“The Situationship” offers a humorous and modern look at the complicated world of dating in the age of apps. When Tia, reeling from seeing her old flame with a new partner, decides to try her luck with dating apps, her expectations are low. However, she’s pleasantly surprised to connect with Nate, a charming photographer who seems to tick all the right boxes: he’s attentive, makes her feel secure, and appears genuinely interested in her.

As their connection deepens, the story captures the all-too-familiar dance of modern dating—avoiding vulnerability and the dreaded “what are we?” conversation. The narrative is engaging and reflects the contemporary dating scene’s anxieties and tactics, where showing too much interest is often seen as a strategic misstep.

While the book is billed as a “hilarious, unputdownable romcom” by Merky Books, it falls short of the comedy. It sometimes treads into cliché territories that could have been more creatively explored. Despite this, “The Situationship” is a light and relatable read for anyone who has navigated the murky waters of dating apps and is looking for a story that mirrors the highs and lows of searching for something real in a world where indifference is often the norm.

This was a slow read and not favored. The title made me think there would be high expectations, but this was not the case.

I wanted to love this book so much! I’ve been waiting forever to read it so it pains me to say that I didn’t enjoy it at all. I kept asking myself how old these characters were. I felt like I was reading a high school drama. And the miscommunication trope was so immature. I felt the story dragged on and at times I skimmed through the overly descriptive scenes that had no bearing on the actual story. This had a lot of potential and definitely fell flat for me at the end.

Thank you to Independent Publishers Group and NetGalley for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Rated 2.5/5 stars

Tia is navigating the complexities of modern dating while juggling work and friendships in this unconventional rom-com. The story delves deep into her experiences with structural racism at her workplace, highlighting the challenges of elevating Black stories in predominantly white environments. Despite some repetitive writing and occasional clunky dialogue, Tia's journey is compelling and filled with authenticity, making it a recommended read for those interested in contemporary issues and a heartfelt ending.

I really wanted to get into this but I just could not connect with it. I felt like the pace was a bit toooo slow for me.

i am so lucky i received an ARC of this book through netgalley. throughout this book, i fell in love with Tia's journey in dating and in life. she navigated struggles that many people of color encounter, especially when in dating and professional life.

I found this book such an easy read, especially as it represented the current era of dating with the insecurity of are / aren't we officially dating. Great read overall.