this was my first book from this author and it
definitely won’t be my last!! holy moly this was absolutely beautiful!! i loved these characters and their story so much. i cried and laughed and hurt and cried some more and it was just beautiful

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce is a second chance book where estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy romance.

This is my first book by this author and I just adored it. I loved how Jessica kept you engaged with how naturally Georgia, the FMC is taking us through the events of the present while connecting the events of the past in a very organic way. I adored the little found family the characters all have and how dedicated to each other they were. I specifically loved how Georgia and Eli were soo into each other. The way I would describe this book is beautifully human. Yes, it is a second chance romance story, but it also focuses so much on the flaws these characters have and how they work through it while loving each other so hard and so beautifully.

I have re-read this book three times since I received it, and each time I have read it, I have loved it more and more.

It is such a beautiful story that tears me apart just to put me back together. Jessica Joyce never misses with her writing. Eli and Georgia are truly soulmates, and I loved reading the back-and-forth between the past and the present. It was the perfect balance.

Second-chance romances always get to me because these couples meant to be together have to grow as individuals to love each other more. Life circumstances happen, and we need to deal with them. The author does an amazing job at portraiting things. We saw how they dealt with growing up and trying to people to please which hits me in the gut as a young adult and makes me cry every single time because I have/am going through this.

100% is a book that I will not stop recommending to everyone. This book will live rent-free in my head.

NOW THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A TAYLOR SWIFT CODED BOOK *applause*

Jessica Joyce has done it again and has officially cemented her place as one of my favorite authors. I went into this one with a little hesitation because of how much I loved "You, With A View". I was worried that this book wouldn't give me the same feeling that her previous book did, BUT she blew it out of the water. More in-depth review to come after it's released but you do not want to miss out on this one. If you're a swiftie or a fan of Emily Henry, you NEED to add this one to your tbr!

This book is literally You're Losing Me meets This Love with a fun sprinkle of Paper Rings. You, With A View was for the Beach Read girlies and The Ex Vows is for the Happy Place girlies!

Huge thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this one!

The Ex Vows 4/5⭐️
Second chance romances aren’t usually something I find myself giving high ratings. It’s a predictable bad breakup,theres an unplanned reunion, and realize they can’t move on and love each other.

I was instantly pulled into this from the hilarious banter between all the characters. I’m a big fan of the mental health representation and the struggle of reaching out. I loved the plot and was never bored with this second chance romance trope. I will absolutely be buying this physical copy when it releases.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Joyce for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Georgia and Eli!
Such a great rom-com novel, fast-paced, and deep meaningful relationships.

Georgia and Eli are Exes, and when they come together to help their best friend save his wedding, they are thrown together into the most uncommon situations. Even though they dated, and very obviously are still in love with each other, they have secrets they are holding on to but should tell each other.

Definitely recommend and perfect for summer.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced readers copy!

Firstly, a huge thank you NetGalley and Berkeley publishing for an E-ARC of The Ex Vows.

I have to say, I have really conflicting feelings on this book. I really liked the ideas and I really liked the main couple and wanted to support the main characters but the writing and the single POV in first person made this book really hard to like even when that’s all I wanted.

At times it felt like the writing was forced and the word choices were so awkward. This author literally used the word vacillate 6 times none of which seemed to fit the tone or vibe of the action or thought being described.

Overall, I loved the representation of therapy and bettering yourself before being with someone. I liked the friendships the character had and maintained from childhood to adulthood and I’m happy for their ending but I really wish I had a dual POV because I got so tired of hearing the same inner monologues on repeat. I think the author felt we would be shocked by things the MMC said or did since we didn’t have his POV but it was all very predictable and nothing would have been lost and so much would have been gained from hearing his side of the story.

The hype for this book is absurd, at first I didn't understand why, I haven't read "You with a view" so I didn't have a very specific opinion of this author, but what can I say? How fool of me?
You absolutely must read "The ex vows" it is a very tender story.
Georgia and Eli are exes. Yes, I know, for those who don't like stories between exes, there might be some crooked noses, but trust me, it's worth it!
The story is told in an empathetic way, it is not an unrealistic story between exes, a story that burns like a match and leaves you without any satisfaction, this is definitely a story that warms your heart. And a story you will keep in your heart.
The tropes here are:
- second chance
- slow burn
- Napa, the wine country (can we call it a trope? I would say yes)
Georgia and Eli are part of a group of now historic friends, but a tender love story was born between them during adolescence, Eli calls her "Peach" and she is totally lost for him. Their love story seemed to go smoothly, until, after school, due to work needs, he moved to NY,
and he also wants Georgia with him. Unfortunately their story gradually deteriorated there, he was too busy with work, Georgia felt rejected, and so little by little their stories split. Although their love is "apparently" over,
for the sake of their group of friends, they pretend that everything is ok, even though they are heartbroken. Avoiding themselves as much as they could, 5 years have now passed. They all find themselves at the wedding of their best friend, Adam. Both Eli and Georgia are best man and best woman,
and have the "burdenous"
task of having to re-organise the ceremony, as due to a series of unfortunate events, the place where the wedding would have been celebrated is unusable.
They have a week to do everything, and this forced meeting of theirs will bring to light old (?) feelings, maybe not so old. And among vineyards, crazy sunsets and glasses of wine, the spark doesn't take long to rekindle.
This romance is really very romantic, it touches your heart, it really does.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for giving me the opportunity to preview this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

There is nothing I love more than something written by Jessica Joyce. I am once again in AWE of her ability to write such a beautiful story. This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. It was BEAUTIFUL. I love a second chance so much, and the way this was written captured all of the love and the hurt and the longing. And not only that it was a love letter to friendships and how hard it is when things change. Georgia and Eli have my heart. Watching two exes essentially plan their best friends wedding in under a week was absolutely hilarious and heart breaking all at once and I loved every single second!

I love Georgia with my WHOLE HEART. I love a mirrorball girlie so much and that is Georgia. Even when she is scared and worried about changing and losing her people she’s never going to make it about her, never going to ask for what she needs. But watching her reconnect with Eli, and even Jamie and Adam and having them tell her she needs to tell them what she needs was so GOOD. They love her so much, but she was just too scared to rock the boat.

ELI MORA IS THE PERFECT MAN OKAY. The chain? The dirty talk? His paper ring smile?? I love him so much. Seeing him make changes in his life to be better, to do better for himself, for Adam, for Georgia??? When he said he needed her to let go because he knew he couldn’t???? I LOVE HIM.

This book is absolute magic and I think I have more to say but for now this it 🥹

Thank you so much to Berkley for this ARC in exchange for a just review!

This was a delight. Soulful and gorgeous, with definitely some real spice thrown in. I don’t always love a second chance because the break ups don’t seem realistic, but this one worked well. Both characters needed time and to talk through things and I thought it was great.

This story has sheltered itself within a sweet little corner of my soul to live forever.

I think a lot of people will find themselves in some way among the words in this story. I know I certainly did. Disguised as a sweet little romance this book hits hard in quiet and unexpected ways. A heartwarming and hilarious love story very much steeped in the raw realities of life. While the characters don’t face any high stakes, major traumas… Instead we see the small “t” traumas that are often overlooked yet still define and change lives in big ways too. Manifesting itself in our characters as fear of rejection, people pleasing, making oneself small, heartbreakingly relatable anxiety. We get to see how these affect the characters and their relationships which are very much a reflection to many of our own experiences.

All of this wrapped up in a romcom package of swoon-worthy childhood best friends to lovers to second chance romance, laugh out loud witty banter and found family with a cast of lovable side characters. Topped with Jessica Joyce’s prose that is so rich and warm, her words wrapping around you like your favorite cozy blanket.

This is sure to be a story loved by many!

Jessica Joyce is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me. I absolutely adored this book! Right from the start I was hooked and knew I was going to love it. This book had all the best things in it! There was childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance, some spice, and so much more! This book was told in single POV, normally I’d prefer dual POV, but it was done so well! If you’re looking for a great romance read, I highly recommend checking this one out!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The longing Georgia and Eli had for each other was palpable throughout the pages of this book, it was a painful but beautiful journey to what they wanted most. To be together again but this time, more mature, not compromising who they really were and with a deeper understanding of each other.
Adam’s wedding was the catalyst for this reunion and I couldn’t believe one person could have such bad luck but thankfully he had his best friends to help him and his bride every step of the way.
The one thing that could have make this book absolute perfection, was if we have gotten a dual POV as I would have love to hear Eli’s side as well, not only in conversation with Georgia.
But all in all it’s an excellent book!

A great second-chance love story. It’s clear from the beginning that Eli still has feelings for Georgia and that something has happened to change his workaholic ways. Working together on the wedding gives them a chance to draw closer again and realize that their feelings for one another are still strong. I loved the ending!

Literally, this book owns me in every way possible. There is no way that I won’t forget about this book. It’s literally craved inside my bookish heart. And I need to keep reading it, no matter what the occasion. I also need everyone else to read this book immediately. It’s a must-read. A MUST READ!!!!
I know what you are thinking—that this book is hyped by everyone. But you are wrong in this situation. This book deserves this hype because it’s a truly heartbreaking second-chance romance book. It deserves praise and tears from readers.
Let’s start with the beginning. These two ex’s, Georgia and Eli, have set guidelines whenever they see each other in their friends ever since their breakup five years ago. Little do their friends know that Georgia and Eli have deep feelings regarding their breakup. It’s still a great pain to even think about it or talk about it. It’s definitely not worth mentioning when their best friend is getting married. 
Shockingly, Eli isn’t binding to their set guidelines whenever they see each other in group settings. He is literally throwing it out of the window and wants to face it head-on with Georgia. That freaks her out the most! It’s not going to be the typical wedding weekend that she expected.
What I love the most about them is their push for each other regarding their breakup and the guidelines. They each have a stand regarding the issues, and yet, you can still feel their love for each other. It’s not something that disappears between them; it just keeps on growing, no matter how much time has passed.

Jessica Joyce does it again!!! Honestly there is just something so compelling about her writing, I literally become the emotions she puts on page and I spent several pages at the end of the book actively sobbing because it was just that amazing. I loved Georgia and Eli, their dynamic, the way they learn to communicate. It was just so beautiful and raw and powerful and I already can't wait until JJ writes another book!!! AH! Don't sleep on this it's just stunning.
Thanks as always to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read and review an early copy of this book!

4.5 stars! This is my favorite second chance romance book so far. Georgia and Eli's story was written so incredibly well!

From the start, the prologue hooked me in. The author does a great job giving readers glimpses of Georgia and Eli's past as a couple and leaves us guessing what happened throughout the book. There was such a natural development in their relationship in the present as an ex-couple and we can definitely see the hurt that is still left from when they were dating. I don't usually like second chance romance books because the reasons for couples breaking up are often difficult to believe or just plain silly, but this book has such a real and relatable quality to it. As Georgia and Eli start this book together, we can see why their relationship didn't initially work out but I really appreciated the growth that we get glimpses of in the present. We can also see how they took the time apart to find themselves and start healing and I think this book is a great example of the "right person, wrong time". I loved the self-discovery. I loved the growth. I loved the mental health representation. And I loved Georgia and Eli, both separately and together!

Both Georgia and Eli had such realistic worries and this made it easier to empathize and understand them both; I absolutely loved the emotional layer in this story. I also really liked how the author eventually explains what really happened. She's just so good at hinting throughout the book and the buildup, especially after their time together, is so brilliant. The last 30% of the book was such an amazing experience and I think it was because there was so much heartbreak/angst but in such a... good way? It was heartfelt, it was healing, and it was everything I needed to see why Georgia and Eli deserved to be together. It truly showed how much they love each other, from the beginning to end. I would have loved to see more of their friend group, especially since there is such a deep connection between them, but it was still so emotional and so heartwarming to see how everyone came together in the end!

My god, where to begin. I have been eagerly anticipating this one ever since I first heard about it cuz I just had a feeling it would be right up my alley.

Not only was it up my alley, it knew my address, it was in my driveway, it SLEEPS IN MY BED. THIS BOOK TURNED ME INSIDE OUT. I loved everything. I just adore second chance romance and this captures all the good and messy things about that trope PERFECTLY. Throw in a spattering of being-in-your-twenties-and-not-knowing-wtf-you’re-doing and How to Make Friends As an Adult and Loneliness™️, this is MADE for me (where is my Eli Mora).

Georgia and Eli were such fun, layered, and flawed characters that you couldn’t help but root for. Seeing the ebbs and flows of their relationship and how they are able to grow back together and grow UP together was beautiful.

Reader, I SOBBED. For no joke, an hour straight. The entire last 20% of this book had me in shambles. Everything came together so perfectly, THE PAPER RINGS???? HELLO???? TOOK ME OUT. The understanding and open-ness of their friendships with Jamie and Adam was amazing. Both Georgia and Eli being able to recognize their shortcomings and go after their happiness in mature, communicative ways. Be still my HEART. So freaking glorious.

My first Jessica Joyce book but certainly not my last! I love discovering Bay Area authors (the Blow the Whistle reference had me CACKLING). Just cannot say enough good things. Definitely will be one of my favorites of the entire year!

ALL THE STARS.

I made the mistake of picking this to read on a cross country flight. I was crying before the plane even took off. It had all the mutual pining and emotions that I could wish for.

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes (as well as childhood friends to lovers) and Jessica Joyce writes it so masterfully. The way that she combined a powerful prologue and then interspersed the memories of their failed relationship with the present day plot felt so fresh; and she told it all in a single POV without ever making you feel like you were missing out. I’d read this book 100x over. Not only are Georgia and Eli one of my favorite couples, but the entire cast of characters felt like people I’d want to (and be able to) hang out with in real life.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for my copy to review.

I loved this book so much! I loved Georgia and Eli from the first chapter, and Jessica Joyce did such a great job of establishing their deep history from the beginning of the book.

While I may be biased as I’ve lived in the Bay Area for over a decade, I think Joyce really captured the magic of friends who become family and hold you through your messy 20s in this wild and weird place (she also gets bonus points because New Girl is my comfort show at the moment). Additionally, the Blue Yonder setting felt so real and I could feel the magic of summers spent on a vineyard through the pages. Yes, this was a love story, but also felt much like a love letter to the Bay Area.

The romance was incredible too and I found myself swooning and rooting for Georgia and Eli the book. The depth of their relationship and years of history made the miscommunication in this book so real and relatable - I almost never enjoy this trope but feel it was really well executed here! I also think it’s worth mentioning that the friendships in this story were so touching as well - I cried so hard two times and both were moments where Georgia was primarily dealing with her friends.

Overall this book was a true delight and I will be reading You With a View very soon!