Cute and fun story about Sora, who runs into a childhood friend in the grocery story. Unbeknownst to her, Jack has been in love with her since grade school. Unfortunately, Sora has already pledged “Solo February” and has sworn off men for the entire month. Did she set herself up for failure? Will “the one” pass her by? It’s a “will they/won’t they” and has a bit of the miscommunication trope. But, I actually really did enjoy how it all turned out.

I genuinely hated every second of this book. The midsize rep was so disappointed and gave me the ICK. For a book that was a closed door romance where they talked about sex and had sex so frequently just really through me off. You really cannot have both.

I loved this book. I've not been writing professional reviews for a while now, but I found this romantic comedy highly engaging. It reaffirms the truth that we are most likely to find a life partner when we are not searching for one. I know I did.

Sora Reid’s new writing assignment is a #gosolo February to show that not everyone has to be in love on Valentine’s Day. There’s just one problem, Jack Mann. When they run into each other in the grocery store, the attraction is immediate. Sora knows she needs to shut it down because it goes against everything her #gosolo month stands for, but that proves harder than she thinks.

I really liked the premise of a #gosolo February, but I knew, in typical romcom fashion, that it wouldn't last long. Sora and Jack were delightful characters and I truly enjoyed their relationship as it developed. I loved the easy banter that they had and it made this a quick, enjoyable read.

Title: The Second You're Single
Author: Cara Tanamachi
Release Date: January 31st, 2023
Page Count: 285
Format: Netgalley/Audiobook
Start Date: January 21st, 2023
Finish Date: February 14th, 2023

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:

I went into this book blindly. Once I figured out what it was about, I was a little worried that I would absolutely hate it. I was thinking it would be cringy and predictable. I was completely wrong. Don't get me wrong, there were parts that were a bit predictable, but not in a bad way. I also wish there were parts that were elaborated just a bit more. I won't go into specifics. I really enjoyed it very much. I laughed hard throughout the book as well. I also found the main character relatable. I also really want her job! If I could get paid for my blog and to read, I'd be in heaven! But I digress. I also completely loved the dog! That poor thing being blind in one eye! I'd be totally okay with this turning into a "series". Maybe where each book highlights a different couple. I'd love to see more of a certain therapist. Just saying. This was a very lighthearted quirky read that was perfect for the time period. Once it officially released, I snatched the audiobook up!

Definitely a cute read, the plot was fun and had a good friends to lovers arc though I think I would've liked to see the fmc have a bit more character growth throughout. You can tell she wants to be strong and confident but isn't quite there yet and it felt like I didn't really see much growth by the end of the book. I did really like the idea of the plot I think there were just a few things that could've made the actual story a bit better. I did however love the mmc, Jack was probably my favourite character. The ending though was good and I enjoyed the hea.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

This is a charming book about a woman who is trying to find success as a free-lance writer and figuring out the game of love. The premise is really cute, Sora is a free-lance writer who is committing to "Solo February" where she avoids dating for the month of February but of course she meets her old elementary schoolmate, who is a sexy baker. So hard to resist!

The writing is good and the story is cute. There isn't a lot of relationship building and I had a hard time with the love at first sight sort of storyline. I didn't exactly buy the third-act breakup either, but I'm happy with a reconciliation and a happy ending.

3.5-4 stars

Sora is having a rough go at love in last few years. As a freelance writer, she pitches the idea to her editor for a month of solitude free of men - to get to know herself outside a relationship. Her plans get derailed when a former childhood friend shows back up.

Lighthearted and quick reading, the story does have some cringy parts, but I took it for what it was - a beach read. Yes there are some less than stellar sections, but it’s a cute and fun read.

A mostly surface level story that could’ve delved deeper into some larger topics. Probably a good romance for some people but it missed a lot of marks for me

2.5 stars

I felt like unfortunately Sora was just not my type of character and the book fell into a lot of unfortunate stereotypes. I do think some pros are that it was a quick read and I do like the second chance trope, however some of the conversations between Sora and her mom made me deeply uncomfortable.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the premise and saw all of the plot coming. It was still a cute story and I loved the Japanese-American representation. Could have used a little less fat-phobia.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This book is full of miscommunication and not listening to the other person. I understand sometimes a person is so hurt they can’t listen to the other person but these characters weren’t even really dating. It seemed kind of rash and out of place. The main character was down in the dumps over her relationships and life then runs into an old friend from school after deciding to stay single for February. As the month goes on her feelings change and instead of being honest, she decides to lie which never ends well. While all of that is happening Jake isn’t being honest with an ex and causes his own issues. Overall, the storyline felt mundane and 80% of the book wouldn’t have existed if they just talked to each other.

Waa waa wahhhh... That's how I feel about this one. I was really hoping I would enjoy this one, but unfortunately the fat shaming really got to me. Not a book I would recommend.

*Thank you @stmartinspress for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because less than 4 stars or DNF.*

I really enjoyed this book! Sora's story is a tale as old as time about previous bad relationships. Having an instant connection to a person after bad relationships really resonated with me as well. I liked that Sora and Jack kept finding themselves together.

Thanks for the advanced copy!

The Second You’re Single is a yummy, delicious kidhood crush, slow-burn romance. Jack and Sora are a heart-happy couple. I also love that they are multi-racial.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Second You're Single has a lot of ups and downs for me and I am not sure if I liked it or not at the end of the day. I did not love Sora but mostly I disliked her family a lot and I am not sure enough due was given to rebuilding those family relationships. I loved Jack although I wish there had been more of his point of view as well since he was a great guy and deserved even more. It was fun and a quick read, I just didnt love it.

This is a quick read but did not leave a lasting impression. It took me a while to get through it as I didn't feel that invested. There wasn't much chemistry between the two characters and I found the monologue parts to be quite long. Some of this book was very repetitive and I felt like the author was trying too hard to be quirky and funny with Sora's character.

"The Second You're Single" by Cara Tanamachi was a dnf for me. I wasn't able to connect with the characters and I found the plot to be slow.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my digital arc in exchange for my review.

I did not enjoy this book at all. I had some issues in regard to body image. Sora was making comments that did not sit well with me, And don't get me started about the bacon...it was just too much.

A delightfully fun romance! I loved Sora and her #gosolo pledge. I have definitely made those pledges myself. And of course I loved Jack, the man who messes up all her plans!

Freelance writer Sora Reid believes in inertia. She’s the odd one out in a close-knit family of go-getters, including her Japanese-American mom, who hints about her need to lose weight, and her soon-to-be married, overachieving younger sister, who needs her to have a date for the wedding, since a wedding party couples' dance with their Scottish great uncle Bob simply won't do. For Sora, minimal input, minimal expectations is the way to go. She’d rather stay at home with her insufferable neighbor and her adorable pitbull.

The one thing that disrupts her inertia: an intense dislike for Valentine’s Day. What is it with the commercial love machine? Why do we pin our hopes on one romantic day, when staying home with a package of bacon and a bottle of tequila would be way better? Sora’s been betrayed and disappointed more than once and her heart is starting to feel like her Grandma Mitsuye’s antique Japanese ceramic bowl, with its many gold-filled cracks.

When her pledge to stay single in February inspires readers to #gosolo, Sora has a responsibility to empower her readers. But relationships aren’t built to last, so it shouldn’t be that hard. Right?

Enter Jack Mann. A muscle-bound baker who looks like he lifts logs on the weekends, Sora hasn’t thought of Jack since they were in elementary school together. When they see each other at the local grocery store and the attraction hits hard, Sora knows she has to shut it down, quick. She can’t #gosolo AND get the guy. She can’t let down her readers. And relationships always end, so why should Jack be any different–even though he’s confounding all her long-held expectations of love?