Bar Maid

by Daniel Roberts

Now a USA Today Bestseller! A sparkingly witty, poignant debut novel that is a Bright Lights, Big City for a post-Reagan, pre-Y2K Philadelphia—for readers of Normal People , Sweetbitter , Modern Lovers , and Less.

It’s September 1987. Charlie Green is an eighteen-year-old romantic and aspiring alcoholic, whose great wish is to fall in love with a light-eyed girl on his first day of college and never look back. Charlie believes in the magic of bars and girls. He believes he can use these talismans to finally feel at home, an assurance his dim and privileged childhood did not provide. At the Sansom Street Oyster House, he meets Paula Henderson, a beautiful and deceptively soulful waitress who is the most overqualified bar maid in all the city—and perhaps the most alluring.

But there are obstacles in the Philly night between Charlie and his full heart. Drunks, louts, boyfriends—heroes too. And in Paula’s eyes, Charlie becomes one. When she takes him home to New Hope, PA, to meet her very Catholic mother, the young couple must contend with the consequences of their pure love. 

In this darkly comedic coming-of-age novel, Charlie Green needs to grow up fast. At stake is his soul.
 

Genres: Romance, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Melissa Fish · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the author’s voice to be quite engaging, I liked reading what he had to say about New York, Philadelphia and New Hope. That said I couldn’t find much to like about Charlie Green, the main character. I can’t figure out if he was intentionally shooting for a Holden Caulfield vibe or if it was purely that he just coincidentally wrote an ignorant, largely unsympathetic character. I know nothing about this author, so it would be unfair to call them a misogynist, but it wouldn’t be far from the mark. Charlie drinks till he gets drunk pretty much every day even though he’s not of a legal age to do so, but also has a lot of judgy bullshit to say about his mother doing the same thing. Also when he makes horrible decisions, he miraculously is supported by everyone, regardless of his actions or motives. He betrays every single woman in this book, and yet somewhere out there, I guarantee someone is going to read this and call it romance. Boooo.

So if you click on the author to find out more about the person who wrote this, you’ll find a weird mishmash of self help and children’s books and no information. Is this a ghost writer profile? A social experiment? Bizarre.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the novel I wish I had written.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley review
I couldn’t put this book down! It’s 1987 and 18 year old Charlie is starting college, believing he will meet a light-eyed girl and his life will be forever changed. Drifting off campus, he meets the extraordinarily beautiful bar maid Paula, desired by every man in Philadelphia and New Hope. As their relationship blossoms, college is all but forgotten and Charlie believes Paula is the everything he wants from life. But will Charlie still feel the same way when he faces reality. This book transports you back to the eighties, reminiscing the tribulations of university days and the intensity of your first love.

[Fari · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will be honest and say that I did not finish this book. I will admit that I did go into this book having high hopes but did not find it as enticing as I thought I would. Though the writing did seem good, I couldn't really get into the story or the characters and ended up having to stop 10 chapters in.

[Arianna Locklear · Rating 1 out of 5]

First off I want to thank Net Galley for an ARC of Bar Maid. With that said this book was not for me at all. I couldn’t get into the book it’s self overall I didn’t finish. I tried and got maybe 50% through and gave up.

[Hope Manning · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just don’t get what the point of this book was. Charlie Green was such an insufferable character who was obsessed with having sex with girls with blue eyes and even when he found himself in situations he claimed he wanted he betrayed them.

[Isabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book...........thoughts and prayers for the women in the author's life sorry

[Janell Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bar Maid by Daniel Roberts

I enjoyed Bar Maid by Daniel Roberts-there were a few areas in the book that got long for me, but overall I enjoyed it! I found myself annoyed with main character Charlie several times and wished he didn’t rely so heavily on his brother’s long-distance advice. Well-written, good character descriptions, and overall, a really good book!

Charlie is young, but he’s so old. Deeply introspective, an analyzer who overthinks every feeling and thought he has. He falls in love quickly and deeply.

