REVIEW: Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia

In Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia, While Sasha Rubinstein is pretty used to being a single mom–she was solo parenting even before she and her husband got divorced–somehow it seems like she can’t keep up with anything lately. And what makes it even more difficult is her lack of any freelance work. Worrying about how she’ll pay her bills in expensive NYC is at the forefront of her mind. So, when Sasha gets the chance to work with Escapade magazine on a photo and video shoot in Turks and Caicos, she can’t turn it down. Even when she finds out the anger-inducing single dad who outwits her at every turn at her kids’ school is going to basically be her boss. Okay, so she will admit he’s super-hot and when he’s not antagonizing her, seems like a nice guy. But it means she’ll have to stay in Professional Sasha mode to avoid giving in to the strong attraction between them.

I growl at him, loud enough that he jumps back. Then, I stomp down the sidewalk, leaving him standing at the top alone.
“Who’s your friend?” Celeste asks when I reach her.
“Satan,” I say.”
“He’s kind of cute.” She toggles her head.
“That’s how they get you.”

Yeah, the whole ignoring their attraction thing? Not so easy on a gorgeous, secluded island–especially since Sasha and Ethan are sans kids and finally have some free time to get to know each other. Turns out they have more in common than either of them realized. And while that seems like a good thing, it means their connection grows even stronger making it more difficult to stay platonic. As things get steamier between them, Ethan and Sasha begin to wonder what will happen when they head home to NYC. Will it be a ‘What happens on the island stays on the island’ situation? Or will they give a relationship a shot once they’re back to their normal everyday lives? Either way, they can’t deny what they share is something very, very special.

He glances down, unsure, then back up to meet my eyes–“I’ve liked you since I met you. Even if you don’t remember.”

PICK-UP had me laughing straight away over the awkward but hilarious predicaments the heroine was in time and time again. But as funny as it was, Nora Dahlia’s debut rom-com will also be relatable for parents, divorcees, and women in the ever-changing modern world.

‘I guess I’m not alone in feeling tapped out sometimes. Turns out parenting is hard. And so is being a person.’

CW: View Spoiler »Anti-Semitism, misogyny, cheating (historical), anxiety « Hide Spoiler

Nora Dahlia created a rom-com that tickled me from the first page. Seriously. From the rotating POVs of *three* characters to the awesome bantering between the hero and heroine, Ethan and Sasha, PICK-UP wasn’t just a single parent enemies-to-lovers book. It was about family, friendships evolving, career woes, and the challenges of being in a relationship where you may love your partner but they kind of drive you bonkers at times. Overall, I think there will be something for every reader to enjoy.

Sasha and Ethan seemed like opposites-attract to me at first. But as the story rolled on, it was obvious that they not only had a connection as single parents trying to do everything right by their kid(s), but they also loved their jobs–and had a tendency to lose themselves in that work. There was a bit of history between them that we found out part way through. Although it didn’t change or dampen Ethan and Sasha’s chemistry in the least. It was the animosity and tempers flaring each time they ran into each other that kept me flying through the pages as it was all in good fun. And boy wasn’t it entertaining.

The third POV was of local single mom Kaitlin. Aside from her being a short-term friend to Sasha when they were teenagers and their kid(s) going to the same school, I wasn’t sure why she had her own passages until almost the 50% mark. Then it clicked into place and added even more complexity to the story.

As much as the scenes in NYC were a riot, it was the time Sasha and Ethan spent together on Citrine Cay in Turks and Caicos for a photo/video shoot that stood out. It was sensual and just seemed so right after the slow build up between them. It did of course complicate matters when Ethan and Sasha returned to NYC, but it was those moments on the secluded island that stayed in their minds and kept them fighting for things to work out together in the end.

QOTD: Have you ever stayed on an island? Tropical or otherwise?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: December 3rd, 2024 | Gallery Books |

Harkening to the witty and swoon-worthy rom-coms of Christina Lauren and Kate Clayborn, a new enemies-to-lovers romp whisking us from the stress of city life to lush Caribbean beaches.

Sasha Rubinstein is not on her game. Parenting with an absent (and objectively douchey) ex has never been easy, but, lately, the judgmental side-eye from people at school pick-up feels extra. It doesn’t help that some entitled dad—with his perfect t-shirts and perfectly punchable (yet adorable) face—keeps stealing the last after-school spots and school hoodies out from under her.

Ethan Jones is not trying to trip Sasha up… at school or otherwise. In fact, ever since they met (which she promptly forgot), he’s been hoping for the exact opposite…or at least to stop thinking about her.

When a game-changing job lands them trapped together on an exclusive private island, they resolve to stop sniping at each other and keep things professional. But with tension building between them and the permeating intoxication of island time, temptation blows in on every tropical breeze.