Men and Martinis

(Girlfriends of Gotham #1)

Delancey Stewart

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: December 3, 2013

Publisher: Swoon Romance

ASIN: B00GZ6SERE

Pages: 216

Goodreads Rating: 5

My Rating: 4

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Book Description:

Candace Kanie wins at every game she plays. From the boardroom to the bar, she’s confident, clever, perhaps just a tad overbearing. It’s not easy for a girl like Candace to admit that love may be the one game she can’t win…at least not until she’s willing to change her strategy. In Men and Martinis, Candace Kanie will learn that sometimes to be at the top of your game, you have to hit rock bottom.

Men and Martinis is the first release in Delancey Stewart’s series “Girlfriends of Gotham” – a voyeuristic voyage through the lives of a group of twenty-something girls who dance, date, and drink their way through Manhattan during the days of the dot com boom. During an era when the up-and-comers in New York were partying like Studio 54 had never died, this group of friends discovers that the city is theirs for the taking; and they find their often-hilarious way through the forces that work to redefine the way they know themselves and each other.

My Take On The Book:

At times I adored this book, other times I had to stop myself from having an angry outburst. Even now after finishing my heart feels heavy and my throat tight like I might cry, but I guess that’s just the work of a good author. A good author is someone who can make you smile or scream at the injustice.

The story itself is not one of sadness, it’s about love and friendship but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a bit of heartbreak in this. I was originally attracted to the book because of the Sex & the City appeal, funny enough there are a few references to the show in this book.

The book starts off remarkably like a Carrie Bradshaw monologue. It the first chapter you are introduced to 1 of the main characters, Natalie Pepper or Pepper for short. She’s just arriving in NYC from her San Fran copyediting job and while scared, she’s excited and seems to love the city as much as her TV counterpart. But other than this, there aren’t many other similarities to the popular show. It’s a book with its own merit and it shows on every page. I couldn’t decide my pros and cons since they all seem to intertwine so I’m just gonna share my notes with you guys J

My Notes:

Natalie is my honest to God favorite character in this book followed in a close second by Lulu! And when you meet the crazy Brazilian Lulu you’ll understand. Both girls are flawed, making human mistakes but they are so lovable. Lulu is the fun, beautiful girl you just adore and Natalie is the sweet, somewhat innocent girl trying to do right. Unfortunately, through most of the book, until the last couple of chapters I couldn’t stand the other main character Candace Kanie. Sure she was a strong woman with a drive for success but she was also whiny, a tad snobbish, delusional when dealing with men, overbearing and needy. She basically encompasses all the negative attributes of my and Natalie’s favorite TV girls.

The Romance in this book was perfect with a dash of omg. It had those sweet gooey moments and then sucker punched you with the heart wrenching sob fest moments. I loved CJ and Natalie. As for Damon, I really tried to hate him, I swear but he’s like a bad puppy that pees on your carpet then looks at you with the cute sad puppy eyes and you forget to be mad. It might also have to do with the fact that I’m not a huge Candace fan.

I didn’t like Catalina, not one damn bit, but I’m sure that was the point lol. Truthfully other than how Candace’s story starts out there isn't much wrong with the story and even then it’s not something that’s wrong with the story it’s my personal opinion on one character. And while I thoroughly enjoyed it I will admit to some adjustment issues with the era. The story takes place in the 90s and whether it’s the books I've read recently or just cluelessness on my part I had trouble picturing the girls in the 90s. It took some time getting used to the difference but maybe mid book I fell into the flow of things and didn’t think much of it.

4 Quills

Honestly, I’d recommend it to all lovers of Romance. But keep in mind my recommendation comes with a warning stamped on it, it’s an opener of a series so don’t expect everything wrapped up all pretty in a perfect bow. It has a strong liking to Sex & the City, with the whole girlfriends in the 90s living in NY, bumbling through life and romance with drinks in their hands down to the breakfast/brunch. It has betrayal, it obviously has romance galore and it’s definitely a friendship feel good… how could I not recommend it!

About The Author

I'm not big on labels, but there are a few that fit me (not necessarily in this order. Or maybe in this order):
- wine drinker (and wine geek)
- mother of small boys
- military spouse
- writer
- chocolate eater

I've written the Wine Country Romance Series, which ties my love of wine to my love of falling in love... and the Girlfriends of Gotham series, which begins publishing with Swoon Romance in December 2013.

I also love short stories, and my themed collection (all set in the same NYC brownstone across the span of a century) published in 2012.

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