Even if you are not a fan of cats, you will be a fan of this book! Such a sweet uplifting story about a group of five strangers who come together one summer to save a stray cat living on the streets of Brooklyn. It’s told in different points of view for each chapter - even from the cat’s- but I found it easy to keep the characters and their stories straight and became quite immersed in each of their lives as the story progressed. I liked how the author subtly revealed the connections between the “strangers” which the cat helped orchestrate. I highly recommend this charming story!

Cat's People was a sweet story about a stray cat who brought 5 strangers each from a different walk of life together. We meet our cast of characters in the beginning of the book from the wildly dressed lady who feeds the neighbor hood cats, to the Sad and lonely Bodega owner. Each character has their own problems they are trying to work through throughout the book, however Cat is the one thing they all will come to find they have in common.
While I found the story to be super sweet it also got a little repetitive. I found myself at times being a little bored. I'm a cat lady so needing to find out what happened to Cat is what kept me going. Also, I understand being inclusive but I found the author tried to fit every woke narrative in the book which got annoying.

Cat’s People is a charming book for cat lovers and fans of slice-of-life stories. It reminded me of She and Her Cat and The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Despite being written by a Filipino-Spanish author and set in Brooklyn, it has a style that feels distinctly Japanese—gentle, introspective, and full of small, poignant moments.

The story centers on a stray black cat named Cat, who brings together five strangers—each character’s perspective unfolds in alternating chapters, including the occasional chapter from Cat’s point of view.

This is a cozy, feel-good story, perfect as a palate cleanser or when you’re in the mood for something warm and hopeful. If you’re a fan of stories that revolve around quiet relationships, found family, or, of course, cats, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press!

Tanya Guerrero’s Cat's People is a warm and immersive novel that transports readers into the intimate world of its protagonist, Cat, a young woman who’s navigating the complexities of life, love, and personal growth. Set against a backdrop of vibrant, nuanced relationships, this novel delivers a thoughtful exploration of connection, community, and healing in a way that feels both comforting and rich with emotional depth.
What makes Cat's People especially cozy is its focus on the quieter, everyday moments that shape the fabric of a person’s life. Whether it’s Cat’s interactions with her friends, her family, or the new people she meets, each connection feels authentic and grounded. Guerrero’s characters are well-drawn, each with their own stories and struggles, yet they feel relatable and inviting. These are people you want to spend time with, and it’s this sense of comfort and connection that makes the book so enjoyable to read.

What a charming, heartwarming story! Brooklyn, a rather unusual cast of characters, and a stray cat, and somehow the author makes it all work out.

Nuria, one of the best baristas in the area, spends her days off working with Meow-Yorkers cat rescue programs and her route includes a black cat named Cat. Cat thinks of her as Rainbow Lady, since she always seems to wear bright colors. Collin, a successful author and social misfit, hides out in his brownstone. Omar, the always cheerful postman who carries treats for Cat and always has time to visit the people on his route. Bong, a bodega owner, grieving his late wife, also leaves snacks for Cat. Lily, a young woman who comes to New York to try to find her half-sister and feels out of her depth. The chapters alternate point of view and of course, Cat has his own chapters.

All goes well until one day, Cat becomes ill, not an unusual happening for strays. His "community" of up to now strangers comes together to try and help him out. Will they succeed? Will they become acquainted with each other?

A stray cat brings together a community in New York.

I'll be honest, I was a little on the fence about how many different points of views there were. We had Cat, Bong, Lily, Collin, Omar, and Núria. However, it was done really well where the stories interested in a brilliant way so you didn't feel like you were reading the same thing over and over again.

The plot lines hit in the best way. I did tear up a couple of different times but I adored the book. I liked the touch of other cultures and how they interacted as well and how we all need each other.

Thank you go Netgalley for the advanced copy for a review.

I am not a cat person at all, so it was ironic that a dog person like me picked up this book. However, it turned out to be such a delightful read! The cover initially caught my attention, but I stayed for the story. Five strangers become connected through a stray cat in their neighborhood. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of the five strangers and the cat's own viewpoint. I loved the cat’s perspective; it was the highlight of the story and added a personal touch.
I also loved the love story between Nuria and Collin, where Collin started leaving cute notes for her near where the cat lived, and Nuria had to figure out who was leaving them. Overall, this was a sweet and heartwarming story about found family and the important role that animals play in our communities.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte for my copy.

Oh I ADORE books like these. This book was so creative. I loved how Cat brought together so many people in so many aspects of their life. Each person's life was full of complexity. I loved loved loved Omar and Collin. Just a really refreshing book of how the lives of others are interconnected. I always think that strangers are just friends we haven't met yet, and I think that shows in books like this.

This was so sweet and heartwarming. I was crying happy tears and worried tears and relieved tears - the characters and their stories were so well done.

This book checked a few boxes for me. Cats (obviously) and it felt very early 2000s romance to me. Two of my favorite things. This book tells the story of Cat the cat and the people all around him and how, somehow without even knowing it, they were all connected because of Cat.

A bit of a miss for me. I came for the cat and found him neither to be realistically cat-like or well anthropomorphized. He was more of a plot device/occasional childlike narrator with fur.

Most of the characters were somewhat sad sacks, and while they improved their lives by interacting with each other, it wasn't of much interest to me.

I feel like this book will be well received by people who like books that are what I call "Oprah books," books that want to be topical and deeply meaningful. But I read to escape, so I was bored.

Also, as a sign of just how boring these characters are, no one gave the poor cat an actual name and just called him Cat in their own languages.

This is a heartwarming story about a stray cat, the people he interacts with, and how he brings them together and facilitates the connection they could all use.

