We probably all experienced the moment when reading a book we suddenly thought –this book should be made into a movie! This is precisely the discovery I made while reading “Cult Classic” by Sloane Crosley. Such a film would be "Inception" meets "When Harry meets Sally" with the exception that in the book, sure, there is only one "Sally," but maybe ten or so "Harrys."

Lola is a young New Yorker who suddenly starts to experience strange coincidences. Every day she accidentally meets one of his ex-boyfriends, be it Amos, Willis, Pierre, or another. There are a lot of them, not because Lola is promiscuous, but according to her friend's words, she is "A serial monogamist. A people hoarder". Lola remembers the mannerisms and habits of her former lovers very well and tends to analyze the reasons for the breakups. The novel is written in brilliant language, the dialogs are clever, and the descriptions are sharp and humorous. Like this one: "He'd always been a fancy person trapped in a starving artist's body. It was the jawline, destined for good suits and clearly defined from the neck like a Pez dispenser".

At some point, something and somebody appear that may explain the mysterious repetitions. Lola's previous boss, Clive, a man with a penchant for weird visionary ideas, runs an operation that can be seen as a cult in an abandoned synagogue. Will Lola agree to collaborate in trying to explain the strange incidents that happen to her every day on the streets of New York? The answer to this question is a bit surprising, as is the book's ending, worthy of an engaging thriller.

I have enjoyed reading this book very much. It's captivating, funny, and mysterious. If a movie were made of it, I would watch it!

I enjoyed Cult Classic way more than I thought I would. I was drawn in from the first sentence and couldn’t put the book down after that. I haven’t read anything by this author before but I definitely plan to after reading this book. I loved the writing style, the wit, the characters, and how much I laughed while reading this. Would definitely recommend!

I really enjoyed this novel and will definitely keep an eye out for more from Crosley in the future. The main character and her cast of friends were interesting and humourous in a fresh way. A very different style and take on the genre.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advance copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This was a really enjoyable, unique read! Very smart, witty, and engaging writing, with a twist ending that I definitely didn't expect! I can't wait to recommend this book to customers.

Plot was a little weird, but the writing was exceptional. I think I am okay with how it all wrapped up. Very witty and thoughtful main character.

Sloane Crosley writes the stuff of nightmares and of dreams.

Imagine going to dinner with a group of former coworkers who have somehow become your group of friends, because that's kind of how living in New York works, and then you leave to go buy cigarettes, not so much because you smoke, but more because you need a moment of peace, and then you run into an old boyfriend.

Then the next day, you meet up with another friend from years before, and she wants to go to dinner, weirdly at the same place as the night before, and you see another former lover... and it goes on... and on... and on...

Cult Classic is a mind-bending, hilarious slow burn of a novel. Crosley is truly at her best with this one. I stand by everything I've ever said... I still want to be her best friend. I want to go to brunch, I want to go shopping, I want to get coffee on Smith Street. Sloane....seriously...I'm just in Sunset Park! Let's be BFF!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for e-arc.
When you look back on your past relationships....is closure what you need? Crosley examines this possibility with great humor and style. Her take on a man's perspective on break-ups is fascinating. A good read !

This was good. I really enjoyed the premise. Her humor is so clear yet subtle. You can tell that she is a funny person and not someone who is trying to write about a funny person.

After dinner in Chinatown, Lola finds herself running into her exes several nights in a row, each encounter causing her to reflect on those relationships, each unique in its own right. This made for a lively approach to examining romance in the current age. I chose to not pay much attention to the otherworldly aspect of the plot, which made me enjoy it more, but that's me. It was a device that worked to propel the story, but I was just enjoying Lola and her NYC life.

A romp! It's a certain type of joy to read a woman spiral and reach self awareness! Thanks to net galley as always.

One of the most unique and original plots I’ve ever read. The humor is biting about love and relationships. As a person who is looking for her past while walking the streets of New York I really got it.

I really enjoyed this book. I have not read anything by this author yet. The main character, Lola is the typical cynical New Yorker, engaged to "Boots". She is witty and hilarious, and I really loved her. She randomly starts running into her ex-boyfriends and is initially confused but then suspicious of her journey forward, wondering why? When she finally uncovers the source of her random mysterious ex meet-ups, she is first surprised then confused and finally reflective over her past and future with Boots. The writing is sharp, unconventional and sarcastic and Lola along with her cohort of friends were hilarious together. Very original story!! I can't wait to read more by this author!! Thank you so much for the ARC!!!

I am a huge fan of Sloane Crosley. I think the hardest thing to do it "write funny" and she pulls it off every time. I am still laughing about the "Like Donald Duck?" comment. There is so much going on in the story that even though the main character is discovering herself the story doesn't get bogged down in misery and introspection.

What if a super secret wellness cult could grant you the ability to randomly reconnect with every single one of your exes. Personally, I would say no, but that's just me. Sloane Crosley's Cult Classic explores this notion as the main character, Lola, is graced with the presence of her numerous exes all within the blocks of Chinatown.

I think what I liked about this book so much was its plot (and coming from someone that gravitates towards character driven stories, thats saying a lot). I found myself constantly wondering what would happen next and was surprised by the directions the story ended up taking. Crosley weaves in musings on life and relationships well, all while keeping you on your toes about the intentions of the cult. This book was not only fun but provided an opportunity for me to look back on my own relationship with the past and how I hold on to moments, events, and people. This novel releases on June 7th!!

This is not what I expected. I thought I was diving into some cult story, but this turned out to be a weird love story where everyone needed to jump through several hoops to agree that they love each other.

I’m not sure if most of the people would want to face their past boyfriends, hookups or heartbreaks on different street corners one day after another. Some might long for that one relationship but if you have so many that didn’t mean so much to you or you tried to forget, you wouldn’t want to be in Lola’s shoes. Because past boyfriends are popping up everyone like mushrooms after the rain.

After reading above, you might ask so what’s the cult connection here. So this eccentric ex-boss came up with the “genius” idea of manifesting everyone’s past significant others to show them whether they are making the right decision or not. He decided to use Lola as his trial case for his “investors”. There will be bunch of what the hell is this guy doing but it’s an interesting take on love and trust

What if romance was managed by a cult...?

Part noir mystery, part Christmas Carol, Cult Classic is a look at relationship from the perspective of an empowered, emotion-hoarding, confused woman that has a decided problem with comitment. Newly engaged, she finds herself alone as her fiancée leqces on a business trip... only to be confronted by an old flame evey night.

I really enjoyed, not only the story, but the portrayal of complex emotions. Lola, our MC, bounces from reflective to narcissitic to out and out insane as she relives her past relationships and decisions, and the crazy source of her parade of paramores.

Not only was Lola and her mentality well drawn, but the cast of supporting characters drawn by Crosley was phenominal! Well done!

Unlike a lot of other reviewers here, I'd never read Slone Crosley before and wasn't sure what to expect. This was such a fun read! It was really sharp, smart without being pretentious or try-hard, and very funny and perceptive. I found some of the late-middle section when the narrator was describing various exes to drag a bit, but overall the book held my interest throughout. I am not sure I'd classify this as a "cult novel," though -- maybe more like a "mad scientist and his helpers" novel? I was missing some of the group dynamics that I would expect from a book that's really about cults (though the book is really smart about group dynamics in workplaces and other types of relationships).

The book this reminded me most of is Catherine Lacey's "The Answers," more in terms of theme than tone or style.

One evening Lola goes out for dinner with her old work crowd. Later that evening, through happenstance, she begins running into her many exes. What on earth is going on? Soon, Lol a finds herself through the looking glass in a sort of secret society. This is a clever and witty exploration of commitment and cultist behaviour. If you have a great sense of curiosity this book is for you.

4 stars

Despite the strong urgings of several trusted friends, this is still - somehow - my first Sloane Crosley effort, and I can see what the buzz is all about.

Lola, the m.c., is on the path to getting married, and unlike so many heroines who find themselves on this same trajectory, she is edging up on 40 and thus has a fair amount of life in her back pocket. This is important because Lola's past plays a central role in this novel, which is a little bit love story, a dash of _The Truman Show_, a hint of _Sliding Doors_, and a sprinkle of a character Parker Posey would have played perfectly a few years ago (and no doubt still would). The main talking point I hear about Crosley is the wry humor, and while I did find this funny at times, the situations were (to me) too awkward to be funny (and that is admittedly my own problem stemming from the thought of running into a bunch of exes. Lola is healthier, or at least really different, than I am in this way. It is what it is). Overall, the concept feels fresh, incredibly quirky, and meaningful based on an ending I particularly enjoyed.

This is a quick read and a terrific audiobook for those who are able to access this version. The narrator adds a lot of personality to an already compelling m.c. I expect I'll *finally* be taking that good advice and circling back to Crosley's earlier works and keeping an eye out for future installments.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is exactly what I expected if Sloane Crosley wrote a novel about cults. If you’ve read her books and you are familiar with who she is, you know what I’m talking about. Every box ticked. You either like that kind of thing or you don’t. If you are not familiar with this author I do not recommend this book. As it is I would give it a 3.5