♾️⭐️
this is one of my favorite romance books I have ever read in my entire life. I was so honored to receive this arc and I picked it up as a silly lil romance between fantasy books, but I was SOOOO happy to be wrong about my initial expectations going into this book because it was so much more than that for me.

I connected so deeply to Georgia and her mental struggles. I found her so relatable and there were moments where I had to stop and look around my room to see if miss Jessica was watching and studying me because she was writing down the inner workings of my brain.

I also related so much to Georgia and Eli's relationship! Something about second chance just really does it for me (maybe it's cuz I believe everyone deserves a second chance, but ill analyze that later cuz this review is not therapy). I feel like it is a really hard trope to write and do right, but wow Jessica did not miss with this one. The reasons the characters were together were so real and honest and broke my heart over and over again as the story went on.

ALSO DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE PAPER RINGS!! I was SOBBING. I thought I was fine this that moment hit and I was a puddle of tears on the ground.

All around, I loved this! The plot, the characters, the love story, the friendships. Just everything was so perfect!

You With a View, the author's debut was one of my favorite romances of 2023. I also loved her holiday novella, A Risk Worth Taking. I love this one just as much and recommend reading all of them. Jessica Joyce has a beautiful way with words. This second chance romance is told from Georgia's point of view. Eli and Georgia are lovely. I loved how gently and deftly the author shared their history, their connection, and their commitment to helping make sure their best friend has the best wedding possible. There are themes of growth, understanding, and healing mixed in with a beautiful romance. The friends and family are wonderful, and I can't wait to read whatever comes next.

Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy. All opinions are my own.

Such a cute book, I loved it from the start. This is actually my first book by Jessica Joyce and definitely won’t be my last. I’ve come to realize that second chance romance is my favorite trope and this was so good! I highly recommend this one.

What better way to kick off the first day of spring than with a 5-star review?!?

Thank you so much to @jessicajoycewrites @berkleyromance and @netgalley for my #gifted galley and the opportunity to read and review this one early!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“But you deserve to let yourself feel whatever you need to. You can be messy. A disaster, if you need to. The people who love you will accept every single piece of it, I promise you.”

“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.”

Georgia and Eli have known each other for a very formative chunk of their lives. Meeting at 15, the two of them, accompanied by their third musketeer, Adam, traversed the highs and lows of young adulthood. When they meandered from friends to lovers in college, Georgia and Eli knew they had a lot to lose if their relationship didn’t work out, but high on the dream of building a new life together in NYC, they took the plunge.

Fifteen months later, after months of distance, soul-crushing work hours and lack of communication, Georgia’s worst nightmare came true: She not only lost one of her best friends, but also their relationship, romantic or otherwise.

Now, five years later, the three musketeers are being reunited for Adam’s wedding, and Georgia isn’t sure what she thinks about being in such close proximity to Eli for a week, the longest they’ve been near each other in years. But as the wedding plans begin to crumble, Georgia and Eli vow to do their very best to make Adam and Grace’s wedding perfect, even if that means working together.

Will they be able to put the past behind them?

✨My Thoughts✨

Gah, I loved this book so much! Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, and this one absolutely delivered. It gave me Emily Henry Happy Place vibes, and though it didn’t have the Emily Henry banter, it had the Jessica Joyce depth and emotion I adore.

I could feel the tension and pain between Georgia and Eli, and as a reader, I loved seeing how they worked through their own individual issues, as well as issues pertaining to them as a couple. Their chemistry and emotional connection was also so wonderful, and I loved how they knew each other like the back of their hands.

The mental health rep in this one is great, and I thought Adam, Grace, Jamie, Blake and even Cole helped give a stronger, more developed picture of our two main characters. What a great, supportive friend group!

Let's not forget all of the wedding disasters that befall them along the way, as well! It added levity, but also a truly touching and emotional aspect to the story, and I loved it. And that ending ... chef's kiss!

