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The MASH Up
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26It’s all fun and games until someone falls in love.
MANSION • APARTMENT • SHACK • HOUSE
Ruby Wynne is a staunch rule-follower who lives by the numbers. So when a surprising breakup – on her thirty-fifth birthday – ruins all her well-laid plans, Ruby makes an unexpected wish . . . Only to wake up inside a M.A.S.H. game from seventh grade.
Settled in a Technicolor mansion, driving a tie-dye Jeep, and running a roller-disco restaurant, Ruby is living out her childhood dreams come true—with one exception. According to the game, Ruby’s “other half” is supposed to be Penn Hayes, her brother’s annoying, and annoyingly handsome, best friend. But there’s zero romance between them. Just like in real life, all they share is sarcasm. With no rules to follow and desperate to return to reality, Ruby makes her best guess at an escape plan: win Penn’s heart so the game comes completely true and she can go home.
It’s unthinkable. On Ruby’s list of dos and don’ts, Penn Hayes is a lifelong don’t. But as Ruby navigates the magical world she dreamed up at thirteen, she wonders if, by finally throwing out her rules, she might just find her way home to the life and love she deserves.
MANSION • APARTMENT • SHACK • HOUSE
Ruby Wynne is a staunch rule-follower who lives by the numbers. So when a surprising breakup – on her thirty-fifth birthday – ruins all her well-laid plans, Ruby makes an unexpected wish . . . Only to wake up inside a M.A.S.H. game from seventh grade.
Settled in a Technicolor mansion, driving a tie-dye Jeep, and running a roller-disco restaurant, Ruby is living out her childhood dreams come true—with one exception. According to the game, Ruby’s “other half” is supposed to be Penn Hayes, her brother’s annoying, and annoyingly handsome, best friend. But there’s zero romance between them. Just like in real life, all they share is sarcasm. With no rules to follow and desperate to return to reality, Ruby makes her best guess at an escape plan: win Penn’s heart so the game comes completely true and she can go home.
It’s unthinkable. On Ruby’s list of dos and don’ts, Penn Hayes is a lifelong don’t. But as Ruby navigates the magical world she dreamed up at thirteen, she wonders if, by finally throwing out her rules, she might just find her way home to the life and love she deserves.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 7, 2026
13 people are currently reading
1520 people want to read
About the author
Laura Marie Meyers
1 book11 followersLaura Marie Meyers is an author and journalist whose work is focused on books, trends, and pop culture. As an interviewer and event moderator, she’s led conversations with actors, experts, and bestselling authors. Originally from Chicago, she lives in Northern California with her husband, two sons, and far too many concert t-shirts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 27, 2025
Ruby gets stuck in her middle school MASH game where the guy she ends up with, according to the game, is her brother’s loathsome (but obviously unbelievably charming) best friend?! You already know it was bound to be a banger (and it WAS)!
It also reminded me I could’ve ended up with Devon Sawa in a shack 💕
It also reminded me I could’ve ended up with Devon Sawa in a shack 💕
January 16, 2026
You know what HELL yeah!! I am so glad this lived up to my expectations, it was just FUN. I loved the chemistry between Penn and Ruby, and I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time🫶🏻
January 17, 2026
4.5 rounded up!! full review to come but i had truly the most fun with this!! the nostalgia was everything!! i laughed out out!! a wonderful wonderful wonderful debut!!
January 13, 2026
I loved the idea of this book! I think I would’ve been more invested if there had been more showing of history between Ruby and Penn? The romance didn’t quite hit as hard as I wanted it to. But still a cute, fun and easy read!
January 15, 2026
Oh, how I loved this! I was sold from the description alone and absolutely devoured this book.
The premise is so fun and clever: after getting drunk on her birthday and hitting her head, the FMC wakes up stuck inside a M.A.S.H game. If you’re of a certain age, the nostalgia hits immediately and it brought back so many amazing memories. From the storyline to the writing to even the colorful details of the world, I was completely hooked.
Ruby is the complete opposite of who she is in the M.A.S.H game world, while Penn remains very much himself. They’ve known each other forever - neighbors, and Penn is Ruby’s brother’s best friend. In the real world, they barely tolerate each other. But inside the game, they’re meant to be… or at least Ruby hopes they are, because it might be the only way for her to get back home.
The tension and chemistry between Ruby and Penn are so good. The vibes were immaculate, and I felt all the good feelings while reading. The fact that this is a debut novel makes it even more impressive, truly iconic.
I loved the characters, I loved the concept, and I absolutely loved this book. Well done!
The premise is so fun and clever: after getting drunk on her birthday and hitting her head, the FMC wakes up stuck inside a M.A.S.H game. If you’re of a certain age, the nostalgia hits immediately and it brought back so many amazing memories. From the storyline to the writing to even the colorful details of the world, I was completely hooked.
Ruby is the complete opposite of who she is in the M.A.S.H game world, while Penn remains very much himself. They’ve known each other forever - neighbors, and Penn is Ruby’s brother’s best friend. In the real world, they barely tolerate each other. But inside the game, they’re meant to be… or at least Ruby hopes they are, because it might be the only way for her to get back home.
The tension and chemistry between Ruby and Penn are so good. The vibes were immaculate, and I felt all the good feelings while reading. The fact that this is a debut novel makes it even more impressive, truly iconic.
I loved the characters, I loved the concept, and I absolutely loved this book. Well done!
January 10, 2026
I loved played MASH as a kid! This story was full of millennial nostalgia and the romance was so sweet. I loved the boy/girl next door pairing and the many ways Ruby and Penn supported one another. This is the perfect story for readers looking to relive their 90s/early aughts childhoods through a light-hearted and romantic story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ such a fantastic debut from laura marie meyers! the creative premise and playful, witty, vibrant voice pulled me in immediately. the banter was funny and flirty with such a fun, lighthearted energy, and the fast pace made it a real page-turner. overall, this story felt really fresh while also nostalgic in the best way.
thank you so much to netgalley and g.p. putnam’s sons (penguin group) for providing me with this arc!
thank you so much to netgalley and g.p. putnam’s sons (penguin group) for providing me with this arc!
January 17, 2026
Ruby finds herself trapped in a MASH game from her pre-teen years. She has the mansion, the tie-dye jeep, and the roller rink restaurant. The only thing missing? Her soulmate—who, according to MASH, is Penn, her twin brother’s annoying best friend. As she seduces him, thinking he’s her ticket out, Ruby realizes that what she and Penn share might be more than just a game.
Omg omg omg. I saw the title and premise and had to try this book, and to call it amazing feels like an understatement. The nostalgia hits perfectly—what screams 90s kid more than MASH, roller rinks, bean bag chairs, and tie-dye jeeps? It was cozy, fun, and irresistibly charming. Ruby’s story is equally compelling. As we dig deeper into why she’s so safe and controlled, you really feel for her. We all have moments that shape us, and sometimes those moments make us play it safe.
This book was a beautiful mirror for Ruby to see how her actions affect not just herself but the people closest to her. And the romance? Absolute 10/10. Enemies-to-lovers tension, witty banter, slow burn… I was eating it up and leaving zero crumbs. Seriously. This book made me laugh, kick my feet, and feel emotional all at the same time.
My only complaint is that Putnam took their sweet time approving this eARC—but it was worth the wait.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Omg omg omg. I saw the title and premise and had to try this book, and to call it amazing feels like an understatement. The nostalgia hits perfectly—what screams 90s kid more than MASH, roller rinks, bean bag chairs, and tie-dye jeeps? It was cozy, fun, and irresistibly charming. Ruby’s story is equally compelling. As we dig deeper into why she’s so safe and controlled, you really feel for her. We all have moments that shape us, and sometimes those moments make us play it safe.
This book was a beautiful mirror for Ruby to see how her actions affect not just herself but the people closest to her. And the romance? Absolute 10/10. Enemies-to-lovers tension, witty banter, slow burn… I was eating it up and leaving zero crumbs. Seriously. This book made me laugh, kick my feet, and feel emotional all at the same time.
My only complaint is that Putnam took their sweet time approving this eARC—but it was worth the wait.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2026
4.5+
This gave me all the colorful warm and fuzzies throughout the book! The premise of the book gave 13 going 30 vibes, so naturally I had Jennifer Garner's voice narrating the entire time.
Ruby and her twin brother, Ryan are celebrating their 35 birthday, her entire life has been planned out according to her rules. When she takes a doozy of a fall, she finds herself back in a game of MASH that she played when she was 13. Coming from her neutral color palette life of reality to a colorful world in MASHland, Ruby takes a lesson from her MASH self to give in to a more colorful life.
I loved the gradual growth of romance with Penn and Ruby, it had me laughing with their bantering but also their way of flirting had me wanting to open my book every chance I got.
There was much nostalgia to be had to this book and it was fun being in MASHland with Ruby and Penn.
Thank you Putnam, Laura, and Netgalley for a copy of an e-arc!
This gave me all the colorful warm and fuzzies throughout the book! The premise of the book gave 13 going 30 vibes, so naturally I had Jennifer Garner's voice narrating the entire time.
Ruby and her twin brother, Ryan are celebrating their 35 birthday, her entire life has been planned out according to her rules. When she takes a doozy of a fall, she finds herself back in a game of MASH that she played when she was 13. Coming from her neutral color palette life of reality to a colorful world in MASHland, Ruby takes a lesson from her MASH self to give in to a more colorful life.
I loved the gradual growth of romance with Penn and Ruby, it had me laughing with their bantering but also their way of flirting had me wanting to open my book every chance I got.
There was much nostalgia to be had to this book and it was fun being in MASHland with Ruby and Penn.
Thank you Putnam, Laura, and Netgalley for a copy of an e-arc!
January 13, 2026
Excellent!! Immediately I was swept up into my 90s/early 2000s youth, racing through the pages like I was again a MASH playing girl myself, instead of a thirty something whose morning work alarm was going to be blaring far too soon. Loved this author’s voice - original and captivating. Felt like I was immersed in this plot and setting - with the author painting such realistic imagery. Loved the witty dialogue. Loved how it tied together. Loved it all! This will be an auto buy author for me. Thank you NetGalley for the chance!
January 18, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! Publishes July 2026!
The MASH Up, yes it’s what you think - from your middle school days, mansion apartment shack house. I loved doing these with friends growing up - and so when I heard the synopsis of this book I had to read it.
Ruby finds herself transported to her MASH world after taking a fall on her birthday, finding her way back to reality and what she truly wants. It’s a fun and chaotic ride. PS it’s “Brother’s Best Friend” trope 👀
The MASH Up, yes it’s what you think - from your middle school days, mansion apartment shack house. I loved doing these with friends growing up - and so when I heard the synopsis of this book I had to read it.
