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Freitags im Mondlicht
Zwei Fremde und eine Parkbank im Es könnte so romantisch sein. Doch Iris hat ihre eigenen Prioritäten – und die Liebe gehört nicht dazu.
Ein so berührendes wie humorvolles Debüt über die Kunst, sich selbst und der Liebe eine zweite Chance zu geben.
Iris Nightingale geht es mehr als gut. Sie hat ihre Routinen (Arbeit, Joggen, Schlafen), und sie hat ihre Regeln. Eine davon besagt, dass man sich niemals neben jemand Fremden auf eine Parkbank setzt. Erst recht nicht auf die Bank, auf der Iris regelmäßig ihre Freitagabende verbringt und versucht, die Erinnerungen zu verdrängen, denen sie nicht davonjoggen kann. Doch eines Abends bricht ein Unbekannter diese Hunter Monroe. Groß, sarkastisch, ärgerlich gesprächig. Alles an ihm bringt Iris gegen ihn auf. Kurzerhand lässt sie ihn sitzen. Dass sie Hunter nicht so leicht aus dem Weg gehen kann, ahnt sie erst, als sie ihn am nächsten Morgen in der Büro-Dusche wiedertrifft – als neuen Berater in der Firma, in der Iris als Ingenieurin arbeitet. Und zu allem Überfluss soll sie auch noch mit ihm an einer externen Fortbildung teilnehmen, ausgerechnet zum Jubiläum des Tages, den Iris für immer vergessen will …
Ein so berührendes wie humorvolles Debüt über die Kunst, sich selbst und der Liebe eine zweite Chance zu geben.
Iris Nightingale geht es mehr als gut. Sie hat ihre Routinen (Arbeit, Joggen, Schlafen), und sie hat ihre Regeln. Eine davon besagt, dass man sich niemals neben jemand Fremden auf eine Parkbank setzt. Erst recht nicht auf die Bank, auf der Iris regelmäßig ihre Freitagabende verbringt und versucht, die Erinnerungen zu verdrängen, denen sie nicht davonjoggen kann. Doch eines Abends bricht ein Unbekannter diese Hunter Monroe. Groß, sarkastisch, ärgerlich gesprächig. Alles an ihm bringt Iris gegen ihn auf. Kurzerhand lässt sie ihn sitzen. Dass sie Hunter nicht so leicht aus dem Weg gehen kann, ahnt sie erst, als sie ihn am nächsten Morgen in der Büro-Dusche wiedertrifft – als neuen Berater in der Firma, in der Iris als Ingenieurin arbeitet. Und zu allem Überfluss soll sie auch noch mit ihm an einer externen Fortbildung teilnehmen, ausgerechnet zum Jubiläum des Tages, den Iris für immer vergessen will …
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2025
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231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
June 25, 2024
Couldn’t finish this one. I am so sick of the “arrogant man that makes the otherwise competent woman look like a bumbling fool” trope. Especially when every time she looks at him she is immediately lost in thinking about his body and can’t even do her job. Please. 🙄
June 11, 2024
Audiobook. Nice enough story, did enjoy it while hiking and painting the living room, but the tropes, gender roles and repetitions, although fitting for the genre, are just too much for me.
June 2, 2024
I was looking through the plus catalog and this caught my eye. I went in without reading the synopsis and overall it was an entertaining listen. The more serious moments were balanced well with humor and the romantic subplot was very cute. I loved the banter between Iris and Hunter and their slow burn build up was well done. Hunter's small gestures of care throughout were so sweet and I appreciated how he gave Iris time to reconcile her feelings. The book falls more into women's fiction than romance though, since the heart of the story is about Iris and her journey.
Iris's history is revealed slowly over the course of the book, but it was hinted at pretty heavily and I figured out the twists early on. This unfortunately made the book drag for me especially in the second half, since I was waiting for the official reveal. It was an intriguing twist for sure, but it lost some of the impact because of this. I also felt the ending was very rushed in an effort to pull everything together and I'm never a fan of the miscommunication/refusal to communicate tropes. I still appreciated the conversations about complicated grief, forgiveness, and chasing happiness though. The narration by Jenna Coleman was great, but I do wish that she would have had a bit more variation in the voices she used.
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4 stars
Story 3.5 stars
CW: divorce, complicated grief, dementia (secondary character), alcoholism (past), anxiety, suicide (past), embezzlement, death of loved ones (past), gambling addiction, depression
Iris's history is revealed slowly over the course of the book, but it was hinted at pretty heavily and I figured out the twists early on. This unfortunately made the book drag for me especially in the second half, since I was waiting for the official reveal. It was an intriguing twist for sure, but it lost some of the impact because of this. I also felt the ending was very rushed in an effort to pull everything together and I'm never a fan of the miscommunication/refusal to communicate tropes. I still appreciated the conversations about complicated grief, forgiveness, and chasing happiness though. The narration by Jenna Coleman was great, but I do wish that she would have had a bit more variation in the voices she used.
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4 stars
Story 3.5 stars
CW: divorce, complicated grief, dementia (secondary character), alcoholism (past), anxiety, suicide (past), embezzlement, death of loved ones (past), gambling addiction, depression
July 29, 2024
Iris, is not, in fact, okay. Iris is a mess. Had the author not inexplicably waited until chapter 32/42 to explain what had happened to Iris’ husband Elliot, I may have had more sympathy. But by that point, only being in Iris’s POV had grated on my last nerve.
But Hunter just flat out ghosting her for the other *plot twist* was too much. And the “happy ending” was so abrupt that I did not think for one minute these two would stay together forever without extensive therapy.
If Jenna Coleman hadn’t been such a good narrator, I would have DNFd.
But Hunter just flat out ghosting her for the other *plot twist* was too much. And the “happy ending” was so abrupt that I did not think for one minute these two would stay together forever without extensive therapy.
If Jenna Coleman hadn’t been such a good narrator, I would have DNFd.
June 1, 2024
I love Jenna Coleman so when I heard that she was narrating Iris Is More Than Okay, I knew I'd love it. I love audiobooks but sometimes the narrator makes all the difference.
Iris is an engineer for a perfume company and she has her own routines. She runs on specific days and has a certain bench at her local park that she likes to sit at. When a stranger places himself next to her on the bench one day, she is not happy. She is less than enthused to bump into him at work the following day.
Hunter has been hired by her firm to analyse and see what they could do better. He is divorced and we learn that Iris was married also but no longer is.
As these two develop feelings for each other, it isn't easy. Secrets come out, coincidentally linking them together without them knowing it.
This is a beautiful story about loss, heartbreak, finding love and allowing yourself to move on. I loved the characters of Iris and Hunter together and separately. The exploration of their relationship was wonderfully paced and you really felt Iris's hurt. A beautiful story that I found absolutely no faults with.
Trigger warnings: suicide, gambling addiction.
Iris is an engineer for a perfume company and she has her own routines. She runs on specific days and has a certain bench at her local park that she likes to sit at. When a stranger places himself next to her on the bench one day, she is not happy. She is less than enthused to bump into him at work the following day.
Hunter has been hired by her firm to analyse and see what they could do better. He is divorced and we learn that Iris was married also but no longer is.
As these two develop feelings for each other, it isn't easy. Secrets come out, coincidentally linking them together without them knowing it.
This is a beautiful story about loss, heartbreak, finding love and allowing yourself to move on. I loved the characters of Iris and Hunter together and separately. The exploration of their relationship was wonderfully paced and you really felt Iris's hurt. A beautiful story that I found absolutely no faults with.
Trigger warnings: suicide, gambling addiction.
August 10, 2024
I listened to it because it was free on Audible. And I wanted background noise for doing the dishes.
Well, it was good for that, but it's so full of tropes that I can't consider the characters actual human beings.
Tall, handsome, confident, fit, dark-haired man that is good at running, cooking, and everything else you could wish for, has eyes for the most annoying woman. Great.
Well, it was good for that, but it's so full of tropes that I can't consider the characters actual human beings.
Tall, handsome, confident, fit, dark-haired man that is good at running, cooking, and everything else you could wish for, has eyes for the most annoying woman. Great.
June 28, 2024
What a boring story. It is not even worth printing.
October 31, 2024
Iris is not okay. The love interest is not okay either... Therapy for you all! 💆♀️
I like to read stories about people close to my age, around 30-40ish, as I'm sick of all the teenage drama. But reading (listening) about adults acting like children...is even worse. 😤 I hate the no-communication trope. It just drags the story for no reason.
It was too long and repetitive, so instead of being sad, it was boring. 😴
2.5 stars.
I like to read stories about people close to my age, around 30-40ish, as I'm sick of all the teenage drama. But reading (listening) about adults acting like children...is even worse. 😤 I hate the no-communication trope. It just drags the story for no reason.
It was too long and repetitive, so instead of being sad, it was boring. 😴
2.5 stars.
to-revisit-later
June 28, 2024I will have to revisit later. I just.. wasn't into it.
June 24, 2024
Summarized by a song —
Begin Again - Taylor Swift
Review —
Solid 4 stars.
That was just a cute, feel good, second chance at love, story. Premise was good, execution was good, I enjoyed having a capable and intelligent woman with an engineering degree and lofty ambitions as the FMC, there were parts I felt like the author might have just googled buzzwords for, like the “digital transformation” talk at the conference, but that might have just been me wanting to know more about how the digital transformation was being described that made it seem surface level.
The MMC was set well, other than being tall and good looking there wasn’t comments paid to how well endowed he was and I like that in a book, we can’t all be Cassian with enormous x2.
Third act break came down to communication, and I know people harp on communication tropes a lot, but everyone is bad at communication, and if you think you’re not, you are. These were both mostly well adjusted adults who were afraid of reaching out and explaining themselves with fear of being rejected, or misunderstood. It’s valid and in here for it.
Live Tweets —
3:06 - Ok how tall is this man?
9:06 - There have not been a lot of zingers in this book, but "I don't bite... unless you want me to" 🥶
Begin Again - Taylor Swift
Review —
Solid 4 stars.
That was just a cute, feel good, second chance at love, story. Premise was good, execution was good, I enjoyed having a capable and intelligent woman with an engineering degree and lofty ambitions as the FMC, there were parts I felt like the author might have just googled buzzwords for, like the “digital transformation” talk at the conference, but that might have just been me wanting to know more about how the digital transformation was being described that made it seem surface level.
The MMC was set well, other than being tall and good looking there wasn’t comments paid to how well endowed he was and I like that in a book, we can’t all be Cassian with enormous x2.
Third act break came down to communication, and I know people harp on communication tropes a lot, but everyone is bad at communication, and if you think you’re not, you are. These were both mostly well adjusted adults who were afraid of reaching out and explaining themselves with fear of being rejected, or misunderstood. It’s valid and in here for it.
Live Tweets —
3:06 - Ok how tall is this man?
9:06 - There have not been a lot of zingers in this book, but "I don't bite... unless you want me to" 🥶
October 7, 2024
Did I enjoy the audiobook? Sure. However, I don’t think the author should’ve waited so long to explain exactly what happened to Elliot considering he was mentioned so often in the story. It made the reveal w/Hunter later on seem fairly interesting as well given any sort of connections, but still. Would recommend listening to the story, but make sure to check for any TW’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2024
3.5
It was sad. Iris. I was stuck between telling her to do something and completely understanding why she wanted to do nothing. When she made a move on the guy it felt a little forced, but the feeling of self-destruction was real. I can say I saw the two twists coming.
It was sad. Iris. I was stuck between telling her to do something and completely understanding why she wanted to do nothing. When she made a move on the guy it felt a little forced, but the feeling of self-destruction was real. I can say I saw the two twists coming.
October 16, 2024
This was a lovely read with an excellently clever twist I’m very proud I predicted a whopping 10 minutes before it was revealed. Call me Sherlock.
October 30, 2024
5 Brilliant & Utterly Moving Stars!!!
November 20, 2024
Just under 4⭐️ was a really lovely story. Found the fmc to be quite frustrating though, but liked the whole premise of it!
January 29, 2025
I would have given it 3.5 stars but having Jenna Coleman narrate it was amazing so that definitely bumped up the rating for me.
March 25, 2025
Cringe but not even in a fun way
September 25, 2025
Very much enjoyed the feel good factor of this book 😁
July 11, 2024
2.5/3
November 19, 2025
second audible listen and I was bored out of my mind during this, i am so sorry
time to use my credits!
time to use my credits!
August 19, 2024
I enjoyed this title, I thought it was going to be the same romance script if others but a surprising twist - didn’t see that but coming. Kept me gripped and wanting to keep finishing the next chapter and then the next. Very well written so you can imagine everything the author was saying. (A little too clear in some parts 😳) Overall, very good
December 26, 2024
Hackneyed... very mills and boon
July 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this one even though the main character could be a little annoying sometimes. The two leads had good banter and there were a couple of twists I didn’t see coming. I
February 18, 2025
A light read and overall it was an entertaining listen. It was based on a “second chance” love story. I enjoyed seeing how the romance between the two characters folded out. Jenna Colman’s narration was great
September 13, 2024
The twist actually got me!
Read
June 17, 2024Dnf! Life is too short not to. It just wasn’t for me, and if you’re getting fully dressed including your jacket THEN blowing dry your hair, I cannot possibly get on with you. I need 2 days and an ice bath to deal with hair!
July 5, 2024
Listened to this on audible, great narration but I did find the way Jenna Coleman pronounced certain words annoying.
Book had a cute story but it was predictable.
Book had a cute story but it was predictable.
August 16, 2024
DNF: listened to about 30%?
When it comes to romance, external power dynamics make me uncomfortable, especially when they're based on real-world situations. Things like teacher/student or boss/subordinate romances aren't forbidden fantasies to me. They're just wildly inappropriate.
Iris is More than Okay isn't your standard boss/subordinate romance because Hunter isn't really Iris' boss, but he is in a work-based position of power over her and she keep talking about how he's "basically her boss" and how he could make her lose her job. Every time one of these reminders popped up, I cringed as I was reminded how inappropriate this situation was. I finally reached a point where it was too much for me and I gave up.
