𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
Robin needs a new roommate since her best friend is moving to Boston. Tory needs to move away from her wealthy but abusive family situation. Jessica’s definitely not moving in with her boyfriend Brian after she finds out he’s been cheating. Tech guy Zach isn’t looking for a roommate at all, but he meets Jess he pretends he’s looking for a roommate. As the four meet and get to know each other, their lives change in so many ways.

𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Rachel Cullen rewinds back to the days of Blackberry phones, Expedia starting out and four individuals in their mid twenties enjoying their freedom. Each of the four have their own issues they are grappling with, but as their friendships develop and they get to know each other, I loved seeing how warm and kind each are. I enjoyed how there were some misunderstandings that proved mostly to be funny. The story never becomes too SITC, and the addition of Zach’s POV and his therapy references is adorable. It’s an entertaining and fun read ❤️

It took me a minute to get into this one, but it was worth it in the end! The book tells its’ story from four points of view, Jessica, Robin, Tori, and Zach. Through a series of events, the crew ends up living in the same apartment complex and their lives quickly become enmeshed. It’s also set in 2004, which is a time I remember fondly, but not as an adult. All in all this was a good, entertaining read. A good beach read, if you’re looking!

A light and quick read. A delightful book!

Some of the plot is predictable but it was still a fun story I enjoyed diving into. Overall a sweet book with likable characters and enviable real estate.

{This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.}

I loved going back to the 'olden days' and reading this great book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This book took a bit to get into but once I was a few chapters in I couldn’t stop reading. Each character was well developed and the story progressed at a steady pace that kept it interesting. I enjoyed the writing style of the author and thought the characters were funny and compelling. Usually, wealthy characters are harder to connect with but the author did a great job of making them very relatable. I will look for more from this author. This is definitely a book to check out for the summer.


Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

The book is well-written and the end is satisfying. As a 40-year resident of NYC I appreciated the city references, though I’m more of a downtown girl. I enjoyed the book, but it could be better. Halfway through it still felt like set up for the story. There was some office work description that felt extraneous and uninteresting, but that might be because I can’t identify with working a corporate job having seldom done that. The characters voices were so similar and the names so common that I had trouble remembering who was who. The stakes throughout seemed low key and less than urgent, though I liked a couple of the character’s motivations once they were finally revealed. I would recommend the book, despite its flaws, and I’m interested to read more from this writer.

If your looking for a story of friendship and finding ones trueself then this is the book for you. Set in New York pre iphone era this book made me a bit nostalgic for simpler days. Cute easy summer read.

Book Releases July 6, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and Lime Street Press for the E-ARC.

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

It took me a while to connect to the four characters. A nostalgic read but not enough story or confluct for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

What a cute and fun read that I devoured in one day.

Three twenty-something’s try and navigate life in 2004 Manhattan. They struggle with friendships, their love lives, their jobs and their finances. I loved Robin, Tory and Jessica and love the friendships that they formed.

Quick and enjoyable read that I absolutely loved!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

This book features four people in Manhattan in 2004 in their early 20s, before cell phones were heavily used, each with their own story. It reads very much like a sitcom, with regular day to day life events and how these four individuals all end up in each other's lives.

What really drew me in with this was the setting and light-hearted feel. I loved being reminded of what it was like to live in 2004, with pagers, landlines, online dating profiles, and the fashion (lots of crop tops and denim of course). Pick this book up if you'd like a quick, fun read about family, friendship, and How I Met Your Mother/ Friends vibes.

Thank you NetGalley, Lime Street Press, and Rachel Cullen for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you Netgally for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is about 4 twenty-somethings living in Manhattan in 2004 navigating day to day life, romance and family. I loved the setting of this book. I really enjoy books set in New York and adding the time that it's set in was so fun. This was also an easy read and easily bingeable. Very lighthearted.

The only thing that I was put off by was some of the dialogue, especially when Tory was involved. It just felt like there was a lot of telling and no showing, which was sometimes frustrating.

Over all, I would recommend this to anyone that loves those early 2000's multi pov movies and needs a book with the same vibes!

3.5⭐ rounded up to 4.

3.5 stars

Really cute, light with intertwined characters who converge primarily via a building on W78th street on NY’s Upper West Side in the early 2000s. Personally irresistible given my own life living on the Upper West Side, and the familiar references were my favorite part.

Chapters alternate by character and distinguishing each was a little confusing in the beginning but then an easy, light read with a sweet heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a digital ARC of this book!

An Upper West Side Story follows four different 20-somethings living in NYC and facing the classic struggles of apartment/roommate hunting, dating, and making big career decisions. It's all fairly relatable, which is a real strength of this book. And while each of the characters has a unique backstory, their personalities and motivations are a bit underdeveloped - in part due to how short the book is. I would've liked to have seen them more fleshed out as individuals, in order to really get the satisfaction of their happy endings. On that note, everything also ties up a bit too nicely for each of them in the end, but it's not so egregious as to ruin the book.

All in all, this is a fun story chock full of NYC references (although with the name of the book being what it is, and as an Upper West Sider myself, I was hoping for it to be a bit more full of specific UWS references) that has enough plot twists and turns to stay interesting. I like that it's set in 2004 in the pre-smartphone era, giving the relationships a refreshingly different feel from a lot of the contemporary stories coming out these days.

If you're looking for a light, almost vignette-esque NYC romance, I definitely recommend picking this one up!

an Upper west side story by Rachel Cullen is a story that I couldn’t stop reading.
4 different individuals on a journey in Manhattan during the early 2000s.
I thought everything about an Upper west side story was amazing.
The novel features an unforgettable protagonists who will resonate with readers.
The cast of characters are well developed and realistic.
This is such a heartwarming and wonderfully written story and it definitely gave me all the feels.
A lovely book of love, friendship, self discovery and found family.

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

Thank You NetGalley and Lime Street Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

4/5 ☆
genre & tropes:
• contemporary
• chick lit
• romantic comedy

The scene is set in New York City, circa 2004; iphones ceased to exist, calls were made in place of texts, and high speed internet was a thing of dreams. Jessica, Robin, Tory & Zach, 4 twenty-something year olds, are going through some major life changes, and their paths all cross when they end up living in a ___ post war building, Together, they experience heartbreak & betrayal, as well as friendship & self discovery.

This was my first Rachel Cullen read, and it did not disappoint! An Upper West Side Story is fun, lighthearted, and reminiscent of the early 2000s. I thought of this as a ‘What I Like About You x Gossip Girl (minus the extravagant wealth)’ literary reboot.

The writing was eloquent & concise, despite the four POVs. The chapters were also very short, which would make this the perfect book to read if you don’t have the luxury of reading uninterrupted.

The only thing that could have been done differently, in my opinion, was the character development. While the main character were lovable with good back stories & conflicts, they seemed a little lackluster in terms of being interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed following these sweet friends on their journey, and I would love to see where their lives lead them!

*Thanks to NetGalley, Rachel Cullen, and Lime Street Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Prepare for an absolutely adorable and delightful read! This book effortlessly combines light-heartedness and fun, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating and enjoyable experience. While the author skillfully ties up the story, I couldn't help but yearn for a sequel to witness the continued adventures of these incredible friends. With multiple points of view, it's important to stay focused while reading, but the effort is well worth it. The book truly shines as it delves into the significance of friendship and the personal quest to discover one's true purpose. From start to finish, this charming tale brings joy and leaves a lasting impression.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lime Street Press for the chance to read and review this book. This book was completely adorable and is such a light and fun read! While I thought the author did a good job of wrapping up the book, I’d love a sequel to see where life took this new group of amazing friends. Several POV’s, so make sure you’re focused when reading, but definitely a must read!

Thank you to Lime Street Press & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a fun and nostalgic trip down memory lane to life before crazy iPhones and Wi-Fi! A true look at what life was like before you had the internet in the palm of your hand. The book shares the story of four different young people in Manhattan, Zach, Jess, Robin, and Tory. Through chance meetings they all become connected and intertwined, and as you read you start to learn each persons back story. Full of self growth, healing, and emotion you watch each character come into their own!

It is hard to weave four different characters storylines together, but Rachel did it seamlessly. And also delivered a happily ever after!

This one was a fast, cute and satisfying read. Is it the best book I’ve ever read? No. Am I mad I finished it? No. Should you read it? If you want to, I say yes! I can say I was interested in this story from chapter one, and at no point was I bored. I was rooting for every character, and was hoping for happy endings across the board. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t disappointed!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

I would recommend this to anybody looking for a sweet and fun read! An Upper West Side Story is perfect for those that love NYC or would like to visit one day.