I was excited to read this story as someone from Illinois who works at the University of Illinois. I was so happy the author wrote this story because I wish it was something I had to read while growing up. Perfect read for someone looking for an engaging queer meet-cute romance story.

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

I’m a little past pub date on this one, but I really enjoyed it! Thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Since it’s a THANKSGIVING queer romance (omg can we get more of these? Enough of the December holidays already!), I definitely recommend checking it out this fall.
I’ll Get Back to You involves some softball/baseball, but I finished it while watching early morning NFL football from London this morning. While the main characters are in their early twenties, their journeys felt realistic and relatable, even for someone who is double their age. Set in a small town, the book opens on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as college students are back in town, reuniting at the local bar. I could almost feel the sticky floor as I was reading it! This coming-of-age story involves fake dating, second chances, and learning to balance friendships and relationships. I really enjoyed it and think you should check it out!

Honestly. I read about 30 pages of this story and thought "this isn't for me." I found Murphy's actions to be very immature and had a hard time relating to her. But I liked the premise enough to keep going, and I'm glad I did. Murphy and Kat are written as very typical 21 year olds and I had to remember that. These aren't full grown adults so I ended up appreciating how they spoke and acted with each other. I especially related to Murphy's uncertainty about her future and how she didn't have everything figured out and how that was okay. This would be great for romance fans that want a holiday story with very little spice.

Perhaps I wasn't in the mood or I didn't love the narrative style but I didn't love it.
However, that didn't mean I didn't love moments of this book or know that this book will be great for a few people.

I will say that I saw this book play out very well as a movie. It had that slight hallmark/ happiest season movie vibe to it, even if all the charms weren't nailed. The character development got good halfway through the book and I did enjoy the development, even if it was a tad fast.

<i>Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Books, and, most importantly, Becca Grischow for this e-arc! I apologize that this review is late.</i>

OH MY GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Ahem. Sorry, that shouting was needed for a second. This was everything I needed in a book at the time. The only reason I am only getting around to finishing it now is due to things that were outside of my control (aka real life). But this was a lovely hug of fall comfort romance Thanksgiving holiday fun. One of the best things about this book was Murphy, the main character, and just how real she felt. Speaking as someone who has felt left behind / had to restart at a community college, I felt a connection to her about life not going the way she planned. As well as hitting the one barrier again and again with seeming like there's no way to go around it. And then finding a way because you have to. I loved her journey and all of her relationships as well as her growth.

Ellie, the love interest, also felt the same way. I liked how we got to see her family over the course of the first half of the book and then crashing back to Murphy's life going all to hell. Very realistic and, I know I keep going back to it, but that was a great strength of the book.

Also, the fake dating trope? So good. One of my favorites and this one hit it out of the park. And then all the feels at the end and making things work and gyaaah. But, unlike most other romance books, I did not feel like this was being unrealistic. This also felt real and awkward and just clicked together to work.

So, I highly recommend this book if you want a hug of fall comfort with a dash of feeling like it could be the real world, and coffee. Also, Hallmark? Can we get this made into a movie? That would be FANTASTIC. Thank you.

Big thanks to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this novel, in return for this review 😁

This was a cute book! At first the character development seemed a bit rushed and unrealistic but about halfway through I found myself really loving all the characters. (Even Kat, though that one took me a little longer haha)
Cute little romcom about finding the right person at the wrong time, it was heartwarming and cute and not too serious. 3 stars just cuz it took me a little bit to get into the story, but overall I really enjoyed it!

I really enjoyed the writing, but the story was going a bit too slow for me. I picked it up and put it down and went to another book a few times, because I got bored and eventually decided not to continue reading it. I wish I could blame it on "this book just wasnt for me", but I think I am actually the targeted audience. I was really disappointed because of how much I was excited to read this book by this author.

I was drawn into this book by the cover. I mean??? Look at HOW CUTE IT IS! This is a perfect contemporary romance cover for me.
The description also got me really interested. Sapphic? Fake dating? Holiday romance? Count me in!

Sadly… This was where my love of the book ended.
The characters are all very base level for me. They were not much past what we were told about them in the first chapter.
There is very little romance to the book. I could not feel the like/love from Ellie throughout almost the entire book, and Murphy’s felt very insta-lovey without reciprocation.

