I am loving this series! Poppy cracks me up! She is such a fun character and I love the backdrop of the match making agency to bring in new characters in the series. The Bliss sisters are also fun characters - I loved the back and forth between the sisters. Looking out for each other and trying to help each other while lying and sneaking - you knew form the very beginning it wouldn’t work and would cause some sort of drama but I didn’t love it any less!

And Leo… I mean Lorenzo…. I really loved his character too!

Such a fun read and I can’t wait for more of this series

In this follow up second book to the Ever After Agency series, we meet characters Elle and Leo who were once lovers, and find themselves back in each other’s world 10 years after parting. Elle has never forgotten about Leo and was left devastated after Leo up and went back to the US with no explanation. Elle’s sister Cassie has a hand in bringing them back together as she engages the help of the Ever After Agency, and we meet old characters Poppy and crew, who work together to bring these two lovers back together. Life becomes a bit chaotic when Leo or ‘Lorenzo’ reappears, and we are wondering will they or won’t they? And will Elle forgive Leo? I loved Leo’s character he was very sweet. It took me a while to get into the story, it was a bit of a slow burn until the main characters sorted out their issues! It was also enjoyable continuing on with the other characters that we have come to know from the first book. Overall, enjoyable HEA story, I rate 3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. Thanks to Publisher Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a digital copy to read and review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Firstly let me start by saying I have read a couple books by Sandy Barker before and really enjoyed her writing style and humour. This next book was no exception. However on downloading the book, I noticed when I started reading that is in fact book 2, in the Ever After Agency, which I didn't know. I haven't read the previous book, so not sure if it has spoilt my enjoyment of this book or not. Of if I have missed background information what would have been helpful.

In the book we meet sisters Cassie and Ellie. Just back from another horrendous date Ellie is tired of dating, and wishing things had worked out with her ex boyfriend Leo, who disappeared over 10 years ago. Wanting to help her sister out Cass contacts the Ever After Agency to see if she can track him down. We are whisked off to the glamorous world of Paris fashion week. Where fashion designer Ellie comes face to face with the one that got away. Leo now going by Lorenzo is nothing like Ellie remembers but sparks still start to fly.

I really like a second chance romance and I did enjoy this book and the characters. But I think but not reading the previous book I have missed out on the background which would have made the book more enjoyable.

This is the second in the series and full disclosure, I hadn't read the first but there were references to the events of the first series and I don't feel it detracted from this book.

This book followed Poppy, as she was hired to secure a happy ever after for Leo and his girlfriend from a decade earlier Elle, recruited by Elle's sister Cass in secret.

It was overall enjoyable but I wouldn't rush to read another from this series because I felt that there was something missing for me personally.

This is the second book in the Ever After Agency series so we're back with Poppy as the lead in a case involving reuniting two fashion designers - Elle and Leo. Elle's sister is the one who engages the agency to help them reunite as she knows Elle has been in love with Leo since he abruptly left 10yrs before with no explanation, and now she can't find love.

With a load of mishaps in hand, which they all seem to get through relatively easily, Poppy is able to bring Leo and Elle back together and from the moment they see each other again they feel the same chemistry as 10yrs before. Though Elle is angry and wants answers from Leo, understandably. But I don't really feel like this was properly addressed and he should have had to work harder to win her back.

This book was not as good as the first one but it was still OK. I didn't love the constant narration in brackets, I felt like it detracted from the story overall and tried to add in more unnecessary detail. Also I would rather have had Leo's POV instead of Poppy's or at the very least, a little of Leo's POV.

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

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Shout Out To My Ex' by Sandy Baker.

Read and reviewed for Sandy Baker, Boldwood Books, Bold Book Club, Book & Tonic, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.

Publication date 14th February 2024.

This is the second book I have read by this author. It is also the second book in the 'Ever After Agency' series but can be read as a standalone. I have also read the first book in the series 'Match Me If You Can' and would highly recommend it!!

This novel consists of 39 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short 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.

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 along with getting stuck in to all of Sandy's previous books!! It is just as gorgeous as the first book 'Match Me Or You Can' and the rest of the books to come are just guaranteed to be stunning!! I absolutely adored the unique storyline which is hard to come by when it comes to romance books as there are so many out there but Sandy has created an absolutely gorgeous storyline which I cannot wait to continue in the next book in this series!!!! Poppy works for the Happily Ever After agency and has to find her client Elle. Elle has never managed to find a love and connection as good as she had with her ex boyfriend Leo who she was with but broke up 10 years ago. Leo now goes by Lorenzo and is an up and coming show designer. Elle's dream to show in Paris Fashion week is about to come true but can Poppy work her magic and bring old lovers back together? Is Lorenzo the same man Elle loved? Grab your copy and find out today!! Sandy's stunning evocative writing skills really does bring Paris, France and the characters to life. I absolutely adored being swept off on holiday and was so absorbed that on the rare moments I looked up it took me a while to realise I was in Wales at home and not in France checking out the fashion show!! The storyline is stunning and is ram packed with friendship, romance, holidaying, fun, sarcasm and is an absolutely stunning escapism romantic read!!! This 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 gorgeous and relaxing read 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 Sandy's fantastic evocative writing skills. I cannot wait to get hooked into more of Sandy's books so I hope she is busy writing her next stunner in this series while I get stuck into her previous books!! This is definitely one of those books that will turn a frown upside down and make life seem a lot brighter. Grab your copy today and fall in love with The Ever After Agency series today!!!

Well done Sandy on yet another absolutely stunning and perfect addition to an absolutely stunning series!!!

Although this is the second book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the first book. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. It also makes them more realistic, believable and made me feel even more for them than I normally would. I absolutely loved meeting Poppy again after meeting her in 'Match Me If You Can'. She is a friendly, strong, likeable woman and I loved catching up with her and finding out what she has been up to since I last seen her. I also loved our other main protagonist Elle who is the one using the agency this time. There were just so many amazing characters that I loved getting to know that I could write about them all day but I don't want to bore you so I'll start to wrap it up here. Sandy's fantastic evocative writing skills ensures each of the characters come to life in front of your eyes as you turn the pages. Each of the characters are memorable and unique in their own ways and they are a group that I wont be forgetting any time soon! I cannot wait to meet them all again and I'm hoping they will (almost) all be in the next book in this series!!!

Pick up this book and get lost in this absolutely gorgeous page turner! This has got to be one the most stunning book I have read this year 💜!!!

Congratulations Sandy on yet another absolutely stunning read that I just could not put down!!! I cannot wait to read more of your previous and future books especially the next book in this stunning series. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! This is why you are on 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 first two chapters of Sandy's next book in this series which promises to be just as gorgeous as this book. It is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!

Overall an unputdownable, gorgeous, STUNNING page turning book filled with holidays, romance, fun, laughter, friendship and so much more!! A perfectly relaxing and stunning unique read!!!!

370 pages.

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

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

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Wow!
So much going on within this story!
Family issues
Second chance love
Fake relationship
All in al, a cute story that took me awhile to get into.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

After reading by Match Me If You Can by @sandybarkerauthor I was eagerly awaiting this sequel. I loved this even more because I love second chance romance and Ellie & Leo had a sweet relationship and the chemistry felt believable and natural, and I think the ending was brilliantly written and I am hoping for more books with these wonderful characters. I also think these books are seamlessly connected so we get an update on Poppy & Tristan too. I just loved this book so much and if you love a romantic easy read then this is perfect.

I adored Poppy's story from the Ever After Agency and was excited to get the next book. This one had a Dual POV but it was interesting because it wasn't Leo and Ellie's perspectives, but rather the point of views of Ellie and Poppy, the matchmaker from the Agency. This one was cute and fun, but I would have liked to have gotten to know Leo better. The enemies vibe was great, but I felt it faded a little early. And Leo had a storyline with a model that I didn't love when adding Ellie to the mix. If you liked the first book, you will definitely enjoy our return to the agency and Poppy and her friend group.

It’s been ten years since Leo left Elle, but her life has moved on and her dreams are coming true, but her love life hasn’t moved forward at all. So when she meets Leo, now known as Lorenzo, at the highlight of her career, unresolved emotions will be coming to the surface.
But what is family for, if not to look after you; soon Cassie will need to get involved and maybe it will be for all the right reasons.
Written as a dual point of view this novel allows us to see different angles of the narrative; that I really enjoyed.
It was great to hear back from previous characters from the previous book, and I felt this novel could be read as a stand-alone as Barker gives us enough information so we don’t feel like we have missed out.
I loved the sister connection between Elle and Cassie and the chemistry between Elle and Leo.
Barker knows how to write engaging reads with a happily ever after we all want to happen.

this is a fresh take on second chance romance. elle bliss is an up and coming fashion designer who encounters ‘the one that got away’, leo, and from there they realise that despite not seeing each other for a decade they still have feelings for each other.

what i liked
elle bliss is not a mary sue. she is very human, i am able to relate to her character very much; she has anxieties and fears that are so valid. the whole time i am rooting for elle and leo to get back together. the dual pov works very well, poppy is a very likeable character, it’s hard not to like her. she is the thread in the ever after series and her pov gives a fresh breath of air when elle is anxious or overthinking. i like seeing little bits of poppy’s life throughout the story. elle and cassie have a lovely sister bond that makes me remember my own sisters. elle and leo have such good chemistry that it’s hard not to picture them together. the title relates to one of the scenes in the book and i think it’s so cute. i rarely like epilogues but this one was short and sweet, and definitely relevant to the overall story because elle and leo get their HEA.

what i disliked
it’s the right thing to do but i feel like aunt ser and franzia didn’t really deserve to be treated as kindly as they were at the end. but it’s good to show how leo and elle are the bigger person.

themes: sisterhood, friendship, fashion, celebrity life

thank you sandy and boldwood books for this arc

I enjoyed Match Me If You Can, the first Ever After Agency book, last spring. So I was excited to see there is a second book in the series.

The dual POV works well in this book. Poppy from book 1 provides the big picture viewpoint around the matchmaking case along with updates about her husband Tristan, their friends, and the characters at Ever After Agency. Elle is the fashion designer who gives us the in the moment view of Paris Fashion Week, her reconnection with Leo, now known as Lorenzo, and her business partner and sister, Cassie. A single chapter might change POV multiple times but it wasn't confusing and kept the story moving well.

I especially love the over-the-top, flamboyant, reality show worthy, side characters that have the power to mess up what should be a simple reunion case. There were some moments that made me chuckle like when Elle meets Tom Finn and Hilde Klein and is invited to guest judge on their show. I also liked the scenes with the Bliss Design team and all the work that goes into creating and showing a collection.

I hope a future book focuses on how Saskia and Paloma decided to start a matchmaking agency. Those two definitely have some interesting stories in their pasts. I imagine that they are much like the crew on the tv show Leverage only they decided to use their specialized skills and extensive contacts for matchmaking instead of corporate espionage.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy. I am required by law to disclose this.

I had so much fun reading this book, it made me want to become a fashion designer, book a trip to Paris, and wear a pair of comfy heels. Unfortunately, only two out of the three of those are possible.

One of my favourite aspects of this book is the way that it is also told from the point of view of Poppy who is trying to get Elle and Leo together. I think having an outside perspective made the book such a refreshing read. Delving into the lives of Poppy’s friends like Shaz and Jass only made the book more fulfilling because it felt like every character truly had their own world. This attention to detail, which isn’t something that I feel like romance books often do very well, truly pulled me into this book.

I was also pleasantly surprised by how much I adored the domesticity of Poppy and Tristan’s relationship. I enjoyed getting to see their dynamic and how they supported each other. With all the uncertainty between Elle and Leo and their coupling, it was nice to be able to retreat into the safety of Poppy’s rock-solid relationship during her chapters.

Leo’s confidence and adorably charming personality had me hooked on his character. Despite his douchey first reconnecting meeting with Elle, he was undeniably attractive in the way that he tried to revive their relationship through flirtatious banter and supportive actions.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sandy Barker, and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and I can’t wait to pick up Poppy’s romance story Match Me If You Can while I wait for the third book in the Ever After Agency series.

Five out of five stars

Shout Out To My Ex is the second book in the Ever After Agency series and is another fun, feel good read from Sandy Barker.
Elle and Leo were destined to be together but what happened 10 years ago to send their lives in different directions- this is certainly an interesting challenge for the skills of the match making agency.
I’ve really enjoyed reconnecting with the team at the agency, and adding the close partnership of sisters Elle and Cassie has been great. Covering London and Paris, we’re treated to front row seats at the best show in town, so grab your best hat and sit down to enjoy the story of Leo and Elle, with a few bumps along the journey.

"Shout Out to My Ex" is not just a romance; it's a celebration of self-discovery and the resilience of the human spirit. Sandy Barker's writing is like a breath of fresh air, infusing warmth and laughter into every page. If you're a fan of feel-good romcoms with a Parisian twist, this book is an absolute must-read. It left me with a smile on my face and a longing for a trip to the City of Love.

I love it when the previous characters show up in the sequel, and it basically continues where the previous book left off.

This time Pippa has a secret case ( the clients aren't aware she's a match maker) Fashion designer Elle Bliss and Lorenzo (Leo) where a couple and then suddenly 10 years ago something happened to change that.
Enter Elle's Cassie, who contacts the Ever After agency for help.
But Elle can't stand the 'new' Leo and his seemingly egotistical ways.


I loved the dual POV- Poppy and Elle and watching Elle fall back in love while her amazing career takes off! You gotta love a heroine who gets it all.

The sisterly bond was very sweet, and I actually really liked Cassie.

Even though this is book 2, it can read read as a standalone, but I'm still excited for book 3 (and 4!)

Should this be your first visit, you’ll soon discover that the Ever After Agency is something a little different – a dating agency catering only to the very top end of the market, with the necessary levels of secrecy and professionalism demanded by its clients, who only arrive at their door by personal referral. I don’t really need to set the scene though – the author does that so very well herself, including introducing the really well-drawn characters who provide the service. And, if you read the first book, you’ll already know Poppy – a former psychologist, an Australian living in London, who found her own path to happiness – although I would stress that you’d have no issues at all if you chose to read this book as a standalone.

The client this time is Cassie, but not approaching the agency on her own behalf. Her sister Elle might be finding real success as a fashion designer, but she’s never been able to find happiness in her personal life, with no-one matching up to first love Leo, who inexplicably walked out of her life after their time at college together. Cassie, while harbouring the hope that bringing them together might just rekindle what they had, feels it’s important for her sister to get some proper closure, tasking the agency with finding Leo (without Elle’s knowledge) and bringing them together again, just to see if the spark is still there and whether there’s any chance of his abrupt departure being forgiven. And it turns out he might just have been hiding in plain sight – but some time at Paris Fashion Week, where they’re unable to avoid each other but also have to steer around the gaze of the paparazzi and the machinations of others trying to further their own careers, provides that opportunity to take those first few steps.

The behind the scenes view of Paris Fashion Week is quite wonderfully done – all the glitz and glamour you’d expect, but the backbiting and chaos you’d probably be anticipating too. And poor Poppy – undercover, so she can help things along, posing as a rather less than confident journalist so that she’s able to access all areas. The author’s knack for making you present in the moment is just perfect – armchair travel at its very best, and an opportunity to fully experience the kind of glittering occasions none of us would ever be privileged enough to attend.

But I also thoroughly enjoyed the developing relationship between Elle and Leo – their bringing together might have been engineered, but coming to terms with past betrayal is something they both have to work hard for. And that’s not the only relationship I loved – there’s the rather special one between the two sisters too, and how Elle might react when she discovers that refinding the love of her life was something other than a happy accident. And any book from the author wouldn’t be complete without those wonderful friendships she always includes – particularly, in this case, through a thread unfolding in parallel where Poppy is attempting, with even more subterfuge, to make sure her very best friend Shaz doesn’t throw away her own chance for future happiness.

The characterisation is so excellent, both the main characters whose happiness I felt fully invested in (the story’s told from the viewpoints of Elle and Poppy, which works really well) and the smaller cameos (investigator Marie and the magnificent Paloma were real personal favourites). There are plenty of dramatic moments, and the romance and friendship (and the working relationships) are beautifully done – combined with the fascinating setting, this was a story I thoroughly enjoyed from the very beginning to its absolutely perfect end. With an enticing short taster of the next instalment at the book’s end, I’m very much looking forward to my next visit to the Ever After Agency and spending time with Poppy once more. This is a book I’d very much recommend you add to your reading list – I really loved it.

'Shout Out to My Ex' is the second book in the 'Ever After Agency' series. It can be read as a standalone, still, I highly recommend reading them in order; one of the POVs follows Poppy, the protagonist of the first book, and even though we are been provided with all the necessary information, I struggled to connect with this character. This was like reading two love stories, one about the lovey-dovey scenes after the happily ever after and the other all about a broken love. As you can see, it is a bit hard to find the balance in the beginning.
The story perks up halfway through as more revelations come pouring in finally convincing me of the utility of a match-making agency. Does that mean I was sceptical of the idea before? Oh, yes. I wanted Elle to move on from her first love who disappeared without trace. A reunion, if such a thing is possible, should have been orchestrated by Leo (who is responsible for all this mess) or by fate, if I indulge the romantic inside me.
What changed my mind then? Well, not everything in our lives can be untangled by our own. That is what I learned from Leo. Sometimes no harm in asking some outside help. That is also part of being an adult, right? So by the end of the book, I became a full-fledged supporter of Ever After Agency. You go girls! Can't wait for the next instalment in this series.

A brilliant rom com set in Paris and London that had me captivated from the beginning.

Sandy is my go to author. Her books are filled with romance, laughs, warm characters and usually set in a wonderful location creating a great travel element. Which I love.

After falling in love with One Summer in Santorini I always look forward to a new release. When this was on Rachel’s blog tour I jumped at the chance.

I am a sucker for a second chance romance and enemies to lovers trope. I always want that happy ever after for everyone.

Elle and Cassie were a great duo and shared such an endearing bond. Sisters and best friends who had a wonderful business in the fashion world. I adored them both.

I really enjoyed the fashion element and was obsessed with the Paris fashion week. I really want to go to Paris and explore all the landmarks mentioned.

This was the second book in The Ever After Agency series. I have just read the first; Match Me If You Can and I really enjoyed it. This book recaps Poppy’s story but as it’s great I would reccomend reading it.

I was excited that poppy was still a main character in this second book. It was great catching up with her and her squad!

A part that really made me laugh was when Poppy was having a soak and was Nibbling olives and drinking wine in the bath, I love baths with food and wine! It’s a must!

I am so glad there is a third book in the series and cannot wait for this.

Thanks for letting me be part of the blog tour.
As always Sandy this was fabulous.
Can Cassie get some romance now please 🌸🥰

Defo add this one to your list ❤️

What a fun story! I made sure to pick up the first book in the series (Match Me if You Can), which was on sale from Chirp, and this was the best decision - the main female character from the first is a major character and one of the POVs in this book, Poppy. I highly recommend reading this first before picking up Shout Out to My Ex, though you could get by if you don’t.

It’s a great second chance romance where all of the side characters are intent on getting the couple together after a decade apart (torn apart by family circumstances on his side, but on her side she just knows he disappeared without a word)… and a matchmaking agency has been recruited for the very difficult task, taking place at Paris fashion week - since the two are both fashion designers breaking into the business, and not interested in reuniting… especially since he just got engaged to a model!?

So enjoyable and I loved how involved in the story Poppy and the crew from book 1 is! Loving in the Ever After Agency world again was great but now we have a long wait for the next book in the series. Elle and Leo (Lorenzo) were such a great pair!

I definitely recommend this book (and series)! A great and fun read, and while there are definitely some big emotions that are handled, it’s not so heavy that the readers feel it hard - mostly romcom.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books, and this is my honest feedback.