A sapphic holiday romance and a fake dating scheme? My favorites all wrapped into one adorable book!

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I liked it, didn't love it, but for the most part, enjoyed it. It was mildly amusing, mildly entertaining, and contained (for me) one uncontrolled burst of laughter during one conversation at a dinner table. The characters were, hmm, not terribly endearing, and honestly, not a whole lot happened during the story.

That being said, it was cute, and I can see a lot of folks really enjoying this.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being given freely.

I'll Get Back to You follows Murphy, who's been stuck at community college trying to pass her Accounting class. If she can't, she can't transfer to the school her best friend, Kat, goes to - the same best friend who shows up to their Thanksgiving Eve reunion with her new boyfriend in tow.

Frustrated and lonely, Murphy has a chance encounter with an old high school classmate, Ellie. This detailed and well-paced story shows the nights around Thanksgiving, so you get to see just how Murphy and Ellie connect, how Kat and Murphy navigate the tenuous waters of friendship post-high school, and how family can be a curse and a blessing.

If I could highlight one thing about Grischow's writing style, it would be how well she handles conflict. No matter what emotions might bubble up, her characters are able to open up and mend together in the end.

Grischow's voice is at times raw, and others laugh-out-loud hilarious. I saw so much of myself in Murphy, and even now, I'm unsure if that's because I relate to her or because she was written in such an easily relatable way.

I'll leave it there. From what I can see, I'll Get Back to You is set to release on Tuesday, September 17th, and I highly recommend grabbing it! Thank you to @beegriz and her team for creating this and for letting me get my hands on an ARC copy!

"I'll Get Back to You" by Becca Orischow took me on quite a journey through the highs and lows of young adulthood with a blend of humor and relatability that kept me hooked from start to finish.

From the outset, the main character comes across as bitter and somewhat unlikable, yet surprisingly relatable. As the story unfolds, Orischow masterfully develops her, drawing me into her world and making me care. By Chapter 4, the narrative hits its stride, and I found myself completely enamored with the author's writing style. Orischow's casual yet humorous approach makes the story feel like a conversation with a close friend, effortlessly maintaining my interest throughout.

The humor in "I'll Get Back to You" is its shining beacon. It's witty, charming, and often hits close to home. I found myself nodding along with Murphy's experiences, feeling as though I was reliving my own awkward transition from high school to college. I even had to put the book down because at some points I was getting such bad second hand embarrassment! With that being said, Orischow captures this period of life with authenticity, making it a nostalgic read for anyone who has navigated those tumultuous years.

Overall, "I'll Get Back to You" is a delightful read that perfectly encapsulates the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with young adulthood. Like another reviewer said, I wish this book existed when I was in college! It effortlessly blends humor and heartfelt moments to create a memorable reading experience. This novel is a testament to Orischow’s storytelling abilities and her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level.

Disclaimer: This review was written with the assistance of AI, based on all of my chapter and book notes. However, the sentiments expressed are genuine, reflecting only my personal experience with "I'll Get Back to You" by Becca Orischow.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 3.75 stars rounded up. This was a new adult holiday lesbian fake dating romance. It’s a single POV, and a lot of the plot focused on Murphy trying to figure out her life as a 21 year old, and the romance was more in the background. But I didn’t mind that at all because I was super invested in the plot! I also really enjoyed this author’s writing. There were some great quotes I highlighted. I’d love to read more from her someday!

Oh Murphy, a girl of my own heart.

Initially, I thought "I'll Get Back to you" was set at Christmas so I was mentally preparing myself for a Christmas in July read but imagine my surprise that the holiday setting was Thanksgiving. Grischow fully captures the midwest/IL Thanksgiving vibes from blackout Wednesday, cubs references, re-meeting individuals you had a class with, to accidentally falling in love with them. Truly the quintessential experience.

Murphy meets Ellie at the bar on Blackout Wednesday. Ellie was supposed to bring home her girlfriend for Thanksgiving. They broke up two to three weeks before thanksgiving. Murphy is having an awful day because her bestie brought her boyfriend to a just them celebration. Re-meeting Ellie changes Murphy's entire weekend. Both offering something that the other could benefit, a chance to schmooze Murphy's professor and Ellie the opportunity to convince her parents to help pay for Graduate School. They become fake girlfriends. Will they succeed or will it become so much more?

Murphy and Ellie have such delightful personalities and growth throughout the novel. Murphy's continual critique on how this isn't a Hallmark Movie, when every other choice makes it feel like it is a Sapphic Thanksgiving Hallmark Movie but for early 20 somethings, is contradictory but at the same point exactly what a person would say about their experience. Overall enjoyed this read even if I thought all of the U of I hype was too much, Murph could've easily gotten into EIU or ISU and still only have been an hour from her bestie!! However, I recognize that in the greater scheme of the character this was less relevant.

A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

<i>Thank you to the Penguin Group and Netgalley for this eARC. This is my honest review.</i>

I have complicated feelings about this book. I could not put it down, and the parts I loved I truly, absolutely loved. But the parts I didn't nearly ruined the book for me, and I'm not sure if it's because this didn't really feel like a rom-com to me. Maybe if it was marketed as just a literary title and the ending was different, I'd feel less salty about it.

First the good. The beginning was fantastic, I legitimately loved it. Even though the opening really made me dislike Kat right off the bat, it did a great job of pushing Murphy towards Ellie, and I do think the two of them had fantastic chemistry <i>when they were meant to</i>. This was also evident during the pitching lesson/first kiss and the couch cuddles. Also, as others have said, I loved Ellie's dad and aunt, they were super sweet, if a little caricature-ish. Also, when Kat finally did come over so she and Murph could hash things out/commiserate, I honestly loved that scene, it was great.

However, the bits that didn't work for me were many, starting with the fake dating itself. The trope as is is a bit of a tightwire act as is to make work, very easy to topple, and I just did not buy this one. It seems funny to me that Murphy pointed out how it's not something that happens in real life (this also served to slightly date when the the book was initially written as they talk about hallmark not having holiday romances featuring gay women which they have now)...maybe it was said to offset the author's lack of confidence in the trope she actively wrote? There's a lot here that kinda gets into spoiler territory so I'll put it behind a tag: <spoiler>If Murphy had zero connection to Kara, Ellie's mother, I could potentially buy the rest, but after being in Kara's accounting class <i>twice</i> it felt like just two much of a stretch for them to say it was fine with a handwaving 'no, you heard Mary but it was always Murphy' and other issues. Ellie was also so quick to jump down Murph's throat at the slightest inclination, and seemingly also had super hearing (?) after managing to listen in to Murph and Kat on the phone no less than 3 times, the second time while sitting with her family (second ?). Anyway, she jumps down Murph's throat after an understandably crushing shock, only to the next sentence say they're good together and it'd be worth seeing if they work as an actual relationship. And then she's gone for the majority of the rest of the book, until she shows up again and they get together! Wtf?!</spoiler>

And then there's Murphy's parents, and their worst-timing-ever bombshell when they get home. It's not even them wanting to move, I get that, but seriously, no word in 4 years about what you were thinking? I also found myself wondering how old her parents were...wanting to retire really soon I couldn't tell if they had Murphy late in life, or were just really privileged to be able to retire in their, what, 40s or 50s? I got zero real sense of her parents and that bothered me.

Also, and this may be just a me thing, but in 2024 I just had trouble buying these parents, and especially their lesbian daughter, expressing so much love for Florida given the environment there for queer people lately. Maybe that's just me.

I jumped on this title when it was sent to me, helped by the Ashley Herring Blake quote of it being a cozy, sexy romance, but that feels inaccurate. It's sweet at times, but sexy? Eh...and certainly not spicy. As for the romance...we honestly spend the majority of the book with Murph on her own, and I had trouble buying her and Ellie as endgoal material. Maybe this book would have been better suited listed as a literary fiction story without trying to force the HEA/HFN? I dunno.

2.5 stars, rounded up for how much I liked the good bits.

I wanted to love this but it just wasn’t for me! The pacing was so strange and the romance wasn’t there until the end. I just couldn’t get invested. The cover gets a 10/10 though!

Are you looking for a cozy, sexy romance with a hint of the holiday season? If so, I’ll Get Back to You should be moved up to the top of your to be read list. It was a good read.

A festive and poignant romance about new adulthood, growing pains in friendships, and embracing your hometown. You’ll be drawn in by the clever fake dating scheme, but Murphy’s meaningful journey of finding herself in her early 20s is the real star. I’ll Get Back to You is the Thanksgiving romance I’ve been waiting for.

I'll Get Back to You was exactly the cozy holiday cuteness I needed!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I simply couldn't put it down.

Grischow did an amazing job of writing from Murphy's POV as a freshly-turned 21 year old who has absolutely no clue what she's doing with her life. She wrote Murphy in a way that despite her jealousy over "Hot Daniel" and complaining about her numerous things, you still can't help but root for her because she's young, naive, and endearing. Ellie is absolutely the cool artsy girl that everyone wants to be friends with, and you can't change my mind. From her platinum hair and bangs, septum piercing, Doc Martens, and MUNA shirt, she's described so vividly, I can envision exactly what she looks like! Grischow did a wonderful job describing both characters and environment in detailed ways that helped bring the story to life.

Another thing I really appreciated about the book is that along with the light, rom-com vibes, we also get to experience Murphy decide what SHE wants to do with her life, and learn to put herself first instead of always circling her life around Kat. I love when stories show growth in the characters, and not just in the relationship area.

There is one slightly spicy seen at the very, very end of the book. It is very mild and not super descript. I didn't mind that it was more on the mild side. I thought the scene was realistic and very appropriate for the setting in which the scene takes place.

I am giving this a 5 star. I thought this book was sweet and cozy, the characters were charming and so, so likeable! I would recommend this anyone looking for a feel-good, holiday rom-com. This was a cute lil treat to read!

I received an arc from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review

Immediately taken with the banter and feelings expressed through Grischow's writing. Rich characters and a cozy setting made the book even more enjoyable. I loved the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I want to go to Sip!

"I'll Get Back to You" by Becca Grischow

⭐⭐⭐

"I'll Get Back to You" was an interesting read, but it felt a bit too kid-like and rushed for my taste. The café setting was intriguing and added a cozy backdrop to the story. I appreciated how the book shed light on the challenges of higher education and the valid choice of pursuing an associate degree, like Murphy did. However, the overall pace and character development left me wanting more depth. While it was a quick read, it didn’t fully engage me. Younger readers might enjoy it more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*I'll Get Back to You* is sweet, funny, sincere rom-com that's not a rom-com. Grischow wonderfully captures that in-between feeling most college students know all too well.

We follow Murphy Konowitz, a freshly twenty-one community college student desperately trying to leave her hometown of Geneva, Illinois to rejoin her best (and only) friend at the University of Illinois. Except, she failed her accounting class last semester and her best friend, Kat, has transferred to their dream school without her.

It feels like everyone has a plan and knows who they are and then there's... Murphy, stuck in her hometown, living with her parents, and having no real idea of who she is or what she wants. It definitely doesn't help that Kat's brought home her new boyfriend for Thanksgiving, leaving Murphy to feel extra alone this holiday with her parents out of town and her best friend preoccupied with "Hot Daniel".

Then enters Ellie Meyer, tortured artist with commitment issues. Just kidding. It's not that dire. Ellie's a cute artist that Murphy somewhat remembers from high school, and the first person outside of Kat that Murphy's really talked to in a long, long time.

They talk, they flirt, they have a good time. And then, Murphy asks her out and gets shot down (ouch). Except, Ellie's mom (Murphy's accounting professor) mistakenly calls Murphy her daughter's girlfriend... and Ellie doesn't correct her.

Cue fake dating shenanigans, featuring an elaborate ruse to help Murphy pass accounting and Ellie her parents' help for grad school tuition, miscommunication hijinks, the complicated feelings only a college student can fully embody, and muddy buddies (or, puppy chow I guess).

