Take a photo of a barcode or cover
jenbookish 's review for:
The Best Worst Thing
by Lauren Okie
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. What a remarkable debut novel. Heartfelt and authentic, this was an emotional gut punch in the best possible way.
This is a story of fate and timing, of love that is willing to go the extra mile versus love that is selfish. It’s a story about healing, growth, and self-discovery, all of which center around Nicole as she navigates infertility, her crumbling marriage, and her unexpected reconnection with Logan.
It’s been a long time since I felt such a strong connection to characters, and I think that’s largely because Okie doesn’t hold back. These aren’t one-dimensional caricatures but fully realized characters, defined by both their flaws and strengths. This book explores the effects of cheating in a very real, sometimes visceral way. It also explores gray areas related to infidelity, so readers who find this triggering should be warned. Confronting Gabe’s betrayal and Nicole’s infertility head-on can be tough to read, but it makes the story deeply compelling.
Nicole has spent years trying to be someone else’s idea of perfection, slowly losing pieces of herself to fit into Gabe’s life. When everything crumbles, she struggles to find her worth. The contrast in the relationships is telling: with Gabe, she is reserved and unsure of herself, whereas with Logan she comes to life. Logan isn’t perfect, but he’s perfect for Nicole; his humor and thoughtfulness give her space to thrive, though he can be too easygoing and tentative at times. And while Gabe’s behavior is truly abhorrent, I appreciate that the author didn’t make him a one-dimensional villain, which makes his disloyalty all the more heartbreaking.
Even though the plot occasionally drifts, the incredible strength of Nicole and Logan’s chemistry outweighs these minor flaws. Through past and present interactions, we see their relationship slowly unfold. In romance, chemistry lives and dies in small moments rather than grand gestures—in warm rapport and witty banter, which Nicole and Logan share in abundance. It’s these small, perfectly written moments that make their connection feel real.
There are so many other great things to mention about this book. I’ve barely touched on Nicole’s IVF journey or her friendship with her surrogate, Valerie, not to mention the friends and family members that surround Logan and Nicole. To say I liked this book would be a massive understatement, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for providing this advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a story of fate and timing, of love that is willing to go the extra mile versus love that is selfish. It’s a story about healing, growth, and self-discovery, all of which center around Nicole as she navigates infertility, her crumbling marriage, and her unexpected reconnection with Logan.
It’s been a long time since I felt such a strong connection to characters, and I think that’s largely because Okie doesn’t hold back. These aren’t one-dimensional caricatures but fully realized characters, defined by both their flaws and strengths. This book explores the effects of cheating in a very real, sometimes visceral way. It also explores gray areas related to infidelity, so readers who find this triggering should be warned. Confronting Gabe’s betrayal and Nicole’s infertility head-on can be tough to read, but it makes the story deeply compelling.
Nicole has spent years trying to be someone else’s idea of perfection, slowly losing pieces of herself to fit into Gabe’s life. When everything crumbles, she struggles to find her worth. The contrast in the relationships is telling: with Gabe, she is reserved and unsure of herself, whereas with Logan she comes to life. Logan isn’t perfect, but he’s perfect for Nicole; his humor and thoughtfulness give her space to thrive, though he can be too easygoing and tentative at times. And while Gabe’s behavior is truly abhorrent, I appreciate that the author didn’t make him a one-dimensional villain, which makes his disloyalty all the more heartbreaking.
Even though the plot occasionally drifts, the incredible strength of Nicole and Logan’s chemistry outweighs these minor flaws. Through past and present interactions, we see their relationship slowly unfold. In romance, chemistry lives and dies in small moments rather than grand gestures—in warm rapport and witty banter, which Nicole and Logan share in abundance. It’s these small, perfectly written moments that make their connection feel real.
There are so many other great things to mention about this book. I’ve barely touched on Nicole’s IVF journey or her friendship with her surrogate, Valerie, not to mention the friends and family members that surround Logan and Nicole. To say I liked this book would be a massive understatement, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for providing this advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.