Very fun read! Sophia Gonzalves does it again with Never Ever Getting Back Together. Never Ever Getting Back Together is a mix between a feel good, romantic comedy, and reality television. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I found it to be fun and entertaining.

This one is an interesting concept, but it felt a little too close to other things I'd read recently to really get into the story. The characters were really entertaining!

If you’re a fan of the bachelor, or any other dating reality tv show, make this your next read! A unique twist on the average dating show with likable and relatable contestants. This novel is Karma by Taylor Swift on pages.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I love the premise of this book. Two young women, Maya and Skye, join a reality dating show for their ex-boyfriend and end up falling for each other. The fact that their ex is royalty adjacent makes it double fun. While this book strains believability, overall I found it really readable and for the most part pretty fun.

I've seen some reviews that said that it shouldn't be a YA book and I definitely think that this veers New Adult, but the "youngness" of the characters does make the already out there premise sort of even more wild - particularly with how much of the book revolves around drinking.

I really wanted more of both Maya and Skye. I didn't ever really feel like I knew their characters and the love story didn't build as much as I would have liked. All of a sudden it was a thing. Due to the nature of the premise, the entire book revolves around a guy which was, at times, frustrating for me as the reader. Every conversation and plot device was about Jordy, even the end which I thought was a bit rushed.

Overall though, it was a pretty zippy book with sharp dialogue and if the premise intrigues you then I think you will find stuff to enjoy about this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read an E-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So unbelievably fun and cute!

Maya's ex-boyfriend invites her to join him on a new reality tv dating show where one guy (in this case, her cheating ex, Jordy) gets all of his past girlfriends together to live in a mansion and compete against each other to date him again. If it sounds totally bonkers to you, then Maya would agree with you, but she decides to go on the show--bent on sabotage and revenge. And I was here for every second of it!

Maya and one of the other contestants, Skye, start off on the wrong foot and are set up to be rivals by the producers. It isn't long, however, before they team up to take Jordy down while growing closer and closer as they scheme!!

Did I mention it's a sapphic romance?! ENJOY friends!!!! It's a lot of drama, but it's so well done.

I loved:
-dual perspectives
-bisexual MCs
-fast paced, unputdownable
-Maya can be a bit unlikable at times, especially at the beginning of filming, but has a great growth arc!
-chemistry and very sweet romance!!

I recommend this for fans of YA romance, the movie John Tucker Must Die, or any of the reality tv show romances that have come out recently that show the predatory production side of competition shows.

Thank you so much Netgalley and Wednesday for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Never Ever Getting Back Together
By Sophie Gonzalez

I requested this digital ARC as the story’s premise caught my attention and the author’s Charm Offensive was well received. I was up for something other than your typical rom-com.

After two years, Maya is still trying to get over the sting of her ex boyfriend’s betrayal. Unfortunately, as the famous brother of a royal, Jordy seems to be everywhere. He has charmed and captured many hearts. Maya only wished the world knew what a manipulative liar he is. She gets her chance when invited to participate in a reality dating show - Second Chances. Jordy is to court several of his ex-girlfriends on international tv to see who will win his heart the second time around. A revenge plot starts to form in Maya’s mind for how to expose Jordy for who he really is. Will Maya get her vengeance? Or will she find love again?

While an interesting plot, I found its writing to be rather uneven. There were times when the story moved along but at other times it dragged and was repetitive. I especially found it hard to buy into the fact that the characters were teenagers. All the characters acted and sounded more like they were well into their twenties. In the end I was disappointed.


My thanks to @NetGalley and @WednesdayBooks for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When a bachelor-style reality show casts a semi-famous royal-adjacent Jordy to star in their second-chance romance show, 6 of his ex-girlfriends answer the call. But Maya isn’t there for the same reason as the others. She wants revenge on Jordy for the way their relationship ended after he cheated on her with Skye. When Maya and Skye also end up as roommates, drama ensues! But once the truth is revealed, the two of them discover there may be an attraction to each other more than Jordy.

