The story is told from different perspectives of Sora Reid and Jack Mann. It’s February with hearts and Valentines everywhere which Sora finds depressing. She is a freelance writer for Slick online women’s magazine working from home.

She is a difficult to like character because she is so self deprecating and self sabotaging. It’s initially amusing as she describes her overachieving sister preparing for her upcoming wedding. She is always trying to avoid doing things with her Japanese American mother who follows diet and exercise fads. A few annoying issues for me dealt with the mention of bacon so many times. With all her “issues” I would add obsession to bacon as one. The other issue is that poor one eyed dog, Larry. Every time she mentions his mishaps bumping into things it made me cringe!

There are some redeeming qualities if you continue reading through the sometimes irritating repetitive parts. I also felt that the main characters although apparently have been in prior relationships react to each other like teens on a first date.

Since Sora breaks up with Dan, her married with kids weeknight boyfriend, she laments over her history of bad relationships. She takes her dislike of Valentine’s Day to an extreme level which seems to help her writing career. Of course when you least expect something that’s when it is likely to appear. It’s an embarrassing run in with her ex-husband Marley Douchet at the grocery store which reminds her why she feels like her love life is doomed.

Fortunately, Jack Mann to the rescue with his store samples of pastry tarts. There’s an interesting cast of characters which means opportunities for misunderstandings and possible reunions. Will Sora be able to keep her pledge to #GoSoloFebruary?

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this complimentary ARC. The review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I would recommend this book anyone who enjoys light romantic comedies. It was just too annoying for my overly critical mind! ( )

Social researchers have taught us that it takes 5 positive thoughts/interactions to balance every 1 negative interaction. This book, the ratio between pos/neg was more like 3/1!

Positives:
I enjoyed Sora take on #solofebruary and to Go Solo to find the good in yourself and how you can be independent in a world that thinks singles are doomed.
I really liked the POV told from Jack.
If you can stick around long enough it does get better.

Not so much:
Sora’s perspective was nauseating. She was entirely wrapped up in BACON and being fat (which obvi she wasn’t) that it was a mega turnoff and you could tell it wasn’t written by anyone who ever had weight issues.
I found the weight and bacon thing was a failed joke attempt and I found myself uncomfortable reading it.

Thank you @smpromance for my gifted copy. ( )

I voluntarily agreed to read and honestly review this book.
This #GoSolo story was a wild romp of romance, comedy, introspection, and learning. As with all things having to do with learning more about yourself, there were ups and downs. But, at the end of the story the main female character ended up with her HEA. ( )

Sora Reid is thirty-two and works from home in Chicago as a freelance writer. After still another romantic disappointment, she pitches a new story to her editor. She suggests #GoSolo as a theme for February since Valentine's Day really won't work for her. She suggests taking a dating break and working on oneself as a way to empower women. She finds herself at the head of a movement which really isn't what this risk-averse young woman was looking for.

It especially won't work for her now that she has connected with Jack Mann. They were in elementary school together where they were great friends but lost track of each other after fifth grade. Now Jack is a baker at the grocery store where Sora shops. He rescues her when she runs into her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. He seems like the perfect guy - friendly, considerate, caring - but the time couldn't be worse.

Meanwhile, Jack who is planning to start his own bakery is having issues convincing a former girlfriend who is the heir to a hotel empire that their relationship is really over. She keeps trying to restart the relationship which makes Jack look like a liar when he's with Sora.

This was an entertaining story with some moment of laugh-out-loud humor, i.e. Sora's experience with aerial aerobics, but also some touching moments when Sora and Jack share hurtful memories from their pasts. I loved Jack's optimism which was a nice foil to Sora's more pessimistic viewpoint.

Fans of contemporary, very contemporary, romance will enjoy this adventure in modern love and dating. ( )

Sora Reid is stuck going nowhere in her life and she’s fine with that. She has no problem leaving her home in tattered, stained sweats. Jack Mann is a hot, talented baker who’s had bad luck with love. He’s also had a crush on Sora since elementary school. Running into her in the grocery store brings back all the feelings.

I’ll admit it took me a minute to get into this story. I’m glad I stuck with it. Jack is a sweet, caring guy and he and Sora are funny together. The writing was good. The story, a baker, a writer, nothing really new but still solid. 3.5/5 Stars from me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. ( )