Name: The Break Up
ISBN: 9780008511586

Charlotte Barnes

You don’t know what you’re looking for until you find it.

The Break Up

Cloudface

I felt misled by the summary of this book, because I thought the break up would happen in the first few chapters and the rest of the book would be about Edi’s relationship with Fred and self discovery. However, the book ended up mostly being about her relationship with Rowan and her friend group. None of her friends were fleshed out enough that I could tell them apart, so every scene they were in, they just blended together in my mind. Fred was way too perfect to be a compelling love interest. And the random transphobic and fatshaming comments that went unaddressed? No thanks. 
Overall this book was less of a romcom and more of a story about friendship and self discovery. Which is fine, I just wasn’t what I was expecting based on the blurb. And the characters weren’t developed enough to carry the story.

Sintia

** spoiler alert **
           
I thought I was going to like this one, but I was wrong. I had a hard time reading it and keeping up with the story. I was feeling like I was reading the same things over again. Edi going out with the girls, seeing Rowan from time to time and sometimes Fred. One chapter was about her getting the promotion, but this felt like something forced, like she didn't even have the job the whole book.
I liked the girl friend group Edi had, even though some of the scenes were a bit cringe. Edi was an okay character, but I felt like I was missing most of the things in the book like her relationship with Fred. I wanted to read more about her thoughts and feelings, both for her relationship with Fred and Rowan. Like this great first love with Rowan, why is it so special? Why and what does she exactly feel when she's with Fred? The whole plot about her turning out bisexual was okay, but I just wanted to read here too more of her thoughts. I got the feeling like Edi was missing a lot of things for the reader to connect with her. 
I just didn't like the book and the writing. (even though Little Mix was mentioned three times)

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC!

sydney

First off this book is marketed as a sapphic book and it's not that it isn't, but she is still with her fiance for most of the book and it never gives a good reason why. She should have broken up with him when he cheated on her in college. He's also just a massive dick the entire book which adds to why she should have dumped him sooner.

On the romance aspect of the book, it was not fleshed out at all. Fred just sort of seemed to be there whenever Edi needed her but they never actually progressed much. I wouldn't have a problem with this if it weren't for the fact that the author themselves calls this book a romantic comedy which it is definitely not.

The story also doesn't end in happy ever after which is a requirement of a romance book.

There is also a transphobic line from a guy that she goes on a date with and it is so unnecessary. 

I received an arc through netgalley.

Malgorzata Olszewska

Sooo… I don’t think this book is transphobic, I think those reviews needs to chill. 
It started off strong, and the ending was to be expected and I guess in real life it would be a good ending, but… I want a lesbian rom com. And this was not it. 
I did kinda like the vibe of Edi’s friend group, and overall it did keep my interest.

Jess Griffin

I am so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! The writing style was easy to read and the chapters were the perfect length. I read the entire book in less than a day and was hooked from start to finish.

Edi and Rowan have been together forever. After recently proposing, Rowan suggests a 3-month break to see other people and to get everything out of their systems. Initially opposing this break, Edi eventually branches out, meets new people, and discovers there’s more to life than Rowan.

This novel is marketed as a romance/rom-com but I believe it to be more heavily suited towards general or women’s fiction. The story follows Edi herself, with a slice of romance to go with it.

Edi’s friends were an asset to the story and the author excellently created a sense of comfort surrounding the friendship group. Each friend was as supportive as the next, and it was so refreshing to see women supporting women under all circumstances, even when they didn’t all necessarily agree with one another.

From the moment Edi meets Fred, sparks fly, and the author did such a good job at creating such authentic chemistry. I especially loved how supportive Fred was of Edi.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HQ for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review! :)

valentina

Going into this book, I was definitely expecting something along the lines of a woman who thinks she's straight and is engaged to a long-term boyfriend meeting another woman who sweeps her off her feet and causes her to reassess everything. While that isn't an entirely incorrect description of this book, I was pleasantly surprised at how much of the focus was actually on Edi and her friends. This book was a love story and I firmly stand by that, but it was a love story about female friendships (and what better kind is there?). I won't deny that a part of me was hoping Edi would fall madly in love with Fred and leave Rowan for her, but I'm not mad about her breaking up with both Rowan and Fred and deciding to focus on herself first. 

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the advanced copy to review.

The Break Up

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