Book Review - The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Five strangers are given the chance to rewrite their stories by joining The Fifth Avenue Story Society.  Lexa is an executive assistant and wants a promotion to CEO. She knows that she can do the job but, her boss, Zane believes she is just suited to her current role. Jett is a literature professor and writer who is nursing a broken heart from the death of his older brother and his divorce.  He is writing a dissertation on his idol, Gordon Phipps Roth. Jett has heard rumors that GPR might be a fraud.

Chuck is an Uber driver who wants a second chance with his two kids.  Ed is an aging widow who wants to write the love story of his marriage to Esmeralda. Coral is the owner of a multi-million dollar cosmetics empire that was started by her great grandmother. However, she is still recovering from her broken engagement to a prince and she is on the verge of losing her company. 

When they assemble at the library, they presume they are a victim of a practical joke. No one knows the purpose of the invitation, the reason behind the society, and why they are chosen. As the group meets every week, they find themselves a place to belong but, still afraid to share their secrets.

This is the second novel I have read by the author. I didn't enjoy the first one so, I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel. The story started strong and tapered off towards the middle. However, I am glad that I stuck through the novel because I love seeing the true story of each character unfold. I enjoyed seeing that each character was able to find themselves and find each other. I wish there were more details given about the secret society and why each person was picked.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

The Fifth Avenue Story Society
By Rachel Hauck
Christian Contemporary Romance
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 400 Pages
February 4th 2020 by Thomas Nelson

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 reveal 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.

Praise for the Book

"Hauck inspires and uplifts with this mix of tales." - Publishers Weekly

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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.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of The Wedding Dress (US only)

Ends February 19, 2020

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Book Review - The Memory House by Rachel Hauck

Photo Credit - Amazon

Beck Holiday is still reeling eighteen years later over the death of her beloved father. She and her mother lost him during the attacks on 9/11. She can no longer remember him and lost most of her memories of him. Recently, Beck was suspended for police misconduct with a suspect. She is struggling to get her life back in order especially, with life alternating secret. She is unsure what her next steps in life should be.

When Beck receives a mysterious letter in the main alerting her of an inheritance from a woman she doesn't remember, she is confused but, takes it as a sign. She travels to the northern coast of Florida to view the house she inherited. During her stay in Florida, Beck realizes that there are some things she can't forget forever. Will the trip be able to heal her heart and restore her memories?

I have a few books from Rachel Hauck on my TBR pile. Out of the three, I decided to start with this novel first. Boy, was I sadly disappointed. The book was told from the perspective of four different people who all share a connection with the house. They all had a connection with each other. I was hardly able to build a bond or connection with any of the characters. More than 75% into the book, I lost interest in the book. There was nothing interesting going on that warranted me to waste more time reading this novel.  I think some portion of the book was poorly written and felt choppy in some parts. For example, when Beck experience a flashback of her memories and Beck believes God is speaking to her, she stumbles around into Bruno's childhood home. Then Bruno and his mother were talking about her and the incident like she can't overhear them and it's an everyday occurrence. I am not sure why, but that whole incident just felt weird to me. Overall, the storyline did not grab me enough to want to finish this novel.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**