Empire Girls

by Suzanne Hayes, Loretta Nyhan, Suzanne Palmieri

The critically acclaimed authors of I'll Be Seeing You return with a riveting tale of two sisters, set in the intoxicating world of New York City during the Roaring Twenties.

Ivy and Rose Adams may be sisters, but they're nothing alike. Rose, the eldest, is the responsible one, while Ivy is spirited and brazen. After the unexpected death of their father, the women are left to reconcile the estate, when they make a shocking discovery: not only has their father left them in financial ruin, but he has also bequeathed their beloved family house to a brother they never knew existed. With only a photograph to guide the way, Ivy and Rose embark to New York City, determined to find this mysterious man and reclaim what is rightfully theirs.

Once in New York, temptations abound at every turn, and soon the sisters are drawn into the glitzy underbelly of Manhattan, where they must overcome their differences and learn to trust each other if they're going to survive in the big city and find their brother. Filled with unforgettable characters and charm, Empire Girls is a love letter to 1920s New York, and a captivating story of the unspoken bond between sisters.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, New York, Romance, Historical, Mystery, Chick Lit

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Pen name of Suzanne Palmieri

Reviews

[Delee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always thought I should have been born earlier. And if I had a choice- it would be a toss up between being in my twenties in 1960 (I would have made a grooooooovy flower child hippy)...or being in my twenties in 1920 (I would have made an even better flapper). No decade is perfect- but anything would have been better than being 20 in 1986...and I have the big-haired pictures to prove it.





Rosemary and Ivy Adams life in Forest Grove New York is turned upside down after the death of their father. Having lost their mother years earlier, they are now all alone...or so they thought- until their father's Lawyer- J.W. Lawrence- comes to visit and tells them upsetting and shocking news. They have a half brother- Asher- who they never knew existed- And what is even worse...He, not Rose, will be the one to inherit the only thing their father had left- The house.



So off they go in search of their long lost brother- with only one clue to guide them - A photo of The Empire House in NYC. Rose is less than thrilled- she was happy to live out her days in the quiet and dull Forest Grove- but for free spirited- Ivy- this little adventure is what she has dreamed about all her life.





THE EMPIRE GIRLS is a charming and WHOLESOME story about two young sisters finding love in the big city. Love for themselves, each other, and yes...a man or two. I do prefer my roaring 20s with a little more ROOOAAR!!...but it is a light enjoyable read for bright summer day.


I won an advanced reader copy of this book on first-reads.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this book, didn't hate it either. There's nothing deep here, no major revelation, but it does pass the time.

It just isn't what I was hoping for after enjoying I'll Be Seeing You so much.

It's the twenties. There's a LOT of drinking. Except for all the drinking and the speakeasy and lingo, it doesn't have a twenties feel. It doesn't scream TWENTIES, if that makes sense. I wasn't really transported to another time and place.

Two sisters who start and end with completely different and somewhat not explained personality changes are searching for a brother they never knew about until their father's passing...and this brother can determine their future. The sisters have a strange love/hate relationship, but if I had to spend 21, 22 years in another's constant presence, I can imagine that's inevitable. Frankly, both of these girls would get on my nerves. Ivy is too self-absorbed and selfish and Rose is a stick in the mud and a kiss-up at first, until she seems to become an alcoholic. LOL

"I hurried out of bed, flew down the stairs and then brought his bedtime tea back up. "Here you are, Papa. See, I will always bring your tea..."

Ugh.

Thankfully she changes, but still...

What I do like about this story is how it touches on the NYers who went to WWI and ended up trapped for a week (The Lost Battalion, Argonne) without food in France while their own fellow Americans shot at them. Sad. And these men came back and many of them were emotionally compromised and put into institutions or sleeping homeless in the park... I was so interested in this lost battalion, I did more research on my own and there was so much the authors could have done here, perhaps have the brother as a narrator, telling his story too? The soldiers even had to use pigeons to get messages out of their area. Frankly, I didn't think there was enough to this story to warrant double narratives, but if they'd added the brother's story...after all the story is supposed to be about these girls looking for their missing brother, but there is so very little really of that drama, compared to the romance and drinking and other characters in the house who don't really hold major roles.

