2⭐
Genre ~ romance
Setting ~ Chicago, Illinois
Publication date ~ September 12, 2023
Page Count ~ 343 (30 chapters + e)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 0 minutes
Narrators ~ Raymond Lee, Tyla Collier
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, childhood friends to enemies to adult lovers, he falls first, some steamage

Aliyah & Daniel went to camp together when they were kids. There was a misunderstanding one summer, she left camp and never spoke to him again. Flash forward 14 years and they are working on a project together.

I could not stand Aliyah at all. Well that's a small lie, I did like her ambitions to be a museum curator before she turns 30, but that's about it. She was really mean to Daniel, both before they started sleeping together and even during. Don't even get me started on the 3rd act bs. I can honestly say I was rooting for them not to get together.

Daniel was sweet and deserved better.

Overall this one was not for me, but I feel like it's a decent debut for the right audience. Aliyah was half Black and half Jewish and Daniel was half Asian and half Jewish and I felt the cultural aspects of the story was well written. Aliyah's bff, Neen, is trans and I thought they were a great edition. They were always honest with her and let her know when she was being ridiculous, which is a great bff in my opinion.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Sadly I had to DNF this book at 53% of the way through (which is why I will not be posting a social media review). I just felt as though the FMC and the MMC had no chemistry and it was forced. I also hated the fact that the FMC was upset at something that happened 15 years ago. Even though the MMC explained everything that happened and that it was actually not his fault. I loved the friends Siobhan, Jordan, and Neen more than the main characters. I also did not like the tense that the book was written in at all... 
I do recommend trigger warnings before reading. 

Overall I was highly disappointed, especially since I LOVE books from this publisher. However I am grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.

The story of Daniel.and Liyah who meet on a lane years after the summer camp where they first met. Their work then throws them back together again so can they move past how he hurt her years ago? A great read.

I really wanted to like this book. It seemed like my kind of vibe but I couldn't get past that the FMC was mad at the MMC because of a thing that happened 15 years ago. You guys were *kids*, and the fact that you've held onto it for *years*???? Like dude. Come on. The characters are all in their late 20's but apparently we are going to be mad at something that happened at camp? I couldn't get past it. The FMC continues to be mean and the MMC just is nice and feels like he's always getting walked all over.

I was given a free arc copy for review from NG, but I am highly disappointed.

First, let me say that this book has a fanTAStic cast of characters. Liyah and Daniel are excellent leads, but I also adored Siobhan and Jordan, Neen, Alex, Kayla, and all of the characters that made this story feel so warm and friendly. And overall, the story is wonderful. I loved Daniel and Aliyah’s history and the relationship they build, and I was impressed by the depth of their characters’ personal struggles. This book had some really relatable things to say about grief, and it also explored the topics of religion, race, gender, sexuality, and sexual violence quite well, I thought. I would definitely recommend giving this a read, all you romance lovers out there!

Thank You For Sharing Is so amazing so fun and swoon worthy I could not get enough of this! Liyah and Daniel were so amazing and cute, and the representation in this book was amazing. I cannot wait to recommend this to my friends to get my hands on a hardcopy. I know so many people that are going to love this. Thank you.

I really can't put my finger on exactly why, but I just didn't love this one. It felt really tedious to read and I didn't connect with any of the characters. In general I struggle with characters that refuse the help and love that people are begging to give them and Liyah was one of those characters for me - I know that she had trauma she was working through, but I wish she would listen when people told her that they loved her. I also thought she really held on to something that seemed pretty random (and small??) from summer camp for a decade longer than she needed to. Overall I think this had a lot of potential but it just didn't land for me.

This was an entertaining romcom. Liyah and Daniel met as teenagers at the Jewish summer camp they attended. After a falling out they haven’t seen each other in years. They have a chance run in and they then find out they have to work together on a work project. It was fun seeing them reconnect as friends. They both have their own trauma and grief to deal with in order to move on toward their romantic relationship. A great debut novel!

Rachel Runya Katz’s Thank You for Sharing is an interracial romance focused on Chicago Museum junior curator Liyah Cohen-Jackson and marketing executive Daniel Rosenberg, childhood summer camp BFFs whose friendship abruptly and bitterly ended 14 years ago but get a second chance through a work project. Katz’s vivid description, dry wit and humor, active writing style, and dynamic and natural-sounding dialogue and language use help make her debut a charming romance. Her emotional and original story, skillful worldbuilding, and colorful storytelling kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Katz’s diverse cast of well-developed and fascinating characters are fallible, likable, and easy to care about and become invested in their lives. They vary in race, ethnicity, gender, cultural background, sexuality, and body type, reflecting the diversity that makes our lives richer.

Liyah and Daniel’s lives reconnect when they are seated next to each other on a flight home to Chicago. They don’t expect to see each other ever again after pushing each other’s buttons during the tense, turbulent flight. Unexpectedly, Liyah’s employer hires Daniel’s marketing firm to help improve their membership/subscriptions and attendance by millennials, forcing them to work together on a project that could potentially land them career-changing promotions.

The lingering tension from their broken friendship and the surprisingly intense chemistry and connection that still exists between them intensify as they work together on the project and attend post-work social gatherings with colleagues. Daniel and Liyah must resolve their issues and face why their friendship/relationship broke up all those years ago. They’re each biracial with a Jewish parent, giving them a shared experience as Jews of color and a common ground/foundation upon which to rebuild their friendship. Can they ignore their growing feelings and passion for one another, or will they surrender and take a chance at love?

Daniel is sweet, kind, funny, gentle, thoughtful, patient and still harbors feelings for Liyah. However, he’s clueless about what led to the end of their friendship. Tough, self-protective, independent, strong, intense, and emotional, Liyah is still bitter about events that occurred during the last summer camp she attended with Daniel. Liyah is so mean to Daniel. But I love how he just rolls with it. Pretty soon, it becomes a running joke. Liyah has intense, negative feelings about love and relationships. She doesn’t believe in romantic love and only has sexual relationships because she fears being hurt—especially when friends are involved.

Katz deftly develops Liyah and Daniel’s relationship from former friends turned foes/enemies to lovers to friends to lovers with sexy, sarcastic, witty, funny, steamy, emotional, sweet, intimate banter, interactions, and love scenes that contribute to their character development and evolution. Unable to resist their fiery attraction, Daniel and Liyah agree to a friends-with-benefits-only sexual relationship. But of course, Daniel catches feelings, and Simone has no idea what’s up with her.

I appreciate how Katz takes the time to develop Liyah and Daniel’s relationships with other people outside of their relationship with each other that are nurturing, intimate, and genuine. Liyah’s relationship with her BFF, Neen, and Daniel’s relationship with his sister, Kayla, is essential to developing their characters. But Neen and Kayla also give them vital emotional support and advice. Furthermore, Liyah’s relationship with her family and Daniel and Liyah’s relationship with Jordan and Siobhan, with whom they form an after-work meet-up group, help reveal their characters and contribute to their evolution along with the story. Their humorous banter, dialogue, interactions, and fascinating discussions are entertaining. I love it when characters in novels talk to each other about life and what’s on their minds and hearts. It’s a nice touch that Katz incorporates the group’s texts, emails, rules, and meeting notes into the novel.

Fast-paced, emotional, sexy, funny, and angsty, Thank You for Sharing is a childhood friends-to-foes, enemies-to-lovers, interracial romance that explores themes of dating, romance, falling in love, friendship, biracial identity, Jewish faith/tradition, racial microaggressions, racial stereotypes, biphobia, sexual assault, grief, and emotional healing and recovery.

Advanced review copy provided by St. Martin’s Griffin via Netgalley for review.

Set primarily in Chicago, the reader meets Daniel Rosenberg and Liyah Cohen-Jackson, the two primary characters in Thank You for Sharing. These two bi-racial Jewish adults first met at sleep away camp when they were young teens. After a serious misunderstanding kept them apart for 15 years, the two reunite after reconnecting on a flight back home. In a world of coincidences keep throwing us together, the two realize they will need to put the past behind them in order to make their present and future work.

Filled with multiple cultural and faith references, this book is more than an angsty romance of friends to enemies to lovers; instead, it is a well written and researched glimpse into the life of single thirty somethings struggling with work and relationships, figuring out their lives one day at a time.

Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of the book; I have written an objective review.

"Thank You for Sharing" is an enemies-to-lovers romance that offers a dual POV narrative. It revolves around the complex relationship between Daniel and Liyah, who first crossed paths during their teenage years at a Jewish summer camp. Their initial encounter did not end on the best note, As adults, their paths intersect again, thanks to a twist of fate that requires them to collaborate on a project This unexpected partnership becomes the catalyst for them to confront unresolved issues from their past, setting the stage for a heartfelt journey of romance, personal growth, and reconciliation.

