3.5-4 stars

Sora is having a rough go at love in last few years. As a freelance writer, she pitches the idea to her editor for a month of solitude free of men - to get to know herself outside a relationship. Her plans get derailed when a former childhood friend shows back up.

Lighthearted and quick reading, the story does have some cringy parts, but I took it for what it was - a beach read. Yes there are some less than stellar sections, but it’s a cute and fun read.

A mostly surface level story that could’ve delved deeper into some larger topics. Probably a good romance for some people but it missed a lot of marks for me

2.5 stars

I felt like unfortunately Sora was just not my type of character and the book fell into a lot of unfortunate stereotypes. I do think some pros are that it was a quick read and I do like the second chance trope, however some of the conversations between Sora and her mom made me deeply uncomfortable.

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

I loved the premise and saw all of the plot coming. It was still a cute story and I loved the Japanese-American representation. Could have used a little less fat-phobia.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This book is full of miscommunication and not listening to the other person. I understand sometimes a person is so hurt they can’t listen to the other person but these characters weren’t even really dating. It seemed kind of rash and out of place. The main character was down in the dumps over her relationships and life then runs into an old friend from school after deciding to stay single for February. As the month goes on her feelings change and instead of being honest, she decides to lie which never ends well. While all of that is happening Jake isn’t being honest with an ex and causes his own issues. Overall, the storyline felt mundane and 80% of the book wouldn’t have existed if they just talked to each other.

Waa waa wahhhh... That's how I feel about this one. I was really hoping I would enjoy this one, but unfortunately the fat shaming really got to me. Not a book I would recommend.

*Thank you @stmartinspress for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because less than 4 stars or DNF.*

I really enjoyed this book! Sora's story is a tale as old as time about previous bad relationships. Having an instant connection to a person after bad relationships really resonated with me as well. I liked that Sora and Jack kept finding themselves together.

Thanks for the advanced copy!

The Second You’re Single is a yummy, delicious kidhood crush, slow-burn romance. Jack and Sora are a heart-happy couple. I also love that they are multi-racial.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Second You're Single has a lot of ups and downs for me and I am not sure if I liked it or not at the end of the day. I did not love Sora but mostly I disliked her family a lot and I am not sure enough due was given to rebuilding those family relationships. I loved Jack although I wish there had been more of his point of view as well since he was a great guy and deserved even more. It was fun and a quick read, I just didnt love it.

This is a quick read but did not leave a lasting impression. It took me a while to get through it as I didn't feel that invested. There wasn't much chemistry between the two characters and I found the monologue parts to be quite long. Some of this book was very repetitive and I felt like the author was trying too hard to be quirky and funny with Sora's character.

"The Second You're Single" by Cara Tanamachi was a dnf for me. I wasn't able to connect with the characters and I found the plot to be slow.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my digital arc in exchange for my review.

I did not enjoy this book at all. I had some issues in regard to body image. Sora was making comments that did not sit well with me, And don't get me started about the bacon...it was just too much.

A delightfully fun romance! I loved Sora and her #gosolo pledge. I have definitely made those pledges myself. And of course I loved Jack, the man who messes up all her plans!

Freelance writer Sora Reid believes in inertia. She’s the odd one out in a close-knit family of go-getters, including her Japanese-American mom, who hints about her need to lose weight, and her soon-to-be married, overachieving younger sister, who needs her to have a date for the wedding, since a wedding party couples' dance with their Scottish great uncle Bob simply won't do. For Sora, minimal input, minimal expectations is the way to go. She’d rather stay at home with her insufferable neighbor and her adorable pitbull.

The one thing that disrupts her inertia: an intense dislike for Valentine’s Day. What is it with the commercial love machine? Why do we pin our hopes on one romantic day, when staying home with a package of bacon and a bottle of tequila would be way better? Sora’s been betrayed and disappointed more than once and her heart is starting to feel like her Grandma Mitsuye’s antique Japanese ceramic bowl, with its many gold-filled cracks.

When her pledge to stay single in February inspires readers to #gosolo, Sora has a responsibility to empower her readers. But relationships aren’t built to last, so it shouldn’t be that hard. Right?

Enter Jack Mann. A muscle-bound baker who looks like he lifts logs on the weekends, Sora hasn’t thought of Jack since they were in elementary school together. When they see each other at the local grocery store and the attraction hits hard, Sora knows she has to shut it down, quick. She can’t #gosolo AND get the guy. She can’t let down her readers. And relationships always end, so why should Jack be any different–even though he’s confounding all her long-held expectations of love?

I liked and enjoyed that the FMC was very funny. Her sense of humor was the highlight of this book.
This book seemed to be about body positivity, but I felt that this could have been executed better through the story.

Did not finish, I tried to look past all the talk about weight, but it just kept coming. Thank you for my copy.

I read this a while back. I know I was going to have trouble writing this review because I had mixed feeling about. Thought I’d wait for a bit to write this.
It was some way’s enjoyable and easy reading. However, I had difficulty with the fat shaming, fat naming, and anything regarding being overweight. It was just too repetitive even Sora (main character) was okay with herself with weight problems. And her love for bacon, come on. We get it after one or two times explaining her obsession with bacon. But being repetitive in almost every other chapter. It’s just a bit too much. Now, as for Jack who’s had a thing for Sora since childhood things she’s awesome overweight and beautiful. That’s cool, but doesn’t Sora have a personality? Seriously!
Her sister is pretty annoying. I just wanted to throw the book at her to shut her up.
I get the plot and it’s cute and sweet but overdoing the weight is just bit too much for me.
Three low stars from me.
Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC St. Martin’s and Netgalley.
As usual, all my reviews are purely my own without any influence from any of the publishers.

Uhhh what I liked: the FMC was very funny. Her sense of humor was the highlight of this book.
What I disliked: This book seemed like it was supposed to be about body positivity, but the execution of it failed horribly.

Sora is not a fan of Valentine’s Day as one of the reasons that it was ruined for her. So as a journalist when she sees an opportunity to be able to finally prove herself by not dating for the whole month of February. But just a couple of days into her solo challenge, she reconnects with an old childhood friend, Josh.

At first I was trying to figure out that the inclusion of both of their exes which was a bit of a storyline of how it was going to be handled. Which by the way, I’m not a fan of the MMC’s ex; ugh 😩. I really loved Sora’s characterization and mending that relationship.

Overall, I’d say that I enjoyed this book. A sort-of second chance, childhood friends to lovers story isn’t always my cup of tea, but look. When you make a man built like a brick house a BAKER?! I’m powerless.

This was a cute romance! Solo February.. no men what so ever but there is always an exception to the rule. Overall this was a good listen but Cara mentioned bacon way too much. I love bacon do not get me wrong but a little goes a long way. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback!