To start off with the negative and get that out of the way, Ellie acts like a bit of a spoiled brat at times. She also felt a bit manipulative when it came to Murphy’s feelings. Like accusing her of being into her friend felt like every incorrect person’s assumption of a queer girl with a straight best friend. The feelings between them also felt a bit too quick to take seriously for the subject matters they were arguing/dealing with. That being said, I liked them together in the good moments. Murphy and Kat’s friendship problems felt very real for the stage in life they were at, going from always together to long-distance during the beginnings of adulthood and trying to figure out who you are apart. I also enjoyed the different family dynamics and it was nice to see both of girls have accepting parents in their own ways. Everything seemed very authentic and comfortable, even throughout the conflicts that arose off and on during the book. I felt like I was at my friend’s family’s holiday happenings.

What a perfect Christmas story! I finished it a few days ago and I'm still thinking about the characters, how well-done the story was, and how the author managed to make me feel like I was right there in Illinois with Murphy as we followed her holiday adventures. Murphy just wants to pass the accounting class she's struggling in so that she can join her best friend, Kat, at the college they've always dreamed of attending. Kat is already there, living her best life, while Murphy had to stay behind in their small hometown. Murphy has made the best of a bad situation, becoming a marketing sensation for the coffee shop she works at, but she misses Kat and all the plans they had. When Kat's long-awaited visit home for the holidays takes an unexpected turn--she's brought her boyfriend home with her--Murphy feels even worse than before, until she runs into a former classmate who has a plan that will help them both.

Ellie needs Murphy to pretend to be her girlfriend for a family dinner. In return, if Murphy can impress Ellie's mom, who happens to be Kat's accounting professor at community college, maybe Murphy will pass that difficult class after all. The only problem? The girls didn't expect for real feelings for form. And Murphy didn't count on having fights with Kat. Or for everything to get a whole lot more complicated.

I just loved this book. Murphy is someone I think a lot of queer girls will identify with and my heart ached for her at more than one point. Meanwhile, Ellie is a likeable enough love interest with a story of her own. I felt the very real chemistry between them and the pining, too. It was clear right from the start that there could be something there, if only they were both brave enough to take the chance right in front of them. At its core a story about growing up, navigating the dynamics of a changing friendship, and accepting unexpected blessings, I'll Get Back to You is a really sweet and moving holiday story.

This was cute. Murphy and Ellie have good chemistry and I like they they are both on growth journeys- it really let's them see from the others perspective. Charming small town and a fun holiday time.

I'll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow is a charming and heartfelt queer holiday romance that will warm your heart and leave you with a smile. Grischow’s storytelling is both engaging and endearing, making this novel a delightful read for anyone looking for a feel-good story.

One particularly memorable moment in the book is when Murphy and Ellie, the main characters, share a heartfelt conversation under the twinkling lights of the holiday decorations. This scene beautifully captures the growing connection between them and highlights Grischow’s ability to create authentic and relatable characters. Murphy’s vulnerability and Ellie’s supportive nature shine through, making their bond feel real and touching.

Throughout the novel, Grischow skillfully navigates the complexities of Murphy and Ellie’s relationship, blending humor, warmth, and genuine emotion. Murphy’s journey from feeling stuck and unfulfilled to finding hope and love is both inspiring and relatable. The author’s attention to detail in depicting the holiday setting adds an extra layer of coziness to the story.

This is a sweet and uplifting romance that celebrates the power of love and friendship. Becca Grischow has crafted a story that is not only entertaining but also heartwarming, making it a perfect read for the holiday season.

This is a quick and easy fake-dating holiday sapphic romance. It did feel a bit rushed, but the characters in the book are all likeable. Ellie and Murphy are our main characters. You also get to see that struggle of when you are an adult, but you don’t quite have life figured out and some still treat you like a kid. Well, some of us are well past the age of the characters in this book and still look around for an adult. So, that part is relatable.

There were parts where the book did feel clunky. I still enjoyed the book, and it was a nice break from some of my darker reads. Especially going into the holidays. I would classify this as new adult romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to review this eARC and giving my honest opinion. I wish 3.5 were an option here on and on GoodReads, but it didn’t quite make it to a 4 star for me.

Man I had such high hopes for this book and was SO excited to find a book set in one of my favorite towns, especially a queer love story...instead, I'll never get those hours of my life back, unfortunately. The plot? nonexistent. The tension? All created by immaturity and miscommunication. Blech. Pass.

