I enjoyed Overdue. The beginning of the book I wasn't into with Ingrid and Cory. The middle and end I really enjoyed. I loved seeing Ingrid blossom into herself and get what she deserved. I good read.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

This was actually so sweet. The concept is so dumb, it's very obvious that her and her boyfriend are going to break up after this "experiment". Especially after they extend it twice. Macon rejects Ingrid and she is understandably upset but it's clear to us that he actually likes her and doesn't want to be with her if she still wants to marry her boyfriend. The experiment part is interesting because it lets you see how Ingrid operates. I liked seeing her with other people because it made what she has with Macon so real, we knew that know one could compare. These idiots were so in love and the confession was adorable.

I received an arc through netgalley.

This book had a slow start for me... maybe because it didn't seem like Ingrid knew who she was at the beginning. But as the book progressed, so did my admirationand affinity for Ingrid. She seemed to come into her own finally and become more fleshed out character. I loved the color references, thr microcosm of library culture and the ultimate fulfilment of her self-discovery. A great first bookif adult fiction for Perkins...I look forward to seeing more from her!

I am giving this a very biased 2.5 stars, rounded up to three.

I requested an eARC because the premise sounds like an absolute mess - Ingrid and Cory, dating for <i>years</i> decide to take a one month break to see other people before getting back together and getting married. Because taking a break always works in a relationship and is not a recipe for disaster or anything.

So of course, newly "single" Ingrid immediately thinks of her coworker Macon, who she's been crushing on for years while they work together at the library.

And then everything predictably goes wrong. <spoiler>Ingrid tries to kiss Macon, who firmly rejects her by saying "No, Ingrid, no!" He then proceeds to be an absolute jealous DICK for half the book while Ingrid tries to move on and see other people. There's something incredibly infuriating on a personal level about a guy who rejects a woman and then gets upset that she has the nerve to move on and date someone else. </spoiler>

Ingrid's journey to find what she's been missing and find who she is as a person is simultaneously heartwarming and frustrating - I understand we're supposed to cheer for the romance, but I just can't do it. <spoiler>Eventually, 10ish months later, Macon confesses that he's been in love with Ingrid the whole time, but rejected her because she tried to kiss him at work and was only "on a break." Only he didn't communicate this. At all. For 10 months, many of which he spent being a complete TURD because she was dating other people. Why would I ever cheer for him to have anything nice??? Why did she keep pining after him the entire book and not give anyone else an actual chance??</spoiler>

Ingrid's persistence just ended up making me angry. Girl, why.

Thanks to the publisher/author/NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. It was well written and overall kept me engaged the entire way through. I just hated the main characters.

This one's a hard one to rate for me because I hated the first half but I loved the second half... They almost felt like entirely separate books.

The first half:
You know the crummy feeling of romantic rejection? That's what the first 50% of this book felt like. Ingrid is an extremely delulu individual who believes that her long term boyfriend will come back from a month of (mutually agreed upon) sleeping around to propose. And in that time frame, the reader accompanies her through the exhausting experience that is modern dating, during which she makes some ethically questionable choices in how much she divulges to her temporary suitors.

The second half:
But then the second half of the story morphs into Ingrid finding a career she's passionate about: opening a bookstore. And what bookish girl hasn't dreamed of that at one point or another? We follow her through all the stages of actualizing her dream while building on several different relationships in her life, including the quiet and steady co-worker who's always been there for her.

You know when people propose a break to date other people, then get back together, things are about to get really messy. I just didn’t expect it to kick off with Macon the way it did! You’ll enjoy this book if you like themes of finding yourself after being in a long-term relationship, love of books, the weirdness of dating, and letting people see you/help you when things get messy or hard. Overall, I’d call it a cozy slow-burn.

This one started off so strong! I was invested in Ingrid’s unconventional journey with her long time boyfriend and excited to see her grow as a person. It felt like an odd way to start off a romance as she would be broken and rebounding. Her dates were funny and kept me going. However, after a while it felt like the plot was dragging and becoming repetitive. The book was much too long and a lot of issues could’ve been resolved if the characters had any real conversation with each other. They didn’t seem to have much chemistry together and Macon felt really withdrawn as a character. This should definitely be marketed as more women’s fiction than romance as the characters didn’t even hold hands until 81% in the storyline.

When I read the description of this book, I thought it would be more like one of those reality TV shows. LOL However, it was much slower than I expected. We have seen that people nowadays have tried this unconventional choice in their relationships, so that didn’t bother me. What bothered me the most in this was when Cory decided at the end on the month trial he wanted to extend it. This is where the book should have ended that relationship, but it didn’t. Come on Ladies, Red Flag, and we all would have known it in real life. Then when the second month came around, the read got a little more interesting. So, I say, stick around even though it’s a little long and slower than what is expected. Plus let’s be honest, we all wanted to read this for the library scene. Book cover is beautiful!

