This was a nice read on a lazy weekend. I loved how the two of them hung in there and built a much better relationship. The mother-in-law to be was relentless, but true love won out. I would have loved a chance to shop in the quirky store. Crazy merchandise and even crazier workers. I would read more by this author.

This was kind of amazing. Incredibly character driven with so much emotion and depth. I didn't expect so much soul searching... The arc and development are so fantastic.

The layers that drop to expose what Naomi missed are slow coming but worth it. I loved Nicholas and what was obvious in regards to him from almost the start.

The haze lifting as Naomi wrestled with her demons... The strength Nicholas gets when it comes to boundaries... This book handled it all really well!

I will say that I was apprehensive about the way they treated one another at first. I didn't really find their pranks all that funny, and it bothered me the way Naomi reacted to things in a very egoistic way. It made a lot more sense as the story progressed though.

I could barely put this down by about 20% in. Wonderful story!

Oh my goodness I am so glad that I saw this on NetGalley and was approved! If you need a happy, funny romance - then this is your next read! I was crazy excited about the overall premise because who wants to actually admit that they are being the worst versions of themselves? Well, after being together a while and engaged, Nicholas and Naomi are no longer in love, friends, passionate, and so on. They tolerate one another and live the "perfect fake life," until they stop. 

This book is funny, romantic, frustrating and at times, cringeworthy, as Nicholas and Naomi try to come to terms with their feelings and I honestly loved it. I think I am a bit partial towards Nicholas' character because out of everyone, he seemed the most honest. As they battled their way back to one another there were several romantic and heartfelt gestures on his part, although it seemed to take Naomi a little longer to come around. Naomi, in general, was difficult to figure out because she literally had no ambitions in life. I found this odd for a twenty-something young woman engaged to a dentist to have no passions or dreams of her own. Nevertheless, her character had some positive qualities. The odd part about my opinions of the characters is that this is written from Naomi's POV, yet she couldn't make herself more likable. 

One thing that repeatedly popped into my head while reading this was, "thank God I have been blessed with sweet and loving in-laws, and even better - they live hours and hours away from us." Nicholas' mother was ridiculous with her cowering and controlling ways, however, I am also aware that Nicholas allowed it to continue for far too long. 

A huge theme of this novel is that often times, people work better as a team and there is no more important time to remember this then when you're discussing relationships and marriage. Having one another's back is critical to a successful relationship, as is being yourself and being honest. How much time do people waste in their lives trying to be something they are not? Keeping things real and putting your loved one first goes a long way in happy couplings, and I think the author did a wonderful job demonstrating that lesson. 

Congratulations to Sarah Hogle for such a fantastic debut novel! I can't wait to read more from this author in the future. 

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review

It starts off like an anti love story that's gone far from the early swoonworthy days into a battle of who will outlast the other in the relationship, but with time and book pages, they slowly warm to each other again as accomplices, BFFs, and lovers to become even stronger. It's not a romance where you expect the lead couple to be together without any problems, but Nicholas and Naomi have to work for love and to open up, discovering who they are as individuals in the process. By the time they reclaim their love, it feels earned and justified. It's well-written and intriguing and had me hanging onto every last word. One of my new favorites, that's for sure.

Loved the description of this book and bumped it straight to the top of my tbr, but when I started reading it I was a little disappointed. I didn't really like either Naomi or Nicholas, and I almost gave up. They were so terrible to each other. But I'm SO GLAD I kept going! The motivations and deeper feelings behind their behavior really started to click as the story went on, and I found myself sympathizing with them and rooting for them instead of wondering why they were ever together. It was funny and sweet and even heart-wrenching at times. I ended up loving Nicholas and Naomi and this story so much.