I did love the IL based story and the input of Chicago, Cubs, and Geneva itself.
This book did have funny moments sprinkled in.

There is one spicy scene near the end. I did not think it was necessary at all, it just felt like a throw in.

Thank you to Penguin Books, Becca Grischow, and NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book.

4.5⭐️

“I’ll Get Back to You” is such a lovely tribute to the in between stage of the college years and the different types of love one finds along the way. At times, Murphy, was annoying and insufferable, thinking of herself before anyone else. But who doesn’t do that at 21 years old??

While this does feel like two separate love stories, I don’t think Murphy’s world would be quite complete without Kat’s friend love and Ellie’s New Romantic love.

Being from the Midwest, I especially loved that I could relate to so many aspects, especially the desire to attend a Big 10 school. (Sorry Murph, U of I is second tier to UW. Go Badgers! 🦡)

“And anyone else I love, I’ll know how to love them because you taught me first.”

Undoubtedly, one of the best sentimental quotes from this book and I can see myself reading IGBTY many times over the years.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this book! This was a romance that felt very real. A lot of romances, especially fake dating ones, can feel way too fantastical and like it could never happen in real life. This one felt much more grounded, with characters that also feel like real people. My dad is a huge Cubs fan, and that made this book even better. Would recommend reading while visiting your hometown for Thanksgiving.

Lesbian fake dating in the academic world? This was adorable. Although I abhor holiday romances this one wasn't terrible and fit into the storyline very well.

I’ll Get Back to You is an incredibly sweet and heartwarming sapphic romance that gives you all the cozy, queer Hallmark vibes. It’s a perfect read for an easy, feel-good romance with relatable characters and holiday charm.

Murphy is such a lovable MC. Her struggles—navigating life in her small town, balancing school stress, and working a minimum-wage job—are so real and relatable. I found myself rooting for her the entire time. She's quite dateable if you ask me! Her dynamic with Kat and Ellie is wonderful, and I adored how the story explored her different relationships with equal tenderness.

The romance between Murphy and Ellie is absolutely precious. I loved their chemistry, and the fake-dating trope was done so well here. It felt fresh and natural, with plenty of lighthearted moments that blended perfectly with the romantic tension. One particular scene with Daniel waiting in the car had me literally saying "awww" out loud!

The small-town setting added a great layer to Murphy’s journey, capturing that feeling of being stuck while also amplifying the cozy, close-knit vibes. The balance of humor and tenderness worked beautifully in this book, making it an effortless yet meaningful read.
And the ending? Perfect. I was so happy that the author didn’t leave us hanging, providing a satisfying conclusion to Murphy and Ellie’s story. Overall, this book is an absolute win for hallmark, sapphic romance fans. 10/10 would recommend!

I'll Get Back to You was a sweet new adult romance that found our main characters in a difficult place: wanting to be independent but still needing their family's support while trying to figure out a path for their futures.
Becca Grischow gave us likable and relatable main characters who spontaneously end up in a fake relationship but, you know the drill, catch real feels. The supporting characters are pleasant as well. There wasn't anyone in this book I disliked. Aunt Carol was one of the more colorful cast members.
It was a quick and fun read. The mains didn't know each other for long before getting attached, and they discussed that fact. Despite being such a fast move, it felt believable, and I bought in. The short time period, distance, recent breakup of one of them, college plans, living arrangements, and job prospects, all added to the complexity of the relationship. 
The story takes place over the end-of-the-year holidays, and I enjoyed the description of the small downtown area. 
There was one short intimate scene that was minimally descriptive. It was well-placed and worked. 
The writing was well done. There were a few bits of inner monologue that seemed a little too syrupy but did not detract.
I recommend for a quick feel-good romance that is encouraging for those trying to grow up and get out on their own. 
#HEA #newadult #Illinois #holidays #fakedating #supportivefamily #foundfamily #artist #painting #marketing #barista #smalltown #recreationaldruguse #responsiblealcoholconsumption

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this cozy and humorous holiday novel with LGBT representation (specifically the main character is bisexual). So this book was a delightful LGBT romance, and I loved how Christmas and the holiday season was a backdrop in the book.

