This is the story of Jess and Jamie, who reconnected after a disastrous encounter in their teens.

It doesn’t follow the usual narrative as it dealt swiftly, early on in the book, the issue of Jess’ animosity and her identity when they meet years later.

Written from Jess’ perspective, we are treated to her relationships with those around her and how often she lets their advice sway her decisions and emotions.

There were hilarious and laugh out loud moments scattered throughout the book. I like the book’s take on both the horrors and joys of dating apps.

I loved how fierce and independent Jess was. I admire her work ethics and how she knew what she wanted to do with her life at an age most of us have other things going on for us.

But while she seems to have everything working for her in other departments, I believe she is easily swayed and cannot seem to make up her mind on what is it she wants.

I loved all of the characters- they were down to earth and very relatable. The banters between Jess and her sister were hilarious.

I didn’t see the need for the near break up but as usual Jess’ insecurities rear to the surface again but I won’t blame her too much.

If you love a funny second chance rom com with a bit of enemies to lovers vibes then you will enjoy this.

I received an advanced copy of this book and the review is entirely mine and voluntary.

It's all fate when you do everything to try and avoid someone from your past but still bump into them anyway. When Jess’s car breaks down the person who comes to her rescue is the last person she wants to see, Jamie.

But while Jess is fighting away her emotions Jamie wants to show her he has changed.

This was a great read by MacLeod; I loved the interaction between these two characters which had me grinning like a Cheshire cat. This author gives us an entertaining narrative in which I was excited to constantly wonder what happens next.

Not my first read by MacLeod and not my last.

Jess and Jamie had hooked up in the past, and what Jess thought was the beginning to a new relationship wasn't. Jamie unknowingly broke her heart and they lost touch. That is until they met again during a wedding where Jamie was the best man and Jess was catering the event.

It was loathing at "second" sight for Jess as she remembered how he broke her heart. Jamie was clueless but he immediately wanted to make amends as soon as he discovered why Jess didn't like him. There were some trust issues to overcome but it all worked out.

I loved the secondary characters especially Molly who brought comic relief during family dinners. First from the author and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

Jess Thomas, a co-owner of a thriving culinary enterprise alongside her partner and confidante, Alice, finds herself navigating uncharted waters when tasked with catering a wedding where the best man is none other than Jamie Ferguson. Jamie, the object of her first major crush, had inexplicably ended their brief liaison with a cold, dismissive text message following a one-night stand a staggering twelve years ago.

Determined to avoid any awkward encounters, Jess does her utmost to steer clear of Jamie during the wedding reception. However, fate has other plans, as her car unexpectedly sputters to a halt on the way home, and to her astonishment, Jamie emerges as her unexpected knight in shining armor. Though Jess can’t help but harbor lingering anger and suspicion toward him, Jamie embarks on a mission to prove that he has genuinely transformed and is deserving of her trust and affection.

I found the story to be highly entertaining, punctuated with clever and humorous lines that drew me in. The dynamic dialogues between Jess and her sister were particularly enjoyable, and the narrative subtly imparts a valuable lesson about the complications and discontent that miscommunication and hasty assumptions can instigate.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Never Ever Getting Back Together' by Phoebe MacLeod.


Read and reviewed for Phoebe MacLeod, NetGalley, Boldwood, Book & Tonic and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.


Publication date 26th October 2023.


This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely won't be my last!!!


This novel consists of 32 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.


Where the heck have you been hiding all my life Phoebe!!! Love, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely gorgeous page turner!! An absolute must read!!!



OMG!!! I absolutely LOVED this gorgeous page turner and I cannot WAIT for the next book in this series to come out!! It is just guaranteed to be stunning! This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline. It is one of those books that are very easy to read and perfect for any reading situations whether you are laying on a beach or curled up in front of a fire. It is an absolutely ideal read for anyone who is looking for a fantastic laugh out loud romantic comedy that will have you hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely LOVED the realism of this storyline which made it so easy to picture everything that was going on which had been helped by Phoebe's fantastic evocative writing skills. I cannot wait to get hooked into more of her books so I hope she is busy writing her next one!! In the meantime I'm off to get the rest of the books she has previously written!! This is definitely one of those books that will turn a frown upside down and make life seem a lot brighter. It is packed with fun, food, romance, heartbreak, friendship, laughter and everything you could ask for in a fantastic feel good book. I won't tell you anymore as I don't want to spoil any surprises so you'll just have to grab a copy of this stunner yourself to find out! I can promise you it will be a fun rollercoaster ride of drama, romance, fun and absolutely everything you could want in an absolutely unforgettable and stunning page turner!!!! Phoebe's evocative writing skills drew me deep into the book bringing the atmosphere and characters to life all around me. It is one of those books that I could not put down. I ended up walking around the house looking at my kindle reading away and absolutely devoured it in one sitting.


Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as this book will have you hooked with tears of laughter running down your face!!

This may be the first book I have read by Phoebe but I cannot wait to get hold of more books by this extremely talented author!!!



The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. Phoebe's writing skills makes them realistic, believable and made me feel even more for them than I normally would if the descriptions weren't as details. I absolutely adored Jess and was rooting for her throughout. She is the type of person I could easily get to know more and call a friend. It felt like I was getting to know her more and more as I delves deeper in the book and it was intriguing watching her interactions with Jamie as I went from page to page. I wasn't a fan of Jamie after what he did to Jess but the more I got to know him the more he grew on me and I was rooting for them both. It wasn't just Jess and Jamie I became invested in but also many of the other characters who all had a part to play and played them perfectly. Between them all they made me laugh, shout, swoon and giggle away in this absolutely perfect relaxing read!!! Each of the characters are memorable and unique in their own ways and they are a group of people that I wont be forgetting any time soon!


Pick up this book and get lost in this absolutely gorgeous page turner!



Congratulations Phoebe on an absolutely stunning read that I just could not put down!!! I am absolutely mind blown that I have never read any of your absolutely gorgeous books yet!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! Welcome to my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue of Phoebe's 'Love At First Site' which promises to be just as gripping as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!!

Overall an unputdownable, gorgeous, STUNNING page turning book filled with romance, fun, laughter, friendship and so much more!!



279 pages.


This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback via Amazon, at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!


Rated 5/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.


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This book was an absolute delight to read! I like the characters of Jess & Jaime; they fit easily together moving from a mistake and misunderstanding when they were younger and then to meeting as adults once again. Of course, McLeod has given them a challenge to overcome - and I like how her male characters are always proving themselves worthy and showing the female characters how important they are to them. She has created this dynamic again with Jess and Jaime.

The misunderstanding made when both were young has missing pieces until Jaime comes back into Jess’s life. That misunderstanding sets the reader up for the trust issues Jess has especially when it comes to Jaime. Even though Jess is determined not to fall for Jaime he makes it pretty easy and Jess has to work out how to deal with all of it.

The ending is satisfying and perfect. Cutest ever! Definitely pick this book up for a feel good and delightful read!

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Phoebe MacLeod

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

The course of true love never did run smooth, but with Phoebe MacLeod it always gets a chance. Perfect for fans of Jo Watson and Mhairi McFarlane. Everyone remembers their first love. Jess Thomas definitely does. So, it’s more than a little awkward when Jess’s first love, Jamie Ferguson, turns out to be the best man at the wedding she’s catering for. And more than a little insulting when he doesn’t appear to remember her at all. Since Jamie broke her heart (via text!), 10 years earlier, Jess has sworn off romance. And with a booming catering business to focus on, she’s doing OK. She has no interest in revisiting the past. But when Jess’s car breaks down on a country lane, she has no choice but to accept Jamie’s help. Now, Jamie is determined to show Jess he’s a new man. But can guys like Jamie ever really change? And if she gives him another chance, is she setting herself up for a fall? 

My Opinion

Phoebe MacLeod is one of those authors that I am sure I have loved her books before and then it turns out that this is my first book. Well I have to say that I enjoyed it and I will be back for more. I was drawn in from the opening chapter and I liked the way that Phoebe introduced the history between Jamie and Jess.

A light-hearted read that with less than 300 pages will make for an easy novel to escape with. Sometimes it is nice to find a nice, easy book to read and this was just what I needed after returning to work following a holiday.

Rating 4/5

A fun, fade to black, romance perfect for those who need a lighter read amidst the heavy scary books of Spooktober.

In Never Ever Getting Back Together we have a second chance romance with the dreaded miscommunication trope. To be honest, these are my least favorite tropes but it was so well done here. Maybe I am a convert?

I am a huge fan of Phoebe MacLeod, and she didn't disappoint here.

I'm not going to lie, the title caught my attention.

This was a fun second chance, enemies to friends to lovers romance. It also has a bit of a baking romance feel. I had a fun time with this book and would definitely check out more from this author in the future.

The only thing that didn't work for me was our main female character, Jess. I did grow to like her, but first impressions weren't the best.

**Read an ARC from Netgalley Rating : 3 Stars

This is a lovely easy light hearted read. Jess as a teenager is geeky, flat chested and shy. She goes to one party with a friend and accidentally opens a door into the face of her teenage crush, which leads to an encounter neither of them expected.

Years later Jess is a successful businesswoman and at the wedding of an old school friend, catering not as a guest. Her teenage crush is also there, but as a guest and the way he texted her to brush her off years before is still raw. When her car breaks down on the way home, who should pull up and offer to help?!

Can a leopard change their spots?

This is a really good romantic comedy with the right amount of laughter and tears with some emotional parts to enjoy and the promise of a will they won’t they love story.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Never Ever Getting Back Together is a classic love story about falling in love with your teenage crush. Light hearted and easy to read, although slightly predictable

As a reader, there’s nothing quite like getting lost in a book with hilarious banter and compelling characters. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Phoebe MacLeod’s latest novel.

Jess’s story is relatable and lonely in some ways. She’s an independent woman who speaks her mind, but she’s also vulnerable and has been hurt in the past. When she meets Jamie Ferguson again at a wedding, she’s understandably angry at first. He had dumped her by text after one unforgettable night years ago, and she had never forgotten how rude and hurtful he was. However, as she gets to know him again, she realizes that there’s another side to the story.

Jamie, for his part, is thoughtful, considerate, and determined to win Jess’s trust back. He takes things slow and shows her his sweeter side. The karaoke night they share is a particularly heartwarming moment. However, some frustrating misunderstandings and drama still crop up, especially when Jamie’s secret is finally revealed. But with the help of someone close to him, the misunderstandings are cleared up and the couple is able to move forward.

Overall, this book is a sweet behind-closed-doors romance. MacLeod has once again created a cast of characters that are realistic and relatable, with occupations that are down-to-earth. This is a romance novel that doesn’t rely on over-the-top wealth or unbelievable scenarios to keep the reader engaged. Instead, it draws you in with its humor and heart and keeps you invested in the story until the very end.

Whether you’re a fan of romance novels or just looking for something fun and light-hearted to read, this book is worth checking out.

Thank you to Ms. MacLeod for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

I have read a few @phoebemacleod21 and this was one of my favourites. I loved Jess and Jamie and the supporting cast around them. The story feels so real and authentic meaning it's easy to connect with the characters and feel like you know them. The mixed timeline helps you build and empathy with the characters and I was genuinely sad when this book ended we need a sequel

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

It's a cute second chance love story. The story did lag at times, and I wish Simone and Lizzie were introduced sooner as I like their characters.

The spice rating is 1 out of 5, which suits the story. The different relationships were interesting enough. I would recommend for a fun, easy read

The book was ok. Nothing super special but a nice easy read. I think the book would have been much better as a YA book instead of 12 years later. The story would have to change a bit but the book. would really work well since Jess and Jamie had a fairly superficial relationship at the beginning.

Fun and light read! I loved the dynamic between Jess and Jamie. Jess is strong, independent and has made a name for herself. She stands up for herself but is open to listen to other opinions and re-consider her positions... she is mature! Which makes her a great character. I appreciated that the conflict didn't go on for a long time and didn't feel forced. And the banter between Jess and her sister had me laughing.

Eu gostei da leitura, achei a personagem principal um tanto chata e paranoica, mas assim, se a gente considerar como as coisas de fato acontecem na vida, faz bastante sentido, ninguém supera um trauma/insegurança de um dia pro outro com uma simples palavra. Gostei do envolvimento do casal, os amigos dela são bem bacanas, e a ex esposa dele foi bem bacana. Gostei das camadas que a autora acrescentou nos personagens, fez eles parecerem reais, cada um com suas dificuldades, mas buscando criar relações saudáveis e crescer. É um clichê bem estruturado.

Translate on google: I liked reading it, I found the main character a bit annoying and paranoid, but if we consider how things actually happen in life, it makes a lot of sense, no one overcomes a trauma/insecurity overnight with a simple word . I liked the couple's involvement, her friends are really cool, and his ex-wife was really cool. I liked the layers that the author added to the characters, she made them seem real, each with their own difficulties, but seeking to create healthy relationships and grow. It's a well-structured cliché.

Jess is a 28 year old chef who owns a catering business with her friend Alice. She’s doing well and has moved on from the guy who broke her heart and took her virginity in high school, though she hasn’t been with anyone else since then. She never saw him again after that night despite him telling her how much he liked her and that he wanted to hang out with her again and that crushed her, but it also motivated her to push on and do well with her life and forget about him.
Now she’s agreed to cater the wedding of the same acquaintance that held that fateful party all those years ago, and Jess knew there was a chance she would see him there, but when she does, he doesn’t recognize her, which she is grateful for. Unfortunately for her though, she breaks down on her way home, and he is the one to stop and help her-and tells her that she reminds him of someone he used to know-her! She lets him have it-all 12 years of pent up anger and frustration and hurt that she’s been hanging onto.
Once she gets it all off her chest and he helps her out with her car, they decide to be friends, and then things start to develop from there. He has an ex wife and a daughter that he has a complicated relationship with and that makes things worse because Jess makes assumptions rather than talks to him, which of course, was their problem to begin with. Miscommunication is always a struggle for me ans in this case it kind of got grating because Jess often acted like she was still 16.
That being said, it was a cute story and an easy way to pass the time.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Jess had her heart broken big time and she has sworn herself off love but is she able to have a second chance ? 4 stars for this good read.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Never Ever Getting Back Together is Phoebe Macleod‘s stand-alone second chance romantic comedy set in England.

Jessica “Jess” Thomas runs a successful catering business with multiple stores with her best friend, Alice. She’s too busy to date, and she spends her free time visiting her parents and happily married sister and newborn nephew. Jess isn’t thrilled to be catering a former high school classmate’s wedding and is relieved that the bride doesn’t really remember her. She and Elodie ran in different circles, although Jess did attend one party at Elodie’s house before leaving for catering college 12 years earlier.

All through high school Jess had a crush on a popular boy, Jamie Ferguson, who was usually dating Sarah. However he and Sarah had a big fight and broke up at Elodie’s party. Then Jess bumped into Jamie and she wound up losing her virginity to him. He broke up with her via text the next day, saying that Sarah had come around and they decided to give their relationship another try. This devastated Jess so much that she didn’t keep in touch with anyone from high school, including her best friend, Laura.

Back to the present, Jess’ ancient Volvo dies on the way home from Elodie’s wedding and Jamie Ferguson stops to help a stranded Jess. It takes a while for him to recognize her, and then she gives him a long overdue piece of her mind. Jamie is apologetic and loans her his vehicle so she can get home safely. After he arranges for her Volvo to be towed to the car dealership where he is the sales manager, he finds her a good deal on a used car. Then Jamie hires Jess’ company to cater an event for their dealership. He seems to be trying to prove to Jess that he’s really a good guy.

When Jess complains about her and Jamie’s past to her friends, they all encourage her to give him a chance. Since he didn’t know that she had a crush on him, it was fair for him to assume their single encounter 12 years ago was a hook-up. He had no idea that she was a virgin. Both Jess and Jamie are likable characters. Jess is appealing because she’s like a headstrong ride-or-die friend, and her sister and friends, Alice and Laura, alternate between encouraging her and giving her good advice. Jamie IS a good guy, but he acted like a typical teen-age boy. Now he’s doing all he can to prove to Jess that he’s matured and is worthy of her.
Never Ever Getting Back Together is an entertaining second-chance rom-com that readers will enjoy. It does contain some sex scenes and scattered profanity, but I wouldn’t call it steamy.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.