I had high hopes for this book from the moment I read the description and saw the cover, but it fell short for me. Overall, the idea of the dating show and the second chance romance was fun, but I just couldn’t get fully into this one. The writing was good and the storyline was fun, but I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the characters which made it hard for me to get into their lives. This book has huge Bachelor vibes bland maybe because the show has never held much interest for me, the same is happening in this book. Or maybe I just didn’t connect with something else.

I did enjoy the humor in the book and the writing style, but the rest just wasn’t my cup of tea. There are plenty of great reviews for this book, so I could very well be an anomaly. Don’t let me discourage you from giving this book a try! The writing was great, but the characters and reality show just weren’t for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

If you love reality TV drama aka The Bachelor, you’ll be in for a treat. This predictable, cheesy, rom-com feel of a book was so good.

You take a guy and you put him in a house with a few of his ex’s on a show about a Second Chance, what could possibly go wrong?! Maya was dead set on getting back at her ex and exposing him for the guy he really is but then she meets Skye. Maya is pretty convinced that Skye did her wrong all these years but after a few drinks and loose lips the stories start to unfold. As the book unfolds and the girls relationships with each other start to grow, you’ll see how these two fall in love with each other. In the end when given a chance to expose the guy, probably highlight yourself it not the best way, Maya chose the higher road and her truth. She chose love.

Overall great book, well written and fun!

A special thank you to NetGalley for the read.

This may be my favorite Sophie Gonzales book yet!! I seriously D.E.V.O.U.R.E.D. this book in a matter of hours.

I don’t like much reality tv and you will NEVER catch me watching shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette… but this book made that whole thing so much fun to read.

Jordy Miller’s sister married into royalty so he is royal adjacent. He is all over the news all the time, dazzling, everyone with his kindness, his charity work, and his great big heart… but Maya knows the truth. He is a dirty filthy cheater.

When she is invited onto the brand-new reality TV show, SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE as a contestant along with five other exes of Jordy’s all vying for the chance to rekindle the flame they once had with him, she takes this is her chance at revenge.

Skye, though, had a different experience dating Jordy. He could have been the one. He was sweet and caring to her and she would love the chance to see if they could make things work again.

Immediately these two girls are pitted against each other. Maya furious that she has to cavort with the girl Jordy cheated on her with, and Skye has been warned that Maya is just a jealous ex who can’t let go of the past. The last thing that either of them expected, was for the attraction to begin to burn between the two of them.

I enjoyed this book so much. I loved the revenge plot. I loved the dynamic between all of the girls. I loved the blossoming romance between Maya and Skye. From beginning to end, this was just a fun filled roller coaster ride of excitement. I didn’t know what to expect at times. I found myself rooting for the characters. This was just so good.

First, I love the premise of this book and the behind the scenes of shooting a reality dating show.

The story starts with a focus on Maya, an 18 year old living in the US. You quickly find out that her ex-boyfriend, Jordy, is now famous because he's royal adjacent. Maya details that Jordy moved to Canada during their relationship, they decided to stay together long-distance, but soon finds that he had been cheating on her with another young woman named Skye. Maya receives a phone call from a producer about a second-chance dating show to win back Jordy. After scheming with her sister, Maya decides to be on the show to try and reject Jordy. Soon, Maya realizes that she is roomed with none other than Skye. The girls don't get along at first due to miscommunication. Slowly they start talking and working together until they end up falling for each other.

I'm good with the whole premise of getting revenge on a crappy ex and falling in love with another contestant. What I found to be a little difficult was the believability of some of the dialogue. I understand that this book is targeted more for YA, however the dialogue was often so immature that it seemed more like these people were in their freshman year of high school. Another thing I struggled with was the chemistry of Skye and Maya. At times I felt the chemistry, and other times it felt like the author didn't have the time to lay the groundwork for the reader to really feel their chemistry. It kind of felt like, "hey these girls are now into each other", great but why and how. I wanted more of a lead-up to them getting together.

Overall it was a cute book and I did enjoy it, but take the YA tag seriously. I would've loved this book with slightly older characters, aimed towards an adult audience. That being said, if you have a young, queer, teen or adult in your life, they will LOVE this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is was fun and romantic read. It was a good story and kept me entertained.

I’m gonna be very honest, I did not think I was ever going to finish this book 😅 the amount of times I almost dnf’d in the first 50% is astounding but overall I am glad I stuck around because I loved the ending! Unfortunately, I can’t give it more than 3 stars because of the first half and how much I struggled to pick the book back up anytime I put it down 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I do hope that people love this book and Sophie gets the love she deserves because even though I didn’t love it, she’s still one of my favorite authors and I do think people will have a good time with this one!

Here’s some extra details about what I enjoyed and didn’t enjoy (proceed with caution, possible spoilers): it took way too long for the story to really start going, Jordy was the worst!! Like I do not understand how anyone liked this dude 😳 (but he got what was coming to him!), The pacing just kind of felt off throughout the whole story?, Maya & Skye were really cute, the friendship all of the girls left with was great!!

