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Cat's People
A stray cat brings together five strangers over the course of one fateful summer in this heartwarming novel about love, found family, and the power of connection.
Núria, a single-by-choice barista with a resentment for the “crazy cat lady” label, is a member of The Meow-Yorkers, a group in Brooklyn who takes care of the neighborhood’s stray cats. On one of her volunteering days, she starts finding Post-It notes from a secret admirer at the spot where her favorite stray lives—a black cat named Cat. Like most cats, he is rather curious and sly, so of course he knows who the notes are from. Núria, however, is clueless.
Are the notes from Collin, a bestselling author and self-professed hermit with a weakness for good coffee? Are they from Lily, a fresh-out-of-high school Georgia native searching for her long-lost half-sister? Are they from Omar, the beloved neighborhood mailman going through an early mid-life crisis? Or are they from Bong, the grieving widower who owns her favorite bodega? When Cat suddenly falls ill, these five strangers find themselves connected in their desire to care for him and discover that chance encounters can lead to the meaningful connections they've been searching for.
Núria, a single-by-choice barista with a resentment for the “crazy cat lady” label, is a member of The Meow-Yorkers, a group in Brooklyn who takes care of the neighborhood’s stray cats. On one of her volunteering days, she starts finding Post-It notes from a secret admirer at the spot where her favorite stray lives—a black cat named Cat. Like most cats, he is rather curious and sly, so of course he knows who the notes are from. Núria, however, is clueless.
Are the notes from Collin, a bestselling author and self-professed hermit with a weakness for good coffee? Are they from Lily, a fresh-out-of-high school Georgia native searching for her long-lost half-sister? Are they from Omar, the beloved neighborhood mailman going through an early mid-life crisis? Or are they from Bong, the grieving widower who owns her favorite bodega? When Cat suddenly falls ill, these five strangers find themselves connected in their desire to care for him and discover that chance encounters can lead to the meaningful connections they've been searching for.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2025
380 people are currently reading
28070 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Guerrero
6 books259 followersTanya Guerrero is Filipino and Spanish by birth, but has been fortunate enough to call three countries home—the Philippines, Spain, and the United States. Currently, she lives in a shipping container home in the suburbs of Manila with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of rescued cats and dogs. She has volunteered for animal welfare organizations since 2008, focusing on Trap/Neuter/Return and Rescue/Foster/Adopt. In her free time, she grows her own food, bakes, and reads. Farrar, Strauss and Giroux BYR has published three of her middle grade books, How to Make Friends with the Sea (2020), All You Knead is Love (2021) and Adrift (2022), which have been nominated for state awards, been selected for the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and been awarded the Gourmand Award for Best Food Fiction. Her adult debut, Cat's People, which she describes as the cat book of her heart, will be published by Delacorte/Penguin Random House on April 1, 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,325 reviews
February 3, 2025
Are you a cat lover or perhaps curious what life would look like from a cat’s perspective?
Meet Cat - a loveable black stray cat who's seen a lot in his 11 years on the streets of NYC. He’s also met a lot of people like The Rainbow Lady (Nuria) who brings him food every day, Awkward Neighbor Guy (Collin), whose alley Cat lives in, The Cheery Mailman (Omar) who he accompanies on his delivery routes, The Sad Bodega Man (Bong) whose wife used to feed him treats before she died, and Bright-Pink Person (Lily) - Nuria’s sister. They’re all wonderful characters who stole my heart!
The magic of this story is the way Cat brings these five together in the most unexpected ways and how they, in turn, return the kindness to him, each in their own ways. The ending was particularly touching and might just bring a tear to your eye. It’s sweet, charming, heart-warming and a nice dose of kindness and compassion in a time when that type of message seems to be sorely needed!
It’s a slower, slice-of-life type story with fairly simple writing. That’s not a criticism - I only mean that it doesn’t get bogged down by flowery language or overly detailed sentences. It’s told in omniscient 3rd person and is simple and straight to the point, as would seem appropriate since the story is being explained at least in part from a cat’s POV. I’m not surprised to learn that this is Guerrero’s first venture into the adult market coming from a kidlit background.
This isn’t primarily a romance, though there’s a thread of it here. My only minor complaint is that it was a little insta-love for my taste, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment.
If you need a quiet, feel-good book featuring an adorable cat and an eclectic found family - this is a sweet choice. It definitely makes me want to go get another cat! 🐈⬛
★★★ ½
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press, NetGalley and author Tanya Guerrero for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out April 1, 2025.
Meet Cat - a loveable black stray cat who's seen a lot in his 11 years on the streets of NYC. He’s also met a lot of people like The Rainbow Lady (Nuria) who brings him food every day, Awkward Neighbor Guy (Collin), whose alley Cat lives in, The Cheery Mailman (Omar) who he accompanies on his delivery routes, The Sad Bodega Man (Bong) whose wife used to feed him treats before she died, and Bright-Pink Person (Lily) - Nuria’s sister. They’re all wonderful characters who stole my heart!
The magic of this story is the way Cat brings these five together in the most unexpected ways and how they, in turn, return the kindness to him, each in their own ways. The ending was particularly touching and might just bring a tear to your eye. It’s sweet, charming, heart-warming and a nice dose of kindness and compassion in a time when that type of message seems to be sorely needed!
It’s a slower, slice-of-life type story with fairly simple writing. That’s not a criticism - I only mean that it doesn’t get bogged down by flowery language or overly detailed sentences. It’s told in omniscient 3rd person and is simple and straight to the point, as would seem appropriate since the story is being explained at least in part from a cat’s POV. I’m not surprised to learn that this is Guerrero’s first venture into the adult market coming from a kidlit background.
This isn’t primarily a romance, though there’s a thread of it here. My only minor complaint is that it was a little insta-love for my taste, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment.
If you need a quiet, feel-good book featuring an adorable cat and an eclectic found family - this is a sweet choice. It definitely makes me want to go get another cat! 🐈⬛
★★★ ½
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press, NetGalley and author Tanya Guerrero for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s out April 1, 2025.
May 7, 2025
In a Nutshell: A heartwarming contemporary uplit novel about a group of strangers united by a black cat. Found-family trope used well. Touching without turning cheesy (for the most part.) Multiple characters with diverse backgrounds and layered arcs. Perfect for the times you want something relaxing. Read this with your heart and not your head to enjoy it better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
PSA: The blurb contains a major spoiler.
This book entered my life when I wasn't able to concentrate on anything too literary or complicated. As such, it was perfect for my mood and held my attention without my needing to tax my brains too much, even though it had so many characters and character perspectives.
Bookish Yays:
😻 Cat’s perspective. I love black cats, and I love that this book chose to have a black cat as one of the narrators. I found it amusing that some of the human characters had different names for the same cat. (Equally funny that Cat had his own names for the humans.)
😻 The division of the story across the human characters. Núria’s role is slightly more important in the overall proceedings, but all characters get almost an equal share of the narrative. Quite fair!
😻 The character arcs. Every person (and Cat) has a personal struggle, an agenda, some grief or past hurt, and each is still determined to push through life. I liked the distinctness of their individual perspectives as well as their personalities. Cat is the common factor but there are also other connections across the humans.
😻 The diversity of the characters in terms of age, nationality, financial status, as well as sexual preference. The author is Filipino and Spanish by birth, so I appreciate how she created two characters (Bong and Núria respectively) honouring each of these nationalities. The varying ages of the characters creates a nice range of life experience.
😻 OwnVoices not just in terms of the author’s background but also because she's a cat lady in real life as well. No wonder all the cat content felt utterly real!
😻 The found family trope – used excellently without feeling too forced.
😻 The plot – easy on the mind without being too simplistic. It covers a variety of emotions even though the book is primarily uplit.
😻 The romance – present but never at the cost of the main plot. Clean and cute.
😻 The title. “Cat's People”, which I first misread as “Cat People” and thought that this was a book about cat lovers. Well, not everyone is a cat person at the start, but they soon come to their senses. 😉 The perfect title for this book! (Dog lovers: There's also an adorable chihuahua named Sinatra in a minor role.)
😻 The cover. Someone give that cover designer a raise! What a purrfect depiction of the plot, with Cat as well as his five humans (or rather, their hands) sketched so well! (To be honest, I didn’t even read the blurb in detail. The moment I saw the title and cover, I grabbed the book with much eagerness.)
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🐱 Cat's knowledge is a little beyond what we might expect of animals. The concept is imaginative anyway, so don't overthink if you want to enjoy his POV.
🐱 The characters are overly sweet, with not a single negative shade in the main characters. Perfect for the genre, but a bit unrealistic.
🐱 The writing is quite simple. This wasn’t a major problem for me as the characters kept me mostly happy. But I wish there had been some descriptive prose, especially connected to the city setting. Those looking for some lyrical turns of phrase might be disappointed.
