Release date: October 7, 2025
Publisher: Saturday Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
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 mind: 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.
Review:
Overdue by Stephanie Perkins is a tender, reflective slow burn romance that feels tailor made for book lovers. Set against the charming backdrop of a library, it follows coworkers Ingrid and Mason as they quietly build a foundation of friendship that eventually blossoms into something deeper. If you enjoy grump/sunshine dynamics, age gap, lots of pining or the delicious tension of friends to lovers, this one will hit the mark.
What really stood out to me is how much the story leans into Ingrid’s personal growth. After she and her longtime boyfriend decide to take a month apart to date others, Ingrid embarks on a journey of self discovery that spans a full year. Along the way, she faces relatable challenges like navigating career uncertainty, helping Macon care for aging parents, and questioning traditional life milestones like marriage and children. These struggles make her feel incredibly authentic, and they add a layer of depth that makes this more than “just” a romance.
In many ways, the heart of Overdue is about learning that life doesn’t have to follow a cookie cutter plan. Watching Ingrid find her footing, heal, and come into her own makes the eventual romance with Mason that much more rewarding. It almost reads as general fiction with a romantic thread woven through, but it’s a story I thoroughly enjoyed and one that will resonate with readers who love thoughtful, character driven journeys.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 