This seemed like it would be a fairly light rom-com, but ended up being deeper and delving into issues around family, abuse, bullying, and acceptance. I enjoyed the change up and felt like this a nice read.

The story is told in dual POV, so we really get to see both character's mindsets and their struggles. I was happy to see Emma and Caleb be forced together and slowly start to work on their relationship. There are also some great side characters, especially Juliet, who is incredibly sweet and loveable.

Great sophomore book from Woody and I'll definitely be going back to check out their debut after this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the copy.

Two Bi ex-best friends with the same crush on the same girl decide to enter into a competition to win her heart... but might be falling for each other instead! Emma and Caleb were best friends since middle school, always getting into trouble and being polar opposites. Yet when they finally have a falling out and they both realize that they are both falling for the same new girl, Juliet, Emma proposes a competition: whoever can get Juliet to kiss them first wins and the opposite person has to bow out with the promise to never talk to Juliet again. Yet things take a turn when Juliet is interested in hanging out with both of them and Emma and Caleb begin spend more time together... and opening their hearts up to one another again. This was an okay read for me, I really was hoping for a bit more and I was hoping I would be abesolutely in love with it because who doesn't love a messy bi romance filled with drama?? The premise sounds like a blast but the story just felt okay to me. I didn't particularly care all that much for Emma and Caleb and there wasn't that much of a character development. Overall, it's an okay read.

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

It was a fabulous YA surprise that was more enjoyable than I expected.

This would be my first Woody novel, and normally I don’t read YA. Some folks would call me a snob for how many YA I pass over. This book though has high school seniors, folks about to be considered adults and with everything both Caleb and Emma have gone through they’ve experienced a lot of adult bs… but I digress. Let’s rewind.

We have two people who were once friends and are now enemies, Caleb and Emma. Caleb is this geeky, lanky teddy bear. He’s got a lot of issues, internal and external anxiety, fear of germs, Type-A, and has trouble finding folks to connect with. Emma is the polar opposite. She’s brash, loud, unapologetic, the take-no-prisoners-give-no-F’s kind of girl. She’s also from an abusive home and tends to exude chaos in everything she does. Once upon a time, these two were forever besties until Emma ditched Caleb. Until the day they both step up to help the new girl in school.

So, these characters are rough in the sense they are so real and made my heart hurt. I remember the moods, the challenges, the overwhelming feelings where you’re searching for belonging and can’t find it. Woody puts all of that into this story, and it was like being right back in high school. Though on the flip side, I found myself screaming at these kids, wishing they would pull their heads out of their butts and talk to each other a bit more openly. A couple of times, I got so frustrated that I had to walk away from the book and come back later.

What else makes it good? This mishmash of queer representation flows naturally in the story and shows how different folks are often not-so-different than we thought and that first impressions can be misleading. This has found family present and makes me so happy whenever I see it in a book.

Overall, this was a surprising read for me in the middle of summer and I found myself getting all back in my feels like I was back in high school again. If you want to see queer representation, chaos muppet versus perfectionist, and a competition where everyone wins this is the book for you. For readers who enjoy Casey McQuiston.

~ Landra

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

I have to admit that I thought the main character was Juliet in the middle because... duh they're in the middle. I guess I didn't look at the author name when I requested this story. I was pleasantly surprised though by this book! I was dragging my feet about reading it but Caleb and Emma were so much fun! They had hilarious banter and I do not fault Emma for falling for him so hard because, let's be honest, who wouldn't? 6'4 with blue eyes and he's a softie??? Say less. Emma was a bit hard to like at first because of her brash attitude and the way she would always come in swinging but I think she had a lot of character growth in this story. She owned up to her own faults with her sister Brooke (who also owned up to what she said to Emma when they fought) and finally held her ground against her mother. I also LOVED Juliet to death. They were a great character with so many funny lines. I genuinely enjoyed them as a person and although I was worried that they'd be hurt by Caleb and Emma's plan, I was glad that she realized the whole time what they were doing! The reveal/confession Caleb and Emma gave her was really funny and I enjoyed how even though it was a horrible thing to do, Juliet also swindled them into figuring out they really liked each other and not Juliet the whole time. Overall a really great story that touched on a lot of important things. I highly recommend this story!

