The MASH Up

by Laura Marie Meyers

It’s all fun and games until someone falls in love.

MANSION • APARTMENT • SHACK • HOUSE

Ruby Wynne is a staunch rule-follower who lives by the numbers. So when a surprising breakup – on her thirty-fifth birthday – ruins all her well-laid plans, Ruby makes an unexpected wish . . . Only to wake up inside a M.A.S.H. game from seventh grade.

Settled in a Technicolor mansion, driving a tie-dye Jeep, and running a roller-disco restaurant, Ruby is living out her childhood dreams come true—with one exception. According to the game, Ruby’s “other half” is supposed to be Penn Hayes, her brother’s annoying, and annoyingly handsome, best friend. But there’s zero romance between them. Just like in real life, all they share is sarcasm. With no rules to follow and desperate to return to reality, Ruby makes her best guess at an escape plan: win Penn’s heart so the game comes completely true and she can go home.

It’s unthinkable. On Ruby’s list of dos and don’ts, Penn Hayes is a lifelong don’t. But as Ruby navigates the magical world she dreamed up at thirteen, she wonders if, by finally throwing out her rules, she might just find her way home to the life and love she deserves.

Genres: Romance, Magical Realism, Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Adult, Summer Reads

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 7, 2026

About the author

Laura Marie Meyers is an author and journalist whose work is focused on books, trends, and pop culture. As an interviewer and event moderator, she’s led conversations with actors, experts, and bestselling authors. Originally from Chicago, she lives in Northern California with her husband, two sons, and far too many concert t-shirts.

Reviews

[Jessica Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby gets stuck in her middle school MASH game where the guy she ends up with, according to the game, is her brother’s loathsome (but obviously unbelievably charming) best friend?! You already know it was bound to be a banger (and it WAS)!

It also reminded me I could’ve ended up with Devon Sawa in a shack 💕

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 / 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. Did I understand all of the rules of the alternate reality universe? No. But did I enjoy Penn and Ruby as a couple? Very much yes.

You will probably like this book if you like:
🦄 Romance with magical realism with an alternate universe
🦄 (Twin) brother’s best friend
🦄 Black cat x golden retriever
🦄 Dislike to love
🦄 Pining and yearning and great banter
🦄 90s and 2000s nostalgia

On her 35th birthday, uptight, Type A Ruby travels to an alternate reality where she is living out her 13 year old’s MASH game. She has a mansion with two pools, 13 fish, a tie-dye Jeep Wrangler, she works at a disco roller rink, and she is supposed to be with her twin brother’s best friend. That very last part hasn’t happened yet, but Ruby decides that she should get Penn to fall in love with her to complete the MASH game so that she can go back to the normal universe.

It is a super fun concept and I was very intrigued with how the author would full off the MASH of it all. That part was a tad confusing. When Ruby woke up and started dressing like a Lisa Frank/Jackson Pollack painting, I thought that perhaps she had traveled back in time. But nope, she was in an alternate universe where she still had some of her memories and life experiences but not all of them. And the “not all of them” part was a bit hard to figure out. And you know, why no one wondered why she wore these insane colors.

But if you just go with it, you get to Ruby and Penn’s relationship which was very sweet and filled with pining and yearning. And that really helped sell the story for me. Penn is a man down bad and there are knuckle kisses and longing looks. OH and the BANTER. This is the type of banter that I want – they can make fun of each other but it is super playful and fun and effervescent. It is fade to black spice and it still felt steamy.

The end felt a bit rushed and I had questions about the resolution but the relationship really sold me and I had a fun time reading the book. It was also very funny and hit the spot with all of the nostalgia (I wanted dunkaroos so badly while I read).

Thank you Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: July 7, 2026

ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆

[Kelsey reviews•books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and fun and it made me want to whip my Lisa Frank notebook and fuzzy pen out and play MASH.

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★ out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for an advanced copy of this book and exchange for my honest review.