I loved Jessica's debut, You With a View, and with this stunner of a sophomore hit, she's become an autobuy author for me. Don't wait - pre-order your copy of The Ex Vows today because you won't want to miss it in July!

a cute second chance romance that i did not expect to sweep me off my feet. this book had be giggling, swooning, kicking my feet and puching the air from the sheer excitement and anticipation. their chemistry had me running laps.

the ex vows is a light emotional second chance romance that absolutely deserves your first chance. Jessica Joyce wrote perfection in paper that one would not want to miss out.

thankyou netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own!

when i first read You, With a View by Jessica Joyce, i loved it! it gave me heavy Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry vibes, and if you didn’t know… those are two authors i absolutely LOVE. so i enjoyed You, with a View. However, The Ex Vow didn’t feel like Emily Henry VIBES, it felt like a version of Happy Place that i just really did not enjoy. I’m a second chance romance girl through and through but reading this just felt like.. I already have Happy Place and it felt more impactful and heartfelt.

THIS. IS. HOW. YOU. WRITE. A. ROMANCE. BOOK. You wanna know why this author is quickly becoming my obsession, just read her latest book and see how magical she is with words. I have never read a book where from the beginning the tension and angst grabbed at my heart and never let go.

Eli and Georgia were the epitome of right people wrong time. As someone who has dated a person while transitioning from young adult to full adulthood, I felt this book captured the emotional struggles of balancing life and work. The personal struggles felt raw and real and these characters dealt with everyday challenges every millennial has faced.

This book is the perfect balance of sweet, emotional, and spicy. It’s one of the best books out there and it’s one that every romance lover should read and easily one of my favorite books ever. This author is phenomenal at writing a book that will pull you in and never let you go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC

I had the opportunity to meet the author last year at a Romance convention, and she is incredibly sweet in person. I was extremely excited to read her book, as I have developed a fondness for second-chance romance. This story revolves around Georgia and Eli as they endeavor to salvage their best friend's wedding from disaster, all while rekindling their own love. I found myself deeply engrossed in the characters and captivated by their friendships and idiosyncrasies; however, the narrative hit a snag around the 60% mark. The pacing began to drag, prompting me to skip ahead in anticipation of reaching the story's conclusion. Unfortunately, the ending failed to compel me to revisit the earlier parts of the story. I believe this book could have benefited from being shorter. The author possesses a beautiful writing style, but I wish the story had been more concise.

I wanted to be obsessed with this one but alas I found it to be just okay. While You With a View was a fast favorite, nothing in particular about the Ex Vows drew me in. In fact, I almost DNF’d but found myself just curious enough to keep going. I’m glad I did because ultimately the last 30% or so hooked me, but frankly taking nearly 70% of the book for the plot to be intriguing means this wasn’t really worth my time. Did I like it in the end? Yes. But I don’t think I’ll be picking up a copy for myself.

FIVE STARS 🌟🌟🌟🌟 this book is so wonderful and had be crying throughout.

This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be going to pick up “You with a view” now.

I really loved the idea of this one, and the romantic setting. Getting two exes back together for a friends wedding, it very cheesy in the best way possible and I know this about to be one of the books of this summer

Thank you so much to Berkley publishing and Netgally for this arc

This book is a love letter to every girl who has ever been afraid that she’s too much or not enough. To the girls who give, give, give, and never take more than they give. To the girls who have a hard time saying no. To the girls who feel controlled by their desire to please others.

I’ve never related to a fictional character more than I have with Georgia—her lists, struggle to communicate her needs, fear of people leaving if they saw her unravel or how much she needed them, and how she spent more time in her best friend’s home than her own home growing up.

Georgia’s introspective journey hauntingly mirrors my own. It’s as if Joyce dove into the Mariana Trench of my mind and dredged up some of my deepest thoughts and worries to the surface to be examined. It was cathartic to follow Georgia as she worked through her people-pleasing tendencies and fear of abandonment.

Eli is achingly raw and real. He’s charming and honest. He’s understanding and vulnerable and owns up to his mistakes. Watching him navigate through his work addiction, anxiety, and panic attacks was agonizing, but I’m so proud of him (and Georgia, too).