Overall, the story felt rushed. The timeline was crazy too. At times it read as if a week had passed and a few pages later, days, and a few pages later, three weeks, and later, two weeks. I like a set timeline and this irritated me. I also thought, partly because of the cover--looks like some weird stage thing going on there--that there would be some theater life, some side story here about acting or vaudeville or something, and there wasn't. Even the ladies' jobs...not much detail about that. I mean, just WHEN does Rose do any housekeeping? Yes, I'd say there was a serious lack of details in this story. I think that's what was missing for me. And where were the other ladies of the house? Why didn't the sisters ask them about their brother? There were four ladies in the attic and three downstairs? That doesn't make sense.

Full review: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third book this year that I expected to love, should have loved, but then didn't. As with The Museum of Extraordinary Things, I had high hopes for this one. I mean, look at that cover! And it's about sisters! Sisters who have to find the brother they JUST found out existed after their father died and left them a letter saying, "Oh, by the way, girls, you have a brother. He lives in NYC. You should go find him." AND this takes place in the '20's! What is NOT to love?

I'll tell you what is not to love: Mira's need to get quick reads out fast. I've never been friends with this imprint, nor with Harlequin in general. I'm bothered by their willingness to sacrifice quality for the sake of a quick buck. I think that's why I was so surprised by I'll Be Seeing You - it was much better crafted than what I've come to expect from Mira.

This one, though, this was more along the lines of "Hit these marks and then get it on the shelves" which is unfortunate.

Here's what worked for me:
-The title page is gorgeous. I must have looked at it for a solid five minutes. It just struck me.
-The idea behind the story is awfully compelling.
-There are some honest, strong moments of self-realization in both Ivy and Rose.

But I kept getting hung up on so many other things.
-I never believed Rose and Ivy were sisters. They didn't feel related at all. I could have believed they were sisters-in-law...like maybe Ivy had been married to the brother instead of being his sister and maybe he'd left her and she went to find Rose for help and they didn't get along and this story was the result? I don't know but I never bought their relationship. None of the complexities or depths that you find in a love/hate sister relationship were there.
-The timeline. Everything happened so quickly that there was no buildup. Instalove, instacareer, instaacceptance, instaeverything. I couldn't see any character growth because there was no time for growth.
-Too many characters. This winds up being a plot-driven story though it should be character-driven. However, many of the characters are weak and most of them are unreliable so it's easier to focus on the end goal of the tale rather than the moments and people. Too often, the sisters seemed interchangeable which made their difficult sisterly relationship even harder to believe. Nell's personality shifted from chapter to chapter. I couldn't really grasp Sonny, Lawrence, Claudia, the rest of the Empire Girls, or even Cat who was probably the most fleshed-out. That just left the storyline and, in this case, it wasn't strong enough to carry my attention or affection.

While this was a disappointment to me because I'd had such high hopes, I can't say it's not worth reading. It really is an ok story; there are some lovely passages and pretty moments. If you're a skimming reader and not prone to break things down, this is a fast read. It's a good airplane or beach book and will have its own audience. I just can't be part of that group this time around.

[Alexa (Alexa Loves Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

FIRST THOUGHTS:

Sisters + New York in the 20s? Sounds like an amazing combination right from the start! I certainly liked Rose and Ivy, and their relationship as sisters. I loved how there were perfectly written passages about New York, with tiny details that set me in the era (though I wish there had been even more). I also liked their journeys, but more particularly Rose's story.

What I'm not too keen on was the way the story was paced. I couldn't figure out a proper timeline, and it all seemed pretty jumpy. I let go of that bit easily, mostly because I wanted to know what'd happen, but it's admittedly jarring.

I also felt like the story overall needed something more to it. While it had a very satisfying conclusion, I guess I just wanted to experience more with Rose and Ivy.

REVIEW:

(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)

When Empire Girls appeared on my radar, I instantly requested it. Why? It’s a story about (1) sisters (2) in New York City (3) in the 1920s. All three of these things have a permanent place on my personal preferences list, so wanting to read it was a no-brainer.

Rose and Ivy are the two sisters in Empire Girls, and these girls are as different as night and day. Rose is the older sibling, practical, level-headed and content with her small corner of the world. Ivy is the younger one, flighty, dreamy and prone to more romantic notions and adventures. Stereotypical characters? A bit, but that didn’t wind up particularly bothering me.