That summary may make you think that this is just a romance novel, but it's not. Iris is clearly not even remotely okay as she's processing some heavy grief related to her failed first marriage. The novel is trying to make the source of that grief a twist, but I think it's rather obvious what the twist is going to be - - which was the other reason that I decided to give up on this one. I was getting quite frustrated over the dragged out reveal. I was tired of watching characters hint at what happened. I wanted something to just say it so that we could explore it in depth instead of suffering through vague allusion after vague allusion.
If you like slowly paced novels about processing grief and don't mind boss/subordinate romances, then you may really enjoy this one. Hunter seems like a solid romantic lead. Iris is a bit of an ass towards him, but their banter is fun and the book is about her processing grief, so I think that's just part of her journey. The audiobook narrator was excellent and was the main reason that I made it as far as I did because I really was enjoying listening to her.
When it comes to romance, external power dynamics make me uncomfortable, especially when they're based on real-world situations. Things like teacher/student or boss/subordinate romances aren't forbidden fantasies to me. They're just wildly inappropriate.
Iris is More than Okay isn't your standard boss/subordinate romance because Hunter isn't really Iris' boss, but he is in a work-based position of power over her and she keep talking about how he's "basically her boss" and how he could make her lose her job. Every time one of these reminders popped up, I cringed as I was reminded how inappropriate this situation was. I finally reached a point where it was too much for me and I gave up.
That summary may make you think that this is just a romance novel, but it's not. Iris is clearly not even remotely okay as she's processing some heavy grief related to her failed first marriage. The novel is trying to make the source of that grief a twist, but I think it's rather obvious what the twist is going to be - - which was the other reason that I decided to give up on this one. I was getting quite frustrated over the dragged out reveal. I was tired of watching characters hint at what happened. I wanted something to just say it so that we could explore it in depth instead of suffering through vague allusion after vague allusion.
If you like slowly paced novels about processing grief and don't mind boss/subordinate romances, then you may really enjoy this one. Hunter seems like a solid romantic lead. Iris is a bit of an ass towards him, but their banter is fun and the book is about her processing grief, so I think that's just part of her journey. The audiobook narrator was excellent and was the main reason that I made it as far as I did because I really was enjoying listening to her.
July 8, 2024
I only got 1 hour into the audiobook until I decided it would be a huge waste of my time. This has potential but it's so incredibly repetitive. The constant back and forth with Iris and Hunter is so cringy and incredibly boring! It's literally as if kids were talking to each other. Every single thing Iris says Hunter repeats and makes sure it's made to his advantage but it's not in a quirky way it's quite the opposite. In the hour all they do is contradict each other, that's all. we get nothing about the characters just talking back and forth.
A literal conversation they had:
and on and on. That goes on for the entire 25 minutes!
Nah thank you
A literal conversation they had:
and on and on. That goes on for the entire 25 minutes!
Nah thank you
July 3, 2024
Such an evocative book to listen to. Hearing Jenna Coleman’s voice narrate was such an utter pleasure. Quite a few plot twists that took me by surprise. I love it when an author can make me think one thing and then reveal something completed different.
Pointedly the two scenarios that I can think of are when Iris revealed that her husband Elliott had passed away, not simply gotten a divorce. Death by suicide… I was crying my eyes out. Iris’ inner voice had always denied that narrative and made the separation sound so vague. Then all of a sudden when she is telling Hunter we as the reader also find out.
The second surprise plot twist for me was when Hunter told Iris that the reason he dipped out on her without explanation was because he knew her husband who had passed away. That he was involved in finding out that Elliott had been in over his head in gambling debt and using his company to commit fraud to help pay it back. I never would have considered that connection to be the reason Hunter ran away in fear and guilt.
I’m so happy Iris and Hunter ended up getting their happily ever after. I shall be following this author and also looking for other books narrated by people I know of💕 10 out of 10 would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to listen to it!
Pointedly the two scenarios that I can think of are when Iris revealed that her husband Elliott had passed away, not simply gotten a divorce. Death by suicide… I was crying my eyes out. Iris’ inner voice had always denied that narrative and made the separation sound so vague. Then all of a sudden when she is telling Hunter we as the reader also find out.
The second surprise plot twist for me was when Hunter told Iris that the reason he dipped out on her without explanation was because he knew her husband who had passed away. That he was involved in finding out that Elliott had been in over his head in gambling debt and using his company to commit fraud to help pay it back. I never would have considered that connection to be the reason Hunter ran away in fear and guilt.
I’m so happy Iris and Hunter ended up getting their happily ever after. I shall be following this author and also looking for other books narrated by people I know of💕 10 out of 10 would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to listen to it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews