Synopsis: Sora is a freelance writer who publicly vows to stay single for the month of February. All is going to plan until she runs into Jack, a friend from elementary school, and the sparks start flying. She has to choose whether to pursue the relationship and let down her readers, or stick with her vow to go solo and lose her chance at love.

This book started out seeming so cute, with dialogue that made me laugh out loud! I found the main characters to be likable and relatable. I don’t know what happened, but I just lost interest in the story. There were a lot of repetitive elements- (like Sora’s endless obsession with bacon) that I could have done without. The secondary characters felt unlikable, and the romance fell flat. It had so much potential but just wasn’t for me.

I really wanted to like this one but I just did not connect with it at all. The main character was really unlikable and it was hard to enjoy the romance when you couldn’t enjoy have of the main couple.

I expected some growth with the characters but I didn’t see the growth of them and it just didn’t land.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

Where to start, where to start!!

I liked that the author created realistic, unlikable characters that KNEW they were flawed. Theres nothing worse than unlikable characters who think theyre perfect. I really loved the second half of this book, I feel like i got more from of the characters than i did in the first half. I loved the way the story played out in the end and how things ended! The story was sweet and for the most part to the point.

I disliked the way the characters described others negatively based off of their looks/body. I don't think think anyone deserves to have their body talked about in that way, even if its just fiction, I also felt like the addition of the pandemic was a bit unnecessary? I know it added to the story in some ways, but I feel like something like that doesn't belong in a romance book. However, thats just my personal opinion. .

This was a cute rom com. Sora Reid decides to #gosolo February and spend the month of February working on self care. Part of this is due to her hatred of Valentine’s Day. Of course during the month of February, she reconnects with an old classmate, Jack Mann. The two of the become more than friends and Sora is torn with how to handle her #gosolo plans.
This girl’s obsession with bacon was crazy!
3⭐️
#thesecondyouresingle #netgalley

I really enjoyed The Second You’re Single by Cara Tanamachi.

The main character, Sora, chooses to go solo in February after a long string of bad relationships. She writes about her #SoloFebruary and it’s published by the publication she works for. While taking time for self-care and time to herself, she reconnects with a classmate from her kindergarten class, in February no less. They have wonderful banter and a deep connection that grows quickly. Sora has to make the difficult decision whether she should continue her solo February or break it to attend an event with Jack, who she very much likes.

4 stars, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed reading The Second You're Single. It was a very easy read, and everything wrapped up nicely (which I loved).

I loved the main characters, Sora and Jack. The author switched the point of view from Sora to Jack nearly every chapter. I thought that worked well for the book, and I enjoyed seeing how they each felt about different things.

The #GoSolo articles and premise of the news articles were entertaining. The book was fast paced, sarcastic, and well written. I especially found Jack's kindergarten crush love story to be cute.

Others commented on having issues with fat shaming and food issues. I didn't really find those to be an issue for me since I could relate to a lot of what was written as someone who has been overweight most of my life. I could see how this could possibly be an issue for others though.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to review this book.

Freelance writer Sora and baker Jack have their rom-com meeting at a grocery store after Sora pledges to not date for the whole month of February. Both Sora and Jake are dealing with past relationship issues, but they are instantly attracted to each other. Will they? Won't they?
The premise of this book was interesting, and despite disliking the first few chapters I kept reading. Unfortunately, I don't think this book is my thing. The characters were difficult to like and the writing felt, at times, insensitive.

This needs some sensitivity readers and some major retooling. While I am sympathetic that this is a debut, the way that relationships with food and body image is portrayed in this book are just not what I want to read or recommend to anyone.

—ARC REVIEW— 3.5 stars

If I had to guess, I would say I read rom coms almost 85% of the time. They are my favorite genre and so fun for me to read.

I found The Second You’re Single to be very enjoyable! The best way I can describe the main character, Sora, would be spunky. Her inner dialogue is super interesting and there are some funny moments.

What I loved:
🌟Cara’s writing style! It seemed very conversational and informal to me and I love it! It was the perfect fit for this rom com. I also loved the dual POV. I feel like it adds depth to the book.
🌟Sora and Jack together! It was a little insta love/friends to lovers, but their story was so cute! \
🌟I found this book to be really entertaining. I loved the premise of #solofebruary and thought it was fun.

What I didn’t love:
-I was really excited at first because it seemed like there was effort to be very inclusive about body types in this book. The main character is self described as a size 14. However, then it went downhill when Sora’s mom kept trying to push her yo-yo dieting onto Sora. Then Sora constantly seems critical of other’s bodies and constantly talks about food (bacon, sad salads) in an unhealthy manner.

Ex. "...I can tell he's got big, thick, muscular arms, and the tiniest hint of a beer belly. Not gross big, just a slight, comforting pudge."

I just feel like this book would have been way stronger without so much emphasis on bodies, dieting, food in general, etc. It didn’t add to the plot for me.

All in all, I really enjoyed The Second You’re Single! If you like fun, laid back rom com, be sure to check this one out!

📘The Second You’re Single by Cara Tanamachi
Pub Date: 31 Jan 2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Tanamachi, and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

what a cute romance and that started because they were friends from elementary school. Loved that she figured out herself in #solo and doing the article. Loved the romance and being human. I loved his family and her mom and loved her mom and sister. Overall I really enjoyed this romance.

sadly, this is going to be a DNF... i read 4 chapters, which is about 15%, and although this is quite early into the story, i think it provided enough for me to decide not to continue reading...

as much as i was intrigued by the synopsis, i did not appreciate the judgemental and fatphobic commentary. why are we still side-eyeing people's looks, style and food choices?
the sentence that initially did me in, was the following, in which the heroine describes the hero:

"𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘯, 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬, 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺. 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙞𝙜, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦."

please explain to me what size constitutes as gross? this comment just absolutely baffled me and I'm not impressed...absolutely infuriating. and this was just one of many body/weight comparisons

and then, i thought that Jack might be a character that i actually like because helloooo...baker hero?! but nooooo, the exes start to show up, and of course Jack's ex has a hold on him *sigh* i don't have time for unnecessary drama...

maybe the story gets better? unfortunately i won't be finding out for myself...

*𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯-𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*

There were things I loved and things I just didn't.

The Second You're Single starts off as. a Hallmark-y rom-com with a great premise: Sora is a Valentine's Day hater (so relatable) and writer who pitches a series of articles on GOING SOLO for the month of February. Of course, almost immediately she bumps into Jack, a kid from elementary school who crushed on her, and who's grown into one hot hunk of man.. But she's pledged to #GOSOLO.

I loved Sora's snark, I loved Jack as a big ol' golden retriever hero (though we don't get to know him all that well) and I loved that I could see the movie in my head. The writing is snappy first person present, so it feels like VO for a movie.

What I didn't love was the fat shaming/body shaming in this book. And the 65 references (literally 65) to bacon. Sora's mom projects her own body image issues onto her daughter, especially as they're in run-up to Sora's sister's wedding. And while Sora says she's content with her size 14 self, I'm not so sure she is. Of course, there's a bridesmaid's dress fitting incident.

The Japanese American rep (Sora is hapa) is fairly minimal in this one, more just a fact of identity than anything that plays into the story.

CW: death of a parent from a heart attack, miscarriage, child with leukemia

Like humor? Romance? If so, you'll not want to miss The Second You're Single. Cara Tanamachi has provided readers with a well-written book populated with fun, lovable characters. Kudos to Ms. Tanamachi for her snappy, fresh dialog that kept a smile on my face from cover to cover. Sora has had a string of bad Valentine's Days and is writing a GoSolo daily blog for Slick. Jack had a crush on Sora from kindergarten and when she's close enough for him to tempt her with his samples at the grocery store, he reels her in. Sora and Jack's story is hilarious and a totally fun read. I look forward to reading more from Cara Tanamachi in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a light, quick read with the childhood friends to lovers and boy falls first tropes.

