As a thank you to Macmillan Audio, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley I’m sharing my thoughts on the audiobook version of Sophie Gonzales' latest novel, Never Ever Getting Back Together. Coming into this audiobook, I knew that it featured two narrators (Natalie Naudus and Barrie Kreinik) and was 9 hours and 54 minutes in length. This audiobook provided nuance between characters Maya and Skye. During the novel it often was difficult to distinguish them as their individual voices did not stand out. I am glad for the format as it introduced the reader to whose point of view was present. The audiobook enhanced my experience reading this novel and would give it a strong four out of five stars. As for the story I would say it was a 3.5 stars for me and would rate it a strong 3 star on goodreads.

Enjoyed the idea - two girls go on reality show to "date their ex." Instead of falling back in love with their ex, they fall for each other. I wish I had enjoyed it more but I didn't find it very funny or different. Also, I can't actually see either of the girls actually dating this guy. I did the audible for this and the narrator did a nice job with the voices but it couldn't save this one for me.

The perfect revenge romance. It was slow burn, sapphic, with a beautiful friendship that forms. Definitely frenemies to lovers. This was a little long, but it was so good and cute. The ending felt a little drawn out and wasn’t how I wanted things to end, but it was still enjoyable.

This is a review solely of the audio version as I have already read the ebook prior to this: the narration was so good for this one. I actually didn't love this book in a physical format but it really excelled in the audio format. The narrator was just great at selling the story.

If you’re a fan of the bachelor, or any other dating reality tv show, make this your next read! A unique twist on the average dating show with likable and relatable contestants. This novel is Karma by Taylor Swift on pages.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I DNF this book. I enjoyed the comparison to the bachelor but I had to stop about half way through. It just wasn't for me.

4.5 Stars

This book is so cute. I love a cute teen romance, and this one is even better than the rest because it takes place on a second-chance romance reality show. Maya is set on getting revenge on her ex-boyfriend Jordy, and she doesn't mind hurting Skye, the girl he cheated on her with in the process. That is, until, Maya finds out that Skye didn't know Jordy was cheating. The girls then start working together to get to the very end of the competition to reject Jordy. What they don't expect is that they'll fall for each other in the process. The only reason I'm giving this 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because it was predictable. It's also worth mentioning that I 100% requested this book because the title is a Taylor Swift song.

My confession of the day is that I have never watched a full episode of either The Bachelor, or The Bachelorette. Of course I have watched clips and understand the general idea, I'm not a savage. I also recognize it is an absolute sensation and many people love it. After having so much fun with this book, I think I may need to binge some!

The set-up of Never Ever Getting Back Together feels very ode' to The Bachelor and frankly I was living for it.
We follow rich, related-to-royalty, arguably-charming playboy, Jordy, getting his own reality television show, Second-Chance Romance.

For the show, ex-girlfriends of Jordy's will be living together in a mansion, interacting with him and each other, participating in challenges and generally biding for his attention. Week-by-week, Jordy sends one girl packing, until the time comes for his final selection.

Maya dated Jordy two-years ago and the break-up was rough. He cheated on her for months before ultimately calling it quits suddenly when she called him out on his behavior.

Skye dated Jordy directly after Maya. In fact, Maya's reputation precedes her. Jordy warned Skye how jealous and crazy Maya got after he broke up with her. Skye can't believe Maya is joining the show too. Isn't she like a security risk or something?

When Maya learns Skye, the girl who stole Jordy from her, is going to be participating on the show as well, she's furious. This girl knowingly dated Jordy behind her back for months. Who does that? Filthy liars, that's who.

Arriving at the mansion the two girls learn an even more horrible truth, they're being forced to room together. They're quite literally bunk-mates. They try to muscle through it, they might even be contractually-obligated to, but it ain't gonna be easy. Along with four other girls, Maya and Skye start to settle into their new normal and compete for the ultimate prize: Jordy.

Maya's no fool though. She knows Jordy too well to fall for any of this smoke in mirrors. Jordy hasn't changed and that's fine by her. Maya isn't dreaming of becoming Jordy's one-true love, she's dreaming of revenge.

I had a lot of fun with this. Particularly the set-up, it was adorable. The narrative alternates between Skye and Maya, beginning a little before they even agree to be on the show. The backdrop of the mansion, filming the reality show, it was great. I felt like I was getting a real glimpse behind the scenes of an actual show. It felt very realistic.

I also liked the mix of personalities that the contestants had. They all had their own motivations for being there and few of those actually revolved around Jordy, or love. Skye and Maya's interactions, as they got to know one another, as they battled and then began to drop their defenses; I thought that was really well done too.

My only slight issues with this story would be that I feel like it may have worked better if the story was actually written as New Adult, or Adult. It could have gone farther in the exploration of the relationships. Also, I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters. I didn't find the romance that ultimately transpires believable.

These are tiny critiques though and both of these things are simply my personal opinion. Overall, this book is adorable as heck and I really enjoyed following the concept through to the end.

I was lucky enough to listen to an audio copy and definitely recommend that medium. The narrators did an incredible job bringing this story to life.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I am absolutely looking forward to more from Sophie Gonzales!!

I really loved the ending of this one! The timeline was a bit confusing, as well as their ages. But overall I had a great time reading this one.

In a reality TV dating show scenario that seems tailor-made for second chance romance, Sophie Gonzales pivots and pairs up two reluctant, enemies-to-lovers opposites who are both exes—just not each other’s.

