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Upper East Bride
FROM THE NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF “DEATH AT SEAWORLD,” NOW IN DEVELOPMENT FOR A MAJOR 10-PART NETWORK SERIES.
Love, Life, and Loss in the Stratospheric Upper Reaches of High-Society New York. A Comedy.
Megan O’Malley is a working-class, aspiring journalist from Ypsilanti who moves to New York City and is unexpectedly hurled into the madness of uber-rich Manhattan, with its competitive consumption, preposterous pretensions, massive financial fiefdoms, and the over-indulged wealthy, whose hordes of help keep the silver polished, the chateaubriand perfectly cooked and the martinis exquisitely dry.
Megan is soon swept off her feet by the city’s most celebrated wealthy bachelor, Rexford Bainbridge, III, better known in the gossip columns as “Sexy Rexy.” When he proposes to her, Rex’s stunned circle of friends, including a cabal of Type-A socialites, reluctantly agree to take the decidedly down-market Midwesterner under their comically pompous wings and guide her through a massive makeover.
As Megan pursues her dream of journalism, she must navigate a brave new life of ridiculous opulence, relentless snobbery and stinging ridicule, mostly directed at her. When everything comes crashing down, she is shunned by the ladies who lunch. Can Megan claw her way back to respectability and financial stability, while also delivering a fitting comeuppance to her mentors-turned-tormentors? This rags-to-riches-to-rags social satire unearths the dark, hilarious underbelly of class warfare in contemporary Manhattan.
Love, Life, and Loss in the Stratospheric Upper Reaches of High-Society New York. A Comedy.
Megan O’Malley is a working-class, aspiring journalist from Ypsilanti who moves to New York City and is unexpectedly hurled into the madness of uber-rich Manhattan, with its competitive consumption, preposterous pretensions, massive financial fiefdoms, and the over-indulged wealthy, whose hordes of help keep the silver polished, the chateaubriand perfectly cooked and the martinis exquisitely dry.
Megan is soon swept off her feet by the city’s most celebrated wealthy bachelor, Rexford Bainbridge, III, better known in the gossip columns as “Sexy Rexy.” When he proposes to her, Rex’s stunned circle of friends, including a cabal of Type-A socialites, reluctantly agree to take the decidedly down-market Midwesterner under their comically pompous wings and guide her through a massive makeover.
As Megan pursues her dream of journalism, she must navigate a brave new life of ridiculous opulence, relentless snobbery and stinging ridicule, mostly directed at her. When everything comes crashing down, she is shunned by the ladies who lunch. Can Megan claw her way back to respectability and financial stability, while also delivering a fitting comeuppance to her mentors-turned-tormentors? This rags-to-riches-to-rags social satire unearths the dark, hilarious underbelly of class warfare in contemporary Manhattan.
- GenresChick Lit
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2021
14 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 13, 2021
Recent graduate from the University of Michigan, Megan O'Malley journalism major from Ypsilanti, Michigan feels stuck in a rut. There aren't many opportunities for her in her home state and her best friend has already pulled up roots and set up shop in the Big Apple as a fact checker for the New York Post -- hey they do exist! Her BFF even offers to let Megan live with her and sets up an interview with her boss at the post. It's just the break Megan's been waiting for. Sure it's reporting on celeb gossip, but it's reporting. And the job allows her to rub elbows with the rich and famous... including one hedge fund wunderkind, Rex. Like a fairytale, they fall in love... get married. And his upper east side friends/neighbors/associates take Megan under their wing to introduce her to the glitterati world. Only things aren't exactly what they seem.
--
Warning this book contains the following triggers: racism, sexism, misogyny, classism, xenophobia, infidelity, pregnancy, character death, and homophobia. There may be more that I missed. But make sure you're in a good place before reading this book.
Also spoilers. Lots of spoilers.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. I'm a sucker for class-difference romances and I was willing to give a male author writing romance a shot.It was a mistake. I was very unimpressed and at times very angry with this book. There was a lot wrong with this book. A lot.
First off, the book is riddled with grammatical errors and editing errors. So many. In one paragraph alone I counted three different tense errors. The paragraph only had two sentences. Since this was an ARC, I double-checked the final product... and yep, those errors (including the a wrong word) remained in that paragraph. As were several other errors. This alone loses a star. But the book also suffered from a ton of headhops, pacing issues, and stilted transitions. The book felt juvenile... like it was written by an author who isn't familiar with fiction writing. Even the characters felt like pastiches. Stereotypes. And I'm not here for that.
This came out a lot in the book to the point where I started getting annoyed and then angry. Look, I'm from Michigan and my BFF lives on the upper east side by Central Park... so I'm definitely familiar with both of the worlds portrayed in this book. That said, I'm not sure the author is. Oh, I think the author absolutely knows about the publishing and NYC Upper East Side wealthy elite. But I am fairly certain that the author is less familiar with Michigan. Pro-tip: We do know what kimchee is. They even sell it at Meijer, Kroger, and the various Spartan Stores. Oh... and Ann Arbor... where the main character went to school, has a literal metric butt-ton of Asian restaurants. Not to mention a large Asian population and several Asian supermarkets. Also Ypsilanti is a bigger town than you might think... mostly because Eastern Michigan University is located there as are several large medical complexes.
Here's a second spoiler alert... I'm going to start talking about events later in the book that lessened my enjoyment of the book.
The stereotypes continued when it came to the characters. Essentially no one in NYC was likable. No one. Including several of the POV characters. Which I understand why... the ending is supposed to be a giant F-U to the classist elites... except for the ending is not telegraphed well nor is it wholly satisfying. A person who is arguably one of the most horrible humans survives without a scratch because the heroine just lets her go? Including letting her keep her illegal ferret... which talk about Karma Houdini.
But for me, the biggest issue I had with this book is that it bills itself as a romantic comedy and well it isn't either. It's not a romance. The supposed main love interest is a cheating, womanizer who not only dies leaving the heroine a suspect in his death but also utterly penniless since he was not just cheating on his wife but his investors as well... oh and he was being investigated by the Justice Department and the SEC. There is a second love interest, but the guy is frankly boring as toast and I'm struggling even now to think of anything memorable about him. Even the culminating sex scene from the book is lackluster. Like it's a paragraph long and utterly crap. I have read sex written by lesbian virgins that was better written than what appeared in this book. And it’s not a comedy, since the laughs are mostly non-existent.
Frankly, I get that this book is supposed to be satire/parody... but it misses the mark. I can't figure out what the message is actually supposed to be if it's a satire (a story that attacks with the intent of reform) or what it's actually parodying. If anything, it feels like the subject of parody is the billionaire romance and romantic comedy genres themselves. Which if that's the case is a whole other box of crayons.
This book didn't land for me. It was poorly written and poorly executed. I definitely can't recommend it as something people should read if they're fans of romance.
One star
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley
--
Warning this book contains the following triggers: racism, sexism, misogyny, classism, xenophobia, infidelity, pregnancy, character death, and homophobia. There may be more that I missed. But make sure you're in a good place before reading this book.
Also spoilers. Lots of spoilers.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. I'm a sucker for class-difference romances and I was willing to give a male author writing romance a shot.It was a mistake. I was very unimpressed and at times very angry with this book. There was a lot wrong with this book. A lot.
First off, the book is riddled with grammatical errors and editing errors. So many. In one paragraph alone I counted three different tense errors. The paragraph only had two sentences. Since this was an ARC, I double-checked the final product... and yep, those errors (including the a wrong word) remained in that paragraph. As were several other errors. This alone loses a star. But the book also suffered from a ton of headhops, pacing issues, and stilted transitions. The book felt juvenile... like it was written by an author who isn't familiar with fiction writing. Even the characters felt like pastiches. Stereotypes. And I'm not here for that.
This came out a lot in the book to the point where I started getting annoyed and then angry. Look, I'm from Michigan and my BFF lives on the upper east side by Central Park... so I'm definitely familiar with both of the worlds portrayed in this book. That said, I'm not sure the author is. Oh, I think the author absolutely knows about the publishing and NYC Upper East Side wealthy elite. But I am fairly certain that the author is less familiar with Michigan. Pro-tip: We do know what kimchee is. They even sell it at Meijer, Kroger, and the various Spartan Stores. Oh... and Ann Arbor... where the main character went to school, has a literal metric butt-ton of Asian restaurants. Not to mention a large Asian population and several Asian supermarkets. Also Ypsilanti is a bigger town than you might think... mostly because Eastern Michigan University is located there as are several large medical complexes.
Here's a second spoiler alert... I'm going to start talking about events later in the book that lessened my enjoyment of the book.
The stereotypes continued when it came to the characters. Essentially no one in NYC was likable. No one. Including several of the POV characters. Which I understand why... the ending is supposed to be a giant F-U to the classist elites... except for the ending is not telegraphed well nor is it wholly satisfying. A person who is arguably one of the most horrible humans survives without a scratch because the heroine just lets her go? Including letting her keep her illegal ferret... which talk about Karma Houdini.
But for me, the biggest issue I had with this book is that it bills itself as a romantic comedy and well it isn't either. It's not a romance. The supposed main love interest is a cheating, womanizer who not only dies leaving the heroine a suspect in his death but also utterly penniless since he was not just cheating on his wife but his investors as well... oh and he was being investigated by the Justice Department and the SEC. There is a second love interest, but the guy is frankly boring as toast and I'm struggling even now to think of anything memorable about him. Even the culminating sex scene from the book is lackluster. Like it's a paragraph long and utterly crap. I have read sex written by lesbian virgins that was better written than what appeared in this book. And it’s not a comedy, since the laughs are mostly non-existent.
Frankly, I get that this book is supposed to be satire/parody... but it misses the mark. I can't figure out what the message is actually supposed to be if it's a satire (a story that attacks with the intent of reform) or what it's actually parodying. If anything, it feels like the subject of parody is the billionaire romance and romantic comedy genres themselves. Which if that's the case is a whole other box of crayons.
This book didn't land for me. It was poorly written and poorly executed. I definitely can't recommend it as something people should read if they're fans of romance.
One star
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2021
I'm usually more of a non-fiction serious-stuff reader, but after surviving the past 18 months, I didn't even know how much I needed this book. It's at once absurd, relatable, compelling, funny, insightful, witty, compassionate, well paced, and ultimately impossible to put down. I ended up staying up half the night at one point because I simply had to finish it, something I don't think I've done for at least a decade. With the same precise, dry observational skills he puts to use in his non-fiction reporting, David Kirby takes on the Upper East Side with hilarious success. Believe me when I say that Upper East Bride is everything you need right now.
August 3, 2021
New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike will have a rollicking good time with this cast of characters. Laugh out loud hilarious and right on the highbrow money, David Kirby’s “Upper East Bride” is such a fun read you won’t want to miss a single delicious word. Highly entertaining!
August 18, 2021
Throughly enjoyed the storyline and read
July 31, 2021
The incredibly talented Mr. Kirby has done it again. After methodically chronicling and illuminating the science, politics, money, power and poignancy along with the very moving descriptions of orca culture, he gave us his non-fiction masterpiece “Death At Seaworld.”
Now David Kirby has smitten us with his extraordinary and imaginative fictional account about the laugh out loud inflated snobbery of the Manhattan upper east side “elite.” He presents us with a cast of characters whom you never want to befriend and a down to earth Midwest journalist main character who must learn to navigate the collective egos, if she is to succeed. For some reason we grow to care about these obnoxious creatures. That reason is Mr. Kirby’s gift to us, as humor soars with unbounded wit.
Now David Kirby has smitten us with his extraordinary and imaginative fictional account about the laugh out loud inflated snobbery of the Manhattan upper east side “elite.” He presents us with a cast of characters whom you never want to befriend and a down to earth Midwest journalist main character who must learn to navigate the collective egos, if she is to succeed. For some reason we grow to care about these obnoxious creatures. That reason is Mr. Kirby’s gift to us, as humor soars with unbounded wit.
August 18, 2021
I loved this book - get it! We have all read books about the uber-rich and their silly antics but this book is much, much more than that, but still full of silly antics. The pace is perfect and I was 100% behind the protagonist from the get go. I rooted for Megan, related to her and thoroughly enjoy her journey through the mine field of the Upper East Side. One fun and entertaining read.
August 13, 2021
Upper East Bride is a rags to riches to rags story with a big dose of revenge sprinkled on top. It is billed as a comedy, and approaching it as such, I found it a bit humorous, though not laugh-out-loud funny. I liked the main character, Megan, she is down-to-earth, smart and confident, and the way she dealt with the snarky neighbors and friends was quite funny. Some parts of the book were a little difficult to get past, as the portrayal of Ypsilanti as being practically in Detroit is, as anyone from Michigan will tell you, not true...maybe for a New Yorker, but Megan would know better. Taken as a comedic novel, however, Upper East Bride is a fun read, with a healthy dose of "take that with you," for the New York wealthy it portrays.
Thank you to Netgalley and David Kirby for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and David Kirby for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2021
Thanks to the author and publisher for the review copy
If you are looking for a wild ride through the highest level of New York society, this is the book for you! It is a rags-to-riches-to-rags story of an aspiring journalist, and how she spends a year in New York with surprises at every turn. The characters and events are not realistic or relatable, but they are deliciously and wickedly funny. You will laugh out loud as you turn the pages!
If you are looking for a wild ride through the highest level of New York society, this is the book for you! It is a rags-to-riches-to-rags story of an aspiring journalist, and how she spends a year in New York with surprises at every turn. The characters and events are not realistic or relatable, but they are deliciously and wickedly funny. You will laugh out loud as you turn the pages!
