We Were on a Break offers a lighthearted yet predictable tale of rekindled romance between Callum and Emma, former lovers unexpectedly reunited on a road trip from Italy to England. The dual perspectives add depth, as readers gain insight into both characters’ thoughts and feelings, but the shifting viewpoints occasionally feel repetitive. While the premise has potential, the story relies heavily on familiar tropes, and the pacing drags in places. The tension between the protagonists lacks the emotional intensity to make their reunion truly compelling. Overall, it’s an average read—pleasant but not particularly memorable.

This was a cute and easy read. My first book from Lovett and I fell in love with the plot, the writing style and the characters.

Callum is stranded in Italy thanks to that pesky volcano several years ago that disrupted most air traffic. (Remember that one?) Somehow, he has managed to bag a lift back across Europe, and he happily gets to the meeting point one early morning. Except that the driver is his ex. Whom he hasn’t seen for many years. And whom he left broken-hearted. Can these exes make it back to England without sitting in stony silence for the entire way? Will this be the road trip from hell for the exes?

I liked how the writer alternates between Callum and Emma’s perspectives, so you really get a true sense of the character’s feelings. It made them more vulnerable and realistic. Emma wears her heart on her sleeve and it is obvious very early on in the road trip that she still has feelings for Callum. I think that deep down, Callum suspects this but it takes him a long time to reach the same place. A lot of his emotions are hidden by deliberately deflecting anything remotely personal, instead focussing on the present and the achingly slow driving along the motorway. If he was the driver, getting back to England would have been just a couple of days with constant driving. But with Emma? She’s a slow tortoise and her camper van is not the most reliable.

This added a lot more depth to the story so readers aren’t just faced with two characters in a confined space. Thanks to Emma, we are taken on a bit of a tour of Europe. From staying with monks to ending up at a dodgy beach party, we really get a sense of Emma’s adventurous side – a complete juxtaposition to Callum’s more strait-laced behaviour. However, over time, Callum starts to thaw out and appreciate what this unexpected road trip has to offer. Even if he is hiding some secrets.

A summery tale, I loved the travelling and the romantic element. There is definite chemistry between the protagonists but it was never completely clear what Lovett intended for them. When Callum eventually owns up to Emma, I really sympathised with her because it is like her world is breaking apart all over again. However, thanks to readers learning of their history, I think it just made Callum a more rounded character and I could kind of understand his actions.

Warm and witty, this romantic story shows how significant your first love can be. I really enjoyed seeing Emma and Callum’s relationship develop once more and I thought this was an entertaining and light-hearted read, perfect for the busy times of year.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We Were on a Break by Jo Lovett is a heartwarming and funny story about love, second chances, and the messiness of relationships. Emma and Callum’s reunion during an unexpected road trip is filled with witty banter, emotional moments, and a touch of wanderlust. Great beach read!

This is a lovely romance that blends emotional depth and a second-chance love story that will tug at your heartstrings.
Emma is headed home after a European road trip and agrees to give a friend of a friend a ride back home when his plane is grounded. She had no idea the friend was Callum, her ex who it's taken years for her to get over. Now she will be stuck in the car with him, she doesn't think her heart can take it. As they embark on their journey, it's no surprise to see their chemistry is still strong, but a lot needs to be resolved between their past and present, which isn't going to be easy.
The novel skillfully explores themes of forgiveness and the courage it takes to confront past mistakes. The cramped quarters of the car forces them to confront the past mistakes bringing to the surface all the suppressed emotions that they have no choice but to navigate through. Each revelation brings them closer, offering moments of humor, tenderness, and growth.
If you're a fan of second-chance romances, then you will definitely want to try this one. With its heartfelt characters and the beautiful setting of Italy and France, it’s a journey you won’t want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

The title of Jo Lovett's We Were On a Break immediately brings to mind Ross and Rachel's infamous line from Friends: “We were on a break!” This allusion sets the stage for a story about relationships, misunderstandings, and second chances. Unfortunately, despite its promising setup, the novel struggles to deliver on its potential.

The premise—Emma and Callum, two exes, traveling together in a van across Europe for days on end—is intriguing. It offers endless opportunities for humor, raw conversations, and personal growth. However, the story disappoints due to its lack of realistic character development and repetitive storytelling.

One of the most glaring issues is how Callum’s struggle with addiction is handled. His decision to quit “because he wanted to” is oversimplified and unrealistic. Addiction is a complex battle, and the story glosses over this, undermining what could have been a deeply compelling subplot.

Additionally, the narrative feels monotonous and slow. While it’s branded as a slow-burn romance, the predictability and lack of emotional stakes make the journey feel dull rather than satisfying.

While We Were On a Break is easy to read and may appeal to fans of lighthearted romance, it fails to leave a lasting impression. It’s a missed opportunity to turn a unique premise into something memorable.

A quick and easy read, as others have said the addiction storyline could have used some serious fleshing out. It was as though he was saying ‘I was an addict, then I decided not to be’. As many will know be it from personal addictions or loved ones it’s never that straight cut and I feel digging a little deeper would have fleshed out the character and made the story much more bingeable. That being said I still enjoyed this one, it could have done with some tweaks but if you want a romance where you can switch off from the world without using full brain power for something complex this is a fab go to. I’m a sucker for a romance 💜

As with all her books I couldn’t put this down and read it in one sitting. An emotional roller coaster of a novel that gives you all the feels. Although the ending is as always predictable the journey the reader is taken on to get there is fabulous and I felt transported the moment I picked it up. A perfect piece of beautifully written romantic escapism for fans of Katie Fforde, Emily Stone and Sarah Morgan

A story that is both heart breaking and heart warming all at once! Jo Lovetts writing style is delightful and really captures your attention from the very first page. Brilliant!

