Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC of this stunning debut for Lauren Okie.

Nicole and Logan were beautiful and heart breaking and heart mending. The banter was top notch. The characters felt real and flawed and relatable.

The tender topics of infertility and miscarriage were handled with honesty and felt authentic and not gimmicky.

I can’t believe this was the author’s debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more to come from her in the future!

Right person wrong time will forever be my favorite trope. It hits every time and this story was no exception! I loved the banter between Nicole and Logan, I loved the obvious pull between them.
Definitely gave Jim and Pam vibes.
Definitely check the trigger warnings. There is a lot of heavy talk of infertility and miscarriages, which was hard to read but it's the reality of some women's lives.
Miscarriages are unfortunately pretty common, and I think there needs to be more representation surrounding it. Props to @laurensybilokie for handling it so gently.
This was a book I was so excited to read. The minute I read the synopsis and heard I could request it on NetGalley.... I ran lol I ate this book up. It comes out October 14th, 2025. So keep your eyes peeled!

This is such a solid debut book dealing with some very heavy topics. While I enjoyed the romance of the story, I was so distracted by Nicole's self sabotaging ways. Between the flash backs and Nicole's own thoughts about the start of her & Logan's relationship the story seemed very repetitive to me - and I couldn't stop thinking about the nuances between emotional and physical cheating! That aside, I couldn't have loved Logan or the ending of this book more. I enjoyed the look at how hard it is to let go of what you thought your life would be & also how not everything in life is easy or black and white.

I will be looking forward to Lauren Okie's next book - especially after reading the acknowledgements!

Perched in a beautiful house in Los Angeles with a gorgeous husband, a podcast job, a cute dog, Nicole seems to lead a charmed life. But Nicole desperately wants a baby. Her husband was onboard, but as procedures and heartbreaks took over their lives, it shifted for him. Then one day - the day there is finally success with an embryo and a surrogate, Nicole comes home to find Gabe has been having an affair. Maybe more than one.

Maybe, if she’s willing to admit it, their marriage has been over for a decade.

This is when Nicole shows up, unfairly, ostensibly for a one night stand of no strings attached fun, encouraged by her best friend, at the doorstep of a former colleague.

Logan is flummoxed. Because, see, Logan has been in love with Nicole since the day he met her four years ago and there is no way she doesn’t know this. It feels cruel in a way, to offer yourself for a fling with a man who harbors feelings for you.

As the two navigate this affair along with his career goals, her messy marriage turned divorce, her impending motherhood, and about seventeen other things, they also have to figure out the meaning of this spark between them.

This did not work for me.

First I will say the author’s note shares that the fertility journey she included mirrors her own, and I applaud her for that willingness to share her vulnerability.

Then she admits: this journey was not a story on its own, there was no reckoning, so she had to add pieces to create drama.

But this is where she faltered.

Plus, the book is favorably compared to multiple very popular cultural references. To this I say, tread lightly. If you tell me I’m getting Jim and Pam vibes, they better show in spades.

So let’s talk about the comparisons.

While Nicole could be described as a meaner Pam, and Logan is a dorkier Jim, Nicole feels like she is using Logan, that their friendship is lopsided. There is teasing (one way, she is merciless), but the bigger issue I have with this comparison is that all of the office foreplay happens in unnecessary flashbacks meant to reveal something we already know. Perhaps done in real time this would have worked better.

Funny Story vibes - maybe Logan is a bit like Nick but selling it as heartbreak meets new love story doesn’t work here. The new love story feels wildly out of place and overrides the seemingly bigger story of finally becoming a mother. I was disappointed at how much of a backseat the infertility and soon-to-be mom took to sex with Logan. I expected that finally realizing her lifelong dream would be at the forefront.

A Nobody Wants This comparison is dangerous, and though both feature a podcast, that’s it. Do not compare these characters. No. It doesn’t work.

It boasts humor like that of Wedding People but I’d say that’s a miss, too. While there is some mean cute banter between Logan and Nicole, overall it isn’t a funny book.

Open door intimacy is used as leverage to dig deeper into turmoil, as it is in How to End a Love Story, but this book creates multiple failed attempts at intimacy that are abruptly and ridiculously short changed for a reader and felt forced. It doesn’t feel the same.

DO NOT compare a book to Ready or Not or to Shep. Just don’t. With a surrogate carrying the baby and Nicole not being too concerned about the pregnancy, Logan is not cast as Shep except in an overdone epilogue.

I also did not get Nora vibes, as in Nora Goes Off Script, but then again, Nora was an incredibly likable FMC; I did not feel the same about Nicole.

There are a few scenes that seem …unwieldy. Also the volatility of Nicole’s relationship with Gabe is so hot and cold that it reads like whiplash and is hard to buy.

The writing is strong. I think I’d give the author another chance with something less personal, something I didn’t read all of the comparisons about prior to reading the book.

This was my first NetGalley arc!!! I was so excited for this but unfortunately I didn't like it at all and I had to DNF at 32%. I wanted to finish this just because it was my first arc, but I couldn't bring myself to continue. I thought the premise of this book was so interesting, I thought it would be a more mature kind of story since it deals with the sensitive subject of infertility, but for me it didn't feel mature at all. The MMC was portrayed as this golden retriever, and I did like the character, but it seemed like the author was really forcing us to love him by going over the top with all of the amazing things he does. It wasn't realistic for me. My least favorite scenes were the one where a lawyer told her she couldn't divorce her husband or she could get IVF banned nation wide (wtf?) and the one where she was screaming outside of the MMCs locked car while he wrote on a napkin the dirty things he wanted to do to her (too cringe). Actually I couldn't continue past that last one. I also don't think it's romantic for a relationship to start the night you find out your husband is cheating on you by showing up at an old coworkers door drunk. Idk. The two friend side characters were also indistinguishable to me, they didn't really bring much to the story besides just being the person that the main character talks to. The cringe was strong with this one, but I can see the potential for people who love contemporary romance.
Maybe fans of Lucy Score, Tessa Balley, or Abby Jimenez might like this one! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this early, sorry I didn't like it at all.

Thank you to the publisher, Avon, for the advanced reader copy of this heartbreakingly beautiful, laugh out loud funny book! Lauren Okie is now an auto-buy author for me after reading her debut, The Best Worst Thing.

This story showcases the trust you lose in yourself along the way of life, and most especially for our main character, Nicole, as she's navigating betrayal in her relationship (infidelity) and what feels like a betrayal from her body (infertility).

I'm grateful for the myriad of ways in which fertility and infertility were discussed in this book - with frustration, hope, guilt, empathy, and more. Nicole's journey with IVF and her relationship with her surrogate were treated with such care and intention.

Amidst these heavy hitting topics is a LOT of laughter! Nicole and Logan are a prime example of why friends to lovers is my favorite trope ever. They are constantly teasing each other; he reads her favorite books; she buys him an ant farm. Their time together is amazingly wholesome and intimate from movie nights at home to wandering together for hours.

The Best Worst Thing is filled with suspense as Nicole and Logan are each navigating many life changes right when they are finding their way back to each other. The story really makes you wonder about the concept of "right timing" and how much weight we give and patience we place in this.

The Best Worst Thing releases on Oct 14 2025 - be sure to pick up a copy and/or request from your local library <3

This book is full of heavy topics (TW: infertility and infidelity) but will still make you smile and kick your feet all the way through. The characters are layered and messy and grow throughout the novels and their chemistry is palpable. I enjoyed this book and did not want to put it down!
This debut novel is full of heart and character journey. I don’t usually gravitate towards books about pregnancy but I’m glad I picked this one up (thank you NetGalley for the ARC!). I can’t wait until this book comes out and I can recommend it to anyone and everyone.

The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie was a whirlwind. Okie writes a devastating depiction of infertility how it not only impacts relationships but the individuals sense of self. Nicole has years worth of trying to have a baby as her life is falling apart around her unbeknownst to her. After finding out her husband has been having an affair she reconnects with an old friend and begins the messy process of healing.

I think Okie was really able to capture the messiness of relationships and growing up. Regrets and challenges and settling for less than what you want or deserve. Nicole was at times difficult to have sympathy for (when she’s being mean to Logan or going back and forth about him) but you also feel heartbroken for her. For what women give up, change or accommodate to be what they perceive as “perfect.” I ultimately gave this 4 stars because of the two third act break ups which I have a hard time with in books. But the yearning, realness and love story certainly made this worth the read!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

I enjoyed this book! Based on the title I wouldn’t have known it was more of a fiction romance novel. I thought it explored great themes of what it means to be a mother and be a part of a family.

I think it discussed heavy topics in a way that made me think more about what being a woman means in different contexts (mother, wife, etc).

I think Nicole’s feeling not complete because she can’t give a child to her husband is something many women struggle with so seeing it be the topic of a novel was nice. It shows relationships can be complex but they can also work ! I loved all the characters as well. I felt the moving forward between past and present with Logan helped develop their relationship for me in a way that just staying in the present wouldn’t have.

Happy to report that this will be a must read come October when it releases!! Trigger warning: fertility. Nicole and her husband, Gabe, have been trying to conceive for a long time, ultimately resorting to IVF. When that wasn’t working, they had a one last shot at a baby and went with a surrogate. But right before news comes of the transfer worked or not, Nicole’s world falls apart. But don’t worry, Logan enters the scene and we go on a rollercoaster ride from there.

I loved this book, it was genuine & sweet. Though I’ve never had to endure the difficulties of getting pregnant, I believe this book will reach those who have and can relate in a way. I’ve also never read a book like this; one that speaks on fertility issues, IVF, and more. Keep your eyes out for this one come October!!! A line that I found so cute in this book: 3D printed. Read it to figure out why 🥹

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. This was such a binge read for me. I really loved this book. It felt like an old school romance in the best way possible.

The only thing I was disappointed in after finishing this book was that this is Lauren's debut and I can't read anything else she's written. I tore through this book, hooked on the lyrical prose, the gut-wrenching subject, the fully fleshed out characters, and the setting that made me feel like I was there. The title is so perfect—I truly felt like I was reading the best worst thing. I loved Nicole's growth throughout the book. And the more I learned about Logan, the more I fell in love with him too. His long, rambling monologues weren't long enough for me. I could listen to him talk all day. His support and love for Nicole was like a warm hug to the reader. And that note!! SWOON. It was truly a break you apart and then put you back together wild ride that I wish I could experience again for the first time. I hope Lauren's working on her next great novel, because I cannot wait.

Thank you, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Best Worst Thing follows Nicole, who has spent years trying to have a baby with her husband, Gabe. She decides to take one last shot - an embryo transfer with a surrogate. But just as she makes that leap, she finds out Gabe’s been cheating. Completely shattered, she leans on Logan, a former colleague she never expected to reconnect with. Then, out of the blue, the news she’s been waiting for finally comes: the surrogate is pregnant. Now, Nicole has to make peace with her body, let go of the life she thought she’d have, and figure out if she’s willing to open her heart to love again even if it looks nothing like the plan she had.

There were parts of this book that didn’t work for me. Nicole and Logan’s connection didn’t feel fully developed. Tt lacked the build-up I needed to really root for them, and their shared past was more told than shown. At times, it even felt like Nicole was using Logan as an emotional crutch during a low point, which made the dynamic feel a little one-sided.

Still, I think this book will really strike a chord with readers who connect with Nicole’s journey

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Right person wrong time will always be my jam!!! this was a great debut novel BUT please check trigger warnings because it's a bit heavy (it deals with pregnancy, fertility issues and other topics that could be consider spoilers.)

The pacing was great and the drama kept me on my toes but even though I loved this for the majority of it, there were some things that just didn't worked for me. Having TWO third act break ups had me like 🙃 enough but to each their own.

the romance was GOOD!! You can't deny that chemistry, so 10 points for that. There were other factors that affected my rating but they're basically spoilers. If you loved "This Could be Us" by Kennedy Ryan, you should check this one out.

The Best Worst Thing surprised me in the best way…sharp, heartfelt, and so deeply human.
Nicole’s journey through heartbreak, infertility, and rediscovery felt raw and real. I was frustrated with her at times with indecisions but I felt for her. Stuck between pain and possibility.
And Logan? I adored him. He’s soft, gentle and patient. A walking green flag wrapped in empathy.
This isn’t a neat romance. It’s messy, emotional and full of hard choices but it works.
Be sure to check any trigger warnings.

Nicole, an infertility podcaster, faces profound upheaval when she discovers her husband’s infidelity just as her surrogate successfully becomes pregnant following an embryo transfer.

Unfortunately, this novel didn’t work for me. I found the narrative repetitive and boring, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. However, early reviews suggest that many readers are responding more positively, so I’m sure it’ll be a hit. This is a romance novel that addresses themes of infertility and infidelity. I’m not typically a reader of romance, and this book hasn’t convinced me to change that. Ultimately, a miss for me.

