NOT YOUR ORDINARY LOVE TRIANGLE…Frank’s Coffee Shop on Manhattan’s Lower East Side becomes a safe haven for Tobias Jordan, a paparazzi-phobic 90s rock star, drawn to the obscurity of the dingy hole-in-the-wall, and Philip Glessner, a disgraced architect, who ducks inside to elude a posse of blood-thirsty reporters. What keeps both coming back is their waitress, Priscilla Vanderpool, who becomes … who becomes an improbable paragon of virtue to the shell-shocked Philip, and an unwitting muse to gifted and jaded Tobias. But neither man sees her as she really is: a philosophical hard-luck case with a quick wit and a twenty-year habit of penning insightful and haunting lyrics that no one has ever heard.
Alligators in the Trees—a line from one of Priscilla’s songs—symbolizes the bugaboos that lurk in the minds of all three characters: in Tobias, the fear he’s lost his talent, and that his string of model-mistresses will be the downfall of his soul; in Philip’s guilt-ridden conscience as he struggles with the collapse of his most touted building and the prospect of losing custody of his daughter if he doesn’t meet his estranged wife’s demands; in Priscilla, the fear of actually making a decision about her life instead of always taking the path of least resistance. Fate intervenes and forces all three to act on their true desires.
“Hamilton’s novel is a fun romp for readers drawn to character-driven fiction that offers lessons about life and love.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
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Hamilton continues to surprise me in the best possible way. I’ve enjoyed several of her books to date and love how versatile she is skipping between genres. This story is filled with fantastic characters and just a truly touching story line. This book cements Hamilton’s addition to my must read list. If she writes it, I’m buying.
I enjoyed this story. This is a story of chance meeting and fate stepping in. This is one of my favorite stories from this author. I found this story to be well written with characters that make the story easy to read and engaging. This is a story about three people who all live in New York and end up meeting each other at Frank’s Diner. How will fate interfere in each of their lives? I enjoyed how they each have their own story but yet fate brought them together for a reason. I also enjoyed watching them grow throughout the story and become the strong characters they are. I won’t say too much about this as I highly recommend reading this book to find out. Find out why fate brought a waitress, architect and a rock star together.
Alligators in the Trees
By Cynthia Hamilton
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton. It is a story that pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the final page. It is a book that has amazing characters and had my emotions going up and down the entire time I was reading it. I loved reading about the characters of Tobias Jordan, Philip Glessner, and Priscilla Vanderpool. Each of them has a starring role in this book and the author does an amazing job in making them come alive on the page. Their stories and how their lives intersect kept me turning pages wondering how it all would come out in the end. I found myself caring about Tobias, Philip, and Priscilla with each chapter that I read and wanted them to find happiness. There are moments of sadness as well as touching moments in this story. The three main characters find themselves reflecting on their lives and also sharing their stories. Don’t miss out on a story that grabs your attention from the beginning. It is an intriguing and entertaining tale. I highly recommend it.
Despite a slightly slow start (hang in there; it’s worth it), this book is filled with the realities of life in the 21st century, The characters develop during the course of the book to be complex and likeable–no stereotypes here! They are real people who make some good decisions and some terrible decisions, and then move forward from there. There are some surprises, but no real “plot twists.” However, you aren’t sure how it will end until it does. My favorite thing is that it doesn’t end abruptly, and it doesn’t end with a saccharine “happily ever after,” either, although the ending was very satisfactory and the author made a great choice among several options about how to end it. The writing is elegant without being pretentious, and it held my interest. I confess that I finished it at 3 am–it was worth losing some sleep.
I love this novel! The title is amazing and fits the rest of the novel itself. While reading, I found the humor in this novel and it wasn’t lost on me either. Cynthia Hamilton has a wicked witty side and she shows it in this novel. Join in on some fun when two male character meet the female lead character. Alligators in the Trees is not only amazing and witty but so different from the other novels I have read that I enjoyed it so much that I thoroughly recommend it for something a little different/
I enjoyed the vulnerability this book displayed of each character and not even just the main character. It showed depth to their inner emotions, their drive, ambition and what made them who they are. This book takes us deeper into each characters’ lives propelling forward to seek their own inner happiness without falling purely for and through lust. Very captivating read: I very much enjoyed how deep it kept getting because it’s human nature to want to be our best selves. Very beautifully done, Ms. Cynthia Hamilton. Bravo!
The three main characters, Priscilla, Phil, & Tobias, meet in a diner in Manhattan. Each of them have different life experiences and issues they are struggling with and this chance meeting starts their healing process. There were some parts that seem to take it slow, which make it a little hard to keep reading but it didn’t make me stop.
I have read several books by Ms. Hamilton. I love how she creates characters who are interesting, believeable, and hook you into the story because you can connect with them so well.
I have never found a Cynthia Hamilton novel I didn’t thoroughly enjoy and Alligators in the Trees is no exception to the rule. I loved this one and the adventure it took me on to New York City. I wasn’t sure with a title like Alligators in the Trees what we would be getting but this was a deep, thought provoking read that drew me in right from the start until the very last page.
We meet Priscilla, the main connecting point of three main characters, and the seedy dive bar style coffee shop she works at in New York. She herself has a life she wishes could be better in a lot of ways but when Tobias and Phil walk into the shop things will take off in ways she never expected. Both Phil and Tobias have dark pasts that are currently haunting them and making it difficult to move forward in their lives. They will all have to work hard at their own lives to move forward and the journey is one you won’t want to miss out on following. I am also excited to hear there will be more of this novel in a sequel and I am so here for it.
Alligators in the Trees
By Cynthia Hamilton
4 stars
When I first saw the title for this book I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but the synopsis sounded interesting so I thought that I would give it a try and I have to say I was quite captivated by what I read. I have read work by this author previously so I knew the writing would be good but I really enjoyed the characters. The way the author wove them together and their stories was really great, I felt like I really got to know them throughout the story. They were all different characters but I really liked all of them and they were believable as people, for me this really helped me connect with them. I liked that the book was really character orientated, it was about them more so than a story – this made the book really enjoyable and different to read.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and would absolutely recommend it to other readers.
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton
Four Stars
Alligators in the Trees was a great story following three different people who work or frequent Frank’s Coffee Shop. All are unique characters and the plot is extraordinarily detailed, and so very interesting. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down until the end. I enjoyed meeting and following Tobias, Philip and Priscilla through their problems, decision making and life changing processes as they find a way to love their lives again. This story was a truly enjoyable adventure. Cynthia Hamilton did a great job with this book and I look forward to reading more books by her in the future.
Can a chance meeting of people change the outlook of people? In this book, there are three people who meet and it changes their life. In a big city like New York, strangers meet and it was fate. Cynthia Hamilton’s story-line is engaging. I was interested to see three strangers meet together and what fate has in store for them. Her characters are engaging and easy to follow. I feel as if I was right there in the story with them. I found myself having many emotions while reading this story. I highly recommend reading this story but will caution you may want to set enough time to read it in one sitting.
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton. I LOVED this book! Its the best story about fate and how things are meant to be happen. Its the story of Priscilla Vanderpool who works at a Frank’s Coffee Shop in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Priscilla loves her job but her heart and soul is in music & song writing. She has written several songs but no one has ever heard them. Tobias Jordan is a 90’s rock star who is middle aged and trying to rebuild his career. Phillip Glessner is a down and out architect who found Frank one day trying to avoid reporters so they end up in Frank’s Coffee Shop and meet Priscilla. Phillip is very attracted to Priscilla and since his wife is divorcing him he feels like she may be just what he needs. As they continue to learn about each other they have connections that could only be fate. Each character has flaws and yet they tend to bring out the best in one another. This is such a fun, sweet book about chance meetings and how life just works out sometimes.
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton
4 of 5 Stars
The title of the book had me intrigued from the start and it is a line from one of the main characters songs that she has written. The story focuses on three main characters all of whom frequent Frank’s Coffee Shop on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Priscilla Vanderpool works at the coffee shop as a waitress but her passion lies in music and song writing. She has written many insightful and haunting lyrics but she’s the only one who’s ever heard them. The Coffee shop is described as a ‘dingy hole-in-the-wall’ by paparazzi phobic Tobias Jordan who was a rock star in the 90’s, however it soon becomes a safe haven for him. The third main character is disgraced architect Philip Glessner who found Frank’s one day as he was trying to avoid reporters. Both Philip and Tobias keep returning to the shop as they both see something in Priscilla. To Tobias she becomes his unwitting muse and to Philip she is an improbable paragon of virtue, however neither see her for who she really is.
All three main characters are hugely likeable but each has their own demons that they are battling with which also makes them very realistic and relatable as characters. The novel is very character driven and the author has a way of making you become really immersed in their world and invested in their outcomes. It was the characters and the need to know their fates which had me hooked and turning the pages. It’s an original read and an interesting plot that all three are strangers but also connected via Frank’s and how this influences each one of their lives. It’s a rather lengthy book but it’s an easy read as the storyline has enough twists and unexpected moments to keep you guessing and the narrative flows along at a good pace.
This was a lovely story and keeps you gripped. The three characters are well written and you can’t help but feel every emotion they go through. It’s also really good how their lives intertwine with each other considering they are 3 strangers.