Charlie’s devotion to his girlfriend Monica Miller, who he had shared intimately written letters with all summer, tugged at his mind as he sat at the final campfire of the summer with camp co-counselor, The Very-Brown-Eyed-Girl. He is thinking of what was to come with Monica Miller and their future life.

Unfortunately, Charlie’s well-thought-out plans didn’t go as he expected, and he spent his last night before college alone. Still, before leaving the following day, he had an unforgettable surprise goodbye kiss with Monica Miller.

Charlie’s constant deep thinking hinders him. He doesn’t want to be at college and isn’t excited about classes or being there. He goes to a meeting with his counselor, which changes his entire life; however, not how most first-year college students (or their parents) would imagine.

Charlie soon finds himself searching the city for an Oyster Bar, he finds it, and his new life begins. Again, he falls deeply in love with Paula, the bar maid. Circumstances seem to place Charlie in places he shouldn’t be constantly. Can he and Paula make it as a couple? Will Charlie stay in college?

[Madeline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan... maybe I just don't like books written by men lol. I didn't really like any of the characters and there were a lot of parts that went wayyyy to into detail about rando side characters (like basically the entire first half of the book with all those bar weirdos) and I got so bored. It picked up a little in the middle which was nice but the main character honestly sucked so I was not very invested. I would have given up on this book after like 50 pages if I didn't spend 27 dollars on it.

[Maryellen Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Roberts is an old sold just like his protagonist. As a young woman I can appreciate that it’s not easy being a young man (or a young woman). Roberts understands this and expresses it so beautifully and honestly. Fun as well to visit the 1980’s. What a weird place!

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got the e ARC and was floored by his style. It was an old fashioned love story. But relatable somehow. Silly dumb painful stupid. I totally loved the mother and how she ended up in France. I hope he writes a follow up about what happens to everyone.

[Larry Gallstery · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny and real. Heartbreak personified. I can relate to the abuse of alcohol and the abuse of being young. Stunning good writing along the way. Not sure who he (or she) is, but they ruined my night. Will buy hard copy and ask for autograph.

[Stanley Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the E-Arc. Was pre-disposed to dislike this book but could not put it down. The humor and language were extraordinary for a debut. It was indeed unsentimental and honest. It reminded me of early Fitzgerald. A little much I guess in this woke era. But way more honest than offensive. Bravo.

[Drea K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am happy this title getting some traction. I love first novels and this Bar Maid brought me back to first love. Totally with Paula who is strong and a Charlie who needs to get from weak to strong. That’s how it is between men and women. I thought the writing was really good. The ending was abrupt but then it settled with me. I have been Paula. Thanks for the trip.

[Julia Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant quirky and funny. I loved Charlie Green. I dated a boy like that. Not easy being young. Daniel Roberts captures all of it. The horror and beauty of being young in the 1980’s. The poetry of it all. Just wish we could get a sequel.

[Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received and Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I really tried to like this novel; however, I could not get behind it. With the NetGalley description comparing this to Normal People and Sweetbitter, I was expecting this to be the next best Contemporary Fiction novel - unfortunately, the story really fell flat. If it wasn't for Roberts composition and use of imagery compelling me to continue reading on, this novel would have become my first DNF. The main character, Charlie Green, wasn't entirely unlikeable; but he is the 1980s version of a "Sad Boy." On top of the "Sad Boy" personality, Green comes with multiple red flags that a 15-year old me would have ignored; but makes a 27-year old me cringe.

Green, a hopeless romantic and inspiring writer, is determined to fall in love with a beautiful "light-eyed girl" (flag one) once he starts college. Before that though, he cheats on his current "brown-eyed" girlfriend by kissing a fellow counselor at "Fat Camp" (flag two) and only plans on telling his girlfriend until after he loses his virginity to her (flag three). Oh, and his grand plan for getting his girlfriend to sleep with him - getting her drunk on champagne so she will say yes (flag four). He then gets mad when his girlfriend would rather continue partying at a downtown loft of some Yuppies (or Haircuts, as Charlie Green calls them) instead of sleep with him, and leaves her on her own to go home (flag five).