Thanks to NetGalley & Wednesday Books for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

I thought I was done with Young Adult Fiction, I really did. I thought, “I’m a grown-up who can microwave dinner all by herself. I can maturely read sappy, smutty, Adult Fiction.” I’d clearly forgotten the joys of reading quality, sappy, non-smutty YA.

The absolute iron grip this book had on me was suffocating—in the best way possible. Someone might as well have physically pinned me down and forced me to read this book in one sitting because… well, I did. Was I exhausted? Did I feel like my eyes were going to melt out of my skull? Yes. Was it worth it? Also, yes.

This book made it to my top 5 reads this year and, dare I say, #1 on my sapphic reading list. Much like a four-star Sizzler buffet, this book had a bit of everything. I filled my plate with some laugh-out-loud moments, cutesy romance scenes, elaborate revenge plots, and reality TV drama.

Sophie Gonzales revealed her book was, in part, inspired by 1.) Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” drama and 2.) her own anger, sadness, and exhaustion during the pandemic. Not only did I feel the angst reminiscent of Olivia’s album “Sour,” but I felt Sophie Gonzales' rage and healing process from beginning to end.

This book comes out on November 29th. I strongly advise everyone to pre-order this gem!

Sophie Gonzales is truly one of my auto buy authors. I was already excited about this book so getting an E-arc made it even better! I love the story of two women teaming together to take down a cheating ex but also end up following in love. Sophie really made me hate Jordy and love Maya and Skye together. Also so happy Jordy got what he deserved!! Will be recommending this like crazy.

Just reading the title I knew I had to pick this book up. As a big Taylor Swift fan, the title alone had me interested but then I read the plot and was sold. It was a cute story if you’re in the mood for a love triangle.

If you are a fan of reality dating shows, this book is right up your alley.

I really enjoyed the aspect of the girls putting their drama aside when they figured out that all the drama was started by production. I also loved the Bi rep in the FMC's, and I enjoyed the side characters.

I will say my one issue is the age of the characters, they were really young and I feel like they shouldve been 23-30 instead of in their teens.

This is my first encounter with this author so I went in completely blind. The title of the book really caught my attention because Taylor Swift obviously. I have to say I couldn't quite connect with the characters, Jordy I definitely can't tolerate at all, and I'm not one for realities like this but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and give it a chance. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy everything about the reality show, I understand that they follow a script on these types of shows but I wanted to punch Jordy for being such a jerk. And I also don't buy that this guy has so many exes with the age they are that would be willing to play along with this reality show, I’m definitely won’t mind to even look at him any day of mi life.
The story I'm not saying it's bad, I just wasn't able to connect as much as I would have liked. But I do want to read more from the author and see if any of her other stories catch me a little more, I’m all for second chances on books.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin Press for the ARC.

Never Ever Getting Back Together follows Maya and Skye. Both of them dated the same guy, Jordy Miller. Jordy cheated on Maya with Skye during the last two months of their relationship. After Maya confronted him, he painted her as a crazy, jealous ex. He told Maya that Skye knew that he and Maya were still dating a didn't care while he told Skye that Maya was obsessive and jealous. After Jordy's sister recently marries into the royal family of a small European country, he becomes much more wealthy and famous. He thinks that all the girls interested in him are only after his fame and money. He decided to star in the first season of a reality show called Second Chance Romance to see if any of the people he dated before he became famous might still have feelings for him. Maya decides she will go on the show, but only so that she can expose Jordy as a cheater and a liar. Skye also decides to join the show, but she wants to see if she still has feeling for Jordy. As the two of them spend time together in this reality show, Maya is able to convince Skye that Jordy is manipulative and a cheater and they start to fall for each other.

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the characters of Maya and Skye. I also liked that the women on the reality show ended up working together and supporting each other. There was a lot of competition and sabotage at the beginning, but by the end, the female friendships were built very well and believable. I loved the enemies/rivals to lovers arc of Maya and Skye. Their romantic relationship was really well developed and I could see how they would work together, even outside of a reality show setting.

The only things I didn't enjoy were the ages of the characters and the ending. I think maybe this would have been a little more believable id the characters were in their twenties, and not 18 or 19, but this is a minor complaint. I did wish the ending was a little different, although it was overall very satisfying. No spoilers, but I would have been pettier than Maya in that situation.

Overall, this book was super fun and I really enjoyed it! I highly recommend to anyone who enjoyed Sophie Gonzales books in the past, who likes books with enemies/rivals to lovers arc, and who likes books with reality TV show settings.

I will start out by saying I adore Sophie Gonzales, and she has been one of my favorite new writers!

Unfortunately, this book did not do it for me. The premise of it through me--it's centered on a dating reality show but all of the contestants are teenagers... I have no idea why this book is YA. It would have been much stronger if the characters were older and it was New Adult, instead. Most of the guy's exes were from high school... it just left an odd taste in my mouth.

Additionally, I really wanted to root for the two love interests, but they felt a little stale. I don't think we really saw either of them develop or have much of a personality. By the end, I was ready for it to be over.

I will, of course, still be reading Sophie Gonzales's books, but this is not one I would jump to recommend to others.

3⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

This was a fun concept, but the timeline of everything felt a bit confusing. The elimination ceremonies would’ve been helped by being a bit more linear. I thought Lauren and Kim got eliminated together but realized chapters later I was wrong. Skye cuts her hair because of Jordy, yet I don’t remember him or anyone making any comment about it after (perhaps I missed it but if not, oof). I think this would’ve benefitted a lot more if everyone was a bit older. A bit weird to watch a dating show with people barely out of high school (what are the odds they all were even?). I will admit I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between Skye and Maya, but I did like them together.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book drew my attention right away. Imagine the bachelor but with his ex-girlfriends and the possibility of a second chance romance. I love reality dating shows so I immediately knew I wanted to read this one.

I enjoyed the story but the middle fell a little flat for me. I was rooting for the girls to realize who Jordy truly was the entire time. I loved Maya, Skye, and Perrie.

I recommend picking this one up if you’re a fan of second chance romance, enemies to lovers, and reality tv dating shows.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced e-arc copy.

I really enjoyed this one and even stayed up late to finish it. It's and easy, light-hearted revenge plot with non-gimmicky bi representation.

While I didn't really end up loving any of the characters, the hatred for one particular character was enough to keep me interested. A fun take on a bachelor-type show trope. I wish we did see more development of the female friendships/relationships that didn't revolve around their connection to Jordy; but the lack of that didn't take away from the book!

It’s extremely entertaining to sit down and read this book while also binging the first four episodes of Love is Blind. Two mediums, both featuring stories of reality tv show romance — one of first chances, and the other of second chances, one that is proudly hetero, and the other that is proudly queer. And because it’s reality tv, you know you’re going to walk away with af least one man you deeply despise (despite at times, his uncannily good looks). ‘Never Ever’ is the TSwift meta reference, sapphic, second chance, revenge love story of this year, and if you’ve loved Gonzales’ other books, this will not disappoint!

Things I loved about this book:
—enemies to co-conspirators to lovers
—reality tv hijinks including wacky dates and painfully scripted dialogue
—a full cast of wonderfully unique women that include a royals fanatic, a budding influencer, and more
—plenty of well directed rage

My one minor beef with the book is that none of the girls felt like teenagers to me — I was very surprised to learn they were 19 and not 25. There are elements of the story that make sense in context of this transitional period (college, traveling) but felt like they could have also existed with the characters aged up a bit. Of course, I’m in my thirties, so this is bias on my part, so take that with a grain of salt.

Regardless, investing in a copy of this book when it comes out (not far behind a new Taylor Swift album I might add) is sure to be a good one on your part. Thanks to NetGalley for the early review copy, all opinions are my own.

It's been two years since Maya's ex-boyfriend Jody cheated on her with Skye and she still hasn't quite gotten over it. Jody dates Skye for a bit before ghosting her. When Jordy invites Maya and Skye (and four of his other ex's) to be a part of a new reality dating show called Second Chance Romance both jump at the chance to be on the show.  Maya is looking to expose Jordy for the man he is and Skye is hoping to see if she can rekindle their flame. But what happens when two of the contestants fall for one another?

This was such a cute story where enemies become friends and then lovers. I adored these two main characters so much. I found the romance to be super cute. The story is well written and very YA. That being said... who doesn't want to get revenge on a cheating ex? Sophie knows how to write for her audience and I love that about her. The only thing I wish was different was that the storyline contained more of the reality tv show aspect. But overall this story was delightful and once again Sophie nailed it.  I loved the queer rep too.

And here I thought Gonzales couldn't get any better than her previous books! Pshhhh!
Man was I wrong!

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales is marvelous, full of all the wit and charm!

This book instantly became one of my new favorite queer YA romance contemporaries, it was absolutely amazing.
I find Gonzales to be such a strong writer.
The atmosphere she creates is fun/charming/adorable/magical.
There is just something about the way that Gonzales writes her characters, how genuine each of them comes across on the page, and how I begin to feel for every single one is pretty damn amazing.
The way her relationships are portrayed in this novel makes it stand out even more so.
They each have their own story and flaws... In which made me love them that much more!
The banter was great, chemistry is swooning and overall incredibly addictive!

I was stoked to read this! Now I'm pissed it's over!
Bring me more Sophie Gonzales, bring me more!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Wednesday Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've LOVED Sophie Gonzalez's other books, so my expectations were high as I started reading 'Never Ever Getting Back Together.
Things I liked: I thought there were some cute/interesting twists in the plotline, especially towards the end, and some interesting/likable side characters (Perrie and Isaac).
Things I had trouble with: The character development for Maya and Skye didn't feel very realistic to me. There were too many places where the dialogue or inner monologue felt dry or wrong for some reason. It also took me a long, long time to get into the rhythm of the book, like until 30%.
I liked it enough to finish the story, but overall this just wasn't quite the book for me. I will still definitely still be on the lookout for the next Sophie Gonzalez book!