Talk about putting your emotions through the absolute wringer. This novel frayed my nerves, keeping me on a razor sharp line between hope and despair. It is funny, this story. I'd go so far as to say that it's hilarious. It's superbly smart. Quick. Sharp. But that humor comes at the expense of the imminent demise of a relationship as an engaged couple engages in a turbulent war of roses. Their relentless attempts at sabotaging their relationship in order to get the other to break things off rather than just ending it themselves is both funny and heartbreaking. It defines pleasure pain, this story, making me laugh out loud one moment and causing my heart to brutally ache the next. How a story can be so wickedly amusing yet invariably sad at the very same time is a true feat, and this author masterfully nails the task.

i almost didn't think I could read this book as it's basically 90% inner monologue. But that's the crux of it, isn't it? The lack of honest communication between these characters is what drives this story. That lack of dialogue, the assumptions and the quiet resentment is what allows the divide to form. And in that divide lies both animosity and longing, both heartache and petty anger. In that divide lies the question of what will become of this relationship.

This was truly one of the most refreshing stories I've read. It's an enemies to lovers romance that exists within a committed relationship. These aren't strangers that have yet to get to know each other. These are lovers turned strangers who've allowed tiny bits of resentment and distance turn them into bitter rivals. All the sexual tension and wickedly clever barbs exist in this dynamic but it evolves on these pages in a fresh, intoxicating new way that we've never seen before.

I so appreciate a smart romance, strong writing and captivating characters. This book certainly embodies all of those things, especially the captivating characters who are likable and relatable even when they're frustrating and flawed. But what I appreciated most was the message here about relationships, about the need to always work at it, to continue to give even when you don't feel like you're getting in return. At the end of the day, you do get what you give and resentment breeds resentment just as easily as appreciation will undoubtedly breed appreciation. The distance and longing in these pages are as palpable as the fierce devotion and blissful romance. It's so impeccably done, this book, and I loved it so much. This author's writing is some of the sharpest I've read and I'll be eagerly anticipating whatever might come next.

Sarah Hogle's You Deserve Each Other is a clever romcom with a pitch perfect voice. Her writing shines in this debut.

I loved everything going into this book: the pretty cover, the blurb, the lovers to enemies to lovers dynamic. But I almost didn't finish it, nearly giving up at the 40% mark.

Naomi Westfield and Nicholas Rose are a seemingly perfect couple who, to any casual (or Instagram) observer, would appear to be head over heels in love. In reality, they can't stand each other and are in a battle of wits to see who can call off their wedding first (thereby inheriting an enormous bill).

I was expecting an even perspective in narrative, but it was all Naomi's point of view and for much of the first part of this book, I couldn't figure out what her problem was or why she was so aggravated with Nicholas (though I could understand her anger at her dreadful future in laws). Yes, there were hints as to Nick's transgressions, but they didn't seem worthy of her rage, vindictiveness, and quite frankly, immaturity. She is, after all, almost 30 years old and acting as though she's in middle school. Maybe if there were chapters from his point of view to show him concretely acting with maliciousness as well, I would have sympathized with her more, but as it was, all I could think of was "why in the world did he propose in the first place? I would have dumped her ages ago."

And so, that's where I was about halfway through the book, ready to toss it into the wind because Naomi was so utterly unlikable.

BUT

I wanted to stick with it to see where this would go--because the blurb promised they'd get back to lovers and I was so curious to how these broken people could ever reconcile. And the writing really is fantastic, and that will always sway me.

And I can tell you that I'm so glad I continued on. The twist in the narrative is so incredibly satisfying. It's more than a story about people just trying to outdo the other's meanness. It's a cautionary tale about the pain and hurt people feel when there is a lack of communication because you're misinterpreting any communication that is happening. And the importance of finding the time to say what's on your mind when your needs aren't being met. So in the end, I interpreted this book to be far more mature than your stereotypical chick-lit fluff (no offense intended; I adore fluffy books!).

So yes, I thought for a moment that this title would be consigned to that dreadful DNF folder, but it turned into something quite unexpectedly better, and I am eagerly awaiting future books from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam's Sons for granting me this ARC to review.

I will also be posting this review on my blog, A Bookish Holiday.

