If We Lived Here by Lindsey Palmer

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher!

This book is about Nick and Emma, in a relationship now for several years. They are young, working in Manhattan and feel that it is time to give up their respective homes to search for an apartment where they can live together.

The story follows Nick and Emma in not only their search for an apartment, but also through their jobs, friendships, milestones and also through Emma's relationships with her parents, her brother Max and his family. 

There is a lot of struggle regarding the move and Nick and Emma not only have mixed feelings with giving up certain freedoms, but they also have problems finding a location and also deal with two potential landlords: one who is discriminatory and judgmental that Emma and Nick aren't married and the other that you just won't believe!

Emma is also about to be the maid of honor in her best friend's lavish wedding, making Emma rethink where her relationship with Nick is going and her own position in life. Not helping Emma's esteem is her well established brother and his overbearing wife, along with what I describe as their two rambunctious children. 

Don't get me wrong, Nick and Emma have a good life but they are facing several challenges at one time, regarding their own relationship, where they are in their careers, and in life in general, causing both to be overwhelmed at times. 

There are two other major things that occur. One in their relationship and one in general towards the end of the story, but I won't spoil it here. 

I really enjoyed this story. I feel that there aren't enough stories out there  where you can really care about the characters. I was intrigued to see where they were going, and what was going to happen to them. And, the other characters just seemed so real!  I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was so much more than just a story about a couple. Plus, it takes place in New York, my favorite city. 

The author did a fabulous job describing how in life, we all have to take a step back, reassess certain situations and just maybe, hopefully, see things in a different light, take that wisdom and move on in our lives in a positive direction.