4.5 stars rounded up. Thank You for Sharing is a wonderfully Jewish story, even when the main characters (both Jews of color) aren't talking or even thinking about their Judaism.

Liyah and Daniel have a meet-disaster almost a decade and a half after a romantic-turned-disaster summer at camp (I generally don't like when characters are hung up on their childhood camp romance, but for reasons that are shared later in the book, it made more sense than this plot line often does). When work pushes them together, they start spending more and more time together on and off the clock.

This wasn't so much grumpy/sunshine as prickly (Liyah)/soft (Daniel), and I loved it. Daniel was a big soft cinnamon roll, and he was able to perceive what Liyah needed and be that for her, even when she was reluctant to admit it.

CW: grief due to loss of parent -- Everyone's experience with grief is different, but there are so many elements of Daniel's experience of losing a parent in your 20s that just felt so spot-on. There's an early scene in the book where Liyah and Daniel agree to go to Yom Kippur services together, as a middle finger to people who see Jews who aren't White show up to synagogue and ask them if they're lost. As the yizkor (memorial) service starts, Liyah asks Daniel if he wants to leave, as some people have a custom of not staying in that service if their parents are still alive. Daniel is flustered, mumbling and giving non-answers about why he's not getting up, and when Liyah realizes what's happened, she feels awful. I read this scene, and must have screamed at how real it felt. Daniel's awkwardness in his own position, his awkwardness for how him staying for yizkor put Liyah in an uncomfortable position (even though he shouldn't have to think about that), and the emotions that come with the first yizkor after someone dies. There were so many other moments, big and small, where Daniel's experience and feelings and how he handles them were so raw and emotional in a way that's rarely represented in books, and it certainly made me feel seen.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an eARC of Thank You For Sharing in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Griffin for the chance to read this book.

I requested this book when I saw that both the FMC and MMC were people of color and Jewish backgrounds. It was refreshing to see some atypical representation. However I ended up DNFing at 20%. The book was so wordy that it detracted from the story for me to the point that I was uninterested. I’m sad because I was really looking forward to this one.

This was such a wordy book I couldn’t get past the first 25% of the book. I also had an issue with the words used to describe the characters of color.

4/5!!
this book was like coming up for fresh air and it completely got me out of my reading slump!! the pacing was consistent and just right and the characters were so relatable and AMAZING

This debut novel is undeniably commendable. Although I initially struggled with the pacing of the story telling.

Among the memorable moments, the Yom Kippur scene and the episode where Liyah and Daniel found themselves stranded overnight during a snowstorm stood out as they exuded a remarkable chemistry and profound connection. These scenes not only fostered a strong bond between the characters themselves but also forged a meaningful link with the reader. Witnessing their gradual unfolding, as they shared vulnerabilities and built mutual trust, was an odyssey intertwined with their past wounds, yet both displayed a maturity that complemented each other seamlessly.

If there were one aspect I could alter, it would be the abundance of club meeting notes, which at times felt redundant and leaned towards excessive exposition rather than immersive storytelling. Moreover, the novel exhibited an initial excess in addressing race, with the topic cropping up nearly every other page. This propensity towards overemphasis occasionally bordered on contrived and wearisome.

I was on the verge of a DNF but the latter half of the book proved to be a redemption, captivating my interest and allowing me to finish the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book. It never hooked me in and the FMC was insufferable. Parts of it really dragged and the group hang out reports were random and not funny.

I really enjoyed this debut novel! It was funny and poignant, and Daniel and Liyah were an endearing and very complex couple! I really appreciated this book for the diversity of characters—their race, religion, and sexuality added depth and layers to their stories. I look forward to reading more from this promising author!

Liyah and Daniel were childhood summer camp sweethearts who have a chance meeting on a plane and then end up working together. The only issue...Liyah all but hates Daniel. I loved the dynamics of Liyah and Daniel's relationship throughout this book...from childhood sweethearts turned enemies (on Liyah's side at least) to friends to lovers. It was a lovely ride.

