What do you think?
Rate this book
The Best Worst Thing: A Novel
From a stunning new voice in romance, Lauren Okie’s The Best Worst Thing is an intimate story about starting over, second chances, and two people who cannot help falling into each other’s orbit once again.
All things considered, Nicole Speyer has a pretty amazing life. At least that’s what she tells herself. She’s got a beautiful house, a relatively successful fertility podcast, and a perfect husband, Gabe. The only thing that’s less than ideal is her years-long struggle with infertility—and how, with every passing day, she and Gabe seem to drift a little further apart.
But then, mere hours after a Hail Mary embryo transfer to her gestational carrier, Nicole discovers Gabe’s been sleeping with their dog walker, and her world turns upside down. Suddenly, a jobless, childless, and now-husbandless Nicole finds herself at the doorstep of somebody she tried to say goodbye to a long time ago.
Logan a former colleague with serious golden retriever energy who happens to be laugh-out-loud funny, a colossal nerd, and legitimately kind of hot. When Logan opens his door that night, it’s like no time has passed. And as they fall back into each other’s lives, Nicole starts recognizing herself in the mirror again. She even begins to like what she sees. And then, like a cruel joke, she gets the news she’s spent a lifetime waiting her surrogate is finally pregnant.
As her relationship with Logan develops from a blast-from-the-past fling into something much deeper, Nicole struggles to balance her past, present, and future. Racing against the clock, she must learn to forgive her body for falling short and recognize that sometimes, it’s the biggest betrayals in life that set us free. With everything on the line, can Nicole accept love from the greatest man she’s ever known . . . even if it’s nothing like the story she’d written for herself?
All things considered, Nicole Speyer has a pretty amazing life. At least that’s what she tells herself. She’s got a beautiful house, a relatively successful fertility podcast, and a perfect husband, Gabe. The only thing that’s less than ideal is her years-long struggle with infertility—and how, with every passing day, she and Gabe seem to drift a little further apart.
But then, mere hours after a Hail Mary embryo transfer to her gestational carrier, Nicole discovers Gabe’s been sleeping with their dog walker, and her world turns upside down. Suddenly, a jobless, childless, and now-husbandless Nicole finds herself at the doorstep of somebody she tried to say goodbye to a long time ago.
Logan a former colleague with serious golden retriever energy who happens to be laugh-out-loud funny, a colossal nerd, and legitimately kind of hot. When Logan opens his door that night, it’s like no time has passed. And as they fall back into each other’s lives, Nicole starts recognizing herself in the mirror again. She even begins to like what she sees. And then, like a cruel joke, she gets the news she’s spent a lifetime waiting her surrogate is finally pregnant.
As her relationship with Logan develops from a blast-from-the-past fling into something much deeper, Nicole struggles to balance her past, present, and future. Racing against the clock, she must learn to forgive her body for falling short and recognize that sometimes, it’s the biggest betrayals in life that set us free. With everything on the line, can Nicole accept love from the greatest man she’s ever known . . . even if it’s nothing like the story she’d written for herself?
411 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2025
291 people are currently reading
10144 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Okie
2 books126 followersHi, I’m Lauren Okie, and I write messy, hard-fought love stories. My debut, THE BEST WORST THING, is out now. Look out for TROPESICK, coming summer 2026, and follow me on IG (@laurenokieauthor) to keep up with my nonsense.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 608 reviews
Currently reading
October 5, 2025┆ ⤿ 🪷 ༝ pre-read:
SO EXCITED TO READ THIS ONE🤸🏻♀️ it has all my favorite tropes but for some reason I have a feeling this is going to break me too😭
SO EXCITED TO READ THIS ONE🤸🏻♀️ it has all my favorite tropes but for some reason I have a feeling this is going to break me too😭
June 25, 2025
he read ALL of the books she recommended even after they fell out of touch? hand in marriage. now.
getting all hot and bothered while watching P&P (2005) together (that’s real yearning)
also LOVED the emphasis on persuasion being the best jane austen (it is. you can’t prove me, nicole, and logan wrong)
also the reveal of what he wrote down on that piece of paper, i am dead, deceased.
Read my review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc to review
Bookstagram | Blog
getting all hot and bothered while watching P&P (2005) together (that’s real yearning)
also LOVED the emphasis on persuasion being the best jane austen (it is. you can’t prove me, nicole, and logan wrong)
also the reveal of what he wrote down on that piece of paper, i am dead, deceased.
Read my review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc to review
Bookstagram | Blog
September 28, 2025
Nicole Speyer has everything she could want. With a thriving podcast, the perfect husband, and the possibility of motherhood via surrogacy. But when she finds out that her husband, Gabe, has been having an affair, mere hours after an embryo transfer, her world is turned upside down. Enter Logan Milgram, her former colleague and the only man who made her second-guess her marriage.
Wow. If nothing else, 2025 has been the year of incredible debuts. While I had a sneaking suspicion that I was going to enjoy it, I was surprised to find myself actively smiling when we reached the end, these characters, particularly Nicole, having etched their story on my heart. Then again, perhaps it was already there.
As a mom who struggled with years-long infertility struggles, in many ways, her story is also my own. And for that reason, I think many women will find a connection to this book. The beautiful romance- well, that was the cherry on top. Seeing Nicole and Logan's friendship/flirtation of the past, bloom into the potential for more in the present, helped create a multi-faceted, relationship-rich story that was very easy to become completely immersed in.
🎧 This translates to audio fantastically well. Kristen Sieh is easily becoming a narrator fave and for good reason. She adds depth and breadth to the characters in a way that isn't possible with print. If you are an audiobook lover like myself, I highly recommend this one on audio.
Read if you like:
▪️women's fiction
▪️second chance at love
▪️emotional romance with depth
▪️debut novels
▪️journeys of self-discovery
CW: Infertility, miscarriage, infidelity
📆 Pubs: Oct 14, 2025
A huge thank you to Avon and Harper Audio for the advanced copies.
Wow. If nothing else, 2025 has been the year of incredible debuts. While I had a sneaking suspicion that I was going to enjoy it, I was surprised to find myself actively smiling when we reached the end, these characters, particularly Nicole, having etched their story on my heart. Then again, perhaps it was already there.
As a mom who struggled with years-long infertility struggles, in many ways, her story is also my own. And for that reason, I think many women will find a connection to this book. The beautiful romance- well, that was the cherry on top. Seeing Nicole and Logan's friendship/flirtation of the past, bloom into the potential for more in the present, helped create a multi-faceted, relationship-rich story that was very easy to become completely immersed in.
🎧 This translates to audio fantastically well. Kristen Sieh is easily becoming a narrator fave and for good reason. She adds depth and breadth to the characters in a way that isn't possible with print. If you are an audiobook lover like myself, I highly recommend this one on audio.
Read if you like:
▪️women's fiction
▪️second chance at love
▪️emotional romance with depth
▪️debut novels
▪️journeys of self-discovery
CW: Infertility, miscarriage, infidelity
📆 Pubs: Oct 14, 2025
A huge thank you to Avon and Harper Audio for the advanced copies.
October 13, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Onlookers who look at Nicole Speyer’s life might think she has it all. A perfect husband, a big house, and a fairly successful fertility podcast. But behind closed doors, Nicole struggles to get pregnant, and she and her husband, Gabe, are drifting apart day by day. Hours after an embryo transfer to her gestational carrier, Nicole finds out that Gabe is sleeping with their dog walker, her world bursting into flames. Feeling lonely and hopeless about her life, a drunk Nicole finds herself on the doorstep of Logan Milgram, a former colleague she tried to say goodbye to. And when he opens his door to her, Nicole remembers the laughter and joy she lost years prior with the man who is a major nerd who can name any historical event, plays video games with his buddies, and makes it his life mission to make her laugh every day.
As they spend more and more time together, Nicole begins to feel like herself again and develops deep feelings for Logan. But life is known for throwing curve balls, and the biggest one is the one Nicole had been wanting for the longest time: her surrogate is finally pregnant. Unsure of what to do with her past, present, and future, Nicole wants to do what is best for her baby yet hold onto the love Logan is offering her. But the question is, can she accept it when she feels like she doesn’t deserve anything good?
When I tell you that I ate this book up, I mean that I ATE THIS BOOK UP! I admit, I was wary when I read the first chapter, grimacing at the thought that I might waste my time on a mediocre book that will wind up disappointing me like It's Different This Time. But the chapters were short, so I pressed on and before I knew it, I was HOOKED. 🎣
Although the plot is kind of predictable, I was still all in for the ride of Nicole’s story. I truly felt sorry for her when she found out that her husband was cheating on her, and the pain and heartbreak she went through as she struggled with infertility. I wanted to give her a big hug. 🫂 But once Logan reentered her life, I was smiling like a fool and rooting for them. Logan is literally the sweetest, most amazing character I have ever read. I thought it was adorable how he was like a child in a thirty-nine-year-old man’s body, playing Dungeons and Dragons (my favorite chapter by the way) with his friends and naming random facts that literally no one cares about. But that just added to his charm. The man would do ANYTHING for Nicole, and that hurt my heart because…because…well, if you want to find out, you’re going to have to read the book!
I have a book hangover after that ending because, oh my gosh, I almost cried. 😭❤️🩹😅
HOWEVER, there are a few things that did annoy me, like the fact that Nicole should have gone to therapy ASAP. Why do books do this to us? Sure, characters wind up going to a therapist AFTER the fact of them making their lives worse, but can we have a story where one of the first places a character goes to after a traumatic event is to a specialist to talk things through with them? Another thing that kind of ruffled my feathers was the third-act breakup. There were basically two of them! Girl, I know you went through a lot, but that is no excuse to 1) not know what you want and 2) mess with Logan’s heart like that. 😭🙏🏼 You can’t toy with people like that! I was so mad at her, but then I remembered that this is a book, so I calmed down and continued reading. 😅
Besides that, I am truly shocked at how much I enjoyed this debut. I wrestled with what I should rate it, but after careful consideration, I thought 4.5, rounded to a 5, was fair because this will probably live rent-free in my mind for about a month or two. 😂
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! It is a very moving story, and I look forward to the books Lauren Okie will write in the future. ❤
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions infertility & miscarriages
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶.5/5)
Onlookers who look at Nicole Speyer’s life might think she has it all. A perfect husband, a big house, and a fairly successful fertility podcast. But behind closed doors, Nicole struggles to get pregnant, and she and her husband, Gabe, are drifting apart day by day. Hours after an embryo transfer to her gestational carrier, Nicole finds out that Gabe is sleeping with their dog walker, her world bursting into flames. Feeling lonely and hopeless about her life, a drunk Nicole finds herself on the doorstep of Logan Milgram, a former colleague she tried to say goodbye to. And when he opens his door to her, Nicole remembers the laughter and joy she lost years prior with the man who is a major nerd who can name any historical event, plays video games with his buddies, and makes it his life mission to make her laugh every day.
As they spend more and more time together, Nicole begins to feel like herself again and develops deep feelings for Logan. But life is known for throwing curve balls, and the biggest one is the one Nicole had been wanting for the longest time: her surrogate is finally pregnant. Unsure of what to do with her past, present, and future, Nicole wants to do what is best for her baby yet hold onto the love Logan is offering her. But the question is, can she accept it when she feels like she doesn’t deserve anything good?
When I tell you that I ate this book up, I mean that I ATE THIS BOOK UP! I admit, I was wary when I read the first chapter, grimacing at the thought that I might waste my time on a mediocre book that will wind up disappointing me like It's Different This Time. But the chapters were short, so I pressed on and before I knew it, I was HOOKED. 🎣
Although the plot is kind of predictable, I was still all in for the ride of Nicole’s story. I truly felt sorry for her when she found out that her husband was cheating on her, and the pain and heartbreak she went through as she struggled with infertility. I wanted to give her a big hug. 🫂 But once Logan reentered her life, I was smiling like a fool and rooting for them. Logan is literally the sweetest, most amazing character I have ever read. I thought it was adorable how he was like a child in a thirty-nine-year-old man’s body, playing Dungeons and Dragons (my favorite chapter by the way) with his friends and naming random facts that literally no one cares about. But that just added to his charm. The man would do ANYTHING for Nicole, and that hurt my heart because…because…well, if you want to find out, you’re going to have to read the book!
I have a book hangover after that ending because, oh my gosh, I almost cried. 😭❤️🩹😅
HOWEVER, there are a few things that did annoy me, like the fact that Nicole should have gone to therapy ASAP. Why do books do this to us? Sure, characters wind up going to a therapist AFTER the fact of them making their lives worse, but can we have a story where one of the first places a character goes to after a traumatic event is to a specialist to talk things through with them? Another thing that kind of ruffled my feathers was the third-act breakup. There were basically two of them! Girl, I know you went through a lot, but that is no excuse to 1) not know what you want and 2) mess with Logan’s heart like that. 😭🙏🏼 You can’t toy with people like that! I was so mad at her, but then I remembered that this is a book, so I calmed down and continued reading. 😅
Besides that, I am truly shocked at how much I enjoyed this debut. I wrestled with what I should rate it, but after careful consideration, I thought 4.5, rounded to a 5, was fair because this will probably live rent-free in my mind for about a month or two. 😂
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! It is a very moving story, and I look forward to the books Lauren Okie will write in the future. ❤
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions infertility & miscarriages
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶.5/5)
September 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
read this at the recommendation of miss jessica joyce (read: stalking her goodreads reviews) and stumbled upon one of the most painfully brutal yet uplifting stories of infertility, infidelity, self-growth, and letting others support you.
from the get-go, i was crying my heart out 20% in. this handles some delicate topics with absolute finesse but if cheating or infertility are a trigger, i’d be so cautious. as someone with no experience of these things, i was an absolute mess and feel for every person who thinks their body is somehow letting them down or “required” to perform a certain way.
this is also in no way an utter doom and gloom sob fest, as at multiple points i was putting the book down and cackling. her blooming romance truly had me giddy from the start and their banter is unrivaled. bullying is in fact a love language and i will subscribe to that belief until i die!
the only thing holding it back from a higher rating is how very tell-not-show it was. it was mostly the opposite which could be chalked up this being her debut, which i can overlook somewhat. i do feel though, that with the story she’s trying to tell here specifically, that we would’ve benefited from being SHOWN her previous love, her budding romance, her relationships with others, etc. it just seems like so much was explained to us as if we were friends catching up at brunch and i wanted to truly immerse myself in these moments!
thank you to netgalley and avon for the arc!!
read this at the recommendation of miss jessica joyce (read: stalking her goodreads reviews) and stumbled upon one of the most painfully brutal yet uplifting stories of infertility, infidelity, self-growth, and letting others support you.
from the get-go, i was crying my heart out 20% in. this handles some delicate topics with absolute finesse but if cheating or infertility are a trigger, i’d be so cautious. as someone with no experience of these things, i was an absolute mess and feel for every person who thinks their body is somehow letting them down or “required” to perform a certain way.
this is also in no way an utter doom and gloom sob fest, as at multiple points i was putting the book down and cackling. her blooming romance truly had me giddy from the start and their banter is unrivaled. bullying is in fact a love language and i will subscribe to that belief until i die!
the only thing holding it back from a higher rating is how very tell-not-show it was. it was mostly the opposite which could be chalked up this being her debut, which i can overlook somewhat. i do feel though, that with the story she’s trying to tell here specifically, that we would’ve benefited from being SHOWN her previous love, her budding romance, her relationships with others, etc. it just seems like so much was explained to us as if we were friends catching up at brunch and i wanted to truly immerse myself in these moments!
thank you to netgalley and avon for the arc!!
November 16, 2025
The Best Worst Thing follows Nicole, a woman whose journey is marked by heartbreak, infertility, and betrayal. After years of IVF treatments and eventually turning to surrogacy for a chance at motherhood, her world shatters when she discovers her husband, Gabe, is cheating on her with the dog walker. (side note… the dog walker??? really Gabe?? What a loser 😒) Struggling with the legal complications of divorce while a surrogate is carrying her child, Nicole feels lost, broken, and unsure of who she is outside of her marriage.
Enter Logan, an old colleague and once-close friend who reappears in her life just as everything is falling apart. The story shifts between past and present, exploring the history of their friendship while slowly moving toward something more. At its heart, this is a book about Nicole discovering her identity beyond being a wife or a mother, and I truly appreciated that message.
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
On paper, this should have been an emotional, second-chance story about resilience and healing. In practice, the execution was messy, dragged out, and ultimately left me more frustrated than moved. Conversations between Nicole and Logan felt long-winded and often unnecessary, and I was skimming by the 30% mark. 🥲🥲
The romance itself was one of the biggest issues for me. Nicole turned to Logan too quickly while she was still legally married to Gabe. It didn’t feel right that she was essentially dating someone new before fully closing that chapter. (even though Gabe was a terrible husband and completely unlikable) Instead of reading as a journey toward healing, the relationship felt rushed and unconvincing. Nicole just struck me as incredibly immature and wasn’t in a place where she was ready for Logan—or for any real relationship—and that undercut the impact of their story.
The strongest part of this novel, for me, was Nicole’s personal growth. Watching her slowly realize she was more than her infertility, more than a body that had “failed” her, and more than a wife defined by Gabe was powerful. I also deeply respect that the author wove her own infertility experience into the acknowledgments,(lots of hugs to you Lauren Okie 🫶🏼💕) which added authenticity to Nicole’s emotional struggles.
Unfortunately, outside of that… the romance fell flat. The pacing dragged, the story felt uneven, and I simply couldn’t root for Nicole and Logan as a couple, even though I liked him as a character. In the end, I walked away with admiration for the raw honesty about infertility, but overall disappointment in the execution of the plot and characters. 😔
things to know about the book ↓
💝 infertility
💝 cheating
💝 second chance (kinda)
💝 friends → lovers
💝 self discovery
💝 single pov (hers in third person)
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Lauren Okie for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
Enter Logan, an old colleague and once-close friend who reappears in her life just as everything is falling apart. The story shifts between past and present, exploring the history of their friendship while slowly moving toward something more. At its heart, this is a book about Nicole discovering her identity beyond being a wife or a mother, and I truly appreciated that message.
-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-
On paper, this should have been an emotional, second-chance story about resilience and healing. In practice, the execution was messy, dragged out, and ultimately left me more frustrated than moved. Conversations between Nicole and Logan felt long-winded and often unnecessary, and I was skimming by the 30% mark. 🥲🥲
The romance itself was one of the biggest issues for me. Nicole turned to Logan too quickly while she was still legally married to Gabe. It didn’t feel right that she was essentially dating someone new before fully closing that chapter. (even though Gabe was a terrible husband and completely unlikable) Instead of reading as a journey toward healing, the relationship felt rushed and unconvincing. Nicole just struck me as incredibly immature and wasn’t in a place where she was ready for Logan—or for any real relationship—and that undercut the impact of their story.
The strongest part of this novel, for me, was Nicole’s personal growth. Watching her slowly realize she was more than her infertility, more than a body that had “failed” her, and more than a wife defined by Gabe was powerful. I also deeply respect that the author wove her own infertility experience into the acknowledgments,(lots of hugs to you Lauren Okie 🫶🏼💕) which added authenticity to Nicole’s emotional struggles.
Unfortunately, outside of that… the romance fell flat. The pacing dragged, the story felt uneven, and I simply couldn’t root for Nicole and Logan as a couple, even though I liked him as a character. In the end, I walked away with admiration for the raw honesty about infertility, but overall disappointment in the execution of the plot and characters. 😔
things to know about the book ↓
💝 infertility
💝 cheating
💝 second chance (kinda)
💝 friends → lovers
💝 self discovery
💝 single pov (hers in third person)
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Lauren Okie for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.
November 15, 2025
“It had been him. It had been this. The whole time, it had been this.”
∞⭐ -- There’s something really special about romance books that don’t shy away from the sharp edges of reality. Some of the best love stories aren’t easy or cute or trope-driven. Sometimes they reflects the parts of ourselves we’d rather not look at.
The Best Worst Thing is everything I think romance should be. It’s funny and heartfelt and overwhelming and difficult and uncomfortable. Nicole’s journey isn’t easy, and she makes more than a few frustrating choices, but I still found myself rooting for her. It helps that Logan Milgram is the definition of a perfect book boyfriend. He’s steady, lovable, and someone you genuinely want Nicole to get it right with. But even he isn’t flawless, and that’s what makes their story feel real.
Okie’s writing is stunning. Its the kind of writing that makes you ache, not just because of how brilliant it is, but because of how easy it is to see your own bruises, your own mistakes, your own longing reflected back at you. It makes you feel infinite, like you’re living the life of these characters right alongside them.
This isn’t just one of my favorite books of the year… it’s one of my favorite romance novels of all time. And if this is a debut, I can’t even imagine what Okie has in store for us next.
∞⭐ -- There’s something really special about romance books that don’t shy away from the sharp edges of reality. Some of the best love stories aren’t easy or cute or trope-driven. Sometimes they reflects the parts of ourselves we’d rather not look at.
The Best Worst Thing is everything I think romance should be. It’s funny and heartfelt and overwhelming and difficult and uncomfortable. Nicole’s journey isn’t easy, and she makes more than a few frustrating choices, but I still found myself rooting for her. It helps that Logan Milgram is the definition of a perfect book boyfriend. He’s steady, lovable, and someone you genuinely want Nicole to get it right with. But even he isn’t flawless, and that’s what makes their story feel real.
Okie’s writing is stunning. Its the kind of writing that makes you ache, not just because of how brilliant it is, but because of how easy it is to see your own bruises, your own mistakes, your own longing reflected back at you. It makes you feel infinite, like you’re living the life of these characters right alongside them.
This isn’t just one of my favorite books of the year… it’s one of my favorite romance novels of all time. And if this is a debut, I can’t even imagine what Okie has in store for us next.
September 21, 2025
Thank you Avon for the ARC and HarperAudio for the ALC!!!
Okay I loved this. I'm not quite sure it's a 5 star read for me but 4.5 stars with all the love and admiration for this beautiful, wholesome, raw love story. I finished it in just a day!!
I think the beginning is what's preventing me from gifting it the full 5 stars—it was awkward and a little choppy (and at one point at 8% I wanted to stop reading which I'm glad I didn't)—but I loved absolutely everything else about this. Logan and Nicole's story, especially the flashbacks of them in New York and their little work friendship was so so beautiful to pair with their love story in the present time. Logan is truly one of the best book boyfriends I've ever met. He's 40, mature, communicative, and just so damn kind. The way he was there for her during her first miscarriage... the YEARNING over years... the READING her book lists... his KNOWLEDGE of her love for Austen and all the ways he incorporated that throughout their relationship? I was deceased. I loved how wonderful he was towards Nicole. He literally never had a bad moment. It was so refreshing to read about a grown man acting grown!!! Their summer romance was just SO heartfelt and it made me BLUSH and feel so good. Logan is truly the golden retriever boyfriend that you love to read about in a romance book. He was quirky, fun, and just had such a beautiful heart. I adored his character so much. Also pleaseee he made me blush SO MUCH!!! The absolute greenest of green flags. Gah watching everything unfold was just such a great experience.
Nicole—oh, Nicole!! Realizing you are the poison in a relationship is never easy. What she had gone through was NOT easy, and my heart broke for her over and over again, especially with everything that happens with Gabe. Her experience with infertility and of course then a cheating husband, a looming divorce that would be beyond ugly and messy for all parties, was just so hard. I think the author really handled all of these topics with accurate portrayal while keeping it respectful (except for that one scene—damn that one scene, but also we all knew it was coming and WHEW it was good!!!!) I also am happy Gabe had a good redemption arc, and their functional parenting by the end with the three of them was just a dream.
The pacing of this novel was just fantastic. The chapters were usually extremely short, some of them even just having a paragraph. The progression of everything was utterly fabulous. It built so nicely! It's crazy how this book had so many dark, dark moments and then they were remedied by Logan's wonderful charm. Literally made Nicole laugh during the worst day of her life, and his charisma was just beaming off the pages. Also the audiobook (I did both—that's how addicted I was to the story) brought him to life.
If you're looking for a book full of heart, pain, depth, growth, and a swoony romance, this is the one for you.
Okay I loved this. I'm not quite sure it's a 5 star read for me but 4.5 stars with all the love and admiration for this beautiful, wholesome, raw love story. I finished it in just a day!!
I think the beginning is what's preventing me from gifting it the full 5 stars—it was awkward and a little choppy (and at one point at 8% I wanted to stop reading which I'm glad I didn't)—but I loved absolutely everything else about this. Logan and Nicole's story, especially the flashbacks of them in New York and their little work friendship was so so beautiful to pair with their love story in the present time. Logan is truly one of the best book boyfriends I've ever met. He's 40, mature, communicative, and just so damn kind. The way he was there for her during her first miscarriage... the YEARNING over years... the READING her book lists... his KNOWLEDGE of her love for Austen and all the ways he incorporated that throughout their relationship? I was deceased. I loved how wonderful he was towards Nicole. He literally never had a bad moment. It was so refreshing to read about a grown man acting grown!!! Their summer romance was just SO heartfelt and it made me BLUSH and feel so good. Logan is truly the golden retriever boyfriend that you love to read about in a romance book. He was quirky, fun, and just had such a beautiful heart. I adored his character so much. Also pleaseee he made me blush SO MUCH!!! The absolute greenest of green flags. Gah watching everything unfold was just such a great experience.
Nicole—oh, Nicole!! Realizing you are the poison in a relationship is never easy. What she had gone through was NOT easy, and my heart broke for her over and over again, especially with everything that happens with Gabe. Her experience with infertility and of course then a cheating husband, a looming divorce that would be beyond ugly and messy for all parties, was just so hard. I think the author really handled all of these topics with accurate portrayal while keeping it respectful (except for that one scene—damn that one scene, but also we all knew it was coming and WHEW it was good!!!!) I also am happy Gabe had a good redemption arc, and their functional parenting by the end with the three of them was just a dream.
The pacing of this novel was just fantastic. The chapters were usually extremely short, some of them even just having a paragraph. The progression of everything was utterly fabulous. It built so nicely! It's crazy how this book had so many dark, dark moments and then they were remedied by Logan's wonderful charm. Literally made Nicole laugh during the worst day of her life, and his charisma was just beaming off the pages. Also the audiobook (I did both—that's how addicted I was to the story) brought him to life.
If you're looking for a book full of heart, pain, depth, growth, and a swoony romance, this is the one for you.
October 17, 2025
3.75 / 5 Stars
It took me a hot second to gather my thoughts about this book. I think there is A LOT of good: the banter, how charming Logan and Nicole are together, the IVF and motherhood journey. And there were things that drove me up the wall: the timeline and the third act. BUT, I think if you have any curiosities about this book, you should 100% pick it up and try it.
In “The Best Worst Thing,” Nicole has been struggling with infertility for years. She and her husband, Gabe (think a hot, finance bro in his late 30s), have one last chance to implement their embryo in their gestational carrier. And hours after this last attempt, Nicole finds out that Gabe has been cheating on her and her world comes crashing down. Enter Logan, her former coworker who is the definition of golden retriever energy. As Nicole and Logan start to develop something (a relationship? Dating? Unclear), Nicole finds out that her surrogate is pregnant. What follows is a messy, complicated, funny story of love and acceptance of your circumstances.
You will probably like this book if you like:
⭐ A male love interest who will charm your socks (and pants) off
🐶 Right person, wrong time story lines
⭐ Discussions of infertility and motherhood
🐶 Perfect banter
⭐ Age gap (32F / 39M)
🐶 ADHD rep
⭐ Setting (Los Angeles) as another character
Let’s start with Logan. This (fake) man was so exceptionally charming. I am not one to giggle and kick my feet often, but jeez, Logan did that for me. Their banter is ten thousand chef’s kisses (10,000 kisses from one chef or 10,000 chefs giving one kiss each. Either scenario). Nicole teases Logan and he ATES. IT. UP. The jokes were actually funny. Their connection was palpable and managed to show years of connection instantly. I fell in love with Logan immediately and their relationship made perfect sense to me.
I loved the exploration of infertility. The author did an amazing job of conveying how complex and far reaching infertility can be – how it affects all aspects of your life. Her description of the physical and mental aspects of it were really affecting and moving. I hope that folks who have dealt with infertility will feel really seen with this book.
I also think that the author is an exceptionally competent writer and I was surprised that this was a debut novel. I think she does two things really, really well: show versus tell and her description of physicality. For the first, she does an amazing job of balancing show versus tell. I loved that we had paragraphs where she would write that Lauren met person A and they talked about topic Y as opposed to reading that dialogue (she did this 100000% better than I just described in that example). I found myself often really impressed and delighted when we could get paragraph descriptions of what was happening which I usually don’t like because it leans on tell instead of show but because Logan and Nicole have such great dialogue, those tell descriptions helped keep the attention on their important dialogue instead of diluting everything with too much talking.
For the latter (her description of people in a physical space), it is weird to say, but I really enjoyed reading how she described people interacting with each other. I am someone who has a hard time visualizing those things (I am beyond jealous of people who see a vivid movie in their brain when they read. I just see glimpses of images and then feel emotions x 1000) but this is the first book in a while where I have been able to actually picture how Logan and Nicole moved in relation to each other, which only heightened their connection and made it that much more fun to read.
The timeline of Nicole and Logan’s relationship was, unfortunately, distracting. Once Nicole finds out that Gabe cheated, she and Logan reconnect insanely quickly (SPOILER: She goes to see Logan a few HOURS after she finds out that Gabe cheated). I do not have an issue with them reconnecting – they hadn’t talked in two years and it made sense for them to reconnect. My issue is with the speed of them reconnecting and the speed of their relationship progressing. I think the speed of everything meant that Nicole had no time to truly process anything. And, again, my issue isn’t that Nicole’s life comes with complexities and “baggage.” It’s beautiful and life affirming that she found someone who wants to be in it with her. My issue is that Nicole doesn’t want to deal or think about her own shit and that’s not fair to Logan. And their timeline makes it almost okay for her to not deal with her shit until the very, very, very end of the book.
The third act conflict? Diabolical, honestly. I don’t believe that they won’t just keep repeating these patterns over and over. Nicole comes up with all of these reasons that she and Logan can’t work and none of them made sense to me. She makes this false dichotomy that she can either love her child or Logan which … why? She can’t be a good mom if she is in a complicated situation? Her rationale makes no sense specially because she has a podcast that explores all of the complexities of motherhood. So is she being disingenuous in her podcast because she herself has this very black and white thinking? The math isn’t mathing given what we know about her.
And then she gives a whole speech about perfectionism and how it gives her control, which totally, makes perfect sense. But we only read about her making messy, messy decisions. I can see how her perfectionism informed her marriage and her decision to stay in it for so long but we did not see a “perfect” Nicole in what we read on the page. So again, that explained some of her actions but felt like it left out a crucial portion of the book. Because at the end of the day, the issue is not Nicole’s inability to love Logan. She loves him. It is her inability to love herself which keeps her from allowing Logan to love her and has them engage in the same acts over and over, which is why it is hard for me to walk away from the book truly believing that these two figure it out.
Oh, and Nicole has a dog that is basically only a plot device. The dog is barely mentioned, which as a pet owner, threw me off. I am OBSESSED with my pet and I don’t expect that level of codependence for every owner and pet but who was taking care of her dog when she wasn’t around? The dog was basically there so that Gabe would cheat with the dog walker and that was it.
Logan and Nicole have such a fun, beautiful, complex relationship and at times, it felt that some of the logic behind their actions was flawed from a writing standpoint (not from a character standpoint. I love a flawed character. I do not love a flawed plot). All of that said, I think the book is still really enjoyable and if you love and need amazing, crackling banter from characters, you may love this book based on that alone.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: Available now! (October 14, 2025)
________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am ready for a messy, second chance romance with older MCs.
It took me a hot second to gather my thoughts about this book. I think there is A LOT of good: the banter, how charming Logan and Nicole are together, the IVF and motherhood journey. And there were things that drove me up the wall: the timeline and the third act. BUT, I think if you have any curiosities about this book, you should 100% pick it up and try it.
In “The Best Worst Thing,” Nicole has been struggling with infertility for years. She and her husband, Gabe (think a hot, finance bro in his late 30s), have one last chance to implement their embryo in their gestational carrier. And hours after this last attempt, Nicole finds out that Gabe has been cheating on her and her world comes crashing down. Enter Logan, her former coworker who is the definition of golden retriever energy. As Nicole and Logan start to develop something (a relationship? Dating? Unclear), Nicole finds out that her surrogate is pregnant. What follows is a messy, complicated, funny story of love and acceptance of your circumstances.
You will probably like this book if you like:
⭐ A male love interest who will charm your socks (and pants) off
🐶 Right person, wrong time story lines
⭐ Discussions of infertility and motherhood
🐶 Perfect banter
⭐ Age gap (32F / 39M)
🐶 ADHD rep
⭐ Setting (Los Angeles) as another character
Let’s start with Logan. This (fake) man was so exceptionally charming. I am not one to giggle and kick my feet often, but jeez, Logan did that for me. Their banter is ten thousand chef’s kisses (10,000 kisses from one chef or 10,000 chefs giving one kiss each. Either scenario). Nicole teases Logan and he ATES. IT. UP. The jokes were actually funny. Their connection was palpable and managed to show years of connection instantly. I fell in love with Logan immediately and their relationship made perfect sense to me.
I loved the exploration of infertility. The author did an amazing job of conveying how complex and far reaching infertility can be – how it affects all aspects of your life. Her description of the physical and mental aspects of it were really affecting and moving. I hope that folks who have dealt with infertility will feel really seen with this book.
I also think that the author is an exceptionally competent writer and I was surprised that this was a debut novel. I think she does two things really, really well: show versus tell and her description of physicality. For the first, she does an amazing job of balancing show versus tell. I loved that we had paragraphs where she would write that Lauren met person A and they talked about topic Y as opposed to reading that dialogue (she did this 100000% better than I just described in that example). I found myself often really impressed and delighted when we could get paragraph descriptions of what was happening which I usually don’t like because it leans on tell instead of show but because Logan and Nicole have such great dialogue, those tell descriptions helped keep the attention on their important dialogue instead of diluting everything with too much talking.
For the latter (her description of people in a physical space), it is weird to say, but I really enjoyed reading how she described people interacting with each other. I am someone who has a hard time visualizing those things (I am beyond jealous of people who see a vivid movie in their brain when they read. I just see glimpses of images and then feel emotions x 1000) but this is the first book in a while where I have been able to actually picture how Logan and Nicole moved in relation to each other, which only heightened their connection and made it that much more fun to read.
The timeline of Nicole and Logan’s relationship was, unfortunately, distracting. Once Nicole finds out that Gabe cheated, she and Logan reconnect insanely quickly (SPOILER: She goes to see Logan a few HOURS after she finds out that Gabe cheated). I do not have an issue with them reconnecting – they hadn’t talked in two years and it made sense for them to reconnect. My issue is with the speed of them reconnecting and the speed of their relationship progressing. I think the speed of everything meant that Nicole had no time to truly process anything. And, again, my issue isn’t that Nicole’s life comes with complexities and “baggage.” It’s beautiful and life affirming that she found someone who wants to be in it with her. My issue is that Nicole doesn’t want to deal or think about her own shit and that’s not fair to Logan. And their timeline makes it almost okay for her to not deal with her shit until the very, very, very end of the book.
The third act conflict? Diabolical, honestly. I don’t believe that they won’t just keep repeating these patterns over and over. Nicole comes up with all of these reasons that she and Logan can’t work and none of them made sense to me. She makes this false dichotomy that she can either love her child or Logan which … why? She can’t be a good mom if she is in a complicated situation? Her rationale makes no sense specially because she has a podcast that explores all of the complexities of motherhood. So is she being disingenuous in her podcast because she herself has this very black and white thinking? The math isn’t mathing given what we know about her.
And then she gives a whole speech about perfectionism and how it gives her control, which totally, makes perfect sense. But we only read about her making messy, messy decisions. I can see how her perfectionism informed her marriage and her decision to stay in it for so long but we did not see a “perfect” Nicole in what we read on the page. So again, that explained some of her actions but felt like it left out a crucial portion of the book. Because at the end of the day, the issue is not Nicole’s inability to love Logan. She loves him. It is her inability to love herself which keeps her from allowing Logan to love her and has them engage in the same acts over and over, which is why it is hard for me to walk away from the book truly believing that these two figure it out.
Oh, and Nicole has a dog that is basically only a plot device. The dog is barely mentioned, which as a pet owner, threw me off. I am OBSESSED with my pet and I don’t expect that level of codependence for every owner and pet but who was taking care of her dog when she wasn’t around? The dog was basically there so that Gabe would cheat with the dog walker and that was it.
Logan and Nicole have such a fun, beautiful, complex relationship and at times, it felt that some of the logic behind their actions was flawed from a writing standpoint (not from a character standpoint. I love a flawed character. I do not love a flawed plot). All of that said, I think the book is still really enjoyable and if you love and need amazing, crackling banter from characters, you may love this book based on that alone.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: Available now! (October 14, 2025)
________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am ready for a messy, second chance romance with older MCs.
October 15, 2025
3.25⭐
Nicole has been struggling with infertility for many years. Her husband supports her, but their relationship isn’t what it used to be. And after they turn to a surrogate mother, she finds out that her husband is cheating on her.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I love stories that feel real, and I appreciated how Lauren explored such difficult topics as infertility and surrogacy. I know the author went through this experience herself, and I truly admire her for writing such an intimate story and sharing something so personal. The treatment scenes were described in such detail that I could almost feel the heroine’s pain myself.
I loved Logan—in my opinion, he deserves all the stars—but I had some issues with the heroine. She started to annoy me in the second half of the book. I felt like she was using him; she didn’t want to deal with her marriage problems for too long and kept them from Logan.
Still, despite the flaws, I think it’s a good book, and I’ll be looking forward to more releases from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager (Avon) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Nicole has been struggling with infertility for many years. Her husband supports her, but their relationship isn’t what it used to be. And after they turn to a surrogate mother, she finds out that her husband is cheating on her.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I love stories that feel real, and I appreciated how Lauren explored such difficult topics as infertility and surrogacy. I know the author went through this experience herself, and I truly admire her for writing such an intimate story and sharing something so personal. The treatment scenes were described in such detail that I could almost feel the heroine’s pain myself.
I loved Logan—in my opinion, he deserves all the stars—but I had some issues with the heroine. She started to annoy me in the second half of the book. I felt like she was using him; she didn’t want to deal with her marriage problems for too long and kept them from Logan.
Still, despite the flaws, I think it’s a good book, and I’ll be looking forward to more releases from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager (Avon) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 5, 2025
Messy, emotional, funny, and beautifully written.
I’d like to put in an order for a 3D printed Logan for my own use please.
This is a heavy read and not for the faint of heart, the FMCs has been THROUGH it and deserves her happily ever after, I’m very glad Logan was there to help her get there.
Whats to love…
- banter, on banter, on banter
- right person, wrong time, second-chance romance
- perfectly placed flashbacks that never detract from the current narrative
- gorgeous imagery
- MESSY, raw, relatable, and never perfect.
- Emotional (check content warnings)
- definitely evoked some emotions from me. I was screaming at the book a few times.
Whats not to love...
- see above screaming at the book... there were times when I was beyond frustrated at the MC, I'm glad she got her character growth in the end but it was a fight in the mud pits to get there.
🌶️- Open door (sorry I do not have chapters, I read via audio and am terrible as remembering to bookmark! I think there were two scenes, but don’t quote me)
Audiobook Narration: 5/5 Kristen Sieh can do no wrong in my book. Pacing, pausing, inflection, every single thing about her performance is perfection. The voice variations? Couldn’t be better unless you had a full cast. MUST READ ON AUDIO!
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
I’d like to put in an order for a 3D printed Logan for my own use please.
This is a heavy read and not for the faint of heart, the FMCs has been THROUGH it and deserves her happily ever after, I’m very glad Logan was there to help her get there.
Whats to love…
- banter, on banter, on banter
- right person, wrong time, second-chance romance
- perfectly placed flashbacks that never detract from the current narrative
- gorgeous imagery
- MESSY, raw, relatable, and never perfect.
- Emotional (check content warnings)
- definitely evoked some emotions from me. I was screaming at the book a few times.
Whats not to love...
- see above screaming at the book... there were times when I was beyond frustrated at the MC, I'm glad she got her character growth in the end but it was a fight in the mud pits to get there.
🌶️- Open door (sorry I do not have chapters, I read via audio and am terrible as remembering to bookmark! I think there were two scenes, but don’t quote me)
Audiobook Narration: 5/5 Kristen Sieh can do no wrong in my book. Pacing, pausing, inflection, every single thing about her performance is perfection. The voice variations? Couldn’t be better unless you had a full cast. MUST READ ON AUDIO!
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
September 29, 2025
3.5/5
i can't remember how i heard of this book or this author, but i follow the latter on instagram so i've been excited for this book for a while. thankfully i received the arc and i didn't have to wait. this book focuses very heavily on infertility, infidelity, and second chances at love/life. the contents are very heavy but the author writes them with such care that it doesn't feel like an overload of depressing information. you feel for nicole and all she's been though, you want to see her feel whole again.
the romance is the shining star of the book for me, well logan is. honestly i want to rate this a 3.5 because gabe pissed me the fuck off, nicole had a bit too many back and forths for me, and i don't care about podcasts. but logan makes this an impossible book to rate lower than a four. he is genuinely a perfect man, he reads her favorite books, watches her movies, listens to her, helps her heal, sticks by her, basically surrenders his life to her (in a non dramatic way), and i love him. no part of me dislikes nicole, i don't want it to seem like i didn't care for her infertility storyline. i feel weird even saying anything off about her because she goes through so much, its a lot to read about and i was too annoyed with her inability to listen to others. also the storyline with her husband is a bit too messy for me, i was over it and just wanted more romance between her and logan.
without logan being written as well as he is, and the romance being as sweet as it is, i wouldn't have loved this. the topics are handled well but the writing took me a minute to adjust to. this is a debut which is very impressive, everything is written with care and education. if any of the mentioned topics may trigger you, i would maybe find another book.
*thank you netgalley and avon for the arc!*
i can't remember how i heard of this book or this author, but i follow the latter on instagram so i've been excited for this book for a while. thankfully i received the arc and i didn't have to wait. this book focuses very heavily on infertility, infidelity, and second chances at love/life. the contents are very heavy but the author writes them with such care that it doesn't feel like an overload of depressing information. you feel for nicole and all she's been though, you want to see her feel whole again.
the romance is the shining star of the book for me, well logan is. honestly i want to rate this a 3.5 because gabe pissed me the fuck off, nicole had a bit too many back and forths for me, and i don't care about podcasts. but logan makes this an impossible book to rate lower than a four. he is genuinely a perfect man, he reads her favorite books, watches her movies, listens to her, helps her heal, sticks by her, basically surrenders his life to her (in a non dramatic way), and i love him. no part of me dislikes nicole, i don't want it to seem like i didn't care for her infertility storyline. i feel weird even saying anything off about her because she goes through so much, its a lot to read about and i was too annoyed with her inability to listen to others. also the storyline with her husband is a bit too messy for me, i was over it and just wanted more romance between her and logan.
without logan being written as well as he is, and the romance being as sweet as it is, i wouldn't have loved this. the topics are handled well but the writing took me a minute to adjust to. this is a debut which is very impressive, everything is written with care and education. if any of the mentioned topics may trigger you, i would maybe find another book.
*thank you netgalley and avon for the arc!*
June 19, 2025
I had high hopes for this book after reading the blurb — it sounded like it had all the ingredients for a compelling, emotional read. Unfortunately, it just didn’t deliver. The story felt flat and underdeveloped, with too many plot holes to ignore and characters that lacked depth or emotional resonance.
I found myself waiting for it to pick up or surprise me, but it never quite did. While the premise had real potential, the execution left me feeling disconnected and, honestly, a bit bored.
I found myself waiting for it to pick up or surprise me, but it never quite did. While the premise had real potential, the execution left me feeling disconnected and, honestly, a bit bored.
June 11, 2025
The Synopsis:
Nicole has been struggling with infertility for years and knows this embryo transfer to her gestational carrier will be her last shot. She comes home from the procedure early to find her dog walker waiting in bed for her husband. Yikes. Nicole immediately knows she is leaving him, there will be no second chances and finds herself drunk on Logan's doorstep. Logan is a previous coworker of Nicole's and she hasn't seen him in two years. The only thing Nicole is sure of is the tug she feels towards him.
Reminded Me Of:
The beginning of All Your Perfects by CoHo, Kat's poem to Patrick in 10 Things I Hate About You and a twist on The Office, where Roy has a glow up, Pam marries him and later realizes it's always been Jim.
Review:
I LOVED Lauren Okie's writing style. Her words feel like living, breathing entities. It was interesting because she used the word "and" continuously as a tool to build momentum, to give the feeling of falling or spiraling. I felt like I was constantly being swept up and away, lost in all the moments. This book is emotional, it's going to make your heart ache but it's also going to make you laugh out loud. The relationship between Nicole and Logan is just so right. They are weird and quirky and it made me fall completely in love with them as a couple. The Best Worst Thing is a raw unfiltered look into how infertility can shape and alter life. Its hope, heart and joy in all its different forms.
*Please read the acknowledgement page, I sobbed. The author shares her own story and I think its important readers understand the personal nature of this book to her.
Thank you Avon, Harper Voyager & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nicole has been struggling with infertility for years and knows this embryo transfer to her gestational carrier will be her last shot. She comes home from the procedure early to find her dog walker waiting in bed for her husband. Yikes. Nicole immediately knows she is leaving him, there will be no second chances and finds herself drunk on Logan's doorstep. Logan is a previous coworker of Nicole's and she hasn't seen him in two years. The only thing Nicole is sure of is the tug she feels towards him.
Reminded Me Of:
The beginning of All Your Perfects by CoHo, Kat's poem to Patrick in 10 Things I Hate About You and a twist on The Office, where Roy has a glow up, Pam marries him and later realizes it's always been Jim.
Review:
I LOVED Lauren Okie's writing style. Her words feel like living, breathing entities. It was interesting because she used the word "and" continuously as a tool to build momentum, to give the feeling of falling or spiraling. I felt like I was constantly being swept up and away, lost in all the moments. This book is emotional, it's going to make your heart ache but it's also going to make you laugh out loud. The relationship between Nicole and Logan is just so right. They are weird and quirky and it made me fall completely in love with them as a couple. The Best Worst Thing is a raw unfiltered look into how infertility can shape and alter life. Its hope, heart and joy in all its different forms.
*Please read the acknowledgement page, I sobbed. The author shares her own story and I think its important readers understand the personal nature of this book to her.
Thank you Avon, Harper Voyager & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2025
Listen, I read so many excellent romances in 2024, but almost nothing stopped me so in my tracks like THE BEST WORST THING. I read this late December 2024 and it didn’t matter - top 5 books of the year.
I avoid books that involve pregnancy - it’s not what I gravitate toward, but DAMN had I not read this book, it would have been a massive mistake. Lauren Okie’s debut is an absolutely luminous, fever-dream of a novel, and it ticked every box I have for all-time faves: 1) sharp, biting prose, 2) richly layered, messy characters who grow over a story, and 3) hot.
I will have more thoughts on this later, but if you love romance with a literary edge (a la Yulin Kuang, Suzanne Rindell, Tia Williams), this needs to be on your TBR. I won’t be last to say this, and I’m prob not even the first lmao, but the worst thing about The Best Worst Thing is when it’s over. Cannot recommend enough.
I avoid books that involve pregnancy - it’s not what I gravitate toward, but DAMN had I not read this book, it would have been a massive mistake. Lauren Okie’s debut is an absolutely luminous, fever-dream of a novel, and it ticked every box I have for all-time faves: 1) sharp, biting prose, 2) richly layered, messy characters who grow over a story, and 3) hot.
I will have more thoughts on this later, but if you love romance with a literary edge (a la Yulin Kuang, Suzanne Rindell, Tia Williams), this needs to be on your TBR. I won’t be last to say this, and I’m prob not even the first lmao, but the worst thing about The Best Worst Thing is when it’s over. Cannot recommend enough.
April 10, 2025
3.5💫
Right person wrong time will always be my jam!!! this was a great debut novel BUT please check trigger warnings because it's a bit heavy (it deals with pregnancy, fertility issues and other topics that could be consider spoilers.)
The pacing was great and the drama kept me on my toes but even though I loved this for the majority of it, there were some things that just didn't worked for me. Having TWO third act break ups had me like 🙃 enough but to each their own.
the romance was GOOD!! You can't deny that chemistry, so 10 points for that. There were other factors that affected my rating but they're basically spoilers. If you loved "This Could be Us" by Kennedy Ryan, you should check this one out.
Thank you Avon for the advance reader copy.
Right person wrong time will always be my jam!!! this was a great debut novel BUT please check trigger warnings because it's a bit heavy (it deals with pregnancy, fertility issues and other topics that could be consider spoilers.)
The pacing was great and the drama kept me on my toes but even though I loved this for the majority of it, there were some things that just didn't worked for me. Having TWO third act break ups had me like 🙃 enough but to each their own.
the romance was GOOD!! You can't deny that chemistry, so 10 points for that. There were other factors that affected my rating but they're basically spoilers. If you loved "This Could be Us" by Kennedy Ryan, you should check this one out.
Thank you Avon for the advance reader copy.
October 2, 2025
Perched in a beautiful house in Los Angeles with a gorgeous husband, a podcast job, a cute dog, Nicole seems to lead a charmed life. But Nicole desperately wants a baby. Her husband was onboard, but as procedures and heartbreaks took over their lives, it shifted for him. Then one day - the day there is finally success with an embryo and a surrogate, Nicole comes home to find Gabe has been having an affair. Maybe more than one.
Maybe, if she’s willing to admit it, their marriage has been over for a decade.
This is when Nicole shows up, unfairly, ostensibly for a one night stand of no strings attached fun, encouraged by her best friend, at the doorstep of a former colleague.
Logan is flummoxed. Because, see, Logan has been in love with Nicole since the day he met her four years ago and there is no way she doesn’t know this. It feels cruel in a way, to offer yourself for a fling with a man who harbors feelings for you.
As the two navigate this affair along with his career goals, her messy marriage turned divorce, her impending motherhood, and about seventeen other things, they also have to figure out the meaning of this spark between them.
This did not work for me at all and I spent a good portion raging in a friend’s DMs.
First I will say the author’s note shares that the fertility journey she included mirrors her own, and I applaud her for that willingness to share her vulnerability.
Then she admits: this journey was not a story on its own, there was no reckoning, so she had to add pieces to create drama.
But this is where she faltered.
Plus, the book is favorably compared to multiple very popular cultural references. To this I say, tread lightly. If you tell me I’m getting Jim and Pam vibes, they better show in spades.
So let’s talk about the comparisons.
While Nicole could be described as a meaner Pam, and Logan is a dorkier Jim, Nicole feels like she is using Logan, that their friendship is lopsided. There is teasing (one way, she is merciless), but the bigger issue I have with this comparison is that all of the office foreplay happens in unnecessary flashbacks meant to reveal something we already know. Perhaps done in real time this would have worked better.
Funny Story vibes - maybe Logan is a bit like Nick but selling it as heartbreak meets new love story doesn’t work here. The new love story feels wildly out of place and overrides the seemingly bigger story of finally becoming a mother. I was disappointed at how much of a backseat the infertility and soon-to-be mom took to sex with Logan. I expected that finally realizing her lifelong dream would be at the forefront.
A Nobody Wants This comparison is dangerous, and though both feature a podcast, that’s it. Do not compare these characters. No. It doesn’t work.
It boasts humor like that of Wedding People but I’d say that’s a miss, too. While there is some mean cute banter between Logan and Nicole, overall it isn’t a funny book.
Open door intimacy is used as leverage to dig deeper into turmoil, as it is in How to End a Love Story, but this book creates multiple failed attempts at intimacy that are abruptly and ridiculously short changed for a reader and felt forced. It doesn’t feel the same.
DO NOT compare a book to Ready or Not or to Shep. Just don’t. With a surrogate carrying the baby and Nicole not being too concerned about the pregnancy, Logan is not cast as Shep except in an overdone epilogue.
I also did not get Nora vibes, as in Nora Goes Off Script, but then again, Nora was an incredibly likable FMC; I did not feel the same about Nicole.
There are a few scenes that seem …unwieldy. Also the volatility of Nicole’s relationship with Gabe is so hot and cold that it reads like whiplash and is hard to buy.
The writing is strong. I think I’d give the author another chance with something less personal, something I didn’t read all of the comparisons about prior to reading the book.
Maybe, if she’s willing to admit it, their marriage has been over for a decade.
This is when Nicole shows up, unfairly, ostensibly for a one night stand of no strings attached fun, encouraged by her best friend, at the doorstep of a former colleague.
Logan is flummoxed. Because, see, Logan has been in love with Nicole since the day he met her four years ago and there is no way she doesn’t know this. It feels cruel in a way, to offer yourself for a fling with a man who harbors feelings for you.
As the two navigate this affair along with his career goals, her messy marriage turned divorce, her impending motherhood, and about seventeen other things, they also have to figure out the meaning of this spark between them.
This did not work for me at all and I spent a good portion raging in a friend’s DMs.
First I will say the author’s note shares that the fertility journey she included mirrors her own, and I applaud her for that willingness to share her vulnerability.
Then she admits: this journey was not a story on its own, there was no reckoning, so she had to add pieces to create drama.
But this is where she faltered.
Plus, the book is favorably compared to multiple very popular cultural references. To this I say, tread lightly. If you tell me I’m getting Jim and Pam vibes, they better show in spades.
So let’s talk about the comparisons.
While Nicole could be described as a meaner Pam, and Logan is a dorkier Jim, Nicole feels like she is using Logan, that their friendship is lopsided. There is teasing (one way, she is merciless), but the bigger issue I have with this comparison is that all of the office foreplay happens in unnecessary flashbacks meant to reveal something we already know. Perhaps done in real time this would have worked better.
Funny Story vibes - maybe Logan is a bit like Nick but selling it as heartbreak meets new love story doesn’t work here. The new love story feels wildly out of place and overrides the seemingly bigger story of finally becoming a mother. I was disappointed at how much of a backseat the infertility and soon-to-be mom took to sex with Logan. I expected that finally realizing her lifelong dream would be at the forefront.
A Nobody Wants This comparison is dangerous, and though both feature a podcast, that’s it. Do not compare these characters. No. It doesn’t work.
It boasts humor like that of Wedding People but I’d say that’s a miss, too. While there is some mean cute banter between Logan and Nicole, overall it isn’t a funny book.
Open door intimacy is used as leverage to dig deeper into turmoil, as it is in How to End a Love Story, but this book creates multiple failed attempts at intimacy that are abruptly and ridiculously short changed for a reader and felt forced. It doesn’t feel the same.
DO NOT compare a book to Ready or Not or to Shep. Just don’t. With a surrogate carrying the baby and Nicole not being too concerned about the pregnancy, Logan is not cast as Shep except in an overdone epilogue.
I also did not get Nora vibes, as in Nora Goes Off Script, but then again, Nora was an incredibly likable FMC; I did not feel the same about Nicole.
There are a few scenes that seem …unwieldy. Also the volatility of Nicole’s relationship with Gabe is so hot and cold that it reads like whiplash and is hard to buy.
The writing is strong. I think I’d give the author another chance with something less personal, something I didn’t read all of the comparisons about prior to reading the book.
October 4, 2025
it’s been a LONG time since i’ve staying up to 2am to read a book and here we are
Lauren Okie’s debut novel (yes DEBUT) is nothing short of exceptional. its witty, it’s heartfelt, it’s raw, and it understands the importance of the darcy hand flex 🙂↕️
Nicole’s story is so sad and heartbreaking, and Logan is there. He shows up. He understands. He PINES. We love a nerdy, goofy mmc who is emotionally available and intelligent and knows what he wants and 👏 it’s 👏 her 👏 no 👏 matter 👏 what 👏
a million/10 for the epilogue alone, new fav romance unlocked, pls go read immediately 🫶🏼🫶🏼
minor trigger warning that it’s written in 3rd person so just be aware if you’re one of those people (i am not) ((i actually couldn’t care less))
thank you NetGalley and Avon for both the arc and alc!!!
