The further I delved into this one, the more I found it enchanting and unique.
It’s not fast-paced or even particularly exciting. It is, however, emotionally engaging and you’ll feel like you’re a part of this elite and varied circle of strangers becoming friends. The individual tales weave into a beautiful tapestry of hope, healing, and second chances with a healthy dose of love, sweet love.

This title is definitely my favourite title by the author so far. Practice safe reading… and order online, by phone or email, from your favourite independent bookseller or retail chain… and spend some quality time with a good book away from in-person friends.

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

As the story began it a familiar tone but I couldn't figure out what book had mysterious invitations arrive with no indication of who it was from or why the invitees were all there. Then it hit me . . . Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie! A book I just loved!

Rachel Hauck does an excellent job of creating mystery not only with the invitations but with the attendees at the story society. They seem to be wondering why they're there and how they all fit together.

The story is told through each of the attendees point of view which allows the reader to get to know them and their individual story.

I had to stop trying to figure out who the sender of the invitations were and why they were all there to really be able to truly enjoy the story. In doing so I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I didn't want it to end, which is why I enjoy Rachel Hauck's books.

Rachel Hauck wove the spiritual element seamlessly throughout the book showing hope instead of despair.

I highly recommend this book!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Redemption. Forgiveness. Honesty. Life is difficult. It’s sad. It’s painful. But when a group of five meandering people are invited to a story society at a private library they almost miss the chance to grow. Step into The Fifth Avenue Story Society and follow their journey to healing.

What I liked: The Fifth Avenue Story Society is an inspiring story of a group of five people who all need to heal. Their journey is emotional and tense, but ultimaley hopeful.

What I didn’t like: At times the switch between characters was confusing. It was well marked and flowed well, but because we were intimate with five characters and each had several supporting characters it can be difficult to keep everyone straight. However, to be fair, most of the things I didn’t like about The Fifth Avenue Story Society were because I received an ARC eBook. I KNOW formatting issues can be distracting and that this is something that will be corrected in production, but it did cause me o be distracted at times.

Five strangers each receive a mysterious invitation to a literary society at the New York public library on Fifth Avenue. With no idea what could link all of them, they look into and speak about childhoods, current jobs and circumstances, and even their love lives.
Two of the members, Lexa and Jett, were married—to each other. Then a tragic loss in his life and her workaholic tendencies at a start up drove them apart. Chuck is a divorcee who has lost custody of his kids and just wants to be allowed to see them again. Coral, the only other woman in the society, is the head of a major makeup corporation who left her fiance at the altar. The elderly man, Ed, is a widower who wants to write the story of his great love, insisting there were no bad days in their eight year marriage. The former couple, Lexa and Jett, weren’t even on speaking terms until this forced interaction. She is too consumed with trying to become the CEO of the company she’s been behind since its founding. He is trying to finish his dissertation on a famous author whose works have been called into question. But the mystery of the society, and then a tragedy, throws the two into awkward close quarters again, and it seems as if another chance could happen for them. As each week the group spills more of the things they’ve always kept bottled up, their lives change, and healing gradually comes.
The Fifth Avenue Story Society is filled with second chances, hope, and gumption.
It’s the perfect cozy, empowering read for anyone looking for some happily resolved drama and characters who take command of their lives and make positive changes. This novel is encouraging, fun, and hopeful.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Several people received invites to the Fifth Avenue Story Society that lead very different lives. They did not know why they received the invites. They did enjoy getting to know each other. One was writing a memoir, and there was a divorced couple. Will they be able to get back together?

There were a lot of characters to keep up with. I like that each chapter started with which character it was about. I did find the book very interesting, and I enjoyed it a lot.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.

I really enjoyed this slice of life story about five individuals who were invited anonymously to a story society. The people in the book are quite different from each other except for one thing: they are each in the midst of a struggle. There are past struggles and current ones but they each are looking for something.

They get together and aren’t thrilled to begin with. There is a wealthy businesswoman, an Uber driver, an elderly man who wants to write about a book about his life with his late wife and a man and a woman who were divorced a couple of years before.

They decide to continue with their meetings for a time and then they continue on. We see into each of their lives and how much they are willing to tell one another.

There is a Christian message, including salvation, in the book. It doesn’t beat you over the head but it is there and, for myself, I found it very appealing.

I look forward to reading more books by Rachel Hauck in the future.

The characters were fun. I appreciate the opportunity to review this book from NetGalley. It did take awhile to get into.....after that, the story became engaging and had a good flow. I do wish the author had finished it with a bit more clarity, but overall it was a good read.