This was one of those books that I was willing to stop every other book for. I just loved the premise and wanted to see how the delivery would play out in the story. This was a great love story that was completely not linear. It was messy and it was real. It addressed some hard topics which made it all the more real and one subject in particular that is very dear to the author. Lauren.

This book made me smile, it made me laugh, and sometimes I wanted to shake some sense into Nicole. It had the absolute best banter. I’ve seen a lot of people on booksta ask “what book would you like to see made into a movie?” And I never knew how to answer that until now. This one. This should definitely be a movie.

I LOVE this book! I was 100% invested in Nicole’s beautifully messy and complex story.

After years of fertility struggles for Nicole and Gabe, after one last ‘Hail Mary’ attempt with their surrogate, Nicole finds out Gabe is cheating on her with their dog-walker. Naturally, she proceeds to get really drunk with her best friend, Mari, and they end up on the doorstep of their former colleague, Logan, who is nerdy, hilarious, and actually pretty hot. Mari claims Logan always had a crush on Nicole. Nicole laughs it off, but the chemistry between Logan and Mari is indisputable. Of course, little things like Nicole’s falling apart marriage and potential impending child, create a messy, but beautiful, heartbreaking but hopeful love story.

I have totally neglected all the chores these past few days because I could not be bothered to do anything besides read this book whenever I had the chance! The tension and the yearning between Nicole and Logan is off. the. charts!! Another aspect that made this particular romance so bingeworthy is the suspense- Will Nicole finally be a mother? Will her and Gabe make it work? Will her and Logan finally get the timing right? Will Logan stay in CA for Nicole or move back to the midwest? So many crosswords without knowing if we will get a “happily ever after” beautifully tied up in a bow.

The characters and the plot do not follow the traditional “rom-com/romance” format (so refreshing!), so just buckle up and let yourself get carried away in this story. How is this Okie’s DEBUT?! It would make such a good movie!! This book is for you if you love: Jim & Pam from “The Office,” and/or any of the following novels: “Something Borrowed,” “Evvie Drake Starts Over,” and “Maybe Once, Maybe Twice.”

Thank you to netgalley and avon for an early release copy. “The Best Worst Thing” releases October 14. Put this on your radar!!

I ATE THIS BOOK UPPPPPP. Wow such an incredible debut. The writing was so good i kept highlighting passages on my kindle. I was rooting for nicole and logan the entire time. they were seriously meant to be together. This book is definitely for fans of renee carlino and I cant wait for the whole world to get the experience to read it!!

First and foremost, I cannot believe this is a debut novel. Lauren Okie wove together a masterpiece that tackles some heavy hitting topics (TW: infertility, miscarriage, infidelity) while also telling a love story for the ages and making you laugh between crying. If you pay attention, you’ll catch the elements woven so seamlessly into the story that add just ann extra touch to the scene you’re reading. The pacing? Perfect.

As someone who is child free by choice, I can say I didn’t think the infertility would hit as hard for me as it did. Through Okie’s writing, I felt every devastating moment of Nicole’s journey to motherhood. Nicole is imperfect and she’s messy and I wanted to shake her a few times but the way we watched her grow with the help of those around her was wonderful. She so desperately wanted a life that got ripped away by her ex in the blink of an eye. Nothing felt more earned than watching Nicole make her mistakes, remedy them, and come out the other side with happiness and love in spades. What a beautiful journey.

I’m not sure there’s a MMC that embodies the golden retriever trope like Logan Milgram does. He was 3D printed for her and I think that’s one of the silliest, most endearing things I’ve ever read in my life tbh. He loves her for who she is, he SEES her for who she is, even when she can’t see it herself. He knows she’s been on that pedestal for years (he put her on it for goodness sake!!!) and he’s ready to knock her off of it because all he wants is a life with her, whatever that looks like. All he’s asking for in return is some non-judgement in his terrible food choices and, you know, her heart.

There was some messiness thrown in when Nicole was desperate and scared but I think Okie handled the resolution in a manner that worked and still had you believing in them and, more importantly, rooting for them. I am their number one fan.

I love this book. I am so excited to see people fall in love with Lauren Okie and her masterful storytelling. Congrats to Okie on this debut!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.