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.
Kindle Edition, 416 pages
Published October 7, 2025
by Saturday Books
3/5 stars
Overdue was my first time reading Stephanie Perkins, the bookish title immediately caught my attention. I’ve been on a streak with bookish-themed reads lately, so this felt like it would be right up my alley.
Overdue follows Ingrid, a 29-year-old librarian who has been with her college sweetheart, Cory, for eleven years. When the relationship starts to feel a little stagnant, they decide to take a one-month break, it should send Ingrid on a path of reevaluating who she is and what she really wants.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that this book might not be for me. Ingrid had one thing on her mind during that break and that focus made it harder for me to connect with her choices. At 416 pages the story also felt a bit long for what it was trying to accomplish. I eventually switched over to the audiobook, which - thanks to an excellent narrator - helped me push through and stay engaged.
While I did appreciate the overall premise and some of Ingrid’s reflective moments, I found myself wishing for more balance. A point of view from Macon, and even Cory, would have added depth and rounded out the story nicely, especially given the emotional weight behind everyone’s decisions.
In the end, Overdue had an intriguing setup and a cozy, bookish vibe.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that this book might not be for me. Ingrid had one thing on her mind during that break and that focus made it harder for me to connect with her choices. At 416 pages the story also felt a bit long for what it was trying to accomplish. I eventually switched over to the audiobook, which - thanks to an excellent narrator - helped me push through and stay engaged.
While I did appreciate the overall premise and some of Ingrid’s reflective moments, I found myself wishing for more balance. A point of view from Macon, and even Cory, would have added depth and rounded out the story nicely, especially given the emotional weight behind everyone’s decisions.
In the end, Overdue had an intriguing setup and a cozy, bookish vibe.
My thanks to Saturday Books for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.
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