Member Reviews
This one was very blah for me. It took a lot to get into the story, and the characters felt very one dimensional and I struggled to connect with them.
Second Chance
Forced Proximity
Road Trip
Emma and Callum haven't seen each other in 12 years after a non-split split. Emma had given Callum an ultimatum to stop drinking, sort himself out and come back to her and he did stop drinking, and he did sort himself out, but he never went back to her.
Suddenly they're thrown together in Rome when Callum is stranded by an Icelandic volcano eruption and he desperately needs a ride back to London. Emma has been road tripping around Europe and is on her way back to London via a few cities in Italy and France. Their mutual friends arranged the connection, thinking they would make a cute couple but not actually knowing that the two of them had once been together.
The story moves pretty quickly and it was fun to read about their exploits in different Italian and French cities along the way. They actually do communicate, which seems like a first for most books! I liked both characters and I was really rooting for them to sort themselves out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I enjoyed this book, it was a nice slow burn with a cute ending. The car situation did frustrate me, but it didn't take away anything from my overall enjoyment of the book.
This was actually a slow burn I enjoyed. The concept of the book is what drew me in - but when I realized it was going to be a slow burn, I was a bit nervous. However, I really enjoyed this one. Yes, there were parts that felt a bit repetitive, and it was drug out a bit, but I still found the story cute. I could have done without some of the internal monologue, I don't think it really added to the story. My one wish for the book is that it would have dived a little deeper into Callum's story - it seemed like it was a bit anticlimactic, and I feel like it could have been a good thing for the two characters to dissect together.
3.5 stars
This stroy grew on me. I started out with high hopes, then got a little disappointed as it didn't quite live up to my expectations and Callum seemed like a bit of an odd main male character, but then the story and the characters grew on me and I ended up enjoying the story.
Tropes: second chance romance & forced proximity
I enjoyed going on the journey with Emma and Callum, but I didn't love the characters so was less invested in the story than I would have been if I had loved the characters.
Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. I am so glad it has been released! I have recommended it to everyone I know!
I'm a sucker for a second chance romance and I must say this one was so much fun and felt very original. Emma and Callum were amazing and to be honest so brave to end up on a road trip together lol not sure I could do it!
This is not a totally light and fluffy read and does deal with some heavy topics, something i've noticed with all of Jo Lovetts books and so enjoy her take on these types of stories is how she takes a fun topic and makes them feel real and relatable.
I enjoyed this little romp through Europe as we followed Callum and Emma make their way back home in a rusty old campervan, when flights are grounded due to ash.
A really fun summer read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I picked this up because the premise was so fun, but just couldnt' get through it! I think it would be a great summery read for someone, but for me it was a case of right book, wrong time.
Told from a dual point of view, this second chance romance focuses on the reunion of Callum and Emma. Exes who broke up twelve years ago and are forced to take a road trip due to bad weather.
This was like watching a movie with the adventures these two had. I loved how real and very relatable the author made them out to be, even though Callum was a huge piece of work.
The pacing of the plot was right but it was repetitive in some parts. It started off boring for me and when it picked pace, it was delightful and charming. The will they or will they not was nerve wracking and time consuming.
I love Emma’s free spirit and trusting nature and how she was able to stand up for herself sometimes.
If you love second chance romance, forced proximity then you will enjoy this.
I received an advanced copy and the review is mine and voluntary.
This book starts off so strong and the forced proximity is fantastic. I love a good road trip trope. Especially exes forced together. Their first day on the road was really enjoyable to read, but the rest of the trip became a bit tedious. Their “banter” was mindless. Emma’s head-in-the-sand attitude was frustrating, and Callum’s ridiculously illogical thought process throughout the story almost did me in. I wanted to strangle them both. There’s truly no real conflict here. The pacing is somehow tediously slow and way too fast. The plot is slow but the character and relationship building is rushed and incomplete.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review!
I binge read this book! Likeable characters, easy to read storyline, and a lovely ending. A perfect combo! Would recommend
This is one of those books you quickly want to read to find out if there is a happy ending. A very enjoyable book and ticked all the right boxes for me.
Callum needs to get back to London after flights in Rome are grounded. So when a friend hooks him up with someone who can drive him back, the last thing he expects is for the driver to be his ex-girlfriend.
But their relationship was a long time ago, but as time has passed feelings may not have.
I loved this narrative, the close proximity and second chance romance. Emma did grate on me at the beginning, especially with her van, which I wondered how it was legal to be on the road. But she did grow on me and I was itching from the start to see these two characters get back together.
I also liked how this narrative was told from dual points of view so we can see both sides of the narrative which just made the reader more interactive.
This was a great summer read to get lost in, ideal for any romance lover.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'We Were On A Break' by Jo Lovett.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! Absolutely LOVED this book. Yet another stunner by the very talented Jo!!!
