i think i would technically put this at 3.5 rating. the first time i actually felt something was when gabe and nicole talked about that the first year was real. speaking of gabe, he was absolutely shitty. that’s all. the romance between nicole and logan was cute but ultimately i didn’t feel much :(

thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this arc.

This book was such a fun and heavy read simultaneously. I picked it up because of the surrogacy mention (as I am planning to be a carrier later this year or early 2026) and enjoyed that representation in a novel. The way that the main character , Nicole, is painted as such a human and imperfect person, while also wanting to grow and find happiness in her life, was so emotional to read.

There was a lot in this story that made me want to yell at her, while also just hugging her. Nicole is just trying to find love, support, and hope for a life that has tested all of those things for her by her 30s.

I highly recommend this novel for a heartwarming, yet witty banter filled read. The characters that surround Nicole and even those that the reader was made to hate, hold such a unique and interesting spot in this story.

Wooooooow this book was everything. Instantly a new favorite. I need to immediately reread this and then read it again after that. This is the kind of romance I’ve been yearning for!!!!

I DEVOURED this book! What a debut novel! He read every single book she recommended?! Loved her for years?? Say less.

Lauren gave the right amount of laugh out loud with witty banter and rip your heart out in her writing (with the right amount of spice). From Nicole’s infertility, complicated past and feelings for Logan… I felt like I had to know what was going to happen. I couldn’t be stopped.

I can not recommend this book enough. I can’t wait to read more future novels by Lauren!

I adored this story!! This was my first book by this author and I will be reading more. This man adored her so much he was actively working through a list of recommended books she gave him!! That alone is enough to make me swoon! As someone who has struggled with infidelity and finding love after divorce, the author did a fantastic job covering all the emotions that can come with this experience.

What is there to say about this book besides how much i loved it.

-witty flirty banter
-imperfect MFC: i loved her for it. It was so realistic. she makes mistakes and she doubts herself along the way and yes you wanna yell at her along the way but you just want the best for her.
-antsy! It about the anticipation. Slow burn book but executed very well.
-work hubby vs jerk husband (get your pitch forks ready).
-besties we all need in a times of crisis 🥰
-short chapters!!!! 🥰

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for my E-ARC on NetGalley for my honest review!

5/5

Nicole and her husband Gabe have been trying for a baby for a long time, so long that Nicole launched a semi-successful podcast documenting her experiences with infertility. On the cusp of their final try with a gestational carrier, Nicole discovers her husband’s infidelity. To top it off, the pregnancy she has been wishing for for so long is viable, and their surrogate, Valerie, is now pregnant. Nicole’s entire world has been upended in mere minutes and in a fugue state, Nicole finds herself on the doorstep of a former colleague and friend, Logan Milgram. They haven't seen each other in years but in seconds their immense history comes roaring back to life. The Best Worst Thing is a timely friends to lovers romance about the merits of Jane Austen’s, Persuasion, reading the books someone recommended as a love language, and all the messy and complicated bits of stirring up the past. Shifting between the past and the present, Okie documents the rise and fall of this relationship and just how much Logan and Nicole stand to gain from loving one another right now. A golden retriever protagonist so sickeningly in love and a messy second chance romance is the essence of Lauren Okie’s, The Best Worst Thing. This story is heartfelt, compelling, and extremely hot—exactly what you’d expect from a slow burn friends to lovers romance, but somehow nothing like anything you’ve ever read before.

This review is featured on my blog!

The Best Worst Thing is an emotionally raw and deeply personal novel that feels more like a lived experience (which it was, according to the acknowledgements) than just a story on paper. By chapter 6, I was practically begging for this book to turn into a romcom - immediately. But instead, what I got was something even more powerful: a journey of self-discovery, heartbreak, and resilience that every woman should read.

One of the book's strongest elements is its structure. I love how it references a past moment and then seamlessly transitions into that very scene. Short and sweet flashbacks add depth to the narrative without feeling like an interruption. It's a technique that keeps the story flowing effortlessly and makes each revelation hit even harder. Another strong element was the characters. For a moment, I was terrified that Logan wouldn't be in the story anymore. The thought alone made me hesitate, but thankfully, that wasn't the case - and I was immediately reinvested. I think that shows just how well a character is written, if a reader can get that attached quickly and miss their presence in the book. The pure love in this book is nothing short of gorgeous, and Logan's silliness yet maturity as the male main character is breathtaking.

Beyond the romance, The Best Worst Thing beautifully explores feminism and the societal expectation that a woman's femininity is intrinsically tied to motherhood. The protagonist's journey to realizing her worth outside of being a wife and mother is a message that resonated deeply. It's a necessary story for women who have ever questioned their identity beyond the roles of society expects them to fill. What makes this book truly special is how real it feels. This isn't just a novel - it's someone's life on the page. The way the Nicole's world crumbles just as she gets everything she ever wanted is heartbreakingly authentic. Her mistakes, her choices, the moments where she almost loses everything - they aren't just plot points; they are the experiences of a real, flawed, beautifully human woman. At times I wanted to be critical of some of Nicole's decisions, but then I remembered: this isn't a character behaving in a way that serves a neat storyline. This is a person making real, messy, human choices. She chose the wrong guy. She signed a prenup even after doubting her relationship. She pushed her body to the brink. She nearly lost out on the love of her life, twice. And through it all, she remained relatable and raw in a way that made me want to reach through the pages and hug her.

Lauren Okie has crafted a story that doesn't just tell you something - it makes you feel it, live it, breathe it. The Best Worst Thing is a stunning exploration of love, loss and self-worth that lingers long after the last page. I wanted a romcom, but what I got was something far more profound. And honestly? I wouldn't change a thing.

I devoured this book. LOVED it. The plot felt fresh and not overdone; the book was able to focus on emotional topics like infertility and surrogacy while also weaving those topics into a plot that kept me hooked and reading, with characters who felt fleshed out and real. Made it even more emotionally compelling to know that the author drew on her own experiences with infertility and surrogacy to write this book.

The witty, well-written banter and the chemistry between Nicole and Logan was just so well done! So often, good romances end up falling into tropes and I eventually get bored with a book — and I didn’t get that feeling with this book, at all. My only criticism was I was frustrated when Nicole went back on her promise to work through things with Logan and they had a second breakup of sorts. It felt a bit repetitive.

Loved this debut and this author will be on my radar for future books!

Lauren Okie’s debut novel 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 is the rare romance that tackles heavy real-life issues while also sweeping you off your feet with an engaging plot and hot chemistry. On the surface, protagonist Nicole Speyer seems to have a charmed life: she has a podcast and is her own boss; she is married to charming and handsome finance executive Gabe; and they have an adorable dog and a beautiful home in coastal Los Angeles. But for several years, Nicole has struggled with infertility and gone through miscarriages, failed IVF treatments, and unsuccessful surgeries, all of which she has documented on her program. And now—after making one final attempt with an embryo transfer to a gestational surrogate—she has discovered Gabe’s infidelity. The embryo transfer is successful and motherhood finally seems possible, yet almost everything else in her life is in question.

It’s under these complicated circumstances that Nicole becomes reacquainted with former colleague Logan. Logan is sweet, friendly, slightly dorky, and very, very cute, and their teasing banter from years before quickly transitions into fun and playful flirtation. Okie excels at characterization and dialogue so Nicole, Logan, and the bevy of supporting characters rarely feel like archetypes spouting the usual trope-driven lines. They are instead well-developed, flawed yet likeable personalities that draw you into their world with smart and seemingly effortless quips and comments.

I recommend 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 to those who enjoy reading romantic novels with some substance, slow-burn plots, second chance stories, and workplace romances. I did feel like the book dragged a bit towards the last quarter and found the stop-and-start nature of Nicole and Logan’s relationship frustrating at times, but the obstacles they faced did seem plausible given her and husband’s separation and her impending motherhood. Overall, this is a well-written, engrossing romance that explores the pain of infertility and divorce, the warmth of new love and long-lasting friendship, and the importance of learning to respect and trust yourself—flaws and all.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I truly wanted to enjoy this book. It was difficult for me to get on board with the main character. I wanted to feel for her when her husband cheated on her but I didn’t feel many emotions. It didn’t sit well that the same night she found out she went to see another man.

This was a beautiful read. Lauren Okie tells the story of Nicole, a woman who has struggled with infertility, pregnancy loss, and a cheating spouse, as she rebuilds her life. After her marriage falls apart, Nicole quickly reconnects with a former collegue with whom she has always felt a strong connection. The characters were so well-developed in this book, and I found myself really identifying with Nicole. The author explore the themes of making (or not making) choices and how they can shape the life you live. I especially loved the ending because, even though it wasn't a typical 'happily ever after,' it was the perfect conclusion for Nicole, highlighting that everyone's "happily ever after' looks a bit different.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for this ARC.

Thank you Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC!

The Best Worst Thing was a stellar read. Steady pacing and great writing. Nicole was such a raw and real character. She and this story are very multi-layered and I think Lauren did a great job at helping the reader understand everything. I felt like I was feeling all of Nicole’s emotions with her. And I loved how much of a slow burn but not a slow burn this book was. By the end I genuinely enjoyed seeing how everything played out for Nicole, Logan and even Gabe lol. There are a few things I would have liked to see more of (more details on how exactly Logan fell in love with Nicole or Nicole in counseling/therapy) or less of (the back and forth between Nicole and Logan was kind of lot) but overall this was a heartfelt story that was an enjoyable read!

