Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this book , it was my first time reading from this author and have to say it won’t be the last time , I really enjoyed the authors writing style.

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I think I can categorically say that Lucy Vine is the queen of romantic comedy and this book was no exception! Although at times i found Esther frustrating I could also see a younger me in her. I really enjoyed the look back at her exes and i really liked how this was done in a flashback style.

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I picked this book up hoping for something light hearted and easy to read and it was exactly what I got. I would liken this book to one of those rom-com movies that pop up on Netflix that you can put on in the background, do other tasks but still have a giggle to and enjoy.

There were moments that did have me laughing out loud and also some that had me grimacing. There were some pretty gross bits that I kind of half laughed at and half thought "wtf" but I did find that they were in line with the main character's personality, they were completely left field.

Although I did find the characters funny and they were definitely likeable, it was a surface level kind of like. I think that they could have been developed more and the addition of more emotional vulnerability would have upgraded this book.

Overall, this was a guilty please, easy breezy, popcorn contemporary romance. It was funny and lighthearted, not too deep and a nice pallette cleanser between other books.

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This was really entertaining.

I loved Esther's determination to revisit her seven main exes as described in a magazine article, in the hopes that she was mistaken about one of them, and that they truly are "the one".

As she sets off on this quest along with the support of her flatmates and best friends, we get three flash backs at appropriate places, of typically beginning, middle and end of each of the relationships for each ex, to give us some much needed background to the man.

And well some of them really should never have been revisited ever, and even the ones I kind of liked I wasn't really sure if they were right for Esther.

It turns into a journey of self discovery, and funnily enough I did have half an inkling about who she might end up with, even though the other half of the time I was convinced about something different for that person.

I really enjoyed the author's writing style, it's light, funny and fairly quick paced. I loved getting to know all the various characters, even though i didn't always agree with Esther's decisions.

Very glad I finally sat down to read this given how long it has been on my kindle, and will definitely look out for more from this author in the future.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

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I was actually recommended to read this from a friend of mine, and I'm so glad I did. I didn't expect to be hooked into this as I was, but it was amazing. I think a lot of people can really see themselves and therefore a lot of their exes in those mentioned in the book. It was funny, lighthearted, and so engaging!

For more reviews, please check out my Instagram @blondesbooknook

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If you love books that make you laugh outloud and smile, then Seven Exes needs to be your next read. Original, funny and with a brilliant set of characters, it's one of the funniest books I have had the pleasure of reading this year.

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I really didn’t like the main character in this to the point where it was difficult to read. I’m ok with unlikeable main characters usually but she was really grating on me. It made the book really hard to read and I didn’t like it.

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This was a super speedy read and I raced through it. It’s one of those books you can reach for and it takes you away from the crazy things in life and is just an easy read. For that reason, I think it will appeal to many.

One small negative for me first.. I found the main character, Esther, a little annoying. I much preferred her friends and their perspectives and relationships. I expect it was a deliberate move, given how the story progresses but I wish I’d found her a little more likeable as she’s kind of integral to the plot - it did make it hard for me to fully invest in at times though, as she appeared quite emotionally immature compared to her friends.

I really enjoyed the exploration of past relationships. It was so interesting seeing the various view points that can be explored as a result of that look back to the past - the rose tinted specs that made everything seem better than it was, embarrassment / lessons being learned from a variety of perspectives. My fave bit, as always was the female friendships. In books like this, it’s always great to see solid and supportive female friendship. I’m a sucker for any book or side story about that.

All in all, it entertained me and gave me things to ponder. It dealt with a couple of important and relevant topics, such as the #metoomovement which will forever be a topic that needs a voice.

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Seven Exes follows Esther who is examining her love life. She looks at a dating article that lists 7 types of people someone dates before finding the one. She concludes that she’s definitely dated a person that matches each of the criteria and decides to contact each of them after fearing she’s cast aside the love of her life. We follow Esther as she rekindles with the work mistake and her missed chance among other previous partners all while searching for the one.

I had such high hopes for Seven Exes after seeing Lucy’s really great piece for Metro, but this fell a tiny bit flat for me. The humourous aspect felt overly forced and the revisiting of the exes felt mediocre at best. I didn’t find Esther particularly likeable so I wasn’t really invested in her journey to find love and I didn’t really find much of the plot believable. I muddled through the first half which felt quite slow paced and boring, and while it did pick up in the second half I found the ending to be lacklustre. A shame as I thought it had such potential and the concept reminded me of the movie What’s Your Number? but it doesn’t quite land in the same way

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Copy and pasted review from blog where review appeared on pub date: bitly.ws/Fynb

Seven Exes. Seven Missed Chances. Who was the one who got away?

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Seven Exes is a really fun and light-hearted romantic comedy, perfectly in time for the summer period. The premise of the protagonist revisiting her past relationships and trying to determine which of her exes is her true love is an interesting and quite unique premise for the romance genre.
As a bit of expert of said genre, I can't say I have come across this setup before, and was therefore really intrigued by it just reading the blurb. I honestly laughed so much just within just the first pages and that is quite rare for me, a semi cranky cynic.

While it's a super fun, very rom-comy read, the plot surprises with great depths which is somewhat unusual for most traditional romantic comedies of this kind. It strikes a good and relatively safe balance between light and the more complex themes the book explores. It doesn't feel heavy, but rather allows you to feel connected to the heavier bits. Our Esther is quirky, loving and all round very relatable which is brings authenticity and, in turn, makes it easy to become engrossed in the story. Bonus points for the dialogue - as a friend of good conversational banter, this one had some corkers!

The inclusion of the seven specific "types" of exes you get to meet adds an additional layer of humour, charm and insight to the story. Lucy's writing feels very familiar, comfortable and relatable with all the traits of a good comfort read. Would recommend for those that find themselves in a reading slump, and boy have I been in a slump!

Alongside Esthers antics and witty dialogue, I really liked concept of using magazine article to reflect on one's past relationships to potentially reconnect with a former love. This again, brought a form of unique story building to it, making it feels fresh and exciting.

All in all it was a really enjoyable read with a unique premise and well-developed characters making it the perfect 2023 summer read.

Thanks to Lucy for putting this together for our enjoyment and to Simon and Schuster for providing the arc - quite long ago now, but not any less grateful.

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I loved Lucy Vine’s previous books (apart from Are We There Yet, which I haven't read) and this was no exception. More sherbet-y than sweet, the story of not-always-likeable Esther and her exes – and flatmates - was a pleasure to read. I have to say I enjoyed it less than Hot Mess and What Fresh Hell, the latter of which is my favourite, but to be honest this is like saying it's my least favourite pizza - still good as far as I'm concerned!

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3.75 stars
This was my first book by Lucy Vine but it won't be my last.
I really liked the journey that our main character Esther went on.
There were times where I was frustrated by her and felt like she was little selfish and neglectful to other facets of her life. But she did somewhat redeem herself by the end.
I also enjoyed the flashbacks and seeing friendship be just as important as the romantic relationships/storyline.
I will say, none of the seven exes in question really stood out for me, which was bit of a miss.
However, this was a quick and easy read with an interesting premise. It would definitely make a great beach read and I will be keeping an eye out for what Lucy Vine does next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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this book is fast paced and super easy to read.

it follows esther and her Seven Exes Mission in which she aims to reconnect with all of her last relationships to see if she missed “the one”.

at the beginning, esther came across a little bit selfish or self-absorbed but she definitely grew as a character and this character development was so lovely to see. the best friends Bibi and Lou were great additions to the story and their sub plots kept me hooked!

i’d definitely recommend this book :)

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Relateable - realistic - laugh-out-loud funny at times, heart-breaking at others, I adored this light read!

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I’ll start by saying that if you aren’t a fan of swearing, then give this book a miss. I have no such qualms so I really enjoyed the book. At times the main character was a little annoying with the way she treated people, but overall it was a brilliant read. I thought the plot was believable and I liked the journey she was on. What I did sometimes find confusing, was working out the timeline as the book jumps into the past and then back to the present. I mostly managed and it didn’t take anything away from my overall enjoyment. I definitely recommend this book and I’ll be looking out for more books by Lucy. Thank you #netgalley

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This book that completely captured my heart and left me with a flurry of emotions. It's a delightful romance, filled with all the classic elements that make the genre so beloved. While it may lean towards certain stereotypes, it does so in a way that feels endearing and adds to the overall charm of the story.

From the very first page, I found myself immersed in a world of captivating characters and a plot that kept me eagerly turning each page. The author's writing style effortlessly painted vivid scenes, making it easy to visualize the settings and become fully invested in the characters' lives.

The romance between the main characters was simply enchanting. It unfolded in a way that made my heart flutter with anticipation and hope. The chemistry between them was palpable, and their interactions were filled with playful banter and heartfelt moments. I couldn't help but smile as their relationship developed, relishing in their shared laughter and tender moments.

What I truly appreciated about this book was its ability to go beyond being just a lighthearted romance. It offered moments of introspection and reflection that made me pause and think about love and life in general. It cleverly weaved in deeper themes without overshadowing the overall joy and entertainment of the story. It was a perfect balance that left me both smiling and contemplating.

In addition to the captivating romance, the book was populated with a diverse cast of characters who added depth and richness to the story. Each character had their own quirks and complexities, making them feel like real people rather than mere plot devices. They brought a sense of authenticity to the narrative and enhanced the overall reading experience.

Overall, this book was a delightful journey that left me with a warm heart and a renewed belief in the power of love. It's a story that can make you smile, think, and embrace the beautiful moments that life has to offer. Whether you're a fan of romance or simply in need of a feel-good read, this book is a wonderful choice.

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This started off well and had me feeling intrigued as to what was to follow, but I struggled a bit with the mid section of the story and felt that it was a bit long winded. The ending was a bit predictable but I did enjoy the friendship angle as a side story. OK but not fantastic.

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When Esther reads an article in an old womens magazine claiming there are seven people a woman will date before finding the one it hits a little to close for comfort. Esther realises she's been with all seven and sets out on a mission to reconcile with them all to see if any of them were her missed soulmate. With the help of her friends Bibi and Louise will she find the one or are they exes for a reason?

This was a good fast paced rom com. Esther learns so much on her journey and it makes her a much better person by the end. The friendship between the three women was always front and centre and mainly the most important part of the story. Only reason for 3 stars is because for a lot of this Esther is rather unlikeable she spends a lot of time just thinking of herself instead of the people who are always there for her.

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I liked the premise of the book when I first read the synopsis but this book wasn’t for me. The problem I feel that I had with the book is that to me, Esther was such an unlikeable character from the get go that I had little sympathy for her. She made it seem that being single was the be all and end all and came across as incredibly selfish especially to her friends.

I do feel that Esther did grow as a character and some of the exes she met with did help her in some ways redeem herself. I wish there would of be a little bit more with the epilogue and she explored the characters at a later point than the one month.

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
One night, Esther and her flatmates and best friends Louise and Bibi are in their local pub when they spot an old magazine. An article catches their attention, it’s suggesting one of your seven exes might actually have been “The One”. Taken with the concept, Esther sets out on a mission to find her seven exes and double check. It leads to the opening of old hurts, failures and brings so many buried emotions to the surface.

𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
At some point in this story, I really disliked Esther, I was ready to put this book down and move on. I persevered and the story did manage to come together towards the end. There are seven exes, best friends, some not-great behaviour on Esther’s part and lots of flashbacks. This story has echoes of a 2020’s Bridget Jones’s diary, getting things hopelessly upside down at times. I didn’t enjoy how the relationships between Esther and her flatmates soured, and sprang some real surprises out at times.

My rating 3.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

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