August 10, 2021
I picked up this book thinking I would read a couple of chapters before bed, that did not happen, the book engulfs you and before you know It you are one with the characters, I saw NYC through another set of eyes, loving the restaurants, tasting the food and all along side with Megan. I could not put the book down, It's funny, witty and clever and while It made me laugh It also had my eyes watering a little at times. Definitely not what I was expecting, adding the dolphins was a great touch, loved it! I would give this 10 stars If I could. Thank you David, best book I have read In a long time.
August 4, 2021
The Intro alone will pull you in with its descriptions of New York society’s elite and outlandish. They are compelling, if not morbidly so, but nothing compared to the young Megan O’Malley from Michigan who dips her toes into this pool of sharks. She is witty and intriguing, and I found myself invested in her journey from the start. There are quite a few characters, and each are a delight to meet. Some are precious, and you will find yourself rooting for them until the end, and others you will relish in cheering on their demise. Incidentally, my favorite part of this read is the food. Each dinner party was better than the last; all left me salivating for more. East Side Bride is a fast paced, perfect beach read, and might be the first book I’ve ever found myself laughing at the death of a character.
August 3, 2021
In real-world 21st-century America, a bankrupt developer and game show host can be elected to the White House. Scores of untalented people achieve reality show fame and fortune. A gossip/paparazzi industrial complex keeps us enthralled with updates on the likes of Stormy Daniels, David Pecker, Ghislaine Maxwell.
It's no big stretch, then, for a skillful writer like David Kirby to construct a fictional world of gossip columnists and vacuous, self-absorbed Manhattan socialites. He drops a rags-to-riches young upstart into their midst and we get an intimate look. Kirby, formerly of the NY Times, has done his share of investigative journalism on such topics as meat production and Patriot Act surveillance.
In Upper East Bride, the tone is lighthearted and the mockery potent. We are offered up some biting satire in the best traditions of Twain and Vonnegut.
It's no big stretch, then, for a skillful writer like David Kirby to construct a fictional world of gossip columnists and vacuous, self-absorbed Manhattan socialites. He drops a rags-to-riches young upstart into their midst and we get an intimate look. Kirby, formerly of the NY Times, has done his share of investigative journalism on such topics as meat production and Patriot Act surveillance.
In Upper East Bride, the tone is lighthearted and the mockery potent. We are offered up some biting satire in the best traditions of Twain and Vonnegut.
August 3, 2021
A ten course Menu Prestige at Le Cirque delivers course after course of carefully crafted tasty morsels of food. David Kirby’s Upper East Bride serves up chapter after chapter of equally delicious glimpses into the lives of his swans of Fifth Avenue. Mixed in are a couple of new to Museum Mile characters which create a feast of reading pleasure. I have watched only a couple of movies that, during a second viewing, I laughed in advance of the upcoming comic scenes. After laughing out loud reading several of the scenes in Upper East Bride, I went back and reread them. Visualizing the antics as a movie made them even funnier. This book is a perfect distraction from our current weary times. I can’t wait for the movie.
August 8, 2021
The book is so good, since I started it I couldn't stop reading it. And I loved it, it was a fun book and I really liked the characters I was able to relate to them and I think that the book is amazing, I plan to read more book from David, I really liked his writing style.
August 8, 2021
I have never laughed so hard. Loved it. Read this book so fast because I couldn’t put it down when I took a break from researching a hard topic for upcoming podcast. Was exactly what I needed. He’s so talented and so funny. I highly recommend Upper East Bride. Amazing read!
July 30, 2021
Tired of politics and the state of the world? Want to escape? Then this is the book for you. Imagine Real Housewives and Downton Abbey rolled into one. In these pages, you’ll find High Society, world-class snark, and cameos from the ultra-famous. I read an advanced copy of this during the pandemic, and it was just what the doctor ordered. Reading this book is like sipping a sparkling rosé on a yacht in the Hamptons…or so I imagine. Megan is a Midwesterner thrust into a world she never dreamed of when she gets engaged to a man the tabloids call “Sexy Rexy.” But the New York Elites are not having it, and try to sabotage Megan at every turn. You can never count our heroine out though. Our girl Megan has some tricks up her sleeve, and New York Society may never be the same.
August 3, 2021
New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike will have a rollicking good time with this cast of characters. Laugh out loud hilarious and right on the highbrow money, David Kirby’s “Upper East Bride” is such a fun read you won’t want to miss a single delicious word. Highly entertaining!
August 17, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
What a roller coaster. I couldn't stand the beginning of this book. There were too many characters, too much jumping around, too much name dropping and I just didn't care about ANYONE. I came very close to quit reading and deleting the book. But then, about 1/3 through the book, it picked up and I began to enjoy it. And by the end of the book, I was invested in it and anxious to see how it ended. There are some very funny moments, and Megan's spunk and retorts to some of the NYC most elite were priceless.
Overall, I'll average this out to 3 stars.
What a roller coaster. I couldn't stand the beginning of this book. There were too many characters, too much jumping around, too much name dropping and I just didn't care about ANYONE. I came very close to quit reading and deleting the book. But then, about 1/3 through the book, it picked up and I began to enjoy it. And by the end of the book, I was invested in it and anxious to see how it ended. There are some very funny moments, and Megan's spunk and retorts to some of the NYC most elite were priceless.
Overall, I'll average this out to 3 stars.
August 1, 2021
“Upper East Bride” was one of the wittiest books I’ve read in a long time. The storyline is addicting and you literally cannot stop reading it to know what happens next. This book is laugh out loud funny - you simply cannot put it down. I am hoping Mr. Kirby writes a second book 😊
August 1, 2021
A wonderful and hilarious travel from everyday blue color worker middle America to the life of the Park Ave chic... And no so chic. In a wicked humorous way, Mr. Kirby depicts the ups and downs of an unintentional "social climber" and her adventures on the UES snake jungle
Thanks
Carlos
Thanks
Carlos
August 29, 2021
Comedy
If you look at this book as a comedy it is ok. I felt it was very unbelievable at times and wonder if there are people like this in NYC.
If you look at this book as a comedy it is ok. I felt it was very unbelievable at times and wonder if there are people like this in NYC.
September 12, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Upper East Bride by David L Kirby is a funny social commentary that will appeal to fans of Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians series. Who hasn't wanted to peek into the lives of Manhattan's richest elites? The story revolves around Megan O'Malley, who moves to New York to pursue a career in journalism. She soon catches the eye of Rexford Bainbridge, III, a socialite and one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. Their whirlwind romance is on the front pages and every gossip column, but can Megan acclimate to a life that she isn't used to? Rex has a lot of high-society friends who don't take kindly to newcomers from the lower echelons, and they make it their mission to turn Megan's life into a living hell. Will Megan be able to find her happily ever after?
Here is an excerpt from a fictional gossip column in the beginning of the book:
"It was one of those fairy tale weddings-of-the-century that makes New York go gaga.
Speaking of Gaga, she actually showed up, proof of the nuclear charisma of the media-darling groom, that gorgeous venture-capitalist, philanthropist, and most-eligible bachelor, Rexford James Bainbridge, III, 29, better known in the columns as “Sexy Rexy.”
...
Sadly, for Gaga, the late-summer heat was not her friend. Her pancetta leggings, though radiantly matched with a tunic woven entirely from crushed abalone shells and shredded Three Musketeers wrappers, began to wilt.
As far as The Gleaner could tell, nobody cared. Not even a somewhat greasy Gaga, nor any number of Vanity-Fair-worthy denizens of Gotham and beyond... could yank the limelight away from the Cinderella bride, young Megan O’Malley, 24, of Ypsilanti, Michigan."
Overall, Upper East Bride is a funny and interesting take on a modern-day Cinderella Story. I was reminded of the opulence and name-dropping in Crazy Rich Asians, which I also enjoyed immensely. I do have to warn you though I don't consider this book a romantic comedy. There is some romance and some comedy, but if you're looking for a light, fast rom-com to read in between books, this might not be the book for you. I would categorize this book as satirical social commentary instead. Also, it took me a long time to finish this book, but that is because I enjoyed it and wanted to savor every sentence. Since I really enjoyed reading this book, I'm giving it 5 fun-filled stars. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of satirical takes on Manhattan's elite, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!
Upper East Bride by David L Kirby is a funny social commentary that will appeal to fans of Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians series. Who hasn't wanted to peek into the lives of Manhattan's richest elites? The story revolves around Megan O'Malley, who moves to New York to pursue a career in journalism. She soon catches the eye of Rexford Bainbridge, III, a socialite and one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. Their whirlwind romance is on the front pages and every gossip column, but can Megan acclimate to a life that she isn't used to? Rex has a lot of high-society friends who don't take kindly to newcomers from the lower echelons, and they make it their mission to turn Megan's life into a living hell. Will Megan be able to find her happily ever after?
Here is an excerpt from a fictional gossip column in the beginning of the book:
"It was one of those fairy tale weddings-of-the-century that makes New York go gaga.
Speaking of Gaga, she actually showed up, proof of the nuclear charisma of the media-darling groom, that gorgeous venture-capitalist, philanthropist, and most-eligible bachelor, Rexford James Bainbridge, III, 29, better known in the columns as “Sexy Rexy.”
...
Sadly, for Gaga, the late-summer heat was not her friend. Her pancetta leggings, though radiantly matched with a tunic woven entirely from crushed abalone shells and shredded Three Musketeers wrappers, began to wilt.
As far as The Gleaner could tell, nobody cared. Not even a somewhat greasy Gaga, nor any number of Vanity-Fair-worthy denizens of Gotham and beyond... could yank the limelight away from the Cinderella bride, young Megan O’Malley, 24, of Ypsilanti, Michigan."
Overall, Upper East Bride is a funny and interesting take on a modern-day Cinderella Story. I was reminded of the opulence and name-dropping in Crazy Rich Asians, which I also enjoyed immensely. I do have to warn you though I don't consider this book a romantic comedy. There is some romance and some comedy, but if you're looking for a light, fast rom-com to read in between books, this might not be the book for you. I would categorize this book as satirical social commentary instead. Also, it took me a long time to finish this book, but that is because I enjoyed it and wanted to savor every sentence. Since I really enjoyed reading this book, I'm giving it 5 fun-filled stars. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of satirical takes on Manhattan's elite, I highly recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!
Did not finish
November 30, 2021DNF @25%. From the description, I really thought I was going to enjoy this book. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me in pretty much every possible way, to the point where I couldn't even keep reading. The writing style was confusing, and the transitions didn't seem to make any sense. I think there were simply too many POVs, and it was just too much. There was also not a single likable character. I get that some characters weren't supposed to be likable, but even the ones that I think were supposed to be, I just didn't care about them. Everyone seemed so one dimensional and flat, and I truly didn't care about what happened to any of them. And then I was also bored because even 25%, nothing was really happening, and the issues with the writing and characters only made it worse. Not to mention there are a whole bunch of possible triggers including racism, classism, and xenophobia, which if it was done well, could have been ok, but it was done so poorly with exaggerated stereotypes, and it just was really bad.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2021
Excellent story or love and revenge. Characters that you love to hate. If you are into fashion name-dropping this is one you will really enjoy. Interesting food desriptions - wish I could taste some of those. The uber-rich are an interesting cast of characters with more secrets than anyone should have.
September 12, 2021
Fun and entertaining.
This was a breezy and fun read. The heroine (Megan) was genuine- nice but not a pushover. Certainly, this wasn’t the same calibre as Shakespeare or Dante; there were some excellent and hilarious lines. The closest comparison I can come up with is The First Wives Club.
This was a breezy and fun read. The heroine (Megan) was genuine- nice but not a pushover. Certainly, this wasn’t the same calibre as Shakespeare or Dante; there were some excellent and hilarious lines. The closest comparison I can come up with is The First Wives Club.
September 15, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is well written and has well developed, interesting characters. It is the perfect beach read!
October 15, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I wanted to enjoy this so badly as it first felt like The Royal We but set in NYC. This was not that. Every character in this was unlikeable and made the stupidest decisions in history. The book also occurred in a very short period of time (especially considering the major life events that happened). I wish I could recommend this but I struggled to finish it due to how much I hated every single character.
I wanted to enjoy this so badly as it first felt like The Royal We but set in NYC. This was not that. Every character in this was unlikeable and made the stupidest decisions in history. The book also occurred in a very short period of time (especially considering the major life events that happened). I wish I could recommend this but I struggled to finish it due to how much I hated every single character.
October 13, 2021
Upper East Bride is just the sort of book that you want to read for a bit of light-hearted escapism. Set in the upper echelons of Manhattan society where money is king and scandal lurks just below the surface, David Kirby creates a world of wealth and snobbery of manic proportions into which he places Megan from small town Michigan, who heads to the Big Apple to make a name for herself as a journalist but find herself attracting the attention of one of New York's most engaging and handsome bachelor millionaires, Rexford Bainbridge.
Megan is introduced to Rex's inner circle, which comprises some grandes dames who include Beverly and Wanda who, like elderly aunts, do not approve of the young upstart who has infiltrated their rather exclusive number. To Rex, Megan is refreshing with her sass; to the matrons of Manhattan, she is common.
The book concerns itself with Megan and Rex's romance in this rather hostile environment as well as the machinations of the ladies with their aspirations to hold their position on their pedestals, where they can continue to look down their noses at others without reproach. But karma is not deterred by the promise of riches and there is a chance that they may have underestimated Megan and regret their treatment of her.
The book moves along at a well-planned pace with luxury destinations as well as the pressures of the press pursuing Rex and Megan. There are other threats to their happiness in addition to bitter cantankerous women, that are hinted at and come in the form of Russian investors of dubious provenance and Rex's possible wandering eye.
There are definite parallels with Sex and the City here, in the setting and the bitchiness; the gossip and the romance. But what I will take away from this book more than anything is the humour: it is bitingly witty throughout especially in some of the conversations that the older ladies have where, like a coven of witches, they plot over delightful food with wonderful views. The plot is okay but what really set this apart for me is the dialogue: razor sharp, pun infused, relentless in its ability to wound, like a well-thrown dart; it made me laugh throughout whilst also making me relieved that I was not the recipient.
Nothing too taxing here but highly enjoyable nonetheless.
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC. This is a true and fair representation of my view of the book.
Megan is introduced to Rex's inner circle, which comprises some grandes dames who include Beverly and Wanda who, like elderly aunts, do not approve of the young upstart who has infiltrated their rather exclusive number. To Rex, Megan is refreshing with her sass; to the matrons of Manhattan, she is common.
The book concerns itself with Megan and Rex's romance in this rather hostile environment as well as the machinations of the ladies with their aspirations to hold their position on their pedestals, where they can continue to look down their noses at others without reproach. But karma is not deterred by the promise of riches and there is a chance that they may have underestimated Megan and regret their treatment of her.
The book moves along at a well-planned pace with luxury destinations as well as the pressures of the press pursuing Rex and Megan. There are other threats to their happiness in addition to bitter cantankerous women, that are hinted at and come in the form of Russian investors of dubious provenance and Rex's possible wandering eye.
There are definite parallels with Sex and the City here, in the setting and the bitchiness; the gossip and the romance. But what I will take away from this book more than anything is the humour: it is bitingly witty throughout especially in some of the conversations that the older ladies have where, like a coven of witches, they plot over delightful food with wonderful views. The plot is okay but what really set this apart for me is the dialogue: razor sharp, pun infused, relentless in its ability to wound, like a well-thrown dart; it made me laugh throughout whilst also making me relieved that I was not the recipient.
Nothing too taxing here but highly enjoyable nonetheless.
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC. This is a true and fair representation of my view of the book.
October 5, 2021
This book was quite entertaining to read. I thought it would be more like a Sex and the City type but it reminded me some of Cinderella meets Devil Wears Prada with a twist of Desperate Housewives and The Undoing.
Many of us picture life in New York City as glamorous as it can be, and Megan's story makes a great job by adequately portraying life in the Great Apple to be anything but for many of its inhabitants. At the beginning, Megan is a middle-class Midwestern girl out of collage trying her luck in the city that never sleeps, however she meets a rich guy and there you have it, a modern Cinderella story with no glass shoe, living a dream fantasy life of an upper east bride (hence the title) and all the changes such role involves.
However, even when no glass shoe was left behind when the clock bell rang, Megan finds things might not be as rosy as she would have figured. No spoiling here, but in the middle of that process she finds herself involved in the typical gossip and swirl of vanities typical of the members of the New-Yorker upper class.
I enjoyed the tales and how even when life changes around Megan, she tries to keep her own personality afloat, even if at a certain extent she falls prey of the vain lifestyle she's now part of - and it is totally understandable. The author makes a great job keeping her interactions credible and organic, as a contrast with her counterparts and the people she's closest to. I also enjoyed how Kirby intertwined these fictional characters with actual celebrities and it felt quite realistic.
I mentioned The Undoing (the HBOMax series, not the book) here not because there's a sordid crime like in that series, more because I feel it shows how sometimes we think of people in the upper class as free from any issues known to mortals. Perhaps this is not a way to justify the excesses they commonly fall into, more like understanding this as part of their human condition. Regardless of one's opinion about wealth distribution, and how ridiculous some of the "struggles" of the rich might be, reading this book is a way to be curious, not judgmental, and our main character realizes that too. At the end, Megan realises that a golden cage, even if made of gold, nevertheless is a cage so she proceeds accordingly. Totally recommend reading this book to find out how she did it!
Many of us picture life in New York City as glamorous as it can be, and Megan's story makes a great job by adequately portraying life in the Great Apple to be anything but for many of its inhabitants. At the beginning, Megan is a middle-class Midwestern girl out of collage trying her luck in the city that never sleeps, however she meets a rich guy and there you have it, a modern Cinderella story with no glass shoe, living a dream fantasy life of an upper east bride (hence the title) and all the changes such role involves.
However, even when no glass shoe was left behind when the clock bell rang, Megan finds things might not be as rosy as she would have figured. No spoiling here, but in the middle of that process she finds herself involved in the typical gossip and swirl of vanities typical of the members of the New-Yorker upper class.
I enjoyed the tales and how even when life changes around Megan, she tries to keep her own personality afloat, even if at a certain extent she falls prey of the vain lifestyle she's now part of - and it is totally understandable. The author makes a great job keeping her interactions credible and organic, as a contrast with her counterparts and the people she's closest to. I also enjoyed how Kirby intertwined these fictional characters with actual celebrities and it felt quite realistic.
I mentioned The Undoing (the HBOMax series, not the book) here not because there's a sordid crime like in that series, more because I feel it shows how sometimes we think of people in the upper class as free from any issues known to mortals. Perhaps this is not a way to justify the excesses they commonly fall into, more like understanding this as part of their human condition. Regardless of one's opinion about wealth distribution, and how ridiculous some of the "struggles" of the rich might be, reading this book is a way to be curious, not judgmental, and our main character realizes that too. At the end, Megan realises that a golden cage, even if made of gold, nevertheless is a cage so she proceeds accordingly. Totally recommend reading this book to find out how she did it!
January 31, 2022
Upper East Bride is a boldface commentary on the extravagance, waste, and vanity of New York City wealth, and a satire on the small-town-all-american-girl-comes-to-NYC-to-make-her-dreams-come-true trope.
From the cover and the blurb, one may not expect this to be a who-dunnit, so for that I was highly disappointed as I had been expecting a more lighthearted romantic comedy. This book is marketed at the wrong angle, and might not find success from that alone.
This book is a comedy in the traditional archetypal sense, not the modern cinema sense. More like Shakesperean, less Adam Sandleran. Not very ha-ha. But the irony and sarcasm are ripe.
There is not much to say about the main character, as I found her flat, predictable, and passive. Everyone else however stole the show, and alas, redemption for the Upper East Bride.
I found it loaded and awash with stuffy paragraphs that drug on too long. I skipped many places, and often found myself looking at the page count to see if I was making any progress. This definitely could have been 100 pages less. Less would have been more with Upper East Bride.
I did enjoy that wealth and class were under the microscope here. Manhattan is akin to Gotham, I’m sure most humans would agree on this much. Upper East Bride definitely plays on this, and is at times bravely dark (again, something we would not assume from the marketing).
I give three stars because it is more than romance, more than who-dunnit and more than what it looks like. I’m also only giving it three stars because it is doing too much in too many different directions.
This was almost like a portfolio for Kirby to display his research (or perhaps personal experiences) into the old-money of Manhattan, writing expertise, and ability to write with transparency about the world in which we live. I recommend Upper East Bride to the seasoned reader who has patience and time and time and patience because it. Is. Wordy!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Upper East Bride
From the cover and the blurb, one may not expect this to be a who-dunnit, so for that I was highly disappointed as I had been expecting a more lighthearted romantic comedy. This book is marketed at the wrong angle, and might not find success from that alone.
This book is a comedy in the traditional archetypal sense, not the modern cinema sense. More like Shakesperean, less Adam Sandleran. Not very ha-ha. But the irony and sarcasm are ripe.
There is not much to say about the main character, as I found her flat, predictable, and passive. Everyone else however stole the show, and alas, redemption for the Upper East Bride.
I found it loaded and awash with stuffy paragraphs that drug on too long. I skipped many places, and often found myself looking at the page count to see if I was making any progress. This definitely could have been 100 pages less. Less would have been more with Upper East Bride.
I did enjoy that wealth and class were under the microscope here. Manhattan is akin to Gotham, I’m sure most humans would agree on this much. Upper East Bride definitely plays on this, and is at times bravely dark (again, something we would not assume from the marketing).
I give three stars because it is more than romance, more than who-dunnit and more than what it looks like. I’m also only giving it three stars because it is doing too much in too many different directions.
This was almost like a portfolio for Kirby to display his research (or perhaps personal experiences) into the old-money of Manhattan, writing expertise, and ability to write with transparency about the world in which we live. I recommend Upper East Bride to the seasoned reader who has patience and time and time and patience because it. Is. Wordy!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Upper East Bride
April 2, 2022
Megan O'Malley jets to the bustling heart of NYC from her quiet midwest town of Ypsilanti, Michigan determined to make it big as a journalist. Even with calling in a favor from her best friend, the best Megan can manage is a serving job at a trendy high society restaurant. During her first night on the job, she serves Sexy Rexy - Manhattan's most eligible bachelor and two upper class matrons who appointed themselves as Rex's guardians. Through the inevitable whirlwind romance and wedding, Megan works to conform to Manhattan's standards for the Uber-wealthy, and realizes her worst enemies are supposed to be her best friends.
I started this book thinking it was going to be another sweet romance, so I was delightfully surprised when it was a complete satire on the lives of the rich and famous. It definitely put me in the mind of a very updated and modernized Patrick Dennis book (author of "Auntie Mame" and "The Joyous Season"). Definitely grab this book if you are in the mood for LOL and snark.
I started this book thinking it was going to be another sweet romance, so I was delightfully surprised when it was a complete satire on the lives of the rich and famous. It definitely put me in the mind of a very updated and modernized Patrick Dennis book (author of "Auntie Mame" and "The Joyous Season"). Definitely grab this book if you are in the mood for LOL and snark.
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