The Fifth Avenue Apartment

by Pamela M. Kelley

A fabulous Fifth Avenue apartment. The world of luxury real estate sales and a cutthroat co-worker. A charismatic boss and an intriguing next-door neighbor…

Thirty-year-old Sophie has longed to live in Manhattan but could never afford to do so--even with roommates. She has just been laid off from a job that she didn't love.

When her 92 year-old great aunt invites her to stay with her for a while--in her Fifth Avenue Apartment, Sophie jumps at the chance to move to the city. She decides to temp for a while to find out what industry she wants to go to next as she is burned out from the stress of working at a law firm.

Meanwhile her aunt is playing match-maker with their very attractive neighbor, Max. Although he has been dating a supermodel for the past year, so he goes firmly into the friend zone.

Much to Sophie's surprise, after temping as a receptionist in a luxury real estate agency, she discovers she has an aptitude for it and is offered a chance to move into sales. She's nervous about all commission and declines the opportunity.

But then life happens, bringing some big changes, and she reconsiders.

She falls in love with the work although it is challenging and things don't always go as expected. She also has to deal with a jealous, cutthroat co-worker and the flattering attention of their charismatic and brilliant boss. Sophie has a lot to learn about real estate, navigating toxic co-workers and what she wants in a relationship.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, New York

366 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2023

About the author

Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women's fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you'd want as friends.

She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women's fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There's also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two. :)

Reviews

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fifth Avenue Apartment was the second book that I had read by Pamela M. Kelley and I have to admit that really enjoyed reading it. It was set in New York City near The Met on prestigious Fifth Avenue. I enjoyed how Pamela M. Kelley developed the characters in this book. They were believable and each had their own unique story but they all meshed together perfectly. The Fifth Avenue Apartment was well plotted and paced.

Growing up Sophie had always enjoyed her visits with her great aunt Penny at her Fifth Avenue apartment. From those visits, Sophie had always wished that she could live and work in the city. However, Sophie knew that the reality of that ever happening was almost impossible.. Rents for apartments in New York City were so far beyond Sophie’s reach.

Sophie had been working as a paralegal in a law office until she was laid off. At thirty years old, Sophie accepted the fact that she might have to move back to her parent’s house if she was not able to find a new job quickly. To her delight and relief, her ninety-two year old great aunt Penny invited Sophie to stay with her in her Fifth Avenue apartment for a few weeks. Her aunt’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect! Sophie gladly accepted her aunt’s invitation. She loved spending time with her great aunt Penny and being in New York City. Sophie also realized that her great aunt was intent on playing matchmaker. One of her great aunt’s neighbors, Max, was a very handsome and famous author. Aunt Penny invited Max to dinner on the first night that Sophie arrived. Sophie soon learned that Max had a girlfriend, though. His girlfriend was a famous and beautiful model. Sophie was content to become Max’s friend.

As Sophie settled in at her aunt’s apartment, it occurred to Sophie that this would be the perfect time to try temporary positions in different fields so she could figure out what she enjoyed doing. Sophie had not really enjoyed working in the law firm. She registered with a temp agency and agreed to accept positions for a week or two to see if she could see herself at that position. When the temp agency sent Sophie to high end real estate firm as a receptionist she knew that she found the perfect field for herself. Sophie immersed herself in the company and started to take a real interest in the properties that the firm handled. Her boss recognized her ambition, connections that she made with potential clients and willingness to work hard. Sophie was offered the opportunity to work in sales. Working in sales, though, meant that she would no longer receive a salary but would work on straight commission. Could Sophie afford to take the position and trust in her ability to sell properties? Would Sophie allow herself to follow her instincts and her ability to pair potential clients with the right properties?

I enjoyed the relationships Sophie forged with Max, the associates from the real estate firm and her boss. The themes of courage, family, friendship, romance and truthfulness were present throughout The Fifth Avenue Apartment. I could see this becoming a series. I felt myself rooting for Sophie’s success and new future as she immersed herself in her new life in New York City. The Fifth Avenue Apartment by Pamela M. Kelley was so enjoyable. I recommend it highly.

Thank you to Piping Plover Press for allowing me to read The Fifth Avenue Apartment by Pamela M. Kelley through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

No pizzazz to this novel. I finished it even though I knew how it would end. If you are thinking about joining the real estate world, go for this training manual. Lots of advice.

[Mercè · Rating 1 out of 5]

So much fluff, and a lot of real estate cheat sheets in case you are thinking of becoming an agent, or are trying to sell your place. Also a recipe book for chicken parmigiana, guacamole, more chicken parmigiana, mexican casseroles and more chicken parmigiana. Lots of pizza in this book, some chicken wings and a bit of risotto. Seriously and deceivingly superficial. Not even the drama is dramatic. Ooof.

I seriously find very interesting that we are all getting such different experiences from a book. I feel very frustrated with this one and yet it has a rating of 4.31 on GR. I'm definitely the wrong target for this kind of novel.

[e_anne_b · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandma’s fave comfort author, turned mine. the ending was super rushed but overall was a good read🥰

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Ms. Kelley for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Fifth Avenue Apartment. Having read and loved her Nantucket series, I was excited to find it was being offered. The novel hooked me from the start and kept me enthralled where I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day! Filled with friendships, new adventures and set in the Big Apple, Sophie navigates through a breakup, a new career as well as developing relationships with friends and co-workers. Taking place before, during and after the Christmas season, The Fifth Avenue Apartment is a great read for the holidays. Five ⭐️s for this author’s latest release!!!

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kelley's writing. This was a slow sweet romance. I love the whole real estate story with the romance and the friends. It was all very well done. I highly recommend this one.

[Abigail H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoilers (Trust me, you'll want to know. It is that bad). This book was one of the worst things I have ever read. It is an absolute bore from start to finish. I bought it thinking that I was getting into a cute romance set amidst the city atmosphere but instead, I got a non-existent plot that centered around the meals the main character ate. I am not joking when I say the most descriptive this author got was when it centered around what Sophie (the main character) and her friends ate for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and the wine that they dined with. To top it off there was no romance until the book was nearly finished. Most of the characters are unlikable and you're devoted to none of them. The problem I have with Sophie is that she has no concept of money and seemingly spends it like there is no tomorrow. This makes it all very unrealistic and super annoying from page to page. Sophie also continues to let Tessa who is an absolute jerk continue staying in her apartment as she goes about stealing her work ideas and going out with the man she is interested in. But, of course, Sophie says and does nothing. Even when you think the book may be getting somewhere like after she and Rick (her boss) go to the event at the MET it just ends and Sophie goes to bed. This is a synopsis of the book in one sentence. I went to work, I ate lunch, I went home, I went out with friends, we ate at a restaurant, and then we came home and went to bed. Repeat. Just an awful read and a terrible purchase. I have no idea what this author was thinking. Please avoid buying this at all costs.

[Carol R Deegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters depicted in the book and reading about the real estate market in New York City, a place I knew well and once loved. I am giving 3 stars because I found the constant eating of pizza by most of the characters extremely annoying as no human being should consume that much pizza and the author could have had them eating other kinds of food.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to have everything I was looking for in terms of escapism—a New York apartment on Fifth Avenue, romance, friendships …But without any real conflict or tension, it felt a bit flat and forgettable.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you NetGalley and Pamela Kelley for the ARC. I've read all of Pamela Kelley's books and can now add The Fifth Avenue Apartment to my list. This book makes you want to live in Manhattan and buy/sell real estate! The characters could be your best friends and the descriptions/details of the story just pull you in. Kudos for another great book!

[kerry holton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Nantucket books by Pamela Kelley, and I was really looking forward to this book, but I was a little disappointed with this one. I thought it was a very predictable storyline, and the entire story was about the main characters job at a real estate agency in Manhattan, and what everyone ate and drank. It was easy reading and I did enjoy it and read it in one day, but I just felt the book could have had some more excitement, character depth, and change of venue-for example, why wasn't the property in the Hamptons more involved in the story ? Why didn't the main character develop a love interest until the last page?

[Diane L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just overall not that interesting.

