

One day, five apparently randomly-selected people were sent invitations to meet in a special room in a quaint New York City library. None of them knows why they were selected. Each of them has secrets. As the story unfolds and the group meets weekly, tales of loss and regret emerge. The reader is drawn in to each character's life as the quests for reconciliation and redemption unfold. This book is so much more than an inspirational romance. The author masterfully weaves the threads of each plot line together to create a beautiful, complex tapestry, providing insights into human character and the gift of God's love. Readers will have a tough time putting this one down. This compelling, touching book would be an excellent addition to any inspirational fiction collection.

This story grabbed me from the very beginning. I wanted to know more about these 5 characters and what led them to where they were at the beginning of the story, Such an interesting premise and I was enthralled the entire time. I couldn't put it down! My favorite book from Rachel Hauck, for sure!

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was hard to put down. It is written in a warm and easy-to-read style. The wounded characters are authentic and plausible, and easy to connect with. The stories for each character were not always what you would expect. This, combined with few loose ends stopped the conclusion from feeling trite. My only criticism is that the Christian themes didn’t seem to woven into the beginning of the book strongly, so the message at the end felt a little surprising. In saying this, the book is full of hope and redemption, and a joy to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.