I absolutely loved the synapsis of this book, and the fact that the story took a year to tell. The pacing of the second half did feel a bit rushed- which is almost comical as all of Ingrid's friends and family say the same thing. However, I did enjoy Ingrid's journey and seeing her character grow.

First - thank you to netgalley and to St. Martin’s press for my copy of Overdue in exchange for my honest opinion.

I think this book has so much going for it. The book girlies are gonna eat this UPPP and Macon feels ridiculous as a love interest. WAS ALL OVER THAT. I was told like three facts about him and felt immediately like he was the dreamiest character. (Like genuinely I felt a little ridiculous at how quickly I was obsessed and pro-Macon). ((Am I allowed to say he has the most refreshing golden retriever energy compared to like every ridiculous macho dude love interest ever?)) Like. Finally. A love interest for the female gaze. Man, I’m SO !!!!!

The writing itself had these stand out moments but was a littttle mid. I found the book totally binge-able though. And I think weirdly, the premise will resonate with/compel a lot of people in mid-but-“happy” long term relationships. 👀 (While I don’t feel like I’m on that, I think some women will relate.)

An issue I had a bit was how quickly it felt our narrator launched into feeling 100% down and un-conflicted about taking a break from her long term partner. She was almost right away ok with the break? I won’t give much away, and I think we got some retroactive information to try to remedy this… But more active, present, totally blush-worthy, more bad relationship/ and more “longing” moments up front in the beginning of the book, or more information in a “show don’t tell” way would have gotten me way more in my feels throughout. But know, I’m being picky here. I was still kicking my feet (And a lot of romance novels I have this critique of.)

Also - around 3/4ths in, I felt like things were dragging. I know it’s slow burn, but I felt like there was some missed opportunities for some more tension/slow burn /heat moments!

Also also - I thought the way the other significant relationships in the book were handled was super neat. That’s hard to do and didn’t feel like a loose end!

I can think of legit six people I’m going to recommend this book to. Super super fun. I just wasn’t the exact target audience. Strong 3.5 stars? Rounded to 4 stars. ✨ 🌟🌟🌟

I didn’t enjoy this one very much. The slow burn left much to be desired. Would have love a split pov with her boyfriend.

Stephanie Perkins is an author I trust. I trust her with words, with characters, and especially with details. This book feels different than her other books, but that could be said for many of her stories. She has the gift of exploring many genres while still distinctly having a voice and style. 

In this book we are following Ingrid Dahl. Ingrid was instantly lovable, though a bit naive at first. I loved being with her on her journey from first dates, to heartbreak, to fresh starts, following dreams, and finding (enviable) love. Love is something no one writes quite like Stephanie Perkins. She writes what I like to call “good love”. The characters are always good to each other. The conflict never comes from mind games or hurting the other, it comes from the nature of being human, of being unsure of yourself, others, and of the natural vulnerabilities that come with letting yourself love and be loved. 

This book was such a cozy read. There are many stories woven in this book but it all worked well together. The details and side characters allow you to be fully immersed in the world. It is definitely a book that will stay with me and that I will think about often.

Who is Ingrid? She’s a a librarian, dated only 1 guy, and the oldest sister. Her break with her long time boyfriend is for what reason? And agreeing to date other people for what reason? Marriage? But why? I had a lot of questions as to why they decide to take a break and date others. When it got to part where I answer would come it didn’t come. While Ingrid was dating other guys it seemed more about being intimacy than building a relationship. Is that why break was happening? Because Ingrid and Cory weren’t intimate with each other?

I think the story is a wonderful idea, but I just had a hard time understanding reasoning why the break, and dating others, and meeting at the end of the month.

I enjoyed this book but my only complaint is it was a bit long and I skipped over some parts. When it's released, I'll borrow it from the library. Sometimes holding an actual book makes me like it more as I'm reading it, if that makes sense. I believe readers who are also book lovers will enjoy this book.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 ⭐️

This was fine. I wasn’t going to request this one based on synopsis, but the cover art was absolutely gorgeous and it snagged me.

For starters, I wouldn’t describe this as a romance - slow burn, or otherwise. It’s women’s fiction through and through. Ingrid and her long-time beau Cory agree to separate for a time to date other people. Instead, Ingrid finds herself. Which for me is a defining factor of women’s fiction.

