Chloe has just learned her relationship with Jake is over through a box he mailed to her new home in LA. She decided to make this experience into an exhibition of other boxes with objects telling stories of heartbreaks, and that's how she meets Daniel. Daniel hasn't had a relationship yet but he's experienced a heartbreak after the other as all his dates have decided to go back to their exes. For that reason, he doesn't want to date Chloe and turn her into one more that gets away.

Now, this might not be the most unique idea ever, but it's full of heart without going overboard. You won't need a box of tissues for Chloe's journey – she's too determined to let it knock her down. Sure, the breakup affects her, and maybe she's not exactly toughing it out, but she's not moping for a guy who isn't meant to be.

Here's where things get a bit tangled up. I get it, Chloe loves art, wants to be a curator, and is going all-out for her exhibition, even though she's new in town. But we end up with way too many paragraphs describing every little art piece. Compare that to her grandma's cookie subplot (which is a blast, by the way), and it's like they're on opposite ends of a seesaw. The artsy angle is cool at the start, but it drags on too much.

In the end, this book runs super long (no page count in mind, just how it feels) even though it digs into some aspects that other YA stories don't touch on. Chloe kind of gets on your nerves, and the drawn-out descriptions didn't help. Daniel's pretty cool, though. He's not exactly a swoon-worthy character for me, but I dig his journey and how his documentary changes everything – including himself. The side characters are the real stars and carry the show.

In a nutshell, it's a solid pick for a YA read. It doesn't go overboard on the mushy stuff or the drama, and the extra stories mixed in give it some oomph.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. A great debut romcom. It was just what I needed this weekend. It would make a great movie.

I rally wanted to like this more because the diversity was great, and it was a cute idea. But there was so much product placement stuff, and the central relationship really had no reason not to resolve by the halfway point at least, except for Plot Reasons. Probably will work for the teens it's aimed at.

The concept of creating an art exhibit with the remnants of a relationship that is over is so cool. It’s a cute read and I really loved it!

Chloe is a a happy Planner obsessed YouTuber who moves from NY to LA after her grandmother is found in the middle of the street confused. She ruined her ex’s art show and gets dumped via mail. That sucks. She meets a girl from school who’s also been dumped and they form an idea for an art show. Anddddd then it just somehow just becomes an ad for Happy planner with some fake dating, desperation for a boy to like her and determination to put on the best exhibit so she can makeup for ruining her last art show.
Don’t hate me, but the plot is Chloe makes a new art exhibit, and she asks Daniel out, he refuses. Another art exhibit, ask him out again and he refuses. And finally a third and final art exhibit and also briefly like fake dating for a documentary.
Plus the marketing for happy planner with the literal paragraphs on their products just felt so ick to me.
I think that Chloe took feedback well and the art stuff was great. There’s also LGBTQ representation which is always needed.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC. Also the cover is sooo cute!

This is a cute romcom with imperfect characters who continually develop throughout the story. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of budding relationships and friendships and the mix of cute and heavy aspects.

Chloe Chang is the type of person who doesn't back down from an organizational task. When her artist boyfriend unceremoniously dumps her via UPS, she doesn't fall into her rom-com depression era. No, she manages a coming together of fellow dumpees and makes an art exhibit out of the situation. The only problem is that Daniel Kwak is a distracting creative partner who is dead set on not being Chloe's rebound.

This book took me longer than usual to read. Not because it was difficult to get through, but because of all the descriptions of food throughout the book! It inspired me to make a trip to the local Asian market and, sure enough, I managed to find some pineapple cakes. They probably aren't as good as ahma's, but they were enough to help immerse me in the book until the very end.

I loved that Chloe wasn't a wreck. So often the rom-com leads are bumbling, nervous messes with disorganized lives and no real plan. Chloe is an inspiring main character and, even though she does falter at times, she doesn't lean into that tired trope of being a heartbroken mess of a girl with no real plan.