Synopsis: Emma has been a thorn in Caleb’s side since middle school. Having tarnished their friendship in eighth grade, she’s now little more to him than an unkempt, unruly, disastrous bisexual mess. Over the years, she’s gotten in the way of every romantic relationship he’s attempted to settle into, using little more than mischievous charisma to lure them into her clutches.

To Emma, Caleb sets the record for World’s Largest Stick in the Mud. Uptight, unbearably tidy, and a rule-follower, he’s exactly the kind of boring person her mother wishes she was. When she discovers they’re both after Juliet, the new girl, Emma proposes a competition to nudge him out of the way. Whoever can get Juliet to kiss them first wins, and the opposition must bow out with the promise of never talking to her again.

But plans go awry when Juliet seems mostly interested in hanging out with both of them together. Emma and Caleb just have to figure out whether winning Juliet’s heart is worth the torment of constantly dealing with each other, and the risk of reopening wounds from a past they thought they had left behind.

Review: I absolutely adored this book. Chaotic bisexuals? Sign me up. Exes both interested in the same girl? Sign me up twice. I loved this book so much. I laughed, I teared up, I laughed some more. I absolutely loved the banter between Caleb and Emma, loved the friendships throughout the book. Cannot recommend this book highly enough.

5/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the eARC of this book. All thoughts are my own. I ADORED this book. Literally had me screaming, crying, and laughing along the whole time. I binged this in less than 24 hours, that's how good it was! I felt like the author did a fantastic job setting up the characters and how we got to know them as the story progressed. I also loved the side characters, and just the general amount of representation in this book! It's also so refreshing to see the real life issues queer kids struggle with on a daily basis. No, these issues aren't pretty, but they still need to be talked about and addressed. I definitely recommend this queer romance, and will probably end up getting a physical copy for myself! 🫣

Ok first off I'm sorry this review is late, and for the lack of reviews on my other ARCs. I do intend to read those books, I just haven't gotten around to them yet because of a combination of a reading slump, a new job, and being overwhelmed by ARCs in general.

Alright enough of that, on with the review!

First off, shout-out to this book for getting me out of a two month reading slump! Like holy heck this sucker was good!
The romance was really sweet and well done, the characters were great and lovable, I really enjoyed watching their friendship thrive. Also I just wanted to give all the kids in this book a hug and tell them everything will be ok. Like major trigger warning if you're at all sensitive to emotional abuse because it is a major aspect of this book
The only reason this book is getting a four star instead of a five is because I really wanted this to end in a throuple. Was kinda hoping that not gonna lie. But hey, we got a really strong romance between our main leads instead so I feel that makes up for it. Also I really wish that the sibling relationship between Emma and Brooke was just a teensy bit more fleshed out of explored a little bit more but hey, that wasn't really the point of the book so no biggie. Overall, solid 4 stars. Highly recommend it you're in a reading slump. Also I definitely plan on checking out Woody's other book. Just throwing that out there.

Thank you to Net Galley and Coming Viking Books For Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

I have mixed feelings about this book. At times it was so slow, I felt like putting it down. However, having main characters dealing with being unhoused while others reveal sexual orientations that are outside the typical lesbian, gay or bi character was nice.

Caleb and Emma were inseparable, until they suddenly didn't talk anymore. When the new student, Juliet, catches both of their eyes, that all changes. The two ex-best friends are forced to spend time together as they attempt to woo their beautiful new friend and they begin to wonder if Juliet is really what they want after all.
This book is a cute YA romance, and it's full of LGBTQIA+ rep, which was amazing and well-written. The budding romance is very sweet, but I actually enjoyed the found family aspect more. Amidst the teenage angst, awful friends and worse parents, this group of friends comes together and finds love and acceptance. It was a healing journey for a few of them, and it was beautiful to read. I loved watching Caleb and Emma reconnect, and find a way to heal together. Even as they bickered, their care for each other came through in every interaction.
It was so nice to see a sweet story about queer youth and I'm glad stories like this one are becoming more popular. This book heavily celebrates friendship, as well, not just the romance also taking place on the page. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I can't wait to see what else the author has up their sleeves.

Well, I got to the end. I almost DNFed multiple times but I powered through.

There were a lot of things that irked me in this book. For one thing, there is a... plot twist, let's say, that I was afraid was coming, and it sure did. I think my biggest problem was that every single one of these characters felt like stock characters who never really got developed into whole people. This book tries to mix serious topics with comic relief, and while I do think that some of the themes are important to discuss, I didn't feel that they were handled in a nuanced way. The friends were supportive but otherwise uncharming, while the antagonists were almost cartoonishly evil. The humor was a total miss for me. There is also a non-graphic intimate scene in here that made me cringe so hard I had to skim ahead. It felt so wildly out of place with the tone of the rest of the book. Then again, the tone was all over the place. Lastly, in the early edition I read, the flashback scenes are in 3rd person past tense, while the rest of the book is in first person present. WHY. It jarred me out of the story every single time.

That said, there was a scene in here that was so kind and lovely that it made me cry. While the central romance plot did very little for me, the way that this book acknowledges that parents aren't always reliable, loving, stable, or even safe made me feel many feelings. Perhaps it's that I know so many people who have painful relationships with their parents to the point that they have had to cut them out of their lives. Emma's relationship with her mom and sister really brought some things up for me.

Tl;dr, this book didn't work for me, but it may contain some acknowledgement that will make some readers feel seen, and if bubblewrapping those moments in rom com mayhem is how that message finds its audience, great. This was a real roller coaster for me, obviously. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this as an ARC. My rambling ambivalence is my own.

Caleb and Emma are ex-best friends. They went from spending every moment of their lives together to never speaking. When they both end up crushing on the new kid, Juliet, they decide to compete for her affections. But it backfires majorly when all their interactions cause old feelings to stir up again and things end up in a totally different place than they expected.

There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book, the number one thing being the representation. It's just so nice to see all kinds of queerness represented in a book and see everyone be accepted for exactly who they are. I also loved the friendships and the relationship Caleb's mom had with Caleb and Emma. This book tackles a lot of different parental relationships, and I loved that these two had at least one adult who loved them unconditionally.

With that said, it did take me a while to get into the story. At first, it felt like the writing was trying to hard and it took a bit of time for it to really find its stride. But a few chapters in, it felt like things settled and I started enjoying the story. I think it just felt a little off to me because the characters felt stereotypical in a way. Like Juliet felt like a typical rom-com lead. She was bubbly, clumsy, self-deprecating and a bit of a loner with a heart of gold. Emma and Caleb were just complete opposites who fit into the mold of a grumpy/sunshine pairing. It felt like they were lacking substance at first, but once they started interacting more with each other, it got a lot better for me.

Overall, I did like this book and though it didn't quite hit the same level as They Hate Each Other did, it's still a fun rom-com that touches on some heavy topics but doesn't delve too deep into the darkness. I enjoyed this opposites attract, ex-best friends to lovers story and I look forward to what the author writes next!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguinteen for the e-arc!
This is such a perfect option for a summer romance read! Two friends, Emma and Caleb, have had a tumultuous friendship. When they both develop a crush on the same girl, Julie, a competition for her heart springs up. However, things take a bit of a twist when Julie seems to be more interested in hanging out with both of them.
This was a super cute story about friendship and love! Romantic triangles can be very hit or mess and I think this was done very well with keeping the characters connected without overdoing it. I feel like I could definitely see a teenager reading the story and feeling very connected to Emma and Caleb's story. Both of them are struggling with their own identities and emotions but both develop so much throughout the story.

A very solid ya romance! From the premise, I thought this would be a silly goofy time (which it was), but there are actually some darker subject matters explored in this. I liked the dual POV, I liked the flashbacks, and I liked the way the competition was resolved. Some of the characters were a bit too quirky for me and I think "always and forever" is too commonly used to be impactful anymore, but nevertheless this was a great read! I will definitely be checking out the author's first release.

I read this book early through NetGalley.

Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody is a captivating enemies-to-lovers romance that will keep you hooked from the very first page. This delightful novel skillfully combines witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and genuine emotional depth, creating a compelling and entertaining reading experience.
I devoured this novel and I’m now I’m going back to read her debut novel They Hate Each Other!

Thank You NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was a book that I wasn't so sure if I would like it. I think it was a pretty cute story. I mean nothing amazing. I thought the writing was pretty good as well.

My thanks to NetGalley and Viking/Penguin Random House for the ARC of 'Exes & Foes' in exchange for an honest review.
Even if the journey of the love story here is as inevitable as the sun coming up each morning, you won't find a sweeter, more heartfelt YA romantic triangle. It's loaded with hugs, tears, long overdue emotional showdowns and a sigh-worthy ending you can't wait to wallow in even if you knew it was coming anyway
Caleb and Emma, were lifelong best friends until something dire and unspoken split them apart in 8th grade. But yet their undeniable attraction and unspoken love for each other has continued to make them battling frenemies through high school . Caleb, gentle, gangly and easily bullied, still finds himself often protected by the fiesty, hot tempered Emma, whose reputation for not suffering fools (and bullies) gladly lands her in trouble over and over. Each of them copes with their parental woes....Caleb, from his indifferent divorced dad who can barely spare the time to meet him and Emma from her toxic mother, who's spent a lifetime belittling and denigrating her.
Now a new complication comes between them - they're both fallen hard for Juliet, the new girl in school who's almost criminally adorable.
They agree to engage in an all out competition for Juliet's heart, with the winner declared as the first one who kisses her..
The ongoing drama in Caleb and Emma's home life throws all kinds of bumps in the road for them, so readers should be prepared for multiple tender, "Awwwww" moments, right up through the final pages. No real surprises here, but if you can't resist a book that literally envelopes you with warm, fuzzy feelings, look no further.

I had mixed feelings about this book. For the first 100+ pages I was bored. Much of the dialogue felt really awkward and unrealistic, which put me off immediately. I also found all three main characters to be pretty annoying at first (Juliet, who repeatedly insisted "oh, I'm so annoying, haha!", Caleb, who appeared to have no backbone, and Emma, who couldn't seem to control herself and often resorted to violence). I almost DNFed the book. However, the narrative picks up after page 150 or so and I'm kind of glad I stuck with it. The romance element was pretty good, but it's the side relationships that really make this story sing. Emma's struggles with homelessness and her fraught relationships with her mother and sister carried the narrative. I was invested in what was going to happen to her, which is the main reason I kept reading. Caleb's relationship with his mother (and Emma's relationship with Caleb's mother) was so special and heartwarming. I also ended up loving the friendship group that formed around Juliet. With a ton of queer rep, mental health rep, and its message of unconditional acceptance, this book would be great for anyone who's struggled to fit in or who's ever felt unlovable.

The premise of this book was really cute. Caleb and Emma were lucky the plan of their competition didn’t blow up in anyone’s face. They had enough to deal with (ie: abusive parents). I loved the friend group that formed and every character within it. Thank you so much for net galley and this author for giving me this e-arc.

Thank you NetGalley for the aRC of Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody

I feel like the book is relatable for the reality teens are dealing with, mixed emotions form friends turned enemies but also the competition to win the girl, while I do not necessarily like that the treat Juliet , the girl both former best friends Emma and Caleb are interested I feel like that is reality for liking someone, as a side note I do love that the included a story line regarding the mom & a relationship that was scandalize at school because I do feel like these are reality life issues kids face love that the book is based on queer . bisexual relationships because 100% representation MATTERS this is the conversations and story's we should be having in rom-coms.

ARC REVIEW: Exes and Foes by Amanda Woody

Release Date: July 23, 2024
Genre: YA Romance (with Bi and Demi rep!)
Format: eBook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book # for 2024: #64

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

SYNOPSIS: Emma and Caleb are ex-best friends, who are both interested in the new student at their high school, Juliet. When they decide to hold a competitor for Juliet’s heart, they don’t expect to fall for each other instead.

MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed reading Amanda Woody’s debut, They Hate Each Other, last year, so I was super excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC of this book! I was not disappointed! I loved this book so much. The main characters. Caleb and Emma, are precious even if they’re oblivious to each other’s feelings towards the other.

This book also deals with some heavier topics. At the beginning of the book, Emma is essentially living in her car due to her toxic home life with her mother. Caleb’s dad basically comes in and out of his life when it’s convenient for him. The main trio deal with bullying as well.

I definitely recommend getting a copy of this book when it releases on Tuesday!!
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