Nora Dahlia managed to combine a humorous take on the parents you meet through your children’s school and a romance that feels both sweet and mature. I absolutely loved this book.

3.5⭐
1🌶️
Tropes- Enemies to lovers, forced proximity

Pick-up is an enemiesish to lovers story about three Brooklyn 40 something's divorcees, mainly Sasha and Evan, plus a third POV from Katelyn. Sasha is a mother of 2 who works as a for hire video producer and has a useless ex husband. Ethan, who only does drop-off with his daughter, works as an editor-in-chief for a magazine. The third POV is from Katelyn whose daughter attends the same school as the two other MCs, and seems to be obsessed with Sasha for some reason. She remains a largely unknown character until much later in the book. While you find out early on that Sasha and Ethan met several years ago, they "meet for the first time" during a few frustrating mishaps with the school, but most of the story takes place in Citrine Cay, a fictional island in The Caribbean.

I had a hard time getting into this book. The third POV really threw me off although I really enjoyed finding out her role at the end. I was also not a fan of Ethan having such short chapters because it felt like I never got to know him as a character- the bulk of the story was focused on Sasha. That may have been the point though- I just wasn't really a fan.
I also struggled to understand Sasha's character and relate to her. Normally I prefer books with late 30s early 40s MCs, but Sasha was frustratingly dramatic around Ethan while saying she's not normally like this. I couldn't decide if her ex husband Cliff had done such a number on her self-esteem to "make" her this way or if this was her real personality.

Despite my struggles with reading this, I think it was very well written and several parts stand out as hilarious and endearing- like when she realizes that Ethan works for Escapade when they arrive at Citrine Cay or Ethan's perpetual to-do lists. The innuendo/puns are also great and Sasha's perpetual foot in mouth made me laugh a lot. Its also a very substantial, meaty and thought provoking book- a lot of the time you're treated to Sasha's rambling inner dialogue that make her relatable. Pick-up is very much women's fiction and not just a romance. Nor is it a quick, binge-able beach read in my opinion, but one to be savored and mulled over. (And that's probably why it was a tough read)

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.

PICK-UP is an entertaining read filled with sharp humor and swoony moments. It's not quite enemies-to-lovers for the enemy is only one-sided. Divorced dad Ethan remembers the very first conversation he had with Sasha and doesn't think he's ever enjoyed a conversation that much. Sasha has no recollection of that, and in fact considers him an enemy (referring to him as "Demon Dad") for all the times he has made Sasha's life harder while trying to be best parent she can to her kids. Not to mention, how he gives her unsolicited advice on how to hold her arms when running.

I loved how the author brought up questions that we can asks ourselves... what is it that we want that we aren't giving ourselves? and what are our barriers that's were holding up that's keeping us from happiness and love? I thought the author said it beautifully how all we want is someone (and ourselves) to see us as a whole person just as we are. I appreciated the reminder that there is so much uncertainty and unknown in relationships and what will become of it (if anything), yet people are constantly having them anyways even with all the fear and doubt. And it says a lot about a person when they have that fear, but still take the leap anyways.

I so loved Ethan's to-do lists and thought that was such a fun way to get to know him more. I am not a parent nor middle-aged and still thoroughly enjoyed reading this!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

A book about a couple forced together on a tropical island. Yes, please! The author crafted this story with thought and care. It was entertaining to see the evolution of each of the main characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Sasha and Ethan’s story was a great enemies to lover, forced proximity romance read! I love multiple pov so you can get everyone’s feelings about the same situation. I however did not enjoy a third pov as this gets a bit much and sometimes confusing. I’ve read a lot of post-divorce “find the right guy” romances lately and honestly as I get older this is what I prefer to the college aged romances! Second chance at life and love, and with a tropical setting no less. The writing style was well done, and kept me interested.

Thank you for the ARC!


Sasha has just gone through a divorce when she starts having run ins with Ethan in the worst possible way (with him accidentally ruining her days). When she get the opportunity for a long term job she finds herself on an island without the chance to deny her growing feelings for him. But what really makes this special is that it is so much more than a romance book. In addition to exploring single parenthood, divorce, and prejudice we get a mysterious third main character in Kaitlin. The mystery of what she will become to the story, and then the discovery of who she is and what she does was just so perfec

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Pick-Up was such a surprise and I have to say - I loved it!

Sasha has just gone through a divorce when she starts having run ins with Ethan in the worst possible way (with him accidentally ruining her days). When she get the opportunity for a long term job she finds herself on an island without the chance to deny her growing feelings for him. But what really makes this special is that it is so much more than a romance book. In addition to exploring single parenthood, divorce, and prejudice we get a mysterious third main character in Kaitlin. The mystery of what she will become to the story, and then the discovery of who she is and what she does was just so perfect.

Recommended for any fan of fiction, this book has it all!

3.75⭐️ This book was good but I don’t think I’m the intended audience.

This is an enemies to lovers romance that takes place mostly on a tropical island so sprinkle in that forced proximity as well. However, this book also focuses highly on parenthood, divorce, and relationships around you. So although it is considered a romance, it reads a little more women’s fiction. The humor was right up my alley and there were moments that had me laughing out loud. It did feel a little long for me which is a reason for the 3.75 rating.

I think if you enjoy romance that leans a little more on the women’s fiction side you would enjoy this.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery books for this advanced copy!

The rotating POV made this a unique and clever read. It was fun discovering how Sasha and Ethan’s journey panned out. Messy, funny, and with solid banter and tension.

Sasha is a single mom navigating the everyday struggles of solo-parenting. At school pick-up she encounters Ethan and quickly grants him the name "Demon Dad". However, their relationship teeters between friends and lovers throughout the book.
Pick-up is narrated in three different POVs, providing a quick pace and a lot of humor. Small things like the title of each chapter and the to-do lists in Ethan's POV draw you into the book and offer laugh out loud moments.
Overall, this was an entertaining & quick read. Predictable plot line, but who doesn't love a happy ending.

Thanks NetGalley for the early read!

A sharp on your toes romance!

Dahlia is quick witted, with an essence of Lorelai Gilmore-like dialogue to bring these characters to life. Sasha Rubinstein, balancing motherhood must navigate the aftermath of her recent divorce. Juggling parental responsibilities never was so complicated until Ethan Jones, a single father became involved. So we learn there’s more than meets the pick-up time!

I caught myself laughing aloud while reading, thinking: now this has tickled my funny bone.

I don't think this book was for me. I finally gave up at 66%. Personally, I didn't enjoy the writing style, and the story really did not hold my interest. I especially did not like when it switched to a third, barely-related character's point of view. I needed more of the main characters, not a rando with a decades-long grudge. We also got a lot of this school absolutely sucking, and they do nothing about their own mistakes. Just "better luck next time!"

The spice is what really done me in, though. We get 3 instances of interrupted kisses (feeling very redundant), then we finally get spice, and it cuts to black after foreplay! It was explicit foreplay, so I assumed the writing would continue, but no.

The book just dragged on for me, and I didn't enjoy the choppy writing style.

The chemistry in this one, oh my good!!!!! It was palpable from the beginning and I just loved Sasha and Ethan. I love reading a story where you can actually feel the chemistry between the pages and can truly imagine these characters in real life. Also, the addition of Kaitlin was confusing at first but made so much sense by the end.

Thanks NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC!!

When I read about the enemies-to-lovers plot involving single parents trapped on a tropical island, I expected to enjoy “Pick-Up.” As soon as I started the three POV narration, the quick-witted, humorous, engaging, and entertaining writing style hooked me! It absolutely exceeded my expectations. I have already added Nora Dahlia to my favorite romance/women’s fiction authors list!

“Pick-Up” refers to the action where helicopter parents gather after school to pick up their children, highlighting the challenges of parenting, including providing enough attention, care, focus, and involvement their child needs.

The story revolves around Sasha Rubinstein, a single mother whose ex-husband preferred Hollywood’s bright lights and fame to his kids, moving to LA from New York to chase his dreams. Sasha raises her artistic yet mature daughter and quirky son alone, keeping up appearances but lately missing school newsletters that make her forget silly sock day, buying the last sweatshirt for her daughter, or assigning her to the last spot at the theater club.

Her encounter with Ethan Jones, when she wants to get away from a talkative mother, walking backward and bumping into him, resulting in her falling to the ground, is not the meet-cute she dreamed of. It’s more of a meet-your-nemesis and sharpen-your-weapons kind of meeting, especially when Ethan buys the last sweatshirt left in her daughter’s size. When he acts fast to assign his daughter to the place Sasha's daughter dreamed of, things get heated, and this means war!

Ethan is still clueless why Sasha hates his guts and why she doesn’t remember their meeting a few years ago when he felt an instant connection with her. He is sure he is still attracted to her and intends to prove she’s wrong about him. He has a plan to win her over, including correcting her joking style and teaching her how to serve fabulous cotton candies at school festivals.

We also have the POV of Kaitlin, an efficient mother and active member of the school committee, and a childhood friend of Sasha, from whom she’s estranged since puberty. Kaitlin seems obsessed with Sasha, watching her every move like a hawk, as if she has no other hobby than stalking her for fun.

Initially, I didn’t understand why Kaitlin’s POV was included because this book started as the enemies-to-lovers story of Ethan and Sasha, who find themselves in Escapade magazine’s special edition article filming in a luxurious, paradise-like resort in Turks & Caicos. However, it becomes clear that Kaitlin’s involvement in the story is significant.

Now, let’s get back to Ethan and Sasha: Sasha is shocked to see Ethan on the island and also finds out he’s the mysterious editor-in-chief of the magazine, which means he’s also her boss for this project. Can she bury the hatchet for the sake of her job? Yes, she can. Spending more time with Ethan and his devoted team, she realizes he’s not the evil incarnate father figure she thought he was. But can she resist her attraction to him? Nope, this is a lost cause. Sparks already fly, and the entire production team seems to want them to be a couple. The romantic settings of the island increase the attraction even more!

But the important question is, when their jobs are at stake and they let their chemistry lead their decisions, what will happen when they return to New York to face their routine lives as two divorced people in a school circle where gossip is the main entertainment? Can they survive the odds and their full past baggage?

I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s quick-witted tone. I especially guffawed each time I read Ethan’s to-do lists from his POV and the FaceTime calls between Sasha and her mother! Stephanie is also my favorite supportive character; I would love to hang out and get drunk with her.

Overall, this is an entertaining read with high-chemistry enemies-to-lovers themes blended with the challenges of divorced parenting (indeed, being a parent and giving the children the care they need). I am rounding my 4.5 stars to 5 for the brilliant Turks & Caicos chapters and the entire humorous writing style!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this entertaining read’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.