Jessica Joyce's "You, with a View" was one of 2023's best debuts, and "The Ex Vows" is even better. Exes/second-chance romance is not one of my favorite tropes, but I thought Joyce did a fantastic job with it here.

Georgia and Eli broke up five years ago, mainly due to Eli's workaholism. Eli stayed at his high-powered job in New York, and Georgia moved home to the Bay Area. The pair had known each other since high school, when they were both friends with a guy named Adam. Now Adam is getting married to his fiancée Grace, and everything is going wrong (the wedding venue burned down, for one thing). Eli and Georgia, Adam's best man and woman, wind up having to try to help save the day for the couple, which requires them to work together. Their sexual chemistry is still there, but so are all the unresolved feelings left over from their break-up.

This is such an emotional book, with plenty of frank and open conversations as well as some hot love scenes! If you like Big Feelings, as I do, this is the book for you.

Just…. JUST… PERFECTION. I can’t. I have no words. This book was PERFECT and I cannot wait for everyone to cry over it like I did.

Wow, this book was a journey, and I was invested the whole way! I loved how beautifully the author portrayed love and regret and friendship and how we all must learn to cope with time and changes. I enjoyed the chemistry and slow burn (and shared history) between the FMC and MMC. However, the book was a bit unclear at times/confusing. It would have been even more interesting as a dual POV story too.

this is my first book by jessica joyce and it definitely won’t be my last. i haven’t read a good second chance romance in a while and she absolutely surprised me with this one.

georgia and eli have such an exceptional romance story and great chemistry. throughout the book, i couldn’t help but root for them to get back together. however, i also liked how their story just felt REAL. they really were right person wrong time and i loved the way jessica incorporated issues like mental health, anxiety, and insecurities and how it can affect a relationship. being able to move forward together as a couple also means taking accountability (we love a man who goes to therapy and takes care of his mental health). i would have loved to read eli’s pov, but besides that everything was exceptional.

if you’re a swiftie and you love paper rings, you’ll love this book!! thank you so so so much to net galley and berkley for the arc!

Jessica Joyce is now an auto-buy author for me ITS BEEN SETTLED! I absolutely ATE. UP. this second chance romance.

This story follows Eli and Georgia, who broke up five years ago, as they reunite for their best friends wedding. Things with the wedding are seemingly all going to hell, so Eli and Georgia team up to help save their best friends special day. As the story goes, we get glimpses into Eli and Georgia's past and boy oh boyyy when I tell y'all I could FEEL the chemistry coming off the page in waves! Even small moments between them were just riddled with tension and I felt like a fool grinning at my Kindle.

Joyce is able to strike the perfect balance of humor, romance, emotion, and hotness. There's simply nothing better when a romance book hits each point and this one did for me! Without getting into spoilers too much, I loved the development that we see from both Eli and Georgia over the course of this novel. We meet them first as teenagers and are able to see glimpses of that past, up until now when they are in their late twenties. Both of them have gone through many life changes and seeing how they both process and grew through these changes was such a joy to read!

I want to also mention the friend group in this book got me a little teary at times. Every single side character felt important and necessary to the story. I want to be in this friend group! Let me in!!!

Also, yeah, Eli and his little chain had me swooning like an idiot what can I saaaaay

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes and boy did Jessica Joyce DELIVER! Georgia & Eli are the epitome of right person wrong time.

I could literally feel the chemistry and love between E + G radiating off the pages. I was living for those stolen glances and moments. I loved the way Jessica wrote the little glimpses into their past.

To me Eli Mora was the star of the book. MY MAN is such a simp and so babygirl. I ADORE HIM. A man who goes to therapy will always do it for me. That GOD DAMN CHAIN was my undoing. I was honestly shocked by the amount of spicy moments between these two, but I loved them nonetheless.

Georgia is a great character but I just didn’t really connect with her. I will say I was so proud of her!! I loved that she chose to find happiness on her own before exploring her relationship Eli again. & I love that he allowed her to slowly come to that realization!

If this book had a soundtrack to it it would be Paper rings 💍 & the cupcake?! 🥹👏🏼 ah! Loved the epilogue as well Eli and Georgias story felt perfectly wrapped up!

