The Uptown Collection

by Ruby Lang

Love, real estate and adulting in three contemporary romance novellas from critically acclaimed author Ruby Lang. Available together for the first time.

A fake relationship becomes a little too real…

A heated rivalry blurs into love…

A temporary reunion might not be so temporary…

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Harlem, these charming, irresistible stories look at the many different ways couples find each other and what it means to fall in love.

Included in this 3-in-1 are:

Playing House

Open House

House Rules

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

ebook

Published May 25, 2020

About the author

Ruby Lang is pint-sized, prim, and bespectacled. Her alter ego, essayist Mindy Hung, has written for The New York Times, The Toast, and Salon, among others. She enjoys running (slowly), reading (quickly), and ice cream (at any speed). She lives in New York with a small child and a medium-sized husband.

Reviews

[aarya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three charming (and occasionally heart-wrenching) real estate-themed novellas set in NYC. I wrote two longform reviews for the first two novellas (PLAYING HOUSE and OPEN HOUSE) and a very short Goodreads review for HOUSE RULES.

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B review for PLAYING HOUSE:

"Despite my quibbles about the rushed ending, I enjoyed Playing House and look forward to reading future installments set in the NYC real estate community. It’s a must-read for the summer if you’re looking for an adorable, empathetic, and joyful romance. And if like me, you’re having trouble coping with the never-ending stress and misery of real life, I encourage you to pick up Playing House to transport you into another world for a few hours. It might be the escape you desperately need; it certainly was for me."

Read more of the review here: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...

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B+ review for OPEN HOUSE:

"Open House is a very special book. I didn’t think it would be: the cover is bright and pink, and I didn’t anticipate an extensive exploration of grief that would wreck my heartstrings (“tug” is too tame a word). Don’t get me wrong: Open House is a charming and longish novella with a delightful enemies-to-lovers-but-not-really-it’s-complicated romance (more on this later). But for every laugh-out-loud quip or swoonworthy kiss, there is an omnipresent thread of… melancholy? Pensiveness? Whatever it is, it made my heart hurt in the best of ways. I was getting nervous that a resolution wouldn’t be possible, but the happily-ever-after was victorious and well-deserved. So yes, I did cry a little, but they were cathartic and joyous tears: everything had turned out for the better, and I was so relieved that I couldn’t hold it in anymore."

Read more of the review here: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...

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C review for HOUSE RULES: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Ruby’s books because they’re peopled with real characters who face real, relatable issues (including their own flaws) that feel meaningful on their own and never like devices to prolong the arrival of the HEA. I often miss Ruby’s characters and think about them when I’m not reading the books—not just the central couple but all the rich relationships she builds with siblings and friends and other relatives. These novellas were no exception—I’d have been happy for them to be full-length novels so I could keep reading and keep learning more about these people and their lives in the warm, vivid world Ruby has created.

[Dot & Needle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read some of Ruby Lang’s books and jumped at the chance to try The Uptown Collection. These three real estate themed novellas are based in New York and the author really used the real estate setting to their fullest potential.

I really felt like the author had quite a literary sensibility and although I’m the type of reader that races through a story, I slowed down to absorb an evocative turn of phrase or to mull over some of the concepts.

All three stories were so empathically written and tugged at my cold dead heart. Each also explored in some fashion family dynamics and friendships as well as one’s sense of self. Alongside of this, was also some the steamiest scenes!

Out of three, my fave would probably be House Rules as it gave me more of sense that the characters had an HEA, whereas the first two stories, Playing House and Open House, felt rather rushed and would have benefited from a longer form style.

All in all, I really enjoyed this collection!

[Patricia Rohrs (Spellbound Stories blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of sweet romances! Each story has its own flare! Shorter novellas and a longer story that will tug the heart strings! Each one focuses on the dynamics of family, friends and the discovery of who you are and what you want!

I enjoyed each story! I wish the first two would’ve been a little longer but I loved the characters and the stories plot! A great mix of characters and charm!

[Lindsay pinkcowlandreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Uptown Collection
by Ruby Lang
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

Ruby Lang’s novellas are encompassing and endearing. She writes about relatable characters that are diverse, mature and authentic, yet still struggling as many do in real life. Her backdrop for the series of Harlem is presented beautifully and capture the historic importance of the area and the community.

Playing House / Open House / House Rules

Playing House
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

A chance encounter brings tow acquaintances much closer! To rescue Fey from a menacing paramour, Oliver dives into the charge she’s created of them as a couple. Both Oliver and Fey are in need of some fun and they continue to see each other and reenact the charge as they tour homes in Manhattan.

When Fey finds out that Oliver has been vying for a job at her city planing firm, she questions if not only their playing house was faked, but but his feelings for her as well.

Oliver now needs to decide if the job he’s been looking for is what he actually wants or does he actually want the girl he wasn’t looking for more!

I love a novella that wraps up all your emotions into nice neat package. Lang does this easily and keeps me reading until the end. The sign of a good novella is that you are satisfied with the results but but would read on if presented that option. Lang’s characters are relatable and enjoyable to read!

Open House
⭐⭐⭐💫 /5

The second book in the Uptown Collection opens in a townhouse showing that was also seen in the first book! This time we are following Magda. She is working hard, adulting the best she can, while trying to pull herself out of debt. She’s brokering reality for her boss and that’s where she meets Tyson.

Tyson is also trying to figure out who he is and what he’s doing… although in a different way. After loosing his his mother to cancer, he picked up and moved his life to a new burrow. Here he has found a surrogate family in the local community garden… the same garden Magda has been assigned to sell.

Magda and Ty are natural enemies, being on opposite sides of the garden sale, too bad there is a connection between them that they both can’t deny.

In general, both characters were likeable and relatable, but I didn’t love this story as much as the other 2 in the series. That could also be a personal thing, where the loss of my own mother still hits pretty close to home… On a side note the other community gardeners were really fun and Ty’s sister was another great addition.

The story had a great wrap up and ended on a high note that made up for my less than enthusiastic reading through out.

House Rules
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

This is the third novella in Ruby Lang’s Uptown series. This is also the first book form Ruby that I have read… definitely not my last!😁

After divorcing seventeen years ago, Simon and Lana haven’t crossed paths… until today. Both are in the market for a new apartment in New York city. Simon feels he finally has out grown of his dilapidated rent-controlled place that used to be his fathers and Lana, newly returned to the city after traveling the world needs her own place. They run into each other at an open house. Maturely they decide to go for coffee to catch up and plan to never see each other again… until Lana finds the perfect apartment and needs a roommate.

They move in together on trial basis- just as roommates. As both work different schedules, it should be easy to avoid each other… until they don’t. Simon has always loved Lana, but wasn’t willing to change the trajectory of his life to fit her in? while trying to make something of herself, Lana never stopped loving Simon either. With a second chance at forever, will they both be able to compromise and find their happily ever after?

I loved this story. The characters were authentic and the crisis of finding one owns happiness and a happiness together resonated. The mature characters were a breath of fresh air and I felt their joy as they found their own Carina Press guaranteed HEA❤️.

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These novellas together of on their own are a great read and delivered in fun bitesized portions!

The Uptown Collection by Ruby Lang is scheduled to release May 25th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HARLEQUIN - Carina Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blog: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com...

#TheUptownCollection #PlayingHouse #OpenHouse #HouseRules #RubyLang #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

[Mariam · Rating 5 out of 5]

*sighs happily* I feel like my heart is too large for my chest.

I am so delighted to be able to read Ruby Lang's Uptown Collection.

The collection contains three novellas, which I believe are an excellent example of how romance novels can be any size and still be executed superbly.

The first story, titled PLAYING HOUSE, revolved around Fay and Oliver, who are acquaintances through their professions of being city planners. Fay is divorced and recently moved into an apartment, but she is quite tired of doing everything for herself. She just wanted to jump into something that's ready for her. I quite related to Fay's exhaustion and irritation to receive rather than give. It's why I adored her spontaneity of pretending to be Oliver's wife. Olivier, on the other hand, is equally delighted by Fay's approach and has no qualms helping her escape the overbearing man hitting on her. This soon turns into a blossoming friendship which highlighted just how well Fay and Oliver get along. Masquerading as Olly and Darling, they go around to open houses in New York City and pretend to be a married couple looking for their expensive home. PLAYING HOUSE is so smooth in its storytelling, engaging in its dialogue, and enchanting in how effortless the plot moves along. You will be happy to read about Oliver and Fay's shenanigans.

The second story, OPEN HOUSE, is about Magda, the broker who is selling her uncle's house and is in charge of selling a lot that's been taken by the community to be turned into a garden, and Tyson, an accountant who is a reluctant founding member of the garden. The story kicks up when Magda is assigned to the lot and is told to find it a buyer by her very rude superior Keith, but that leads to Magda getting entangled in the life of one Ty. Of course, since they are on the opposite sides of one cause, Magda being sort of the villain in this case, Ty and Magda start off the wrong foot. In a series of coincidences, such as the time Magda's uncle's house's security alarm is activated due to someone trying to break in, and how she runs into none other than Ty who was... running shirtless at 2 o'clock in the morning. Their attraction is immediate and slightly disturbing Ty and Magda's stern "We won't have anything to do with one another" rule. That soon is wrecked when they spend a very heated night together during a blackout. You'll fall for the complex familial dynamic between Ty and his sister Jenny, as well as Magda's strained relationship with her much older sisters and mother. As a person who's the youngest in my own family, Magda's frustration was so real and touching that I wanted her to get her resolution desperately. This story was definitely sizzling with heat. I adored every encounter Ty and Magda had, especially when they tried so bad to fight their attraction.

The third and last story is titled HOUSE RULES and it deals with two exes: Simon and Lana, who divorced seventeen years prior to the story's beginning. Seventeen is a big number and Simon and Lana feel the years between them. Especially since they somehow fall into a situation of living together. Lana needs a roommate and since she spent the last two decades honing her skill as a noodle master, she doesn't know anyone besides Simon who she can trust. Simon, who is spurred by his sister's insistence to move, accepts with an unspoken condition that in four months' time, he'll move out if he doesn't like the situation. The two, of course, fall in love with the apartment and soon enough, they fall through a new routine of getting to know one another. Lana adopts a cat and the furry thing is an asshole third roommate that makes them worry and of course, as a person who has TWO feline roommates, I adored this story. HOUSE RULES also deals with the ramifications of time and how changing can mean so much to two people who knew one another so well. HOUSE RULES was hands down my favorite novella. I was so moved that I cried at some point.

Ruby Lang is such a talented storyteller, weaving communities and families and relationships that will arrest anyone's attention and capture the reader's heart with her words. The writing itself is so airy and delicate, veering away from excessive description and rather focusing on how every inch of a character's body reflected dedication and metamorphosis. I adored this collection and I look forward to everything Lang will pen in the future and has penned in the past.

Simon and Lana

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 5/30/2020

A sweet collection of novellas!

Playing House

I loved the premise of this one--watching Oliver and Fay almost fall into their quirky little habit of sort-of posing as newlyweds to tour open houses was a delight, not to mention a highly unusual form of courtship. Their story was a gentle slide from acquaintances to friends to...more, and somehow it managed to be easy going one minute and urgent the next, both sweet and steamy. Of course I would have liked to have seen more from both of the characters, but even at its shorter length it still felt like a complete story. I especially liked how Ms Lang had them resolve their relationship issue; it was realistic and didn't make it seem like either one of them had to give anything up, either to become their best self or to get to an HEA.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

Open House

Magda's book! (She gave Oliver and Fay--AKA Ollie and Darling Wife a tour of her uncle's townhouse in book one--I LOLed when the subject of people touring houses and ruining shower curtains came up, because that was Ollie and Darling! Really, it can be read as a standalone, though--it was a little throwaway comment that was easily missed and not at all important to the plot.)

I enjoyed Magda and Ty's story--an enemies to lovers story, of sorts. A lot like Oliver and Fay in the first book, both Magda and Ty had plenty of personal issues to work out before they could really commit to working on their relationships. Poor Ty wasn't even ready to admit for 80+% of the story that he had a relationship with the people in the community garden, so...as a result, the romance was definitely a slow burn one. Delicious, but slow.

My only real complaint is that the ending felt a bit abrupt--since I was reading this as part of a novella collection ( The Uptown Collection ) it was a real surprise when I realized I was on the last page of the story. It was a cute ending and a complete story, I just wanted a teensy bit more there at the end.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

House Rules

Ms Lang immediately drew me into Simon and Lana's story. I loved that they are both in their forties, which IMO increased the possibility that their second chance romance could actually work. It's been seventeen years since their divorce, after all--who isn't going to change in seventeen years?--and they're not the same people whose misunderstandings and miscommunications made them choose to be apart then.

Of course they're going to have new misunderstandings and miscommunications now--it's a romance novel, and we need conflict!--but now that they both now what they were missing when they were apart and how good they can be together again, they'll work even harder to stay together...right?

You'll have to read House Rules to find out for sure. Except spoiler alert: the publisher tells you right in the blurb that they guarantee an HEA or HFN, so yeah, this time these crazy kids are going to make it. Which means you're going to have to read House Rules instead for the loveliness that is their second chance romance, to see the pleasure that Simon takes in his concerts and his teaching, and to witness the strength that Lana hadn't realized she had in her, to meet Muffin the cat, and to confirm that no, smoking hot sex scenes aren't just for the twenty- and thirty-year olds in romancelandia.

(Thank god.)

Rating: 4 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Lama · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Uptown Collection is a collection of 3 novellas (about a 100 pages each) set against the backdrop of Harlem. All three novellas feature real estate in some form and one character is actually present in all three. The novellas feature 3 of my all time favorite tropes, but somehow none of them clicked for me.

The first novella features Oliver and Fay, two urban planners and long time acquaintances who pretend to be a couple as they tour open houses. The fake relationship quickly turns into a real one. The second novella is more enemies to lovers as real estate broker Magda tries to sell a plot that is currently a community garden, while Tyson tries to protect said illegal garden. Again, this developed way too quickly for my taste. The third novella is a second chance romance that features two exes who end up being roommates 17 years after their divorce. By the time I got to this one, I was mostly skimming through the chapters.

Novellas are tricky, and I always feel like they lack proper characterization and buildup. Everything felt super rushed to me, particularly in the first novella. I found it very hard to get invested in any of the characters and didn’t feel any spark. I found the sex scenes in all three novellas to be incredibly cringey and skipped them entirely by the time I got to the 3rd novella. However, if you like light novellas with older than usual characters (30-40s), this collection might be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica (the naptime writer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.33⭐️. Novella collection: fake dating, enemies to lovers, & divorced to lovers.
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Ruby Lang’s The Uptown Collection is a charming and yet weighty novella collection with each story focusing around a home.
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In these stories, a home is more than a physical space. It’s where people can dream, pretend, and confront truths, learn about themselves and what makes them happy. It’s also where they can fall in love.
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Each novella offers something new and yet they’re strongly linked to the others:
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🏠 Oliver and Fay pretend to be dating as they explore open houses in Playing House.
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🏠 Magda and Tyson are on opposites sides of a battle surrounding a community garden in Open House.
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🏠 Once-married and now-divorced Simon and Lana share an apartment in House Rules.
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Like Kate Clayborn’s, Ruby’s writing is pared down and yet packs a huge punch. It took me a minute to adjust—maybe also because tbh the first novella isn’t my favorite of the collection—but then I loved it.
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To me, her writing is about mature people still struggling with things—no one ever has it fully figured out, that’s just not life—but trying to figure it out, and trying to communicate better (even if it takes a while in the first novella).
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The Uptown Collection is also unexpectedly 🔥—a very welcome surprise. There’s one first kiss scene in here that had me fumbling, it’s so good.
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If an #ownvoices, emotionally aware collection that really brings the steam sounds good, check out Ruby Lang’s Uptown Collection. It’s a slower speed, but I ended up really savoring it.
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The Uptown Collection is a new collection of previously published novellas. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must first admit the error of my ways— D told me to read Ruby’s books *literally* forever ago and I FOOLISHLY didn’t listen! I got a taste of her work in the He’s Come Undone anthology, and it drove me to pick up the Uptown Collection. And OOOOH baby I was *not* ready!
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Playing House, Open House, and House Rules are phenomenal novellas- each new story felt incredibly fresh, unexpected, and ridiculously satisfying😊 I loved that each story was connected, but at the same time very self contained. I also loved that in each story, there were very real obstacles to the HEA and both protagonists had emotional work to do— every time, I genuinely wondered how Ruby would swing the ending, but and she sticks the damn thing every time!
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Ruby’s writing has this really fascination quality— it isn’t particularly flowery, it’s crisp and clean and without gilding. But it packs a damn PUNCH!!! The depth of emotion and human experience her prose conveys is simply jaw dropping, and I’m SO glad my sister told me to read Ruby’s books!! .

Saving the best for last, THERE IS A CAT!!! AND ITS SIGNIFICANT TO THE PLOT!! I about fell over bc I loved Muffin soooo much, and there are at least 4 different notes in my ebook that are some variant of “CAT! IS! METAPHOR!!” The way Ruby deftly uses the cat essentially as a relational thermometer for the two protagonists is probably my favorite thing I’ve read in a book this year- it was so skillful and charming and I love it.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

So this is a compilation of 3 books in one- Playing House, Open House, and House Rules. I will admit I had previously read House Rules, but the first two book s were new to me
I thought Playing House was a wonderful series opener. I was immediately drawn into the fake relationship trope between Fay and Oliver. I found them to be sweet and adorable. They brought out the best in each other and their chemistry was fantastic!
Open House did not draw me in quite so quickly. I appreciated that Magda was the connector between the two stories. I thought she had great character development throughout the story, as did Tyson. This was a decent enemies to lovers trope, but overall was my least favorite of the three.
House Rules once again had a brief appearance by Magda as a connector. I really enjoyed Simon and Lana's second-chance love story. Their chemistry is incredible and leads to some amazingly steamy scenes. I felt like their story was fairly realistic, and different from the normal romance novels.
Overall, I truly enjoy this series. Ruby Lang's writing is great, and her characters tend to be relatable. I will definitely recommend to my friends!

[Pgchuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this collection of novellas from the publisher via NetGalley.

Each of these seemed fairly long to me, although that might have had something to do with the rather meandering plots. My favourite was the first, 'Playing House', where Oliver and Fay pretend to be a couple on historic house tours and at open houses. I liked both Oliver and Fay and believed in their relationship, although I didn't believe that conversation between two urban planners who chatted constantly about their jobs would never have turned to the question of which firm Oliver was working for.

The other novellas I enjoyed less. In 'Open House' Magda is struggling with student debt, a job she doesn't seem very good at, and a horrible boss, and I just wanted her to borrow from her family and go back and finish culinary school. I couldn't really work Tyler out; his characterization seemed a little scattered.

By the time I got to 'House Rules' I was skimming. I didn't like the premise of this one - a couple who divorced years ago decide to become flat-mates - and their attitude to marriage puzzled me.

[LA Loves RomComs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great compilation of real estate romance novellas by Ruby Lang.

This is a compilation of 3 romances from Ruby Lang.

First up is Playing House, which is sweet, but a little bit rushed towards the end. Regardless of the rushed feeling of the ending, though, this is an entertaining read.

Open House, the second novella, is even better. It is more of a heartbreaking story, but it's not overly angsty or full of drama. There is a lot of balance between laugh-out-loud moments and moments of thoughtfulness and feeling.

House Rules, the third, is the best and most developed of them all. There is a true happily-ever-after for the main characters, and the story arc is well-defined and their happily-ever-after feels really genuine.

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, enjoyable and made me miss NYC quite a bit (and be pretty irritated at myself for not having explored Harlem!).

Each story had some sort of weird family shit going on, though -- it seemed like all the characters were dealing with misguided expectations from family members and had honest confrontations where they were absolutely in the right but somehow reasoned that they had to feel guilty for how they acted because apparently respect only goes one way. Not saying this is a bad thing, but it was a strange thing to notice.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pick this one if you're looking for romantic novellas set in Manhattan and featuring mature characters in the real estate market. Know, though, that each of the novellas have been previously published as standalones so you'll want to check if you've read them. Lang has hit the critical themes of enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and fake romance that turns real. They aren't deep but the characters are diverse and there's some really funny lines. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable trilogy of three short novels, interconnecting in that there was some very minor crossover of characters between the three. The books take three different views at housing difficulties encountered in NYC, and I appreciated that the protagonists weren't all in that 21-30 year old sweet spot that so many romance books trend toward. I did feel that the third book could have (should have) spent more time describing the health issue that was central to the plot.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three excellent novellas, well written and entertaining.
I liked how the author delivered three sweet story, heartwarming and sometimes are heart-wrenching.
The characters are well thought and you cannot help rooting for them, the setting is vivid and interesting.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is three novel in one and I read the first two and I just am ready to move on to something else. The relationships are fun, the tone is breezy, and these are just fun books. They are set in Manhattan and most of the characters are Asian-American. Sometime I will read the third one. My TBR pile is too big to read three books in a row by the same author.

[Karen Fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Turns out I’ve read 2 of the 3 stories, but I enjoyed the new one and how they tied into each other. Definitely an easy read, which is exactly what I need during these chaotic times. Put a smile on my face!

[JG · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Uptown Collection is made up of three of Ruby Lang’s Novellas set in Harlem. I love this series and to have the whole collection in one book is definitely a must own for those who love a different side of New York, who love opposite attracts, a great cute meet and a second chance romance. Each of the stories portrays a diverse cast of characters and for me a more real depiction of love in New York. Marvelous and wonderful!

[Lou]

Solid collection of stories. Heartwarming romances with some good personal issues to grapple with and an excellent sense of pacing.

[Katie]

DNF at 30%.

I'm just not getting into this after one novella and a bit of another. I'll probably try again some other time.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.loveinpanels.com/prose/upt...

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Carina Press Romance Promise, Contemporary Romance, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Women's Fiction
Miniseries
Uptown