A paranormal story with twists and romance aplenty. This ode to New York and New Orleans brings history to life and takes its characters on a supernatural journey to their destinies. I really enjoyed the atmospheric settings, the layered relationships, and the mysterious elements.

Thank you to Get Red PR and NetGalley for my copy. These opinions are my own.

Grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother, Josie finds herself recently gifted with the ability to communicate with ghosts. As she begins to sense more presences and see more the spirits, she grapples with the unsettling gift, but finds comfort befriending the new coat check girl at the restaurant where she works - who offers her solace and understanding.

Captivating and atmospheric, it’s a refreshing and unique type of ‘ghost story’ that delves into love, grief, redemption, and friendship. With backdrops of bustling NYC + NOLA restaurants (hello, all the yummy foods!) and an engaging and relatable restaurant family of characters, this memorable story is full of emotion and hope as Josie navigates her new gift - finding it less unsettling the more she embraces it.

The Coat Check Girl is the first in a 3 book series, and I look forward to more of Josie’s story.

The Coat Check Girl
By: Laura Buchwald
Pub date: October 15, 2024
Publisher: Radiance
The Coat Check Girl takes place in the 1990’s between New York City and New Orleans Josie gray has been given a gift. She can sense, see and communicate with spirits. As she navigates this new found gift she often doesn’t know which side of the veil the individuals that she is talking to are on.
This is so much more than a ghost story. Friendship, grief, love and loss are all deftly handled on these pages. I found this to be so immersive. The locations and the food are described so well I was not only immersed in the story, but I was hungry and now I want to see these locations!

I enjoyed the paranormal aspect and how it was more on the cozy side. I liked the dynamic of the group who worked at the restaurant, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the pet names Joise said when addressing people. It was a little distracting at times. The first half felt like a slow burn to me as the reader learned about Josie and her life, but the drama kept the pace moving. I really enjoyed the last third of the book and how everything came together.

I have to be in the right frame of mind o read an notional story, so that I can fully appreciate it. In this story, I was captivated by Josie as she tackled the very heavy subject of grief. Deeply character driven, I loved Mia and found her “coat check girl” status to be unique, against the colorful New York setting. I enjoyed Laura Buchwald’s beautiful w riding style and I would definitely read more of her work in the future!

”The Coat Check Girl” is out now! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

Thank you @laurabuchwaldauthor @getredprbooks and @netgalley for the #gifted ebook and this is my honest opinion

Josie works as a hostess at the haunted NYC restaurant Bistrot in the late 90's. Josie is mourning the loss of her beloved grandmother and coming to terms with her reawakened ability of being able to communicate with people who have passed on. There is one spirit at the restaurant that Josie is trying to block. On top of all this she is dealing with a romantic interest who might not be the right man for her.

Josie befriends the new coat check girl Mia who seems to also have the gift. Josie tells Mia about the special ability that she and her grandmother shared. Mia helps Josie understand her special gift and childhood memories. The story takes a twist and we find Josie in New Orleans where she continues her healing journey.

World events and the places in NY and New Orleans helped bring the story to life. I enjoyed all the neighborhood characters and the fellow employees that had become found family. Josie was relatable and I couldn't help feeling for her as she processed her grief. I enjoyed how all the characters were brought together at the end and how the supernatural was weaved into the story. I am looking for the next book in the series.

I was immediately drawn to this beautiful cover and knew I needed to read The Coat Check Girl by Laura Buchwald. It follows the story of Josie, who works in a Manhattan restaurant in the 1990’s. After losing her beloved grandmother, she befriends Mia, the new coat check girl at the restaurant. Mia helps Josie with her grief and leads her on the right path.

This was a slow burn, literary novel that had paranormal aspects thrown in. Buchwald wrote a captivating story that centers on loss, grief, and regret. I loved that it took place in the 90’s, and the NYC restaurant was the perfect setting. The first two-thirds moved a bit too slowly, but once Josie goes to New Orleans the pace picks up as the story comes together. With the descriptive writing, I felt transported to both New York City and New Orleans. The ghost story was emotional and beguiling, and I loved this aspect of the book.

I will note that the overuse of nicknames was distracting while I was reading this. The amount of hons, babes, girls, and darlin’s thrown in was over the top and took away from the writing. However, I still found this an intriguing debut and would recommend it.

Thank you to Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates, LLC and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 is a ghost story set in the 1990s. Although it has paranormal elements, it is not a frightening book. It is a layered and literary read that delves deep into loss, regrets, and grief.

I loved the setting of the restaurant culture of New York. I could relate to the dynamics of work relationships because I worked in a restaurant in college, which brought back fond memories.

