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jenmcreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! I think the second half was stronger than the first. The romance here, though quick, feels natural and unforced. I really bought their connection and their miscommunications felt realistic and not red flag-y (especially since the reality TV environment lends some plausibility to miscommunication in general). The one hangup I had with this book was the idea that someone 20 years old had enough viable exes to populate a full set of 6 on a dating show- I think the premise would have worked better if the author had aged the cast up 3-6 years, which also would have raised the stakes. With that being said, once you suspend your disbelief, this is a lot of fun. Act 3 packed a lot more punch emotionally than I anticipated, and brought this up to a 4 from a 3.5 for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
mikaylabelles's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Never Ever Getting Back Together
4/5 Stars
Never Ever Getting Back Together follows the story of two main characters, Maya, and Skye. They’ve never met, they’ve never spoken to each other, but Maya hates Skye with everything she has because of their mutual ex-boyfriend Jordy. Jordy and Maya dated when they were 16, became long distance due to Jordy’s lifestyle at the time, and then ended dramatically when it came out to Maya that Jordy was cheating on her with – you guessed it – Skye.
When Maya gets a sudden call from a reality television producer for a new show “Second Chance Romance”, she turns it down immediately. Why would she want to be in a house with all the people her ex had dated, and try to win him back? But when Jordy calls her personally, she agrees, if only to get revenge by outing him after he put it out there that she was the crazy ex-girlfriend who was obsessed with him and lied about him cheating. But as she lives “off the grid” in a fancy country, in a gorgeous house, with 5 other girls, she can’t wait for revenge. Until at least, she falls in love with the person she might hate just as much as Jordy.
All the characters in this book are fairly one dimensional. Once outside Skye and Maya, there’s no real character development for anyone. It’s the two girls against the world – or the 4 other girls that are competing for Jordy’s affections once again. But honestly, even within Maya and Skye, there’s the revenge they’re trying to inflict, and their very basic love story that has the third act breakup.
Maya is only there for revenge, and the moment it’s done, she’ll be going to college to be a doctor – which she doesn’t even want to do and just wants her parent’s approval for it.
Skye is on a break between school, travelling solo, terrified of settling down by herself or with anyone so she’s always on the move.
Jordy is an asshole and stays an asshole. There’s no redemption for him, with an epilogue of the revenge ruining his life after the show ends perfectly for him.
The development in this book is fairly quick between Skye and Maya, from enemies, to friends, to lovers, back to barely-friends is the fastest thing in this book. The side characters are all fairly fun but have no real character development, while Jordy has almost – somehow – a development into being worse than he was at the beginning of the book. The reality part of the show resembled almost a hunger games vibe with their respective leaders and tossing them into events to win one prize. The games they had to play and the events they had to participate in are perfect for anyone who loves a little bit of the Bachelor drama.
The ending where Maya picks revenge over Skye, but along with all the miscommunication was a bit frustrating, but it came to a satisfying close in the epilogue.
Some frustrations I had with this book are as stated, how one dimensional everything is. It’s just a quick sapphic romcom that feels like it could have been a badly done Netflix special.
If you’re looking for enemies to friends to lovers, characters that don’t know what they’re doing, revenge, forced proximity, miscommunication, and toxic men that get what they deserve, this is the book for you.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a super fast read that had a super satisfying ending and relationship. I didn’t hate the characters despite the miscommunication, and the reality setting was really fun to read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Infidelity
imstephtacular's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Cursing, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Bullying, Classism, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, and Biphobia
anniereads221's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
ARC review
This book was so much fun!! I had the absolute best time reading this. But i have found in recent days that i really love books that have reality shows in them. But do not actually like reality shows to actually watch. I know weird
But the characters of Maya And Skye i adored!!! Both of them i enjoyed their points of view right from the start, how they totally did not like each other and hated each other due to how Jordy did them both. This book was absolutely everything and more and i enjoyed the whole ride. Like i can't believe i finished this arc within a day, but i am so glad i read it this particular day i needed disaster bis in my life. Sophie Gonzales has a way with every book i have read by her and this is no different i enjoyed this so freaking much and I look forward to more by Gonzales
4.5 stars 🌟
This book was so much fun!! I had the absolute best time reading this. But i have found in recent days that i really love books that have reality shows in them. But do not actually like reality shows to actually watch. I know weird
But the characters of Maya And Skye i adored!!! Both of them i enjoyed their points of view right from the start, how they totally did not like each other and hated each other due to how Jordy did them both. This book was absolutely everything and more and i enjoyed the whole ride. Like i can't believe i finished this arc within a day, but i am so glad i read it this particular day i needed disaster bis in my life. Sophie Gonzales has a way with every book i have read by her and this is no different i enjoyed this so freaking much and I look forward to more by Gonzales
4.5 stars 🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Gaslighting
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