While the City Sleeps
by Elizabeth Camden
Pub Date: FEb.13, 2024
Bethany
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have read most of Camdens books and she is an excellent writer.
This is another fantastic debut of a new series and I cannot wait to read more.
Katherine Schneider's life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar.

Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her . . . even as he keeps his deepest secrets hidden at all costs.
I definitely recommend!

This book had me hooked from the first chapter, and the rest of the book kept me enthralled throughout the rest of the story. This book is set in 1914, New York City. Katherine is a dentist and works for an innovative clinic owner who is trying to make dentistry affordable and accesible to the working class. She learns about a plan to terrorize the city when one of her patients is under the influence of laughing gas. She confides in what she learns to her friend, Lietenant Birch, who has been escorting her home for 2 years when she walks home after midnight.

To both of their surprise, they become even more entwined in the search for the attackers, and both of them have to face their growing love for each other, and the danger that lurks ahead.

"She'd had enough. No more waiting. No more being polite and ladylike. 'Don't you understand? I want you to tell me that you'd be devastated if I left, and you'll pull out all the stops so I can stay in New York. I want you to find the bad guys and make it safe for me to be here, because for whatever insane reason, I actually care about you, Lieutenant Birch."

Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and a positive review was not required.

I liked the premise of the story and felt that the main characters were unique in that you don't see many books that have female dentists as the main character. I also liked the rivalry between the hero and one of the side characters in the book and the resolution that came from that.

As a whole, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it on. My only nitpicky comment is that the heroine was a little hypocritical which annoyed me a little. However, none of us are perfect - it just took me out of the story wondering why something was okay for her to do but not him (Vague to not give spoilers).

I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

This was my first book to read by Elizabeth Camden and I really enjoyed it! The plot really interested me as it follows the story of a female dentist living in New York City during the early 1900s. Since I haven’t read any books like that before, I was really excited to read While the City Sleeps!

I would describe this book as a historical romantic suspense. The plot was fast-paced and filled with suspense which I really liked!
There was a lot of interesting history about New York during the early 1900s as well as history on dentistry during that time.
As the title suggests, much of this story takes place at night which I really enjoyed! Since Jonathan was a bit of a baker, this book also made me hungry as I read the descriptions of the sweets he baked!

I liked both Katherine and Jonathan but Johnathan was probably my favorite of the two. I really liked his character! He had an interesting backstory which made him an intriguing character. I also just found him to be a likable guy. While I liked Katherine too, I got frustrated with her a few times, particularly for how she treated Jonathan a few times during the book. While her reasons were understandable, she just frustrated me from time to time. That being said, I did admire how she admitted when she was wrong as well as her optimistic attitude. I also enjoyed watching her character growth throughout the book.
The romance was really sweet as well!

There was also some faith content throughout that I enjoyed.
I also appreciated how clean this book was, especially the romance. There is some mild violence but those scenes are brief.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed While the City Sleeps! I enjoyed the descriptions of the city at night and the delicious foods. It made the book atmospheric. I also enjoyed the suspense, history, and romance. If you’re a fan of historical romantic suspense, I think you’ll really enjoy this one!

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

"While the City Sleeps" is set in 1913 in New York City. The author wove historical details into the story to create a distinct sense of the time and place. The Bomb Squad and their attempts to stop bombings added some suspense. Katherine and Jonathan were flawed, realistic people who matured due to the events. Yet the 'romance' just didn't work for me. Jonathan faithfully escorted her to her subway each night for two years. She knew little about him, yet she still decided that he's this perfect, wonderful guy. So she started showing more skin and wearing her most flattering dresses to entice him into a relationship. He thinks she's so pure and untouched by the dirty, criminal world he grew up in and is thus desirable and above what he could hope for. But she's clear that she won't forgive lies (even by omission), and he's hiding the fact that he was born into a notorious criminal family.

The two didn't share any interests, though she was happy to eat the sweets he made and he was happy to do whatever she wanted to spend time with her. Both fell in love with an illusion they'd created about the other rather than the real person. Even by the end, some of that illusion remained. Jonathan thought that she brought out the best in him, but it's the opposite. She actually got him to break rules. She was more concerned with her desires than with his. She didn't support his dangerous police work, yet she kept ignoring his warnings of danger because she wanted to do something and not just wait. It just didn't seem like a healthy relationship.

Katherine suddenly decided in the epilogue that she could trust God with the future (especially regarding Jonathan's dangerous job). There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this more as a historical than a romance.

While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden features the world of the Italian, Mafia's, dentists, and the New York Police force. Camden crafted a historical story with a mystery. Bombings are going off all over New York City. Sparks are flying between the heroine and hero. Both of them question their feelings for each and question the reality of what matters most in their lives. I love how Camden brings the history of every story that she writes to life. While I may not be familiar with the historical tidbits she composes in her stories, she does a wonderful job at inviting the readers into the story and allowing them to travel with the heroine and hero. This story is unique and unpredictable. As for the bad people, Camden does a wonderful job at keeping their identity secret from the characters and from the readers. I love the setting of New York City. I loved learning more about the Martha Washington Hotel and the importance that it carries for the women of the early twentieth century. Overall, While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden is a delightful, yet fascinating historical that I loved spending time with.

I received a complimentary copy of While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

A nice balance of history, mystery, and romance, set in the bustling city of New York, this was an interesting read, with a number of twists and turns.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest opinions.

Another fantastic series debut!! I always love Camden's unique characters and settings, and WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS did not disappoint. Jonathan and Katherine were so easy to root for, although their relationship was a bit uneven at times; real-life characters such as "Painless" Parker were absolutely fascinating; and the mystery took several wonderfully unexpected turns! Definitely recommend, and definitely looking forward to the rest of this new series.

I believe this is Elizabeth Camden at her best!
Lots going on in this wonderful adventure and boy did I learn a lot! From the police department to making bombs and loving New York city in 1913.
I really enjoyed "visiting " 1913 New York city. I had fun imagining that I there right along with Katherine, Johnathan and Gallagher.
Yes, sometimes Gallagher got under my skin but in a way I did like him.
I didn't think Captain Avery went about it the right way but I appreciated the lesson he gave out to a certain character.
Lots of twists and turns with a bit of romance mixed in. I loved every minute of this book.
While I didn't like Katherine much I really loved the boys. I was impressed of what they did and they served.
This book offers hope for everyone that feels "lost" "abandoned " and all the other feelings that one may have. They are perfect example of how one can do things if they put their minds to it.
I did and didn't like the competition/banter between them.
I loved the message of this book. I won't say because I don't want to give it away. I'll let y'all read it.
But I just want to say again how much I loved and enjoyed this wonderful and amazing novel from Mrs. Camden.
Here's a quote that I liked
“But I will be staying on the Bomb Squad. It’s my calling, Katherine. There aren’t many people able or willing to dismantle bombs, and as long as we continue to live in a fallen world, it will require decent men willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.”
5 stars for making my heart full and satisfied. I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

While the City Sleeps is the story of Katherine Schneider, a female dentist, working in New York City. She works the night shift, hoping to accommodate patients who work day time hours.

The year is 1913 and women dentist are very rare. But Katherine is determined to make her own way, after being lied to by her fiancé in Ohio. The one bright spot is Lieutenant Jonathan Birch. A NYC policeman who has walked her to the subway every night for the last two years. Jonathan is an enigma, one which she is hoping to crack his shell.

Jonathan has secrets. Secrets that he cannot let anyone know about. His past life carries many dangers, so he has reinvented himself and protects his new image carefully. But as he falls for Katherine, he worries if she would find out about his past. When Katherine seeks out Jonathan to share information, her life all of a sudden is in danger.

Elizabeth Camden is a master of creating a story that draws you into the theater of complex personalities. Her storytelling wraps you up in the history, romance and mystery. The back drop of New York is one of details, you feel that you are living right in the middle of the city. Her secondary characters are interesting from the owls, to the other renters of Katherine's hotel, to the NYC policemen.

Ms. Camden's novels are refreshing and clean stories. She writes with so much interesting history intertwined in fiction. I would give this book a 5+

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There’s something about Elizabeth Camden’s books that draws me in immediately. Maybe it’s the strong female heroines or the way she’s just so skilled at storytelling, but I really enjoy her books.

In this story, we meet Katherine Schneider, a female dentist working the late shift in the Times Square area of NYC, in order to accommodate people who work during the day. She is befriended by police officer Jonathan Birch who works the night shift and has been walking her to her subway stop for awhile. Soon their mundane lives are sent into turmoil by unknown bombers around the city. The story is eminently readable and involving!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Five stars!