Lauren Okie’s debut novel (yes DEBUT) is nothing short of exceptional. its witty, it’s heartfelt, it’s raw, and it understands the importance of the darcy hand flex 🙂↕️
Nicole’s story is so sad and heartbreaking, and Logan is there. He shows up. He understands. He PINES. We love a nerdy, goofy mmc who is emotionally available and intelligent and knows what he wants and 👏 it’s 👏 her 👏 no 👏 matter 👏 what 👏
a million/10 for the epilogue alone, new fav romance unlocked, pls go read immediately 🫶🏼🫶🏼
minor trigger warning that it’s written in 3rd person so just be aware if you’re one of those people (i am not) ((i actually couldn’t care less))
thank you NetGalley and Avon for both the arc and alc!!!
October 2, 2025
I genuinely don’t know how to rate this bc Nicole is so fucking stupid. The third act ENRAGED!!!!!!!!!!! me
review to come I guess
Thanks Avon/Harper Collins for the arc and alc.
review to come I guess
Thanks Avon/Harper Collins for the arc and alc.
September 11, 2025
This one goes out to the bucket of tears I cried the last 30 minutes reading this book. Oh and my ruined sweater because I rubbed my face so hard my blush transferred.
I'm really trying my best to thread a coherent sentence after reading this dazzling (I know what people mean by dazzling debut now because this was one) debut from Lauren Okie. With characters in the 30s still trying to figure it out (who said you need to figure things out in your 20s?!), yearning like no other (Conrad-girlies, Mr. Darcy-girlies please rise up), and witty-quippy banter to destroy them all... this book checked off all my boxes.
Lauren Okie's banter writing is NEXT level. Reading this book was a rom-com movie/show coming to life. I legitimately let myself only read 30 minutes of it at night like I was watching my comfort rom-com shows. The third person POV works so well in this and you can really tell that she gave it that extra TLC. Also, she's objectively hilarious. There's something about that banter that breathes life into Logan and Nicole and their romance that will instantly hook you.
I also wanted to call attention to the IVC/Surrogacy representation in this. When you get to the acknowledgements you will see how much of a personal story this story was for the author and I want to thank Lauren for being so vulnerable and sharing this story. I will scream this everywhere I go/until the day I die, but this is why representation matters in stories!!! I've worked in the IVF field and the stigma and knowledge around it is still very much present. Yes, we made big progress, but it's there. However, reading this made me so happy that it wasn't just a small mention or glossed over, but it was very much a part of the book. It was a part of Logan and Nicole's story and was integrated so beautifully throughout.
I think I can keep writing because I can't stop gushing about it, but I will be heavily invested in EVERYTHING Lauren Okie writes. She's pure talent!
Pick this book up and let it be your next best worst thing (worst only because it's about to be your best).
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an early e-ARC of this book!
I'm really trying my best to thread a coherent sentence after reading this dazzling (I know what people mean by dazzling debut now because this was one) debut from Lauren Okie. With characters in the 30s still trying to figure it out (who said you need to figure things out in your 20s?!), yearning like no other (Conrad-girlies, Mr. Darcy-girlies please rise up), and witty-quippy banter to destroy them all... this book checked off all my boxes.
Lauren Okie's banter writing is NEXT level. Reading this book was a rom-com movie/show coming to life. I legitimately let myself only read 30 minutes of it at night like I was watching my comfort rom-com shows. The third person POV works so well in this and you can really tell that she gave it that extra TLC. Also, she's objectively hilarious. There's something about that banter that breathes life into Logan and Nicole and their romance that will instantly hook you.
I also wanted to call attention to the IVC/Surrogacy representation in this. When you get to the acknowledgements you will see how much of a personal story this story was for the author and I want to thank Lauren for being so vulnerable and sharing this story. I will scream this everywhere I go/until the day I die, but this is why representation matters in stories!!! I've worked in the IVF field and the stigma and knowledge around it is still very much present. Yes, we made big progress, but it's there. However, reading this made me so happy that it wasn't just a small mention or glossed over, but it was very much a part of the book. It was a part of Logan and Nicole's story and was integrated so beautifully throughout.
I think I can keep writing because I can't stop gushing about it, but I will be heavily invested in EVERYTHING Lauren Okie writes. She's pure talent!
Pick this book up and let it be your next best worst thing (worst only because it's about to be your best).
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an early e-ARC of this book!
March 3, 2025
Couldn't have written it better myself. Probably because I did.
ARC readers! Here is a Content Warning / Author's Note, which will be included in the final version of the book, but potentially not your early copy.
When I set out to write this novel, I did so in hopes of creating a love story that was, if nothing else, both tons of fun and brutally honest. And so, while THE BEST WORST THING is teeming with banter, yearning, and ridiculously hot sex, please know it also touches on some serious themes, including infertility and pregnancy loss.
ARC readers! Here is a Content Warning / Author's Note, which will be included in the final version of the book, but potentially not your early copy.
When I set out to write this novel, I did so in hopes of creating a love story that was, if nothing else, both tons of fun and brutally honest. And so, while THE BEST WORST THING is teeming with banter, yearning, and ridiculously hot sex, please know it also touches on some serious themes, including infertility and pregnancy loss.
April 18, 2025
6 stars at LEAST.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!
Lauren Okie's debut novel The Best Worst Thing is an incredibly well written, gut-wrenching, and beautiful story of love, heartbreak, trauma, healing, and growth. Please check trigger warnings before reading! There are some heavy themes in this book, so please take care of yourself!
The Best Worst Thing follows Nicole as she navigates infertility, the destruction of her marriage & her life as she knew it. Throughout all of this, though, is a journey of healing, growth, and love. This story is incredibly raw, messy, beautiful, and vulnerable. Lauren Okie does an incredible job at conveying the difficult emotions, the female rage, and the fears & beauty of falling in love.
Nicole is such a complex and genuine character. For a fictional character, she feels incredibly human. Her emotions, her thought processes, her humor, her hopes, her heart. All of it is laid out for us to learn & understand her as she navigates the countless curveballs life throws at her. I loved her so much, I was rooting so hard for her. I hurt for her & with her. There were times where I wanted to reach through my kindle, shake her & ask "WHAT ARE YOU DOING???", but I think Nicole is a character that is meant to frustrate you at times. Because being a human is messy, it calls for mistakes, bad decisions, and complexities. That frustration exists because we are able to understand her so well.
Logan Milgram, the man that you are. Did someone say hot nerd? Here you go!!! Logan deserves a spotlight in this review because 1. I love him to death, 2. he is a wonderful beautiful, lovely character. Logan is a goofy, intelligent, caring and gentle man. Everytime he spoke I was kicking my feet in the air and twirling my hair. GOD I LOVE HIM.
Truthfully, I could talk about Gabe, but Gabe is just Gabe. You just have to read it to understand it.
The romance in this book is delectable. It's filled with undeniable tension, chemistry, and a connection between two people that is so raw it's practically indescribable. Literal SOULMATES. The banter, the yearning, the CHEMISTRY. My god I love them so much. They took me on an absolute rollercoaster ride but I loved every second of it. I loved the route Lauren Okie took in incorporating a bit of dual timeline into their story as well, giving us insight into their past!!!
Lauren Okie's handling of the topic of infertility was beautifully done. The way it can affect ones mental health, relationships, and everything in between. The hard, debilitating emotions, the pain, the despair, and the anger. The "why me?'s". It was a raw, emotional depiction of a reality so many face.
Overall, this is one of my favorite reads so far this year. It made me feel every single emotion. I knew from the first chapter that this book would be one that stuck with me. I can't recommend it enough, but I do want to emphasize the importance of checking the trigger warnings!!!
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!
Lauren Okie's debut novel The Best Worst Thing is an incredibly well written, gut-wrenching, and beautiful story of love, heartbreak, trauma, healing, and growth. Please check trigger warnings before reading! There are some heavy themes in this book, so please take care of yourself!
The Best Worst Thing follows Nicole as she navigates infertility, the destruction of her marriage & her life as she knew it. Throughout all of this, though, is a journey of healing, growth, and love. This story is incredibly raw, messy, beautiful, and vulnerable. Lauren Okie does an incredible job at conveying the difficult emotions, the female rage, and the fears & beauty of falling in love.
Nicole is such a complex and genuine character. For a fictional character, she feels incredibly human. Her emotions, her thought processes, her humor, her hopes, her heart. All of it is laid out for us to learn & understand her as she navigates the countless curveballs life throws at her. I loved her so much, I was rooting so hard for her. I hurt for her & with her. There were times where I wanted to reach through my kindle, shake her & ask "WHAT ARE YOU DOING???", but I think Nicole is a character that is meant to frustrate you at times. Because being a human is messy, it calls for mistakes, bad decisions, and complexities. That frustration exists because we are able to understand her so well.
Logan Milgram, the man that you are. Did someone say hot nerd? Here you go!!! Logan deserves a spotlight in this review because 1. I love him to death, 2. he is a wonderful beautiful, lovely character. Logan is a goofy, intelligent, caring and gentle man. Everytime he spoke I was kicking my feet in the air and twirling my hair. GOD I LOVE HIM.
Truthfully, I could talk about Gabe, but Gabe is just Gabe. You just have to read it to understand it.
The romance in this book is delectable. It's filled with undeniable tension, chemistry, and a connection between two people that is so raw it's practically indescribable. Literal SOULMATES. The banter, the yearning, the CHEMISTRY. My god I love them so much. They took me on an absolute rollercoaster ride but I loved every second of it. I loved the route Lauren Okie took in incorporating a bit of dual timeline into their story as well, giving us insight into their past!!!
Lauren Okie's handling of the topic of infertility was beautifully done. The way it can affect ones mental health, relationships, and everything in between. The hard, debilitating emotions, the pain, the despair, and the anger. The "why me?'s". It was a raw, emotional depiction of a reality so many face.
Overall, this is one of my favorite reads so far this year. It made me feel every single emotion. I knew from the first chapter that this book would be one that stuck with me. I can't recommend it enough, but I do want to emphasize the importance of checking the trigger warnings!!!
October 1, 2025
Thank you NetGalley & HarperAudio Adult | Avon for this ALC in exchange of my honest opinion!
I really liked this audiobook. The narration pulled me right in, and the story was raw and heartfelt. Just a heads-up: it deals with some heavy topics (infertility, depression, and cheating) so definitely check content warnings if you need them.
Logan, though. The man that you are. He was absolutely smitten from the start. If you love the yearning trope, you’ll be served well here, his golden retriever energy is impossible not to love.
All things considered, Nicole seems to have it all: a great house, a fertility podcast, and a picture-perfect husband. But her years-long battle with infertility has left cracks in her marriage, and when she discovers her husband’s betrayal, her entire world shatters. Enter Logan, a blast from the past who brings light, humor, and kindness back into her life just when she needs it most.
This book is about rebuilding yourself after loss, forgiving your body when it feels like it’s failed you, and allowing yourself to accept love even when it doesn’t look like the story you planned. Emotional, messy, and surprisingly hopeful, I’m glad I listened to this one.
