Written from 4 different characters perspectives, I enjoyed the nostalgia feel of this taking place in the early 2000's, but it did not make up the fact that I couldn't connect with the characters. This story follows 4 people through the struggles of relationships and living situations in your early stages of adulthood. I felt like I didn't spend enough time with each of them to really get what they were about. We never spend more than one chapter on a character before switching to the next POV, and I found that difficult for me to follow any of the story lines.
This felt very reminiscent of those "Valentine's Day" New Years Day" type movies where by the end you see how all of the stories are interconnected.
Interesting book, but would not read again.

I loved the setting of this book! I've never been to Manhattan myself, but discovering Manhattan from 2004, when phones were used just for calling felt absolutely delightful and almost humbling.

Through the book we follow the lives of Robin, Jessica, Tory and Zach - who live in the upper west side or are trying to. Each character has a unique perspective and we get a deep dive into their personal lives and the ups and downs of a city life. For me, each character was pretty distinct and I loved how the author made them their own person so, I was never really confused on who I'm reading about. And, the way all these perspectives came together in the end felt like icing on the cake.
The author also was able to create a very beautiful and immersive picture of 2004 Manhattan in my head and I absolutely loved every bit of it.

With small chapters and crisp writing style, the story flowed really well that had me turning the pages. I'd definitely recommend this book to you if you're looking for a light-hearted, charming book that deals with love, friendship and navigating through life as newly turned adults.

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

I absolutely adored this book. Maybe it's because I miss living in NYC but I devoured this story and wish it never ended. I need a million more stories about Jessica, Tory, Robin, Zach and Ethan. Maybe a spinoff about Tory's Mom? Ugh I'm sad this one is over!!

As someone who was 18 in 2004 and obsessed with New York City, I absolutely adored this book! I loved the old pop culture references. The one con I found in the story is in the beginning it was difficult to keep the characters straight and found myself confused about who was who. Otherwise, I actually loved all the characters. Tori was my favorite and she had some really decent character growth through a short book. I would love a book 2, I’d read it in a heartbeat!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this eARC!

I enjoyed tthis story so much, it felt like i was watching a movie.
Its really easy to read, entertaining and its not at all complictaed.
Some characters are better than others, there is one that for me has the best character development (Tory) and there is the one tthat i liked at first but aat the end i couldnt stand anymore (Jessica).
Also, some problematics are actually true and really human-type that made me feel like i was part of the story.
The ending, i didnt quite like it, i would have loved for all the characters to end up together in the same aparments and i wish i could haver ead more about their friendship, but its a stand alone so it makes sense that it has to end like this.
For me, its a 4 stars, i wih i could make the movie out of this book and story

an Upper west side story by Racherl Cullen had such a nice premise and it seems like a chick lit which is one of my favorite genres.

Unfortunately it didn't live up to the expectations.

First of all, I had a problem at the beginning of each chapter to remember which character is which. Their stories were very similar, there was nothing distinctive about either one of them and they all blended in together. The tales were also pretty repetitive. Same old, mundane things on repeat.

I couldn't connect with the characters. There weren't good or bad, I was ambivalent about them, I simply didn't care.
The setting is excellent, New York City, the city that never sleeps, which is perfect choice for this kind of story.
I very quickly lost interest and skimmed through the rest of the book.

This might be my favorite book of this year. I LOVED this book!

If you love sitcoms, friendships, roommates to lovers, Read this book!

Its a cute and easy read about 4 people who find each other because of moving in and out, and roommate searches. Love how they use this to create friendships. Takes places in the early 2000's so it was a throwback in a good way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Line Street Press for supplying this ARC.
Hold the technology and imagine a time machine transporting you back to the year 2004.
Told through a cast of twenty-something characters’ points-of-view, Rachel Cullen authors a book which depicts life in New York City during that era.
Among those coping with the problems common to that age group, such as parents, money, clothes, roommates, affordable rents and jobs are Zach Sullivan, an Expedia co-founder and MIT grad with a formidable past and Tory Wallace, a trust-fund recipient and editor/writer wannabe who discovers the truth behind her parents’ marriage and the contracts made at the time.
And then there”s Jessica - the graphic event in the first chapter results in her hasty decision to abandon her plans to move in with her boyfriend and puts her on a collision course with Zach.
This book is more reminiscent of a rom-com than a “he’s done me wrong” novel and as such would appeal to an audience spanning from young people contemplating a move to a big city in their twenties to those people who did and remember what it was like.

A nice, easy read with multiple story line. I really enjoyed each chapter being a different character’s point of view. The book started a little slow, but quickly get more complex and exciting as the different characters’ story lines develop and merge.

This would make a great travel book, since the chapters are relatively short, making it easy to put down and pick up.

Thank you Lime Street Press for the eARC!

As someone who truly appreciates a good nostalgic trip, I found "An Upper West Side Story" by Rachel Cullen delightful. The book transported me back to 2004 Manhattan, a time and place significantly different from today's tech-dominated era. I was engrossed in the lives of four characters - Robin, Jessica, Tory, and Zach - each offering a unique perspective on the ups and downs of city life.

The characters were well-crafted and diverse, each facing their unique struggles and victories. At times, it was a bit challenging to keep track of the multiple points of view. However, as I got accustomed to the narrative style, these different perspectives only enriched the story, adding layers and depth to the plot.

The author has a knack for evoking the spirit of New York City - a vibrant, chaotic, and enchanting city that seemed to breathe life into the narrative. As someone who has experienced the pleasures and pitfalls of shared housing, I found Cullen's depiction amusing and incredibly relatable.