This book was funny and sweet. The character personalities really showed through, and I loved the banter between them. The only thing a little weird was the timeline. They would move from one week of the show to the next, so days that weren’t filmed would go by in between that we didn’t really see, but then they’d reference the “weeks”. It felt like we missed all that in-between time were character storylines surely would’ve continued.

Overall I’d give it a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet and funny LGBTQ romance!

My confession of the day is that I have never watched a full episode of either The Bachelor, or The Bachelorette. Of course I have watched clips and understand the general idea, I'm not a savage. I also recognize it is an absolute sensation and many people love it. After having so much fun with this book, I think I may need to binge some!

The set-up of Never Ever Getting Back Together feels very ode' to The Bachelor and frankly I was living for it.
We follow rich, related-to-royalty, arguably-charming playboy, Jordy, getting his own reality television show, Second-Chance Romance.

For the show, ex-girlfriends of Jordy's will be living together in a mansion, interacting with him and each other, participating in challenges and generally biding for his attention. Week-by-week, Jordy sends one girl packing, until the time comes for his final selection.

Maya dated Jordy two-years ago and the break-up was rough. He cheated on her for months before ultimately calling it quits suddenly when she called him out on his behavior.

Skye dated Jordy directly after Maya. In fact, Maya's reputation precedes her. Jordy warned Skye how jealous and crazy Maya got after he broke up with her. Skye can't believe Maya is joining the show too. Isn't she like a security risk or something?

When Maya learns Skye, the girl who stole Jordy from her, is going to be participating on the show as well, she's furious. This girl knowingly dated Jordy behind her back for months. Who does that? Filthy liars, that's who.

Arriving at the mansion the two girls learn an even more horrible truth, they're being forced to room together. They're quite literally bunk-mates. They try to muscle through it, they might even be contractually-obligated to, but it ain't gonna be easy. Along with four other girls, Maya and Skye start to settle into their new normal and compete for the ultimate prize: Jordy.

Maya's no fool though. She knows Jordy too well to fall for any of this smoke in mirrors. Jordy hasn't changed and that's fine by her. Maya isn't dreaming of becoming Jordy's one-true love, she's dreaming of revenge.

I had a lot of fun with this. Particularly the set-up, it was adorable. The narrative alternates between Skye and Maya, beginning a little before they even agree to be on the show. The backdrop of the mansion, filming the reality show, it was great. I felt like I was getting a real glimpse behind the scenes of an actual show. It felt very realistic.

I also liked the mix of personalities that the contestants had. They all had their own motivations for being there and few of those actually revolved around Jordy, or love. Skye and Maya's interactions, as they got to know one another, as they battled and then began to drop their defenses; I thought that was really well done too.

My only slight issues with this story would be that I feel like it may have worked better if the story was actually written as New Adult, or Adult. It could have gone farther in the exploration of the relationships. Also, I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters. I didn't find the romance that ultimately transpires believable.

These are tiny critiques though and both of these things are simply my personal opinion. Overall, this book is adorable as heck and I really enjoyed following the concept through to the end.

I was lucky enough to listen to an audio copy and definitely recommend that medium. The narrators did an incredible job bringing this story to life.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I am absolutely looking forward to more from Sophie Gonzales!!

I was so excited for this book and was ecstatic when I got approved for this arc because the premise sounded great and like something I’d enjoy. However, this was not it for me. DNF @ 27%.

I disliked the petty teen drama and Maya may just be one of the most unlikable characters I’ve ever read. I found myself rooting for Skye more, even though I thought her character was under-developed as well. This was supposed to have a royalty aspect to it with Jordy being part of the royal family, but instead he came off like a D-list celebrity.

I don’t think I’ll be recommending this one to anyone, but I’d be open to reading other novels by this author in the future.

This was pretty cute and a super quick read. I’m also a big fan of a revenge story so that was fun to read! I enjoyed getting to know all of the side characters and would love to see Perrie get her own show one day!

But I have problems logistically with this book. Who is the intended audience for this show they are on? Who is going to watch a dating show with a bunch of 18 year olds? With that being said I feel like this could have been better as an adult romance rather than YA.

Also what did these girls ever see in Jordy? He’s a jerk in every scene it is hard to imagine that all these girls where ever into him - and would be willing to try to win him back.

I love the concept though and I have a few other books from this author on my TBR that I am excited to finally check out!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars. This YA book begins with a silly premise. The brother of a woman who marries into the royal family of a small European country gets his a reality dating show. Jordy, is hot and sought after for his new fame. But the idea for the show is to bring his past relationships back and see if there is a second chance for someone who knew him before his royally related hype. These people are barely coming out of their teens so it’s hard to think he was that serious with anyone.

Maya Bailey has come on the show for one thing, to get revenge. After Jordy cheats on her, he claims publicly they were broken up and that she is stalking him. Even her own friends didn’t know who to believe. She wants the world to see him for the sleaze he is. Skye Kaplan was the romance after Maya. She is Canadian, sweet and never knew about Maya. The show for her is to connect with someone that she had a brief time with but didn’t get too serious as they were heading to different cities. Jordy intentionally tries to rile up Maya thinking her drama will help with the ratings.

After a bumpy beginning Maya and Skye find they actually like each other. A lot!!! The other women in the competition also get some moments of bonding and fun as they vie for Jordy’s attention. The fake-ness of the dating show is cleverly written. It had me laughing at how easily things can be manipulated. My favorite moment with the girls is the brilliant, Never Have I Ever with Jordy scene. It is bonding and eye opening for the girls at the same time.

The romance between Maya and Skye is handled sweetly with some realistic roadblocks. This is YA appropriate with kissing and no descriptions under the covers. The author takes a cute read and elevates it. I saw my star count rising as she brings everything to a win-win conclusion. I will be on the lookout for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In a reality TV dating show scenario that seems tailor-made for second chance romance, Sophie Gonzales pivots and pairs up two reluctant, enemies-to-lovers opposites who are both exes—just not each other’s.

Before he became royalty-adjacent, Jordy dated Maya. And Skye. In fact, Jordy chose to overlap those relationships. And two years later, Maya is still working to overcome the damage left by her relationship with Jordy. And Skye, who is hesitant to open up her heart to anyone but chose to let him in, believes that her relationship with Jordy ended due to physical distance. Through a twist of realty television fate, the two girls end up on a show about second chance love with Jordy—Maya in hopes of exacting revenge on him and Skye wondering “What if”.

This one is a laugh-out-loud, snarky delight with an undercurrent of sweetness, and I didn’t want to put it down.

Any fan of the Bachelor will recognize the absurdity of random challenges to win time with the suitor; the way the contestants dating the same man gush to each other but don’t want to hear the musings from the others; how producers manipulate things on the show; and the distrust that can grow in the mansion.

And Jordy is just so ridiculously narcissistic with a morally grey compass—but not in an enticing way—that even with those scarce moments where you start to wonder whether he has invested feelings in the relationships after all, you still are cheering for him to get his comeuppance.

The moments of selflessness between Maya and Skye bring a warm glow to the story as do the bonds that form between the contestants over time.

And both Maya and Skye experience emotional growth because of their interactions with each other. I love when characters have growth arcs in addition to the love story.

It is a snarky, heartwarming, forced proximity, plotter-meets-pantser pleasure.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books via NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Note: This is a YA book, and the characters are on the younger end of college-aged. Maya has just completed her senior year of high school. I have seen comments that the age of the contestants in this scenario is a problem for some readers. I understand and would not support a show like this in the real world—or want my children to be on such a show—but in the context of the book, it didn’t bother me.

If you can make it all the way through, this story is good. But honestly, I felt zero connection to these characters.

The whole premise is pretty cliche because who really wants to compete to date their ex, but I thought it could at least be funny. And I really loved the idea of the twist with two of the girls catching feelings. But it just never clicked for me.

I think this might have worked better as an adult novel rather than with kids that had just graduated high school. They were juggling a lot of adult emotions and it just didn’t gel.

But it also might be that I’m just not the right audience for this book.