The writing is immersive and vivid. The supernatural elements are captivating, even emotionally stirring. Everything fits together seamlessly, making this a fantastic debut!

Thank you @getredprbooks and @laurabuchwaldauthor for a gifted ebook.

It’s 1999 in NYC and Josie Gray is going through the motions as a hostess, reeling from the death of her grandmother. They had shared a gift of being able to sense spirits, and without her, Josie feels adrift in her own life and doubly vulnerable.

Just when she begins to feel the telltale signs of spirits at work, she finds a kindred spirit in the new coat check girl, Mia, who feels heaven sent as a friend. Not only does Mia believe Josie, she understands and empathizes. Her friendship is a balm and helps Josie learn to trust and embrace that side of herself, all the while learning the secrets of the past of the restaurant where she works and spends most of her time.

This novel was an emotional journey through Josie’s grief - her bad decisions, toxic relationships, self medication with alcohol - to a gradual acceptance of herself and her gift. It’s also a homage to the close knit found family of a workplace, especially the restaurant industry set in a pre-Y2K rainy NYC. The ending chapters, mostly set in ghostly New Orleans, are the perfect resolution.

I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys stories about spirits, the late 90s in NYC, and the restaurant industry (especially with found family of coworkers).

Thank you, net galley, for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Get Red PR for sending me copy! This was my first read by this author, and I loved it! I loved the spooky feel of the book, and it was great to read in October. I also enjoyed the aspects of grief that were dealt with in this book, as this is something I enjoy reading about to help with my own processing. This setting is two of my favorite cities: New York City and New Orleans- which made me love it any more! I truly enjoyed this one.

Thank you @getredprbbooks @laurabuchwaldauthor & @netgalley and the publisher, Radiance, for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

In the wake of her grandmother's passing, Josie finds herself more attuned to the spirit world, grappling with her grief and unresolved regrets while navigating a budding romance. At work, she forms a bond with Mia, the coat check girl, who becomes a guiding light in Josie's emotional journey and helps her embrace her newfound sensitivity to spirits. However, Mia also harbors her own needs from their friendship.

This poignant narrative explores themes of love, loss, and camaraderie, set primarily against the vibrant backdrop of a New York restaurant in the 1990s. The characters are richly developed and relatable, making the story all the more engaging. I found the paranormal elements surprisingly captivating, even though they aren't typically my preference.

The Coat Check Girl
Laura Buchwald

This is another great read for this spooky season. I love the supernatural elements of this one. It also covers grief and loss and a beautiful way.

Josie, the FC can see and talk with ghosts. Her grandmother recently passed away, and she actually had the same ability. Mia, another coat check girl, also has the same gift. These too quickly bond about their ability to talk to spirits. I really enjoyed the restaurant vibes of this one, all the staff was like one big dysfunctional family.

I loved all the 90s nostalgia in this one, also both of the settings in New York City and New Orleans.

I absolutely loved the cover of this book. I always go into a book blind and judge the book by its cover, so I had no clue what I was getting myself into. It’s books like this one that I am always happy I went in not knowing what was coming. It adds such an extra element to the reading experience.

Thank you so much to @getredprbooks, @laurabuchwaldauthor and @netgalley for the #gifted copy.

The Coat Check Girl is a compelling blend of love, loss, and the supernatural set in 1990s New York City. The story follows Josie Gray, a woman who can see the dead, as she navigates grief after the death of her beloved grandmother. Buchwald brings the city and characters to life with vivid descriptions, making Josie’s emotional journey feel authentic and relatable.

The novel’s heart lies in Josie’s healing process and the support she finds in her community, especially from her friend Mia. With its mix of paranormal intrigue and deep emotional themes, The Coat Check Girl is a poignant and captivating read.

I love the cover of The Coat Check Girl, it is beautiful and symbolic, with rain evoking emotion and the pink umbrella adding a hopeful touch. It perfectly reflects the book’s themes.

I really enjoyed a lot about this one. A character driven story set in New Orleans. Our lead , Josie, is endearing and it's really hard not to like her. The reader follows her journey of grief and healing with the addition of supernatural. Josie can communicate with ghosts giving a spooky vibe to the book but without being cheesy. Well written and well paced, The Coat Check Girl by Laura Buchwald is worth the read.

Thank you @laurabuchwaldauthor & @getredprbooks for the gifted physical Arc!

This was such a fun read! Man how I wanna go to New Orleans now! The supernatural element was fantastic. There's workplace happenings, grief, romance, and other super relatable topics. But weaving in the supernatural happenings made it really unique and was unexpected. It was such a vivid story. I could totally close my eyes and visualize the scenes happening as I read. Love when the imagery is written so well. And can't forget to talk about this cover - ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. Great debut for this author!