It is the differences in their personalities that make each of their individual journeys during their New York adventure that much more interesting. Watching each of them transform (really, it’s growing up) is pretty fun, though I generally just preferred Rose’s experience over Ivy’s. Seeing New York through each of their eyes is fun, though not without heartbreaking experiences in the mix.

Their relationship also felt pretty realistic. Rose, as the older sibling, took responsibility for the household and her family. She’s almost like a mother to Ivy, and so, tries hard to be prim, proper and make her sister the same way. Ivy’s free spirit definitely causes them to have clashes a time or two! It’s interesting how the authors made it a point to focus on how these two learn to adapt and understand one another better as Empire Girls progressed, and in a way that felt realistic.

It is funny how I’ve written so much already and not yet touched on the real reason the girls are in New York: the search for their half-brother. While I’m not averse to the fact that it focused primarily on the girls themselves and their own experiences, I did feel a bit disappointed that the brother element only really kicked in towards the latter third (though it was mentioned at random points, just to remind the reader it was still important, I guess).

One of the other things I really liked about this novel is the portrayal of New York. There were perfectly written turns of phrase that described this city in a way that I found relatable. I love that these lines felt timeless when it comes to this city! There were also some great 1920s details, like the speakeasies, but I do wish there had been just a touch more to really ground the reader in this era.

My main reservation about Empire Girls is the story’s pacing. I couldn’t figure out the timeline easily, and every transition felt jumpy. It’s very jarring, and will definitely affect a reader’s perception of this story. Plus, the romantic plotlines just felt a little too rushed for me (particularly for Rose).

Overall, I did think Empire Girls was worth a read. I do feel like it could have used a little something more, though I’m not sure whether that’s in terms of plot or characterization or pacing. Did I like it? Yes, I did. But I do think there’s definitely room for improvement too.

(Oh, one more thing – I loved the literary references in it! The mention of quite a few of my favorite characters and stories was also fun to discover.)

[Lisa Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flapper-era New York is having a moment. The 1920s in Manhattan seems to be the setting of choice for novel after novel right now — not without good reason, of course. What could be more perfect than the glamour, danger, and reckless freedom of the era, with young women living large, gin flowing freely, and a country going a little bit crazy after the trauma of war years?

Fitting in nicely with this trend is the new novel Empire Girls, focusing on two sisters, Rose and Ivy, and their adventures in the big city. Rose and Ivy have been raised by their widower father in a quiet home in upstate New York. Ivy is the free spirit, going off with her father on explorations and adventures, while Rose is the responsible one, tending the house, making sure dinner is served on time, and trying to keep her family together. But when their father dies suddenly, the girls receive shocking news: They have an older brother, last seen in New York City, who will inherit the house — and unless they can find him and get him to deal with the estate’s debts, they’ll be turned out of their home.

With no other options, the girls set out for the city — Ivy excited, Rose in absolute dread — and head for their brother’s last known address, the Empire House, a semi-respectable establishment renting rooms to young ladies under the watchful eye of a not-terribly-friendly landlady. Once there, the girls have to find their way through the temptations and risks of the city. Never close before, the sisters fight and come together, each finding new facets of herself as they navigate gin joints and speakeasies, charming gents and wild girls, while piecing together the clues to track down their elusive brother.

Empire Girls succeeds in painting the New York of the 1920s, capturing the sights, smells, and unbearable heat of summer in the city. The novel vividly describes the allure of freedom for two country girls, and what they must give up in order to thrive. At the same time, it’s not all fun and abandon: In Empire Girls, we also get a taste of the sacrifices made by the men who lived through the Great War, and come face to face with the darker side of the 1920s in the damaged soldiers who are left to rebuild lives for themselves.

Empire Girls is written by two authors, each taking on the voice of one of the sisters, so that Rose and Ivy each get to “speak” for themselves. This mostly works, although the narrative occasionally feels choppy, and it was sometimes difficult to sort out whose voice we were hearing without referring back to the chapter headers.

Stylistic issues aside, I found the plot to be quite enjoyable, nicely layering the mystery of the missing brother on top of the story of two young women finding themselves and rediscovering each other.

