A great second novel from Amy Lea. Exes and O’s was a delight to read. Funny, warm and charming. Will definitely be stocking this in the store when it comes out!

3.5 stars

Romance lover Tara Chen has had her heart broken ten times by ten different men, but Tara is still set on finding "The One". She goes on a quest for second-chance romance and seeks out each of her exes to see if the spark is still there. Her skeptical roommate, Boston firefighter Trevor Metcalfe, helps Tara along the way, even though he's sworn off romance himself.

Overall I enjoyed this book but it didn't seem to have the same spark as the first one. I think the main female character here was so unrelatable to me that it affected my enjoyment. Tara was a self-professed "stage five clinger" and she never realized that her needy tendencies were scaring people off. Trevor even told her that she came on too strong sometimes, but the takeaway from these scenes seemed to be "accept yourself for who you are", but that leaves out the self-reflection needed to rein it in a bit. I guess I just don't agree that being clingy is an acceptable personality trait.

What I did enjoy was the slow burn. It took a super long time for Tara and Trevor to get together, so this is definitely a slow burn done right. I do think that Trevor could've confessed his feelings a lot sooner, since he knew that Tara was all about romance and grand gestures, but he seemed to have a few things to work through, so I guess that makes sense. I didn't like that Trevor was kind of a player, but his main redeeming quality is that he accepted Tara for who she is. I hope we get Mel's book next!

I LOVED this book and it made me feel SEEN as a Bookstagrammer. I felt like I was reading about my own life at some parts. I loved the dynamic between Trevor and Tara. The relationship between them and the progression into something more was so effortless and easy to fall in love with while reading.

I can’t wait to read more books by this author for sure now!

This is the sequel to “Set on You” and follows Crystal's book blogger and die hard romance fan sister, Tara. After being unlucky in love, she moves in with firefighter and Scott's (Crystal's fiancé’s) best friend, Trevor. Tara is set on finding love and what better way that going through your exes, as they've already been 'tried and tested', Trevor is roped in and naturally sparks begin to fly.

I loved this book, Tara's character and her optimistic outlook on love is so sweet and naturally the way in which Trevor champions this is so dreamy. I honestly loved the character development and enjoyed the way in which Trevor was roped into all the schemes. I just wish this book was dual POV, I would have loved to have seen Trevor's POV on so many of the interactions. I really enjoy dual POV romances, so I sometimes find single POV lacking. I loved how vulnerable Tara is throughout and the mushier side we get to see of the normally stoic Trevor. I immediately fell in love with Tara and Trevor’s friendship, from their very first conversation on opposite sides of the bathroom door. Their sarcastic banter and constant back and forth had me laughing out loud throughout. I loved watching their relationship develop, how quickly they picked up on each other’s quirky habits and became familiar with each other. Like Trevor always buying Tara a packet of Cheetos, or asking about the book she was currently reading; and Tara slowly learning about his past and Angie. The buildup was driving me absolutely insane. There are so many moments in this book where it’s so obvious to me that Trevor has feelings for Tara and when he finally decided to woo her, it was steamy! Their chemistry is off the charts and what Trevor does in the epilogue had me swooning! This book is full of lots of pining, nods to bookstagram and book review life, pining, and holy mother of slow burn tension. It reminded me a lot of the film "What's your number," having Tara track down all her ex boyfriends in an effort to find a date to a gala but falling for her roommate Trevor, who helps her instead. I can’t wait to read Mel’s story in “The Catch” and to catch up with Crystal and Scott and Tara and Trevor. Thanks to Amy Lea, Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for my thoughts.

Amy Lea’s books are so wonderful! I absolutely loved her last one and was so excited to read this one. Definitely recommend this fun romance!

Thank you Amy Lea, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending me an ARC of this book.

When there is a second book in a series or when books are interconnected, you can't help but have high expectations, especially when you loved the first book. And Exes and O's did not disappoint; it was amazing. To see Tara's evolution little by little was top tier; and to Trevor opening up made me happy haha. And I LOVED how Tara was a book influencer just like us. Also, Grandma Flo is the best side character <3

Have you ever heard of the expression ‘’the girls who get it, get it, the girls who don’t… don’t’’? That was me with Exes and O’s. It breaks my heart, but I didn’t get it.

I liked it, yes, because I love Amy’s writing and I loved Tara. I wanted to protect her from everyone who dared to make her feel like too much (so, literally everyone in the book), and I loved that she was so open and fierce about her feelings. She was independent and wanted love in her life and never tried to hide that part of herself. She was also hilarious as a bookstagrammer and I think all of us who own bookstagram accounts to can relate to her tendencies of thinking about tropes in our real lives as well, LOL!

When I say I didn’t get it, I mean the romance. I really didn’t vibe with Trevor at all. This girl is constantly telling you how much she wants a connection with someone else. I could have understood his reticence if she was completely closed off and never communicated her feelings, but Tara was basically screaming it. So… if you had feelings for her… since the beginning… why didn’t you say something? I understand that he had lots of issues, but again, it’s not like Tara was a closed book. The exes experiment dragged for too long, and the slowburn was tooooo slow. I did love the epilogue, but Tara deserved better in my opinion. Trevor was also too much of a playboy for my liking, but that’s on me.

TW: Emotional abuse, gaslight, death of a loved one.

Rating: 3/5
Steam level: Open door, 1-2 scenes, high level of detail.

Thanks to PRH International, Berkley and NetGalley for my ARC. Opinions are my own!

As all romance readers know, forced proximity always leads to love, and the story of Tara and Trevor is no exception. Watching their friendship blossom into something more was a delight! A super fun read!

This book is such a warm hug. I loved Tara's personality and how she never gives up. I loved getting to know Trevor little by little and the relationship they had. It is a great follow up to her debut novel.

This roommates-to-lovers story is a delightful read. There's enough sex to make a reader's heart rate go up, but not enough to land in either the erotica or the bodice-ripper categories. The hero's body is glorious, and his personality strong. In fact, I found him more engaging than the heroine, who is described as a romance book addict but doesn't seem to spend time reading. Her occasional outbursts ring a little false, although they do fit her character description of a woman with an "authentic, dramatic self."
It takes a while to ramp up to the first kiss, much less more physicality, and the wait creates a delightful tension. I had a hard time putting this one down.

This book was everything customers are looking for in a romantic comedy! I laughed out loud so many times and absolutely wish I could see the Flynn Ryder costume in person! Great character development, pacing, and super witty contemporary romance! Loved the tie in with bookstagram and all the fun trope discussions as well!

Very cute follow up/same world as Set on You! Tara is a romance bookstagrammer who wants to find love so she goes back through her list of exes. Just as she is moving in with hot, flirty, noncommittal firefighter, Trevor.

The tropes were heavy BUT self-aware which helps. Loved the character being a bookstagrammer :)

Getting a rom-com that's actually billed as such can be a mixed bag, but Lea's follow-up to Set on You (which I admittedly will need to go back and read now!) is exactly what it says on the label — a hilarious story that draws you in from the beginning and keeps you there with its charming presence. This was actually one of those times where I didn't necessarily mind it only being single POV, since Tara made for such an enjoyable heroine to follow along with and it actually made a lot of sense to keep Trevor's perspective on things more of a secret until he found himself ready to open up to her. This was my first Amy Lea romance, but it won't be the last!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you PRH International for the free book!

This book was so much fun! Exes And O's is the perfect feel-good novel! It is also heartwarming and swoony and I could see so much of myself in Tara, a bookloving "die-hard, emotional romantic," as her sister describes her.

Disappointed by her past love affairs and painted as the clingy "crazy ex-girlfriend" by her latest ex Tara is still a big believer in happily ever afters. Determined to find her own HEA she decides to track down all ten of her ex-boyfriends and enlists her new roommate Trevor, a Boston fire fighter and the best friend of her sister's fiance, to help her. Trevor isn't into relationships, at all, but agrees to be Tara's wingman and the two become good friends in the process. Best friends forever?

I consider myself extremely privileged to have read this book early, since this is certainly one of the best books of the year - or, technically, next year, since it will be published in January 2023. And I already know I'm going to buy a physical copy of this wonderful book when it comes out because I need to add it to my (alphabetized!) collection.❤

EXES AND O's by Amy Lea is a heart-warming love letter to romance novels. No, scratch that. It's a love letter to romance, and romantics everywhere.

Facing the idea of a Valentine's Day alone, Tara - avid romance reader and romantic at heart - decides to apply the "second chance" trope IRL to re-connect with all of her exes, with unpredictable results.

Tara wants her second-chance romance after a broken engagement so she decides to reach out to all of her single exes. Helping her on this quest for love is her roommate, and the best friend to Scott (Tara’s soon to be brother in law), Trevor Metcalfe. Trevor is a hot fireman who is content with casual hookups and has emotional baggage that makes it hard for him to open up to people. As Tara and Trevor are working together on this Ex list, they become close friends and Tara starts to realize she is in love with her roommate. Is it worth the risk to act on her feelings toward Trevor?
I loved this book. As someone who is half Asian, I am always so excited when I find a book with a character who I can relate to. Leah created such a fun story that had some spice. I think that anyone looking for a fun romance read should give Set on You (book 1) and Exes and O’s a try!

Exes and O's is my first book by author Amy Lea. I really enjoyed the story and characters connection!

Tara is at the end of another relationship and finds herself moving into a place with a hot firefighter as a roommate. Tara is a 30 year old nurse and Trevor (the firefighter) is 5 years younger than her but it doesn’t read that way; you’d say Tara is the younger of the two.

Tara is a romance reader and second chance romance is her favourite trope, so she sets out to reconnect with all of her exes to find that second chance romance. But with Trevor on the scene, we all knew where this was going.

I can't wait to read more from this author.

Amy Lea does it again!!!!!!! I SERIOUSLY CANNOT SAY IT LOUD ENOUGH. This freaking book was so cute, and the ending made me happy cry.

This is one fantastic RomCom that you won’t want to miss out on!!

Tara’s sister is getting married which means it’s time for her to move out and find a new place to stay. Lucky for her, her future brother-in-law offers up his apartment, that comes with his roommate, and she takes him up on that offer!

What she wasn’t expecting was to walk in on said roommate, Trevor, in a compromising position with a woman on the kitchen table, on the day of her move in… OOOOOF. Or for him to be smoking hot?!? What a Fun start to this new adventure 🤣

After getting over that hump, Tara is set on her new goal of having a REAL LIFE second chance romance. She makes a list of all her exes, and decides to revisit them to see if one of them could be the perfect choice for her. What’s even better is that she could get a date out of it to her Valentine’s Day gala at work (where her terrible satan of an ex works at as well)!! Win win, right?! She enlists Trevor to help her along the way because she may or may not be a little much when it comes to her feelings and wants help to tone it back, and they are now sort of besties?! What makes this even more fun is that Tara is a bookstagrammer/booktoker, so she is documenting this entire journey on her Instagram for her followers to help vote and such!

This entire story was such a wild, fun ride. I seriously loved the entire concept. There were so many swoony moments, moments that made my heart hurt, where I felt emotional and overall it was a perfect combination of ALL THE FEELS. I was cheering Tara on throughout her entire journey, and was so proud of her at the end.

Tara is so adorable and sweet, and Trevor oh my god. He’s a fine specimen who happens to be ripped (naturally because he’s a firefighter 😮‍💨) and tatted. AHHHH.

Tropes:
Roommates to lovers
Friends to lovers
Playboy MMC
Book-loving influencer FMC
HOT TUB ✨SCENE✨

3.5 stars rounded off

I admired Tara's ability to defend her own interests, be true to herself, and continue to show her compassion for others. It was amazing to watch her find true love with someone who could accept her for who she is and love her for it. Simply said, I adored this tale! The characters were hilarious and easily understood.

Grandma Flo makes several appearances, including on Tara's Instagram Live; adorable Angie gives the reader new insight into Trevor's character; and Crystal and friend Mel occasionally appear (metaphorically) as the angel and the devil on Tara's shoulder. All of these supporting characters add to the charm of this book.

I swooned over this book and absolutely adored it!

I just absolutely loved this story! The characters were so fun and relatable and omg the swoooooooon

Definitely will be picking up Amy's other title asap!