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Missed You the First Time
At 25, Dani Galler just gave up everything—an apartment she loved, a job she liked, and a long-distance boyfriend she wasted years planning to marry. Starting over means figuring out her next career move, finding a new place to live, and maybe, fingers crossed, falling in love again.
What she’s not looking for is pity—especially from Jake Litman, her doughy, bespectacled childhood friend from Jewish summer camp. Back then, he followed her everywhere, eager for her advice and friendship. Now, a decade later, he’s reappeared, transformed into a Greek god of a man with a penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan and a girlfriend who makes Zendaya look just okay.
Desperate to reclaim the confidence of her camp days, Dani obsesses over tracking down a teen magazine article she’s convinced launched her pubescent glow-up. If she can rediscover that spark she may avoid her worst-case scenario: moving home to live with her parents and work for her suddenly successful brother.
As Dani and Jake revisit shared memories, and their connection intensifies, Dani starts to wonder if the life she’s chasing isn’t about rediscovering who she was—but embracing who she may become.
What she’s not looking for is pity—especially from Jake Litman, her doughy, bespectacled childhood friend from Jewish summer camp. Back then, he followed her everywhere, eager for her advice and friendship. Now, a decade later, he’s reappeared, transformed into a Greek god of a man with a penthouse overlooking Lake Michigan and a girlfriend who makes Zendaya look just okay.
Desperate to reclaim the confidence of her camp days, Dani obsesses over tracking down a teen magazine article she’s convinced launched her pubescent glow-up. If she can rediscover that spark she may avoid her worst-case scenario: moving home to live with her parents and work for her suddenly successful brother.
As Dani and Jake revisit shared memories, and their connection intensifies, Dani starts to wonder if the life she’s chasing isn’t about rediscovering who she was—but embracing who she may become.
- GenresRomance
298 pages, Paperback
Published November 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 6, 2026
This is a coming of age story set in Chicago. It is a friends to lovers romantic comedy.
It’s about childhood friends (Dani & Jake) who went to Jewish Summer camp together.
Twenty-five year old Dani has a lot of changes in her life. She was a preschool teacher. But gave up her job when she was planning to move to another city with her boyfriend. When he dumps her she has to balance a new job and dating again.
This book does feature romance. But to me it is more about Dani finding herself.
This book is so Jewish. And that is definitely my favorite thing about the book. Both main characters are Jewish, as is Dani’s best friend Rachel. Dani’s new job is at a Jewish nonprofit. And a big part of the story is the Jewish summer camp Dani, Rachel and Jake went to.
I enjoyed Dani’s job. I really liked the storyline with Janice and her grandson. And I thought that Dani’s family and Rachel added a lot to the story. Overall this was an enjoyable read!
*Thanks to the author for providing me with an ebook!
It’s about childhood friends (Dani & Jake) who went to Jewish Summer camp together.
Twenty-five year old Dani has a lot of changes in her life. She was a preschool teacher. But gave up her job when she was planning to move to another city with her boyfriend. When he dumps her she has to balance a new job and dating again.
This book does feature romance. But to me it is more about Dani finding herself.
This book is so Jewish. And that is definitely my favorite thing about the book. Both main characters are Jewish, as is Dani’s best friend Rachel. Dani’s new job is at a Jewish nonprofit. And a big part of the story is the Jewish summer camp Dani, Rachel and Jake went to.
I enjoyed Dani’s job. I really liked the storyline with Janice and her grandson. And I thought that Dani’s family and Rachel added a lot to the story. Overall this was an enjoyable read!
*Thanks to the author for providing me with an ebook!
May 29, 2026
If you're looking for a sweet and entertaining rom-com that is full of Jewish joy, then check out Missed You the First Time!
Dani was such a relatable character, even though she is a lot younger than me. There were times I would email Julia to tell her about something similar that happened in my life. Dani's best friend was trying to start a Shabbat dinner in the Chicago suburbs, which is something my husband and I tried to do in our twenties. Dani works for a Jewish nonprofit, which was also something I did for ten years.
There were a lot of mishaps going on for Dani while she was trying to get together with Jake, especially since he had a girlfriend already. She also had a lot of stress, such as not knowing if her career was the right one and trying to balance that with the cost of living, pressure from her mom, changes to her housing situation, people changing plans on her, etc. I definitely felt for her with all her struggles.
I enjoyed all the dialogue and banter, especially between Dani and Jake. Everything just felt so genuine throughout. Also, there's a funny situation involving a giraffe. That's all I will say.
Overall, this is such a fun read and you will be rooting for Dani and Jake to get together. I recommended it to a friend and she loved it too! This is perfect for fans of Meredith Schorr and Ali Brady.
(Trigger warnings below.)
