Sophie Gonzales

It’s been two years since Maya's ex-boyfriend cheated on her, and she still can’t escape him: his sister married the crown prince of a minor European country and he captured hearts as her charming younger brother. If the world only knew the real Jordy, the manipulative liar who broke Maya’s heart.

Skye Kaplan was always cautious with her heart until Jordy said all the right things and earned her trust. Now his face is all over the media and Skye is still wondering why he stopped calling.

When Maya and Skye are invited to star on the reality dating show Second-Chance Romance, they’re whisked away to a beautiful mansion—along with four more of Jordy’s exes—to compete for his affections while the whole world watches. Skye wonders if she and Jordy can recapture the spark she knows they had, but Maya has other plans: exposing Jordy and getting revenge. As they navigate the competition, Skye and Maya discover that their real happily ever after is nothing they could have scripted.

Never Ever Getting Back Together 

Julia Rutgers

"Then it's great by me. No one's anyone's girlfriend, for now. We are just us. Hanging out, being awesome, planning Jordy's downfall. Hot girl shit."

Her lips are so much nicer than his. Softer. When she kisses me, it feels like the stars are falling out of the atmosphere, and landing around us in a spray of glitter and dust.

The contrast between the cool night air and the warmth radiating from Skye makes me lean into her unconsciously, then consciously. It feels as though the whole world is right here in our little bubble. Even though the night stretches out into endless blackness, and it could contain anything, none of it can reach us.

"Well, I suppose I owe you my life now," Skye says as we head into the filming room.

"Sweet. I love having people owe me." I grin. "I might abuse this."

Are adults all playing a game of chicken to see who's the first to crack and admit wine sucks?

When their now famous ex-boyfriend asks them to participate in a teen reality show, two eighteen-year-old girls—one bent on revenge, the other open to rekindling romance—get tangled up in an unexpected twist when they fall for each other instead in Never Ever Getting Back Together by nationally and internationally-bestselling and Indie Next Pick author Sophie Gonzales.

“Wickedly funny [and] searingly sexy.” —Kelly Quindlen, author of She Drives Me Crazy

It’s been two years since Maya's ex-boyfriend cheated on her, and she still can’t escape him: his sister married the crown prince of a minor European country and he captured hearts as her charming younger brother. If the world only knew the real Jordy, the manipulative liar who broke Maya’s heart.

Skye Kaplan was always cautious with her heart until Jordy said all the right things and earned her trust. Now his face is all over the media and Skye is still wondering why he stopped calling.

When Maya and Skye are invited to star on the reality dating show Second-Chance Romance, they’re whisked away to a beautiful mansion—along with four more of Jordy’s exes— to compete for his affections while the whole world watches. Skye wonders if she and Jordy can recapture the spark she knows they had, but Maya has other plans: exposing Jordy and getting revenge. As they navigate the competition, Skye and Maya discover that their real happily ever after is nothing they could have scripted. 

Never Ever Getting Back Together

Jack O‘Conner

slow start, but ended up being very very cute

Victoria Trzeciak

** spoiler alert **
           (4.5)

 I loved the premise of this book and the revenge plot. 
Though I wish there was more character writing along with the plot, it felt a little lacking especially for adult characters. I wanted to see more scenes of Maya and Skye together alone or with the other girls. The reality show plot was believable and enjoyable. I got more disgusted from Jordy every time he opened his mouth so I’m glad he got what was coming to him in the end. Feel bad for his sister though, having to be related to him and all. Their fighting in the beginning was really good but I hated that Jordy got what he wanted with it. 
I liked Skye more that Maya tbh. Maya gave me the ick with the wrong “they’re” and the sleeping in late.
I was disappointed with the lack of spicy scenes and the intense fade to black, I know the author could have done more as she had in If This Gets Out.
I liked how all the gurls were so different from each other and had their own personalities. 
The ending was good closure, I’m glad Maya chose Skye over revenge but I’m disappointed that there wasn’t a big revenge moment on the live show. I love Piere forever for leaking the video later, though it would have been better for someone to film his little rant after he got rejected and then Piere told Issac to play the video.

As someone who has always wondered if two contestants ever fell in love on a reality show, I absolutely adored this book. With the added revenge plot and the drama between the contestants as well as between the girls and Jordy, this book was packed full of funny, heartwrenching, and heartwarming moments for both the narrators. Skye and Maya were both amazing characters to read from the perspective of and the ending was beautifully satisfying. This book was a fun read that also brought to light the competitiveness and unrealistic expectations that society (and these reality shows) forces onto girls and gave us a glimpse of what reality shows may look like behind the scenes.

Somehow I worked an 8 hour shift today and still read this book in 1 day. Such a cute, easy read. I didn’t realize it was YA when I got it from the library - LOL my one complaint is that I wish this was an adult book so the characters could be older and have a bit more oomph. Can someone take this concept and make it an adult rom com?? 

Sophia 

I can’t decide how i feel about this book, but it’s mixed feelings and a lot of disappointment. I was SO excited for this book bc i loved her other books and the concept was really good but this was just…lacking? I hated the whole third act break up shit, it was just not well done and i’m disappointed that we didn’t get to see them trash Jordy on live tv. 

Kimmy Hobden

Ich habe eine Woche damit verbracht dieses Buch zu lesen und ich muss sagen, es war reinste Zeitverschwendung. 

Das Buch hat schwach angefangen und schwach geendet (aber besser geendet als es angefangen hat). Zwischenzeitlich dachte ich es hätte Potenzial besser zu werden, aber dann kamen so unnötige Szenen wie die Kajak Szene. 

 und eintönig, zudem langweilig und unglaublich nervig, vor allem Maya. 

Ich hatte leider keine Schockmomente oder Momente, in denen ich einfach mitgefiebert habe. 

Das heißt natürlich nicht, dass das Buch komplett scheiße war. Wenn man auf Klischeereiche cheesy Rom-coms steht, ist das genau das richtige für einen. 

Einige Witze waren tatsächlich sehr lustig und einige Textstellen auch sehr amüsant. 

Alles in allem würde ich sagen: das Buch lohnt sich nur für Isaac, Perrie und Gwendolyn. Vor allem Isaac. He’s an icon, a legend. 

Hivda

Nun ja, was soll ich sagen...

Ich habe eine Woche damit verbracht dieses Buch zu lesen und ich muss sagen, es war reinste Zeitverschwendung. 

Das Buch hat schwach angefangen und schwach geendet (aber besser geendet als es angefangen hat). Zwischenzeitlich dachte ich es hätte Potenzial besser zu werden, aber dann kamen so unnötige Szenen wie die Kajak Szene. 

Die Charaktere waren sehr dull und eintönig, zudem langweilig und unglaublich nervig, vor allem Maya. 

Ich hatte leider keine Schockmomente oder Momente, in denen ich einfach mitgefiebert habe. 

Das heißt natürlich nicht, dass das Buch komplett scheiße war. Wenn man auf Klischeereiche cheesy Rom-coms steht, ist das genau das richtige für einen. 

Einige Witze waren tatsächlich sehr lustig und einige Textstellen auch sehr amüsant. 

Plus, es war gay +1

Alles in allem würde ich sagen: das Buch lohnt sich nur für Isaac, Perrie und Gwendolyn. Vor allem Isaac. He’s an icon, a legend. 

Es war leicht zu lesen, behandelt keine nervenaufreibenden Themen und ist ganz funny, wenn man die Geschehnisse nicht all zu ernst nimmt. Außerdem ist es gay und cute.

Es gibt teilweise so unnötige Szenen und inszeniertes Drama, dass ich an mehreren Stellen die Augen verdrehen musste. Sehr klischeegeprägt springt die Handlung von einem voraussehbaren Ereignis zum nächsten. Das hat mich echt aufgeregt. 

Erst einmal die positiven Aspekte:

Es war leicht zu lesen, behandelt keine nervenaufreibenden Themen und ist ganz funny, wenn man die Geschehnisse nicht all zu ernst nimmt. Außerdem ist es gay und cute.