3.25 Stars!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Saturday Books for this advance reader.

This was fun! I had not heard of this author, but will look forward to her next one. A great “what if” story that’s relatable and binge worthy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for the opportunity to read Overdue by Stephanie Perkins.

I really enjoy when books break the mold and surprise me!

I love the setting of this book (gaga for libraries and charming bookstores).
This had all the elements of romances I’ve read a hundred times: stalled relationship, co-worker crush, age gap, etc. HOWEVER, this was a breath of fresh air in the way each of these were handled. I kind of expected that Cory and Ingrid would split for a month, Macon and Ingrid hook-up, feelings develop, Ingrid gets back with Cory and then realizes she actually wants to break up and Cory doesn’t and then he comes in for that third act miscommunication trope.

Well, I’m happy to report I was super wrong! This felt like real life; choices were hard, messy, confusing, and things meandered some. I love that it was not cookie cutter or perfect.

Small things that I absolutely adored:

Ingrid knew that Macon was jealous that she had dates (even if that was confusing based on previous signals from him). I hate when the fmc is all like “mmc seemed tense and walked away wonder why, so weird” UMM WOMEN KNOW. I appreciated her awareness of Macon even if she wasn’t privy to the full scope of his feelings.

Cory and Ingrid had a really solid friendship! I like that she missed him. After 11 years together, there are ingrained habits and inside jokes that it’s not just a switch you turn off and suddenly don’t care about them. I like that it was awkward at times, that there were moments of jealousy even when you tell yourself you have no right to feel those things. I love that it felt real!

The female friendships were amazing! I wish I had a Kat!!

I loved that this was as much about Ingrids journey in love as it was a journey to finding herself and that Macon recognized what she needed and was there to support her.

5/5 Stars!

Ingrid and her BF have dated for 11 yrs and have never dated anyone else. When her little sister gets engaged- they decide to take a monthlong break and try dating other people before spending the rest of their lives together- and she already has someone in mind, her coworker, Macon.

The premise of the story was interesting, and it was well written and had a good cast of characters- who were all interesting themselves. But I have never read a romance book where the 2 leads have so little chemistry. I love good slowburn, but the vibe between them very much gave off platonic soulmates. I liked the other guys that she went out with better. I was very much not invested in the romantic relationship-and thought it was boring. I honestly thought the side plots/projects were a lot more interesting.

I did not like Ingrid, she was really self-absorbed, when she reached out to her friends it usually was because she needed something from them and didn’t seem to take much interest in their lives. I also thought it was kind of messed up how she treated the guys from her dating experiment. I also just thought she was boring (and I say this as also someone who loves staying home to read).

I was also confused by her spiral towards the middle of the book- the book starts with her and Cory already on their break, we don’t see them interact all that much and it seemed like both had checked out of the relationship ages ago. So, I was confused by the crisis she was going through. It was way too dramatic. This was the entirety of Ch 17
“And then my tears dried up, and I was empty.”
And in the subsequent chapter she kept referring to herself as a shell, like the “my shell did this,” “shell did that.” It was cringey.

I feel like Ingrid is a co-dependent person, she’s been with someone since she was like 18. And even when they're not together there’s still someone there, I don’t think she knows how to be by herself. And I don’t think this was addressed very well in the book.

It also should’ve been shorter, was way too long.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I've had this book on my shelf and I was 'Overdue' in reading it. Books come into your life for the right reason or season. I'm exploring the next chapter of my life so Ingrid's journey resonated with me.

I've lived in 20 plus apartment in NYC and years spent working abroad. Ingrid's living out of boxes existence reminded me of those suitcase years.. Ingrid and Macon's relationship has straddled the line between friends and lovers. Every time Ingrid is brave enough to voice her thoughts, he pulls back and she doesn't understand the mixed messaging.

When her life turns upside down, Ingrid takes steps towards achieving her dreams. Will their relationship dance turn a page or is it bound for a shattering conclusion?

I thought this was so funny. I enjoyed it so much. I was laughing out loud and getting second hand embarrassment from Ingrid's experiences. This was so cute I loved every second. The slow burn was insane. I just kept saying out loud, "Come on already!" I loved the bookstore and library. I also felt like I lived in this setting. I could see everything so perfectly. I definitely recommend this book.

Stephanie Perkins delivers a heartfelt, slow-burn romance in Overdue, a story that beautifully captures the complexities of love, self-discovery, and second chances. Set in the cozy mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina, this novel follows Ingrid Dahl, a warmhearted librarian whose seemingly stable eleven-year relationship takes an unexpected detour. When she and her longtime boyfriend, Cory, decide to take a one-month break to explore dating other people, Ingrid finds herself drawn to her grumpy yet irresistibly charming coworker, Macon—someone she never expected to truly connect with.

Stephanie crafts her characters with depth and warmth, making Ingrid’s journey both relatable and deeply engaging. Her emotional growth, from contentment to uncertainty and ultimately to self-awareness, is portrayed with authenticity and care. The chemistry between Ingrid and Macon builds beautifully, filled with longing and tension, making every interaction between them feel electric.

Beyond the romance, Overdue is also a love letter to new beginnings and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. Stephanie masterfully balances humor, heartache, and passion, weaving a story that feels as cozy as a favorite library nook. Ridgetop itself becomes a character, with its picturesque setting adding an extra layer of charm to Ingrid’s evolving love story.

With its engaging prose, swoon-worthy romance, and thoughtful exploration of relationships, Overdue is a book that lingers long after the final page. Fans of slow-burn love stories and heartwarming character journeys will find themselves utterly enchanted. Stephanie Perkins once again proves she has a gift for capturing the magic of falling in love—sometimes in the most unexpected places.

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. I didn't love the premise of taking a break from one's long term boyfriend, but that was maybe only a quarter of the story. In the rest of it, we watch Ingrid grow up. Overdue is a coming of age story (even though that age may be 30) and the slowest of slow burn romances. But I loved every un-put-down-able page.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my review.

There are so many things about this book I enjoyed. So much so that it’s more of a 4.5⭐️ rating. But there was a couple things, that I didn’t enjoy.

But let’s start with the good:
-thank you to St Martin’s Publishing Group and the author for a digital ARC
-this book made me feel all the things- spending this year of Ingrid’s life with her you experience all kinds of moments with her: awkward, sweet, grief, confusion, beauty, inspiration and so much more. The writing really felt authentic to how life can be
-I laughed out loud numerous times
-my fav trope is within these pages- he fell first and pined hard
-it felt like a love letter to the places that house books- stores, libraries, home
-the fact that Ingrid has an a very good online friend! This is so real and not something I see reflected in pages very often
-the love story is truly so sweet and progresses so well

A couple things to mention:
-I had a really hard time with the starting premise of the book- the “break”- push through if you struggle with this too- it’s worth it!
-at times I found myself a bit annoyed with Ingrid.. but isn’t that authentic as well? She’s not perfect, she makes mistakes and has room to grow

This one isn’t out until October, but I recommend to anyone looking for a good love story or anyone who loves and appreciates all things books.

Review: I really enjoyed reading OVERDUE! Ingrid was a great main character, and while choices she made towards the beginning of the book frustrated me at times (I just wanted her to be happy, okay??), I also think that was kind of the point, for her to make a mess of things, so she could learn what she really wanted. And I was so happy for her at the end of the book! Macon! Where do I begin about Macon?? A grumpy (but not really), cinnamonroll introvert who I absolutely adored as the love interest. All of the supporting characters were really well done, and each added their own things to the book.

I think Stephanie Perkins is a really talented author, I loved her writing and how the story flowed. It was just really pleasant to read. I definitely look forward to reading more Adult books by her!

Also!! It's a solo POV novel! I do like duel POV romances, however I find I usually prefer solo, (Which is just my personal preference!) so it was a pleasant surprise for me when I realized it was told solely from Ingrid's perspective.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for the opportunity to read Overdue by Stephanie Perkins.

I went back and forth about if I would give this a five-star rating or not, but ultimately, it made me feel all the feels while I was reading, so five it is. I'm a sucker for a story about a book lover and this story had two! The premise was intriguing, Ingrid has been with her long-time boyfriend since they started college and neither have experienced being with anyone else. Given the point they are at, it only seems logical to take a break gain some of that missed experience and then get back together and proceed as planned (cause that seems like it will work...). Nothing ever goes according to plan. I loved the way the story was set up, chapters broken up into the months of the year. I don't feel like it is a spoiler to say that Ingrid and Cory obviously split, you catch that vibe very early on. Ingrid's feels for her long-time coworker, Macon, made him her first choice to be her "new experience" during the separation. Much to her dismay, he vehemently declines. As she moves on to find her way in the dating world that she has never experienced before, she realizes her feelings are deeper than she knew. Entering this new phase in her life, Ingrid makes some changes and pretty bold choices to open a business that could cost her everything. She finds herself helping Macon redecorate his homey little cottage (to her specifications, but still doesn't see that he is into her) to quitting her job at the library and having to leave her apartment for a tiny studio and opening her new bookstore with the help of some friends. Watching Ingrid and Macon sloooooowwly "fall" for each other was one of the reasons I waffled on giving this five-stars. It really was a bit slower paced that I would have wanted. I would have loved for them to realize how perfect they were together earlier on and seen a bit further into their future. Alas, I still loved their story and the bookseller/librarian couple won my heart.

So cute! I loved the story and the characters. Very well done! Will definitely recommend! I loved the setting and the details of being a librarian. It was a fun twist on dating.

I love Stephanie Perkins' YA stories, so i was interested in seeing what her adult writing was like - I am very glad that I picked this one up! This was such an interesting concept, and a fresh take. I really enjoyed my time in this world.