That said, some plotlines seemed to wrap up quickly, and the resolutions felt somewhat rushed. Also, the pacing of the book could have been slightly better. Despite these minor drawbacks, I found the narrative captivating enough to keep me turning the pages.

The book strikes a chord, especially if you've navigated the waters of early adulthood, juggling personal growth, friendships, and the ceaseless hustle of the big city. It offers a heartwarming exploration of these themes, making it an engaging and relatable read.

I'd give "An Upper West Side Story" a four-star rating. It's a charming, light-hearted trip down memory lane, filled with humor, drama, and the quintessential New York spirit. Despite some minor hiccups, I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back to the early 2000s. I found the book to be an engaging exploration of life, friendship, and the never-ending pursuit of self-discovery. Thanks to NetGalley, Rachel Cullen, and Lime Street Press for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lime Street Press for my advance electronic copy.

It's 2004 Manhattan, and where you live determines who you are friends with. After all, the iPhone, video streaming, and ride-share apps are just over the horizon. We follow four young people whose lives, hopes, and misfortunes interweave a la "Friends" as--through a series of events--they end up living near each other in the same building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

I found this to meet the promise of being "heart-wearming." It was a feel-good glimpse into the recent past that was a formative time for me, having been the same age as some of the characters at this time. I found them all flawed, liked some of them and disliked others. As always, the misunderstandings that drove aspects of the plot frustrated me, but they were well-written.

An interesting story about life without the technology we all hold so dear.

I did find it a little slow in places but it’s unlike anything I’ve read previously which kept me invested.

This book is a strong 3.5 stars, and here’s why: I enjoyed the multiple POV that the book was written in, I wish the characters were more developed. Secondly, the setting is great, the details make it seem like you’re there…almost. Something about it didn’t click for me but it was a light, easy read that read like a early 2000s one season TV show.

What a lovely light-hearted summer read! The story follows a group of 20-something’s in NYC in the early 2000s. There are different POVs, but I didn’t find it hard to follow. The story was short, pace was perfect, and the nostalgia and dialogue were great. This is an ideal beach read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

The year is 2004. New York City. Jessica, Robin, Tori and Zach all have their reasons for needing a roommate: from the dissolution of a relationship to the escape from an abusive household and simply a change in living arrangements. And as serendipity would have it - they meet, and sparks fly.

Told from the viewpoints of each of the characters, An Upper West Side Story has a romcom/sitcom vibe akin to Friends.

I had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately it wasn't for me. There was too much name dropping/brand dropping for my taste and a lot of telling the reader the minutia of what they were seeing rather than leaving things to the imagination.

This was a quick, light read, and one that other readers may enjoy if they want the book equivalent of a sitcom.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

This is a cute story about roommates, relationships, family, careers and a swarm of drama. It was a little hard for me at first as we were being introduced to all the different characters but overall I thought it was a good read.

I don't like it when I find myself on a string of books that don't catch my fancy. But here it goes. I enjoyed all the Manhattan vibes, but not the multiple POVs and boring action.

...But of course, it is Manhattan, and there is a tacit agreement that we all ignore each other, so I shouldn’t worry about it....

Thanks to Netgalley for the preview of this title, it will be on sale in two weeks and if you like books with too many leads, therefore many points of view with: love, heartbreak, family problems, self-discovery, steps to follow your dreams. or simply the life of four New Yorkers that in a certain way gets complicated at the same time as it resolves itself in the course of a year.

We follow Jessica, a girl from California who is stuck in a mediocre job and who is looking for a roomie since her ex-boyfriend was unfaithful a few days before moving in together.
Zach the smart, millionaire guy who doesn't need a roomie but who suggests she move in with him because she looks like his ex.
Robin the typical insecure girl in her job and in her love life who is also looking for a roomie because her friend is going to do her medical residency.
Tory, the spoiled rich girl who is also looking for a room because she is fed up with living with her parents, in their mansion, with personal aid and in a job that she only got on her father's recommendation.

Each one with their own personality that made this a very pleasant book to pass the time and although it took me ten days to finish it, It was because I was not hooked enough to devour it. I feel like having so many characters we couldn't focus better on each one and each person's problems.
But it was a series that presented the main problem very slowly and the resolution very fast. I am thankful for the epilogue because it puts an end to the everyone lived happily ever after.

What was very nice was being set in 2004, all those little nods to technology or lack of technology, it was very funny, and fun to remember. If I feel like reading more of these characters but maybe one per book or maybe two. But an introduction with the four of them only served just like that an introduction.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

An Upper West Side Story (Kindle Edition) - Anticipated release date: July 6, 2023.

A delight! This book is pure entertainment that had me hooked from page to page, saying "no way!" at certain scenes while chomping on carrots and potato chips! (Hey! I tried incorporating some kinda 'healthy' while snacking!)

The book is set in 2004 Manhattan... pre- Netflix, Uber and Smartphones! Even Motorola RAZRs were mentioned! Blackberry, eHarmony, Diesel jeans and cropped tops also popped up. The 'throwback' aspect is refreshing. The chapters were short and easy to digest. The story flowed and it served its purpose of being a fun, light read that made me laugh at times and go to bed with a positive mindset. (Yes, I enjoy reading before sleepy time.)

If you are looking for nostalgia and pure entertainment, this is a book you may wish to add to your reading list.

Great effort from the author.

Recommended.

4/5

*Review posted on Goodreads and Instagram.

This was an easy to read, low stakes, and genial story of three interchangeable young women and one young man. Competent but forgettable. My big problem with it is that if your title is a riff on "West Side Story," then it ought to be a Romeo and Juliet retelling, not HAE chick lit.

I got a free copy from NetGalley.