A review by jillkaarlela
Exes and O's by Amy Lea

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🌶️)

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