Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Review and Giveaway - - In A New York Minute

In a New York Minute
by Kate Spencer
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: March 15, 2022
Reviewed by PJ


Franny Doyle is having the 
worst day. She’s been laid off from her (admittedly mediocre) job, the subway doors ripped her favorite silk dress to ruins, and now she’s flashed her unmentionables to half of lower Manhattan. On the plus side, a dashing stranger came to her rescue with his (Gucci!) suit jacket. On the not-so-plus side, he can’t get away from her fast enough.

Worse yet? Someone posted their (entirely not) meet-cute online. Suddenly Franny and her knight-in-couture, Hayes Montgomery III, are the newest social media sensation, and all of New York is shipping #SubwayQTs.

Only Franny and Hayes couldn’t be a more disastrous match. She’s fanciful, talkative, and creative. He’s serious, shy, and all about numbers. Luckily, in a city of eight million people, they never have to meet again. Yet somehow, Hayes and Franny keep running into each other—and much to their surprise, they enjoy each other’s company. A lot. But when Franny’s whole world is turned upside down (again!), can she find the courage to trust in herself and finally have the life—and love—she’s always wanted?


PJ's Thoughts:

Word of advice: buy the bagels before opening this book. Trust me, you'll be craving them by the end.

In A New York Minute played out like a movie across my mind, the kind that makes you laugh out loud, shed a few tears, sigh with delight, and leave the theater thoroughly charmed. From our #SubwayQTs' adorably disastrous first encounter, through a series of misadventures across Manhattan and Brooklyn, to the satisfying, sigh-worthy conclusion, this was a story that captured my attention and my heart. Perfectly paced, with endearing characters, relatable situations, relevant humor, and emotional depth, the author took me on a journey that kept me eagerly flipping pages while at the same time wanting the story to never end. 

I adored Hayes and Franny, cringing and cheering in equal measure as their unlikely, dare I say "fated," relationship unfolded. I loved Franny's relationship with her two best friends and how they were all there for one another in the good times as well as the challenging ones. I felt the same way about both Hayes's long-time friendship with his (female) business partner as well as his close relationship with his (female) cousin. Both allowed us insight into the layers of his character and helped him move forward. And an unexpected secondary romance that brought Hayes and Franny together - again - and added an additional connection to their gradually changing dynamic was such a delight. 

And then there's New York. As much as the human characters in this book leap from the page, so too do Manhattan and Brooklyn. The romance in this book isn't only between Hayes and Franny; it's also between them and the city they love. It's been three years since my last visit to NYC. Reading this book made me want to return, to explore all the little neighborhood bagel shops, parks, museums, bakeries, book stores, and more. It made me want to dance with my friends at street festivals, stroll hand-in-hand across the Brooklyn Bridge on a warm summer evening, and enjoy a slice of pizza made by someone whose family has been doing it for generations. 

In a New York Minute is Kate Spencer's debut fiction novel but it reads like it was created by a well-seasoned author. I adored it and cannot wait to discover what Spencer has in store for readers next. 


Have you visited New York City?

Have you ever had a public wardrobe mishap?

Do you enjoy exploring the local nooks and crannies of large cities?


One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), March 16 will receive a print copy of In A New York Minute.

*U.S. only
*Must be 8
*Void where prohibited


14 comments:

  1. I live a little over an hour from NYC so have visited there many times for shows, a tour of the city and a both art museums. And had many a nice lunch or dinner, including the famous Carmines.

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  2. I've visited NYC many times (my mother was raised in Manhattan) but I don't think I've ever had a public wardrobe malfunction, thank goodness! The book sounds great!

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  3. I've been to NYC a few times and love it. Exploring the local nooks and crannies of large cities is very fun!

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  4. I love exploring cities especially in a leisurely manner and walking through historic areas and treating myself to a bagel which I crave, enjoy and love. Places that are fascinating give me enjoyment.

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  5. I haven't visited NYC but many other cities which are so interesting and unforgettable. Vancouver, Mtl, Q.C. and some in Europe. I can walk for miles and hours when I visit a city with history and which is unique and special for me. Their foods give me more to look forward to.

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  6. This sounds wonderful. I have never been to NYC, but yes, I enjoy visiting those places "off the beaten path" when I visit new places.

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  7. I have never seen New York City, even from a distance. I have had the luxury of having a job which allowed me to visit different cities and areas in the US. I found all kinds of treasures everywhere I went. Most of the treasures were the wonderful people I got to meet. No wardrobe mishap. But,if I had, no one would have noticed....I am not someone who is noticed.

    I hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

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  8. Never been to New York. Chicago is a fun place to be especially in the Summer. All the neighborhoods have festivals. All different types of food, cultural exhibits, music and dancing. No wardrobe mishaps.

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  9. I have been to NY several times. My bra unhooked at the Italian Festival, so I had to have my friends encircle me so I could rehook it.

    When we were last in NY, we walked around a little, found a yummy pizzeria, a delicious bagel shop, and walked along the pathway on the East River.

    denise

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  10. My brother got married in the boat house in Central Park 15 years ago and my son lives in NJ, across the river from Manhatten. Sounds like a cute read. Thanks for the recommendation.

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  11. I’m so excited for this book — great review! I love traveling to NYC, but haven’t been since 2020. I have family there and I enjoyed seeing Broadway shows every time I visited.

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  12. I went to NYC one Spring while I was in college. A couple of friends lived there and I went down with them for break. I have no idea where they lived (it was 1967 or so), I just remember lots of subway and train rides. The one thing I wanted to see was the Egyptian exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. However, the 7 Day Israeli War broke out and the exhibit had been closed due to fears of vandalism. We have talked about going up over the years but had not done it. This June we are take our daughter and granddaughter up for a week. They are big Harry Potter fans and she turns 11 the middle of the week we will be there. That is the day the Potter characters get their letters to go to Hogwarts. We are taking the train up from NC, going to the Cursed Child on Broadway on her birthday, and will do as much site-seeing as we can. She has requested to go to China Town. They are learning Chinese in her class. I am hoping one of the ethnic neighborhoods has a street festival. I went to an Italian one last time and it was fun. We will be "traveling on our stomachs" as usual. The food is so important when you visit an area.
    I hope my husband and I will go back on our own. I would like to do some slow exploration of many areas of the City that would not interest a 10/11 year old. That is what makes any place you visit come alive.

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  13. I've never been to New York, but would love to visit. I've been lucky (knock on wood) to not have a major wardrobe malfunction at least not since I was in elementary school. (Stockings and the short dresses of the 70's didn't mix well for an uncoordinated girl like me. ;-) ) I don't visit large cities often but I do love to wander where ever I feel like when I do - especially in old cities.

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  14. I've never been in New York city but spent time in my younger years in large cities like Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Chicago. I was at a formal fundraiser dinner at a five-star hotel several years. I was wearing a long dress and my thigh high hose just wouldn't stay up. I'm pretty sure there is a picture of me somewhere looking like I have elephant ankles!

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