Thank you to Avon and Harper Audio for the gifted copy!

This is SUCH a moving story about second chances, starting over, and the power of perseverance. It’s about meeting the right person at the wrong time, and what it takes to finally get it right. It’s emotional and tender but ultimately more hopeful than devastating — absolutely the kind of book that will stick with me for a long time. I’d recommend it to readers of Tarah Dewitt and Jessica Sherry (but definitely check content warnings to protect your peace).

Initially, I worried it might be super griefy and sad, but it isn’t. The history between the characters could have made this a dual timeline, but instead it’s woven into the story through short flashbacks that give just enough context and emotional weight without slowing the story down.

I listened on audio and the narrator did a beautiful job capturing the emotion… but honestly I want to go back and reread with my eyes because there were so many lines I wanted to underline and keep with me. Audiobooks just aren’t easy to annotate!

Read for:
💛Starting over and second chances
💛He’s “summer camp” hot
💛Surrogacy
💛Right person, wrong time
💛Finally getting it right

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Lauren Okie for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this story really intrigued me and I was so excited to start this one. There are lots of heavy topic explored throughout this book and were handled with care. I was not expecting the humor despite the sadness and that was appreciated. I just felt like the relationships and the drama were a lot for me. It made it hard for me root for the characters because it felt so messy.

Overall, I did enjoy many parts of this book and the ending was well done.

Lauren Okie’s debut novel, The Best Worst Thing, is a powerful story of love, loss, and finding yourself in the midst of all the chaos of life.
Please be aware that infertility and pregnancy loss are prominent themes in this novel.
Nicole has always wanted to be a mother. Unfortunately, infertility is making that dream extremely hard to reach. From the outside, it looks like Nicole has it all, the hot husband, Gabe, the big, beautiful home. Nicole thought all she was missing was the baby. So she quit her job and has spent the last 2 years solely focused on securing that final piece to her perfect life. But she’s starting to wonder if her life is as perfect as it seems. Could it be that the stress of infertility has been poking holes in her perfect life? Or is there more to it?
And then, finally, on their third and final attempt, their gestational carrier is pregnant! Of course, that same day, Nicole discovers that Gabe has been cheating. A couple of hours, and copious amounts of alcohol, later Mari, Nicole’s best friend, convinces her to knock on Logan’s door. He was a great coworker, but she hasn’t seen Logan since she quit her job. It’s been 2 years. Will he even remember her?
While this novel addresses some very heavy experiences, it is also full of hope, love, and fantastic banter. The Best Worst Thing, by Lauren Okie, was 4.5 ⭐️ read for me. Some of the banter between Nicole and Logan was unmatched! Thank you to NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a beautiful story.

Nicole and her husband Gabe have been trying to get pregnant for years, and have had several losses. After multiple IVF rounds, they are transferring their last 2 embryos to a gestational carrier. Once the transfer is complete, Nicole returns home to find out Gabe has been unfaithful. Of course, the transfer is successful and now Nicole is at a complete loss on her future. During the beta wait, she reconnected with an old coworker, Logan, looking for maybe a fun rebound hookup, but realizes Logan isn’t the guy for that. This is something so much deeper.

I will be 100% transparent, as someone dealing with infertility and having gone through IVF, I was hesitant to read this. I put it off a very long time but I am also a masochist so here we are.

I HATE that I put it off for months. As much as this hurt and brought up my own pain/memories, I basically read it in one sitting. The feelings Nicole felt, they were valid. The grief she dealt with? Valid. The friendship between her and her surrogate? Brought tears to my eyes. The love story? Fantastic. I did want to shake her a few times, and maybe stomped around saying “come freaken on” but overall, I am so happy I finally picked up this ARC. 5 much deserved stars from me.

Wow wow wow! I loved this book. It is such a perfect second chance romance with best friends to lovers done WELLLLL. Lauren did not shy away from the real heartache and trauma involved in this story and it added so much depth to these characters. Logan was just top-tier MMC!! I mean, talk about patience, respectfulness and pursuit. I loved his genuine care for Nicole and gentleness when it came to what she was going through. These twoooo!!! The tension? It was 10/10. I was cheering for them so hard and my heart broke during every miscommunication LOL. This story was heavy and beautiful, it moved me over and over again. It’s messy but human. I can’t forget to mention how much I giggled throughout this book though, somehow Lauren incorporated humor in the best way despite heavy moments. If you need one last reason to read it: he read all of the books she recommended to him. End point!!! Check TW especially related to infertility <3

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the early copy of this book. It was one of the best books I’ve read in a while and know I’ll be thinking of Logan for a long long time.

