Title: Charlie Quinn Lets Go
Author: Jamie Varon
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing / Park Row
Format: Kindle – Advanced Reader Copy.
Publication Date: September 30, 2025
Category: General Fiction (Adult), Romance, Women’s Fiction
A fiercely funny and unexpectedly tender story of a woman learning to release old baggage and chase the life she almost let slip away.
One word that captures this novel is joy. But how do you define something so subjective? And how do you recover after surrendering to it for the first time, only to have it snatched away almost immediately? Can a life without joy even be called living? These questions echo through Charlie Quinn Lets Go by Jamie Varon, as we follow Charlie through a month of “yes” in a challenge from her sister meant to push her to finally let go.
The story unfolds almost entirely in Charlie’s first-person voice, and she does not get an easy start. She is laid off, dumped, and struck with food poisoning all on her birthday. Readers may not click with her right away, as her rigidity can feel off-putting and even one-dimensional at first. However, with a little perseverance you begin to see the roots of her behavior and, like me, you may find unexpected empathy creeping in. You may even find yourself invested in her future and in how this month turns out. Give her a bit more time and you will watch Charlie slowly, satisfyingly grow.
Most of the story unfolds in the present day, while the author gradually weaves in chapters that reveal the traumatic event from Charlie’s early adulthood in a well-paced, easily readable way. This piecemeal approach keeps the reader from being overwhelmed by what was, for Charlie, the darkest time of her life. The sunny Los Angeles setting provides an ideal backdrop for her journey toward self-rediscovery and the realization that it is sometimes perfectly fine to surrender to the whims of the universe.
This story is also a love story, not only in the romantic sense but also between a mother and her daughters. There are numerous heartwarming moments as they reconnect after years apart. Of course there is romance too, in the form of a sweet second-chance relationship with Charlie’s high school crush. Sparks practically leap off the page when they first run into each other, and because this is her month of “yes,” she agrees to a short-term, no-strings fling that the reader will quickly hope becomes something more.
Charlie Quinn Lets Go is a quick, delightful read with all the charm of a Hallmark movie. Fans of women’s fiction and romance will find plenty to enjoy.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓 – a charming, feel-good read with Hallmark-movie warmth and a satisfying second-chance romance.
Let’s discuss: Charlie spends a month saying “yes” to opportunities as a way to rediscover joy. If you were to design your own month-long challenge to break out of a rut, what would it look like, and what small steps would you take first?
Find out more: Learn more about Charlie Quinn Lets Go at Park Row.
I read a digital copy made available by Park Row (Harlequin Trade Publishing) through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.