Real Rating: 3.5* of five

Comparing this pleasant entertainment to the extraordinary, outstanding The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel let alone the Olympian heights of Dawn Powell's New York novels verges on lèse-majesté. I was very entertained, never made to think, and left with little impression of the characters after the read. The olden-days New Yorkness was dusted on lightly, but agreeably.

Splendid for use as a line-standing or repair-waiting read because you'll pick it right back up the minute you crack it open.

Had higher hopes for this, but never got around to finishing it.

Thanks, anyway, to the publisher for the e-galley!

Women’s Hotel is Daniel Lavery’s debut novel, and I enjoyed it a lot! Set in 1960s New York, it follows the lives of (as one might guess) the people living in a women’s hotel. I think the characters are what holds this novel together, each woman’s story and the way they’re interwoven was very interesting. I’m a fan of historical fiction, particularly set in the later half of the 20th century so this was definitely up my alley! The writing stands out to me, I really liked it. Lavery has a pretty distinct voice, and I would love to read any potential future works of his and see how it evolves.

This book was fine and I was interested enough to see it through, however, I think the advertising of this being "hilarious" was misleading, or maybe I just have different humor than the author. This had a ton of potential and wound up being kind of boring.

I'm a huge fan of Daniel Lavery's writing and was extremely eager for his first novel to come out. And from the first few pages, with the descriptions of the meal available to the women, I knew I was in love. Lavery's voice is so singular and unique, and I was pulled into the wry, poetic world of the novel within pages. He's also one of the top writers on gender (his memoir "Something That May Shock and Discredit You," is astounding) and his exploration of what it means to be a woman in novel form is another step forward for him as a writer. I won't say much about the plot—read this one for the experience of settling in with a singular writing voice and enjoying the world he's created.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Women's Hotel by Daniel M. Lavery!

While I found individual characters and moments interesting, I was never able to fully click into what Lavery was doing here.

Set in 1960s New York, this book explores the lives of single women finding independence at the Biedermeier Hotel. The characters are engaging, each with a mix of humor, strength, and complexity. It’s a short, insightful read that captures the changing social dynamics of the time. Definitely worth checking out if you like character-driven stories with a touch of history.

This was an interesting premise and it genuinely appealed to me as a woman who loves to read about women. I won't say it checked all my boxes but it was a very decent read and there is nothing wrong with that. I did pick up some Shirley Jackson vibes that I didn't mind at all. I would read further works from this author. The relationships within relationships and the way the individual stories are woven is lovely.

I'll be honest. I did finish this one, but I did kind of give up on it mentally. I liked the premise of a women's hotel and its inhabitants, all living together but having separate issues and lives. I just couldn't really get into it. It didn't hold my interest. I got lost a little bit in between all the switching between characters and how they converge. I won't post about it on my social media platforms, because I don't want to speak negatively about it. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, it just wasn't for me.

Women's Hotel is a rather light-hearted story, taking us back in time to the 1960's. The unique residents of The Biedermeier Hotel struggle to carve out a life for themselves in the bustling city, where struggle awaits them at every turn. I was expecting a faster pace novel with more interesting characters given the premise, but this could be a cozy read for someone looking to lose themselves in the past for a bit.

Interesting setting, plot and cast of characters. Not my typical type of book but enjoyed the depth of stories and range.

Unexpectedly delightful domestic drama revolving around the staff and residents of a women’s hotel as such institutions were dying out.

I was really hoping for an intriguing exciting quirky book but that is not what I got. Whomp whomp.
It was draggy and did not keep my attention.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this in advance to publication.

This book was well-written and interesting, and funny at times, but it wasn’t for me. I found the narrative voice difficult to connect with, and for the most part I didn’t find the characters very likable or interesting.

This story is about a bunch of women who live in a Women’s Hotel, something that does not exist here anymore but is kind of like a college dorm-type environment for adult women. For the most part, these women’s stories are not connected to each other in any way until the very end, which was a little disappointing.

There was not much plot, as each chapter feels like its own separate story. I’ve seen it compared to all the chapters being like different episodes of a tv show, which seems accurate. Sometimes I don’t mind if a book is “no plot, just vibes,” but in this case I wish there had been a little more going on.

Overall, this book wasn’t bad by any means, and I’m not opposed to reading more by this author in the future, but this wasn’t my favorite. 2.5 stars rounded up.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended.

I feel so duped by the summary of this book. I was promised very very funny and immersive like Marvelous Mrs Maisel. It’s impossible to be immersed when the sentences drag on for miles and become completely incoherent. I usually love stories about groups of people who are connected through a building/bus/neighborhood etc but the characters here led completely compartmentalized lives from each other. I wanted there to be a through line.

Fascinating, engaging characters set in scenes that don't really have a bigger narrative arc but all work together to show a snapshot of this world. Loved it.

I did not find a connection to this story as I had hoped. The story fell flat and very monotone overall. Nothing seemed to be happening throughout until the very end. Felt hard to want to pick this up and finish this one, which is disappointing because I really wanted to love it. Thank you to NetGalley and the HarperVia for the early copy!

This might be the worst book I read in 2024. The prose is stiff, the narrative ridiculously jumbled. I do not understand how this book got published?