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manda_reads's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
In this book, we meet Georgia and Eli who met at fifteen and subsequently dated. They broke up five years ago but have kept in touch due to a mutual friend group. Fast forward thirteen years later Georgia and Eli reconnect for their friend Adam's wedding. Georgia and Eli are forced to confront the complexities of their shaky relationship to save Adam's wedding from devolving into shambles. Reliving their messy breakup grants Georgia and Eli the opportunity to open their hearts to loving each other again.
I loved this author's first book, so I assumed I would enjoy this book the same amount. I did not love this book though. I just liked it. I found myself struggling to become immersed in the story. Around the 55% mark of the book, the sexual content becomes excessive. I eventually connected with the characters though it took me a while.
I loved this author's first book, so I assumed I would enjoy this book the same amount. I did not love this book though. I just liked it. I found myself struggling to become immersed in the story. Around the 55% mark of the book, the sexual content becomes excessive. I eventually connected with the characters though it took me a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
oxfordcommas91's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Ex Vows isn't my typical type of romcom. I am not a big childhood friendship/second chance romance fan, but this book embraced the tropes in a creative way with a lot of depth. I really liked and related to both of the main characters in a way that made this a good and fun read. It wasn't a super unique premise - Eli and Georgia come together to try to save the wedding of their best friend whose big day has been sabotaged by a series of unfortunate events. I really like the way that Jessica Joyce writes dialogue - it feels real, honest, and vulnerable. She tackles a tough issue (panic attacks and anxiety) with sensitivity and it was done in such a way that helps to educate others about people living with panic disorders. This was a nice palette cleanser - a great beach/pool/vacation read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
readingonthefly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
sdupont's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dear god someone get me a tissue! This book was like a punch right in my feelings in the best way possible. I cried every night I picked up and read this book. I related to Georgia in so many ways, particularly how she worried about not fitting in with her friends, of being concerned they’re moving on without you and are too busy for you. This book allows us to see Georgia go through this beautiful journey of healing and finding her way back to Eli. I loved seeing them fall back into sync with each other. They clearly saw and understood each other in ways no one else would. Adding in a cursed wedding full of hijinks just added to the second chance magic. You immediately are rooting for them as individuals and together. This book is perfect for fans of Emily Henry.
Bonus Taylor Swift playlist for this book based on vibes:
Mirrorball
loml
You’re Losing Me
Say Don’t Go
Labyrinth
Paper Rings (iykyk)
Bonus Taylor Swift playlist for this book based on vibes:
Mirrorball
loml
You’re Losing Me
Say Don’t Go
Labyrinth
Paper Rings (iykyk)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief and Pregnancy
bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is a second-chance romance about Georgia and Eli, who must come together to plan their mutual best friend Adam's wedding after their all-inclusive wedding venue is no longer a choice. They haven't spoken for years since their messy breakup, but both are set on ensuring Adam and his fiance have the wedding of their dreams no matter what. Tropes: forced proximity, one bed
Spoilers below because I have a lot to say hehehehehe.
The reason Georgia and Eli first broke up was incredibly relatable. Let me project for a second here, because Jessica Joyce wrote a story that will speak to the millions of people-pleasers, perfectionists, and incredibly independent millennials out there, trying their best to keep it together. Hello, I am one of them. Eli and Georgia reminded me a lot of my current partnership, and it's something I last saw in Chloe Liese's Ever After Always with Freya and Aiden, who I forever hold dear in my heart.
There is something to be said about how toxic, oppressive systems like patriarchy and capitalism inevitably crush us by forcing us into these molds that no one can fit in, even the people you think they are meant for (cishet white men and women). Eli's desperation for (a sense of) financial security for his future, and to "provide" for those he cares for was almost painful to witness. Seeing anyone try to "win" this rat race that dominant narratives tell us are the only path forward is devastating. He could not fathom a future where he was not "successful," so much so that it affected his most intimate relationships, including his relationship with Georgia. He stopped listening to what Georgia valued, what Georgia wanted, and he didn't even know what he wanted if you took money out of the equation.
Jessica Joyce weaved his anxiety in seamlessly, and I appreciated the mental health representation of a cis-het man, along with talk therapy. I recognize therapy is 1) not accessible to all 2) not always the answer, as many therapists still subscribe to harmful ideologies when it comes to larger systems of oppression, which leaves many folks feeling even less heard and understood. For Eli though, I loved his journey, and the scene of 54321 <3
I think a lot of cishet men in America can relate to that, internalizing this toxic messaging that men must "provide" for their loved ones and that their worth lies within how much financial security they can offer. Our worth is inherently tied to what we can do for others in American society, and it's so fucking bleak. Fuck that. My wish is for everyone to unlearn this harmful belief, because we all deserve to just be, and we are all deserving of unconditional love no matter what our occupation, annual salary, retirement fund, etc.
Georgia is a people pleaser who tries to not be a problem or "too much" for her close-knit group of friends especially. She places everyone's feelings and needs above hers, as she subscribes to the idea that she is too messy, too sensitive, "too much." I find it heartbreaking that we have so many FMCs like this, but I think this is telling of how we have raised past generations of femmes in American society. To be caretakers, to be hyper-vigilant of others' feelings and comfort, to be "good" girls. Georgia's accountability in her breakup with Eli the first time was due to her prioritizing his comfort and his goals first. She didn't want to add any more to his already overflowing plate, so she instead repressed her own needs and feelings.
When there is a lack of honesty and communication from both partners, you're bound to have simmering pain, fatigue, and a dreadful sense of loneliness, even though you are supposed to have a partner in one of the most alive cities in the world (New York). It's easier said than done - communicate! However, I think both Georgia and Eli were thoughtful in the way they acknowledged past pains, and moved forward intentionally to make their relationship work, rather than repeating past behaviors and habits.