One thing that sets this book apart is its adept representation of diverse perspectives, seamlessly integrating bisexuality, Jewish culture, and BIPOC experiences into the narrative. This enriches the story, infusing it with depth and authenticity.

A notable strength of the book lies in its well-drawn secondary characters, including Siobhan, Jordan, Alex, and Neen. Their dynamic as a found family, along with the creation of the speakeasy survival club, adds an extra layer of charm and humor to the narrative. Neen, in particular, shines as Liyah's candid and supportive best friend.

While Liyah's initial animosity towards Daniel may appear unjustified at first glance, the unfolding narrative provides a deeper understanding of her perspective, making her character increasingly relatable. "Thank You for Sharing" blends elements of romance and personal growth seamlessly, occasionally heating things up with steamy moments. However, its primary focus remains on the transformation of two individuals as they grapple with their pasts and work towards building a meaningful connection.

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Such a well written, lovable, and inclusive Jewish romance right in time for the Jewish high holidays! Reading this book felt like a warm hug and I am so thrilled this book exists! Recommending to everyone I know.

What a beautiful debut rom-traum-com from Rachel Runya Katz chockfullof everything I love in a romance novel: meaningful character growth, grade A banter, tension, and diverse rep.

Liyah and Daniel find themselves saddled with a joint work project years after a Jewish summer camp disaster ended their blossoming friendship. As they work closely together to craft events to raise millennial memberships at the Field Museum, the sexual tension inevitably simmers.

Runya Katz delivers not only thoughtfully crafted characters but layers to the story. Liyah works through a deep trauma from her past that left her unable to trust in romantic love while Daniel grapples with the death of his father. Their Jewish faith and biracial identities (Liyah is half Black and Daniel is half Korean) bridge a safe space for their love to grow.

On top of all this, Runya Katz also injects the story with the importance of friendship and family, both chosen and birth, as a support network. Both Daniel and Liyah have therapy sessions on the page (swoon) and regularly turn to their loved ones for support working through their traumas.

The short:
- childhood friends-to enemies-to adult friends-to lovers
- agitation-to-love
- only one bed
- airplane meet disaster
- forced proximity
- workplace romance
- dual biracial Jewish rep
- bi rep

I cannot wait to read what Runya Katz puts out next!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All thoughts my own.

From the beginning of Rachel Runya Katz's debut novel "Thank You for Sharing," I was encapsulated by the palpable tension and unresolved history between childhood friends turned enemies, Liyah Cohen-Jackson and Daniel Rosenberg. The narrative winds through their unexpected reunion and subsequent forced collaboration, enveloping the reader in a story that is as much about unraveling past pains as it is about finding one's identity and opening up to love. The chemistry between the protagonists was undeniable, their dialogues brimming with wit and lingering bitterness yet layered with a vulnerability that makes their journey from enemies to lovers deeply satisfying and genuine. Exploring their shared experiences as Jews of color adds a remarkable depth to their characters, offering insights into issues of race, identity, and belonging that are not often depicted in contemporary romances.

Katz's portrayal of secondary characters and their dynamics was another element I particularly enjoyed. The creation of the Speakeasy Survival Club highlighted how seemingly incidental relationships could evolve into profound and meaningful connections, providing both humor and support to the protagonists. This group's diverse range of characters reflects the inclusivity and representation woven throughout the book, allowing different voices and experiences to enrich the narrative. Katz's inclusion of a non-binary character and discussions around pronouns were refreshing, contributing to the contemporary and progressive feel of the book. These elements of diversity and representation, integral to the plot and character development, bring to light important discussions about acceptance and understanding.

