One Fifth Avenue is a book written by Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City. This book depicts the lives of Schiffer and Philip who both live at One Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in New York. They were the couple who had an on-and-off relationship twenty years ago but who are still attracted to one another, despite the fact that they got married to other individuals. This is story takes place in Manhattan and begins with Schiffer who comes back to New York after spending twenty years in LA for her career. Schiffer is an actress in her forties and is in town for six months to shoot a television series. Having lived in New York before, she is considering officially moving back - particularly more so that she is divorcing her husband. She decides to move back to One Fifth Avenue; the location of choice in Manhattan if you are, or want to be someone significant and are, or wish to, establish yourself as a member of the elite society.
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Schiffer has had a past relationship with one of One Fifth's resident, Philip, a novelist, and having been on and off for years, she thinks there is a chance they might rekindle their romance. Schiffer and Philip keep running into each other in the building and reminisce on past memories. Philip has been divorced for numerous years and Schiffer is still flirtatious, yet Philip is initially irritated by her return, wondering why she is back at One Fifth - why now. Philip later reminisces on his and Schiffer's sexual relationship and realizes that they had a good one, despite numerous ups and downs, and wonders what would have happened should they had decided to make their relationship work - and should Schiffer had decided to not move to LA for work. Schiffer and Philip start talking again and spend time together. Despite their past differences, they decide to be friends. They remain so even when Philip puts his relationship with Schiffer in the past and starts dating a girl named Lola - whom she met when she applied for a position to work as his researcher. He likes Lola because she is the opposite of Schiffer: she is always available. Lola moves in with Philip but Philip realizes he is still in love with Schiffer. Philip and Schiffer get closer and speak for hours on the phone and he eventually breaks up with Lola, and asks Schiffer out again. They become a couple yet, thinking Schiffer is never going to change her unavailable ways, Philip soon breaks up with her and goes back to Lola, but finally goes back to Schiffer once more as his love for her is too strong to ignore. He proposes, they marry and remain at One Fifth.
Best part of story, including ending:
This is a love story wherein spending twenty years apart do not matter in keeping the feelings for another person alive.
Best scene in story:
When Philip and Schiffer first run into each other in the elevator and realize that they have missed each other and are still attracted to one another.
Opinion about the main character:
I like that she believes in love and that everything in life happens for a reason.
