I think this was a fun read. I liked the concept of her fake dating him without him knowing but I didn’t love that it was for her sister, I feel like that connection was just a little too close for me. Other than that, I enjoyed it over all, it was fun and there was a lot to unpack with both characters.

6⭐️

I really enjoyed this book. The way that Vanessa and Jason banter is great. In all the ridiculous things that happened you could see the way they started to care for each other. I truly did love the antics that each of them caused each other. It was just hilarious. It truly was a high dynamic relationship.

I also loved the way the characters developed not just with each other but on their own. How Vanessa came to terms with the shame and guilt that she was holding on to. How Jason learned that it was okay to feel the way he did about Vanessa. The way their love of their culture and heritage was showcased was a highlight too.

If you are looking for a laugh out loud and hijinks filled read this is for you.

This was such a fun and refreshing spin on the fake-dating trope! It’s less about pretending to be in a relationship and more about learning to show someone every side of yourself — the good, the bad, and the awkward — and realizing they still choose you. Packed with playful pranks, sweet banter, and laugh-out-loud moments, it’s a slow slide from “fake” to “real” love that feels completely natural.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

The Starter Ex by Mia Sosa is such an entertaining romcom—I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting! I especially loved how the original plan was spoiled and then cleverly used against them, ultimately working out in everyone’s favor.

Vanessa’s dedication to her sister, Lisa, really stood out to me. Despite her true feelings, she still wanted that bond and connection, which added so much heart to the story. Jason catching wind of the sisters’ plan and bringing his own schemes into play made things even more fun, and the surprising new revelation that followed kept me hooked. Both Jason and Vanessa’s journeys of overcoming their past trauma felt authentic and satisfying.

There’s just the right level of spice woven into the romance, and the whole story reflects realistic life experiences, especially as part of the Latinx community in NYC. Overall, this was an engaging, heartfelt, and entertaining read.

The Starter Ex was a highly entertaining read. The premise of the book was a lot of fun. Vanessa has returned to New York after living in Chicago for years. It wasn't exactly her idea to move home, but she's looking forward to reconnecting with her parents and sister after a years long strain in their relationships. When her sister Lisa begs Vanessa to bring back her old "job" to help Lisa land her best friend's brother, Vanessa feels like she can't say no even though it doesn't sound like a good idea and will be super awkward. Vanessa gives it her all and soon finds herself wondering if she is pushing Jason in the wrong direction when she should be pulling him in.

There were so many things that made this book such a great read. Vanessa's hijinks when trying to make Jason dislike her were hilarious and fun. Their romance built in a way that had me rooting for them despite knowing Vanessa was up to something shady. Jason and Vanessa got each opening up about the deep stuff and I loved how that brough them together. The family dynamics and dramatics added to the entertainment. I also loved that Vanessa was able to reconnect with her family and come to some realizations about her younger self. It was all good stuff, and everything worked out in the best way. I am happy this book is going from audiobook to all platforms so it can be enjoyed in more ways than one.

The Starter Ex focuses on Vanessa, a woman whose past is as colorful as her cynicism is deep. In her college days, Vanessa discovered a unique, albeit slightly mischievous, talent: she was a professional "Starter Ex." For a fee, she'd date your crush, embody every relationship nightmare imaginable – clingy, jealous, a mother's worst nightmare – and drive him so utterly mad that he'd be ready to bolt... straight into your arms. It was an ingenious, if ethically questionable, side gig that she's long since retired from. Or so she thought, until Vanessa's younger sister, Lisa, develops a crush on Jason. Lisa, knowing Vanessa's legendary past, convinces her to come out of "retirement" for one last, glorious Starter Ex engagement – on Jason himself. The rules are simple, clear, and absolutely destined to be broken: no touching, no fooling around, and most importantly, no falling in love.
Jason, instead of being repulsed, seems... intrigued. And Vanessa, despite her best efforts, finds herself struggling to maintain her carefully constructed persona. The more time these two spend together, the more the lines blur, and the more they realize that the fake relationship they started out with is beginning to feel alarmingly real.
Overall, this story is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves a fake relationship with high stakes, undeniable chemistry, and a good dose of humor.

A fun concept with plenty of laughs—dating someone on purpose to drive them away? Brilliant. Still, the romance felt a bit predictable, and I didn’t quite fall for the characters the way I hoped. Entertaining, but not unforgettable.

