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
