Return to Sender

by Stephanie Parente

A heartwarming debut about overcoming grief and finding love when—and where—you least expect it

Twenty-six-year-old Violet’s usually bulletproof optimism is faltering. Crushed by the sudden death of her father and subsequent custody of her rebellious teenage sister, Phoebe, it’s a struggle to do much of anything other than survive each day and try not to feel like she’s the world’s worst sister. 

Then Phoebe discovers a love letter written by the man who used to live in their apartment, a letter begging for its recipient to give him another chance. Reading it, Phoebe shows signs of life for the first time since their dad died—and Violet will stop at nothing to keep that smile on her face. Together, they track down the letter’s author, hoping to rectify a derailed happily ever after. 

Despite Dex being rather abrasive (valid) and more than a little enigmatic (intriguing), Phoebe talks him into a cross-country road trip to put the letter in the right hands.

Violet is thrilled to see Phoebe thriving again, and with every pit stop they chip away at Dex’s moody exterior, finding that he’s actually charming, funny, and unfalteringly interested in everything Violet shares with him. Violet and Dex’s chemistry only grows the further west they travel, but the closer they get to their destination—and Dex’s former great love—something’s got to give.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Road Trip

335 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2026

Reviews

[ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

࣪ ˖ ֪ꮽ᱖܄ 4 stars˚ִִ꒱꒱ ִ݂

⤻ no spoiler review . disclaimer: this book contains a huge theme of grief. i have personally never lost someone uber close to me, so please do not take my word on how well done it is;; make sure that you are in the right headspace to read this 🫶🏻

་ 💭 ⊹ ࣪୨୧ preface. ‘return to sender’ follows violet, who has recently lost her father, and has to raise her little sister on her own. she’s dealing with immense grief, and long story short, decides to go on a 2 week long road trip with her little sister and a named dex. along the way, they stop at scenic locations, and of course, violet and dex fall in love.

i have been in a huge slump recently ( dnf’ing books left & right ) and to finally finish a book felt so amazing 🥹 this book was so easy to read and reminded me of why i love love. a major plus about this book was that while the main characters were travelling to multiple locations, we got to experience it along with them, and the author definitely did not shy away from describing how beautiful the scenery was. i mean, they first went to coney island, and then they went to Oregon, Chicago, Montana ?! 🙏🏻💐 i need them to take me with them next time 😩 the cover literally describes the book perfectly (which, by the way, is one of the most stunning i’ve seen) <3

⸝⸝ the characters ⁺໒꒱

ᡣ𐭩 — violet. violet is the sister that i’ve always wanted but never had. she has to take care of her sister amidst grappling with the crushing feeling of losing her last and only parent. i felt so bad for her because … poor girl, wow. and not once did she complain or lash out at her teen sister (who, mind you, deserved it at times), and instead took it in stride and loved her unconditionally. she is (most genuinely) the definition of admirable 💗

ᡣ𐭩 — dex. i will always wish fictional men are real, because dex was the sweetest, most giving, and careful person ever 🥹 he was SO understanding towards Phoebe & violet that even i was like, woah, i could never be able to do this.

𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⌗﹒ my only gripe with this book was that it was pretty unrealistic. it’s a romance book, so i tried to suspend my disbelief, but some things that happened in this book were genuinely crazy 😭.

﹏﹒✦ overall, this was such a fun book and i’m so happy i requested this book! the book definitely does the cover justice, and this is the most perfect option if you’re on a road trip and want to binge a book 😽💌

thanks a million to netgalley for the ARC!

⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹

˒˒🪴 pre read ˒˒࿐· started may 24・xxvi 𖦞.˖
i got this ARC a while ago, and i'm finally reading it with my best friend, joni ! 💚 i'm so excited to read with you again, ml <3

ꗃ thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ഒ

[aoife ໒꒱ · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you @netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review .ᐟ

ᯓ 𖦹 ׂ 𓈒 ℛeturn to sender ／ ⋆ ۪

⤿ ꣓ stars.