The idea of two exes being stuck together in a van for days traveling was extremely interesting, but my expectations fell short. The characters and plot had so much potential, but they were under developed. Callum's addiction was reduced to 'I decided to stop and I stopped', that was anticlimactic, especially if he took this little to break an habit, then the whole plot of them not getting back together because of his addiction, collapsed.

We Were on a Break made me laugh out loud and smack my forehead in frustration! Honestly, I loved Emma. She was eccentric, quirky and hilarious. On the other hand, Callum was a bit boring and too straitlaced. I loved the synopsis. I really fancy the idea of a road trip across Europe, although maybe not with an ex! That would be quite hard work.

I liked Jo’s descriptions of the places Emma and Callum visited, and I would have loved to stay in the monastery with the monks, they honestly seemed like such a fun bunch of people, although I’m not sure that was the impression I was supposed to be getting!

If you want a book to immerse yourself into this summer, grab a copy of this and lose yourself on a journey in a camper van called Miranda, across Europe.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review We Were on a Break by Jo Lovett.

Love this! Callum is stuck in Italy needing to get home after all flights are grounded. His friend Aziz arranges for him to meet his wife’s friend Em who is in a driving tour on her way back to England and she’ll give him a life. Who knew that Em; would be Emma; the girl whose heart Callum broke 12 years ago…

I'm really like stories set in Europe. This one had that going for it from the very beginning. I liked the characters and sometimes was a bit annoyed by them. All the emotions. I feel like I could feel the AWKWARD from the van coming off the page and it worked. You just knew how awkward being together was. I was looking for an easy read for the summer and this one was a great fit for me.

When I read a Jo Lovett book, I know I will love it and I would recommend them in a heartbeat. I love a good second-chance romance especially when the chemistry is so obvious to everyone but them. This book was pacy, funny and romantic and I was desperate for them to see how compatible they truly were. The mix of humour and poignant moments kept me engaged throughout and when it ended, I was desperate for more and you will be to.

This book simply didn't grab me. No matter how many times I returned to it, I simply couldn't get into it.

Perhaps it was because of it somewhat juvenile narration that I definitely didn't expect from an adult romance, or the way his problem with alcohol was portrayed in the first few pages, but I wasn't into it. Maybe some people should stay broken up?

This novel is a light and short read. I appreciate anything under 300 pages. Know that if you read it it’s written in first person present stream of consciousness.

Book Review: We Were on a Break

I recently had the pleasure of reading We Were on a Break by Jo Lovett, and it truly swept me off my feet! The story begins with Callum, who finds himself stranded in Rome due to a volcanic ash cloud. His desperate bid to return to London takes a surprising turn when he accepts a lift from none other than Emma, his ex-girlfriend. The tension and awkwardness between them right from the start had me hooked.

As they journey through Italy and France in a campervan, I couldn’t help but feel the electric chemistry that lingered beneath their bickering. Emma’s reluctance to face her past with Callum, and his desperate attempts to navigate their complicated history, made for a compelling read. I found myself rooting for them, hoping they could overcome their past and rediscover the love that once brought them together.

Lovett's writing is witty and charming, capturing the breathtaking scenery of their road trip beautifully while weaving in moments of humor and heartfelt emotion. The forced proximity trope worked wonders here, allowing both characters to confront their unresolved feelings. Each revelation about their past added depth to their journey, making me both laugh and tear up at various points.

What struck me most was how relatable their struggles were—whether it’s grappling with heartbreak, figuring out what you truly want in life, or simply dealing with the complexities of love. The mix of humor and poignant moments kept me engaged throughout, and I devoured the book in just a couple of sittings.

We Were on a Break is the perfect summer romance, filled with warmth, laughter, and the promise of second chances. If you enjoy feel-good stories that explore the intricacies of love against stunning backdrops, this book is an absolute must-read! I can’t recommend it enough.

I think im finally done with brit lit. its just so slow for me the romance doesn't hit right and I don't find myself ever wanting to pick the book back up. this was a total dnf.

This book is a short and sweet closed-door romance that charmed me with its quirky characters. Emma, with her delightful eccentricities, and Callum, who has the best intentions despite sometimes coming off as confusing, share undeniable chemistry and tension. Their transition into a friends-with-benefits/holiday fling dynamic is both endearing and exasperating. Emma's hopeful optimism for more, despite Callum’s somewhat clear but mixed signals, had me cringing at times.

What didn’t quite work for me was the reasoning behind the end of their relationship and the obstacles to rekindling it. The resolution, which comes through a sudden realization by one of the characters, felt a bit too convenient. Emma’s repeated quest for "closure" became somewhat repetitive, though I could empathize with her confusion, as I found myself feeling similarly puzzled.

Jo Lovett’s writing is a standout, filled with humor and laugh-out-loud moments—Emma’s driving adventures and her beloved van, Miranda, are particularly memorable. The emotional depth in the story is also well-executed, bringing a few tears to my eyes. As a fan of second-chance romances and a touch of angst, this book offered plenty to enjoy.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I absolutely loved the writing and found it so easy to read and keep up with the main characters story and their backgrounds. I absolutely loved the dual perspectives of some scenes as they provided another layer to them, meaning they just made me smile more or tugged on my heartstrings more. Would definitely recommend

This book was a wonderful read and such a lovely, heartfelt, feel-good romance that was so heartwarming it left me feeling all the warm and fuzzy feelings!

It was such an easy book to read and i found myself whizzing through the pages until i had, very quickly come to the end.

We Were On A Break was very lighthearted and very funny too and i found myself chuckling along in quite a few places!

I loved both of the main characters, Callum and Emma and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and seeing their story unfold. The banter between the pair was absolutely top notch!!

This was the most perfect second chance romance, with the perfect happy ever after too!!