Ruby finds herself transported to her MASH world after taking a fall on her birthday, finding her way back to reality and what she truly wants. It’s a fun and chaotic ride. PS it’s “Brother’s Best Friend” trope 👀
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
someone get the author, a producer, hudson williams and emily bader on the phone I HAVE A VISION
this book was without a doubt the easiest 6 star read ever for me 😭!!!
i couldn’t be more obsessed with this book if i tried, i had so much fun from page one to the very last, there was not a single thing about this book that i did not like, this book was absolute chaos in the very best of ways. usually when i’m this enamored by a book i rush through binge reading it only to be so sad when its over that i rushed the experience and i already have to say goodbye to them BUT i really forced myself to take my time with this book and soak up every last bit and i couldn’t be happier with that decision, getting to stay in love with ruby and penn for a few extra days was everything and more😭.
penn had only said all of three sentences at most before i was absolutely bewitched by him, this man is an absolute MENACE in the most charming and fun way and watching ruby fight for her life to not let him charm the panties right off of her and fail MISERABLY has been the highlight of my year thus far. i have the feeling that penn is going to be THEE book boyfriend in my eyes for the rest of the year and the rest of forever, i adore this man so much i got cute aggression over him like every other sentence i swear 😂
RUBY, god watching her journey of trying to find out who she wants to be through out this book was everything and more to me. as a girlie who has 50,000 existential crises every single day of her life i related so hard to her and getting to slowly see her come back to herself and bring color back into her life had me so emotional the entire time. ruby is one of my favorite kinds of fmcs, it really does something for me to watch this woman who thinks she finally has everything figured out only for it to crumble and she has to start over will always be one of my favorite kinds of journeys to follow. laura did a phenomenal job showing that it IS OKAY to start over at any point in your life. i feel like we get SO wrapped up in age and social media and what everyone else is accomplishing that we forget how young we truly are and that starting over or not being where you wanna be yet in life is okay because we have PLENTY of time!!!
ruby and bridget’s friendship in this book is SO special to me, i absolutely loved the way these two had eachothers backs and the way bridget was SO ready to help ruby figure out what the heck was going on in every timeline. the way she never questioned or doubted the craziness of what ruby experienced, this friendship was so precious and it made me really grateful that i have my own bridget in life!!
i just know that this is going to become my new comfort book. if i tried to list all of the reasons i loved it we would be here for days. i am already plotting and scheming a reread and how i can try to get my hands on the audiobook as soon as possible so i can just listen on repeat 🙂↕️. the way this is a debut book just absolutely blows me away, going forward laura will 1000% be an auto buy/read author, i am already chomping at the bit to find out when she will be releasing another book (even though this one still has 6 more months till release 😂). i am simply obsessed.
this book was without a doubt the easiest 6 star read ever for me 😭!!!
i couldn’t be more obsessed with this book if i tried, i had so much fun from page one to the very last, there was not a single thing about this book that i did not like, this book was absolute chaos in the very best of ways. usually when i’m this enamored by a book i rush through binge reading it only to be so sad when its over that i rushed the experience and i already have to say goodbye to them BUT i really forced myself to take my time with this book and soak up every last bit and i couldn’t be happier with that decision, getting to stay in love with ruby and penn for a few extra days was everything and more😭.
penn had only said all of three sentences at most before i was absolutely bewitched by him, this man is an absolute MENACE in the most charming and fun way and watching ruby fight for her life to not let him charm the panties right off of her and fail MISERABLY has been the highlight of my year thus far. i have the feeling that penn is going to be THEE book boyfriend in my eyes for the rest of the year and the rest of forever, i adore this man so much i got cute aggression over him like every other sentence i swear 😂
RUBY, god watching her journey of trying to find out who she wants to be through out this book was everything and more to me. as a girlie who has 50,000 existential crises every single day of her life i related so hard to her and getting to slowly see her come back to herself and bring color back into her life had me so emotional the entire time. ruby is one of my favorite kinds of fmcs, it really does something for me to watch this woman who thinks she finally has everything figured out only for it to crumble and she has to start over will always be one of my favorite kinds of journeys to follow. laura did a phenomenal job showing that it IS OKAY to start over at any point in your life. i feel like we get SO wrapped up in age and social media and what everyone else is accomplishing that we forget how young we truly are and that starting over or not being where you wanna be yet in life is okay because we have PLENTY of time!!!
ruby and bridget’s friendship in this book is SO special to me, i absolutely loved the way these two had eachothers backs and the way bridget was SO ready to help ruby figure out what the heck was going on in every timeline. the way she never questioned or doubted the craziness of what ruby experienced, this friendship was so precious and it made me really grateful that i have my own bridget in life!!
i just know that this is going to become my new comfort book. if i tried to list all of the reasons i loved it we would be here for days. i am already plotting and scheming a reread and how i can try to get my hands on the audiobook as soon as possible so i can just listen on repeat 🙂↕️. the way this is a debut book just absolutely blows me away, going forward laura will 1000% be an auto buy/read author, i am already chomping at the bit to find out when she will be releasing another book (even though this one still has 6 more months till release 😂). i am simply obsessed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Putnam, Penguin Books | G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing this digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ruby Wynne has always followed the rules, so when a breakup on her thirty-fifth birthday derails her perfectly planned life, she makes a wish that lands her inside a childhood M.A.S.H. game. Living out her teenage dreams in a colorful fantasy world, Ruby’s biggest obstacle is Penn Hayes—her brother’s annoying best friend—who the game says is her soulmate. Determined to get home, Ruby tries to make the game come true, but as she lets go of her rules, she starts to wonder if this unexpected world holds the love she’s been missing.
