“Overdue” is an easy, enjoyable read that blends charm and heart in just the right dose. Perfect read for a cozy afternoon when you want something engaging without being too heavy.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Saturday Books for the eARC.

The premise for this story caught my eye, though I did enter it with caution because of the main driver for Ingrid to be pursuing something with someone other than her long-term boyfriend.

Ingrid and Cory have been together for eleven years and all they know is one another. When Ingrid’s sister, Riley, announces her engagement, it sparks something in the couple, making them realize they’re not ready for that next step with how inexperienced they are. So they choose to take a month apart to essentially sleep with other people and see what’s out there before making a lifelong commitment. Turns out, one month isn’t enough for either of them, and this experiment in being together but not carries on. Ingrid has crushed on her coworker Macon pretty much from her first day at the library where they sit side by side at the circulation desk. He rebuffs her initial attempt at something physical and they go from talking all the time to being awkward with one another and then eventually to more.

This book was labeled as a slow burn, so I wasn’t surprised by how long it took to get to them being together, but I think I was surprised by how the first half of the book wasn’t anything to do with them really. I found myself trudging through those early chapters, which at times for me felt like they were filled with a lot of information that I couldn’t quite see the relevance of (like the stained glass window) dumped on the page in chunks that were sometimes hard to follow. There was also a fair amount of mention of the pandemic and post-pandemic, and while I can understand how that time affected the characters and the town, it did come a point where it felt a bit much for my liking to constantly have it brought up, similarly with some of the political statements.

I definitely enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first and not simply because that’s where the romance happens because all said, I’m not sure I fully got what these characters liked about one another. Macon’s acts of service definitely won me over to him more than Ingrid, though, but at times they didn’t quite feel their ages. The secondary characters added a nice bit of color to the story and I almost wish we’d gotten more of them earlier on to help round out the first half of things.

This is certainly a book that left me with lots of mixed feelings as it leaned more toward being a story about self-discovery, which based on the name of the bookstore, I’m guessing was the point of it all, as opposed to a romance. I think it was just a little too slow for my tastes, but it might be right for someone looking for a story with grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, slow burn, coworkers/friends-to-lovers, reinventing yourself.

For people who love Marianna Zapata's slow burn romances! This beautiful and cozy romance centers around our main character Ingrid on a journey of self discovery in life and in love. While being a warm and relatable rom com story, the book also touched on more complex issues such as changing careers and job satisfaction, caregiving for family members struggling with addiction/mental health and old age, affordable housing, and more. Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

Stephanie Perkins delivers a tender, slow-burn romance that will charm book lovers and romantics alike. Set over the course of a year, Overdue follows Ingrid Dahl, a cheerful, bookish librarian navigating love, change, and self-discovery in the quaint mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina. After a decade-long relationship with her college sweetheart begins to lose its spark, Ingrid and her boyfriend decide to take a break—a chance to date other people and reevaluate their future together. What starts as an experimental separation quickly grows complicated when Ingrid finds herself unexpectedly drawn to her grumpy (yet endearingly thoughtful) coworker, Macon.

Told from Ingrid's perspective, this story captures the subtle magic of everyday moments-quiet mornings in the library, heart-to-hearts over comfort food, the simple joy of a cat's company. The narrative's strength lies in its realism. Perkins beautifully explores how relationships evolve, how adulthood brings hard choices, and how love sometimes arrives when you least expect it. Ingrid and Macon are refreshingly relatable: imperfect, introspective, and deeply human.

I especially appreciated the diversity of characters and the sensitive inclusion of topics like mental health, career uncertainty, and shifting family dynamics. It felt like a love letter to personal growth and the bittersweet nature of letting go.

While the pacing occasionally lagged-perhaps reflective of the full-year arc-it gave space for genuine character development. Still, a slightly tighter narrative could have enhanced the momentum without sacrificing depth.

One narrative quirk I wrestled with was how quickly Ingrid seemed emotionally invested in Macon, even before her breakup had fully settled. It made her arc feel a little rushed in the early chapters, though that tension does evolve into something meaningful as the story unfolds.

Ultimately, Overdue is cozy, romantic, and heartwarming. It's a gentle, hopeful reminder that love—like a good library book-sometimes just needs to be renewed, or perhaps finally checked out after years of waiting on the shelf.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy.

As a devoted bibliophile who finds sanctuary in libraries, I was initially drawn to Stephanie Perkins' "Overdue" for its promising setting alone. A romance unfolding amid stacks of books? Sign me up! Unfortunately, this library-centered tale delivered more frustration than fulfillment.

The novel begins with compelling promise but quickly loses its narrative focus, shifting directions in a way that feels jarring rather than intentional. This disjointed storytelling makes it difficult to fully invest in the journey, as though reading two different books awkwardly stitched together.

The main character, while occasionally relatable, often comes across as unnecessarily abrasive, making it challenging to root for her development or happiness. Character growth is certainly present—the renovation and bookstore transformation sequences show potential—but these montages stretch on excessively, overshadowing other story elements that needed more attention.

Perkins does tackle some weighty themes through the male protagonist's family struggles with addiction and mental health. However, these serious issues feel somewhat mismatched with the novel's overall tone and contribute to an unexpectedly melancholy reading experience.

Romance readers should note that the relationship development moves at a glacial pace, and those hoping for steamy scenes may be disappointed by the relatively closed-door approach. The emotional payoff doesn't quite justify the prolonged build-up.

"Overdue" isn't without merit—Perkins clearly loves books and libraries as much as her readers do—but the execution falls short of its appealing premise. It's an acceptable way to pass time if you're between books, but it won't likely earn a spot on your re-read shelf.
Rating: ★★½ (rounded up to ★★★)

This was just a super sweet, lovely romance that felt a bit like a fairy tale (although no magic or magical realism here). The book is told in month-by-month parts over the course of a year in the life of Ingrid, a librarian who realizes she is feeling a bit stuck and stifled in her adult life (relatable). In January, Ingrid and her very longtime boyfriend decide to open their relationship just to date other people before settling down and, they guess, getting married. (Everyone around Ingrid, including us readers, knows exactly how that's going to go.)
In Ingrid's inner circle is Macon, her fellow librarian with whom she's always felt a spark. He was the first person Ingrid thought of when she and her boyfriend decided to take a break, and yet he rejects her. So Ingrid goes on a few dates with different guys, while also becoming better friends with Macon. Even though Macon is a grumpy guy, he's kind of perfect? He's a wonderful vegan cook, a gardener, cat lover, and of course a reader.
This one is a slow burn but so charming -- think candlelit dinners and delicious meals and cozy reading nooks.

This book had such an amazing concept with a synopsis that instantly gripped me. While reading it, I kept picturing Pam and Jim from *The Office*—which happens to be my favorite show ever. Both Ingrid and Macon are incredibly complex characters. They’ve been working together in the library for 5–6 years, and there’s always been a subtle tension simmering beneath the surface.

So when Ingrid and her long-term boyfriend decide to take a month-long break to "explore," the first name that pops into her head is Macon's. This was definitely a slow burn, as the characters don’t actually get together until the last 15% of the book.

Ingrid is the quintessential eldest daughter. When she finds out her younger sister is getting married, she’s overjoyed—but it also prompts her to reflect on her own life. She and Cory (her long-term boyfriend) have been each other’s first everything, and this month-long hiatus gives her the space to reconnect with herself. Her journey of self-discovery comes with plenty of ups and downs, but her character growth was truly compelling.

Macon, on the other hand, is a shy and grumpy librarian with a moody cat he adores and a vegetable garden he’s constantly fussing over. Honestly, his character reminded me so much of Jim from *The Office*—quiet, observant, and clearly in love with Ingrid long before anything romantic ever happened between them.

The reason this wasn’t a five-star read for me was because the pacing felt off at times. New characters were introduced quite abruptly, which disrupted the flow and made the story feel disjointed. Also, Ingrid and Macon barely spent any meaningful time together until around 60% into the book. While I appreciated Ingrid’s journey of self-discovery, it did start to feel repetitive in places.

Overall, this was a good read with heartfelt moments, excellent character development, and a tender slow-burn romance. It just could have benefited from tighter pacing and smoother transitions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Overdue was an overall great book. The last 20% was my absolute favorite. This story is only in Ingrid’s point of view.

Ingrid and her boyfriend of over 10 years are taking a break. They’ve come to an understanding. One month. But one month turns into more. We follow along as Ingrid tries to date around. Though when her relationship officially ends, feelings for someone else start to set in. Macon, one of Ingrid’s work friends is seen in a whole new light. And when these two let down walls their love starts to break through.

I really enjoyed this book. A fresh start. A new way of life and going after what you’ve always wanted.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are those of my own.

