This is a beautiful book but not quite for me. I found the writing style a little disruptive to my experience both in pacing and telling instead of showing. I also felt like there was perhaps a little much going on in this romance - the characters were very complex (which is great!) but giving plot points to every one of their qualities felt distracting and disruptive to the flow. That being said, I do love the characters and the amount of representation! This should be the norm! The "You've Got Mail" / email format is also very fun and I enjoyed the added layers it gave the story.

Just finished Isn’t It Obvious by Rachel Runya Katz and I am STILL swooning 🫶🏼 This NetGalley ARC had me hooked from the first page and didn’t let go!

This romance features a straight couple — but the story is absolutely full of rich, diverse rep. Our FMC is a Black Jewish woman, and the MMC is an immigrant from Trinidad, and their chemistry? Literal fire 🔥 The friend group is beautifully queer and brings so much warmth, humor, and found family vibes to the story 🌈✨

I’m a sucker for a good miscommunication trope, and this one had it in spades. My only gripe? That third act breakup had me in my feelings — yelling-at-my-Kindle kind of mad 🫠

Final rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Add it to your TBR immediately!

The author knows how to craft romance and layered characters in a way that feels grounded and real. ISN'T IT OBVIOUS has the You've Got Mail vibes with the two characters emotionally connecting over email, but enemies in real life not knowing they are the same person. I liked how the author explored how much first impressions affect how one perceives someone and what it takes for that initial perception to change. Yael and Ravi's connection is believable and has you rooting for them from the beginning.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book feels like a masterclass in how to create fully human characters whose various characteristics add to their humanity without being used as plot devices.

Both Yael and Ravi are the sum of their experiences, good and bad. Their development within the story is informed by those experiences (and in Yael's case, diagnosis) without being unreasonably hindered by them. I think what I'm trying to say is that the characters own their experiences, and those experiences come into play throughout their decision making, but in a way that appears to be informed by off page personal reflection and therapy, and is not a knee-jerk trauma response. It's really enjoyed reading that kind of representation.

The "secret identity" conceit of this book could have easily been overplayed. Katz hit just the right balance of maintaining the "the characters just missed it" feeling for the reader, while keeping it believable. I didn't expect that Katz would be able to maintain the ruse so far into the book, but it worked for as long as she needed it to.

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s not a breezy romcom (in this case—a good thing!). It’s smart, layered, and full of life. It’s sharp and funny, but also deeply grounded in reality and lived experience.

Yael and Ravi’s relationship unfolds on two levels: over email, where they collaborate on her podcast, and in real life, where they start off as reluctant acquaintances. Watching those two parallel relationships build independently—and then collide—was SO satisfying. I was fully invested.

Their Not Work email thread might be one of my favorite digital-age flirtations. There’s a slow-burn vulnerability to it that made my heart ache. And when they’re together in person, the chemistry and tension were off the charts. And they communicated so openly and so respectfully. It felt like a masterclass in intentional romance.

I also can’t overstate how refreshing this book felt in terms of representation. Both characters bring layered queer and cultural identities to the story, and those experiences are explored with so much care and nuance.

Rachel Runya Katz’s writing is filled with small, devastating details in the best way. Literally—my favorite detail was Yael’s little refrain of the word “devastating” in reference to how Ravi acted around her. It was a subtle, beautiful detail that made the build of their relationship hit harder.

Rachel nails that feeling of falling carefully, bravely, fully. I LOVED this book.

If you’re looking for a beautifully written love story that feels REAL, look no further. The author manages to make you feel every emotion while reading this book. I was kicking my feet and giggling at some of Ravi’s internal thoughts and Yael’s. However, I also cried and had to set the book down at times. While the romance is cute and heartbreakingly beautiful at times, the themes of this book run much deeper.

The authors exploration of mental health and how it affects relationships coupled with discussions surrounding diaspora, family relationships, and queer identity and issues makes this book a 6 star read for me. The complexity of each of the characters leaves you wanting to know everything and more about them. The characters are beautifully flawed, and it’s great! The author manages to make you feel connected to not only the main characters but every character you meet.

I can truly say this is one of my best reads of 2025 so far!

4.5/5 stars! A modern-day "You've Got Mail," this book is an extremely cute enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance by author Rachel Runya Katz. I loved Ravi and Yael and couldn't put this book down. Also, the queer representation and support in this story is so safe and affirming. I love it.

Yael Koenig is a high school librarian by day and aspiring podcaster by night. She records a podcast called “The Sophomore English Agenda” under the pseudonym Elle Rex. Yael hires Kevin Kissoon to edit her uncut podcast episodes. One morning, Yael is surprised to find Ravi, her roommate’s hook-up, trying to escape out of her bedroom window. Yael is immediately wary of Ravi and is shocked to discover he is also the new dedicated volunteer for her LGBTQ youth book club. Elle and Kevin develop feelings for each other over email while Yael and Ravi butt heads in real-life, and neither knows the true identity of the other.

Isn’t it Obvious? is a unique modern twist on the You’ve Got Mail trope where the enemies in real-life are actually lovers online. Unlike Meg Ryan’s poor bookstore, “The Shop Around the Corner,” Yael’s beloved podcast gets a happy ending. The romance is fun and realistic and Yael and Ravi’s chemistry naturally flows from distaste to reluctant friendship to “I want to rip your clothes off.” While funny, Isn’t It Obvious? also covers more serious topics, including issues such as familial duty, LGBTQ rights, and public school agendas. This was a truly delightful novel and I will definitely be reading more by Rachel Runya Katz.

4.5/5

The book has modern You've Got Mail vibes, where Kevin/Ravi and Elle/Yael get closer together through their emails and in their in-person interactions, not making the connection that they are the same people. Ravi and Yael initially have a bad first impression (while he is escaping after hooking up with Yael's roommate) and are able to turn it around (with much resistance). This book also touches on sexual identity and cultural stigma and the characters' own experiences with acceptance, discrimination, and bullying. We see all the characters (from the high-schoolers in the queer book club to the main characters themselves) go through a journey of self-discovery and self-love, and all aspects were integrated very well - I actually learned a lot about the queer community and the culture from this book. There were a lot of emotions involved (that made me tear up) and a lot of depth to the characters. Also a solid amount of spice! I very much recommend this book!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Yael is a high school librarian who sponsors a gay book club after school and secretly has a podcast about books high school students read in English class. She needs an editor, and Ravi is a freelance editor/producer who accepts the job. He also accepts the job of volunteer for the book club but since they are doing the podcast anonymously, they do not know they are also together on the podcast. As feelings develop and they realize they know each other, things become complicated. I really liked this book. Yael and Ravi had a lot going on in their lives and I enjoyed seeing them help each other. Ravi lives with his brother and his niece, both who added a lot to the story. There is a lot of insight into the difficulty for some teens to come out. Great romance and wonderful characters.

I could tell halfway through this book that it would be a comfort read that I would come back to later.

Both of the characters are so lovable with realistic flaws. I loved that so many of the characters are LGBT+ and support each other through everything. I also really appreciated that Yael is a high school librarian who is trying to make sure that LGBT+ kids know they are loved and have a place that they belong.

Ravi and Yael's relationship is flirty, fun, feisty. Shifting from them hating each other to being curious about the other and many more things. I loved to see them communicate and grow as people together even when it was hard for them to do.

This entire book gave me butterflies the whole way through. Such a good read!

This book really made the hidden identity trope work. Because Yael and Ravi weren't different people than Elle and Kevin but it was sweet to see how they shared different parts of themselves depending on who they were talking to. Despite this, I didn't love the third act conflict after their identities were revealed. But I liked the final confession conversation that it resulted in so I wasn't too upset by it. And the sexual scenes were very entertaining!

(3.5 Stars)

There's an idiom that goes: "Don't "%$^' where you eat".

That's how their 'meet cute' began and, to be honest, could not get over it. The premise of how they initially encountered one another just made me think that there are some lines you don't cross. Valiantly tried to overcome this but then got bogged down by the overly lengthy emails and the subplots that felt even felt labored. So, no, am not in agreement with the majority of the reviews on this one.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am so appreciative of books that have multi-dimensional, complex characters who are actually realistic and relatable and Yael and Ravi were both that. I was able to enjoy this book a lot more than I expected because honestly, I haven't read a lot of queer novels and am not too familiar with the culture. I took a chance at this book after liking the cover and reading the description, wanting to widen my perspective. Good thing I did because the author's writing had every detail written for a purpose and there was nothing left to chance. The way Ravi found out about Yael was so clever, too. Everything was obvious, just not to them.

There is slow burn between the MMC and FMC but the tension is high right from the start. It was more fun because of the dual POV since I was able to see how both were thinking about/reacting to the same situation. Both carry so much pain but they have strong hearts, willing to fight through their unavoidable circumstances instead of letting it overwhelm them. Of course when they do go through their third-act breakup, they sulk but only because they didn't realize there was another option. Once that option was laid out for them, they fully communicate clearly about their feelings and that was so relieving. That last part where Yael poured out her heart made me cry. I love when main characters grow from their fragile, frightened selves to their bold, self-assured selves due to the power of love. Love is about being safe and this book definitely had that.

Glad to have the opportunity to read this book! I was going into somewhat of a slump but I really enjoyed this!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance reader copy of It’s It Obvious? by Rachel Runya Katz. 

At the beginning, Ravi and Yael meet as Ravi is climbing out of her bedroom window following a one night stand with her roommate. After leaving the apartment, Ravi sees a poster looking for volunteers to assist with a queer teen book club. When Ravi shows up to volunteer, he learns that Yael is the person leading the book club. Yael has also created her own secret podcast and needs an editor. As her podcast persona, Elle, she’s put in touch via email with Kevin (Ravi) and the two form a connection working on the podcast all well as through their Not Work Thread.

Wow. Wow. Wow. This book is absolutely amazing! Yael and Ravi are two incredible humans. This book has such great pace and the parallel of their relationship developing as Elle/Kevin and Yael/Ravi was so well balanced. I was so excited for the premise of this story and I thought the execution was simply spectacular! I also adored the supporting characters in this story.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND checking this story out!

The genius of this book can be felt in the desperate kind of sadness I feel knowing these characters aren’t real and this isn’t a real life love story. A book that makes me want to live the life of characters (Im asexual so this is VERY out of character) is one for the history books.

There are two ways I know that a book is gonna stick with me for a lifetime. The first is the type of book that leaves me mildly catatonic after I turn the last page. I feel slightly un focused with a desperate urge to rewind to the last 15 minutes so the book never ends. The second is a book that fills my veins with a buzzing within the first three pages of reading. This book was Both. I really do not want to go into the details of the characters and explain the depth of my feelings for Ravi and Yael because I just know there’s no description that will do it justice compared to simply reading the book. Enjoy.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin for making this available to read. I couldn’t put it down!! This is the first book I’ve read by Rachel Runya Katz and I think I found a new favorite author. Isn’t it Obvious was magical. I fell in love with Yael and Ravi (and Elle and Kevin!). The You’ve Got Mail vibes were the cherry on top! I will definitely be buying this one when it comes out.

While I enjoyed the overall plot of this book, the writing just wasn't for me. I found that it was more telling than showing and I felt like the pacing was off. I did enjoy the relationship between Yael and Ravi so much though!