✩°｡⋆⸜ 𝓣ropes ⟡
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖ road trip romance | sisters | grief | grumpy x sunshine | family

꒰ঌ 𝓣houghts
i really liked this book !! 🤭 it was such a fulfilling and sweet read and i actually read it while on a vacation which fits the plot 💌 i really liked violet and dex, they were so adorable and heartwarming 😚 i also adored seeing phoebe and violet's relationship develop through the story, violet has and will forever be one of my favorite fmc's since she's such a strong sister to phoebe and i truly just loved her 💞 however, i think the book itself is really unrealistic because wdym you're going to go on a road trip with your teenage sister and a complete stranger who you only know because of a love letter? 😭 but i loved seeing the romance between violet and dex build up throughout the book, so i guess it makes up for the initial motive of the road trip 🥹 i cried a bit while reading this, i love how beautifully stephanie wrote this about grief and healing and i related to violet so so much, lots more than i expected 🫂🙂‍↕️ overall, i really did love reading this one, a super emotional read while also being a cute road trip romance ᵎᵎ 💖

˚˖𓍢ִ໋ pre-read Ꮺ

𐔌 6/21 to . . . ୭ ˚.

eek i got the arc!! i’m so excited for this 🥹🤭 i’ve been recommended this one lots so i’m super looking forward to it ꩜ .ᐟ

special thanks to netgalley for the advanced reader copy જ⁀➴

[jae ⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

𓏲੭ ─ 4.5 stars ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ۫ ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎‎‎‎‎˖
this was an incredibly meaningful read that touched my heart. despite being a road trip book, the story never felt like it was about the destinations themselves—it was always about the characters and the emotional journeys they were on. you could truly feel how much heart went into exploring the themes of grief and sisterhood, with the romance beautifully woven throughout 💘

ⓘ thank you to netgalley and random house for the arc!

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was *chefs kiss*

themes of grief + road trips + sisterly bonds + a grumpy, stoic, utterly pathetic bisexual man with a heart of gold + an FMC who will do whatever it takes to support and care for her sister, even if that means going on road trip with a stranger.

Lots of tears were shed + plenty of swooning

Definitely worth a read

Whats to love…
- single caregiver (fmc)
- grief exploration
- bi4bi
- stoic, grumpy MMC with a heart of gold and a buttload of money, which is kinda my fav to be honest.
- sisterly bonds
- ROAD TRIP!
- family is everything. (family you’re born into AND the family you choose)

4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[ellie (semi ia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

— 3.25 ☆ .ᐟ ⌗ 🚗 spoiler free + mini review
⤷ aw this was precious

୨ arc @netgalley
⋆˚࿔ 50th review of the year

𐔌♯┆at least tommorow .ᐟ ⊹.

⌗ ꒰ my thoughts ꒱ 🌿
⤷ overall this was such a fun and immersive read. it delivered on the emotional aspects as well as keeping it light. the premise was promising and i enjoyed my time reading. the main reason this wasn't a total win for me was because it fell off a bit during the middle.

despite it being a fast read, i found myself not reaching to pick it up. during the last 20% i was really hooked and i believe everything played out nicely/was realistic. our two main characters had depth. i cant say i related to either, but i understand them. i cant wait for other to try this novel! for a debut book too, this was great! 🪽

୭ book summary: after violet and her younger sister (phoebe) lost their father tragically, life hasn't been easy. phoebe is a bit of a rebel child and violet is struggling. one day a mysterious letter comes to their apartment and they 'accidently' open it. surprisingly its an emotional love confession. they embark on a road trip across the US to well.. return to sender!

im eager to see what stephanie does for her next novel! here you can find the info:

⌗ ꒰ tropes ꒱
⋆ road trip
⋆ unexpected lovers
⋆ sisterly relationships
⋆ finding love thru grief

⌗ ꒰ info ꒱
⤷ find my book review on goodreads @elliexreads
⤷ this is recommended for adult and new adult readers
⤷ adult contemporary emotional romance
publish date: july 14, 2026


₊‧ all ratings and opinions are my own ₊‧
⤷ thank you @netgalley and random house publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review !


