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donnareadathon2021's review
4.0
The story
Alex’s boyfriend Travis broke up with her on her 30th birthday, and in a drunken haze she has booked a ticket to New York, rented an apartment and is ready to find herself a new life. For this New Zealander from a very small town and her unsupportive parents, this is daunting. When Alex arrives and the apartment is in fact a Starbucks, she bashes into a handsome older guy and spills her coffee over him. In a twist, Michael ends up being her upstairs neighbour and they keep connecting!
My thoughts
Alex is not a perfect character, she fumbles along but coincidences and the “who you know” network works in her favour every time. Her relationship with Michael gets off to a bumpy start but they find common ground and the lust makes it’s way into being fodder for Alex’s romance novel she is writing. I enjoyed this cute read and the New York-y vibe. A few parts to this story require suspension of reality, Michael’s son Henry is very low maintenance
Alex’s boyfriend Travis broke up with her on her 30th birthday, and in a drunken haze she has booked a ticket to New York, rented an apartment and is ready to find herself a new life. For this New Zealander from a very small town and her unsupportive parents, this is daunting. When Alex arrives and the apartment is in fact a Starbucks, she bashes into a handsome older guy and spills her coffee over him. In a twist, Michael ends up being her upstairs neighbour and they keep connecting!
My thoughts
Alex is not a perfect character, she fumbles along but coincidences and the “who you know” network works in her favour every time. Her relationship with Michael gets off to a bumpy start but they find common ground and the lust makes it’s way into being fodder for Alex’s romance novel she is writing. I enjoyed this cute read and the New York-y vibe. A few parts to this story require suspension of reality, Michael’s son Henry is very low maintenance
virgo_reader's review against another edition
1.0
I was super disappointed by this book, maybe because I’ve seen raves about it so I had high expectations / hopes?
From the beginning, I could not stand Alex. I don’t mind an imperfect heroine, but the things that bugged me about her were never fleshed out or given meaning. For example, she gets so drunk she blacks out and completely changes the course of her life - the night before the first page she quits her job, books a plane ticket, and reserves an apartment in New York City. Later in the book she again gets so drunk she blacks out. Over and over again, she’s just an irresponsible person. And it’s never talked about, it’s never discussed, it’s never remedied. In other times, she’s shockingly coherent. So why at these key moments is she such a mess? For the sake of the story? Eh.
I don’t drink and haven’t since 2019 (and before then, since probably… 2014?) so maybe my reaction to binge drinking is harsher but I just thought it wasn’t the cute funny silly moment it was supposed to me.
I feel like anyone with half a braincell will do a Google search before moving to New York. “How much money do you need to move to New York” perhaps. And while Alex was blackout drunk when she made the decision, maybe she could have checked the next day. Or like… any day before leaving. Every part of this story set up was painfully privileged. I understand Alex didn’t have a lot of money but she had enough to get to New York and put that apartment payment down. It kind of felt like she was a romance book version of Axel Webber - that kid on TIkTok who went to New York to live in purposeful poverty. (I hate him, so maybe the resemblance to him made me hate her more.)
This is a single point of view story and I think it’s needed because of the “twist” BUT it really suffers from a lack of emotions. I felt nothing for Alex except disdain, but I don’t think we got to know Michael either. He wrote a book about the Appalachian trail… he wants to be a historical fiction writer… he’s a New York native… he’s divorced… he has a son. Oh, and he’s a total dick sometimes but it’s okay, he’s a lovable grump.
Also, a reason I love single parent romances so much is that we get to see a devoted parent and their partner who learns to fit into their family. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case here. Michael was never shown to be a GOOD dad. Maybe some of the time he was with his mom but every time they were on page together or Henry was mentioned, it was crap. Henry being sent with Michael’s brother to trick or treat. Henry being home early and alone without dinner (wasn’t he a kid?? like under 10? and he’s alone outside a locked apartment??). Michael realizing he has never taken Henry the places he took Alex.
I’ve only been to New York once so I’m not going to pretend to be an expert, and I love a “love letter to New York” story as much as the next person, but this was ridiculous. She fell into a living arrangement with a friend of a friend, who her friend from New Zealand only met once? Fell into a tight group of friends in 3 months? A good job, and a dream job? A romance? AND wrote a book? (AND got it … I don’t think so.
From the beginning, I could not stand Alex. I don’t mind an imperfect heroine, but the things that bugged me about her were never fleshed out or given meaning. For example, she gets so drunk she blacks out and completely changes the course of her life - the night before the first page she quits her job, books a plane ticket, and reserves an apartment in New York City. Later in the book she again gets so drunk she blacks out. Over and over again, she’s just an irresponsible person. And it’s never talked about, it’s never discussed, it’s never remedied. In other times, she’s shockingly coherent. So why at these key moments is she such a mess? For the sake of the story? Eh.
I don’t drink and haven’t since 2019 (and before then, since probably… 2014?) so maybe my reaction to binge drinking is harsher but I just thought it wasn’t the cute funny silly moment it was supposed to me.
I feel like anyone with half a braincell will do a Google search before moving to New York. “How much money do you need to move to New York” perhaps. And while Alex was blackout drunk when she made the decision, maybe she could have checked the next day. Or like… any day before leaving. Every part of this story set up was painfully privileged. I understand Alex didn’t have a lot of money but she had enough to get to New York and put that apartment payment down. It kind of felt like she was a romance book version of Axel Webber - that kid on TIkTok who went to New York to live in purposeful poverty. (I hate him, so maybe the resemblance to him made me hate her more.)
This is a single point of view story and I think it’s needed because of the “twist” BUT it really suffers from a lack of emotions. I felt nothing for Alex except disdain, but I don’t think we got to know Michael either. He wrote a book about the Appalachian trail… he wants to be a historical fiction writer… he’s a New York native… he’s divorced… he has a son. Oh, and he’s a total dick sometimes but it’s okay, he’s a lovable grump.
Also, a reason I love single parent romances so much is that we get to see a devoted parent and their partner who learns to fit into their family. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case here. Michael was never shown to be a GOOD dad. Maybe some of the time he was with his mom but every time they were on page together or Henry was mentioned, it was crap. Henry being sent with Michael’s brother to trick or treat. Henry being home early and alone without dinner (wasn’t he a kid?? like under 10? and he’s alone outside a locked apartment??). Michael realizing he has never taken Henry the places he took Alex.
I’ve only been to New York once so I’m not going to pretend to be an expert, and I love a “love letter to New York” story as much as the next person, but this was ridiculous. She fell into a living arrangement with a friend of a friend, who her friend from New Zealand only met once? Fell into a tight group of friends in 3 months? A good job, and a dream job? A romance? AND wrote a book? (AND got it
Spoiler
picked up by an agent……)doremelodie's review against another edition
3.0
There is not a specific trope. Technically not really enemies to lovers or forced proximity.
maddieriekhof's review
4.0
Great book! Loved the characters and how they grew throughout the novel. Looking forward to more from Jen Morris.
ayjayy's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
misssassyavocado's review against another edition
3.0
Decent story and characters but it wasn't captivating enough for me to want to read the next book.
Plot: 3/5
Spice: 1.5/5
Plot: 3/5
Spice: 1.5/5
nestabryceemily's review
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
andireadsromance's review against another edition
5.0
Love in the City by Jen Morris
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers and Single Parent
Narrative: 1st Person, Singular Viewpoint (until epilogue)
Synopsis: After being dumped on her 30th birthday, Alex drunkenly quits her job, books herself a one way flight from New Zealand to New York, and puts a down payment on an apartment to pursue her dreams, escape her small town life, and prove to her parents she can succeed as a writer.
I LOVED this book!
It was such a sweet, funny, and sexy, slow burn (and I love me a slow burn), rom-com. Alex is a smart and sassy heroine, Michael is a grumpy hero turned swoony hero (who is now in my book boyfriend harem) and they have excellent chemistry together. The supporting characters are great and I can’t wait for them to pop up in the rest of the series.
I also loved one of the messages in the book, that I’m sure will strike a chord with many here. Alex enjoys writing romance, but is afraid of how what she writes will be received because of the stigma toward romance novels. A supporting character says about romance novels, “They also teach us that it’s okay for women to want the things they want...When I was younger, I saw romance as a guilty pleasure. People used to tell me they have women unreasonable expectations. But what’s so unreasonable about wanting to be loved, wanting to be happy? Nothing...And there’s nothing wrong with wanting great sex.”
This book was an absolute pleasure to read. One of my faves of 2020. I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers and Single Parent
Narrative: 1st Person, Singular Viewpoint (until epilogue)
Synopsis: After being dumped on her 30th birthday, Alex drunkenly quits her job, books herself a one way flight from New Zealand to New York, and puts a down payment on an apartment to pursue her dreams, escape her small town life, and prove to her parents she can succeed as a writer.
I LOVED this book!
It was such a sweet, funny, and sexy, slow burn (and I love me a slow burn), rom-com. Alex is a smart and sassy heroine, Michael is a grumpy hero turned swoony hero (who is now in my book boyfriend harem) and they have excellent chemistry together. The supporting characters are great and I can’t wait for them to pop up in the rest of the series.
I also loved one of the messages in the book, that I’m sure will strike a chord with many here. Alex enjoys writing romance, but is afraid of how what she writes will be received because of the stigma toward romance novels. A supporting character says about romance novels, “They also teach us that it’s okay for women to want the things they want...When I was younger, I saw romance as a guilty pleasure. People used to tell me they have women unreasonable expectations. But what’s so unreasonable about wanting to be loved, wanting to be happy? Nothing...And there’s nothing wrong with wanting great sex.”
This book was an absolute pleasure to read. One of my faves of 2020. I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
bookstalker_1505's review
3.0
This story started really strong. I loved how the author described Michael’s personality so well and the struggles of being a single father with a difficult ex-wife. He’s funny, attentive and amazing. I also enjoyed Alex’s character, although I found her self-estim super low. Girl, is it so hard to believe a beautiful and sexy older man can have feelings for you? Believe in yourself woman!
I hated her parents, they’re really awful people and I felt her best friend wasn’t mentioned more through the book. As being her best friend wasn’t she supposed to appear more often?
Regarding Michael’s son I don’t think he interacted enough. I didn’t feel his character. It’s like he was written only to intensify Michael’s personality and background. It was a shame indeed his relationship with Alex was more developed. We readers know he really liked her but we didn’t get to see much of their relationship.
I loved the ups and downs from Michael and Alex’s relationship, they were very well written. I enjoyed this book and will probably read the others in the series eventually.
Read the full review on my blog:
https://confessionsofabookstalker.com/2022/03/31/love-in-the-city-love-in-the-city-1-by-jen-morris/
I hated her parents, they’re really awful people and I felt her best friend wasn’t mentioned more through the book. As being her best friend wasn’t she supposed to appear more often?
Regarding Michael’s son I don’t think he interacted enough. I didn’t feel his character. It’s like he was written only to intensify Michael’s personality and background. It was a shame indeed his relationship with Alex was more developed. We readers know he really liked her but we didn’t get to see much of their relationship.
I loved the ups and downs from Michael and Alex’s relationship, they were very well written. I enjoyed this book and will probably read the others in the series eventually.
Read the full review on my blog:
https://confessionsofabookstalker.com/2022/03/31/love-in-the-city-love-in-the-city-1-by-jen-morris/
beckydoodle's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this novel more. It could have a been a great story of falling in love with New York, friendship, and finding the love of your life. I feel like if there was more detail and character development it would have been great! The relationship moved along so fast that I feel like I didn’t get to know the characters.