The comparisons to Sex & the City were perfect, and the same things that annoyed me about the show annoyed me about the book. No idea how the newsletter got that popular, that fast; completely unrealistic “I’m going to start a company; oh look! Financing appears out of nowhere plus a hot dude who wants me!” Best friendships that don’t seem to be based on much but are still vital. The book was okay for a fluffy break from thinking about anything important.

Also the relationship with Dennis felt like it popped up out of nowhere - I think some scenes were cut but then the story didn’t adjust to make sense.

This was so cute and fun. I am a huge lover a rom-coms and this was just what I needed. I did struggle to relate to sunny as a character because I felt as through there wasn’t any real conflict and it was kind of like a fairy tale. BUT that being said. Everyone loves a fairytale. Especially with the nice weather coming in, this was the perfect book to read on a nice warm and sunny day. A very heartwarming debut novel. I loved seeing a plus-size mfc, we don’t see that nearly enough. The friendships, the self discovery, the dating mishaps all added up to an entertaining read. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

(3.7 rounded up to 4)

In “Sunny Side Up,” a debut novel by Katie Sturino, the protagonist is Sunny Greene, a business owner of a PR firm in New York City. Despite her success, she is plagued by self-doubt following her recent divorce from Zack, who constantly ridiculed her because of her weight. She finds support from her recent friendship with Brooke and Noor, both divorcees who are each others’ champions. Trying to buoy her self-confidence, she starts dating and engaging in one night stands with men she finds appealing. Through successes and failures on the dating scene she boosts her morale with body acceptance self-talk, fun outings with her new best friends and restarting a self-acceptance blog.

I had mixed feelings about this book. On the positive side, Sunny was a character the reader wants to root for, with her post-divorce vulnerability and positive self-talk. In addition, her outings in New York and on vacation in the Bahamas with her friends were entertaining. On the negative side, the novel involved lengthy sections of “inner monologue” on Sunny’s part, which got old after awhile, as well as a lot more details about setting up a start-up than I was interested in reading. However, overall it was an entertaining read and should appeal to those who love character-driven novels with engaging protagonists.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me an ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

Katie Sturino’s The Problem with Perfect is a refreshing, laugh-out-loud, and empowering debut novel that celebrates self-love, body acceptance, and the unpredictability of dating. With a sharp and witty voice, Sturino introduces readers to Sunny Greene, a modern-day Carrie Bradshaw for the next generation.

At thirty-five, newly divorced Sunny is determined to embrace herself fully—no more self-doubt, no more trying to fit into an unrealistic mold. She has built a successful PR empire, has a stunning Chelsea apartment, and is surrounded by fiercely loyal friends. But navigating love post-divorce isn’t easy. With her little brother’s wedding looming, she’s on a mission: feel confident, date up a storm, and maybe, just maybe, find someone worth her time.

Enter two very different love interests: Dennis, the charming and genuine mailman who sees Sunny for who she truly is, and Ted, a business tycoon who could turn her dream of a size-inclusive swimsuit brand into reality. Just as she starts figuring things out, her ex unexpectedly reappears, adding another layer of chaos to her already complicated life.

Sturino shines in her ability to balance humor and heart, tackling society’s obsession with body image while crafting a story that is deeply relatable. The book seamlessly blends laugh-out-loud dating disasters, supportive female friendships, and heartfelt moments of self-acceptance. The incorporation of Sunny’s “First Wives Club” newsletters adds a clever and engaging touch.

More than just a rom-com, The Problem with Perfect is an uplifting journey of self-discovery, confidence, and redefining what happiness looks like. It’s a must-read for fans of Emily Henry, Sex and the City, and feel-good contemporary fiction.

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

This read was definitely one for someone who loves a Sunny disposition in life. Imagine Barbie, Sex in the City, Cinderella wrapped into one. From fear of dressing rooms, low self esteem, awful tinder hookups and a newly divorced lifestyle...The real life horror stories no one wants to talk about. I loved the body positivity talks throughout the book because it really felt like a self help section on loving your body. Like we were part of her Sunny Side Up blog, telling us to love our selves while she was learning to do the same. The little bits of spiciness were an added plus too. A hot construction worker, a dashing mail delivery man and a silver fox 🥵

"Lastly, I have found peace within myself and a realization for the first time in my life that my body was never the problem."

"Your body is not the problem. You are worthy of everything you desire (weird sex, true love, a hobby, a raise, a nap, whatever) EXACTLY as you are right now."

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for sharing this with me for an honest review!

Thank you for this early copy of Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino. This is my first book by this author and I know I will be on the lookout for more.
This was a fun, quick read that had you rooting for Sunny all the way through. Body positivity vs body acceptance was the core of this read, a distinction I had never heard about before and 100% am with her. Female power and ownership of feelings were other hit upon topics.
All the characters were interesting in their own right and you would be very lucky to have the same core group of cheerleaders surrounding you.
One day though I am looking for the strong woman trope where the woman doesn’t have to be a superstar in business, doesn’t have to have all powerful superstar friends, and have readily available money to solve most problems. Not saying it wasn’t a fun read and I enjoyed it tremendously, many times I was laughing out loud and sharing passages of witty writing. But, maybe a normal, just getting by in a mundane job, with normal people in their lives book would be refreshing too.
Looking forward to more from this author.

Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino is a heartwarming and empowering debut novel that blends humor, romance, and self-discovery. The story follows Sunny Greene, a 35-year-old, recently divorced PR mogul navigating life in New York City. With her brother's wedding looming and her confidence shaken, Sunny embarks on a journey to embrace her body, rediscover her self-worth, and explore the ups and downs of dating. Sturino's writing is witty and relatable, capturing the challenges of body image and societal expectations with authenticity. Sunny's journey is both inspiring and entertaining, filled with laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt friendships, and romantic twists. It's a feel-good read that celebrates self-love and resilience, perfect for fans of contemporary romance with a strong, relatable heroine.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨I’ve been following Katie on IG for a while now, so I was excited to read this one. The main character works in the fashion industry, which was an instant hook for me. The body image themes were also super relatable (though sometime a little preachy).

There were a few things that felt a little unrealistic. I read another review that pointed out how everything seemed to come too easily for Sunny. After getting divorce, she’s got two guys fighting over her within a year. Then she’s able to launch a brand in a few months and it’s immediately a success. 🤔

But overall it was a fast and enjoyable read. More books centered around the secondary characters please! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is pure joy. A celebration of confidence, friendship, and finding love, without losing yourself in the process.

Wow—Sunny Side Up is easily one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! Katie Sturino absolutely nails the emotions so many of us have felt—especially that dreaded moment in the dressing room, trying on a bathing suit. Her writing is funny, honest, and so incredibly relatable.

But this book isn’t just about body image. It also perfectly captures what it’s like to start over after a divorce, from the awkwardness of dating again to the emotional ups and downs of rebuilding your life. I felt every high and low right along with Sunny, and I was rooting for her the whole way through.

I wouldn’t change a single thing about this book. If you’re looking for a feel-good, empowering read that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer, Sunny Side Up is a must-read!

I really enjoyed this book! I've followed Katie Sturino for years, and this book just makes me appreciate her even more.

Sunny, a 30 something recently divorced plus size woman, is navigating finding a date to her brother's wedding and finding clothes that fit in an actual store. The female friendships, dating snafus and trials of being a plus size woman in a world that's built for smaller people were woven so beautifully throughout this story. It was great to read a story where the plus size female is the main character, not just the funny sidekick. Also, I love that New York City plays a minor character role throughout the book.

Thank you Celadon Books and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!

this is set in new york city about a woman trying to restart her life after a divorce. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it very much.

I was team Sunny from page one. Sturino has created the next Sex and the City with female friendships and navigating life in NYC. Sunny Side Up will relate to anyone who battles with there body and finally learns to love themselves. I can't remember when I have fallen in love more with a narrator. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this gem of a novel. Look out for this next rom com this summer.

title: Sunny Side Up

author: Katie Sturino

publisher: Celadon Books

publication date: June 24, 2025

pages: 304

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: fat-phobia and misogyny

summary: Sunny, six months after her divorce, is preparing for a beach vacation when her changing-room experience is so bad that it sets her on a mission to quiet her self-hating inner voice. She restarts the blog her ex-husband had her quit, launches a new bathing suit company for big women, and takes control of her dating life.

tropes:

brother's wedding
recently divorced

dating nightmares
love yourself

what I liked:

NYC life
representation of living in a large body
her relationships with friends
her assistant

what I didn’t like: 

too many men before she settles on the One


overall rating: 4 (of 5 stars)

I devoured this NYC romance about a divorced woman in her 30’s that is extremely successful professionally but finding her way back into life after her divorce. I appreciate any romance book that has at least 30 year old main characters that have maturity in life. She is hilarious, honest, and really searching for what she wants her life to look like now.

I adore her friends, wonderfully named after the iconic movie “first wives club”, and how the author writes about the main characters bravery that is always wavering between fear and confidence. She makes a lot of mistakes, but is willing to own them and keep moving.

I felt all the emotions throughout this book. I laughed out loud, cried, cringed at her mistakes, and felt inspired by her courage to start new businesses and take chances with dating.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher to giving me an advanced copy to read and review. I highly recommend!

this was pretty good!! i've been in a terrible slump, so sinking my teeth into something cozy and easy to devour was desperately needed. sunny side up did not disappoint! i had such a great time, the pacing was done so well and found myself connecting with the fmc i never expected. highly recommend! thank you netgalley for the arc.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy to review. I’m a new follower of Kate Sturino and love her content. This book reads exactly as I expected it would with her voice and the story is very fun. She’s a great writer and able to deliver body talk without sounding like a broken record or self help book. My one complaint would be that this was a bit long and could be edited for length in some spots.

Sunny Side Up — sweetness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A joyful, hilarious, and uplifting read! This book celebrates body positivity with humor and heart, making it a quick and delightful escape. Thank you for the early read—love seeing every woman represented!

I liked this. I appreciated the body-positive angle (something we clearly need more of). The author drew me into the story and I really was curious as to what was going to happen. As for the men in the story, I've known all three in real life, and they all felt realistically portrayed.

My one complaint - I wish there was a touch more humor. But, that's just me.

I can see this book getting big, with a Netflix series and the works. Well done.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.