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Overdue: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 7 Oct 25A SPARKLING ADULT DEBUT FROM BELOVED NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR STEPHANIE PERKINS
"Stephanie Perkins is the reason we write romance. OVERDUE is the book her readers have been waiting for." —Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Paradise Problem
Is it time to renew love or start a new chapter?
Ingrid Dahl, a cheerful twenty-nine-year-old librarian in the cozy mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina, has been happily dating her college boyfriend, Cory, for eleven years without ever discussing marriage. But when Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement to a woman she’s only been dating for two years, Ingrid and Cory feel pressured to consider their future. Neither has ever been with anybody else, so they make an unconventional decision. They'll take a one-month break to date other people, then they'll reunite and move toward marriage. Ingrid even has someone in her charmingly grumpy coworker, Macon Nowakowski, on whom she’s secretly crushed for years. But plans go awry, and when the month ends, Ingrid and Cory realize they’re not ready to resume their relationship—and Ingrid’s harmless crush on Macon has turned into something much more complicated.
Overdue is a beautiful, slow-burn romance full of lust and longing about new beginnings and finding your way.
"Stephanie Perkins is the reason we write romance. OVERDUE is the book her readers have been waiting for." —Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Paradise Problem
Is it time to renew love or start a new chapter?
Ingrid Dahl, a cheerful twenty-nine-year-old librarian in the cozy mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina, has been happily dating her college boyfriend, Cory, for eleven years without ever discussing marriage. But when Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement to a woman she’s only been dating for two years, Ingrid and Cory feel pressured to consider their future. Neither has ever been with anybody else, so they make an unconventional decision. They'll take a one-month break to date other people, then they'll reunite and move toward marriage. Ingrid even has someone in her charmingly grumpy coworker, Macon Nowakowski, on whom she’s secretly crushed for years. But plans go awry, and when the month ends, Ingrid and Cory realize they’re not ready to resume their relationship—and Ingrid’s harmless crush on Macon has turned into something much more complicated.
Overdue is a beautiful, slow-burn romance full of lust and longing about new beginnings and finding your way.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 7, 2025
62 people are currently reading
35256 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Perkins
26 books27.3k followersHi, there! I'm Stephanie Perkins, and I'm a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author. My next novel is called Overdue, and it's a sweet and swoony romance for adults that will be published on October 7, 2025. I'm also the author of three YA romance novels, Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and Isla and the Happily Ever After, as well as two YA horror novels, There's Someone Inside Your House, which was adapted into a film for Netflix, and The Woods Are Always Watching. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called My True Love Gave to Me and its companion anthology Summer Days and Summer Nights.
I don't check my 카지노싸이트 inbox! Better ways to reach me are listed here on my website: , and you can also find me on Instagram:
I don't check my 카지노싸이트 inbox! Better ways to reach me are listed here on my website: , and you can also find me on Instagram:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 507 reviews
May 11, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's/Saturday Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me preface this by saying as I deeply enjoy the majority of St. Martin's books I have read I am not sure if this is an outlier or if I'm just not in a good mood and after a while this will grow on me.
Now to the review.
In this book we follow a woman who decided to take a one month break with her boyfriend so they could date other people before deciding to get married. We pick up after this decision, which surprised me and led me to believe this would be a fast paced read, which it was NOT. We spend a year following Ingrid, and let me tell you, it felt like it.
There is slow burn and then there is whatever this is. From 14% I could tell this wasn't for me, but I persisted because I thought it would get better. The writing style is so slow and we spend a lot of time in parts we really didn't need to. At 80% the main character was still fixated on something that happened in the very beginning, and then from nowhere everything was resolved and we moved to the honeymoon phase. I just don't think it worked for me.
At the halfway point something happens with her boyfriend and I realized the book would be much less boring if we followed him, or did a split pov between them both. It is too long and while I like slow burn romance this was done in a way that didn't work at all.
If you decide to read it, just keep all this in mind, it might be helpful to know beforehand.
Let me preface this by saying as I deeply enjoy the majority of St. Martin's books I have read I am not sure if this is an outlier or if I'm just not in a good mood and after a while this will grow on me.
Now to the review.
In this book we follow a woman who decided to take a one month break with her boyfriend so they could date other people before deciding to get married. We pick up after this decision, which surprised me and led me to believe this would be a fast paced read, which it was NOT. We spend a year following Ingrid, and let me tell you, it felt like it.
There is slow burn and then there is whatever this is. From 14% I could tell this wasn't for me, but I persisted because I thought it would get better. The writing style is so slow and we spend a lot of time in parts we really didn't need to. At 80% the main character was still fixated on something that happened in the very beginning, and then from nowhere everything was resolved and we moved to the honeymoon phase. I just don't think it worked for me.
At the halfway point something happens with her boyfriend and I realized the book would be much less boring if we followed him, or did a split pov between them both. It is too long and while I like slow burn romance this was done in a way that didn't work at all.
If you decide to read it, just keep all this in mind, it might be helpful to know beforehand.
April 21, 2025
This was a very slow burn romance read. This book was told from the female main character’s perspective. It is lighthearted, emotional and hopeful. This also came with some humor in it as well! This book is in the fictional contemporary romance genre. I felt like it was more of a women’s fiction novel than a romance read. The romance does happen in the book, but it takes a while to get to that part. It is medium paced, has lovable characters and animals, and I found this to be a cozy read. Furthermore, it is also a grumpy and sunshine romance. This is about new beginnings and finding true happiness!
“Overdue” is centered around the female main character, whose name is Ingrid. She is a librarian who has been dating her college boyfriend for eleven years. Ingrid and her boyfriend take a one month break from each other to see if they were meant to be together forever. Be sure to read the content warnings. Overall, I found this to be a reasonable read. I give it a 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Stephanie Perkins and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025!
“Overdue” is centered around the female main character, whose name is Ingrid. She is a librarian who has been dating her college boyfriend for eleven years. Ingrid and her boyfriend take a one month break from each other to see if they were meant to be together forever. Be sure to read the content warnings. Overall, I found this to be a reasonable read. I give it a 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Stephanie Perkins and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025!
May 19, 2025
post reading thoughts: thank you to Netgalley and Saturday Books for the arc!
watching paint dry would've been a better use of time. this took slow burn to a whole new level. i've had candles melt faster than this.
that being said, this was really cute and sweet and heartfelt. if you're someone who loves books and loves genuine connections, this will be your perfect read. i loved that it was grumpy x sunshine and i LOVED! the age gap. macon was such a refreshing love interest and his passion for cooking, gardening, reading and, of course, ingrid fill your heart with all the warm and fuzzies.
my only real qualms with this one were the fact that it was set over a year and felt just as long as an actual year. i also didn't love the beginning just because i didn't feel like the sleeping around was true to ingrids character and she treated some hopefuls pretty poorly.
overall, a great little read from an og. she's still got it! look out for this in october!
-
the tween-teen writer to romance author pipeline is too good
watching paint dry would've been a better use of time. this took slow burn to a whole new level. i've had candles melt faster than this.
that being said, this was really cute and sweet and heartfelt. if you're someone who loves books and loves genuine connections, this will be your perfect read. i loved that it was grumpy x sunshine and i LOVED! the age gap. macon was such a refreshing love interest and his passion for cooking, gardening, reading and, of course, ingrid fill your heart with all the warm and fuzzies.
my only real qualms with this one were the fact that it was set over a year and felt just as long as an actual year. i also didn't love the beginning just because i didn't feel like the sleeping around was true to ingrids character and she treated some hopefuls pretty poorly.
overall, a great little read from an og. she's still got it! look out for this in october!
-
the tween-teen writer to romance author pipeline is too good
February 6, 2025
Did I cry in absolute happiness? Yes, yes I did.
What a nice escape from this hellscape.
What a nice escape from this hellscape.
June 27, 2025
3 stars- a bit too slow for me.
If you’re a fan slow burns, a la Mariana Zapata, this may be your kind of book. But if you’re looking for a fast-paced or escapist romance, Overdue might not hit the mark. I’d actually classify it more as women’s fiction than a traditional romance—it’s realistic, emotionally grounded, and sometimes heavy.
There’s a lot to admire here: the friendship between Ingrid and Macon is quirky and endearing, and I appreciated how the story explored the pressure of not meeting conventional life milestones. The library setting also gave the book a cozy, heartfelt backdrop.
That said, the pacing really held me back. The beginning dragged quite a bit—I didn’t feel invested until around Chapter 6. While I ended up appreciating the single POV (Ingrid’s), I still wished for a bit more insight into Macon earlier on. The emotional payoff was there by the end, but getting there felt like a bit of a slog.
Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Perkins, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
If you’re a fan slow burns, a la Mariana Zapata, this may be your kind of book. But if you’re looking for a fast-paced or escapist romance, Overdue might not hit the mark. I’d actually classify it more as women’s fiction than a traditional romance—it’s realistic, emotionally grounded, and sometimes heavy.
There’s a lot to admire here: the friendship between Ingrid and Macon is quirky and endearing, and I appreciated how the story explored the pressure of not meeting conventional life milestones. The library setting also gave the book a cozy, heartfelt backdrop.
That said, the pacing really held me back. The beginning dragged quite a bit—I didn’t feel invested until around Chapter 6. While I ended up appreciating the single POV (Ingrid’s), I still wished for a bit more insight into Macon earlier on. The emotional payoff was there by the end, but getting there felt like a bit of a slog.
Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Perkins, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.
July 22, 2025
I'm so excited for Stephanie Perkins’ return to romance—I devoured her books as a teen, and Overdue feels like a thoughtful, grown-up evolution of her earlier work. While the book is marketed as a romance, it’s just as much a story of personal growth and rediscovery.
Ingrid, a small-town librarian in a long-term relationship, agrees to a one-month break to explore what she’s been missing—and yes, she has a certain grumpy coworker in mind. But what unfolds is not a whirlwind office romance (though that slow burn is glorious), but a journey of self-reflection, mistakes, longing, and ultimately learning to prioritize yourself after spending years doing the opposite.
I really appreciated that this wasn’t overly dramatic or sappy. It doesn’t try to force a “happy ending” in a traditional romance sense—it earns its payoff by focusing on Ingrid's evolution first. The pacing might feel too slow for some, but I personally loved how grounded and realistic it was. Watching Ingrid step outside the only relationship she’s ever known, navigate dating again, and reevaluate her career and family relationships made her feel incredibly real.
And Macon? He’s prickly, hilarious, and just the right kind of emotionally complicated. I do wish we got a little more from his POV, but staying in Ingrid’s head made the payoff feel more satisfying.
If you’re into slow burns, emotional honesty, and stories that center women finding themselves, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ingrid, a small-town librarian in a long-term relationship, agrees to a one-month break to explore what she’s been missing—and yes, she has a certain grumpy coworker in mind. But what unfolds is not a whirlwind office romance (though that slow burn is glorious), but a journey of self-reflection, mistakes, longing, and ultimately learning to prioritize yourself after spending years doing the opposite.
