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jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I loved Tara and Trevor’s story in this book.
Like any romance this is chock a block with tropes, including forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance romance and more.
I loved how just like the first book of this series we got to see the close characters we follow in the other book. With Tara’s sister returning and Trevor’s co worker Seth still present it’s nice to get a continued insight into their relationship that formed in the first book.I liked getting the closure that they were planning on eloping abroad together.
Although these romances are fast paced, and the relationships similarly so in their steps up from stage to stage I did still ultimately enjoy the read as it kept me engaged at a good pace. Overall as I’ve said in many other reviews, part of the reason I don’t rate as highly is because I don’t relate to the romance as a queer person but this doesn’t mean it isn’t a great entryway book to adult romance that I would recommend to others.
Like any romance this is chock a block with tropes, including forced proximity, friends to lovers, second chance romance and more.
I loved how just like the first book of this series we got to see the close characters we follow in the other book. With Tara’s sister returning and Trevor’s co worker Seth still present it’s nice to get a continued insight into their relationship that formed in the first book.
Although these romances are fast paced, and the relationships similarly so in their steps up from stage to stage I did still ultimately enjoy the read as it kept me engaged at a good pace. Overall as I’ve said in many other reviews, part of the reason I don’t rate as highly is because I don’t relate to the romance as a queer person but this doesn’t mean it isn’t a great entryway book to adult romance that I would recommend to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Terminal illness, Sexual content, Medical content, Body shaming, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
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
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🌶️)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Fire/Fire injury
samcanuel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Amy Lea truly outdid herself with her second book. I loved the chemistry between Tara and Trevor, Tara’s bookishness, and Trevor’s soft core hidden behind a tough exterior. Tara was very relatable to me and the main concept of the book, dating your exes, was interesting! Trevor was just the best leading man. I would highly recommend for rom com lovers!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness
Minor: Death, Medical content, Ableism, and Alcohol
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
citymouse's review against another edition
2.5
This book would have been much better had we gotten Trevor's point of view as well. Only seeing Tara longing for her roommate when he's told her in no uncertain terms that he's not into relationships and doesn't have the time or energy for a commitment makes it hard to root for Tara and Trevor. The two characters are too immature to make the one-sided pining tolerable. If we'd had Trevor's point of view it would have broken up Tara's unrequited crush to show that it is, in fact, requited.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness and Medical content
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Terminal illness
Minor: Grief, Abandonment, and Death of parent
maisaaismail1's review against another edition
Was quite bored. Ultimately wasn’t my cup of tea at this time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
bookswithca's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I didn’t particularly like this book. I almost DNFed a couple times to be quite honest. I made it through and it was entertaining but I probably won’t be recommending it. I understand that her being a walking trope was the point but it felt like it was reinforcing the stereotypes of romance readers even more. I found her to be exactly what she didn’t want to be portrayed as. She didn’t want to be too much (bc no one is ever too much, be yourself!) but she is the exception. I didn’t find it amusing or cute that she was hiding in bushes, stalking or naming her boyfriends on the internet. Also, didn’t really feel the connection between the leads. So I guess maybe this romance novel wasn’t the one for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Stalking, and Mental illness
Minor: Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, Terminal illness, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Ableism, Mental illness, and Death of parent
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