REVIEW: Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone by Christine Riccio

In Thirty, Flirty, and Forever Alone by Christine Riccio, Rikki Romona is a licensed relationship expert who might just need some therapy herself. Facing down the big three-oh in a couple of days, she is sad to say that not only has she not found The One yet, but she also has no date for her cousin’s wedding. Or for a close friend’s wedding the day after that. But Rikki is okay. She’s got her successful column in a well-known newspaper, and the spinoff podcast she created as well as a few other side jobs. So what if she doesn’t have her own apartment yet and all of her friends are pairing off, about to start families? The last few months have taught Rikki that seriously putting herself out there in the dating world is scary. And that more dates do not equal getting closer to finding the guy she’s meant to be with forever.

‘No one wants to date the woman publicly dissecting her romantic endeavors for the second-largest paper on the Eastern Seaboard. Also, I’m cursed. My name, Rikki, is old Norse for “forever alone.” I’m not kidding.’

Dateless and already having a tough weekend, Rikki didn’t expect to have one of the most magical interactions of her life at her cousin’s wedding. Reed, another single date-free person sidles up next to her. And just like that, Rikki is smitten. They spend the night getting into mischief and with a plan to carry on getting to know each other. The biggest obstacle? They live on opposite coastlines. But as they find ways to spend time together–thank you technology!–it’s clear they have something truly special brewing. But when real life interferes and their relationship baggage comes out in full force, Rikki and Reed will have some work to do. On themselves and on the relationship they are building. It won’t be easy, but she knows it will be worth it in the end.

‘Reed is good. And smart. And caring. And ambitious and driven. Motivated. Hardworking. He’s everything I’ve been looking for. If anyone is worth giving long distance a shot, it’s him.’

THIRTY, FLIRTY, AND FOREVER ALONE was an outrageously funny romance that had the most relatable cast and awkwardly hilarious situations I’ve read in a while. Christine Riccio might be new to rom-coms but you would never know it by this gem.

“How did I find you?” he breathes.
“I have it on good authority that the cosmos are shipping us.”

CW: View Spoiler »Domestic abuse, toxic parental relationship, cheating (not the MCs), parental death (historical), anxiety, panic attacks « Hide Spoiler

A relationship therapist who is cursed in her own romantic life. A podcast producer who wants to be an actor. One magical night. And thousands of miles (literally) between them. If that sounds like the makings of a laugh-out-loud rom-com then you are absolutely correct. THIRTY, FLIRTY, AND FOREVER ALONE was one sexy, smartly written book that I had a ridiculous amount of fun reading. And the magical realism author Christine Riccio used just added another level of entertainment to the mix–and a whole lot of complications to heroine Rikki’s already complicated world.

Told from Rikki’s narrative POV, we landed in her life just as she was about to turn thirty. After a year of non-stop dating, trying to find The One before her cousin’s wedding, her overachieving ways started to catch up with her. Rikki’s main job as a relationship expert writing for a NYC newspaper and the subsequent podcast she created took off in the ratings. And her other side hustles were equally busy. It seemed so honest the way Riccio described Rikki’s struggles. Yes, she was seeing success in her career and other jobs, but it had taken a toll on her mentally and even physically. I think most readers will fully relate to her near burnout. Even with all the humorous moments, it was easy to feel compassion for her when the emotional overload hit.

Then Reed showed up in Rikki’s life. (Loved him!) It was one of those magical meetups that makes a romance fan’s heart soar. But of course, it couldn’t be easy for them. Living on opposite coasts was the first hurdle. Attempting to match up their busy schedules was another issue. And then there was all the baggage Rikki *and* Reed brought to the relationship. It was so messy that they tried to create rules–they were both self-confessed control freaks–that would keep them on the straight and narrow. You can imagine how long that lasted. It was when they took a deep dive into their pasts as well as examined their current struggles that the real truths came out and the healing (and bonding) truly began. I just adored Reed and Rikki together. Once she let herself be vulnerable, that in particular is when everything changed for the better. And I think readers will love how it all worked out.

QOTD: Have you read a novel that had situations or characters so relatable it made you take a look at your own personal hang ups?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: January 1st, 2026 | Montlake |

27 Dresses meets Crazy Ex-Girlfriend in this witty, serendipitous rom-com with a magical twist from New York Times bestselling author Christine Riccio.

When your name literally means “forever alone,” it takes a lot of positive self-talk to stay optimistic in the hellscape that is dating. But on the cusp of thirty, Rikki Romona is determined to find her person.

Columnist, therapist, podcaster, entrepreneur—Rikki is an overachiever who thrives on schedules. She can absolutely handle two weddings in two days, and lock down someone to drag along as a plus-one.

And yet, she doesn’t.

Rikki finds herself flying hopelessly solo at a themed wedding in New Jersey. A lonely Rapunzel waiting for her Flynn.

Enter Reed: writer, podcast producer, wannabe actor. Surprisingly single with startling blue eyes, he seems perfect. The catch? He lives kind of far away, so dating him would be a bit of a hike. Like an intense, all-the-way-across-the-country hike.

After one unforgettable night together, Rikki’s sure this is the end. But as she braces herself for heartache, the universe, it seems, has other plans…