Still Allowed: A Perimenopausal Love Story

by Poppy Corn

Renae isn’t falling apart. She’s holding it together - through grief, teenagers, friendships, and a body that has suddenly decided to do whatever it wants.

Dating again at midlife wasn’t part of the plan, but neither were hot flashes in public, mysterious itching, or discovering just how invisible women can become once they stop fitting a certain narrative.

With the help of fiercely loyal friends and a connection that feels more like safety than sparks, Renae begins to realize that this stage of life isn’t about reclaiming who she used to be. It’s about becoming someone more honest, more resilient, and far more herself.

Still Allowed is a funny, tender contemporary romance for women who don’t see themselves in stories about perfect bodies and effortless desire. A story about love after loss, friendship as medicine, and finally being seen - exactly as you are.

263 pages, ebook

Published April 29, 2026

About the author

Poppy Corn writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy about the beautiful, chaotic, and often hilarious reality of navigating love, friendship, and reinvention. Particularly for women who thought they were done surprising themselves.

Armed with humor, honesty, and an embarrassing amount of heart, Poppy believes it's never too late to start over, fall in love, or laugh until you cry at your own life. She also believes strongly in sweet tea, portable fans, and the healing power of chocolate.

Behind the pen name is a communications professional for a rare disease nonprofit, a mom of seven, and a former foster parent of nearly two decades, so it's fair to say she knows a thing or two about chaos, resilience, and love in all its forms.

She prefers to stay out of the spotlight, so Poppy is here to tell the stories. Anna is just here to make sure the chocolate doesn't run out. (And yes, Anna is me. The internet figured that out a while ago, so there's no use pretending otherwise.)

Poppy is the author of the Still Series (start with Still Allowed) and the Cosmic Chaos Series (start with Hot Flashes and Alien Affairs). For updates, bonus chapters, and the occasional chocolate-fueled ramble, join her newsletter at poppycorn.com.

Reviews

[Marrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found myself getting attached to Renae’s character very quickly. Her journey felt honest, emotional, and surprisingly funny at times. I loved the way Poppy Corn balanced topics like grief, perimenopause, friendship, and finding love again without making the story feel too heavy. The conversations between Renae and the other characters felt natural and real, which made the book even more engaging. There were moments that made me laugh and others that felt genuinely heartwarming. Overall, this was a comforting and refreshing read with a lot of personality, and I’m excited to read more from this author.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book

This was a laugh out loud, true to life book. I got it because of connections but really enjoyed it. The writing was good. I like lots of dialogue, which this has. It was heartwarming and a good story.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy Corn’s novel strikes a chord with its disarming honesty and sharp wit, tackling the taboo of perimenopause while weaving it into a journey of rebuilding after profound grief. I particularly appreciated how the protagonist's physical vulnerability becomes a central narrative element, successfully turning moments of public awkwardness into occasions for authentic and liberating comedy. The writing digs gently into the psychology of a woman putting herself back out there after twenty years, facing not only biological shifts but also the fear of still wanting happiness. The presence of solid friendships and unexpected encounters provides a perfect counterweight to the inner sense of loss, making Renae's evolution a testament to resilience. This book represents a deeply comforting experience for anyone who believes that love and reinvention have no expiration date, even when the body seems to object. It is a valuable literary resource that normalizes the challenges of mature adulthood with sensitivity and human warmth. Each chapter serves as a reminder that life's complexities do not preclude the possibility of embracing new and surprising beginnings

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d at 53%… There’s something off about this book. The main female character has no job, but somehow has plenty of time and money to go on dates, sometimes multiple per week. She’s also eating out at this bar that often as well. We get tons of descriptions about perimenopause which are scarily true, but there are only basic descriptions of each person, even our main characters. And the storytelling itself is strange; by the time I got half way I began to suspect that parts of this were written by AI. I then took a good look at the cover, and it doesn’t even match the character descriptions we got in the book. Even if there isn’t anything fishy here, the writing is bad, and the plot is boring. This is a good premise, so I would recommend the author go back and try to work through the story again.

[Seleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I promise you will end up wanting to be real life friends with this main character! Equal parts funny (if you are a mid-lifer with a sense of humor about the crazy rebellion of our bodies) and heartwarming, this was an excellent change of pace for me. I will read anything Poppy writes... and probably TWICE!

[Nikito Lovingood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious Read! I never thought peri, menopause could combine with a love story this good. Renea was so funny...poor thing haha. And who doesnt want a friend like Monique. I'd hate to enter the dating market ever again if this is how it is for us over 40 crowd. If you're looking for a good funny read that is relatable...this is it.