I just finished reading “Overdue” by Stephanie Perkins.

This book is about Ingrid, a librarian who has been with her boyfriend forever. The logical next step is marriage but they decide to take a “break” to see if they want this. They decided to date other people before they get back together.

We are told the story from Ingrid’s point of view and what follows is a very slow process. The book is enjoyable but the main romance begins half way through. It is slow going.

If you enjoy slow burns then it is the book for you. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. The first was a bit too dragged out in my opinion but if you can get through that, you will enjoy the book.

Really enjoyed this book. I was going into a bit of a slump but I couldn’t put this one down. Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

OVERDUE was an absolute delight to read and am blown away by how much I loved it!! This may be the slowest slowburn romance I've ever read but it's so tastefully written that I actually wouldn't have wanted it any faster!! This story takes place over the course of a year starting from when Ingrid and her boyfriend Cory decided to take a break to date other people as they've only been with each other before they tie the knot. With her eye on her grumpy-in-a-charming-way co-worker Macon, she only finds herself being rejected by him and must decide if she can continue working side by side with Macon at the library like she has for the past five years, if the 11-year-old relationship she's has with Cory the one she wants, and must get clear on what is she wants so she doesn't allow herself to settle. Almost turning thirty, she thought she would have been married and owning a house by now, but she finds herself living a studio that can barely be called that and heartbroken which I found very relatable and how enjoyed seeing how Ingrid learns to navigate all the change.

The heart and romance in this story had my heart swooning like no other!!! I honestly didn't know if my heart would be able to handle any more. And what I loved most about it is that it was so pure and genuine that there was absolutely nothing cheesy or corny which I so appreciate making it for a real grounded and believable escapism. It felt like such a gift and honor to have witnessed Ingrid and Macon's story and I sure hope the author continues to write adult romance because what a treat!!

Much gratitude to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The writing is good.
However the plot and pacing was quite unfortunate.
Slow burn but sloooooow burn. It dragged.
A slice of life of a story of lady that grows into understanding what she wants.

My personal preference I do not like cheating. Even if you take a break to explore other relationships it was not for me.

Thank you SMP for this earc for an honest review.

Reading Overdue by Stephanie Perkins was such a heartfelt experience for me! I felt deeply connected to the main character and all the changes she was navigating. There’s something so real about the way she processes loss, friendship, and figuring out who she is, and it reminded me of moments in my own life when everything felt uncertain but full of potential. The anonymous letters and the library setting gave the story a quiet magic, and I found myself savoring the details. It felt like a love letter to growing up, letting go, and finding yourself in unexpected places. This book stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

Ingrid is a librarian who has been with her bf Cory for 11 yrs. They decide to take a one month break to date other people since neither has ever been with anybody else. She has a big crush on Macon- her grumpy coworker and wants to follow her attraction....

Love, love Stephanie Perkins. Such a sweet romance. Love how Ingrid grows professionally and personally. Lots of angst but lots more laughter. Really enjoy it.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

2.5/5 - This book suffers from pretty severe pacing issues that take it from being a smooth story of growth to something, frankly, boring. It felt a little too disjointed, like the first half and the second half were two different books. It’s a very, very slow burn romance and in my opinion, too slow (yes, apparently it is possible!).

While I understand there’s nothing smooth about a massive change like the one our main character goes through, there’s a lack of cohesion that stops everything from clicking by the end.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

I’m a little torn on this one! I really liked a lot a of the book, but it also felt like two stories (one which I liked significantly more than the other) and was also just too long because of this.
This story follows Ingrid, who is on a month long “break” from her long term boyfriend where they can date and sleep with other people (what?!) and then get back together at the end of it to get married. She then immediately tries to kiss her coworker she has a crush on but he rejects her. This part of the story was not for me. I thought the whole thing was a little odd and the dates she goes on seemed like total filler. Once she actually starts realizing she needs to change her life, it begins to pick up for me. I loved how she realized she wanted totally different things and how she set goals for herself to get herself there. I also liked her character growth. I just wish it had started there instead.
Thank you NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Sigh, I loved this. Everything I thought was going to happen, didn’t. The author makes you work hard for that happy ending and the slow burn is worth it. It was written in a way that I didn’t want to put it down… hence why I read it in 24 hrs. Perkins was not at all on my radar before reading this but now she is. 4.25⭐️ I also liked all the diversity and representation in this book, it felt authentic.

Overdue was an absolute delight! I always feel like authors know that they have an especially willing librarian audience when they make a main character a librarian, but this one was unexpected in it's execution. The characters are lovely, and thoughtful, and introspective, and I thoroughly enjoyed this story of how the worst year of someone's life can turn magical and be the game-changer that you wanted it to be. Bonus points for great execution of the grumpy/sunshine trope.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were all very well-rounded, and the author did a great job with the timing of the events. Definitely a slow burn but it is worth it!!!

Ingrid has been with her boyfriend for 11 years, and discussions of engagement and marriage was always put off. They decide to reevaluate their relationship and what they truly want, and take a month long break.
Ingrid has always has a little crush on fellow librarian Macon, so she’s hoping to see if there’s potential there. Does Macon feel the same way about Ingrid now that she’s available to date?

Slow burn romance is a good thing; I personally never enjoy reading insta love scenarios. However, this was a little too slow burn for me. It felt very safe and guarded. And the extra dating on the side of the main story didn’t appeal to me, as I wanted the story to concentrate on Ingrid and Macon solely. Sadly, this one wasn’t for me in the romance department.

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

Ingrid Dahl, a 29 year old librarian, and her long-term boyfriend Cory embark on a rather audacious experiment: a month-long break to explore dating other people before committing to marriage. What begins as a seemingly straightforward plan, quickly unravels in this engaging slow-burn romance. The synopsis hints at a compelling exploration of commitment, the comfort of the familiar, and the surprising turns life can take. Ingrid's secret crush on her 'charmingly grumpy' coworker, Macon, adds an intriguing layer of anticipation, suggesting a delightful tension and the potential for unexpected sparks.

This story is filled with lust and longing, navigating the complexities of new beginnings and the sometimes messy path to finding oneself and true connection. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a focus on emotional growth and the blossoming of unexpected relationships, this book is a captivating read. I really enjoyed this book. I was looking for a slow burn romance and this did not disappoint.

The romance was OVERDUE a long long time ago! This takes the slow burn trope to the ultimate level and asks you how much time do you have before you give up on this book? I can definitely see how some people will DNF this, but I am glad I finished.

I wanted to like this book. I waited for it to take off, but it never left the ground. I kept reading, expecting something to happen, but when the two main characters, Macon and Ingrid, spent the better part of two chapters painting his kitchen, I realized the book had reached its high point. Everything that followed was anti-climactic and predictable.

I will always give an author credit for writing a book because it's not easy, but it's harder to write a book that grabs the reader and holds them. This book did not do that. The characters were one-dimensional. The personalities of the peripheral characters were nearly non-existent.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ARC.

I could not get into this one as it is way too much of a slow burn romance for. I did feel bored through what I read. The characters also did not grab me, they felt very one dimensional and bland. I was not able to continue and had to DNF.

This is a sweet romance between Ingrid, who loves books but not her job as a librarian, and her coworker Macon, who she has secretly fancied since she began working at the library. After she and her boyfriend Cory decide to take a temporary break from each other, she tries to kiss Macon and is rejected, which sets up the plot line and helps to move her towards a more satisfying career. No spoilers, but there is a HEA. The plot really lagged at times, but sped up towards the latter part of the novel and the conclusion was satisfying and all of the loose ends were resolved. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

First, thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

I have to be honest, I was going to enjoy this no matter what. I'm deeply obsessed with Stephanie Perkins's YA romances, and have read them an obscene number of times for a grown lady.

That said, it was super cute and I enjoyed a lot of things about it. Ingrid is going through a lot and makes some good strides over the course of the story. Macon is charming and awkward and shy and not unlike the early 40s bookish dude in my life, which made him extra charming to me. The supporting characters were excellent. I would absolutely read companion books about Kat's life in Australia, Riley and Jess's WNBA lives, and Mika and Bex's life.

All that said, I do have some quibbles. There's slow burn and then there's whatever burn this was, which was the slowest burn of all time. Yes, we knew what was going to happen, that's not a spoiler because it's a romance, but my god it took too long to get there. There was too much wishy washy back and forth between Ingrid and Macon, There could have been so much fun stuff for them to experience together if they hadn't waited so long to get together. Also, it was hard for me to buy Ingrid's repeated revelations of "oh yeah I guess I HAVE loved him for 5 years...". It just seemed very, "I LOVED JOSH!" and while sure we saw their relationship at work and that they did care for each other, Ingrid seemed insistent that she had loved him for so long...yet stayed with her boyfriend for those five years. Seems silly.

Anyway, this was adorable and I'll probably reread it when it comes out and swoon all over again.

A great coming of age story, lots of bumps in the road for the FMC but leading into her full growth by the end.
Tons of focus on friendship and love. It was a great read.
The pining?? the chemistry?? the drama and jealousy?? I ate it up.
Definitely one of the slowest slow burn books i've read and it kept me on my toes to keep rooting and seeing where their lives would head next.

I related a lot to the FMC, ending my relationship with my longterm relationship, self discovery, taking chances, being with friends, growing pains and taking chances. It really was well written and done. I would highly recommend this.

Steph Perkins absolutely shines in her adult debut. It's full of heart and feels like a big warm hug. Fans of her YA stuff will not be disappointed.