Die negativen Aspekte:

Es gibt teilweise so unnötige Szenen und inszeniertes Drama, dass ich an mehreren Stellen die Augen verdrehen musste. Sehr klischeegeprägt springt die Handlung von einem voraussehbaren Ereignis zum nächsten. Das hat mich echt aufgeregt. 



sophia

ich habe nur zwei dinge zu sagen: 

jordy ist ein schmieriges arschloch

ich hätte gerne die zeit zurück, die ich an diesem dämlichen buch verschwendet habe 

Es hat mich zwar sehr unterhalten, aber das bedeutet nicht, dass es ein besonders gutes Buch war, eher im Gegenteil. Die Protagonistin Maya ist eine DUMME SAU und Skye hat ein paar ziemlich überspitzte trust issues. Die Autorin hat aber einen guten Job dabei gemacht Jordy als oberflächlichen Idioten darzustellen, auch wenn ich mir da ein bisschen mehr Charaktertiefe gewünscht hätte als diese Nebeninfo über 

das Mädchen, das sein Herz (fr) gebrochen hat

. Zumindest habe ich mich durch die drei sehr amüsiert, aber eben auch sehr aufgeregt. Ich schließe mich meiner Vorrednerin an, dass hier RomCom-Potenzial vorliegt 🤝

Tabea

Es hat mich zwar sehr unterhalten, aber das bedeutet nicht, dass es ein besonders gutes Buch war, eher im Gegenteil. Die Protagonistin Maya ist eine DUMME SAU und Skye hat ein paar ziemlich überspitzte trust issues. Die Autorin hat aber einen guten Job dabei gemacht Jordy als oberflächlichen Idioten darzustellen, auch wenn ich mir da ein bisschen mehr Charaktertiefe gewünscht hätte als diese Nebeninfo über das Mädchen, das sein Herz (fr) gebrochen hat. Zumindest habe ich mich durch die drei sehr amüsiert, aber eben auch sehr aufgeregt. Ich schließe mich meiner Vorrednerin an, dass hier RomCom-Potenzial vorliegt 🤝

Dieses Buch hat mich auf jeden Fall entertained. Mit der wohl voraussehbarsten, klitscheehaftesten Storyline catcht Gonzales mehr oder weniger meine Agressionshormone, da die Hauptcharaktere echt schwierig sind:

Maya hat nicht anderes im Sinn als Rache, Skye hat nichts anderes im Sinn als sich dramatisch von allem auszuschließen, damit ihr Herz nicht nochmal 

 gebrochen werden kann. Jordy wird einfach nur als Arschloch dargestellt und ist der Einfachheit halber nur als Buhmann in diesem Roman vertreten. Finde ich schade, weil ich so oft lachen musste und die Idee der Geschichte echt RomCom Potential hat!

Aber die komplett einseitige und oberflächliche Zeichnung der lieben Mäuse zerstört diesen Traum. Grob hat man hier einfach dem Klitschee "Broody mysterious Typ" das andere Geschlecht gegeben und das war's. Die Adjektive mit denen Mayas Gefühle beschrieben werden geben mir Schüttelfrost und die DUMME SAU und ihre unnötig dramatischen, undurchdachten Einfälle auch.

Wie gesagt, fand ich sehr amüsant aber auch frustrierend, deshalb gute 3 Sterne:) ein tolles Buch, um sich gemeinsam drüber aufzuregen, hoffe ich!

Leon

Dieses Buch hat mich auf jeden Fall entertained. Mit der wohl voraussehbarsten, klitscheehaftesten Storyline catcht Gonzales mehr oder weniger meine Agressionshormone, da die Hauptcharaktere echt schwierig sind:

Maya hat nicht anderes im Sinn als Rache, Skye hat nichts anderes im Sinn als sich dramatisch von allem auszuschließen, damit ihr Herz nicht nochmal fast gebrochen werden kann. Jordy wird einfach nur als Arschloch dargestellt und ist der Einfachheit halber nur als Buhmann in diesem Roman vertreten. Finde ich schade, weil ich so oft lachen musste und die Idee der Geschichte echt RomCom Potential hat!

Aber die komplett einseitige und oberflächliche Zeichnung der lieben Mäuse zerstört diesen Traum. Grob hat man hier einfach dem Klitschee "Broody mysterious Typ" das andere Geschlecht gegeben und das war's. Die Adjektive mit denen Mayas Gefühle beschrieben werden geben mir Schüttelfrost und die DUMME SAU und ihre unnötig dramatischen, undurchdachten Einfälle auch.

Wie gesagt, fand ich sehr amüsant aber auch frustrierend, deshalb gute 3 Sterne:) ein tolles Buch, um sich gemeinsam drüber aufzuregen, hoffe ich!

First of all, the good: easy to read, quick to get through, and interesting premise.

The not so great: I don't believe the chemistry between the two MC's at all, there was literally nothing to indicate that they were into each other until the other decided that suddenly one of them wanted to kiss the other. Even their friendship seemed kind of base. Also, why would Maya just assume that Skye had known that Jordy had cheated on Maya with her? Like do you really think that Jordy would've told her? The answer is no.

Kate B-L

Sooooo I have some thoughts. 

First of all, the good: easy to read, quick to get through, and interesting premise.

The not so great: I don't believe the chemistry between the two MC's at all, there was literally nothing to indicate that they were into each other until the other decided that suddenly one of them wanted to kiss the other. Even their friendship seemed kind of base. Also, why would Maya just assume that Skye had known that Jordy had cheated on Maya with her? Like do you really think that Jordy would've told her? The answer is no.

thank you to st. martin's press, wednesday books, and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review.

i've been going back and forth on whether or not to rate this book a three or four star. for now, i've landed on three stars, but who knows. there's always a chance i'll think more on it and change it later.

but, what i can say for now is that i really did enjoy my time with this story. sophie gonazlaes knows how to write a funny and quick-read story, that's for sure. i felt like i flew through this story, and enjoyed my time with it. and after reading another of her releases earlier this year i think it's so interesting to see how she likes to write about individuals in famous (or, i guess, famous to be) positions. i'm not a fan of bachelor-type shows but this was still entertaining. and the concept of following participants in these shows go down avenues of not following the expected outcome of dating shows, will continue to fascinate me.

i do, however, wish this book was aged up to a new-adult age group. i just think a lot more could have been accomplished considering we 

following college-aged characters. i wish we were able to see more of the consequences of jordy's actions and just more about the actual issues that maya went through before the start of these events. it felt almost too pushed aside for the love-story. which is definitely fine, because it 

a ya contemporary. but yeah, it's something i would've loved to see more of. i also wish we were able to spend more time with the group of girls, getting to know them and see more of their blossoming friendships. but, even without those extra moments, i appreciated that they stuck with each other and supported each other, even after a rocky start.

i think, overall, if you're a fan of ya books but also love the bachelor (or the many dating reality shows), this will be a fun and interesting read.

thank you to st. martin's press, wednesday books, and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review.

i've been going back and forth on whether or not to rate this book a three or four star. for now, i've landed on three stars, but who knows. there's always a chance i'll think more on it and change it later.

but, what i can say for now is that i really did enjoy my time with this story. sophie gonazlaes knows how to write a funny and quick-read story, that's for sure. i felt like i flew through this story, and enjoyed my time with it. and after reading another of her releases earlier this year i think it's so interesting to see how she likes to write about individuals in famous (or, i guess, famous to be) positions. i'm not a fan of bachelor-type shows but this was still entertaining. and the concept of following participants in these shows go down avenues of not following the expected outcome of dating shows, will continue to fascinate me.

i do, however, wish this book was aged up to a new-adult age group. i just think a lot more could have been accomplished considering we are following college-aged characters. i wish we were able to see more of the consequences of jordy's actions and just more about the actual issues that maya went through before the start of these events. it felt almost too pushed aside for the love-story. which is definitely fine, because it is a ya contemporary. but yeah, it's something i would've loved to see more of. i also wish we were able to spend more time with the group of girls, getting to know them and see more of their blossoming friendships. but, even without those extra moments, i appreciated that they stuck with each other and supported each other, even after a rocky start.

i think, overall, if you're a fan of ya books but also love the bachelor (or the many dating reality shows), this will be a fun and interesting read.

This book was cute! I love a good sapphic romance with a male character we all despise. This was a fade to black love story, great for readers who might not want all the spice. Summary: Maya and Skye join a reality tv show that is similar to The Bachelor, but in this case the bachelor is their Ex trying to get a second chance. Maya and Skye want revenge , to make him fall in love with one of them so that they can then publicly dump him and humiliate him. They become close friends and then more….

I did enjoy reading the book and think it’s worth the pick up. 

Lydia Power

This book was cute! I love a good sapphic romance with a male character we all despise. This was a fade to black love story, great for readers who might not want all the spice. Summary: Maya and Skye join a reality tv show that is similar to The Bachelor, but in this case the bachelor is their Ex trying to get a second chance. Maya and Skye want revenge , to make him fall in love with one of them so that they can then publicly dump him and humiliate him. They become close friends and then more….
I did enjoy reading the book and think it’s worth the pick up. 

sydney

*4.5

I really enjoyed this book and seeing the relationship develop between Maya and Skye. I do think that they should have actually talked about their feelings a bit more but besides that I loved it. Also Jordy is such a piece of shit.

I received an arc through netgalley.

ingrid

this was so much fun! i had a great time reading, i loved the characters and the plot was good too. i do wish certain things had been a little different but im not too bothered by how it all turned out. oved the book!

i received an arc through netgalley

nini!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Never Ever Getting Back Together was a cute rom-com about two girls who go on a Bachelor-esque dating show: Maya, to get revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, Jordy, and Skye, who still harbors feelings for Jordy. Genre-typical shenanigans ensue, and the two girls end up falling for each other instead.

Overall, I thought this book was a fun, lighthearted read. The overall dedication to the absurdity of reality TV and the relationship between the girls on the show was fun to read about, but I think it also took away from Maya and Skye's relationship — they were very briefly enemies (but only because of an elaborately-spun misunderstanding), and then things suddenly escalated from reluctant friends to friends with benefits before you could even blink. When the book has its moments to shine — Maya grappling with the very real consequences of her choices, Skye slowly opening up to the others, seeing them work together to take down Jordy — it shines bright. But it also falls very flat in key segments. 

Maya and Skye like each other because we're told they do. They're attracted because the author says so. It didn't feel genuine to me, and since I was excited to see how their relationship would grow from the initial hatred, it took me away from the story and I never became as invested again as I was initially.

Final Rating: 3/5

Eliana Mor

this is like the best book I've read this year

I loved everything about this. Everything. Bi representation, revenge, reality television dating. This book was so fun from start to finish and managed to make a wildly out-there premise seem completely believable and realistic. My only disappointment is that I can't watch the show for myself.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Bayly Hepburn

I loved everything about this. Everything. Bi representation, revenge, reality television dating. This book was so fun from start to finish and managed to make a wildly out-there premise seem completely believable and realistic. My only disappointment is that I can't watch the show for myself.

A massive thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nikki

so unfortunately this book didn't work out for me. the premise was interesting (i love drama!) and i loved the first two chapters but i have a few bones to pick.

1. the characters fell flat. i know nothing of them aside from the fact that they hate jordy (the main guy) who is both their ex-boyfriend. the other characters weren't better. none of them had any depth. i could have excused it if it was just maya's pov. 

2. the progression of maya and skye's relationship felt rushed. they barely knew one another! there's not much build-up for the relationship to make sense.

3. jordy is one big asshole and i still can't get over the fact that (view spoiler)[we had someone other than maya, who has been villainized by jordy from the start, post/expose the revenge video. i love perrie but my god was that a choice. (hide spoiler)]

thank you to netgalley and wednesday books for the arc.

Never Ever Getting Back Together

Reviews

Highlights