Title: You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Comedy
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
For fans of The Hating Game, a debut lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about two unhappily engaged people each trying to force the other to end the relationship–and falling back in love in the process.
Naomi Westfield has an Instagram-perfect life, including the perfect fiancé: Nicholas Rose holds doors open for her, remembers her restaurant orders, and comes from the kind of upstanding society family every bride dreams of being a part of. They never fight, complain, or disagree. They’re preparing for their lavish wedding that’s three months away. And they are miserably and utterly sick of each other.
Tired of contorting herself to fit the ridiculous standards demanded by Nicholas’s family, Naomi wants out of the relationship. But there’s a catch: Whoever calls off the engagement will have to foot the enormous bill for the wedding. When Naomi finds out that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of wills to see who can annoy the other into surrendering through pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare.
But now that they have nothing to lose, they’re finally being themselves. They’re having so much fun getting on each other’s nerves that it starts to feel like something else entirely. As Naomi discovers hidden feelings for Nicholas buried under three years of simmering resentment, she wonders if he feels the same way. Suddenly, the countdown to the wedding that may or may not come to pass feels more like a race to mutual destruction–and Naomi doesn’t want to be left alone at the finish line.
Review:
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle is a laugh out loud debut about an engaged couple whose upcoming wedding hangs in the balance.
Naomi Westfield lives with her fiancé Nicholas Rose and the shine has definitely worn off their relationship. She is inching closer to calling off the wedding, but her future monster in law will make Naomi to reimburse her for expenses. So she devises a plan to try to force Nicholas to end their engagement, but she soon believes he is trying to push her into calling it quits. An absolutely hilarious game of one upsmanship begins but Nicholas ups the stakes considerably when he begins making out of character decisions. Can Naomi and Nicholas salvage their troubled romance?
Naomi is a bit annoying initially as she keeps her resentment to herself and plots ways to torture Nicholas. Despite her discontent, she continues to present their relationship as picture perfect to everyone in her life. Naomi is tired of trying to keep the peace with her overbearing future mother-in-law and much to Nicholas’ consternation, she does little to hide her bitterness. Zany antics ensue as Naomi’s filter is ripped away and she says whatever pops into her mind.
By all appearances, Nicholas is no prize as he ignores Naomi yet jumps to his mother’s bidding. He refuses to say no to her and he treats her like a delicate flower. Nicholas never defends Naomi when his mother attacks her nor has he stopped her from completely overtaking their wedding plans. After an unexpected confrontation with Naomi, Nicholas makes an impetuous choice that could make or break their fragile relationship.
While the first half of the novel is all about revenge and pushing buttons, the second half is more serious as Naomi becomes a little more reflective and less self-absorbed. She makes few startling admissions to herself as she contemplates her own choices and knee-jerk reactions. She is rather surprised at the changes in Nicholas’ behavior but she remains suspicious he is sincere. Their days gradually become more peaceful as they become reacquainted and appreciative of one another, but will Naomi and Nicholas decide to stay together?
You Deserve Each Other is a witty romance that is a bit superficial in the beginning but hits its stride at about the halfway point. After the pranks finally end, Naomi and Nicholas settle into vibrantly developed, multi-layered characters who are quite appealing. Naomi allows her vulnerabilities to show and Nicholas proves to be thoughtful and caring. Sarah Hogle brings this charming romance to a heartwarming and uplifting conclusion. A fun read that I enjoyed and highly recommend.