[Jane Killings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre

It felt like I was reading a boring diary about jobs, roommates, and neighbors. No excitement. Had opportunities to make the story exciting but fell flat.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable storyline. The ending wrapped up a little quickly, but couldn't have been better!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Kelley for an advanced reader's copy! This is another wonderful Pamela Kelley book! Unlike the majority of Kelley's other books, which are set in beach towns, this one is set in New York City around the holidays. It is a perfect book to read around Christmas, and it reads so quickly, especially as I wanted to find out what happened to the main character who inherited an apartment on Fifth Avenue from her great aunt and then starts a new career! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Maureen Castner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again I really enjoy and love Pamela Kelley’s books. I enjoyed the story and find her books a cozy read.

[Kristen Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super adorable, which is no surprise. I didn’t love the pacing at times and the excessive real estate minutiae, but other than that it was a good one!

[Doni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book!
I was captivated from the very first page.
Sophie, was ready for a change
in her life. Working as a legal aid was not
what she wanted to do anymore. She had moved home temporarily. Until she was offered a great opportunity.
You will love hearing about all
of Sophie's new jobs, adventures
& friends she makes along
the way.
It's a feel-good, moving &
interesting story. I couldn’t
put the book down.
Recommend!

[Deborah Kinate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young woman inherits a NYC fifth avenue apartment from an elderly aunt. She starts a job as a temp receptionist at a real estate office, but likes the business so much that when she is offered a full-time position, she accepts. Eventually, she decides to study for her real estate license and passes. The young woman asks two of her fellow female real estate agents to become her roommates and also becomes friends with a young, attractive male author that lives on the same floor.
I just kept waiting for something exciting or entertaining to happen in this book, but it never did. This was one of the most boring books I ever read.

[Kerrie Ingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too predictable

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t normally rank or write reviews for books but I was so disappointed by Pamela Kelley’s most recent book. I got into her novels while marathon training because they were easy stories and the audiobooks helped distract me during running. I didn’t expect anything earth shattering and provocative, but enjoyed the easy reads. However this most recent book was so painful to get through. The entire book was just a chronological list of what the main character did for several months. Minimal internal looks at the character, extremely basic and predictable dialogue, and way too much information about the real estate world. And of course we knew she would get the guy, but the relationship came out of nowhere in the last 10 pages of the book.

[Stacey Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fifth Avenue Apartment is another cozy and enjoyable read by Pamela Kelley. Main character Sophie finds herself at a dead end as a legal assistant in her hometown. Just as her future seems bleak, her great aunt invites her to spend some time with her at her fifth avenue apartment near Central Park. It is a dream opportunity for Sophie who not only enjoys her aunt’s company but also decides to stay in New York and work for a temp agency. She soon finds her life filled with possibilities in the exciting Manhattan atmosphere. If you love New York and are looking for a light, fun book, give this one a try.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book and purchased it the day it came out on Audible. It was so boring. No plot and no really developed characters. It is about new real estate agent who is successful almost from the start. This is my least favorite of Pamela M. Kelley’s books. I’m glad that it wasn’t very long, because it was boring. I don’t know why Pamela keeps using Leslie Howard as her narrator. She narrates in a wistful manner the entire time. And she never changes her inflection. I would not recommend this book.

[Karen Derr · Rating 5 out of 5]

More, more, more!

Absolutely devoured this book! Pamela, I think this is one of my favorite books of yours. This book had all the feels, the highs and lows of life , and all the food and wine you could ever want! I loved Sophie and Max together, and Tessa and Caroline added a lot of fun to the story. I am hoping that maybe there will be a second book! Kudos for a great story!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ground hog day

I felt like I as in the movie ground hog day. The same scenarios and scenes repeated over and over. Pizza, wine and Only murderers in the building, show a listing hope it clears. The only excitement came with Tessa and that wrapped up in one paragraph of nothingness. This book had great potential but needed much more development and plot work.

[Patricia A. Rhodes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shallow

This book was hard to finish it was so superficial. I did not like her style of writing, too detailed where it just bogged things down.

[Susan Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute romance with some real estate thrown in the mix.

[Nicole Fattore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice “pallet cleanser” book, as my friends and I would say lol. It was a very feel good book with that Upper East Side girly vibe. Not much plot or conflict but again, just a fun read! Also very interesting to learn so much about real estate - which I was surprised to enjoy.

[Brian LaPolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

I enjoyed reading about Sophie and the journey she took of rediscovering herself and finding live. This is a must read! I loved the story.

[Barbara McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't imagine the world of Fifth Avenue real estate! Wish this was a series.