Awww!!! Absolutely perfect!!! Another absolutely gorgeous book from the amazing Jo Lovett!!! Absolutely stunningly romcom heart warmer!!!
The storyline is authentic and realistic as well as easy to read and heart-warming. I loved it straight away and was hooked immediately!!! A true heart warning, addictive page turner!! It was fast paced with plenty of events going on throughout and it kept me hooked from start to end, I read it in one sitting. It really made me feel like I was with Emma and Callum throughout the storyline going through all the emotions with them while travelling through Europe and seeing all the stunning Italian and French sites. It is an absolutely gorgeous escapism read that I got so lost in that on the very odd occasion I managed to peel my eyes away from the storyline and look up it took me a few moments to adjust to the fact that I was actually in my living room or garden in Wales and not driving through Italy or France!! An absolutely stunning holiday and I was devastated when I came to the end and had to "unpack" my case and return to reality! The storyline was filled with a range of emotions and was heart-warming, humorous and had lost and second chances, relationships, friendship and stunning settings all going on in this beautiful book. It felt like a lovely break away from a rainy Wales!! It made me laugh, smile and filled me with a warm fuzzy feeling all at different times. I loved how the story ended!!! If you are planning to read this I would definitely recommend clearing your schedules as I absolutely devoured it in one sitting being unable to put it down. It is perfect to read curled up on the sofa in front of the fire with a nice hot chocolate or cup of tea or laid out on a sunbed under the sun with a glass of wine or a cocktail. I was completely absorbed in the realistic storyline and although it was filled with love, second chances, romance and happiness there was definitely some suspense, tension but also loads of laughter in the air!! It is one of those books that once I became absorbed in the gorgeous storyline there was no chance I was putting it down and I devoured it in several hours!!! This would make an absolutely stunning movie which I would love to see come to the big screen!!!
Clear your schedules as you won't be able to put this stunner down once your hooked!!
The characters were all unique with their own realistic traits, strengths and weaknesses. It was intriguing to watch Emma and Callum's friendship and relationship grow, develop and change throughout the the storyline. I loved the multiple perspectives that we get to see from both of the main characters so we can see how each of them feel and what they are doing. It made me feel like I got to know them more individually and Jo weaves the chapters together perfectly! Each of the main and "background" characters had their own unique personalities and each left their own impressions on me. I became completely invested in both Callum and Emma and was quite sad to come to the end and say goodbye to them. Jo's fantastic evocative writing skills really brought them all to life along with the storyline. All characters worked perfectly with the storyline and I would love to meet them again and hope to see this made into a series or even a movie!!!
Congratulations Jo on yet another absolutely fantastic rom com heart warmer. There's a good reason you are one of my favourite authors and this amazing page turner is just one of them!!! Here's to yet another success 🥂!!!
Overall a heart warming page turner filled love, comedy, friendship and everything you could want in an epic rom com!!
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This is an entertaining road trip story which takes you along as Callum and Emma become reacquainted. They both have unresolved feelings from their relationship but try very hard at first, to cover them up. The dialogue between the two is so amusing and gives you an insight into their relationship. They know each other so well, despite not having seen each other for tears and they still share a shorthand.
You follow the story through the eyes of both Callum and Emma and although there are some surprises, it does mean that you keep up with what they are thinking. Both of them have developed since they parted but being together also brings back all the old feelings. This is an ideal holiday read. You will find yourself rooting for both of them and understand both points of view.
zin short: Second chances and taking a risk
A cute enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance read great for losing yourself in on the beach or by the pool.
The cover initially drew me in to this book - isn’t it pretty! Then when I read the blurb I knew I wanted to read it.
I enjoyed getting to know the two main characters Emma and Callum. From their relationship 12 years ago they were shocked to end up travelling across Europe together, they both seemed to have changed but have their feelings for each other?
We Were On A Break is the third book I've been delighted with from Lovett. It's a gorgeous second chance romance that slow burns and simmers, that takes us into Europe where we join Emma and Callum on the road trip from hell.
With twelve years having passed since they split up will the forced proximity of their journey home rekindle old flames?
I loved the two main characters Emma and Callum, they had so much history and hurt between them that needed healing. They were real, relatable and I loved the interaction between them.
The perfect summer escapism.
Definitely a book and author to recommend.
DNF at 25%. I make it a habit to rarely DNF a book and to only do so when completely necessary. I was unfortunately unable to handle the childish writing style and immaturity of the characters presented in We Were on a Break. There were delicate topics that should have been tackled better and I was bummed to be disappointed by a book I had been looking forward to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good second chance romance so I couldn't wait to start this one.
This is an easy summer read in my opinion. I loved the two main characters and was rooting for them to get out of their heads and back together.
Because the miscommunication troupe is my least favorite one, I found myself annoyed half of the time and going awwww the rest. LOL.
Anyway. It was a cute quick read.
thanks to net gallery for the arc. All opinions are my own