3.5 stars!

I love reality TV and so I was excited for a queer spin on something that almost felt like The Bachelor. Add in a cute little cartoon cover and I was sold! I was so invested in the sapphic romance, and I loved Maya and Skye so much! I think my main issue was that I didn't feel like it made sense for them to be teens, and I almost felt like that took away from the story. I think I would've liked it better if they were in their 20s. I also really didn't like the third act conflict. Besides that, a very cute book that I would recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love books that take on reality dating and flip it on it's head like this book, The Charm Offensive, etc. My main problem with this book was that it was YA. Not because of spice or lack thereof, because I found the premise interesting, but I literally could not get behind a dating show where the characters dated in their early teens and were still TECHNICALLY teenagers when they are supposed to be exposing so much about themselves to the world. It sounds like an ethical nightmare. Yes, I know that the main characters were "legally" adults in this made up country, but it still really sat uncomfortably. Sophie Gonzales is a lot of fun and I enjoy her books, and I enjoyed parts of this one, but I just couldn't suspend belief enough to get behind it.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales is a perfect fit for readers who adore lighthearted, emotional, and romantic stories with a dash of royalty, revenge, and enemies-to-lovers tropes, and are looking for a fun and engaging read that explores complex themes of heartbreak, trust, and self-discovery.

First time reading a book from this author and I enjoyed it. Characters were fun to read about so was the story.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Sophie Gonzales presents a charming take on the complexities of teenage romance. While the story is undeniably enjoyable and offers moments of genuine warmth and humor, it occasionally feels a bit predictable in its execution. Gonzales crafts relatable characters and delivers witty dialogue that captures the essence of modern teenage life, but I found certain plot twists a bit cliche. Otherwise, the novel ultimately succeeds in delivering a heartwarming message about love, friendship, and self-acceptance. Due to the engaging storyline and well-drawn characters, "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a solid choice for readers seeking a light-hearted romance with a touch of depth.

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

📝 Skye and Maya only have one thing in common. They absolutely hate their ex-boyfriend, and as a result each other. So when he reaches out asking them to come on a teen reality dating show, they can't pass it up. What's better than getting revenge, or maybe love in the least expected places.

What I 🤍:
📺 Reality TV
👿 Revenge Plot
🌈 Sapphic Romance
💕 Enemies to Lovers

This book is perfect for anyone who loves the Bachelor or Bachelorette but make it queer. I absolutely devored this book, and I hope it becomes a movie someday!

Sophie Gonzales’ "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a fresh and fun read— perfect for fans of the DRAMA that is reality TV.

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a must-read for anyone looking for a modern, entertaining story that’s equal parts drama and heart. Perfect for your next book binge!

While I'm not a fan of reality TV, the novels I read with reality tv settings have been very entertaining, especially this one..
After being asked to join a Reality TV show about a second chance with their ex-boyfriend, Skye and Maya find themselves in the same space. The catch, they both dated him at the same time. The fine line between love/hate is the definition of their interaction.

Their journey through the TV show is an entertaining one to read. The author did a fantastic job with their personalities. Would definitely recommend this to those who like different storyline to their gay romance novels

This book was a fun take on reality shows like the Bachelor and royal family madness. In this case, however, Jordy isn’t an actual royal, except for being a royal pain. At first, the two protagonists don’t like each other very much because they’ve been manipulated by Jordy to believe that the other is a bad person, but once the animosity dissipates when they realize who their real enemy is, that’s when the book really gets interesting.

The fact that Maya and Skye develop feelings for each other is an extra twist to the revenge subplot. Obviously, their feelings are not performative, but it’s an unexpected element when they’re both on a reality show about reuniting with an ex-boyfriend. But Jordy is so generally awful that none of the contestants are particularly excited about “winning” the competition.

The tone of the book is mostly light, although the constant manipulation is a bit stressful. On the other hand, this book provides some interesting commentary on how reality shows don’t really present a genuine unbiased portrayal of events, and that contestants can get a “bad edit” from the producers to make them appear villainous. I’d like to think that most adults are aware of that, but it might be revelatory for the target YA audience.

I would absolutely recommend Never Ever Getting Back Together. Gonzales always offers a fresh perspective in YA literature, and I always look forward to her books.


I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Never Ever Getting Back Together: A Sweet and Spunky Rom-Com with a Twist

Sophie Gonzalez's 'Never Ever Getting Back Together' is a delightful read for fans of contemporary young adult romance. The story follows Maya, a girl determined to never repeat the mistakes of her past, particularly the one involving her ex-boyfriend, Liam.

The premise is simple: Maya and Liam, after a messy breakup, are forced to work together on a school project. This leads to hilarious encounters, awkward moments, and a rekindled spark that neither of them can deny.

