FLOP. I'm so sorry but I should know better than to get myself into modern retellings ESPECIALLY Jane Austen ones.

Okay BIG expectations for this book. It was being compared a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, but it feels more like a retelling of the retelling that was Bridget Jones. Still, it was okay, but I think I just was expecting more. Rachel feels a bit over the top to me, but perhaps that's the point? Her friends were not great, and seem to support cheating on husbands, and as much as it was great that she was learning to be her own person, I wanted to tell her just to stick to new friends. Christopher was nice, more Darcy than Rachel was Lizzie, so I enjoyed his development

Another millennial romcom to add to the TBR!

This book was really enjoyable. The cast of characters is chaotic and includes great tropes like a massively overbearing Jewish mother and a comical group of friends. Friendship takes a front row in this book too which I really enjoy in this genre!

Rachel as a character was funny and super relatable for anyone unsure of jobs, love… life generally, lol.

Overall, this is one I enjoyed and would recommend.

Unfortunately, I did not especially enjoy this. Besides Christopher, none of the characters were very likeable or relatable (to me). I don’t mind a book with unlikeable characters. Sometimes it’s an important aspect of the book. But those books then need to have an amazing plot so that something is hooking me in.

This book is a romance and romances should have characters the reader is rooting for, otherwise it’s tough to keep reading about people who you don’t actually care about. That is how I felt about this book. It actually made me sad to think there are people who are so self-centered and selfish. And there are mothers like Rachel’s who are so manipulative and controlling.

But I am sure there are readers who will see some aspect of this book that reflects their own experiences and may very much enjoy it.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. I really wanted to like this book far more than I did, as I found myself really exceptionally happy to be reading a modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice but this book was just not it. I couldn't really connect the characters to Elizabeth or Darcy, and found myself struggling (probably more than I should have) to make the connections and see the charm in this version of a retelling. The characters felt as though they were trying too hard to just be themselves, and the dialogue fell short of missing the mark for me. It was a quick read, and I am glad that I read it as it was a different take on the story - also, I did enjoy the nostalgic feeling overall!

DNF ~30% mark.

I haven’t disliked a FMC this strongly in a long, long time. Rachel Weiss is a hot mess express who is so completely full of herself and cruel to those around her. I’m saving myself some grief by closing this book early and dedicating my time to the many other books on my shelves. I didn’t like the whole pushy mother storyline and the quiet resentment Rachel had for her sister who’s in a happy, loving relationship. The way Rachel exists as if she’s the center of the world at all times in a tone deaf, immature manner just turned me off from this book. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who would like this, so don’t take my review as advice on whether or not you should read this. I actually know several people who read and enjoyed Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat - I’m just not one of them.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for sending me an early copy.

In this fresh, modern-day reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, we follow Rachel—a bold, unapologetic, and sometimes hard-to-like heroine whose journey to self-discovery is as entertaining as it is enlightening. Rachel’s quick-witted, often hilarious inner dialogue feels like a nod to Lorelai Gilmore, with a blend of sass and self-confidence that makes her both relatable and challenging. Though her loud, over-the-top family adds plenty of drama, the real heart of the story lies in Rachel’s growth. While the romance with Christopher (our Darcy) simmers in the background, his big declaration moment may feel a little out of place in a modern context, but it’s delivered with the classic intensity fans expect. More coming-of-age than romance, this novel explores family ties, self-awareness, and the universal challenge of balancing confidence with humility. Rachel might not be easy to love at first, but her flaws are what make her journey so satisfying.

This was an easy, enjoyable read. The story is about Rachel and the various people in her life. It’s a story about friendship, family dynamics and lots of self-reflection. Rachel never took anything seriously in life and just lived in the moment. Through different events that occurred, she was able to understand where people were coming from and as much as she must have felt that her life was falling apart, things were falling into place. She was focused on her own battles and she forgot that her friends were also going through their own battles. Ultimately, things had to happen and unfold a certain way to make her be a better version of herself and appreciate her friendships and her relationship with family.

While I really did enjoy the shenanigans of this friend group at times, with the exception of the fully passed-over betrayal, I’m not sure I was the biggest fan of our leading lady. Her inner monologues felt very Lorelai-Gilmore in a slightly more neurotic way, which is saying something. Her relationship with the original man felt very forced, like the author had to convince even herself to pair them together for the plot’s sake, which led to an unsurprising breakup. Also, I’m assuming the bike ride after was far more painful than we are led to believe haha. Her family was unbearable with the exception of Jane and her fiancé, mostly. I liked her OTP, but it also felt like she had a bit more work to do on herself before they were able to get together…

This book was such an encouraging book about relationships of all kinds: familial, platonic, and romantic. Anyone from an overly-invested family will be able to relate to Rachel on a soul-deep level (at least, I did.) The characters are all vibrant and unique and help make the story so lovely.

This was so cute! It was a fun concept and the execution was very well done. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a light read.

This was a fun, modern romantic comedy that was relatable and humorous. I enjoyed reading it and will read what comes next from this author!

Wasn’t my cup of tea. I love Pride and Prejudice but add in a technology aspect and make it modern and I don’t think it works as well

Group Chat by Lauren Appelbaum is a fun, relatable read with sharp humor and heartfelt moments. Rachel’s messy journey through turning 30, work woes, and romantic missteps is authentic and engaging. While the romance with the surprising tech bro next door is sweet, some parts felt predictable. Still, it’s worth picking up for the laughs, relatable struggles, and genuine friendships. Perfect for a light, feel-good read!

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This modern romantic comedy of a book is refreshing and modern and laugh-out-loud funny. It feels like an ode to the everyday woman who has to balance career, friendship, and love. Rachel Weiss is flawed, highly relatable as she fumbles through a year packed with dating woes, tough job duties and her mother's matchmaking schemes. What makes the story shine is her hilarious and unfiltered group chat with her friends, which reminded me of my own group chats. It's perfect for fans of Sex and the City, a book that;s reflective, hilarious and also tender and sweet.

I don't think this book is for someone like me.

Appelbaum attempts to craft a humorous chick lit romance of millennial workplace humor with romance but was just not it, especially with the concerning handling of serious topics like sexual assault for cheap laughs. The initial premise of a thirty-something woman navigating career frustrations and romantic misadventures alongside a supportive friend group held promise in being so incredibly relatable, but it wasn't close. The characters lack depth and relatability and are outright cruel, making it difficult to invest in their journeys. Even though it was marketed as a romantic comedy, the book leans heavily into chick lit territory without fully succeeding in either genre, resulting in a disappointing read that fails to deliver on its potential.

I loved this book. It was such a cute story and made me happy to read it!
My fav quote “Since he moved here? I considered asking him to expand on that point-what sort of Chicagoan vixens was I competing with exactly?” Hahahaha
This story made me giggle/smile quite a bit

I enjoyed the wit and humor of the characters and story, but the FMC was really hard for me to like. I tried to overlook it, but it made it difficult for me to really get into the story and I found myself struggling to get past the halfway point.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I didn’t care much for this book. The main character was childish and annoying and her family drove me crazy. This story really dragged for me. I did really like the group texts that were in the book, though - that’s something I always enjoy in a book. I love when we see text conversations between characters and this one had a lot of them!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rachel Weiss's Group Chat by Lauren Applebaum is such a hilarious ride! The humor had me kackling, and I couldn’t put it down. Applebaum’s wit shines through every page, and the group chat format brings out so many laugh-out-loud moments. It's the perfect read if you're in need of some good laughs and relatable group text drama. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a fun, lighthearted story that feels like being part of the friend group!