The Second You’re Single

Humorous observations on flab, friendship, and freedom animate this lukewarm rom-com from Cara Lockwood (Masquerade), writing as Tanamachi. Freelance writer Sora Reid, 32, has just broken up with her married boyfriend. With Valentine’s Day looming, and despite pressure from her overbearing family, she decides to embrace her singlehood and pitches her editor a story about her Solo February challenge. Sora’s empowering insights on nixing the month of love evaporate when she falls for the hunk giving out samples at the grocery store. Though Sora doesn’t recognize him, gentle Jack Mann has crushed on her since elementary school, and he’s thrilled when she reenters his life. But what will happen if Sora breaks her now viral #GoSolo vow? Even more trouble arises when Mal, the ex-fiancée who drove Jack from his pastry chef job at a Michelin-starred restaurant, starts scheming to get him back. Sora’s biting, ironic commentary on her love life rings true, but the same voice applied critically to her relationship with food and her own weight occasionally grates. Despite some overwriting, Sora’s complex relationships with her family, her followers, and herself provide plenty of food for thought. (Jan.)