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

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This is a tough one for me to review because I thought the book was well written and I enjoyed the storyline. On the other hand I had I really hard time connecting with the main character Liyah. I felt like she went out of her way to make herself unlikable. She was rude to her friends and was constantly insulting the love interest under the guise of teasing. Her character felt over the top and forced at times. As we get to know her better we learn that it is both a defense mechanism and a coping mechanism that she has developed. Towards the latter half of the book we learn about some of the experiences and trauma that causes her to act the way she does and some of her actions and reactions begin to make more sense. On the other hand I did like Daniel. He was patient and kind and willing to put up with Liyah's antics and support her when she needed..

I will say I enjoyed the representation in this book. Not only do we have a diverse cast of characters who have regular lives and jobs, we also get a good representation of therapy and normalizing taking care of your mental health. The friend group was great! I loved that the four friends formed their own club to vent about life and work and whatever and they took minutes and had club rules.

Overall, this is a cute slow burn, second chance romance. I don't think I'm the target audience for this particular book. I think I would have really loved it if I had been able to relate to Liyah a bit more. Someone out there is going to love her character and really love this book.

A really fun romance that was full of plenty of heart. I enjoyed the couple's back story and how they found each other again. I also really enjoyed the how they became best friends first. The author did a great job incorporating in their religion, their work and personal demons - making this love story more than just a romance!

Such a good read. This is a great novel and was a cute, fast read. These are my favorite types! I had never read Rachel Rumya Katz before but I plan to read more of her books because I know she will have more coming out in the future!

Funny, Emotional, Relatable, Heart Wrenching, Beautiful

I met romance author Kelly Caine on the first day of the Steamy Lit Book Convention. Instead of telling me about herself or her own books, she praised Rachel's book and encouraged me to read it.

I am so glad that she told me about it and highly suggest this book for romance readers looking for a solid story that takes you on an emotional journey. I would compare the reading experience to watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy. You will laugh, cheer, hold your breath, and maybe even shed a tear.

Liyah and Daniel parted ways 14 years prior on bad terms. He has no idea what he could have said or did wrong to lose her, and she is a woman that can hold a grudge like no other. Pretty sure she's a Scorpio lol. After the universe has them cross paths on a plane the two are forced to work together.

This is a slow burn. Both MCs have emotional baggage that they need to work through, forgiveness and intimacy are very big themes. There is a high level of interpersonal communication, support, and vulnerability in this. The platonic love, family and friendships formed are incredibly admirable.

The spice level is low but again the intimacy is high. It's like sipping a full-bodied wine, listening to R&B, slow dancing in the kitchen with the one who makes you feel safe. (Those are my personal memories/feelings I tapped into while reading)

Highly Recommend
  
Trigger Warnings: SA/Rape Survivor, Therapy, Loss of a Parent, Anxiety, Depression, and Grief

I love a lot from this book: the humour, the friends to lover troop. A second chance at love trope, but the main thing I love is that this book shows us the Jewish people of color and their experience.

The story has many levels to Daniel and Liyah's journey. They went from enemies, friends to lovers to enemies to lovers for life,
I loved this journey for them, and I was happy to be along for the ride.

The supporting characters were also very well written and added a nice cherry on top; I wouldn't mind a story with them as main characters.

Anyway, this a great romance that gave me everything I was looking for

Forced proximity
One bed,
Second chance
Found family

This book was so cute! And full of diversity and representation that we don't see enough of.
I loved the banter and chemistry between these two, and thought overall, it was really well done!

“House Rules:
1. Meet: Friday nights (…) at Prohibition
2. Anything said here stays here
3. No toxic masculinity
(…) And thus, the Speakeasy Survival Club is born.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Mentions death of a parent, cancer, and discusses sexual assault. Contains sexual content.

“Thank You for Sharing” is comically full of mishaps and screw ups, and I was there for it. Told in the third person, we get to see various points of view, making this novel even more engaging. “Thank You for Sharing” follows Liyah Cohen-Jackson and Daniel Rosenberg, two childhood frenemies that run into each other in their late twenties and are forced to collaborate in a project that is very important for both of them, for different reasons.

Liyah’s and Daniel’s text flirting was the absolute sweetest—I just loved how Liyah teases him, their chemistry was so palpable throughout the whole novel. The different ways they live and celebrate their religious believes, the way they found their chosen family through their friend; I simply wouldn’t change a thing about this novel.

I would highly recommend this novel if you’re looking for a sweet childhood friends to strangers to enemies to lovers romance read.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: September 12, 2023

I want to start this feedback with I don't think this is a bad book, but this book was definitely not for me.

Now for my thoughts: I think this one is going to be for a very specific audience. I'm only 34, but there was a lot of very "hip/trendy" colloquialisms that at some points I had to reread a sentence a few times before I understood what they were saying. Once I got used to it, it was okay and I could continue reading, but it made it difficult to get into the story in the beginning. On that same note, the first 7 chapters were incredibly hard for me to get through. I didn't vibe with how Liyah was written. I felt this went a little beyond enemies to lovers because the "enemies" part of it seemed very one sided. Liyah treated Daniel so poorly and was downright mean. To me, it wasn't cute, sarcastic, witty banter going back and forth. She was just mean and Daniel just took it. It made me sad that Liyah was written this way and there wasn't a lot of growth on her part to make up for it. I know that there was deep seeded trauma behind a lot of it (which still, just communicate openly) and she was aware of how mean and difficult she could be, but there was no genuine change/growth.

The second thing that really bothered me was how Justin was written. As a Black American, I feel that he was written in a bit of a stereotypical manner. I had a feeling he was Black before it was explicitly stated solely because of the language that was used (e.g. "gone" instead of "going to"). His character could have been described without making him a stereotype. There is one part late in the book where he uses the N-word in casual conversation and it made me very uncomfortable. Had I not been so far in the book, I likely would have stopped at that point. I know this is common in my community, but I don't think it was necessary for a book that people from all backgrounds will read. It's different when used in books that are discussing racism and racial slurs but this was just used in his casual conversation and it really gave me the ick.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this e-arc. Even though this one didn't work for me, I'm sure it will be enjoyed by lots of readers!

This was such a cute book! I absolutely loved the banter between Daniel and Liyah and loved the healthy dialogue between the two. The only thing that I didn’t like—and this is less about the book and more about my preferences— is that the book is written in third person present tense which was a struggle to get into. However, after awhile I got used to it and it wasn’t an issue!

This was an excellent execution of a second chance romance (with a smidge of enemies to lovers). This is one of the few books (if not the only) I've seen in the genre representing queer jewish WOC. That experience is treated so well. There is heavy content related to their past, but it does have the light humor of rom-coms.

The dual POV adds so much to this story!