Overall this was a disappointing read for me.
The premise that two past lovers meet by chance to roadtrip through Europe sounded cute. Unfortunately, the story moves about as fast as Miranda, the van, on an autobahn. It felt like the characters were trying too hard to be the 20-somethings they were rather than the educated 30-somethings we meet and came across rather 2-dimensional. A cup of tea and a proper conversation rather than the repetitive internal dialogue and overuse of the word “weird” might have pushed the story along. This felt like a story of missed opportunities, both literally and figuratively, and fell flat for me.
With thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for a copy of the eARC ahead of publication. All opinions and grammar mistakes are my own.

I’ve loved all of the books I’ve read by this author - and this was no exception!

Years previously, Callum annd Emma were a couple. Until they weren’t.

Now Callum is stranded in Rome, unable to get home to London.
Emma is in Rome, planning to head back to London in her trusty, rusty camper van.
If only they had a mutual friend who could fix them up…..

I loved the premise of old flames being forced into a proximity they don’t want and haven’t asked for - but needs must! Will they make it home in one piece? Or will fate have a hand in what happens next…..

Would recommend to anyone looking for a fun, flirty holiday read.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

"We Were on a Break" by Jo Lovett is a charming romantic comedy set against the scenic backdrop of Italy and France. The story follows exes Callum and Emma, who reunite unexpectedly when stranded in Rome due to a volcanic ash cloud. Emma offers Callum a ride back to London in her camper van, Miranda. As they travel, they confront unresolved feelings and past misunderstandings. Lovett's well-developed characters and a blend of humor and emotional depth make this a delightful read about second chances and rekindled love, perfect for fans of light-hearted, nostalgic romance.

3🌟
I enjoyed this book but I wasn't hooked on it to be honest. The characters were okay and I like the dual character perspective, though it felt like there was all this intrigue attempted about Thea when it was very predictable who it was going to be.

The storyline is good for those who like the trope of second-chance romance, though again I found that to be quite predictable.

Putting that aside, it was an easy, enjoyable read and was fun to feel like you were travelling with them.

3.5 Stars. Second chance romance will never not hit. I loved every moment of this, and Emma and Callum were delightful. The poignant love was executed remarkably, it was impossible to put the book down. The ending was near perfect, but I couldn't help but wish for just a little more. It left me with a sense of yearning, but overall, it was a wonderful experience that left very little to criticize.

I really wanted to enjoy this, because the premise is so delightfully silly and full of potential, but it just really didn't do it for me.

Emma and Callum dated 12 years ago. Like, love-of-my-life/once-in-a-lifetime dated. But Callum's wild behavior became too much for Emma to handle, so she told him to clean up or hit the road. He did both. Now, he needs a ride back to London and she's headed that way in her van. They get set up by mutual friends, not knowing who they're being set up with.

You would THINK this is an excellent premise for both a really hilarious and really emotional second chance romance. And it tries, it really does. But while it was an easy read, I felt as those it fell flat. There is a lot of internal monologuing on both sides about how much they love each other but just can't be together. Especially on Callum's side. He spends the whole book referencing something back home that he needs to tell Emma about. But once he comes clean, it's never really mentioned or dug into that deeply. Callum also gives Emma his big explanation speech without much comment OR reaction from Emma. She just accepts it and we move on.

I'll give this a generous 3-star because while it didn't necessarily get my engine going, I think it'd be a good intro to the genre for a younger reader/someone who isn't very familiar with romance.

Stuck in Italy needing to get home to London, Callum accepts a ride that his friend found for him.
In a journey of self exploration and attempting to find the spontaneity in life, Emma agrees to give a lift to a friend of a friend.
When their eyes lock on eachother they’re horrified to realize they already know eachother. They’re exes. The, ‘I haven’t loved anyone the way I loved them’ exes.
Stuck together for a week on the drive of a lifetime, they start to wonder if this could be the real deal, if things could be different now?

I adored this book. Lighthearted, romantic, funny..I love a good romantic comedy and this fit the bill. Everything from the setting of the book to the banter between characters flowed so smoothly and kept me wanting to read more and more. I had an idea of how I wanted the book to go and I got what I wanted! Truly an adorable book.

Callum y Emma fueron novios hace 12 años, su relación terminó mal, no se volvieron a ver hasta que por obra de destino ella se ofrece (sin saber que es él) a llevarlo a Londres en un viaje en auto y tendrán que pasar días juntos.

