I was really enjoying the first half of this book, and then the FMC literally crapped her pants and I was grossed out.

I wish I was kidding. But alas. Crapping ones pants shouldn’t exist in romcoms that are meant to be swoony, in my opinion.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC. Maybe include violent craps as a trigger warning for the ladies out there who don’t find it amusing.

I went into this book blind. I love the title so much that I was so intrigued by it. We follow Rikki in this book and her journey. I love the meet cute between her and Reed so much. I love their chemistry together. The spice in this book is mild. The character development that Rikki goes through is necessary for her to get to the ending she deserves. I really love the wedding encounters. What I don't like from this book is the pop culture reference. There are some that I like and some I just do not like that all (SJM). Overall, I had a great time reading this book. I was laughing out loud and giggling and kicking my feet.

This was a fun romance book. It truly had the essence of the classic '90s/’00s rom-coms like 27 Dresses, 13 Going on 30, Bridget Jones Diary, and I also think it gave some Sex and the City vibes.

I liked getting to know the FMC, Rikki Romona, who was quite relatable in a few ways, but especially in the emotional sense, in my opinion. I really appreciated her growth and self-realisation throughout the book. I also really fell for the MMC, Reed Tyler, and his desire to get to know Rikki deeply and put everything out there for her. I would’ve loved to see more of Reed’s brother and mother with Rikki and how they’d get along in person.

I enjoyed their meeting at the wedding and getting to see all the other weddings Rikki attended, which honestly had pretty wild themes, but I was kind of there for it. I didn’t expect the diary storyline and was a bit unsure of it at first. There was a lot going on plot-wise, which I didn’t find completely necessary; I think even taking out a few things would’ve made this a bit more enjoyable.

Although I don’t think this book was completely for me, it was full of modern references, maybe a few too many, and I think if you really love the classic cheesy rom-coms, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Christine Riccio for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

The thing about this book that bothered me immensely is that Christine only writes FMCs that are so obviously based on herself. It's just so repetitive.

Another thing is that I didn't feel about anything in this book. Literally didn't care about anyone so unfortunately... this author is not for me.

this book was everything to me. as someone who has been watching and reading Christine for years (over a decade) i can safely say this book is the pinnacle of her work. obsessed is an understatement

Well, this book wasn’t exactly what I expected!

I was ready to enjoy a run-of-the-mill rom-com again. And that’s exactly how Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone starts. Two people who have a past meet for the first time by coincidence… there are many coincidences in this book… and are very attracted to each other. One is an ex-author; one is an ex-book critic. They moved on, and since they are young and modern people, they do things such as podcasts and whatever else it is that barely thirty year old people do. There are hilarious accidents, the relationship counsellor (i.e. the protagonist) lays down lots of rules for dating, and there is a journal with her name on it.

I did not foresee teleportation in this book!

I was reading it quite slowly until the journal showed its magic. At that point, I became glued to the book and finished it in one afternoon/evening. The coincidences stopped bothering me (much), the puzzling decisions the heroine and her romantic interest make – same. I just needed to know what happens next and I looked at the page count with slight despair, because I wanted this feeling to last: pure enjoyment. That’s what this book is. It’s hardly realistic even if you take teleportation out of the equation (look at me using long words!) but who cares when it’s so damn entertaining? Rikki was occasionally irritating, Reed – too perfect, and I could keep nitpicking, but I’d be spoiling the fun I had reading Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone – a book that made me forget that I 1) was hungry, 2) had to make dinner before eating it, 3) it is WHAT TIME? I guess we’re eating late.

Seriously recommended to my fellow rom-com readers. This book will teleport you into a place where all ends well, but oh boy, does it go on some interesting detours before it does.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley. This did not influence my review.

(7/10, rounded up to 4/5 for Goodreads)

My ratings:
5* = this book changed my life
4* = very good
3* = good
2* = I should have DNFed
1* = actively hostile towards the reader

This book was intense. It hit home on so many levels. I supposed I can relate to it. There is a fantasy aspect to it that I wasn’t expecting. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, but I just went with the flow. I really liked the characters and the elaborate settings were fun to read through. I love all the pop culture references, and it felt very of the times. This is my first time reading a book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was a little bit of magic via a journal with special powers, some wild themed weddings (but also I totally want to go to these), and a single woman figuring out where she fits with regard to love. It was a fun read as two people figure out how/if/when they're going to find their way to each other. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this January 2026 release! (Note: While you're waiting, check out Attached at the Hip by the same author!)