When Nicholas and Naomi find themselves in an engagement neither of them wants to carry all the way to the altar, the only option left is to provoke each other until one calls off the engagement. Cue the sabotage, war of wits, harassment of the future in-laws...but when Nicholas and Naomi start shedding the selves they thought they needed to be and start being who the other fell in love with, what happens? You Deserve Each Other is a debut effort by Sarah Hogle, but the expertly wrought pacing, clever dialogue, perceptive emotional observations, and the way Hogle taps into the relationship issues we can all empathize with makes this story instantly relatable and enjoyable. Certainly, I won’t be the only reader to finish this book and peruse my memories for relationship ghosts and wonder, what if.
I smiled the whole way through this book full of humor and insight.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an advance readers copy.

I really loved this book so much. It was hilarious. But it was also deep. The writing was so good!! Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

“Oh, shut up. Anyone would be lucky to have me. I’m a prize.”
“You’re the trophy they give to last-place losers.”

I had no clue that this book existed until my bestie came into work and started telling me all about it. And once she started to describe how messy and ruthless this couple was, I knew that I needed to read this book. Who doesn't love messy, vindictive relationships? At first, it was hilarious and then it got repetitive and annoying. 🤦‍♀️

Naomi and Nicholas have a picture-perfect relationship. They adore one another in front of others and brag about one another on social media. But behind closed doors, all bets are off.

A quicky relationship turned into an even faster engagement and it follows with them moving in together within a span of less than a year. Pure hatred flows their veins just by looking at one another. Their families aren't ideal but Nicholas' Mother rains on everyone's parade and constantly puts down Naomi every chance that she gets. She even goes so far as to cut Naomi out of the wedding planning picture. And they both have had enough.

None of them are willing to call off their whirlwind engagement because whoever does, has to pay for the entire wedding that has been planned. Nicholas is a dentist and can afford it but Naomi works for a Mom and Pop shop that has seen better days and they are waiting for the ax to drop.

They torment each other and play pranks to get the other to back down and call the entire thing off. But they are both resilient and won't back down. Will their love shine through and get them to walk down the aisle? Or will love fail and ruin their lives forever?

In theory, this should have been hilarious and off the wall but it was more annoying than anything. I had the hardest time connecting with the characters because they were so full of themselves and fake as hell. My husband had to watch me roll my eyes throughout this entire book and I'm sure he was happy when that was all over.

You Deserve Each Other definitely wasn't for me. It was a struggle to get through and I just wanted it to end. Fans of the Hating Game will be disappointed. Lovers to Enemies to Lovers is something that I crave to read but this makes me rethink everything. I'll say this so the people in the back can hear it, this wasn't fun at all and there are better books out there!!!

I absolutely loved this book! I did not want to put it down! It was funny and made you want to scream at Naomi and Nicholas at the same time. Such a great story and reminder to never give up on love or each other!

You Deserve Each other is an unlikely love story if I've ever read one. We meet Nick and Naomi when they are engaged and the love they shared has turned to apathy and resentment. Both are waiting for the other to give up and call off their impending wedding in three months so they aren't stuck with the bill. In the midst of their war to see who can make the other more miserable they find the ways their relationship went wrong, and by major happenstance, at first, they start to fix things. They still aren't in love but they are friends again and a team and that can lead to love right?

Sarah Hogle has done a remarkable job of taking two people that we feel are NOT right for each at the beginning and turning it on its head to realize the dept of hurt they've let fester between them with lies and misdirection from their own insecurity.

This story is a about realizing that while not every relationship is going to work out, sometimes a little effort is needed on both sides to remember the dept of feeling that is there from the beginning.

This hilarious book is told from the point of view of Naomi, a store clerk in a small tow in Wisconsin who meets the love of her life, Nicholas, a dentist who hails from a wealthy family. They decide to get married after almost two years together except...they can’t stand each other. Trying not to lose face, both try to make the other break off the engagement. The barbs and zings are well-timed and well-executed. Nicholas is very close to his demanding mom, so much so that she is comandeering the wedding details which adds to Naomi’s frustrations. Readers will root for this wayward couple and guffaw at the antics that ensue. 5 hearty stars.

Where to begin?? I felt like throwing the book across the floor when I first started reading it, but I AM SO GLAD I KEPT GOING. I thought Naomi was the wooooorst. Who knew I could have a change of heart so quickly after thinking that?? I wanted Nicholas to just end things with her. Again, I am so glad things happened the way they did, because it made for such an incredibly fun read. This was just the best! Nicholas and Naomi are two strong characters that you absolutely root for in the end. Read this book!

This book was set to be like The Hating Game, which in someways I did see similarities but I felt like this one wasn't as light and airy. But I still enjoyed it!


Nicholas and Naomi met and fell in love or in like of eachtoher really fast, they moved in together and got engaged the same day. They are 3 months away from their wedding and they find that they can't stand each other. Once they realize the other feels the same way, they begin a funny, escalating war, each trying to get the other to call off the wedding. Once they start fighting, they begin to really see each other and fall in love again.

This book feels very modern and true in its setting and character drawing. I didn't know if the books as for me, but the more I read the more I began to like the dark side of these characters!!!

I don't think this should be compared to The Hating Game.

You Deserve Each Other is a novel narrated by main character Naomi: recently engaged to her dentist boyfriend Nicholas of two years when she realizes she cannot stand him anymore and wants out, therefore slowly and methodically creating situations that will make him want to break up their relationship and allow her a polite out.

From reading the book’s synopsis, as I read the actual story it came off completely different than what I thought was going to be a slightly ditzy rom-com love story. In actuality, it was a lot darker, much more nuanced and had an incredible amount of realistic relationship divots, be they the shallowest lows and the forgot-about highs.

Naomi and Nicholas both suffer from what many people outside of Bookland unknowingly dig themselves into: the ease of becoming passive-aggressive in your relationship and slowly but surely dying underneath all of the deep resentments and hurtful silences. Throughout the acting out of her plan to drive Nicholas further away, Naomi and Nicholas finally begin to have healthy arguments, and begin to verbalize their resentments towards each other, rather than keeping it bottled up.

I enjoyed that this novel was about an already established couple, and that even through the darkness eking into their lives, Naomi and Nicholas still brought forth the humor that this book needed. This book felt like a story of redemption, resurgence and reconnecting, which felt new.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

What do you do when you meet the man of your dream. But six months later you are living and engage with a man that on a good day you are 18% liking. Who has a whiny and I need you to come do this for me my boy. She has taken over all the wedding preparations. They knew the dad inimately at the brothel. Can this relationship be saved. Or is it a contest to see who says I quit first

This is one of those books where I feel the marketing doesn't really match the tone of the story. I can see why they might try to market the story as the nexr Hating Game-- there are many similar elements-- but I found the vibe to be darker and deeper.
Nicholas and Naomi are 3 months away from their wedding and they can't stand each other.. Once they realize the other feels the same way, they begin a funny, escalating war, each trying to get the other to call off the wedding. Once they start fighting, they begin to really see each other and fall in love again.
This book is full of devastating observations of the passive-aggressive, self-pitying feelings and behaviors we can all fall into in a relationship. It feels very modern and true in its setting and character drawing.. It was a slow start when I really didn't like the characters and thought I really wasn't going to like the book. (Again, marketing mismatch: whimsical cover, really awful characters) but then it turned into dark comedy, then pretty straight love story. The author is equally successful writing both styles.

The plot of this book was like my favorite 90s rom-com but millennial version!!! While this might be a turn off for some, it’s my guilty pleasure.
The main character is pretty darn annoying. I almost want her as a therapy client so that we can do review cognitive distortions and irrational thoughts. That being said I did enjoy everything coming together to show her just how irrational she is. I also enjoyed how the sex (or lack of) was actually realistic and also not too graphic.
This is the perfect beach read and I would definitely recommend it!

Oh my gosh, I couldn’t put this book down! Shallow Naomi and self righteous Nicholas seem to be the perfect match...until Naomi wakes up and realizes that Nicholas has been manipulating their relationship for months. Hilarity ensues as Naomi learns how to play the game. I so enjoyed getting to know these characters, and Naomi’s inner monologue had me snorting with laughter. Extra points for main characters besting the evil mother-in-law, and featuring a man who’s not afraid to craft. I’m looking forward to reading more books from Sarah Hogle!