All the stars. This book gets all the stars. I adored this book from crusty old Ed to broken Coral, from Chuck and Jett and Lexa and how their stories intertwined. It was simply a charming, charming story. With each character holding a secret, I drawn into their stories and lives and how they formed a family of sorts from 5 nearly complete strangers who receive a mysterious invite to the Fifth Avenue Story Society. Just do yourselves a favor, read this book. I don't think you'll be disappointed. My only minor complaint is there was one element of one of the characters stories I would have liked to see more fully resolved but other than that, this story was pretty much perfect. This book with it's gorgeous cover is going on my keeper shelf.

I don’t normally begin a review by talking about the ending of a book; however, this book is not your typical Christian romance. The ending made me smile. In fact, the last four paragraphs almost made me want to stand up and cheer. I’m not going to give away any hints here. When you read this story, you’ll understand my reactions.

I’m telling you about the ending first, because at the beginning of this book you realize you have five characters and each is telling their story from their own point of view. It may at first seem just a tad overwhelming, but keep reading. It takes a master storyteller to weave all five of those stories into something beautiful , and I was awed at the way Rachel Hauck pulled this all together.

There are whispers of God working behind the scenes in the lives of all these characters, and that’s best represented by Gilda, who appears at just the right moments in the book to nudge a character a certain way. I will give you one small hint here—pay close attention to Cora’s story. She shines the light of God’s grace in a special way all throughout the book.

I loved this book. I will be reading it again, as I hated leaving these characters behind. I’m glad to know that I can return to the Fifth Avenue Story Society again.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A book of broken relationships, developing friendships, discovery, and healing. What a delightful and emotional book where strangers, new acquaintances, and former spouses find themselves meeting unexpectedly.

Your heart will reach out to each character as they struggle to find meaning to their lives, resolve broken relationships, discover how to be brave enough to face the truth, and heal. You will be drawn into the story and find yourself emotionally invested in their lives.

It was an amazing journey through the pages as they all began to realize that God provides the ultimate truth and way through your situation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest review. I am grateful for the opportunity to read a wonderful book that touched my heart deeply.

I read the e book through NetGalley But the actual book cover is beautiful! The story grabs your attention right away and keeps you wanting to come back for more!Five people, five mysterious invitations. Skeptical but curious enough, all five individuals show up to the first society meeting. After that they continue to meet and grow in friendship learning to trust one another with their long-held secrets. I really enjoyed reading this book!

4 stars- I have read a majority of Rachel’s books over the years. She is a very talented writer that weaves amazing stories. This is another creative venture, this time into the lives of 5 very different characters brought together under mysterious circumstances. Each of the characters had a unique story to tell and it was fun to try and figure out how each of their stories would play out and how the group members fit together. Divorced from each other, Jett and Lexa’s connection was obvious but some of the others were more complex. Each character had much more to their story than they let on.
I also found it interesting how the author tied in another of her books into the storyline of this book. Jett idolizes the author Gordon Phipps Roth. He is a renowned scholar on the man and working on the finishing touches to his dissertation on the author. He is plagued by small things that lead him to question the integrity of his hero. Having read Rachel’s earlier book “The Writing Desk” I knew the answers to all of Jett’s questions since it is about GPR’s great granddaughter, Tenley and her family. I had insider knowledge that Jett didn’t. You certainly do not need to read “The Writing Desk” to enjoy this book. But I would highly recommend it. I also liked how some of her characters from previous books made cameos in this one.
Rachel creates wonderful stories and I always look forward to reading her books. There were a couple characters that I really liked but I thought their outcome in the end seemed a little forced. I love how Rachel always includes a Florida connection in her stories. Having been born and raised in Florida I love the shout outs to my home state.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

My review of this book was posted at All About Romance on March 5, 2020: https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/the-fifth-avenue-story-society-by-rachel-hauck/

I have also posted it at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3219115760?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

A lovable novel about honesty, friendship and love. Honesty most of all against oneself, facing the truth and opening up to others. The truth will set you free - that's true for all five main characters. In the end all five get what the reader was longing for from the beginning. Their meeting in the story society of course wasn't accidental or kismet - God cared and provided for all of them.

I could never choose one favorite author. But I could probably name a top 5, or maybe 10. And Rachel would make the list. She has never written a bad book--or if she has, I have never read it.

When I read the summary for The Fifth Avenue Story Society last October, I knew it was going to be a good one. The cover itself is enough to make me want to curl up in a chair with some warm tea!

The Fifth Avenue Story Society is the story of five random people. They each receive a mysterious invitation to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society.

Lexa is an executive assistant who longs to advance in her company. Jett is a literature professor who's doubting his life's work. Chuck is an Uber driver who just wants to see his kids again.

Ed is a widower who just wants to write the story of his marriage to the love of his life. Coral is struggling to figure out how to save her grandmother's cosmetics company.

Each of them has a secret that they aren't willing to share. But as the members spend time together, they begin to form true friendships, and secrets are revealed.

Rachel's books usually have multiple story lines that all wrap up together. It's one of my favorite things about her novels. But this one takes it even further, with five stories!

I love characters I can connect with. As I read and discovered more parts of the individual backstories, I related somehow to each one.

I think it comes down to the fact that each one of us has things in our lives we wish we could change, or do differently. Things have happened to us that we couldn't control or change.

Ultimately, we must surrender our pasts and our mistakes to God and let Him work things out for us. I loved seeing how things changed for each of the characters when they had the courage to tell the truth. And it set them free.

I also love how Rachel includes a mysterious character in her stories. This person shows up at just the right time, gives advice where necessary and nudges people in the right direction.

It's just a gently reminder that Someone is always looking out for us, and has our best in mind.

The Fifth Avenue Story Society is Rachel's best book yet. Yes, I say that about every one of her books. And it's true every time. 


Overall: 5 stars

4.5 stars
A common thread in Rachel Hauck's books is a supernatural element that isn't completely explained, so it leaves the mystery up to the reader to solve. It gives her stories something unique that I now expect and enjoy. Real life emotions and situations are also portrayed in a way that is very believable. The author has a way of writing reality that is true, but still appropriate for this genre.
I could relate so well to the struggle it is to communicate with those we love. Our pride or selfishness can often get in the way when we fail to tell our loved ones exactly how we feel. It can often lead to mistakes, bad decisions, and hurt feelings. I loved seeing restored communication played out in the lives of all the characters in this book. Hope and love were the feelings I was left with at the end of this book, and for me, that was a great takeaway.
I would definitely recommend "The Fifth Avenue Story Society" as well as "The Memory House," which has a similar feel as this novel. Both are excellent!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in order to express my honest opinions, which I did.**

his was a beautiful book and I liked how it incorporated so many different characters with different stories and their struggles, all linked by the society (which I so wish was real). All the characters came alive within the pages and I didn't want their stories to end. Seeing them eventually rebuild their lives and support each other throughout the tough times was inspiring along with seeing their relationships develop. Each chapter was written with such care and as the story progressed it was great to see their lives rebuild and each of them face their struggles head on. It was an easy to read book and Rachel once again didn't disappoint, I always love reading her books and you never know what words of wisdom you will get from within the pages. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to seeing what Rachel writes next.

A mysterious invitation, five quirky characters, brought together for a reason none of them can fathom except a need that each of them harbors for something more in their lives than what they have at present. There is a lot of wonderfulness, including a bounty of romance in this new novel by Rachel Hauck. But one of the best things is when the gospel shows up in the storyline. It comes as a surprise, and it's had a transformational effect on the character for whom salvation has come. It then has a ripple effect on the other members of the story society! I heartily recommend this novel to all who enjoy good inspirational fiction. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC, for this, my honest review.

I was excited by the premise of this book - something different for Christian fiction! It was fun getting to know all the characters, and I was impressed with the depth of their development. I enjoyed the redemption elements and the little twists throughout. However, a few things fell flat for me. Namely . . .(view spoiler)

I had heard before I read the book that there is a loose tie-in to Hauck's The Writing Desk which I read years ago. I forgot about that as I read Fifth Avenue, though, and throughout the whole story I kept thinking the Gordon Phipps Roth storyline was so familiar. It wasn't until the end that I remembered the tie-in! But it wasn't a big deal. You don't have to read The Writing Desk before Fifth Avenue.

I received a complimentary version of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I must admit.. literally every time i finish a book by this author mostly becuase this is christian romance and it is 100% not a book I would pick up in a million years but this book was filled with SOOOO much suspense and intrigued.

Yes there was a message about god and faith and the journey to a higher power but it wasnt all consuming and if you are religious you will really enjoy that message and if you are not religious you can still enjoy this book and get how people can have a message and move passed that. Religion is not being forced down your throat by this author but it is presented in a way that if you would like the message it will be given.

anyway back to the book.
this book is about the mysterious story society which is made up of 5 strangers whose lives dont seem to match one another and along their journy of monday night meetings they form a true friendship, they overcome their fears, tell their truths, cry, laugh and grow in a way they couldnt without the support of eachother.. one of them has the support of god but they all learn to lean on friendships and in the last 5% i would say religion comes into play and I think it is really well done. I was quite impressed.