A review by judeinthestars
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Two years ago, Jordy broke Maya’s sixteen-year-old heart when he started dating Skye before he even broke up with her. Since his sister married into the royal family of Chalonne, Jordy has become famous and his version of the story – that she overreacted and couldn’t let go – follows Maya everywhere. When she’s invited to participate in a reality TV show about him reconnecting with his exes, she sees it as an opportunity to set the record straight (so to speak) and, most of all, get revenge. Definitely not as a chance to fall in love with the girl he cheated on her with.

The first few chapters made me very uncomfortable, witnessing these girls second-guess themselves over a pretty but stupid and smug guy was heartbreaking because we all deserve better. There was a lot of cringing and second-hand embarrassment. The author did a great job of capturing the toxicity of fame (earned or not, desired or not), of a certain type of reality TV show, of the world’s obsession with teenage stars.

I’ll be honest (when am I not, though?), this book was more of a 3⭐️, maybe 3.5⭐️ for most of it. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Skye and Maya as much as I would have liked. I have a feeling I would have enjoyed the audiobook more, with Natalie Naudus and Barrie Kreinik narrating. But as the story moved on, I fell in love with Skye and Maya grew on me too and I enjoyed the ending so much that 4⭐️ seem warranted. But damn am I happy I’m not eighteen anymore.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars