Star Rating: 5/5
Steam Level: 1/5
Tropes: lovers to enemies to lovers, second chance romance, caretaking, forced proximity
There is no better way to begin my blog than writing a review for Sarah Hogle’s debut novel, You Deserve Each Other.
As a life-long reader, I’ve often been posed the question, “What’s your favorite book?” I never had an answer until I read Hogle’s debut. It was nothing short of perfect. The premise–two fiances pranking each other to coax the other into canceling the wedding–is hilarious in and of itself. The execution? A little suspicious on how well done it is.
Naomi is our narrator and heroine and also my entire world. She is HILARIOUS. I will never hear any Naomi slander, everything she did was absolutely perfect and necessary. (I say that objectively y’all. Like I know I’m not wrong in this). Her interior narration was so easy to fall into and captivating. As a reader to get such deep insight into a character’s mind is so personal and the way Hogle does it is enlightening. We really do see Naomi’s thought process and how she dissociates and doesn’t see how it affects herself and others. She has so many spectacular standout lines, but a scene that I will remember probably on my deathbed was when Nicholas throws the flower burning back in her face maybe just a few weeks later (at most). She scowls and says, “How dare you bring that up! That is ancient history!” As if that didn’t happen so recently and scarred Nicholas. Hogle’s sense of humor shines through Naomi and charms us throughout the book. It is near impossible not to love Naomi 100% by the end. (I also have to mention the scene where she just stares at Nicholas in pure befuddlement and starts to compliment him like it genuinely confuses her).
No man will EVER compare to Nicholas (Nicky) Rose. My GOD Y’ALL. He’s a DENTIST that wears HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON TIES and FLAPPY HATS. He is pure simp. Even when Naomi was being mean to him (I still stand by my previous statement that she’s done no wrong though), he was plotting a way to get her to fall back in love with him. Meaning, HE NEVER FELL OUT OF LOVE WITH HER. HE FELL FIRST AND STAYED FALLEN. I think we all need to just take some deep breaths before I go on to rave about this man. He really said, “Okay she wants to fight? I will win.” And then he did. HE BOUGHT HER A HOUSE.
He was willing to risk his entire life and future for her and then came out in the end so effing victorious.
Also I can’t talk about this book without talking about how Nicholas and Naomi can’t. My body physically won’t let me do that. It is called FATE and Nicholas and Naomi INVENTED it. I think I short circuit when I think about the facts of how they met. It’s the way Nicholas saw her in a parking lot, fell head over heels, and DISREGARDED HIS OWN FEELINGS SO SHE WOULDN’T BE UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT A STRANGE MAN APPROACHING HER. Then, continues to live his life but something calls him to go BOWLING? Don’t lie have you ever been compelled to bowl? No, you haven’t because it’s not compulsory until the universe tells you to go and when he does he meats THE VERY PERSON HE WANTED TO MEET. Every single line in their meet cute sends shivers down my spine because of its utter perfection.
In addition to the absolutely delightful and hilarious scenes of the book, there are lines of such poignancy and vulnerability that makes the reader crave more of Hogle’s voice. When Naomi comes to terms with her feelings, she says, “I think about all the times I almost walked away and it’s terrifying.” The thought of her not being around Nicholas PETRIFIES HER. This line to me really shows the true peak in Naomi’s arc as a character because she’s able to reflect on who she once was and reckon with who she is now. She recognizes that she did almost walk away and it would’ve been easy for her then, but the thought now is nearly heartstopping. Hogle then concludes the novel with one of my favorite lines, “We met in a house called ever after, the second time we were strangers.” Even writing that gives me freaking CHILLS. It’s such a captivating read as you watch these two lovers to enemies find each other once again. They remember why they fell in love in the first place and fall in love with the parts they hadn’t discovered yet. It is such a comforting read because of its many facets. I’m constantly astounded by this book and I am entirely disappointed that it hasn’t become a forty book series of Nicholas and Naomi just tormenting each other in domestic bliss.
What I’m getting at is this: if you haven’t read You Deserve Each Other, do yourself a favor and go out and buy it. Quickly!!! It is one of my favorite books, if not my ultimate favorite book. It’s a read that makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a blanket, sitting by a window while it’s cold. I cannot recommend it enough!!
I made memes, a playlist, and a graphic of my favorite quotes on my bookstagram. You can click here to view them! Hogle’s book is available anywhere books are sold!