Before he became royalty-adjacent, Jordy dated Maya. And Skye. In fact, Jordy chose to overlap those relationships. And two years later, Maya is still working to overcome the damage left by her relationship with Jordy. And Skye, who is hesitant to open up her heart to anyone but chose to let him in, believes that her relationship with Jordy ended due to physical distance. Through a twist of realty television fate, the two girls end up on a show about second chance love with Jordy—Maya in hopes of exacting revenge on him and Skye wondering “What if”.

This one is a laugh-out-loud, snarky delight with an undercurrent of sweetness, and I didn’t want to put it down.

Any fan of the Bachelor will recognize the absurdity of random challenges to win time with the suitor; the way the contestants dating the same man gush to each other but don’t want to hear the musings from the others; how producers manipulate things on the show; and the distrust that can grow in the mansion.

And Jordy is just so ridiculously narcissistic with a morally grey compass—but not in an enticing way—that even with those scarce moments where you start to wonder whether he has invested feelings in the relationships after all, you still are cheering for him to get his comeuppance.

The moments of selflessness between Maya and Skye bring a warm glow to the story as do the bonds that form between the contestants over time.

And both Maya and Skye experience emotional growth because of their interactions with each other. I love when characters have growth arcs in addition to the love story.

It is a snarky, heartwarming, forced proximity, plotter-meets-pantser pleasure.

Both Natalie Naudus (as Maya) and Barrie Kreinik (as Skye) nailed the narration. Their casting was perfect for these two roles, and I rather enjoyed their vocal choices for the other characters, too—from Jordy’s affected accent to Francesca’s Irish accent and Kim’s Liverpudlian one.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Note: This is a YA book, and the characters are on the younger end of college-aged. Maya has just completed her senior year of high school. I have seen comments that the age of the contestants in this scenario is a problem for some readers. I understand and would not support a show like this in the real world—or want my children to be on such a show—but in the context of the book, it didn’t bother me.

This is a funny rom-com about a girl, Maya, who sees the perfect opportunity to get revenge on her ex and decides to take it, despite the very likely fact things will not turn out as she plans. Throwing herself into a house full of her ex's exes in competition for his attention makes controlling the narrative more difficult than Maya expected, and she's constantly having to renegotiate alliances and her tack with the ex.

This is a enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity LGBTQ rom-com with closed-door steam.

I always love Natalie Naudus, so the audio narration was GREAT.

I recieved this ARC from NetGalley. This is a laugh out loud lovable twist of a romantic comedy. I fell in love with the female leads and their relationship together. The dynamic of peaking behind the scenes of a reality tv show was so refreshing and fun to read along with! I would recommend and plan to read more from this author!

OBSESSED…

I had a slim knowledge of what this book was about the title and the cover caught my eye… within minutes of listening I was like… oh ya this book is for me.

A few of my favorite things…
Alternating perspectives
Reality TV
Royals
Revenge schemes
DRAMA!
Swoon worthy moments
Queer love

If you love a good binge worthy reality show then this is the book for you!

While this book was entertaining, I had a hard time finding the main characters likeable. I don't think they necessarily need to be likeable for it to be a great book, but I just wasn't connecting to it like I hoped to. But overall, it was a fun read!

The narrators chosen were great choices. I liked that it was dual POV. The characters are fun and diverse. The story was fun, engaging, and the surprises it included. The only thing I would change is making the characters older.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

For someone that doesn't watch many reality dating shows, I sure do love books about them. This one was super fun and had a unique take on it. I really enjoyed the audio and would totally watch this if it were a show. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Never Ever Gitting Back Together is a dual-pov, YA rom-com about two young women who go on a second chance dating reality show for their ex-boyfriend only to find love with each other. This book was so funny and cute and brought a smile to my face as I listened. I enjoyed hearing both perspectives of Maya and Skye as they experienced the ridiculousness of a bachelor-like reality show. I also loved Isaac and hope there is book about him!

As I mentioned, I listened to the audiobook. Both narrators were fantastic. I already knew and loved Natalie Naudus, but this was my first listen with narrator, Barrie Kreinik. She did an excellent job with Skye's chapters of the book. I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by her.

Overall, very fun book and would reccommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for arc.

Never Ever Getting back Together.

Bachelor meets paradise?!
Quirk, fun fast to listen to. But had too many details I didn’t care for which made the whole plot to slow down in the middle. Narration was overwhelmingly boring, I switched to the physical book in the middle. Overall ok.

Getting this ARC was so fun! I look forward to getting audiobook ARCs on NetGalley because they’re rare for YA titles. I loved this book. I had so much fun listening to it. It’s reminiscent of John Tucker Must Die with a twist that’s especially appealing to me. I can imagine several people I’d recommend this to (and I already have contacted a few people too!).

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I was getting a "The Charm Offensive" vibe from this. Sadly, it wasn't like that at all. The book was very catty. My biggest problems were not knowing who was who, what they looked like, or why they did the things they did. It's not fun to read a book about a reality show if you can't root for anyone.

There was no atmosphere or character development. It was extremely slow. It would have worked so much better if the characters were older. I didn't see any chemistry between the characters. I do like the cover. This is my second attempt at a Sophie Gonzales book. Don't know if reading "If This Gets Out" would be a good idea. But, all-in-all the book just wasn't well done or attention-grabbing.

Thank you Macmillan Audio!