3.5 stars for me. I’ll admit, the premise that kicks off the story - Ingrid and Cory take a month apart to date others before reconciling and marrying - is completely ridiculous. Any realistic person can see that plan will not work out well, and I kind of struggled with the book during that time. But when Ingrid decides what she wants for herself - somewhere around March/April in the 12 month period of this book, the story takes off. Ingrid is learning and unlearning so much about herself that she finally realizes her goals and dreams, and that is where the story shines. The romance plays backup to her personal growth so this books leans more towards women’s fiction than romance. For the right reader, this book will be welcomed like a cozy blanket on chilly night.

The good: As a librarian I really loved the setting, obviously! The cozy small town vibe was excellent, and I say this as a person who is extremely picky about and not predisposed to love the majority of fiction with the word "cozy" anywhere in the description. The pacing was a little slow in places, but that wasn't a dealbreaker for me because I thought it was realistic for the emotional and character arcs. And I thought the way Ingrid's relationship with Cory ended, and their acknowledgement that there wasn't any other way they would have ever been able to break up, was well done. (I also wish some other reviewers would stop projecting their own values onto Ingrid and judging her for this--like, yes, of course it was a terrible plan, that's the whole point! Sometimes you need to mess up and burn down the life you have in order to find the life that's right for you, and that was Ingrid's journey in this book. Her being a little self-involved and immature at the beginning was necessary for her particular journey to happen.)

The didn't make me swoon as much as I hoped to: I never quite understood what it was about Ingrid that Macon fell for from day one. It seems to have mainly come down to him thinking she was just so pretty and sunshine-y, which to be honest felt a little like he was into her in a manic pixie dream girl way, which is so not for me, and as a reader I never fell for him quite as hard as I wanted to. Perhaps some of that might be due to us not getting his POV, but also the whole "he's just shy" thing wasn't as much my cup of tea as a more Jane Austen scenario--in which he finally breaks and admits he's into her after it's clear he's been waiting for her not just to be single, but also to grow up--would have been.

Should come with a content warning: The fact that she somehow manages to successfully open a bookstore in like five minutes is kind of ridiculous (and please note that we're also never told the actual amount of her life savings that she invests in the business), but to be clear we all know this is an escapist fantasy, right? Please do not try this at home! Not that I think people shouldn't open indie bookstores or start their own small businesses, just the opposite, but speaking from experience this scenario is NOT realistic.

In conclusion, while not a completely perfect book, OVERDUE is still better than so much of the other contemporary romance/commercial women's fiction out there, and I'll definitely be recommending it for fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, Katherine Center, etc. Thanks again to the publisher for the ARC!

This was cute. The setup is very convoluted and I think we could have used more backstory on Macon and Ingrid's relationship rather than her whole thing with the ex-boyfriend, but I liked the setting and the house and the cat and bookstore v. librarian situation. I would also like to live in their house.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.

as someone in library school, i actually did love that she left the library world because this shift is not from everyone. I have been a long-time fan of Stephanie Perkins and was so excited to read her adult romance debut! love love loved it!!!

Thank you Stephanie Perkins and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own and I in no way, receive compensation.

What a cute story! This is my first book by Stephanie Perkins and it was such a delight. This book follows Ingrid, a 20 something librarian in North Carolina. Her and her boyfriend, Cory, are each other's first everythings and have been together since high school. After 11 years together, they make the unconventional decision to take a month, experience other things, and people, and then come back to each other to settle down into marriage. Ingrid already has someone in mind: her surly co-worker Macon, whom she's always been drawn to and has been harboring a secret, years long crush. However, things go awry causing the month experiment to go longer and places what was once a harmless crush firmly into the "it's complicated" category.

This is being marketed as a new adult romance however I would classify it as a heart-warming tale of a young woman finding the courage to follow her passions and embark on new beginnings with a side helping of sloooowww-burn longing. I truly loved the realistic story between Ingrid and Macon: there is no unrealistic settings or situation; just. a true depiction of mutual admiration that can grow into more when nurtured in the right atmosphere.

I loved loved loved this cozy, sweet story and look forward to more from Ms. Perkins.

Was this book longer than it needed to be? Yes. Did I love every single word of it? Also yes. This was a slow burn romance that felt like it was more about deep-seated friendship and respect than lust and I thought it was absolutely lovely.

*Overdue* by Stephanie Perkins is a charming adult debut about Ingrid, a librarian in Ridgetop, North Carolina, who takes a break from her long-term boyfriend to date other people. As she explores her feelings for her grumpy coworker Macon, Ingrid discovers that love may take unexpected turns, leading to a beautifully slow-burn romance about new beginnings and self-discovery.

Oh My Gosh I loved every single second of this adorable book! I'm not a big romance girl but this book captured me and I loved it. I would highly recommend it to any and all lovers of books, libraries and sweet romances!

Another amazing story from Perkins! It brought a lot of joy to me as a book lover, and I could feel the love in the book when I was reading! It took me less than a day to get through it, which is amazing! Loving books and working with books has always been a part of my life, so I'm glad Perkins was able to capture that in this book!

I thought this story was super cute. I love the concept of the long term friend to lover plot, without any heavy suspense that leaves you with anxiety throughout the story. I did feel like the story would drag at some points, but I was fully committed the entire time. Some parts of the characters POV were a bit cringy but also understandable considering the emotional turmoil she was experiencing, so I let that go internally lol additionally I LOVED the lack of animosity between the FMC and her ex - its refreshing to see something end on good terms and not but used to increase drama for the plot. I would rate this a 3.5-4 stars - but will round up to 4 because the story was sweet. Just a taaaaad bit slow.

“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.