---------

₊‧꒰preview ᝰ.ᐟ꒱ ‧₊ 🌿🚗

₊‧꒰5.8.26꒱ ‧₊
⤷ WOO i got the arc for this gorgeous book! i initially planned on not requesting it had i not laid eyes on the GORGEOUS cover. i was even more convinced after seeing that this is an emotional romance, and i could really use something like that right now! thank you @netgalley for the arc, will share thoughts promptly 💐🩷

[joni ౨ৎ (ia)]

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
the cover was beautiful so i obviously requested this one! i am a huge fan of healing & grief representation in stories, so this is right up my alley!

very excited for another buddy read with my lovely best friend ivy 💘


↪ started may 26


thank you dial press for the digital arc via netgalley

[Anila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25⭐️

The hype around this book was very much deserved.

The protagonist Violet was the absolute best. After her father’s death, she became the guardian for her younger sister Phoebe and she spends the entire book doing everything she can to bring some normalcy and happiness into their lives. She was so sweet, thoughtful and selfless. I admired her strength and I wanted to give her a big hug several times throughout this book. I just loved her so much.

As an older sister, I also easily related to her wanting to shoulder all the burdens and to take care of her sibling. Phoebe was equally great too! While Violet had a softer personality, Phoebe was the opposite. She had so much sass and personality. She brought a lot of energy and was the source of several chaotic moments. I loved reading about them healing together while on their road trip. The sisterly dynamic was definitely one of the highlights of the book.

Another one would definitely be Dex!! This man!!! I am always obsessed with a dark haired grumpy man!! He was the perfect balance to Violet. Despite his gruff exterior, he showed that he could also be super gentle and kind. He wasn’t afraid to tell Violet the hard truths either. They were perfect together. With the book being on the shorter side, their relationship did move a bit fast. However, I still really enjoyed the romance. I also wish we could have gotten Dex’s POV. There was a bonus chapter at the end with his POV and it made me realize how including his POV would have elevated the book even more.

As for the other supporting characters, they were super likeable as well. Violet’s best friend Arden was without a doubt one of my favorite characters. The found family was done perfectly. I think if we had Dex’s perspective, we probably would have gotten to know more about Gavin, Bree and Catalina. I really wanted to know what was said between Dex and Catalina.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out on the author’s next release.

[Sarah (bookofsari) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book worked better for me emotionally than it did structurally.

The grief in this story felt very real. Violet trying to suddenly become a parent figure to Phoebe after losing their dad carried a heaviness that grounded the whole book, and those quieter moments between the sisters were honestly what kept me reading. Their relationship felt messy in a believable way.

The road trip premise, though, took a while for me to fully buy into. A man agreeing to go on a cross-country trip with two near strangers because of a returned love letter already requires some suspension of disbelief, but once the romance between Violet and Dex started building, it created some weird vibes for me emotionally. Knowing they were technically driving toward the “love of his life” made it hard to fully settle into rooting for them together.

I also think the pacing struggled a bit. Some emotional moments hit really well, while other scenes felt abrupt or oddly inserted into the flow of the story. There were a few transitions that pulled me out of the reading experience.

That said, the final third came together much more strongly for me. Once more pieces of Dex’s story started falling into place, the emotional core landed better and the relationships made more sense.
Overall, this is one of those books I appreciated more than I loved. The grief and sister dynamic were the standout elements for me, even if the romance and overall premise didn’t fully click.

[mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the careful but raw handling of grief, to the slow burn romance, to the characters that i fell in love with from page one - this one is an easy five star.

you think from the (gorgeous) cover you might be getting a cutesy summer romance but oh it is so much more than that. i cried, and i felt so seen, and i was just so into this the entire time for the pure emotion that was in every single word. such a unique premise as well.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc!

