BFF K’s Review
Ashley Pullo has done it again. She’s delivered another petite novel packed full of quirky, endearing characters, witty dialogue and human emotion. The New Amsterdam series is based on the concept of Human’s in New York. This is a deeper look into the lives of everyday people. But, like the Humans of New York vignettes, what you find when you delve into the novel are countless, meaningful, emotional stories playing out in unexpected and unassuming ways.
Julia is a wedding columnist hoping to spend more time writing about people and less time focusing on places. She has a blossoming relationship with Theo, her next-door neighbor. He’s handsome, sweet and adorably endearing! Their relationship is the focal point of the story. But, they’re surrounded by a rich cast of friends, family and acquaintances who add depth and breadth to the story.
The New Amsterdam series reminds us that all stories are important and that every single person in the world has a meaningful story to tell. When you look deeply into life’s ordinary moments, that’s when you find what is truly extraordinary. What a wonderful reminder Pullo has delivered. I look forward to more wonderful stories just like Julia and Theo’s!
Excerpt
When Theo returns with his beer, he sits down at the table and pushes his plate to the side, watching as Juliabites off the heads of the helpless cubs. “You know,” he says, lining up the five colors of bears in a single file, “there’s a lot of debate about the flavors of gummi bears.”
“They all taste the same.”
“You’re wrong, little grasshopper. The red, your bear of choice, is actually marinara sauce.” He pops the red raspberry gummi in his mouth and chews with his eyes closed. “Orange is a favorite among Cheetos lovers – which goes great with banana cream pie.” Theo eats the orange and lemon bear, keeping his smile at bay while he continues. “Now the colorless wonder of this guy,” he pinches the pineapple bear between his fingers, “is the biggest secret in the candy world. I’ve heard rumors ranging from LSD to old man jizz, but I know a guy, who knows a guy, who works at Haribo … and I can tell you, off the record, the clear bear is silicone.”
“You’re so full of shit, Theo Barnes.”
He holds up a hand. “Let me finish.” Taking the last remaining bear from the lineup, he mutters, “Poor, poor, unlovable green. What did the flavor green ever do to you?” Theo holds the bear between his thumb and index finger, and speaks directly to its disfigured face. “I know, fella. It sucks to be tossed back in the bowl. But I will eat you, green gummi!”
“So what’s the flavor of green, according to Theo?”
Lobbing it at his sexy mouth, he reveals, “Oh, it’s definitely strawberry.”
Also from Ashley Pullo
Thessaly Sinclair owns an artisanal shop in the historic Seaport district of Lower Manhattan. She’s savvy and charming, and appears to have it all, but a romantic hang-up is holding her back from experiencing true love.
**From the Author**
New Amsterdam is dedicated to the Humans of New York
In the summer of 2010, photographer Brandon Stanton began an ambitious project – to single-handedly create a photographic census of New York City. The photos he took and the accompanying interviews became the blog Humans of New York (St. Martin’s, 2015).
About the Author
About Kristen Proby:
New York Times and USA Bestselling Author, S. L. Scott, was always interested in the arts. She grew up painting, writing poetry and short stories, and wiling her days away lost in a good book and the movies.
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.