What do you think?
Rate this book
You Can't Be Serious
Not yet published
Expected 16 Feb 27From the author of Do Me a Favor comes the vibrant, chaotic connection between a buttoned-up executive determined to protect his mother and the tarot-reading, free-spirited K-pop fan who just moved in.
Troy Wainwright believes plans solve all problems. His current his elderly mother’s snap decision to divorce and house some purple-haired scammer. His solution? Move into the second spare bedroom, ultimately elbow the interloper out.
Jennie Tran is many things. A tarot reader. Perimenopausal. “Neurosparkly.” A lover of fandoms, especially the K-pop group K4RMA, whose concert she’s determined to see before she turns fifty in the fall.
But she is not a con artist. She’s also not a pushover, as Troy’s about to find out. The hard way, if he keeps this up!
Troy’s deliberate strategies collide with Jennie’s colorful chaos. Plans start to go awry. Both gain unexpected insights into their apparent adversary…not to mention a budding attraction neither wants to acknowledge.
She’s not part of his plans.
He’s certainly not in her cards.
But fate works in funny ways. Sometimes, the person you need the most is the last person you were looking for.
Troy Wainwright believes plans solve all problems. His current his elderly mother’s snap decision to divorce and house some purple-haired scammer. His solution? Move into the second spare bedroom, ultimately elbow the interloper out.
Jennie Tran is many things. A tarot reader. Perimenopausal. “Neurosparkly.” A lover of fandoms, especially the K-pop group K4RMA, whose concert she’s determined to see before she turns fifty in the fall.
But she is not a con artist. She’s also not a pushover, as Troy’s about to find out. The hard way, if he keeps this up!
Troy’s deliberate strategies collide with Jennie’s colorful chaos. Plans start to go awry. Both gain unexpected insights into their apparent adversary…not to mention a budding attraction neither wants to acknowledge.
She’s not part of his plans.
He’s certainly not in her cards.
But fate works in funny ways. Sometimes, the person you need the most is the last person you were looking for.
- GenresRomance
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 16, 2027
About the author
Cathy Yardley
84 books1,455 followersCathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy, who has sold over 1.2 million copies of books for publishers like St. Martin's, Avon, and Harlequin. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and that sometimes being a little wrong is just right.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Currently Reading
October 22, 2026I can't believe I get to blurb this????? :D
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jennie is a 49 year old woman, a kpop fan, and a tarot reader who needs to find a place to live by the end of the month. Troy is a 50 year old man who just got fired and is in the exact same situation. His mom, Patricia, is going through a divorce and is moving into her late sister’s house, so she offers Jennie a room and becomes her landlady. The problem? Troy and Jennie absolutely cannot stand each other.
Troy thinks Jennie is a con artist who’s taking advantage of his mom, so obviously he doesn’t want to leave Patricia alone with her. But once they all end up living under the same roof, with Patricia as their landlady, avoiding each other becomes pretty much impossible. And, of course, the more time they spend together, the more they start seeing past their first impressions.
I absolutely loved Jennie. She’s funny, unapologetically herself, and I really liked the commentary on being a fan at an age when people apparently expect you to stop having fun and become a boring adult. The whole idea that you’re somehow “too old” to be excited about the things you love was a fun part of the story, but it also got genuinely sad when Jennie had to deal with comments from the people she loves.
Troy’s grumpy personality was honestly hilarious. I probably should’ve disliked him more because he’s so judgmental about Jennie being a kpop fan and about her job, but he’s very much introduced as the classic funny grumpy MMC, so I actually ended up liking him. And obviously I liked him even more once he stopped being grumpy and started showing his softer side.
Overall, this was such a fun, easy, enjoyable read. I loved the characters, the mental health representation, and the sorority aspect. And as a kpop fan, I especially loved all the fandom references, experiences, and slang throughout the book. This is basically kpop 101 in book form!
Troy thinks Jennie is a con artist who’s taking advantage of his mom, so obviously he doesn’t want to leave Patricia alone with her. But once they all end up living under the same roof, with Patricia as their landlady, avoiding each other becomes pretty much impossible. And, of course, the more time they spend together, the more they start seeing past their first impressions.
I absolutely loved Jennie. She’s funny, unapologetically herself, and I really liked the commentary on being a fan at an age when people apparently expect you to stop having fun and become a boring adult. The whole idea that you’re somehow “too old” to be excited about the things you love was a fun part of the story, but it also got genuinely sad when Jennie had to deal with comments from the people she loves.