Maybe the New York jazz age thing is getting a bit overdone — but here, it really works. As a showcase for Rose and Ivy and their newfound independence, the Manhattan of the 1920s is a great vehicle for illustrating the changing opportunities available to young women, the wild freedom embraced by people who’ve lived through the awful war years, and the prospect of a future without rigid rules and societal expectations.

And even more importantly, Empire Girls is just plain fun. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the plot. It’s a quick book, light but with real emotion, and a great choice for a summer read.

This review also appears at Bookshelf Fantasies. Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t quite sure just where this story would lead when I started: two sisters, Ivy and Rose, who were struggling to survive through their own personal demons. What emerged is a lovely story of personal growth, redolent with the feel of New York City at the height of the 20’s, with language, dress and feel that brings the city to life.

I don’t know if Hayes and Nyhan intended the girls’ names to become a part of the transformation, but when the story begins Rose, the elder, is far more the homebody and good girl, quietly keeping their life in line. Ivy, unlike her name, is the bolder more carefree and impulsive one, always dreaming of leaving their small town and heading for the big city. Needless to say, these two girls are constantly bickering, while they have a touch of the familial obligations, neither is particularly fond of the other, and these resentments seem to run deep.

When their father dies and leaves them near penniless; they discover a long-hidden secret brother who has been willed the family home, they find no option but to travel to the city, and seek him out. Where we expect Ivy to flourish and spread her wings, and Rose to further disappear into herself and become even older than her few years would indicate, the girls are slowly finding their own strengths and skills.

Of course, every element of their story is tinged with their slow discovery of their brother’s whereabouts, and the secret their father held for so many years. As Ivy, he bolder and ‘faster’ of the two finds that life in the fast lane is ultimately hollow and scary, Rose starts to find her own strength in organizing, understanding and ferreting out the truth around all situations.

These two grow slowly into the qualities that their names suggest, and along the way learn to lose the long-held resentments and slights that have held them apart for so long. With a myriad cast of characters that add life, interest and intrigue to the story, and the hints dropped as they search for the brother they never knew keep the pages turning. Tidbits of the scenery, language and sounds of New York add a solid sense of place, and the historical details are described in ways that bring visualizations to life.

This isn’t a high-powered action packed story, it is slower in developing and revealing its intention and purpose. A simple story of finding your true place and strength in times of turmoil and change, this was an emotional read with plenty of elements that felt very of the 20’s, as these women learned to navigate their ever-changing worlds.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the advance readers' copy. It's 1925, and sisters Rose and Ivy Adams are left penniless and homeless when their father dies and leaves his entire estate to Asher, an elder half-brother they never knew existed. Going on a clue in an old photograph of Asher, the sisters pack up and move to a boardinghouse in New York City to try to find their brother and make a living. What skeletons will tumble out of their family closet in the process? And can impetuous Ivy and practical Rose work together to create a life in the city?

I liked the story well enough, but there was something lacking in this book that left me a little bored and ultimately, unable to care about Rose and Ivy. I know part of it is the multiple narrators - books like this don't work well for me very often. Maybe part of it is also that I've read too many 1920s American historical fiction books, because there was a predictable quality to the sisters' path to finding Asher and I very easily guessed what had happened to him. This is a Harlequin imprint, so I shouldn't have been surprised that there was a romantic element forced in, but I could have done without that. I would have been happier with a simpler story of two young women finding themselves and improving their relationship. All in all, two Goodreads stars - it was okay and a perfectly acceptable lunch break read, but it was cluttered and the multiple narrators were completely unnecessary for a story that was so straightforward.

[Dara · Rating 2 out of 5]

review originally posted on my blog Inspiration in Creation

I was disappointed in this one. Two sisters in New York city in the Roaring Twenties has so much potential. I guess I enjoyed it, but it really didn’t blow me away. It’s a good lunch or beach read. It’s not going to make you deep think thoughts but it’s not un-enjoyable.

In the beginning Ivy and Rose are your stereotypical sisters, Ivy is the flight risk and drama queen who everyone likes better and Rose is the mature, level headed one who has to look after her sister. The characters are very flat and one dimensional and really just boring. As they begin to grow into themselves once they arrive in New York City they become more introspective, but again in a very predictable way.

