I really loved Amanda Woody’s book They Hate Each Other and I was so excited to get approved for an ARC of her latest book. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher! All opinions here are my own. :)

This book follows two (slightly chaotic) bisexual ex-friends Caleb and Emma who both have crushes on the new girl at school. They make up a competition that whoever the new girl kisses first, wins and gets to date her.

Things I loved about this book:
So many different queer identities were in this book - it was refreshing and yet felt so normal. This is exactly what I want to see in more books, especially YA!
Emma and her fiery side was so much fun, but she also deep down was very thoughtful and sweet. She worried about being a burden to everyone else.
Caleb was so sweet and I just wanted to hug him. He is a caretaker and cautious, and he has these sweet and thoughtful personality that comes out around the ones he loves.
Juliet as the newcomer was so relatable and I have felt like them before when it comes to being too much.
The whole friend group was wonderful and supportive. I loved their vibes. So so good.
Caleb’s mom 😭😭😭😭😭.
I liked how people called Caleb and Emma on their $hit!
That super sweet and lovely ending had me all giggly and swoony.

Fully recommend this one - especially if you liked THEO!!

This book provided a delightful experience – the narrative revolves around two former best friends fighting for the affection of the new girl. The characters were charming, and the portrayal of the main characters' relationship was beautifully executed. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it. Plus, the art on the cover was mesmerizing, had to admit it was what first drawn me to request this book.

I had wished this one would've ended in a polyam relationship, but I was happy with the ending that we got. This book does deal with some heavier topics, but overall it's a mature YA book, which I've heard Woody is good at, which makes me want to pick up her other book after reading this one. The character art on the cover drew me in, but I stayed for the characters themselves. I loved Caleb with all my heart.

This book is a great choice for those who enjoy ex-best friends to lovers, queer representation (there's a character on the ace spectrum), and coming-of-age romance in young adult literature. The novel deals with some hard themes, but they are handled well. I have enjoyed this author's books in the past and look forward to their next release. The story's premise of two former best friends fighting over a love interest was captivating and well-executed. The whole novel was dynamic and enjoyable. Amanda Woody has a talent for writing relationships beautifully! I loved how Emma and Caleb's friendship and bond developed. If you're a fan of Becky Albertalli or Alice Oseman, I highly recommend this book!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I enjoyed this book, while Emma and Caleb make a bet on who gets the new girl..they also try to navigate between their own personal problems, while trying to survive high school. There are subjects pertaining to emotional abuse and neglect from a parent, and bullying so keep that in mind.

Thank you to penguin teen!

Whenever I read a book with a love triangle now, I always want it to end with them all just happily together and get frustrated every time when that doesn't happen. This was the first book that gave a perfect alternate solution at the end. If you like ex-best friends to lovers, queer rep(there's a character on the ace spectrum), and YA coming of age romance I highly recommend this one. At times there are also hard themes, but it is shown and discussed. I've really liked this author's books so far and can't wait to see what they write next

RATING: 4/5 STARS

EXES & FOES is another great mature YA novel from Amanda Woody! The premise of two former best friends fighting over a love interest was really captivating and well-executed here. The whole novel was dynamic and fun. Amanda Woody writes relationships so beautifully - I just adored how Emma and Caleb's friendship and bond developed. Highly recommend for fans of Becky Albertalli and Alice Oseman.