**What works:**

* **Relatable characters:** Maya is a relatable protagonist, struggling with the fear of repeating past mistakes while also navigating the complexities of high school life. Liam is charming, goofy, and genuinely trying to win Maya back. The supporting characters, including Maya's best friend and Liam's brother, add depth and humor to the story.
* **Witty dialogue:** Gonzalez excels at capturing the voice of teenagers, with witty banter and relatable conversations that feel authentic and engaging.
* **A fresh take on the 'enemies to lovers' trope:** While the story follows the familiar path of a broken-up couple forced to work together, Gonzalez adds a unique twist by making Maya the 'enemy' who doesn't want to get back together. This dynamic adds a layer of complexity and tension to the narrative.
* **A focus on self-discovery:** The story is not just about romance but also about Maya's journey of self-discovery. She learns to confront her fears, prioritize her needs, and understand the value of healthy relationships.

**What could be better:**

* **Predictability:** The plot is predictable, especially for seasoned romance readers. The story follows a familiar formula, and the ending is somewhat predictable.
* **Lack of depth:** While the characters are relatable, they could have been explored in greater depth.

**Overall:**

'Never Ever Getting Back Together' is a light, breezy read that is perfect for a quick escape. It's a sweet and spunky rom-com with a touch of humor and a heartwarming message about second chances. While the story lacks some depth, it's a fun and entertaining read that will leave you feeling optimistic about love and second.

First off, Taylor stays playing in my head whenever I read the title of this book. WEEE ARE NEVER EVER (ever) GETTING BACK TOGETHER. I know you sang it, too.

A sapphic revenge book about all the ex-boyfriends who are high enough to think we still want them. News flash, we don't.... We want the girl you're with.

Revenge takes center stage in the reality show Second-Chance Romance, where a bachelor reconnects with his exes to find "the one that got away." American Maya and Canadian Skye, both former flames of bachelor Jordy Miller, team up to expose his deceit on international television. As they plot their revenge, Maya and Skye unexpectedly find themselves drawn to each other, sparking a new attraction. While the book delivers on the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, readers may crave more depth and backstory for Maya and Skye beyond their dating histories. Nonetheless, it offers a light and escapist romp for those seeking a fun and indulgent read.

I've mentioned it before, but I LOVE reality TV show plot lines in romance novels (which is especially funny because I hate watching reality TV shows in real life). I think Never Ever Getting Back Together did a great job with the reality show plot line. The actual setup for the show was great - I really enjoyed how the crew members got involved, and they were even given a little personality of their own. The cast of girls was also great, and I felt like everyone really was able to shine in some way.

The book was not perfect, but it didn't need to be. I was really worried about the characters in this book becoming more of a love triangle, but thankfully, that was not the case. The chemistry between Maya and Skye was strong, and it really helped that the ex-boyfriend, Jordy, was such a miserable character.

Rating: 4.5/5

*Review will be posted on blog in May.

This was such a fun book. If you love the movie John Tucker Must Die and the Bachelor I think you will enjoy this book. I thought that the premise of it being a second chance/revenge plot was interesting. I loved the reality TV aspects of this book and the characters. I think that I would read more from this author .

"Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Sophie Gonzales is a refreshing and heartwarming YA contemporary romance that explores themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Protagonist Mariam has sworn off love after her messy breakup with her ex-girlfriend. But when she's tasked with organizing her school's charity event alongside her ex, she finds herself confronting unresolved feelings and questioning if a second chance is possible. Gonzales crafts a compelling story with relatable characters and genuine emotions. With its witty dialogue, authentic portrayal of teenage relationships, and empowerihttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6430268196ng message about embracing one's true self, "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is a captivating read from start to finish.

I liked the behind-the-scenes of a dating show, and in this case, I thought it sounded very authentic. What I especially liked was the way the producers could easily change the narrative and the perceptions of the participants. It was very clear that the show participants didn’t have much input into how they were portrayed and how these types of shows can be easily manipulated in order to please the audience.

At first, I thought that Maya’s need for revenge was a bit over the top, but as I got to know Maya better, I began to understand her need for revenge a bit better. I liked Skye the best, she has such a good heart and seems to balance Maya’s cynicism really well. Jordy was horrible, but he made a good villain for the story.

Omg this book was so cute!!!
I really enjoyed getting to read from Skye and Maya. Especially at the beginning because they were enemies.
Their ex boyfriend invites them onto a reality dating show for teens was so intriguing for me. It gave you all the bachelor/bachelorette vibes.
Loved the setting, characters except Jordy. Amazing girl power!!

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and love the idea of being the scenes bachelor romance between girls. As we’ve seen in recent years a lot of previous bachelor contestants have come out as gay. With this story, I do wish there was a little more spice and time towards the end with the main couple. I also think the whole thing about it all being his ex girlfriends wasn’t necessary like I would have preferred it being more similar to the actual bachelor concept. I think the whole story could have been more nuanced but overall the couple was cute and the story was fun.