3,5 stars

This was an addictive and fun read, about two girls who are opposites in many ways. This is not a coming-out story, these girls are very sure about their queer identities, but insecure about everything else. Maya is impulsive, daring and full of contradictions. I didn't agree with most of her choices, but had fun reading about her. However, I loved Skye from the very first page, and I wanted to protect her from the mess around her.

The romance is cute, an opposites attract, kind of enemies-to-lovers trope, with a sudden change in their relationship towards the middle of the book.

I didn't like how the friendship between Perri and Maya was left aside when the romance starts, since I thought their relationship gave a good balance to the story.

Jordy is an easy-to-hate villain, a little cartoonish, but it works with the reality TV plotline. It's actually fun to read about the behind-the-scenes of a reality show, how fake everything (and everyone) is, the re-takes and the "plot" devices.

Is it the best book I've read? No, but I had a great time with this queer romcom.

I adored this book! Maya's ex-boyfriend cheated on her and now he wants her to come on a reality dating show to try and win him back. Who does he think he is?!

Reluctantly, she is talked into doing the show, along with a bunch of his other exes and they're all whisked away to a mansion to start filming. There are some fights, some gossip, and some big misunderstandings among the girls. The producers try to play it up, which backfires in the end, as Maya and one of Jordy's other ex-girlfriends fall for each other.

This book was funny but also sweet and tender at times. I couldn't get enough of Skye and Maya, and loved to loathe Jordy! So if you haven't read this one yet, get it onto your TBR list!

apparently the only romances I read these days are fake reality show dating romances

In this one, two girls (Maya and Skye) go on a bachelor type show to re-date their ex (jordy) who is a complete and utter tool. They end up falling in love with each other instead and plot a revenge scheme to take him down


This was laugh out loud funny at times and made me smile the whole time I was reading it

I’ve seen others mention they wish it wasn’t YA, that the characters didn’t seem like 18yos, that they seem like more in their 20s and I agree! If she’s gonna have them drink and have sex and be messy, just age them up and make it an adult romance instead

I still thought this was fun and I’m glad to finally have knocked it off my tbr.

apparently the only romances I read these days are fake reality show dating romances

In this one, two girls (Maya and Skye) go on a bachelor type show to re-date their ex (jordy) who is a complete and utter tool. They end up falling in love with each other instead and plot a revenge scheme to take him down


This was laugh out loud funny at times and made me smile the whole time I was reading it

I’ve seen others mention they wish it wasn’t YA, that the characters didn’t seem like 18yos, that they seem like more in their 20s and I agree! If she’s gonna have them drink and have sex and be messy, just age them up and make it an adult romance instead

I still thought this was fun and I’m glad to finally have knocked it off my tbr.

I mean, when Sophie Gonzalez writes a book with a Taylor Swift reference title, I’m going to read it. Especially if it’s sapphic.

I picked this book out as the soundtrack for a road trip Brit and I took together last month - she’s been getting more into audiobooks and we both love reality TV so it worked really well for us!

For the most part, I liked it. It was an entertaining premise and had some pretty funny lines. I thought the two main characters were well-developed by YA standards and were written in a way that made them relatable to both teens and adults.

But I don’t think I recommend this book, unfortunately.

I think I’m realizing that I’m just not a fan of romances set on reality TV shows. It’s hard to make them feel believable and also I know enough about how reality shows are filmed that I spend too much time picking apart what would never happen. That’s not the fault of this book, but definitely does impact my review of it.

(Brit fell asleep for part of the drive back so I finished it on my own. That may say something about how engaging it is?)

Honestly the main feedback I have about this book is it would have been way more natural with characters in their mid- to late-twenties. Having barely legal kids (I use that word intentionally) drinking this much and plotting revenge and being on TV makes me pretty uncomfy.

If you’re looking for a queer romance set in the reality TV world, I’ll always recommend The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun or Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly. I think those would be a much more enjoyable read for you.

I don’t read much YA but I will make still make time for books by Gonzalez, though, because her writing is fun and storylines enjoyable!

I enjoyed this one a lot! I didn't see the twist coming of the two FMC's getting together but I love that they did and they both used each other to gang up on the MC. (Names are escaping me right now!) And I really loved how one was trying to convince the other that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you get back at someone because the only one who's still hurting is yourself. Solid read and very much enjoyed!

What's not to love about a story where the exes of a guy who is a bit of a jerk but happens to be a royal are gathered together for another chance at falling for his Highness, only to have two of the fair maidens fall for each other instead? Well, as it turns out, a few things.

I'm all for two ladies deciding they'd rather be together than with a jerk. I'm also all in for them banding together to make him suffer at the same time. BUT, I was kinda annoyed to have one of our main characters defend her lack of education by saying that it's OK that she uses the wrong their, there, or they're and similar examples that show her "lack of college degree." ::sigh:: I don't think you need higher education to use correct grammar. I also don't think that people can't better themselves or should just resign themselves to where they land at the moment. Her solution? College, and then shoving it in his face. It just was a bit too icky for me. None of the characters were anything worth being invested in, honestly, and that killed the plot for me. I had no one I really wanted to have a happy ending of any kind. So, it was just ok for me. I know some people love the Taylor Swift vibes, and if that sustains you through this romp, then that's fantastic, but it didn't do it for me.

Did not finish, and it was my mistake that I didn’t realize this is YA! I know if I were a teen I would have devoured this book it felt really young for me personally. I think the writing was able to stand on its own though and is still worth giving a shot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED this. A fun mix of rom-com and reality TV, this book was an enjoyable, messy, romantic romp from start to finish. The characters pull you in with their interesting personalities and dry wit from the first page, and the villain, Jordy, was so much fun to hate. Everything in this book draws a reader to the point where I finished this book in one sitting! Overall, this book was excellent, and I really liked it. 5/5 stars from me.

Sophie. Gonzales. Never. Misses.

Never Ever Getting Back Together was so much fun! I flew through this book and loved just about every second of it. Maya is so well rounded and loved seeing her interactions and growth over the course of the story.

Dual POV, basically like the bachelor but all the contestants are your exes and ope, they realized you're manipulative.
This was cute though! Maya is great and so unsuspecting but she comes around. I love bachelor type books so it was nice to finally read one with a twist!

3.5 stars, rounded down.

I was very excited about this because I had heard such great things. Maybe I went in with my hopes too high because I was rather disappointed by it. It was definitely enjoyable, but I was wanting more.

I also didn't connect with any of the characters and honestly found the two MCs rather off putting. All of the characters were just so petty, immature, and slut shammed one another that it was hard to read at time.

I also just didn't find the relationship between Jody and Skye believable, it felt rather forced.

I was expecting a fun light rom-com and it ended up being way too drama filled for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't my favorite. While I love a good TV-romance based book, I found this one slow moving - although I enjoyed the plot twist! I genuinely didn't see it coming!

I love a good ode to the Bachelor franchise with a clever twist! This was a fun read with a clever spin off of the traditional narrative.

🤴 I loved how testable the author made the villian in this story. Jordy is something else. I hated him from the beginning and even when he opened up a little, I still hated him. Lol.

🛶 I liked Maya and Skye as characters along with all the other show contestants. It might be fun to know their the story from their point of view. It was probably just me and my mom brain but I kept getting Skye and Maya mixed up. Their back stories.

👩‍❤️‍👩 I didn't love how Maya and Perrie were close at the beginning and it actually seemed to have developed into a good friendship but it seems to dissipate pretty quickly. I get that Maya and Skye were the focus but it just seemed unnecessary to flutter Perrie away.

I really enjoyed this book.

It was fun to watch the plotting of Maya and the relationship building between her and Skye. And oh my goodness that "man" was not worth the trouble. This was a fun read and i enjoyed having a kind of backstage feel to the book. Learning about how the show runs.

I usually loooooove Sophie's books but I can't suspend my belief enough to enjoy this book.

It's a second-chance dating show for 18-20 year olds? He has 5 (or 6?) exes that he had deep, meaningful relationships with (well, and a one-night stand), and now they're all trying to win him back?

If this was an adult book and our characters were aged 24-26 or 28-30, this would be fantastic! But I can't believe these girls who dated this loser when they were 15/16 would be into a TV show to win him back. The entire thing sounds stupid. And I know what you're thinking "Then why did you pick up the book?" Because I didn't realize they were all babies. I thought this was going to be people in their 20's, not a fresh out of high school girl who hasn't seen this guy for two years.

