I always like getting to read new authors. This one was fun in some parts and felt kind of immature in others. I also would not call this a romance. It felt like it in the beginning and towards the end. But nothing that happened in between was showing a romantic progression. I felt like the characters were trying too hard. Rachel was kind of mean and immature at times. Otherwise the book did have some good moments. The chats were always fun to follow.

I think I liked this one. It was a bit chaotic and will take me a while to really process what I think, but I believe the chaos was fun and helped mirror the emotions and actions of the characters. I’ll always pick up a new take on Pride & Prejudice

This book was a decent read but I was so annoyed by her mother that I took away an entire star. She was annoying and pushy and irritated me every time she was around. Although I liked Rachel she was such a hot mess. Her connection with her friends was nice but I wish there was more of it. I wasn’t too big into the romance so it made it hard to root for them. Also the way the story unfolds made it feel like the story only begins as it ends which was a let down.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Jewish bookstagram made me read this and I enjoyed it! I kept seeing many posting about this chick lit read about friendship. As many others mentioned, it was hard to like the main character but I found myself rooting for her personal growth. I liked how most of the book was focused on the group of girlfriends’ friendship. It showed how they all supported each other through the highs and lows. It’s a heartwarming, easy bingeable read that I would recommend. Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

One of my goals is to read more books by Jewish authors, so I was excited to read Rachel Weiss's Chat. Also, I enjoy Jane Austen's retellings, and it's the second reason I picked this book. After finishing reading it, I have mixed feelings. There were some things that I really liked and some things that left me wanting more.

I liked the writing style, which was quite humorous and made the book easy to read. I found the main heroine, Rachel, a little juvenile. She often behaved like someone much younger than a thirty-year-old woman. But I enjoyed her group of friends. The theme of female friendship was the central plot, and the romance felt like an afterthought. It was a little disappointing for a Pride and Prejudice retelling. I did like the love interest, Mr. Darcy's counterpart, Christopher Butkus, but his interactions with Rachel were minimal. I would've enjoyed the book more if there had been more interactions between Rachel and Christopher and if Rachel had behaved more age-appropriately.

I liked this VERY loose retelling of P&P even though Rachel is the least like Elizabeth Bennett heroine I've ever read. It was still enjoyable and I was rooting for Rachel. Many other characters were more recognizable as well as several plot points in this Seattle setting. I enjoyed this one and I am sure you will, too if you like Austen retellings or just contemporary romance.

Rachel Weiss's Group Chat comes out next week on September 24, 2024 and you can purchase HERE.

One week before Halloween, I got back on Tinder and matched with a guy who appeared to be mostly brawn, not much brain. He asked me to meet up at a mojito bar where an apparently "dope jam band" called Space Owl was playing. I told him I'd meet him there at eight. And then, as the time ticked nearer, I found that I didn't have it in me. Absolutely zero percent of my being wanted to meet up with some random guy. So I stayed on my couch and sent him a quick message saying I wasn't feeling well. I felt guilty for bailing on him but glad that I wasn't out there trying to shout-flirt with a stranger over live music.

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the eARC.

Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat is a loose retelling of Pride and Prejudice except Rachel is definitely no Elizabeth. For one thing, Elizabeth is a likable and well-written character. Rachel…is not a good person.

This was a DNF for me, I didn’t see any redeemable qualities in Rachel. The first 25% of the book, she’s trying to hook up and date another character (not MMC). And she’s so rude to MMC for no apparent reason other than he’s successful in tech—apparently she’s anti-capitalism except she also works in tech just makes less money? She does not practice what she preaches.

Reading other bad reviews I see that I quit before they make fun of sexual assault survivors with a mocking #metoo joke so I’m glad I dipped when I did.

Not for me. I didn’t care for the characters and the plot moved too slow to keep me interested. I appreciate the opportunity.

This modern retelling of Pride of Prejudice was a bit of a letdown for me. Rachel (Lizzy) was a bit eccentric and annoying for me personally. It was difficult to understand why Christopher (Mr. Darcy) would be interested in Rachel. On a positive note the humorous scenarios and banter were enjoyable. The Jewish representation was also appreciated. This is a difficult review to write because I really wanted to like this book, it just fell flat for me.

I just finished reading “Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat” by Lauren Applebaum, and I can’t wait to tell everyone about it! This book is an absolute delight from start to finish. The story revolves around Rachel Weiss and her hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes chaotic group chat with her friends.

Applebaum does an incredible job of capturing the essence of modern friendships and the way we communicate today. The banter between the characters is so authentic and funny that I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. Each character is well-developed and brings their own unique personality to the group, making the dynamics even more entertaining.

One of the things I loved most about this book is how it balances humor with deeper, more emotional moments. It’s not just about the laughs; it’s also about the support and love that friends provide each other through thick and thin. The way the group rallies around each other during tough times is truly heartwarming.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate your own friends even more, “Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat” is a must-read. It’s a perfect blend of humor and heart, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story about friendship.

Thank you to Netgalley, Forever, and Lauren Appelbaum for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

If you are a person that is going to/needs to read EVERY Pride and Prejudice retelling- this book should definitely be on your TBR. It's a very 2024 take. Oddly- I feel like this retelling could be better received on screen, rather than in a book.

Rachel Weiss is a character that most females can appreciate - Lusting after a man even after it's clear that he's not the right one. We've all been there. I found her to be self-absorbed and arrogant in the beginning, but I can appreciate that because aren't we all in out 20's? As the book progresses and she deals with an overbearing mother and issues at work, I found Rachel to be more relatable as she found herself and her place in life. Throw in a little romance, and it was a perfect 4 star read for me!

This book was a total riot! I laughed out loud a lot, and giggled to myself even more.

I wasn't expecting a book set in Seattle to be a sort of, kind of, retelling of "Pride and Prejudice." There was also a little "Bridget Jones's Diary" in there too, at least it felt like it to me. All that to say, the book felt British in some sense, but it was set in Seattle. Go figure. They drink tea, mention tea, and suggest tea throughout the whole book. I've been in Seattle enough to know that's not super common.

Anyway, if you liked "P&P" and don't mind modern retellings, you'll like this book. I'd definitely recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Cute premise. Rachel is turning 30, in a dead end job with a mother trying to set her up with the new neighbor who happens to rich and handsome. She has 3 close friends who have group chat in which they share everything.

This book sounded like a fun Pride and Prejudice retelling and I was looking for a lighter read that would make me laugh. Unfortunately for me, this book fell flat. I really couldn’t connect with the characters. I found Rachel annoying, self centered, an immature party girl. The friends made almost as many questionable decisions. Her family was over the top; over involved mother, under involved father and the spoiled, entitled twin sisters. I did enjoy Christopher, although his gestures were pretty unrealistic but didn’t understand his attraction to Rachel. I did enjoy the character development and would have enjoyed a final chapter showing the friends 5 years down the road.

Thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

The story of Rachel, you can see the influence of Pride and Prejudice in the story and the characters.

Started out as what seemed would be the same story I’ve read over and over w small variations but as I got into I enjoyed it more and more. Was an easy read about the ups and downs of family, friends and work. Relatable on so many fronts.

This was a fun romcom full of relatable characters and sitcom-worthy shenanigans. Rachel Weiss is as flawed as they come and it was so refreshing to read about someone who isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but is still trying her best. 

At some points, I found some of the other characters to be a bit one-dimensional, but I think that was kind of the point. Rachel’s main character flaw was her self-absorbedness, so it would make sense that she’d simmer those around her down to their most outstanding trait. 

I loved the friendships here. They felt realistic in that there were conflicts and resolutions and nobody handled anything perfectly. 

The romance was definitely there, but it wasn’t the focus of the story. This book was about Rachel finding her way, learning about herself, and happening to fall in love along the way. Her journey was inspiring and I’m excited to see what else Lauren Appelbaum has in store! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this arc!

I had high hopes for this book, mostly because it was a “take” on Pride and Prejudice. This was definitely a quick, easy read with that sense of “Back in the day” thrown in. I can see why people would really love this book.

Unfortunately for me I love Pride and Prejudice so much, that this just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to. It felt like it tried a little too hard to be “modern” and in that aspect lost a little of the charm along the way.

While it wasn’t necessarily my favorite I can absolutely see this being a favorite for people. A special thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a modern retelling of Pride & Prejudice. I usually don't like reading 'retelling' of old classic novels so I'm not sure why I requested this one. LOL I didn't like it at all. I DNF at 35%. I just couldn't finish it. I was hoping for more but I just didn't care for any of the characters - they were insufferable; alas I was done.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I almost DNF’d this book multiple times. The main character is a self centered selfish person but it’s supposed to be that way. And I had a feeling there was a reason why so I kept going and I’m I did. It’s one of those books where you’re supposed to go “omg this character is the worst.” Now. She’s still not my favorite but she did redeem herself a bit. I was hoping it was book 1 out of a series because I feel like we had a lack of a two character relationship and I need more. I won’t say who so I do not spoil it. But I would love a book two or an extended epilogue. 3.5 rounded up