Chapters 34 and 35 had me swimming in saltwater tears. It was so sweet and pure and good. I despise books with rushed endings, and thank goodness this was not one of them. Joyce delivered a perfectly paced ending, and you better believe I savored every single word. Georgia + Eli have my heart.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

(Please note; a full review will be posted on my Instagram closer to the publication date).

I have to say I was blindsided by this story. I was expecting a lighthearted, rom-com of sorts. But this story really is a love story told through memories.

Reliving the laughs, love, and deep connection that were lost. Not only were their hearts broken, but mine was too.

Did I cry? Heck yes! Through the emotional connection between these two lost and heartbroken souls, Joyce managed to worm her way into my hardened heart.

Together again due to a best friend’s wedding, faking it till they make it happen seemed the best policy. The crazy situations and reality hitting them in the face of it all made for an all-consuming romance that will get you right in the feels. So sexy and sensual.

The ending will take your breath away. Eli… OMG. The tears were pouring and I couldn’t breathe for fear of missing something. The Ex Vows is not only a must-read and a must re-read, but it is hitting my “Best Of” list. Oh, my heart!!

If you are a die-hard romantic, Joyce and The Ex Vows should be your next must-read! I love this book so freaking much. Real tears, heartbreak, and happiness. An amazing love that shines through.

I love second chance tropes, so I was all over this book. I didn’t love it as much as “you with a view “ but I still enjoyed it a lot.

This book is about Georgina and Eli coming back together to help their friend Adam with his wedding. Anything that could go wrong with a wedding, it has happened to Adam and his Fiancé. Georgina doesn’t want to work with Eli but Eli is trying very hard to be there for Georgina now that they aren’t a couple anymore. This book was so funny at times and other times I was heartbroken but overall, this book was so cute. Definitely worth the read.

Thanks Netgalley and Publisher for the chance to read this book in return for my honest opinion.

This was my first read by Jessica Joyce and my only regret is not stumbling into a book by her sooner.

Go #TeamGeli! I found myself rooting for Eli and Georgia 🍑 (IYKYK).

This duo first connected through their found family. We hear how their relationship changes over the years. We see the good, the bad, and the ugly. I don’t want to give away the plot so won’t go into greater detail on how things unfold.

Joyce does a fabulous job writing these characters. She does it in a way that connects you to each one and it’s hard not to go through all the feels right alongside them… Couple that with how she weaves in such sentimental moments that is connected throughout the story and you have a something that will stick with you once you’re done. This book will be shelved right by my Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry books. ❤️

Elements included in this read:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- 2nd chance trope
- Forced proximity
- Found family
- Mental wellness

Thank you #NetGalley and #BerkleyPub for an arc of #TheExVows in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful cover? Check.
Wedding-centric plot? Check.
Hilarious disaster after disaster? Check.
Second chance romance with tons of pining? Check.
Relatable characters with real issues? Check.
Adorable HEA? Check, check, check!

The Ex Vows has received a lot of hype from early reviewers and I’m happy to say that it is well deserved! I’m very picky with my romances and this was the perfect balance of funny, serious, and swoony. Joyce is a fantastic writer and kept me invested the whole way through. As someone who is in the same age bracket as the leads, I felt very seen by all the emotions plaguing these characters. I like the way everything came together. Can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with Joyce’s new book! It was simply exquisite .

5⭐️
Obsessed. I am OBSESSED with this book. One of my favourite reads of 2024 and also a new favourite romance book for me. This book hit all of the marks for a 5 star romance read. The characters are amazing. The romance is a steamy slow burn that will break your heart and put it back together. The love interest was sexy with all his emotional intelligence (we love a man who goes to therapy). The plot and themes were also just *chefs kiss*. I also just resonated so much with Georgia’s feelings on friendships. I’ve been going through something similar lately and seeing it play out in this story just touched me DEEP within my soul🥹 I could rave about this book more but I think you get the point…go add this to your tbr!!!

