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!

This is for the girls that are chasing to please everyone around them and putting others needs in front of their own in order to feel secure in the relationships. Georgia is a beautifully written FMC that challenges herself throughout the trials she faces in this book (saving her best friends wedding, being around her ex, figuring out her career). A romcom that I recommend for all readers!

✨ARC REVIEW✨

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕩 𝕍𝕠𝕨𝕤 𝕓𝕪 𝕁𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕒 𝕁𝕠𝕪𝕔𝕖

I don’t think Jessica Joyce is capable of writing a bad book. Seriously! I fell in love with her writing style when I read ‘You, With a View’ late last year & continued my standom with her holiday novelette ‘A Risk Worth Taking’. So it’s not a surprise when I got approved for this ARC I knew I was going to LOVE it just as much. The way she has the ability to create these complex characters needs to be studied. It’s an art.

I. Loved. This. Book. I can’t wait to have in paperback. I can’t wait to add my annotations into the text (I have over sixty highlighted annotations—no joke!) I can’t wait for everyone to love this book just as much as I did.

Georgia & Eli are now permanently tattooed on my heart. I related to Georgia & her hesitancy to keep things the same. She was afraid of change that stemmed from some childhood abandonment issues, which is completely understandable. She locked away her heart & all her wants & needs to not appear to be a burden to her loved ones. Literally: SAME!

Eli Mora. What can I say about Eli Mora! I loved him. He had his faults about ending up like his parents & that caused him certain unhealthy coping mechanisms. However, he recognized them (albeit five years too late) He realized what he’d lost & decided to work on himself.
(And that mouth on him?! 😮‍💨 I needed a cold shower LOL)

I found myself rooting for these two—hoping, no, PRAYING to make it work together.

I loved the side characters & the friend group. A real ‘found family’ collection of individuals! They were all 20-something’s working & learning life together, knowing that no matter how far they may be in distance, they’ll be together in each others’ hearts. (Queue the actual tears I shed! 🥹)

Mark your calendars for this one yall! The Ex Vow’s are coming this summer 2024.

Pub Date 16 Jul 2024

Thank you to @netgalley @berkleypub & @jessicajoyceswrites for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.


#TheExVows #NetGalley #JessicaJoyce #berkley #ARCREVIEW

This review is posted on my Goodreads and instagram account.

“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."

Brief Summary-
Georgia and Eli broke up 5 years ago and have remained "friends" due to their mutual friend group. They are now best man and best woman for their best friend's wedding and they now have a week to work together to keep their best friends wedding from falling apart.

What To Expect-
🍷Friends To Lovers
🍷Second Chance Romance
🍷Forced Proximity
🍷Witty Banter
🍷Anxiety Representation
🍷Found Family
🍷Single POV

“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”

My Thoughts-
I think Jessica Joyce nailed the Second Chance Romance trope. It was done right in this book. I really enjoyed this story.This isn't just a story about second chance romance. This is a story of self-discovery and growth. I was invested in how Eli and Georgia was going to save the wedding. The little adventures they went on were so cute, it kept you engaged. I really like how while they were out saving the day they were also finding themselves in one another again. I laughed, I was swooning, and felt so happy while reading this story.

The growth and character development in this book makes it impossible not to adore the two leads despite their flaws.I loved the friend group dynamic and the realistic changes that happen between friends after college, marriage, etc. I think a lot of people could relate to Georgia character. She was a people pleaser and bottle up so much inside her you couldnt help but grow a soft spot for her character. Eli was an incredible love interest. He was so handsome and had you blushing. You will find yourself rooting for him.

This story was so beautiful written. The banter, the angst pouring into each interaction was so fun to read.
My only complaint was that I would have loved a dual POV story. I really wish we got more of Eli side.

Overall-
I definitely recommend this book. I enjoyed it and I think a majority of people will find this to a be cute story.

“When I say I’m still in love with you, I mean the first time I saw you and right now. I mean every second in between.

