Nothing exactly new here…just everything soft, sweet and relatable. Oh, and a cat ties it all together, so how much better does it get?! Sweet story of found family…since all of us can feel like strays sometimes.

This is a sweet, wholesome story about a stray cat named Cat and the people that surround him. It's very heartwarming, very full of 2000s romcom energy, very New York. A literary masterpiece this is not. The prose read like it was written for YA, and that may be because this is a debut. The book starts off strong but isn't gripping enough to keep the momentum going through the middle. To its merit, the ending was very satisfying.

Anyway, as a cat person, I was legally bound to read and love this book. The cover did half of that job even before starting, but this was decidedly a 3 star read for me. Read if you like feel-good, found family, romance-adjacent fiction.

Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Cat's People is being published on Apr 01, 2025.

This is a wholesome, feel-good, light read. Every so often, a low-stakes and sweet book about a cat bringing five people in a neighborhood together is just what I need. I adored this book for what it was. It reminded me a lot of the Asian cozy magical realism books without the magical realism. The chapters from Cat's POV were my favorite, and I enjoyed the awkward budding romance between two of the characters and the chosen family all of them became throughout the book.

This is lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Its still enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

Rating: 3/5

This reads like a series of short stories that seem unrelated and then come together. The cover of the book is so heartwarming, but the story did not hold my attention.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I enjoyed this book so very much! I've always loved stories that weave people from different walks of life together, and connecting all of the characters via a stray cat was nothing short of PRECIOUS.

Writing from the perspective of a cat to tie multiple stories together has to be incredibly difficult if you want the cat to feel real and match the tone, but I think Guerrero did a great job of this. There were parts of the writing that felt a bit clunky and hard to read; however, I mostly thought that the author painted a clear and cozy picture.

Each of the characters felt so real and endearing, and I became so attached to their stories! This is such a tender little read, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves cats and people alike. ❤️

Thank you for my first ARC!

As a cat owner, this was heartwarming and at times heartbreaking. Luckily there were far more “warm and fuzzy” moments, despite the number of tears that were shed reading this. Cat stole my heart immediately and reminds me of the importance of the family we choose.

If you love cats you will love this book. Actually it doesn't matter if you love cats or not, this is a wonderful read! A heartwarming story about how a cat brings together 5 different people each struggling with their own personal challenges. The novel is set in Brooklyn and told from 6 different perspectives including the cat.

Nuria is a barista who is feeling pressure from her mom to settle down but all Nuria really cares about is making coffee and cats. Lily is he half sister and has moved to NY to meet Nuria. However Nuria has no idea that Lily even exists. Omar is the mailman but he is struggling with what he is going to do with his life. Bong is a widower who owns the local Bodega and even though his wife died almost a year ago, he still can't move forward. There is also Collin, a best selling author, who has writer's block and also looks forward to seeing Nuria as she comes by to feed stray cats. However Collin has severe anxiety and doesn't know how he will ever talk to Nuria. The best character of all though is Cat. He is a stray living in the hedges outside of Collin's house. He has a tie to each one of these characters and will help to bring them all together.

I really did not know what to expect when I read this book. What I was not expecting was to spend my entire Sunday reading this book until I finished it. I was fully invested in each character and wanted a happy ending for all of them. This is a wonderful read that I think everyone will enjoy especially if you are a cat person!

Thank you to Delacorte Press/Random House Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC.

This was an interesting fantasy-ish novel about belonging, found family and community. Told from multiple POV, including Cat's POV, this is a gentle and slow comfy read that I enjoyed. The chapters were very short and at times it felt like the POV switched unnecessarily often. The pace of this novel is very slow and not a ton happens, so it did start to lose my interest at the end.

Thanks for the review copy. This is a heartwarming book. The world of these characters is interesting. I like the cover, too.

I will admit- this is not usually my initial pick when I go to start a book but wow!! I loved that this is told from the cats POV, I have cats and I adore them so that made this a million times for me!!

As a cat lover, I adored this sweet book, told from the perspective of a cat. I found it charming and sweet, and I recommend this for any cat or animal friends!

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. A story written from a cat's POV with a lovely and exotic cast of characters in New York City. I enjoyed this book greatly and recommend it to all cat lovers. I definitely think there could be spinoff books written on some of the human characters.

Cat's People by Tanya Guerrero is a beautifully written novel that explores the intricacies of family, love, and personal growth. The story follows Cat as she navigates her complex relationships and uncovers truths about herself and her past. Guerrero’s prose is lyrical and evocative, drawing me in from the first page. I loved how the characters were deeply developed, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable. This book is a heartfelt read that lingers long after the last page, and I highly recommend it!

Various points of view, including Cat - the stray that connects all the various people in the story. Lighthearted and entertaining.

This book is a must read for any lover of cats, sweet stories,. and animal rescue work. A stray cat, called by many names, is well known in his neighborhood in New York City. To Núria, a barista and lover of cats, he is Cat, one of the many strays that she feeds on a daily basis. For Bong the Bodega owner, he's Itim, the cat that his wife Conchita used to feed before she passed away. For Collin, an author struggling from writer's block, he's the cat that the woman he secretly admires is always feeding. For Omar, the neighborhood mailman, he's Gatito, his little helper on his daily mail runs.
And for Lily, he's the cat with a special bond to her half-sister... who she has never met before.
As the story unfolds, these characters begin to bond, both through their common love for Cat and through the need of each of them to have a sense of family and home. While they each needed Cat in their lives, they also needed each other.
And of course, Cat needed all of them too.The writing gave ne the same vibes as Fredrick Backman. The story was extremely sweet and the characters each had their own journeys, with Cat ever present at the center of everything. At times, it was definitely a bit emotional. Really it was just a cute and easy read which will leave every cat lover feeling warm and cozy.

From the publisher: A stray cat brings together five strangers over the course of one fateful summer in this heartwarming novel about love, found family, and the power of connection. Cat’s People is a feel good, found family novel about ordinary people going about their lives but benefitting from the support of friends and even random strangers. Cat is a black feral street cat. Unknown to his people, he has multiple people who look out for him and feed him.

Like the author, Núria is passionate about trap-neuter-release for feral cats and other efforts to keep them fed and housed. She has three cats at home but also has a route to check in on street cats, including Cat. Her mother is constantly asking about the boyfriend Núria doesn’t have. Bong runs a bodega and unexpectedly lost his beloved wife a year earlier. He is lonely and depressed, and just barely hanging on. Núria shops at his store, and unknown to both of them, Bong’s wife also looked after Cat.

Collin is a best-selling author with extreme anxiety and writer’s block. He sees Núria out his window every day, in the alley feeding Cat. Omar is an amazing mailman who takes the time to be friendly to the people on his route. Despite his skill at his job, he feels like something is missing. He also watches out for Cat, who follows him on some of his rounds. And Lily is Núria’s half-sister – a half-sister Núria doesn’t know about. She has a dead-end job and a passion for watching Núria as she tries to work up the nerve to introduce herself.

The cast of characters all live and work within a few blocks of each other, and they pass on the street, at the bodega, at the grocery store where Lily works, and at the coffee shop where Núria works. Eventually through coincidence, awareness, and a certain Cat, they meet, form relationships, and become friends.

The author in her Acknowledgments confesses that she has always wanted to write a cat book from the point of view of a cat. Interestingly, for me, Cat’s chapters were the least effective. I had a hard time believing a Cat thought in English, including giving the people in his life names like Rainbow Lady and Awkward Neighbor Guy. But I still enjoyed the book, and was glad to see Cat receive his happily ever after.

This is a lovely little book with a gorgeous cover. Not a lot happens, but if you like to read books about ordinary people getting help from others, you might enjoy Cat’s People. I read an advance reader copy of Cat’s People from Netgalley. It is scheduled to come out on April 1, and the Galesburg Public Library will own it.

A woman spends her days feeding strays (one in particular) and working as a barista. This stray brings together an eclectic group of people. A sweet story I enjoyed very much. I did like the chapters from the cat’s point of view ( what cat owner wouldn’t want to know what they’re thinking.)

As a cat lover, I found Cat's People to be an absolute delight! The story is cute, fluffy, and cozy, perfectly capturing the charm that comes with feline companionship. The narrative weaves together the lives of its characters through the adventures of a stray cat, showcasing how this little creature can bring people together in unexpected ways.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I’m so glad I did. If you're a cat person or simply looking for a feel-good read, I highly recommend Cat's People. It's a charming reminder of the joy and comfort that pets can bring into our lives.

“Isn’t it just so pretty to think, all along there was some invisible string thing you to me.” - Taylor Swift

“Cats had this sneaky way of crawling into your life and making you fall in love with them. Even if they were complete and total assholes.”

As a cat mom of two (and one who crossed the Rainbow Bridge), I was drawn to this book for obvious reasons, knowing full well it may wreck me and turn me into a sobbing mess.

Tanya Guerrero clearly wrote this book for and about cat people and the felines we love and have loved.

Cat is at the center of everyone’s stories, and he is the best boy. In my heart, my kitties can also understand what is going on with me, knowing exactly when I need love from them. He is independent, but knows when he needs to rely on his people. And he knows when his people need each other.

Every character’s story unfolds so beautifully as Guerrero slowly and masterfully weaves everyone together. At first, it’s hard to imagine how they could all become important in each other’s lives. None have clear ties except Núria and Lily. They are all so different and are all a bit lost in their own ways. But with every page, it becomes more evident how they all fit together in a six-piece puzzle. Cat, Núria, Collin, Omar, Bong, and Lily.

Cat doesn’t just bring them together. The act of bringing them together helps them find what is missing in their lives. And in the end, this motley crew becomes friends.

Once again, the found family trope got me. It is one of my favorites for a reason.

Side note: Núria calling her three cats “the ingrates” is hilarious and truly captures what it’s like to be a cat parent.

Spoiler: There is no animal death in this book.