The novel gets slightly better once Charlie finally makes it to college (after the fatphobia, internalized anti-Semitism, an rape culture of the beginning). However, I still find myself rooting the whole time for the story not to end up well for Charlie and would get upset when the other characters would continue to support his decisions. This novel was just about everything that the movie "Promising Young Women" and director Emerald Fennell wanted to warn us about.

Overall, I still give this novel 2/5 stars. Clearly, I am not the demographic of this novel, The writing was what really saved this novel; and I could see this becoming an excellent biopic.

[Margariet Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bar Maid is a beautifully written fiction book by Daniel Roberts. It tells a somewhat true-to-life story of a young man from New York named Charlie Green and his journey becoming a freshman at University and the unexpected events that take place. Charlie craves love and adventure like every young man his age, but when he meets Paula the bar maid, he might have a little more adventure than he bargained for. Life keeps throwing curve balls and Charlie is put on the spot to navigate his way through them with the help of his wall-street-brother whose advice is nothing more than controversial and occasionally inappropriate.

Daniel Roberts uses powerful and complex imagery. The events that take place are realistic with an exciting twist that keeps you wanting more. The characters are well written in their consistency of their personalities, it shows how well Daniel Roberts got to know his characters while writing them. There are unexpected twists that you never see coming and you can’t help but root for Charlie and Paula, it was those moments that really kept me reading.

Although I found the story compelling, at times I found some scenes too dragged out and overly dramatic. Charlie comes across as an old soul in a young body but I feel that in the authors attempt to make him seem more thought-provoking and philosophical he instead came across as too try-hard and cringe. For every one good chapter there are 3 that are difficult to continue reading. I found myself delaying picking up the book to continue reading after putting it down. I knew there was going to be a good part but I felt like I had to work really hard to get to it because they were so few and far between.

Even though the story was realistic and captivating at times, the drawn-out, overdramatic writing ruined the potential this book had to be anything more than mediocre. For those reasons, I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars purely for the imagery used.

I wouldn’t typically recommend this book for anyone at all as specially anyone who is trying to get into reading for the first time. However, for anyone who admires and enjoys well-written imagery would enjoy this novel. The imagery makes you feel involved instead of a mere bystander. In my opinion anyone who is plot or character driven has a low chance of enjoying this book.

[Wonder Life Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars out of 5
Recommended if you like contemporary coming-of-age novels with just a dash of surreal humor, cynicism, and unexpected tenderness. This book starts off slow-paced but after the first hundred pages, it moves very quickly. The main character is Charlie, a quirky, offbeat brown-eyed rich boy lost in daydreams, reverie, and teenage angst. He is both a cynic and a hopeless romantic who spends the first of the half book waxing poetic about his youth and fantasizing about his unrealistic ideas about women until certain circumstances force him to grow up. This book takes you on both a lighthearted and poignant adventure as Charlie stumbles his way into adulthood. The romance is gripping and Charlie’s quirky internal monologue where he overanalyzes his feelings and second-guesses himself is both humorous and endearing. Also, the atmosphere and imagery are so vibrant it's as if you can smell the city coming alive off the page. Also about a third of the way through, the plot took a very sudden turn of events that pleasantly surprised me in a heartfelt way. All in all, I really enjoyed this book (even though I had to force myself to get through the first few chapters) and I found myself thinking about this book for quite a few days even after it ended.

[Emma Treagus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The honest coming-of-age story meets romantic idealism in this modern rendition of old school classics. And Daniel Robert’s Fitzerald-flare hardly goes unnoticed.

The novel follows Charlie Green as he leaves home for the first time. And as he navigates the concept of adulthood—alcohol and romance are central to his idealization. As a result, he frequents bars and grapples with moral truths for perhaps the first time in his life. While his privileged position opens doors to new opportunities these opportunities could be a curse rather than a blessing. And Charlie Brown very quickly becomes a man beyond his years.

Charlie’s fixation with the color of eyes speaks to his youthful innocence. And although the young romantic comes across as mature, he barely looks beyond the surface of appearance. Like most coming-of-age stories, the eighteen year old boy often gets it wrong. Yet his raw account draws the reader in. And no matter how much you wish to hate him, his vulnerability makes it close to impossible.

