I LOVED this. I enjoyed the banter. As a 40 something mom I always appreciate when the characters are a bit older and dealing with the realities of having kids. And the chemistry between Ethan and Sasha was sooooo good. A must read!

DNF. Didn't enjoy getting through the beginning. Too many character/POV changes that felt irrelevant to the overall plot.
Interesting premise but overall couldn't get into this one. Kept waiting for something to happen.

Although I was expecting a bit more of a rom-com, I definitely wasn't disappointed with this read! Sasha is a divorced mother of two who is really trying to nail this parenting thing the way she used to. But between missed Silly Sock days, last minute permission slips, and judgemental stares from administrators and parents, drop-off and pick-up have become more chaotic than Sasha would like. Then there's Ethan, aka Demon Dad, who somehow keeps swooping in and taking the last one of everything Sasha needs, be it a hoodie or an after school spot - and he's not even apologetic about it! So when a dream job opportunity falls in her lap, and she steps off the plane on to the private island she'll be calling home for the next few days, the absolute last person Sasha wants to see is the "perfect" dad who seems to do nothing but make her life more difficult.

I wasn't quite sure what to think of the multiple POVs in this one, especially since only two of them seemed to make sense, but in the end I loved that Dahlia made the choices she did! In terms of characters, Sasha was delightfully messy, a wonderful mother, and so easy to root for. Whereas Ethan was a bit less fleshed out, but it didn't detract from the story for me, because he still came across as caring and charming, but with his own messes as a fellow divorced parent. Overall this was a fun and unique romance, and I'm so happy I got a chance to read it!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was so pleasing to read. At first I was apprehensive to read about parents and school. I am a parent who is in the thick of drop off/pick up, involved in the PTA (however this books school PTA sounds like a nightmare) and navigating balance. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about characters and their parenting. However, I was enraptured by moments of relatability. I liked the three different POVs and how they tied together so well. This book COULD have become a thriller or physiological thriller at the end and I would not have complained about it. It had some elements of a thriller woven into one of the characters.

I liked the resolve at the end and the overall message of no matter what, every marriage is different on the inside and behind closed doors.

This book was absolutely adorable! I fell in love with the main characters and I can not even begin to say how it melted me with their story.

I love this book! The characters were well rounded and relatable, and telling the story from more perspectives than just the main characters made it so much more interesting. Usually I feel like 3 or more perspectives gets way too complicated and hard to follow, but that was definitely not the case here. Overall just a great book.

Pick-Up is possibly my favorite book this year. Nora Dahlia balances some heavy themes with humor and light. This book was so fun to read and difficult to put down. I loved these characters, loved their banter, and loved how perfectly this story was woven together. As someone who has read a lot of slow burns and enemies to lovers I really enjoyed how this book still surprised me!

Plot: Sasha and Ethan are both divorced parents who keep running into each other at drop-off at their kids school. Ethan quickly gets under Sasha’s skin. Not so coincidentally they end up on a work trip together, and while this offers a reprieve in their tenuous relationship, Sasha is hesitant to mix their vacation life and real life together.

Themes: The way we see ourselves vs the way others see us, identity as a mom but still having autonomy, moving on after difficult relationships,

Characters: every character in this book is well written and layered. There was clearly a ton of thought put into every one of them, and each offers a really important perspective on getting older, growing in relationships, and starting over in new ones.

Writing: FUN. This book is written in 3 POVs, although Sasha is the book’s protagonist. There isn’t much I could say that would give this book justice. Based on the book’s description I wasn’t expecting that this would be one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. It has so much more depth than I was expecting. Norah Dahlia’s ability to write wit and charm into the story rivals Emily Henry which is some of the highest praise I can give.

4.5 stars

Sasha is a divorced mom, trying to get through the day caring for two children on her own. Every time she turns around, a smug dad named Ethan seems to be catching her making a mistake or snagging the last spot in a sign up. She’s surprised to find him on a work trip, and even more surprised to find that they have explosive chemistry that she can’t deny.

I loved this debut! It’s perfect for fans of Emily Henry or Annabel Monaghan. Sasha reminded me a bit of a modern day Lorelei Gilmore, always ready with the perfect quippy response and humorous banter to throw at Ethan. I enjoyed the vacation to the island aspect of the story, and also the maturity of two single parents in this book. At first I was confused by the inclusion of a third narrator, but eventually it became clear. It was a unique addition to the book, but I think I would have preferred a dual narration instead because I don’t feel that it added to the story in a positive way. However, without that, I think this might have been a five star romance read for me. It was really a fun, fresh rom com and I’m eager to see what else the author writes in the future!

Thank you to Nora Dahlia and Gallery books for the arc and opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Pick-Up by @noradahliazelevansky @gallerybooks is a grown up women’s fiction book set in modern times. A play on words between the “pick-up” that parents do with their kids at a Brooklyn public elementary schools and a romantic “pick-up.”

I enjoyed the main character POV, Sasha is divorced and trying to do her best as the only “present” parent that her kids have. She engages with other parents in the pick up line, including Ethan, who makes life difficult for her, Kaitlyn, her former schoolmate from back in the day, and Celeste, making everyone else suffer. The major story lies in Sasha balancing motherhood, caring for her aging parents, finding new career opportunities and a new chance at love.

If you prefer to keep the bedroom door closed, skip chapter 33.

The chemistry between Ethan and Sasha is great- this is very well written in both POV. Fans of Emily Henry and Ashley Poston will enjoy this. Nora Dahlia writes incredibly wittier banter between the two main characters. There are a few surprises along the way.

