4.5/5
Uhhhhh what did I just read?! That was a TRIP. I was SURE I knew where things were going but boy was I wrong.

My thanks to Net Galley and St Martin's for this arc but this was a dnf at 25% for me. I think I was not the target audience for this book being older. I could not connect with Jane s immaturity and it seemed to be all over the place. Her behavior over a few dates was childish. Had to move on.. Can't recommend.

What the actual fudge did I just read and why did I absolutely love it? This was a wild, chaotic, totally unexpected ride from start to finish. I have no idea how to describe it without sounding unhinged, but somehow, it all worked. I’m completely speechless… and also completely obsessed.

This was a wild ride. One I don’t know I wanted to be on.
I feel like this story was all over the place. At first I thought I got it, and then it would switch directions.
Good and bad with thrillers sometimes.
Jane loves Colin. Her boyfriend of 6 short dates. When he breaks up with her she becomes obsessed with getting him back and making him realize he’s the one.
Becoming the best friend of his new girlfriend Zoe shouldn’t be on her list of things to do right? Nope, but it happens. Will they, won’t they? That’s honestly about to be the least of her problems.
Want something kind of different? Read this!
Thanks netgalley for the arc!

Intensely obsessive and creepy… and yet I couldn’t put it down! Love that I couldn’t predict what would happen next—even on the last page.

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Set in NYC, 24 year old playwright-wannabe, Jane, dates and gets dumped by 24 year old Colin. She refuses to believe they’re over and starts to “accidentally” happen upon places he might be when he finds out he’s already moved on with Zoe, an artist with a big following. Jane refuses to admit things are over with Colin and inserts herself right into his life.

First of all, Jane-get over it! You’re wasting your prettiest years on a guy without a personality. Zoe and Jane are kind of weird and predictable and Colin has no depth. The story line is…fine. It didn’t draw me in but the author’s writing is very easy to read and has good pacing. The cover is perfection.

Read if you like:
➡️ thrillers set in NYC
➡️ stalkers
➡️ a book with a twist
➡️ a good appreciation for the Oxford comma

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Olivia Worley, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was a thriller that kept you on your toes and guessing until the end. It was very twisted and fast paced and once I started the book I couldn’t stop reading until the very end!

I really enjoyed the beginning of this thriller and initially found the storytelling addictive and Jane an interesting MC. But as I kept reading, the story started going in a direction that was too predictable, Jane got more and more annoying, and Colin's character remained hollow and boring. Worley's writing was solid, however, so I could see myself picking up another book of hers in the future.

I really enjoyed So Happy Together! Olivia Worley masterfully blends psychological suspense with dark humor, crafting a story that’s both gripping and unsettling. The protagonist, Jane, is a 24-year-old playwright whose obsession with her ex-boyfriend, Colin, leads her down a path filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected twists. Worley’s portrayal of Jane’s descent into obsession is both compelling and chilling, making it hard to put the book down. The narrative’s twists kept me on my toes, and the ending left me surprised, yet satisfied. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers this book is a must-read. 

⸻

So Happy Together is set to be published on June 3, 2025 . Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the E-Arc of So Happy Together in exchange for my honest opinion

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 5, 2025
As a struggling playwright in New York City, twenty-four-year-old Jane thinks all of her dreams come true when she meets the love of her life, Colin. Colin and Jane were made for each other and Jane knows they’re destined to be together- even if Colin doesn’t. It isn’t until Colin starts dating perfect, beautiful Zoe, that Jane realizes Colin may need a bit of a nudge to understand that Jane is the one for him. So, Jane infiltrates Zoe’s life, becoming her close friend, trying to get into Colin’s life in whatever way she can. But Jane underestimates Zoe and is forced to make a deadly choice when she realizes just who Zoe is, and what she’s after.
Olivia Worley’s novel, “So Happy Together” is a passionate, clever novel about obsession and unrequited love. Dark and dangerous, Worley creates a page-turning, suspense-filled story about the search for the illustrious “soulmate”.
After a few dates with Jane, she falls for Colin, hard, even though it is clear Colin doesn’t reciprocate when he shows up to a restaurant with Zoe on his arm. Readers are torn between feelings of sympathy and pity for Jane, and feelings of support, hoping that she gets what she so obviously wants. Colin is nothing special to write home about, but he’s not a complete loser, and, combined with Jane’s horrible childhood trauma, it’s easy to see why Jane falls for him so hard. Worley has given Jane the perfect backstory, without making her weak or naïve, making her the ideal candidate to fall prey to someone who shows her attention.
“Together” has bodies dropping left and right, and Worley doesn’t give any obvious clues, so we’re left guessing until the final pages, and even then, the story carries on, adding a final twist that left me gasping. Could Colin be the person Jane thinks he is or does he have a dark side? Who is Zoe, really? The speculation keeps on piling up and Worley chose the ideal way to wrap up the ending, providing a satiating conclusion.
Worley’s writing is gripping and tense, with strong plot and character development. I have read all of Worley’s previous novels, “The Debutantes” and “People to Follow” and found her writing refreshing and addictive, which is the case with her newest novel as well. I highly recommend checking out “So Happy Together”, or one of Worley’s other works, if you are looking for a read that is strong on suspense with a well-formed plot and powerful conclusion.

3 stars

The first half of this was great.
The story follows Jane, a delusional ex-fling of a guy named Colin.
She spots him while out on a date after he ghosted her. She somehow concocts in her mind that he loves and wants her back. So, she befriends his new girlfriend and injects herself into his friend circle

This had so much potential, but everything went downhill for me at part II … like what?? I don’t even words to describe what happened. I feel like part I and part II were two completely different books.
3 stars because the first half was good, and I did like how things wrapped up the end (although it was predictable)

4 stars rounded up, because I was wavering between 3 and 4 stars... as I enjoyed the ride for the most part, I rounded up. I wasn't sold on the ending and felt like it could have gone a more interesting way, I did appreciate a plot twist away from the standard stalker theme. It felt a bit slow in the beginning, which is another reason why I thought maybe a 3 for a time, but again, it was mostly an entertaining read and I'll be happy to read more from this author!

This was a fun popcorn thriller. Not ground breaking concept, but kept me entertained and the writing was well done. I think thriller fans of authors like Freida McFadden and Janeva Rose will enjoy it.

The narrator did great! I would recommend that route.

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of So Happy Together, by Olivia Worley, from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

What I liked about this book:
- The way it captured the realities of the social media tools people use to curate their images/tell a certain story.
- The descriptions of the clothes.
- The fact that I didn’t see the ending coming.
- The surprise mention of *Fairhope, Alabama.*

What I didn’t like about this book:
- The main character.
- That it got kinda convoluted-y.

Maybe I’ve just aged out of believing that someone could be that obsessed with someone else. Hormones will make a body crazy, sure enough. Don’t miss those days.

Much.

*Fairhope, Alabama*
I have shared many life experiences with my good friend SC—just knew we were destined to become besties when he challenged my mouthy and oh-so-sure of my self back in an undergraduate political science about 137 years ago.

One of those memories was going to visit him when he was clerking for a judge in Mobile, Alabama. I had heard for years about this bar in Fairhope I wanted to visit, Judge Roy Bean, and I was so excited he was going to take me to it!!

Me: “What should I wear?”

SC: “Umm, Kristi? I don’t think it matters what you wear. THERE IS A GOAT IN THE BAR.”

Good times!

DESCRIPTION
Jane and Colin are soulmates. He just doesn’t know it yet.

For twenty-four-year-old Jane, finding love in New York City is even harder than making it as a playwright. So when Jane meets Colin, she can’t believe her luck: they’re perfect for each other. Even when Colin breaks off their relationship after six dates, Jane knows this is just a stumbling block. She’ll get him back. She knows she will.

That is, until Colin starts dating Zoe—perfect, luminous Zoe. Even worse, she’s actually kind of nice. But Zoe doesn’t have what it takes to love Colin. All Jane has to do is prove it, and they’ll be so happy together.

But when Jane sneaks into Colin’s apartment, she makes a shocking discovery—one that will ensnare them all in a dark web of lies, secrets, and murder.

Unrelentingly twisty and utterly compelling, So Happy Together is an unputdownable, shattering read—a riveting blend of You, Riley Sager, and Promising Young Woman.

Some hearts get broken, some get even.

This book had too many things going on. Was this about Jane finding love? Being a stalker? Solving a murder? Her past trauma? Her possibly being a killer? And although I love a book with some twists and turns, this one made me dizzy.

Thanks to Netgalley for this eArc for my honest review

Here's the thing. I love a good popcorn thriller that keeps the pages turning. These have always been my go-to books, but it seems like lately, these types of books have really disappointed me, simply because it seems that the author's sole purpose is to inundate you with one ridiculous twist after another, resulting in whiplash, and in my case, full-on annoyance. I'm happy to report that this wasn't the case here. Did I figure out what was likely happening early on? Yes, but I still had fun reading this one. Sometimes, the fun is in watching the chaos unfold, even when you kind of see it coming.

The story follows Jane, a 24-year-old playwright living in New York City who's desperately trying to find love (almost a little too desperately, honestly). Jane thinks she's hit the jackpot when she meets Colin, a seemingly sweet and nerdy software engineer. They hit it off, and just when she's thinking about potential happily-ever-afters, Colin pulls the plug after just six dates. And this does not sit well with Jane.

When Colin quickly moves on with Zoe—an effortlessly cool Brooklyn artist who's just the kind of person Jane secretly wishes she could be—it's a blow to her confidence. Still, Jane can't shake the feeling that Colin and Zoe are just a temporary blip. She's convinced that Colin belongs with her, and Zoe just doesn't have the depth to stick it out through the tough times. So, naturally, Jane decides to prove it... by keeping an eye on them via some good, old-fashioned stalkerish behavior. She works her way into their relationship by starting to date Colin's roommate and befriending Zoe. But when she sneaks into Colin's apartment, she stumbles upon a shocking secret that may have her rethinking everything she thought she knew about Colin.

Jane is a complete mess. Like, the kind of mess where you just want to sit her down and say, "Girl, therapy exists for a reason and someone could make a killing off of you." But that's what makes her such a fun (and cringey) character to follow. She's unhinged in a way that's both relatable and unsettling. You understand her loneliness and her obsession, even if you're shaking your head the whole time.

One of the things that I liked about this one was that it doesn't feel like it's trying too hard. Worley gives us just enough twists to keep us hooked without going overboard. There's a big reveal—because, of course, there is—but it's not one of those over-the-top, out-of-left-field surprises that leave you rolling your eyes. It's more of a natural progression of the story, and it makes sense within the world Worley has created.

If I had one complaint, it would be that the book reads a bit more like a YA thriller than an adult one. The way Jane's obsession and insecurities play out feels a bit young, even if the character is in her mid-twenties. It's not necessarily a bad thing—just something to keep in mind if you're expecting a more mature tone. Also, if you're the type of reader who needs a wholly unpredictable plot, this might not be your jam. Personally, I found the slightly predictable nature kind of comforting. Sometimes you just want a fast-paced, slightly unhinged ride, and this book delivers exactly that.

I alternated between reading and listening to this one, and I have to give kudos to Michelle H. Lee (the narrator) for doing an amazing job with the audiobook. She captures all of the characters perfectly.

This is the kind of book you pick up when you want something engaging, twisty (but not overly so), and just a little bit bonkers. It's fun, messy, and a great way to spend a few hours wrapped up in someone else's poor life choices. If you're a fan of popcorn thrillers that don't take themselves too seriously, give this one a shot. You might just find yourself happily devouring every chaotic chapter.

This was a messed up book. I probably say that too much when writing reviews for thrillers, but it was the first thing I thought when I started reading. And then I kept repeating it in my head.

Jane needs some serious help. There were times I liked her, but most of the time I just wanted to smack her and tell her to snap out of it. Jane has an obsession with Colin. At first it seems like a long term relationship where he broke her heart. It's two months later and she's basically trying to "run into" him. But we find out quickly that they only went on six dates. Six. He broke up with her after they had sex for the first time. He's now dating Zoe who is a really cool artist. Zoe is super nice and becomes friends with Jane. But they both find some things that make them question Colin. Zoe doesn't know Jane dated him. She just thinks they're friends from college. Colin seems like the perfect boyfriend, but there are cracks starting to show. The book has a handful of twists. Some I saw coming. Others I didn't. I ended up reading this in two sittings.

I gave this book 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my earc.

So Happy Together by Olivia Worley is a mystery thriller with fatal attraction vibes. Jane has met Colin, the man she knows is the love of her life. She falls hard for him but after six dates, he breaks it off. Jane knows Colin loves her just as much as she does him. She just needs to convince him to not be afraid of those feelings and that his new girlfriend, Zoe, isn’t right for him. Jane will do anything to help Colin see the truth, even lie for him after discovering something that should be unforgivable. Jane will do anything to convince him she is his ride or die. I really enjoyed this story. I love a good “crazy girl” story. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for opportunity to read the eARC.

I enjoyed this and felt very invested in the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Jane Williams is an aspiring playwright living in New York City. Her love interest, Colin, recently broke off their relationship after only 6 dates. Jane runs into Colin and his new girlfriend Zoe and becomes determined to get Colin back. Jane finds herself at his birthday party and Zoe takes a liking to her, befriending her. Later Jane sneaks back into the apartment and discovers something so shocking she begins to question everything she knows about Colin.

So Happy Together is an exciting thriller that will keep you guessing who is the psychopath and who is the victim. This is a fast read that I devoured in a few days. If you love unreliable narrators and characters that make questionable decisions, this read is for you!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review,