The wedding planning elements of this in Napa were so goofy, yet tense?! I loved how much fun they had together in choosing the cake, finding a dj/band, and how this operated as a trust-building activity for them. Jessica Joyce, the woman that you are! Their banter was organic, played well off of each other, and added a layer of light-heartedness and levity that you needed when you had two melancholy characters like Eli and Georgia.
I loved the feelings of "everything is changing, you're getting married, I'm getting left behind and forgotten!" because that's real. No, not everything is about you, but damn, those feelings are REALLLLL! As you get older, you seemingly have less time with folks, people drift apart sometimes, and friendship dynamics change. It's okay to grieve that a bit, and to name it in the moment. It's certainly not an irrational fear; it happens all the damn time. I didn't think Georgia was intentionally and maliciously selfish in the ways she felt this and/or voiced it, but her friends are so much more gracious than I would be hahaha. However, you cannot plan when your emotional breakdowns will be, so I hold a lot of empathy for her there.
I will continue to read Jessica Joyce's work, because she just hits heartstrings that you forget are there, you know? She presents these characters who often struggle with their worth and make value-judgment statements about themselves, but who end up on their own journeys of finally believing in themselves, and more importantly, to show some freakin' grace towards themselves! SHEESH! This is exactly what I mean when I say art helps me understand and make sense of the world, because of tender, layered books like this with stunning displays of the complex human experience.
I highly recommend this, and I thank PRH Audio for the audiobook, which was a lovely experience.
This is a second-chance romance about Georgia and Eli, who must come together to plan their mutual best friend Adam's wedding after their all-inclusive wedding venue is no longer a choice. They haven't spoken for years since their messy breakup, but both are set on ensuring Adam and his fiance have the wedding of their dreams no matter what. Tropes: forced proximity, one bed
Spoilers below because I have a lot to say hehehehehe.
There is something to be said about how toxic, oppressive systems like patriarchy and capitalism inevitably crush us by forcing us into these molds that no one can fit in, even the people you think they are meant for (cishet white men and women). Eli's desperation for (a sense of) financial security for his future, and to "provide" for those he cares for was almost painful to witness. Seeing anyone try to "win" this rat race that dominant narratives tell us are the only path forward is devastating. He could not fathom a future where he was not "successful," so much so that it affected his most intimate relationships, including his relationship with Georgia. He stopped listening to what Georgia valued, what Georgia wanted, and he didn't even know what he wanted if you took money out of the equation.
Jessica Joyce weaved his anxiety in seamlessly, and I appreciated the mental health representation of a cis-het man, along with talk therapy. I recognize therapy is 1) not accessible to all 2) not always the answer, as many therapists still subscribe to harmful ideologies when it comes to larger systems of oppression, which leaves many folks feeling even less heard and understood. For Eli though, I loved his journey, and the scene of 54321 <3
I think a lot of cishet men in America can relate to that, internalizing this toxic messaging that men must "provide" for their loved ones and that their worth lies within how much financial security they can offer. Our worth is inherently tied to what we can do for others in American society, and it's so fucking bleak. Fuck that. My wish is for everyone to unlearn this harmful belief, because we all deserve to just be, and we are all deserving of unconditional love no matter what our occupation, annual salary, retirement fund, etc.
Georgia is a people pleaser who tries to not be a problem or "too much" for her close-knit group of friends especially. She places everyone's feelings and needs above hers, as she subscribes to the idea that she is too messy, too sensitive, "too much." I find it heartbreaking that we have so many FMCs like this, but I think this is telling of how we have raised past generations of femmes in American society. To be caretakers, to be hyper-vigilant of others' feelings and comfort, to be "good" girls. Georgia's accountability in her breakup with Eli the first time was due to her prioritizing his comfort and his goals first. She didn't want to add any more to his already overflowing plate, so she instead repressed her own needs and feelings.
When there is a lack of honesty and communication from both partners, you're bound to have simmering pain, fatigue, and a dreadful sense of loneliness, even though you are supposed to have a partner in one of the most alive cities in the world (New York). It's easier said than done - communicate! However, I think both Georgia and Eli were thoughtful in the way they acknowledged past pains, and moved forward intentionally to make their relationship work, rather than repeating past behaviors and habits.
The wedding planning elements of this in Napa were so goofy, yet tense?! I loved how much fun they had together in choosing the cake, finding a dj/band, and how this operated as a trust-building activity for them. Jessica Joyce, the woman that you are! Their banter was organic, played well off of each other, and added a layer of light-heartedness and levity that you needed when you had two melancholy characters like Eli and Georgia.
I loved the feelings of "everything is changing, you're getting married, I'm getting left behind and forgotten!" because that's real. No, not everything is about you, but damn, those feelings are REALLLLL! As you get older, you seemingly have less time with folks, people drift apart sometimes, and friendship dynamics change. It's okay to grieve that a bit, and to name it in the moment. It's certainly not an irrational fear; it happens all the damn time. I didn't think Georgia was intentionally and maliciously selfish in the ways she felt this and/or voiced it, but her friends are so much more gracious than I would be hahaha. However, you cannot plan when your emotional breakdowns will be, so I hold a lot of empathy for her there.
I will continue to read Jessica Joyce's work, because she just hits heartstrings that you forget are there, you know? She presents these characters who often struggle with their worth and make value-judgment statements about themselves, but who end up on their own journeys of finally believing in themselves, and more importantly, to show some freakin' grace towards themselves! SHEESH! This is exactly what I mean when I say art helps me understand and make sense of the world, because of tender, layered books like this with stunning displays of the complex human experience.
I highly recommend this, and I thank PRH Audio for the audiobook, which was a lovely experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, and Abandonment
soulwinds's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Loved the first half, hated the second half. Personal opinion though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
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