Chapters alternate POV. There's Nuria, a barista in her thirties who works with Trap/Neuter/Return programs and rescue organizations; Collin, a struggling author with severe social anxiety; Omar, a cheery mailman who doesn't know what he wants to do with his life; Bong, a widowed bodega owner deep in his grief; and Lily, a young woman come to NYC from the South in search of the half-sister she only just learned she had. And of course, we get chapters from Cat's point of view!

This reminded me a lot of the cozy stories coming out of some Asian countries these days (<i>The Full Moon Coffee Shop </i> from Japan, <i>Marigold Mind Laundry</i> from Korea), although the writing style on display here suits me a bit better - possibly just because it's more like what I am used to. That being said, it certainly isn't going to be winning any literary awards. But it succeeds in its aim of being a cozy, heartfelt, inspiring story that also exudes a love for cats and coffee (I am the target audience here!)

This was such an overall sweet story that it took me be a surprise when there was an occasional F-bomb dropped in out of nowhere. It includes queer representation, and gets bonus points for the couple who named their daughter Bernie in honor of the senator they ferociously campaigned for in 2016! For me, this was a nice 3.5 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press and Ballantine of Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review. I plan on posting my review to my blog at jessicacrawfordwrites.com on March 18, 2025, and will post it to my Instagram account @shelfesteem101 around the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for allowing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book was just "okay" to me. I really liked the concept, and was looking forward to a unique telling of a coming together story all weaved together by this central cat character. And frankly, it does deliver on that. But it was the written the blandest way possible. It was such a straightforward, nothing is happening story, it didn't feel worth the time it took to read it. The biggest and loudest label this book should carry is "cozy". This is 100% up some people's alley, but was not what I was looking for from this book. I expected a lot more nuance to the story/characters, more weaving and emotions, and more down to Earth believability. For a story so simple and straightforward, there was a lot that didn't feel right or make sense.

The worst thing about it tho: 2/5 of these characters were just stalkers. Towards the same character. And to top it off, the character being stalked was okay with one character being a creep, and completely shit on the other character being a creep. For being creepy. What is that? FMC is fine with a dude she knows nothing about and has never met or been seen to creep on her and send her notes, but rips into someone that clearly genuinely cares about her for doing the exact same thing. Mindblowing.

There was splattering's of just weird choices throughout the story. Making the cat human level sentient. Hiring someone you barely know/starting to consider your friend to help work in your store (best way to kill a budding friendship imo), overbearing crazy mom suddenly saying 'you're an adult its up to you to make your own choices' then immediately going back to berating her over her love life. A lot of repeating events from different character views that didn't add anything to the story except length...

The book reads how you expect an airport bookstore find to read. Bland. Boring. But it gives you something to do. If you're looking for something to do - a beach read, plane companion, distraction at the doctors office -- this is your find. Tag it, 'cozy', 'cat', & 'creeps'.

First of all, I would like to thank Random House and Netgalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of Cats People.
While I can't say I loved this book, it was a very heartwarming story. It is told from multiple characters' points of view, including the cat. It pulled me in very quickly and made me want to keep reading.

Cat's People is about a group of strangers who bond over the care of a stray cat in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Cat's People is a sweet story that doesn't require you to think too much while reading it, but will have you reflecting on your place in the world and how to make the world a better place long after you finish. The plot features an eclectic group-the loner best selling author, a young girl searching for the sister she didn't know she had, a man mourning the death of his wife, and their local mailman. But it's the voice of the cat that speaks the loudest-his musings on life on the streets where the greatest threat often comes from predators with two legs are poignant and painful. But Cat's People is also a happy story. As the group evolves from strangers to friends they learn joy can be found in even the simplest things like caring for a feline. Cat's People will have you hoping for a cat that claims you as his own.

I loved everything about this! The different characters and how they were all woven together was such a treat. Cat is the star of the story.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect with a cat centric book like this. I love cats, I love all animals but I’m not a “cat lady”. Over all though I thought it was cozy and charming and a great in between book if you are bogged down by all your heavy or scary stories. It’s at times a little disjointed and rushed, so never quite gets there. But I would say this is a pleasant story.

At the core of Tanya Guerrero’s tale is a small black cat. Cat tugs on the strings connecting him to five strangers, weaving a tapestry of community and found family. Home can be a place, but it can also be people.

“Just one more chapter” became five then ten then twenty until I turned the last page. I honestly can’t remember the last time I read a book in one sitting.

Mark your calendars for April 1, 2025 (no joke). You are going to want this book on your shelf.

#TanyaGuerrero
#CatsPeople
#foundfamily
#community
#home
#NetGalleyARC

Overall a cute story about how one stray cat brings a group of (arguably stray themselves) people together. A nice reminder that everyone can feel lonely at times, and that we can make a difference in the lives of the people around us.
I feel like the execution could have been improved, and I did have some criticisms throughout. I occasionally felt too cognizant of the author’s choices in a way that took me out of the story. Sometimes this would be due to the dialogue being a little forced or unnatural, but it would also happen in parts that felt rushed. I want a story that feels natural so I don’t notice the plotting mechanics. Carl was not particularly fleshed out (or likable), so I didn’t feel very invested in that storyline, even if I did care about Omar. And even though the romance was cute, I needed just a little bit more payout. It almost felt like it was one sided because there was so much time spent on Nuria feeling aloof about the whole thing (both the notes and the coffee shop stranger). I wanted to feel like she was finding something that really worked for her, not just trying the relationship out because it was flattering. It was heading in the right direction, and I feel like we were starting to see her getting more excited about things, but I just needed a TOUCH more evidence to have it feel like a satisfactory close to that storyline.
In spite of my criticisms, it was still an enjoyable read.

I was in love with this book within the first page.

I was ready to purchase this book for every one of my cat loving friends by the second.

A sweet story of how a stray cat connects strangers in a time when we all could use a little more love and compassion in our lives.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.