Okay, I am a sucker for the whole “dating reality show” trope, so I KNEW I was going to love this! Two get asked to participate in a reality show by their ex-boyfriend (who is now famous!) but - plot twist - they fall for each other instead. This book was so much fun! The main “cast” are eighteen year olds, so be mindful of that, but for what it was, I loved it!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

4.5

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for giving me an ARC of this title. As a long time fan of reality dating shows like Love Island, Too Hot To Handle, and The Bachelor, I was super excited to pick up this title. Never Ever Getting Back Together was an interesting subversion on the traditional reality dating show plot-line, with lovable characters like Skye and Maya and hate able characters like Jordy. The way Gonzales wrote him, a lying scheming manipulative narcissist that used the show to pad his own ego, hit home for me and a lot of over people who all knew a Jordy in our lives once. The revenge at the end was satisfying and helped to tie the book up into a neat little bow. I love the way Sophie Gonzales writes dialogue, she can make me hate or love a character based off the little nuances that she imbues into her storytelling. I gave this book a 4.5 out of 5 and I’m very excited to experience future releases!

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. Two women find themselves on a competitive dating show where they share the same ex, and instead of falling for the lead, they fall for each other. This book followed an interesting romance story with a hint of revenge, misunderstanding, and comedy. The island full of ex's was such an interesting concept and I really enjoyed this as a setting for an unlikely romance.

I deeply regret sleeping on this wonderful book. The characters were all so real and relatable, and the author did such a great job of portraying the perfect villain in such an (unfortunately) believable light. This book zipped right on by and I was left wanting more! Sophie Gonzales is talented at what she does and I can't wait to read more of her work!

Man, this book was awesome! It was filled with great emotions, strong characters, and an awesome plot. Half a point knocked off because it WAS very junior high/high school, and I'm occasionally out of that target zone as a grown adult who likes to read YA sometimes. 4.5 stars, rounded to 5!

The male main character in this book was absolutely terrible, which of course is the point but oh my lord it still deserves noting. Nothing like a terrible ex-boyfriend to bring 2 bi girlies together in solidarity, even if it takes some time to sort through the lies he told both of you. Anyway, douchecanoe central goes on a reality dating show where they bring back your exes for a second chance and he picks who he wants to re-date. But, what happens when 2 of the exes start secretly seeing each other during the show? Absolute chaos of course, but what else can you expect?

This was good, but not my favorite of Sophie;s. Figuring out the dude's lies felt like it took up too much on page time and I was getting frustrated by the delay in the aha moments. But, still worth a read.

Yeah, so what can I say, I liked this book and I’m so glad that Jordy got what he deserved in every way possible. The concept of this book struck me as kind of funny, going on a dating show to see if you can rekindle the love you had with an ex. I thought all the girls were written in a way that I would imagine a show like that to be, which was fun to read about. I did not expect was for the love to blossom the way that it did and I am here for it. I love the happy ending that we got and it was definitely the ending book deserved.

3.5 stars!

I love reality TV and so I was excited for a queer spin on something that almost felt like The Bachelor. Add in a cute little cartoon cover and I was sold! I was so invested in the sapphic romance, and I loved Maya and Skye so much! I think my main issue was that I didn't feel like it made sense for them to be teens, and I almost felt like that took away from the story. I think I would've liked it better if they were in their 20s. I also really didn't like the third act conflict. Besides that, a very cute book that I would recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love books that take on reality dating and flip it on it's head like this book, The Charm Offensive, etc. My main problem with this book was that it was YA. Not because of spice or lack thereof, because I found the premise interesting, but I literally could not get behind a dating show where the characters dated in their early teens and were still TECHNICALLY teenagers when they are supposed to be exposing so much about themselves to the world. It sounds like an ethical nightmare. Yes, I know that the main characters were "legally" adults in this made up country, but it still really sat uncomfortably. Sophie Gonzales is a lot of fun and I enjoy her books, and I enjoyed parts of this one, but I just couldn't suspend belief enough to get behind it.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales is a perfect fit for readers who adore lighthearted, emotional, and romantic stories with a dash of royalty, revenge, and enemies-to-lovers tropes, and are looking for a fun and engaging read that explores complex themes of heartbreak, trust, and self-discovery.

First time reading a book from this author and I enjoyed it. Characters were fun to read about so was the story.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Sophie Gonzales presents a charming take on the complexities of teenage romance. While the story is undeniably enjoyable and offers moments of genuine warmth and humor, it occasionally feels a bit predictable in its execution. Gonzales crafts relatable characters and delivers witty dialogue that captures the essence of modern teenage life, but I found certain plot twists a bit cliche. Otherwise, the novel ultimately succeeds in delivering a heartwarming message about love, friendship, and self-acceptance. Due to the engaging storyline and well-drawn characters, "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a solid choice for readers seeking a light-hearted romance with a touch of depth.

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

📝 Skye and Maya only have one thing in common. They absolutely hate their ex-boyfriend, and as a result each other. So when he reaches out asking them to come on a teen reality dating show, they can't pass it up. What's better than getting revenge, or maybe love in the least expected places.

What I 🤍:
📺 Reality TV
👿 Revenge Plot
🌈 Sapphic Romance
💕 Enemies to Lovers

This book is perfect for anyone who loves the Bachelor or Bachelorette but make it queer. I absolutely devored this book, and I hope it becomes a movie someday!

Sophie Gonzales’ "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a fresh and fun read— perfect for fans of the DRAMA that is reality TV.

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a must-read for anyone looking for a modern, entertaining story that’s equal parts drama and heart. Perfect for your next book binge!

While I'm not a fan of reality TV, the novels I read with reality tv settings have been very entertaining, especially this one..
After being asked to join a Reality TV show about a second chance with their ex-boyfriend, Skye and Maya find themselves in the same space. The catch, they both dated him at the same time. The fine line between love/hate is the definition of their interaction.

Their journey through the TV show is an entertaining one to read. The author did a fantastic job with their personalities. Would definitely recommend this to those who like different storyline to their gay romance novels

This book was a fun take on reality shows like the Bachelor and royal family madness. In this case, however, Jordy isn’t an actual royal, except for being a royal pain. At first, the two protagonists don’t like each other very much because they’ve been manipulated by Jordy to believe that the other is a bad person, but once the animosity dissipates when they realize who their real enemy is, that’s when the book really gets interesting.

The fact that Maya and Skye develop feelings for each other is an extra twist to the revenge subplot. Obviously, their feelings are not performative, but it’s an unexpected element when they’re both on a reality show about reuniting with an ex-boyfriend. But Jordy is so generally awful that none of the contestants are particularly excited about “winning” the competition.

The tone of the book is mostly light, although the constant manipulation is a bit stressful. On the other hand, this book provides some interesting commentary on how reality shows don’t really present a genuine unbiased portrayal of events, and that contestants can get a “bad edit” from the producers to make them appear villainous. I’d like to think that most adults are aware of that, but it might be revelatory for the target YA audience.

I would absolutely recommend Never Ever Getting Back Together. Gonzales always offers a fresh perspective in YA literature, and I always look forward to her books.


I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Never Ever Getting Back Together: A Sweet and Spunky Rom-Com with a Twist

Sophie Gonzalez's 'Never Ever Getting Back Together' is a delightful read for fans of contemporary young adult romance. The story follows Maya, a girl determined to never repeat the mistakes of her past, particularly the one involving her ex-boyfriend, Liam.

The premise is simple: Maya and Liam, after a messy breakup, are forced to work together on a school project. This leads to hilarious encounters, awkward moments, and a rekindled spark that neither of them can deny.

**What works:**

* **Relatable characters:** Maya is a relatable protagonist, struggling with the fear of repeating past mistakes while also navigating the complexities of high school life. Liam is charming, goofy, and genuinely trying to win Maya back. The supporting characters, including Maya's best friend and Liam's brother, add depth and humor to the story.
* **Witty dialogue:** Gonzalez excels at capturing the voice of teenagers, with witty banter and relatable conversations that feel authentic and engaging.
* **A fresh take on the 'enemies to lovers' trope:** While the story follows the familiar path of a broken-up couple forced to work together, Gonzalez adds a unique twist by making Maya the 'enemy' who doesn't want to get back together. This dynamic adds a layer of complexity and tension to the narrative.
* **A focus on self-discovery:** The story is not just about romance but also about Maya's journey of self-discovery. She learns to confront her fears, prioritize her needs, and understand the value of healthy relationships.

**What could be better:**

* **Predictability:** The plot is predictable, especially for seasoned romance readers. The story follows a familiar formula, and the ending is somewhat predictable.
* **Lack of depth:** While the characters are relatable, they could have been explored in greater depth.

**Overall:**

'Never Ever Getting Back Together' is a light, breezy read that is perfect for a quick escape. It's a sweet and spunky rom-com with a touch of humor and a heartwarming message about second chances. While the story lacks some depth, it's a fun and entertaining read that will leave you feeling optimistic about love and second.

First off, Taylor stays playing in my head whenever I read the title of this book. WEEE ARE NEVER EVER (ever) GETTING BACK TOGETHER. I know you sang it, too.

A sapphic revenge book about all the ex-boyfriends who are high enough to think we still want them. News flash, we don't.... We want the girl you're with.