Dani was such a relatable character, even though she is a lot younger than me. There were times I would email Julia to tell her about something similar that happened in my life. Dani's best friend was trying to start a Shabbat dinner in the Chicago suburbs, which is something my husband and I tried to do in our twenties. Dani works for a Jewish nonprofit, which was also something I did for ten years.
There were a lot of mishaps going on for Dani while she was trying to get together with Jake, especially since he had a girlfriend already. She also had a lot of stress, such as not knowing if her career was the right one and trying to balance that with the cost of living, pressure from her mom, changes to her housing situation, people changing plans on her, etc. I definitely felt for her with all her struggles.
I enjoyed all the dialogue and banter, especially between Dani and Jake. Everything just felt so genuine throughout. Also, there's a funny situation involving a giraffe. That's all I will say.
Overall, this is such a fun read and you will be rooting for Dani and Jake to get together. I recommended it to a friend and she loved it too! This is perfect for fans of Meredith Schorr and Ali Brady.
(Trigger warnings below.)
Movie casting suggestions:
Dani: Jane Levy
Jake: Fabien Frankel
Rachel: Nathalia Ramos
Bijou: Hassie Harrison
December 24, 2025
I just finished Missed You the First Time and really enjoyed it. The situations throughout the story felt very real and reminded me a lot of my own experience in the Chicago community in my early 20s. The author has a great way of capturing those awkward or familiar moments that make the characters feel like people you actually know. The best part was definitely the humor, the writing is very quippy. It is a quick, relatable read that manages to be both funny and sincere!
April 17, 2026
From the moment I picked up Missed You the First Time by Julia Carpenter, I was completely hooked. This is one of those rare books that pulls you in right away and refuses to let go—I truly couldn’t put it down.
The characters felt incredibly real, as though I knew them personally. I found myself deeply connected to Dani, the main character, and genuinely invested in her journey. Her life is filled with obstacle after obstacle, yet the way her story unfolds is both heartfelt and satisfying. Watching everything come together in the end made the emotional ride completely worth it.
What really stood out to me was how engaging and relatable the writing is. The story is not only touching but also sprinkled with humor and intelligence, making it an enjoyable and well-rounded read. At times, it even felt like it was meant to be a Hallmark movie—it has that same warmth, charm, and feel-good quality.
In fact, I was so captivated that I skipped my usual gardening just to keep reading! It’s a quick read, but one that leaves a lasting impression.
I highly recommend Missed You the First Time to anyone looking for a delightful, uplifting, and memorable story. It’s truly a wonderful read.
November 24, 2025
Julia Carpenter delivers a joyous and heartfelt debut in this friends-to-lovers romcom. Missed You The First Time follows the story of two childhood friends from Jewish summer camp whose positions in life have drastically reversed.
Dani, once the popular, successful kid, suddenly finds herself the object of pity from her family and peers at 25. After her boyfriend of nearly a decade dumps her, she gives up her apartment and moves to Chicago for a fresh start. But she has no idea that the hot guy at work is none other than her old friend from camp, Jake Litman.
Except Jake is no longer the awkward overweight, pimply kid she once knew — the one she befriended out of pity. Now he’s got movie star looks, a high-paying job, a lakefront apartment, and a stunning model girlfriend on his arm.
As Dani and Jake bond over shared summer camp memories, their friendship soon grows into something more—and Dani starts to wonder if the fun, carefree version of herself from camp has always been a part of her. All it took was someone like Jake Litman to come along and unlock it.
Dani, once the popular, successful kid, suddenly finds herself the object of pity from her family and peers at 25. After her boyfriend of nearly a decade dumps her, she gives up her apartment and moves to Chicago for a fresh start. But she has no idea that the hot guy at work is none other than her old friend from camp, Jake Litman.
Except Jake is no longer the awkward overweight, pimply kid she once knew — the one she befriended out of pity. Now he’s got movie star looks, a high-paying job, a lakefront apartment, and a stunning model girlfriend on his arm.
As Dani and Jake bond over shared summer camp memories, their friendship soon grows into something more—and Dani starts to wonder if the fun, carefree version of herself from camp has always been a part of her. All it took was someone like Jake Litman to come along and unlock it.
January 20, 2026
When I saw that this was a summer camp friends-to-lovers book, I was all in. However, I don't think it should be classified as romance because there wasn't really much of a love story until the last 10 percent. A coming-of-age or regular contemporary makes more sense. I thought Dani was a bit of a hot mess in a fun, relatable way, and I loved watching her figure out where life was going to take her. I also enjoyed the Chicago setting. But again, seeing the MMC with another love interest for most of the book didn't really convince me that these two were supposed to end up together. I also thought the magazine plot point got lost, and several other things were happening instead that didn't always work. I did enjoy the Jewish representation! It's always nice when both characters are Jewish, and I loved the callbacks to summer camp, as I was also a sleepaway camp (Girl Scout, not Jewish) kid. It was cute but I didn't love this one.
