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.

First thought: Loved it! What happens when you run into your obsessive crush from school, but it’s been 12yrs and you hate his guts!? This book will take you on a fun journey full of high notes, fish sandwiches, expensive cars, and magical moments. Read it now!

Jess thought her dreams had come true at this party, she finally got to loose her virginity to the boy she fantasized about all through school. But the next morning she woke up to a text that changed it all, she would forever HATE Jamie Ferguson.

Fast forward 12 years and Jess co-owns a successful catering business. She is on-site at a remote location for a reception of an old classmate but so far she’s flown under the radar and no one has seen her. She escapes the night without running into Jaime thank goddess! But on the way home her car dies on a small very deserted road.

Jaime is a standup guy, he is a loving single dad, works as manger at the local high end dealership and has an awesome singing voice. After leaving a friend’s wedding he pulls over to help someone whose car broke down. Fate must have intervened because he just got his second chance with a girl he has thought about for the last 12 years but the issue is she hates his gusts!

You’re going to want to read this one to see if Jamie can convince Jess he’s not the guy she thinks him to be. Add to your TBR now and make sure to read when it comes out on October 26th, 2023.

Tropes you’ll find:

* Enemies to Lovers
* Childhood Crush
* Second Chance
* Single Dad
* Trust Issues
* Supportive Family
* Closed Door

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for this ARC.

Jamie was Jess her first love and after he dumped her by text (yes, teenage boys ugh) she deeply hates him. Twelve years later Jess and her best friend Alice have their own Catering business. When they cater for a wedding, Jess finds out that Jamie is the best man.

I love the tropes second chance and enemies to lovers, that's why I liked to read the book. It was a cute read, but I got pretty annoyed with Jess. Although I understand the heartbreak as a teenager…you are an adult now and her immature behaviour was a bit sad. The story idea was good, but I think the story could have used some more developmental editing. There were parts in which the dialogue felt unnatural and I was treated with information that completely went nowhere and was unnecessary. It took me out of the story which was a shame. In this case, I think the story would have been better using double POV, so you get the story from both sides and at times I was more curious about Jamie his thoughts or feelings. The amount of side characters was not helping as well and was confusing at times, especially in their role in the story. Taking all that out, I enjoyed Phoebe her storytelling and without the distractions it would be a very nice read. There were some funny moments in the book that really made me chuckle. This book will be good if you are looking for a light-read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an Negalley in exchange for an honest review!

REVIEW TO COME

When Jess was 16, she lost her virginity to her crush, Jamie, on the bathroom floor of a friends house during a party. Jamie told her how cool he thought she was and how much he wanted to hang out with her and get to know her - everything Jess wanted to hear. But then the next day, Jamie gets back together with his girlfriend (after the broke up the night before at the party ... right before he and Jess hooked up), and texts Jess to tell her he can't hang out with her. They never saw each other again as Jess left high school to go to catering college.

Now, Jess is a 28yr old chef who owns her own catering business, covering events such as weddings. So when she agrees to cater a wedding of the same old high school acquaintance who hosted the party, she knew there was a chance that Jamie would be there. She spots him immediately but he doesn't recognise her after 12yrs but when she breaks down as she's leaving the wedding, he stops to help her. He tells her she reminds him of someone he went to high school with - herself! And it's at this point she lets Jamie have it, all the hurt and anger she's been hanging on to since that night.

Here is where the problem really starts with this story - Jess has been stewing on this for 12yrs! To the point where she's never even been with anyone else in that time. She had a major crush on Jamie when they were at school but had barely spoken in that time and then when they did hook up, she didn't express anything to Jamie about how she felt about him or the fact she was a virgin. So how was Jamie supposed to know it wasn't more than a hook up?

And ok, he shouldn't have "dumped" her over text but they weren't a couple and it's more than what most 16yr old boys would do in that situation! He was honest with her in the text. Plus, she had slept with him only moments after his girlfriend broke up with him and left the party - I'm really not sure what she was expecting.

To hold such a grudge for 12yrs and then when she confronts Jamie about it, he takes it and accepts he behaved like a dick back then, he'd even tried to contact her again in the weeks after they slept together but Jess had blocked his number. But he wanted the chance to get to know her now and she still thinks she can't trust him?!

They do get back together, but Jess needs to take things slowly since she can't trust him (ridiculous!) and when she meets his ex-partner and the mother of his child, she over hears a conversation between them that was nothing to do with her, but she decides they're talking about her and when she goes to confront them, Jamie and his ex are hugging. Given that the ex has attachment issues with their daughter, it's not really surprising he is consoling her, but instead of waiting for an explanation, Jess runs away and it takes Jamie's ex coming to find her to explain everything for her to agree to see Jamie again.

I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if Jess wasn't so annoying. For a 28yr old successful business owner, she is incredibly childish - not only did she hate Jamie forever, she even cut off all her friends from high school so she could "move on"! I liked Jamie, he was a good character and he really didn't deserve the hatred that Jess harboured towards him.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This was a excellent ready by Phoebe MacLead. . You will want to continue reading to find out what happens next! She keeps you intrigued that you can't stop reading.

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Phoebe MacLeod presents a predictable yet heartwarming narrative of love rekindled at an awkward moment. Jess and Jamie's past romance, though clouded by misunderstandings, is set against a backdrop of a catering business and wedding jitters. While the story follows a familiar romantic arc, the light-hearted humor and relatable characters offer a pleasant read, making it an average 3-star choice for fans of contemporary romance.

This book is a 3 1/2 stars for me. I really liked the story however, there were parts that didn’t quite clicked for me or that were not fully congruent with the story. This is a closed door romance. Second chance and enemies to lovers trope. The beginning of the story was pretty interesting and the banter between both of them was amazing what I actually didn’t like was that she had her reasons for being insecure, and she knew that there were a little bit of communication issues from the past and at the beginning of their relationship they seem to have learned of what happened 12 years ago but then, when they have their big fight/ misunderstanding towards the end of the book, those communication skills that they had already developed just went out the window and the fact that the reconciliation didn’t come from a talk between Jaime and Jess but with his ex and Jess seemed a bit awkward.

Never Ever Getting Back Together
by Phoebe MacLeod
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trust issues are hard to cope with and even harder to write, but I think MacLeod handles the writing of her main character’s trust issues fairly well.

When Jess comes face-to-face with Jamie, her one-time-only from long ago, all her trust issues come into full focus. Her character is capable and competent, but he gets under her skin. Watching Jess grapple with this interesting man is good fun.

The dialogue is a bit stilted at times, but the story as a whole moved along at a nice pace. It’s a fun, quick read that’s perfect for lovers of “cracked door” romances and stories that emphasize character growth.

That said, a small request for the writer: As a parent, Simone’s story is the one that *intrigued* me the most. I would love to see a book that tells her story in full!

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC for my honest read.

So, second chance romance (especially when the first romance happened in high school). aren't my favorite and Never Ever Getting Back Together didn't handle the trope very well.

Jess is co-owner of a tea shop and catering company. She is catering the wedding for a former classmate who does not recognize her. At the wedding she spots Jamie whom also went to her high school. She hates Jamie, and fortunately the book only has one chapter in the past and addresses the bad thing that happened fairly early on. And for the past 12 years she has built a narrative that Jamie is a bad, bad guy. Seriously, if they were going to use a Taylor Swift song for the title, Baby We Got Bad Blood would have been more appropriate.

But then Jamie helps her out of a jam, and he seems like a nice guy. Maybe they could even be friends?

The swoon was not there for me on this on. The plot line with Jamie's ex was weird. The bets part of this book was the banter Jess had with her sister.

A short and easy read, Jess and Jamie’s story is interesting. Jess was in love with Jamie when they were younger , had an encounter at a party and then Jamie broke her heart by getting back with his ex. Fast forward 12 years, they meet again at a wedding she’s catering. The last chapter / one year later rounded the story out “enough” for me, but I found it hard to get overly invested in the story. The name of the story makes little sense too because I didn’t really consider them “together” in the past.

This book was so good. It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions for my girl Jess and me. I’m glad that everything that had happened between Jess and Jaime was able to get resolved and they could move on and be together. I honestly was on the same page as Jess when it came to Simone. I was a bit wary about her until the part where Jess meets her and Lizzie. It was cool to see Simone be the one to reach out to Jess and reassure her about Jaime’s love for her.

Ah, those all-encompassing, all-consuming teenage crushes. We've all had them, we've all lived through the pain that comes after, but what if you did get your teenage crush, but only for a night? And what if he returns 12 years later?

That's the premise of Never Ever Getting Back Together. Jess Thomas is thrown back into the orbit of her teenage crush, Jamie Ferguson. Except, it was a little more than a crush, Jamie was actually Jess's first time, but he dropped her the day after when he got back with his girlfriend. Now, 12 years later, Jamie is surprised to learn that Jess still holds a grudge for what happened and is determined to get back into her good graces.

This is a fine premise for the book, but it just doesn't come together. Most importantly, I don't sense any chemistry between Jess and Jamie and it's not clear what has led to their rekindled romance. They are conceivably "friends" at first, but you only see a few small conversations between the two, none of which send out sparks. Second, Jess is just not a compelling lead character. She's quite immature, poor with communication, and downright rude to Jamie at multiple points in the book! Finally, there is a lot of extraneous detail throughout the book. For instance, in the first few chapters, we meet a new owner of a bartending company that works with Jess. I thought for sure this was setting up some kind of romantic tension, but nope, we just learn he's nice and he moves his van. Like, why?!?!

I liked MacLeod's Love at First Site, so this is perhaps just a book that was not for me.

* Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *

This sounded like a light hearted look at what happens when your first love reappears years later. Especially if it ended badly and rge past clouds your present.
The first hard prior to Jamie reappearing at a wedding was well written and enjoyable. However after this event the story seemed to be dragged out. The introduction of the child seemed to be oart of this as it dragged it out unnecessary. Side characters seemed added to justify the actions of Jess.
This had moments of real promuse but they were just passed over. I would like the side characters to have mor relevance to gge story. Overall it was a nice easy read got itself in tge middle and the ending was too predictable. Thud is perfect for anyine who just wants yo read a quick romcom.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for my arc. Due to the midfle this is a 4 star read rounded up for me.

A cute second chances romance. This was a cute sweet story with fade to black sexy scenes. I recommend this book for clean romance readers.

Jess Thomas runs a successful culinary business with her partner and friend, Alice. She is thrown for a loop when catering a wedding as the best man is Jamie Ferguson, her first big crush who dumped her by text following a one night stand twelve years ago. She avoids him at the reception, but when her car breaks down on the way home and Jamie stops to help her, she is forced to accept his help. Although Jess is angry and suspicious of his every move, Jamie tries to prove to her that he has changed and is worthy of her.

Rom coms are not my go to genre, but once in a while I like to take a break from mysteries, thrillers, and literary fiction and read something lighter. This was entertaining, with many amusing lines. I loved the dialog between Jess and her sister! There is a lesson here about the problems and unhappiness that miscommunication and jumping to conclusions can cause.

Fast-paced entertaining read.
The female protagonist is smart and witty. Her friendship with her business partner Alice is written beautifully.

Though there were too many dialogues and characters were saying exactly what they were thinking, which isn't quite realistic. Lesser dialogues and more storytelling would have been more fun.

Thank you Boldwood and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

Never Ever Getting Back Together
Written By Phoebe MacLeod
Publisher Boldwood Books
Release Date October 26, 2023


Characters: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Pace:3/5
Overall Enjoyment:3/5


Certainly a refreshing novel about second chance romances that not only keep the reader asking for more, it has the reader rooting for the characters to give it one more try. This is the story of Jess Thomas and Jamie Ferguson. Jamie was Jess’s first love and one that she will always remember. But Jamie called it off via text….what? After the two went their separate ways…..I sound like I a writing an 80’s music record…lol, it seems that the universe had a different plan for the two. Ten years later Jess has sworn off relationships and has her own business and a great friend and business partner named Alice. Jamie now enters Jess’s life once more and it seems the two never lost that lovin feeling. While the two have matured over time obviously, the story itself starts to take a turn where there are so many characters that add their opinions to Jess and Jamie’s relationship. Although there were a few good friends that rekindled a friendship with Jess such as Laura, it failed to impress upon what the author was trying to say to the reader. There did not seem to be the sort of of banter one would expect rom characters that had had a feud with each other some time ago.
The other issue that I found somewhat frustrating was that the pace in which the relationship between Jess and Jamie was rather slow and the build up was not a5 all what I was expecting. Or even hoping for. The author has a great ability to tell a story but the fact that it had one POV throughout and that protagonist had a lot of teenage issues that she never worked out through her 30’s such as allowing the one thing that Jamie did to her to turn away from starting new ones was just not something I could really see happening..

I do feel that this book is a 3 star read.

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.