**My review as posted to my Instagram on 7/30**


BOOK REVIEW

A huge thanks to #partner @berkleyromance for my #gifted eARC and finished copy, and @prhaudio for the free accompanying audiobook 🎧🩷 #berkleyIG #berkleyromancepartner #penguinrandomhousepartner

Jessica Joyce does it again! Her debut, YWAV, was one of my top romance novels of 2023, and I adored her holiday novella A Risk Worth Taking. It's no surprise her newest is just as fabulous! So excuse me while I gush about it for a little while....

The Ex Vows
Jessica Joyce

📖 Estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy second-chance romance.

💭 You know those authors who just get you? Like they're writing just for you? That's the feeling I get every time I read a JJ book. Joyce doesn't duck around; there are no surface level, wishy-washy, did-it-for-the-tropes themes to be found here. Instead she gives us an authentic, heartfelt story of young love gone wrong, and how these two imperfect people find their way back to one another for a second chance (and all the messy feelings that go along with that). What struck me the most is the maturity of the MCs and their conversations about the past, present, and future, and the way they handled the other's heart with care.

The Ex Vows is an unforgettable contemporary romance that'll have readers laughing, crying, and swooning (simultaneously). Add in the picturesque setting, the fun wedding planning, and the great friend group, it's easy to get lost in this gem of a book. I hope you'll add it to your TBR if it's not already there. Easy 5 ⭐ from me!

🎧 When I saw Kyla Garcia was solo narrating the audiobook, I knew I wanted to read and listen in tandem. She has beautifully performed both of Joyce's novels, and I'm always so impressed by her range! Love her!

📌 Out now!

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STUNNING. PERFECTION. ELI MORA AND HIS GOLD CHAIN. “PEACH”. GeorgiaEli angst. Chemistry. Chaos. Tears. This is THE second chance romance and I will need 3-5 business days to gather coherent thoughts.

Imagine having to work with your ex to save your best friends wedding?

Let me introduce you to Georgia and Eli.

These two are awkwardly adorable, comedic and absolutely perfect for one another, they just don't know it yet.

The Ex Vows, was hysterical and the perfect romcom to keep me company on the best beach day.

Cue the steam, this book packs it on thick!

Jessica Joyce, knocks it out of the park with this sure to be bestseller, five stars.

Check out this teaser :

Estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy second-chance romance from the USA Today bestselling author of You, with a View.

Georgia Woodward lives by her lists, none more so than the one about her ex, Eli Mora. It’s full of the ironclad dos and don’ts they’ve been following since she returned to the Bay Area after their cataclysmic breakup five years ago.

With the wedding of their mutual best friend, Adam, looming, and them about to step into their roles as best woman and man, Georgia’s never needed it more. She refuses to threaten their tight-knit friend group with her messy—and still very present—feelings. The rules on that list will keep her cool, calm, and compartmentalized.

What’s not on her list? Eli arriving from New York with a new rule-breaking attitude or the all-inclusive venue burning to the ground, leaving the bride and groom in dire straits. Nor does she anticipate Adam asking her and Eli to help him make a miracle happen. Together.

As Georgia and Eli rush up to Napa Valley to pull off the perfect wedding, their old chemistry comes back in technicolor. Somewhere between cake tastings gone wrong, disastrous DJ auditions, and Eli’s heated attention, Georgia starts recognizing the man she fell in love with before. And if she lets herself break her rules, she might find what they’re building isn’t the something old that ruined them—it’s a chance at something new.

You’ll recognize Jessica Joyce’s name because of the amazing book she put out last year- You With A View. This is her newest release and I am in love with this story! 💕

Estranged exs are thrown together to help save their best friend’s wedding! It’s swoony, steamy and a great second chance romance. 🍷

a perfect and fun summer romance! this was such a fun book to read in the middle of summer (and living in the area it takes place in definitely a plus!) i had so much fun reading this and can't wait to see what else i can pick up by this author!

This second-chance romance truly grabbed my heart. From the beginning, I was completely engrossed in their story, feeling every emotion as if it were my own. The way the characters’ past and present interwove created a compelling narrative that kept me hooked, eagerly anticipating each new development.

The depiction of their struggles and growth was incredibly real, making their eventual reconciliation all the more meaningful. Each moment of tension and tenderness was rendered with such authenticity that it made their journey feel profoundly impactful. By the time they found their way back to each other, I was deeply moved, left with a lasting impression of their love’s power and resilience.

This book wasn’t just about a romance rekindled; it was about the emotional depth and journey that made their second chance so special. It’s a beautifully crafted story that resonates long after the final page, offering a heartfelt and memorable reading experience.

Fabulous from start to finish. Her writing is just beautiful

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy

Georgia and Eli were once in love, but it didn’t work. When their mutual best friend gets married, they have to find a way to put their history aside to be the best man and best woman and make their friend’s day perfect. But when one thing after another goes wrong, Georgia and Eli find they really have to work together to save the wedding.

Jessica Joyce is a phenomenal writer. This is a book that had me deeply engrossed and left me in all the feels. THe second chance romance was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at times. Georgia and Eli’s deep history and friendship made their situation extra complicated, but also made me root for them from the very beginning. I loved how they were able to work on themselves and ultimately fix the problems that were at the root of their breakup - it felt so real and genuine and was just incredible. I also loved their friend group - the side characters added some fun, sass, and often put them in their place and I was here for it. I adored this book!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Georgia, Eli, and Adam were inseparable as teenagers. Best friends and found family practically on sight, the trio had an unbreakable bond. When Georgia and Eli started dating during college, it seemed like fate. That is, until the two broke up five years later and forced themselves to put on a brave face any time they were around Adam, insisting they were fine, friends even. But when Adam is getting married and Eli and Georgia are in his wedding party, it's tougher to put on a front for an extended period of time--especially when they're working together to pull off a seemingly cursed wedding and the attraction and love between them seems to still be there.

Gosh, I have nothing but good things to say about this book. I even cried a little toward the end, and I never do that (though it could have been the several glasses of wine I had had). I absolutely adored You, With a View, but this book may be even better. It's just such a beautiful second chance romance with the perfect pacing and flow and a couple I was rooting for so hard. No notes.

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

Jessica Joyce is a freaking genius. I took this book on vacation with me and I would have happily spent the entire vacation in my hotel room reading, that's how much I loved this book. The second chance tension was unmatched and I loved watching these two find their way back to each other!

Jessica Joyce knocked it out of the park for me with YWAV. And even more so now with The Ex Vows. I love a second chance romance and this was executed so perfectly. I felt like I was THERE with them while reading this book. It's going down as one of my absolute favorite reads of the year. If I could marry this book, I would!

This book was absolutely phenomenal, Eli and Georgias friendship was so beautiful and I loved how important friendship and personal growth was within this story. The friendships between Eli and Adam, Georgia and Jamie, etc. had my whole heart. I loved watching Georgia and Eli grow individually and learn to heal from their respective traumas while also learning to accept the scary parts of love. This book was such a perfect mix of heavy but also sweet and fun.🥹🥹🩷I can’t wait for Jessica’s next book!

Loved it so much. Loved the story, loved the second chance romance, loved the slow angst burn. Loved the characters. Loved the cover.

The only remark I have is, I wish Eli had his own POV. That would have been so great. But the author did a good job portraying his feeling and emotions through Georgia’s words and observations.

My goodness, Jessica Joyce knows how to write romance!! Georgia and Eli made my heart hurt and I was rooting for their second chance from the start. The paper rings? UGHHH so cute. And I just loved the ending. The tension, chemistry and spice are all 10 out of 10, fantastically written and the way the MCs know each other so deeply because of their pasts: heartwrenching, heartwarming, phenomenal. The way they have their own language just by looking at each other? And still make an amazing team -- I am in love. I highlighted the whole freaking book honestly. There are so many quotes that will just resonate with you, sweet words and funny moments aplenty. Both Georgia and Eli have really good reasons for why they acted the way they did years ago when their relationship fell apart and I love seeing the personal growth they each have in regards to those insecurities and the anxieties that they couldn't face back then but are working on now. Adam, their best friend, is hilarious and the "curse" he thinks he has because his wedding keeps getting hit with mishap after mishap is entertaining and leads to our MCs being forced to work together to fix it. This means we get to see pretty much all my favorite tropes/microtropes(: aka forced proximity, only one bed, secret romance. You will not be disappointed if you pick up this book!! It's truly one of my favorites of 2024 and I will keep recommending it to all my friends because I'm obsessed.

Thank you so much Berkley & NetGalley for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Ex Vows published on 7/16/24 so you can go buy, borrow, read, listen to it now(:

REVIEW: The Ex Vows ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 (4.5)

Georgia is excited to be the best woman for her best friend Adam’s wedding; however, everything about the wedding seems cursed. The best man, who happens to be the other best friend in the trio as well as Georgia’s ex, Eli, comes to help save the wedding. With Georgia and Eli together fixing the wedding, will their close proximity bring back old feelings?

The Ex Vows was so what I needed in a romance right now. It was full of romantic and sweet gestures, funny moments, and great hot and heavy scenes. This book definitely brought the tropes of a second chance, friends to lovers, close proximately, as well as a small burn mixed together. I really enjoyed both Eli and Georgia as characters and their chemistry together. It was fun to hear about their memories as friends and when they were in a relationship. Eli is a perfect example of a sweet, quieter guy who really comes out in the bedroom ;-). I also really liked the growth in both of the main characters throughout the book; they both discovered so much about themselves. Plus, this book is very pro-therapy, which I love. The Ex Vows grabbed me fast and didn’t let go until the very end.

There were only two small things that didn’t quite work for me. First of all, for being a set of three best friends, I feel the book didn’t have much with Adam and his connections with Georgia and Eli. He just felt very disconnected from the other two. I also wished this book could have been in dual POV. I would love to hear Eli’s side of the story as well as Georgia’s

Overall, I really enjoyed The Ex Vow! It gave me everything I wanted in a good romance story, and I was hooked the whole time.

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

Let me start by saying I loved Jessica Joyce’s debut and I’m obsessed with this cover. That said I was really nervous going into this one because I don’t usually love second chance romances.

Turns out I loved it! Georgia and Eli had so much chemistry and it was clear from the start that they were meant to be together. I loved all the antics of trying to save their best friend’s wedding and reconnecting with each other. I wish we had a little more time with some of the friends, but that’s about all I could ask for more of. Everything else was great! And yes, many tears were shed.

This is the exception that proves the rule and I absolutely recommend checking it out even if second chance romances aren’t your thing.

THE EX VOWS is my newest book obsession.

This Sophomore book by Jessica Joyce is even better than the first—and I gave both books 5-STARS.

I adore a book with flawed main characters who go ape on personal growth during the story. I loved Georgia with her sweet vulnerability that is cloaked with making herself indispensable. Geez, did I ever feel seen. And Eli is so damn lovable as he struggles to move past the pattern that he has been stuck in.

These two had crazy chemistry, sweet moments, and spicy hot reconnection. I loved this story of first love and lasting connections.

THE EX VOWS grabbed my heart on the first page and never put it down. I love love love this book!

𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: past parent abandonment
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - You will definitely feel some feels.

OKAY. I now understand the hype around Jessica Joyce. This title is a ridiculously cute romance that made me cry. Georgia and Eli, the love interests, had top-notch banter and serious chemistry. Joyce sold me on their romance and the fact that they were meant to be. If you enjoy a second-chance or forced-proximity romance, The Ex Vows is one book that you will not want to miss.

#TheExVows:⁣
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Thanks for the free book @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner ⁣
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“Building a space that’s mine, rather than fitting myself into the pockets where people have room for me. I can feel myself stretching, a necessary, beautiful pain.”⁣
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I never realized I am a walking second chance romance until I read The Ex Vows. It was a literal epiphany. I love second chance romance because we ARE second chance romance 😂 So, needless to say, I loved this book so much. I related so hard (maybe too hard) to The Ex Vows and I can’t get over it. ⁣
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Georgia and Eli were absolutely perfect. They were flawed, but very realistic. Their friend group was such a great core group of people, I couldn’t help but laugh at all the shenangians from the wedding curse. I laughed, cried, and gasped (definite laugh via the DJ and gasp vis the cake) during their trip of redemption. Sometimes love is messy, and that’s ok because life is messy. It was such a good reminder. ⁣
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I loved that they took time away from each to find their own space before fitting space into each other’s orbit. That type of independence and self awareness is what I think makes the relationship survive and so real. ⁣
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I swoon. I don’t know what else to say except go grab it. Out now.⁣
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QOTD: What is your favorite trope? ⁣
For me:⁣
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Romance: Second Chance, Enemies to Lovers, One Bed⁣
Fantasy: One Horse, “Who did this to you” ⁣
Thriller: Locked room, unreliable narrator ⁣
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My Soundtrack Song: Birds of a Feather Billie Eilish

Absolutely love this book and have not stopped thinking about it. I have never related more to characters before and I cant believe how perfect they are. I already see myself rereading and annotating it!