A Captivating Celebration of Love and Second Chances: "The Ex Vows" by Jessica Joyce

Prepare to be swept off your feet and into the whirlwind world of "The Ex Vows" by Jessica Joyce, a delightful rom-com that packs a punch with its humor, heart, and irresistible charm. With its witty banter, endearing characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this novel is a must-read for fans of feel-good love stories.

At the center of the narrative is Georgia Woodward, a woman who lives her life by lists, particularly the one she's meticulously crafted about her ex, Eli Mora. As they prepare to play pivotal roles in their mutual best friend's wedding, Georgia is determined to keep her emotions in check and stick to her carefully constructed rules. But when unforeseen circumstances throw them together in the midst of wedding chaos, Georgia finds herself confronting old feelings and reevaluating the boundaries she's set for herself.

What sets "The Ex Vows" apart is its winning combination of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt sincerity. Jessica Joyce has a knack for capturing the nuances of relationships with authenticity and warmth, making it easy for readers to become fully immersed in Georgia and Eli's journey of self-discovery and second chances. From their witty repartee to their tender moments of vulnerability, their chemistry leaps off the page and leaves a lasting impression.

Moreover, the novel's vibrant and vivid setting adds an extra layer of magic to the story. From the picturesque backdrop of Napa Valley to the chaos of wedding planning gone awry, each scene is brought to life with vivid detail and vivid imagery. Readers will find themselves transported to a world of vineyards, romance, and the possibility of new beginnings.

But perhaps the true heart of "The Ex Vows" lies in its exploration of love, forgiveness, and the power of redemption. As Georgia and Eli navigate the highs and lows of wedding planning, they also grapple with their own insecurities and past mistakes. Through their journey, readers are reminded that sometimes the greatest love stories are the ones that require a little bit of risk and a whole lot of courage.

In conclusion, "The Ex Vows" is a delightful and uplifting read that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the final page. With its irresistible blend of humor, heart, and hope, Jessica Joyce has crafted a truly unforgettable romance that proves love is worth fighting for, even when the odds are stacked against you. So grab a glass of wine, cozy up with this charming novel, and prepare to fall head over heels in love with Georgia and Eli's captivating story.

If you're a fan of romance novels, then you absolutely must read The Ex Vows. This book has everything you could want in a romance: it's a second chance love story, mixed with friends to lovers, which had me hooked from the very beginning. I was so invested in the story that I laughed, cried, and swooned my way through this novel in record time. The chemistry between the characters was palpable, and the emotions were so intense that I couldn't help but feel every single one of them.

What I loved most about this book was how realistic the characters were. They felt like real people, with their own unique personalities, quirks, and flaws. I found myself rooting for them throughout the entire story, and I was genuinely invested in their journey.

As I read through the pages, I realized that I never wanted this book to end. I was completely enamored with every aspect of it, and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. In fact, this book is so good that I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

Jessica Joyce is a new author to me, and I can't wait to read more from her in the future. If you're looking for a book that will make you feel all the feels, then The Ex Vows is the perfect read for you.

This is a perfect book for second chance romance lovers! The plot is so engaging and heartfelt. I can't say enough about the characters -- Georgia is one of my new favorite heroines. As a fellow people pleaser, I found her to be so relatable. I loved her relationship with Eli ... the good, the bad, the ugly

READ if you love:
- Second chance romance
- Napa Valley
- Found family
- Laugh out loud romance comedies

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC. A perfect FIVE stars for this beautiful story of second chance romance and found family set in the picturesque Napa Valley. I can’t say enough great things about this book, it’s officially my favorite second-chance romance! Jessica Joyce writes so beautifully and makes you understand the characters and feel like you are right there with them. This book was so heartwarming, weaving together romance, humor, past trauma, and self-discovery.

I loved how self-aware both MC’s were, they understood they were affected by their different childhoods and how that lead them to deal with relationships and life. I adored Georgia and Eli, their banter, chemistry, and vulnerability were so perfect! And Eli is EVERYTHING with his big heart and dirty mouth!

And the paper rings! Oh my HEART!