"We can be all those things-good, bad, easy and needy, okay or not on an endless cycle— and trust that the other will stay. Our circumstances are messy, but so is life. It doesn't mean that we can't love each other through it. We already are."

I am completely obsessed with Eli & Georgia. Reading about their love story, how it started and how it ended was gut wrenching but also beautiful. Between their chemistry and their character development it was incredibly difficult not to love them and not to root for them.

This could’ve easily been binged in a weekend but I didn’t want it to end. The banter was 10/10, the angst was 20/10, and fair warning you may cry the last 20% (or maybe that’s just my experience 😅). My only complaint is that I would’ve really loved Eli’s POV.

Such a cute all goes wrong plus let's add my ex to the picture.

Great chick-lit, and light summer read. Perfect for the beach, or a book club.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A second chance romance, loved you since forever that will tug at all your heartstrings. I loved every minute of this book!

I do not even know where to begin! This was everything I needed and more, Jessica Joyce has done it again with this heart-aching second chance romance.

Georgia and Eli have been friends for years, but have been broken up for 5. But, when their mutual best friend Adam’s wedding brings them into closer confines than they’ve been in years, they decide faking friendship and working together will be the best way to be there for Adam. However, the forced proximity (giggling) seems to be the spark to ignite what they have been ignoring for so long.

I am honestly so amazed, I will read Jessica's shopping lists at this point I am convinced she can do no wrong. Her characters are vibrant and fun and the relationship and friendship dynamics never fail to pull at my heart. This story had me crying ALOT and it was also so fun at the same time! Like ok well rounded!!

Georgia was such a beautiful FMC, who was such a real and loving character. Being inside her head was so devastating and wonderful at the same time. Eli, the man that you are, he’s just so precious I want to give him a hug and fix all his problems!! He is so mirrorball it HURTS. Both characters are so relatable in many ways, in how they are still growing up, and learning apart and together.

The ending destroyed me I will be recovering from that for 5-7 business days!! I cannot however wait to read this again one day, and will be recommending this to everyone this July. I will never listen to paper rings the same ever again!!

I will have more thoughts as I sit with this but that’s all I can fathom for now, easy 5 stars.

Thank you Berkley for the ARC.

This is now one of my favorite books to ever exist! Thank you Netgalley for the arc!!!

Jessica Joyce made it onto my auto-buy-author-list!!

I loved Georgia and Eli so much. Together and separately. The struggles they both went through hit a little too close to home.
Georgias love and need for her friends but being too scared to tell them was so relatable to me. I´m so glad they worked through that and spoke about their feelings. I loved the side characters and the story/plot was so fun as well!
Also Eli going to therapy and working through his anxiety was so refreshing to read about. Plus the fact that they just talked about their thoughts and feelings!! I definitely need more of that.

I will 100% be rereading this once it's out, so I can transfer my annotations into the paperback.
The love in this one was so palpable! I laughed and cried my way through this book!!

Y’all, this book wrecked me. I mean I had high expectations after reading this author’s previous release, You, With a View, but I had no idea how utterly ruined I would be after reading.

This is a second chance romance, which admittedly is one of my favorite tropes. Maybe because these books have the potential to be so emotionally messy. Maybe because I love seeing people in love make their way back to each other and do the necessary work to repair their relationship. I don’t know–but, I gravitate towards these romances.

The Ex Vows is the story of Georgia and Eli, who meet as teens when they are both befriended by Adam Kim. Their friendship grows into a love story, and then a breakup that has haunted Georgia for the last five years. They’ve tried faking friendliness to save their friend group. They are brought together again by the wedding of their shared best friend, Adam. A wedding that has been nothing but one disaster after another. After another mishap at the wedding venue, they somehow both agree to travel to the groom’s family winery to make a wedding, that is nine days away, happen.

First let me say, I had all the emotions while reading this book. There are so many mishaps that had me laughing out loud. The intimate scenes are breathtakingly sexy. The entirety of the book is told from Georgia’s POV, and I connected to her immediately. As a list maker myself, I understood her need for control. Her love language is helping her loved ones and being the one to fix their problems. Her childhood experiences have taught her that being too needy is bad, and people leave, so she’s afraid to ask for too much. She never shies away from herself about just how devasted she was by her and Eli’s breakup, how she’s still emotionally fragile, she just puts on a face for her friends and decides to act like it’s all fine.

Eli is another ball of wax, with a ton of anxiety and fear issues stemming from his childhood. But when he comes back Georgia notices changes in him and that he finally seems to be dealing with those issues in a healthy way. They are forced to work together to make the wedding of their friends Adam and Grace happen, and watching these two circle each other, their hearts on their sleeves, was a joy.

This book is deeply romantic. And the conflict is believable with realistic problems that any couple could face. Deep seated fears left over from childhood that manifest into anxieties that ultimately led to breakup. A love that has never gone away, no matter the time or distance between them. The chemistry between the two main characters is off the charts. They had banter, and sweetness, and intimate knowledge of each other than pours into every conversation. Like I mentioned above, the sexy times are incredibly sensual, but there are also tender, gentle moments that were just as profound.

The last few chapters had me tearing up and then sighing with the revelations. I couldn’t love the HEA any more. I must be said that this author writes all kinds of relationships well, including friend groups. This one was so lovely. I kind of fell hard for every single one of these characters. Make sure you put this one on your TBR. You won’t regret it.

i know that there are second-chance romance haters (though I am not one) but I do believe that you are a hater of that trope, you would still like this book. cause these characters never stopped loving each other and just didn't know how to grow together for a second. also there is an emerging trope i believer where one character is having a panic attack and they do the "5 things you see, 4 things you hear etc" and one answer from each category is the love interest. it's happened in the past three romances i've read and i'll be honest it hits every time. it even happened twice in this book and i was eating it up man. good for you jessica joyce!!

Thank you for the ARC, Berkley! This was one of my most anticipated books of the year.

Jessica Joyce is one of my favorite authors. The way Jessica can put together words that make you *feel* and just fully *be there* with her characters is nothing short of masterful. Truly brilliant, and some of the best atmospheric writing out there.

I really do love the forced proximity trope. In this case, that was made even better by the palpable tension only the pining of a second chance romance could bring. SO. Good.

Speaking of second chance romances, I really do love them. I love the idea of “right person, wrong time” finally finding each other at the right time. Jessica does such an incredible job portraying the familiarity paired with learning all the ways the other has grown in the time they were apart.

I can’t wait to reread this. Now excuse me while I find an excuse to plan a trip to Napa soon!

this was my first book by this author and I was little disappointed.

Eli & Georgia used to date in college but before were really good and close friends.

I personally think this book would’ve been better if it had past/present chapters. So we could see the dynamic of their relationship where it went wrong.

tropes
- second chance
- friends to lovers
- always been you

this was my first book from this author and it
definitely won’t be my last!! holy moly this was absolutely beautiful!! i loved these characters and their story so much. i cried and laughed and hurt and cried some more and it was just beautiful

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce is a second chance book where estranged exes must stick close together to save their best friend’s wedding after a string of disasters in this swoony and steamy romance.

This is my first book by this author and I just adored it. I loved how Jessica kept you engaged with how naturally Georgia, the FMC is taking us through the events of the present while connecting the events of the past in a very organic way. I adored the little found family the characters all have and how dedicated to each other they were. I specifically loved how Georgia and Eli were soo into each other. The way I would describe this book is beautifully human. Yes, it is a second chance romance story, but it also focuses so much on the flaws these characters have and how they work through it while loving each other so hard and so beautifully.

I have re-read this book three times since I received it, and each time I have read it, I have loved it more and more.

It is such a beautiful story that tears me apart just to put me back together. Jessica Joyce never misses with her writing. Eli and Georgia are truly soulmates, and I loved reading the back-and-forth between the past and the present. It was the perfect balance.

Second-chance romances always get to me because these couples meant to be together have to grow as individuals to love each other more. Life circumstances happen, and we need to deal with them. The author does an amazing job at portraiting things. We saw how they dealt with growing up and trying to people to please which hits me in the gut as a young adult and makes me cry every single time because I have/am going through this.

100% is a book that I will not stop recommending to everyone. This book will live rent-free in my head.

NOW THIS IS HOW YOU WRITE A TAYLOR SWIFT CODED BOOK *applause*

Jessica Joyce has done it again and has officially cemented her place as one of my favorite authors. I went into this one with a little hesitation because of how much I loved "You, With A View". I was worried that this book wouldn't give me the same feeling that her previous book did, BUT she blew it out of the water. More in-depth review to come after it's released but you do not want to miss out on this one. If you're a swiftie or a fan of Emily Henry, you NEED to add this one to your tbr!

This book is literally You're Losing Me meets This Love with a fun sprinkle of Paper Rings. You, With A View was for the Beach Read girlies and The Ex Vows is for the Happy Place girlies!

Huge thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy of this one!

The Ex Vows 4/5⭐️
Second chance romances aren’t usually something I find myself giving high ratings. It’s a predictable bad breakup,theres an unplanned reunion, and realize they can’t move on and love each other.

I was instantly pulled into this from the hilarious banter between all the characters. I’m a big fan of the mental health representation and the struggle of reaching out. I loved the plot and was never bored with this second chance romance trope. I will absolutely be buying this physical copy when it releases.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Joyce for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Georgia and Eli!
Such a great rom-com novel, fast-paced, and deep meaningful relationships.

Georgia and Eli are Exes, and when they come together to help their best friend save his wedding, they are thrown together into the most uncommon situations. Even though they dated, and very obviously are still in love with each other, they have secrets they are holding on to but should tell each other.

Definitely recommend and perfect for summer.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced readers copy!