This book was amazing! Logan is my new favorite book boyfriend. He was sweet and funny and charming and just perfection in an mmc.

Nicole was infuriating at times which was totally understandable given everything she’s been through and Gabe is just awful. I loved her friends and sister and how they supported her through all of it.

Overall what I loved most was their chemistry. Their chemistry was intoxicating and sexy and their banter was top notch. I didn’t want to out the book down and was giddy reading their conversations and all of their interactions.

Very sensitive topics were discussed but they were discussed so carefully. Definitely read the trigger warnings. The idea of the podcast was a great way to go over it all.

The ending was perfect and the epilogue was exactly what the book needed.

I loved this book! It was exhilarating and so fun to read!

I don’t even know if I’m using this phrase correctly, but it’s the only one that fits how I felt while reading:

Rage reading.

Now, hear me out before you assume this means I didn’t like the book.

I *think* maybe I liked the book. It’s for sure a mood read. If you're in the mood for angst and drama, this could fit the bill.

Years into their marriage and infertility struggles, Nicole comes home to discover her husband has been sleeping with the dog walker.

Then, in the midst of the separation, and while developing a relationship with a friend from her past, she finds out their Hail Mary embryo transfer was successful. Their surrogate is pregnant.

I’ll admit just typing that makes the book seem trite. I will give it this, it isn’t.

I’ve seen reviews criticizing Nicole’s indecisiveness and how she treats Logan. But honestly? After everything she’s endured, confusion, fear, and hesitation feel pretty realistic.

Here’s what set off my rage-reading: the very night Nicole discovers her husband’s betrayal, her best friend Mari decides it’s a great idea to get her drunk and dump her on the doorstep of an old coworker (who once had a crush on her).

Logan is a golden retriever MMC. I am not assigning that title. Mari does just before dropping her grieving, drunk BFF off on his doorstep.

That’s where I got stuck. We follow Nicole’s relationship with her surrogate, through the finality of her marriage, her on and off with Logan, while she attempts to heal, and all I kept thinking of was ya’ll are in your 30s and that is what your closest friend thought was healthiest?

Logan should have called her an uber, then looked her up two years later, affter the divorce, after therapy, and after she swapped Mari out for Valerie as her closest friend.

It’s getting 4 stars and not 3 because it kept me all up in the story, and full disclosure. I read this like 3 or 4 months ago and am just now completing the review (waited closer to release date), and I recalled every single emotion I had while reading. That’s saying something.

3.5 stars!
Nicole is juggling a lot: infertility struggles, a strained marriage, and just the overall messiness of life. Add in a former coworker with lingering feelings, and things really start to spiral.

When I first read the synopsis, I was convinced this was going to be an emotional rollercoaster that would leave me in tears. Sadly, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’m not sure if it was the book itself, my incoming reading slump, or the fact that I was more excited about other upcoming reads. But I found myself skimming at times, especially when it came to Nicole’s decisions. I get that she’s meant to be portrayed as raw and realistic, but honestly, I just found myself increasingly frustrated with her. That said… Logan? Please never change. Absolute gem. We love a sweet, dorky nerd.

This book swept me away from the very first page and never let go. The emotions hit hard and fast; I teared up within minutes, then later burst out laughing at the sharp, playful dialogue. And Logan? Absolute dream. He’s warm, selfless, and utterly devoted, the kind of hero you can’t help but fall for. His unwavering love for Nicole had me melting, and by the final chapter, I was half convinced men like him must exist somewhere out there.
Nicole’s arc felt raw and genuine. Yes, there were times her choices made me want to shake her, but those moments only made her growth and their romance more gripping. The payoff was stunning, the kind of ending that makes you wish you could experience it fresh all over again.
Lauren’s prose is extraordinary: rich, visual, and alive, like every scene was unfolding on a movie screen in my mind. This novel has secured her a permanent spot on my must-read list. I could gush endlessly, but I’ll leave you with this: pick it up. You’ll be so glad you did.

The Best Worst Thing is Lauren Okie's debut novel and I am so happy that I chose to read this book! It is a beautiful story that showcases heartbreak, hope, healing and growth.

Nicole Speyer has been living what she thought was a pretty good life even as she navigates infertility treatments, which have proven to be a challenge. All seems to be going okay until her marriage implodes and she is left picking up the pieces. While she is a strong woman, she is dealt several curveballs that would challenge even the strongest of people.

Logan Milgram worked with Nicole at her previous job and they developed a friendship. He is a proclaimed nerd who is funny, caring and smart. Logan hasn't seen Nicole since she left her job, but she ends up showing up on his porch one night completely shocking him.

As Nicole and Logan reconnect, things between them go from friendly to more over a period of time. While Nicole is dealing with things in her life, and things to come, will she and Logan be able to make something work between them or will the challenges prove to be too much?

Both Nicole and Logan felt very realistic. The things they went through were raw, emotional, challenging and vulnerable. In the end though, it was all beautiful. I loved the banter between Nicole and Logan and the way that Okie handled the subject of infertility was so well done.

This is one of the best books I've read so far this year and I highly recommend it.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

4.5 stars - This took me by total surprise and while I had some friends who raved about this, I wasn't expecting it to hit quite. so. hard. This is not a typical light, fluffy, rom-com...it is angsty, it is so much mess, but it is also really funny and full of heart. Nicole was a sympathetic character and while she made a lot of mistakes, she is hilarious and had great character growth. My sweet cinnamon roll Logan can do no wrong and I was ready to fight for his honor, if I'm being totally honest. Their relationship development was raw and real and surprisingly believable considering the situation they find themselves in.

PLEASE check the author's note before reading, there are some heavy themes at work here including cheating, infertility, and pregnancy loss. There were a few stylistic choices that felt repetitive and is the main reason I'm not giving this five stars. So, if you're looking for a messy and raw love story that is complicated, but that you can still laugh your way through? This book is worth your time. Short chapters, amazing banter, and unresolved questions had me reading this in 24 hours because I could not put it down. Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

Unfortunately I DNFd this very early - the writing style wasn’t for me and characters felt very immature, especially considering the heavier subjects. Sadly not for me but I’m sure it will find its readers!

This book exceeded all my expectations! It was beautifully written and kept me engaged. The character development was really well done, and I loved that Gabe become the father he never had (even if he couldn't be the partner that Nicole deserved). I think the best books can make you feel multiple emotions, and this one certainly does that. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Lauren Okie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC!

3.5 ⭐️
I was so excited to get to read this book as I am also going through my own infertility journey. I loved how you navigated through hers and showed so many down sides. I loved how she really didn’t give Gabe a second chance because she knew her worth. I loved that it didn’t end with her magically becoming pregnant with a baby with Logan. Logan and Nicole’s love story gave me butterflies the entire time I was reading.

THE BEST WORST THING by Lauren Okie

So, The Best Worst Thing is actually just the best, full stop.

I have so much to say about this book that I’m actually kind of speechless? Honestly, it’s not easy to describe because it is so many (wonderful!) things. It is incredible funny, romantic as hell. It is raw and vulnerable in a way that’s both comforting and bruising at times. It’s heartbreaking. It’s life affirming. It’s a beautiful exploration of love and loss. It’s a hell of a lot of fun. And at its core, it’s an exploration of how lost you can get in your own narrative.

Nicole and Logan — my god, does this man love her. He sees her in a way she can’t even see herself. This story is their second chance. But I think the real love affair here, the true second chance romance is the chance Nicole is given to fall back in love with herself.

Here’s to a couple of dorks who finally get it right. Here’s to the best I Actually Live in LA depiction of life in LA that I’ve read in ages. Here’s to the women in your life who tell you the truth. Here’s to weekend coffee runs and Michigan hats and kind, loving men who mean what they say. And here’s to The Best Worst Thing, which is an incredibly special book.

Lauren, I can’t wait to see what’s next.

The Best Worst Thing comes out 10/14.

A huge thank you to Avon Books, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC!

Wow. I devoured The Best Worst Thing this weekend. Going in, I was a little hesitant, worried I might not connect with the infertility theme since I personally chose not to have kids. But oh, how wrong I was. My heart absolutely broke for the FMC, and I was completely immersed from the very first pages. And Logan—what can I even say? I love him wholeheartedly. He’s one of those MMCs you just carry with you long after the story ends.

For a debut, this novel is such a pleasant surprise. I did wonder at times if there could’ve been more drama between Nicole and Gabe, but in the end, I really appreciated the way the storyline unfolded. It felt honest, heartfelt, and beautifully told.

I can honestly say this might be one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far, and I can’t wait for everyone else to experience it when it comes out on October 14. I’m already looking forward to listening to the audiobook for a whole new experience.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

Ahhh!! I finished Lauren Okie’s debut novel in 24 hours. Hooked from the start on this beautiful story following lead Nicole after she finds out her husband’s been cheating on her after a years long fertility journey. Quickly after following the news she reconciles with an old work colleague and we are met with Logan who is camp counselor hot in the best way. What follows is beyond your basic romance novel and I was smitten with the writing and banter. I’m so sad it’s over and can’t wait to see more of what Lauren writes!

