I don't reach for YA romance often but being that this was on the older end of the genre and could technically be considered more of a NA since it's based on college aged characters as a clean romance, I gave it a shot. The overall premise was a really fun idea and relatable. Hosting an art show based on things from exes was entertaining. I know I've kept random trinkets from past relationships and the idea of putting it on display and talking about the relationship really got me thinking. Honestly, I'd love to go to an actual exhibit of this.

The chemistry between our characters flowed well and their growth independently was refreshing. Side characters were entertaining enough and didn't distract from our mains. Overall a cute feel good read that would be relatable for most readers in high school and college aged.

There is a lot to enjoy about this contemporary YA romance a unique premise, diverse characters and a setting perfect for finding new love. Chloe and Daniel and their unique artist perspectives propel the story in interesting unexpected ways and I thoroughly enjoyed their travels through the LA area and interactions with their friends and family.

I was happy to read this with it's reminders of young love but I admit that there were a few things that I did not enjoy. Chloe is a capable teen with organizer energy, big goals but recently broken up and moved to Los Angeles from New York. I loved her planner energy so much as a fellow #plannergirl and it was fun to recognize planner terms and products however when it came to romance she turned borderline cringe. She is too intense and her romance with Daniel did not feel as organic as the author I think intended, for me it felt like a romance more of proximity and common interests. Chloe is just too fixated on her past for me and all of the characters felt a little too mature and a bit unrealistic. If they were in college already it might make more sense but every teen here was incredibly insightful and talented.

There is a side plot about her family and I loved those parts so much along with most of the art talk but it was a little excessive for my taste. I found the ending a bit hurried and wished there was at least an epilogue. Overall I'm glad I read this as there was lots to enjoy and its a good beach read for those that don't want anything too serious and don't mind reading about angsty teenagers.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for access to a digital ARC copy
*You may want to look up content warnings as there is a family member dealing with a serious medical condition in this

From the first page to the last, this book held me spellbound. The characters are so richly developed, and the storyline is beautifully crafted. The pacing was perfect. And the ending... Wow! It left me speechless and eager for more. Overall, Artifacts of An Ex is a masterpiece that I highly recommend to anyone looking for an unforgettable reading experience.

I enjoyed this contemporary romance about heartbreak, moving on, and the power of art. I thought the main character was pretty likeable and even when she made choices I didn't like, it was easy to see how she got there. The friendships were great and I liked the side characters and how they helped with the various projects.

This goes by quickly and is a cute read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the copy.

"Artifacts of an Ex" by Jennifer Chen offers a reflective exploration of the aftermath of a breakup, focusing on the significance of personal belongings left behind.

While the premise of the book is intriguing, the execution feels somewhat lacking, resulting in a middling reading experience. Chen's writing is introspective and heartfelt, but at times it lacks depth.

Despite its shortcomings, "Artifacts of an Ex" still manages to provoke thought and reflection.

Overall, "Artifacts of an Ex" is a decent read that falls short of its potential. While it offers moments of insight and emotional resonance, it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impact.

The plot had great potential and is generally something I would have ADORED. However I think this would have been better on screen. There was a lot of awkward conversation I. The book that just didn’t play out without the context of intonation.

This was a super sweet romance with a great, diverse cast of characters. Perfect for Valentine's Day or anyone getting over an ex or entering a new relationship.
As a plan-a-holic, I totally get Chloe and her need for perfection. I love how, by the end, she allows herself some freedom. Also, Daniel goes through some growth, accepting his self-worth and that love isn't without risk.
I found that to be a very deep, adult theme in this book, along with the importance of moving on before entering a new relationship and hurting someone else. A great lesson for the target age group who is exploring the dynamics of love for the first time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Artifacts of an ex was ok, however I picked it up a few times and couldn't get into it pace wise. I loved the idea of it and the characters but this was a did not finish due to unable to get into it. Thank you for allowing the chance to read and review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! The title and this beautiful cover drew me in and i was excited to read this book! I will be recommending this book to others for readers advisory.

Cute and easy read! Felt mostly like fluff but it is perfect as a palette cleanser between fantasy books or dark romance books.

I really loved this one. It's a fun romcom that you can get cozy and read.

I liked the city settings. I'm not a fan of small towns so I really enjoyed the east coast west coast rivalry. I really appreciated the lowborn, the feeling of heartbreak that came through so well from the pages, and the heartfelt moments. This book also gives you relationships with friends and family which I really appreciated because life is about all types of love. Chloe and Daniel are sweet.

I highly recommend this one

Such a great read. So cute and entertaining.

I didn’t struggle getting into the book, and it was a quick and easy read.

I recommend it.

This is great for contemporary YA lovers. For me, it felt good, but not great. It felt surface level for me. However, it was cute and lighthearted enough to make me want to read the whole thing.

Until the following items are met by the SMP team, I will be withholding any promotion or review of any St. Martin's Press titles (including SMP Romance and Wednesday Book titles):

1. Address and denounce the Islamophobia/racism from your employee.
2. Offer tangible steps for how you're going to mitigate the harm this employee caused.
3. Address how moving forward, you will support and protect your Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab readers, influencers, and authors in addition to your BIPOC readers, influencers, and authors.

After her boyfriend breaks up with her, Chloe decides to create an art exhibit featuring boxes filled with memories of past relationships, appropriately called Heartifacts. She forms a crush on Daniel, who is there filming a friend's reaction to an ex's box. While she thinks she is ready to move on, the appearance of her ex and his new girlfriend make her realize she might still be hung up on her ex.

I really liked the premise of Artifacts of an Ex and looked forward to reading it, but it did not quite go as expected. I sympathized with Chloe and how she tried to turn her heartbreak into art, something she could share with other people. It was difficult to feel with her because there was significantly more telling than showing. It also moved faster than I wanted to; however, I found the pace to be reflective of Chloe as a character, always on the move with big ideas.

Individuals who like YA romances and books with an emphasis on art may enjoy the novel.

Every now and then I need a light-hearted read to cleanse the palate after heavy fantasy books. Artifacts of an Ex filled that role very well.

After relocating to LA from NYC, Chloe is heartbroken when first love Jake breaks up with her via USPS – she receives a shoebox full of their memories and a brief letter. What a classy guy, right? Her family moved to take care of her grandmother (who has dementia) and run her café. Now Chloe is in a new city she’s not crazy about with no friends. Does she let that get her down? Not completely. Her life’s goal is to be a museum curator, so she channels her heartbreak into creating a new art exhibit, Heartifacts. It features teenagers’ breakup boxes. You gotta admire her ambition.

While I liked Chloe and her devotion to her family and friends, Daniel is my favorite character. Five times the poor guy has gone on one or two dates with a girl only to have her go back to her ex. No wonder he’s wary about taking a chance on a relationship. But this is a YA romance, so he and Chloe travel that pothole-filled journey over the course of the story.

If you’re an art lover, I think you’d certainly enjoy that angle in this book. While some of the projects are interesting, for me it felt like excessive descriptions of things that aren’t integral to the plot. There are also food descriptions I drooled over. The side plot of the family trying to duplicate Chloe’s grandmother’s pineapple cake recipe is very sweet and enjoyable.

With themes of first love, family, and friendship, this is a quick, light-hearted read I’d recommend to YA romance fans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

DNF’d at 30%. I tried to get into it and I thought I would like it more but I was not a fan of the main character and that ultimately is what caused me to DNF.

3.75 stars - The story follows Chloe, who moved from NYC to LA for her family only to be dumped by Jake through a package she received in the mail. At first, she wanted to throw everything away, but then she came up with an idea to buy other people's breakup boxes and create an exhibit called Heartifacts. During the opening night, she meets Daniel, who has always been the rebound guy and doesn't want to be Chloe's rebound guy.

The characters in the book were so lovable, and the multicultural aspects added depth to the story. The side characters were relatable and enjoyable, and the protagonists were adorable! Although the story was fairly predictable as a romantic comedy, it was still well-written and engaging. The only thing that would have made it better is if we could read Daniel's point of view. Overall, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

In support of the SMP boycott, I will be withholding my review of this title until SMP speaks out. If the boycott is resolved, I will update with a full review.