A sweet second chance romance, in which exes must cooperate to save their best friend’s wedding. Told entirely from Georgia’s perspective; I would’ve enjoyed hearing from Eli, too, as the two of them spend time together for the first time since they broke up five years ago. No huge twists here, but a satisfying story of two people finding their way back to each other, either as friends or something more.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

more like a 4.5!!
-first i want to say this is the best second chance romance i ever read!
-i loved their banter from the start and i could really feel a connection
-i think in parts it dragged and i was like cmon just get together already!!! but the ending was worth everything
-the. paper. rings. SO CUTE! (and taylor coded😉)
-i loved the little quirks from the characters that just made them feel real. and again the banter was tooo good it felt like a real conversation between two people who still love eachother but can’t work out their feelings but there’s STILL SOMETHING THERE!!!!
-i relate to georgia too much as someone who has tried to be friends with an ex when you break up…it’s hard!!! and that’s why i liked the dialogue so much i related to it.
-this book will probably become really popular and well loved it’s just one of those books that feels like a classic romance that everyone needs to read.

I enjoyed this author’s other book—You, With a View—and decided to give this one a read even though I’m not usually a fan of second chance romance.

The Ex Vows did not disappoint. Honestly, this book was great. I read it in a day, straight up devouring it.

It’s officially now my favorite second chance romance. I adored the main characters and was rooting for them to get back together. The mental health representation and the strong friendships make this a fantastic story.

Georgia and Eli are both in their friend Adam’s wedding. The three have been friends since high school, and friendship turned into romance for Georgia and Eli. Things fell apart when they moved to NY together, with Eli’s work and anxiety about success taking up his attention and Georgia’s refusal to let others know she needs them at an all time high.

Now, they have to save Adam’s wedding, which has quickly turned into a disaster. His venue burns down, the DJ cancels, there’s no cake, and just about everything has gone wrong. Georgia’s reliable, eager to save the day and prove her continuous worth to her friends, but Eli wants to help, too. And with the two of them wanting Adam to not sense any lingering weirdness from their breakup, they’re stuck together while old feelings start to shape into new ones.

I’m a fucking mess.

I’ve read a lot of romance over the last few years (like many of us have). I’m convinced Jessica Joyce is the next big thing.

Her stories are beautiful. Her writing is eloquent. I alternated between laughing and crying at the raw and earnest love between Georgia and Eli.

I love them so much, and I cannot wait to see what Jessica crafts for us next.

Thank you Berkley romance for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

Well this shot to the top of my favorite romances of 2024. The Ex Vows is a swoony, angsty second chance romance full of found family vibes and set at a WINERY. Gah. Swoon.

Georgia lives by her lists. That’s how she controls her life and her emotions. The most important list she has? The list of do’s and don’ts her and ex, Eli, have been following since their devastating breakup. It is the only way they can keep their friend group together and happy. However, that list gets thrown out the window when they are forced to go to a winery together to save their best friend’s wedding. What happens when they start breaking all of their rules?

I was OBSESSED with this book. Georgia and Eli have sizzling chemistry, but are also heart-achingly sweet. I just wanted the two crazy kids to work through their emotional baggage and communicateeeee. The vibes were immaculate. The big romantic moment perfection. I will never recover.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica Joyce's second novel, The Ex Vows, is a swoony and deeply romantic story about two best friends finding their way back to each other after falling in love, then breaking up five years ago. Georgia and Eli are forced to work together as best woman and best man for their best friend Adam's wedding, and like in many romance novels, wedding hijinks and disasters ensue. Georgia and Eli must work together and realize they left a lot of things unsaid. I cannot recommend this book enough; I had butterflies the whole time!

Thank you so much to Berkley for approving me to read an early ARC of this book. All opinions are mine!

This book. Wow. This is an instant classic romance to add to your collection. If you are a fan of Emily Henry or Carley Fortune I think you will love this. I am not typically a second-chance romance fan, in fact People We Meet on Vacation was previously my only exception; but this book works so well, and Jessica has weaved together a story that will make you laugh, kick your feet, and cry.

Georgia is a wonderfully flawed FMC. She struggles with intense abandonment issues, and some insecurity, which amounts to an extreme people pleaser that doesn't know how to express what she needs and wants. It led partially to the break up of her and Eli five years ago, and has resulted in a not-so-unspoken list detailing what is and isn't allowed between her and Eli to maintain their friendship with Adam, their co-best friend. The Ex Vows opens with Adam about to get married, however, everything has gone wrong and people-pleaser Georgia and determined but absent Eli have to work together to make the wedding happen in one week.

I still have too many thoughts - in fact my emotions are quite messy - but I will have to make a list of everything I loved. And go listen to Taylor Swift's Paper Rings.

In "The Ex Vow" by Jessica Joyce, readers are whisked into the enchanting world of Georgia Woodward, a woman grappling with the complexities of love and forgiveness amidst the backdrop of a wedding.

As Georgia finds herself swept up in the flurry of wedding preparations, she is unexpectedly confronted by the reappearance of her ex-lover, Eli Mora. Set against the romantic backdrop of the impending nuptials, their reunion sparks a whirlwind of emotions, forcing Georgia to confront unresolved feelings from their past relationship.

What sets "The Ex Vow" apart is its captivating portrayal of love in all its forms. From the tender moments shared between Georgia and Eli to the heart-wrenching challenges they face, Jessica Joyce skillfully captures the intricacies of human relationships with sensitivity and depth.

As Georgia and Eli navigate the rocky terrain of their past romance, readers are drawn into a world filled with passion, longing, and second chances. Against the backdrop of the wedding festivities, the stakes are raised, intensifying the emotional journey of the protagonists and keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.

Moreover, Jessica Joyce's evocative prose brings the wedding setting to life, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of the occasion. From the lush descriptions of the venue to the palpable tension between the characters, every detail is meticulously crafted to create a rich and immersive reading experience.

As the story unfolds, "The Ex Vow" explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring power of love. Through its poignant narrative and heartfelt storytelling, Jessica Joyce reminds us that sometimes, the greatest love stories are the ones that are given a second chance.

In conclusion, "The Ex Vow" is a captivating romance novel that will resonate with readers long after they've turned the final page. With its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and evocative setting, it is a testament to the transformative nature of love and the promise of happily ever after. This book deserves a resounding five stars.

Well, well, well, if it isn’t another life-ruining read by Jessica Joyce. You, With a View was one of my top romance novels of 2023, and this is gonna be in my top for 2024 and we’re hardly two months in. The prose? Gorgeous, tender, lyrical. Combined with that signature angsty-but-sweltering JJ spice and emotional depth…this was RIGHT up my alley. I don’t want to spoil, but the paper ring thing took me OUT. I am slightly unwell, knowing Eli Mora is fictional. This is going to hit so hard with the Happy Place enthusiasts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am almost sure this is going to be in my top-read books of 2024. Jessica Joyce has such a way of making her characters feel incredibly raw and real. I felt so connected to the characters throughout the book, from the way they navigate their 20s to the way the miscommunication trope was used within this book. I think Jessica Joyce did a fantastic job at writing a character who suffers from anxiety as well. It felt intentional to the story and so well described. There's nothing that gets me like a declaration of love scene and this one shot me in the heart. I finished this book sobbing and have not stopped thinking about the characters since I finished. The ONLY reason this isn't a five-star read is that I felt the beginning was a bit slow but by the end, I understood why we needed to get to know the characters so deeply.

Wrecked. Completely and totally wrecked, once again, by Jessica Joyce. THE EX VOWS was beyond my wildest expectations, which were already unreasonably high going into it.

Georgia Woodward lets her lists and rules guide her life, especially when it comes to her ex, Eli Mora. Those rules have allowed them to trick everyone into believing they are okay, even though their break up five years ago wrecked them and the friendship their relationship was built on. But when Eli shows up to be her co-best person at their shared best friend’s wedding, he seems determined to throw their careful plan out the window. Forced to face him and the emotions she’s long kept buried, Georgia will have to decide if a second chance at love is worth throwing out her lists for.

Jessica is brilliant and we are not worthy! I’m not really a book crier, but this had me sobbing! Her writing is so vivid, and I viscerally felt every emotion in this book. Their connection, the years of friendship before the relationship combined with the messy emotions after, was so unique, complex, and beautifully passionate. Georgia, a people-pleaser terrified of her messier emotions running people off, was so relatable it hurt (maybe I should analyze that 🤔), and Eli was the “it’s always the quiet ones” man of my dreams!

