Quick Summary: A right person, wrong time, right situation love story

My Review: The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie is a 2025 women's fiction/romance. It is scheduled for release on 10/14/25.

About the Book: "...an intimate story about starting over, second chances, and two people who cannot help falling into each other’s orbit once again."

In My Own Words: A love supreme journey into a forever love

About the Characters:

- Nicole Speyer - > I loved this character. Her life path was telling and so familiar. Her infertility issues and the emotional rollercoaster that she faced in association with that rang with truth. The internal and external challenges in her life shaped her, but they did not define her. She was stronger than she realized. Her story resonated with me.

- Logan Milgram - > This guy stole my heart. He was such a good man. He was a what you see is what you get type of person. I loved how he showed his heart. He was tender and passionate, nurturing and compassionate. He was the real deal.

- Gabe Speyer - > He played his part. I would like to believe that he learned from his experiences, stopped making excuses for his actions, and ceased projecting. By the end, I surmised that he at least realized that life is about choices.

- Valerie - > I adored her devotion and friendship with Nicole. I was also moved by her backstory.

- The Friend Group - > I like that the author presented contrasting views on the friend front. There was a distinguishable difference between those who were loving and protective versus those who were toxic detractors.

- The Parents/Family - > I was not expecting Gabe and Nicole's parents to take the positions they did. Sadly, it was a tale as old as time and not in a good way.

About the Conflict: This story was ripe with conflict. No matter what direction I faced, I saw that conflict was present. It was so well written. All of the issues were not necessarily a flash-bang-boom, but they were definitely sobering and devastating in nature.

What I Loved:

- The time shifts between past and present
- The stolen moments that provided glimpses of what could be
- The friendship/partnership between Logan and Nicole
- The relationship between Nicole and Valerie
- The loyalty of Logan's best friend
- The emotional arcs for Logan and Nicole, both separately and together
- The self actualization played out in the lives of both leads
- The epic confession
- The ending and the new beginning found by the modern family

Trope Energy:

❤️ Never a dull moment
❤️ Friends to lovers
❤️ Anything for you support
❤️ Witty banter
❤️ Chemistry for days
❤️ HEA

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Kristen Sieh. She made the story interesting. I became so wrapped up in it that I did not realize a male voice was missing. She captured my attention and kept it the entire time. The listening experience pulled all the emotions out of me.

My Final Say: I loved this story. It was deep and real and challenging. I will not easily forget it. It gets golden hearts, a red rose, and a diamond rating.

Other: Readers who love Persuasion, The Lake House, An Affair to Remember, and stories such as those will fall in love with this novel.

* Potential readers should be mindful of any and all content warnings provided by the author and/or publisher. *

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Read on Repeat Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖💖💖💖💖 + 💎
Triggers: Infertility, Miscarriage, Infidelity
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Summer Hit: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (HarperAudio Adult | Avon), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was an absolute pleasure to listen to this work. I adored it! I look forward to reading/listening to more from this writer.