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Sophie Gonzales is a captivating and refreshing LGBTQ+ romance that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Maya and Skye, two eighteen-year-old girls who were once involved with the same deceitful ex-boyfriend, find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other while participating in a reality dating show. With its engaging storyline and well-drawn characters, this novel explores themes of love, betrayal, and self-discovery.

Author Sophie Gonzales masterfully crafts a tale of personal growth and unexpected connections. Maya, determined to seek revenge on her ex-boyfriend for his past actions, is initially driven by anger and a desire to expose his true nature. Skye, on the other hand, finds herself caught in a web of confusion and unanswered questions, longing to understand why their relationship abruptly ended. As the story unfolds, both characters are challenged to confront their own insecurities and reassess their priorities.

The setting of the reality dating show adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. The mansion and the competitive atmosphere provide a backdrop for Maya and Skye to navigate their complex emotions while also confronting their shared past with Jordy. The presence of other exes in the competition creates tension and adds an element of unpredictability to the story.

Gonzales skillfully develops the relationship between Maya and Skye, allowing it to evolve naturally and authentically. Their connection goes beyond a simple romantic attraction; it becomes a source of support, understanding, and empowerment. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable, and their emotional journey is heartfelt and satisfying.

One of the strengths of "Never Ever Getting Back Together" lies in its exploration of LGBTQ+ themes and relationships. The novel provides representation and showcases the complexities and joys of same-sex love. Gonzales handles these themes with sensitivity and authenticity, creating a story that resonates with readers and celebrates diverse experiences.

Overall, "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a compelling and captivating read that beautifully captures the complexities of love, trust, and self-discovery. Sophie Gonzales delivers a heartfelt LGBTQ+ romance filled with relatable characters, unexpected twists, and a satisfying conclusion. This novel is a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit, leaving readers rooting for Maya and Skye's happiness long after the final page.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Overall Rating: 4/5

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Sophie Gonzales is a captivating YA contemporary second chance romance centered around 18-year-olds. The book explores the intriguing premise of two girls falling in love while participating in a reality TV dating show. Personally, I found the story line to be quite enjoyable, especially as a fan of reality TV dating shows myself.

However, one aspect that didn't quite sit well with me was how young the characters were portrayed in the book. Realistically, if their ages had been slightly adjusted, it would have made more sense and added to the overall believability of the story. The narrators did a fantastic job, but their voices sounded more like those of grown women in their twenties or thirties rather than the 18 or 19-year-olds depicted in the book. This discrepancy took away some of the authenticity for me.

Despite this minor issue, I must say that "Never Ever Getting Back Together" was a genuinely good book. One aspect I truly appreciated was how the female characters empowered and supported one another, steering clear of gossip and unnecessary drama. This uplifting dynamic added depth to the story and made for a refreshing reading experience.

Obviously, I requested this book because of the Taylor Swift reference in the title. It turned out to be a cute YA/ New Adult rom-com where it seems like you could be set up for a 2nd chance romance, only to have things switched up and instead get a forced proximity, sapphic enemies to lovers story.
Set on a new reality dating show, this royalty-adjacent manchild named Jordy brings back a half dozen of his "exes" to see about reuniting with one of them. Except some of them aren't even exes, because I think Jordy was only like, 21? 22? They were asking back his high school girlfriends. For me, the ages didn't work the best with this setup. However, ignoring that, Jordy was an absolute twatwaffle who deserves to end up alone. SO, obviously some of his exes hate him and are looking for revenge. Cut to, Maya, who he cheated on and then gaslit. Skye is also on the show, and she is the girl who was the "other woman" in their scenario. After initially hating each other and each getting half of the other contestants on their side in a poolside feud, they learn that keeping their enemies closer would work better and instead plan revenge. And by keeping their enemies closer, they eventually mean in bed. Obviously!
Given the target audience, there is really no spice. Everything is closed door. But it is rather sweet and heartfelt. While not my favorite YA rom-com of the past year, I enjoyed all of the Swift references and the LGBTQ rep in this story. I would certainly read more by the author as I enjoyed her writing style. All in all, I would give this 3.5 stars and rounded up.