[Annie K · Rating 5 out of 5]

After accidentally reading a love letter meant for someone else, Violet finds herself and her younger sister, Phoebe, on a cross-country road trip with its writer. It’s been nine months since their dad died, and things have been grim—but Phoebe’s spark is enough to nudge Violet into saying yes to things she never would’ve considered.

From the first page, I was hooked. Violet’s voice, the plot, and the flow of the writing had me swept up immediately. This is such a beautiful story about grief, responsibility, and trying to rebuild yourself when you’re the one holding everything together. Violet’s desperation to be a good guardian felt so raw and real. What really worked for me was how honestly the book shows that nine months after losing someone, life hasn’t magically reset. Everyone around you keeps moving while you’re still stuck, and you can really feel that in Violet. On top of all that emotional weight, the banter between the sisters cracked me up. Teens really do love to roast everyone within a five-mile radius, and Phoebe was hilarious.


But the romance… my god, the romance. Dex is peak swoon. The things he says? I highlighted half his dialogue. And the slow burn absolutely killed me—in the best way. The tension and chemistry were so palpable I kept telling myself “one more chapter” until I realized I had finished the book.

I was initially hesitant about the premise, but it’s executed so well. It’s definitely on the heavier side for a romance—grief is a big part of the story—but the emotional depth is what made it stand out for me. I’m such a sucker for emotionally deep books when they’re written well, and this hit that sweet spot. Sometimes you need a book that cracks you open a little, and this did exactly that.

I’m honestly thinking Stephanie might be a new favorite author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

road trip with the gang except it’s you, your teenage sister you are now the legal guardian of, and some guy whose mail you opened

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is officially out today so just a reminder to all my girlies that you need to read this!!!

——

Wowowowowow. Also, ow?? Did not expect to cry this much over a book that has that cute of a cover. I just found out that this is this authors debut book? I am so impressed.

What a beautiful story about grief, healing, and finding love. I requested this book as an ARC because I was in the romance mood, and I had no idea I would love it this much. Yes there’s romance, but it’s so much more. I can’t imagine how much harder this book would hit if I had a sister.

Truly have no notes for this book. I loved the writing style, I loved the story, I loved the romance, I loved the healing, 100 stars.

[Catbytheseareads ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a road trip across the US ? I know I would love one right about now.
This story was entertaining, sad, confusing and fun all wrapped up in one.
After Violet's father dies tragically she becomes legal guardian of her 14 year old sister.
While dealing with grief and a stubborn teen a return to sender letter is opened by Violet that starts a new beginning for 3 people's lives like never before. I loved every second of this story, it's about loss, holding emotions in by masking them be it with anger or faking it to make it through.
I highly recommend it to romance readers looking for great emotional impact and a pleasant hea.

[cyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was so sweet and it was such a good story about healing after losing someone. All of the characters were so full of depth and I really enjoyed reading about them. The romance did move a little fast and I wish we got a bit more of a buildup but I still really loved it. The plot twist/ third act conflict honestly didn’t bother me and i appreciated that it didn’t come out of nowhere. All of the plot lines were tied up really nicely and I highly recommend this.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Grief is handled with such honesty and authenticity that every emotional moment feels earned. There are undeniably heartbreaking scenes, but the story never becomes overwhelming because it’s balanced beautifully with humor, hope, tenderness, and genuine warmth. Stephanie Parente captures what loss really looks like, the messy moments, the small victories, and the slow process of learning how to move forward without pretending everything is okay.

The relationship between Violet and Phoebe completely stole my heart. Their sisterhood feels authentic in every way: complicated, loving, frustrating, protective, and ultimately unbreakable. Watching Violet navigate becoming both sister and guardian while trying to process her own grief made her such an easy character to root for. I also loved watching the relationship between Phoebe and Dex develop. Their friendship brought so much sweetness and levity to the story, and it highlighted just how much healing can happen when people simply show up for one another.

The romance is a true slow burn, and it’s exactly the pace this story needed. Violet and Dex don’t fall in love overnight because they’re both carrying emotional baggage that deserves time and care. Their relationship develops naturally through shared experiences, quiet moments, and growing trust, making every romantic payoff feel incredibly satisfying.

The road trip setting adds another layer of charm. It’s the perfect backdrop for characters who are literally and emotionally finding their way forward. While this makes for a wonderful summer read, don’t expect a fluffy vacation romance. This story has real emotional depth without ever losing its hopeful spirit.

With beautiful character development, memorable relationships, and a romance that unfolds at exactly the right pace, Return to Sender completely won me over. It’s a stunning debut that I devoured from beginning to end.

Perfect for Readers Who Love

* Emotional contemporary romance
* Slow burn love stories
* Road trip romances
* Strong sibling relationships
* Stories about grief, healing, and found hope
* Character driven romances with heart

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book absolutely exceeded my expectations.

i had mixed feelings about the roadtrip at the beginning. i haven’t read a roadtrip book before so i didn’t know how it would play out. but this book was so beautiful.

i thought the chapters being their different stops was so cool. and watching them bond and grow together was so heartwarming. the plot twist was definitely unexpected but it made the story so much more touching.

the amount of representation in this book was also amazing! grief and lgbtq+ representation put together worked so well and it was so beautiful and meaningful.

i also loved how we got a chapter of dex’s pov at the end!

i would totally read a second book if it ever happens. i want to see noah and arden get married, dex and violet’s relationship continue to grow, and i think seeing dex, violet, and phoebe with gavin and bree would be so fun. i think it would be a beautiful found family trope. i love those! i think adding cat to the group would be so lovely too.

i also think phoebe would be such a wonderful addition to benji’s charity when she’s older. i’d love to see her grown up 🥹

[becca&#x1fab4;&#x1f4ab;&#x1f4d6; · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5!! will write full review soon!

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story wow! The way grief is described and woven through the eyes of violet, phoebe, and Dex as they go on a road trip to return a letter was done so well. The emotional turmoil, the unexpected humorous banter, and the sudden urge to not be stuck in who you were, where you are now and where you want to be in life is truly moving. I wish the pacing was better but if you push on to chapter 8 (I know I know )everything unfolds instantly! I was locked in for the witty dialogue and realistic character growth 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Thanks NetGalley for arc ☺️

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

🚘🎡OUT NOW🩷💌

This book was road-trip romance perfection, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Sign me up for everything this author writes going forward because I was that impressed with this debut.

This book has:
🚘 A cross-country road trip that brings the leads, Violet and Dex, together to “return to sender” a love letter that got mistakenly sent to the FMC and Phoebe, her grief-stricken teenage sister.
☀️ Close proximity and the grumpy x sunshine tropes. Dex is a grumpy hero with a golden retriever personality at heart. I adored how gentle and caring he was with Violet’s sister. Major green flags all round with this book boyfriend!
👪 Found family trope! At the heart of this book is profound grief that leads Violet, her sister, and Dex together on their journey.

Thank you to Dial Press and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible - heartfelt and genuine and romantic. If you like romances that truly puts the character work in and deals with grief in such a nuanced and careful way, pick this up I BEG 😭💛

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve been around me for a minute, you’ll know I love a grief journey. And a grief journey where you learn to open your heart again? Whoo boy, please sign me up for all of them.

Violet is twenty-six and has spent the last nine months caring for her fourteen-year-old sister, Phoebe, following their dad’s death. They’re both miserable and grieving, but acres apart from each other.

And then Phoebe opens a letter that was returned to sender- a sender named Benji Dexter who used to live in their apartment. This letter. My god. This man has poured his heart and soul into this letter to his Catalina and she never even saw it.

Phoebe has an enthusiasm that she hasn’t had in nine months and Violet can’t help but go along with her in the quest to find Benji to make sure he knows Catalina didn’t read his words. He needs to try again.

And so they do find him and he’s so grumpy, but wouldn’t you be too if you’d lost the love of your life? And then because Phoebe is determined and Violet gives into Phoebe, they end up on a cross-country road trip with a virtual stranger to hand-deliver this letter. And they form a bond and Violet tries to resist Dex’s attractiveness and compassion and great conversation. She read that letter too. She knows she’ll never be what Catalina is to him. Buuuut Dex isn’t immune to her either.

What will happen at the end of this trip? Eeee!!! There’s so much more to love about this book, but shhh! spoilers.

Highly recommended for lovers of grief journeys, road trip romance, sibling dynamics, and a beautiful story. Also, Cara Bastone loved it, sooo…

I received this DRC via @netgalley and @thedialpress. All thoughts are my own.

contemporary romance | road trip romance | lgbtqia+ representation | Return to Sender | Stephanie Parente | five star reads | book recs | recommendations | book reviews | bookstagram

[Emily | emilyisoverbooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Dial Press Trade Paperback and PRH Audio for the gifted copies!

"He's a sad boy. And we're sad girls. Match made in heaven."

Violet loses her father and becomes the guardian of her 14-year-old sister, Phoebe. Things are NOT going smoothly. One day, a "return to sender" letter shows up in the mail and Phoebe opens it (mail fraud, we know.), finding a heartwrenching letter to an old flame that they decide HAS to be delivered.

I love an emotional romance and this absolutely hit the spot. The romance between Violet and Dex made me GIDDY and I always have a soft spot when there's a kid/teen in involved. Dex was also the perfect amount of grumpy and I love how the girls made him open up ("You make me want to be an optimist" are you KIDDING ME). The focus on queer youth was also perfectly woven thoughout the book and I appreciated that it was an important part of these characters, but also not their whole personality -- yay to the author for not reducing characters to their sexuality! I laughed, I loved the roadtrip, I totally saw the twist coming but still cried, and I am so excited that this is a debut because it was FANTASTIC and I can't wait for more from Stephanie Parente!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Parente sees your desire for yearning and raises you reverence.

Dex worships Violet. His devotion to her is quiet, steady, and all consuming. I loved their relationship—it’s slow, steady growth, it’s respect, it’s healing. I loved the way they brought out the best in one another while supporting each other through the depths of their grief. It was a beautiful love story.

Return to Sender is not your typical romance novel. It is, first and foremost, an exploration of grief. Then, a story of sisters healing their bond. Finally, a love story between two broken people. What a breath of fresh air.

Even though the themes of this book are heavy, the overall feeling you’re left with is lightness and hope.

I also adored the female friendship in this book. It felt healthy and authentic.

Highly recommend. Especially if you are interested in healing journeys, grief, or romance books that break the mold.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dial Press for my advanced readers copy.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welp. Yet another to add to the had potential to be good but didn't get there pile. This was super awkward to read! The romance between the two main characters did not feel at all legit-it felt really forced and insta-love and I am never a fan of that. They went from being indifferent to each other to being all over each other and back to indifferent and swung back and forth and it never felt like they meant it. It felt more like convenience than real. I did like the relationship between the sisters however because their true feelings after they lost their dad and how they each handled it differently was realistic. And them working through their grief together by going on the road trip was kind of fun but it could have been so much more had the author not tried to throw everything at the wall and seen what stuck in the second half of the book. Had she stuck with the original story I think it would have worked better. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure others will disagree. It has its good moments but I had higher hopes.
Thanks to Dial Press and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything about this was wonderful

[Kena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
LGTBQ Representation
Grumpy x sunshine
Grief
Forced Proximity

I can't believe that this is a debut novel! I thought this was just going to be just a fluffy rom com, but this was so much more than that. You can read the book blurb for a summary of the book, I'm not gonna repeat it here.

She did a fantastic job weaving grief into the story, along with the light moments and seeing our two main characters fall for each other. You can see Dex (The MMC) crack along every road trip stop and his walls slowly come down. They set off on their trip, focused on the destination, but it was really about the journey.

Also, the sisterhood between Violet and Phoebe was so relatable, messy and realistic. I can't even begin to fathom the amount of grief they were dealing with, but LOVE was their bond. It kept them afloat.

What a great debut for Parente. I can't wait to see what else she brings us.

Thank you, Netgalley and Random house for the eARC for early review!

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Humorous, heart-wrenching and wholesome. I loved the inclusion of the sibling relationships in this book. Vi and Dex alone would have been a story worth reading, but the relationships between Phoebe and Vi, and Phoebe and Dex was what made this even more special. I was very appreciative of the subtle, but impactful queer character representation, as well as the realistic portrayal of the rollercoaster that is grief. I would have loved more insight into Dex’s arc, but I also think that could be a whole other book! Thanks to NetGalley and Stephanie Parente for the ARC. This review is my own.

Some favorite moments:
“Even assholes are moved by the dead dad bit”

“Things get fucked, but there’s always something good. Even if it’s just another minute.”

“He’s the kind of guy who drowns and learns to swim really well.”

[Kelsie ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so so much to Dial Press for letting me read and review this book early. All thoughts are my own!!

Return to Sender is like if Beach Read and Promise Me Sunshine had a baby but make it queer!! This book is full of grief and love and humor and joy, and I couldn’t get enough. There’s so much queer rep in this book, and I love it a lot!!!

Violet is struggling to keep her head above water after taking in her fourteen year old sister after their dad unexpectedly passed away. When a letter sent from the previous tenant in their apartment shows up, they take it as a sign to return it to the original sender. Violet sees how much Phoebe is enjoying this adventure, and she’d do anything for her sister. They end up meeting Dex, and the three of them set off on a road trip across the country to deliver the letter to its recipient.

All three of our main characters are so special to me!! Violet, Phoebe, and Dex create such a fun dynamic in this book as they journey across the country to take the letter to its intended receiver. The relationship between the sisters was one of my favorite parts of this book. Violet feels like she’s failing Phoebe, and Phoebe feels like she ruined Violet’s life. Everyone is emotionally backed up, and it was really special watching them open up to each other.

Another dynamic I really enjoyed was Phoebe and Dex’s friendship. I know these two would’ve stayed pals, even if nothing had ever happened between Violet and Dex. This book is also just really funny, and I loved how quick and sharp the banter was between these guys. Phoebe feels like such a realistic fourteen year old, which I really enjoyed.

Grief is a big part of this book for all of our main characters, and I definitely think this book will make my top three of romance books with grief involved. They all interact with it differently in ways that make sense for who they are, and I really appreciate the care and intention the author put into writing it.

The romance was also phenomenal. I loved watching Violet and Dex struggle to avoid their attraction to each other while forced into this road trip together. They have such a deep connection, and they get each other so well. I can’t say too much about the third act conflict, lest I spoil it, but it was so well done and so realistic that I couldn’t even be mad about it.

I cannot wait for Stephanie Parente’s next book, but I will be savoring Return to Sender until then!!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this summer debut! I had such a good time following these authentic, relatable characters as they navigated grief, family, and finding love when they least expected it. Stephanie Parente did a great job exploring some heavier topics while still keeping the story hopeful and heartwarming. As I was listening, her writing style actually reminded me of one of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin.

I especially loved the emotional blend of grief and romance, the sister relationship, the road trip setting, and the slow-burn, opposites-attract romance. Maybe it was because Violet is a teacher too, but I found her especially relatable. The audiobook narration was wonderful too. Every narrator felt like the perfect fit for their character. My only complaint was that it leaned into a few familiar romance tropes, but I still really enjoyed it.

All in all, this was an immersive, emotional debut that had me laughing, getting a little teary-eyed, and finishing with a smile. It was such an adorable yet heartfelt rom-com. I’ve already added Stephanie Parente to my authors-to-watch list. (Audio)

[da͟r͟i͟a͟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
that was absolutely wonderful !! at times heartbreaking, at times gut-wrenching, at times genuinely hilarious. i'm completely in love with the main character's younger sister – she's absolutely the highlight of the whole story