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abidavisf's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Exes and O’s is a snappy and funny read, detailing Tara’s quest to track down her ten exes to see if she could strike up a second chance romance with any of them.
As an avid romance reader (obviously) who talks books on social media, reading from the perspective of a very similar character was very meta. Sometimes, it was really relatable and funny. Other times, I felt a bit silly. I’m not sure if that makes sense. It’s almost like Tara’s channel both inspired me to keep going while also making me feel like I’d never be as good as her. Definitely my own insecurity there, but I thought I’d share all the same!
In many sense, Exes and O’s felt very fast-paced as the majority of the exes came and went in a matter of pages. At times, I didn’t like this as it felt rushed but, as the book progressed, I was thankful because it meant we got more Trevor time and who doesn’t want more Trevor time? It was also reflective of the fact that Trevor is our main man. He is the love interest that we’re supposed to be paying attention to and the exes are actually side characters in *his* story, not the other way around.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, witty and hopeful book, Exes and O’s is for you.
One final thought: did anyone else feel like Crystal was way too dismissive to her sister?!
As an avid romance reader (obviously) who talks books on social media, reading from the perspective of a very similar character was very meta. Sometimes, it was really relatable and funny. Other times, I felt a bit silly. I’m not sure if that makes sense. It’s almost like Tara’s channel both inspired me to keep going while also making me feel like I’d never be as good as her. Definitely my own insecurity there, but I thought I’d share all the same!
In many sense, Exes and O’s felt very fast-paced as the majority of the exes came and went in a matter of pages. At times, I didn’t like this as it felt rushed but, as the book progressed, I was thankful because it meant we got more Trevor time and who doesn’t want more Trevor time? It was also reflective of the fact that Trevor is our main man. He is the love interest that we’re supposed to be paying attention to and the exes are actually side characters in *his* story, not the other way around.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, witty and hopeful book, Exes and O’s is for you.
One final thought: did anyone else feel like Crystal was way too dismissive to her sister?!
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Chronic illness
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Taylor swift songs: “blank space”, “sparks fly”, Tara is a “mirrorball” girlie 100%
This is a Swiftie book! I think this book is based on the idea of the song “blank space” (mentioned in epigraph)! I counted 6 direct Taylor Swift references + ATWTMV reference!
This was just a really quick, cute and fluffy (not in a bad way) borderline insta-love Romcom! It also had a really interesting social commentary about how men often call women “crazy” for expressing their emotions without taking responsibility for their faults/making them feel like they can’t trust him. The concept was cute, if a girl going through her Exes to find a date for Valentine’s Day gala! I also like how she’s a book reviewer/influencer (b/c same!) This was forced proximity, extroverted FMC who wears her heart on her sleeve and shy/introverted MMC who is closed off but secret sweetheart. It took me about 30% to get into this, but I did like it. The second half was very cute! I think if you are a more extroverted/“mirrorball” girlie you would like this more than I did (I relate more to the MMC). I liked this enough to want to read the other books in the universe/series (“Set on You”, and I expect the next book to be about Mel). However, if you do read this one first, there is a spoiler for the plot twist/main conflict of “Set on You”, so beware of that.
One thing I’m not a huge fan of is how much the language/slang tried to be current, like millennial and Gen Z. It just wasn’t quite right so it kinda took me out of the book at those points.
Overall, was it my favorite? No. But did I enjoy it and think it was cute? Yes!
Age rating: 15+ (language, lots of suggestive content, but only 2 actual spicy scenes 2/5🌶️)
This is a Swiftie book! I think this book is based on the idea of the song “blank space” (mentioned in epigraph)! I counted 6 direct Taylor Swift references + ATWTMV reference!
This was just a really quick, cute and fluffy (not in a bad way) borderline insta-love Romcom! It also had a really interesting social commentary about how men often call women “crazy” for expressing their emotions without taking responsibility for their faults/making them feel like they can’t trust him. The concept was cute, if a girl going through her Exes to find a date for Valentine’s Day gala! I also like how she’s a book reviewer/influencer (b/c same!) This was forced proximity, extroverted FMC who wears her heart on her sleeve and shy/introverted MMC who is closed off but secret sweetheart. It took me about 30% to get into this, but I did like it. The second half was very cute! I think if you are a more extroverted/“mirrorball” girlie you would like this more than I did (I relate more to the MMC). I liked this enough to want to read the other books in the universe/series (“Set on You”, and I expect the next book to be about Mel). However, if you do read this one first, there is a spoiler for the plot twist/main conflict of “Set on You”, so beware of that.
One thing I’m not a huge fan of is how much the language/slang tried to be current, like millennial and Gen Z. It just wasn’t quite right so it kinda took me out of the book at those points.
Overall, was it my favorite? No. But did I enjoy it and think it was cute? Yes!
Age rating: 15+ (language, lots of suggestive content, but only 2 actual spicy scenes 2/5🌶️)
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Fire/Fire injury
bookishwondergoth's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Well, this was utterly delightful. RTC although I am falling a bit behind with these.
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical content, Sexual content, Alcohol, Ableism, Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
I have put ableism as a warning because of the heavy use of the word “crazy” which is directly challenged on the page by the main character and the prose.theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Terminal illness
Minor: Grief, Abandonment, and Death of parent
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