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○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– About: On Ruby’s 35th birthday, her best friend gifts her an old MASH game from their school years as a joke. How different her life would have been if she owned that roller rink diner (instead of going into accounting) or owned her own colorful mansion with 2 pools (instead of her sterile apartment with her safe bet boyfriend) or ended up with her brother’s annoying friend Penn? Well, she’s about to find out! A minor head wound lands her in an alternate reality where her MASH came true—but in an effort to get back to reality, she contemplates what, and who, is most important.
– FMC: Ruby (aka “Rubella”). 35 year old who doesn’t realize how unfulfilled she is until shown what life COULD be like.
– FMC: Penn (aka “Pennywise” or “Pennjamin”). Ruby’s twin brother’s childhood best friend. Snarky but level headed.
– Location: burbs of Chicago, Illinois
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: 1-2 fade-to-black scenes
– Tropes: magical realism, reluctant friends to lovers, witty banter, forced proximity, millennial nostalgia, brother’s best friend
– Triggers: unrealized potential, remembering the smell of bath and body work’s cucumber melon lotion (🤢), anxiety

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↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Lovefool by The Cardigans

╰┈➤ ❝so I cry and I pray and I beg, love me love me, say that you love me…❞

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★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★

➼ If “13 Going on 30” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” had an early 2000s baby
➼ The dynamics and banter between Emily Henry characters

─────────────────────────

⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven————✧———————Plot Driven
Insta Love/Lust—————————✧——Slow Burn
Sweet—✧——————————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——✧————————Heavy/Emotional

─────────────────────────

🎯 My Thoughts:

This was such a fun read! It was light (but had depth) and the romance was a nice slow burn without that insta lust that is found in so many other romance books. Also, any time you have late 90s/early 00s nostalgia, it’s a hit. Lisa Frank inspired house filled with Dunkaroos? Devon Sawa shoutout? Tie dyed jeep? Be still my millennial heart.

I loved the layout and pacing of this story and the writing/banter was so fun. Ruby and Penn loved to jab each other and was honestly my favorite part. They come up with some pretty clever nicknames for each other! I do love when two characters who get under each others skin finally kiss—and the tension built her was perfection.

I loved the cast of side characters as well. My only wish was he had more of them, but my gut tells me we didn’t get that because I could see them eventually getting their own books (please please please!).

I cannot wait for more from this author—what a solid debut!!

——————-
Pre-read thoughts: the amount of school hours I would waste playing M.A.S.H. is astounding (and probably why my teachers told me to “apply” myself more). Giggle. I always ended up in a shack with a hottie but also 32 kids.

Ok, who wants to play M.A.S.H. with me and write those funky s’s on our jeans and shoes?!?

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

”This is real. It's us. Every version of him has known every version of me, and I can't wait to meet whoever we become next. He's my other half, and maybe I always knew it. Or maybe it was just a matter of time.”

Ok so this book unexpectedly left me floored as I thought it’d be this silly read but it was so much more that it felt impossible not to love it. My millennial heart was LIVINGG for the nostalgia we get here. Listen, I love magical realism, yet wasn’t sure if this would be well executed, but to me it was and was much more than that!! It had the best fun and lighthearted feels when certain aspects were feeling reflective. I was so comforted by it all. The idea of ruby getting sucked into a game she played as a kid; all because she made a wish on what if her life could’ve looked differently immediately got me. This gave me similar vibes to 13 going on 30 (35) without going back to 13 but being reminded of what that version of yourself wanted than what you settled for

Ruby felt like many of us who feel lost at whatever stage in life we’re in and playing it safe in the fear that holds us back without taking risks. She lived in practicality and imposed that on everyone that I felt for her when she realized this. That all resonated deeply with me and the way I overthink my whole life on repeat which made me think of that quote “Nobody is more stressed than a girl in her late 20s-early 30s Thinking she’s running out of time.” ME. So it made me enjoy her journey of acceptance and letting go as everything in the MASH game—and MASH ruby—reminded her to take risks and that sometimes things not going to plan could be a good thing. Her friendship with Bridget was non judgmental and so understanding and I felt in awe of it as it reminded me of my own

Penn was arguably the best addition to this story in the way him and ruby antagonized each other that I became so smitten with him 🤭 and of course there’s some tension because of that(tell me why was that love language scene more enjoyable than getting a scene of smut here and I love smut); to the way he also made her braver in taking a chance on more than just the version of herself she thought she had to be. I adored the way he was generous with his time, bold and sweet in the way he looked out for others.

