The first story belongs to sophisticated, spoiled, and stylish Pia, who finds herself completely unemployed, unemployable, and broke. So what is a recent grad with an art history degree and an unfortunate history of Facebook topless photos to do? Start a food truck business of course! Pia takes on the surprisingly cutthroat Brooklyn world of hybrid lettuce growers, artisanal yogurt makers and homemade butter producers to start SkinnyWheels—all while dealing with hipster bees, one-night-stands, heartbreak, parental fury, wild parties, revenge, jail, loan sharks, playboys, karaoke, true love, and one adorable pink food truck. And that’s without counting her roommates’ problems, too. Gemma Burgess has captured the confusion, hilarity and excitement of the post-graduate years against a backdrop of the pressures and chaos of New York City life, with heartfelt empathy, fast humor and sharp honesty.
Release Date: July 2, 2013
It is the ultimate dream of every aspiring writer/editor/actress/businesswoman etcetera to go to New York and make it in the big city that the television shows and movies we love has heralded as the greatest city on Earth. Seinfeld, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, and so many more have really given me the New York itch. Brooklyn Girls has made the need to move and live in NYC at some point in my life absolutely necessary.
Burgess’ novel picks up right after the five main characters, all friends from college, move to Brooklyn to start their lives in the city of dreams. This first novel, which I have understood will be a series, is narrated by Pia. Pia is a bit insecure, terrified of commitment, and still trying to figure out what it is she is going to do with an Art History degree. Her voice is strong and sassy, and her repetitive use of the word “cockmonkey” has made me really want to start using that in my daily vocabulary. (A cockmonkey is a jerk, just so you know!)
The story is filled with nonstop action. From the after party at the beginning, to a number of dead end jobs, and the adorable meet cutes with a handsome British stranger in a cab…Pia’s tale will keep you entertained for the entire book. There are a lot higher stakes in this novel than I was expecting, and I was on the edge of my beach chair the entire time. I’m almost bummed that the novel read so fast, because now I have to leave the harsh reality of Brooklyn in Burgess’ story and find something else to read.
Things that Worked: Obviously the plotting and the character development was superb. Not only was Pia a very well developed character, but each of the secondary characters: Madeline, Julie, Coco, and Angie were all fully realized. Each of these girls has something that every reader can relate to, and I look forward to reading the subsequent books from the other characters’ POVs. I really loved that the story was based around Pia growing into her personality, realizing her abilities, and becoming an adult. The wonderful friendship between the girls was an added bonus, but thank goodness that Pia was able to become a somewhat functional adult without the need or desire to be led around by a man. Granted, Aidan is still yummy.
Things that didn’t work: I can honestly say that the only hang up I had in this novel was Pia’s upsetting hang up on her ex. I’m not going to go into detail about it, but I kept wanting to scream at her “You are clearly beautiful and awesome, and it is his loss!” But, this issue really just added to the story, so I guess it DID work.
Burgess thrilled me, chilled me, and fulfilled me.
Moving! 