Listening Speed: 1.75X
Narrator: Kristen Sieh
Feedback: Kristen Sieh carries the entire story with her voice and does it brilliantly, she gives each character a distinct voice and captures every emotion, from joy to anger. It was amazing!
I really liked this audiobook. The narration pulled me right in, and the story was raw and heartfelt. Just a heads-up: it deals with some heavy topics (infertility, depression, and cheating) so definitely check content warnings if you need them.
Logan, though. The man that you are. He was absolutely smitten from the start. If you love the yearning trope, you’ll be served well here, his golden retriever energy is impossible not to love.
All things considered, Nicole seems to have it all: a great house, a fertility podcast, and a picture-perfect husband. But her years-long battle with infertility has left cracks in her marriage, and when she discovers her husband’s betrayal, her entire world shatters. Enter Logan, a blast from the past who brings light, humor, and kindness back into her life just when she needs it most.
This book is about rebuilding yourself after loss, forgiving your body when it feels like it’s failed you, and allowing yourself to accept love even when it doesn’t look like the story you planned. Emotional, messy, and surprisingly hopeful, I’m glad I listened to this one.
Listening Speed: 1.75X
Narrator: Kristen Sieh
Feedback: Kristen Sieh carries the entire story with her voice and does it brilliantly, she gives each character a distinct voice and captures every emotion, from joy to anger. It was amazing!
November 17, 2025
I love drama and I love obsessed man even more!!!!!!!!
April 19, 2025
A contemporary romance that tackles difficult topics, The Best Worst Thing is about Nicole, who has a seemingly perfect life. A handsome, successful husband, a popular podcast about their fertility journey, and endless resources to invest into IVF and surrogacy. She tells herself that she doesn't miss her career and her former coworkers, like her work bestie Logan. But when she walks in on her husband with another woman, her world crumbles.
Second Chance romance (with dual timelines)
Infidelity
Fertility Issues
Workplace romance
The One that Got Away
Some spice
Quarrels with exclamation points!
Supportive friends
At times I was not on board with Nicole's choices, I liked that the book handled infidelity in a mature way with lots of different viewpoints - what should Nicole do? She is in a difficult situation and her choice is not as easy as it may seem. Logan is fully in love with her, and he is one of those "book boyfriends" who completely ruins the real world male population for you.
She loves reading and he actually reads her favorite books. Only my mom does that! Boys would never! But Logan does. The epilogue is very sweet and endearing.
Great for fans of Elissa Sussman and Abby Jimenez
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. Book to be published October 14, 2025.
Second Chance romance (with dual timelines)
Infidelity
Fertility Issues
Workplace romance
The One that Got Away
Some spice
Quarrels with exclamation points!
Supportive friends
At times I was not on board with Nicole's choices, I liked that the book handled infidelity in a mature way with lots of different viewpoints - what should Nicole do? She is in a difficult situation and her choice is not as easy as it may seem. Logan is fully in love with her, and he is one of those "book boyfriends" who completely ruins the real world male population for you.
She loves reading and he actually reads her favorite books. Only my mom does that! Boys would never! But Logan does. The epilogue is very sweet and endearing.
Great for fans of Elissa Sussman and Abby Jimenez
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. Book to be published October 14, 2025.
June 7, 2025
4.75 stars!!!!!!!
precious !!! i loved every second of this book !!!!! it has all of my favorite elements from the office, new girl and nobody wants this. it's hilarious but also touches on some very real challenges and heartaches. it made me laugh out loud & maybe even shed a few tears. the first kiss? hot as heck!!! the chemistry between nicole & logan was OFF THE CHARTS!!! i loved this book so so much!! one of the best friends to lovers i've read in awhile.
speaking of logan, I LOVE HIM!!!!! i want to find one of him in real life, please and thank you!!!!!!
i also love how lauren didn't shy away from the real trauma nicole was going through. having a glimpse into that heartache was very eye-opening and i love how we got to see nicole work through that and come out the other side. this book is incredibly romantic but it's also real and messy (as it should be for the predicament they find themselves in). this was a phenomenal debut and i can't wait to see what lauren does next !!!!!
thank you Avon Books for the arc! this is my honest review.
precious !!! i loved every second of this book !!!!! it has all of my favorite elements from the office, new girl and nobody wants this. it's hilarious but also touches on some very real challenges and heartaches. it made me laugh out loud & maybe even shed a few tears. the first kiss? hot as heck!!! the chemistry between nicole & logan was OFF THE CHARTS!!! i loved this book so so much!! one of the best friends to lovers i've read in awhile.
speaking of logan, I LOVE HIM!!!!! i want to find one of him in real life, please and thank you!!!!!!
i also love how lauren didn't shy away from the real trauma nicole was going through. having a glimpse into that heartache was very eye-opening and i love how we got to see nicole work through that and come out the other side. this book is incredibly romantic but it's also real and messy (as it should be for the predicament they find themselves in). this was a phenomenal debut and i can't wait to see what lauren does next !!!!!
thank you Avon Books for the arc! this is my honest review.
June 5, 2025
Thank you to Netgally, Lauren Okie and Avon and Harper Voyager for this advanced reader’s copy ebook of The Best Worst Thing. The following will be my honest thoughts,
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Infinity stars, honestly)
Lauren Okie’s The Best Worst Thing isn’t just a book—it’s a bright new dawn for the romance genre. I’m not exaggerating when I say this might just be my fave book of the year, and it has officially shattered my rating scale.
From the opening chapter, where I was crying by page five (yes, five), to the last line of the epilogue—which had me smiling ear to ear—this book had me in its grip. And that epilogue? I normally despise epilogues, but this one was literal perfection.
The story is a gut-punch of emotions: heartbreak and laughter, poetic tenderness and hilarious drama. Nicole’s thoughts about striving to be perfect and not knowing how to be loved? Oof. Felt in my core, so raw and relatable. And Lauren Okie’s personal note in the acknowledgments, sharing her own experience with infertility, gave this story an added layer of delicacy and truth. It’s one of those rare books that handles sensitive topics—like infertility, cheating, and betrayal—with such care and empathy, yet never loses its spark of humor.
Speaking of humor: the scene where Nicole and Mari drink away the horror of finding Gabe in bed with the dog walker? Pure comedic gold. And shoutout to her offering her weed in the aftermath—an absolute icon.
But let’s talk about Logan. My god, Logan. A man who understands the significance of Darcy’s hand flex and reads dog-eared copies of books? Be still, my heart. Their chemistry is magnetic—like Nick and Jess from New Girl, and his relationship with his friends think that scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with the poker game vibes but make it D&D. The teasing banter, the pop culture references (which, I normally hate, but here were done so perfectly), and the slow, intense build of longing had me blushing, swooning, and genuinely sighing out loud.
And then there’s that pen-and-paper-in-the-locked-car scene. If you know, you know. It’s tender, grounded, and breathtakingly layered—lyrical in its simplicity, but with an ache that feels so real. The spice? Phenomenal. The tension? Electrifying. And the fact that these two nerds bantered over the best pop tart flavors and The Princess Bride quotes? I want to bottle it up and keep it forever.
I laughed. I cried. I cackled. I highlighted quotes until my Kindle was ready to combust. And by the end, I was so thoroughly enchanted that I already want to re-read it. And let’s not forget the epilogue—normally I’m epilogue-averse, but this one was so good it had me grinning like a fool. The last line? Literal chef’s kiss.
Lauren Okie is a bright new, beautiful voice in romance, and I will read anything she writes from here on out.
If you’re a fan of heartbreak, healing, pop culture banter, nerdy heroes, and the most worthwhile epilogue you’ll ever read… The Best Worst Thing is a must. Infinity stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Infinity stars, honestly)
Lauren Okie’s The Best Worst Thing isn’t just a book—it’s a bright new dawn for the romance genre. I’m not exaggerating when I say this might just be my fave book of the year, and it has officially shattered my rating scale.
From the opening chapter, where I was crying by page five (yes, five), to the last line of the epilogue—which had me smiling ear to ear—this book had me in its grip. And that epilogue? I normally despise epilogues, but this one was literal perfection.
The story is a gut-punch of emotions: heartbreak and laughter, poetic tenderness and hilarious drama. Nicole’s thoughts about striving to be perfect and not knowing how to be loved? Oof. Felt in my core, so raw and relatable. And Lauren Okie’s personal note in the acknowledgments, sharing her own experience with infertility, gave this story an added layer of delicacy and truth. It’s one of those rare books that handles sensitive topics—like infertility, cheating, and betrayal—with such care and empathy, yet never loses its spark of humor.
Speaking of humor: the scene where Nicole and Mari drink away the horror of finding Gabe in bed with the dog walker? Pure comedic gold. And shoutout to her offering her weed in the aftermath—an absolute icon.
But let’s talk about Logan. My god, Logan. A man who understands the significance of Darcy’s hand flex and reads dog-eared copies of books? Be still, my heart. Their chemistry is magnetic—like Nick and Jess from New Girl, and his relationship with his friends think that scene in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with the poker game vibes but make it D&D. The teasing banter, the pop culture references (which, I normally hate, but here were done so perfectly), and the slow, intense build of longing had me blushing, swooning, and genuinely sighing out loud.
And then there’s that pen-and-paper-in-the-locked-car scene. If you know, you know. It’s tender, grounded, and breathtakingly layered—lyrical in its simplicity, but with an ache that feels so real. The spice? Phenomenal. The tension? Electrifying. And the fact that these two nerds bantered over the best pop tart flavors and The Princess Bride quotes? I want to bottle it up and keep it forever.
I laughed. I cried. I cackled. I highlighted quotes until my Kindle was ready to combust. And by the end, I was so thoroughly enchanted that I already want to re-read it. And let’s not forget the epilogue—normally I’m epilogue-averse, but this one was so good it had me grinning like a fool. The last line? Literal chef’s kiss.
Lauren Okie is a bright new, beautiful voice in romance, and I will read anything she writes from here on out.
If you’re a fan of heartbreak, healing, pop culture banter, nerdy heroes, and the most worthwhile epilogue you’ll ever read… The Best Worst Thing is a must. Infinity stars.
October 11, 2025
4.5⭐️, rounded up to 5 for Goodreads! This was such a well-done second chance romance. One of my new faves! It somehow made me feel everything: I was laughing, tearing up, frustrated, angry, and had the most intense butterflies while reading this.
Nicole’s situation was so tough. I wanted to both shake her and hug her, which made the story so captivating. And the yearning between Nicole and Logan was absolutely insane (in the best way). I was reading with a huge smile on my face and literally kicking my feet!!
I also loved the setting!! Being from St. Louis and now living in the South Bay (like Nicole!), all the references to both my hometown and my current home felt like fun little Easter eggs.
The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is because I felt like Logan forgave a little too easily at times and the back-and-forth got to me just slightly toward the end. I also wanted a liiittle more from the spice (maybe just me). But overall, this book was incredible, and I’ll be recommending it nonstop!!
Nicole’s situation was so tough. I wanted to both shake her and hug her, which made the story so captivating. And the yearning between Nicole and Logan was absolutely insane (in the best way). I was reading with a huge smile on my face and literally kicking my feet!!
I also loved the setting!! Being from St. Louis and now living in the South Bay (like Nicole!), all the references to both my hometown and my current home felt like fun little Easter eggs.
The only reason this isn’t a full 5 stars is because I felt like Logan forgave a little too easily at times and the back-and-forth got to me just slightly toward the end. I also wanted a liiittle more from the spice (maybe just me). But overall, this book was incredible, and I’ll be recommending it nonstop!!
August 19, 2025
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader (coming October 14, 2025!)
▹TL;DR Review: I just know that this book will be cathartic to certain readers. The romance was very cute at times and the banter was top notch. I just had a few issues with the writing structure and the FMC's choices…
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Nicole and her husband, Gabe, have been together for 10 years. In that time, they’ve moved across country, started and ended jobs, and had seemingly every infertility issue go wrong. On the same day as their last-ditch effort, an embryo transplant with a surrogate, Nicole finds out that Gabe’s been cheating on her. Now, set on starting over, Nicole reconnects with an old coworker, Logan, who is hell-bent on helping her heal. But what they find along the way could make an already complicated situation even stickier. Especially since Nicole learns that the embryo transfer was successful. What will become of Nicole’s future? Who will stick by her through thick and thin?
– FMC: Nicole. Starts a podcast with her husband about their infertility struggles. She’s an “act first, think later” type of gal… which leads her on a journey of self-discovery and “Logan” discovery.
– MMC: Logan. Truly either a saint of a man or a masochist. He’s emotionally stable, PATIENT, kind, and willing to make sacrifices.
– Location: Manhattan Beach, California
– POV: Single third-person with flashback timelines
– Spice: 4-5 open-door spicy scenes but also a few closed-door spicy mentions
– Tropes: marriage in crisis, slow burn, he falls first and harder, second chance, banter, age gap (7 years; he’s 39; she’s 32), workplace pining/yearning, golden retriever MMC
– Triggers: infertility, IVF, miscarriages (somewhat explicit), cheating, divorce, grief, uncool mother-in-law
– Representation: gestational carrier/surrogacy, healing after miscarriage, nerdy MMC (D&D player), Jewish FMC (but not explored greatly)
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: First Love by Thelma & James
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Jim and Pam’s relationship on The Office, but if Pam was Jennifer Garner’s character from Juno
➼ Movies like Hope Floats, Waitress, and maybe the TV show Life & Beth
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Insta Love/Lust———————✧————Slow Burn
Sweet——————✧—————Spicy
Light/Fluffy————————✧———Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I am always blown away by debut novels. Just the fact that someone had this idea, painstakingly created it over hours of typing, reading, re-reading, editor’s notes, proofers notes, beta reads, etc. and then they just put it out into the world and hope that it finds the right people to resonate with (and hopefully that’s ALL people).
What I Loved:
»The Raw Depiction of Infertility: I cannot even begin to fathom the devastation that comes with miscarriages and infertility. And then what happens to a woman’s body, mind, and spirit to endure that and jump into IVF and surrogacy: I am in awe how resilient women are. And while the focus of this book isn’t how it effects the men, I also can’t imagine how awful this can be for marriages, intimacy, and self-esteem. This book does a beautiful job of showing Nicole’s want, hope, despair, and utter turmoil.
»The Banter: I laughed out loud so many times in this book. And not just the banter between Nicole and Logan, but even with Nicole and her friends. It helped bring levity to a heavy book.
What I Didn’t Love:
»The Flashbacks: This story has a dual timeline or flashbacks. At first, I liked these moments between Nicole and Logan from the past, but over time I felt that it distracted from the overall story. I believe it was meant to set up their love story, but to me it actually detracted. I wish that instead of so many flashbacks…we’d had more about Nicole’s journey preparing to change her life to accommodate a child. This story had such beautiful heartbreak around her miscarriages, but then quickly diverted to make romance be the focus. I feel like the two plotlines competed at times.
»Nicole’s Choices: I overall liked Nicole. I can’t say that I can relate to her, but as a character, she was mostly ok. But the amount of times I wanted to scream at her in the last half of the book really took me out of it. I mean. The choices she makes in this book toe the line with toxic behavior, but we’re all human, right? If I were Logan, I'd be like "fool me once..." but he like, really liked her, so who am I to judge?
Would I recommend?: Yes. I think this is going to especially be impactful for readers that have gone through infertility issues or love someone that has. There is one writing quirk that I found annoying and repetitive for those that care about those things, but that doesn’t take away from the heart and soul of this book.
▹Format: 📱 eReader (coming October 14, 2025!)
▹TL;DR Review: I just know that this book will be cathartic to certain readers. The romance was very cute at times and the banter was top notch. I just had a few issues with the writing structure and the FMC's choices…
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– About: Nicole and her husband, Gabe, have been together for 10 years. In that time, they’ve moved across country, started and ended jobs, and had seemingly every infertility issue go wrong. On the same day as their last-ditch effort, an embryo transplant with a surrogate, Nicole finds out that Gabe’s been cheating on her. Now, set on starting over, Nicole reconnects with an old coworker, Logan, who is hell-bent on helping her heal. But what they find along the way could make an already complicated situation even stickier. Especially since Nicole learns that the embryo transfer was successful. What will become of Nicole’s future? Who will stick by her through thick and thin?
– FMC: Nicole. Starts a podcast with her husband about their infertility struggles. She’s an “act first, think later” type of gal… which leads her on a journey of self-discovery and “Logan” discovery.
– MMC: Logan. Truly either a saint of a man or a masochist. He’s emotionally stable, PATIENT, kind, and willing to make sacrifices.
– Location: Manhattan Beach, California
– POV: Single third-person with flashback timelines
– Spice: 4-5 open-door spicy scenes but also a few closed-door spicy mentions
– Tropes: marriage in crisis, slow burn, he falls first and harder, second chance, banter, age gap (7 years; he’s 39; she’s 32), workplace pining/yearning, golden retriever MMC
– Triggers: infertility, IVF, miscarriages (somewhat explicit), cheating, divorce, grief, uncool mother-in-law
– Representation: gestational carrier/surrogacy, healing after miscarriage, nerdy MMC (D&D player), Jewish FMC (but not explored greatly)
─────────────────────────
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12
Now Playing: First Love by Thelma & James
╰┈➤ ❝You’re not the first “I love you” that I’ve said or I’ve been told, but you’re the first that has me getting scared of getting hold; yea, it’s the first time, I’m pretty sure I’d rather die than give you up, when we’re in our eighties, I hope He takes me first, love.❞
─────────────────────────
★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★
➼ Jim and Pam’s relationship on The Office, but if Pam was Jennifer Garner’s character from Juno
➼ Movies like Hope Floats, Waitress, and maybe the TV show Life & Beth
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Insta Love/Lust———————✧————Slow Burn
Sweet——————✧—————Spicy
Light/Fluffy————————✧———Heavy/Emotional
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
I am always blown away by debut novels. Just the fact that someone had this idea, painstakingly created it over hours of typing, reading, re-reading, editor’s notes, proofers notes, beta reads, etc. and then they just put it out into the world and hope that it finds the right people to resonate with (and hopefully that’s ALL people).
What I Loved:
»The Raw Depiction of Infertility: I cannot even begin to fathom the devastation that comes with miscarriages and infertility. And then what happens to a woman’s body, mind, and spirit to endure that and jump into IVF and surrogacy: I am in awe how resilient women are. And while the focus of this book isn’t how it effects the men, I also can’t imagine how awful this can be for marriages, intimacy, and self-esteem. This book does a beautiful job of showing Nicole’s want, hope, despair, and utter turmoil.
»The Banter: I laughed out loud so many times in this book. And not just the banter between Nicole and Logan, but even with Nicole and her friends. It helped bring levity to a heavy book.
What I Didn’t Love:
»The Flashbacks: This story has a dual timeline or flashbacks. At first, I liked these moments between Nicole and Logan from the past, but over time I felt that it distracted from the overall story. I believe it was meant to set up their love story, but to me it actually detracted. I wish that instead of so many flashbacks…we’d had more about Nicole’s journey preparing to change her life to accommodate a child. This story had such beautiful heartbreak around her miscarriages, but then quickly diverted to make romance be the focus. I feel like the two plotlines competed at times.
»Nicole’s Choices: I overall liked Nicole. I can’t say that I can relate to her, but as a character, she was mostly ok. But the amount of times I wanted to scream at her in the last half of the book really took me out of it. I mean. The choices she makes in this book toe the line with toxic behavior, but we’re all human, right? If I were Logan, I'd be like "fool me once..." but he like, really liked her, so who am I to judge?
Would I recommend?: Yes. I think this is going to especially be impactful for readers that have gone through infertility issues or love someone that has. There is one writing quirk that I found annoying and repetitive for those that care about those things, but that doesn’t take away from the heart and soul of this book.
October 16, 2025
(4.75 stars)
Thanks to Avon Books and HarperAudio for the free eARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.
Nicole Speyer is at the end of a long road with her husband, Gabe, after a decade of marriage and almost that long trying to have a baby. She's done IVF, surgeries, and now two going on three embryo transfers with Valerie, a gestational surrogate across the country. Then all in one day they do the third transfer, she finds Gabe "with" the young, hot dog walker, and in a moment of anger and rage her friend persuades her to show up at the front door of Logan, a former coworker who kinda seemed like he might have a thing for her.
Nicole is a mess. Her life is a mess. She is trying to find her way through, trying to figure out what (and who) she wants in a relationship and beyond. She doesn't always make the best choices, but of course that makes the story more interesting.
This book really worked for me. It has many of the features of a traditional contemporary romance but I found it really fresh, and much less predictable than many (not always a bad thing - to be clear!!). I loved author Lauren Okie's writing and sense of humor. I felt for Nicole even when she dug herself deeper into her own mess.
And Logan. What a man. What a dream. He's "summer camp hot ... Eagle Scout hot." He plays Dungeons and Dragons. I found all of this very endearing. But mostly, as much as he gives of himself for Nicole, he also stands up for himself and he is far from a doormat. One of my favorite MMCs I've ever read, for sure. And as heavy as some themes were, the book still brought the fun and banter I want when I pick up a romance.
I mostly listened to this one and thought narrator Kristen Sieh did a fantastic job. I will be glad to see her name on audiobooks in the future!
Thanks to Avon Books and HarperAudio for the free eARC and ALC. All opinions are my own.
Nicole Speyer is at the end of a long road with her husband, Gabe, after a decade of marriage and almost that long trying to have a baby. She's done IVF, surgeries, and now two going on three embryo transfers with Valerie, a gestational surrogate across the country. Then all in one day they do the third transfer, she finds Gabe "with" the young, hot dog walker, and in a moment of anger and rage her friend persuades her to show up at the front door of Logan, a former coworker who kinda seemed like he might have a thing for her.
Nicole is a mess. Her life is a mess. She is trying to find her way through, trying to figure out what (and who) she wants in a relationship and beyond. She doesn't always make the best choices, but of course that makes the story more interesting.
This book really worked for me. It has many of the features of a traditional contemporary romance but I found it really fresh, and much less predictable than many (not always a bad thing - to be clear!!). I loved author Lauren Okie's writing and sense of humor. I felt for Nicole even when she dug herself deeper into her own mess.
And Logan. What a man. What a dream. He's "summer camp hot ... Eagle Scout hot." He plays Dungeons and Dragons. I found all of this very endearing. But mostly, as much as he gives of himself for Nicole, he also stands up for himself and he is far from a doormat. One of my favorite MMCs I've ever read, for sure. And as heavy as some themes were, the book still brought the fun and banter I want when I pick up a romance.
I mostly listened to this one and thought narrator Kristen Sieh did a fantastic job. I will be glad to see her name on audiobooks in the future!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 608 reviews