I really appreciated that this wasn’t overly dramatic or sappy. It doesn’t try to force a “happy ending” in a traditional romance sense—it earns its payoff by focusing on Ingrid's evolution first. The pacing might feel too slow for some, but I personally loved how grounded and realistic it was. Watching Ingrid step outside the only relationship she’s ever known, navigate dating again, and reevaluate her career and family relationships made her feel incredibly real.
And Macon? He’s prickly, hilarious, and just the right kind of emotionally complicated. I do wish we got a little more from his POV, but staying in Ingrid’s head made the payoff feel more satisfying.
If you’re into slow burns, emotional honesty, and stories that center women finding themselves, this one’s for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2025
3.5 Stars!
~~~~~~~
I am usually not a huge fan of a slow-burning romance. I mean, I get it. You have to have the buildup and all of the details to build a relationship. I’m cool with that, but to stretch something all the way to the extreme ending of the book, I am not that big a fan of that type of structure. So, knowing that with this review upfront, you can understand why this reader got a little frustrated.
I loved the female main character. She was a little gutsy, but definitely beat herself up constantly. She was completely in lust and in love with Macon. She was also a bit confused as she was taking a break from her long-time boyfriend.
The male main character, on the other hand… it took me a really long time to warm up to him. He didn’t have any endearing characteristics that I could find at first. It was a little baffling why the FMC was heartsick over him at first.
He had minimal conversation skills. He was awkward; secretive. He didn’t speak much or interact much until the last half of the book. It would’ve helped if we had his point of view dropped in every so often to balance the loooong day-to-day yearning.
The plot itself and what the FMC was building were great. I love the fact that they became really good friends, and Macon was such a huge support to her. It certainly made up for the first part of the story when his qualities did not come through.
Overdue is a sweet story. There are some really great parts, and the author added in humor, hope, and lightness to balance out this slow-burning romance. The ending truly made this story.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review -
~~~~~~~
I am usually not a huge fan of a slow-burning romance. I mean, I get it. You have to have the buildup and all of the details to build a relationship. I’m cool with that, but to stretch something all the way to the extreme ending of the book, I am not that big a fan of that type of structure. So, knowing that with this review upfront, you can understand why this reader got a little frustrated.
I loved the female main character. She was a little gutsy, but definitely beat herself up constantly. She was completely in lust and in love with Macon. She was also a bit confused as she was taking a break from her long-time boyfriend.
The male main character, on the other hand… it took me a really long time to warm up to him. He didn’t have any endearing characteristics that I could find at first. It was a little baffling why the FMC was heartsick over him at first.
He had minimal conversation skills. He was awkward; secretive. He didn’t speak much or interact much until the last half of the book. It would’ve helped if we had his point of view dropped in every so often to balance the loooong day-to-day yearning.
The plot itself and what the FMC was building were great. I love the fact that they became really good friends, and Macon was such a huge support to her. It certainly made up for the first part of the story when his qualities did not come through.
Overdue is a sweet story. There are some really great parts, and the author added in humor, hope, and lightness to balance out this slow-burning romance. The ending truly made this story.
~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review -
March 30, 2025
This is just one of the most boring romances with some blandness characters. Totally forgettable book that wasn't for me.
June 3, 2025
I received a free copy of, Overdue, by Stephanie Perkins, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ingrid Dahl is a librarian in North Carolina. Ingrid and her boyfriend decide to take a break to see if they really want to continue their relationship. This book was way to slow. I did not care for Ingrid either.
March 9, 2025
happy valentine’s day to me!!! i’m weeping tears of joy. stephanie perkins has been one of the authors that created my sanctuary when i was younger; i remember long days and tiresome nights rereading anna and the french kiss until i felt okay again, whole again. i’ve always loved her books, her writing, the way she paints romance, and how two people together, in her stories, meld together and can lighten each other up and make everything just right. i’ve always loved this about her. this book is then, somehow, more of the same and yet an even more extrapolated story: we get to follow the fmc from the start to the end of one of the most harrowing years of her life. this is more than a romance book— it’s a love letter to reading and to readers, to booksellers and to librarians. it’s a love letter to books. and it’s a love letter to me, who has grown up and matured with this author’s work, from apprehensive young adult to tumultuous and wonderful adult fiction.
(and i cannot stop myself from sighing happily: there was no third act fallout!!!! which might seem immaterial, now, but god, when everyone reads this book and experiences firsthand the exquisite torture this book wields—angst upon angst upon angst. i was begging for relief and weeping in my bed reading this) (it is surreal) (very lukelorelai) 4.5/5 stars and thank you so much to saturday books for the arc.
(and i cannot stop myself from sighing happily: there was no third act fallout!!!! which might seem immaterial, now, but god, when everyone reads this book and experiences firsthand the exquisite torture this book wields—angst upon angst upon angst. i was begging for relief and weeping in my bed reading this) (it is surreal) (very lukelorelai) 4.5/5 stars and thank you so much to saturday books for the arc.
May 1, 2025
This book probably didn’t have much of a chance with me. I really hate the “let’s take a break from our relationship and date other people to prove we truly love each other” trope. It’s just the worst idea ever. It never works. Ingrid and Cory have been together forever but haven’t taken the next step towards marriage. So they decide to date/sleep around for a month and then they’ll be sure they want to get married. I just can’t buy the entire set up. If they actually wanted to get married, they would have. End of story. There’s a whole series of dates that just bored me and a fairly bland and tensionless relationship with her co-worker that we’re supposed to root for and I don’t get it.
April 30, 2025
This is a slow burn romance for people who love books. The story is told over the course of a year from the point of view of Ingrid. She is a librarian who has been in a relationship with her boyfriend for ten years. Their relationship has grown stagnant and when she learns of her sister's engagement, her boyfriend and her decide to take a break. Ingrid starts to go on dates but realizes that her grumpy fellow librarian, Macon, might just be the one she was meant to be with all along.
This was a sweet story and a good escape after a long day of work. I enjoyed Ingrid's story and the changes she made in her life. There were some laugh out loud moments for me. I also always enjoy a story that features a cat and yummy food. After finishing this book I do kind of what to make a career change as well. My only complaint is that it did feel long. The book took place over a year and at times it just felt like the pacing could move a little quicker. Overall, this was a heartwarming story that I think book lovers will like.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
This was a sweet story and a good escape after a long day of work. I enjoyed Ingrid's story and the changes she made in her life. There were some laugh out loud moments for me. I also always enjoy a story that features a cat and yummy food. After finishing this book I do kind of what to make a career change as well. My only complaint is that it did feel long. The book took place over a year and at times it just felt like the pacing could move a little quicker. Overall, this was a heartwarming story that I think book lovers will like.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Want to read
July 2, 2025Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martins Press for this eARC!
Need me some cozy, slow burn romance 💘
Publication date: October 7, 2025
Need me some cozy, slow burn romance 💘
Publication date: October 7, 2025
April 28, 2025
Overall, 4.5 stars, this book was so realistic and gave me all the feels.
**Fans of Mariana Zapata will probably love this book. If you don't like a slow burn romance, then this is not the book for you. Overdue is more realistic than most contemporary romance reads, it's not really an escape book, I would put it more in the Women's Fiction genre than romance.**
I loved so many things about this book, the friendship between Ingrid and Macon and the quirkiness of their friendship, Ingrid's change in career path, the burden of aging parents, the library setting, and most of all, Macon. Macon is so prickly but in such a charming way. This book did a wonderful job exploring the idea of an "ideal" life trajectory, college, job, marriage, kids, happily ever after, but that doesn't exist for everyone. Ingrid measured herself against her friends and found her life lacking. I enjoyed seeing her finding her way through trial and error and some mishaps along the way. The friendship between Ingrid and Macon was so special and I just loved them so much. During the book I really wanted a dual POV to see Macon's side but boy, I was happy that it ended up being just Ingrid's POV, it would've taken away from the ending. The only downside to this book was the beginning, I felt that the book started way too slow and I almost lost interest, it started to pick up around Chapter 4.
Format: ebook
Thank you so much NetGalley, Stephanie Perkins, and St.Martin's Press for this arc.
*Friends to lovers
*Slow burn
*Grumpy/Sunshine
*Single 1st person POV - Ingrid
"Libraries were a safe and warm space for vulnerable people, and our downtown location received the highest volume of them by far."
**Fans of Mariana Zapata will probably love this book. If you don't like a slow burn romance, then this is not the book for you. Overdue is more realistic than most contemporary romance reads, it's not really an escape book, I would put it more in the Women's Fiction genre than romance.**
I loved so many things about this book, the friendship between Ingrid and Macon and the quirkiness of their friendship, Ingrid's change in career path, the burden of aging parents, the library setting, and most of all, Macon. Macon is so prickly but in such a charming way. This book did a wonderful job exploring the idea of an "ideal" life trajectory, college, job, marriage, kids, happily ever after, but that doesn't exist for everyone. Ingrid measured herself against her friends and found her life lacking. I enjoyed seeing her finding her way through trial and error and some mishaps along the way. The friendship between Ingrid and Macon was so special and I just loved them so much. During the book I really wanted a dual POV to see Macon's side but boy, I was happy that it ended up being just Ingrid's POV, it would've taken away from the ending. The only downside to this book was the beginning, I felt that the book started way too slow and I almost lost interest, it started to pick up around Chapter 4.
Format: ebook
Thank you so much NetGalley, Stephanie Perkins, and St.Martin's Press for this arc.
*Friends to lovers
*Slow burn
*Grumpy/Sunshine
*Single 1st person POV - Ingrid
"Libraries were a safe and warm space for vulnerable people, and our downtown location received the highest volume of them by far."
Want to read
April 4, 2025Overdue, that’s a Good Title for Me and my Books and Life in General. It’s Set in North Carolina where I live, so going to give it a try.
📖 👍🏼👎🏽 ?
📖 👍🏼👎🏽 ?
May 12, 2025
The slow burn, the engaging characters, and a story that just gets into your blood drove me to finish this in one happy go. Romance fans will cry, "More! More!"
tbr-3
April 15, 2025It's pretty and bookish....
| | |
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
| | |
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
April 5, 2025
Ingrid and her boyfriend have dated for 11 yrs and have never dated anyone else. When her little sister
gets engaged- they decide to take a month long break and try dating other people before deciding whether they’re spending the rest of their lives together.
The premise of the story was interesting, and it was well written and had a good cast of characters- I did appreciate the side characters did seem interesting and well developed.