Lastly, the setting and atmosphere of the novel are finely tuned, with Chicago serving as a vibrant backdrop to Liyah and Daniel's unfolding romance. The detailed depiction of Liyah's work as a curator and Daniel's role in marketing provides an interesting and engaging context for their interactions while offering glimpses into their passions and motivations. The journey from their tumultuous reunion to a cautious friendship and finally to a deep and sincere love was depicted with such realism and emotional depth that it made "Thank You for Sharing" a truly memorable read. The novel doesn't shy away from addressing deeper and more serious topics, blending humor, romance, and heartfelt moments seamlessly, making it a standout debut in the contemporary romance genre. The nuanced exploration of identity, the slow-burn romance, and the witty and thoughtful prose make Rachel Runya Katz an author to watch. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Rachel Runya Katz for giving readers such an enjoyable novel. Daniel Rosenberg and Liyah Cohen-Jackson find themselves seat mates on a flight to Chicago. They last saw each other fourteen years earlier at summer camp where their intense summer romance didn't end well. They haven't spoken since camp. Their mutual attraction is instantly rekindled, but Liyah chooses to ignore her feelings. Daniel and Liyah find themselves working on a project together and becoming a friendly support group with the addition of two of their co-workers. The plot follows the couple as they become confidantes and Liyah continues to deny that she feels more than friendship for Daniel. Daniel is always there to support Liyah and he is a dreamy character. Liyah is also interesting and very career driven. She works at Chicago's Field Museum and Runya Katz provides interesting insights about the museum and Liyah's career. Thank You for Sharing is entertaining and thought provoking. It will appeal to all readers.

I really enjoyed this book, particularly because the characters were very complex and well developed. Daniel and Liyah were best friends at camp when they were teenagers. They had a falling out that ended their friendship and never saw each other again until they happened to be on a flight together. They still carried old resentments and tried to avoid each other as much as possible. Unbeknownst to them, they were slated to join together on a work project together. They do find a working relationship with their colleagues and start a club where they meet on Friday nights. They do have a bond as they are both Jewish people of color. Their bond grows, but they are in denial because of old resentments. The other characters are very complex as well, which leads to a enjoyable read.

Highlights:
Jewish, biracial rep
LGBTQ+ rep
Second chance romance
Workplace romance
Friends-to-lovers
Friends with benefits
TW: death of a parent, grief, SA, racism

I am always looking for books with a Jewish rep, so I was glad to have a chance to read Thank You for Sharing. The book has many of my favorite tropes. At first, I struggled with the writing style because it is written in the present tense. But I really liked reading about Jewish culture and customs. I appreciated the discussion about Liyah and Daniel's struggle to fit within a traditional Jewish community because of their race. Liyah and Daniel's romance was a little angsty, with Liyah believing that she was unlovable and Daniel, justifiably, getting frustrated with her. Their friend group was great and brought some good laughs. I gave Thank You for Sharing a solid three stars. I would've enjoyed this book more if it had been written in the past tense.

I really enjoyed this debut from Rachel Runya Katz - it felt like a good coming of age, second-chance romance between two people who were previously summer camp crushes turned enemies.

Liyah and Daniel are both mixed races and Jewish - so while they have a lot in common, Liyah hasn't forgiven Daniel for something that he did to her at summer camp. But then they are thrown into a couple situations that forces them to work together & causes the chemistry to heat up.

I loved the growth & development of the characters as their friends w/benefits relationship started and their friendship grew. I absolutely loved the representation for the Jewish religion, characters of color, and bisexual rep.

Overall, it was one that I really enjoyed - it had humor, emotion, and a great story.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4/5 stars
1.5/5 spice

Tropes:
Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
Reverse Grumpy/sunshine
Work together
Forced proximity
Trauma/healing
Jewish rep
BIPOC MCs
LGBTQIA rep
Dual POV

At first it was a struggle for me to get through this book because it starts off with a big misunderstanding/miscommunication issue that is brought up several times throughout the story and doesn't seem to be completely resolved until Liyah is forced to confront her trust and self worth issues towered the end. It was also a struggle because I was very upset with Liyah for the majority of the story. I had moments that I loved her personality, but every time she was confronted with her aversion to love and relationships, I wanted to shake her. But I'm really glad I kept reading.

I really enjoyed the friend group dynamic, and Liyah's bestie, Neen, was my favorite. They really brought Liyah out of her destructive behavior and forced her to confront her feelings... and they held nothing back. I honestly feel like they saved the story... because there's no way Liyah would've been able to get out of her funk without their help.

I also really enjoyed reading about Liyah and Daniel's experiences as Jews of color and how they've had to cope with prejudice and racism. There are a lot of raw, emotional moments that go beyond the surface conflicts, and it's for these moments that I was able to get through the initial struggle with reading this book. It was definitely a reminder that everyone handles trauma/grief differently, and I need to be more open and empathetic to people and situations that I've never experienced.

Overall, I highly recommend for fans of second chance or childhood friends to lovers. This is a well-rounded story with a diverse set of characters that are relatable and real.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Trigger/Content warnings:
SA (mentioned as a memory), death of parent (past tense), racism, grief, misogyny, sexual content