My Thoughts

The Fifth Avenue Story Society by author Rachel Hauck is a contemporary Christian romance fiction novel that has a delightful cover. I wanted to not only press my nose against the window to peep inside, but I also want to glide in there and peruse those books. Don’t you?

It took me a bit to become invested in this tale. I would read a little here and there. Finally after a few chapters everything came together for me to become enamored with this fascinating novel. Author Hauck has a talent of taking an obscure yet believable situation and turning it into a beautiful book.

Here we have five New Yorkers that are brought together to form a remarkable group. Each member has past baggage and is reluctant to share. They meet each week in an old library where friendships, hope, and faith grow.

The characters are realistic with personalities that jump off of the pages. They each have certain quirks, flaws, and redeeming qualities. I enjoyed them. Their conversation sounded real and the banter flowed freely.

Be prepared for each character to express a point of view in the writing. The transition is done without a hitch and makes reading easy. My heart stung when I read the hurt and heartache members experienced. Issues were relevant and timely. The author tackled loneliness, frustration, bitterness, anger, failure, ambition, and impatience on the negative side and love, forgiveness, success, friendship, marriage, family, and hope on the positive. So many life lessons presented in one book. It showed no matter what our past might be, God still has plans for our future, and that we all have something to give to help someone.

I found this riveting novel to be a treasure trove of enthralling stories. The romance and faith messages were light but still there. I enjoyed the mystery as to why each member was chosen and invited. I definitely recommend this book. A reading group would have a lively time dissecting all of the characters and topics. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: The Fifth Avenue Story Society

Author: Rachel Hauck

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Women’s Fiction

Release Date: February 4, 2020

An invitation to join The Fifth Avenue Story Society gives five New York strangers a chance to rewrite their own stories.

Executive assistant Lexa is eager for a much-deserved promotion, but her boss is determined to keep her underemployed.

Literature professor Jett is dealing with a broken heart, as well as a nagging suspicion his literary idol, Gordon Phipps Roth, might be a fraud.

Uber driver Chuck just wants a second chance with his kids.

Aging widower Ed is eager to write the true story of his incredible marriage.

Coral, queen of the cosmetics industry, has broken her engagement and is on the verge of losing her great grandmother’s multimillion-dollar empire.

When all five New Yorkers receive an anonymous, mysterious invitation to the Fifth Avenue Story Society, they suspect they’re victims of a practical joke. No one knows who sent the invitations or why. No one has heard of the literary society. And no one is prepared to bear their deepest secrets to a roomful of strangers.

Yet curiosity and loneliness bring them back week after week to the old library. And it’s there they discover the stories of their hearts, and the kind of friendship and love that heals their souls.

Get your copy of the book here.

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Wedding Dress, which was also named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pet and writes from her ivory tower. Visit her online at RachelHauck.com; Facebook: RachelHauck; Twitter: @RachelHauck; Instagram: @rachelhauck.