Troy’s grumpy personality was honestly hilarious. I probably should’ve disliked him more because he’s so judgmental about Jennie being a kpop fan and about her job, but he’s very much introduced as the classic funny grumpy MMC, so I actually ended up liking him. And obviously I liked him even more once he stopped being grumpy and started showing his softer side.
Overall, this was such a fun, easy, enjoyable read. I loved the characters, the mental health representation, and the sorority aspect. And as a kpop fan, I especially loved all the fandom references, experiences, and slang throughout the book. This is basically kpop 101 in book form!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📖 You Can't Be Serious — Cathy Yardley 💕
My NetGalley ARC Review ✨
One of my very first ARCs from NetGalley, and honestly, quite a different romance from what I usually read!
First of all, finding anything about this book online was a task in itself.
Apart from the cover reveal, there wasn't much to explore. And every time I searched You Can't Be Serious, the internet kept introducing me to Prajwal Hegde's book instead!
Well well… coming to Cathy Yardley's version!
Forget the usual twenty-something romance. This one brings us two people in their late 40s and early 50s, proving that butterflies apparently don't come with an expiry date. 🦋
Meet Troy, a successful CMO who probably has an Excel sheet for his Excel sheets.
A workaholic who likes everything planned, organised and documented. This man doesn't just have a Plan B; I'm convinced he has backup plans all the way to Z!
And then there's Jennie, his complete opposite.
Full of life, a tarot card reader, a café worker trying to make ends meet, and a HUGE fan of the fictional K-pop band K4RMA. Her biggest dream? To attend their live concert before turning 50.
One lives by spreadsheets, the other by tarot cards. What could possibly go wrong?
Watching their relationship evolve from enemies to friends to something much more was genuinely heartwarming.
And what I appreciated most? MATURE LOVE!
No endless misunderstandings, no unnecessary drama over a text message, and no running away just because someone caught feelings.
Instead, we get two adults who communicate, support each other, respect personal space and stand together through life's ups and downs.
Jennie navigates ADHD and periods of depression, while Troy carries childhood trauma and struggles with his controlling father's manipulation, especially when it comes to protecting his mother.
Their relationship isn't about magically fixing each other. It's about understanding, accepting and growing together.
And can we please talk about Patricia, Troy's mother?!
The scene where Troy's boss, Wheeler, visits the house and Patricia gives him a hard time was GOLD! That woman had absolutely no intention of being intimidated, and I loved every second of it.
Now, let's talk about Jennie's K-pop obsession!
I knew K-pop fandoms were passionate, but Jennie introduced me to a whole new level of dedication. Following idols, knowing their likes, dislikes, personal stories and practically planning life around their concerts!
Meanwhile, I can barely keep track of my own reading list.
But she has genuinely made me curious about K-pop. Maybe it's time I finally explore BTS or another group. Who knows, I might discover my next obsession!
Now, coming to what didn't work for me…
As much as I enjoyed the characters and their chemistry, I felt the story was a little stretched. Somewhere in the middle, the pace slowed down, and I found myself losing that excitement to turn the next page.
A little trimming could have made the story much more engaging.
But overall, You Can't Be Serious is a sweet, comforting romance about second chances, self-discovery, healing and finding love when life has already taught you a few lessons.
It's refreshing to read about characters who aren't trying to figure out adulthood for the first time, but are learning that even after decades of living, there's still room to grow, change and fall in love.
My verdict? A heartwarming, feel-good romance with relatable struggles, mature chemistry and a little too much stretching in the middle. Still, definitely worth picking up! 📚💕
My NetGalley ARC Review ✨
One of my very first ARCs from NetGalley, and honestly, quite a different romance from what I usually read!
First of all, finding anything about this book online was a task in itself.
Apart from the cover reveal, there wasn't much to explore. And every time I searched You Can't Be Serious, the internet kept introducing me to Prajwal Hegde's book instead!
Well well… coming to Cathy Yardley's version!
Forget the usual twenty-something romance. This one brings us two people in their late 40s and early 50s, proving that butterflies apparently don't come with an expiry date. 🦋
Meet Troy, a successful CMO who probably has an Excel sheet for his Excel sheets.
A workaholic who likes everything planned, organised and documented. This man doesn't just have a Plan B; I'm convinced he has backup plans all the way to Z!
And then there's Jennie, his complete opposite.
Full of life, a tarot card reader, a café worker trying to make ends meet, and a HUGE fan of the fictional K-pop band K4RMA. Her biggest dream? To attend their live concert before turning 50.
One lives by spreadsheets, the other by tarot cards. What could possibly go wrong?
