This book really surprised me; I thought it was going to be mostly a very descriptive, atmospheric historical novel set in pre World War II NYC (with a little Sex and the City story thrown in). It was all of these things, and so much more. It was witty, funny, sophisticated and gut wrenching at times. I would have given it 5 stars, but it took about 1/2 the book for that 'can't put down' feeling to come to fruition. But once it did, I was hooked.