Within one chapter I was fully invested in Vivian’s story. Her voice is so clear and candid.

The book begins with Vivian, not a very elderly woman, being asked about her past relationship with a man. What was the nature of their relationship? And what exactly did they mean to each other?

To answer this, Vivian tells the story of her life. Arriving in New York to stay with her theatrical aunt, Vivian in innocent and inexperienced. Life in the theatre opens her eyes to a completely different world, as far removed from the security of middle class upbringing.

Vivian experiences a sexual awakening and becomes, in her own words, a ‘very promiscuous girl’. Drinking dancing and enjoying carefree sex, Vivian thrives on her new found freedoms, but constantly struggles with the expectations placed on her by the more conventional aspects of society.

When she find herself.embroiled in a scandalous that is going to hit the headlines and ruin her reputation, Vivian is devastated and returns home with her tail between her legs.

Vivian is a such a complex and real character. She is both innocent and experiences. Her sexual experience hides an emotional immaturity Over time she begins to understand her feelings and what she wants in her life.

Female friendship and relationships are central to this book. Despite her promiscuouity, few of Vivian’s relationships with men have much impact on her life. Her Aunt Peg and her long-term female partner, Celia the showgirl and her later business partner are all far more influential.

This book is long – nearly 500 pages – .and at points the pace slows and it does feel long. I loved the atmosphere and descriptions of Vivian’s life in the theatre. There were times in the post-war section of her story that dragged a little. But overall Vivian is an engaging narrator who acknowledges her flaws and self-indulgence.

I was gifted a digital copy this book by Netgalley.

I have very conflicting feelings about this book.
It could be because this isn't usually the type of genre I go for, but I feel like the story was terribly drawn out, especially the first half. It took me several weeks to get through that part, while I breezed through the second half in a matter of days. Because of that, I felt like the pacing was off and the Firing felt a little disjointed at times.
I absolutely loved Vivian though, and enjoyed seeing her turn from a free-spirited young lady to and accomplished, independent woman. I love the way she breezed through life, and I loved reading about how different things were back in the day.
Overall, not a bad book, but not one of my favorites either.

A gorgeous love story told by the 95 year old Vivian remembering her unconventional, carefree  life in 1940's theatre. I loved the structure of the novel and the way the reader is transported back in time from frail old age to joyful youth. A delightful treat which I highly recommend.

Elizabeth Gilbert has done it again with a life-affirming and page-turning read perfect for cosying up with at the end of the day. Thank you to the publisher for approving me to read it! I'll be recommending this to my friends and professional colleagues.

In the first quarter of this book I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it. The main character Vivvie is entitled and privileged but overall I enjoyed reading it. Not my usual genre but she does have redeeming qualities and as she gets older, I respect her more.

So much fun and a gem of a find. 

A beautiful tale of Vivian moving to New York to live with her Aunt Peg who owns a run down theatre. Here, Vivian takes up role of a seamstress, making beautiful costumes for the shows being put on by the theatre. Through this, she meets many wonderful characters  and so begins a great story of growth, love, friendship, scandal and societal change.

If you enjoyed the story of Tanquery (Stephanie) on Humans of New York, this book is for you.

I really enjoyed this book, and will look out for more of this kind - historical fiction that's not tooooo historical! Full of fun, frivolity, heart and soul. 
I was so sad when I finished it but happy to have met Vivian and the cast of fab characters - Peg, Olive, and Gloria -and all the rest... and got a taste of the bustling New York City of the 1930s and beyond..
Beautiful read!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Such a delightful romp through New York starting in the 1940's. Vivian is a superb character who discovers and embraces a whole new way of life in her aunt's theatre in New York.  The plot draws you in and the characters are so lifelike you can imagine being there with them. A fabulous piece of escapism.

This book came just at the right time, I was self-isolating in a tiny, cramped city flat and needed desperately to escape. City of Girls took me far from my isolation and I couldn't wait to pick it up every lunch break once I started and absolutely ate it up, sometimes even with breakfast too - a rarity for me. A riotous, feel good, romp that allowed me to travel when I couldn't and a little wildness when we are all having to be sensible.

When nineteen year old Vivian is kicked out of college, her parents send her to live with her flamboyant Aunt Peg in a crumbling old theatre in Manhattan. What starts as a punishment leads Viv to open her eyes to the sights and sounds of the city, and an introduction to a colourful cast of characters and personalities and begins an awakening and yearning for freedom within her soul. As she reflects back on her life, Vivian will see just how world changing this time was, and how it shaped her life to come.

The story of story really is all about Vivian, how she came to be the woman she is and how her life experiences have shaped her as an individual. At first, I found Viv rather unlikeable. She's self centred, selfish and self absorbed with little time for anyone else - however, I did learn to like her as we see her go through so many changes (and men) in her life (although she still likes to remain the centre of attention). There's a lot of sex in the story, and a lot of men - and honestly, I found this refreshing, if a little unrealistic of the times. That said, she's the ultimate diva who doesn't take herself too seriously, and that doesn't change.

I also found the plot very immersive and descriptive - I felt fully absorbed into 1940s New York, with its bright lights, and big personalities. It almost takes on a persona all of its own, guiding Vivian to her next adventure or next encounter. It was glamorous and exciting, full of feathers and sequins and drama - especially when it involved the theatre life. I could almost smell the chalk, the champagne bubbles and hear the laughter of the players on the stage. It was certainly the main draw, and highlight of the book for me.

However, I do think this was longer than it needed to be, and the plot is very long winded and meandering at times. I often found myself wishing Vivian would just get to the point, and further the story along. It got boring. And repetitive. There's only so many men you can have sex with before it looses any sort of emotional impact after all.

Great descriptions and setting, but the plot is far too long winded and slow paced for me.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s like a conversation between two old friends especially the way it’s written. 

Readers are transported to the bright lights of New York City through the ages - just before the Second World War right through to the the post swinging sixties. 

This is the tale of the very interesting life of Vivian Morris. We hear about the trials and tribulations of her very eventful life. The many many men who come and go and the one who leaves a lasting imprint on her heart. 

We see her come of age in the city lose it all and then build herself back up again. 

We learn the toll of the war had on Viv her friends and family. 

We hear about the amazing women she’s surrounded herself with and the unlikely bonds and strong friendships that she’s forged. 

I throughly enjoyed this book.

Just so much fun, and really rather Beautiful. Protagonist Vivi has the most wonderful, self-deprecating , unapologetic (even when full of self loathing) perspective on her unconventional life I. 1940s New York. Plus a supporting cast of gloriously authentic, unconventional characters. Can’t wait to watch the inevitable TV adaptation one day

I wanted to love this but sadly wasn't immersed enough: the narrative was very inside the main character's head, which for me detracted from the actual plot. I can tell however that the book was meticulously researched, and I'm sure others will love it.

Unfortunately this one didn’t live up to the hype for me. It was good but not good enough. I heard great things & lots of others have loved it. Just wasn’t for me.

I found this to be boring and just could not engage with any of the characters.
The story line was disjointed with the only plus point being I managed to finish it.
Why is it that books that are seriously hyped up end up being a disappointment!

What a gem of a find. This is not a book that screams out to you to be read but was a beautiful story about Vivian and her moving to and growing up in New York. With romance and friendship but without overtaking the whole story about how a young woman chooses to live her life and how she gets through the hard times and finds what makes her happy. 
The book initially called out to me for he sewing link and it was a nice side piece to her story but I am so glad I read it, maybe a little long winded in parts but overall the writing flowed nicely and painted an image that made you feel like you were right there at The Lily.

I really enjoyed this book. 19 year old Vivian goes to live in New York , staying with her Aunt Peg who owns the run down Lily theatre. Vivian is an accomplished seamstress and finds her niche making costumes for the 3rd rate shows the theatre puts on. At night she is out on the town, getting drunk and having sex with many different men. A scandal sends her back to her parents with her tail between her legs, but she is soon back in NYC helping Peg to put on shows for the dock workers when America enters WW2. The story covers many years and gave an insight in to the changing society, and particularly the role of women. I recommend this as a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Sometimes a book comes along that takes you by surprise. I don't know what I was expecting when I picked this one up, but it turned out to be an absolute delight to read. 

Vivian is 19 and has just failed college. Her parents send her to live with her eccentric Aunt who runs a theatre in New York. She finds herself flung into the life of theatre and showgirls, and this book is Vivian recalling her personal experiences of 1940s America. 

I really enjoyed following Vivian on her escapades. The sexual freedom that the girls had in this was so refreshing, as I've always felt as if women enjoying sex is treated as a taboo topic in literature. Did I always agree with the decisions that the characters made? Definitely not. Yet I found her story to be so compelling and interesting. The author tackled some really big topics (e.g. homophobia, racism, misogyny, and class division) and I thought that they hit the nail on the head with them all. Everything was handled well and in a manner that I felt was true for the time period. 
My only gripe was how it was wrapped up in the end. The whole book was written in the format of a letter, but I was disappointed by the reveal of who the letter was for. When I finished, it left me feeling a tad deflated, so this is why I gave the book 4-stars. 

Overall, I thought that this was a fantastic and fresh take on a wartime historical fiction. The sexual freedom was incredible to read about and I'd highly recommend picking this one up!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This historical fiction sees the author grooming characters in her gritty and glamorous City of Girls. And she is certainly deft with humor. The author explores the meaning of lust, love, freedom, feminism and family. She explains what it means to live life on the edge and on one's own terms. She reveals that the world isn't straightforward, but its nonetheless a beautiful place where you can discover or cultivate meaning and meaningful relations for yourself. Life is fleeting and must be cherished.

I didn't enjoy this as much as I'd hoped, found it rather indirect and slow in parts, but it was a fascinating insight into the girls' lives.

Elizabeth Gilbert is such a wonderfully, gifted writer. I love how she draws you into her books so that you are completely absorbed into the worlds she creates. I've read several of 'Ms Gilbert's books and none have disappointed - Eat. Pray Love, Committed and Big Magic, all spoke to me in many different ways and City of Girls is no different. I related to the main heroine, Vivienne and adored the time period in which this novel was set. Fascinating, hopeful and just a sheer joy. I highly recommend. Thank you to Net Galley for a free ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.