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funshine3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
I loved the idea of the book but I think the characters needed to be older and hated how the girls were pitted against each other. But I found the romance between Skye and Maya cute
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming and Cursing
joseatta's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.75
The story is cute, something to read when you want to relax or get out of a book slump
Content Warnings
Minor: Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Bullying, and Homophobia
lackyducks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
A fun read with a lot of emotional depth despite its positive outlook.
The story centers around two first person perspectives, that of Maya and Skye. From the get go, the narrative is good at painting Jordy as the antagonist by giving the reader a perspective the girls don't have - what he's saying to them versus the other.
The humour of the book is spot on, playing well on the media industry. It's a story that feels very apt in the current climate. The reality television clichés are plentiful, yet provide a good basis for the story to take place.
The characters all felt surprisingly well fleshed out. Even side characters we meet less often have backgrounds and inner motivation that isn't obvious at first. They feel like a well developed group, instead of just people made to fill spaces. The story is good at making antagonists of them, yet resolving it with new perspectives and sides to situations.
The story is also an optimistic showing of girls sticking together and looking out for each other. Alongside the main romance you have lots of friendship throughout the cast of girls, as they bond during the show. This comes together brilliantly at the end, and had me smiling wide.
The story is also multi-layered. Underneath the story of revenge and the dating show, you have learning to open up and trust again, trying to figure out your future and what you want to do with it. Just like a TV show, there's a lot more happening behind the scenes than first appears.
And, the book is cleverly structured where things start to fall apart for Jordy once the girls begin sharing perspectives.
The story centers around two first person perspectives, that of Maya and Skye. From the get go, the narrative is good at painting Jordy as the antagonist by giving the reader a perspective the girls don't have - what he's saying to them versus the other.
The humour of the book is spot on, playing well on the media industry. It's a story that feels very apt in the current climate. The reality television clichés are plentiful, yet provide a good basis for the story to take place.
The characters all felt surprisingly well fleshed out. Even side characters we meet less often have backgrounds and inner motivation that isn't obvious at first. They feel like a well developed group, instead of just people made to fill spaces. The story is good at making antagonists of them, yet resolving it with new perspectives and sides to situations.
The story is also an optimistic showing of girls sticking together and looking out for each other. Alongside the main romance you have lots of friendship throughout the cast of girls, as they bond during the show. This comes together brilliantly at the end, and had me smiling wide.
The story is also multi-layered. Underneath the story of revenge and the dating show, you have learning to open up and trust again, trying to figure out your future and what you want to do with it. Just like a TV show, there's a lot more happening behind the scenes than first appears.
And, the book is cleverly structured where things start to fall apart for Jordy once the girls begin sharing perspectives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Biphobia and Body shaming
flyingryndeer's review
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming
patricktreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Never Ever Getting Back Together is if the Batchelor met Bisexual vengeance. It was everything,
I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I highly recommend it to fans of the traditional reality dating shows. It gives all the juicy goods while also making you fall for both of our main characters.
I also listened to this as an audio arc courtesy of NetGalley/Macmillan. The narrators were everything. At this point, I will pretty much listen to anything Natalie narrates.
I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. I highly recommend it to fans of the traditional reality dating shows. It gives all the juicy goods while also making you fall for both of our main characters.
I also listened to this as an audio arc courtesy of NetGalley/Macmillan. The narrators were everything. At this point, I will pretty much listen to anything Natalie narrates.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Infidelity, Biphobia, Sexism, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
A genuinely funny and fast paced rom-com that gave me The Bachelor meets John Tucker Must Die vibes— if in the midst of plotting revenge on their cheating ex (on a dating reality show no less), the former rivals turned co-conspirators inadvertently fall for each other instead.
I started reading this on Christmas Eve and before I knew it I was two thirds of the way through and fully invested in Maya, Skye and their revenge-fuelled shenanigans against Jordy (their cheating, gaslighting and self obsessed ex.)
It’s told entirely through the POVs of Maya (who dated Jordy before his sister married a prince and made him famous) and Skye, the girl that Jordy cheated on Maya with (before promptly gaslighting Maya and making everyone believe she was a jealous ex.) And I genuinely loved how their rivalry turned relationship plays out, with each girl initially distrustful of the other but able to actually sit down, talk things out and realise they’d both been manipulated.
The conflict resolution does happen fairly quickly but I thoroughly enjoyed it—and it meant that we could truly get stuck right in to all the drama and scheming (And much like Taylor Swift herself, the drama certainly loves Maya—especially when it involves Jello shots.)
The romance aspect was beautifully written and felt really organic to the development of Maya and Skye’s budding friendship/ relationship. We don’t delve too deep into either of their backstories but I did enjoy the glimpses we do get, lifting the veil on their guarded hearts and career motivations.
Our antagonist (and main villain), Jordy is quite possibly one of the best love to hate characters; he’s a self centred, slut shaming snob who tries to play off his beliefs as well meaning advice meant to empower, but really only showcases how misogynistic and out of touch he is with the women —and the world around him.
I loved how everything wrapped up, with one of the most therapeutic and satisfying endings I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. I do however wish the epilogue was a little longer as I wanted to see more of life after the show ended.
Overall, this was a fun and entertainingly sassy story full of loveable, snarky characters and sweet revenge plots I rooted to succeed! If you love books involving romance, revenge (of the karmic variety) or reality TV drama then I definitely recommend adding this to your TBR!
Also, a massive thank you to Anna and Team BKMRK for sending me the finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Biphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content and Abandonment
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