The audiobook from PRH Audio was narrated by Allison Grischow, who as far as I can tell from researching online is the author's sister. If I had a sister I think it would be pretty cool for them to narrate an audiobook of a book I wrote. I liked Allison's voice and I would definitely want to listen to more books narrated by her in the future.

Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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A very sweet, queer hometown romance. I'm excited to read more from this author. (Bonus: Becca Grischow's instagram is a book promoter's dream. I love it!)

I really like the first half of this New Adult sapphic romance. Murphy is struggling to life isn’t going like she’d hoped. She opted for community college but didn’t get to transfer to the University of Illinois like she planned because she failed her accounting class. She is living at home with her parents and she works at the same coffee shop she did in high school. She was excited for her best friend to come home for Thanksgiving till she shows up with her boyfriend. At the local bar she meets Ellie who was a couple years ahead of her in high school. She is fresh off a breakup and not looking for something new. But somehow between a drunken sleepover (not hooking up) she hatches an idea of Murphy posing as her girlfriend for Thanksgiving dinner. Turns out Ellie’s mom is Murphy’s accounting professor.

I am not sure how sound their plan was as it quickly falls apart. I liked the main characters, parents and best friend but there is a lot going to process in just a couple of days. I don’t expect YA or New Adult books to have HEA but this felt more opened ended than I wanted. I do like Holiday romances and simple things like making puppy chow together or a mother interfering a smidge. The cover fits the story and I would like to read more from the author. (3.5 Stars)

Very quick, not-too-brain-draining read. I saw so much of myself in Murphy I honestly felt so personally attacked in almost every conversation she had with someone where they called her out on whatever she needed to be called out on. No tears shed but I was definitely close to it!

My favorite thing about this was Murphy as a character. How real she felt, and how relatable she was. What I struggled with was the overall timeline. The entire story takes place in about a weekend, and the epilogue is a few weeks after. You get a short glimpse into the characters' lives, and due to the timeline a lot of the stuff just seems way too fast. Murphy and Ellie's relationship timeline is actually so insane to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an enjoyable debut! I loved the small town vibes. Even as someone who has never stepped foot in Geneva, the author’s love for her hometown shone through every scene. It was a such fun and cozy vibe for a holiday book. I’ve followed the author on Instagram for a while and loved seeing the places she’s posted about written into the story.
The first half of this book starts off as a classic fake dating holiday romcom. I thought it was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the relationship (I’m historically a sucker for a fake dating plot). The second half of the book becomes more of a coming of age journey for our main character, Murphy. This felt pretty reminiscent of a YA novel to me (which is not a bad thing, I love YA). I wasn’t expecting it to be split like that, it really felt like two different books to me. The relationship and Ellie were practically nonexistent in the second half.
One of my biggest struggles was with Ellie as a character. I just wasn’t ever able to connect with her or find her likable. I thought she fun in the first half and enjoyed her dynamic with Murphy, but so much of her actions read as selfish to me. I did think the conflict resolution was decent but I’m not sure Ellie would’ve ever apologized on her own and I didn’t love that.
That said, I did love Murphy. Her story really reminded me of my early college days and I could relate to a lot of the things she was dealing with. I ended up really enjoying the diversion from a romance plot line to focus on Murphy’s feelings of being left behind and starting life differently than her friends. Even though it wasn’t what I expected, it ended up being my favorite aspect of the book.
I’ll Get Back to You felt like a realistic and cozy coming of age story with a sweet thread of romance throughout. I read this in a day and Murphy’s story had me hooked the entire time!

**Thank you to Penguin Books for this free digital review copy.**

This was a cute holiday romance (encompassing both Thanksgiving and Christmas!) about college students in small-town Illinois. It hit on a lot of nostalgia about being in school, facing change, and uncertainty about the future. It dealt with romantic relationships (obviously) but also friendship and relationships between parents and their grown children. I felt very middle-of-the-road about this story – nothing particularly stuck out to me in either a positive or negative way, so while I recommend it, it won't become a holiday classic for me.

As a recent post-grad, Becca Grischow really captures the essence of the ups and downs of college life. The drama that feels like the end of the world, hometown hijinks, and so much more. A cute, cozy, queer read that started my fall reads off in a fun way! I wouldn't say that the book was seriously moving, but I enjoyed the ride and would read more from Grischow.