I only read House Rules, and now I have no desire to read the other books in this collection. This is a DNF for me.

d as a standalone, though--it was a little throwaway comment that was easily missed and not at all important to the plot.)

I enjoyed Magda and Ty's story--an enemies to lovers story, of sorts. A lot like Oliver and Fay in the first book, both Magda and Ty had plenty of personal issues to work out before they could really commit to working on their relationships. Poor Ty wasn't even ready to admit for 80+% of the story that he had a relationship with the people in the community garden, so...as a result, the romance was definitely a slow burn one. Delicious, but slow.

My only real complaint is that the ending felt a bit abrupt--since I was reading this as part of a novella collection ( The Uptown Collection ) it was a real surprise when I realized I was on the last page of the story. It was a cute ending and a complete story, I just wanted a teensy bit more there at the end.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

House Rules

Ms Lang immediately drew me into Simon and Lana's story. I loved that they are both in their forties, which IMO increased the possibility that their second chance romance could actually work. It's been seventeen years since their divorce, after all--who isn't going to change in seventeen years?--and they're not the same people whose misunderstandings and miscommunications made them choose to be apart then.

Of course they're going to have new misunderstandings and miscommunications now--it's a romance novel, and we need conflict!--but now that they both now what they were missing when they were apart and how good they can be together again, they'll work even harder to stay together...right?

You'll have to read House Rules to find out for sure. Except spoiler alert: the publisher tells you right in the blurb that they guarantee an HEA or HFN, so yeah, this time these crazy kids are going to make it. Which means you're going to have to read House Rules instead for the loveliness that is their second chance romance, to see the pleasure that Simon takes in his concerts and his teaching, and to witness the strength that Lana hadn't realized she had in her, to meet Muffin the cat, and to confirm that no, smoking hot sex scenes aren't just for the twenty- and thirty-year olds in romancelandia.

(Thank god.)

Rating: 4 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A sweet collection of novellas!

Playing House

I loved the premise of this one--watching Oliver and Fay almost fall into their quirky little habit of sort-of posing as newlyweds to tour open houses was a delight, not to mention a highly unusual form of courtship. Their story was a gentle slide from acquaintances to friends to...more, and somehow it managed to be easy going one minute and urgent the next, both sweet and steamy. Of course I would have liked to have seen more from both of the characters, but even at its shorter length it still felt like a complete story. I especially liked how Ms Lang had them resolve their relationship issue; it was realistic and didn't make it seem like either one of them had to give anything up, either to become their best self or to get to an HEA.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

Open House

Magda's book! (She gave Oliver and Fay--AKA Ollie and Darling Wife a tour of her uncle's townhouse in book one--I LOLed when the subject of people touring houses and ruining shower curtains came up, because that was Ollie and Darling! Really, it can be read as a standalone, though--it was a little throwaway comment that was easily missed and not at all important to the plot.)

I enjoyed Magda and Ty's story--an enemies to lovers story, of sorts. A lot like Oliver and Fay in the first book, both Magda and Ty had plenty of personal issues to work out before they could really commit to working on their relationships. Poor Ty wasn't even ready to admit for 80+% of the story that he had a relationship with the people in the community garden, so...as a result, the romance was definitely a slow burn one. Delicious, but slow.

My only real complaint is that the ending felt a bit abrupt--since I was reading this as part of a novella collection ( The Uptown Collection ) it was a real surprise when I realized I was on the last page of the story. It was a cute ending and a complete story, I just wanted a teensy bit more there at the end.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

House Rules

Ms Lang immediately drew me into Simon and Lana's story. I loved that they are both in their forties, which IMO increased the possibility that their second chance romance could actually work. It's been seventeen years since their divorce, after all--who isn't going to change in seventeen years?--and they're not the same people whose misunderstandings and miscommunications made them choose to be apart then.

Of course they're going to have new misunderstandings and miscommunications now--it's a romance novel, and we need conflict!--but now that they both now what they were missing when they were apart and how good they can be together again, they'll work even harder to stay together...right?

You'll have to read House Rules to find out for sure. Except spoiler alert: the publisher tells you right in the blurb that they guarantee an HEA or HFN, so yeah, this time these crazy kids are going to make it. Which means you're going to have to read House Rules instead for the loveliness that is their second chance romance, to see the pleasure that Simon takes in his concerts and his teaching, and to witness the strength that Lana hadn't realized she had in her, to meet Muffin the cat, and to confirm that no, smoking hot sex scenes aren't just for the twenty- and thirty-year olds in romancelandia.

