Member Reviews

First I'd like to thank the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of You Again? Now I must say this book surprised me. I knew going it that I would like find it funny, and indeed I did. The very premise of an ex-husband and ex-wife getting trapped together in a vacation nightmare just seems primed for plenty of humorous antics. And yes indeed there are some extremely funny if a bit harsh/mean spirited moments, that actually made me think of the movie War of the Roses. No what surprised me was the ending. I'll admit that going inI thought I had a preconceived notion of how there story would end. I envisioned it being formulaic ala a Hallmark movie—and to be honest I wouldn't have been upset with that at all. I admit to be a sucker for such fare, but I kept getting closer to the ending I realized things would not end the way I originally thought they would. No, Mr. Spalding delivered a humorous and heart felt story with a surprising and yet quite satisfying ending. In the stressful times so many of us living through right now, I have to say I found You Again? to be a wonderful break from reality and it delivered me more than a few well-needed laughs.

Was this review helpful?

The story reminded me a lot of Lucy Ball and Desi Arnez or Carol Burnett and Harvey Corman shows/movies with some slap stick comedy but nothing hurtful just funny.
I found it hilarious that the people who went separate ways would end up at the same destination at the same time. I would call it fate.
I kind of figured out what actually spilt them up before the end of the story, but I still didn't know who did it. The ending of the story is perfect, it didn't leave me hanging about what happen to all the characters once they separated and that's a good thing, because I kind of hate it when an author leaves me hanging.
The story is definitely a light, funny story and it makes you think of summer, will get you out of your head and make you laugh. I found out what a dugong is.

I want to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this advance copy of this funny book

Was this review helpful?

Wimbufushi, a tiny island in the Maldives sounds like the perfect location for a relaxing stress free break away from normal life, where the only thing you need to contemplate is which cocktail to choose and how many of them to drink! For Joel Sinclair (whose choice of cocktail will ALWAYS be a Sin City)this chance to escape couldn’t come at a better time. He may have won the heart of the young, lithe, gorgeous Cara but professionally he’s floundering whilst on a personal level he’s still reeling from an acrimonious divorce. Will Joel manage to banish unwanted thoughts of his ex wife Amy given that Wimbufushi just happens to be the spot where the couple spent their honeymoon, obviously in happier times? Just an inconsequential detail, nothing Cara needs to be privy to according to Joel’s logic. Or at least that’s what Joel keeps telling himself when he spots Amy at Heathrow with her new man Ray in tow. What starts out as a mere coincidence rapidly turns into a farce of epic proportions, the idyllic getaway soon resembling more of a holiday from hell than the restful break Joel and his new girlfriend were anticipating. What can you expect from You Again? Sun, sea, sand and an AWFUL LOT of silly shenanigans!

If it’s humour you’re after Nick Spalding’s your man!! I have a number of go to authors I can rely on to provide me with scenarios that will prompt plenty of chuckles, chortles, snorts of laughter, belly laughs or even just a smile and he’s one of them. Admittedly his type of humour is rather juvenile, the jokey blokey type that probably belongs back in the school playground so it isn’t to everyone’s liking. I’d describe it as the kind of humour you can either find immensely irritating, cringeworthy or pleasantly puerile (or all three!) depending on your outlook but it’s palatable in small doses. I usually wind up switching between loving and loathing his characters who are always larger than life and most certainly never dull. In comedy it’s all about the timing and for the characters in You Again? it’s ALL about bad timing, a continuing catalogue of unbelievable coincidences and of course who can out prank who in a mostly one sided game of one upmanship.

Beginning at the airport, Nick Spalding captures that holiday spirit so well it makes you long for the days when travel was unrestricted! All sense of decorum flies out of the window the minute both couples take to the air so by the time they reach the SAME destination events invariably escalate out of control. There’s no room for amicable behaviour where these individuals are concerned. It’s 100% animosity all the way! Acting more like five year olds than fully fledged adults Amy and Joel embark on all out warfare although as events unfold the reasons for so much resentment and bitterness between them become apparent and their mutual loathing of one another begins to make sense. Whether that excuses these hostilities is debatable; a ceasefire is definitely called for! There’s a fine line between love and hate and there’s nothing like a good old dose of envy/jealousy towards “tiny shorts” Ray to bring out Joel’s competitive streak which as you’ve probably already guessed ends in disaster EVERY time. These poor members of staff have probably never witnessed such accident prone antics from one guest in the history of welcoming holiday makers to their little slice of paradise but they still manage to keep smiling. The storyline zips along at a steady pace with no let up in the nautical nonsense until a sting in the tale, which you can predict a mile off, knocks them sideways and they start acting like civilised human beings, sanity somewhat restored.

So what to make of this holidaying quartet? Ray and Cara deserve some sympathy caught up in the middle of the warring exes although you may change your tune the deeper you sink into the silliness. Ray’s definitely my favourite with his loud shirts, his patient understanding of the situation they all find themselves in and his indifference towards Joel’s attempts at one upmanship. He never rises to the bait. Good on you Ray! Joel is a man boy who needs to grow up, his neuroses regarding his physical appearance, his athleticism, or lack of it, and his failure to impress his work colleagues all lead him to prove he’s still got what it takes to compete with the likes of superman Ray. There’s nothing like wounded male pride to bring out the worst in a man! I almost felt sorry for the high maintenance Amy, who despite still harbouring a grudge against her ex for the way their marriage imploded does prove to have a sweeter layer underneath all that tit for tat behaviour. As for Cara you wonder what she sees in Joel, an older man with a slight paunch who is maybe, just possibly still a tiny bit in love with Amy?

I’m not sure this is laugh out loud, side splitting, wetting your knickers kind of funny but all the shenanigans are highly amusing in a slapstick, farcical sort of way. It lifted me out of the doldrums, I had a smile on my face from beginning to end so what more could you ask for? No deep thinking is required! What this author provides by the bucketload is lighthearted,harmless ( although the sea creatures might disagree!) fun. Overall it’s off the scale in terms of ridiculousness and I liked it!

My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Another funny book from Nick Spalding. Divorced Amy and Joel find themselves at the same luxury holiday resort with new partners, but are unable to let the animosity of the lead up to their divorce go. Trying to get one over on each other leads to some hilarious scene, although they reach an understanding as the book progresses. I always look forward to Nick’s books, as they always make me chuckle and I can always imagine such scenes happening in real life.

Was this review helpful?

Amy and Joel worked well together at a real estate company and ended up getting married. Things weren't perfect and came to a head when they missed an important meeting with a prospective client ... Amy ended up getting fired, they bitterly divorced and blamed each for the lost client.

Two years later, they have moved on ... Amy is engaged to a nice fella named Ray and Joel is dating a younger woman named Cara, who is the granddaughter of his boss. They all need a vacation and when a deal pops up on Expedia to Maldives, where Amy and Joel had pleasant memories from when they went there on their honeymoon, little do they know they both go for it the same week. The two couples end up on the same flight, the same boat right to the resort and yes, the same resort. It's a small resort so needless to say, it hard not to run into each other. Amy and Joel are still very angry with each other and when they aren't trying to avoid each other, try to sabotage each other's vacation every chance they get.

This is the seventh book I've read by this author and I liked it. I liked the writing style ... it was funny and light. It is written in first person perspective in Amy and Joel's voices and it's as if they are speaking to me, the reader. The author is English as are the characters so there were some references to people I didn't know. As a head's up, there is a swearing (lots of F-bombs).

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review!
I tried very hard to like this book but it was honestly so painfully written by a man I sinoly could not continue. DNF at 30%.

Was this review helpful?

I haven’t laughed so much at a novel in a very long time, literal tears of laughter at several scenes. Not the most likeable characters but an idyllic setting and a story that is told from two perspectives in a way that you feel rather fond of them both by the end. A must read!

Was this review helpful?

You, Again? follows two ex's well after their marriage is over accidentally ending up on the same holiday. Sounds like the right amount of chaos that I would love to read about. I was a bit skeptical going in as I wasn't 100% sure about Joel's character and found him a little insufferable at the beginning of the novel however he did grow on me throughout the book. I wouldn't say that any of the characters were particularly memorable however overall the tone and humor of this book made me laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of the situations they end up in. The pacing of the book was also really perfect, I found myself flying through the story and not noticing how much I was reading. I really enjoyed the twist and peak of this book - I didn't see it coming however looking back I maybe should have (I'm not sure I'm never very good at seeing where books are going!).
Overall this was a fun summer read, not one that will stick with me forever but the right kind of book for just now.
I would highly recommend if you are looking for some summer fun
4 out of 5 stars

Was this review helpful?

We're gonna call this lovers to enemies, since the whole premise is that Joel and Amy are an ex-couple who loathe each other, who are coincidentally both on the same vacation with their new partners after booking an online deal, that also happens to be where they took their honeymoon 6 years prior. It's a lot, but it's enjoyable! I always enjoy Spalding's writing because it is super stream-of-consciousness thrown in with everything that happens. It makes the read go quickly! The best part was the ending. It is nice to see complex emotions and thoughts written about, instead of following the usual trope. Even if the ending was wrapped up in a nice bow, it isn't the bow that is typical for this package! Recommended for rom-com lovers, Forgetting Sarah Marshall fans, and people who like their books to play out like a movie!

Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an e-ARC of this book.

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it fell flat for me.

I dare you to find a likeable character in this book. I couldn’t root for any of them and wanted to spend as little time as possible with them.

The humor in this book was a miss for me. The first few chapters in the airport were ridiculous and not funny. Also, there was a lot of juvenile bathroom humor in this book that isn’t funny to me.

This book hinges on several unrealistic coincidences that just didn’t seem plausible.

There were a few things I did like. The setting of the Maldives sounds absolutely beautiful. The celebrity chef rant was hilarious. Also, I applaud the ending; in my view, it was the best way to end this book.

The sophomoric humor, unrealistic coincidences, and unlikeable characters made this book not for me.

Was this review helpful?

This was an entertaining book. It held my interest and I enjoyed it. It had some amusing moments and some "yikes" moments. I would recommend it to others.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook ARC in exchange for my review.

Last year I was offered the author's "Logging Off" and I loved the book so much, when I saw the author had a new book I couldn't wait to get a copy, and was so happy to be offered an ARC copy. This book was entertaining, a good light read, and funny in parts, but I can't say I enjoyed it as much as "Logging Off". The alternating POV's could be a bit confusing when I wasn't starting at the top of a chapter, though it was interesting to hear Amy & Joel's alternating perspectives.

I hate to say I felt the book was a bit over long. It could have been cut for some of the inner dialogues and flowed more smoothly. I did see the big surprise at the end coming fairly early on in the book, and some of the pranks seemed a bit too over the top mean.

But it was enjoyable, and I'll look for the author's next book!

Was this review helpful?

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4165734826

Read my review on Goodreads
Five star ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Was this review helpful?

Hilarious story about a man, his girlfriend, his ex-wife and her fiance stuck together on holiday on a small island. What could possibly happen?

Loved the characters - flaws and all and the way Joel just stumbled his way from one mishap to another.

This is the second book I've read of Mr. Spalding's - hopefully not the last! There aren't many authors anymore that I can say make me laugh out loud!

Was this review helpful?

A huge thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I quite enjoyed reading this but I went into this with hopes and expectations that didn’t quite matched how the storyline went.

This follows ex-husband and wife who coincidentally went on vacation where they had their honeymoon at the same time. They haven’t seen each other after their divorce two years ago and they’re both with their respective partners. With the looming unresolved anger they still have towards each other, things get a little heated over the course of their trip.

I was expecting the enemies to lovers, ex-marriage in crisis and secondchance romance tropes going into this but given both main leads were in happy relationships, I was curious as to how the story will go.

I definitely enjoyed the verbal sparring the ex-couple had which just proved the genuine hate they both still harbor towards each other. We got glimpses of the downfall of their marriage as well as the aftermath of their divorce but I felt that they weren’t enough for me to really connect with the characters and feel for them. Their fights and sabotaging started off entertaining but reached childish level at some points.

I liked the dual POV mostly because it gave off that “two sides of the story” conflict and towards the end, it was satisfying seeing both leads finally get to the bottom of their problems and have closure. I liked that they handled ir maturely but despite wishing there was a chance for them to get together, I’m just glad at least one couple had a HEA.

Overall, this was an entertaining and fast-paced read!

Was this review helpful?

Amy and Joel had a perfect honeymoon. Eight years on, they are both heading back to the Maldives, for a perfect week in the sunshine. However, they are now no longer married to eachother, and both head off with their new partners, completely oblivious to the fact that the other will be there.
Trapped on a tiny island together, there are old scores to settle and maybe some sparks left to fly.

This is a fun read, with some great characters. I liked how the story was told from both Amy and Joel’s perspectives.
Definitely a laugh out loud read, but with some real emotion bubbling under the surface.
Perfect for a carefree summer read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to #Netgalley and #AmazonUkPublishing for an ARC of #YouAgain? by #NickSpalding.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story of life after a bitter divorce, told in alternating POVs, was a quick and amusing read. Parts were hilarious, parts were cringey (mainly the immature pranks - these people were mid-30s, really?), parts were bittersweet and parts were inexplicable - until the twist was revealed, which I did not see coming. I felt the alternating POVs were well done, both voices felt authentic and the resolution was neat, tidy and satisfying. Not a read for the ages, but a fun change of pace.

Was this review helpful?

Pettiness, pranks and relationships abroad make up Spalding’s latest offering. As is usual with this author, it takes a little bit of suspension of disbelief - these are rather more creations than believable characters in themselves, designed for amusement.

A nice, quick read that is full of entertainment and smiles. If you enjoyed Spalding’s previous novels, this one is for you!

Was this review helpful?

This is quite a funny story. It has all the usual humour you would expect from Nick Spalding. You go off on holiday, to a beautiful part of the world when you see your ex there at the airport. Told from both points of view, each feeling the wronged person. Really enjoyed this book. Perfect beach read

Was this review helpful?

Joel is set for a romantic vacation in Maldives with his new girlfriend, returning to the same place where he has memories of his honeymoon. But what is his ex-wife doing in the airport? And why is she in the plane with her new fiancé? Is it possible that she also decided to return to their honeymoon spot with her new fiancé?

This starts a hilarious page turner of ex- against ex- as hijinks ensue at the resort. On such a small island there is no place to escape each other, or the guerrilla warfare that only someone who knows and loves you can dish out. And this former couple plays dirty! As hurt and anger start to fly, so do the sparks. Is it possible for them to rekindle their past romance? Or are there things in the past that are impossible to get over?

I absolutely enjoyed this fun page turner, and finished it in 2 days. At 80% read, I couldn’t put it down—I had to see what happened next! It was such a fun read. Definitely one to pick up!

Was this review helpful?