This fictional piece explores greater themes of alcoholism, romance and privilege. It reminds the reader what it is to navigate this new world in the early college years.

[AISYAH NASIR · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is the female character, Paula. I love every bit of her personality. Her character is the most realistic, especially when she tries to reason with Charlie's excuses and actions throughout their relationship. I could relate to her and understand her behaviour. I even felt sorry for her because of the men she was surrounded by.

However, that is all that I like about the novel. I found that the story could be a little dull to a certain extent. I could not finish even one chapter in a sitting, and that tells me something. There are some events which I think were unnecessary, as they just dragged the main point of the story. Plus, I did not understand the ultimate purpose of the story. Was it simply a story about the lives of Charlie and Paula? If there is indeed a message in it, I believe I could not manage to relate to the overall plot of the story.

Moreover, I dislike the main character, Charlie Green. He longed to have a girlfriend, to love and to be loved. Yet, I was not able to comprehend his behaviour when he was already with Paula. He confuses me, and I could never hate him more. Worse, the ending could not help me put closure on their story. I could not rationalise the characters' decisions, and it frustrated me.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting is 1987, and we meet Charlie, an eighteen-year-old who is on the move searching for his soulmate. An advocate of the bar, he ends up at Sansom Street Oyster Bar, where he meets Paula, a barmaid with big dreams and high morals. Little to his knowledge, Paula opens his eyes to how life can impact his own forever.

I needed a well-written, constructed, and exciting romance novel. Charlie’s persona, attitude, and passion bring the story to life, and when he is with Paula, they are a power couple. I can immediately relate to Paula’s background, working hard as a barmaid to achieve her dreams while growing up with a Catholic, traditional, and conservative mother. I also enjoyed reading about Charlie’s journey and how he will stop at nothing to be with Paula and change his life. I was full of joy and warmth inside from beginning to end while reading this book.

I foresee this book becoming either a Netflix series or a movie in the near future. The story was so addicting that it's the perfect book to read after a long day at work. The book was also exceptionally well-edited, with brilliant imagery. I felt like I was Paula’s best friend, eager to see her relationship with Charlie evolve. It is my honor to award a five star rating.

[RN Ruba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Charlie Green, a rich young boy becoming a man on his freshman year of university. You could call him a helpless romantic or a dreamer as he tries so hard to find love thinking that finding the perfect girl will solve all his problems, and then he can start living, he's misguided by the advice of his older brother John and urged into his new unorthodox path by his eccentric Councilor Miss Pettibone. He meets Paula, a typical aspiring waitress with big dreams but no means to achieve them when stuck working in a small bar and a series of relationships with drunk stupid men. Bar Maid by Daniel Roberts follows Charlie though an unusual series of events that turn him from a daydreaming rich kid with a hyperactive imagination and far fetched forecasts of what life should be into a man with more realistic thoughts and expectations who learned alcohol and girls are not the answer.

Read full review at
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[Jennifer Peer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie was not as likeable as I hoped he would be for a coming of age novel. Perhaps that's why Bar Maid: A Novel is so realistic that you become fully invested in Charlie's outcome. From a privileged family, all doors open magically and Charlie takes advantage of every one of them like a typical entitled and arrogant 18-year-old would. He drinks to excess. He's rowdy and loud because life is a party to him. He views women as if they're still girls, and he listens to his brother far too much.

Perhaps all of these factors that make him the showy and immature boy, are what exemplify the fact that he's inexperienced with real life. He's vulnerable and green. All of these magical opportunities force him to grow up quickly without any of the tools he should have had once he got to this stage in life. Sheltered and cynical, the only thing Charlie really clings to is his belief in romance. That's the part of Charlie that you will love. Read this novel and take the journey with him. You won't regret it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down, it was a great vacation read.

First off, I love a love story, but it was more complicated than that. Charlie is a perfectly flawed main character, sometimes it’s hard to be sympathetic but you can’t help but root for him. We all had those years, full of deep thoughts, hopeless romanticism, dubious decision making, and just a hint of teenage angst that follows us into the beginning of adulthood. At times it even made me nostalgic for decades I’m happy are behind me.