I'm a fan of Perkins's YA romances. Her short stories in particular a wonderful. Her teen horror is awful but students like the gore and fast-pace. The cover art for this book is beautiful--but it's the only good thing. This book is terrible. It starts with the worst couples' idea ever--let's take a break and fuck other people so we can decide on our wedding date. Ingrid is a liberal douche. And just like that, I've lost respect for Perkins. The writing is very juvenile and the characters are immature. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

I devoured this book, and have already told my librarian friends they have to read this one! At first, I felt icky reading about Ingrid and Cory's plans. In retrospect I think perhaps it is because it felt like an all too familiar overdue break-up that is dragged out instead. From there though... talk about a slow burn. AH! MACON!

4.25 stars rounded up. I did start to feel like enough is enough, get together already! Then when our main characters did find their way to each other, the ending felt quite rushed. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

This book has everything I love: librarians, libraries, book stores, books! Sunshine and grumpy love. It's sweet and joyful and I love that all the secondary characters are fleshed out, lovely and memorable. I love that the cat is too!

If you love books as much as I do, it will be hard not to love this book! My favorite part was how she knew whether each of her dates had a library card or not! :) :)

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read Overdue! As someone who still remembers the butterflies from Anna and the French Kiss, I was curious (and cautiously hopeful) to see how Stephanie Perkins would translate her YA magic into an adult debut. Spoiler: it’s a cozy, flirty ride—but not without a few overdue notices of its own.

Let’s start with the charm: Overdue has small-town vibes, library nerdery, and the kind of slow-burn tension that builds like a late fee—quiet, persistent, and impossible to ignore. Ingrid is a bright, book-loving librarian who decides to hit pause on her 11-year relationship with her college sweetheart, Cory, to see what (or who) else might be out there. Enter Macon, the resident grump at the library with a secret soft side and just enough romantic angst to fuel several overdue romance holds.

The setup is rom-com gold, and the banter between Ingrid and Macon delivers. Perkins excels at the kind of yearning that simmers just below the surface—if longing looks were a Dewey Decimal category, this book would be filed under Swoon 101. But…

Ingrid’s internal back-and-forth about her relationship with Cory sometimes overshadowed the chemistry she shared with Macon. And while I appreciated the mature exploration of long-term relationships and personal growth, I couldn’t help but wish for a little more momentum (and a few more sparks) to propel the story forward.

Still, Overdue has its moments of genuine warmth, self-discovery, and quiet triumphs. If you’re a fan of small-town romances with a cerebral, slow-burn twist, this may be your cozy cup of tea. It just didn’t quite hit the “check out immediately” status for me—but it’s a solid hold-worthy read.

3 stars. Library lovers and grumpy-sunshine stans, your hold is ready!

2.75 🌟
this was a lot (i think positive?) and I was worried that I would DNF nearly the entire time but the truth is that I did really enjoy reading Ingrid girlfail through the worst year of her life and the relatability of her character growth was a lot more fun for me to read than I expected it to be! That being said, the reviews were correct and this was such a mega slow burn that it sometimes felt like we were standing absolutely still but Macon was also a character that I loved instantly and found myself waiting for his re-emergence on the page from the start.

Ultimately, I did feel a bit “what the hell sure!” about the turn the book took in the later half despite it making sense, it just felt a little jumbled compared to the first half (which felt slow…so perhaps it was a pacing switcharoo) but I also haven’t read a book by Stephanie Perkins since I was literally in middle school so... I felt as a venture into adult fiction, it was pretty solid (This really read quite women’s fiction-y to me, and specifically reminded me a little of All Fours by Miranda July without the menopause) but not quite groundbreaking to me.

I did skim a bit towards to the end even though I was happy for those crazy kids even though…Justice for Dani a little bit! (She got Sarah Torvey’d just a bit at the end right as I was starting to make the comparison that AlexPoppy’s slowburn was far messier than this so I didn’t mind the Cory of it all)

thank you so much to netgalley and st martin’s press for this arc to review!

I’d like to note that I DNF’d this book at around the 20% mark. I’m very grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC, but something about the writing and the story didn’t quite click with me. I had some issues with how the story was presented and did not finish reading. While the premise had potential, this particular book just wasn’t the right fit for me.

While I do think this book is way too long, I really enjoyed the story. As a fellow librarian around the same age as Ingrid, I loved getting to read her story and see her figure out what she wants in life and decide it's never too late to start over.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

I've read Stephanie Perkins' YA romance novels back when I was a teenager in high school, so I was very excited to pick this book up.