But I have never read a romance book where
the two leads have so little chemistry. I don’t understand why Ingrid was so obsessed with Macon. I love good slowburn, but the vibe between them very much gave off platonic soulmates (until like the 20% ). I liked the other guys that she went out with better. I was very much not invested in the romantic relationship-and thought it was boring. I honestly thought the side
plots/projects were a lot more interesting.
I did not like Ingrid, she was really self-absorbed, when she reached out to her friends it usually was because she needed something from them and didn’t seem to take much interest in their lives. I also thought it was kind of messed up how she treated the guys from her dating experiment. I also just thought she was boring (and I say this as also someone who loves
staying home to read).
I was also confused by her spiral towards the middle of the book- the book starts with her and Cory already on their break, we don’t see them interact all that much and it seemed like both had checked out of the relationship ages ago. So I was confused by the crisis she was going through. It was way too dramatic. This was the entirety of Ch 17:
“And then my tears dried up, and I was empty.”
And in the subsequent chapters she kept referring to herself as a shell, like the “my shell did
this,” “shell did that.” It was cringey.
I feel like Ingrid is a co-dependent person, she’s been with someone since she was like 18. And
even when they're not together there’s still someone there, I don’t think she knows how to be by
herself. And I don’t think this was addressed very well in the book.
It also should’ve been shorter, was way too long. Did not need to be 400+ pages
gets engaged- they decide to take a month long break and try dating other people before deciding whether they’re spending the rest of their lives together.
The premise of the story was interesting, and it was well written and had a good cast of characters- I did appreciate the side characters did seem interesting and well developed.
But I have never read a romance book where
the two leads have so little chemistry. I don’t understand why Ingrid was so obsessed with Macon. I love good slowburn, but the vibe between them very much gave off platonic soulmates (until like the 20% ). I liked the other guys that she went out with better. I was very much not invested in the romantic relationship-and thought it was boring. I honestly thought the side
plots/projects were a lot more interesting.
I did not like Ingrid, she was really self-absorbed, when she reached out to her friends it usually was because she needed something from them and didn’t seem to take much interest in their lives. I also thought it was kind of messed up how she treated the guys from her dating experiment. I also just thought she was boring (and I say this as also someone who loves
staying home to read).
I was also confused by her spiral towards the middle of the book- the book starts with her and Cory already on their break, we don’t see them interact all that much and it seemed like both had checked out of the relationship ages ago. So I was confused by the crisis she was going through. It was way too dramatic. This was the entirety of Ch 17:
“And then my tears dried up, and I was empty.”
And in the subsequent chapters she kept referring to herself as a shell, like the “my shell did
this,” “shell did that.” It was cringey.
I feel like Ingrid is a co-dependent person, she’s been with someone since she was like 18. And
even when they're not together there’s still someone there, I don’t think she knows how to be by
herself. And I don’t think this was addressed very well in the book.
It also should’ve been shorter, was way too long. Did not need to be 400+ pages
February 28, 2025
Overdue was screaming to me when I read the synopsis. I loved the homage to book lovers, the realistic aspect of what dating is like in modern day, and the longing for someone that someone with the uncertainty of ruining friendship. I will say this book was a slooooooooow burn and I also found certain adjectives/descriptions off-putting and even juvenile at times.
March 23, 2025
A new romance by Stephanie Perkins was long 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝘂𝗲. (HA!) (that was dumb)
Ingrid Dahl and her boyfriend have been in a mostly-platonic-less-romantic relationship for the past eleven years and they've decided to take a month longbreak to see new people then get back together to marry (icky).
But Ingrid has the perfect man in mind... her longtime co-worker and best friend Macon. Now she's started to see her life anew and she doesn’t wanna get back together with her ex again and realises all she has ever wanted might have been right in front of her.
~
Let me begin by saying Ingrid, the fmc, is not exactly virtuous she definitely has made some questionable decisions but damn if I didn't have fun reading this.
The entire plot, although icky at times, was so well executed I'm giddy. The jealousy scenes, the pining, the chemistry, the angst and the confession... beautiful beyond words.
I will say though, keep your mind open going into this because you'll likely want to leave off after the first half (where the character's integrity is questionable) but I promise the slowest of all slow burns is quite worth it.
~
4.01 / 5 ★
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ingrid Dahl and her boyfriend have been in a mostly-platonic-less-romantic relationship for the past eleven years and they've decided to take a month longbreak to see new people then get back together to marry (icky).
But Ingrid has the perfect man in mind... her longtime co-worker and best friend Macon. Now she's started to see her life anew and she doesn’t wanna get back together with her ex again and realises all she has ever wanted might have been right in front of her.
~
Let me begin by saying Ingrid, the fmc, is not exactly virtuous she definitely has made some questionable decisions but damn if I didn't have fun reading this.
The entire plot, although icky at times, was so well executed I'm giddy. The jealousy scenes, the pining, the chemistry, the angst and the confession... beautiful beyond words.
I will say though, keep your mind open going into this because you'll likely want to leave off after the first half (where the character's integrity is questionable) but I promise the slowest of all slow burns is quite worth it.
~
4.01 / 5 ★
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 10, 2025
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wow! This was seriously the slowest of slow burns and I loved every second of it. I loved Ingrid's bubbly yet introverted personality. I loved Macon's grumpiness but also just how genuinely kind and attentive he was. I loved how the main characters were older than most romcom characters. loved how the author had such a variety of characters from all different backgrounds and different lifestyles, I loved how mental health was a background topic that was so delicately talked about. Basically, I just loved this book so much and I think you should read it.
Wow! This was seriously the slowest of slow burns and I loved every second of it. I loved Ingrid's bubbly yet introverted personality. I loved Macon's grumpiness but also just how genuinely kind and attentive he was. I loved how the main characters were older than most romcom characters. loved how the author had such a variety of characters from all different backgrounds and different lifestyles, I loved how mental health was a background topic that was so delicately talked about. Basically, I just loved this book so much and I think you should read it.
Read
June 21, 2025This was my second NetGalley e-ARC. I wasn’t fully engrossed in the story, but the writing was really well done. I loved the librarian role and the cozy mountain/coastal town setting—it gave the book a warm, charming feel. The beginning was a bit slow, but there were some genuinely funny moments throughout, and I enjoyed how upfront and bold the main character’s friends were.
March 13, 2025
I loved Stephanie Perkins books when I was younger - they were some of the first young adult books I obsessed over! So I was really excited when I was invited to read her new adult novel, Overdue. Unfortunately, it ultimately fell flat for me and I didn’t finish. First of all, it’s way too long. It could have been wrapped in 250 pages, but it was over 400. Second, the writing still felt like she was trapped in YA mode. It isn’t bad, I just felt it was a bit too immature for me. Third, the plot - and this is the most important - was just…dumb. A long term couple, Ingrid and Cory, have spent over a decade together decide to take a month apart so they can decide if they want to marry. If you don’t know if you want to marry someone after a year, the answer is probably no. 10 years? Definitely not. So we all know where this is heading. Ingrid works at a library, which is my favorite part of the book and why I read more than I wanted to. Macon is her grumpy coworker that she clearly loves. She tried to kiss him and he put a stop to it, so she pretty much hides from embarrassment for the rest of the month, only to find out Cory has been sleeping with someone and wants to take another month off. Relieved, because she doesn’t really want to be with him and definitely doesn’t want to marry him, she agrees. Then she starts dating around and sleeping around the second month, and I’m pretty sure she hurt a guy or two because she was still hung up on Macon, so that was lame. And then…Macon just doesn’t do it for me - not that Cory made me swoon either. I could be totally wrong, but Macon makes me think of a short pudgy guy who wears a lot of turtlenecks and khakis and has a bad bowl haircut and always looks and smells greasy. And maybe it’s because he’s awkward but he just doesn’t seem that nice. Anyway, I just expected more. More from Ingrid, more from Macon, and more from Stephanie Perkins.
2 stars because I like the library aspect and the cover is gorgeous!
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.
2 stars because I like the library aspect and the cover is gorgeous!
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.
May 17, 2025
I thought this would be a very different story than it turned out to be. Librarian Ingrid and her longtime boyfriend Cory have been together since college. Ingrid's now 29 and with her younger sister getting married, wondering why she and Cory haven't done the same. The two agree that they need to take a month-long "break" to date other people before settling down, since they never had a chance to do so before meeting one another.
But after a month, neither is ready for marriage. And while Ingrid was turned down by her co-worker, Macon, her crush on him isn't going away. So Ingrid and Cory extend their break...
This is such a slow burn romance, and I would argue it's a book about finding yourself that turns into a romance. Ingrid has spent so long with Cory that she realizes she doesn't really know herself, so before she can commit to anything, she has to learn about herself. After Macon rejects her, she does date other people, but can't help always returning to Macon. The two start up a friendship, but it oozes with the undercurrent of their tension, and they have some pretty good banter going as well.
Of the two, I certainly preferred Macon and found myself wishing we heard from his POV once in a while. He's dealing with a lot--family members with various mental illness--and I just identified with his gruff, sarcastic manner. While Ingrid presents as cheerful, she often came across as ungrateful to me. I understand that her unhappiness was somewhat the point; she's finding herself and working out what truly makes her happy, but sometimes you wanted to shake her.
It takes a while to get into this story; you certainly want the Macon and Ingrid romance to happen right away. Still, I eventually warmed up to the way the plot was going. The end made me smile, and there's a cat, which is always a plus. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for OVERDUE on 10/07/2025!
But after a month, neither is ready for marriage. And while Ingrid was turned down by her co-worker, Macon, her crush on him isn't going away. So Ingrid and Cory extend their break...
This is such a slow burn romance, and I would argue it's a book about finding yourself that turns into a romance. Ingrid has spent so long with Cory that she realizes she doesn't really know herself, so before she can commit to anything, she has to learn about herself. After Macon rejects her, she does date other people, but can't help always returning to Macon. The two start up a friendship, but it oozes with the undercurrent of their tension, and they have some pretty good banter going as well.
Of the two, I certainly preferred Macon and found myself wishing we heard from his POV once in a while. He's dealing with a lot--family members with various mental illness--and I just identified with his gruff, sarcastic manner. While Ingrid presents as cheerful, she often came across as ungrateful to me. I understand that her unhappiness was somewhat the point; she's finding herself and working out what truly makes her happy, but sometimes you wanted to shake her.
It takes a while to get into this story; you certainly want the Macon and Ingrid romance to happen right away. Still, I eventually warmed up to the way the plot was going. The end made me smile, and there's a cat, which is always a plus. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for OVERDUE on 10/07/2025!
March 19, 2025
watching these two fall in love with each other was a little like watching paint dry, and I don’t mean in a delicious, angsty slow burn type of way.