And you best believe, considering all that, that I was swooning and grinning so hard whenever Penn and Ruby bantered. It felt like I was third wheeling. But it endeared me to see how they were themselves with each other. I loved that ruby got the chance to truly get to know Penn than she ever let herself before given their history (brothers best friend btw). How she became someone who was in his corner 🥹 there’s something to be said about how these two felt inevitable in both universes; with the pent up longing between them that they just needed a little nudge to make that happen

And as everyone laughs, I think: This. This is where the magic lies. Because I believe in it now, life's magic.

It fulfilled me to no end to see that we get enough time spent in the MASH game and in reality and seeing ruby’s growth; in being the version that felt true to her and the chance to do things right. It all left me thinking about what I wanted as a teenager and how some of the things I may have wanted then look so differently now, and that’s ok, as I’m still figuring life out and this reminded me of that. I love these type of books (and a debut at that) and the realm of possibilities here sure fed my past delusions 😂 this is one book I’d recommend to anyone and would hope whoever reads it feels similarly! I can’t wait to have it in my hands

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher so much for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Some Quotes

As I stare into the flame, I wish, just for a moment, that I could meet who I might have become, if life had gone a little differently. If I'd been a little less afraid"

But there's no replicating what we've done here. This place is one of a kind. And it's mine. My stupid, silly, perfect dream.

Penn tilts a look at me. “Physical touch," he says again, pleased with himself. "Good to know.” 😩

But you know what? There's never a right time, or a right place. But there is a right person."

I shouldn’t be surprised—of course Penn knows me—but it’s startling, feeling so seen. Even here, where parts of me are different.

Every magical, Technicolor memory flickers and flares, along with the girlish hope that led me to the wildest dream of my life.

“I think this was inevitable,” he admits in the softest whisper. “You and me.”

I've known for a while now that I can't hide from what I want. But knowing and doing are different things, and I'm still finding my way. I'll get there, though. I'm trying.

"I didn't want you to be my warm-up," he says. "You were always supposed to be my closer.

[Lauren W · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This one is so darn cute. At first I was worried it might lean a bit too far into "cheesy" territory, but once the story got flowing, I was completely hooked. I loved being swept up in this nostalgic, MASH-mind-warp world.

For anyone who grew up in the 90s and loves a rom-com with witty banter and genuine "chuckle-out-loud" moments, this one is for you. It’s a true homage to the decade—the stores, the songs, the clothes, the brands, and the food references were 👌🏼👌🏼.

[lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SUCH a lovely debut!! The writing is witty and fun and oh so nostalgic! The concept of falling into a MASH game from your teen years is just so intriguing and I love the way it played out for Ruby and Penn’s story. What I didn’t expect was the the absolutely gut punch it delivered!! This book talks a lot about Ruby’s plans for her life and how now, in her 30s, it looks nothing like what she imagined for herself. As someone also actively going through a career crisis and feeling like I’m too old, or too late to make a change, this was JUST the book I needed. I only wish it wrapped up slightly differently, otherwise it would have been a perfect 5 for me!!
-
full review to come but i had truly the most fun with this!! the nostalgia was everything!! i laughed out out!! a wonderful wonderful wonderful debut!!

[kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what HELL yeah!! I am so glad this lived up to my expectations, it was just FUN. I loved the chemistry between Penn and Ruby, and I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time🫶🏻

[Liz G | lizandlizgetliterary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I know where this book was headed the entire time? Of course. Was it one of the best rom coms I’ve ever read? Absolutely. This is SOOO cute and I cannot wait for pub day so all our friends can read it!!! This book truly felt like a love letter to the rom com and it was SO fun to read. Truly a magical time.

[Chels ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The MASH Up gets five stars alone for its nostalgia-inducing properties, but the five stars don’t stop there. The characters (relatable and real), the plot (clever and creative), the humor (that banter, those text exchanges, the quirks), and the lightness of it all (no unnecessary drama here) make this book an easy five-star read for me.

The story gave everything my 90s/Y2K kid heart could have possibly asked for. We get mentions of some truly classic, though severely nutrient deficient, snacks like gushers, fruit roll-ups, and ring pops. We get iconic musical references to the likes of Chamillionaire and Hilary Duff (does it get any better than that?). We get comments about Lisa Frank, an abundance of color (why did that ever go away?), Tiger Beat magazine and Delia’s catalogs, laser tag, beanbags(!)… and I don’t think I’ve ever felt myself truly transport back into my childhood so fully until this reading experience.

The MASH Up also included a cast of characters I simply adore. The friendship between Bridget and Ruby, the twin bond between Ruby and her brother, Ryan, the friend group they make with Penn(jamin), the town and dear, sweet Theo… all beautifully developed and so fun to follow along with. I also heavily related to Ruby’s struggles in adulthood, finding that she’s lost the passions of her youth, questioning who she is now, and recognizing that she’s fallen into the “safe” trap for the sake of feeling in control. Roll those dice, girl.

The connection between Penn and Ruby captured my heart from the get-go, and a giddy grin remained plastered on my face with each page turn. Those two with their playfulness, their “frenemy” energy, their history, their vulnerability, their tenderness and care towards one another… my goodness, I will be thinking of their story often. Going along with them on this ride gave me that young love feeling, the kind of first-love jitters that imitate the drop in a roller coaster, and I didn’t want it to end. The fade-to-black situation also felt very fitting, especially because the tension and electricity were immaculate and deeply felt even without it.

There are so many lines I’d like to quote but will wait until publication to do so. Just know, my Kindle notes popped off with this one. And the author, Laura Marie Meyers, just gained a super fan in me (still can’t believe this is her debut!) who will definitely be seeking out her future works.

** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in an exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **

[Caitlin Stucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was EVERYTHING my Millennial heart needed. Early 2000s peak nostalgia? Check! Tension and yearning that had the heat turned UP? Check! And the best banter you could ever wish for? CHECK CHECK CHECK!
Reading this was like being wrapped in a warm hug and felt like home. I loved every single character, Penn is every girl’s dream of a book boyfriend and I want Ruby to be my best friend! Infinity stars and this might be contender for top romance of the year for me!

Read if you like:
• early 2000s
• childhood friends
• rivals to lovers
• the game MASH
• nostalgia
• banter
• yearning


Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC copy!

[cyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was so fun to read. It definitely has major 13 going on 30 vibes. It was a lighthRded silly read but it was also inspiring. The main character starts the book in a bit of a rut but watching her growth was so inspiring. It was predictable but it didn’t take away from the story at all. This is a great book to pick up if you just want something fun.

[Sterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MASH Up was such a fun, nostalgic ride! I absolutely loved the energy of this story—it’s witty, engaging, and kept me entertained from start to finish. The pacing was great, and the characters were so easy to root for. This is the perfect "pick-me-up" read for anyone looking for a story that is equal parts heart and humor. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

[Abby Platt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nostalgic and sweet and it was a very solid friends to lovers romance. Thank you to Book Huddle and Putnam for the arc!

[Jade Odoms · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this book! I think I would’ve been more invested if there had been more showing of history between Ruby and Penn? The romance didn’t quite hit as hard as I wanted it to. But still a cute, fun and easy read!

[amber | spinmeastory · Rating 3 out of 5]

the mash up by laurie marie meyers 🦄🛼🐠

“She’s the flower in our friendship, and I’m the stem. Both necessary, but fundamentally different.”

★★★☆☆

Alright, I’m just going to lay it out. I really really wanted to love this one. The nostalgia alone had me hooked. It was a total trip down memory lane with MASH (mansion, apartment, shack, house, iconic!). I absolutely adored all the ‘90s and early 2000s references, Lisa Frank included. The vibes were immaculate.

Where I struggled, though, was with the immaturity of our FMC, Ruby. I understand that the premise centers on her being stuck in a middle school game, but as an adult experiencing it, her behavior often felt too childish for me. Maybe that was intentional, but it made it hard for me to fully connect with her.

When she returns to the real world, her actions came across as a bit manipulative, like she was trying to steer the people in her life based on what was happening in her MASH world. That element just didn’t sit right with me.

I’m honestly pretty bummed, because this had all the makings of a favorite, but in the end, it just didn’t quite land for me.

Thank you to Putnam for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Katie ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 𝘧𝘶𝘯, 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘴𝘺, 𝘤𝘰𝘻𝘺, 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘺, 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙜𝙞𝙖 read made specifically for millennials who still quote early-2000s rom-coms unironically. Think 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒚 𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒚, 13 𝑮𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 30, and a splash of “𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘨𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘔𝘈𝘚𝘏 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘺.” And honestly? I ate that part up.🦋💕

The concept alone, being trapped inside your 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙈𝘼𝙎𝙃 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙, is adorable. Mansion, tie-dye Jeep, roller-disco restaurant?? Very 𝘛𝘙𝘓-𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘦. The whole story felt like opening a 𝑳𝒊𝒔𝒂 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 notebook and finding your old hopes and dreams scribbled inside. ✨💿

This was especially fun to read since I’m turning 35 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠, and the story centers on the FMC’s 35th birthday and that very real tension between living a “𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦” adult life versus honoring your younger, more playful self. I think 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 woman can relate to that, when did we stop dreaming so loudly? Ruby’s struggle hit 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 to home in that way. 🎂🥹

I also related hard to Ruby herself. Fellow 90s/Y2K girlie? 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸. Jeep owner? 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 (so fun). Roller skating obsession as a kid? 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞. The roller-skating restaurant was such a cute idea, it gave major 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒓 vibes and made my inner child very happy. 🛼🚘

The romance was 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵, and 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧’𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 is always a solid trope (𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵). That said… I wanted 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚. More backstory between Ruby and Penn. 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 banter. 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 slow-burn tension. It felt like it could’ve simmered longer instead of going straight to the microwave. 💋💄

Overall, this book isn’t trying to be deep or groundbreaking, it’s trying to be 𝙛𝙪𝙣, and it 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 at that. It’s the literary equivalent of watching a rom-com on VHS, eating popcorn, and saying, “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 ’𝘦𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.” 📼🍿

It may not rewrite your future in glitter pen, but it does remind you of the 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 who once believed 𝗯𝗶𝗴, 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘺 dreams were possible, and sometimes that’s the whole point. Not every 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗛 game needs a mansion… sometimes a cute little house, a pair of roller skates, and a nod to your younger self is 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 where you’re meant to end up. 🛼✨📓

𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 ✨
🎲 M.A.S.H. game come to life
🌀 Magical realism/alternate reality
👫 Brother’s best friend
🛼 Y2K / 90s nostalgia vibes
💞 Forced proximity
⏳ Second-chance-at-life energy

💖 𝐍𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 — Closed-door romance and implied intimate moments that happen off-page.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗚.𝗣. 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝘀, & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗲-𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄💕

[Natalie | nats.bookrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something so magical and captivating about diving into a magic realism book. The possibilities seem endless and everything in this book sparkled off these pages.

We meet Ruby on her 35th birthday, safe Ruby, reliable Ruby, when a fall transports her to a MASH game she made at 13, with her other half being her brothers best friend and the biggest pain to Rubys life.

I love the blend of real life in magic that is tied into this book. Ruby was such a real and raw character that we see get to transform and realize what really matters in life, how’s she’s boxed herself in and forgotten all her dreams because of fear. And her opposite in Penn who is fun and easy going, always ready to try the next thing in life. I love how perfectly these two balance each other out.

This story had endless humor, and laugh out loud banter between these two. The friendships are to die for and I couldn’t help but hope to find a friend group as loved as this someday.

The romance was perfectly balanced with the plot and I loved getting to see Ruby completely transform her character and really open herself up to me. Penn was such a shining star to this story. I loved getting perfectly he balances out Ruby and takes her in strides just the way she is.

Such a stunning debut and a new to me author that I can’t wait for everything else she has in store for us.

[Gina Lovelace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I loved this! I was sold from the description alone and absolutely devoured this book.

The premise is so fun and clever: after getting drunk on her birthday and hitting her head, the FMC wakes up stuck inside a M.A.S.H game. If you’re of a certain age, the nostalgia hits immediately and it brought back so many amazing memories. From the storyline to the writing to even the colorful details of the world, I was completely hooked.

Ruby is the complete opposite of who she is in the M.A.S.H game world, while Penn remains very much himself. They’ve known each other forever - neighbors, and Penn is Ruby’s brother’s best friend. In the real world, they barely tolerate each other. But inside the game, they’re meant to be… or at least Ruby hopes they are, because it might be the only way for her to get back home.

