This was such a real look at a relationship. I enjoyed watching them work through things. I don’t typically read about established couples but so many books end when they just get together. It was nice to see the other side of things!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Nearlywed by Nicolas DiDomizio in exchange for my honest review and opinion. The title caught my eye but it wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be. It was a book about two men and their relationship and communication. I did find it to be a good book but not my style of reading.

This was fun, in a very millennial navel-gazing (yet oblivious) kind of way.

Ray is your quintessential (ex-)chronically online thirtysomething, and his fiancé Kip… is not. Going on a so-called earlymoon together forces Ray to confront the reality of their relationship underneath the fantasy he’s created of it. The behind the scenes to the highlight reel, if you will. Shenanigans ensue.

And by shenanigans I mean a lot of not communicating, and especially not listening. Add to that internalised homophobia and people from the past dropping in, and you get A Mess. A mess that was very obvious from a mile away. It also made me question whether Ray was intentionally written to be so oblivious about both his and Kip’s hangups.

Ray captured the spirit of the Myspace-to-Buzzfeed slightly pedantic millennial really well, also in the sense that he came across as if he hadn’t matured since 2014. During the first half of the book this was endearing, during the second half, not so much. Cue communication issues, expecting others to protect his health, and sappy revelations. (Honestly, we’re supposed to be surprised that the homophobia was instilled by the dad who is clearly presented as a Do Not Stick Out Ever-stickler???) Not my favourite things for a main character.

The book was an easy enough read that this didn’t bother me too much - the story unfolded quickly and had me mostly entertained. I was hoping for a little more, though. The premise was interesting but the execution felt a little meh.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This book was advertised as a romance but not a romance. The two main characters, Ray and Kim, didn't have any chemistry, and in the end, I wasn't even rooting for them to get through their issues. DNF

Nearlywed by Nicolas DiDomizio is a hilarious exploration of relationships and self-discovery. The narrative combines laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional depth, creating a refreshing take on modern romance. DiDomizio’s characters are relatable, and their journey is both engaging and heartfelt. This story captures the messiness of love in a way that feels authentic and new.

Absolutely obsessed with this one! The cover and storyline is adorable. I have been recommending this one to all my friends now that it is out.

It's always an amazing read if you're the target demographic of a book, and this one hit all the right marks for me. If you love books with a slice of life plot and the reality-affirming angle of how queer relationships in their 30s look like, this book is for you!

He did it again!! The book I read from this author was a lighthearted comedy. But this is a more serious emotional story and I absolutely loved it. Relationship on the rocks stories can be hit or miss but when done well they tug on those heart strings and this one did just that!

Ray Bruno is an internet writer/journalist. Throughout his 20s, he lived the life of an out and proud and fun gay man living large in NYC. He’s always been obsessed with getting married – pushed by his mother who constantly shared her wedding album his entire childhood. Ray is a blogger/writer for internet clickbait and entertainment sites. When marriage first became legal, he and his boyfriend got married like it was an assignment. They were looking for someone not just compatible but exactly like themselves. Needless to say this didn’t work out. The marriage crashed and burned with Ray’s husband cheating on him and then leaving him. Embarrassing and crushing.

Kip Hayes is also divorced – finally admitting to himself (after his ex-wife said it for him) that he’s gay. He’s nearly 40 and he and Ray have a chance meeting at a bar while waiting for a delayed train at Grand Central. Kip is just getting into dating after living his entire existence in the closet, so Ray is a revelation to him. There is 10 years between them but sometimes it feels like they are from different world rather than different generations. Kip has no online presence and he wants to keep it that way. Surprisingly Ray goes along with it because this is the best relationship he’s ever been in.

Fast forward 6 years and it’s two months before their wedding and they are going on their “Earlymoon” before the wedding – a chance to get away from everything wedding pressure provides. This is a tradition and a resort in Ray’s home town has pioneered this and so that’s where they go.

But when they get there, Ray’s sister is having business issues. An old friend of Kip’s shows up who doesn’t know Kip is gay and divorced. Then things go from bad to worse when Ray’s past also shows up and causes even more trouble. Can these two get past the earlymoon and make it to the altar?

This is my first book from this author. I really enjoyed the whole book. It’s told from Ray’s first person POV which is both good and a little frustrating, but I think in the end, NOT hearing Kip’s every thought when he struggles to articulate them is probably a good thing. There are soooo many things in this story that I think are really interesting points. How do queer people navigate things like weddings which have such a hetero history and raises certain expectations about what those types of ceremonies/celebrations should look like? How do gay couples navigate their relationships when most likely the relationships they’ve been raised observing are straight relationships? Then there are the universal themes of opposites attracting and then having to compromise so that both parties get what they need from the relationship and navigate some of these “performative” rituals of society in a meaningful way for them. The surprising amount of action takes place over a week of the Earlymoon for Kip and Ray and it’s packed full of landmines that they needs to negotiate and figure out so that they can have their dream wedding – whatever that looks like. I loved the secondary characters and mostly I really loved how Kip and especially Ray grow to recognize their own blind spots and weaknesses and learn how to better support and love each other in a way that works for them. Recommended.

I really enjoyed this book for its unique take on romance, focusing on a marriage on the rocks and the challenges that come with it. It also explores gay themes, particularly the fear of coming out, adding emotional depth to the story.

While the drama surrounding Kip felt a bit overblown at times, and the conflict toward the end seemed more dramatic than necessary, the book remained engaging and thought-provoking. It offers a refreshing break from traditional romance novels and provides insight into both relationship struggles and personal identity.

I went into this with little expectations and I was pleasantly surprised! The perfect blend of emotion and romance. I’m usually not one for the miscommunication trope but this book is so much more than that. Go read it!

2.5 stars
I was super excited for this when it came out especially since I'm a sucker for age gap romance and especially if it's LGBTQ+ rep. I am sad to say though that this book did not deliver as a romance, I felt very little chemistry between the main characters. Then most of the book was them trying to fix issues that were never addressed in the first place in their relationship which I just find odd.

First of all I would not call this a romance. Yes there is a couple and the story centers on their conflicts as their wedding looms.
Second of all the fact they are supposed to be 35 and 45 is WILD. Because shooting first and asking questions second is such a childish response to relationship conflict.
The fact that Kip is so quick to jump on ray about the flirting when he literally isn’t willing to be out is just.. whatever.
I didn’t even want them to end up together. I think ray needs therapy to address his insecurity and constant need to over share and desperation for love . But Kip also needs therapy to address why he wants to hide behind heterosexuality and is so quick to distrust his fiance.

I actually really enjoyed this one, and I thought that it was a great reminder that relationships aren't always perfect, nor should they be. The characters are different, but together they are just right. I loved the premise of an early honeymoon, and I loved how it all came together. The setting was a lot of fun as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Nearlywed by Nicolas DiDomizio!

This was pretty good! Heavy on the miscommunication trope which is not my preference (and tends to really frustrate me, but not so much in this book), but did provide a nice escape from real life for a bit. Cute love story!

4.5/5 ⭐️ I truly cannot love this book enough. It was a cozy, quick read from the very beginning but I soon found myself loving the main characters and the side characters! I caught myself multiple times laughing out loud or gasping during certain parts. I felt fully immersed as if I was their loyal best friend and was learning the story behind how they came to be. This is the sort of feel good book that just makes you love, love.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for receiving this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Nearlywed, Nicolas DiDomizio crafts a witty and heartfelt exploration of love and commitment through the eyes of Ray and Kip. As they navigate the final weeks before their wedding, both face unexpected challenges that put their relationship to the test. DiDomizio expertly balances humor and depth, with relatable characters and sharp dialogue that keep readers engaged. Overall, Nearlywed is a charming and insightful read that captures the rollercoaster of planning a wedding while staying true to oneself.

"Nearlywed" by Nicolas DiDomizio is a charming tale of love and miscommunication. Its witty prose and engaging characters make for an entertaining, lighthearted read. Highly enjoyable!

If it takes an "earlymoon" for an engaged couple to figure out their problems before the wedding, then so be it lol I knew going in this was going to be one huge miscommunication trope, but I actually didn't mind this one. You follow Ray and Kip along as they tread through their relationship issues. This also had some really good laugh out loud moments.