This book had it all for me and that was it. I had to read this to see what it was all about. I was not disappointed and enjoyed the content. Enjoyed this book. I want to find more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood for an advance e-book of Never Ever Getting Back Together by Phoebe MacLeod in exchange of an honest review.

"Phoebe Macleod's 'Never, Ever Getting Back Together' offers a refreshing take on a second-chance romance, immersing readers in the emotional journey of Jess, a woman who, after being devastated by her past encounter with Jamie, finds herself confronted with his presence once again. The novel successfully breaks away from the usual clichés, delivering early revelations and unveiling the reasons behind Jess's lingering grudge. The bonds between the characters, particularly the heartwarming friendship between Jess and her business partner Alice, bring depth and authenticity to the narrative. Additionally, the rekindling of Jess's friendship with Laura adds another layer of joy. However, despite these strengths, the book falls short in terms of believable tension, with Jess occasionally regressing to her teenage self instead of embracing her mature self at nearly 30 years old. The slow progression in re-establishing a connection between Jess and Jamie left readers longing for more evidence of their adult compatibility. Furthermore, the introduction of an unnecessary plot device regarding Jamie's current circumstances added an unconvincing reason for Jess to reject him once again. Additionally, Jess's decision to abstain from dating or hooking up based on a single experience seemed unrealistic for a presumably independent woman. While 'Never, Ever Getting Back Together' remains an enjoyable and easy read, more focus on character development and plot progression would have enhanced its overall impact. Nevertheless, the novel serves as a satisfying palate cleanser and a lighthearted addition to the romance genre."

2.5 Stars

I'm sort of glad that 'Never Ever Getting Back Together' was pretty much what the blurb said it was, but I would have preferred it to have a 'single-parent' warning attached to it. What really drew me to the title however, was a long-remembered grudge happening in the teenage years that went on to define who Jess Thomas became. Justified as it was however, Jess's bitter memories became the foundation on which she judged Jamie Ferguson years later and it was because of this that she found it understandably hard to move on with him.

Putting the glib phrase 'all's well that ends well' aside despite it all, Phoebe MacLeod is a new author to me and I did generally like her storytelling style. Yet reading it all in first person, with Jess's POV only throughout, it felt like I was only getting her side of the story--a well-fleshed out one at that of course--along with her grievances and insecurities while Jamie simply looked like a guy desperate to make amends from the other side of
the opaque fence.

It didn't entirely help that there were too many side-characters who came in and out and left their own opinions of Jess/Jamie's story to the point it got distracting, leaving the story somewhat rambly and unnecessarily bloated. Consequently I found myself skimming when all I wanted to do was get back to see how Jess handled the next obstacle that was flung her way.

The clean-ish romance too felt like a very obvious door slamming shut in my face for a split second before reopening to show the satiated faces of the main characters who have clearly finished the deed and are now prancing around naked in their afterglow. I'll have to say though, that my preference is for an explicit heat-setting that allows me to follow the characters all the way through, and was surprised to find that Jess and Jamie's smexy times were simply reduced to asterisks and then, a condom being taken off after a deliberately missed paragraph.

I wasn't left yearning for more by the time I got to the end unfortunately, and somehow Jess/Jamie simply couldn't leave a big enough imprint on me that I would be mooning around for the rest of the week thinking of them.

Thanks to the publisher/author for the e-ARC

Honestly. the idea of this book was perfect but it was set back in poor editing. A lot of pages wasted on unnecessary information dumps but not enough used for actual plot moving points.
The two leads were acting way too mature and too stupid at the same time. It felt like I was being told the story rather than reading it, it lacked emotional connect.

I do feel that it can be made better with good editing and more emphasis on how their relationship works.

When Jess was 16 she thought she was entering a relationship with her secret crush Jamie - only for him to get back together with his former girlfriend. Now -12 years later - Jess has her own catering company with her best friend and still isn't completely over Jamie's betrayal. So when she meets him again at a wedding they are catering, she is determined to hate him. But it seems Jamie is not as bad a person as Jess thought he was... so can Jess get over the past and give them a second chance?

The beginning of the story was really entertaining but I felt the plot was weakening in the second half of the book. Also I couldn't really relate to the main characters, especially Jess. While I can understand how hurt she was as a teenage girl I just couldn't understand why she couldn't seem to get over it.
All in all a fairly entertaining book but from the blurb I had hoped for more.

My thoughts on this book are still unsure. It was a solid, entertaining read but it didn't draw me in completely. I easily could've put it down and never finished it. I'm glad I did because I do think Jamie is delightful and more time with him on the page was enjoyable. Jess wasn't a standout leading lady, but I did like that she was brave enough to go out on her own at such a young age. I didn't really like Laura's negativity because it felt kind of random (like how do you not speak to someone in that many years and then start giving them life advice...just didn't ring true to me.) Overall I think this was ok. I probably wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for the next great read, but I wouldn't tell them to avoid it either. A solid 3 stars from me.

Thanks Boldwood Books for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A quick, sweet read.

The enemies to lovers part of this book was warp speed, she was truly upset with him for about 10 pages and then immediately talked herself out of being angry.

The time skip made it difficult for me to connect with the characters, I just really couldn't get invested and even the chemistry just felt a little bland.

Overall a decent read, just not something I'd pick up again.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
I quite enjoyed reading this book. The characters were (more or less) funny and I was really invested in the story. But the ending did let me down a bit. Especially the misunderstanding/miscommunication part.

Twelve years ago, teenage Jess thought her dreams were coming true when she hooked up with her newly single crush Jamie, only for them to be crushed the next day when he texted to tell her he'd reunited with his girlfriend. Now 28 and sworn off relationships, Jess is horrified to discover Jamie is a guest at the wedding she's catering. While he doesn't immediately recognise her, her broken down van leaves her reluctantly accepting his help.

Phoebe Macleod's Never Ever Getting Back Together is a good palate cleanser. It eschews all the usual cliches, for instance, Jamie learns fairly early on who Jess is and why she's still nursing a grudge for twelve years. We aren't left waiting until 70 per cent in for Jamie to realise who Jess is which is refreshing. I also really loved her relationship with her best friend and busienss partner, Alice and Alice's daughter and husband. Her rekindled friendship with Laura was also another highlight.

The problem, however, is that there's no real believable tension except Jess constantly behaving like she's 16 again instead of a nearly 30 year old. Its so early in their getting to know each other again stage that there wasn't enough bonding to see how adult Jamie would even be attracted to her. There's only so many times I wanted to read Jess rejecting Jamie. I also didn't really like the revelation about his current circumstances which again threw in yet another unbelieveable reason for Jess to reject him yet again. It just semed like an unneccessary plot device. And for Jess to not date anyone or hook up with anyone the whole time because of that one time? While I can understand her being crushed does set you back, it just seemed unreal for a supposedly independent woman.

Overall this was a good, easy to read, but I do think it needed more character and plot development.

Thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was not a fan of Jamie from the beginning of his and Jess’s first interaction at a house party. Sad to say my opinion never really changed for the rest of the book. He just never redeemed himself in my eyes. Jess was a pushover to forgive him fairly quickly after coming to find out she basically never dated after him. Simone the ex and the daughter mostly spoke in French. Which while some was translated if I hadn’t taken a year of French their interactions would’ve been confusing. I pushed through because I never give up hoping the book will turn my opinion around. Sadly this one didn’t do that for me. I’m thankful for the advanced copy from Goodreads but this one missed the mark for me

As some parts of my review are spoilery, I edited it here. You can find the full review at storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/50d2843c-003c-4144-b3a9-252bdff2186e

I really liked the first part of the book, and it was a quick read, well written and with fun banter. However it did let me down a bit in the last 20%, the ending felt very rushed and a few things happened that I found annoying /unneccessary.

- In the beginning I liked Jess as a character a lot. She's independent, has a good relationship with her friends and family. But over the story she became so unreasonable (all this back and forth, first she is so firm with starting the relationship slow, then spending pages thinking about and planning how she could get Jamie to sleep with her, instead of just talking to him.) The third-act-breakup was very unnecessary and not well done. Jess has zero trust in Jamie, even after he never gave her any reason to not trust her and she overreacts massively to a conversation she overhears in a language that she doesn't even speak.

- I don't think this book is intentionally queerphobic, it might even be with good intention to include a queer side character. But if that was the intention, it totally misses the mark because at every instances something about it is mentioned, it was done in a way that for me sounds very ace-/bi- and transphobic. So I would really really appreciate if these sentences would be edited before publication!!!! Also Simone says several super problematic things. Again all just small comments, but in my opinion they should be edited.
(as all these are a bit spoilery, I put them in the storygraph review).

So overall, it was not a perfect book, but I'd still recommend to read it if you look for a quick, funny romance with a HEA. Though only under the caveat that these problematic phrases will be edited out before publication.

Jess was infatuated with Jamie whilst at school and he ended up breaking her heart. Years later, Jess is the caterer at a wedding where Jamie is the best man. Her car later breaks down and he comes to her rescue.

I quite enjoyed the first half of this book. I enjoyed Jess' friendship with Alice and her rekindling her friendship with Laura. However, where Jamie was concerned, there were a load of misunderstandings on Jess' part and miscommunication, hence making the story fall flat for me.

It could have been a very cute read had it not been for Jess' immaturity.

Unfortunately I had to DNF this book. I got about 20% in and I just couldn’t connect to the characters at all and it felt that I was almost reading through a haze or a dream. I do really like the concept of a second chance romance, but I just don’t think it was done very well. The reason for the protagonist being so angry at the love interest for TWELVE YEARS just wasn’t high stakes enough for me, like I just didn’t see a reason why she should be that angry.

I totally loved this fascinating book. All the twists, surprises, action, danger and so much more will keep you turning pages through to the end. I loved it and couldn’t put it down.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I started to read this book, not realising I had already read the authors previous novel - once I figured that out, it clicked. The author has a distinctive writing style - fairly rigid, perhaps over explanatory.

The story of Jessica and Jamie, who first meet as teenagers and reunite later on in life, is a fairy standard boy meets girl, boy leaves girl high and dry. Jessica is written as overly jealous and needy, which is disappointing. The points in the book where the two characters fail to communicate effectively are frustrating ,

The good bits are good, and if you enjoy romantic boy meets girl with a HEA, you'll like this story.

Truly heart-warming… Such a cute read! I started and finished in one day – what can I say?
Four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So.much.miscommunication. And lack of communication. And not learning from one's mistakes. Jess and Jamie had a single hookup in high school. She was in love with him. He of course, being a teenage boy, had absolutely no idea and blows her off via text message the next day. She then (very healthily) holds a grudge for the next 12 years, somehow never thinking through that Jamie, with whom she had never had a real conversation prior to their hookup, might have had absolutely no idea just how significant that encounter was to her. And even after that fact is pointed out to her and is driven home as she gets to know Jamie in their adult incarnations, she still refuses to give Jamie her trust. Perhaps it is that lack of trust that dampens the chemistry between Jess and Jamie, but while the romance had potential, it ended up falling flat. There were certainly enjoyable moments, such as those with Jess' business partner or her family, but the ending felt a bit rushed, though the final scene was cute.

2.5 stars rounded to 3. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

I really loved the premise of this book but it fell flat for me in a couple of places. The repeated use of the miscommunication trope started to grate a little - particularly near the end where Jess made a pretty big assumption without seeking validation. Her continued distrust of Jamie was difficult to stomach when he continually proves himself to her.

I really enjoyed how independent Jess is and how she strove to make the business a success. I loved her friendships and all the side characters we met and would have loved to see more of them. I appreciated their advice to Jess and how they were so full of life.

Aside from the third act drama, this was a lovely easy read.

#rochellereadsit

This was a really cute, easy, lighthearted read. I absolutely LOVED Jess' character - she was independent, bold, and didn't take nonsense from anyone - I could relate to her in a lot of ways during my own single period and rooted for her throughout the whole story. I felt that she had a lot of potential but her relationship with Jamie fell flat and lacked chemistry. I usually like the single-parent trope, but the miscommunication after miscommunication paired with Jess' constant distrust built some distance in me. While I didn't care for the ending, I did appreciate that it strayed from the norm and brought a breath of fresh air compared to other romance novels.

I really enjoyed the premises of this book, but it felt like a couple more pages would've been good. There was quite a bit of plot and the ending felt a bit rushed. Plus side was definitely the side characters, I would've loved to hear more about them!