A review by lindsaymck
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense 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

This is a perfect book. Jessica Joyce is a magical writer. It is my first book of hers and it’s difficult to put into words just how much of a masterpiece it is. She writes lyrically with beautiful, complex descriptions of thoughts and emotions that you find yourself rereading again and again rather than turning the page because they just demand for you to PAUSE and appreciate the beauty of them. The language she uses is sophisticated, but so easy to connect with that you truly feel what you’re reading and connect deeply to both the characters and your own life. 

Georgia and Eli had me hooked at “Peach.” I’m still thinking about how much I love his nickname for her - and every moment they shared after that first meet-cute. To quote a sweet snippet of B.K. Borison’s review of this book, “Georgia and Eli happily occupy a corner of my heart” and I know they will forever. Georgia is remarkably profound and open-hearted as she reconnects with Eli, exploring her abandonment issues and fears that she will never be enough. It was healing to see her stop suppressing her own needs and love to lean on Eli. It was equally healing to see the vulnerability Eli showed in return with his anxiety and swoon-inducing honesty. The. Paper. Rings. 🥹 I was crying and kicking my feet at the tangible evidence of their love “when” and “even though” I knew it would set a bar that couldn’t be matched in reality! 

The friends to lovers with a second chance romance trope is not simply done well, it is done *flawlessly.* Jessica Joyce exquisitely weaves the struggles that come with the madness of the ‘cursed wedding’ of Georgia and Eli’s best friend with the tension of forced proximity with the love of your life… 5 years post-breakup. An ever-present theme, and one that is always handled with such delicate intention, is time - Georgia’s POV allows us to reminisce and appreciate the (pleasant and painful) past, capture the magic of present moments, and think about - and use your voice to shape - the future you want to have. I’d say I have a book hangover from this one, but the aftertaste is nothing but happiness and hope. 

P.S. mirrorball, You’re Losing Me, and Paper Rings all have new layers to listen with now! 
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