✰ 3.5 stars, Étienne St. Clair is her best book boyfriend. you may argue with the wall if you would like.
thank you to St. Martin's Press and Saturday Books for the ebook arc in exchange for an honest review
platform: netgalley ebook arc
✰ 3.5 stars, Étienne St. Clair is her best book boyfriend. you may argue with the wall if you would like.
thank you to St. Martin's Press and Saturday Books for the ebook arc in exchange for an honest review
platform: netgalley ebook arc
April 21, 2025
Thank you to Netgally and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC 💕
FMC - Ingrid: 4 🌟
MMC - Macon: ♾️ 🌟
Spice: 🌶
LIKES: I absolutely adore Macon. He is one of the most sweet, thoughtful, respectful, wonderfully green flag men I've ever read 💕
The book was well-written and possibly one of the most realistic romance novels I've read in a while. I liked all the characters, and I was so beyond happy that Ingrid and Cory managed to stay friends in the end!
DISLIKES: It is a verrrrrrrrrry long slow-burn and slow-moving plot. I was a little disappointed that it took that long for Ingrid and Macon to become an item, though it warmed my heart when they did finally make their feelings known.
And throughout Ingrid's Tinder adventures, which I felt was my least favorite part of the book, I didn't like how she ended things with Gareth. But that's just a small tidbit I didn't like :p
While it wasn't the most memorable romance book I've read, looking back on it now that I've finished it, I genuinely enjoyed it! I appreciate how real the characters and their experiences are, making it a relatable and sweet romance story that I'm so happy I had the chance to read 😊
Favorite scene: Ingrid and Macon's first "I love you"s
FMC - Ingrid: 4 🌟
MMC - Macon: ♾️ 🌟
Spice: 🌶
LIKES: I absolutely adore Macon. He is one of the most sweet, thoughtful, respectful, wonderfully green flag men I've ever read 💕
The book was well-written and possibly one of the most realistic romance novels I've read in a while. I liked all the characters, and I was so beyond happy that Ingrid and Cory managed to stay friends in the end!
DISLIKES: It is a verrrrrrrrrry long slow-burn and slow-moving plot. I was a little disappointed that it took that long for Ingrid and Macon to become an item, though it warmed my heart when they did finally make their feelings known.
And throughout Ingrid's Tinder adventures, which I felt was my least favorite part of the book, I didn't like how she ended things with Gareth. But that's just a small tidbit I didn't like :p
While it wasn't the most memorable romance book I've read, looking back on it now that I've finished it, I genuinely enjoyed it! I appreciate how real the characters and their experiences are, making it a relatable and sweet romance story that I'm so happy I had the chance to read 😊
Favorite scene: Ingrid and Macon's first "I love you"s
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
Don't know if I'd say this book needed to be as long as it was - great to see the protagonist really live through that odd transient period of her life! Super! Great to take our time with her ✨journey✨! How and ever, it does start to feel a bit maddening when you, as a reader, can see the forest for the trees when she can't (again, fair for realism, maddening for plot and pacing).
Slow burn was slow burning, but, again, at what cost?
Not mad at the romance, but also not mad for it, so the book fell a little bit short for me in that aspect.
Where OVERDUE shines is in the careful character journey. There is something satisfying about following such a clear arc throughout a set period of time, and allowing a character's experience the space to breathe and come to life in vivid detail.
As a whole, a solid adult debut for a YA giant of the early days, but not quite lifechanging for me. (with the disclaimer that a lot of the elements that made me roll my eyes one time too many are particular to me and I'm sure they might fly with a different kind of reader)
Slow burn was slow burning, but, again, at what cost?
Not mad at the romance, but also not mad for it, so the book fell a little bit short for me in that aspect.
Where OVERDUE shines is in the careful character journey. There is something satisfying about following such a clear arc throughout a set period of time, and allowing a character's experience the space to breathe and come to life in vivid detail.
As a whole, a solid adult debut for a YA giant of the early days, but not quite lifechanging for me. (with the disclaimer that a lot of the elements that made me roll my eyes one time too many are particular to me and I'm sure they might fly with a different kind of reader)
May 14, 2025
Before I start my review, I have to point out that I RARELY ever give books one star. I hate DNFing books, and I considered DNFing just about every time I picked this book up, but I wanted to be able to share my thoughts on the book in its entirety since I was reading it as an advanced reader copy. Some of the points I make in my review are in spoiler territory, so if you plan on reading this book, just keep that in mind.
My first qualm with this book is that the synopsis did not capture the main plot of the story. The synopsis made it seem as if the "one month break" between Ingrid and Cory would be the focal point of this romance. I was surprised to see that by page 1, the conversation between the couple of taking a break had already happened. We, as readers, got little to no backstory as to why they decided to take a break in the first place. It was just something that was already implemented before the story even began. This book felt strangely repetitive when the couple decided not once, but TWICE that their one month break wasn't enough. At that point I was genuinely confused as to why they didn't just break up, as they were both dating and having sexual relationships with several other people. Which brings me to my next point - a chunk of this book was dedicated to Ingrid dating random men, either through her job or online. It took way too long to get to the actual point of the story, which was the romance between Ingrid and Macon.
I did not feel a connection between Ingrid and Macon whatsoever. This was the perfect example of she loves him, but he likes her. There wasn't much of a spark in this slow burn. And let me tell you, it was slowww. The couple did not have their first kiss until 82%, and the first smutty scene also occurred at the 82% mark. We waited that WHOLE time for the first kiss for the spice to follow immediately after? Mind you, Ingrid had said she loved Macon before they even had their first kiss. Just seems completely unrealistic to me.
Unfortunately I cannot think of one aspect about this book that I liked. It felt extremely long with no payoff.