Add in a cursed wedding (seriously, each situation was more wonderfully ridiculous than the last) and a wonderful supporting cast of characters, and you have a recipe for perfection!

You, With a View stole my heart. A Risk Worth Taking cemented my obsession. The Ex Vows has solidified Jessica Joyce as one of my favorite authors of all time! Can’t wait to see what’s next!

This book was a lot of fun. I loved the antics of the “cursed wedding” and the fact that in the end it didn’t matter. There are definitely some laugh out loud moments, but also a lot of heartwarming ones as well. Eli and Georgia are written as if genuine people with vibrant personalities and real flaws. Their love story is not a perfect one, which makes it all the more sincere. This was a lovely story and one I can recommend to anyone who enjoys a second chance romance.

INFINITE STARS! This book had me in a chokehold from the minute I started it. It was one of those books that as I kept reading, I had to STOP so many times because I knew it would destroy me.

And it certainly did.

I love second chance romances, and while this one didn't have the present/past POV that most second chance books have, Eli and Georgia's past bleeds through every single page regardless. The writing was absolutely spectacular, flawless, beautiful and seamless. The pacing was on point--with everything that she had to cover in this novel, the pacing worked perfectly with the timeline of everything that happened. Every chapter left you yearning for more, antsy to turn to the next page. I felt that with every single word in this book, hung up on every single one, especially Eli's.

Eli and Georgia's relationship was so honest, so real, so true, that of course it made me cry. I was full on sobbing at work, no lie. Childhood friends to lovers who got in the way of themselves. Of course, that's going to hurt me!

I adored Eli's character, his growth from who we think he is based on Georgia's memories of the past versus who he is current time. Eli struggles with anxiety, so much anxiety, and I think the portrayal of his anxiety was not only relatable and accurate like looking in a mirror, but it was also so nice to see how open he became about it, how he was able to voice those emotions for Georgia (thanks to his therapy). This is going to sound weird, but I loved that little panic attack scene, where he let her in, let her see his messy part. That was a huge milestone for him. He was such a thoughtful character, such a lovely person. Those paper rings that he made Georgia?!?!?!? With all the hidden notes and reasons for him loving her!??!?! DECEASED. Like, that could NOT have been a better discovery and addition.

Georgia is my soul sister. My twin flame. I feel her on a personal level, her internal struggles mirroring perfectly with mine. Feeling too needy, asking for too much, trying to make yourself small so other people can digest you better. I wanted her to find her happiness so badly. I rooted for her as if she was really my own sister, my best friend, because she's such a wonderful person, you can't help but want the best for her. I loved how even when they parted ways, they made decisions that were best for themselves. She went off to do her independent thing, and while it hurt so badly to know Eli left, it really was for the best. They needed that space to find themselves and those emotions they pushed to the bottom and to have the strength to pull them back out.

Their breakup, while somewhat mutual, hurt like a motherfucker. Like I cannot lie and say that my heart didn't shatter when they were arguing, rehashing the past, all of those bottled-up feelings blowing up like you shook a soda bottle and let it rip. It was so raw and real that I felt like it was MY heart on the line with this conversation, and that just goes to show how well Joyce wrote these characters and their stories.

The friendships in this book were to die for. I loved Adam and Jamie, and I loved their huddled speech at the end (with Eli) about Georgia's fears and all of the fears she hadn't said aloud. Of course, I was crying then too. Not to mention that it's all taking place while they're helping plan a wedding. It was so much fun (even when things went wrong!) It was so classically rom-commy that you know you'll be looking at this book to reread on a gloomy day.

This book is everything you need in a second chance romance. You've got the angst, the pain, the hope, the fears, the revelations... Everything just circled (hahaha) back to itself wonderfully. I am not lying when I say this might be my favorite book of 2024, maybe even ever.

This was a cute story. I didn’t enjoy how the female main character was constantly mentioning—basically obsessing—over her ex and nothing else. There was really no character to her. Idk, I was kind of disappointed how the fmc was portrayed in this story.