The tension and chemistry between Ruby and Penn are so good. The vibes were immaculate, and I felt all the good feelings while reading. The fact that this is a debut novel makes it even more impressive, truly iconic.

I loved the characters, I loved the concept, and I absolutely loved this book. Well done!

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars! I loved this technicolor 80's dream of a novel a lot. The roller restaurant, the Barbie Dreamhouse, the tie-dye Jeep... Felt like this book was written SPECIFICALLY with me in mind haha. I don't usually enjoy romance books with time travel/alternate lives plots, but this was really successful. You know where the novel is going to go, but what matters is how the fun ride is - and it's deliciously fun. I also appreciate how the author managed to put in some real heartfelt moments into this pretty bonkers set-up.
The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star was that the pacing at the very end felt a little bit long-winded. But other than that, this is such a fun book! Highly recommend, especially if you 80's/90's nostalgia.
(Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Marie Meyers and Bonnier Books UK for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. All opinions in this review are my own.)

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know that scene in Tangled, right after Flynn and Rapunzel leave the tower? The tiny clip when she runs through a pile of leaves squealing, “This is SO fun!!” That was me reading this book. I gobbled the whole thing up in just over 24 hours and that is not a thing I typically do.

If you love Jenny Proctor or Sarah Adams’s early books (The Enemy, The Cheat Sheet, etc.) You. Need. To. Read. This. Book. It has the same level of sweet, giggly chemistry and the cinnamon roll MMC but also sprinkles in the perfect amount of nostalgia and magical realism.

10/10 butterfly hair clips.
You’ll be wishing you could read it on a summer afternoon in a Borders Bookstore cafe.

Romance: fade to black

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of this book! We meet Ruby and she gets stuck in her 7th grade MASH game on her 35th birthday no less, and the nostalgia ensues. This was such a sweet story of finding who you are after putting yourself into a mold you thought you had to be in to control the outcome and love. Seeing Ruby really grow and over come her fears and find love just gave me all the warm and fuzzies.
Ruby and Penn were hilarious. Penn is brother’s best friend and exactly who Ruby needed to grow and see that it’s ok to admit you need help and that you can be who you are and someone will love all of you. Penn was sweet, caring, and understanding I loved him so much!

The entire time this book had me reminiscing my childhood and all things 90s-00s. I mean MASH was such a huge part of that. Thank you Putnam for the ARC! All these thoughts are my own.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved played MASH as a kid! This story was full of millennial nostalgia and the romance was so sweet. I loved the boy/girl next door pairing and the many ways Ruby and Penn supported one another. This is the perfect story for readers looking to relive their 90s/early aughts childhoods through a light-hearted and romantic story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooooow is this her debut novel?? I loved this so so much and I could NOT put it down. I read 80% of it in one sitting 🙊. I was obsessed with the characters from the beginning, *swoon - Penn 😍😍* As a millennial I was LIVING for all the 90s and 00s references as well as the classic rom com movie vibes. Can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!

[jenny reads a lot]

| IG | TikTok |

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ such a fantastic debut from laura marie meyers! the creative premise and playful, witty, vibrant voice pulled me in immediately. the banter was funny and flirty with such a fun, lighthearted energy, and the fast pace made it a real page-turner. overall, this story felt really fresh while also nostalgic in the best way.

thank you so much to netgalley and g.p. putnam’s sons (penguin group) for providing me with this arc!

[Kasee Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was like, the book of my dreams??

Everything about this book spoke to my nostalgia-loving, 90s baby heart, and it’s like if my teenage mash games manifested with a delectably swoony romance, and gahhhh I had the best time with this book.

I cannot recommend this book enough and I am so excited for more future books from Laura!

Thank you so much to Putnam for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE MASH-UP is out 7/7/26.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mash Up was totally at the top of my TBR, so you know I had to slide into NetGalley’s DMs (okay, request queue 😅) and cross my fingers like it was the early 2000s and I was wishing on a Lisa Frank notebook. When I got approved? There was so much squealing and dancing.

The premise is EVERYTHING. Ruby, classic uptight, Type‑A, turns 35, and then her boyfriend dumps her at herbirthday party. Brutal! She thinks it’s the ultimate worst‑case scenario until she wakes up in a Mash Game universe straight out of her middle‑school glory days.

She is living her teen‑dream life:
🏰 A mansion
🏊🏼‍♀️Two pools
🐠Thirteen goldfish
🚙 A tie‑dye Jeep
🛼And she runs a roller‑skating diner (which is honestly iconic.)

She becomes convinced the only way to escape this Y2K fever‑dream is to hook up with Penn, her brother’s bestie and, according to the game, her soulmate. The banter? Peak love/hate vibes. The 2000s references? Chef’s kiss, full nostalgia bomb.

This book was a blast, like flipping through Seventeen magazine while eating a Kudos bar. If you grew up doodling in the margins of your notebooks and ranking crushes with MASH, this book will hit you right in the butterfly‑clip memories.

[Annie K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby finds herself trapped in a MASH game from her pre-teen years. She has the mansion, the tie-dye jeep, and the roller rink restaurant. The only thing missing? Her soulmate—who, according to MASH, is Penn, her twin brother’s annoying best friend. As she seduces him, thinking he’s her ticket out, Ruby realizes that what she and Penn share might be more than just a game.

Omg omg omg. I saw the title and premise and had to try this book, and to call it amazing feels like an understatement. The nostalgia hits perfectly—what screams 90s kid more than MASH, roller rinks, bean bag chairs, and tie-dye jeeps? It was cozy, fun, and irresistibly charming. Ruby’s story is equally compelling. As we dig deeper into why she’s so safe and controlled, you really feel for her. We all have moments that shape us, and sometimes those moments make us play it safe.

This book was a beautiful mirror for Ruby to see how her actions affect not just herself but the people closest to her. And the romance? Absolute 10/10. Enemies-to-lovers tension, witty banter, slow burn… I was eating it up and leaving zero crumbs. Seriously. This book made me laugh, kick my feet, and feel emotional all at the same time.

My only complaint is that Putnam took their sweet time approving this eARC—but it was worth the wait.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is going exactly as Ruby Wynne planned, that is until the night of her 35th Birthday when her best friend gifts her a relic from middle school, a MASH game, one that predicted Ruby’s life in a totally different direction. When she wakes up and finds herself in the MASH game complete with a tie-dye jeep, two pools, thirteen fish, she’s desperate to find a way back to her real life. The only piece of the game not complete is a relationship with her brother’s best friend, Penn Hayes. Ruby embarks on a plan to make Penn fall in love with her, but along the way she may fall in love with this MASH life too.

I really enjoyed this debut novel from Laura Marie Meyers. The magical realism and nostalgia of the MASH game was such a fun setup and the story carried the ever relevant message that it’s never too late to reinvent your life or change up your path. The romance was sweet and Penn and the PennPals plot was a fun edition. I didn’t quite get the “we hate each other” set up and think a simple brothers best friend setup (or every friends to lovers) would’ve worked fine rather than a non-convincing enemies to lovers setup. I’d definitely recommend to someone looking for a closed door, nostalgia packed, fun romcom!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Putnam Books, for the advanced copy to read in exchange for my honest thoughts. #putnampartner

Following her 35th birthday celebration, Ruby finds herself trapped inside a middle school MASH game.

Well, this book was just a flat out fun nostalgic psychedelic fever-dream. Haha! The premise is clever and unique and I knew I wanted to read it as soon as I read the synopsis. I mean, COME ON. Who didn’t play MASH as a kid!? And who wouldn’t want to live inside their MASH game when they scored the damn mansion!? This book serves every bit of nostalgia for us millennial girlies. We’ve got a technicolor mansion. A tie-dye jeep. A roller-disco restaurant. Butterfly clips!!

The chemistry between the two mains was also just FUN. It was cutie and it had me kicking my feet and giggling. Their particular brand of teasing and banter will always work for me. And I truly just loved the ride. I also enjoyed Ruby��s personal growth journey with discovering what she really wanted out of life. It felt natural and realistic for someone in their mid-thirties (yes, still realistic given the setting of being trapped inside a MASH game lol).

Read if you like your romances with a side of magical realism, Lisa Frank, brother’s best friend, “it’s always been you”, banter, low-spice, debuts, lighthearted and low stakes romances, 13 Going on 30 vibes, and quick and easy reads.