The book was beautifully written, descriptive enough to paint a picture in your mind without dragging on. In fact, the pacing was just perfect for me. I think I experienced the full breadth of emotions while reading, it’s hard to be heartbreaking and funny at the same time, but the author nails it over & over.

Can’t wait for his next book, I’ll be pre-ordering.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the few books I could not put down. In addition to being well written, the characters almost jumped off the page. I could picture them so clearly in my mind and as I read the book I felt pulled along through the story of this college kid in the 80's. It gave a unique perspective on an era I had never experienced and it was an enjoyable book to read.

The depth of the main character, Charlie, is unmatched and I could really relate to his misunderstood and neglected character. I could relate to Charlie and how he navigated his fresh start at college, love, hope, and family. He is a passionate character who feels deeply for those around him. At times he may make questionable decisions but overall I found him to be very relatable.

I found Bar Maid by Daniel Roberts to be an entertaining and comforting read, and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Green is an idealistic 18-year-old freshman who is a poetic soul looking for true love. He believes a bar is his best bet, so he finds himself enamored by a beautiful waitress working in a bar close to his Ivy League college. Set in the 1980's in Philadelphia and New York, the novel is filled with wonderfully descriptive descriptions of the cities. Protagonist Charlie is one of the most intriguing characters ever created. He is an old soul and as readers follow his progress into adulthood, they will relate to Charlie's angst. This well-written page-turner will keep readers entertained from beginning to end with well-rounded characters and old-soul Charlie. Filled with plot twists that keep readers on their toes, it is one of the best novels out there. It will certainly find a place in the hearts of readers. Roberts has knocked this one out of the ball field.

[Laurie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a story. Bar Maid: a novel by Daniel Roberts was a story I could not put down. I was intrigued by this young rich character of Charlie. Charlie Green is an 18-year-old with an inheritance to come. He is lost in his life and dreams only of a light-eyed girl to spend his time with. We follow him from high school summer camp to college. College is not long in his life, but he has made lifelong friends to compare and guide his life. Charlie has love choices to choose from, yet none seem to provoke the love that he is seeking. He made his specific qualifications a while ago and is sticking to them. This young love is not easy, and it is boring when it is too easy. But he never gives in completely, he keeps his deepest hopes alive. I think we will see more of Charlie Green from Daniel Roberts.

[Brittany Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bar Maid was an excellent book for the month of love! I enjoyed how the author, Daniel Roberts, used impeccable descriptions and imagery while describing the characters and scenery. I could not put this book down. I felt like I could picture the scenes vividly. On every page, I was wrapped at the moment. I also like how we got different aspects of Charlie's life, first kiss, college, marriage, etc. Overall this book was well written, and it also had some great hidden gems. You could learn life lessons while having a good laugh while reading. I look forward to reading more of Daniel Robert's books. I would highly recommend Bar Maid.

[Joseph Njuguna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bar maid is a new adult fiction novel written by Daniel Roberts. It revolves around the life of Charlie Green an 18 year old romantic, alcoholic whose great wish is to fall in love with a light eyed girl on his first day of college and never look back.
Charlie meets paula Henderson a beautiful bar maid at Samson street oyster house. He falls in love with her but there are many obstacles in their love life. Paula takes him home to meet her mother in New hope . Charlie loses his virginity in an embarrassing way and accidentally impregnates Paula.
The two are coaxed into marriage by the very catholic Miss Henderson.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I headed off to college at the same time Charlie Green did. That may be one of the only similarities I share with the protagonist: family doesn't own an art gallery with stolen/saved paintings from the Nazis; not French; didn't go to Penn; didn't want to flee; didn't marry and leave campus before anything really started; didn't find my true love in the first week. Yes, first semester's an awkward time, and yes, everyone's trying to find their place and their way. This was a very different version of what might have happened, without ever really caring too much about Charlie, Paula, Monica or the rest of the crew.