There’s something profoundly comforting about watching someone discover they’ve been living the wrong story—and then having the courage to write a new one. Stephanie Perkins, beloved author of the Anna and the French Kiss series, returns to contemporary romance with Overdue, a tender exploration of what happens when you realize that the life you’ve carefully constructed might not be the one you actually want.
The Heart of the Story
Twenty-nine-year-old Ingrid Dahl appears to have everything figured out. She’s been with college boyfriend Cory for eleven blissful years, works as a librarian in the picturesque mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina, and lives a life of comfortable predictability. But when her sister announces her engagement after only two years of dating, Ingrid and Cory find themselves questioning why they’ve never taken that step. Their solution? A one-month break to date other people before committing to marriage.
What unfolds is a beautifully messy journey of self-discovery that feels both achingly real and deliciously romantic. Ingrid’s “harmless crush” on her grumpy coworker Macon Nowakowski becomes the catalyst for understanding what she truly wants—not just in love, but in life itself.
Characters That Feel Like Old Friends
Stephanie Perkins has always excelled at creating characters who feel like people you’d want to grab coffee with, and Overdue is no exception. Ingrid sparkles with the kind of effervescent charm that makes her nickname “Ingrid Effervescent” feel perfectly apt, yet she’s grounded by genuine uncertainty and relatable flaws. Her journey from passive participant in her own life to active author of her story is both satisfying and earned.
Macon Nowakowski emerges as a beautifully complex love interest who defies the typical grumpy-sunshine romance trope. Yes, he’s cranky and pessimistic, but Perkins layers in genuine kindness, deep-seated loyalty to his agoraphobic mother, and a quiet wisdom that makes his eventual vulnerability feel authentic rather than manufactured. The slow burn between Ingrid and Macon crackles with the kind of tension that comes from years of working side by side, sharing inside jokes, and pretending not to notice the electricity in every interaction.
Even the supporting characters shine with distinct personalities. From Ingrid’s best friend Kat providing long-distance cheerleading to her coworkers at the library serving as a chosen family, each person feels purposeful rather than decorative.
The Craft Behind the Chemistry
Perkins demonstrates remarkable skill in balancing multiple narrative threads without losing focus. The romance between Ingrid and Macon serves as the emotional anchor, but the author weaves in themes of family expectations, career satisfaction, and the courage required to change course in your late twenties. The pacing allows for genuine character development—this isn’t instalove, but rather the gradual recognition of feelings that have been building for years.
The writing style mirrors Ingrid’s personality: warm, observational, and occasionally self-deprecating. Perkins has a gift for capturing the small moments that reveal character—the way Macon tends his garden with more care than he shows most people, or how Ingrid finds comfort in organizing books and making lists. These details create an immersive reading experience that feels lived-in and authentic.
What Works Brilliantly
- The Setting: Ridgetop, North Carolina feels like a character itself, with its cozy library, local bookstore dreams, and mountain backdrop that changes with the seasons. Perkins clearly draws from her own love of Asheville, creating a small town that avoids cliché while maintaining its charm.
- The Emotional Arc: Ingrid’s journey from someone who lets life happen to her to someone who actively pursues what she wants feels organic and well-paced. Her struggles with dating apps, awkward encounters, and the realization that she’s been settling for “fine” rather than fighting for “extraordinary” will resonate with anyone who’s questioned their life choices.
- The Romance Development: The transition from workplace friends to lovers feels both inevitable and surprising. Perkins excels at showing rather than telling us about their connection through shared glances, inside jokes, and moments of unexpected tenderness.
Areas That Could Have Been Stronger
While Overdue by Stephanie Perkins succeeds in most areas, there are moments where the pacing feels slightly uneven. The middle section, detailing Ingrid’s various dating experiences, occasionally feels repetitive despite serving the important purpose of highlighting what she doesn’t want. Some readers might find themselves eager to return to the central romance.
Additionally, while Cory is handled with kindness and respect as a character, his presence sometimes feels more functional than fully realized. The breakup feels necessary for the plot but lacks some of the emotional weight that might make it more impactful.
The resolution, while satisfying, arrives perhaps a touch too neatly. Real life is messier than the tidy conclusion suggests, though this may be precisely what readers of the genre are seeking.
A Return to Form
For fans of Stephanie Perkins’ earlier work, Overdue represents a welcome return to the contemporary romance that made her a household name. Unlike her recent forays into thriller territory with There’s Someone Inside Your House, this novel feels like coming home. It captures the same warmth and charm that made Anna and the French Kiss so beloved while addressing more mature themes appropriate for readers who have grown up alongside the author.
The book particularly excels in its treatment of relationships that don’t work out but aren’t villainized. Cory isn’t portrayed as wrong or bad—simply wrong for Ingrid. This mature approach to romance feels refreshing in a genre that sometimes demonizes exes to justify new relationships.
Perfect for Fans Of
Readers who adored Emily Henry’s Beach Read or Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners will find much to love here. The book also shares DNA with Rainbow Rowell’s Attachments in its workplace romance elements and Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date in its exploration of what happens when you stop settling for good enough.
Similar Books to Add to Your TBR
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
- Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
The Verdict
Overdue by Stephanie Perkins succeeds as both a satisfying romance and a thoughtful meditation on the courage required to change course in adulthood. Perkins writes with the confidence of an author who knows her strengths—creating characters you root for, crafting dialogue that sparkles, and building romantic tension that feels both sweet and steamy. While it may not break new ground in the contemporary romance landscape, it executes familiar tropes with skill and heart.
This is the literary equivalent of your favorite cozy sweater: comfortable, reliable, and exactly what you need when the world feels too chaotic. Sometimes the best stories aren’t the ones that surprise you, but the ones that remind you why you fell in love with reading romance in the first place.
For longtime Perkins fans, Overdue feels like a love letter to the genre that launched her career. For newcomers, it serves as an excellent introduction to an author who understands that the best romances aren’t just about finding love—they’re about finding yourself brave enough to reach for it.
- Bottom Line: Overdue by Stephanie Perkins is a charming, well-crafted romance that proves some stories are worth the wait. Like the best library books, you’ll want to check this one out again and again.