Loved this novel! Felt like a unique take on well-known tropes, specifcally enemies to lovers, The romance felt a bit forced in the novel, but, overall, the romance moved the story forward. The fake prince was such a hateable character and I absolutely loved this element of the narrative; he was so terrible and fake and ugly and I love that we learned this through the main character's perspective. Will be recommending to friends!

As always I am obsessed with Sophie and her writing, I loved the dynamic between all the characters and the way everything came together.

Maya was a lot of fun and I loved her chemistry with Skye. I do wish they acted a little more mature for their ages but I do also feel like for them being on a competing romance Show everything kinda checked out as well.

People tend to act jealous, immature and manipulative in those kind of situations. I do feel like Jordy was your basic ex boyfriend trying to find his own fame, but I did have some laugh out loud moments.

Overall I did adore the book and I always love Sophie’s LGBTQ representation in her books, the characters and their struggles always feel real and authentic in that department. I do feel like you should give this book a chance when it comes out, it’s adorable and fun.

This is a funny and creative story. Two years ago, Maya broke up with Jordy after he cheated on her. But now Jordy is everywhere. His sister married the crown prince of a small European nation, and the media is obsessed with Jordy, her charming little brother. Then, Maya is invited to participate in a reality show called Second-Chance Romance, which brings together several of Jordy's exes to compete for a "second chance" at a relationship with him. Maya decides to do it -- only to try to get revenge against Jordy by trying to win the competition and then embarrass Jordy by dumping him. When she arrives at the mansion where she and Jordy's other exes are filming, she sees Jordy is no different. But she is surprised by her growing feeling that Skye, another of Jordy's exes who Maya believes Jordy cheated with when she and Jordy were still together, is actually quite different than she expected. Skye starts to suspect the same about Maya ... and they both wonder if a surprise ending is in their, and Jordy's, future.

This is a funny, warm-hearted, and perceptive novel with strong characters and a compelling narrative. Another terrific book from this author.


Highly recommended!

I knew I was going to love this book before I even started reading, but man was it better than I expected. If you love reality tv shows and live for the drama like I do, then you need to pick this book up right away.

Jordy is the bane of Maya's existence. Not only did he cheat on her & convince the world that they were already broken up & Maya refused to let him go, now he has the audacity to ask Maya to be on his new reality tv show where Jordy, the dashing brother of a Princess, brings all of his exes to a beautiful mansion in order to see if he can rekindle the spark with one lucky winner. Even after 2 years, all Maya wants is cold hard revenge, and there is nothing better than serving that revenge on national tv.
Skye and Jordy had a lovely relationship, but when he moved away things changed and the slowly stopped talking to one another. Skye is excited to go back and see if things could be different this time with Jordy, but when he calls her before the show and tells her to watch her back against Maya, Skye worries she might be in over her head.

As someone who hates when female characters are pitted against one another in books, I was really worried during the first 20% of this book, but let me tell you that it is so worth it to get through that part because what comes after is so worth the wait.

I loved both of the main characters so so much. I could definitely relate to Maya & Skye was just adorable and you couldn't help but fall in love with her. The plot was entertaining and there were a few twists I did not see coming, and was pleasantly surprised. With that said, this book is meant to be a cute romance, so I wouldn't expect groundbreaking writing when you're going into this book, but if you're just hear for some romance and a bit of drama then this will be the perfect book for you.

Definitely my new comfort read!

I recieved this ARC from NetGalley. This is a laugh out loud lovable twist of a romantic comedy. I fell in love with the female leads and their relationship together. The dynamic of peaking behind the scenes of a reality tv show was so refreshing and fun to read along with! I would recommend and plan to read more from this author!

While this book was entertaining, I had a hard time finding the main characters likeable. I don't think they necessarily need to be likeable for it to be a great book, but I just wasn't connecting to it like I hoped to. But overall, it was a fun read!

I think maybe I'm the odd one out, but this just didn't work for me. My biggest issue with the reality dating show angle, was our characters ages... It doesn't seem like something 18/19yr olds would do and just felt weird to me. If the age range for our characters had been mid to late 20s, I think I would have enjoyed it more. Other than that I really liked it. The banter and humor was probably my favorite part, and I thought Maya and Skye were pretty cute.