Bonus: the author has a Spotify playlist to listen to as you read, and I LOVE it. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/15irMRnhDiiz9Lb2nv0NNa?si=GkfXL4JET2eLu3q37y1dag&pi=u-S77ZkOtGRGOU

Novel to be published December 3, 2024. Thanks to @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the ARC.

#netgalley #pickup #bookstagram #bookreviews #bookreview #bookworm

Had me kicking my feet to be honest. I loved the plot and the characters, I could so easily see this as a movie

"Pick Up" by Nora Dahlia is a captivating contemporary romance that delves into the complexities of modern relationships. The story centers on a protagonist navigating the challenges of romance and personal growth, often with a touch of humor and charm. Dahlia’s writing is engaging and insightful, offering a fresh take on love and connection in today’s fast-paced world. The novel’s well-crafted characters and relatable scenarios make it a compelling read for fans of contemporary romance seeking both depth and lightheartedness.

Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sasha and Ethan are both divorced and have several run ins at their kids’ school. When Ethan suggests her for a job involving a trip to a remote island they get to know each other outside of the school incidents and attraction grows.

Pick-up is a cute romantic comedy that explores dynamics of dating after divorce, marriage challenges, parenting (and identity outside of parenting), careers, and finding work-life balance.

A very cute, fun rom-com read. It had all the quick-witted, swoon worthy banter that I crave, and definitely would fit right in with book by Christina Lauren — I loved the super lush Caribbean setting, and can pretty much always get behind an enemies-to-lovers trope. Also, fellow parents, can’t we all relate to school pick-up line drama?! The way I laughed out loud at Sasha and Ethan’s dynamic.
If you like the Unhoneymooners, odd are you’re gonna love Pick-Up!

Pick-Up is a modern romance and satire of parent politics and navigating middle age as a GenX Millenial cusper. Think Bad Summer People meets You've Been Volunteered.

At first the conceit of three narrators was confusing. I had a hard time getting into the rhythm and often had to re-read Kaitlin's section because I hadn't realized it wasn't Sasha until halfway in. I get now that there was a stylist reason for that, and I'm here for it.

What I loved:
Dahlia definitely captured what it's like to be a parent in NY in your early/mid 40s. I so releated to everything the women were going through. Sasha's dillema at the end was particularly resonant. I too have been surprised at the person in the mirror or the fact that I, and people my age, are now the adults and heads of family in the neighborhood so very "Once in A Lifetime."

Ethan's perspective. So different. Definitely seemed like a man. Not a man written by a woman.

The use of social media.

How different people's inner experience was than how the other parents saw them.

The island feeling like I was on a mini vacation while I was reading.

The fact that antisemitism wasn't pushed under the rug.

Adult responses to disagreements.

Good supporting characters both at the school and the magazine.

What I didn't like:
I figured out the twist halfway through the book.
The kids names, Bart? Really? But maybe that's sooo Brooklyn?
Some plot conveniences

I really enjoyed Dahlia's first foray into romance. It was relatable and interesting. Just the right amount of spice. I look forward to her next novel. 4.25 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and Gallery Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enemies to lovers trapped in a series of awkward situations and moments where they cannot seem to escape one another. Sasha and Ethan are two divorcees trying to balance single parenting and everything else. An overall enjoyable read that reminds us that parents are imperfect people too and the best thing for kids is happy role models. My only critique is that it felt it could have been shorter. There was a lot of repetitive inner dialogue but still a fun book with an engaging plot.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review! Coming December 2024!

First I’d like to thanks NetGalley , Simon & Schuster, and Nora dahlia for the opportunity to read an arc of her upcoming book. In exchange for my honest review .

Sasha is a divorced mother trying to navigate how to be a single mom. When life seems to be throwing her into a loop she meets demon dad( aka Ethan ) . From the start both parents clash . When Sasha is offered a job imagine her surprise when Ethan just so happens to be the boss. Watch as both parents share close proximity and the sparks begin to fly .

I devoured this book! It was so great! Not only does it show the complexity of being a parent . It shows what it’s like to find love after a bad experience. It hits every emotion . I felt like I could feel her emotions , and not just hers but everyone in the book. It gave us a view point that shows not everything is how it seems on the outside . That even the most put together people can be a mess. I can’t express how much I loved this book.
My only issue was I didn’t think the epilogue was really an epilogue. It starts out on the same day as the last chapter but that night . I wish we got a little more .. maybe a year or a few months

Actually really enjoyed this! The 3Pov was a new twist take on the usual dual pov in a rom com. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it but I did!

The beginning was a bit confusing but it picked up as I read! There are a lot of characters though that don’t play major roles, so at times that did add to the confusion and cohesive ness overall.

I will be recommend this book! It wasn’t overly long either but wasn’t super short, a nice middle ground if you will. I wasn’t able to sit and binge read this but it was a solid read I kept going back to and wanting to know more.

The to-do lists of Ethan was a unique touch for his character development and learning about him. I haven’t seen this before in a book and I just thought that was lovely.

I was not expecting to love this as much as I did! Such a fun, yet thoughtful, rom-com. A someone who is not a A. mother or B. divorcee I didn't find it alienating to read - in fact, the fact that parenthood, love, and loss felt so natural and integral to the story only engrossed me more. I couldn't recommend it enough!

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

Pick-up was such a fun story to read! The 3 POVs compared to a romance’s typical 2 was also a new twist that I really enjoyed.

The single parent enemies to lovers trope was done really well and I loved the tropical island trip setting and the twist involved. I don’t see a huge amount of twists in romance that don’t dramatize the story in an unnecessary way but this one added another layer to the story that made it stand out amongst a heavily saturated genre.

Thank you to netgalley for this arc!