Emma tuvo muy buenas razones para dejarlo, lo que no entiendo es porque él se hizo el ofendido si fueron sus acciones las causantes de todo.

Ella terminó la cosas, pero fue él quien la alejó y dejó; ella lo estuvo esperando y nunca apareció.

Todo iba bien hasta que el tarado explicó porque se nunca la buscó y con lo de Thea fue el clavo en el ataud. Emma merece algo mejor, ella ama más a Callum de lo que el la ama.

Les resumiré el libro: Callum hace lo que se le da la gana con Emma y ella lo deja.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My initial reaction thought when I saw the title: if you’re a FRIENDS fan, you know what I’m talking about. This was an easy read and I enjoyed it!

Callum finds himself facing an awkward predicament when he accepts a ride back to London with a friend-of-a-friend, only to discover it's Emma—his ex, and the one he's never quite gotten over. Similarly taken aback, Emma grapples with old wounds resurfacing as they embark on an unplanned road trip across Europe. This romantic journey explores whether time and proximity can heal old wounds and reignite a love that once was.

I loved this! I wanted to be in Europe with them. I enjoyed Jo’s writing and how she developed each character. It was neat to see how they’d grown in the years they’d been apart. Would definitely read more of her books.

This book has potential to be great but just really missed the mark for me.

Emma and Callum end up being stuck together on a road trip back to London, problem is they used to date and it didn't end especially well. Emma’s idea of travel involves short drives and lots of sight seeing while Callum would rather get home as soon as possible. Some witty banter ensues and they all live happily ever after.

I enjoyed the writing of this book, it was a quick and easy read. I did not enjoy that anytime there was a problem it was immediately resolved and we never went deeper into it, kind of like how the characters talked to each other. I also had a big issue when it seems like Callum had an alcohol problem, but also in the same scene was drinking. That was also quickly resolved and was basically a non-issue in the rest of the book. There was so much potential for this to go deep and have the characters grow on their trip together and it just didn't happen.

I wouldn't say don't read it, but just understand this is your typical romance novel and there is not a lot of depth.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

2.5 rounded up

The beginning of this story had so much potential and I was really enjoying it! Things started to go downhill for me when it felt like the author was leading you into a really important story about alcohol dependency and other substance abuse, only to then backpedal and make it a nonissue. It very much felt like her mind was changed midway through and she didn't want to fully commit to that storyline, which made me completely lose any sympathy for Callum. The emotional impact felt ripped out from under me. I was already feeling like his internal monologues were becoming really repetitive and after that interaction, I found Callum to be just another jerk terrified of commitment. Unfortunately this was a miss for me. Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of Jo Lovett’s We Were on a Break for an honest review. In this book Emma, the owner of a van, tells her friend she is happy to give a different stranded friend, Callum, a ride from Rome to London since he cannot find another way. Turns out it is THE Callum. Her ex and things didn’t necessarily end well between them.

I loved the idea behind the book and felt it had so much potential. That being said, I had a difficult time getting through this book. I just felt like it dragged on and it didn’t really pick up for me until I was about 70% through the book. If I hadn’t been giving a review of the book, I might have put it down and not finished it.

The book is told through differing opinions which kept things interesting so the reader could understand why the characters were acting and reacting how they were. There were definitely funny, entertaining parts, and by the last 30% of the book I couldn’t put the book down which is why I gave the book 3 stars.

I really like Jo Lovett’s engaging and conversational writing style. I have read 5 books so far and liked 4. Including this one. Till the 11th chapter, it was unputdownable as I stayed awake till the wee hours to read it. I liked it overall. The chemistry between the protagonists is good. I liked their conversations. From their awkwardness (of meeting after 12 years), to the friendliness to the intense attraction: it's been expressed well. Their stay at the monastery was very nice

I had a few problems though:

I understand it was an ARC but after 12-13 chapters, it gets very repetitive and meanders a bit. They say and think same things over and over.

Also, if you are agreeing to have someone for a ride, because that person urgently needs to reach somewhere, you have to tell them that you have planned a week long sightseeing. You can't expect that person who is practically a stranger to travel with you everywhere you go. This thing I found implausible. They could have planned to visit some specific place once they began to get along. It would have cut down the ‘not very entertaining situations’ while they travelled to several places and made the book crisper.

