A good idea but the execution was subpar. Would be a better book if it was shorter and went through more editing,

What a great way to feel the cultural pull of home.

Growing up Jewish on Long Island, even this story is set in Seattle, there is much I can relate to this from involved Jewish mother's to a tight-knit group of friends from day camp.

As Rachel tries to deal with her mother always looking to set her up on blind dates to her friends sharing and sometimes oversharing with the growing pains of adulthood and ever growing friendship fractures, how do you balance it all?

You move forward the best way you can, you share what you need to share, you constantly are the one reaching out first, and maybe, just maybe, you finally let you know mom set you up.

But what happens when the set-up you don't want turns out to be the new neighbors hunky son who you can't stand? Well, chaos as only the life a Jewish 30-something can be.

Thank you Forever Pub for this eARC!

This was a cute women's fiction. Rachel's story was interesting. Some parts fell a little flat but overall it was an enjoyable book. I would be interested in reading more from Appelbaum in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Rachel Weiss's Group Chat by Lauren Appelbaum!

When I first started reading Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat by Lauren Applebaum, I really thought that I would be giving it a better rating. A three-star rating is not a bad rating, but I was loving the book at the beginning. The further I read in the book, the less it felt to be even a four-star. But, before I start talking about what I thought of the book in detail, let’s talk about what it is about. Rachel Weiss, our main character, is getting close to the age of 30, but is stuck in a job she hates. She also hates what she considers as “tech bros.” Unfortunately for her, her parents’ new neighbors are the parents of a “tech bro,” who her mom is very interested in introducing her to. She’s hoping to set them up. The first meeting does not go well, but their story isn’t over.

Let’s get into what I like about this book. The writing style is what really drew me in. It had just enough detail, and a lot of character personality. I loved seeing the friendship between Rachel and her friends, but I really thought that Rachel’s mom needed a reality check. We do learn more about why Rachel’s mom is the way she is, but I still find her to be on the more problematic side. Honestly, all the characters are problematic in some way, which seems to be the intent of their characterizations. I don’t really love any of the characters, but I do appreciate that Rachel tried her best throughout the book. Christopher and Rachel’s older sister, Jane, may have been the best characters in the book. We just don’t see Jane’s boyfriend too often to have a good opinion on his characterization.

Even though Rachel may make a mess of things throughout the book, she really tries her best to correct them, whether it is her opinions on matters, or just the messes she actually makes. Most of the events that happen seem to help her grow, even though she seems quite naive at times. There is one event that happens near the end of the book that I feel was a bit too much to add, but I sort of understand the reason for adding it. I just feel that there were too many plot points to get her to change her outlook on life and the people in her life. Overall, I do like that she tried to do the right thing after every wrong turn she made.

One of the parts that I disliked, which I did mention earlier, were the scenes between Rachel and her mom. Her mom did end up treating Rachel unfairly during the book, but claimed there was a good reason she did so. I do not think there is any reason for a mother to treat a daughter that way. She made Rachel feel that she was less than her other sisters and not a good person. Sure, Rachel made mistakes, but I’m sure the others have as well. Not only that, but her mom was a spoiled brat, and her husband hardly ever went against her. Almost no one in the whole family went up against the mom, and if they did, if felt like they were quick to back off.

Another part I disliked dealt with one of Rachel’s friends, Amy, and her boyfriend at the beginning of the book. For one, I don’t like how Rachel reacted to the situation. I felt that there should have been more feeling since she supposedly felt enough about both people in the situation, even if she should have known that Steven did not care enough about her. I also just felt like she could have learned more from the situation than she did. It was a low response to a big deal. The lead up to it was a big thing.

Rachel ended up having problems with all of her friends, and actually all of her sisters to an extent. It was part of portraying her to be selfish and self-centered, but it felt a bit forced at times. And the fact that the book title has the words group chat led me to believe that there would be a lot of chatting in the group chat compared to how much there actually was. I enjoyed the parts of the group chat that we did get, but I would have liked more.

It might sound like I disliked the book, but I really did enjoy it, but there are parts that diminished the enjoyment level. This seems to be Lauren’s debut, and I think it was a good first book. I am looking forward to seeing what she writes next. I can only believe that the next book will be better than this one. She did great with giving the characters personality and I loved her writing style. It just might need less major plot points to create a smoother story.

I enjoyed RACHEL WEISS’S GROUP CHAT so much. It felt like a modern Pride & Prejudice where the Bennets are an American Jewish family and Jane and Rachel just want to have their relationships without their mother bringing down their backs or their silly younger sisters getting into too much trouble. Totally would recommend if you like a romance that’s just as much family drama!

Usually, if I don't love a book, there are very clear reasons why. This left me kind of mixed up because I thought the writing (skill rather than story) and pacing were great, but the characters were absolute train wrecks for nearly 30 year olds (a mix of 29/30), making truly morally wrong decisions and choices, and no one ever seems to see the consequences of those actions (except for one side character).

I go into books blind, but it's very clear that this is a Pride and Prejudice retelling. However, the two romantic leads had zero tension or yearning, at least not from the POV of the reader. In fact, she dates a very mediocre man for more than half the book. And then when she does start to catch feelings for the MMC, we're about 80% in and her interest is suddenly switched on with little preamble. In total, we probably could make like three full pages out of the MMC's dialogue with how little he actually is present in this story.

Rachel's mother made me want to throw the book as she was entirely emotionally abusive even though it's for comedy. Her younger twin sisters literally nearly killed off the family and they learn absolutely nothing and continue to be terrible teenagers. The FMC and her older sister joke about the #MeToo movement while drunk and the video goes viral. The FMC's bestie is an adulterer and they both think it's cool that her husband never finds out. And the other FMC is 29 and marries a 24 year old after five months of dating and five months of engagement. Every character makes wild decisions, except two, and I was tempted to DNF multiple times throughout my read through.

The MMC gets the P&P speech in the middle of the book and he goes off to do all these amazing things in honour of Rachel. However, Rachel has barely talked to the man. She has no reasons to make any of the accusations against Christopher, except for one. Like she has done NOTHING to be sitting on a high horse anywhere. So that was also ridiculous to me. Additionally, I'm fairly sure Rachel is an alcoholic, because a bottle of wine every night is insane.

All in all, this book was a huge miss for me. It was very readable, but that's about all I can say for it.

TW: alcohol, infidelity, emotional abuse, underage drinking, injury detail; mentions sexual assault, sexual harassment

Plot: 1/5
Characters: 1/5
World Building: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 2/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Forever via Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review.

A solid 3 stars! I went into this book thinking it would be kind of a romance, but it is definitely more chick lit. I did like the main character and character growth throughout the book. Quick and fun!

As a devout Pride and Prejudice lover, I was really excited to read this modern retelling but it was not for me. The main characters was incredibly annoying and cringy, the dialogue was childish, and the friendships were toxic. This is a lengthy example, but the very first scene with all the friends together, they shame the husband for withholding sex for one month from their friend because he wasn’t in the moon. This is not an example of a healthy dynamic nor does it promote a safe sexual relationship between partners because either party, male or female, can not be in the mood and we don’t shame them for that. If it was a female not being in the moon and a gang of males was having this conversation it would be looked at very differently. I’m bummed to say the least.

I was very excited for a Jewish retelling of Pride and Prejudice but this one fell a little flat for me. I couldn't see what Christopher saw in Rachel (she was kind of annoying) and it ended up being more chick-lit comng-of-age than a romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the copy to review.

I had a nice time with Rachel, but I will say that this book felt more like women's fiction than a romance. I loved that it is a Pride & Prejudice retelling, who doesn't love P&P?!?! But the focus was more around her friendships than the romantic aspects. The witty banter you might expect from characters like Elizabeth and Darcy felt kinda forced, it wasn't bad. It just didn't flow for me.

I'd love to read something by Lauren Applebaum again, because I love the concept/premise, the execution was just a bit wonky for me!

(I got an ARC of this from NetGalley, it will be out on September 24.) I always feel bad writing a bad review, but I really didn’t enjoy this book. It’s billed as a Pride and Prejudice retelling, and I get where the parallels come in, but the characters felt extremely shallow. Rachel Weiss works in a job she hates, and she’s turning 30 this year and her mother is obsessed with making sure she gets married – most recently, to the son of the neighbors who just moved in next door. Rachel is completely opposed to the idea, and frequently takes her complaints to the eponymous “group chat” with her three other friends. The premise is promising, but I just did not think it was well carried out – I was frequently frustrated with how every character acted. And there was a #MeToo plotline / joke that I just really didn’t think was appropriate.

2.5 rounded up. Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat is a modern take on chick lit that feels both fresh and a little familiar. Set in the year Rachel turns 30, the book dives into her journey of self-discovery, relationships, and grappling with the expectations of her overbearing Jewish mother. While there’s much to appreciate in terms of humor and relatable friendship dynamics, the story falls a bit flat when it comes to the main character’s growth and some problematic undertones.

One of the book’s highlights is its humor. The banter between Rachel and her friends, as well as her family's antics, is genuinely funny and provides some lighthearted moments that help balance out the more introspective parts of the book. Rachel herself is an interesting character, and while her self-absorbed, messy nature can be grating at times, her eventual growth does make for a satisfying conclusion. The romance aspect is also enjoyable, though it doesn't quite take center stage as much as I’d hoped, leaving readers wishing for more chemistry between Rachel and the romantic lead.

However, Group Chat struggles with pacing and character development. Rachel’s journey toward self-actualization feels rushed, and there are moments where her internal conflict comes off as shallow. Some of the book’s larger themes, such as privilege and societal issues, are touched on but never fully explored, which diminishes their potential impact.

In summary, while Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat offers plenty of laughs and a charming premise, its lack of depth in character development and storytelling hold it back. It’s a fun read if you’re looking for something light, but it may not satisfy those looking for a deeper, more thoughtful exploration of the themes it touches upon.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc.

I grabbed this from Forever's auto-approvals because i love their books so much! This was an opposites attracted rom-com that focused on friendship. The year of turning 30 and no luck with men, but wonderful friends and the best group chat.

I loved this book so much!

This book had so much potential! I liked the storyline and the writing, but ultimately could not move past the main character making fun of survivors of sexual assault and the way it was just removed from the internet like it wasn't a big deal. I hope this author writes again because I see potential- hopefully with more sensitivity next time.

I loved this sweet book that both had Jewish rep and was a P&P retelling! I loved Rachel’s character development and how her friendships evolved too.

I liked the beginning of this book a lot and I thought it was going to be a fun read. However, towards the halfway point it got boring and the main character got more annoying than anything,

2.5 stars

I loved all the Seattle references and locations, but this book fell flat. I didn't like the characters, the "we're cool and in our 20's" vibe felt forced, and there was no chemistry between Rachel and Christopher. We barely see them together but then suddenly he's full on in love with her?

There were some fun and funny moments and the author's writing style is interesting. I would like to try something else from her to see if I enjoy it more.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is a love letter to everyone that is 30 and older or turning . It's relatable and witty. The book follows Rachel who is stuck in a job and is not winning in love and throw in a meddling mother who plays matchmaker what can go wrong. I loved that Rachel was surrounded by great friends and the chat was relatable. Absolutely enjoyed this.
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I liked this book, but it's definitely not a romance. Rachel and her friends, like many women in their late 20s and early 30s, are set on finding "the one." Rachel's mother is obsessed with trying to set her up with their millionaire neighbor Christopher Butkus, who Rachel instantly hates. Given that this is a retelling of "Pride and Prejudice," the theme of dating makes sense.

However, I would say that this is more of a coming-of-age novel but for women in their 20s -- not a romance. The storyline focuses primarily on Rachel's life and discovering what it is she wants in life and what she's looking for in a significant other. Rachel is kind of a hard character to like. She's not really a great friend and is very stubborn and self-centered at times, yet at the same time, when her friend betrays her in a huge way, she immediately forgives her and doesn't even question it. Her character was really confusing, but she did have great character development and acknowledged her faults and worked hard to fix her relationships.

There was some nice Jewish representation in this book as well, but I really hope the mother doesn't get portrayed as a "stereotypical Jewish mother" because she was very extreme and isn't a great example.