My initial thought is that you need to mark this as a TBR immediately. The second is that this MUST become a movie adaptation. It’s one of those types of books you can’t stop visualizing. Everything about this encapsulated the perfect 90s/early 2000s rom-com. Imagine a similar vibe to 13 Going on 30 and She’s All That. If you loved those, you will love this even more. And if you think rom-coms are dead, this book is the resurrection. I loved the entire premise of this, and the nostalgia of it all really hits home.
I don’t know what it is about alternate realities, but they can’t help but pull you in. Escapism becomes fairly easy, especially if you’re stuck in a M.A.S.H. game you played when you were 12. The technicolor mansion with thirteen fish, a tie-dye jeep, and a disco roller rink diner, I mean, who even comes up with that? The intrigue was there, and it was just so fun. All the descriptive aspects of the plot were creative and articulated so perfectly. It felt like every page was written in a different color glitter pen.
Then, when you add the banter & chemistry between Ruby and Penn, it was to die for you guys. The trope was enemies, to friends, to lovers, and close proximity, so you know the tension was very relevant. The character development was so strong, and the yearning made my stomach drop to my ass (in the good way) on many occasions. Ruby was funny, relatable, messy, and overall just a comforting FMC to read about. You connect with her on a personal level via the quarter-ish life crisis. She doesn’t quite know who she is or what she wants, similar to like everyone on Earth. But Penn was the perfect guide. He also doesn’t have his life all figured out, but that didn’t stop him, his abs, and his backwards hat from moving mountains for her.
This is a must-read for any girl in their 20s & 30s. Read it on July 7th when it comes out, because if this doesn’t get a movie adaptation, I will raise hell. Thanks.
Ruby Wynne has always followed the rules, so when a breakup on her thirty-fifth birthday derails her perfectly planned life, she makes a wish that lands her inside a childhood M.A.S.H. game. Living out her teenage dreams in a colorful fantasy world, Ruby’s biggest obstacle is Penn Hayes—her brother’s annoying best friend—who the game says is her soulmate. Determined to get home, Ruby tries to make the game come true, but as she lets go of her rules, she starts to wonder if this unexpected world holds the love she’s been missing.
My initial thought is that you need to mark this as a TBR immediately. The second is that this MUST become a movie adaptation. It’s one of those types of books you can’t stop visualizing. Everything about this encapsulated the perfect 90s/early 2000s rom-com. Imagine a similar vibe to 13 Going on 30 and She’s All That. If you loved those, you will love this even more. And if you think rom-coms are dead, this book is the resurrection. I loved the entire premise of this, and the nostalgia of it all really hits home.
I don’t know what it is about alternate realities, but they can’t help but pull you in. Escapism becomes fairly easy, especially if you’re stuck in a M.A.S.H. game you played when you were 12. The technicolor mansion with thirteen fish, a tie-dye jeep, and a disco roller rink diner, I mean, who even comes up with that? The intrigue was there, and it was just so fun. All the descriptive aspects of the plot were creative and articulated so perfectly. It felt like every page was written in a different color glitter pen.
Then, when you add the banter & chemistry between Ruby and Penn, it was to die for you guys. The trope was enemies, to friends, to lovers, and close proximity, so you know the tension was very relevant. The character development was so strong, and the yearning made my stomach drop to my ass (in the good way) on many occasions. Ruby was funny, relatable, messy, and overall just a comforting FMC to read about. You connect with her on a personal level via the quarter-ish life crisis. She doesn’t quite know who she is or what she wants, similar to like everyone on Earth. But Penn was the perfect guide. He also doesn’t have his life all figured out, but that didn’t stop him, his abs, and his backwards hat from moving mountains for her.
This is a must-read for any girl in their 20s & 30s. Read it on July 7th when it comes out, because if this doesn’t get a movie adaptation, I will raise hell. Thanks.
January 16, 2026
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My first 5 star review for 2026!
I absolutely loved THE MASH UP. Not only was it full of millenial nostalgia, but the magical realism of a woman being transported into the life predicted by a teenage game of MASH was exactly the mental escape I needed.
Ruby, on her thirty-fifth birthday, somehow finds herself in MASHland after breaking up with her long-time we-have-our-entire-future-planned-out boyfriend. She has no idea how she got there or how to get back to her "normal" life. And while the idea of living in a technicolor mansion with two pools, 13 fish, and a tie-dye Jeep is fun in the beginning when she only thinks her trip is temporary, Ruby also has to deal with her nemesis, the man destined, according to the game, to be her other-half, her twin brother's best friend, Penn.
Ruby's teenage dream life is basically the polar opposite of the life she's living in her own timeline, and getting to see the bits and pieces of her personality that were sanded away by life and the worries that come along with it was thought-provoking. She realizes that maybe she didn't have to abandon certain things for the sake of molding her life into the shape she thought it should be.
Because this is a debut novel, I had no idea what I was getting into with THE MASH UP, but I was delighted by Laura Marie Meyer's writing (I'd liken it to Emily Henry, Carley Fortune, and Ashley Poston!) and just how much Ruby grows as a character. I loved the quirky townspeople and especially Penn. THE MASH UP truly felt like two novels mashed up into one, in the best way possible. Readers get to see Ruby's experience in MASHland--trying to leave, of course, but also how her relationships evolve and she learns how to let go of things that aren't working for her--and how her real life is impacted by her unexpected trip. There was so much emotion and yearning that I'm slightly angry I read this so early because now I don't have anyone to talk to about it for MONTHS.
If this is Laura Marie Meyer's first book, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
My first 5 star review for 2026!