thank you netgalley, montlake, and christine riccio for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

honestly? i loved this. maybe it’s because i’m 30 and have had an internal monologue extremely similar to our main character rikki’s, but this did hit home for me in some parts the way some other books did this year.

thirty, flirty, and forever alone follows rikki, a perpetually single writer being the last & designated single friend in her friend group. at one of her book club friends’s wedding, she meets the very single reed tyler, a YA author and aspiring actor. he also has qualms about dating and he and rikki find themselves immediately drawn to each other, but of course they live on opposite sides of the country. with the help of a little magic, many attempts are made to make it work.

some parts were cringe, some made me want to bash my head into a wall, and some felt very self-insert-y, but overall, i had a fun time. i loved the magic aspect it took and that part was extremely reminiscent of one of my fav novels last year, This Spells Love, although i think that one did magical realism a little bit better. i look forward to highlighting the shit out of this book when it’s published and picking up a physical copy!!

I went into this book with high expectations, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. While the premise was interesting, the pacing felt slow and the characters never fully pulled me in. The writing style was serviceable, but I often found myself disconnected from the story, and some plot points felt predictable or underdeveloped.

That said, I can see how other readers might enjoy it—especially those who like quieter, character-driven stories. For me, though, it just wasn’t engaging enough to stick with.

I loved this book! It was so relatable and I loved that the author didn't use 20 somethings that longated the story.

I was ALL IN until the magical journal. The story would’ve been so much better without it. Too weird for me.

Also, Reed was just TOO perfect. The definition of a man who only exists in a book. He had to have had at least one flaw!

Certainly unique and memorable though

I had such a great time reading this book! It pulled me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages. The writing flowed so well, and I found myself completely invested in the story and characters. It’s one of those reads you just don’t want to put down.
huge thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy!! I’m so glad I got to read it ahead of the release day and can't wait for the world to get to enjoy it too!!

✨📖 Magical journals, green-flag MMCs, & more themed weddings than my brain could process 🎭🐶🎶

Title: Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone
Author: Christine Riccio
Format: e-ARC
Tropes: Long Distance, Self-Discovery, Forced Proximity (via magical journal?!), Cinnamon Roll MMC
Rating ⭐: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶: 1.5/5

Quote: “Green flags only? Be still my hopeless romantic heart.”

Author Review ✍️
New author to me! Christine Riccio definitely wrote in some chaotic charm, quirky humor, and relatable moments about navigating love and life. This one had bursts of fun energy, even if the story sometimes lost me along the way.

Book Review 📚
Rikki is…a lot. Sometimes I wanted to be her friend, sometimes I wanted to give her a gentle-but-firm shake. Avoidance? Oh, I’ve been there. Cringe-inducing choices? Yep, those too. But Reed? Oh, sweet, emotionally intelligent, green-flag Reed. He’s basically the definition of a cinnamon roll love interest, and the majority of the reason I gave the book 3 stars.

The plot was whimsical (borderline wild), with a magical journal, long-distance romance rules that made zero sense, and more themed weddings than I could wrap my head around—Disney, musicals, dogs…this book had it all. And while that was entertaining at times, the story felt disjointed and the ending was rushed, leaving me wishing for one more chapter to bask in the aftermath.

Overall Thoughts 💭
This was cute, quirky, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, but also messy and confusing in parts. The heart of the story—two people figuring out how to make their lives fit together—was lovely. Reed alone makes it worth a read, but the magical journal and rushed wrap-up kept this at a solid three stars for me. Fans of quirky, chaotic romance will probably adore this more than I did.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is one of my v favourite shows (like, have had it on repeat for multiple years at a time kind of favourite), so when I saw the "27 Dresses meets Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" tagline, I was immediately sold.

Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations, which I am willing to share equal blame with the marketing department for. This is why I don't usually read summaries, I like things more when they're not carrying the weight of what I THINK I'm going to be reading.

I did still mostly enjoy it, even if the pitch was imperfect. 🤷

This one really caught my eye because I’m approaching 30 this year (though, happily married) unfortunately I think Rikki was based off a former colleague because she had the same insufferable attitude about being 30 and single.

I enjoyed the story which is why I gave it 3 stars but the plot was a little disjointed and messy to me. I don’t understand the journal plot and I don’t feel it was quite explained. Are themed weddings now a thing? And the ending started to feel rushed (and I was a little confused by everything happening). There was some good growth at the end! Good references throughout the book too which is what made it enjoyable.

