The Uptown Collection

The Uptown Collection

by Ruby Lang

⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

Ruby Lang’s novellas are encompassing and endearing. She writes about relatable characters that are diverse, mature and authentic, yet still struggling as many do in real life. Her backdrop for the series of Harlem is presented beautifully and capture the historic importance of the area and the community.

Playing House / Open House / House Rules 

Playing House

⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

A chance encounter brings tow acquaintances much closer! To rescue Fey from a menacing paramour, Oliver dives into the charge she’s created of them as a couple. Both Oliver and Fey are in need of some fun and they continue to see each other and reenact the charge as they tour homes in Manhattan.

When Fey finds out that Oliver has been vying for a job at her city planing firm, she questions if not only their playing house was faked, but but his feelings for her as well.

Oliver now needs to decide if the job he’s been looking for is what he actually wants or does he actually want the girl he wasn’t looking for more!

I love a novella that wraps up all your emotions into nice neat package. Lang does this easily and keeps me reading until the end. The sign of a good novella is that you are satisfied with the results but but would read on if presented that option. Lang’s characters are relatable and enjoyable to read!

Open House

⭐⭐⭐💫 /5

The second book in the Uptown Collection opens in a townhouse showing that was also seen in the first book! This time we are following Magda. She is working hard, adulting the best she can, while trying to pull herself out of debt. She’s brokering reality for her boss and that’s where she meets Tyson.

Tyson is also trying to figure out who he is and what he’s doing… although in a different way. After loosing his his mother to cancer, he picked up and moved his life to a new burrow. Here he has found a surrogate family in the local community garden… the same garden Magda has been assigned to sell.

Magda and Ty are natural enemies, being on opposite sides of the garden sale, too bad there is a connection between them that they both can’t deny.

In general, both characters were likeable and relatable, but I didn’t love this story as much as the other 2 in the series. That could also be a personal thing, where the loss of my own mother still hits pretty close to home… On a side note the other community gardeners were really fun and Ty’s sister was another great addition.

The story had a great wrap up and ended on a high note that made up for my less than enthusiastic reading through out.

House Rules 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

This is the third novella in Ruby Lang’s Uptown series. This is also the first book form Ruby that I have read… definitely not my last!😁

After divorcing seventeen years ago, Simon and Lana haven’t crossed paths… until today. Both are in the market for a new apartment in New York city. Simon feels he finally has out grown of his dilapidated rent-controlled place that used to be his fathers and Lana, newly returned to the city after traveling the world needs her own place. They  run into each other at an open house. Maturely they decide to go for coffee to catch up and plan to never see each other again… until Lana finds the perfect apartment and needs a roommate.

They move in together on trial basis- just as roommates. As both work different schedules, it should be easy to avoid each other… until they don’t. Simon has always loved Lana, but wasn’t willing to change the trajectory of his life to fit her in? while trying to make something of herself, Lana never stopped loving Simon either. With a second chance at forever, will they both be able to compromise and find their happily ever after?

I loved this story. The characters were authentic and the crisis of finding one owns happiness and a happiness together resonated. The mature characters were a breath of fresh air and I felt their joy as they found their own Carina Press guaranteed HEA❤️.

*******

These novellas together on their own are a great read and delivered in fun bitesized portions!

The Uptown Collection by Ruby Lang is scheduled to release May 25th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HARLEQUIN - Carina Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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