This book is so unserious (in a good way). Laura Piper Lee has a great sense of humor, some jokes got a sensible chuckle out of me, one or two got a real laugh. The MMC was really unlikable for the first 100 or so pages, his growth was necessary but I kind of wish it was fleshed out more. He went from being a total A-hole to being likable in the span of what felt like a few pages.

I've seen other reviews that mention a third-act breakup but I don't think this could be categorized as such. It was maybe heading that way but the characters were able to navigate it. So if you hate that trope I don't think you need to steer clear of this book.

I think the book could have been tightened up some. I noticed a few typos and I honestly lost interest about 3/4 of the way through. I powered through because I was reading on a deadline for a book club, but had I not, I might have put the book down to read something else and either DNF'ed or come back to it later. Had the story been more succinct I think I would have been more interested in the ending.

As a New Jersey local I appreciated all of the local references, especially to the Kiss & Tale bookshop! This is a great summer read, and it made me nostalgic for the Wildwood weekends of my youth. It's a work of fiction so I will give grace, but as someone from central/south NJ, some of the behaviors of the townies were not realistic. Several characters also leaned heavily into Jersey stereotypes, but I can't say they're inaccurate.

The chronic-illness and LGBTQ+ representation was great to see. Someone suffering from Crohn's or any other chronic illness will (probably) see themselves reflected in this book. I know I found myself relating heavily to both the FMC and the MMC in terms of family-dynamics and general attitudes about life.

I listed on audio for a few chapters and it is dual-narrated. The male narrator is phenomenal.

Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend to both stoners and non-stoners alike. 4/5