🐱 Two of the characters are near forty, but their behaviour reads much younger. They are still likeable; just that they aren’t convincing representatives of their actual age. One guy blushes almost in every scene where human interaction is involved – it gets a bit repetitive after a while.
🐱 Too many coincidental bumps and connections. Okay for a small-town setting but tougher to believe for a story set in New York. Some of these interactions can be attributed to their staying or working near each other, but a few scenes are too serendipitous to be convincing.
Bookish Nays:
😿 The ending dragged a little. It was suitable to the feelgood genre, but felt too stretched. A little trimming would have helped.
Overall, despite some minor issues, I had a good time reading this novel. While I am more of a dog person, cats are a close second favourite, so such a book anyway had a good chance of clicking well with me. But it helped that this book came into my life at the right time. My mind needed a relaxing story with relatable emotions, and this book satisfied that need perfectly.
This is the author’s debut adult fiction work. She has written only middle-grade fiction so far, so perhaps this leap in target age, though commendable, kept the characters from sounding older (except for a couple of cuss words.) Regardless, based on this reading experience, I would like to keep an eye on her future offerings, whether adult or MG.
Definitely recommended to those looking for a soul-soothing contemporary work with likeable characters, simple but effective storytelling, and an adorable black cat. This is a heart-read and not a head-read.
4 stars.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing the DRC of “Cat's People” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Cat lives an independent life on the streets of New York. As he strolls the streets, he crosses paths with five strangers: Omar, a happy-go-lucky mailman; Núria, a barista whose two passions are cats and coffee, in that order; Collin, an erstwhile bestselling novelist looking for inspiration for his next writing attempt; Bong, a bodega owner mourning the loss of his beloved wife; and Lily, a young Georgia native who has moved to New York directly after high school on a secret personal mission. As Cat purrs his way in and out of these characters' lives, their paths too intertwine.
The story comes to us in the third-person perspectives of all the above characters, including Cat.
PSA: The blurb contains a major spoiler.
This book entered my life when I wasn't able to concentrate on anything too literary or complicated. As such, it was perfect for my mood and held my attention without my needing to tax my brains too much, even though it had so many characters and character perspectives.
Bookish Yays:
😻 Cat’s perspective. I love black cats, and I love that this book chose to have a black cat as one of the narrators. I found it amusing that some of the human characters had different names for the same cat. (Equally funny that Cat had his own names for the humans.)
😻 The division of the story across the human characters. Núria’s role is slightly more important in the overall proceedings, but all characters get almost an equal share of the narrative. Quite fair!
😻 The character arcs. Every person (and Cat) has a personal struggle, an agenda, some grief or past hurt, and each is still determined to push through life. I liked the distinctness of their individual perspectives as well as their personalities. Cat is the common factor but there are also other connections across the humans.
😻 The diversity of the characters in terms of age, nationality, financial status, as well as sexual preference. The author is Filipino and Spanish by birth, so I appreciate how she created two characters (Bong and Núria respectively) honouring each of these nationalities. The varying ages of the characters creates a nice range of life experience.
😻 OwnVoices not just in terms of the author’s background but also because she's a cat lady in real life as well. No wonder all the cat content felt utterly real!
😻 The found family trope – used excellently without feeling too forced.
😻 The plot – easy on the mind without being too simplistic. It covers a variety of emotions even though the book is primarily uplit.
😻 The romance – present but never at the cost of the main plot. Clean and cute.
😻 The title. “Cat's People”, which I first misread as “Cat People” and thought that this was a book about cat lovers. Well, not everyone is a cat person at the start, but they soon come to their senses. 😉 The perfect title for this book! (Dog lovers: There's also an adorable chihuahua named Sinatra in a minor role.)
😻 The cover. Someone give that cover designer a raise! What a purrfect depiction of the plot, with Cat as well as his five humans (or rather, their hands) sketched so well! (To be honest, I didn’t even read the blurb in detail. The moment I saw the title and cover, I grabbed the book with much eagerness.)
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🐱 Cat's knowledge is a little beyond what we might expect of animals. The concept is imaginative anyway, so don't overthink if you want to enjoy his POV.
🐱 The characters are overly sweet, with not a single negative shade in the main characters. Perfect for the genre, but a bit unrealistic.
🐱 The writing is quite simple. This wasn’t a major problem for me as the characters kept me mostly happy. But I wish there had been some descriptive prose, especially connected to the city setting. Those looking for some lyrical turns of phrase might be disappointed.
🐱 Two of the characters are near forty, but their behaviour reads much younger. They are still likeable; just that they aren’t convincing representatives of their actual age. One guy blushes almost in every scene where human interaction is involved – it gets a bit repetitive after a while.
🐱 Too many coincidental bumps and connections. Okay for a small-town setting but tougher to believe for a story set in New York. Some of these interactions can be attributed to their staying or working near each other, but a few scenes are too serendipitous to be convincing.
Bookish Nays:
😿 The ending dragged a little. It was suitable to the feelgood genre, but felt too stretched. A little trimming would have helped.
Overall, despite some minor issues, I had a good time reading this novel. While I am more of a dog person, cats are a close second favourite, so such a book anyway had a good chance of clicking well with me. But it helped that this book came into my life at the right time. My mind needed a relaxing story with relatable emotions, and this book satisfied that need perfectly.
This is the author’s debut adult fiction work. She has written only middle-grade fiction so far, so perhaps this leap in target age, though commendable, kept the characters from sounding older (except for a couple of cuss words.) Regardless, based on this reading experience, I would like to keep an eye on her future offerings, whether adult or MG.
Definitely recommended to those looking for a soul-soothing contemporary work with likeable characters, simple but effective storytelling, and an adorable black cat. This is a heart-read and not a head-read.
4 stars.
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing the DRC of “Cat's People” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Threads || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
April 15, 2025
I cannot tell a lie! This adorable cover drew me in...
Cat's People is a story about a black cat stray bringing five struggling and lonely strangers together in a Brooklyn neighborhood:
* Núria - a barista who feeds stray cats
* Collin - an author with writers block
* Lily - a high school grad looking for her half-sister
* Omar - a mailman looking for a change
* Bong - a bodega owner grieving his late wife
Perhaps black cats can bring good luck, too...🐈⬛
Cat's People is told in a third-person multi-POV narrative via alternating chapters from the perspective of Cat and the five strangers. It is a great way to experience the story, and I appreciate the humor added to Cat's narrative. I'm guessing the audio format will be a big hit.
I was not surprised to discover that Guerrero is a published Middle-Grade author. The writing and story are simple and uncomplicated, and if the various swear words were removed, this could easily be for a much younger audience. However, this delightful, feel-good, easy-to-read story was just what I needed at the moment. I expected a bit more from the ending, but that is only my preference.
I am more of a dog than a cat person, but I am smitten with my daughter's two black and white magpie cats, Izzie and Gwinnie. My daughter calls me "Grammiecat," and I hold this endearment close to my heart.❤️
Cat's People is a fun, creative, and heartwarming story. Congrats to Tanya Guerrero on what I am sure will be a successful debut adult novel!
3.75⭐
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press and Tanya Guerrero for the DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Cat's People is a story about a black cat stray bringing five struggling and lonely strangers together in a Brooklyn neighborhood:
* Núria - a barista who feeds stray cats
* Collin - an author with writers block
* Lily - a high school grad looking for her half-sister
* Omar - a mailman looking for a change
* Bong - a bodega owner grieving his late wife
Perhaps black cats can bring good luck, too...🐈⬛
Cat's People is told in a third-person multi-POV narrative via alternating chapters from the perspective of Cat and the five strangers. It is a great way to experience the story, and I appreciate the humor added to Cat's narrative. I'm guessing the audio format will be a big hit.
I was not surprised to discover that Guerrero is a published Middle-Grade author. The writing and story are simple and uncomplicated, and if the various swear words were removed, this could easily be for a much younger audience. However, this delightful, feel-good, easy-to-read story was just what I needed at the moment. I expected a bit more from the ending, but that is only my preference.
I am more of a dog than a cat person, but I am smitten with my daughter's two black and white magpie cats, Izzie and Gwinnie. My daughter calls me "Grammiecat," and I hold this endearment close to my heart.❤️
Cat's People is a fun, creative, and heartwarming story. Congrats to Tanya Guerrero on what I am sure will be a successful debut adult novel!
3.75⭐
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press and Tanya Guerrero for the DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 29, 2025
Anyone can write a book about cats and win me over it (˃ 𖥦 ˂) But Cat's People? This one clawed its way straight into my heart.
Tanya Guerrero’s novel is a cozy, whisker-twitching tale about love, found family, and the kind of connections that sneak up on you like a cat plotting to steal your warm spot on the couch. The decision to write from the perspective of the feline protagonist was a brilliant choice, adding a unique and engaging layer to the story. As a cat owner, I found Cat’s quirky yet affectionate nature deeply relatable, and the book’s cozy, comforting tone made it the perfect escape during a reading slump.