January 24, 2026
I loved this book & laughed out loud while reading it! The writing shines, bringing the characters and settings vividly to life. From reminiscing about carefree camp days to the challenges of work and dating, this story captures it all with humor, heart, and an honesty that feels deeply relatable.
The quote in the book - "Maybe happiness is just letting life happen instead of always trying to force things." should be everyone's mantra!
The quote in the book - "Maybe happiness is just letting life happen instead of always trying to force things." should be everyone's mantra!
December 2, 2025
Such a heart warming and engaging story. I could not put it down. The main character, Dani, is so easily relatable and you are rooting for her the whole time. I loved the setting of living in downtown Chicago and feeling like I was friends with the characters and hearing their adventures. A perfect read for the long weekends when you can devote time to a good book!
May 21, 2026
The perfect nostalgic Jewish rom com 💕
This was Jewish summer camp nostalgia wrapped up in an adorable rom com
10/10 recommend for any fellow camp alums
This was Jewish summer camp nostalgia wrapped up in an adorable rom com
10/10 recommend for any fellow camp alums
April 13, 2026
A fun read. It kept my attention so well I finished it in two days. I haven’t read a book that fast in years.
April 24, 2026
Missed You the First Time is a heartfelt and engaging coming-of-age story that lingers well beyond its final page. Centered on Dani, once the effortlessly popular girl at her Jewish summer camp, the novel explores what happens when a seemingly perfect past gives way to a far more uncertain adulthood. After a painful breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Dani finds herself adrift—emotionally and financially—questioning everything she once believed about her life and identity.
The story takes a meaningful turn when Dani reconnects with Jake, a former camp acquaintance who was once on the social fringes. Now confident, kind, and successful, Jake provides both a mirror and a counterpoint to Dani’s struggles. Their evolving friendship is the emotional core of the novel, offering a thoughtful exploration of how people grow, change, and sometimes surprise us.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its honesty. Dani’s journey isn’t neatly packaged or overly idealized; instead, it feels real and relatable, capturing the discomfort of starting over and the courage it takes to redefine yourself. The nostalgic backdrop of summer camp adds warmth and depth, contrasting beautifully with the complexities of adult life.
Warm, introspective, and hard to put down, Missed You the First Time is a perfect escape read—especially for anyone who enjoys stories about second chances, personal growth, and the unexpected ways people come back into our lives.
The story takes a meaningful turn when Dani reconnects with Jake, a former camp acquaintance who was once on the social fringes. Now confident, kind, and successful, Jake provides both a mirror and a counterpoint to Dani’s struggles. Their evolving friendship is the emotional core of the novel, offering a thoughtful exploration of how people grow, change, and sometimes surprise us.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its honesty. Dani’s journey isn’t neatly packaged or overly idealized; instead, it feels real and relatable, capturing the discomfort of starting over and the courage it takes to redefine yourself. The nostalgic backdrop of summer camp adds warmth and depth, contrasting beautifully with the complexities of adult life.
Warm, introspective, and hard to put down, Missed You the First Time is a perfect escape read—especially for anyone who enjoys stories about second chances, personal growth, and the unexpected ways people come back into our lives.
December 25, 2025
Just finished this sweet book this morning. Yes, stayed up 1/2 the night😅
Loved it❣️ And I’m not typically a romcom reader.
Settings very real, characters and their relationships well defined. I cried, I laughed, experienced every possible emotion!!
Nice job!!!
Loved it❣️ And I’m not typically a romcom reader.
Settings very real, characters and their relationships well defined. I cried, I laughed, experienced every possible emotion!!
Nice job!!!
December 31, 2025
A Jewish romance set against the background of Chicago, with details and landmarks of the city that all midwesterners will appreciate. Carpenter has a delightful writing style, unique metaphors and turns of phrases, and an FMC any of us semi-awkward ladies can totally relate to. Loved the ending!
January 3, 2026
Enjoyable & captivating!
December 27, 2025
If a book has you laughing out loud to yourself in the first chapter, then you know you're in for a treat. I LOVED this book and its array of characters. Characters one can easily compare to people in their own life. I was genuinely sad to leave not just Dani and Jake, but even Bijou, Rachel, Ilan, Sam and others when this book ended. Julia Carpenter writes characters who feel like real whole people in an efficient, effective, and often hilarious way and puts them in settings you can picture and situations you can easily empathize with. I can't wait to read more of her books! And, I'll be over here secretly hoping she writes the Camp prequel to this story one day!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews