Stephanie Perkins returns to contemporary romance with Overdue, a thoughtful exploration of what happens when comfortable becomes complacent, and when the safety of the known collides with the terrifying possibility of the unknown. Set against the backdrop of a cozy North Carolina mountain town, this novel asks the uncomfortable question: can you truly love someone if you’ve never loved anyone else?
Twenty-nine-year-old Ingrid Dahl has spent eleven years in what feels like the literary equivalent of a comfortable reading chair—pleasant, familiar, but perhaps not where you’d choose to spend your entire life. Her relationship with college boyfriend Cory has the worn-in quality of a favorite library book, complete and satisfying but lacking the electric thrill of discovery. When Ingrid’s sister announces her engagement after just two years of dating, it forces our protagonist to confront an uncomfortable truth: she and Cory have been living in relationship autopilot.
The Art of Slow-Burn Storytelling
Perkins demonstrates remarkable restraint in her storytelling approach, crafting a narrative that unfolds like the changing seasons in Ridgetop itself. The author’s background as both bookseller and librarian infuses every page with authentic detail, from the weight of returning books to the particular satisfaction of a perfectly organized display. The fictional town of Ridgetop, inspired by Asheville, North Carolina, becomes more than mere setting—it transforms into a character unto itself, complete with stained glass windows that catch the light like captured stories.
The decision to structure the novel chronologically through the months creates a natural rhythm that mirrors the characters’ emotional growth. We witness Ingrid’s journey not as a dramatic transformation but as the gradual blooming of self-awareness, much like the daffodils and forsythia she observes pushing through early spring soil.
Complex Characters Beyond the Meet-Cute
What elevates Overdue above typical romantic fare is Stephanie Perkins’ commitment to psychological realism. Ingrid isn’t the quirky, immediately loveable protagonist of many contemporary romances. Instead, she’s sometimes selfish, often confused, and refreshingly human in her capacity for poor decision-making. Her initial plan to “date” her coworker Macon during her relationship break reveals a level of emotional immaturity that makes her subsequent growth all the more satisfying.
Macon Nowakowski emerges as perhaps Perkins’ most nuanced romantic lead to date. His grumpy exterior masks years of patient longing, but the author avoids the tired trope of the brooding man saved by love. Instead, Macon is a fully realized individual with his own dreams, disappointments, and careful boundaries. His rejection of Ingrid’s initial advance isn’t cruel but principled—he refuses to be anyone’s experiment or consolation prize.
The supporting cast adds depth without overwhelming the central narrative. Cory could have easily been written as an obstacle to overcome, but Perkins grants him dignity and genuine affection for Ingrid. Their breakup feels realistic rather than contrived, acknowledging that sometimes love isn’t enough when growth happens in different directions.
Navigating Modern Romance Dilemmas
The novel’s central premise—a couple taking a “break” to date others before committing—could have easily descended into farce. Instead, Perkins uses this unconventional setup to examine deeper questions about choice, experience, and the nature of commitment. The author skillfully avoids judgment while allowing readers to witness the natural consequences of such decisions.
Ingrid’s struggles with dating apps, awkward first dates, and the general vulnerability of putting yourself out there will resonate with anyone who’s navigated modern romance. Perkins captures the particular anxiety of being nearly thirty and feeling behind, of watching peers move through traditional milestones while you remain uncertainly stationary.
The book also thoughtfully explores themes of professional fulfillment and personal ambition. Ingrid’s journey from librarian to bookstore owner parallels her romantic evolution, suggesting that finding your authentic self requires courage in all areas of life.
Literary Strengths and Minor Stumbles
Perkins’ prose has a gentle, conversational quality that makes the 300-plus pages feel effortless. Her dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, particularly in the banter between Ingrid and Macon. The author has a gift for small, telling details that bring scenes to life—the particular ding of a pull-chain lamp, the weight of a slow cooker filled with homemade pumpkin spice latte, the satisfaction of painting kitchen cabinets.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues in its middle section. The extended timeline, while realistic, sometimes feels indulgent when Ingrid’s emotional growth stagnates. Certain plot points, particularly around Ingrid’s sister’s wedding drama, feel underdeveloped compared to the richly detailed library and bookstore settings.
The book’s resolution, while satisfying, arrives somewhat abruptly after the extended build-up. Readers expecting explosive romantic declarations might find the quieter, more realistic conclusion underwhelming, though it ultimately serves the story’s themes about authentic connection.
A Fresh Voice in Familiar Territory
Overdue by Stephanie Perkins distinguishes itself in the crowded contemporary romance market through its mature approach to love and relationships. This isn’t a story about finding “the one” but about finding yourself well enough to recognize love when it’s been sitting beside you all along. Perkins writes with the wisdom of someone who understands that the most profound changes often happen gradually, in the spaces between dramatic moments.
The book’s treatment of small-town life avoids both excessive nostalgia and dismissive cynicism. Ridgetop feels like a real place where real people build real lives, complete with economic challenges, changing demographics, and the kind of community connections that can feel both supportive and suffocating.
Perfect for Readers Who Appreciate
- Character-driven narratives where internal growth takes precedence over external drama
- Workplace romance featuring genuinely engaging professional settings
- Second-chance romance with emotional depth and realistic relationship dynamics
- Small-town settings portrayed with authenticity rather than idealization
- Stories about career transitions and finding professional fulfillment
Similar Reads to Explore
If Overdue by Stephanie Perkins captures your heart, consider these comparable titles:
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry – Another story about writers finding love and themselves
- “The Invisible Bridge” by Julie Orringer – For readers who appreciate Perkins’ attention to historical detail
- “The Seven Year Slip” by Ashley Poston – Contemporary romance with magical realism elements
- “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry – Publishing industry romance with sharp wit
- “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig – For the philosophical exploration of life choices
The Verdict: Worth the Wait
Overdue by Stephanie Perkins succeeds as both a romance and a meditation on personal growth. Perkins has crafted a story that honors the complexity of adult relationships while maintaining the emotional satisfaction readers expect from the genre. While it may not provide the instant gratification of faster-paced romances, it offers something more valuable: the deep satisfaction of characters who feel genuinely earned together.
The novel’s greatest achievement lies in its honest portrayal of love as something that requires not just feeling but choosing, not just chemistry but compatibility, not just passion but patience. In an era of instant everything, Overdue argues persuasively for the value of taking time—to know yourself, to grow into who you’re meant to be, and to recognize when someone is worth the wait.
For readers who appreciate thoughtful romance with substance, Overdue by Stephanie Perkins delivers a story that lingers long after the final page, much like the best books we discover in our favorite library corners.