I wasn’t rooting for Cory and I certainly wasn’t rooting for Macon. There were definitely better suitors along the way. Macon is the crunchiest but also most dull, bland character I think I’ve ever read. He’s 39, but he gave SUCH old man vibes and I absolutely pictured him as a pale 90-year old devoid of facial expressions the entire time.

It was well written, but the writing style is quite the monologue. A lot of exposition and not a lot of dialogue. I prefer the latter. It felt like one of those conversations where no one else can get a word in edgewise. It was entirely character-driven. If Ingrid had been my friend IRL, I probably would’ve phased her out long ago.

Additionally, I hate a book that repeatedly mentions the COVID-19 pandemic. I prefer my fiction to pretend it never happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The slow burn, the engaging characters, and a story that just gets into your blood drove me to finish this in one happy go. Romance fans will cheer and cry, "More! More!"

This was a sweet romance! I enjoyed this read and the descriptions and details were meticulously written. This was a first Stephanie Perkins I have read. I will def be reading more by her!

Not sure I’ve ever taken this long to read a romance book.

From the beginning, I found the plot tough to believe; a couple of 11-year-olds taking a break to hook up with other people, then get married once they get it out of their system?? As if anyone really thinks that would go well.

More than anything, I find it hard to even classify this as a romance novel. I understand that the goal is a slow burn, but at times, I wasn’t even sure who I was supposed to be “burning” for, and the romance doesn’t even start until the 80% mark. The entire meat of the novel is a series of weird, awkward, and at times a little concerning dates and the FMC questioning every life choice she’s ever made (which, like fair girl, I get it)

I also struggled to find any semblance of behaviors that were supposed to be the 30yr and 40yr old ages of these characters, they were shy and messy like teenagers in a high school.

I will say that when we finally hit the romance (although it was brief and short-lived), the moments we did get were quite beautiful and cozy. I just wish we had more of them.

Overall, maybe I would’ve enjoyed this more if it were classified as a fiction novel that happens to have romance in it. It was definitely a cozy, rainy day type of read that I could see others enjoying.

I enjoyed Stephanie Perkins' foray into adult lit. The story was sweet and romantic, twisting and turning. The visuals descriptions were riveting. I didn't always love the main characters, but we need more unlikeable MCs so I was on board with the author's decisions to make those characters work for our love. They won me in the end. Extra points for the wonderful cat!

It was very clear to me that Perkins has a background in YA. There’s nothing wrong with that, I like YA! But the problem solving and emotional maturity of the characters are very young - I’d expect more from characters well into their adulthood!

Perkins’s editor should have forced her to cut 20% of the book, because there was a lot of scenes which felt kind of unnecessary. Despite the length, though, this book devotes very little time into the romance/dating. Our characters move straight from friends to moved in and discussing marriage. The beginning of the book was a slog and the end was rushed. Pacing is important and it just wasn’t well done in this case.

Before I start my review, I have to point out that I RARELY ever give books one star. I hate DNFing books, and I considered DNFing just about every time I picked this book up, but I wanted to be able to share my thoughts on the book in its entirety since I was reading it as an advanced reader copy. Some of the points I make in my review are in spoiler territory, so if you plan on reading this book, just keep that in mind.

My first qualm with this book is that the synopsis did not capture the main plot of the story. The synopsis made it seem as if the "one month break" between Ingrid and Cory would be the focal point of this romance. I was surprised to see that by page 1, the conversation between the couple of taking a break had already happened. We, as readers, got little to no backstory as to why they decided to take a break in the first place. It was just something that was already implemented before the story even began. This book felt strangely repetitive when the couple decided not once, but TWICE that their one month break wasn't enough. At that point I was genuinely confused as to why they didn't just break up, as they were both dating and having sexual relationships with several other people. Which brings me to my next point - a chunk of this book was dedicated to Ingrid dating random men, either through her job or online. It took way too long to get to the actual point of the story, which was the romance between Ingrid and Macon.

I did not feel a connection between Ingrid and Macon whatsoever. This was the perfect example of she loves him, but he likes her. There wasn't much of a spark in this slow burn. And let me tell you, it was slowww. The couple did not have their first kiss until 82%, and the first smutty scene also occurred at the 82% mark. We waited that WHOLE time for the first kiss for the spice to follow immediately after? Mind you, Ingrid had said she loved Macon before they even had their first kiss. Just seems completely unrealistic to me.

Unfortunately I cannot think of one aspect about this book that I liked. It felt extremely long with no payoff.

I found this to be a slow romance with a bit of coziness to it. The story was following the female main character, it gave a more realistic voice from her view. I did feel some feelings with this one but i wanted more.

"Overdue" is Stephanie Perkins' first book, and caught my eye with its original cover. In this book, Ingrid has been dating her college boyfriend for more than a decade when they both realize that it's now or never -- get engaged or move on. They decide to take a month off in order to try dating other people, and that month keeps being extended until they finally realize they were never meant to marry. However, Ingrid has always had a fondness for her coworker, the quiet Macon, and begins to rely on him more than ever. While she helps him update his house and he helps her open up a small bookstore, the two realize that there's something more than friendship between the two of them. But will either of them be brave enough to make the first move?

While this book had the slowest burn ever, I do appreciate that the author made sure both Ingrid and Macon were in the right place mentally and emotionally to be in a relationship. I appreciate the maturity the two of them displayed, and even enjoyed the side storylines as well. I look forward to Perkins' next book! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

When Ingrid Dahl learns that her sister is getting married she starts to reassess her life and her relationship with her boyfriend Cory. They have been dating since college, but have no real urge to take things further and it has her wondering if there is a deeper reason why...like maybe they weren't meant for one another. So they devise a plan, they'll take a month long break from one another, date a little and see where it leads them. It seems like a pretty simple plan, that is until the end of their month rolls around...

The pages of Overdue hold a story of new beginnings, taking chances, love, self discovery, and finding true happiness. I really enjoyed watching Ingrid take her life with both hands and shake it up a bit. She found that the life she had been living wasn't really want she wanted and that she wanted something a bit more exciting and fulfilling... which meant saying goodbye to her old life for a month and chasing this new chapter. She had a few ups and down, but found something truly special and unexpectedly pleasant in the end.

This slow burn romance was not only entertaining but came brimming with several moments that were quite funny and emotionally charged. Overall I would say it was an enjoyable read, one that I would recommend for anyone who likes women's fiction stories or maybe even tamer romances. Highly recommend!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

I had mixed feelings about this and reading other reviews, I can understand why. It has some elements I really enjoyed and I found the slow burn of the romance to build well, but slow burn doesn't have to mean slow paced. It felt like the entire story was crawling along. I think there was a bit of a literary element that lend it to a cozy journey with a lot of introspection. It's definitely on the character driven side which is great but I wish the characters were a bit more interesting and less ruminative.

If you like slow burn with a lot of build and tension, you'll probably love this one.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my god I didn't expect this to be one of my worst reads of the year, but here we are. I feel bad but I really can't think of a single redeeming quality this book had and it felt like a complete waste of time to read. the first half of this book was painful and slow to develop into anything at all, and the next 30% was just one long description of an HGTV special in home renovation. By the time anything actually romantic happened I had completely lost interest and was just waiting of the book to be over. There was no development in character and I still feel like I don't know anything about either lead. Instead of developing backstory and understanding their fears and motivations it was just them stressing about painting. I did not care even a little bit about their relationship and felt absolutely no romantic tension. I wouldn't even call this a slow burn as there was nothing even burning.
I know I sound harsh but I'm frustrated at the potential for a fun, heartwarming romance wasted on whatever this was.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for providing an ARC.

As someone who read and adored Stephanie Perkins since I was a teenager, I was really excited for her adult debut. Unfortunately I am struggling to find a single positive thing to write in this review. Overdue fell completely flat for me, and I can't believe this is the same author who wrote some of my favourite love stories from my teen years. Nothing stood out to me about this book. Genuinely at least 30% is just detailing home renovations instead of developing any characters. I don't care about picking paints or gardening, I would rather get details about character's backstories or personalities. I can understand a slow burn but these characters didn't hold hands til the last 15% of the book and then the entire romance was speed run so fast it made me dizzy. There was such little romance or even chemistry between the leads.
All to say this entire book left me confused, annoyed, and unconvinced.

I'm not usually a romance reader, but every now and then I read once that makes me think, "Maybe I am a romance reader!" I really enjoyed this sweet, emotional story about a relatable librarian who, after breaking up with her boyfriend, is navigating a complicated attraction to her coworker. I I really liked the two main characters and was rooting for them to get together so badly! They got the happy ending I wanted for them! This book is really more than a romance though, it is about growing up and making your way through life in which not everything goes according to plan, and still persuing your dreams and hanging in there