The Sweet Spot

A Novel

By: Amy Poeppel

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown, Stephen Graybill, Aden Hakimi, Daniel Henning, Nancy Linari, Carly Robins, Jackie Sanders, Erin Ruth Walker

Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Amy Poeppel brings her signature “big-hearted, charming” (The Washington Post) style to this wise and joyful novel that celebrates love, hate, and all of the glorious absurdity in between.

In the heart of Greenwich Village, three women form an accidental sorority when a baby—belonging to exactly none of them—lands on their collective doorstep.

Lauren and her family—lucky bastards—have been granted the use of a spectacular brownstone, teeming with history and dizzyingly unattractive '70s wallpaper. Adding to the home’s bohemian, grungy splendor is the bar occupying the basement, a (mostly) beloved dive called The Sweet Spot. Within days of moving in, Lauren discovers that she has already made an enemy in the neighborhood by inadvertently sparking the divorce of a couple she has never actually met.

Melinda’s husband of thirty years has dumped her for a young celebrity entrepreneur named Felicity, and, to Melinda’s horror, the lovebirds are soon to become parents. In her incandescent rage, Melinda wreaks havoc wherever she can, including in Felicity’s Soho boutique, where she has a fit of epic proportions, which happens to be caught on film.​

Olivia—the industrious twenty-something behind the counter, who has big dreams and bigger debt—gets caught in the crossfire. In an effort to diffuse Melinda’s temper, Olivia has a tantrum of her own and gets unceremoniously canned, thanks to TikTok.

When Melinda’s ex follows his lover across the country, leaving their squalling baby behind, the three women rise to the occasion in order to forgive, to forget, to Ferberize, and to track down the wayward parents. But can their little village find a way toward the happily ever afters they all desire? Welcome to The Sweet Spot.

©2023 Amy Poeppel (P)2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Entertaining

Enjoyed. First time I listened to various narrators. It offered more flavor to the story.

Just okay, nice story

Cute story, not anything awesome or that I’d recommend strongly, but having lived in Greenwich village myself, I’m a sucker for any story set there, also one with strong female storylines and some romance as well is fun!

Delightful!

Wonderful characters and Poeppel has a great sense of humor. And super fun if you know the Village.

Fun, creative

So enjoyable. I wish we all had this glorious mishmash of family and friends. To all be so lucky.

The Sweet Spot Was Sweet

3.75 stars for the Sweet Spot, which may be a bit generous, TBH. I thought the book was fun and the characters were endearing. It was a bit chaotic, though. There were just SO many new storylines coming at you, it was a little bit challenging to keep track of it all. I had to take notes. Eventually the storylines intercept in a (mostly) clever way and I did find the characters lovable in all of their quirky ways. It was a bit strange to me that the Sweet Spot, which is a bar at the center of the story, was not even brought into the narrative until about 25% in. And since I am critiquing pacing - I thought it was also weird to have the male characters narration tossed in at the end of the book, too. It just felt off. Overall, I enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend it for fans of quirky family fiction especially if you enjoy settings like Greenwich Village. But I was shocked to see my fave podcaster gave this 5 stars. I definitely would not agree and struggled to even give it 4 stars. I also found the narrators for the audiobook to be really odd choices, and I can't say there was one female narrator that I enjoyed listening to or who sounded like what I imagined that character would sound like. It was not a deal breaker but wasn't pleasant.

Feel good story

I enjoyed the story of an unconventional family, pulling together in the time of need. Also, everyone coming to terms and apologizing, and being understanding, the world would be a much better place, if the story were carried out in life.

Funny and entertaining

Well written, funny and entertaining, I couldn’t stop until I finished it. I highly recommend it if you are looking to disconnect, relax and smile!

Such a good and fun read

I really enjoyed this book .It was fun and funny ,smartly written with great characters.I enjoyed this book so much.I’ve never read anything from this author before but I’m downloading her other reads and I type this review .I love sweet ,fun , interesting,lovable and unlovable characters that redeem themselves in the end .This book is a gem of a story. It has everything I look for in my reads and more .Well done author Amy Poeppel .

Beautiful, funny and heartwarming

As always, Amy Poeppel reminds us not to judge harshly and make room for people - physically with our hospitality and mentally for changing. Friendships and love win yet again over anger and revenge. Great narration, too!

Great read

Loved it. Great job. Will look for more from the author. Love her style. Xx