Guerrero’s background in animal rescue shines through on every page, lending authenticity to her portrayal of feline psychology—capturing just the right mix of aloofness, secret tenderness, and universal charm that even non-cat lovers will find warmth in. The novel follows five strangers in Brooklyn—Collin, a reclusive author; Omar, a friendly postman; Bong, a lonely widower; Nuria, a kindhearted barista; and Lily, a struggling retail worker—whose lives intertwine through their shared care for Cat. Guerrero masterfully shifts between their perspectives without fragmenting the narrative, offering glimpses into each character’s struggles while revealing how Cat becomes the unexpected thread that connects them all.
As someone who adopted a stray, this story resonated deeply with me (since I adopted my cat when we found him deadly sick). The writing is simple yet effective, avoiding unnecessary embellishments in favor of a genuine, slice-of-life feel. The book captures the essence of Brooklyn’s tight-knit communities, showing how small acts of kindness can forge lasting bonds. There is also a delightful surprise of the subtle, slow-burn romance woven into the story. It never overshadows the main themes but adds just enough warmth and anticipation to keep things engaging.
While the plot may seem predictable at times, that is part of its charm; like the way a sunbeam is predictable—you know it will warm you up, and that is the whole point. Sometimes, all you need is a low-stakes, feel-good story. Cat’s People is a tender celebration of unexpected friendships and the quiet magic of everyday moments. If you’re looking for a book that leaves you with a smile and a renewed appreciation for the connections we make, this is it. A purrfectly uplifting read!
Tanya Guerrero’s novel is a cozy, whisker-twitching tale about love, found family, and the kind of connections that sneak up on you like a cat plotting to steal your warm spot on the couch. The decision to write from the perspective of the feline protagonist was a brilliant choice, adding a unique and engaging layer to the story. As a cat owner, I found Cat’s quirky yet affectionate nature deeply relatable, and the book’s cozy, comforting tone made it the perfect escape during a reading slump.
Guerrero’s background in animal rescue shines through on every page, lending authenticity to her portrayal of feline psychology—capturing just the right mix of aloofness, secret tenderness, and universal charm that even non-cat lovers will find warmth in. The novel follows five strangers in Brooklyn—Collin, a reclusive author; Omar, a friendly postman; Bong, a lonely widower; Nuria, a kindhearted barista; and Lily, a struggling retail worker—whose lives intertwine through their shared care for Cat. Guerrero masterfully shifts between their perspectives without fragmenting the narrative, offering glimpses into each character’s struggles while revealing how Cat becomes the unexpected thread that connects them all.
As someone who adopted a stray, this story resonated deeply with me (since I adopted my cat when we found him deadly sick). The writing is simple yet effective, avoiding unnecessary embellishments in favor of a genuine, slice-of-life feel. The book captures the essence of Brooklyn’s tight-knit communities, showing how small acts of kindness can forge lasting bonds. There is also a delightful surprise of the subtle, slow-burn romance woven into the story. It never overshadows the main themes but adds just enough warmth and anticipation to keep things engaging.
While the plot may seem predictable at times, that is part of its charm; like the way a sunbeam is predictable—you know it will warm you up, and that is the whole point. Sometimes, all you need is a low-stakes, feel-good story. Cat’s People is a tender celebration of unexpected friendships and the quiet magic of everyday moments. If you’re looking for a book that leaves you with a smile and a renewed appreciation for the connections we make, this is it. A purrfectly uplifting read!
December 21, 2025
goals
(review to come)
(review to come)
February 20, 2025
Cute without veering into cheesy territory! ✨🐈⬛✨
When strangers share a fondness for a special stray they realize connection might be closer than they’ve imagined. The street wise cat’s portrayal made it clear this author is an experienced cat person and his POV being included alongside the human characters was a welcome surprise. One look at this cover and I needed this ARC! The black cat that holds down my profile picture more often than not was adopted from a shelter sick and weighing mere ounces. He made a full recovery on our farm and can be found sitting on his favorite horse, hiking alongside the dogs, or guarding bookshelves now. We’ve nursed many animals back to health around here, but his journey still brings tears to my eyes when I think on it.
Each character including the beloved Cat was facing challenges, but what I loved most was that they all looked past themselves to help others. Grief, loneliness, familial pressures, illness, anxiety, and undirected ambition are themes. Nùria is a barista who feeds stray cats in her Brooklyn community. One day she finds a note that throws her a curve ball. It seems she has a secret admirer. Cat accompanies Oscar the mailman on his daily deliveries. He visits Bong the widower and bodega owner. Cat meets Lily a young woman who wants to meet her long lost sister. There’s also the socially awkward author whose home borders Cat’s favorite spot.
I adored this story of a found family brought together by its furriest member.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. All opinions are my own.
When strangers share a fondness for a special stray they realize connection might be closer than they’ve imagined. The street wise cat’s portrayal made it clear this author is an experienced cat person and his POV being included alongside the human characters was a welcome surprise. One look at this cover and I needed this ARC! The black cat that holds down my profile picture more often than not was adopted from a shelter sick and weighing mere ounces. He made a full recovery on our farm and can be found sitting on his favorite horse, hiking alongside the dogs, or guarding bookshelves now. We’ve nursed many animals back to health around here, but his journey still brings tears to my eyes when I think on it.
Each character including the beloved Cat was facing challenges, but what I loved most was that they all looked past themselves to help others. Grief, loneliness, familial pressures, illness, anxiety, and undirected ambition are themes. Nùria is a barista who feeds stray cats in her Brooklyn community. One day she finds a note that throws her a curve ball. It seems she has a secret admirer. Cat accompanies Oscar the mailman on his daily deliveries. He visits Bong the widower and bodega owner. Cat meets Lily a young woman who wants to meet her long lost sister. There’s also the socially awkward author whose home borders Cat’s favorite spot.
I adored this story of a found family brought together by its furriest member.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. All opinions are my own.
November 7, 2025
3.5 stars
Cute story about a stray cat and the found family it creates.
This book features Cat, a skittish stray who lives on the streets. He is fed daily by Nuria, who works as a barista. Collin lives in the building near where Cat hangs out. He's an author with extreme writer's block, and he sees Nuria feeding Cat and is intrigued and wants to get to know her better, but he's shy and nervous. Also in the story is Lily, a young girl looking for her sister, Bong, the owner of the bodega in the neighborhood, and Omar, their mailman. Sprinkled throughout chapters featuring all of their narratives is the narrative by Cat, who cares about his people.
I was drawn into this story about lonely people dealing with their own issues of grief, being stuck, finances, being accepted, loneliness, and many other things. If anthropomorphizing animals is an issue for you, you probably won't connect with this book because Cat's perspective does cross the line between animal and human, but to me it is what made the story endearing and hopeful.
I wasn't particularly fond of Nuria or Collin, I kept thinking they were in their 20s for as bumbling and strange as they were acting. And there's zero way that a barista in New York could support herself fully like Nuria does. I honestly think this would have been a better story set in a small town rather than in New York. Warning, there is a bit of coarse language in this book that kind of pulled me out of the story. It was absolutely not necessary and didn't quite fit the tone of the novel for me.
The writing is simple and direct. I did enjoy my time with this group of people and I love myself a good found family story. If you're a cat lover searching for a simple, meaningful tale, this one will feel like a warm hug.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Cute story about a stray cat and the found family it creates.
This book features Cat, a skittish stray who lives on the streets. He is fed daily by Nuria, who works as a barista. Collin lives in the building near where Cat hangs out. He's an author with extreme writer's block, and he sees Nuria feeding Cat and is intrigued and wants to get to know her better, but he's shy and nervous. Also in the story is Lily, a young girl looking for her sister, Bong, the owner of the bodega in the neighborhood, and Omar, their mailman. Sprinkled throughout chapters featuring all of their narratives is the narrative by Cat, who cares about his people.
I was drawn into this story about lonely people dealing with their own issues of grief, being stuck, finances, being accepted, loneliness, and many other things. If anthropomorphizing animals is an issue for you, you probably won't connect with this book because Cat's perspective does cross the line between animal and human, but to me it is what made the story endearing and hopeful.
I wasn't particularly fond of Nuria or Collin, I kept thinking they were in their 20s for as bumbling and strange as they were acting. And there's zero way that a barista in New York could support herself fully like Nuria does. I honestly think this would have been a better story set in a small town rather than in New York. Warning, there is a bit of coarse language in this book that kind of pulled me out of the story. It was absolutely not necessary and didn't quite fit the tone of the novel for me.
The writing is simple and direct. I did enjoy my time with this group of people and I love myself a good found family story. If you're a cat lover searching for a simple, meaningful tale, this one will feel like a warm hug.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 17, 2025
5💫
this was the most wholesome, perfect, sweet, heartwarming book i have ever read. i love this so so much!! the relationships that were made were so special and i loved the connections between everyone and cat. cat had such an impact on those people and brought together such an unlikely group, and i was cheesing the whole time. also collin is so precious i absolutely enjoyed his chapters the most. him falling in love with nu and those letters omg!!! i loved it.
if you are a cat lover, you need to pick this one up!!
this was the most wholesome, perfect, sweet, heartwarming book i have ever read. i love this so so much!! the relationships that were made were so special and i loved the connections between everyone and cat. cat had such an impact on those people and brought together such an unlikely group, and i was cheesing the whole time. also collin is so precious i absolutely enjoyed his chapters the most. him falling in love with nu and those letters omg!!! i loved it.
if you are a cat lover, you need to pick this one up!!
May 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨5/5 stars!! ✨
**This was kept as spoiler-free as possible**
TW: This book contains mentions of sexual assault.
Cat’s People follows a black, sassy cat named—of course—Cat. 🐈⬛🐈⬛
The story weaves through the lives of five people whose paths cross with Cat every day, and eventually with each other. This was such a unique and beautifully written story. I felt every emotion that Cat and all the others experienced. I’m a MAJOR cat lady, so I had a feeling I’d love this book and it totally warmed my heart.
The book introduces us to:
•Núria, a barista in her late 30s who loves cats and volunteers to make sure they’re safe and cared for ☕️🌈
•Omar, the neighborhood mailman who adores his job and the people he meets, though he dreams of something more. He’s also a big animal lover 💌📫
•Collin, a 40 yo NYT bestselling author struggling with writer’s block who finds love in an unexpected place (maybe thanks to a certain cat and another character, you’ll have to read to find out!) 📖📝
•Bong, a widower who lost his wife a year ago and copes with his grief by chatting with anyone who will listen, all while running his bodega and spreading wisdom wherever he goes 🍱🏪
•Lily, fresh out of high school and moving to New York to begin a new adventure and reconnect with a loved one 👯♀️🛒
Honestly, I LOVED this book. The short chapters made it super easy to follow, and switching between characters kept things fresh and engaging. I really enjoyed how their stories slowly intertwined and it kept me guessing who would meet or connect first.
One of the side characters, Mrs. Lewis, is so lovable as she’s Omar’s “work grandma,” and you can just feel the love and hope they have for each other through the pages.
This book gives off so many themes like hope, found family, forgiveness, finding yourself, and love. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get out of their comfort zone and try a slightly “non-traditional” book (since it’s told from Cat’s perspective a lot), or anyone who loves animals, especially cats, and is looking for something heartwarming 💖💖
🐈⬛”Those were the sounds of his favorite people. As long as he could hear them, he was safe. Cat had finally found a home to call his own.” 🐈⬛
✨5/5 stars!! ✨
**This was kept as spoiler-free as possible**
TW: This book contains mentions of sexual assault.
Cat’s People follows a black, sassy cat named—of course—Cat. 🐈⬛🐈⬛
The story weaves through the lives of five people whose paths cross with Cat every day, and eventually with each other. This was such a unique and beautifully written story. I felt every emotion that Cat and all the others experienced. I’m a MAJOR cat lady, so I had a feeling I’d love this book and it totally warmed my heart.
The book introduces us to:
•Núria, a barista in her late 30s who loves cats and volunteers to make sure they’re safe and cared for ☕️🌈
•Omar, the neighborhood mailman who adores his job and the people he meets, though he dreams of something more. He’s also a big animal lover 💌📫
•Collin, a 40 yo NYT bestselling author struggling with writer’s block who finds love in an unexpected place (maybe thanks to a certain cat and another character, you’ll have to read to find out!) 📖📝
•Bong, a widower who lost his wife a year ago and copes with his grief by chatting with anyone who will listen, all while running his bodega and spreading wisdom wherever he goes 🍱🏪
•Lily, fresh out of high school and moving to New York to begin a new adventure and reconnect with a loved one 👯♀️🛒
Honestly, I LOVED this book. The short chapters made it super easy to follow, and switching between characters kept things fresh and engaging. I really enjoyed how their stories slowly intertwined and it kept me guessing who would meet or connect first.
One of the side characters, Mrs. Lewis, is so lovable as she’s Omar’s “work grandma,” and you can just feel the love and hope they have for each other through the pages.
This book gives off so many themes like hope, found family, forgiveness, finding yourself, and love. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get out of their comfort zone and try a slightly “non-traditional” book (since it’s told from Cat’s perspective a lot), or anyone who loves animals, especially cats, and is looking for something heartwarming 💖💖
🐈⬛”Those were the sounds of his favorite people. As long as he could hear them, he was safe. Cat had finally found a home to call his own.” 🐈⬛
April 5, 2025
4.5 stars, rounded up for “Cat”🐈⬛ Just ADORED this charming NYC-set adult debut about a street cat & his various “people” who all become connected in the very, very best of “found family” ways. Very charming with good feels! I was a bit worried about Cat, but he was okay & my sincere thanks to my GR friends for including that info in their reviews😸
November 8, 2024
This is a sweet, wholesome story about a stray cat named Cat and the people that surround him. It's very heartwarming, very full of 2000s romcom energy, very New York. A literary masterpiece this is not. The prose read like it was written for YA, and that may be because this is a debut. The book starts off strong but isn't gripping enough to keep the momentum going through the middle. To its merit, the ending was very satisfying.
Anyway, as a cat person, I was legally bound to read and love this book. The cover did half of that job even before starting, but this was decidedly a 3 star read for me. Read if you like feel-good, found family, romance-adjacent fiction.
Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Cat's People is being published on Apr 01, 2025.
Anyway, as a cat person, I was legally bound to read and love this book. The cover did half of that job even before starting, but this was decidedly a 3 star read for me. Read if you like feel-good, found family, romance-adjacent fiction.
Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Cat's People is being published on Apr 01, 2025.
June 21, 2025
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House-Ballantine, and Tanya Guerrero for an ARC of this book!**
"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." - Hippolyte Taine
Cat (as he is affectionately known) has had to fend for himself on the unpredictable streets of NYC for many years...but he doesn't always mind. After all, despite the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, he's affectionately adopted a couple of his 'people'...and you'll want to take a 'paws' in your day to meet them! 😉 The most important, of course, just happens to be Núria (who he lovingly refers to as Rainbow Lady), head of the group the Meow-Yorkers, a collective of ailurophiles in the city who feed the strays and keep them safe. 🐈 Núria is in her twenties but isn't living the stereotypical life by any means: she has shied away from the hamster wheel of dating and prefers a quiet night at home...after a quick visit with her favorite black furry friend notwithstanding. 😽
All of that is about to change, though, when this sly and wise feline sees a stranger leave a Post-It note for Núria...and he sees it as a sign. There are so many potential 'suspects', however, that you won't be quite sure who is the behind the kind gesture. Bong (known to Cat as Sad Bodega Man) has been reeling ever since the loss of his beloved wife (a woman who kept Cat hanging around by ALWAYS supplying the treats)...but would he be brave enough to make this bid for connection to a complete stranger? Omar (Cheery Mailman) is searching for meaning as he reaches middle age...but does he hope a fellow feline fanatic could give him new purpose? Collin is a handsome, well-known author who likes coffee enough to keep showing up at Núria's coffee shop...but COULD he even know about her 'second job'? Or could Lily, (Bright Pink Person...her hair color, of course!), who is on a journey of discovery in the city be the one reaching out to the woman she suspects is ACTUALLY family?
Once this found family starts to form, however, EVERYTHING changes...and when their beloved Cat gets sick, the new group finds themselves wanting to come together like never before. Can these new, tenuous relationships withstand the stress of potentially losing the tie that binds them all? Or have the harsh streets of New York claimed not only their beautiful feline friend, but ALL of these budding relationships as well, leaving ALL FIVE of these lonesome souls worse off than they were before?
I'll be honest: in terms of an easy sell, the publisher could not have PICKED a more enticing cover, title, and synopsis to get me to gobble this book up. A feline focused cozy with found family, beautifully written characters, heartwarming (and at times heart-wrenching) emotional scenes, AND a bit of romance?
SIGN. ME. UP!
Of course, when I started reading and realized that our feline MC was going to be NARRATING this one (or at least parts of it), some of those reservations returned...but let's just say they didn't last for too long. For as quickly as all of these characters got wrapped up in loving this Cat...I have never felt more at HOME as a Cat Person than I did losing myself in the sweet and sweeping pages of this book!
I normally worry when there are so many main characters and a conceit that feels a bit contrived, like this one could have had...but my fears were quickly allayed. By the time we had gone through a chapter or two from each of the characters, not only did I feel like I KNEW them, but they were easily identifiable with a clear tone, voice, and perspective of their own. From Núria's insecurity to Lily's trepidation, Bong's grief, and Omar's search for more meaning (and okay, even Collin's quiet pining), all of these characters felt relatable to perspectives I had in my twenties, ones I am currently dealing with in (gulp!) middle age, and even a take on some of the complicated emotions and situations I might have to contend with in my later years. The bond that sings between all of these characters, though, is their capacity for love and their yearning for connection...and THIS was the melody that played throughout.
