{"id":32184,"date":"2026-06-15T09:13:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/?p=32184"},"modified":"2026-06-15T09:13:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:13:17","slug":"review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/","title":{"rendered":"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-32184\" data-postid=\"32184\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-32184 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    \t\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_ingn210 tb_first tf_w tf_clearfix\">\n\t    \t\t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top gutter-narrow tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n\t\t            <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_5zj7210 first\">\n                                                        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n                        <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_k4xl210 rounded drop-shadow customBorderRad_top image-center auto_fullwidth tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n\t\t    <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"987\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=640%2C987&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-32152\" title=\"the-write-off-kara-mcdowell\" alt=\"the-write-off-kara-mcdowell\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?w=973&amp;ssl=1 973w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=195%2C300&amp;ssl=1 195w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=664%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 664w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=768%2C1184&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=400%2C616&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n    \t<\/div>\n<!-- \/module image --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_6uua210 customBorderRad_bottom repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">It\u2019s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry turned into a best friendship and then, for a brief time, a romance. Now over a decade later, as Mars stands at their college campus as a once-esteemed YA fantasy author, ready to take on a book festival, she comes face to face with West\u2014the muse behind her infamous trilogy\u2019s heartthrob hero, the man who betrayed her in the worst way.<\/span><br \/><br \/><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Mars is determined not to let her comeback tour be ruined by the fact that West is also at the festival as an author. But the longer they are on the campus that holds so many shared memories, the more time they have to untangle their past, and Mars starts to question if maybe it\u2019s not only her writing career that deserves a second chance.<\/span><br \/><br \/><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Told in two unfolding timelines\u2014Mars and West\u2019s frenzied college days where they grapple with their undeniable connection, and their tension-filled present of heartache and familiar yearning\u2014this charming romance shows that while you can\u2019t rewrite the past, it\u2019s never too late to chase your happily ever after and get back the one that got away.<\/span><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_inx7210 last\">\n                                                        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n                        <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_08zb210  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16470 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/2-hearts-1.jpg?resize=95%2C44&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"95\" height=\"44\" \/><\/p><hr \/><p><strong>Release Date:<\/strong> Apr 7, 2026<br \/><strong>Heat Level:<\/strong> Sensual<br \/><strong>Publisher:<\/strong>\u00a0Penguin Group<br \/><strong>Imprint:<\/strong>\u00a0Berkley\u00a0<br \/><strong>Price:<\/strong> $10.99<\/p><hr \/><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Mars<\/strong> met <strong>Emerson<\/strong> on campus thirteen years ago. Both taking a writing class together, they quickly began a small rivalry that lasted briefly before turning into something else. Mars becomes a popular fantasy writer whose career has slowly tanked a bit after everything she has been through with Emerson. Her main character is based on him, and the last book she wrote didn\u2019t do so well.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Mars<\/strong> is attending a book festival back at the place they initially met, hoping she can make a comeback. Emerson is at the book festival as well. He knows he messed up with her and wants to make amends. The more time they are together, Emerson hopes to show Mars how great a second chance would be.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I wanted to enjoy this one much more than I did. I don\u2019t mind a second chance romance when executed properly. However, this was a very slow burn of a second chance romance. The author switches from past day to present day, allowing readers to get to know Mars and Emerson from start to finish. However, in both timelines, the story drags.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I became anxious to know what caused them to stop being friends and lovers. Why should we, the readers want Mars and Emerson to get back together? Once I learned what happened, I felt Mars just got over it, and all is well. Wow, after all this time? I think there should have been more conflict resolution.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ultimately, this is not my favorite nor most memorable read. If you like second chance romances, then maybe give this a try.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>~ Samantha<\/em><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_aagc210 customBorderRad repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4va6y1f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon<\/a><\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apple.co\/4vSRMMD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s3\">iBooks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell\/1147794794?ean=9780593955703\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s3\">B&amp;N<\/span><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/us\/en\/ebook\/the-write-off-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s3\">Kobo<\/span><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/books\/details\/Kara_McDowell_The_Write_Off?id=69RrEQAAQBAJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s3\">Google Play<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            \t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t<\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[83,128,48,50],"tags":[141,216,217,435],"class_list":["post-32184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-berkley","category-penguin-group","category-reviews","category-samantha","tag-2-stars","tag-contemporary","tag-contemporary-romance","tag-second-chance-romance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell - Smitten by Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell - Smitten by Books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Smitten by Books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-15T13:13:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-15T13:13:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"973\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"beverley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"beverley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"beverley\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5a4181aeb9cd5641e30023b9b4d3e00d\"},\"headline\":\"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-15T13:13:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-15T13:13:17+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":7,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"2 Stars\",\"contemporary\",\"contemporary romance\",\"second-chance romance\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Berkley\",\"Penguin Group\",\"Reviews\",\"Samantha\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/\",\"name\":\"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell - Smitten by Books\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-15T13:13:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-15T13:13:17+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1\",\"width\":973,\"height\":1500},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/15\\\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Smitten by Books\",\"description\":\"Where HEAs are guaranteed\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Smitten by Books\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/cropped-smittenlogo-2017.png?fit=281%2C265&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/cropped-smittenlogo-2017.png?fit=281%2C265&ssl=1\",\"width\":281,\"height\":265,\"caption\":\"Smitten by Books\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5a4181aeb9cd5641e30023b9b4d3e00d\",\"name\":\"beverley\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d01d9a027fd24b3d94658206104dd5d7aaffba75b651e55c08358a9bc51b26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d01d9a027fd24b3d94658206104dd5d7aaffba75b651e55c08358a9bc51b26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d01d9a027fd24b3d94658206104dd5d7aaffba75b651e55c08358a9bc51b26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"beverley\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/smittenbybooks.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/beverley\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell - Smitten by Books","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell - Smitten by Books","og_description":"It\u2019s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/","og_site_name":"Smitten by Books","article_published_time":"2026-06-15T13:13:09+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-15T13:13:17+00:00","og_image":[{"width":973,"height":1500,"url":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"beverley","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"beverley","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/"},"author":{"name":"beverley","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5a4181aeb9cd5641e30023b9b4d3e00d"},"headline":"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell","datePublished":"2026-06-15T13:13:09+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-15T13:13:17+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/"},"wordCount":7,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1","keywords":["2 Stars","contemporary","contemporary romance","second-chance romance"],"articleSection":["Berkley","Penguin Group","Reviews","Samantha"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/","url":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/","name":"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell - Smitten by Books","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1","datePublished":"2026-06-15T13:13:09+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-15T13:13:17+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1","width":973,"height":1500},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/15\/review-the-write-off-by-kara-mcdowell\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Review \u2764\ufe0f The Write Off by Kara McDowell"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/","name":"Smitten by Books","description":"Where HEAs are guaranteed","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Smitten by Books","url":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/cropped-smittenlogo-2017.png?fit=281%2C265&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/cropped-smittenlogo-2017.png?fit=281%2C265&ssl=1","width":281,"height":265,"caption":"Smitten by Books"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5a4181aeb9cd5641e30023b9b4d3e00d","name":"beverley","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d01d9a027fd24b3d94658206104dd5d7aaffba75b651e55c08358a9bc51b26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d01d9a027fd24b3d94658206104dd5d7aaffba75b651e55c08358a9bc51b26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d01d9a027fd24b3d94658206104dd5d7aaffba75b651e55c08358a9bc51b26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"beverley"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog"],"url":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/author\/beverley\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?fit=973%2C1500&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"builder_content":"<img src=\"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg\" title=\"the-write-off-kara-mcdowell\" alt=\"the-write-off-kara-mcdowell\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?w=973&amp;ssl=1 973w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=195%2C300&amp;ssl=1 195w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=664%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 664w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=768%2C1184&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell.jpg?resize=400%2C616&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 973px) 100vw, 973px\" \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It\u2019s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry turned into a best friendship and then, for a brief time, a romance. Now over a decade later, as Mars stands at their college campus as a once-esteemed YA fantasy author, ready to take on a book festival, she comes face to face with West\u2014the muse behind her infamous trilogy\u2019s heartthrob hero, the man who betrayed her in the worst way.<br \/><br \/>Mars is determined not to let her comeback tour be ruined by the fact that West is also at the festival as an author. But the longer they are on the campus that holds so many shared memories, the more time they have to untangle their past, and Mars starts to question if maybe it\u2019s not only her writing career that deserves a second chance.<br \/><br \/>Told in two unfolding timelines\u2014Mars and West\u2019s frenzied college days where they grapple with their undeniable connection, and their tension-filled present of heartache and familiar yearning\u2014this charming romance shows that while you can\u2019t rewrite the past, it\u2019s never too late to chase your happily ever after and get back the one that got away.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/2-hearts-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"95\" height=\"44\" \/><\/p><hr \/><p><strong>Release Date:<\/strong> Apr 7, 2026<br \/><strong>Heat Level:<\/strong> Sensual<br \/><strong>Publisher:<\/strong>\u00a0Penguin Group<br \/><strong>Imprint:<\/strong>\u00a0Berkley\u00a0<br \/><strong>Price:<\/strong> $10.99<\/p><hr \/><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Mars<\/strong> met <strong>Emerson<\/strong> on campus thirteen years ago. Both taking a writing class together, they quickly began a small rivalry that lasted briefly before turning into something else. Mars becomes a popular fantasy writer whose career has slowly tanked a bit after everything she has been through with Emerson. Her main character is based on him, and the last book she wrote didn\u2019t do so well.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Mars<\/strong> is attending a book festival back at the place they initially met, hoping she can make a comeback. Emerson is at the book festival as well. He knows he messed up with her and wants to make amends. The more time they are together, Emerson hopes to show Mars how great a second chance would be.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I wanted to enjoy this one much more than I did. I don\u2019t mind a second chance romance when executed properly. However, this was a very slow burn of a second chance romance. The author switches from past day to present day, allowing readers to get to know Mars and Emerson from start to finish. However, in both timelines, the story drags.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I became anxious to know what caused them to stop being friends and lovers. Why should we, the readers want Mars and Emerson to get back together? Once I learned what happened, I felt Mars just got over it, and all is well. Wow, after all this time? I think there should have been more conflict resolution.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ultimately, this is not my favorite nor most memorable read. If you like second chance romances, then maybe give this a try.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><em>~ Samantha<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4va6y1f\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amazon<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apple.co\/4vSRMMD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iBooks<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/the-write-off-kara-mcdowell\/1147794794?ean=9780593955703\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">B&amp;N<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/us\/en\/ebook\/the-write-off-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kobo<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/books\/details\/Kara_McDowell_The_Write_Off?id=69RrEQAAQBAJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Play<\/a><\/strong><\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32184"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32188,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32184\/revisions\/32188"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smittenbybooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}