A review by literaryintersections
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I cannot function omg this book is so good. I cried so much in the end. The subtle nods to friendship and love, platonic and romantic. The trauma of childhoods that made you feel abandoned or unloved and how that made Eli push so hard for stability and Georgia push so hard to not need anyone too much. It’s all so relatable. So loving. So hard. So messy. 

Jessica does a wonderful job of writing a beautiful love story but also a love story about family or friends: grandparents in YWAV and now friends in TEV. Adam and Eli and Georgia. A friendship that survives so much, end of an era but start of a new one. And Adam and Eli - the ways they showed vulnerability with each other. The crying and emotion is not something you see often with men in romance. 

I absolutely loved this. “It’s a privilege to have someone trust you enough to show you those pieces of themselves, the most vulnerable and tender, the least polished. It’s a show of trust to let you see them first thing in the morning, in the middle of a panic attack, right after they’ve cried.” 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Not a 5 star because I wish there was more background into grace and Adam’s identities. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings