Candace Bushnell is known as the author of bestselling books Lipstick Jungle and Sex and the City. Both have been morphed from the page to small screen (though Sex and the City did make it to the big screen), so I am aware they exist. The funny thing is, I’ve never read those books. Candace Bushnell also wrote Four Blondes and recently released One Fifth Avenue, both books I have actually read. I guess I prefer New York City on the written page to the small screen.

The book centers around the tenants of a historic New York City apartment building, all of whom are involved in the arts in some way. When some non-artsy people move into the building, things heat up to bring the conflict that pushes the plot along.

While the plot is tricky and involved, the characters are more so, making most of them intriguing enough to keep reading over several days. I was pleased with the outcome of the story, with one disappointment I can’t tell because it will give away something (it involves death).

Some of the story is intertwined with the the blog culture, which I found interesting but also thought it was as if Candace Bushnell was trying to give a nod to an existing subculture, but not really go into it in depth. Being a part of the social media experience and knowing how powerful social media can be in the arts, it seems as if Candace and her editors need a lesson in how it all really works. At least they are giving it a go by handing out their book to bloggers to read and review. It’s a start, right?

I would recommend this book as a fun vacation/ beach book. It isn’t one I could read in one sitting, so it would keep you company for several days.