I’m a fucking mess.

I’ve read a lot of romance over the last few years (like many of us have). I’m convinced Jessica Joyce is the next big thing.

Her stories are beautiful. Her writing is eloquent. I alternated between laughing and crying at the raw and earnest love between Georgia and Eli.

I love them so much, and I cannot wait to see what Jessica crafts for us next.

Thank you Berkley romance for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

Well this shot to the top of my favorite romances of 2024. The Ex Vows is a swoony, angsty second chance romance full of found family vibes and set at a WINERY. Gah. Swoon.

Georgia lives by her lists. That’s how she controls her life and her emotions. The most important list she has? The list of do’s and don’ts her and ex, Eli, have been following since their devastating breakup. It is the only way they can keep their friend group together and happy. However, that list gets thrown out the window when they are forced to go to a winery together to save their best friend’s wedding. What happens when they start breaking all of their rules?

I was OBSESSED with this book. Georgia and Eli have sizzling chemistry, but are also heart-achingly sweet. I just wanted the two crazy kids to work through their emotional baggage and communicateeeee. The vibes were immaculate. The big romantic moment perfection. I will never recover.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica Joyce's second novel, The Ex Vows, is a swoony and deeply romantic story about two best friends finding their way back to each other after falling in love, then breaking up five years ago. Georgia and Eli are forced to work together as best woman and best man for their best friend Adam's wedding, and like in many romance novels, wedding hijinks and disasters ensue. Georgia and Eli must work together and realize they left a lot of things unsaid. I cannot recommend this book enough; I had butterflies the whole time!

Thank you so much to Berkley for approving me to read an early ARC of this book. All opinions are mine!

This book. Wow. This is an instant classic romance to add to your collection. If you are a fan of Emily Henry or Carley Fortune I think you will love this. I am not typically a second-chance romance fan, in fact People We Meet on Vacation was previously my only exception; but this book works so well, and Jessica has weaved together a story that will make you laugh, kick your feet, and cry.

Georgia is a wonderfully flawed FMC. She struggles with intense abandonment issues, and some insecurity, which amounts to an extreme people pleaser that doesn't know how to express what she needs and wants. It led partially to the break up of her and Eli five years ago, and has resulted in a not-so-unspoken list detailing what is and isn't allowed between her and Eli to maintain their friendship with Adam, their co-best friend. The Ex Vows opens with Adam about to get married, however, everything has gone wrong and people-pleaser Georgia and determined but absent Eli have to work together to make the wedding happen in one week.

I still have too many thoughts - in fact my emotions are quite messy - but I will have to make a list of everything I loved. And go listen to Taylor Swift's Paper Rings.

In "The Ex Vow" by Jessica Joyce, readers are whisked into the enchanting world of Georgia Woodward, a woman grappling with the complexities of love and forgiveness amidst the backdrop of a wedding.

As Georgia finds herself swept up in the flurry of wedding preparations, she is unexpectedly confronted by the reappearance of her ex-lover, Eli Mora. Set against the romantic backdrop of the impending nuptials, their reunion sparks a whirlwind of emotions, forcing Georgia to confront unresolved feelings from their past relationship.

What sets "The Ex Vow" apart is its captivating portrayal of love in all its forms. From the tender moments shared between Georgia and Eli to the heart-wrenching challenges they face, Jessica Joyce skillfully captures the intricacies of human relationships with sensitivity and depth.

As Georgia and Eli navigate the rocky terrain of their past romance, readers are drawn into a world filled with passion, longing, and second chances. Against the backdrop of the wedding festivities, the stakes are raised, intensifying the emotional journey of the protagonists and keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.

Moreover, Jessica Joyce's evocative prose brings the wedding setting to life, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of the occasion. From the lush descriptions of the venue to the palpable tension between the characters, every detail is meticulously crafted to create a rich and immersive reading experience.

As the story unfolds, "The Ex Vow" explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love. Through its poignant narrative and heartfelt storytelling, Jessica Joyce reminds us that sometimes, the greatest love stories are the ones that are given a second chance.

In conclusion, "The Ex Vow" is a captivating romance novel that will resonate with readers long after they've turned the final page. With its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and evocative setting, it is a testament to the transformative nature of love and the promise of happily ever after. This book deserves a resounding five stars.