While the Cat serves as a conduit for connection, in a sense, Cat becomes such an important character with its OWN personality, wants, and desires, that you'll get just as invested in the outcome for this special feline as you will for all of his human fans. Although I have very little to compare this to in terms of feline narration (I don't feel like Catriona Ward's The Last House on Needless Street is QUITE the right comp...if you've read it, you'll understand why! 😱) Guerrero did an admirable job of making the conceit feel fun and 'fuzzy'...well, at the very least it'll make you feel fuzzy INSIDE! (And if you're allergic to cats like I am, that's certainly preferable!) While the book deals with some heavy subjects and plenty of complex 'human problems' there is an air of mischief and meddling at all of the missed connections between the cat and his companions that keeps this book feeling cozy rather than calamitous...and by story's end you'll feel as snuggly as though Cat had taken a nap on YOUR lap! 🐈⬛
And while cats themselves might get a bad rap for being standoffish, moody, or self-centered...when you meet THIS Cat, I promise you'll finally agree with the age old adage:
Cats, do indeed, RULE. 👑
😉
4.5 stars
"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." - Hippolyte Taine
Cat (as he is affectionately known) has had to fend for himself on the unpredictable streets of NYC for many years...but he doesn't always mind. After all, despite the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, he's affectionately adopted a couple of his 'people'...and you'll want to take a 'paws' in your day to meet them! 😉 The most important, of course, just happens to be Núria (who he lovingly refers to as Rainbow Lady), head of the group the Meow-Yorkers, a collective of ailurophiles in the city who feed the strays and keep them safe. 🐈 Núria is in her twenties but isn't living the stereotypical life by any means: she has shied away from the hamster wheel of dating and prefers a quiet night at home...after a quick visit with her favorite black furry friend notwithstanding. 😽
All of that is about to change, though, when this sly and wise feline sees a stranger leave a Post-It note for Núria...and he sees it as a sign. There are so many potential 'suspects', however, that you won't be quite sure who is the behind the kind gesture. Bong (known to Cat as Sad Bodega Man) has been reeling ever since the loss of his beloved wife (a woman who kept Cat hanging around by ALWAYS supplying the treats)...but would he be brave enough to make this bid for connection to a complete stranger? Omar (Cheery Mailman) is searching for meaning as he reaches middle age...but does he hope a fellow feline fanatic could give him new purpose? Collin is a handsome, well-known author who likes coffee enough to keep showing up at Núria's coffee shop...but COULD he even know about her 'second job'? Or could Lily, (Bright Pink Person...her hair color, of course!), who is on a journey of discovery in the city be the one reaching out to the woman she suspects is ACTUALLY family?
Once this found family starts to form, however, EVERYTHING changes...and when their beloved Cat gets sick, the new group finds themselves wanting to come together like never before. Can these new, tenuous relationships withstand the stress of potentially losing the tie that binds them all? Or have the harsh streets of New York claimed not only their beautiful feline friend, but ALL of these budding relationships as well, leaving ALL FIVE of these lonesome souls worse off than they were before?
I'll be honest: in terms of an easy sell, the publisher could not have PICKED a more enticing cover, title, and synopsis to get me to gobble this book up. A feline focused cozy with found family, beautifully written characters, heartwarming (and at times heart-wrenching) emotional scenes, AND a bit of romance?
SIGN. ME. UP!
Of course, when I started reading and realized that our feline MC was going to be NARRATING this one (or at least parts of it), some of those reservations returned...but let's just say they didn't last for too long. For as quickly as all of these characters got wrapped up in loving this Cat...I have never felt more at HOME as a Cat Person than I did losing myself in the sweet and sweeping pages of this book!
I normally worry when there are so many main characters and a conceit that feels a bit contrived, like this one could have had...but my fears were quickly allayed. By the time we had gone through a chapter or two from each of the characters, not only did I feel like I KNEW them, but they were easily identifiable with a clear tone, voice, and perspective of their own. From Núria's insecurity to Lily's trepidation, Bong's grief, and Omar's search for more meaning (and okay, even Collin's quiet pining), all of these characters felt relatable to perspectives I had in my twenties, ones I am currently dealing with in (gulp!) middle age, and even a take on some of the complicated emotions and situations I might have to contend with in my later years. The bond that sings between all of these characters, though, is their capacity for love and their yearning for connection...and THIS was the melody that played throughout.
While the Cat serves as a conduit for connection, in a sense, Cat becomes such an important character with its OWN personality, wants, and desires, that you'll get just as invested in the outcome for this special feline as you will for all of his human fans. Although I have very little to compare this to in terms of feline narration (I don't feel like Catriona Ward's The Last House on Needless Street is QUITE the right comp...if you've read it, you'll understand why! 😱) Guerrero did an admirable job of making the conceit feel fun and 'fuzzy'...well, at the very least it'll make you feel fuzzy INSIDE! (And if you're allergic to cats like I am, that's certainly preferable!) While the book deals with some heavy subjects and plenty of complex 'human problems' there is an air of mischief and meddling at all of the missed connections between the cat and his companions that keeps this book feeling cozy rather than calamitous...and by story's end you'll feel as snuggly as though Cat had taken a nap on YOUR lap! 🐈⬛
And while cats themselves might get a bad rap for being standoffish, moody, or self-centered...when you meet THIS Cat, I promise you'll finally agree with the age old adage:
Cats, do indeed, RULE. 👑
😉
4.5 stars
September 14, 2024
This was so heartwarming. But it also had some sad and bittersweet moments. I teared up several times, sometimes happy tears sometimes sad tears. I loved how Cat was, just a remarkable cat who cared about his humans. I also loved how the other characters were intertwined but linked by cat without knowing. Nuria had such a kind heart. She was relatable and such a likable FMC. Collin was so adorable with his attempts at love with his notes. Bong was literally so kind. I loved Omar too, I hope he got his happily ever after. Truly, all of the characters were amazing. It just shows how much kindness matters to everyone, humans or animals. Such a beautiful story! An absolute must read, especially if you're into cats, but even if you aren't, this is such a brilliant story. If I could give more than 5 stars, I absolutely would!
I received this ARC from NetGalley and to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
January 31, 2025
This was a lovely book centered around a stray cat who became the focus of several people in a Brooklyn neighborhood. Each of these people was a little lonely and had their own life challenges. The chapters are told from each person's point of view- including the cat's! We never know the cat's exact name, because each person that knows the cat has come up with their own moniker for him. In turn (and this is hilarious), the cat has come up with names for all of his human friends who help to feed and care for him: Rainbow Lady, Sad Bodega Man, Awkward Neighbor Guy, and Cheery Mailman.
This was what I would call "lite reading", in that it was a charming, easy, and gentle read. It was a story that showed that everyone has their own problems, quirks, and yearnings, and the satisfaction/fulfillment of being kind and helpful to others.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Delacorte Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
This was what I would call "lite reading", in that it was a charming, easy, and gentle read. It was a story that showed that everyone has their own problems, quirks, and yearnings, and the satisfaction/fulfillment of being kind and helpful to others.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Delacorte Press who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
April 8, 2025
Finished Reading
Pre-Read notes
The book's dedication: For all the cat people in the world, especially the suckers who always fall victim to the cat distribution system; the kind souls who adopt the oldest, sickest, and “ugliest” cats in the shelter; the hardworking, selfless, and brave cat rescuers; and the TNR volunteers You are my people, my favorite people. p5
Don't you just love it when you know you're in the exact right place? Or book?
My husband and I rescue feral cats, raise and find homes for their kittens and get them fixed, provide shelter and vet care for them, and feed the colonies living all around us. We love this work, it is hard and costly but not thankless. You've never met love until you've met a grateful semi-tame once-feral cat whose outlived their expected lifespan. And now also, Tonya Guerrero– I'm humbled by your gratitude!
And I'm really looking forward to this book!
Final Review
Review summary and recommendations
This book is definitely adorable and I loved it, despite any quibbles I listed in my reading notes. You will for sure feel the author's YA roots, and appreciate her measured approach to developing friendships and romances. Mostly, this is a lovely story full of charming characters, and I fell in love with the aptly named Cat. If you are a cat-lovet, enjoyer of anthropomorphism, or lover of the bright spirit of YA, I recommend this one to you. If you like this and want more, check out on of my favorites, The Traveling Cat Chronicles (my review!). I also really loved I Am a Cat (my review!).
Happy reading!