I also had issues with the timing/pacing of the story. It is deathly slow for the first half and then roars through the climax and conclusion without any time for the reader to build up or come down. I think it would have been a stronger story if it were about the two sisters finding themselves and their family without the romances because they feel especially rushed and forced. Although it is a Harlequin imprint, so I suppose I should have expected that. I guess I thought that the historical fiction aspect might temper that, but really the historical part is just a slap dash varnish thrown on at the end. The story could take place in any era for the most part.

[Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose and Ivy Adams live in the country with their father. Rose is more reserved and takes care of the household since their mother dead years ago and Ivy is more of an outgoing dreamer with not much responsibility. When their father dies unexpectedly, Rose assumes he will leave the house to her as she is the one that has taken care of the family for years, but he surprisingly left it to an unknown man named Asher. This unknown man is actually their half brother, a brother they never knew existed. They need to find him as their father left his financial affairs in ruin and they find out that he is living in New York City. The only problem is that many sources say Asher has disappeared since he returned from the war. Rose and Ivy are determined to find him, but each for different reasons. While looking her brother, Ivy has her mind set on exploring the exciting world of Jazz Age New York City. Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan's Empire Girls is a fun romp through 1920s New York City and includes a family mystery that will keep readers flipping the pages.

Read the rest of my review here: http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...

[Marguerite Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay read for me. Don't know why it didn't gel, maybe my mood, but it didn't. I think the biggest reason was because the two narrative strands told in first person, from Ivy and Rose's points of view didn't feel particularly different. It felt like one narrator telling the same story over from different perspectives rather than two narrators. And to be honest, I never really invested in the central story, of the search for the brother. As I said, it might have been my mood, but the emotional impact of everything that went on in the book, from the sudden death of their father, the loss of their family home, the massive debt and then the mystery of their unknown brother seemed very muffled on the two girls, who seemed a lot more concerned with their dresses and their own love life - and I don't think I bought that. Yes, I think that was it. Oh well.

[Meg Ulmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goofy, dumb, shallow. The three adjectives that came to mind when I finished this book early this morning. I struggled to finish the book or to take it seriously. It never truly involved me although some of the characters were interesting and the pseudo-mystery at the heart of the plot could have and should have been a real one of consequence to the characters and the readers--but it wasn't treated as such by the authors and so it wasn't treated as such by this reader. I won't be picking up a book any time soon by either one of these authors. Very disappointing--there was a great story here but it didn't get told. No recommendation here.

[natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think I'd like this book when I received it and as I started reading it, I soon changed my mind.

My thanks to Goodreads. I'm so glad I won this copy of Empire Girls from Goodreads. It was a great read.

A great family story set in the 1920's, with 2 completely different sisters with 2 completely different ideas of what their life would be. Never expecting it to be what it was; different families coming together as one.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a easy and an good read. Love how easy it was to get sucked in and want to know what was going on.

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the idea of this book. Two sisters, very different in character, are forced to put aside their differences and travel to New York to find the brother they never knew they had when they discover that their father left him everything in his will. Family drama and New York in the Roaring Twenties sounded like a winning combination to me.

The success of a book like this one depends largely on the strength of its characters, and, unfortunately, I found the two main characters of the novel lacking. According to the authors, they wanted to write about two sisters who are like night and day, but Rose and Ivy are so extreme that I found them very unsympathetic. The alternating first person narration really did them no favors. At the beginning of the book, Ivy comes across as a self-satisfied, self-centered twit, who seems to care little for Rose. Rose is slightly more sympathetic, as the put upon older sister who tries to care for her sibling, but she’s such an uptight prig that it’s hard to like her, too.

Of course, the novel is ultimately about the sisters’ transformation through their experiences in New York, but I found the changes in their characters unconvincing. In part, I think it’s because the reader is more frequently told that they are different rather than experiencing a more organic change in the way characters respond and react to their surroundings. The alteration in their behavior should be enough to clue the reader in; the characters shouldn’t need to frequently articulate the transformation if the authors are confident in their writing. In Rose’s case, there is at least some evidence presented for a change—she finds several jobs, including housekeeper at her boarding house, finds a boyfriend, and starts drinking. Ivy’s change is much less convincing. She auditions for one acting job that she doesn’t get and is prevented from singing more than once at the speakeasy where she works, and she then gives up her dreams of being an entertainer, for reasons that seemed very nebulous to me. She also expresses a discomfort in (maybe even fear of) the city she was so eager to experience, but it wasn’t clear to me what exactly she was reacting to. And her romantic interest just seemed very unlikely given the way her character is described at the beginning of the book. I couldn’t figure out why either of them would be interested in the other.

This is the second novel that the authors have written, and both have been historical fiction. I haven’t read the first, but after reading this one, I’m wondering if the authors shouldn’t give a more contemporary setting a try. I’m just not convinced on the strength of this book that they should be writing historical novels. A good historical novel should immerse you in the period, but I felt like the historical references here were relatively flat—there’s a generic speakeasy, some gin-soaked parties, the obligatory visit to Coney Island, and a lot of slang. To me, it felt more like window dressing than an in-depth visit to a different time.

An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empire Girls (click on book or see below for description)
By Suzanne Hayes & Loretta Nyhan
Released 6/1/14
Downloaded free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 4 bones

Finish Time: A few nights. Again I revert back to my favorite time period – the 1920′s. I’m so intrigued with flappers, speakeasies, and just the glamour that surrounds this time period (obviously not taking into account the depression.) This book did not disappoint. Full of vibrant characters, mystery, and romance, I enjoyed reading this book each night.

The book follows Rose & Ivy Adams. Sisters so close in age, yet so far apart in personalities. Losing their father forces them to join forces and investigate the mystery he left them to figure out how to keep their house and move on without him. Rose & Ivy are confused and surprised to learn they have a brother (from another mother) that their father has left in control of his estate. With a few pictures and clues, they set off on their journey to New York City, specifically a girls boarding house, Empire House.

Empire House is managed by Nell and is home to a variety of girls who stories unfold over the course of the story. As the girls jump right into trying to locate their brother Asher, they are hit what on the surface is a lot of walls, but they both can tell those walls contain many secrets. As both Rose & Ivy begin working in different fields and forming new friendships, the secrets begin to unfold and more hints are uncovered. Both their ingrained personalities and comfort zones are challenged, and their already shaky relationship is pushed to the limit. Romance and friendships blossom and this book is really choke full of sweet moments and constant entertainment.

The ending does not disappoint, except that I wasn’t ready to leave this world and family that Rose & Ivy had created around them. Really a great story of growth, discovery, and love during the 1920′s. What I also found interesting was the Q&A with the authors at the end. Anytime I see two authors listed on a book, I wonder how they do that. Not being a writer, I would think it is a very independent job until feedback is needed. But Suzanne & Loretta seem to have a system down, each taking ownership of certain characters, that really makes for a great book that flawlessly flows together!
http://mydogearedpurpose.com/2014/06/...

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

*****This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****

Rose and Ivy Adams have just buried their father, found that their home is in arrears, and that they have a secret half brother in New York City. Rose, the eldest, who took the place as the adult long before her time once their mother passed, now sees the only hope of her life, the only home she has ever known going to an unknown - whereas, Ivy, the wild eyed, live in the moment, daughter who favored her father finds this as an adventure that can only bring her a piece of him at least in a way to keep him alive, and a way to get away from the sleepy town and into the big city.
With only small clues to guide them, they find themselves at Empire House, a boarding house of misfits and people with secrets of their own - some of which seem awfully close to the Asher Adams that they are in search of, but why all the secrets. The city seems too big and small, seems to draw out each one of their strengths and weaknesses, and it will either bring these two together or snap them apart forever.
Each chapter varies each girls point of view and the development is good of each one, but sometimes there is something missing, a depth - I understand the drive, but there is a skimming of time, or the character's feelings or actions. I enjoy the mystery, the sisterhood element, the time period, the secondary characters. This is a nice, quick read, a little two dimensional, but nice for easy reading.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

New York New York...

Ivy and Rose Adams traveled to New York City after their father passed away and left them penniless. They also had another mission which was to find a brother they never even knew existed and a brother that their father left everything to.

Ivy was excited to go to New York, but Rose was apprehensive because she was one who preferred staying home and taking care of domestic affairs, but was it fate that they went?

EMPIRE GIRLS is a fun, easy, entertaining read. Ms. Hayes and Ms. Nyhan vividly depicted 1920's New York with its speakeasies, its glitz, and its glamour. The writing is descriptive, the storyline will hold your interest, and the characters are very likable.​

You will love both Ivy and Rose and perhaps see a little bit of yourself in either or both of them. You will share their feelings and adventures and join them in their fun, their explorations, and their despair. EMPIRE GIRLS seemed to be a lesson about life and family.

​EMPI​RE GIRLS will steal your heart and have you missing the characters after you turn the last page. The ending is heartwarming as well as a surprise.

Don’t miss reading EMPIRE GIRLS for a glimpse into life in the 1920’s and a reminder of the importance of friendship and family. 5/5

I received this book free of charge and without compensation from the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Angela Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really this is a 3.5. It didn't really take me months to read it either; I started it and then forgot and saw it on my bedside table and picked it back up last week or so. There were things I liked and things I didn't like about this book. I love the air of mystery, the typical speakeasy, 1920s mystery and glamour. There were things that confused me or I found lacking. The idea that they didn't act like siblings before and then became it was hard to believe. I only have my sister and even during years of not being particularly close, we've always understood each other. And any fight is resolved quickly, instantly even. There is jealousy in any sibling relationship I think, but there is also a fierce protective instinct. I thought the ending was a bit far fetched. Perhaps if the authors were to write a sequel from asher and daisy's lives I would feel differently. The story felt too top heavy and then rushed at the end. I would have liked to see the other characters more developed.

But overall it was a unique story and made New York seem like an entirely different place than it is today.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Empire Girls was the perfect book to read on my way to New York. Sisters Ivy and Rose descended upon the city after they learned that their father left his wealth to a brother they didn't know they had. They followed small clues to a boardinghouse in the heart of the busy city intending to find their brother and persuade him to allow them to remain in their family home. Unlike the first book by the authors, I'll Be Seeing You , the storyline here was a but superficial. Rather than seek out their brother, the girls focused on finding employment, drinking, and flirting. The characters acted without much motivation, and things happened a little too easily. The writing lacked the character introspection I previously enjoyed from these authors. Although the novel was set in an exciting city, New York didn't have a large role to the story. Overall, this was a cute and light read that was entertaining on an airplane, but I expected a little more.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the coming of age story of two sisters, Ivy and Rose, in 1920's New York. After their father dies they are shocked to learn that they had a brother that they never knew about and he has inherited the house they live in. They set off to find him and along the way enjoy many new experiences such as smoking, drinking, and falling in love for the first time. Ivy plays the part of the impulsive, reckless sister while Rose is the sensible one. Even though the sisters suffer from their share of disagreements eventually they reconnect when both realize the importance of family.

While I enjoyed the descriptions of 1920 New York, this book was just lacking something for me. I never really felt connected to the characters and consequently didn't really care much about them. I finished it easily enough but I never found it very compelling. I have read other, more interesting books about this time period before.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I am a fan of historical fiction and sister stories. But now I realize that I'm actually a fan of well-written historical fiction. This book felt like the authors found a source of 1920's slang and used it as the basis for their story. There was just too much talk about "gin," "vice," and "dolls" from the country girls for it to be believable. I only got through the whole book because of the mystery of the half-brother, but even that was a huge disappointment. It could have been suspenseful and interesting, but instead it was wrapped up easily and quickly with no real excitement or revelation. The whole book just fell flat for me. The characters and setting which I had high hopes for all felt very contrived and one-dimensional. The only reason it gets two stars is because I made it to the end without giving up on it. Otherwise, it would be a one-star.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book. Everything from cover to cover and everything in between was great. I loved Ivy and Rose equally. I can relate to Rose because she is like me...more mature. Yet by the end of the story, I would say that both Ivy and Rose were on even playing grounds. They rubbed off on one another. Ivy did a lot of growing up throughout the story. Rose on the other hand learned to let loose some. Both sisters showed that family shares a strong bond and had each other's back.

Than there is the time period. Love, Love the 1920's era. I used to always be in love with the Western era with outlaws: Belle Star, Wyatt Earp, etc. I always said that if I could go back in time to an era this would be it. Yet the more books I read that take place in the 1920's the more that I am in love. At this point both eras are a tie. The best part about joint authors...you never know where one ends and the next begins. I will be checking out more books by these authors.

[Regina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew I had made a poor decision to start reading this book by about chapter 3. The writing style is incredibly simple and juvenile (think 50 Shade of Grey voice but worse). The plot was flimsy and one-dimensional and everything was tied up so neatly it was outrageous. I'm not entirely sure what the authors were attempting to accomplish with this book, but it's very clear that they were trying to wrap it up as quickly as possible. The timeline of the story is completely unrealistic, from finding their true loves, to discovering the truth about their family's secrets. None of the characters have any depth and the myriad of supporting roles are either unnecessary or abandoned by the end. I feel like a middle schooler could have come up with this plot and written this book. I'm not sure how people can actually be entertained by such a "beach read" - I don't even want to classify it as such, as I actually read it on a beach and was bored out of my mind.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the chemistry of these 2 authors. Together they tell us the story of sisters Rose and Ivy who travel to New York City to search for their half brother, and how they find themselves, and each other in the process. It's the 1920's, and that means prohibition, and speak easys and bootleg gin. They live at the Empire House and begin their adventure. Ivy works as a gin slinger and Rose becomes a seamstress. They search for their brother, a surviving casualty of WW1, and along the way they discover themselves. And their enduring love for one another. I really liked the attention to historical detail, especially the fashion, NYC landmarks, and Coney Island. As a New Yorker, and having worked in NYC for years, I enjoyed going through Grand Central Terminal (and the world famous Oyster Bar) through Rose and Ivy's eyes. A very sweet and endearing story.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5 star rating. This book was a little different look at the relationships between sisters. The story followed sisters Rose (the responsible one) and Ivy (the beautiful, fun one) through their discoveries after the death of their father. Their father had sheltered them from his past and they were shocked to learn aspects of his life they never knew about including the fact that they had an older brother they never knew about. The embark to the city to search for this brother. The facts they uncover test their relationship with each other and the very basics of the family they thought they knew. It was an interesting read but never really pulled me in to the point where I could not put it down.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sucked in immediately with the premise and setting of 1925 country girls coming to New York for the first time. I was surprised to discover they would embark on a mystery while there and would be looking for more than just themselves and a good time. The twist on the sister's relationship added another layer to this beautiful story that took me from laughter to tears more than a few times.

Nyhan and Hayes dynamic writing kept me wavering my allegiance with the sisters, but pulling for both. I really enjoyed the story and found it's ending very satisfying.

Recommend to all. I have a quite a few ladies in my life I plan to lend my copy.

[Heidi Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. A story taking place in the late 1920's in NYC. The one place I would love to "time travel" and really experience! I simply couldn't understand the relationship between these two sisters. I get that they were opposites and would be connected but not understand each other. I just feel like their relationship progressed as the story did, but that by the end the authors were in such a rush to tie all the storylines up that we missed out on the true connections. I was a bit confused with how all the characters were related and think the story could have gone into more detail. The entire ending felt like a pre-packaged rush to finish.

[Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the authors saw a TV movie set in 1920s New York once and thought "Hey, let's set a book there!" I see no indication that they know any more about New York in the 1920s than might be gleaned from a bad TV movie. As for speakeasies, I think they saw a photo once. But they didn't look at it very carefully. Maybe they should read some actual books set in the 1920s and watch some actual movies made in the 1920s, then read a bunch of good social history about the 1920s, and THEN and only then try to write a book set in the 1920s. Maybe that would be a slightly better book. Because this one stinks.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of two sisters in search for a long-lost brother they never knew they had, following the death of their father. They find themselves on a wild ride set in NYC on their own paths to self-discovery. From buried family secrets to what sisterhood truly means, the girls learn the ever-lasting consequences our decisions have on others and the lives we create. In their uniquely, poignant way, Hayes and Nyhan bring their characters to life in an exquisitely-crafted tale.

[Ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well now I just want to move to Greenwich Village ...
This was a really sweet story and like all of Suzanne's writing, the pictures she paints are vivid and romantic. I appreciate this story for delivering the happy ending I was craving from the start.