Chloe's passion to be an art curator is so random and I would've loved to learn more, but I don't feel like it ever made sense. It all seemed to come so easily to her and I honestly was more interested in her planner obsession than the art exhibit. This is very specific to me, but I also had a hard time buying into her credibility as a curator by the way she described the fiber artists' works. I am no expert when it comes to that medium, but I was very confused by the words she used since I've never heard terminology used like that before.

DNF

2 ½ stars rounded up. I think this just wasn’t for me. The story was moving along at such a slow pace. It started out strong and then there was so much detail about things like planners and stickers and index cards- I just couldn’t stay engaged. I’m sure it’s a nice story, just not for me. For that reason I’ll keep it at 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. This one may be one that I reread.

Teenagers Chloe Chang and Daniel Kwak form an unlikely partnership to elevate Chloe’s art exhibit, Heartifacts, to the next level. As the pair work together, feelings develop, but Daniel is dead set on not being another rebound—and Chloe needs to admit to herself that’s exactly what he would be. So she throws herself into working on Heartifacts, bringing in flashy influencers that threaten everything she wanted for the exhibit. In order to find the original message (and maybe even convince Daniel that she’s finally moved on from her ex), she’ll have to go back to basics.

We’ve all been there—what do you do with a relationship box when it becomes a breakup box? Well, Chloe takes the hurt that she is feeling and finds a way to turn it into something that can help her (and others) heal from her pain and find connection in a world that is becoming increasingly harder to connect in. Though just teenagers, Chloe and Daniel both are already thinking to the future, thinking to how they can affect the world around them and to make it better, and they carry themselves a lot of the time as older and more mature than their age, which is a breath of fresh air. But they still have those traits we know and love to hate about teenagers—they can be selfish, self-centered, and focused on all the wrong things. Chen finds a balance between these two sides of the characters in a lovely way.

One of the things I loved the most about this story was the way in which Chen handles human connection and detachment. In a world where connection takes place a lot more often virtually than in person, it’s easy to get lost in the influencers-as-marketing-tools of it all. I thought that utilizing this idea as the method through which a bit of a found family is formed was a clever choice. Chloe loses touch with what she’s trying to accomplish because of this virtual detachment, but she reconnects with it through human connection and I think a lot of us (myself very much included!) could learn a lot from this.

The romance was cute and respectful, but the pining and angst could’ve been turned up a bit more for my taste. I mean, these are teenagers—they needed to be way more dramatic than they were! While the non-romance plot of the book didn’t need it, I think the romance plot would have benefited greatly from the addition of Daniel’s POV to the story. But, overall, this was a super quick and fun read perfect for fans of light and fluffy contemporary YA romance.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

If you're looking for a quick, cute rom com of a book, this one hits that mark. It's sweet and a little bit cheesy, but overall a fun read. There were definitely times where the main character made decisions that I found questionable and a little cringe, but she is a teenager, and one going through first heartbreak, and I do think it realistically protrays some of the cringey ways we act when we are young and in love. And I liked the overall messages about love and healing. It's always interesting to read books that heavily discuss an feature visual art, to see how these two media come together. There were times I wished I could have had more of a visual than the book allowed, but overall it was cool and the kind of quick read you can pick up when you want something a little romance-y and a little heartbreak-y at the same time.

Artifacts of an Ex is a young adult contemporary romance following a young girl who has moved across the country from her parents and got broken up with via a USPS box. The receival of this "breakup box" sparks inspiration for an art exhibit in the young art curator/lover Chloe. In creating this gallery, she learns all about what love is and what love isn't- and might just find her own love along the way.

I had a lot of fun with this one, it is definitely a fun read for anyone but I think it would be particularly powerful for anyone going through a break up. I was captivated by Chloe's planning of the exhibit and actual planning in her planner for her social media platform. I found myself wishing to see it in real life because I LOVE those types of videos.

The descriptions of the exhibit/gallery were vivid and made me feel like I was actually walking through the space on a personal tour with Chloe. I loved watching it come together and reading about her journey into WHY she was creating this exhibit.

I also was very endeared to the characters. All the relationships felt so genuine and real, I felt like they were my friends by the end of the book.

I think the only reason this wasn't a 5 star for me was the tone/age the story was written in. However, to be clear that is my own personal taste expanding into an older dialogue and not a knock on the book at all. It was written incredibly appropriate to the market it is reaching and for the ages the characters were.

Definitely a fun book, I think you would enjoy this if you like To All the Boys I Loved Before & The Summer I Turned Pretty - I could definitely see this being the next big book!

"Artifacts of an Ex" by Jennifer Chen is like that quirky mixtape you find in the back of your drawer – a bit nostalgic, a tad bittersweet, and surprisingly relatable. Chen takes us on a journey through the artifacts of a past relationship, turning heartbreak into a fascinating scavenger hunt.

Chen's writing style is as easygoing as a Sunday morning, making it the perfect read for lazy afternoons. The exploration of the remnants left behind after a relationship hits that sweet spot between insightful and downright amusing.

The characters are like your old friends, and Chen has a knack for capturing the awkward, cringe-worthy, and downright hilarious moments that come with dissecting the aftermath of love. It's not a perfect masterpiece, hence the 3.5 stars, but there's an undeniable charm to the way Chen crafts her narrative.

Whether you're mending a broken heart or just in the mood for a light-hearted read, "Artifacts of an Ex" is like that guilty pleasure rom-com – you know it's not Oscar-worthy, but damn, it's a good time. So grab your favorite snack, cozy up, and let Jennifer Chen guide you through the art of moving on with a smile and a wink.

(Actual: 3.5⭐) Quick read with cute/cozy vibes turned up to the max! While I enjoy romcoms, I sometimes can be a bit wary of them because I hate when they're too formulaic to the point where it's painfully obvious - thankfully that wasn't the case here! While yes, it of course hums to some of the same beats as its contemporaries, I still found this read to be fresh and exciting.

DNF at 20%

I really wanted to love this story but I had a hard time believing that any of the characters were 16 and 17. They felt like they were all doing way more than any teenagers I know. I didn't love the constant pop culture references or influencer side of this either. I think I would have loved this concept more if it had been written with slightly older characters in their early 20's.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

This is a cute story about friendships and relationships that is told through the premise of art. The characters are enjoyable and likeable. The story is a quick read. I'm definitely putting this one in my high school library.

Yeah this one wasn't for me. I was originally gonna rate it 1 star but it did get better in the second half when there felt like there was a bit more of a plot, so now it's a 2.5 star. To be honest I just didn't vibe with the writing style, the instagram, social media, and pop culture references every two lines got annoying pretty quickly. I think using this stuff in books is a bit weird because if you recognise the thing it's referencing it's a cool detail, but if not you have to stop reading to google what it is they are talking about and that takes you out of the story.

I also think it would have improved a lot by making Chloe and her friends in their twenties because they just didn't read like teenagers to me, I kept forgetting the main characters are like 16 or 17 years old, they just do too much and seem too successful? It was like reading the life of a successful 20-something but written in the messy writing style of a young teenager if that even makes sense. Chloe read as both too immature and too mature for her age. What I did like was the relationship between her and Daniel, I thought it was really well done and I'm glad he wasn't the usual ya love interest cliche. The representation was also well done and good to read.

I honestly have mixed feelings about this. In a lot of ways, the concept and different plotlines that ran through this book were interesting, but I never ended up fully connecting with either the main character or the love interest beyond a few scenes. The entire concept of the Heartifacts exhibit and the accompanying use of film and photo are very cool and definitely made me think a lot as an art history student who wants to potentially go into curation. But it’s stunted by what sometimes feels like a blunt telling of a very emotions-based story (not that either are bad, but they ended up hindering one another. While I was listening to the book I definitely enjoyed a decent amount of it (and the subplot of searching for the MC’s grandmother’s recipe was absolutely lovely), but the steps it takes forward always have some moments that I want to step back from. I’ll admit, I’m no longer a high schooler and some of the romances are beyond me, but I still wish there’d been more of a spark. If it sounds interesting, I’d say it’s worth checking out as a quicker YA romance/coming-of age story.

First and foremost, a shout out to the supporting characters for always being there and providing insight into Chloe’s life. The character growth is there largely because of other people but it also gets tangled in a way that seems more focused on making drama than simply having the character learn and grow. Again, maybe I’ve outgrown this a little bit. The filming of the short film and family interactions are a light in this story throughout, and I wish they’d been even more woven into the overall purpose of the story.

Overall, I think this book is a mix of things not working for me, a big one being the feeling out of place in a YA novel, but also just some general strings of the story which I would have enjoyed more if they were woven in a different manner. I think it works as a pretty cute and fun read with an interesting plot to keep you engaged, but I’m still left with some mixed feelings.

3 stars.

I am a little over romances featuring influencers, especially when there is such lackluster chemistry between the main characters. I love the premise of "Artifacts of an Ex" by Jennifer Chen, and I appreciate the diversity explored and discussed in this story, but I found this book very hard to believe. These are supposed to be young adult characters, but they act like 30 year olds. I just don't buy that teenaged influencers are *this* mature. There's hardly any tension between Chloe and Daniel, and I usually LOVE fake dating romances. This book stays cute and lighthearted throughout, but I wanted something a little more from this story. I personally wish we could have gotten Daniel's point of view in addition to Chloe's story, too. There's nothing *wrong* with this book, it's just a little too fluffy and too "been there, done that" for me in the end. I have read this book dozens of times. I needed more tension to stay interested.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and Jennifer Chen for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.

A cute YA romance about exes, learning to let go/move on, and being open to new opportunities. It's very light and gives romcom vibes where the (kind of) reluctant lovers are friends first and there's something standing in the way of their romance. I liked seeing the friendship grow between Chloe and Daniel but there's a lot of back and forth, will they won't they and why not that I didn't love but that made sense for a young adult novel. Honestly the two main characters were very mature for their age in many ways, with their art especially, but immature when it comes to romantic love. Daniel's best friend and Chloes new friend were cute and brought humor and some depth to the book as well. I feel like I watched a movie with the same concept (an art exhibit with stuff from your exes) a couple years ago but for adults so it didn't feel completely fresh for me but it was still an enjoyable YA romance book that I think would be a good fit for readers who enjoy art, NY --> LA experiences, film, and social media.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced digital copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book was published on 11/14/23.

Jennifer Chen has brought us the story of Chloe, who has found herself broken up with through a USPS package after she has moved across the country from New York City to LA. This heartless act brings inspiration to Chloe, where she turns breakup boxes into art.

Along the way, Chloe meets Daniel, and they develop a deep relationship with one another. The story of Chloe and Daniel flows smoothly, and is quite enjoyable. This is definitely a solid 3.5 star read, and one that I would recommend for anyone who enjoys YA romance reads!

Thank you to NetGalley for sharing this ARC in return for an honest review.

Chloe has to move from New York to Los Angeles and she is missing home. Her boyfriend breaks up with her by sending her stuff back to her in the mail. She goes to throw it away, but comes up with a better idea. She decides to have a art exhibit, called Heartifacts. I loved the thought behind Heartifacts because we have all been there at one time or another. Chloe meets Daniel and they instantly connect. He helps her with her project and she wants to be more than friends, but he is always the rebound guy. He turns her down and then the final project turns out better than expected.
I enjoyed the book and the diversity of the characters. The final projects done by all the artists were unique. Everyone experiences love and the big show allows those in the book to interpret love in their own way.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Publishing Group for allowing me to read this as an arc. It also makes me happy because it is on our shelves at my library!

A massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this book; definitely something I will tell my friends about!

This had such a cute cover. I found that the romance lacked the tension that is needed in a romance. The character spent too much time thinking about her ex and the book didn't have enough of the new relationship for me to really care. It had a unique plot with the fake exhibit.

This YA novel follows Chole who has been dumped via a USPS package and she decides that instead of chucking the box into the trash she would do something different. So she decided to open an exhibit called, Heartifacts. A art exhibit that will feature other teenagers' break-up boxes. On opening night, she spots Daniel Kawak, who is trying to record his best friend's reaction to his ex's box. When he tries to stop him, it leads to him and her becoming creative partners. On top of that, Daniel has a huge crush on Chole but he is determined to not be another rebound.

I was so excited to pick up this book because this idea reminds me of the movie The Broken Heart Gallery, which pretty much follows the same outline of a girl who starts a gallery of past relationships. While the movie is one of my favorites, I can't say the same for this book. Unfortunately, this book wasn't it for me, as I wasn't the biggest fan of the romance in this book. I understood she was missing her ex but it just got too much on how hung up she was over him. When he wasn't the best for her, and we all knew that. I honestly feel like this book had the potential to go beyond, but it just didn't hit there for me. I do feel like it did have some very important messages but maybe they weren't necessary for me.

It's a super cute book that was fun but it just isn't for me.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this ARC!

The whole story is told from Chloe’s point of view, which makes this a little different than some of the other contemporary YA romances I’ve read lately. I liked it that way, though. I felt like there was a good balance between the romance and Chloe’s family relationships and her investment in her exhibit, and I had no trouble figuring out what Daniel was thinking or doing because he appeared in a lot of scenes and was a pretty straightforward guy.

I liked Chloe’s friends, especially Vincent and Francesca, friends Chloe meets in Los Angeles. I felt like they contributed the right amounts of truth and humor in all the right places. Chloe’s grandmother has dementia, and watching Chloe and her family navigate the stages of that loss took me back to my own grandmother’s battle with Lewy Body dementia. I loved that Chloe’s Ahma still had moments of clarity and was able to connect with her, but it broke my heart every time her illness prevented her from being able to do that.

All in all, I loved reading this sweet romance peppered with strong side characters and full of art and life in Los Angeles. I can definitely see fans of Jenny Han and Emma Lord liking this one.