Honestly this took me a while to get through. I loved Esme's character but I felt like it was a very slow build up until we got to about 60% of the book where all the twists come and it feels like it really picks up the pace. However, because it took me so long to get through the first 60% of the book I felt like I just wanted to get through the book and it took some of the enjoyment out of it.

This was my first Jo Platt book and it definitely won't be the last! I really love the second chance romance trope. Throw in some current significant others and it creates chaos - my favorite. This book was fun and witty and I was definitely here for it.

An adorable read! As my first book by this author, I was charmed and immediately won over.

Esme and Elliot are ex's who decide to hide their previous love and knowledge of each other from their family and friends. They are then met with some very fun/awkward run-ins throughout the entire book.

Another good read
Perfect book to curl up with and to get lost in
Will have you hooked from the first page
Thanks NetGalley

"The Ex Next Door" is a delightful romantic comedy that takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions, laughter, and heartfelt moments. This charming novel offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the complexities of love, friendship, and second chances.

Jo Platt skilfully weaves a narrative that explores the intricacies of past love, forgiveness, and the complexities of friendship. Esme's character is endearing, relatable, and remarkably funny, making it easy for readers to empathize with her journey of self-discovery. Platt infuses the story with witty dialogue, unexpected twists, and a generous dose of humour that keeps the pages turning.

What truly sets "The Ex Next Door" apart is its ability to evoke genuine laughter while simultaneously delving into deeper emotional territory. Platt's writing style effortlessly combines the light-heartedness of a rom-com with the sincerity of a heartfelt drama. The result is a story that tugs at your heartstrings and tickles your funny bone in equal measure.

In "The Ex Next Door," Jo Platt delivers a laugh-out-loud romance filled with second chances and near misses. It's a feel-good read that reminds us that life is full of surprises, and sometimes, those surprises can lead to unexpected but wonderful new beginnings. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a heart-warming and entertaining story with a perfect blend of humour and romance. Jo Platt's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this charming tale of rediscovering love and embracing the unexpected twists and turns that life has to offer.

<b>4.5 stars (rounded up) 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5</b>

* Thankyou to Netgalley for this ARC!

"Perhaps we should go back inside?"
"And get creative, you mean?" I asked, turning to open the gate. He laughed.
"Well, that's what got us here, isn't it?" he said, taking my hand. "So why stop now?"

For a book with zero spice, this was such a good read!

This book had me chanting David, David, David the whole time because Elliot gave me the ick from day one.

All of the characters, though, were amazing. Standouts were: Cass & Llyod!

You will fine:
• Coworkers/friends to lovers
• Slow burn
• Amazing banter
• An easy read
• Fluff

My .5 off is because it took way too long for the FMC to get her shit together and tell the MMC how she felt. I knew from the beginning girl!

Pick this one up, you won't regret it.

You’ll know by now that it was the bright colours and general cuteness of this cover that prompted me to request it. I do also enjoy a bit of drama between exes, so I was looking forward to seeing if this one was any good.

Esme co-owns an art gallery with her business partner David but when her flat is destroyed by a burst pipe, she has no choice but to temporarily move into a cottage. However, she didn’t plan on her new neighbours being none other than Elliot, the man she broke up with years ago, and his new partner. Deciding to keep their shared past a secret, Esme and Elliot struggle through awkward encounters and relationships start to be questioned.

Esme is pretty insecure and I’m afraid I didn’t gel with her at all. I felt she was creating drama on little evidence and she seemed like she’d been a nightmare girlfriend during her relationship with Elliot. In the years between their break up and their reunion, she clearly had grown but I still couldn’t make that connection that I love to have with romantic heroines.

Of course, seeing Elliot again brings back a lot of feelings for her and it seems that it might be the same for him. The fact that he has a very sweet, completely oblivious girlfriend meant that it was infuriating to watch Esme entertain the idea of picking things back up with him. I have no idea why Esme started meeting Elliot alone. At no point did I root for them and clearly, I wasn’t supposed to.

Lloyd was the main source of comedy in the novel and I did find myself smiling away at his buffoonery. However, I’m not sure I’d describe the book as ‘laugh-out-loud’, which the marketing claims it is.

I was very taken aback by the ending because I didn’t see it coming at all and it felt really out of place. I can’t go into the details because of spoilers but it just didn’t feel right at all and I’d have liked a lot more warning and build-up to it, if that was how things were going to end up.

The Ex Next Door could have been a fun rom-com with flawed but loveable characters. As it was, it took a long time for things to actually start happening and the heroine really wasn’t my kind of girl at all. It was mildly funny in places but there are definitely better romances out there with the same tropes.

An utterly adorable read! As my first foray into this author's works, I was pleasantly charmed and completely won over

Absolutely loved this book!

Jo you are amazing!

I was hooked throughout and couldn't put this book down.

Thank you for accepting my ARC request

Esme and Elliot are both ex's who decide to hide their previous love and knowledge of each other from their family and friends. What unfolds is some extremely funny and awkward situations. Making it a very heartwarming book.

Took me a while to be able to finish reading this one - not the book's fault, but life's - and I couldn't wait to get back to it every single time I had to put it down. Which pretty much told me I would enjoy this story, that it would be a hectic/lovely ride, and it was! The build up and the mixing of all the secondary characters reminded me a lot of Jill Mansell's books, which I love to read precisely because there's a ton of stuff going on with all the characters, yet it's an enjoyable ride through.
Loved watching Esme come into her own. If anyone is tempted to give up after the earlier chapters where her relationship with Elliot is shown, please continue reading - it's well worth it! I was tempted at first to ditch Esme, but something told me to stick with the book, and so glad I did.
This is one of those books that has all the right kind of surprises, an engaging voice, and the characters peopling this world as just adorable (shout-out to Lloyd and Douglas - iykyk, LOL)

'The Ex Next Door' is a light-hearted read with quite a simple yet humorous plot at the centre. Esme is forced to move to temporary accommodation and finds herself living next to her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. From here, Esme is forced to confront whether she should be back with her ex or not.
I did find this entertaining and I enjoyed it for the most part, however it was too long. There was not really enough meat to the plot for the length. It could have done with an additional plot thread or being slightly shorter in length.
Having said this, I enjoyed getting to know Platt's quirky characters, they certainly brought some entertainment, and I found the plot to be funny and an easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance copy.

Warm, romantic and different, in the very best way. This author has woven more than a hint of magic through the pages. I absolutely adored it!

Esme found out that her next door neighbor is her ex and his new girlfriend, Morgan. It comes as a shock to her as she still holds the feeling for him despite they have “separated’ many years ago. Esme has never got over the break up with Elliot. It evoked memories and feelings to Esme and seeing her, Elliot pretend not to know her at all. As the story progress, I kept having the tension reading their story when both Elliot and Esme decided to keep their former relationship a secret.

This book is about life, relationship and personal growth which Esme learnt about herself and what she really wanted. I have the impression that Morgan will end up with Dave, Esme’s partner at the beginning and did not expect the ending to be as such.  Overall, it is an enjoyable read to me.

I don’t necessarily believe “An utterly charming and funny romance” was a good description of this book. I was thinking it would be a quick witty delight but in reality there were deep toned issues with the “ex” that makes this more thought provoking. I don’t think I even saw much humor until I was about 60% in- once I really got a better grasp on the characters. The love interest comes in too quickly and that felt more shallow- would have enjoyed more depth of their relationship in the beginning. All in all I enjoyed the book once I got over the beginning half but it was a slow start. Thank you @NetGalley and @Canelo for the free arc!

A fun read with a lot of depth.. I really loved this book

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from start to finish. In places its a little slow but if you stick with it, its a really good read. For anyone who likes a bit of romance and comedy all rolled into one this is for you.

The main characters Esme and Elliott are both well written and described, I am a stickler for opinions whilst reading and disliked Elliot from the start! The under written character of David, Esme's business partner, I wanted more from and I enjoyed the comedy paragraphs from the neighbour of the gallery.

The storyline itself is engaging and whilst reading this book the house opposite myself and my fiancé had gone up for sale, yes we have had the discussion of what if one of our ex's moved in. My finances response was that ours would soon be up for sale!

The ending, well I can't say at any point did I see that coming! A perfectly hidden story line that is literally not bought out until the final chapters. However, I must admit, an ending I did want for Esme due to my dislike for Elliot.

I would recommend this to any reader who enjoys chick-lit or light hearted romance books.

Such a fun read, with more depth than a lot of silly romance stories. A story of a girl figuring out her feelings for old and new beaus.

Thankyou to Netgalley, the publisher and Jo Platt for allowing me to read an ARC.
I found this book to be very funny and had very likeable characters.
I enjoyed the writing style of the author.
I found this book to be super cute.
I am big fan of short chapters so that is a plus for me.
This is my first book from this author and will read more for her in the future.
Thankyou
3.5 stars

"The Ex Next Door" by Jo Platt is a charming romantic comedy that explores the complicated dynamics between exes. After a bad break-up, Ellie is forced to move back in with her parents, only to discover that her ex-boyfriend Ben now lives next door. Despite their mutual animosity, Ellie and Ben are drawn together by their shared experiences and soon find themselves rekindling their romance. Platt's writing is witty and engaging, with well-drawn characters and an engaging plot. The novel is a perfect escape read, filled with humor, heart, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. Overall, "The Ex Next Door" is a delightful and enjoyable read that will leave readers feeling warm and fuzzy inside.