In their irresistible novel, Hot Property, Michele, Samantha, and Sabrina Kleier—the stars of HGTV’s hit real estate reality show Selling New York—bring readers past the doormen and into the glitz, gilding, and gossip of Manhattan society.
Elizabeth Chase and her daughters, Kate and Isabel, are the leading ladies of New York City real estate. At Chase Residential, their family-run firm, they spend their days walking the city’s highest society through the most luxurious properties in the most fashionable neighborhoods.
Though the town houses have marble floors and the co-ops park views, life behind closed doors isn’t always as glamorous as it seems. From the enigmatic Countess who just won’t make an offer to the billionaire mogul seeking more than an apartment from his lovely realtor, from backstabbing brokers to cutthroat bidding wars, the Chases’ work keeps them on their toes. But life is about to become even more complicated. Just as Isabel and her boyfriend decide to take the next step, Kate finds herself with a broken heart and an uncertain future. And when Chase Residential’s very existence is threatened by a terrible betrayal, the family comes together to save the business that is at the center of each of their lives.
Hot Property gives readers a peek inside the white-glove-protected doors of New York’s most exclusive enclaves—from the Upper East Side to Tribeca and back up to Central Park—while telling a story of family, loyalty, and all the other things money can’t buy.
I'm giving this book two stars because somehow it made me read until the end. I really disliked the book. It has sooooo much promise. The idea of real estate in New York City and the cut throat world of million-dollar listing realtors is so exciting and I was beyond dying to read this book. But the "characters" (I mean we all know they're the Kleier family) were awful. If you're going to write a book about yourself then just write a book about yourself. This awful "fake" characters that are EXACTLY like these people in real life is so awkward. Also, if you're writing about yourself, describing your beauty, grace, success is so weird....there had to be a way to write this and at least try to sound humble. The authors made themselves sound like the best thing since sliced bread.
Another thing, the constant "She loves dogs. All the Chase women do." or "Elizabeth's signature scent is Chanel no 5. So of course it became the favorite and signature of the two Chase daughters." (Note: these are not exact sentences from the book, but similar to ones I read) is so old. Like do these three women even have three minds, or are they all one. Its constant and annoying. Also, the way the main three women talk about other people in the novel is not endearing at all. In one sentence they make fun of a friend, and in the next they say how much they love her. I would not want to be friends with these women in real life.
The whole book was forced, but the real estate kept me reading for some reason despite my dislike for just about everything else. I kept hoping for a gem of a chapter that would turn my opinion around, but it never came. So despite my entire dislike the fact that I kept reading make me give it one extra star...for the good idea, even if it didn't quite work out.
Elizabeth Chase and her daughters Kate and Isabel are top real estate agents in the affluent areas of New York City. Family owned business along with their father and younger brother, the story is told from three perspectives (Elizabet, Kate and Issabel). Each Daughter has their "romantic issues", and each is trying to stay on top in the real estate field.
Hot property takes you behind the scenes in a competitive field. A lot of celebrities are mentioned and vivid details of numerous (million dollar plus)properties as well. A little bit slower than I prefer and a bit too much of the "glitz", and famous (people) name "dropping" for my tastes. I found the daughters a bit too narcissistic and a little bit spoiled. But to some I am sure this kind of read would be fascinating and fun.
I did learn a lot about real estate and the Upper New York (City) area, the book did hold my interest long enough to finish and I was glad it ended where it did.
I would read more from Michele Kleier, and I would like to check out her show on HGTV, Selling New York. (Who knows maybe after seeing the program I might change my mind on the book.)
Elizabeth Chase and her daughters are the leading ladies of New York real estate. They own and run Chase residential. Each women has and tells there own story . From the movie stars and billionaires they deal with to the clothes they wear.It could have been a little more entertaining. I think the high light was the sociopath Delphine. Who had Isabel showing her all these fabulous apts. all over New York. There was a little drama when they discovered one of there brokers was double crossing them. But it seems to me it was all a little unrealistic. The family works together eats together and constantly on the phone with each other .To see how a showing went to meet for luch or just to say goodnight.. Sometimes even a morning phone call to coordinate what they are going to wear.
