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Oct 30, 2017 Kate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-books, 2017-tbr

Earlier this year, my book group selected A Gentleman in Moscow and we all enjoyed it. Looking for a title for November, we selected this, his first novel. This story is told through the voice of Katey Kontent, who comes to New York City in the 1920s to make a name and a life for herself. She befriends Eve, another girl in her rooming house and they begin to hang out where the wealthy meet. Katey is able to fake it through her new world until she actually rises above her very humble origins. It ...more

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Dec 15, 2012 Elle rated it really liked it

Shelves: on-leo

Katey is the center of the story, an unapologetic working girl. She's an ambitious and determined seeking success in the publishing industry. Her best friend, Eve, with a lot of spirit, refuses daddy's money and embraces her free spirit.

Eve and Katey meet Tinker Grey on New Year's Eve, 1937, at a jazz bar in Greenwich Village. Tinker's a ruggedly handsome man with an enigmatic mystique. The three become fast friends, but as with many triangulating relationships, a hairline rivalry sets in. Then ...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Betsy rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, historical, on-audio, 2015, own-audio

Very well written story about an ordinary woman who happens to get drawn into a circle of the rich and powerful in NYC in the late 1930's. Being somewhat of an outsider, she maintains a canniness about the people and the setting. The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the locales made you feel as though you were there. The audio version is quite well performed. ...more

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Nov 11, 2017 Kerry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the best books I read this year

I hated finishing this book.... loved the writing, the characters, the New York of the late 30’s setting. Highly recommend if you enjoy character studies that move slowly but envelop the reader.

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Jan 03, 2013 Reeca Elliott rated it it was amazing

Shelves: shelfari-favorites

One of the best books I have read in a long time!! Loved the characters and the time period! Excellent!!

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Jan 20, 2012 Suzanne Moore rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nominations-to-sort

Loved this book! The conversations between characters were delightful. Sad, happy, scandalous, romantic, and real. The story begins as flashback to the year 1938 when a photography exhibit triggers Katie's memories of a love she will always cherish despite the wrong turns that left her with a distance to far to travel.

Katy and her roommate Eve meet Tinker, a handsome, sophisticated, and wealthy man while out for drinks in Manhattan. Soon a friendship develops, followed by lover's triangle, so-to ...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Dee rated it liked it

Shelves: 2010-2019

This was a grand book! The setting was so well written. Manhattan in 1938. It was an intriguing book. Sort of like Holly Golightly meets Gatsby. It captures so much of the feel of the jazz and gin crowd, and so much more. It was definitely a pleasurable read.

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Jan 09, 2012 Tara rated it really liked it

Shelves: lit-fiction

I wish goodreads had half stars - I cannot quite give it 5 but it's definitely more than 4!

The characters drew you in and the setting was played out beautifully. A nice compliment to the Great Gatsby IMHO......although not quite as successful.

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Mar 01, 2012 Anne rated it it was amazing

Read for my Book Club. Reminded me of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Loved the time period (1930's), hosted the meeting at my house in a snow storm until the lights went out and the martinis were all gone!
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