This was a sweet, lighthearted read with plenty of charm and relatable moments. The setting and premise were intriguing, and I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters. It had all the makings of a fun, cozy romance, and the writing style was engaging, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
However, I felt that the story didn’t quite explore its potential. The characters, while likable, didn’t have as much depth as I had hoped, and the emotional stakes felt a bit low. There were moments where I wanted more from the relationship development, and I found some of the conflicts resolved a bit too easily.
It’s a good pick if you’re in the mood for something light and cute, but if you’re looking for a deeper or more complex romance, this might not fully satisfy.

This book was too spicy for my taste. Many others might enjoy the banter in the bedroom or vulgar descriptions of the act, but I do not. This book seemed interesting, and to many others it will probably be. It was not up to my review standard.

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

Let me preface this by saying as I deeply enjoy the majority of St. Martin's books I have read I am not sure if this is an outlier or if I'm just not in a good mood and after a while this will grow on me.
Now to the review.
In this book we follow a woman who decided to take a one month break with her boyfriend so they could date other people before deciding to get married. We pick up after this decision, which surprised me and led me to believe this would be a fast paced read, which it was NOT. We spend a year following Ingrid, and let me tell you, it felt like it.
There is slow burn and then there is whatever this is. From 14% I could tell this wasn't for me, but I persisted because I thought it would get better. The writing style is so slow and we spend a lot of time in parts we really didn't need to. At 80% the main character was still fixated on something that happened in the very beginning, and then from nowhere everything was resolved and we moved to the honeymoon phase. I just don't think it worked for me.
At the halfway point something happens with her boyfriend and I realized the book would be much less boring if we followed him, or did a split pov between them both. It is too long and while I like slow burn romance this was done in a way that didn't work at all.
If you decide to read it, just keep all this in mind, it might be helpful to know beforehand.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Overdue by Stephanie Perkins.

I absolutely loved this book!!

Ingrid has been with the same boyfriend for 11 years when they decide to take a month a part to date other people. She immediately thinks of her co worker Macon but he turns her down. She then tries to navigate dating apps and asking different men out.

Ingrid learns a lot about herself and takes control of her life.

Steamy, slow burn romance... yes please! I loved this one! It kept me up late so I could finish it. Will be on the lookout for more in the future.

Ingrid and Cory have been in a relationship for 11 years and suddenly decide that maybe they need a break, so they go their separate ways with an agreement to meet up in 30 days and move forward in their relationship. Of course, relationships aren't that easy and their 30-day break turns into a longer, then even longer break. In the meantime, Ingrid is drawn more and more to her coworker, Macon, but she's not sure he is as into her as she is him.
I felt like I was back in high school or maybe junior high. It was a maddening Groundhog Day plot that never seemed to end. I did not appreciate the language throughout the book and hope that people don't really talk that way all the time. The author's forced wokeness throughout the storyline was unnecessary and ridiculous, especially the they/them scenario.
I appreciate the opportunity to pre-read this book but it will definitely be the last book I ever read by this author. I did not enjoy it at all.

DNF’d at 26% and I hate giving up on a book, but when I glanced down, assuming the romance was about to begin because I must be well over halfway through and saw the number 25%, my jaw dropped. Are you kidding me? This was like going to dinner with that one friend who rambles about themselves endlessly and all you can do is smile and nod and order more drinks. There was zero indication we were getting to the point anytime soon. This was anecdotal dating stories about faceless guys who all sounded sort of the same even when they weren’t. This girl is with the same guy for 11 years and they don’t know if they want to marry each other??? So they decide to date other people for a month……which makes me crazy. Maybe experiment with actually being alone for a month. Get to know yourself instead of waiting for some stranger to fall into your lap and make you suddenly understand yourself and your own needs. Garbage book. That’s harsh, I know, but this was absolutely the worst.

One star because the library she works in sounds cozy and has stained glass windows and a fireplace. Also because 0 stars isn’t an option.

Ingrid and Cory have been a couple forever but never take the next step toward marriage. To make sure they are ready for marriage they decide to take one month and have an open relationship; they may date other people. The dates were not exciting; the whole book was kind of bland. I expected so much more from the premise. The relationship between Ingrid and Macon left me wondering why? Just not for me.

This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, it turned out to be more! The main character was relatable in her journey to figure out herself and her true desires from life. It always helps when humor is sprinkled in. The setting was gorgeous. The supporting characters are the kind of people you want in your corner! This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I believe I will read more!

5/5 stars

WOW! I absolutely adored this book!

Our focus is on Ingrid over the course of a year as she navigating new experiences and figuring out herself after taking a month break from her 11 year relationship with her boyfriend, Cory. I enjoyed reading about Ingrid's journey of self-discovery, even if some of her actions gave me second-hand embarrassment, but that is just part of life!

I can understand why people would not like this book as it is a very VERY slow burn romance, but I think it was very fitting for this story! Our focus is Ingrid discovering more of herself and what she wants in life without being in a long-term relationship. I felt that the slow build up to the romance paid off and realistic, especially since Ingrid spent the last decade in another relationship. It made me feel more connected to the characters; thus, made me care for them more. I also adored Macon! He is the greenest flag that has ever existed! He is definitely going on my list of favorite book boyfriends!

I will definitely order myself a copy to go on my bookshelves, even though they are not a forest green theme (I wish)!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

4⭐️

As someone who read Anna and the French Kiss multiple times as a teen, I was so thrilled to read Stephanie Perkins’ adult debut! This is lovely slow burn between Ingrid and Macon, long-time coworkers and friends, who finally have their chance. This is also a lovely slow burn between Ingrid and herself, after an unexpected and life-altering breakup.

I loved reading about her journey to self-rediscovery, as messy as it was. The rushed pacing of the first half of the story, felt reflective of the chaos that Ingrid was experiencing, true to her state of mind as she was crashing out. It was like listening to and guiding a close friend post-breakup—I cared so deeply about Ingrid! As she began to settle into her new reality as a single 29 year old and started working towards her own dreams, the pacing of the book began to match.

I loved this book so much, I loved Ingrid and Macon so much and I love growing up with an author so much!

A quiet, cozy story about letting go, growing up, and finding the kind of love that helps you come home to yourself.

Read this if you like:
🤎 late 20s coming of age
🤎 cozy librarian energy
🤎 slowwwwwww slow burns
🤎 emotionally messy but real characters

I’m in my Friends era and fully thought I was getting a Rachel and Ross “we were on a break!!” moment with flirty dating and a swoony slow burn romance. But what I actually got was a quiet, introspective story about figuring yourself out in your late twenties and honestly, it kind of snuck up on me in the best way.

Ingrid’s been with the same guy since college, and when they decide to take a break, she’s suddenly faced with the question: who am I without him? She makes some questionable choices (the bookstore name…), but she grows, like we all do. She’s not always easy to root for, but most of us weren’t either in our twenties trying to figure it all out. Honestly, I’m still not easy to root for all the time. That’s kind of the point, she felt real.

Just know going in: this isn’t super romance heavy. It’s more about identity, change, and navigating that weird space between who you were and who you’re becoming. But the romance that is there? It hits. Ingrid and Macon’s connection is soft and meaningful—I just wish we got more of them.

There’s one quote that got me:

“And perhaps I was his light, but he had guided me out of the darkness and into this new life. Light simply had no purpose without life.
Here, with him, I had found a purpose.
Here, with him, I was filled with life.”

THAT is why I kept reading, and thankfully it delivered in the end!!

A big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, & Saturday Books for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Books -Saturday Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Ingrid and her boyfriend, of many years , Cory, decide to take a one month break from each other. The story follows Ingrid’s journey as she navigates the dating world after having only being with Cory since she was sixteen.
There were many opportunities to cut scenes from this 400 page book. This slow burn is good but not great. The beginning was a bit drawn out. I really enjoyed the second half of the book. The characters were endearing.

I wouldn’t classify this as a romance and more of a woman’s fiction. The slow burn was slooow. Not my favorite but it worked fine. New beginnings and learning to find happiness.

Loved this book, it felt so real! Loved following Ingrid’s financial and career struggles, and her sweet friends and coworkers.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Saturday Books for providing me with an advance reader’s copy of Overdue.

The premise of Overdue immediately caught my attention, though I approached it with tempered expectations given the central conflict: Ingrid’s decision to explore a relationship outside of her long-term partnership. Ingrid and Cory have been together for eleven years, their lives deeply intertwined. However, when Ingrid’s sister, Riley, announces her engagement, the milestone compels the couple to confront their own readiness for commitment. Feeling unprepared and inexperienced, they agree to take a one-month break to pursue connections with others before making a lifelong decision. Yet what begins as a temporary experiment gradually stretches beyond its intended limits.

Since her first day working alongside him at the library’s circulation desk, Ingrid has quietly harbored feelings for her coworker, Macon. After he awkwardly rebuffs her initial advance, their once-easy camaraderie shifts into discomfort, eventually evolving into something deeper over time.

Marketed as a slow-burn romance, the novel unfolds at a measured, deliberate pace. While I expected a gradual progression, I was surprised by how little the first half focused on the romantic arc. The early chapters felt weighed down by extraneous details—such as extended descriptions of a stained glass window—which, though atmospheric, often interrupted narrative momentum. Additionally, the frequent references to the pandemic and political commentary, while reflective of the setting’s realities, began to feel repetitive and, at times, detracted from the core storyline.

I found the second half of the novel more compelling—not solely because the romance gained prominence, but because the pacing quickened and the characters’ emotional journeys came into sharper focus. Even so, I struggled to fully grasp the depth of Ingrid and Macon’s connection; while Macon’s quiet acts of service endeared him to me, their chemistry at times felt underdeveloped. Their dialogue and decisions occasionally seemed inconsistent with their ages and life experiences, which made their dynamic harder to believe.

Ultimately, Overdue left me with mixed impressions. Rather than centering on a romantic narrative, it leans more heavily into themes of self-discovery and personal reinvention—a choice that, while deliberate, may not align with the expectations of readers seeking a traditional romance. The shifting focus and uneven structure created a sense of disjointedness, as though two distinct narratives were loosely stitched together.

Readers seeking a romance with a satisfying emotional payoff may find the slow pacing and closed-door intimacy underwhelming. While the emotional resolution is sincere, it doesn’t quite justify the prolonged buildup.

Overdue is the slowest of slow burns, but the pacing felt right. Stephanie Perkins wrote the main character, Ingrid, in such a realistic way that I didn't place any pressure on the reading experience for the story to unfold a certain way. With a lot of romance books, the plot can be predictable. But through what I'm sure was a considerable amount of effort, this book felt like a new type of romance where what mattered most was the happiness of the characters, not an easy happily ever after.

This is such a fun book! I’m a sucker for a librarian romance. I loved watching Ingrid find herself. It’s definitely a slow burn, but it’s not too spicy and is a sweet romance. Macon is also such a good coworker, friend, and lead male. An enjoyable and lighthearted book!

Overall ⭐️ 3
Characters ⭐️ 4
Setting ⭐️ 5
Plot ⭐️ 2
Themes ⭐️ 3

The quirkiness and humor that moves this slow burn romance is so delightful! Like a diner that has tables themed to classic movies.

We have all been Ingrid trying to make big life decisions but feeling stuck by the weight of them. Ingrid is searching for the courage to take ownership of her story and make courageous decisions towards her happiness.

I love when authors grow with their audience and make the leap from YA to adult romance. Very Taylor Swify. However this book read a bit more like a YA novel to me. The romance was too slow for me. But Stephanie Perkins fans will love catching her latest work!

Wow, what a powerful and emotional read Overdue is!
The story centers around 29 year old Ingrid who has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for 11 years and never once have they talked about getting married. Her sister suddenly gets engaged after only 2 years so Ingrid and her boyfriend, Cory, decide to take a break (haha yes like FRIENDS) and date other people & get back together after a month. Ingrid has always had a crush on her coworker, Macon, and plans to just go after him. Well as usual, her plans don’t go the way she hoped and after a month, she & Cory aren’t ready to resume their relationship.
The story really shows how a relationship can sometimes you get too comfortable and the hardness of breaking up to move forward. It also was beautiful in reading how Ingrid really got to know herself and what she truly wanted out of her life.
This story was a very slow burn & can seem long at times, but the outcome was so rewarding.
Thank you so much NetGalley, and St.Martin's Press for this arc.