I am giving Hot Property 1.5 of 5 stars. When I saw this book blurb, I was excited. I thought this book would be a glamorous, high-socitey style novel filled with exciting real estate stories. While the book definitely had some interesting occurrences, I was disappointed with the execution. Hot Property follows a dynamic mother/ daughter trio as they navigate their lives and careers in New York real estate. They deal with back stabbing agents, difficult clients, and relationship woes while living an extravagant life style.
It took me awhile to even get into this book. There was so much extra detail and too many side story type comments that were just superfluous. While I was expecting this book to be filled with high society and wealthy clientele, the name dropping was ridiculous. It seemed that every paragraph dropped at least one high profile name, it got old really fast. With all the extra detail and name dropping, it took a long time to get to know the individual characters, and there was really not a clear plot at all. I felt that the story rambled on from story to story, from expensive New York apartment to another. As I stated, the extra detail was way to much, and quite annoying. An example would be that at one point while showing an apartment, the authors describe the housekeeper eating spaghetti-o's from a glass bowl. That information had NOTHING to do with the story line, it was excessive and took away from the story. By the end of the book, I was very tired of the name dropping and ready to move on.
With all that said, I did enjoy parts of Hot Property. I love real estate, and the antics of the upper class are generally amusing. The 3 main characters themselves are charming and entertaining. However, at times I was annoyed at them. On of the sisters, Kate, continually moons over her ex boyfriend, who clearly did not value her, and I hate seeing women lower their standards like that. In the end, the ladies keep on working and living the high-life.
Hot Property had potential to be an exciting high-society drama, but it was unfortunately poorly executed. The downsides unfortunately overshadowed the lively and entertaining characters, and the plot was sorely lacking.
In a way, reading "Hot Property: A Novel" was a bit like leafing through the pages of tabloid magazines. It definitely offered more than a peek into the glamorous lifestyles of the wealthy New Yorkers, especially those in the market for very expensive property.
The story showcases The Chases, who own a real estate company that caters to those wealthy clients. Elizabeth, the matriarch, is bookended by her lookalike daughters Kate and Isabel (one dark, one blond). And their cute little dogs go with them everywhere.
Sometimes I wanted to turn away, as if I might overdose on the splendor of it all, but I kept turning those pages. Because, despite the glitz and glamor, there were intriguing little morsels tucked away: Teddy Wingo, a man who is up to no good; and a very strange Countess, Delphine, who looks at all kinds of properties, but never seems to buy anything. But always sends Isabel delightful goodies after each showing, thus keeping her appetite whetted.
The descriptions of the property were matched only by the wonderful dining establishments, the clothes, and the shoes. By the time I reached the final page, and finally satisfied my curiosity about Teddy Wingo and Delphine, I was quite ready for it to be over, though. I was especially annoyed by the endless descriptions of characters that looked like one or another movie star. Please! Describe the character, don't take the lazy way and toss in a movie star lookalike. The first or second or even third time, it was kind of cute. After awhile, not so much.
Nevertheless, because the story was somewhat captivating and there was a bit of a plot, and the writing voices were believable, I'm giving this one four stars.
Hot Property by Michele, Samantha and Sabrina Kleier
This could have been an interesting, gossipy book about the real estate market in New York City and the lives of the real women behind "Selling New York" and I was very much looking forward to just such a book. However, this book quickly devolves into a mess of disjointed stories, brief encounters, and little to no plot. The characters of Kate, Elizabeth and Isabel are interchangeable; egocentric at best, annoyingly naïve at the worst. The male characters (husband, son, boyfriends) seemed to have been added as an afterthought. I can appreciate that the world of high end real estate is not something that I can totally grasp, but I have read books of this ilk before and have enjoyed them immensely, but there is generally some sort of story in those other books. This book tried to have a story; one that dealt with dirty dealings within the company and another dealing with a client that was not all she was leading everyone to believe, but these plot devices didn't work...at all.
