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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?!
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Chronic illness
dailbrae's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Chronic illness, and Stalking
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Death
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
general disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn’t indicate that the book wasn’t worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I’m a ho for the smut, recognizing a genre/book/author is not for me, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
Usually, I love forced proximity and I love a to-do list! Tara --bookstagrammer, so we love her-- has a list of exes that she is revisiting so that she can fulfill a second-chance romance trope and find true love. She also has a new room mate, Trevor, who is a firefighter and coaches her in these interactions and sometimes on her dates! Obviously, they fall for each other instead but it's a very slow burn -- it's very much Gigi & Alex coded from He's Just Not That Into You. Like "omg you're so crazy! How is any guy going to fall in love with you?!" ick.
I just vehemently despise that Trevor made Tara feel like she was the issue, and that she was "too much" so he clearly wasn't my favorite MMC. It was almost as if he was doing her a favor??? I know he was a simp for her by the end but I didn't appreciate that it felt like he was tolerating her (if you're a Swiftie, you know what I'm talking about).
Otherwise, I did think it was a fine fluffy little romance. I liked Tara and I felt for her. I was rooting for her but still think she deserves better than Trevor. I also enjoyed the cameos from Scott & Crystal from book 1!
Steam would be 2/5 because there's not much until the very end but it was still fun! Anyway, again, it wasn't my favorite from Amy Lea but I will absolutely read the next book regardless!
Usually, I love forced proximity and I love a to-do list! Tara --bookstagrammer, so we love her-- has a list of exes that she is revisiting so that she can fulfill a second-chance romance trope and find true love. She also has a new room mate, Trevor, who is a firefighter and coaches her in these interactions and sometimes on her dates! Obviously, they fall for each other instead but it's a very slow burn -- it's very much Gigi & Alex coded from He's Just Not That Into You. Like "omg you're so crazy! How is any guy going to fall in love with you?!" ick.
I just vehemently despise that Trevor made Tara feel like she was the issue, and that she was "too much" so he clearly wasn't my favorite MMC. It was almost as if he was doing her a favor??? I know he was a simp for her by the end but I didn't appreciate that it felt like he was tolerating her (if you're a Swiftie, you know what I'm talking about).
Otherwise, I did think it was a fine fluffy little romance. I liked Tara and I felt for her. I was rooting for her but still think she deserves better than Trevor. I also enjoyed the cameos from Scott & Crystal from book 1!
Steam would be 2/5 because there's not much until the very end but it was still fun! Anyway, again, it wasn't my favorite from Amy Lea but I will absolutely read the next book regardless!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
kaydeedickins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Medical content, Gaslighting, Grief, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and Chronic illness
juffnstuff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Misogyny
ewatt33's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
happyreads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Medical content
meromenesko's review
lighthearted
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Misogyny
ccouey's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
This is such a cute book! I really loved reading Tara's story. After her sister gets engaged, Tara moves into Scotty's old apartment. Her first encounter with her new roommate Trevor was very memorable. Trevor and Tara have very different veiws on love and relationships. Tara has been hurt in the past but her heart is wide open. Trevor has had some trauma in his past and has relegated himself to one night stands only. Tara is obsessed with books and romance Tropes. After getting the idea from her grandmother, Tara decided to revisit her relationships with her 10 exs to see if she could have her very own second chance romance. Along the way she develops a close friendship with Trevor. After being stood up by one of her exs, Trevor comes to her rescue and they end up confessing their feelings for each other. I love their relationship (other than the miscommunication blip). Trevor opens up to her in ways he has never felt comfortable doing with anyone else and he loves her for exactly who she is.
I love how this book tackles some heavy topics while remaining pretty light and funny. It addresses her disgusting ex and his manipulation, misogyny, and gaslighting. It also addresses how the term "crazy" is used as a weapon against women. It mentions that through therapy, Tara and Trevor have learned how to communicate in a healthy way (yay, therapy!).
Friends to lovers, slow burn, miscommunication
I love how this book tackles some heavy topics while remaining pretty light and funny. It addresses her disgusting ex and his manipulation, misogyny, and gaslighting. It also addresses how the term "crazy" is used as a weapon against women. It mentions that through therapy, Tara and Trevor have learned how to communicate in a healthy way (yay, therapy!).
Friends to lovers, slow burn, miscommunication
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Chronic illness