Watching their relationship evolve from enemies to friends to something much more was genuinely heartwarming.
And what I appreciated most? MATURE LOVE!
No endless misunderstandings, no unnecessary drama over a text message, and no running away just because someone caught feelings.
Instead, we get two adults who communicate, support each other, respect personal space and stand together through life's ups and downs.
Jennie navigates ADHD and periods of depression, while Troy carries childhood trauma and struggles with his controlling father's manipulation, especially when it comes to protecting his mother.
Their relationship isn't about magically fixing each other. It's about understanding, accepting and growing together.
And can we please talk about Patricia, Troy's mother?!
The scene where Troy's boss, Wheeler, visits the house and Patricia gives him a hard time was GOLD! That woman had absolutely no intention of being intimidated, and I loved every second of it.
Now, let's talk about Jennie's K-pop obsession!
I knew K-pop fandoms were passionate, but Jennie introduced me to a whole new level of dedication. Following idols, knowing their likes, dislikes, personal stories and practically planning life around their concerts!
Meanwhile, I can barely keep track of my own reading list.
But she has genuinely made me curious about K-pop. Maybe it's time I finally explore BTS or another group. Who knows, I might discover my next obsession!
Now, coming to what didn't work for me…
As much as I enjoyed the characters and their chemistry, I felt the story was a little stretched. Somewhere in the middle, the pace slowed down, and I found myself losing that excitement to turn the next page.
A little trimming could have made the story much more engaging.
But overall, You Can't Be Serious is a sweet, comforting romance about second chances, self-discovery, healing and finding love when life has already taught you a few lessons.
It's refreshing to read about characters who aren't trying to figure out adulthood for the first time, but are learning that even after decades of living, there's still room to grow, change and fall in love.
My verdict? A heartwarming, feel-good romance with relatable struggles, mature chemistry and a little too much stretching in the middle. Still, definitely worth picking up! 📚💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance review copy (ARC) of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I'm going to be straight up with you: I don't understand the hype around K-pop.
However, one thing I do understand is that music will always bring people together, and this is one aspect of Yardley's book that truly shines and feels authentic. The interactions between the fans never felt forced, or rushed; sometimes they did feel a bit over-the-top in how nice they were to everyone, but then, maybe this, too, is par for the course for K-pop fans finding each other in the wild. I wouldn't know.
K4RMA aside, I did find the relationship between the FMC (Jennie) and the MMC (Troy) developed much quicker than I'd anticipated. Based on the title, and. the synopsis - not to mention their interactions upon first meeting - I certainly didn't expect them to suddenly view one another in an altogether different light after one chance encounter. We're told more than shown that they have begun acting differently around one another, and I believe the novel does time skip a bit, which also added to my feelings of having missed something important.
I also experienced a bit of confusion with Jennie and the K4RMA concerts. Without venturing into spoilers, from what I can recall, there were multiple events talked about that she wanted to go to, and it did get a little confusing trying to keep them straight. And, personally, I found her "relationship" (such as it was) with Fran to be a bit on the extreme side. I'm not saying people don't act like Fran did (they surely do) but it was hard to read, at times. I did like that Yardley didn't try to wrap things up with a neat little bow by the end. There is progress, yes, but it's not magically fixed, and I appreciate an author who knows the difference.
For obvious reasons, I think K-pop fans are going to enjoy this far more than I did. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it - I would say I liked the book, but again, I'm a bit out of my element here when it comes to this particular music industry, so I spent much of the novel feeling as baffled as Troy did when he first met Jennie. Many thanks to Montlake publishing for the advanced copy. I will now have songs from K-Pop Demon Hunters playing on a loop in my head for the foreseeable future.
I'm going to be straight up with you: I don't understand the hype around K-pop.
However, one thing I do understand is that music will always bring people together, and this is one aspect of Yardley's book that truly shines and feels authentic. The interactions between the fans never felt forced, or rushed; sometimes they did feel a bit over-the-top in how nice they were to everyone, but then, maybe this, too, is par for the course for K-pop fans finding each other in the wild. I wouldn't know.
K4RMA aside, I did find the relationship between the FMC (Jennie) and the MMC (Troy) developed much quicker than I'd anticipated. Based on the title, and. the synopsis - not to mention their interactions upon first meeting - I certainly didn't expect them to suddenly view one another in an altogether different light after one chance encounter. We're told more than shown that they have begun acting differently around one another, and I believe the novel does time skip a bit, which also added to my feelings of having missed something important.
I also experienced a bit of confusion with Jennie and the K4RMA concerts. Without venturing into spoilers, from what I can recall, there were multiple events talked about that she wanted to go to, and it did get a little confusing trying to keep them straight. And, personally, I found her "relationship" (such as it was) with Fran to be a bit on the extreme side. I'm not saying people don't act like Fran did (they surely do) but it was hard to read, at times. I did like that Yardley didn't try to wrap things up with a neat little bow by the end. There is progress, yes, but it's not magically fixed, and I appreciate an author who knows the difference.
For obvious reasons, I think K-pop fans are going to enjoy this far more than I did. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it - I would say I liked the book, but again, I'm a bit out of my element here when it comes to this particular music industry, so I spent much of the novel feeling as baffled as Troy did when he first met Jennie. Many thanks to Montlake publishing for the advanced copy. I will now have songs from K-Pop Demon Hunters playing on a loop in my head for the foreseeable future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. Troy and Jennie are both having bad luck. Troy is a Type A, over achiever who was just fired from his job where as Jennie has been struggling financially and with her mental health. When Jennie, moves in with Troy's Mom, Troy thinks that Jennie is taking advantage of her. They definitely get off on the wrong foot when he move in. When they bond over someone being rude to Jennie, they realize they might have been wrong about each other. After Troy apologizes and Jennie hazes him with her K-Pop love/culture, they both slowly start letting down their walls, get to know each other, and feelings/attraction starts to blossom. The stakes are raised as Jennie and Troy both deal with family, work, and mental health struggles. Both have to decide what matters to them, how to be their true self, and if falling in love is a risk to take to actually be happy. I enjoyed this as it was a heartwarming and fast read. I love how Cathy Yardley always has middle aged characters as it's so relatable and refreshing to read about someone who is closer to my own age. I liked Jennie and Troy's banter as it made me smile and laugh. I also liked their tension and chemistry. It felt organic as they switched from I hate you to I could like/love you making it extra rewarding to see them finally give in and get together. As someone who is friends with someone who is K-Pop obsessed, I found Jennie's friendship and bonds with Chelsea, Danae, and all the other K-pop fans very heartwarming. Troy was a fantastic hero. Seeing him love Jennie for who she is, do what's best for her mental health, and embrace her love of K Pop, was incredibly sweet and endearing. If you are looking for a lighthearted romance filled with K- pop references, this is the perfect book for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher (Montlake) via NetGalley. Thank you so much, Montlake.
This was such a refreshing romance for me because this is my first book where the main characters are older—Gen X, with Jennie at 49 and Troy at 50! 🥹❤️ I honestly loved seeing characters at this stage of life getting their own love story. They have careers, families, past experiences, and a much different perspective on relationships compared to the usual younger romance protagonists.
Jennie and Troy are both at a point where life isn't exactly going according to plan, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop while they were dealing with their own personal struggles. I especially appreciated that the story showed that finding love, starting over, and figuring out what you want from life don't have an expiration date.
I loved that the romance wasn't just about falling in love—it was also about navigating life, family, change, and figuring out what's next.
This book is a sweet and refreshing reminder that you're never too old for a new chapter—or a new love story. 💕
This was such a refreshing romance for me because this is my first book where the main characters are older—Gen X, with Jennie at 49 and Troy at 50! 🥹❤️ I honestly loved seeing characters at this stage of life getting their own love story. They have careers, families, past experiences, and a much different perspective on relationships compared to the usual younger romance protagonists.
Jennie and Troy are both at a point where life isn't exactly going according to plan, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop while they were dealing with their own personal struggles. I especially appreciated that the story showed that finding love, starting over, and figuring out what you want from life don't have an expiration date.
I loved that the romance wasn't just about falling in love—it was also about navigating life, family, change, and figuring out what's next.
This book is a sweet and refreshing reminder that you're never too old for a new chapter—or a new love story. 💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cute, fun romance and I completely flew through this. I really liked seeing an older-than-typical couple at the centre of a romance, with Jennie in her late 40s and Troy in his 50s. I also really appreciated the mental health struggles being represented in a way that felt authentic and respectful. I loved the friendships and all the relationships outside of the main romance, and there were some genuinely cute moments between Jennie and Troy. The scene where Troy gets caught drinking milk straight from the bottle was particularly cute (the scene itself, not the milk drinking because... ewww). My biggest issue was that I never quite connected with Jennie or the romance. I wish the book had spent a little more time developing their relationship and letting them actually work through their differences, rather than it feeling like a switch was flipped and suddenly they were together. I would've liked to feel more invested in them as a couple. Still, a really cute, easy read that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for providing this ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for providing this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A buttoned-up corporate exec x a tarot-reading, purple-haired K-pop fan in her 50s? If you love grump-meets-sunshine with mid-life self-discovery 👔🔮🎤.
Troy moves into his elderly mother's house to "protect" her from her new, free-spirited roommate Jennie. What he expects to be a scammer turns out to be a neurosparkly, tarot-reading K-pop superfan who refuses to back down. Cue the chaos, clashing lifestyles, and unexpected sparks!
I was surprised by how much pure joy I found in reading about a 50-something couple finding love. The author does a fantastic job highlighting mental health with nuance while exploring the freedom women find when reinventing themselves after divorce. The way the K-pop fandom (K4RMA) became a bridge for these women to build community, find renewed purpose, and forge deep female friendships was so inspiring and fun. A witty, warm-hearted, and chaotic read that hits all the right notes!
Troy moves into his elderly mother's house to "protect" her from her new, free-spirited roommate Jennie. What he expects to be a scammer turns out to be a neurosparkly, tarot-reading K-pop superfan who refuses to back down. Cue the chaos, clashing lifestyles, and unexpected sparks!
I was surprised by how much pure joy I found in reading about a 50-something couple finding love. The author does a fantastic job highlighting mental health with nuance while exploring the freedom women find when reinventing themselves after divorce. The way the K-pop fandom (K4RMA) became a bridge for these women to build community, find renewed purpose, and forge deep female friendships was so inspiring and fun. A witty, warm-hearted, and chaotic read that hits all the right notes!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jennie is forty nine, a tarot reading, K-pop loving, unapologetically sparkly woman who just wants to see her favorite group’s concert before she turns fifty, and I adored her from page one. Troy is her buttoned up opposite, so sure she’s a scammer fleecing his mother that he moves into the spare room to protect Patricia, and his grumpy judgment cracked me up the entire time. Watching two people who couldn’t stand each other end up under one roof, with Patricia as their landlady, was such a fun setup. The fandom friendships felt warm and authentic, and I loved seeing an older couple at the center of a romance, with honest mental health representation along the way. The romance flipped from adversaries to something softer faster than I expected, and I wanted a bit more time with their work through. Still, Troy melting over milk from the bottle won me over completely.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unique romance with a great cast of characters. I really liked how Jennie was portrayed as a woman in her 40s who doesn’t have life figured out. Because seriously… sometimes you just don’t!
I also have to say, I’ve never followed K-pop, but this book makes me want to check it out 😁
Thanks to Montlake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for You Can’t Be Serious to come out February 16, 2027.
I also have to say, I’ve never followed K-pop, but this book makes me want to check it out 😁
Thanks to Montlake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for You Can’t Be Serious to come out February 16, 2027.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You can't be serious was such a refreshing read, in that we have older MCs that struggle and fall in love.
As a disclaimer, I do not know that much about KPop, but you don't need to in order to enjoy this aspect of the book.
This book really shows that mental health is important and can be a struggle at any age. I think this was the biggest theme in the book.
A quick and lighthearted read for sure.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
As a disclaimer, I do not know that much about KPop, but you don't need to in order to enjoy this aspect of the book.
This book really shows that mental health is important and can be a struggle at any age. I think this was the biggest theme in the book.
A quick and lighthearted read for sure.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
October 8, 2026
This book was a solid read. It was fun, but also deep. I loved these characters. There were times I had no idea where the book was going. I just knew their lives for life-ing. We see the power of fandoms. This is my third Cathy Yardley book and I can definitely say that I’m a fan.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
Read
October 4, 2026I really like Cathy yardleys writing style, it’s warm and inviting and she writes older protagonists you can’t help but root for. I wasn’t sure about the premise of this one but it turns out to be just as heartwarming as the others of hers I’ve read!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The purple hair on the cover drew me into asking Net Galley to read this ARC. What kept me was a very authentic tale of someone living with ADHD during midlife. The characters, the kpop fandom and the grumpy Mmc is what kept me reading. I highly recommend this awesome romcom!
October 22, 2026
Yes! Such an afirming and encouraging book! Thank you for making characters intergenerational! And the main characters 50! I have boatloads of exclamation points and gratitude for this gift of a book, Cathy Yardley.
October 10, 2026
ARC review!!!
Omg this book?!? *chefs kiss*
Loved literally every second and the characters had such fun chemistry!!! Couldn’t put it down!! 🫶🏼
Omg this book?!? *chefs kiss*
Loved literally every second and the characters had such fun chemistry!!! Couldn’t put it down!! 🫶🏼
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews