The FMC is annoying, she's supposedly 28 but acts super childish, and it gets old quick. She's held on to a grudge for 12 years over something the MMC did when he was 16! It affects all her relationships, to the point where she hasn't dated in all that time, which is overdramatic. Did not enjoy.

IT was a nice and fast book to read.

Jess is a chef who owns a catering company with business partner and friend, Alice. While they are working the reception of one of Jess's old school classmates, she runs into her high school crush, who hurt pretty badly twelve years before, dumping her over text message.
Every attempts Jess's makes trying to avoid Jamie are fruitless when she buys a car from him or she works an event for his boss.

It's a nice second chance romance, easy and fast to read. It will makes you smile but not much else from there.

Thanks to @netgalley and #boldwoodbooks for the ARC.

This book was just ok. Jess and Jamie are sweet, but there was really nothing urging me to finish this one. Lack of a driving plot and lack of intense chemistry.

Closed door, second chance high school crush romance with low spice.
The thing I love about Phoebe Macleod is that her stories are mostly low key romcoms with gentle romances and down to earth characters. I felt like this one is my least favourite so far.
Jess is dumped by her high school crush after spending an amazing night together at a party. Years later she meets her crush at work and tries to untangle her mixed feelings. Is Jamie really the same as he was back then? Will one mistake ruin his chances?
I started out enjoying this one, it was the classic set up girl obsessed with boy, boy doesn’t know and breaks girls heart. Girl is angry for years after, sparks fly when they meet up. I got about halfway through and lost my interest. I think there needed to be more moments of characters getting to know each other now rather than the past. I didn’t feel the emotions from Jamie.
Still a decent funny romcom.
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

jess is someone who avoided relationships because of what happened with her first love, jamie. but she meets him again at a wedding she’s catering and jess has a choice: to believe jamie has changed for the better or to put distance between them to prevent her heart from breaking again.

what i liked
i wanted more. this is definitely an engaging character-driven story and i was continuously curious as to where the story would go. jess is a well-rounded character with distinct character traits which made it easier for me to understand and relate to her struggles and fears. i love that the book showed different aspects of jess’s life and how she navigated those different dynamics, these interactions were very wholesome.

what i disliked
i feel like everything happened too slow yet too fast, i’m not sure how to explain it. i enjoyed reading it and i wished the author explored jess’s life more in-depth. it’s well-written and easy to read but i just can’t put my finger on why i felt like the book ending didn’t really end the book, maybe it’s just because i wish there was more to read.

themes: second chance romance, fade to black, career, relationship anxiety

Thanks to netgalley and publisher for the arc.

I was drawn in by the title and the plot but didn't like the secret he was keeping it's one of my least fave tropes ever so that soured the book completely for me sadly!

I wanted to love this story, but I found that the MC was difficult to get on side with. We've all been there, been led on by someone we had a massive crush on, thought a relationship had started but it wasn't reciprocated, had our hearts broken... but to think that someone dwelled on this for 12 years, avoiding any commitment or relationships, it's a really sad thought.

Jess is such a strong, independent woman, I find it hard to believe this is all built from Heartbreak at 16 years old, I wanted more for her. I wanted Jamie to chase her, move mountains, grovel and it just seemed to come together too neatly and easily. This grudge she's held onto for 12 years was easily forgiven and although the trust was hesitant in the beginning, it would have been so good for Jamie to redeem himself more.

Usually I adored Phoebe MacLeod, but this book had a few things working against it, unfortunately. I can't stand people who haggle, and I can't stand car salesmen. As a result, I wasn't a fan of the characters and think I would have preferred the main couple not to end up together!

Still a very well written romance though, good for a quick and easy read if you have less hang ups than I do!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

“I can’t do that”
“Why not?”
“Because then I’m always the bastard in your narrative”

I breezed through this in less than 24 hours. It was a cosy read and admittedly a little predictable. Jess is a successful businesswoman (she set up a catering company with a friend at 18) and Jamie is a car salesman. I loved that the characters were ‘normal’ people who weren’t millionaires.

Given that one of the major components of their younger years drama was caused by miscommunication the continued lack of communication was a little frustrating although Jamie is a bit of a sweetheart.

I enjoyed the premise of this story however the mention of birth trauma, prematurity, post natal depression and PTSD without a trigger warning was a real issue for me. I’m surprised given the huge numbers of parents who suffer birth trauma that there wasn’t any sort of note at the beginning. I skipped the rest of that chapter and pushed through to the end but I confess it did leave me struggling to connect with the ending.

Thanks to the publisher and net galley for this ARC

Twelve years ago, Jess thought her dreams were coming true when she hooked up with her newly single crush Jamie at a party but it didn't end well with Jamie texting her that he got back with his girlfriend.

Now 28 sworn off relationships, Jess is catering a wedding and avoiding any interaction with the wedding party as Jamie is one of the groomsmen! .

But in a true romance novel way she breaks down in the middle of nowhere and Jamie is the one to save her! Thankfully Phoebe didn't wait too long for Jess to air all to Jamie in the car and let the slow romance commence.

There was aspects to the story that were not my favourite and maybe felt a little rushed but
I still enjoyed it, an easy read romance which is like my favourite thing.

Thank you NetGalley for the download

“𝐈’𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬, 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞.”

In Phoebe MacLeod's novel Never Ever Getting Back Together, sales manager Jamie Ferguson and caterer Jessica Thomas pursue a second chance at love.

Jess is fixated on the man she lost her virginity to 12 years ago, which also explains why she didn't date anyone during that time because she was so heartbroken. That seemed so childlike to me and made no sense.

The novel also moved a little too quickly and dove right into their relationship when I would have preferred to see more of them getting to know one another and more family time spent together. The fact that he had a daughter but had kept it a secret did make sense given that he didn’t know how he felt about Jess, but he could’ve said anything once he began to pursue her.

The baby momma, Simone, was a sweetheart, and I loved her and Elizabeth, the daughter, was adorable as well.

In all, to make them finally getting together seem more genuine, this could have been more of a slow burn with angst.

*Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and to the author, Phoebe MacLeod, for providing me with this e-arc INE change for an honest review.*

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

I found this book had me hooked for the first half but i felt the second half dragged a bit.
The book follows the lives of Jess (an independent, no nonsense caterer), who bumps into her first true love, Jamie, 10 years later at an event she is catering. The story goes back and forth with the ending amounting to a massive big communication at the end about the events of the night 12 years prior when Jamie dumped Jess by text. I found the book some what enjoyable but felt Jess was portrayed as quite childish for her age (28) and was holding on to a grudge for 12 years which wasn't really fitting for Jamie's character.

Book would be good for people who want a light romance book.

Thanks again to Netgalley / Boldwood books.

Really pissed at the way PTSD was taken so lightly in the second chapter, like come on, the situation could have given Alice some anxiety more or less, but PTSD???? seriously.....????

This is a light-hearted read that I thoroughly enjoyed. We follow Jess, a wedding caterer as she runs into the man who broke her heart many years ago. Can they find their way back to each other?
I enjoyed the characters in this, they are likeable and felt realistic and I liked their story. They also provide moments of laughter as well as some more serious moments which help us to understand them better. The plot as I have said is very entertaining, full of drama, love and laughter and I read this quickly as a result. It also helps this is set near where I live so I enjoyed the local references made.
Overall this is a entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

I really enjoyed this book, can't wait to read more by this authorcin the future. They have a great writing style that keeps you hooked till the end of the book.

A light, easy read about a caterer who specialises in big events and that one big event where she tries to stay under the radar to escape the attentions of school mates from years yonder but why?

This is the first book I have read by Phoebe MacLeod. From her previous reviews I was excited to give this one a try. I found this book to be a quick and easy read. It have fun banter and it felt like a clean romance.

It starts with Jess who has not forgotten the one she felt got away. However, Jamie doesn’t quite remember it exactly the same. Between many obstacles, they work their ways towards each other. The big questions through the book is will they or wont they. Throw in single parenthood, forgiveness and humor the book comes to a good ending.

For me Jess is a hard character at times to read but I powered through and enjoyed the book. If you enjoy banter, quick reads, this rom com is for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity for this ARC.

I requested this book because of the title, as a Taylor Swift fan I was super interested in this book. I was so happy I decided to check this book out.
This was a second-chance romance between Jess and Jamie. Jess has sworn off love because Jamie broke her heart many years before by ending things over a text message.
Jess really wants to focus on her catering business with her partner Alice. She is taken by surprise when she has to cater to a wedding where Jamie is the best man. Jess is determined to avoid him at all costs until her car breaks down and she has no choice but to let Jamie help her.
Jess is very weary of his intentions and is unconvinced that he is a changed person. Jamie really wants to prove himself to Jess and show her that he has changed and wants to try again with her.
I really liked this book and although romcoms aren't always my go-to I really wanted to give this book a chance and I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed it. I liked their history, the flirting, and the banter. I also really enjoyed the side characters and how they supported the story overall.
4/5 I recommend this book to second-chance romance lovers and those who like lighthearted fluffy books, Thank you to Pheobe and Netgalley for the opportunity.

This is not my first Phoebe MacLeod, in fact, I loved her previous works, Love at First Site was definitely not your usual romantic comedy with storyline thrown in.

At first, I thought that Never Ever Getting Back Together had amazing potential, the main character, Jess, has a business, she knows her own mind and though she doesn't have (to her mother's mind) the all-important boyfriend, she is doing fine without. However, this is truly a case of 'methinks she doth protesteth too much'. Every time boyfriends are mentioned, or dating, or relationships she starts to list her reasons why not.

In order to placate her family and pushy but well-meaning friends, she goes on an app and has some truly uncomfortable dates, but her heart is still focused on events that took place when she was 16.

The whole book starts with a wedding, or at least the planning as Jess and her partner (business only) Alice run a catering company and the client she is struggling to deal with is a girl she went to school with (who doesn't recognise Jess at all). It appears that this girl was not exactly a nemesis, but she was one of the popular girls and hung out with the boy that Jess had an incredible crush on, Jamie.

On the day of the wedding, we find out much more about why Jess isn't interested in dating, or men or revisiting her school experience (though it's business, she has to). At a party to celebrate their GCSEs being over, she had sex with her crush...and then the following day he dumped her, by text. This one event shaped her ENTIRE life.

Not sure if it's my age, or my own life experience that says 'Are you kidding me?'. I was expecting something massive, an assault (not something I would wish on anyone) or a teen pregnancy, or ritual humiliation...but NO ONE knows about this apart from her and Jamie...and this shaped my enjoyment of the book.

I came away after that, especially when Alice's husband asks her about it and starts to put things in perspective, feeling very frustrated with our MFC. She changed her entire life, cut off good friends, shut herself away because she slept with someone who dumped her?

Normally I can suspend belief, but this time I was truly annoyed with our heroine, she was just so consumed with resentment that even when Jamie redeems himself she can't trust him. What kind of life is that to live?

Overall, there were moments that made me laugh, but I didn't get that sigh of satisfaction at the end that I have had with the other Phoebe MacLeod books I have read. It was well-written and, as I said, there were moments, but Jess just didn't come across as 'great' you know?

Jess, a successful caterer, has been hired to cater the wedding of a girl she went to high school with. The only problem? Jess left school after getting her heart broken by Jamie Ferguson, and he's the best man at the wedding.

Overall, I thought it was a cute story. I liked the characters, and how much growth they showed since high school. Jamie realizes he was a bit of a tool back then, which not all guys really admit to. Jess, despite holding on to her anger for so long, is willing to reevaluate the situation, too, which was nice to see. As I am American, I also enjoyed all the British bits - it's fun to learn how things work in different countries!

The only thing is that I had a hard time with how overblown Jess' reactions are. Being dumped by your high school crush after a one night stand completely sucks, and it definitely makes sense that she would be heartbroken for a while, but not dating anyone for 12 years because of it? Leaving school and never even talking to her best friend because of it? It seems WAY too dramatic. The big drama at the end, too. Again, she's insecure and maybe the nerves make her more sensitive, but to just run off and hide when you aren't actually even sure what is being said in a different language seems like a temper tantrum to me. All told, though, it was a fun story!

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.