What I liked:
- Liyah and Daniel's experiences being biracial and Jewish. I liked reading about their experiences attending Jewish holiday services. As someone who is not BIPOC, I've never had these types of interactions, but I'm sure they are based on real experiences people have every day. These interactions in the book made me angry that the characters had to go through them (and even angrier that real people have them daily).
- The SSC meetings and notes. I loved the meeting notes spread throughout the book. They were a fun addition for me and made me laugh a couple times.
- The slow burn. Danial and Liyah are in multiple situations where I was expecting something to happen but nothing did...for example, spending the night in the museum due to the snow storm. I thought for sure the one bed trope was about to happen, but nope...nada. The slow burn was for real.
- Daniel, in general. I loved him. He was so supportive of Liyah.
- Jordan and Siobhan. They were great side characters. I'm hoping the author will write a follow-up book with them as the main characters.
- Neen. Loved them. They were absolutely the best friend Liyah needed because they don't hold back when she's being obtuse or a bit of a b.
- Sweet Potato. I want this cat in my life.
- Therapy representation. I appreciated how much this book talked about the positives of therapy.

What I didn't like:
- Liyah was a bit unlikeable for a good portion of this book. She's had a lot of stuff happen to her, so I tried to have some grace for her, but come on...the world doesn't revolve around you, Liyah. You can't treat people like crap and then blame it on them when they get upset with you. Also, your opinions are not the only ones that matter. I appreciated, however, that she had some character growth by the end.
- Jeff. He is a terrible boss. Absolutely awful. I wanted to punch him.

Overall, I'd say this was a 4.5 star read for me.

Read if you enjoy:
- Friends to Lovers trope
- Second-chance Romance
- Supportive friends
- Therapy
- Cute cats
- LBGTQIA+ rep

I chose not to finish this book. I just could not get into the story and I wasn’t looking forward to picking it up.

This was amazing. I loved how real the MCs felt and how much I resonated with Liyah. I loved how the Jewish community was represented and it was just such a refreshing read!

The GrumpyxSunshine I didn't know I needed!! Liyah can come off pretty bad, but she owns it (and sometimes blames her hunger and we've all been there) and I loved to see her soften and grow in her friendship/relationship with Daniel. They were both working through a lot on a personal level and it was not lost on me that this chance encounter changed everything for the both of them. There are heavy topics covered - while not necessarily on the page - but they are covered with so much respect.
Definitely recommend if you like:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- GrumpyxSunshine
- Multiple "but there's only one bed", yes, multiple 
- Amazing Side Characters who create their own survival club
- Diverse Cast
- Jewish representation 

But really, this one immediately goes into the "I will reread this" pile

I could not stop talking about this book! I could not put this book down and will definitely be rereading it once I get my hands on a physical copy. This book touches on very important topics such as race, identity, culture, and aspects of mental health. There is something about this book that is so real and I am so glad that I got to read it!

This was a really great love story. So many romance books have such an unrealistic take on what falling in love is like, but this story did a great job capturing what it is like in the real world. I love that this story is messy, and the characters are flawed, and there is some misunderstanding in this book. The side characters are very interesting individuals (I’d love a follow up Jordan, Neen, or Siobhan story!), and the cat named Sweet Potato was adorable! A lot of books about specific people or cultures can be hard for people not in that group to follow. I loved how this story invited the reader into Jewish culture and customs and traditions. The explanations during SSC were so helpful and I learned a lot. I loved how bold and fabulous Aliyah was, and how sweet and sensitive Daniel was. This was such a lovely book, with characters that will stay with me for a while. Content warning- sexual assault (off the page), and death of a loved one (off the page), so keep that in mind when deciding to read this story. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

*Title: Thank You for Sharing- a standalone

*Release date: 9/12/23 read: 8/5/23

*Author: Rachel Runya Katz-debut author

*Book cover: love when POC are featured

*Page Count: 336

POV: dual H/h Daniel and Liyah

*Setting: Chicago

*Genre
✅Adult Fiction
✅NA-20's, post college
✅Contemporary Romance

*Tropes
✅LGBTQIA+
✅interracial romance
✅ multicultural-AA, Korean, Jewish
✅ forced proximity
✅ 2nd chance romance
✅ found family
✅friends to enemies to lovers
✅office romance
✅ slow burn
✅ 1 bed

Look out for:
⚠️ sexual assault (past & off page), death of a parent, grief, therapy, bullying

*Summary: Thirteen-year-old Daniel Rosenberg and Aliyah Cohen-Jackson meet @ Maccabiah-Jewish summer camp and become friends. Liyah feels slighted by him at their closing ceremony, and they stop speaking. Fourteen years later, they meet cute and end up working together. Sparks fly in work meetings and their Speakeasy Survival Club (SSC) which makes for a great 2nd chance romance.

