London Sperry has officially become an author I will happily read anything from! I absolutely loved her debut, Passion Project, and her sophomore novel, City People, is nearly as wonderful. Once again, she’s delivered a heartfelt, funny, character-driven romance that captures the magic (and chaos!) of New York City.
Teddi Cooper is a lifelong New Yorker who loves her city, her job at a boutique PR firm, and the Brooklyn brownstone she shares with her grandmother. When Gram announces she’s selling the brownstone and moving to Florida, Teddi is determined to change her mind. Her solution? Organize a revival of the Broadway musical her grandmother starred in sixty years earlier, reuniting her with her former co-star, Hal Harrison.
Enter Reid Fletcher, Hal’s talent agent, who isn’t exactly enthusiastic about the plan. Naturally, sparks fly!
Enemies-to-lovers isn’t usually my favorite romance trope, but Sperry absolutely nails it here. The banter is next-level! Teddi and Reid have incredible chemistry, and their dialogue is sharp, witty, and genuinely hilarious. I laughed out loud more than once. Beyond the romantic tension, I appreciated how thoughtfully both characters were developed. Neither grew up feeling like the center of their parents’ worlds, and that shared experience creates an unexpected emotional connection.
I found Teddi particularly relatable. Her anxiety, periods of sadness, and reluctance to venture outside her comfort zone felt authentic. She’s imperfect, sometimes frustrating, and wonderfully human. I loved watching her navigate the uncertainty of a life that suddenly isn’t going according to plan.
And can we talk about the setting? New York City practically becomes another character. Sperry captures the noise, energy, crowded streets, and beautiful messiness of city living while showing why someone like Teddi would feel so completely at home there. The supporting storylines, especially those involving the older Broadway performers, add so much charm and heart.
Bonus points for Dawn, the bodega cat named after the dish soap! That little detail delighted me.
I did have a couple of reservations. First, the spice level was a bit higher than I personally prefer. The chemistry is fantastic, but I could have done with a little less heat.
My other criticism is about representation. For a novel set in New York City, with a substantial storyline involving Broadway performers, I found the complete absence of queer characters disappointing. Not even a minor supporting character? It’s particularly noticeable in a setting where LGBTQ+ people have historically played such an important role in the arts and theater community. I realize every novel can’t represent everyone, but the omission stood out to me and made this otherwise vibrant fictional New York feel a little less authentic.
Those criticisms aside, I genuinely loved this book. It’s funny, romantic, emotionally intelligent, and full of heart. Sperry has a real gift for creating complicated, lovable characters and making their relationships feel earned. Although Passion Project still has a slight edge for me, City People is an excellent follow-up.
If you love clever banter, emotionally layered characters, found family, and a New York City setting that feels like a love letter to the city, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!
4 stars!
City People publishes April 6, 2027.
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