Playlist-
🪩Mirrorball- Taylor Swift
🪩Fade Into You- Mazzy Star
🪩Angel Like You- Miley Cyrus
🪩The Archer- Taylor Swift
🪩Falling- Harry Style
🪩Baby, You Make Me Crazy- Sam Smith
🪩Bad Idea Right? - Olive Rodrigo
🪩Cardigan- Taylor Swift
🪩Kids Again- Sam Smith
🪩Burning Desire- Lana Del Rey
🪩Young & Beautiful- Lana Del Rey
🪩Getaway Car- Taylor Swift
🪩I Miss You, I’m Sorry- Gracie Abrams
🪩This Town- Nails Horan
🪩Invisible String- Taylor Swift
🪩Work Song- Hozier
🪩Rainbow- Kacey Musgraves
🪩Lover- Taylor Swift
🪩Can’t Help Falling In Love- Haley Rainhart
🪩Paper Rings- Taylor Swift

✨ Thanks to NetGalley, Jessica Joyce, and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ✨

I loved this book. I hooked from the very first page. The writing is excellent— Jessica joyce has a descriptive way of writing that draws you in and makes you feel apart of the story. Perhaps I’m biased because I LOVE friends to lovers and second chance romance— the fact this book had both these tropes made me obsessed. Something I thought that was unique to the story was the flashback scenes— which I loved! You could really feel the emotions and the pain in those scenes when Georgia is either looking back fondly or sometimes sadly. Eli and Georgia’s chemistry was unmatched. I love a man obsessed and Eli was that. The way he was with her… just ugh! So good. I don’t want to say too much and give spoilers so I’ll just say, if you want a real emotional love story, read this one!!

✨️Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for the E-Arc of this book✨️

“When I say I’m still in love with you, I mean the first time I saw you and right now. I mean every second in between.”

This book took me completely by surprise.

The first book by Jessica Joyce, "You, with a View," was one of my favorite romance reads of last year, which was another surprise. The cover and the synopsis didn't catch my attention, but then Berkley Romance made a post on Instagram with phrases from the book, and I said, "I have to read it," and boy, I loved that book. I loved all the academic rivals' background, the characters, the chemistry, all the travels, etc. So, that's when I decided I was going to read everything that Jessica wanted to write. Months later, I read her Christmas novella "A Risk Worth Taking," and I fell in love again.

And then Berkley approved my request for "The Ex Vows," and I thought I was ready for this book. Spoiler alert: I was not.

When I finished reading the book at the end of January, I thought, "This might be my favorite romance book." Now, a month and a half later, I can say it with certainty: Jessica Joyce wrote my favorite romance book.

This book is everything that "Happy Place" could not be. I didn't like "Happy Place"; it was an example of how several of the tropes I like the most can be poorly executed in a story and make me hate it.

All of that being said, let's talk about the book that ruined me for any other romance book and all the things I loved from it.

Georgia and Eli were two characters so deeply flawed but so lovable. I am amazed by the way in which Jessica manages to create characters so human that it is impossible not to empathize and connect with them.

I loved it because it is a love story where there is not a single person who screwed up, but it was both of them, and they were due to completely understandable things that made their relationship unable to work at that moment. All the "right person, wrong time" theme got me feeling so sad because they were so right for each other at first, but then their problems caught up with them and made it so difficult to continue with their relationship.

All of that made the story feel super mature and real to me. I feel like sometimes a lot of romance books offer you something that feels unattainable, but this book felt very real; this book really convinced me that I was reading a love story about real people.

The way their character growth is portrayed and the way they recognize their past mistakes was amazing.

I loved that at the end, they gave themselves time to solve their things and finish sorting out their problems before committing to something else. It was beautiful 😭😭😭😭

Typically, in friends to lovers and second chance stories, we have chapters narrated in the past and present, but here the author decided to incorporate flashbacks from the past into present chapters in a way that seemed very organic and smooth to me.

The mental health representation was beautifully done to the point that it was gut-wrenching because I could completely understand what the characters were going through.

The angst, the longing, the love, the devotion between Eli and Georgia, the way they grow throughout the story, the maturity their relationship reaches at the end, I can't entirely put into words the rollercoaster of emotions that this story made me feel. Truly a beautiful experience.

If you love:

- Second chance romance
- Friends to lovers to strangers
- Forced proximity
- A lot of angst (like a lot)
- Found family
- Talks about mental health

You need to read this book.