I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this book. Sora, a freelance writer, is swearing off men for the month of February after a series of bad relationships. Sora is committed to staying single until she runs into Jack, a talented and gorgeous chef, who just so happens to be Sora’s former classmate. Sora and Jack hit it off right away and Sora’s patience is tested as she tries to keep it platonic until March.

I loved Sora and Jack’s meet cute and the easy chemistry that followed but I do wish that their relationship was more developed. Jack had a crush on Sora in grade school but there was little development to show why he liked her in the present. Another thing that didn’t work for me was how judgmental the heroine was. She was constantly criticizing other people’s bodies. Sora very much wants to be seen as ‘not like the other girls’ and in 2022, I’m so over that trope.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars

This was a cute and light hearted read about the challenge of staying single for the #gosolo challenge you are writing about vs reconnecting with your elementary school crush

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book!

This was a very cute, easy read, contemporary romance. The characters went to elementary school together and reconnect years later (MC is in her late 20s). Sora has had her share of terrible men in her life and she decides to start a Solo February pact and write articles about it for the magazine she freelances for. The trouble with her solo month starts when she runs into Jack in the store and he immediately wants to ask her out. I found it refreshing that Jack is the only that had a crush on her in school. I would have liked a little more background on Jack and his bakery, and maybe a few more days/dates about them falling for each other. Loved the part with Sora's family as well.

Recommend for anybody needing a super cute romance, (bonus: there is a dog).

Very sweet book! Loved Sora and her spunk - she is a writer who has had several bad dating experiences and a failed marriage. Sora decides to have a Single February and write about it for a magazine. Enter Jack Mann - the sweetest lumberjack who has had a crush on her since elementary school. As Sora tries to ignore the sparks between her and Jack, she begins to realize what really matters in life. Perfect Valentine's read - really, anytime read! Check it out.

I started reading this after a few heavy novels, wanting something fun. When I first began this, I was finding it to be laugh out loud funny, relatable, cringe-y, and it had so much heart. I’m still not sure what happened.

I didn’t like Sora, I didn’t like Jack (do real adults actually say “AF” in any situation ever? Ugh). Larry is the best character in this novel; he’s certainly the most likeable.

This went from smart to really immature. The constant mentions of "bacon" was really annoying. I know that Sora was supposed to be a mid-sized woman but the constant mentions of her “unhealthy” eating gave off some serious vibes of guilt and shaming.

With the exception of the best friend, the majority of female secondary characters are portrayed as scheming and/or bitchy.

The romance aspect of this isn’t even on a chart, because there is nothing here between these two characters - he had a crush on her in elementary school because she wasn’t mean to him, and she falls in love with him because of his kindness to her, and the oft-mentioned good looks he possess. There was never an actual emotional connection. Sex is mentioned in passing, and engaged in off page.

This one unfortunately didn’t work well for me.

This was a DNF for me. The concept was really interesting, and I really liked the parts in Jack’s POV. HOWEVER, I found the book to be a bit fatphobic. I appreciate the mid-size representation, but Sora (a size 14) was made into this stereotypical representation of a fat girl who hates working out and who lives a food centered life. She has a weird obsession with bacon and is constantly talking about, thinking about, and consuming bacon. And when it isn’t bacon, it’s food in general. I DNFed at 30% and Sora talking about food was already half of what I read!
At one point, Sora mentions that she’s happy as she is, but the way she consistently nitpicks and talks negatively about her appearance leads me to believe otherwise.

I wanted to give this book a chance, but I couldn’t do it anymore.


I was given an ARC by NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin. All opinions are my own.

Cute story! I really liked Sora and Jack, especially their communication and connection. I wasn’t a fan of Sora being sort of a slob who didn’t really seem to care about herself, but I think she figured some of that out by the end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.