The fact that the family was so close that they could not go five minutes without speaking to each other, that they all believed that their family was the center of their universe at ALL times, was a warm hearted one. However, I have to wonder just how these people could ever have any kind of relationship outside of the family and have them work.
Sadly, I had really looked forward to this book and the hours of fun I could have had putting myself into their Jimmy Choo's but it (the whole book) just didn't work...at all.
I won a proof copy of this book from Goodreads and was very excited to read it. I love their show and thought it would be an inside look into it.
Spelling errors aside, 40 pages in I almost threw the book away. It was overly descriptive, self-serving and pretentious. The flaunt of wealth was too much in-your-face and obnoxious. The "characters" were thinly veiled and they used real names throughout the book as secondary characters.
Determined to give it a fighting chance, I stopped taking it so seriously and just read it for what it was: a light hearted attempt to show what happens in the lives of one rich real estate family. And it was fun and amusing, and had a sweet little story.
So while I'm glad I didn't pay anything for it, I am glad I read it. If you're a fan of the show you'll enjoy. Makes me wonder how much of it was true!
Since becoming a homeowner, I've watched a lot of HGTV, and I love the show Selling New York, which features the authors as well as other brokers from high-end firms around New York City. If you're like me and love real estate, especially indulging in your fantasies to own high end real estate, Hot Property is the book for you. It's a fantasy of amazing living spaces in one of the most glamorous cities in the world.
If you're not into real estate, this book probably won't be for you. There's dish and quirky New York characters, but the focus of this novel really is real estate, so if you don't share an interest in it, you'll probably be bored.
Overall, I found Hot Property to be an enjoyable, quick read and I look forward to seeing the Kleirs on the new season of Selling New York!
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I was not sure what to expect from this novel because of the bad reviews I read but I'm glad I decided to read it because I thought it was an amazing book. It was so entertaining. I've never had much of an interest in real estate but I enjoyed reading all of the information about real estate in this book. I loved all of the characters and wanted to hear more about their lives. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants an entertaining, fun book to read.
Book was ok. Quick read. Need to work on some of the sentences--they were more like paragraphs than sentences. Predicatble story. Not much plot. From someone that grew up and has always lived in small southern towns the name brands got old. Think the authors have the ability to write a good story but need more substance.
Couldn't make it past page 85. Was looking for a fun, mindless read, but this was a little too mindless. Didn't know this was based on real people--they should have titled this book "The Story of Our Lives, Only We Changed Our Names". When the stranger's little boy was named Cooper Kleier, well, that's when I closed the book and put it in the library bag for return.
i absolutely loved it. i love new york city but have only ever experienced it as an outsider. i love the feeling of being on the 'inside' as the kleir women have portrayed in their book. i love all of the characters and wish i had the good fortune to be a realtor like themselves or even one of the clients. definitely a book to suggest to others!!!
I received a proof copy of this book to review from Good Reads. I feel this book had potential if it had the input of a good editor. Far too many parentheses with irrelevant information and too little plot or character development. That aside, parts of the book were entertaining.
It was rather amusing and look at the rich, high rise living citizens of NYC. I love New York City, so enjoyed images that came to mind. The book was easily perused and followed a similar line of the TV show, "Selling New York".
Really got caught up in this book about the glamorous and high stakes world of Manhattan real estate. I enjoy watching the Kleiers on their reality show and I guess I already had an affection for them before they penned this. Bravo ladies!
As an HGTV junkie I enjoy "Selling New York" especially with the Kleier's as my favorite realty family. This fictional look into their lives as well as the fantasy homes they sell was truly enjoyable & a real peak a NY few can even imagine.
This is a book for those who really only want a surface read. The characters are not developed and I am still unable to see the point of the book...maybe because there was none?
Too much description of fashion and food that I was annoyed. I started skimming paragraphs just to get to the point of what was actually going on with the characters.