From the publisher:
A SPARKLING ADULT DEBUT FROM BELOVED NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR STEPHANIE PERKINS!
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.“Bestseller Perkins delivers a touching novel about self-discovery and growth…the tantalizing, slow-burning romance leads to a delicious payoff.” ― Publishers Weekly
“This cozy contemporary romance allows readers to consider their own life choices while enjoying a slow-burn love story.” ― Library Journal
Let me start by saying that I love the cover of this book, and there is a deluxe edition that looks incredible!
Ingrid, a 29-year-old librarian, has been with her boyfriend, Cory, for more than a decade. He was her first real boyfriend and relationship, so when her younger sister suddenly gets engaged after just two years of dating, Ingrid begins to wonder why her own relationship has never moved forward. After one difficult conversation, she and Cory agree to an unexpected plan: a one-month break, living separately and free to date other people to see if they’re truly right for each other. What’s meant to be thirty days of space slowly turns into months, forcing Ingrid to confront what she really wants.
At first, her attention drifts toward Macon, her 39-year-old grumpy coworker at the library. Their friendship has always felt like it could lead to something more, but when Ingrid impulsively kisses him, it backfires—creating an awkward rift between them. To distract herself, she dives into dating apps and new experiences, but Macon remains in the background: brooding, jealous, and unwilling to make a move..
Over the course of the year, Ingrid faces heartbreak, self-discovery, and the messy process of letting go and beginning again. The heart of the story lies in her growth—watching her evolve from someone clinging to comfort into someone willing to face change is deeply rewarding.
In the end, this novel shines in its themes of identity, change, and realizing that not every relationship—no matter how long—has to last forever. Ingrid’s journey feels authentic, and her transformation is satisfying to witness, but the slow pacing weakens the story’s impact. It’s a meaningful read with heartfelt themes, yet it drags in places.
This is the second time in recent memory that a Library Reads recommendation has disappointed—this one was even the top pick for October. I can’t help but think that if Ingrid were a baker, a florist, or a lawyer instead of a librarian, this book might not have made the list. Librarians, I say this with love: not every book about books, bookstores, and/or libraries needs a gold star!
10/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
OVERDUE by Stephanie Perkins. Saturday Books. ( October 7, 2025). ISBN: 978-1250313461. 416p.
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