Wow. I just loved this book so much.

We meet Nicole who has a podcast that very openly discusses infertility. She’s not shy about it and hopes her experience will help others. Until she learns her husband is a cheating jerk. Her sister and her best friend step in to help her realize she deserves better and more. Oh and if that wasn’t enough, her surrogate is finally pregnant. (If that isn’t a testament to how life actually works, I don’t know what is…just when you’re down, it kicks you harder.)

I absolutely LOVE Nicole and her friends. They are so real. You feel like they are your friends too. And Logan? Good golly, we all need someone like him in our lives. He is just fabulous. Their banter and chemistry is awesome. It basically leaps right off the page.

This book is absolutely beautiful. It takes real talent to write such a sensitive topic well and Ms. Okie does just that. Highly recommend!

FIVE STINKIN STARS FOR THE BEST WORST THING. I am in love. This book was perfection for me. Every time I read a book I gain a new book boyfriend and Logan just topped them all. The banter? Yeah, it had me blushing and grinning and kicking my feet like a schoolgirl in love. The tension? THE TENSION!? I can’t even talk about the tension. All jokes aside, this book has it all. It covers some very sensitive topics that might be hard for some people to read, but if they can ride it out the story is well worth it. I laughed and cried, my heart broke and was put back together again seamlessly. Lauren Okie, you’re an absolute rockstar and thank you for telling Nicole’s story. It was absolutely beautiful and absolutely chaotic, I loved every moment of it.

This was a great book! We see the main character struggle with fertility issues and then going through a divorce. Despite that she also reconnects with an old coworker who she falls in love with. Thank you Netgalley for the arc, I appreciate it.

I very much enjoyed this book but will admit it is not what I expected when I read the description. I thought it would be a book focused on the struggles of reaching for motherhood with a twist of romance. It took me a minute to pivot and embrace that this was a romance with a side of fertility struggles. I liked the characters a lot, appreciated the rich friendship with Mari and sisterhood with Paige.

There were times that storylines felt underdeveloped (eg mother in law showing up for one drop in) or chapters ended somewhat abruptly.- if it was to keep the book under 400 pages, I would have happily kept reading.

I would highly recommend to others!

I. Am. Obsessed. This book completely took over my heart, and I loved every single second of it. Logan? Literal perfection. I know men like him aren’t supposed to exist, but after reading this, I’m convinced he might just be real. He’s kind, generous, loving—everything you could ever want in a hero. From the very beginning, he was there for Nicole, standing by her side no matter what. His love for her was unwavering, and honestly, I’m still swooning.

Nicole’s journey was emotional, and while I adored her, I won’t lie—I was so frustrated when she went back on her promise to work through things with Logan. I get it, but my heart still hurt for him. That being said, the way their story unfolded was absolutely beautiful, and I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time.

This book just cemented this author as a must-read for me. I could talk about it for days, but instead, I’ll just say: read this book. You won’t regret it.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the e-ARC! <3

I really enjoyed Logan as a character. He was really sweet, meaningful, and mature. Him still reading a list of books she recommended him even when they weren’t in contact anymore was adorable and so was the reveal of what he wrote on the slip of paper. He is definitely what carried the story for me.

I wasn’t a big fan of having essentially two third-act conflicts. I think the second sort of break-up and big argument could have been the proper amount needed rather than it feeling a bit frustrating with the extra back and forth :/

The first 30% of the book felt very fast and a bit of a whirlwind. I needed things to be slowed down a bit to understand Nicole’s feelings and to not feel like she was just needing him to heal her. I wish we had more of an inside look of how they were with each other when they worked together, how exactly Logan came to fall in love with her, and how Nicole wrestled with her growing feelings towards him during those times rather than just small snippets of lingering glances, touches, and kind gestures. I feel there was an opportunity to show MORE of what Logan did for Nicole during that time period and why that tug/ache (as described by Nicole) was there between them. Essentially more showing > telling.

Over all this was a real and sweet story, I just need *more* of things!

Nicole has spent the last few years in the depths of IVF, only to find out their hail mary works but when she returns from her surrogates transfer her life changes forever.

The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie is a romance that feels real, there’s no sugar coating the complexities of IVF or ADHD, the pain of a cheating spouse, becoming a single mom and trying to find loving again.

In the first half of the book some of the chapters felt incomplete and like they needed more depth, but the second half of the book has you on the edge of your seat, wanting and needing more and has you feeling so many different emotions. From sorrow, to joy to even anger with Nicole, this book truly takes you on a rollercoaster.

If you’re looking for something real, and not your typical hollywood romance this book is for you!