“Anyway, just so you know, that cat bed might become obsolete once he’s inside your place. Cats prefer everything that is ours. So you should fully expect him to take over your bed, your chairs, your kitchen counters … anything that’s yours will soon be his,” she said, leading him to the next aisle. p263
This book is quite cute, and I enjoyed it for that. Outside of snuggling with my own cats, I don't often get to experience my love for cats in such a direct way. I don't always go for anthropomorphized animals (giving them thoughts the reader can understand, for example) but I actually love the effect here, where the animal is mixed in with human POV's. POV is used interestingly in this book, like each POV character help pieces of the story, and I just had to put them together to get the whole picture. I absolutely fell in love with Cat, how he was careful and listened to his instincts, and yet sometimes he was erratic and made choices that didn't go his way. This reminds me of every cat I've ever cared for! Cat for me is the clear highlight of the book.
My quibbles are few here, and don't really detract from my enjoyment of the concept. I recommend this book to cat people and readers of magical realism and anthropomorphism. It's a good choice also for readers who enjoy romance or friendship subplots.
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. The way he moved his limbs was slow and awkward, as if he hadn’t yet read the user’s manual to his own body . And though his eyes were brown, not green, he had the same vacant gaze as Rainbow Lady. p25 Guerrero use some beautiful and imaginative figurative language! The metaphors open like flowers, a few petals at a time. I really enjoy her use of this!
2. I love that Cat is called Cat, and not a name, as though he's saying, "I eschew your human traditions for I am ferrrral!"
3. This book focuses intently on characters/people with mental or cognitive disabilities, which I like. I really enjoy seeing myself in stories. So I'm surprised to say this book is full of ableist language– like using "duh" or referring to someone with social anxiety as "antisocial," which is an unrelated mental disability all its own.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The plot lacks conflict, which affects the pace and the tension.
2. Details make a story come to life, and this story is definitely bursting with detail. The setting is rather maximalist, in case you're into that.
3. I think this is listed as adult fiction, but the style reads like YA, which I think sort of suits this charming story. The author has mostly written YA books so I guess that makes sense!
Rating: 🐈⬛🐱🐈.5 /5 beloved cats
Recommend? yes
Finished: Apr 2 '25
Format: accessible digital, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🐈 cats and cat stories
🐈⬛ anthropomorphic animals
🐱 animal POV chapters
💓 unexpected romance
👥️ fulfilling adult friendships
Thank you to the author Tonya Guerrero, publishers Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of CAT'S PEOPLE. All views are mine.
---------------
Pre-Read notes
The book's dedication: For all the cat people in the world, especially the suckers who always fall victim to the cat distribution system; the kind souls who adopt the oldest, sickest, and “ugliest” cats in the shelter; the hardworking, selfless, and brave cat rescuers; and the TNR volunteers You are my people, my favorite people. p5
Don't you just love it when you know you're in the exact right place? Or book?
My husband and I rescue feral cats, raise and find homes for their kittens and get them fixed, provide shelter and vet care for them, and feed the colonies living all around us. We love this work, it is hard and costly but not thankless. You've never met love until you've met a grateful semi-tame once-feral cat whose outlived their expected lifespan. And now also, Tonya Guerrero– I'm humbled by your gratitude!
And I'm really looking forward to this book!
Final Review
Review summary and recommendations
This book is definitely adorable and I loved it, despite any quibbles I listed in my reading notes. You will for sure feel the author's YA roots, and appreciate her measured approach to developing friendships and romances. Mostly, this is a lovely story full of charming characters, and I fell in love with the aptly named Cat. If you are a cat-lovet, enjoyer of anthropomorphism, or lover of the bright spirit of YA, I recommend this one to you. If you like this and want more, check out on of my favorites, The Traveling Cat Chronicles (my review!). I also really loved I Am a Cat (my review!).
Happy reading!
“Anyway, just so you know, that cat bed might become obsolete once he’s inside your place. Cats prefer everything that is ours. So you should fully expect him to take over your bed, your chairs, your kitchen counters … anything that’s yours will soon be his,” she said, leading him to the next aisle. p263
This book is quite cute, and I enjoyed it for that. Outside of snuggling with my own cats, I don't often get to experience my love for cats in such a direct way. I don't always go for anthropomorphized animals (giving them thoughts the reader can understand, for example) but I actually love the effect here, where the animal is mixed in with human POV's. POV is used interestingly in this book, like each POV character help pieces of the story, and I just had to put them together to get the whole picture. I absolutely fell in love with Cat, how he was careful and listened to his instincts, and yet sometimes he was erratic and made choices that didn't go his way. This reminds me of every cat I've ever cared for! Cat for me is the clear highlight of the book.
My quibbles are few here, and don't really detract from my enjoyment of the concept. I recommend this book to cat people and readers of magical realism and anthropomorphism. It's a good choice also for readers who enjoy romance or friendship subplots.
Reading Notes
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. The way he moved his limbs was slow and awkward, as if he hadn’t yet read the user’s manual to his own body . And though his eyes were brown, not green, he had the same vacant gaze as Rainbow Lady. p25 Guerrero use some beautiful and imaginative figurative language! The metaphors open like flowers, a few petals at a time. I really enjoy her use of this!
2. I love that Cat is called Cat, and not a name, as though he's saying, "I eschew your human traditions for I am ferrrral!"
3. This book focuses intently on characters/people with mental or cognitive disabilities, which I like. I really enjoy seeing myself in stories. So I'm surprised to say this book is full of ableist language– like using "duh" or referring to someone with social anxiety as "antisocial," which is an unrelated mental disability all its own.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The plot lacks conflict, which affects the pace and the tension.
2. Details make a story come to life, and this story is definitely bursting with detail. The setting is rather maximalist, in case you're into that.
3. I think this is listed as adult fiction, but the style reads like YA, which I think sort of suits this charming story. The author has mostly written YA books so I guess that makes sense!
Rating: 🐈⬛🐱🐈.5 /5 beloved cats
Recommend? yes
Finished: Apr 2 '25
Format: accessible digital, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🐈 cats and cat stories
🐈⬛ anthropomorphic animals
🐱 animal POV chapters
💓 unexpected romance
👥️ fulfilling adult friendships
Thank you to the author Tonya Guerrero, publishers Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of CAT'S PEOPLE. All views are mine.
---------------
August 7, 2025
A lovely, heartfelt, uplifting book for all the cat lovers out there! 😸😼
The story is told by the point of view of a black stray cat, Cat, aka Gatito, aka Itim, who lives in the streets of Brooklyn, New York.
He's a friendly cat, though he doesn't like to be touched, he's a good listener and with very different meows he can interconect, help and lead to a happier path five of his favorite people.
NÚRIA (Rainbow Lady) who works in a very popular coffee shop as a barista and volunteers as a stray cat caretaker.
OMAR (Cheery Mailman) a soft and kind hearted, friendly, magnetic, mailman.
BONG (Sad Bodega Man) who owns a grocerie store and feels very lonely after the sudden death of his wife a year ago.
COLLIN (Awkward Neighbor Guy) a successful first book author, now having writer's block and very infatuated with Núria, maybe in love with her, but kind of an introvert who can only communicate with her by post-it, notes and letters.
LILY (Bright-Pink Person) Núria's half sister, cashier in a supermarket.
And this purrfect little fur ball of a cat changes all their lives for the better.
So much so that when Cat gets very ill they all join together like a found family, not strangers anymore!
I love cats! 😻😻
And of course loved this book!
(You might want to take a look at Alfie -The Doorstep Cat by Rachel Wells.)
The story is told by the point of view of a black stray cat, Cat, aka Gatito, aka Itim, who lives in the streets of Brooklyn, New York.
He's a friendly cat, though he doesn't like to be touched, he's a good listener and with very different meows he can interconect, help and lead to a happier path five of his favorite people.
NÚRIA (Rainbow Lady) who works in a very popular coffee shop as a barista and volunteers as a stray cat caretaker.
OMAR (Cheery Mailman) a soft and kind hearted, friendly, magnetic, mailman.
BONG (Sad Bodega Man) who owns a grocerie store and feels very lonely after the sudden death of his wife a year ago.
COLLIN (Awkward Neighbor Guy) a successful first book author, now having writer's block and very infatuated with Núria, maybe in love with her, but kind of an introvert who can only communicate with her by post-it, notes and letters.
LILY (Bright-Pink Person) Núria's half sister, cashier in a supermarket.
And this purrfect little fur ball of a cat changes all their lives for the better.
So much so that when Cat gets very ill they all join together like a found family, not strangers anymore!
I love cats! 😻😻
And of course loved this book!
(You might want to take a look at Alfie -The Doorstep Cat by Rachel Wells.)
November 4, 2024
If you love cats you will love this book. Actually it doesn't matter if you love cats or not, this is a wonderful read! A heartwarming story about how a cat brings together 5 different people each struggling with their own personal challenges. The novel is set in Brooklyn and told from 6 different perspectives including the cat.
Nuria is a barista who is feeling pressure from her mom to settle down but all Nuria really cares about is making coffee and cats. Lily is he half sister and has moved to NY to meet Nuria. However Nuria has no idea that Lily even exists. Omar is the mailman but he is struggling with what he is going to do with his life. Bong is a widower who owns the local Bodega and even though his wife died almost a year ago, he still can't move forward. There is also Collin, a best selling author, who has writer's block and also looks forward to seeing Nuria as she comes by to feed stray cats. However Collin has severe anxiety and doesn't know how he will ever talk to Nuria. The best character of all though is Cat. He is a stray living in the hedges outside of Collin's house. He has a tie to each one of these characters and will help to bring them all together.
I really did not know what to expect when I read this book. What I was not expecting was to spend my entire Sunday reading this book until I finished it. I was fully invested in each character and wanted a happy ending for all of them. This is a wonderful read that I think everyone will enjoy especially if you are a cat person!
Thank you to Delacorte Press/Random House Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC.
Nuria is a barista who is feeling pressure from her mom to settle down but all Nuria really cares about is making coffee and cats. Lily is he half sister and has moved to NY to meet Nuria. However Nuria has no idea that Lily even exists. Omar is the mailman but he is struggling with what he is going to do with his life. Bong is a widower who owns the local Bodega and even though his wife died almost a year ago, he still can't move forward. There is also Collin, a best selling author, who has writer's block and also looks forward to seeing Nuria as she comes by to feed stray cats. However Collin has severe anxiety and doesn't know how he will ever talk to Nuria. The best character of all though is Cat. He is a stray living in the hedges outside of Collin's house. He has a tie to each one of these characters and will help to bring them all together.
I really did not know what to expect when I read this book. What I was not expecting was to spend my entire Sunday reading this book until I finished it. I was fully invested in each character and wanted a happy ending for all of them. This is a wonderful read that I think everyone will enjoy especially if you are a cat person!
Thank you to Delacorte Press/Random House Publishing and Net Galley for this ARC.
May 28, 2025
Cat’s People is a sweet feel-good book where strangers are brought together through their interest in a stray cat. Nuria is a barista who feeds and cares for neighborhood strays. Cat “lives” in the bushes outside of Collin’s brownstone. Omar is the mailman who brings treats for Cat, and then they walk together through part of his route. Bong owns the neighborhood bodega. He is grieving for his wife who died recently, but when alive she would give scraps to Cat. Lily has moved to the neighborhood to try to find her half-sister.
As the circle that draws these people together begins to shrink, they discover Cat is sick. What can they do?
I love books about found family, and books that draw people together in their community. And, anyone who enjoys cats (or other pets) will appreciate how they can grab onto your heart. In between serious, dramatic books, it’s lovely to settle in and just feel good 💖.
As the circle that draws these people together begins to shrink, they discover Cat is sick. What can they do?
I love books about found family, and books that draw people together in their community. And, anyone who enjoys cats (or other pets) will appreciate how they can grab onto your heart. In between serious, dramatic books, it’s lovely to settle in and just feel good 💖.
April 16, 2025
3.5 stars.
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 (The Full Moon Coffee Shop from Japan, Marigold Mind Laundry 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 by surprise when there was an occasional F-bomb dropped in out of nowhere. Cursing in books is not something that bothers me, generally, it just felt out of place when it happened here. The story 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!
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press and Ballantine of Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
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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 (The Full Moon Coffee Shop from Japan, Marigold Mind Laundry 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 by surprise when there was an occasional F-bomb dropped in out of nowhere. Cursing in books is not something that bothers me, generally, it just felt out of place when it happened here. The story 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!
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press and Ballantine of Penguin Random House for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
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August 15, 2025
If you need a little time with a cat - because like me I can't have one around due to family members who are violently allergic to them (but I grew up with them and have had them over, under and about me in my younger years - what fun!) - pick this read up, and you'll find yourself purring in no time.
Cat is the main character in this book - just to make sure we are clear. He's in charge, and directing the traffic of this story. Then a reader will meet Nuria, an avid cat lady, then Collin - tall, dark and awkward, but the charming kind of awkward, then Bong, a elder man who has a business to run, then Lily who's looking for lost family in the Big Apple, and last of all Omar who is wondering what his One Right Career is. These five don't know each other. Cat likes it that way, because as long as they don't know that they are all feeding him each day, he lives a very satisfactory life. He's a stray, free and easy, and mostly pleased to be that way. He has his moments though, when a Person looks like a good way to go, with all that food and shelter at their fingertips - and fingertips have their uses too.
A delightful read - not long, not complicated, and pulls at the heartstrings. I had to buy myself copies of Six Dinner Sid to share with the kids - Cat reminded me of Sid. A robust 3.5 stars, that fond memories of my past kitties bumped up to 4 chirping stars.
*A sincere thank you to Tanya Guerrero, Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine | Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #CatsPeople #NetGalley 25|52:22c
Cat is the main character in this book - just to make sure we are clear. He's in charge, and directing the traffic of this story. Then a reader will meet Nuria, an avid cat lady, then Collin - tall, dark and awkward, but the charming kind of awkward, then Bong, a elder man who has a business to run, then Lily who's looking for lost family in the Big Apple, and last of all Omar who is wondering what his One Right Career is. These five don't know each other. Cat likes it that way, because as long as they don't know that they are all feeding him each day, he lives a very satisfactory life. He's a stray, free and easy, and mostly pleased to be that way. He has his moments though, when a Person looks like a good way to go, with all that food and shelter at their fingertips - and fingertips have their uses too.
A delightful read - not long, not complicated, and pulls at the heartstrings. I had to buy myself copies of Six Dinner Sid to share with the kids - Cat reminded me of Sid. A robust 3.5 stars, that fond memories of my past kitties bumped up to 4 chirping stars.
*A sincere thank you to Tanya Guerrero, Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine | Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #CatsPeople #NetGalley 25|52:22c
February 17, 2025
Cat's People is a sweet book about a group of lonely strangers in Brooklyn whose lives intersect and friendships are formed - all thanks to a stray black cat named Cat!
I didn't expect to love Cat's People since I generally avoid cozy and/or romance. But it was about a cat so I couldn't resist!! It turned out to be such a heartwarming book! Some of the chapters are from Cat's perspective and I loved how he would figuratively roll his eyes at the humans. (I'm pretty sure I've had a few cats that did that when I was talking to them, haha.)
I must say that I found myself caring about all five people, equally. Kudos to the author because that's rather rare for me. It's surprising to me that this is the first adult book she's written. This adult recommends Cat's People!!!
BIG thanks to both #DelacortePress and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Cat's People. This book has an expected publication date of April 1, 2025.
#TanyaGuerrero #Cat #LonelyStrangers #Romance
I didn't expect to love Cat's People since I generally avoid cozy and/or romance. But it was about a cat so I couldn't resist!! It turned out to be such a heartwarming book! Some of the chapters are from Cat's perspective and I loved how he would figuratively roll his eyes at the humans. (I'm pretty sure I've had a few cats that did that when I was talking to them, haha.)
I must say that I found myself caring about all five people, equally. Kudos to the author because that's rather rare for me. It's surprising to me that this is the first adult book she's written. This adult recommends Cat's People!!!
BIG thanks to both #DelacortePress and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Cat's People. This book has an expected publication date of April 1, 2025.
#TanyaGuerrero #Cat #LonelyStrangers #Romance
April 11, 2025
(4.5 stars)
One-liner: simply delightful!
Cat’s People takes us to present-day Crown Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. Nuria is a single woman in her late 30s, who works as a barista and feeds stray cats as her second “job.” We also meet Cat, a stray black cat who has survived on the streets for quite a while, by being very smart and cautious. He’s had some bad experiences with humans but he trusts Nuria.
We also meet other neighborhood people, most of whom only know each other to say HI: Omar, the super-friendly mail carrier; Collin, the socially awkward semi-famous writer with writer’s block; Bong, a Filipino bodega owner; Lily, a new Georgia transplant; and more. I fell in love with each and every one of these characters! Cat eventually brings them all together.
Being familiar with the neighborhood, and similar ones around Brooklyn, had me easily picturing the action, but you do not have to be familiar with Brooklyn to picture things, as the author does a good job of setting the scenes. In addition to the Crown Heights neighborhood, there’s a wonderful scene at Coney Island.
I especially liked the chapters written from Cat’s point of view. He refers to the humans he interacts with by “Rainbow Lady,” “Awkward Neighbor Guy,” “Cheery Mailman,” “Sad Bodega Man,” and “Bright-Pink Person.” That alone had me smiling.
Don’t miss this quietly lovely book.
Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. While I received the eARC from NetGalley, I wound up mostly listening to the audiobook gifted by Random House Audio. The narrator, Elena Rey, did an excellent job with the many voices and accents. All opinions are my own.
One-liner: simply delightful!
Cat’s People takes us to present-day Crown Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. Nuria is a single woman in her late 30s, who works as a barista and feeds stray cats as her second “job.” We also meet Cat, a stray black cat who has survived on the streets for quite a while, by being very smart and cautious. He’s had some bad experiences with humans but he trusts Nuria.
We also meet other neighborhood people, most of whom only know each other to say HI: Omar, the super-friendly mail carrier; Collin, the socially awkward semi-famous writer with writer’s block; Bong, a Filipino bodega owner; Lily, a new Georgia transplant; and more. I fell in love with each and every one of these characters! Cat eventually brings them all together.
Being familiar with the neighborhood, and similar ones around Brooklyn, had me easily picturing the action, but you do not have to be familiar with Brooklyn to picture things, as the author does a good job of setting the scenes. In addition to the Crown Heights neighborhood, there’s a wonderful scene at Coney Island.
I especially liked the chapters written from Cat’s point of view. He refers to the humans he interacts with by “Rainbow Lady,” “Awkward Neighbor Guy,” “Cheery Mailman,” “Sad Bodega Man,” and “Bright-Pink Person.” That alone had me smiling.
Don’t miss this quietly lovely book.
Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. While I received the eARC from NetGalley, I wound up mostly listening to the audiobook gifted by Random House Audio. The narrator, Elena Rey, did an excellent job with the many voices and accents. All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2024
This story centers around a black street cat who is street smart, and the people who watch over him, sometimes leaving him a bit of food, and sometimes grander gestures. He is hesitant to accept these gestures at first, but slowly he learns just how much they do care about him and for him. He is especially fond of the woman he calls ‘Rainbow Lady’ who makes sure he has some water and food each day, and the man who lets the woman know he appreciates her gestures to the cat.
Cat likes to follow the Mailman, who is also known to offer him treats, which helps since the lady who used to give Cat treats died a year ago, leaving her friend sad.
When author Collin Thackeray meets up with his agent in a coffee shop, he realizes that the woman who works as a barista there is the ‘Rainbow Lady’ whose name is Nuria. Over time, a bond is formed between them to give Cat a better life, buying him cat food, and providing him with a house just his size to have his own place to sleep in peace, as well as other necessities. What he doesn’t know yet, is that the cashier is the woman that Nuria’s been looking for most of her life.
There’s a lot of love and charm in this story, as some of the people in the neighborhood seem to become closer through this bond they share over Cat, and how it changes their lives, and Cat’s life, as well.
Pub Date: 01 Apr 2025
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Delacorte Press
August 31, 2024
A charming tale of how one black cat named Cat brings together a group of strangers in Brooklyn. Cat lovers and fans of heart-tugging stories will adore it!
September 4, 2025
This is the most heartwarming book. It’s quirky, it’s wholesome, and it’s creative.
Five strangers in a Brooklyn neighborhood are brought together by a stray cat named Cat. Nuria is a barista with a meddling mom, Collin is a novelist with writers block, Bong is grieving his wife and owns and runs a bodega, Lily works at the grocery store part time and has just moved to New York from Georgia to find her half sister. Omar is their mail carrier.
They are all a bit lonely and searching for something. There are chapters in each character, plus the chapters written from the Cat’s POV. Critics of this book call it slow and depressing, I disagree. I find this book to be a celebration of the ordinary. And the theme of found family does require characters to do the finding.
I find that animal narrators are polarizing, people love or hate them. These Cat chapters were creative and unique. It reminded me a lot of the Marcellus chapters in Remarkably Bright Creatures. This book is heavier on character building than with plot— and with this many characters it was easy to really visualize them and their Brooklyn neighborhood. I do wish the audiobook producers would have had multiple narrators to correlate with the multiple POV.
Overall, I really loved this uplifting cat story. It’s a story of connection and destiny.
Thanks to @tallladyreads for the recommendation!
Five strangers in a Brooklyn neighborhood are brought together by a stray cat named Cat. Nuria is a barista with a meddling mom, Collin is a novelist with writers block, Bong is grieving his wife and owns and runs a bodega, Lily works at the grocery store part time and has just moved to New York from Georgia to find her half sister. Omar is their mail carrier.
They are all a bit lonely and searching for something. There are chapters in each character, plus the chapters written from the Cat’s POV. Critics of this book call it slow and depressing, I disagree. I find this book to be a celebration of the ordinary. And the theme of found family does require characters to do the finding.
I find that animal narrators are polarizing, people love or hate them. These Cat chapters were creative and unique. It reminded me a lot of the Marcellus chapters in Remarkably Bright Creatures. This book is heavier on character building than with plot— and with this many characters it was easy to really visualize them and their Brooklyn neighborhood. I do wish the audiobook producers would have had multiple narrators to correlate with the multiple POV.
Overall, I really loved this uplifting cat story. It’s a story of connection and destiny.
Thanks to @tallladyreads for the recommendation!
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February 25, 2025This is a fantasy only in that a Cat's POV is included among the five humans this cat visits. It's mildly a romance, though the story is really a gentle, feel-good story about five lonely people and the stray cat who becomes a catalyst (see what I did there?) in their lives.
I read this over several late nights, and it always made me smile. For my own taste--being a SF and fantasy lover from the very first--I would have liked the cat's POV to be more cat-like and less about human concepts, but that is a very small complaint, and a lot of readers won't notice it, or give a flying fig if they do.
If you're looking for some lovely, peaceful escapism from the horrible news, you can't go wrong with this charming story.
I read this over several late nights, and it always made me smile. For my own taste--being a SF and fantasy lover from the very first--I would have liked the cat's POV to be more cat-like and less about human concepts, but that is a very small complaint, and a lot of readers won't notice it, or give a flying fig if they do.
If you're looking for some lovely, peaceful escapism from the horrible news, you can't go wrong with this charming story.
November 2, 2025
3.5 stars "A stray cat brings together five strangers over the course of one fateful summer in this heartwarming novel about love, found family, and the power of connection."
This is such a heartwarming story about the bond between cats and people and how they can connect others. It is a story of friendship with several parts told from Cat's perspective. If you need a lighter, uplifting novel, this is a great choice!
This is such a heartwarming story about the bond between cats and people and how they can connect others. It is a story of friendship with several parts told from Cat's perspective. If you need a lighter, uplifting novel, this is a great choice!
April 3, 2025
I could say this book might be more of a 4.5 because it did feel a little long for what it is, but I'm going to round it up to a 5 anyway because it had me sobbing.
The beauty of a little stray cat changing the lives of so many people because of how they fall in love with him. The found family. The cat's perspective.
There's a lot of queer representation and just a mix of different people living in New York coming together to give this cat a better life. A couple of the perspectives I wasn't AS interested in, but I still loved it.
I would definitely put this with the category of healing fiction because that's is for sure what it felt like to me.
I will say I did expect a different outcome with two of the characters and I would have liked a resolution to part of someone's story.
TW SPOILER: the cat does not die.
I got an eARC from NetGalley and I'm so happy I did because I'll definitely be buying my own copy.
The beauty of a little stray cat changing the lives of so many people because of how they fall in love with him. The found family. The cat's perspective.
There's a lot of queer representation and just a mix of different people living in New York coming together to give this cat a better life. A couple of the perspectives I wasn't AS interested in, but I still loved it.
I would definitely put this with the category of healing fiction because that's is for sure what it felt like to me.
I will say I did expect a different outcome with two of the characters and I would have liked a resolution to part of someone's story.
TW SPOILER: the cat does not die.
I got an eARC from NetGalley and I'm so happy I did because I'll definitely be buying my own copy.
May 10, 2025
Great idea. Horrendous execution.
I understand that this is a debut, but some things cannot be explained by lack of experience.
First of all, the cast is full of stereotypes. The messy cat lady with the weird bun. The socially awkward creepy white dude. Sad old Bodega man. Very cheerful colored mailman. His boyfriend who is so flamboyant, he straight up came here from Modern Family.
But the worst, THE WORST, is Lilly. I am pretty she can be charged with stalking and harassment, which IS NEVER ADDRESSED? The victim literally says “OMG I am so glad you found me” FOUND YOU?
Gurl.
Also, the writing goes from mediocre to bad really fast. Like steep steep decline.
So no from me.
1.25 is for the cover.
I understand that this is a debut, but some things cannot be explained by lack of experience.
First of all, the cast is full of stereotypes. The messy cat lady with the weird bun. The socially awkward creepy white dude. Sad old Bodega man. Very cheerful colored mailman. His boyfriend who is so flamboyant, he straight up came here from Modern Family.
But the worst, THE WORST, is Lilly. I am pretty she can be charged with stalking and harassment, which IS NEVER ADDRESSED? The victim literally says “OMG I am so glad you found me” FOUND YOU?
Gurl.
Also, the writing goes from mediocre to bad really fast. Like steep steep decline.
So no from me.
1.25 is for the cover.
October 18, 2024
Let's just say I zoomed through this. 😅 It is a very wholesome, feel-good book. The ending will have you emotional just seeing how Cat brought all these people together! I highly recommend reading this.
Thank you for the ARC through Netgelly!
Thank you for the ARC through Netgelly!
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