I absolutely loved THE MASH UP. Not only was it full of millenial nostalgia, but the magical realism of a woman being transported into the life predicted by a teenage game of MASH was exactly the mental escape I needed.
Ruby, on her thirty-fifth birthday, somehow finds herself in MASHland after breaking up with her long-time we-have-our-entire-future-planned-out boyfriend. She has no idea how she got there or how to get back to her "normal" life. And while the idea of living in a technicolor mansion with two pools, 13 fish, and a tie-dye Jeep is fun in the beginning when she only thinks her trip is temporary, Ruby also has to deal with her nemesis, the man destined, according to the game, to be her other-half, her twin brother's best friend, Penn.
Ruby's teenage dream life is basically the polar opposite of the life she's living in her own timeline, and getting to see the bits and pieces of her personality that were sanded away by life and the worries that come along with it was thought-provoking. She realizes that maybe she didn't have to abandon certain things for the sake of molding her life into the shape she thought it should be.
Because this is a debut novel, I had no idea what I was getting into with THE MASH UP, but I was delighted by Laura Marie Meyer's writing (I'd liken it to Emily Henry, Carley Fortune, and Ashley Poston!) and just how much Ruby grows as a character. I loved the quirky townspeople and especially Penn. THE MASH UP truly felt like two novels mashed up into one, in the best way possible. Readers get to see Ruby's experience in MASHland--trying to leave, of course, but also how her relationships evolve and she learns how to let go of things that aren't working for her--and how her real life is impacted by her unexpected trip. There was so much emotion and yearning that I'm slightly angry I read this so early because now I don't have anyone to talk to about it for MONTHS.
If this is Laura Marie Meyer's first book, I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ruby thinks she is living her best life. She's at her thirty fifth birthday party with her twin brother and her best friend and her boyfriend, ruby likes order plans,navy white and beige and absolutely no surprises, well, after birthday, her best friend surprises her with an old mash game they did in 7th grade ( or you're gonna live, what your job is, your car and who you will end up with - remember that game) she can't believe i'm partner was going to be her brother's best friend Penn who happens to be the bartender that night- for somebody who likes it doesn't like surprises. It's a very odd time for her boyfriend to decide to tell her he's his job (and her) and moving to New York City to try something different. - what else to do but get blackout drunk, But when ruby wakes up, she's now living in her MASH world- this is driving a crazy car, not her reliable nissan. living in a fourteen year olds dream house and not a beige cardigan in sight, she's even got her dream career. Running a roller skate rank slash diner- the one thing missing is she single, so is the key to getting out of her mash world getting in tune with Penn, Ruby, just once out of the chaos and into her body. stable boring life- so she's gotta try to figure out how to make Penn fall in love with her. So she can make her way back home-- this book is so fun. I loved the characters all the characters. Her twin brother, her best friend even her texting parents are fun. I totally laughed out loud. It just made me smile.We'd love to see more on the other characters, especially the brother - i have really no complaints about this book. Except I feel the ending was just a little bit rush.But totally would recommend totally would buy it loved it
Thank you.Netgalley, for an arc, in exchange for an honest review
Thank you.Netgalley, for an arc, in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First NetGalley book of 2026! I like the millennial nostalgia core of this novel, but I thought the plot was fluffy, predictable, and mired in cliché (I'm tired of romance writers using the phrase "live wire" to describe chemistry between the leads!) Laura Marie Meyers has a great concept: Following a disastrous thirty-fifth birthday party, Ruby Wynne wakes up and finds herself...living inside a MASH game from middle school. All the nostalgic millennial references were wonderful: This novel took me back to my childhood. But the characters and plot were lacking. It was so obvious to me that Ruby ended up in the MASH game to rediscover herself and come away with the conclusion that her life needed more joy. While passion and purposeful aren't bad, the takeaways seemed obvious. The love story was also obvious, though I expected that, because this also followed a romance novel formula. Ruby and Penn were cute, but their banter also read like millennial middle schoolers!
This is a 1 out of 5 on the spice level for romance: Some kissing but otherwise all behind closed doors.
I was excited to read this because I first discovered it on LinkedIn of all places. It was a fun millennial throwback, but the clichéd story doesn't live up to the more original premise. I liked the first fourth or so, then found myself skimming a lot of the rest.
Thank you to Putnam via NetGalley for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a 1 out of 5 on the spice level for romance: Some kissing but otherwise all behind closed doors.
I was excited to read this because I first discovered it on LinkedIn of all places. It was a fun millennial throwback, but the clichéd story doesn't live up to the more original premise. I liked the first fourth or so, then found myself skimming a lot of the rest.
Thank you to Putnam via NetGalley for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my gosh!! What a cute book. I loved this so much. Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Marie Meyers, and publisher for sending me an ARC. I am so happy I got the opportunity to read this sweet love story between Ruby and Penn.
This was an incredibly whimsical, cozy read filled to the brim with funny jokes, swoon-worthy lines, and self-discovery. This book is reminiscent of 13 going on 30 in all the best ways. On Ruby's 35th birthday, she makes a wish on an elevated surface and wakes up in the world predicted by a seventh grade M.A.S.H game. Ruby is desperately trying to figure out how to get back to her own world after it was turned upside down and her friend suggests playing each of the acronyms in M.A.S.H out to see if meeting the rules of the game would send Ruby back to her real world.
I had so much fun with Ruby and crew during this read. Like I mentioned above, it's such a whimsical read filled with vibrant colors and patterns. It's so nostalgic and reminds me of the late 90s and early 2000s. There are lots of fun references to LipSmackers and Lisa Frank! I loved watching Ruby rediscover her dreams in her MASH world and loved watching the relationship between Penn and Ruby unfold. I laughed out loud and chuckle several times. The romance is sweet. It is closed door, but I'd give it one chili pepper!
All in all, this is a must read!
This was an incredibly whimsical, cozy read filled to the brim with funny jokes, swoon-worthy lines, and self-discovery. This book is reminiscent of 13 going on 30 in all the best ways. On Ruby's 35th birthday, she makes a wish on an elevated surface and wakes up in the world predicted by a seventh grade M.A.S.H game. Ruby is desperately trying to figure out how to get back to her own world after it was turned upside down and her friend suggests playing each of the acronyms in M.A.S.H out to see if meeting the rules of the game would send Ruby back to her real world.
I had so much fun with Ruby and crew during this read. Like I mentioned above, it's such a whimsical read filled with vibrant colors and patterns. It's so nostalgic and reminds me of the late 90s and early 2000s. There are lots of fun references to LipSmackers and Lisa Frank! I loved watching Ruby rediscover her dreams in her MASH world and loved watching the relationship between Penn and Ruby unfold. I laughed out loud and chuckle several times. The romance is sweet. It is closed door, but I'd give it one chili pepper!
All in all, this is a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
I loved the concept of the plot - it felt like a reverse 13 Going on 30. While I enjoyed the premise, I didn’t fully connect with the characters as much as I hoped. Although Ruby and Penn’s evolving relationship seemed inevitable, I never quite felt their chemistry. To me, their dynamic read more like an older brother–sister relationship, which made the shift in their romantic status feel a bit sudden. I wanted more yearning and more moments that helped reframe the brother’s best friend–to–lover trope in a convincing way.
With that being said, they did balance each other well. Ruby initially saw Penn as flighty and noncommittal, but it was clear that he genuinely valued her opinions and perspective. He wanted her to see him in a new light that reflected his personal growth. He was also patient with Ruby when she was hesitant about their relationship and waited for her to catch up to his feelings, but was still always there for Ruby when she needed him.
Overall, this was a nice, lighthearted read that leans heavily into nostalgia, especially for anyone who grew up playing MASH and daydreaming about their future fantasy life.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!
I loved the concept of the plot - it felt like a reverse 13 Going on 30. While I enjoyed the premise, I didn’t fully connect with the characters as much as I hoped. Although Ruby and Penn’s evolving relationship seemed inevitable, I never quite felt their chemistry. To me, their dynamic read more like an older brother–sister relationship, which made the shift in their romantic status feel a bit sudden. I wanted more yearning and more moments that helped reframe the brother’s best friend–to–lover trope in a convincing way.
With that being said, they did balance each other well. Ruby initially saw Penn as flighty and noncommittal, but it was clear that he genuinely valued her opinions and perspective. He wanted her to see him in a new light that reflected his personal growth. He was also patient with Ruby when she was hesitant about their relationship and waited for her to catch up to his feelings, but was still always there for Ruby when she needed him.
Overall, this was a nice, lighthearted read that leans heavily into nostalgia, especially for anyone who grew up playing MASH and daydreaming about their future fantasy life.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was such a fun surprise and takes a game we all obsessed over in middle school and turns it into a clever, colorful, and totally charming romance. It felt fresh and different from anything else I’ve read lately, which honestly made it even more delightful.
Watching Ruby, who is a total rule follower whose life implodes on her birthday, wake up inside a M.A.S.H. game was pure joy. The Technicolor mansion, the tie dye Jeep, the roller disco restaurant… it all felt whimsical without being over the top. Ruby was a bit too rigid for me at times, but she grew on me. And then there’s Penn Hayes. The brother’s best friend. The lifelong guy she cannot have. The sarcasm was really top tier. The slow realization that maybe the game knows something Ruby doesn’t was even better.
What I loved most was how the story balanced fun and letting go of rigid plans and allowing life and love to surprise you. This book made me smile a lot, kick my feet a little, and feel oddly nostalgic in the best way! Such a creative, playful romance that made me feel like a kid again.
Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Marie Meyers, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
Watching Ruby, who is a total rule follower whose life implodes on her birthday, wake up inside a M.A.S.H. game was pure joy. The Technicolor mansion, the tie dye Jeep, the roller disco restaurant… it all felt whimsical without being over the top. Ruby was a bit too rigid for me at times, but she grew on me. And then there’s Penn Hayes. The brother’s best friend. The lifelong guy she cannot have. The sarcasm was really top tier. The slow realization that maybe the game knows something Ruby doesn’t was even better.
What I loved most was how the story balanced fun and letting go of rigid plans and allowing life and love to surprise you. This book made me smile a lot, kick my feet a little, and feel oddly nostalgic in the best way! Such a creative, playful romance that made me feel like a kid again.
Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Marie Meyers, and Putnam for the eARC of this book.
January 18, 2026
3.5 rounded down. This was a cute concept, but I just didn’t feel the romance here. Not quite friends to lovers but acquaintances/“forbidden” - it was hard to really understand the basis of Ruby and Penn’s relationship and there didn’t seem to be any stakes as to why they couldn’t be friendly and then later romantic. It didn’t set up the chemistry right for me. We spend a good chunk of the book in ruby’s dream/MASH, and this was actually the weaker bit of the book; she doesn’t understand how to leave or why she is there (perhaps a bit more magic realism would’ve helped here) and once she’s back, none of the changes have lasted. It slows the action back down to have to reposition herself in her life and again, her early interactions with Penn don’t really build up chemistry. We get to see their relationship bud twice and I still didn’t completely buy it. Despite my criticisms, this was a fresh idea and I’d want to see more from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What if the outcome of that MASH game you played as a kid came true? And what if that premise was written as a delightful romance novel? The best news is the latter of these questions is going to be a thing, and let me tell you more. Ruby is a 35 year old, and life just isn't going her way. She wishes that a MASH outcome would be her reality. And there she is with a tie-dyed jeep, in a mansion, operating a roller-disco, and with her brother's best friend. That last one is definitely not where she saw herself. Ruby then has to figure out how to get out of this MASH alternate reality, but as you might guess, she also finds some interesting developments, particularly with Penn. This was just so wonderful. There was some humor given what Ruby's MASH world is, but also it's got such heart and feels as she navigates life in her mid-30s. This is a book I adored. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this July 2026 release!
January 18, 2026
Reviewed for Netgalley:
This charming, nostalgia‑soaked rom‑com delivers a delightful blend of whimsy, heart, and self‑discovery. Ruby Wynne, a woman who has built her entire life around structure and predictability, is thrown into chaos when a birthday breakup derails everything she’s planned. Her impulsive wish lands her inside a seventh‑grade M.A.S.H. game—complete with a rainbow mansion, a tie‑dye Jeep, and a roller‑disco restaurant—creating a world that’s as vivid and quirky as it is emotionally revealing.
The real twist comes with Penn Hayes, her brother’s best friend and the last person she’d ever imagine as her “other half.” Their banter is sharp, their chemistry slow‑burning, and watching Ruby attempt to “win” his heart for the sake of escaping the game is both funny and unexpectedly tender. The story shines brightest when Ruby confronts the rules she’s clung to her whole life and begins to question whether they’ve been protecting her—or limiting her.
While the magical setup occasionally leans into the fantastical a bit heavily, the emotional payoff and character growth make the journey worthwhile. It’s a playful, heartfelt read that blends childhood nostalgia with adult vulnerability, leaving you rooting for Ruby to choose not just the right partner, but the right version of herself.
If you enjoy rom‑coms with a dash of magic, witty banter, and a heroine learning to rewrite her own rules, this one is a joy.
This charming, nostalgia‑soaked rom‑com delivers a delightful blend of whimsy, heart, and self‑discovery. Ruby Wynne, a woman who has built her entire life around structure and predictability, is thrown into chaos when a birthday breakup derails everything she’s planned. Her impulsive wish lands her inside a seventh‑grade M.A.S.H. game—complete with a rainbow mansion, a tie‑dye Jeep, and a roller‑disco restaurant—creating a world that’s as vivid and quirky as it is emotionally revealing.
The real twist comes with Penn Hayes, her brother’s best friend and the last person she’d ever imagine as her “other half.” Their banter is sharp, their chemistry slow‑burning, and watching Ruby attempt to “win” his heart for the sake of escaping the game is both funny and unexpectedly tender. The story shines brightest when Ruby confronts the rules she’s clung to her whole life and begins to question whether they’ve been protecting her—or limiting her.
While the magical setup occasionally leans into the fantastical a bit heavily, the emotional payoff and character growth make the journey worthwhile. It’s a playful, heartfelt read that blends childhood nostalgia with adult vulnerability, leaving you rooting for Ruby to choose not just the right partner, but the right version of herself.
If you enjoy rom‑coms with a dash of magic, witty banter, and a heroine learning to rewrite her own rules, this one is a joy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is pure delight from start to finish. I devoured this book and enjoyed every minute of it. It is fun and funny, colorful and nostalgic. A wonderful debut novel and can't wait to read what's next from Laura Marie Meyers! 4.25 stars.
On her 35th birthday Ruby, who thrives on safety, plans and predictability, finds herself living out the results of a childhood M.A.S.H game. The house, the job, the pets and the car are all there, she just needs to land her other half to try and break the spell and get back to reality, or so she thinks. The other half in question is her brother's best friend who she has loathed since childhood. Her colorful life in the game serves to remind her that she needs to let go of rules and take some risks, in life and love, to find her true happiness and her way back home.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the chance to read the ARC.
On her 35th birthday Ruby, who thrives on safety, plans and predictability, finds herself living out the results of a childhood M.A.S.H game. The house, the job, the pets and the car are all there, she just needs to land her other half to try and break the spell and get back to reality, or so she thinks. The other half in question is her brother's best friend who she has loathed since childhood. Her colorful life in the game serves to remind her that she needs to let go of rules and take some risks, in life and love, to find her true happiness and her way back home.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the chance to read the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars, rounded up ✨. What a fun, standout debut packed with millennial nostalgia and a touch of magical realism that gave me 13 Going On 30 vibes. Ruby and her twin brother are celebrating their 35th birthdays when she takes a fall and wakes up inside a MASH game she made in 7th grade. Suddenly she’s got a mansion, a tie dye Jeep, and a disco roller skate restaurant, but her love interest is her brother’s annoyingly charming (and handsome) best friend, Penn.
Ruby is super type A, plans everything, and rarely takes risks, so living in this alternate universe pushes her to loosen her grip and let life surprise her. I loved the 90s/early 2000s vibes, plus the banter and tension between Ruby and Penn was A+. Such a charming, playful read with heart.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ruby is super type A, plans everything, and rarely takes risks, so living in this alternate universe pushes her to loosen her grip and let life surprise her. I loved the 90s/early 2000s vibes, plus the banter and tension between Ruby and Penn was A+. Such a charming, playful read with heart.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2026
4.75 ⭐️ This was so fun! It has 13 going on 30 vibes! After celebrating her 35th birthday, Ruby woke up in her MASH game from middle school, which is a far cry from the life she actually lives. She has to navigate living in her dreams from the past—some great, and some not.
It’s a heartfelt and humorous story with a reminder not to take growing up so seriously. And that we got some things right in our youth. It brought all the nostalgia from childhood—roller rink hangouts, laser tag, bean bags, Lisa Frank, passing handwritten notes, pet goldfish, and a cute crush. The pacing was perfect, and the romance was too.
Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest thoughts. I really enjoyed this one! It publishes in July 2026.
It’s a heartfelt and humorous story with a reminder not to take growing up so seriously. And that we got some things right in our youth. It brought all the nostalgia from childhood—roller rink hangouts, laser tag, bean bags, Lisa Frank, passing handwritten notes, pet goldfish, and a cute crush. The pacing was perfect, and the romance was too.
Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest thoughts. I really enjoyed this one! It publishes in July 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was so excited to read The Mash Up by Laura Marie Meyers, and the premise did not disappoint. Thirty-five-year-old Ruby is celebrating her birthday with her twin when her long-term boyfriend breaks up with her. After consoling themselves with drinks, she and her best friend revisit a middle-school favorite—MASH. Ruby then wakes up the next morning living in the MASH world, where she’s somehow meant to be in love with her lifelong frenemy… who also happens to be her brother’s best friend.
This book is a clever, witty, and nostalgic trip down memory lane, especially for anyone who grew up in the ’90s. Light, fun, and full of charm, it’s a strong debut novel from Laura Marie Meyers. I’ll definitely be watching for more from her in the future.
3.5 bones from Herb and me!
This book is a clever, witty, and nostalgic trip down memory lane, especially for anyone who grew up in the ’90s. Light, fun, and full of charm, it’s a strong debut novel from Laura Marie Meyers. I’ll definitely be watching for more from her in the future.
3.5 bones from Herb and me!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, NetGalley and Putnam, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Y'all. This book. First five stars of 2026 and, honestly, first book that's made me swoon from start to finish in a looooooooong time. I cried, too. I LOVE The MASH Up. So, so much. It's like Laura Marie Meyers took everything I could ever want in a book and wrote it down, just for me. And Penn? Penn Hayes? Dream man. Dear Lord, if you're listening, please bring me a man just like Penn. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Seriously, though, this was a home run if I've ever read one. If you're a fan of Ashley Poston's books, childhood friends-t0-lovers, magical realism stories, you've GOT to pick this one up. You won't regret it.
Y'all. This book. First five stars of 2026 and, honestly, first book that's made me swoon from start to finish in a looooooooong time. I cried, too. I LOVE The MASH Up. So, so much. It's like Laura Marie Meyers took everything I could ever want in a book and wrote it down, just for me. And Penn? Penn Hayes? Dream man. Dear Lord, if you're listening, please bring me a man just like Penn. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Seriously, though, this was a home run if I've ever read one. If you're a fan of Ashley Poston's books, childhood friends-t0-lovers, magical realism stories, you've GOT to pick this one up. You won't regret it.
January 4, 2026
I absolutely loved the concept of The MASH Up. As someone who grew up playing MASH endlessly, this book felt instantly nostalgic in the best way. Waking up inside a MASH game is such a clever, playful idea, and the author leaned into it with charm and humor.
The romance is cute and easy to root for, the tone is lighthearted, and the story never takes itself too seriously, which made it a joy to read. It was funny, sweet, and full of that cozy, feel-good energy I crave every once in a while.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
The romance is cute and easy to root for, the tone is lighthearted, and the story never takes itself too seriously, which made it a joy to read. It was funny, sweet, and full of that cozy, feel-good energy I crave every once in a while.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25/5 Stars
The early 2000s detailed descriptions made my nostalgic heart extremely happy! The pace of the story was great and kept me eager to find out what happened next. The back-and-forth with Penn was sweet, but I could have used more heat (personal preference). The main thing I felt was missing was being shown, not told, about her past. Show me more of what Penn, Ruby, and Ryan were like growing up. Show us who she was before entering an alternate universe.
Overall, a great first book! I can’t wait to see what else the author writes.
The early 2000s detailed descriptions made my nostalgic heart extremely happy! The pace of the story was great and kept me eager to find out what happened next. The back-and-forth with Penn was sweet, but I could have used more heat (personal preference). The main thing I felt was missing was being shown, not told, about her past. Show me more of what Penn, Ruby, and Ryan were like growing up. Show us who she was before entering an alternate universe.
Overall, a great first book! I can’t wait to see what else the author writes.
January 17, 2026
What a standout debut! The premise of the MFC getting trapped in an alternate reality based on her middle school MASH game is downright ingenious.
It has been a long time since I have loved a rom-com this much. The 90s nostalgia is woven in so seamlessly that it feels like pure delight rather than a gimmick.
Add in a cast of truly lovable characters, and this book had me hooked from start to finish. It even made me feel giddy, and I am not someone who is prone to giddiness.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It has been a long time since I have loved a rom-com this much. The 90s nostalgia is woven in so seamlessly that it feels like pure delight rather than a gimmick.
Add in a cast of truly lovable characters, and this book had me hooked from start to finish. It even made me feel giddy, and I am not someone who is prone to giddiness.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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