Firstly, a huge thank you NetGalley and Berkeley publishing for an E-ARC of The Ex Vows.

I have to say, I have really conflicting feelings on this book. I really liked the ideas and I really liked the main couple and wanted to support the main characters but the writing and the single POV in first person made this book really hard to like even when that’s all I wanted.

At times it felt like the writing was forced and the word choices were so awkward. This author literally used the word vacillate 6 times none of which seemed to fit the tone or vibe of the action or thought being described.

Overall, I loved the representation of therapy and bettering yourself before being with someone. I liked the friendships the character had and maintained from childhood to adulthood and I’m happy for their ending but I really wish I had a dual POV because I got so tired of hearing the same inner monologues on repeat. I think the author felt we would be shocked by things the MMC said or did since we didn’t have his POV but it was all very predictable and nothing would have been lost and so much would have been gained from hearing his side of the story.

The hype for this book is absurd, at first I didn't understand why, I haven't read "You with a view" so I didn't have a very specific opinion of this author, but what can I say? How fool of me?
You absolutely must read "The ex vows" it is a very tender story.
Georgia and Eli are exes. Yes, I know, for those who don't like stories between exes, there might be some crooked noses, but trust me, it's worth it!
The story is told in an empathetic way, it is not an unrealistic story between exes, a story that burns like a match and leaves you without any satisfaction, this is definitely a story that warms your heart. And a story you will keep in your heart.
The tropes here are:
- second chance
- slow burn
- Napa, the wine country (can we call it a trope? I would say yes)
Georgia and Eli are part of a group of now historic friends, but a tender love story was born between them during adolescence, Eli calls her "Peach" and she is totally lost for him. Their love story seemed to go smoothly, until, after school, due to work needs, he moved to NY,
and he also wants Georgia with him. Unfortunately their story gradually deteriorated there, he was too busy with work, Georgia felt rejected, and so little by little their stories split. Although their love is "apparently" over,
for the sake of their group of friends, they pretend that everything is ok, even though they are heartbroken. Avoiding themselves as much as they could, 5 years have now passed. They all find themselves at the wedding of their best friend, Adam. Both Eli and Georgia are best man and best woman,
and have the "burdenous"
task of having to re-organise the ceremony, as due to a series of unfortunate events, the place where the wedding would have been celebrated is unusable.
They have a week to do everything, and this forced meeting of theirs will bring to light old (?) feelings, maybe not so old. And among vineyards, crazy sunsets and glasses of wine, the spark doesn't take long to rekindle.
This romance is really very romantic, it touches your heart, it really does.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for giving me the opportunity to preview this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

There is nothing I love more than something written by Jessica Joyce. I am once again in AWE of her ability to write such a beautiful story. This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. It was BEAUTIFUL. I love a second chance so much, and the way this was written captured all of the love and the hurt and the longing. And not only that it was a love letter to friendships and how hard it is when things change. Georgia and Eli have my heart. Watching two exes essentially plan their best friends wedding in under a week was absolutely hilarious and heart breaking all at once and I loved every single second!

I love Georgia with my WHOLE HEART. I love a mirrorball girlie so much and that is Georgia. Even when she is scared and worried about changing and losing her people she’s never going to make it about her, never going to ask for what she needs. But watching her reconnect with Eli, and even Jamie and Adam and having them tell her she needs to tell them what she needs was so GOOD. They love her so much, but she was just too scared to rock the boat.

ELI MORA IS THE PERFECT MAN OKAY. The chain? The dirty talk? His paper ring smile?? I love him so much. Seeing him make changes in his life to be better, to do better for himself, for Adam, for Georgia??? When he said he needed her to let go because he knew he couldn’t???? I LOVE HIM.

This book is absolute magic and I think I have more to say but for now this it 🥹

Thank you so much to Berkley for this ARC in exchange for a just review!

This was a delight. Soulful and gorgeous, with definitely some real spice thrown in. I don’t always love a second chance because the break ups don’t seem realistic, but this one worked well. Both characters needed time and to talk through things and I thought it was great.

This story has sheltered itself within a sweet little corner of my soul to live forever.

I think a lot of people will find themselves in some way among the words in this story. I know I certainly did. Disguised as a sweet little romance this book hits hard in quiet and unexpected ways. A heartwarming and hilarious love story very much steeped in the raw realities of life. While the characters don’t face any high stakes, major traumas… Instead we see the small “t” traumas that are often overlooked yet still define and change lives in big ways too. Manifesting itself in our characters as fear of rejection, people pleasing, making oneself small, heartbreakingly relatable anxiety. We get to see how these affect the characters and their relationships which are very much a reflection to many of our own experiences.

All of this wrapped up in a romcom package of swoon-worthy childhood best friends to lovers to second chance romance, laugh out loud witty banter and found family with a cast of lovable side characters. Topped with Jessica Joyce’s prose that is so rich and warm, her words wrapping around you like your favorite cozy blanket.

This is sure to be a story loved by many!