Priscilla is a waitress in a run down restuarant. With her boss Frank on her case 24/7 she feels so worn down. She is disillusioned by life and failed relationships. She needs to make a change but doesn’t know how.
Philip is an architect who’s career was great until one failed project brings his company and his reputation down. Added to this his wife filing for divorce and suing him for everything she can Philip finds comfort in his attraction to Priscilla.
Tobias is a middle-aged rockstar who is trying to rebuild his once budding career but with him losing his muse he is worried that his days of being a popular rockstar is over.
These three strangers with 3 different storys and problems all come together in this book. Can they help to repair each other or are they just 3 strangers who eat/work at the same place.
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton is a romantic love triangle story. It is an interesting, and complex read. There is a lot of dialogue as the characters reflect back on their lives and how they got to where they are. Cynthia has a talent for creating complex characters with lots of layers and as the layers are peeled back like an onion, we get a view into their minds and world. The book as it is full of charm and wit but is also full of heartache and regret.
Alligators in the Trees by Cynthia Hamilton is a great story about 3 people who all find themselves thrown together as they try to figure out “what next”. This book is an insightful and interesting read. For me this was all about the characters. They all had such differing experiences and yet still all found themselves at the same place, all a little bit lost.
The way the author has written their stories really draws you in. They are so relatable which I think just makes them even better to read about.
Cynthia Hamilton is such a diverse author as well. Every book I have read by her has been different but great. This book is no exception at all. I would love to know whah happens to these characters after the end of the book and the fact that I am still thinking about them now shows just how much they capture your attention. This is a brilliant book and one I would highly recommend.
5 Stars
Alligators in the Trees is such a wonderful story from the ever-talented Cynthia Hamilton. I have read many of Ms. Hamilton’s books now and she never ceases to amaze me by how versatile a writer she is. From mysteries, to romance, powerful non-fiction, and even humorous chick-lit- she masters them all. Ms. Hamilton’s clever and creative stories never fail to cast their spell on me, easily pulling me in and keeping me engrossed from beginning till end.
I really didn’t know what to expect going into this book- the title was intriguing but really didn’t give too much away. Even after reading the blurb, I still wasn’t sure that I would be blown away by the story. Of course, I knew it would be a ‘good’ read- because Ms. Hamilton wrote it, but I still had my reservations. But boy-oh-boy did she show me- I should never have doubted her for even a second. This was brilliant, the story captured me right from the get-go, and I couldn’t believe how easily I became invested in the story and the wonderfully quirky, interesting, and strangely endearing characters.
This is what I would class as a character study story- a character driven plot woven around the lives of three mismatched, struggling characters who all happen to end up at the same grungy diner, for different reasons. Little do they realise that ending up at the grimy dive that is ‘Frank’s Diner’ will impact them far more than they ever imagined.
Prolific poetry writer Priscilla Vanderpool took on a job waitressing at Franks as a way of avoiding challenging herself, taking risks, or expecting too much from her life. Her fears have held her back for such a long time. Waitressing is merely a means-to-an-end for her- as she basically stumbled into the job and stayed because she didn’t have anywhere else to be.
Philip Glessner had a thriving architectural firm and a stellar reputation, until one of his buildings collapsed thus throwing his well-ordered world into chaos- drowning him in a bottomless pit of debt and a mountain of legal woes. It was pure chance that led him to the diner, looking for a place to hide out from pushy reporters. That was months ago, but he returns daily, not for the food- but because he’s developed a crush on Priscilla. So, while his world falls apart, his business fails, and his wife tries to squeeze him dry- Phillip finds some solace in Priscilla’s steady and calm demeanour.
Then we meet Tobias Jordan, the reclusive, aging, world-weary, former Rockstar who’s desperately trying to recapture his mojo and recreate his former success. Hiding out from the paparazzi, he ducks into the diner to find a quiet moment to focus his thought and maybe write some new lyrics. But what he never expected was to find a muse there, in the form of Priscilla, who unknowingly ignites his creativity and inspires new songs.
What Ms. Hamilton has managed to create is a beautifully balanced story- with a focus on character development, but not at the expense of the intriguing story that she engineers so beautifully. This story may seem simple, but it is deceptively complex- with many layers, a high degree of detail, a few surprises to keep things unpredictable, and all so vividly descriptive- including the song lyrics that pepper the story and add extra interest. All the elements are cleverly choreographed into quite an impactful read, which I certainly didn’t anticipate- making this all the more memorable.
A true unexpected pleasure, and another glistening gem to add to Ms. Hamilton’s crown.
Thank you, Cynthia Hamilton!
Hamilton has done it again and drawn me in by her writing style. The story professed lovely and i felt really connected to the characters. Each of the characters shone brightly through. There was also alot of touching moments within the story.