There's no real conflict in this story. Things that have been used as conflicts are not convincing enough. So, there's no tension in the second half. This could have been handled in a better way. The ending is very unimaginative, to be honest.

Nevertheless, it was an entertaining and engrossing read. I really hope it goes for another round of editing.

I loved this book. It was such a heartwarming romcom. I can’t say enough good things about it and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes romances!

ARC Feedback Review: *We Were On a Break* by Jo Lovett

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)

Jo Lovett’s *We Were On a Break* is a delightful and heartwarming second-chance romance that takes readers on a scenic and emotional journey through Italy and France. With its engaging characters, beautiful settings, and a plot that combines humor with heartfelt moments, this book is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies.

Overview:
Stranded in Rome due to a volcanic ash cloud grounding all planes, Callum reluctantly accepts a lift back to London with Emma, his ex-girlfriend and the woman who broke his heart. Stuck in a campervan together, they embark on a road trip that forces them to confront their past and the unresolved feelings between them. As they travel through the stunning landscapes of Italy and France, they begin to rediscover each other and themselves.

Themes and Elements:
1. **Second-Chance Romance:** The central theme of rekindling an old romance is handled with sensitivity and realism. Callum and Emma’s journey from exes with unresolved issues to rediscovering their love is both touching and believable.
2. **Forced Proximity:** The forced proximity of a road trip in a campervan creates a perfect setup for romantic tension and comedic moments. This trope is executed well, adding depth and intensity to their interactions.
3. **Beautiful Settings:** Lovett’s vivid descriptions of the Italian and French countryside enhance the romantic atmosphere of the story. The scenic backdrop adds to the charm and allure of Callum and Emma’s journey.
4. **Emotional Healing:** Both characters must confront their past and deal with their emotional baggage. The theme of healing and personal growth is central to their story, making their reunion more meaningful.

Character Development:
- **Callum:** Callum is a relatable and endearing hero. His initial reluctance to spend time with Emma gradually gives way to vulnerability and honesty as he grapples with his lingering feelings and past hurt.
- **Emma:** Emma is a strong and independent heroine. Her journey from heartbreak to self-discovery is compelling, and her interactions with Callum reveal her depth and resilience.

Writing Style:
Jo Lovett’s writing is engaging and full of warmth. Her ability to blend humor with emotional depth makes the story both entertaining and touching. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and the pacing is just right, keeping readers invested in Callum and Emma’s evolving relationship.

**Final Thoughts:**
*We Were On a Break* is a charming and uplifting romance that will leave readers with a smile. Jo Lovett has crafted a story that beautifully captures the complexities of second chances and the magic of rediscovering love. Callum and Emma’s road trip is filled with laughter, tears, and moments of profound connection.

This book is perfect for fans of romantic comedies who enjoy stories of rekindled love set against picturesque backdrops. Highly recommended for those looking for a heartwarming and satisfying read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

We Were on a Break by Jo Lovett
Rating: 3/5

Stranded in Rome due to volcanic ash grounding all flights, Callum accepts a ride to London from a friend-of-a-friend returning from a European road trip in a camper van. To his dismay, the driver is Emma, his ex, whom he dreads being stuck with. Emma, equally horrified, has spent years healing from their breakup and dreads the close quarters.

As they embark on their journey, it seems fate might be giving them a second chance. However, reconciling their past and dealing with the present proves challenging.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed "We Were on A Break," even though it's a slow burn. The stunning cover, intriguing synopsis, and the second chance romance theme, which I'm a complete sucker for, initially drew me in.

While I did connect with the characters at times, they still felt a bit flat overall, and there were quite a few red flags in the story. However, we don't always read romance for realism but for an escape, so these issues didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, I would recommend this book if you're looking for an easy read. Is it a masterpiece? No. But did I enjoy it? Absolutely.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author, Jo Lovett, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

let me begin by saying i LOVED the idea behind this book, and the title and synopsis were so intriguing to me. this ended up being a cute romance story, but i wish it wasn't such a slow burn. i also think the characters were a little immature and lacked development which was slightly annoying. however, if you're looking for a closed door romance book with sweet moments, and you don't mind slower paced books - this is absolutely the one for you!

thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc!

I enjoyed the house swap, another time, another place, and the mistletoe pact. However we were on a break was very slow for me. It was a cute closed door romance story, but i didnt like the characters.