Whenever You’re Ready is a delightful slow-burn romance. Nia and Jade have always been best friends, along with their friend Michal. After Michal passes away from cancer, Nia and Jade reunite after years apart to take a road trip that they all planned. As they journey through the South, they are faced with painful history and bittersweet memories. Can Nia and Jade find their way back to each other? 

Whenever You’re Ready is a book about loss, friendship, and missed connections. I especially enjoyed how Rachel Runya Katz writes such depth in her characters. They feel relatable and deeply lovable. Jade and Jonah’s sibling relationship felt realistic and I liked how  their individual connections to Michal were portrayed. Nia and Jade are absolutely gone for each other but can’t quite realize this before the trip. The aspects of grief, anticipatory grief, and loss really hit hard for me. I also learned a lot about what it was like to be Jewish in the South, both historically and presently. This is a very important topic and period of time that is integral to the story. 

Whenever You’re Ready is a beautiful and heartfelt book about friendship, love, and searching for connection. Readers who enjoy slow-burn sapphic romance and friends-to-lovers should check out Whenever You’re Ready.  

Thank you to Rachel Runya Katz, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.