Title: The Fifth Avenue Story Society

Author: Rachel Hauck

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Christian Fiction

Synopsis: 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.

My Thoughts

THIS WAS A MARVELOUS STORY!

Rachal Hauck pulled me in right from the very beginning of this story, with her description of the character’s different situations, and the idea of random strangers becoming friends. The overall story plot was very unique and one that I have not previously read before. The perspectives of each character were given in such a realistic and easy to follow thought process, that I found myself readily engaged with the characters by the end of the first chapter, which doesn’t happen often. Every character had a unique background story, and each person had to overcome an obstacle. A true learning experience for everyone involved.

“Maybe the point is at the end of the journey and not at the beginning.” – pg. 72

I think Rachel Hauck did very well in the diversity of her characters and their hurdles to overcome. They faced overcoming fear of the past, self-worth, custody battles, fighting for marriage, the scare of losing a company, and so many more relevant topics that we all struggle with. Yet, in the midst of it all Rachel Hauck manages to tell us about the only hope in our struggles, and how one person choosing to listen to God’s voice can affect so many people’s lives. A truly great reminder.

I give this book a resounding 5 out of 5 stars for the amazing characters and their individual stories, for the story of friendships coming from nothing, and for showing how the faith of one can affect many. I highly recommend picking this book up to read.

*I will say that Rachel Hauck is known for her edgy and realistic writing and in this case, she does basically use a couple of cuss words in this book, as well as references to sex and alcohol. I am not really fond of that aspect; however, I do understand that she is showing a realistic view of people without the light of Christ in them.

**I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

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.