I wish that the author and publisher really did put together a Heartifacts exhibit (with the food mentioned in the book) because I found myself wishing I could walk through the museum and examine it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

This was a fun YA that brought so much creativity and art into the story. I loved the way break-ups became a way to develop the characters and move the story along. This was a bit angsty, but appropriate for the genre, and a sweet romance. I enjoyed this one.

This was such a lighthearted read! Truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and super easy read. I really enjoyed the concept!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley and Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun take on collecting and sharing things from past relationships, especially when it allows for closure. I had never read a book from the perspective of someone who arranges the art gallery and this was such a fun read.

After Chloe gets dumped via a USPS package when she moved from NYC to LA, she develops an art show based on objects from exes, while also developing a relationship with a new friend. I really liked the idea of the art show, but there's only so much you can do with an idea without seeing the actual show. I would have definitely liked to see the show, but got bored of reading about it pretty quickly. The romance is kinda annoying just because they say that they can't be together when they both want to and both think it's a net good. I think this may be for some people, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The discussion around art didn't really seem well informed, and even though Chloe learns that the trap of instagrammable art is toxic, the discourse doesn't seem to get much deeper than surface level.

Easily relatable for the teen... Chloe reminds me of a modern day Tracy Flick... all ambition, planning and drive. She's got a good heart but always making and working from a plan... which is often the antithesis of real life, especially for a teen.

Wow talk about being @ed hard on this one haha, sentimental trinket hoarder right here!!! But loved how fun and goofy this sweet love story was!

There is nothing wrong with this book. It just isn't for me. I think it's more a case of wrong book, wrong time for me on this one. I made it to the 50% back in May and haven't touched it since. I'm just not vibing with it, and it's time to admit defeat.

I absolutely loved this book!! I couldn’t put it down.
I just loved all the characters. I highly recommend this book.

~Artifacts of an Ex Review~
•
4/5
•
I loved the concept of this one, especially the “break up boxes” and it being for fans of Jenny Han. I’m excited to dive in and see what shenanigans go down.
•
Pros:
+we love a list girly because same
+i’m also a sentimental hoarder and would def have little trinkets to submit
+i love when potential love interests share the same hobby!!!!!!
+OMG FILIPINA BESTIE REPRESENTATION WOOO
+i love daniel
+i love museum dates this is SO cute
+there’s just something about a fake dating story that does it for me every single time
+i’m actually OBSESSED. i always get second lead syndrome when i watch kdramas (i’m looking at you true beauty) so the fact that daniels whole thing is “the kind guy who makes people realize they want to get back together with their ex” is so good.
+drag queens!!
+chloe taking the initiative is such a slay
+peter and lj reference
+i wish i could actually see and feel and witness all of this art
+i also love the grandmother so much
+love<3
•
Cons:
-okay so i don’t like that he keeps saying “let’s just be friends” and she keeps not listening to him. you’ve got to respect his boundaries and let him make the next move imo and not keep pushing it.
•
okay i had SO much fun with this one! i’ve been in such a huge post grad book slump and this was exactly what i needed to pull me out of it. wednesday books never disappoints and i will definitely be looking out for future books by this author!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Artifacts of An Ex. It was a cute teenage tale of heartbreak, finding love again, and art. Looking forward to reading the next books Jennifer Chen writes.

I cannot express how much I loved this book! It was fun and engaging and funny and sweet. I love how it weaves family and friendships and love and heartbreak into a well-crafted story that resonated with me as a NYC-to-LA transplant, as well as as a daughter, friend, etc.
A must read for teens and adults! 10/10, perfect, no notes!

DNF at 39% This book just wasn't for me.

I really wanted to like this book. Cute cover, the concept was interesting but I just couldn't even force myself to read beyond this point. The plot and the writing felt really awkward and cringy. I was grating my teeth bc it was extremely immature even for YA and the characters lacked depth. Nothing was working for me. Maybe I am just not the right audience for this book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the gifted arc.
20 likes

I was intrigued as the concept was so original and the story was fun, cute and quick. I enjoyed the characters and the friendships and looking back and turning a negative into a positive and growing... positive messages for such a light book. Well written. I'm glad I read it