My first qualm with this book is that the synopsis did not capture the main plot of the story. The synopsis made it seem as if the "one month break" between Ingrid and Cory would be the focal point of this romance. I was surprised to see that by page 1, the conversation between the couple of taking a break had already happened. We, as readers, got little to no backstory as to why they decided to take a break in the first place. It was just something that was already implemented before the story even began. This book felt strangely repetitive when the couple decided not once, but TWICE that their one month break wasn't enough. At that point I was genuinely confused as to why they didn't just break up, as they were both dating and having sexual relationships with several other people. Which brings me to my next point - a chunk of this book was dedicated to Ingrid dating random men, either through her job or online. It took way too long to get to the actual point of the story, which was the romance between Ingrid and Macon.
I did not feel a connection between Ingrid and Macon whatsoever. This was the perfect example of she loves him, but he likes her. There wasn't much of a spark in this slow burn. And let me tell you, it was slowww. The couple did not have their first kiss until 82%, and the first smutty scene also occurred at the 82% mark. We waited that WHOLE time for the first kiss for the spice to follow immediately after? Mind you, Ingrid had said she loved Macon before they even had their first kiss. Just seems completely unrealistic to me.
Unfortunately I cannot think of one aspect about this book that I liked. It felt extremely long with no payoff.
June 3, 2025
This might be the biggest disappointment of the year.
Most of the reviews for this book say the same thing: it moves at a snail's pace. And then they rate it anywhere from 1-5 stars depending on how nice they are. Well, trust it. This was an absolute snoozefest. I almost DNF'ed multiple times.
I was so excited to get an ARC for Stephanie Perkins's first ever adult novel. I mean, Stephanie Perkins! Her YA books were magic! But this book, Overdue, was not only devoid of magic, it also sucked out the magic from within me while I read it. STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOOK!
The entire book could have been ten pages long if the main girl whats-her-face, when attempting to kiss her coworker that she was in love with, had said "hey I like you I'm not just horny" instead of going on a dating rampage and then friendzoning this guy for a year before telling him she actually liked him all along.
Like obviously this book is about a girl who is going through a full life upheavel and learning lessons and growing up. But does it all have to be so boring while we do that? No fun shenanigans, no drama, no pranks. All seriousness all the time.
Next, this book was written for a very small group of people who fill all of the following characteristics: they wish they worked in a bookstore or library, are very politically and socially liberal, would walk around outside barefoot without caring about the germs, hate money, and are most likely white. Because of this, I did not relate or care about either of the characters or their decisions or lives. They were neither "the people's people" nor "people we aspire to be."
Stephanie Perkins what the hell is this. If this book isn't a flop, the world is doomed.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC.
Most of the reviews for this book say the same thing: it moves at a snail's pace. And then they rate it anywhere from 1-5 stars depending on how nice they are. Well, trust it. This was an absolute snoozefest. I almost DNF'ed multiple times.
I was so excited to get an ARC for Stephanie Perkins's first ever adult novel. I mean, Stephanie Perkins! Her YA books were magic! But this book, Overdue, was not only devoid of magic, it also sucked out the magic from within me while I read it. STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOOK!
The entire book could have been ten pages long if the main girl whats-her-face, when attempting to kiss her coworker that she was in love with, had said "hey I like you I'm not just horny" instead of going on a dating rampage and then friendzoning this guy for a year before telling him she actually liked him all along.
Like obviously this book is about a girl who is going through a full life upheavel and learning lessons and growing up. But does it all have to be so boring while we do that? No fun shenanigans, no drama, no pranks. All seriousness all the time.
Next, this book was written for a very small group of people who fill all of the following characteristics: they wish they worked in a bookstore or library, are very politically and socially liberal, would walk around outside barefoot without caring about the germs, hate money, and are most likely white. Because of this, I did not relate or care about either of the characters or their decisions or lives. They were neither "the people's people" nor "people we aspire to be."
Stephanie Perkins what the hell is this. If this book isn't a flop, the world is doomed.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC.
Read
March 21, 2025DNF @ 25%
I was really intrigued by the premise of this book as it sounded like it would be in a similar vein to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves, which I loved - but I ended up having to DNF.
Ingrid comes across as incredibly immature and naive for a character that’s supposed to be pushing 30. I can understand that she doesn’t have a lot of experience in asking men out/dating, but it came across like she’d never been with a man at all (when she’s been with her boyfriend for a decade) and had never gone on a single date. And Macon just creeped me out. I feel like the author was trying to make him into this quirky character (black tape over his phone camera because he doesn’t trust technology), but the way he’s described completely turned me off. The writing itself also felt more in line with a YA book than adult and a lot of the descriptions read very juvenile.
I wish this had worked out, but unfortunately this wasn’t a hit for me.
I was really intrigued by the premise of this book as it sounded like it would be in a similar vein to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves, which I loved - but I ended up having to DNF.
Ingrid comes across as incredibly immature and naive for a character that’s supposed to be pushing 30. I can understand that she doesn’t have a lot of experience in asking men out/dating, but it came across like she’d never been with a man at all (when she’s been with her boyfriend for a decade) and had never gone on a single date. And Macon just creeped me out. I feel like the author was trying to make him into this quirky character (black tape over his phone camera because he doesn’t trust technology), but the way he’s described completely turned me off. The writing itself also felt more in line with a YA book than adult and a lot of the descriptions read very juvenile.
I wish this had worked out, but unfortunately this wasn’t a hit for me.
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