A quirky romcom is not what I was expecting from Adriana Mather, and it isn’t exactly what we get. The Break-Up Artists tells the story of Valentine and August and their business - being hired to help people get out of a bad relationship. Their success rate is impressive, but the case they are working on for the duration of the book messes things up.
Although their dating break-up business is a key focus, this book felt so much more.
As we follow their story, we learn how they came to be doing this. We learn about the grief August is living with after his sister is killed. We follow Valentine as she comes to realise that her hot next-door neighbour may be sincere in his attempts to gain her interest. And we watch as they each come to terms with the things that they are scared to address.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this book had me very envious of both characters and the relationship they share. It made me laugh and, yes, it made me get a little emotional. A read I’d highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.

I went into this expecting a best friends to lovers romance before being briefly disappointed that it wasn’t… until I was humbled by the beautifully platonic friendship between Valentine and August! We follow their shenanigans as the “breakup artists” where they’re hired to break up couples who are believed to not be good for each other. And naturally this results in some… precarious situations for the pair that was so wonderful to read about. Despite the side romances, my favourite part of this book was the friendship between Valentine and August— the way they loved and supported each other, their effortless banter… they were just so beautiful and I adored them so much! They are the beating heart of this book. But the book also handles some heavier topics I wasn’t expecting— grief, loss and family trauma. Mather found the perfect balance of heartfelt and hilarious with a unique storyline that just keeps you on your toes.

I laughed. I cried. I swooned. What more could I ask for?

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Children's for the arc

What can I say? I loved it. It was adorable and hilarious. I loved both our main characters and their story lines. Their relationships and their friendship, adorable. It was a interesting and unique concept and boy did the book deliver!

Title: The Break Up Artists by Adriana Mather

Release date: July, 4th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Get ready to dive into the hilarious and heartwarming world of "The Breakup Artists" by Adriana Mather, a novel that's as unpredictable as love itself. This fast-paced, funny, and touching YA romance is a must-read for anyone who loves the power of friendship, the intricacies of love, and the art of a little well-intentioned interference.

Best friends August and Valentine have snagged the most bizarre summer job ever: they're hired by worried parents to break up toxic high school romances.

Valentine, the brains behind their breakup business, is convinced they're doing society a favour, steering these couples away from heartache and towards true love.

August, however, is a total cynic. He doesn't buy into the idea of soul mates or the notion of falling head over heels—until he meets Ella.

Ella isn't just any girl; she's their newest target. As August gets to know her, he realises that every word he's told her is a lie, even his name.

Suddenly, the line between business and personal becomes as clear as mud, and August starts to question everything he thought he knew about love.

What unfolds is a wild rollercoaster of emotions, packed with laughter, heartache, and profound moments of connection. Mather's portrayal of August and Valentine's friendship is nothing short of brilliant. Their witty banter, unwavering loyalty, and personal growth make them one of the most charming duos in YA fiction.

The characters' interactions with their families add a rich layer to the story, providing a vivid backdrop to their evolving journeys. Mather's talent for creating multi-dimensional characters who feel like real people is truly remarkable.

"The Breakup Artists" is a beautifully crafted tale that delves into the complexities of love and friendship. It's a novel that will have you laughing, crying, and cheering for its characters until the very end. Whether you're a die-hard romantic or a skeptic like August, this book is sure to capture your heart.

A perfect blend of humour, heart, and romance. Adriana Mather's skilful storytelling and relatable characters make this book a standout in the genre. If you're in the mood for a story that's both entertaining and emotionally resonant, look no further.


Thank you to The Publisher Penguin Random House UK Children's | Penguin ,The Author Adriana Mather & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

The Break-Up Artists by Adriana Mather
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 4 July2024

Best friends August and Valentine have a unique summer job: they’re hired by parents to break up bad high school relationships. Valentine, the strategic mastermind, believes they are helping teens by ending detrimental relationships, allowing them to eventually find true love.

August, on the other hand, is skeptical about the concept of soul mates and finds the idea of falling in love absurd. However, his perspective shifts when he meets Ella, a girl who changes everything for him.

The complication? Ella is their new assignment, and everything August has told her, including his name, is a lie.

This thrilling and engaging story is not only fun and fast-paced but also emotionally impactful, bringing tears to the reader's eyes multiple times.

The characters are so well-developed and compelling that they linger in the reader's mind long after the story ends, leaving them constantly pondering their lives and future endeavours.

Overall, this is a solid read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley,Penguin Random House UK Children's | Penguin, and the author, Adriana Mather, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Wow how can I even describe this book other than AMAZING!

From beginning to end I could not put this book down without finishing it as soon as possible.
This book incorporates all the aspects of a romance book that is needed: LOVEABLE MC’S, easy to follow storyline and backstories/personal traits that just make us love the characters (making us all feel fuzzy inside!)

Valentine and August are well written and detailed MC’s and their personal stories & issues really make us fall in love with them from the get go.

An overall easy and enjoyable story that I hope others will find just as fun to read as I did.

5 stars from me x

Very excited for this fun new YA read! I love a good book that incorporates romance as well as a bit of banter and this perfectly fits the bill. I love books that have a theme like The Summer I Turned Pretty etc and this book give a similar vibe. I look forward to sharing a full review and thoughts soon.