(Thank god.)

Rating: 4 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A fun collection of short stories. This was the first read from Ms. Lang and I was satisfied. The stories were short and sexy relatably romance with a smart heroine.

An enjoyable trilogy of three short novels, interconnecting in that there was some very minor crossover of characters between the three. The books take three different views at housing difficulties encountered in NYC, and I appreciated that the protagonists weren't all in that 21-30 year old sweet spot that so many romance books trend toward. I did feel that the third book could have (should have) spent more time describing the health issue that was central to the plot.

4.33⭐️. Novella collection: fake dating, enemies to lovers, & divorced to lovers.
.
.
Ruby Lang’s The Uptown Collection is a charming and yet weighty novella collection with each story focusing around a home.
.
.
In these stories, a home is more than a physical space. It’s where people can dream, pretend, and confront truths, learn about themselves and what makes them happy. It’s also where they can fall in love.
.
.
Each novella offers something new and yet they’re strongly linked to the others:
.
.
🏠 Oliver and Fay pretend to be dating as they explore open houses in Playing House.
.
.
🏠 Magda and Tyson are on opposites sides of a battle surrounding a community garden in Open House.
.
.
🏠 Once-married and now-divorced Simon and Lana share an apartment in House Rules.
.
.
Like Kate Clayborn’s, Ruby’s writing is pared down and yet packs a huge punch. It took me a minute to adjust—maybe also because tbh the first novella isn’t my favorite of the collection—but then I loved it.
.
.
To me, her writing is about mature people still struggling with things—no one ever has it fully figured out, that’s just not life—but trying to figure it out, and trying to communicate better (even if it takes a while in the first novella).
.
.
The Uptown Collection is also unexpectedly 🔥—a very welcome surprise. There’s one first kiss scene in here that had me fumbling, it’s so good.
.
.
If an #ownvoices, emotionally aware collection that really brings the steam sounds good, check out Ruby Lang’s Uptown Collection. It’s a slower speed, but I ended up really savoring it.
.
.
The Uptown Collection is a new collection of previously published novellas. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Great compilation of real estate romance novellas by Ruby Lang.

This is a compilation of 3 romances from Ruby Lang.

First up is Playing House, which is sweet, but a little bit rushed towards the end. Regardless of the rushed feeling of the ending, though, this is an entertaining read.

Open House, the second novella, is even better. It is more of a heartbreaking story, but it's not overly angsty or full of drama. There is a lot of balance between laugh-out-loud moments and moments of thoughtfulness and feeling.

House Rules, the third, is the best and most developed of them all. There is a true happily-ever-after for the main characters, and the story arc is well-defined and their happily-ever-after feels really genuine.

I’ve been wanting to read some of Ruby Lang’s books and jumped at the chance to try The Uptown Collection. These three real estate themed novellas are based in New York and the author really used the real estate setting to their fullest potential.

I really felt like the author had quite a literary sensibility and although I’m the type of reader that races through a story, I slowed down to absorb an evocative turn of phrase or to mull over some of the concepts.

All three stories were so empathically written and tugged at my cold dead heart. Each also explored in some fashion family dynamics and friendships as well as one’s sense of self. Alongside of this, was also some the steamiest scenes!

Out of three, my fave would probably be House Rules as it gave me more of sense that the characters had an HEA, whereas the first two stories, Playing House and Open House, felt rather rushed and would have benefited from a longer form style.

All in all, I really enjoyed this collection!

Three excellent novellas, well written and entertaining.
I liked how the author delivered three sweet story, heartwarming and sometimes are heart-wrenching.
The characters are well thought and you cannot help rooting for them, the setting is vivid and interesting.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

So this is a compilation of 3 books in one- Playing House, Open House, and House Rules. I will admit I had previously read House Rules, but the first two book s were new to me
I thought Playing House was a wonderful series opener. I was immediately drawn into the fake relationship trope between Fay and Oliver. I found them to be sweet and adorable. They brought out the best in each other and their chemistry was fantastic!
Open House did not draw me in quite so quickly. I appreciated that Magda was the connector between the two stories. I thought she had great character development throughout the story, as did Tyson. This was a decent enemies to lovers trope, but overall was my least favorite of the three.
House Rules once again had a brief appearance by Magda as a connector. I really enjoyed Simon and Lana's second-chance love story. Their chemistry is incredible and leads to some amazingly steamy scenes. I felt like their story was fairly realistic, and different from the normal romance novels.
Overall, I truly enjoy this series. Ruby Lang's writing is great, and her characters tend to be relatable. I will definitely recommend to my friends!

Pick this one if you're looking for romantic novellas set in Manhattan and featuring mature characters in the real estate market. Know, though, that each of the novellas have been previously published as standalones so you'll want to check if you've read them. Lang has hit the critical themes of enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and fake romance that turns real. They aren't deep but the characters are diverse and there's some really funny lines. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A beautiful collection of sweet romances! Each story has its own flare! Shorter novellas and a longer story that will tug the heart strings! Each one focuses on the dynamics of family, friends and the discovery of who you are and what you want!

I enjoyed each story! I wish the first two would’ve been a little longer but I loved the characters and the stories plot! A great mix of characters and charm!

A delightful collection of novellas from Ruby Lang, these three stories are sweet and low angst without being overly saccharine. The novellas were previously individually released but really work well together in The Uptown Collection.

In the first story, Playing House, Oliver and Fay are long-time acquaintances who run into each other while on a historic home tour. They are both in the same profession and both share common interests. Fay is recently divorced and not into playing games and I really appreciated that. There’s a scene in the story where she bluntly asks Oliver what his intentions are and I found that so refreshing. Oliver is also at a crossroad. After his previous place of employment folded, he’s been doing consulting work while trying to find a permanent position. He’s torn about pursuing something Fay because he just recently applied for a job at the company she started and runs with her two partners. While I enjoyed the quiet tone of this story. I did wish it had been longer or that there had been an epilogue.

In Open House, it’s Magda, the real estate broker who we met briefly in the previous story, who is at a professional crossroad. As the baby of the family, she’s been coddled and protected and indulged by her mother and two significantly older sisters. She’s financially broke and puts a lot of pressure on herself to prove she can actually accomplish something. Hero Tyson, an accountant, has his own personal struggles and when the two meet, they find themselves at cross purposes over an empty lot turned community garden that Tyson is trying to save and Magda is trying to sell. I thoroughly enjoyed the found community aspect of this story and for being a novella, I thought the two main characters were extremely well-developed and nuanced.

House Rules, the final story in the collection, features one of my favorite tropes, second chance romance. I adored Simon and Lana, who divorced each other, only to find themselves becoming roommates many years later. I adored so much about this story from Simon taking care of Lana when she is bedridden with pain due to her endometriosis to Lana realizing she needed to forge her own identity and find her own passion. This was a beautiful story about two grown ups figuring out how to not repeat the mistakes of the past and learning how to grow together instead of apart.

All in all, I really enjoyed this collection - it didn’t have a lot of action but I thought the characters were really well drawn out and multi-faceted and had a lot of depth.

The Uptown Collection
by Ruby Lang
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

Ruby Lang’s novellas are encompassing and endearing. She writes about relatable characters that are diverse, mature and authentic, yet still struggling as many do in real life. Her backdrop for the series of Harlem is presented beautifully and capture the historic importance of the area and the community.

Playing House / Open House / House Rules

Playing House
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

A chance encounter brings tow acquaintances much closer! To rescue Fey from a menacing paramour, Oliver dives into the charge she’s created of them as a couple. Both Oliver and Fey are in need of some fun and they continue to see each other and reenact the charge as they tour homes in Manhattan.

When Fey finds out that Oliver has been vying for a job at her city planing firm, she questions if not only their playing house was faked, but but his feelings for her as well.

Oliver now needs to decide if the job he’s been looking for is what he actually wants or does he actually want the girl he wasn’t looking for more!

I love a novella that wraps up all your emotions into nice neat package. Lang does this easily and keeps me reading until the end. The sign of a good novella is that you are satisfied with the results but but would read on if presented that option. Lang’s characters are relatable and enjoyable to read!