Characters

Daniel- 27 works @ Kinley marketing firm as a digital marketing strategist. Father Aaron passed a year ago to lung cancer. He is Korean/Jewish. Hasn't had sex in 6 mos. Been in a few serious relationships.

Aliyah/Liyah-27 works as a junior curator/exhibition development designer @ The Field Museum in Chicago. Wants a promotion so she has to team up w/ Daniel to write proposal to get 20-somethings to come to the museum. She is black/Jewish. Only does casual hook ups.

Kayla-Daniel's sister, a therapist and SA Survivor so she gives Daniel advice on how to help & romance Liyah.

Jordan-Daniel's bff/ former coworker. Created Chicago Rocks- he and Daniel enjoy rock climbing.

Siobhan-Irish. Liyah's co-worker/friend, graphic designer

Neen-Liyah's bff, lives out of state.

Alex-Daniel's roommate, a mixologist

Brett-Daniel's boss

Jeff-Liyah's boss

Sweet Potato-Daniel's rescue cat

*Review: I loved the SSC even though it was a bunch of friends getting drunk and gossiping. Their "found family" talked about life problems- mostly work and relationships. Liyah was tough to empathize with especially in the beginning. She's had an icy exterior with a quick comeback, which I later understood given her past. Kayla and Neen served as great moral compasses. Each helped Daniel and Liyah get closer to each other. Therapy was important for both of them, glad it was destigmatized in this book. Sexuality was another issue that was very "matter of fact" because each character represented a different lifestyle. Both Daniel and Liyah dealt with racism being Jews of color, but they smashed those stereotypes immediately. I liked the slow burn romance as Liyah and Daniel had to get to know each other as adults. Loved the 1 bed trope, definitely brought out the intimacy between them.

*Rating: 5/5⭐

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC🖤! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions are my own.

Fourteen years ago, Liyah and Daniel were attending Jewish sleep away camp and were falling in love, until Daniel did something stupid and it ended their friendship.

When Daniel’s marketing firm gets hired by the museum Liyah works at, they are forced to collaborate on a project. With potential promotions on the line, can they set aside their past to get the job done?

With every meeting and social gathering that takes place, their chemistry becomes undeniable. They’re forced to confront what happened all those years ago.

This one is a fantastic and realistic look at dating in your late twenty’s early thirties. I don’t know about you but when I was that age, I had plenty of baggage and was still searching for my true love. This book was written in such a realistic way it was easy to relate to the characters and empathize with them on their journeys. Life can be a challenge, and get very messy, and this book showed exactly that. I loved how the characters communicated with each other and were able to work through things. I also enjoyed the Jewish and BIPOC points of view this book offered. I always enjoy learning and this book helped me learn a few new things; a different perspective is always nice. It was also nice to read about a character who uses they/them as their pronouns. Also, how can you not like a character who names their cat sweet potato?

This was a fun and enjoyable read and I think many will enjoy it.

If you are looking for a sweet closed door romance that offers a different point of view, then I hope you check this one out.

Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley, @Netgalley, for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Additional links will be added once posted.

I can't believe this is a debut! I am truly so impressed and can't wait for pub day so everyone else can read this.

This romance tackles race, culture, identity, spirituality, trauma, hope, and so much more! I loved the representation of BIPOC (Black & Korean) Jewish main characters (the FMC is bisexual & there's also a side character who is nonbinary) -- I want more stories like this. PLEASE! This was open-door but not TOO steamy. Maybe 1.5-2/5 for me.

Tropes:
-dual POV
-second-chance romance
-grumpy x sunshine
-cinnamon roll love interest
-only one bed
-forced proximity
-slow burn
-found family
-SO MUCH ANGST, TENSION, AND LONGING
-the banter was BANTERING

I may come back and write more, but for now, just know this was beauuuuutiful!

This was a good one! I was interested in this one because I hadn't read a romance book featuring a biracial Black and Jewish main character before. I learned a bit about Jewish culture and I liked that this book focused on the complexities of being biracial. The assumptions, the prejudices - Liyah couldn't escape them and it definitely was something she was constantly fighting.

I liked Liyah & Daniel's chemistry. That first scene on the airplane was cute! Liyah was a bit on the immature side in terms of egocentric perspectives. I couldn't get on board with the reason why she ghosted Daniel all those years ago and why she so strongly held onto that grudge.

All in all, it was an enjoyable book but it didn't quite meet my expectations. I think many will enjoy this.

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥¼
⚠️: mention of: death of a parent, sexual assault, & cancer.

Thank You for Sharing isn't a poorly written book, but I absolutely can't stand one of the protagonists in the story. This may work in other genres, but it doesn't in romance - I have to like the characters otherwise I struggle to understand to see what a character I do like sees in the other one. In this story it's Liyah. I grant that she's dealt with things in her life that no one should have to go through, and that impacts the way she interacts with other people, but quite frankly she's mean and self-absorbed. She's dismissive about things that don't interest her, and disrespectful of people when they don't agree with her. She's perpetually cranky and lacks a filter. She makes no effort with the exception of her friend Neen of maintaining relationships with anyone that isn't constantly physically in her orbit. And she takes about all of these things to an eleven on a scale of one to ten with Daniel, who's hopelessly crazy about her. I like Daniel, but I also end up thinking of him as a bit of a sad sack for constantly apologizing to Liyah for things he did over ten years ago, constantly having to worry about not saying something she'll get her hackles up about, and constantly putting up with her put-downs. He's wonderfully supportive of her when it comes to her past traumas, and pursuing her career goals, but it doesn't really feel very romantic or even much like a healthy relationship half the time. I appreciate Katz operating outside the box of a romantic storyline between two white, straight people, but the personalities of the characters, especially Liyah kills my interest in their HEA. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Daniel and Liyah attended summer camp together many years ago. Things did not end well when Daniel betrayed Liyah. They are thrown together on a work project and Liyah holds some animosity. They are forced to overcome to pain of the past and strike up a friendship. While working they bond over being Jews of colour, becoming friends and remember the undeniable chemistry they had. Can they get over the pain of the past and move on?

The first half of the book took me a bit to get in to, but once it started going, I found myself captured by the story of two people in their 20's coming together with their own baggage and working through things both individually and as a couple. The diversity in this book is done well, and I thought the POV of Jewish people of colour was important and one we don't see nearly enough in writing.

I thought the friendship group was interesting and real, adding to the story itself. There is some history and trauma in this story and I thought it was dealt with gently and in a way that made sense for the characters. I thought the positive inclusion of therapy was important and validating.

There are some hard things to read in this book, if you require content warnings, please check them ahead of time. This was an excellent debut novel and I look forward to seeing what else the author comes out with in the future. If you like a second chance, hate to love story this would be a great book for you! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank You for Sharing releases September 12, 2023

3.5

Liyah and Daniel are the main characters in this story, and both happen to be biracial and Jewish persons of colour.
They first met and grew close when they were kids at a Jewish summer camp, but haven’t been in touch for 15 years, until they both happen to be seated next to each other on a flight home to Chicago.
Not even a month later, Liyah and Daniel are crossing paths again, this time through work.

The goods:
- two biracial main characters
- dual pov
- a reconnection/reconciliation between two childhood friends
- workplace romance
- a survival club/support group
- a lot of Jewish rep
- a bisexual fmc + non-binary side character
- pro therapy
- “one bed” after hours in a museum during a snow storm
- a cat named Sweet Potato

This is a really admirable debut novel. While the first half was rough for me to get through as it took a bit longer than I would have liked to warm up to the characters, I loved the delicacy and complexities within the themes and how each person reacted because it felt very real and not cookie-cutter.

My favourite scenes were Yom Kippur and when Liyah and Daniel had to stay overnight during the snow storm because those had the most chemistry and connection, not only between the two characters but also with the reader.
Seeing them slowly open up to each other and build trust was a journey deep rooted in past traumas, but they had this maturity that balanced each other well.

If I could change anything, it would be the quantity of their club’s meeting notes because it started to feel unnecessary and fed into it being all tell and not show. Race was also heavily packed in at the start, being discussed nearly every other page which veered on being a little forced/tiresome.

Overall though, the second half really pulled through for me and I’d love to read more from this author or even get to know some of the side characters better!

cw: discussion of SA and parent death