I wasn’t a fan of this one unfortunately. Reading the blurb I felt like it had some potential but it felt super cringe worthy to me :(

I could not finish the book. I am glad the writer made the characters Latina/Latino. I think it’s great to love your culture so much to put it in a book but I couldn’t keep reading with them bringing up how they were Latino/a all the time. Maybe that’s just a me thing in books but I do not need to be reminded all the time of their background. You mentioned it once, you don’t need to mention it so many more times and throw in Spanish and use the generic “We are Latina, so that’s how we are”. It was driving me insane. I feel like other people may really enjoy this book but I just couldn’t get past the first few chapters. Maybe it just wasn’t the right time for me to read a book like this. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read it though.

This had its ups and downs, but overall, I really enjoyed it! I expected some miscommunication but Mia Sosa did a great job creating drama and tension without relying on that trope. Vanessa and Jason's relationship developed and evolved in a way that felt natural and authentic.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book! It was fun, lighthearted, and genuinely hilarious. The twist at the end was exactly what I was hoping for, and I was thrilled when it unfolded—it made the story all the more satisfying. <3

My only minor critique would be the slightly abrupt transitions into the spicier scenes, which sometimes felt a bit sudden. That said, they were still enjoyable and added to the overall charm of the book.

The writing style is wonderfully easy to read—engaging, fluid, and perfect for getting swept up in the story. As a fellow Latinx reader, I especially appreciated how the representation was woven in so naturally. It felt authentic and effortless, which made it all the more meaningful.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I’ll definitely be looking forward to more from Mia in the future!

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

What a fun rom-com! As I was reading, I kept thinking “this is the book version of In the Heights by Lin Manuel Miranda and sure enough there’s a reference imbedded in the banter.

This was a cute and funny story that totally fit the bill as a palate cleanser from some of the darker romance I read. The FMC is Vanessa. She is hilarious and quirky in all the best ways. Jason, the MMC, is a bit stiff (no pun intended lol) and a bit rigid because he’s trying to reconcile a past he needs to forgive himself for. Throw in a fake relationship ruse and you’ve got a cute story. It’s not overly spicy, so if you’re looking for that here, you won’t find it here. You will find great supporting characters and some fun family dynamics.

This is a unique and entertainingly chaotic spin of the old romcom “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” It comes with Puerto Rican rep, a twist on fake-dating, along with over-the-top shenanigans that would never happen in real life, but delivered fun vibes and kept me engaged. Although the lead characters are flawed and make many questionable decisions, you still come to care for them and understand their motives. I thought I knew exactly where the story was going but got an unpredicted twist. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and now I’m sold. I’ll be diving into her backlog!

This was previously released as an Audible audiobook exclusive (2024), but is soon to be published in print/e-book (3/10/26). Thanks to Putnam Books / G.P. Putnam Sons & NetGalley for an advanced e-book copy - all opinions are my own!

If you can look past the whole ‘older sister dates the guy the younger sister is interested but makes it a train wreck, so the younger sister looks better’ concept, then this book is a quick and fun read.

I’ve read a few other books by Mia Sosa and I really love the way she blends her culture into her writing. It adds another layer of depth to her stories that I find myself connecting to.

Vanessa and Jason’s little sisters are best friends. They meet at a dress fitting for Jason’s sister’s wedding and hit it off. It starts as scheme for Vanessa, but very quickly becomes real for her after spending more time with Jason. As much as I tried to look past the whole sibling dating your potential future love interest, I could not suspend my judgement for too long. I couldn’t understand why Lisa, Vanessa’s sister, would want this or be comfortable with it? Idk I’m just tired of sibling love triangles and they keep being a thing lol

There’s not an third act ‘break up’ but the drama obviously comes to a peak and I really appreciated how it was handled. They communicate like adults (finally) and work it out with some necessary tension, which I prefer.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting premise but weird they made it be sisters interested in him instead of just friends. Overall cute and predictable.

Vanessa Cordero has been semi-estranged from her family, so when a switch up at work lands her home in NYC, she is determined to make amends. When her sister Lisa hears a story about Vanessa's college gig, being a bad girlfriend to pave the way for another girl, she decides she wants Vanessa to use her skills so Lisa can finally end up with her best friend's brother, Jason, who is about as commitment phobic as Vanessa herself. Vanessa isn't sold but is willing to do whatever it takes to become close with her sister again. But when real feelings for Jason emerge, will Vanessa still be able to tank the relationship? And how will Jason feel when he learns what the sisters have been up to?

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.

This was a lovely, quick little rom-com that had a lot of laughs and light-hearted moments while also sometimes tackling serious issues; bullying (off-page), as well as family dynamics. I found myself rooting for the other couple that gets together in the end more than Vanessa and Jason which is why this didn't rate too high for me.

I loved Vanessa's antics and how Jason went with it; it was like watching a trainwreck, you CAN'T look away. But by the end, I wanted them both to just grow up, which they did thanks to other people shoving them back together. I think this was a cutie read and I would be happy to read another book by Mia Sosa!

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Mia Sosa is the absolute queen at writing a truly laugh-out-loud funny rom-com!!! I had so much fun with these complete FOOLS, they had me stressing and kicking my feet and laughing so much, I loved it!! I really didn't know how they would end up together because the plot is so unique.

Our FMC, Vanessa, is The Starter Ex. She started the scheme in college as a way to make some extra cash, and when she admits this to her sister, Lisa, she wants Vanessa to act as her starter ex.
Our MMC, Jason is Lisa's best friends older brother and her crush. She has been trying to get his attention and with no sucess, this is why she asks Vanessa to be her start ex, and make Jason see how dateable she is.

The freaking shenanigans these two get themselves into is so funny!!! I was really crying laughing at the baseball game scene, with the ball and the kid, iykyk. The way i seriously didnt know how this was going to play out really kept me engaged in this story, i had to keep reading to know what happens. I love when a book gives me that feeling of not only loving the characters but also the plot they find themselves in.

In my opinion, I can always trust Mia Sosa to deliver an incredible rom-com. She has cemented herself as an auto buy author for me, and someone i highly recommend.

Thank you so much Putnam Books for the arc!!! I know this one doesnt come out until 2026 but I truly couldnt wait to dive into this one.

4 stars. Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!! Honestly, this book was a lot better than I thought it’d be.

~Tropes~
🇵🇷 Puerto Rican MCs
🗽 NYC setting
🌹 Sister bonding
🔨 Great banter
🎶 Dual POV

Overview: Vanessa has been moved to a new office in NYC, where her family lives. The thing is, she doesn’t really talk with them much anymore. In a last ditch effort to begin a better relationship with her sister, Lisa, Vanessa agrees to be her “starter ex.” It’s something she started when she was in college and had hoped to put to rest. The plan is simple, date Jason, Lisas crush, be a horrible ex while singing her sister’s praises the whole time, and happily ever after for Jason and Lisa. Unfortunately, it might be a bit more difficult than Vanny was bargaining for as she starts to like Jason. Will Vanny be able to give her sister her happy ending, or will she get more proof that she’s a bad person?

Thoughts: The first sixty or so pages are FIRE. The banter? Chefs kiss 🤌 The chemistry? ON POINT. Don’t get me wrong, the whole book is pretty good, it just gets a little spice-oriented and there isn’t as much banter which was a bit sad. But I love dual POVs and this one delivered. All the themes and stuff were really good too. Lots of trauma and deep-rooted insecurities in both the main characters and I think they worked through them excellently, both together and apart. There is a couple of chapters of straight spice but it’s pretty easily skippable. Overall, great book and definitely recommend if you like great characters and character development as well as some spice and banter 🧡

This was such a fun time!

Vanessa is back in New York for work and is desperate to reconnect with her family again. Her relationship with her little sister is a little off, and she’s trying to make amends. To get back in her sister’s good graces, Vanessa agrees to fake date her sister’s best friend’s brother, Jason. The plan is to date him and give him hell for a few weeks, eventually leading him into Lili’s (her sister’s) arms.

It really is as silly as it sounds, and it reminded me so much of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I was laughing out loud throughout the first 75% of the book and thought it was just so charming. This back and forth and banter and dialogue between the two main characters is refreshing and actually hilarious, and Tthe romantic scenes between Vanessa and Jason were filled with heat, too.

There were definitely some moments where I felt pulled out of the story due to cringey dialogue. I didn’t mind it too much, though, and was able to look past it because of how much fun I was having with the story. It really did feel like a nostalgic, early-2000s romcom.

Towards the last 25% of the book, I started to lose a little bit of steam. The climax of the story felt rushed and a little messy. More importantly, with the third act breakup, both Vanessa and Jason have such traumatizing and real reasons to be afraid, with their previous experiences in relationships and conflicts from their pasts. So this conflict between them, this foundation built on deception, is a very real reason to separate. I just wish their getting back together hadn’t been so rushed. Both of these characters needed to properly deal with all of their past traumas in order to heal from the trust issues in their relationship. Even though I can acknowledge that it’s really not that deep, it still would have been nice to see a healthy amount of time pass, and the ral work get done, before they forgive each other and jump into the “I love you”s.