Christine has done it again! Her comedy is so fresh and entertaining, it keeps me hooked every single time. Congratulations on your first adult novel! I know it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed the plot and the witty banter between the couple. Rikki represents all of us. She’s funny, awkward, and relatable. That’s what made the book so good. I also loved spotting the little fandom references sprinkled throughout. I give the book 5 stars! This book is definitely one everyone should pick up!

Thirty, flirty and forever alone was such a perfect rom com story!

Rikki and reed were both grounded and fleshed out characters and from literally their first encounter I couldn’t help but to root for them. I loved getting to know rikki as an individual character and following her journey to figure out her flaws.

I also really enjoyed the magical realism element. It worked perfectly with the story without overpowering the plot or the characters. The whole book was hilarious but especially everything with the journal.

I love all of Christine’s books but this one is my favourite so far, I can’t wait for the next one!

I did not enjoy the writing in this one. I found it a little annoying and the main character was kind of even more annoying. I’m sure some people will love runs over but u just couldn’t get past the writing.

I enjoyed this more than "Attached at the Hip", but it still wasn't a winner for me. I understand that, as a rom-com, elements are going to be exaggerated for effect, but this didn't have anything grounding it. The romance, characters, plot, and comedy all just fell flat for me. I couldn't find anything to connect with because nothing felt real.

The characters are really at the heart of this. Rikki feels like Riccio's other protagonists: quirky to a fault, more millennial than anyone I've ever met, and oscillating between unable to handle things herself and being the friend that everyone inexplicably relies on. She says strange phrases, handles situations oddly, and is generally an 11 on the quirky and self-deprecating scales. It seems like Riccio thinks this automatically makes Rikki endearing, but it mostly makes her exhausting. I found that I wasn't rooting for her because she was always either making such bizarre choices or complaining about how everything wasn't magically going her way (even though it usually was, sometimes literally).

Reed sweeps in as a pretty perfect love interest for Rikki - he's smart, and banters with her, likes her quirks, and is successful, but also vulnerable, artsy, and emotionally intelligent. It just feels like he's always saying the right thing, always so patient and understanding, even (or especially) when the situation screams for some skepticism. Because of this, the romance never feels believable - and worse, it's not compelling.

The supporting cast is just pretty flat. Rikki's friends are generic friend characters. Rikki's dad is a generic bad dad. There's just not a lot of substance.

The plot was all over the place. It's fast-paced, which is good, but it almost feels like there are competing ideas here. First, we have the blurb version: Rikki is desperate to find her person and throws herself into dating, marking a +1 on multiple wedding invitations as she stares down her 30th birthday. That's a grounded premise! But also entirely glossed over; the opening chapter starts after that has all happened.

Instead, we get a different story: Rikki meets Reed on the eve of her 30th birthday and immediately falls for him, only to find that he lives on the other side of the country. They make a series of (frankly arbitrary and completely nonsensical) rules about how to manage their long-distance relationship. There's a grounded romance in there too, but it's all thrown out the window by the magical twist. Instead of having to work through their trust issues and the difficulties of actually being long-distance, fate steps in and gives Rikki a way to travel anywhere she wants immediately. The magic feels like a crutch to resolve plot issues that Riccio didn't want to or couldn't solve without it. It doesn't feel like something that should be happening this many books into her career.

It's now a totally unmoored romance, with an MMC that will accept any mistakes the FMC might make, meaning there's no tension. Sure, plenty goes wrong, but only in quirky, over the top ways to put Rikki in absurd situations.

Which leads me to the comedy. It just...didn't land. So many of the references are millennial references that feel dated the second they're read. Jokes are recycled practically verbatim without acknowledgement. And sometimes, Riccio just goes for the most outlandish situation possible in hopes that it'll force comedy (one scene at the 50% mark stands out in this way, and it's something I really wish had been left on the cutting room floor. Uncomfortable is not the same as funny!)

On top of it all, the writing was clunky and awkward. Riccio has a tendency to over-describe her scenes, while also using strange turns of phrase. It was easy to read, but I still found myself stopping every so often because word or structure choices were so bizarre.

TL;DR: I think this needed more time in development before hitting shelves. It feels like Riccio started with one story prompt, shifted to another, then wanted to add a magical element and pivoted again. Instead of making these pieces work in harmony (or cutting any), they're all smashed together in a way that flattens all of them and disconnects them from any emotional resonance. I hope this finds it's readers, but I was disappointed.