Monday, May 13, 2019

Blog Tour Review: Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen



Title: Park Avenue Summer
Author: Renee Rosen
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Historic/Contemporary
Published By: Berkley (April 30, 2019)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)


Book Description:
Mad Men meets The Devil Wears Prada as Renée Rosen draws readers into the glamour of 1965 New York City and Cosmopolitan Magazine, where a brazen new Editor-in-Chief--Helen Gurley Brown--shocks America by daring to talk to women about all things off limits...

New York City is filled with opportunities for single girls like Alice Weiss who leaves her small Midwestern town to chase her big city dreams and unexpectedly lands the job of a lifetime working for Helen Gurley Brown, the first female Editor-in-Chief of a then failing Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Nothing could have prepared Alice for the world she enters as editors and writers resign on the spot, refusing to work for the woman who wrote the scandalous bestseller, Sex and the Single Girl. While confidential memos, article ideas, and cover designs keep finding their way into the wrong hands, someone tries to pull Alice into this scheme to sabotage her boss. But Alice remains loyal and becomes all the more determined to help Helen succeed. As pressure mounts at the magazine and Alice struggles to make her way in New York, she quickly learns that in Helen Gurley Brown's world, a woman can demand to have it all. 






About the Author:

Renee is the bestselling author of historical fiction including: WINDY CITY BLUES, WHITE COLLAR GIRL, WHAT THE LADY WANTS and DOLLFACE, as well as the YA novel, EVERY CROOKED POT. 
PARK AVENUE SUMMER: a Novel of Helen Gurley Brown and Cosmopolitan Magazine will be published in April 30, 2019 from Penguin Random House / Berkley. 

Most people discover their love of reading first and then decide to try writing. For Renee Rosen, it was just the opposite. From the time she was a little girl she knew she wanted to be a writer and by age seventeen had completed her first novel, with what she admits was the worst opening line of all time. Her hopes of being the youngest published author on record were soon dashed when her “masterpiece” was repeatedly rejected. Several years and many attempts later, Renee finally became a reader first.

Since then she has been fortunate enough to study the craft of writing from such esteemed novelists as Michael Cunningham, Susan Minot and Carol Anshaw. 

Renee now lives in Chicago where she is working on a new novel. You can find her online at https://www.facebook.com/ReneeRosenAu..., https://twitter.com/ReneeRosen1 or visit her website at www.reneerosen.com 




Once in awhile you come across a premises that you just know you have to experience for yourself. You pick up a book and you just instantly connect. Not because of the characters or even the setting but just because it simply is written so well that you immediately get sucked into the very story itself and then before you know it, you are in love. In love with the characters, in love with the setting, in love with it all.

Park Avenue Summer is an exceptional read that not only took me by surprise but took my breath away. I absolutely devoured it and adored it and just couldn't get enough of it. 
It is so well written, so well voiced and truly something I can't recommend enough. A wonderful insightful look into women in the work place in a time where we weren't quite accepted yet and had to fight for every little triumph and recognition we received. 






20 comments:

  1. Oooh! This sounds so good! Reminds me a little bit of Cable Girls on Netflix? Have you seen that show? It's in Spanish, but there's also an English-dubbed version. I'm glad you enjoyed this one so much!

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    1. I haven't seen it but if it's anything like this book, I need to watch it!

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  2. My request is pending on Netgalley! I love the sound of this and your review has me very excited to read this book!

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  3. Oh it's so great to have a book like that!

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  4. Fantastic review Ali. I love books like this that pull you in and blow you away. This one is new to me, so I've added both author and title to my wishlist :)

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    1. Happy to hear it Kim, I do think you would really like this one!

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  5. I love when an author's writing and voice completely pulls you in to a story. I can tell that this was an exceptional read based on your lovely review.

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  6. I love when a story can capture your attention I'm such a way you feel as if you are a part of it. From the tone of your review that is what happened. Great review.

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    1. I did sort of feel like I was transported back in time for sure!

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  7. I’ve read a couple of this author’s books and enjoyed her work. I definitely want this one as I love the era and I can’t resist a Mad Men type read. I have added this to my list.

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    1. I definitely want to pick up more of her books now.

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  8. Oh nice. I am going to have to check this one out. I don't usually gravitate toward books like this but I usually enjoy it when I pick one up... especially with a review like this one!

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  9. Glad to hear you enjoyed the book! I love it when I connect with a story so well. Wonderful review! :)

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    1. Thank you so much and I agree, it really is wonderful when that happens.

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  10. I know exactly what you mean about the instant connection Kindlemom, like you live in or want to live in the book and be friends with the characters. I feel like that when I read one of Sarah Morgan's books. And since this is a new to me author I'm putting it on my list, thank you for putting it on my radar! xo
    ps hubby's surgery went well and we're finally HOME :)

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    1. So happy his surgery went well Debbie, that is great news! I hope he recovers quickly!! <3

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