Well, well, well, if it isn’t another life-ruining read by Jessica Joyce. You, With a View was one of my top romance novels of 2023, and this is gonna be in my top for 2024 and we’re hardly two months in. The prose? Gorgeous, tender, lyrical. Combined with that signature angsty-but-sweltering JJ spice and emotional depth…this was RIGHT up my alley. I don’t want to spoil, but the paper ring thing took me OUT. I am slightly unwell, knowing Eli Mora is fictional. This is going to hit so hard with the Happy Place enthusiasts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wrecked. Completely and totally wrecked, once again, by Jessica Joyce. THE EX VOWS was beyond my wildest expectations, which were already unreasonably high going into it.

Georgia Woodward lets her lists and rules guide her life, especially when it comes to her ex, Eli Mora. Those rules have allowed them to trick everyone into believing they are okay, even though their break up five years ago wrecked them and the friendship their relationship was built on. But when Eli shows up to be her co-best person at their shared best friend’s wedding, he seems determined to throw their careful plan out the window. Forced to face him and the emotions she’s long kept buried, Georgia will have to decide if a second chance at love is worth throwing out her lists for.

Jessica is brilliant and we are not worthy! I’m not really a book crier, but this had me sobbing! Her writing is so vivid, and I viscerally felt every emotion in this book. Their connection, the years of friendship before the relationship combined with the messy emotions after, was so unique, complex, and beautifully passionate. Georgia, a people-pleaser terrified of her messier emotions running people off, was so relatable it hurt (maybe I should analyze that 🤔), and Eli was the “it’s always the quiet ones” man of my dreams!

Add in a cursed wedding (seriously, each situation was more wonderfully ridiculous than the last) and a wonderful supporting cast of characters, and you have a recipe for perfection!

You, With a View stole my heart. A Risk Worth Taking cemented my obsession. The Ex Vows has solidified Jessica Joyce as one of my favorite authors of all time! Can’t wait to see what’s next!

This book was a lot of fun. I loved the antics of the “cursed wedding” and the fact that in the end it didn’t matter. There are definitely some laugh out loud moments, but also a lot of heartwarming ones as well. Eli and Georgia are written as if genuine people with vibrant personalities and real flaws. Their love story is not a perfect one, which makes it all the more sincere. This was a lovely story and one I can recommend to anyone who enjoys a second chance romance.

INFINITE STARS! This book had me in a chokehold from the minute I started it. It was one of those books that as I kept reading, I had to STOP so many times because I knew it would destroy me.

And it certainly did.

I love second chance romances, and while this one didn't have the present/past POV that most second chance books have, Eli and Georgia's past bleeds through every single page regardless. The writing was absolutely spectacular, flawless, beautiful and seamless. The pacing was on point--with everything that she had to cover in this novel, the pacing worked perfectly with the timeline of everything that happened. Every chapter left you yearning for more, antsy to turn to the next page. I felt that with every single word in this book, hung up on every single one, especially Eli's.

Eli and Georgia's relationship was so honest, so real, so true, that of course it made me cry. I was full on sobbing at work, no lie. Childhood friends to lovers who got in the way of themselves. Of course, that's going to hurt me!

I adored Eli's character, his growth from who we think he is based on Georgia's memories of the past versus who he is current time. Eli struggles with anxiety, so much anxiety, and I think the portrayal of his anxiety was not only relatable and accurate like looking in a mirror, but it was also so nice to see how open he became about it, how he was able to voice those emotions for Georgia (thanks to his therapy). This is going to sound weird, but I loved that little panic attack scene, where he let her in, let her see his messy part. That was a huge milestone for him. He was such a thoughtful character, such a lovely person. Those paper rings that he made Georgia?!?!?!? With all the hidden notes and reasons for him loving her!??!?! DECEASED. Like, that could NOT have been a better discovery and addition.

Georgia is my soul sister. My twin flame. I feel her on a personal level, her internal struggles mirroring perfectly with mine. Feeling too needy, asking for too much, trying to make yourself small so other people can digest you better. I wanted her to find her happiness so badly. I rooted for her as if she was really my own sister, my best friend, because she's such a wonderful person, you can't help but want the best for her. I loved how even when they parted ways, they made decisions that were best for themselves. She went off to do her independent thing, and while it hurt so badly to know Eli left, it really was for the best. They needed that space to find themselves and those emotions they pushed to the bottom and to have the strength to pull them back out.

Their breakup, while somewhat mutual, hurt like a motherfucker. Like I cannot lie and say that my heart didn't shatter when they were arguing, rehashing the past, all of those bottled-up feelings blowing up like you shook a soda bottle and let it rip. It was so raw and real that I felt like it was MY heart on the line with this conversation, and that just goes to show how well Joyce wrote these characters and their stories.

The friendships in this book were to die for. I loved Adam and Jamie, and I loved their huddled speech at the end (with Eli) about Georgia's fears and all of the fears she hadn't said aloud. Of course, I was crying then too. Not to mention that it's all taking place while they're helping plan a wedding. It was so much fun (even when things went wrong!) It was so classically rom-commy that you know you'll be looking at this book to reread on a gloomy day.

This book is everything you need in a second chance romance. You've got the angst, the pain, the hope, the fears, the revelations... Everything just circled (hahaha) back to itself wonderfully. I am not lying when I say this might be my favorite book of 2024, maybe even ever.

This was a cute story. I didn’t enjoy how the female main character was constantly mentioning—basically obsessing—over her ex and nothing else. There was really no character to her. Idk, I was kind of disappointed how the fmc was portrayed in this story.

The Ex Vows was one of my most-anticipated books of the year, and while I was a little disappointed, I did enjoy the story (especially the ending). My reading experience was much like my experience reading Happy Place by Emily Henry, which has many similar themes (namely, a wedding bringing together estranged exes, a second-chance romance, a close-knit group of friends, and a hazy setting that's entwined with the couple's history). This book has a LOT of angst and mutual pining and quiet moments with just Georgia and Eli. Seeing these 2 dance around having their long-needed conversation was so frustrating, and was the part I struggled with the most - miscommunication or non-communication is not something I'm a fan of. But I appreciated when they did have their conversation and expressed their insecurities. I also found the writing a little tricky to follow (lots of flashbacks in the middle of paragraphs).

The ending was so lovely (paper rings!!) Overall, I think readers looking for an emotional story will like this one.

while I was reading The Ex Vows I was reminded of:
- Happy Place by Emily Henry (as previously mentioned)
- the last season of How I Met Your Mother (the wedding setting but also the friendship dynamics)

Where do I even begin... I loved this book! I finished it this morning with tears streaming down my face, this was second-chance at its finest. Every single moment in this novel felt emotion-filled, intentional, and deeply romantic.

Second-chance, while being one of my favorite tropes, I find can be hard to do perfectly. Typically, I feel like either the previous or current connection isn’t believable enough, that couldn’t be less of the case here. Jessica transported us so tenderly and effortlessly into the past of Eli and Georgia’s relationship: the good, the bad, the starry-eyed beginnings, and the heartbreaking ends. While collecting memories of their past, Jessica was not shy to build out an incredible angsty, tension filled, and emotional current timeline. Even if we didn't get their past timeline, there was enough in the present where I knew without a doubt that Eli and Georgia were soulmates.

Another thing I felt was incredibly well done here is the reasons WHY things fell apart, there was no over-reliance on miscommunication simply just circumstances and two people not at their best no matter how deeply they want to be. Both Georgia and Eli had very relatable and realistic relationships with their jobs, friendships, and family that made them both feel so real. I appreciated touching on mental health for both Eli and Georgia, and a pro-therapy/emotionally aware male main character? I am in! I truly felt like both Eli and Georgia bettered themselves not only for their deep love for one another, but also themselves.

The plot and setting here was also just stunning. Eli and Georgia team up to essentially save their mutual best friend’s wedding. The plot added a lovely movement to the story, creating many tension-filled wedding errand moments and allowing for some DELICIOUS forced proximity.

Finally, I just really appreciated the rawness and realness of Georgia and Eli’s characters. It’s hard to write characters that fall short and hurt each other but still feel so incredibly lovable and I loved them both easily and found myself relating to Georgia’s people-pleasing tendencies and Eli’s anxiety.

Jessica’s writing is so effortless and vivid, reading The Ex Vows requires so little work for the reader in the best way possible. The mixture of beautiful, emotion filled lines and down to earth comedic moments, perfection!

Overall, this is an instant new favorite but who’s surprised, I will read anything Jessica Joyce writes!! Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc!

Georgia and Eli broke up 5 years ago and have remained "friends" due to their mutual friend group. They are now best man and best woman for their friend's wedding and have to work together to keep the wedding from falling apart. Cue the sexual tension, the lingering looks, and the words left unsaid. You can't help but root for these two as they find their way back to each other. You'll be laughing, crying, and kicking your feet.

I can’t even begin to describe the absolute magic that Jessica writes. The Ex Vows and its characters felt SO real. Real humans. Real problems. Real life. I’ve never felt so connected with two characters as much as I did Georgia and Eli. And I fell in love with the side characters! They made this story so much fun.

This is how a second chance romance is done. I will never not recommend this book as Jessica’s writing has become one of my favorites on making me feel all the emotions.

Please read this incredible story on how two souls are working together on rekindling something they once had, into something even better.

I'm struggling to put all my feelings and thoughts down in a way that will truly reflect how deeply I loved this book.

I want to scream about how much this book both wrecked me and healed me!

I related to Georgia so much. How she feels like she needs too much from people, and out of fear of them leaving her or thinking she's too needy, she ends up asking for almost nothing from them. She bottles up so much, and I've definitely been there.

Eli was such an incredible love interest. He's flawed, but so kind-hearted and trying so hard to be a better version of himself.

Georgia and Eli's banter both friendly and when they are annoyed with each other was great. I love that we don't really know exactly what happened that tore them apart 5 years prior until farther into the story. Seeing them work through their past, struggle through all these old feelings coming to the surface... it made me ache. So romantic.

I cried for a very large portion of this book... (admittedly, I'm a crier) but I also laughed, and swooned, and felt so happy while reading. I also blushed from some delicious spice.

This book, these characters and their love will stay with me for a long time. I have a feeling Jessica Joyce will just continue writing books that feed my soul... forever an auto-buy author. I will read anything she writes.

Read this if you like:
•lists
•paper rings
•one bed trope
•second chance romance
•The best friendships
•have struggled in your uppers 20s when everyone around you is moving into phases in their life that you’re not in yet [not for lack of trying though 😩]

"In thirty seconds, you're not going to want this, and I can't pull away, so you're the one who has to."

THIS BOOK. You, with a View was one of my absolute favs of 2023. The Ex Vows absolutely blew me away too!! This will be the book of summer, mark my words. Jessica writes tension, chemistry, flirting, banter, and yearning so so well. Everything about this story could be real life. The emotion, the situations, the upper 20s and everything changing. Excuse me while I go listen to Paper Rings on repeat until July 16 when I can own a physical copy of this. I won’t be shutting up about this book until her next book comes out so you’ve been warned.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book so much!Georgia and Eli were such a great couple to root for. I really fell for them and their relationship; I felt like their struggles were so real and relatable.This book made me laugh and blush and squeal, in all the best ways. I loved it so, so much.

This book was a fun second chance romance. I loved how each of the main characters dealt with real life issues (anxiety, fear of abandonent etc). I do wish they had just had a conversation at some point instead of having angst but then we'd have no story. I also loved the cast of friends.

A second chance romance filled with emotion and banter. Eli Mora is what dreams are made of tbh. He is the sweetest most special MMC and we must protect him at all costs. THE PAPER RINGS??? I actually cried at that. This was single POV and single timeline with flashbacks. I do wish we would’ve had dual pov and timeline, to me that’s always helpful with a second chance trope, because really let’s me understand the background and characters but I think Jessica leaves a trail of info that gives enough information to grasp it. Jessica has a way with words that really makes you feel it all. The prose was beautiful and she definitely became an auto buy author for me because of this book.

Toward the end I was reading and I said to myself “this could’ve ended already, what could possibly happen next”. But boyyyy what came next was my favorite part 🥹 so if you’re like me and you have that thought…KEEP READING!!

My biggest qualm… there is a lack of communication between characters that really drove me crazyyyy and it lasts for most of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed and the ending really took it to the next level for me.

P.S. If you liked Forget Me Not by Julie Soto you’ll love this book. It gave similar vibes, two exes planning a wedding and rekindling in the process.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

I felt this book to my bones. It took me a day or two longer than I normally would reading a book of this size but that is because I devoured and let every single word that Jessica Joyce wrote, deep into my heart and mind.

She writes in a way that I FEEL and describes the small minute details in the everlasting way that I experience them. From small glances to knees accidentally touching that puts butterflies in your stomach. From reliving memories and noting pain in movements that are only known by someone who knows another character so well they notice the nuances. She hit me from every single direction and I just felt filled.

Eli Mora. WOW. I won’t ever forget Eli. I don’t want to spoil anything and a more in depth review post will come closer to pub day, but hear me now. PRE. ORDER. THIS. BOOK. This publishes on July 16, 2024.

I can’t wait to get my physical copy so I can transfer over my 100 highlights 😭😭😭😭