Open House
⭐⭐⭐💫 /5

The second book in the Uptown Collection opens in a townhouse showing that was also seen in the first book! This time we are following Magda. She is working hard, adulting the best she can, while trying to pull herself out of debt. She’s brokering reality for her boss and that’s where she meets Tyson.

Tyson is also trying to figure out who he is and what he’s doing… although in a different way. After loosing his his mother to cancer, he picked up and moved his life to a new burrow. Here he has found a surrogate family in the local community garden… the same garden Magda has been assigned to sell.

Magda and Ty are natural enemies, being on opposite sides of the garden sale, too bad there is a connection between them that they both can’t deny.

In general, both characters were likeable and relatable, but I didn’t love this story as much as the other 2 in the series. That could also be a personal thing, where the loss of my own mother still hits pretty close to home… On a side note the other community gardeners were really fun and Ty’s sister was another great addition.

The story had a great wrap up and ended on a high note that made up for my less than enthusiastic reading through out.

House Rules
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

This is the third novella in Ruby Lang’s Uptown series. This is also the first book form Ruby that I have read… definitely not my last!😁

After divorcing seventeen years ago, Simon and Lana haven’t crossed paths… until today. Both are in the market for a new apartment in New York city. Simon feels he finally has out grown of his dilapidated rent-controlled place that used to be his fathers and Lana, newly returned to the city after traveling the world needs her own place. They run into each other at an open house. Maturely they decide to go for coffee to catch up and plan to never see each other again… until Lana finds the perfect apartment and needs a roommate.

They move in together on trial basis- just as roommates. As both work different schedules, it should be easy to avoid each other… until they don’t. Simon has always loved Lana, but wasn’t willing to change the trajectory of his life to fit her in? while trying to make something of herself, Lana never stopped loving Simon either. With a second chance at forever, will they both be able to compromise and find their happily ever after?

I loved this story. The characters were authentic and the crisis of finding one owns happiness and a happiness together resonated. The mature characters were a breath of fresh air and I felt their joy as they found their own Carina Press guaranteed HEA❤️.

*******

These novellas together of on their own are a great read and delivered in fun bitesized portions!

The Uptown Collection by Ruby Lang is scheduled to release May 25th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HARLEQUIN - Carina Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blog: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-uptown-collection.html

#TheUptownCollection #PlayingHouse #OpenHouse #HouseRules #RubyLang #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

These three stories are short, more novella than novel, so I really enjoyed that they were combined into a single volume. They are sweet, fast paced, and a nice escape.

The Uptown Collection is a collection of 3 novellas (about a 100 pages each) set against the backdrop of Harlem. All three novellas feature real estate in some form and one character is actually present in all three. The novellas feature 3 of my all time favorite tropes, but somehow none of them clicked for me.

The first novella features Oliver and Fay, two urban planners and long time acquaintances who pretend to be a couple as they tour open houses. The fake relationship quickly turns into a real one. The second novella is more enemies to lovers as real estate broker Magda tries to sell a plot that is currently a community garden, while Tyson tries to protect said illegal garden. Again, this developed way too quickly for my taste. The third novella is a second chance romance that features two exes who end up being roommates 17 years after their divorce. By the time I got to this one, I was mostly skimming through the chapters.

Novellas are tricky, and I always feel like they lack proper characterization and buildup. Everything felt super rushed to me, particularly in the first novella. I found it very hard to get invested in any of the characters and didn’t feel any spark. I found the sex scenes in all three novellas to be incredibly cringey and skipped them entirely by the time I got to the 3rd novella. However, if you like light novellas with older than usual characters (30-40s), this collection might be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this series so much and it was fun reading them all in one place! Each novella is quick-paced but full of romantic chemistry and tons of heart. If you've read one of the novellas and would like to read the full series or are looking for a fun, escapist romance series, I'd 100% recommend this.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of these books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this.
Out of the three novels, I found the third one to be the most interesting to read. That may be because the last one felt longer, and I was able to familiarise myself with the characters.
The first and second book seemed to have a little bit of unnecessary drama to keep the story going.

I love that these novellas were made into a collection, it's such a great way to become familiar with a new author. I especially like collections of novellas because on their own I feel a bit cheated by the length, but several novellas in one set feels like a good deal!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ruby lang was a new to me author and I cannot wait to dive into more of her work! These three romances were emotional, heart tugging, and sweetly sexy books.