The entire time I was reading, I could only think: man, Grischow has captured the absolute chaos vibe of a college student. The fact that this whole affair is pretty quick (literally like.. a week), and yet shakes Murphy (and Ellie) to her core, absolute peak college. I'm definitely no stranger to having an existential crisis, questioning my entire life and all my choices over the course of a weekend, just to feel on top of the world the next. Everything matters so much and also nothing matters (but in a mostly fun and quirky way).

In (also) peak college fashion, everyone kind of sucks in *I'll Get Back to You*, but in a completely understandable way. All the characters pretty well-intentioned, but they also make mistakes and hurt people in the process of choosing what's best for them. It's sometimes a little painful to read because it absolutely feels like I could've met any of these people in college.

All in all, *I'll Get Back to You* is a solid 4.25/5 for me. I had a hella great time reading it. It's light and engaging read, an ode to the not-quite-kids not-quite-adults that haven't quite figured it all out yet, and most of all, a love story of all types: self, platonic, romantic, and everything in between.

I'll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow is a delightful read that perfectly captures the essence of becoming an adult while still sometimes feeling too young for it. It was a lighthearted, cute, sapphic rom-com with relatable characters that makes me think of my college days.

I really enjoyed this book, even more than I thought I would. Plus, bonus points to this book for the cozy holiday setting. What made this book great was how character-driven it was. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve moved away from reading books with college-aged protagonists, but Grischow did an incredible job of capturing what it’s like to be 21. Murphy’s development and process of figuring herself out, growing up and out of old patterns, and figuring out what she wants was so relatable. I loved exploring the dynamic between Ellie and Murphy, but Murphy’s personal development throughout the book was what set this book apart. Also, usually, fake dating and quick-timeline romance books can be very hit-and-miss for me, but I think Grischow did a great job with this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange of an honest review! i personally loved murphy and ellie together, they have lots of chemistry but i thought that personality wise, the characters werent exactly well-developed and i wish i could ve gotten more of both ellie and murphy's interests. i really loved the plotline and how it was all thought out and even if the relationship only toom course in a couple of days to me it felt true!! so if you re looking for a holiday lgbtq+ book thats heartwarming and cozy, check this out!!
#netgalley #I'llgetbacktoyou

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6658914117

This book was a fun, easy read that had me coming back to find out how the main characters would reconcile their personal challenges. It was very “becoming an adult/just out of college” type read that wasn’t necessarily relatable to my current life but was a cute play on navigating the world as young adults. Felt very classic queer romance. ;)

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun and light hearted holiday set sapphic romance, right up my alley! I enjoyed getting to know Murphy and Ellie and their super duper speedy relationship. Even for a standard lesbian relationship this was a whirlwind, I’m talking faster than a Uhaul pulling up on the 2nd date! It was a bit tough to feel the realisticness of a relationship like this because of the pace, the family dynamics, friendship dynamics, family meddling, and life transitions… There were so many different plots that could be explored in this one and overall they were easy enough to find interesting without burdening the storyline. The build up to the relationship was both fast and also a little chaotic which kept me engaged, it did feel a bit like we were on a rollercoaster doing loopty loops and then all of a sudden we were at the end and your head was still spinning. It would have been nice to have a shorter relationship build up and more opportunity exploring the relationship once it came to fruition.I generally enjoyed this rocket ship to sapphic romance and recommend it if you’re looking for a light hearted holiday romance with very little spice. 3.5 gooses 1.5 honkin’ peppers.

I’ll Get Back to You was a cozy story that focused on wanting to get out of your hometown, but hanging onto the connections you can’t replace there. While I enjoyed the character growth and could appreciate the atmosphere Becca Grischow created, some aspects of the story impacted how much I enjoyed it in the end. The biggest challenge I had was the pacing of the book as the majority took place over the span of just a few days which made the romance and connections between characters hard to believe. The romance itself also fell a little flat for me since their relationship didn’t really begin until the very end of the story. I would still say I enjoyed the majority of this book but I wish I could have liked it more! (2.75/5)