3.5 stars rounded up

I really enjoyed this one! This is an unpopular opinion, but I actually hate when romance novels are dual POV so I was pleasantly surprised to find that this one only followed our female main character. I enjoyed seeing Ingrid grow as a person, and the chemistry between her and Macon immediately drew me in. I love a good slow burn, and the pining and tension in this book was really well done.

That being said, this book felt SO. LONG. I feel like a lot of scenes could have been shortened or removed altogether and the book wouldn't have lost anything. But really, that's my only complaint, and I would recommend this book!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I found the main character to be annoying and the pacing way too slow. It felt like nothing was happening in this book.

I hope others love it but it wasn’t for me.

Traveling helped me read this in less than a week, so I have to give Perkins credit for writing a captivating (albeit super slow-burning) novel about love, growing in age and maturity, and librarians/booksellers. Sounds like a weird combo, but for someone enamored with books, it works. I wanted to pull out my hair a few times waiting for the inevitable and obvious to happen, but the blossoming relationship was still worth the time spent on the build-up. I also expected more from them at their ages, but it’s a nice reminder that a lot of us are their ages and still don’t have it figured out. The familial relationships felt a tad tangential, but it strengthened the tie between the main characters in a way that might not have been as believable without them. Overall, the novel works and makes for an enjoyable travel/vacay read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This has an adorable cover and is a lovely romance, with characters you're genuinely rooting for. In some ways though, it reads like TWO books.

It all gets off to a bit of a rocky start, with a VERY quick introduction to Ingrid's (maybe?) secret work crush, Macon and then charges full speed ahead into a storyline about Ingrid and her long-term boyfriend Cory exploring a trial separation.

This is basically book #1, which is follows Ingrid's adventures in dating, while still attached to the notion that she and Cory may still get back together. While she mentions Macon's reactions to her plans, the book stays firmly in Ingrid's POV. And I liked that approach. We watch her learn what she likes, what she needs, what kind of life she wants to build for herself. There is dating, but it feels less like a romance and more of a young woman's awakening.

The second half of the book changes focus dramatically, with Ingrid taking some of the things she'd learned from her dating experience to create a new life for herself and explore her friendship (and more?) with Macon. At this point, we shift into more traditional romance territory, though there is a lot of information about her settling on her own two feet (To be honest, I thought she was going to start a new career as an interior decorator for all the extensive housing remodel descriptions!)

In total, this book read a little differently than other romances. I liked it, but it did take segues into other topics (like sleeping on the first date, refinishing kitchen cabinets and agoraphobia) that connected to the main plot (and often enhanced it) but weren't terribly critical to explore. Overall, this book seemed in no real hurry to get to the happily ever after. That was a little weird, but also kinda cool.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Ingrid is leading the quiet life of a librarian in a small town, with her boyfriend of over a decade, Cory’. She seems content enough, but is she really happy? She and Cory decide to branch out and see other people before committing to “until death do us part” and it was as awkward as one would expect. Ingrid learns what she doesn’t like (random sex with random dates in her very beige apartment) and some of what she might…hypothetically (angst side-eye to her coworker. This book is a cute romance and the definition of a slow burn. The last quarter of the book crams a lot into a few chapters. But the main characters are well developed and the slow burn seems authentic for them. This is a romance-y book about bookworms for bookworms, and frankly, I’m happy for us.

Overdue is such a sweet slow burn romance. I loved watching Ingrid realize how serious her feelings were for Macon as they worked on his house together. The setting of a library and bookstore was perfect and felt as cozy as the rest of the story. I will need to check out more work from Stephanie Perkins.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Overdue by Stephanie Perkins

Overdue is the literary equivalent of your favorite cup of tea (or hot cocoa) on a rainy afternoon — warm, comforting, and best enjoyed while chatting about books with your favorite person. This cozy, slow-burning romance surprised me in all the best ways.

As someone new to Stephanie Perkins' writing, I was drawn in purely by the cover (I mean, really... flowers and books - how could resist?), and I'm so glad I requested it as an ARC. I found a heartfelt story with minimal spice but a ton of emotional depth inside. It's not just about romance, though that part is sweet and satisfying; it's about courage, too. Overdue gently nudges readers to be brave: to speak their feelings, to go after the person they love, and to pursue the career dreams they might be quietly holding close.

If you’re in the mood for something tender, nostalgic, and quietly inspiring, this book might be just what you're looking for. It left me feeling like I’d spent time with a friend.

I had higher hopes for this book, but it just fell a bit short. In middle school, I loved Stephanie Perkins books. However, looking back on the books, they are not necessarily good. The idea of an adult romance presents itself a great opportunity for fans of the middle school age books. Maybe this book was just not meant for me, and that’s fine! I hope once published, this book finds its audience.

This was an incredibly slow burn that was a little too slow for me. I found it hard to stay focused in the beginning but eventually it picked up a little bit. Decent read but the pacing was just off for me.

I was excited about the premise of this book and the cover really drew me in, but I feel like nothing happened for the first 3/4 of the book. I don’t mind working for a plot but something has to be semi happening for it to be worth it. Unfortunately this one was not for me

This was a slow burn romance that took place over the course of a year. Loved the characters! Was my first by this author but won’t be my last!

This was so so wonderful. I've been a fan of this author ever since ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS and it was just totally delightful to read this book.

I adore Perkins’ ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS trilogy, and couldn’t wait to dive into her adult debut OVERDUE. OVERDUE spans the year that late-twenties Ingrid decides to go on a one month break from Cory, her boyfriend of 11 years. The idea is that they’ll date other people and get back together, and get married. Ingrid’s carrying a torch for her grumpy co-worker, Macon, but is Macon interested romantically in Ingrid? Will the break bring Cory and Ingrid closer together or push them apart forever?

I wanted to love this book, but I never connected to the characters, especially Ingrid who is extremely self-involved. The first 40% doesn’t actually even seem necessary to the real plot of the story. While the setting in an idyllic town in North Carolina is lovely, the descriptions are painstakingly (excruciatingly?) detailed—there are so many scenes about paint colors that you feel like you’re watching them dry. We follow characters to the home improvement store, to the tax office, the auto repair shop…it’s endless.

Readers looking for a cozy, atmospheric book, and who are ready to fan the spark of a the tiniest flame of romance for hundreds of pages will love OVERDUE!

I had such high hopes for this book. I read all of Stephanie Perkins' young adult books when I was a teenager and remember really enjoying them. I was excited to see she was writing an adult fiction book. However, this book just did not engage me in the way her others did.

My main issue with this book was that there is SO much telling and very little showing. There are often long pages without any dialogue, just the main character talking about her past or wandering of in thought/memory that doesn't seem to further the plot in any way. By the time I was halfway through this book I was just so bored I wanted to scream.

In addition to problems with engaging the reader, this book also tried to include commentary on every social issue. I am passionate about social justice and normally appreciate the inclusion in books. However when you are trying to fit your stance on climate change, censorship, COVID-19, and about 10 other policy issues into the text of your book, you have lost me. I thought it was especially ironic that this book referred to COVID-19 and lockdown several times and then, later on in the book, the character talks about how much she hates when she reads books that talk about COVID..... like what ?????

The connection between Ingrid and Macon was giving nothing. He rebuffs her at the beginning and then we don't have any build up. They just don't talk for like months and months and then one day the just get together.

Reading this book made me so frustrated and upset, I honestly had to take breaks. Not for me!

Honestly, I struggled to read this novel for at least half way. At that point, there were three more hours to the novel and I gave up even though I tried to find any chapter to capture my interest and maintain it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dnf. I honestly don’t know who this book will be for. The setup is nothing like the actual story, the characters are insufferable and the tropes did not work. This one was not for me.

While the pace can be verryyyyy slow, especially in the first half, the writing leans toward a YA tone. Overall, Overdue was just okay… not a favorite, but still a comforting read.

This book is going to stay with me for a long time. Stephanie Perkins really took us for a wild, emotional ride, and I am obsessed!

In Overdue, readers follow main character Ingrid as her life is turned upside down within the span of a year. (The story is told in parts that are marked by the passing of the months.) In January, Ingrid and her longtime boyfriend, Cory, decide to take a pause on their relationship, as each of them wants to explore other romantic options. While Ingrid immediately thinks of pursuing Macon, her library coworker who she has been crushing on for years, her plans ultimately go wrong, causing her to reevaluate her relationships, her career, and her values for the rest of the year. In December, her life looks completely different, and it's AMAZING!

I have to admit that the first half of the novel and the second half felt like completely different books. The first 50% is a bit depressing, actually. Ingrid's love life is a MESS, and her tone is defeated (think of the wonderful prose of Writers and Lovers by Lily King mixed with the self-pity and self-loathing of On the Road by Jack Kerouac, but add some humor, too.) That might sound like an awful mix, but I truly enjoyed it! The prose (and the book's situations) felt raw and relatable. In the midst of Ingrid's exploration, the author, Stephanie Perkins, builds delicious tension between Ingrid and Macon, and I ate all those scenes up! The second half of the book was so enjoyable, as everything really came together, and Ingrid became happier. It was inspiring!

The slowwwwww burn romance was one of the stars of the book. As I mentioned, the tension between Ingrid and Macon was unbelievable. They build such a beautiful friendship that turns into so much more. At first, you might doubt Macon as a love interest, but please, give him a chance!!! I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll leave it at that.

Some other things I enjoyed in the book:
~The library scenes. Reading Perkins' author profile gave so much insight into the book. Those customer interactions were so odd and specific that I knew they had to be based on reality. As a librarian, they made me chuckle and smile :)
~The design and decoration scenes. Usually I'm not a big fan of detailed descriptions, but I loved these scenes because I could picture the amazing changes in my mind!
~The found family aspects. I wish I could meet these characters now!

Overall, I would give this a 4.5 out of 5. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Slow start. Ingrid was bland and boring in my opinion. I really didn’t enjoy it. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Overdue is a slow-burning, introspective journey of self-discovery wrapped in a gentle, bookish romance. Ingrid, a librarian who has been in a long-term relationship since college, finds herself at a crossroads when she and her boyfriend decide to take a break and explore dating others. What follows is a thoughtful exploration of healing, friendship, and ultimately, finding unexpected love with her grumpy but tender coworker, Macon.

While the pace can be quite slow—especially in the first half—and the writing leans toward a YA tone with some dated millennial references, readers who appreciate character-driven stories will find much to enjoy. The library and bookstore settings provide a cozy atmosphere, and Macon’s shy, caring nature adds depth and warmth to the romance. The emotional growth of the characters feels genuine, even if Ingrid’s choices sometimes frustrate.

This book may not satisfy those looking for a fast-paced, spicy romance, but it is a rewarding read for anyone who loves slow-burn stories about finding yourself and love when you least expect it.