Thank you to @getredprbooks and @laurabuchwaldauthor for the #gifted e-book.

Check out this captivating story! The way the author brings together the characters and their connections is truly mesmerizing. Josie's ability to communicate with spirits adds an intriguing and mystical element to the plot, especially as she navigates the grief of losing her grandmother. The setting in 1999 adds an extra layer of depth to the story, incorporating real-world events into the narrative.

The author's vivid writing style breathes life into Josie's grief, her workplace dynamics, and her relationships. Josie's journey is one that will stay with you long after you've finished the book.

If you're a fan of spooky reads, mark your calendars for the release of this book on October 22. You won't want to miss it!

In the summer of 1999, the story begins at the Bistrot restaurant in New York City's West Village. The staff, which is like a close-knit family, includes hostess Josie Gray, who is mourning the recent loss of her beloved grandmother. When Mia joins as the coat check girl, Josie quickly bonds with her. Josie confides in Mia that she has inherited a special gift from her grandmother, allowing her to communicate with people who have passed on. Her recent grief has reawakened this ability, which Mia appears to also possess. In addition to her new friendship, Josie finds herself being romanced by a suave photographer. As Josie tries to heal, the other staff members and quirky customers add to her interesting journey. As does a troublemaking spirit who seems to be causing mischief at the restaurant.

After deciding to suspend my disbelief, I enjoyed reading Laura Buchwald's debut novel The Coat Check Girl. I'm drawn to stories set in New York City and its nostalgic vibe added to the book's appeal. The parts that took place in New Orleans, with its ghostly ambiance, were also well done. Although there is a paranormal theme, this is not a typical ghost story. After reading it, I discovered that the book was the first in a series, so I will have to check out the next installment. One minor critique I have is that the dialogue was saturated with the term "baby" - "Sure, baby," "Hey, baby," "You're good, baby." Perhaps some of these instances will be revised in the final version.

"Sometimes, it's in confronting the shadows that we find the brightest light.

Embark on a touching journey with Josie Gray as she navigates the turbulent waters of loss, love, and the supernatural. After bidding farewell to her cherished grandmother, Josie finds herself adrift in a sea of grief, compounded by the complexities of an ambiguous romantic entanglement and the return of her unsettling "gift" - the ability to sense and communicate with spirits. A presence haunts the restaurant where she works, dredging up long-buried memories from her childhood.

But amidst the shadows, a luminous figure emerges - the restaurant's new coat check girl. Mia is a beacon of understanding and solidarity, offering solace in shared experiences and a determination to unravel the mystery shrouding the restless spirit. Bolstered by a vibrant ensemble of characters, from restaurant comrades to familiar faces in the neighborhood, Mia keeps Josie afloat during one of the most difficult seasons of her life, helping her to embrace her unique talents and confront the ghostly enigma looming over them.

Set against the backdrop of the bustling restaurant scenes of New York City and New Orleans, The Coat Check Girl is a compelling tale weaving together threads of sorrow, redemption, and the enduring power of connection. Join Josie as she discovers that sometimes, it's in confronting the shadows that we find the brightest light."

Just saying, loss and the return of a power to connect to that loss... Makes sense...

Josie sees people. Meets, greets and chats them up. Isn't real clear on which side of the veil they belong to, though. That's what got me from the start.

Josie and her tribe have been through a lot - devastating events where friends and family die, and working through trauma brings its own kind of bravery and stubborn determination. Josie has that in abundance. A new job at a fancy restaurant where she starts as a coat girl, is where it all begins.

I enjoyed the read, the spookiness of it and how it wrapped up. Fair warning, though: You just might get itchy to go to New Orleans. . .

*A sincere thank you to Laura Buchwald, Roan & Weatherford Publishing Associates, LLC and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

Thank you to GetRedPR for inviting me to review and support The Coat Check Girl; complementary review copy sent from the PR team on behalf of publisher.

I gravitate towards character driven books that handle complex themes such as grief and books that explore self-growth and self-acceptance. The Coat Check is an effectively and nuanced examination of grief but also lovely themes on found family, the value of finding not just the right people and places that help you be you but also the journey, often through grief, of self-acceptance and self-growth. I liked the unique add of the haunting theme; the story gave space to make this feel real and not "silly" or "trite" and this part of the story added a richness to the plot.
Buchwald's writing is gentle and caring, the themes nicely developed. and the story of Josie, themes on haunting and the supernatural, and the role of Mia are deftly shared.