3.5 ⭐️

an emily henry book (queer version). no seriously y’all this was one of the better holiday books that i’ve read and i immediately checked to see if grischow had done anything prior…new favorite author alert methinks 🤞🏼

This book unfortunately I had to DNF at 33 percent. I just genuinely did not connect with the characters or the story and being in Murphy’s inner dialogue made me like her even less. I think it’s just a matter of personal taste, this book seemed like it was told from a very feeling-sorry-for-herself perspective and that did not sit right with me. However, I’m sure other people might love this book.

3.5 stars rounded up

I really wanted to love this, but it just fell flat. I was expecting all the holly jollies of a typical holiday romance and was disappointed in the lack of the holiday feel. The entire book took place over Thanksgiving weekend and the romance was lacking bigtime.

Things I liked: queer representation (!!!), nods to midwestern culture, the author did a wonderful job of painting a picture of each scene - I felt like I could picture each room or front lawn or coffee shop.

Things I didn't love: both characters were just okay, Murphy and her best friend's relationship was super weird, both sets of parents were oddly distant, and god do I hate the miscommunication trope.

This was fine, it was a quick fun rom-com. When I started it I didn't realize the MC's were college students so this wasn't really for me but I think other people will really like it.

I read several holiday romances this year, and I'll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow was one of my favorites. This queer love story has charming characters, and the dialogue is full of wit and heart. It's easy to fall for Murphy and Ellie.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

i’m too old for college aged romances.
This was fine. I just couldn’t really relate to their problems. The romance was cute. A fake dating that benefitted both of them and love queer stories so much but meh. It won’t stick with me.

A cozy holiday romp with fake romance, real romance and life long best friends figuring out how to fit into a new mold. What else could you want to read next to the fireplace and holiday lights!? Murphy is ready to transfer out of her hometown community college and leave the job she’s had since high school. The one thing that stands between her and doing so: Accounting class (relatable!!). Her professor doesn’t seem to like her that much, and she’s struggling to figure out how to pass. Her solution: a drunken night with her daughter on the night before Thanksgiving that turns into a multi-day extravaganza. To figure out whether she passes accounting, and all the other chaos that happens in the book, you need to keep reading!

I enjoyed this feel good, seasonal book. It was a great representation of female friendship during college, and touched on a lot of different storylines and topics, never getting too deep into any of them. I wish there could’ve been more of the romance highlighted, and more of the “falling in love” process, as I felt it jumped pretty quickly to in love rather than the process of getting there. Regardless, a very fun read, and highly suggest adding to your holiday pile!

This book on the surface has everything i usually go for in a book, but it lacked the spark I was hoping for. It was still cute and fun but was not a book I could rave about. I really enjoyed the plot but the characters and structure didn’t win me over.

Thank you Penguin Books and NetGalley for the eARC of I'll Get Back To You! All opinions in this review are my own.

Okay, I loved this fake dating sapphic romance! Not only did I love Murphy and Ellie together, but I also love that it is about Murphy navigating her friendship with Kat as it is evolving based on the life decisions they are making. My only complaint is that it is more of a Thanksgiving romance than a Christmas one so I would have read it sooner.

"I'll Get Back to You" by Becca Grischow is a lighthearted holiday romance featuring a fake-dating plot and relatable characters. The characters are easy to like, and the small-town setting adds a nice touch. While the romance feels believable, it didn’t pull me in emotionally. It’s a good, light read for the holidays, but it didn’t stand out as much as other books in the genre, given how many holiday books were released this year. If you're a mood reader who only has so much time to enjoy wintery books, I'd skip ahead

A phenomenal take on the long-loved theme of a holiday romance and an incredibly strong debut. Grischow has a talent for writing lovable but incredibly messy characters.

Overall: 3

This was a light cute fake dating while they actually have feelings for each other's. It was a cute cozy read for the holidays. Like a hallmark movie in books form.

I don't usually seek out holiday books, but this one sounded fun.

I liked Murphy. She's messy and unsure and I liked reading her inner monologue while she tried to figure things out. There are several characters here, but it's definitely the Murphy show.

Plot wise, it's okay. It felt really low stakes and was just meandering towards an ending. This is a specific slice of the time, so the epilogue is only a couple of weeks after the final chapter. And while I would have liked just a bit more, it worked.

Overall, it was a quick and cozy read.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

Setting: Illinois
Rep: lesbian protagonist; bisexual love interest

72% of the way in and realised I just do not care. I don't like any of the characters, Murphy is an insufferable protagonist, Ellie is a mercurial love interest, Kat is a shitty best friend, and why is it so rushed?