The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie
Published by Avon | Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

When I picked up The Best Worst Thing, I expected something light, maybe a little glossy—based on the charming, cheery cover that looks like it’s about to hand you a glass of rosé and a breakup playlist. What I got instead? A full-blown emotional excavation wrapped in whip-smart dialogue, late-night breakdowns, and one of the most tender, unhinged, and painfully relatable second-chance love stories I’ve read in ages. Lauren Okie delivers chaos with depth, heartbreak with humor, and a romance so earned, you’ll want to hug your Kindle (or throw it—twice).

Nicole Speyer had a life that looked good on paper: a fertility podcast with decent listenership, a suburban house with a spotless kitchen island, and a husband who, from the outside, played the part. What she didn’t have: a baby, peace of mind, or a clue that her husband was cheating on her with their dog walker—the literary equivalent of slipping on a banana peel while holding your last hope in a test tube. The discovery arrives just hours after her final embryo transfer to a surrogate. Timing: cruel. Life: a mess. Nicole: a woman with zero remaining chill.

Enter Logan Milgram. Former coworker. D&D nerd. Human golden retriever with emotionally intelligent eyes and just enough stubble to haunt your dreams. When Nicole shows up drunk on his doorstep, he does what any secretly-in-love soft boy would do: he lets her in. What follows is a beautifully awkward, laugh-out-loud, slow-burn reconnection filled with banter, repressed feelings, and more emotionally loaded glances than a season of The Office.

Let me be clear: this isn’t a tidy little rom-com. Nicole is not always likable—and that’s the point. She’s raw, confused, often selfish, and deeply human. Her infertility journey is portrayed with unflinching honesty. Her grief isn’t poetic; it’s jagged. Her self-worth is in shambles. And yet, Okie never strips her of agency. Nicole’s pain is complicated and personal, and watching her work through it—with Logan, with her friends, and mostly with herself—is messy in the best way.

And Logan? He’s not a plot device. He’s not a fixer. He’s a man who waits. He gives Nicole space. He lets her be terrible sometimes. He reads the books she loves and listens to what she doesn’t say. He’s got big “I will build you a bookshelf and label the shelves” energy, and frankly, we need more of that.

The dialogue here crackles. The banter between Nicole and Logan is sharp without being snarky, layered with history, resentment, yearning, and unresolved everything. There are flashbacks to their old work friendship that add dimension and depth, and plenty of moments that will have you muttering “just kiss already” into your sleeve.

And while the infertility and infidelity plotlines are central, they don’t drown the story—they inform it. They shape Nicole’s choices. Her failures feel real. Her triumphs don’t come easy. It’s not just about falling in love—it’s about deciding you deserve love after losing everything you thought would make you whole.

Also: the third-act breakup? Actually justified. Twice. And yes, I wanted to scream into a pillow both times, but I also respected it. Nicole doesn’t get a shortcut. She earns every inch of her growth. By the time the ending arrives—soft, lovely, and full of emotional payoff—you believe in her again. Maybe for the first time.

Quote:
“The worst things cracked her open. But the cracks let the light in. And the light looked a hell of a lot like Logan Milgram.”

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I really enjoyed this book it had me hooked from the beginging. It has it all, betrayal, heartbreak, healing, and the sweetest golden retriever energy love interest. Nicole’s journey was messy, raw, and so real.
I really loved watching Nicole’s growth and the way she slowly rediscovered her strength and worth. The writing was relatable, and the character development had depth. These characters had me rooting for them. Very honored to have the opportunity to read this book in advance.

I loved this book so much. I’ve been ruminating on my thoughts, trying to generate coherent review points since finishing it two weeks ago, yet I still can’t find the words to accurately express just how deeply this story and its characters touched my heart and burrowed into my soul.
Nicole is an incredible character. She’s messy, honest, raw, flawed—and just trying to do her best despite the deep trauma she’s experiencing on her journey to become a mother. When she discovers her husband has been cheating on her, it becomes the catalyst for uprooting her seemingly perfect life and finally reaching for the last strands of happiness with her old coworker, Logan—the man she was always drawn to. He was the right man for her, just at the wrong time.

Their journey to a happily ever after is anything but easy. It’s hard-won, full of angst, hurt, miscommunication, and pain—but it’s also achingly real. And it’s filled with hope and earnestness. My heart ached for them to find their way to a life of fulfillment, both in their individual strengths and together.

This is an incredible debut. Okie writes with gorgeous prose and connects with her readers on a visceral level. I’m so grateful for stories like this and will be recommending it to everyone I know.