The idea of Daphne and Miles using a fake relationship to heal their broken hearts caught my interest, though I suspected their pretend romance would become real—so no big surprises there.

On the plus side, the book does a great job showing the ups and downs of friendships, how they can come and go, and how it's hard to build a social circle as an adult. The themes of self-discovery and rebuilding self-worth after a tough time were well done. The setting, a charming small town, was delightful. Emily Henry really knows how to create cozy, picturesque places that make me wish I could visit Michigan. The characters, including the side ones like Ashleigh, Julia, and Harvey, added to this warm atmosphere.

However, there were a few things I didn’t enjoy. I wasn’t a fan of how often the exes were brought up in the story or how involved they were in the plot. The ending felt rushed and could have been stretched out more. The banter between Daphne and Miles didn’t quite work for me, and the fact that they acted much younger than their mid-30s made it hard for me to connect with them. Some details, like Miles being a stoner, having a messy room, and his obsession with Daphne’s moaning when she eats, felt unnecessary and a bit off-putting.

Overall, while the book wasn’t a total letdown, I didn’t feel fully invested or connected to the story. It felt a bit cheesy and formulaic, and something just didn’t click for me.