This book is slow burn, and I mean very slow burn. So if you're looking for a fast, sexy, spicy book, perhaps looks elsewhere because while there are sex scenes, they are not super graphic at all. I loved how this is not only a romance book, but a story about a woman who grows into who she wants to be. Perhaps you can call it a coming-of-age story? There are family relationships involved, which adds to the dynamic of the story. I also love how there is no negativity between the exes. Everyone (mostly everyone) seems to be on the same amicable page, like mature adults!!!

I really enjoyed this book, and I hope Stephanie Perkins writes more!

Ingrid and her boyfriend have been together for years. That must mean something right? But when it comes down to it neither is ready for a long-term commitment. They agree to a one month break to see what’s out there and well… maybe what’s out there is just a little more exciting.

This book has an interesting premise. It kind of reminds me of that Netflix reality show the Ultimatum but with only one couple. Can’t say it was my favorite idea, but the story was fun and writing was good.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC im exchange for an honest review.

I have read few books in recent memory that could be generally classified as a palate cleanser, but Stephanie Perkins’ Overdue most certainly qualifies in the best way. Charmingly written, Perkins lays out a plotline that many book lovers often dream about: two librarians working in close proximity with one another only to eventually fall in love. More than the sweet simplicity, though, she makes each of her characters relatable in a way that feels grounded in reality.
Ingrid Dahl begins as a somewhat naive twenty-nine year old whose only experience of the world has involved her long-term boyfriend, Cory. Long-term in the most literal of senses: having met in the first minute of their first Psych 101 class during their freshman year of community college. Eleven years later, they had remained attached at the hip until Riley, Ingrid's–Iggy, to both Cory and Riley–younger sister gets engaged to her WBNA player girlfriend of only two and a half years. The Christmas engagement serves as the catalyst to a hardly-thought-out, half-cocked experiment where Ingrid and Cory separate for a month and try to date other people.
While Ingrid’s first (and initially only) choice for the arrangement is her storm cloud of a coworker, Macon Nowakowski, her approach leaves much to be desired and he runs from her with a plea of "No, Ingrid, no," that colors their future interactions for the vast majority of the rest of the novel. Truthfully, if a similar experience were to ever befall me, I’d wish nothing more than to throw myself into the nearest body of water and never wish to resurface. Luckily, Ingrid doesn’t take that approach. Instead, with the support of her long-distance Australian best friend, Kat, Ingrid dives head first into an admittedly shallow dating pool.
Perkins crafts a story that is the slowest of burns, one which had me hooked as I waited on bated breath until Macon and Ingrid finally took the leap. Granted, I wasn’t expecting to wait that long for the two to even so much as hold hands, but everything leading to it felt incredibly realistic. Ingrid needed to figure out what she’d wanted–from dating and from life–and her friendship with Macon needed to be rebuilt from the ground up. Shy and uncertain, Macon–though ten years her senior–could not put himself out there just for Ingrid to eventually return to Cory. Naturally, he’d had much of his own trials and tribulations to work through with his agoraphobic mother and an aunt in constant need of rehab.
Ingrid’s struggles to find herself were mirrored by Cory’s, both of whom seemed to share parallel journeys despite little communication once the experiment had begun. The tables at which they sat within the diner-themed diner felt like they followed the growth and changes within them. That aspect seemed rather clever to me. The two had rarely spent any time apart in the eleven years of their relationship, but in just a few short months had learned just how far their paths had divulged. Ingrid had never seen herself as a bookstore owner and Cory had changed his mind about having kids. The experiment clearly showed that both had had a lot to learn before they could be the people they were by the end of the novel.
I highly appreciated the idea that it seems to never be too late to head in a new direction in life. With characters close in age with myself, it’s always nice to see that I am not alone in my insecurities about the future, about where I am in life. Sometimes it’s necessary to look at those around you and reevaluate the things you thought you may have wanted at one point in time. It’s okay for minds to change or to allow for certain choices–like that of not having children–to dig deeper roots within you. No one’s journey is the same, but having a supportive community to lift you up, no matter what your choices are in the end, makes all the difference.

Ingrid and Macon are co workers at the library. she is on a break with her boyfriend to try dating new people. This book happens over a year and Ingrid and Macon go through many different changes in their life. It took over to 80% for something to happen with the couple over even sexy times. Thanks to netgalley for letting me read this book

This slow burn romance felt incredibly realistic, which made me deeply connect with the characters. It was a cozy and heartfelt read - perfect for when you want something warm and emotional. Definitely a solid 4 star read!