Every so often, I like to write about books that didn’t land for me. Not because they’re objectively bad. Not because you shouldn’t read them. But because there’s something clarifying—almost relieving—about admitting when a highly recommended or buzzy book just… isn’t for you.
This is part of an ongoing Overrated Reads series here on the blog, where I share thoughtful, honest reflections on books I picked up with high hopes and ultimately put down disappointed, bored, or quietly annoyed. If you loved these books, truly—I’m glad. But here’s why they didn’t work for me. Thankfully all four of these novels were library picks, so no harm, no foul.
You’re Safe Here by Leslie Stephens
I’ve been a longtime fan of Leslie Stephens—since her Cupcakes and Cashmere days back in 2016. I’ve followed her loosely over the years and genuinely like her voice, her writing style, and her perspective, even though our lives look very different. So when I saw her debut novel featured at the library, I grabbed it immediately.
The premise is strong and genuinely intriguing: a dystopian world set in 2060, shaped heavily by AI and technological overreach. In many ways, it feels uncomfortably close to where we are now, which I appreciated. I found her imagined future thoughtful and interesting, and I was especially curious to see her take on AI and its consequences. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives ended for me.
The novel is filled with deeply unlikeable characters—though I’m not convinced that was intentional—and I found myself unable to connect to or care about the storyline. After reading more than 150 pages, I realized I was forcing myself forward out of obligation rather than curiosity. I was bored. Completely.
I didn’t want to keep going, and eventually, I didn’t.
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
The first section of this book had me absolutely hooked. I was genuinely gripped and found it hard to put down. The writing was atmospheric, the premise compelling, and I felt fully immersed in the world.
And then came the second section—where everything fell apart for me.
The climate hysteria became overwhelming, and with the story set in Florida, it was simply too much. I found myself rolling my eyes more than turning pages. At one point, Florida as a state is essentially shutting down in this dystopian future… yet college and student loans are still a thing? That detail alone completely broke the spell for me.
I made it a few paragraphs into the third section before returning the book to the library. I also struggled with Wanda. I know she’s a child, and I understand what the author may have been trying to do, but I found her deeply unlikeable—and more importantly, I had no interest in following her further into the direction the plot was heading.
I Don’t Forgive You by Aggie Blum Thompson
I downloaded this immediately after finishing You Deserve to Know, which I absolutely devoured in two days. That book was deliciously bingeable, and I had high hopes going into this one.
Unfortunately, I Don’t Forgive You didn’t come close to matching that experience.
I found it surprisingly boring, with characters I couldn’t connect to and a central plot that never grabbed me. I kept waiting for the tension to build or for something—anything—to pull me in, but it never happened. This one was a letdown, especially given how much I enjoyed her previous work.
November 9 by Colleen Hoover
Another dud. I made it maybe two chapters in before I knew this book wasn’t for me. The setup—a bratty 18-year-old from LA, aspiring actress, famous actor father she has a terrible relationship with—was an immediate turnoff.
I didn’t find the characters compelling, relatable, or interesting enough to continue, and I wasn’t curious about where the story was going. Hard pass. Immediately returned to the library.
Final Thoughts
I always want to say this clearly: disliking a book doesn’t mean it lacks value, and loving a book doesn’t make it universally good. Reading is personal. Mood-dependent. Season-of-life dependent.
This list isn’t meant to persuade you away from these titles—but rather to give you permission to stop reading what isn’t working for you, even if it should. Life is short. There are too many good books out there.