Jenny L. Howe perfectly captures what it feels like to come of age in your mid-twenties. As I went through Haleigh's journey, it took me back to the anxiety and stress of being 25 and trying to get it together, especially when it feels like everyone else has it figured out. I think if I read this at 25, I would have felt completely seen and validated that it is okay to be 25 and not know what to do with your life. That is a lesson I still need, sometimes, at age 30! I loved the premise of letting your family choose your dates, just so you can get them to back off once and for all, only to have the plan backfire in the end.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*
Jack and Haleigh have a beautiful, sweet, and very pure relationship. It's based on love and history and the two complement each other nicely. Jack is a complete ball of mush for Haleigh and it is adorable. And don't get me started on BRIAN. I loved him; I knew he wouldn't be endgame, which is why I suck at reading love triangles, I always end up half-in-love with the other person. I found the minimized 3rd act conflict super refreshing and I enjoyed seeing where the story would take me.

Random note, I would love to read Jenny L. Howe write a story in first-person POV. This is a personal preference and I just think she'd nail it. Her 3rd person POV is super strong and she writes so incredibly on a technical level. I'm constantly impressed with her craft!

This was an easy, light read for me. I am sucker for the friends to lovers trope I have found out lately... lol This has a second chance trope as well. However it fell kind of flat on the tropes for me. One reason I have it 4 stars. I was rooting for the other guy (Brian) more than the MMC. I LOVED the FMC, she is by far the best character Howe has written. I will gladly read another one of her books!

I love Howe's writing style. Her books are very engaging. This title was keeping me up late reading. I loved how well-developed and entertaining the main characters were, and their banter was great. Howe gets it right when she made this story about dating as a plus size woman. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars!

Overall this was a cute light read. However. I always seem to have issues with friends-to-lovers stories. Especially when they've already made their feelings known yet decide not to be together, but never truly give other people a TRUE chance. I loved the FMC, but the MMC fell short for me. I wish there had been more romantic moments between the two that had me rooting for them.

This was a really cute and heartfelt romance at the core of it. There was drama, heartbreak, and everything in between romance, overall a great read!. I would definitely recommend to Ali Hazelwood fans.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.