Great premise, the characters were fun and I loved the reality dating show aspect. My Bachelor loving heart was dancing the whole time. Binge-worthy and fast paced, I honestly couldn’t get enough. I wanted more!!

I’m so ecstatic I was able to read this one early!! I love this authors work!! They surely didn’t disappoint with this gem!!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for gifting me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the preview of this book!

I found both of the main characters, Maya & Skye to be entertaining, however I had a hard time keeping their stories straight and found myself backtracking to figure out who was who. If you love the bachelor/contestant style trope , then this a book for you, but with a fun twist. The book kept me entertained and was a fast read. Recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of Never Ever Getting Back Together in exchange for an honest review.

Two years ago, Maya dumped her boyfriend Jordy after she found out that he had been cheating on her with a girl named Skye. Now most people have an ex who did them wrong, but very few have one who then becomes a world-famous heartthrob after their sister marries a European prince. Capitalizing on his fame and public reputation, a new reality show called “Second Chance Romance” is giving Jordy and his many exes a chance to reconnect Bachelor-style to see if Jordy can find “the one that got away.” Maya agrees to go on the show, hoping to make it to the final and publicly humiliate Jordy. What Maya never considered was Skye….

Maya and Skye narrate Never Ever Getting Back Together in alternating first-person chapters. Because of the setup, the reader is well ahead of Maya in realizing that Skye is much more than just the girl Jordy cheated on her with. The story works in large part because they are both fully developed characters—I’m always a sucker for snarky characters like Maya—who are working through something painful in their past. Their evolution from enemies to friends to maybe more is believable and well-written, with little hints that they’re attracted to each other that they don’t seem to notice at first because of their distraction by Jordy. The grand gesture is entirely predictable yet still completely satisfying.

On one level, this book is a nice reminder of the old Confucius saying that “before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves,” because Maya’s plan comes at a cost to herself. But that’s overly dramatic. Never Ever Getting Back Together is a sweet, funny, entertaining closed door romcom. Recommended.

I adored this book. It was fun and funny and GAY. What else could you want? I believe Sophie Gonzales is now on my insta-buy list. Just such a fun book. The characters felt flushed out (sorry let me edit this... the women felt like whole people) and it was great.

There’s something about books with queer people on reality shows that I can’t seem to get enough of, and this book is no exception. Full of ridiculous reality tv shenanigans, an ex boyfriend that can rot in hell, and a sapphic love story that no one expected, the real winners of the first season of Second Chance Romance are the readers.

Reading this book felt like watching a season of reality tv, with drama and, unlike a good deal of reality tv, some genuine heart and passion. Simply put, it was just a fun time. Characters went from the caricatures we’d see on the screen to fully-developed fictional people, ones that you could care about. It would be very easy for this to have just devolved into something anti-Jordy, or some sort of insta love trope, but it instead takes its time, to build and grow a different narrative. Which results in some absolute stellar character growth for Maya and Skye (although I have to admit, Maya’s arc was my favourite).

Though I did enjoy the romance, I really think that my favourite part of this entire book was the whole reality tv element. It’s not bashing the fun reality tv can be, but instead highlighting both the ridiculousness of it, and the ways in which it can be more toxic for individual people involved. To some degree, this almost limited the actual development of a romance. But I like to look at it as a majority of the book setting a platonic basis with attraction and the actual relationship coming from there.

With a fun plot, characters I feel very passionately about, and a certain degree of unputdownable-ness, NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER is the classic kind of YA book that I love to see from Sophie Gonzales. Chock full of queer characters, character growth, an overarching plot driving tension throughout, and a romance you can root for at the end of the day. I would never get back together with Jordy Miller, but I would get back together with this book.

Maya is living her life after a harrowing break up with her ex Celebrity heart throb Jordy. Maya knows he cheated but Jordy refuses to share Maya’s side of the story. Maya then gets a call from the producer of the show Second Chance Romance where Jordy will be the main main and all of his ex’s will compete in order for a second chance. Maya wants absolutely nothing to do with it until she hates a plan to be the final girl and break Jordy’s heart like he did and make every one know what a lying jerk he is. Jordy has told his ex Skye that Maya is a horrible person and a stalker. Now Skye absolutely wants to destroy Maya after they both have quite the encounter. Now they have to room together and it’s about to get crowded. I absolutely enjoyed this bachelor-Esque plot line! I know it’s not for everyone but I’m here for it. I loved the growth of Maya throughout the book and I loved the plot twist that I was very much surprised and shocked by! But loved.

Everyone needs to pick this up on Nov 29. Thanks again St. Martins Press and Netgalley.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a very easy read, the language is very palatable. It's essentially John Tucker Must Die...but make it queer. If you take it at face value as a romance novel, you'll definitely enjoy it. It's not necessarily mind-blowing and genre-defying but overall it was a good, quick read.

The crux of what you need to know is Jordy Miller is TRASH, basura, etc. He is probably one of the more unlikeable characters I've read in a while and the author does a great job at making him so incredibly unredeemable. I did love the girl power feel this book had, despite them all being on a competitive reality show. The author really covered all aspects of the reality show component; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

So, I felt that Maya and Skye's chemistry was rushed; we never really got to see that "aha!" moment between them and their attraction. On the surface, it could be seen as a proximity and the enemy of my enemy convenience pairing. They are very cute as a couple, but it just felt like it went from 0 to 100 in 20 pages and left a lot to be desired.

Out of all the characters, I probably enjoyed Issac the most because he was down-to-earth and actually likeable. Maya could be annoying at times and very one note, but I could definitely appreciate where she was coming for in her mission to come on the show. Unfortunately, Skye's characterization felt like an afterthought until the last 20% of the book, which is a shame because she had incredible potential.

As for the ending; I appreciated it and the message that love triumphs over hate, but the swerve felt too little, too late and wasn't as gratifying as I thought it was going to be.

Overall, it was a fun read and those who are fans of romance and reality TV like The Bachelor/Bachelorette will eat it up,

Have you ever watched the show "Unreal" and wanted it to be gayer, funnier, and less cringe? Well, this book is for you. I was a late convert to the world of reality television and was dragged along by my Bachelor loving wife. My biggest thought throughout all the seasons was always.... okay, but why are these gorgeous, talented, and smart women pining after the same boring guy? And let me tell you, this book scratched that itch thoroughly.

Beyond satisfying my incessant need for things to be gayer, Sophie Gonzalez perfectly captured the essence and magnetism of misguided enemies to lovers. Let's face it, if you have enough chemistry to thoroughly dislike someone.... attraction usually isn't too far off. Add some hilarious side characters, and you've got yourself a top tier read in my books. Isaac and Perrie are the real MVPs.

I will admit that the one thing that threw me were the ages, I had a hard time relating to 18 somethings, but I finished this in a day so really wasn't a huge issue. I mostly wanted to shake Maya throughout the last few chapters and scream at her to go get her girl.

This book was cute! I love a good sapphic romance with a male character we all despise. This was a fade to black love story, great for readers who might not want all the spice. Summary: Maya and Skye join a reality tv show that is similar to The Bachelor, but in this case the bachelor is their Ex trying to get a second chance. Maya and Skye want revenge , to make him fall in love with one of them so that they can then publicly dump him and humiliate him. They become close friends and then more….
I did enjoy reading the book and think it’s worth the pick up.

I loved the concept of this book! A guy brings a bunch of his ex-girlfriends on a reality dating show to try and restart a romance, but Maya is there for revenge not a second chance. Things get even more interesting when Skye, the girl Jordy cheated on Maya with, and Maya start to have feelings for one another. However I never fully connected with the story. The reality show aspect of the book felt under-explained and it didn’t quite make sense for this to be a YA story instead of an adult book.

There were so many side characters with all of the producers and the other girls who were contestants on the show that it became confusing trying to keep all of them straight. Only one or two actually felt developed. Also, this is a dual POV story and sometimes I would get confused as to whether I was reading from Maya or Skye’s POV.

I did really enjoy the chemistry between Maya and Skye. It was cool how they were both already confident in their sexualities and it wasn’t a coming out or queer realization for either of them.

I think if the concept sounds interesting to you then you should give the book a shot. It’s a quick, breezy read even if it isn’t the most amazing sapphic YA out there.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book.

All thoughts are my own.

I loved this book. It felt a little slow at the beginning but once it kicked off I was hooked.

If you ever wondered what if the girls on the bachelor fell in love, this is a book I would highly recommend picking up.

Also Pierre spin off book when?

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am often finding myself when reading love triangle situations that the two characters that are pining after the same person, should really be together (yes I want to make everything gay, sue me). Sophie Gonzalez did the damn thing. It was full of sweet revenge and publicly sticking it to the man that wasn’t great to either of them. The Taylor swift references also made this extra enjoyable to me <3

I enjoyed the LGBTQ representation in the book and thought the characters were established well.. This is a great book for people who love the whole tv romance drama trop. I think this was a great fun read, I enjoyed it all the way through.
I recommend this for your next read.

After reading If This Gets Out, I knew I needed to devour another Sophie Gonzales book as soon as possible. I was so happy to see that she wrote a novel surrounding one of my other favorite things besides boy bands: reality TV.

Never Ever Getting Back Together draws many comparisons to the Bachelor but in this instance the “competitors” are all exes of Jordy, a wannabe royal with an attitude problem. The two main characters, Maya and Skye, find themselves competing on a reality TV show with a group of girls who were all well developed as side characters and had their own personality.

Much like the actual Bachelor, I found myself frustrated with how the characters fed into the petty drama but also like the Bachelor I wasn’t going to stop tuning in. I needed to know what was going to happen!

Ultimately, I found the love story between Maya and Skye to be incredibly sweet and genuine. As someone who loves a bit of longing and tension, I just wish we got a bit more of Skye’s point of view of falling for Maya before the relationship began. Underneath this drama-filled, romcom there was an important message on how to deal with someone who has wronged you. Is it love or revenge that motivates us more?

I will look forward to reading more from Sophie. In the two books I’ve read of hers so far, I loved how she combined things that are manufactured and surface-level, such as boy bands and reality TV, with authentic relationships and human emotions. It makes for a layered story that is more than meets the eye and quick to consume.

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

I'm a sucker for dating and marriage reality shows. It's probably my go-to favorite kind of show to watch (Netflix gets me.) So of course, this book certainly jumped out at me.

I liked that the story is told from the point of view of the contestants instead of the 'bachelor' (I loved the author's creation of the 'Explorer' label. Definitely cringe worthy.) Maya and Skye deserved better, and definitely deserved the happy ending!

My biggest concern with the story is the age of the participants. Yes, they're 18 (so technically adults), but most reality tv shows make the contestants midtwenties for a reason. It just felt like the teens in this one were trying too hard to be adults, when it would have been more believable to make them 22 or so.

Overall, there was a good plot line, good characterization, and good ideas. I just got hung up with them all being teens.

The message, however, is not lost! Be true to yourself, beware of gaslighting and red flags, and find the people who make you stronger! The LGBTQIA+ representation is well done and much appreciated!

"I suppose when you trust someone not to hurt you, red flags look heart-shaped."

Cute, heartfelt, well written, and interesting. A very easy read and a great book for someone looking for a rom com with quite a few awkward scenarios (not really my cup of tea, but I’m sure it’s someone’s)

Holy crap this book is incredible. I cannot rave about it enough!! It’s incredible plot hooks you immediately and I am such a sucker for an enemies to lovers plot!

Maya and Skye begin their story as mutual exes to minor celebrity Jordy Miller and have not so pleasant ideas of the other. However when they’re forced together on a reality show with all of Jordy’s exes, their relationship and understanding of each other begins to grow. With lovable characters and a completely innovative and hilarious plot, this book is something unlike anything I have ever read.

Anyone who is already a fan of Sophie Gonzalez needs to pick this one up. And anyone who isn’t already a fan, will become one after reading this amazing story!!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for this advanced readers copy of Never Ever Getting Back Together!

I enjoyed this, but it was predictable. I still really enjoyed reading it and plan on purchasing a copy for my daughter, thank you for the opportunity to read it

So imagine "The Bachelor" for teens and you've got this book.
What a great read. I flew through it. The story was really interesting, there were some twists and turns, and the characters were so much fun.
There is so much to enjoy when reading this. And you get a backdoor glimpse of how these reality shows really work. What a treat!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

If you are fan of the Selection. This is the book you didn't know you were waiting for! I loved watching the drama and love unfold. A truly lovely romance for anyone who loves reality TV.