The Synopsis:
Nicole has been struggling with infertility for years and knows this coming embryo transfer to her gestational carrier will be her last shot. She comes home from the procedure early to find her dog walker waiting in bed for her husband, Gabe. Yikes. Nicole immediately knows she is leaving him, there will be no second chances and finds herself drunk on Logan's doorstep. Logan is a previous coworker of Nicole's and she hasn't seen him in two years. The only thing Nicole is sure of is the tug she feels towards him.

Reminded Me Of:
The beginning of All Your Perfects by CoHo, Kat's poem to Patrick in 10 Things I Hate About You and a twist on The Office, where Roy has a glow up, Pam marries him and later realizes it's always been Jim.

Review:
I LOVED Lauren Okie's writing style. Her words feel like living, breathing entities. It was interesting because she would use the word "and" continuously as a tool to build momentum, to give the feeling of falling or spiraling. I felt like I was constantly being swept up and away, lost in all the moments. This book is emotional, it is going to make your heart ache but it's also going to make you laugh out loud. The relationship that unfolds between Nicole and Logan is just so right. They are weird and quirky and it made me fall completely in love with them as a couple. The Best Worst Thing is a raw unfiltered look into how infertility can shape and alter life. Its hope, heart and joy in all its different forms.

*Please read the acknowledgement page, I sobbed. The author shares her own story and I think its important readers understand the personal nature of this book to her.

this book broke me down and put me back together again. such a real, raw, and honest exploration of infertility, growth, and self-love. so romantic, so messy, so sweet. i can't wait to handsell this at my store.

logan has also made into the book boyfriend hall of fame. god. he's perfect.

A beautiful raw honest love story that speaks on the struggles of infertility, the joys of friendship and the love found at the time it was least expected.

"The Best Worst Thing" by Lauren Okie completely stole my heart. From the very first chapter, I knew I was in for an emotional ride -- the kind that makes you laugh through your tears and hug the book when it’s over.

This story hits all the best tropes in the most satisfying ways: second chances, and a slow-burn romance that actually feels earned. But what really sets it apart are the characters. They’re messy, complicated, lovable and so real. I found myself rooting for them, yelling at them and wanting to be their friend. The chemistry? Off the charts. But it's the emotional depth that makes this story linger -- the way grief, love and forgiveness are woven together so beautifully.

It’s not just a romance; it’s a story about growth, vulnerability and finding light in the wreckage. Lauren Okie nailed the balance between heartache and hope, giving us a story that feels both intensely personal and universally relatable.

Highly recommend if you love character-driven stories with authentic emotional arcs and just the right touch of angst. This book reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place. Thank you so much to Lauren Okie, Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC -- I so appreciate it.

What a beautiful and well written book! I had no idea what an emotional rollercoaster I was in for. I gasped, I cried, and i laughed. I experienced heart break and healing right along with the main character, Nicole. I found her super relatable because I too can get in my own way sometimes! Also, the main male character will not disappoint. He is top tier perfection and I would like to find me a Logan Milgram! Thank you Lauren Okie for sharing your story and this book with the world! You are a real queen for that!

You need to read this book, like yesterday!

***Check triggers because it does cover some difficult topics that could possibly be triggering to people that have gone through it, but a very beautiful book!
(Infertility, miscarriage, infidelity)

4.75 stars!!!!!!!

precious !!! i loved every second of this book !!!!! it has all of my favorite elements from the office, new girl and nobody wants this. it's hilarious but also touches on some very real challenges and heartaches. it made me laugh out loud & maybe even shed a few tears. the first kiss? hot as heck!!! the chemistry between nicole & logan was OFF THE CHARTS!!! i loved this book so so much!! one of the best friends to lovers i've read in awhile.

speaking of logan, I LOVE HIM!!!!! i want to find one of him in real life, please and thank you!!!!!!

i also love how lauren didn't shy away from the real trauma nicole was going through. having a glimpse into that heartache was very eye-opening and i love how we got to see nicole work through that and come out the other side. this book is incredibly romantic but it's also real and messy (as it should be for the predicament they find themselves in). this was a phenomenal debut and i can't wait to see what lauren does next !!!!!

thank you Avon Books for the arc! this is my honest review.

The Best Worst Thing encapsulates so many emotions and interweaves them in a way that’s charming, guttural, and real.

While I’ve yet to experience childbirth (thank god, I’m only 22) I can say that this story made such an incredible narrative behind the harrowing difficulties that can exist around attempting to become a mother. It is solely a journey that only women can understand. There are always silver linings, as this book relays— despite tough conversations, tough decisions, and attempting to not blame yourself for the way things go. Experienced outside of one’s control, getting so close and everything falling apart. I can tell you this piece sat with me deeply.

Logan is quite possibly the best male lead I’ve read in a very, very long time. He is funny, charming, lovable— but most of all, he is human. Logan Milgram is the most normal and fleshed-out male leads that exists. He has witty quips and stupid comments, he is true to himself and wholly unique. I do in fact think I’m in love with him, really. He’s just the best. Everyone deserves to find a Logan.

I found it to be a little long in certain parts, and I do think I could do without some of the normal day-to-day that seems to happen throughout. While some of it I loved, I found other bits to make the pace drag, and for a romance novel over 400 pages, I think some of it could be done away with and the true meat of the story would still stand.

Overall, Lauren Okie is one to watch. Her writing is impeccable and so very vivid. I found myself captivated by the way she chose to tell this story, utilizing her craft in a sharp and engaging way.

Wowowowowow. My heart is soaring. I could have done without all the miscommunication, but Logan and Nicole are everything!!! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for any future books by Lauren Okie.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgally, Lauren Okie and Avon and Harper Voyager for this advanced reader’s copy ebook of The Best Worst Thing. The following will be my honest thoughts,
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Infinity stars, honestly)
Lauren Okie’s The Best Worst Thing isn’t just a book—it’s a bright new dawn for the romance genre. I’m not exaggerating when I say this might just be my fave book of the year, and it has officially shattered my rating scale.
From the opening chapter, where I was crying by page five (yes, five), to the last line of the epilogue—which had me smiling ear to ear—this book had me in its grip. And that epilogue? I normally despise epilogues, but this one was literal perfection.
The story is a gut-punch of emotions: heartbreak and laughter, poetic tenderness and hilarious drama. Nicole’s thoughts about striving to be perfect and not knowing how to be loved? Oof. Felt in my core, so raw and relatable. And Lauren Okie’s personal note in the acknowledgments, sharing her own experience with infertility, gave this story an added layer of delicacy and truth. It’s one of those rare books that handles sensitive topics—like infertility, cheating, and betrayal—with such care and empathy, yet never loses its spark of humor.
Speaking of humor: the scene where Nicole and Mari drink away the horror of finding Gabe in bed with the dog walker? Pure comedic gold. And shoutout to her offering her weed in the aftermath—an absolute icon.
But let’s talk about Logan. My god, Logan. A man who understands the significance of Darcy’s hand flex and reads dog-eared copies of books? Be still, my heart. Their chemistry is magnetic—like Nick and Jess from New Girl, and his relationship with his friends think that scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with the poker game vibes but make it D&D. The teasing banter, the pop culture references (which, I normally hate, but here were done so perfectly), and the slow, intense build of longing had me blushing, swooning, and genuinely sighing out loud.
And then there’s that pen-and-paper-in-the-locked-car scene. If you know, you know. It’s tender, grounded, and breathtakingly layered—lyrical in its simplicity, but with an ache that feels so real. The spice? Phenomenal. The tension? Electrifying. And the fact that these two nerds bantered over the best pop tart flavors and The Princess Bride quotes? I want to bottle it up and keep it forever.
I laughed. I cried. I cackled. I highlighted quotes until my Kindle was ready to combust. And by the end, I was so thoroughly enchanted that I already want to re-read it. And let’s not forget the epilogue—normally I’m epilogue-averse, but this one was so good it had me grinning like a fool. The last line? Literal chef’s kiss.
Lauren Okie is a bright new, beautiful voice in romance, and I will read anything she writes from here on out.
If you’re a fan of heartbreak, healing, pop culture banter, nerdy heroes, and the most worthwhile epilogue you’ll ever read… The Best Worst Thing is a must. Infinity stars.

I had high hopes for this book after reading the blurb—it sounded like it had all the ingredients for a compelling, emotional read. Unfortunately, it just didn’t deliver. The story felt flat and underdeveloped, with too many plot holes to ignore and characters that lacked depth or emotional resonance.

I found myself waiting for it to pick up or surprise me, but it never quite did. While the premise had real potential, the execution left me feeling disconnected and, honestly, a bit bored.

3.25⭐

This is a great book—it feels personal and explores such an important topic as infertility. I really liked the MMC, but the FMC started to annoy me in the second half of the book. She couldn’t make up her mind, wasn’t resolving things with her husband, and kept things from Logan.

A heartfelt romance filled with tender moments and deep emotions — the perfect second-chance story that captures real-life challenges and the enduring power of love..

I liked this book even though I found the characters frustrating at times I know it made them more realistic but a lot of the time it was just frustrating. I liked the second chance romance storyline and overall liked the book.

This book was very emotional and heart wrenching at times, yet quite enjoyable. I really felt for Nicole throughout the whole novel. The characters were very likable and despite their many flaws I was hoping for a happy ending for each and every one of them.

Thank you so much Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!

What an emotional wreckage 🫠😭

This was a unique journey through infertility and a broken marriage, and in the most heartbreaking way. (definitely check tw).

We meet Nicole, who has struggled through years of infertility and IVF and even started a podcast about it. We also get flashback chapters of when she worked in advertising and the interactions she had with a certain colleague, Logan (our own Jim Halpert 🤭)

I liked Nicole and you felt her pain, but at the same time I struggled with some of her actions. She seemed so incredibly indecisive and at other people's expense, but then again, she’d been dealt some very unfair circumstances, so it was simply part of her journey back to herself.

But let’s talk about Logan 🥺 Logan(!!) was THE green flag of this year 💚 He really was Jim Halpert and Nick Miller combined. He was driven, full of adhd, and a complete goon of a person. So so charming 🥰 And my gosh, the most patient and kind hearted person to walk this planet. The absolute star of the book. He and Nicole’s friend Mari!! She was the bring-you-back-to-earth friend that Nicole really needed to get her out of her own head.

This is written in third person, which I think made it harder to connect to Nicole, but that could just be me.

This book was wild from start to finish. I was instantly hooked (and hurt, but that's because the cheating that happens hits a little close to home for me).

This book was beautifully messy. I'm sure others think it was too messy, but I think it makes sense to me because there's a lot of healing that the main character has to do before she can even be in the right frame of mind.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The pacing was good, the primary and secondary stories were well written. I know that this hit me personally a little harder than the average person, but I still will be recommending to anyone who wants a not-so-typical romance!

This story explores heavy themes such as infertility, betrayal, and healing with genuine honesty and emotional depth. While I sympathized with Nicole’s journey, I didn’t feel a strong connection to her. The same can’t be said for Logan—he came across as warm, emotionally mature, and genuinely comforting.

The first third of the book felt rushed, and the third-act conflicts drifted into unnecessary drama.

That said, even though the story didn’t fully capture me, I’m confident it will resonate with many readers. It’s an honest portrayal of letting go of the life you planned in order to embrace the one that’s waiting for you.

Tropes:
— right person, wrong time
— dual timeline
— MCs in their 30s
— IVF & fertility journey
— debut novel

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a unique and fresh story. I’ve definitely never read anything that is so focused on fertility and surrogacy, it was heartbreaking but exciting. I found the relationship between Nicole and Valerie to be such a special one and I loved watching it grow and seeing it change and strengthen. Logan’s history with Nicole was full of years of yearning. Their relationship in the current timeline was so layered- she’s dealing with a husband who cheated that she may be bringing a child into this world with- but as heavy as that may be there was something so light and fun about their chemistry. I was a little frustrated with the will they won’t they but completely understandable given their situation. Aside from Gabe who was the woooorst, everyone else felt so real and people you’d want in your corner. This story is full of messy feelings and vulnerable characters, I really enjoyed it! Serious TW for a fertility journey, it’s definitely very present throughout the entire story.

The Best Worst Thing is out in October. Thank you @NetGalley and @Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

👟👟👟
second chance
dual timeline
MCs in their 30s
IVF & fertility journey
debut novel

This was so good! I love when authors actually give us banter, humor, lust, and personality! I really enjoyed Nicole and Logan’s story. Her life was messy and out of control and she finally got it together during the end. Very good novel!

A truly beautiful story and another perfect example of why the romance genre is so much more than surface level smut. A painfully raw, beautiful story about infertility, infidelity, and perfectionism.

Messy imperfect characters who are still deserving of love.

Shoutout to the dorky MMC, Logan. If you need a book rec with a DnD playing, nerdy, ADHD man, Logan is the perfect match. Though it handles some deep topics with finesse, it is also hilarious and filled with banter that had me cackling and kicking my feet. Anytime, roasting is used as dialogue between the main characters, I’m sold.

I loved Okies’ writing. The short chapters and 3rd person POV was refreshing.

Infertility and pregnancy are the main themes of this book, so don’t ignore the content warnings.