The emotions were pretty much at the forefront of every scene in this book 🥲 I was racing through the pages to reach Javi and Mari's hea, their friendship/relationship development and their own personal character growths were so well-rounded

Also, I loved their meet cute so much?? That scene and the ones that followed were my favourite parts of the book, they were so cute 😭

TWs - emotionally manipulation by family members

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I want to live inside a Mia Sosa romantic comedy! Full of so many hilarious moments that are sandwiched between careful, emotional development, When Javi Dumped Mari is not a novel I will soon forget. Expertly told using dual timelines, readers learn about Javi and Mari over the years. This was such a wonderful way to show readers the complexity of a friends-to-lovers relationship with so much nuance. These characters needed to grow separately and together to get their happily ever after that felt so earned and so right. Is anyone funnier than Mia Sosa? Rhetorical question-- no, no there is not! Bold, funny, and dynamic Mia Sosa has written another banger!

Whoa! Mia Sosa is an auto but author for me and this book proves why! What a phenomenal read!

This book goes back and forth to explain Mari & Javi's expansive relationship, how they met, their previous visits and how Mari met her current fiance.

It also shows the dynamic between Mari and her father, and how that affects her relationship with Javi. The relationship between Javi and his family. The mention of them in therapy and how that has helped them process their feelings and trauma in being ready for the ideal partners.

“They’re close enough that the differences don’t truly matter.”

I loved this one. One of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I found myself staying up well into the night to read “just a little more.” I was hooked from the beginning. Friends-to-lovers easily lands in my top five favorite tropes and this one delivered. I loved seeing the glimpses of their past (not always a huge fan of stories with heavy dual timelines, but this one didn’t feel too jarring for me, though it might be for some) and how their friendship formed and evolved over the years. Admittedly, it did make this a bit of a slow burn because there was just so much to unpack about how they found themselves in their present day situation with Mari posed to wed someone Javi had not given his stamp of approval for, and his plan to make her see Alex isn’t the guy for her.

Their initial encounter was definitely a memorable one, but what really set them on their path forward was Javier (Javi) friendzoning himself with the invention of his fake girlfriend. And though Marisol (Mari) saw right through it, they both it agreed that getting into a situationship wasn’t the right move for either of them, so friends it was. The addition of screening/approving each other’s partners came from too many wrong choices, until Mari goes rogue and decides to date someone Javi didn’t vet for her, and then get engaged to him to boot.

There were so many moments I found myself chuckling or my cheeks aching from smiling. Their chemistry leapt off the page and I adored their banter. I could feel the tension grow between them and the anticipation of them crossing that line made all the feelings burst inside me. It was very well done.

This one has more plot than spice, but what we do get is top-notch and it’s so much more than just the act.

I’ll be thinking about this book for quite some time and can’t wait to see what Mia Sosa has in store for the future. Lots of potential here for some of the side characters to get their own stories (Chloe, Sasha, Brittany, Jeremy).

Thank you to the Penguin Group, Putnam Books, and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

ARC REVIEW (thanks NETGALLEY)

Ugh sorry I hated this.

I thought this was going to be an angsty right place wrong time kinda story and it totally wasn’t. I really never felt any connection between the 2 of them. . He fucking ghosts her for 6 years and he never would have had the balls to contact her again if they didn’t randomly bump into eachother. It started getting really goofy/stupid during the wedding weekend. Mari didn’t seem like the type of person to jump into marriage with a man after 6 months, it made no sense for her character. If it wasn’t for the literal last minute over heard conversation Mari would’ve gone through with her wedding and pussy ass Javi was keeping his mouth shut. Is this part of or the beginning of a series? Why was I reading about her friend having aFib and not being able to drink alcohol?

My first review of 2025! It is not my first book of 2025 however, I am choosing to review this one first because the other book was really bad and I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings.

Another great ARC! This book comes out in about six months, so I’m feeling really blessed that I had the opportunity to get a copy of this book so early. This is kind of a circuitous friends to lovers romance, unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite because I’m really not a fan of going back-and-forth from the past and the present. The time jumping made sense in the context of this book and it provided a lot of important context, but it just didn’t work all that well for me.

However, I really enjoyed the writing of this book. The chemistry between the two main characters and just the plot overall. I was worried there would be cheating, but thankfully there wasn’t. This is another solid production by this author, and I look forward to continuing to read her work.

read this book if you like friends to lovers, a story that spends 10 years, good steam /smut

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2.5/🌶️

my first Mia Sosa book and i couldn’t put it down.
the dual pov, the romance, the banter, the spice, stories about right people at wrong time always get my heart going.

i loved reading about Javier & Marisol and their path to each other.

the Latine representation in this book had me kicking my feet. i loved reading parts of the book in Spanish & Portuguese.

the way the story flows between the past and the present showcasing the growth of their friendship and love.

i will definitely be reading more by Mia Sosa ✨

I enjoyed this story. I had previously read one of this authors books, and enjoyed it very much. And this one was almost as good. Basically just a sweet romcom with a happy ending, and honestly that’s j
really all I want some days!!

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for this e-ARC!

I'm really a fan of friends lovers tropes, however in When Javi Dumped Mari I was a little bit stuck with constant flashback for their past. But overall the story is very good,
I appreciated how Mia Sosa represents Latina! It is really great!

To sum up all my feelings about the book - it's very light, cute romance that will cheer you up when needed!

I absolutely adore Mia Sosa’s writing, and was so very excited to read this book.

There is a but..

This book was charming and humorous, while being oddly unique with its set of characters. Mari was quick witted and definitely not to be taken lightly, while Javi, well he was a golden retriever wasn’t he?

But.
I personally found the constant flashbacks to be slightly confusing, and the dialogue a little cheesy. I didn’t feel as strongly for our dynamic duo, and it wasn’t as fleshed out as I wanted.

I will absolutely grab this book when it releases, especially on audio—thank you Putnam and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my thoughts and review.

Javi and Mari meet in college when they initially butt heads but then build a friendship planning a fundraiser together. After graduation, they create a pact where they can veto people the other dates. Now, Mari announces out of nowhere she’s marrying Alex, who works at her father’s entertainment law firm with her. However, Javi, who is man of honor, wants to veto him and feels he missed his chance.

I think it was a cute story although I felt some of the backstory dragged on. I also think the twist at the end was good but how Mari resolved it was weird and didn’t really make sense? As a friends to lovers trope, it was fine beyond dragging at times.

I really enjoyed this book!

Javi’s character arc is interesting and my heart broke for him and his insecurities. I loved Mari’s fierceness and how sure she was in herself. This is a very good friend to lovers novels.

I loved Mari being Brazilian and Javi being Pueto Rican, how they were just similar enough but also different.

This is friends to lovers done right. This book had me smiling and laughing throughout. I loved both Javi and Mari’s unapologetic personalities. Her 3 other friends are absolutely hilarious and add so much to the humor of the book without being over the top or taking away from the main storyline. All characters felt really developed and like actual people you might know.

The story flips timelines, going from present day to the past where we learn how Mari and Javi met, became friends, etc. I enjoy plots that work this way and finding out a little more about how we get to where we are now each chapter. I would love love love to read books about her friends in the future with hopefully some cameos of Mari/Javi in them so we can see where they end up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I recently had the pleasure of reading When Javi Dumped Mari by Mia Sosa, and I must say, it was a delightful rom-com experience! The story revolves around best friends Javier Báez and Marisol Campos, who made a pact on the eve of their college graduation never to date someone the other doesn't approve of. Fast forward ten years, and Javi finds himself in a predicament when Mari announces her engagement to someone he hasn't even met. The chemistry between Javi and Mari is palpable, and the slow-burn tension kept me turning the pages. Javi's hilarious and often awkward attempts to derail Mari's engagement are both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny. The witty and sharp writing style makes it a fun, fast read that perfectly balances heartwarming moments with humor. One of the highlights of the book is how it explores the complexities of friendship and love. Javi's determination to help Mari avert a potential disaster, even if it means ruffling some feathers, shows the depth of their bond. The story also beautifully captures the struggles of moving on and the fear of letting go of someone you care about deeply. Overall, this is a charming and entertaining read that will leave you rooting for a happy ending. If you're in the mood for a rom-com that mixes humor with heartfelt moments, this book is a must-read!

When Javi Dumped Mari

When done well, friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes. Author Mia Sosa told the story of best friends Javier Báez and Marisol Campos very, very well. She delivered chemistry, angst, family drama, longing, a sprinkle of spice, and laughs in an a perfectly paced romcom novel. I’d love to see story on screen as a limited series or movie.

#WhenJaviDumpedMari
#NetGalley

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is my first time reading a Mia Sosa book, and I had a good time!

This book stars Mari (Brazilian American) and Javi (Puerto Rican), who met in college ten years ago. They make a pact that they will only date someone with the other's approval, because they both suck at seeing the red flags in their dates. From the start, they both friend zone each other (even though I believe the "friend zone" is stupid and doesn't exist, lol). Even though they both feel sparks, they don't think a one night stand is worth the end of their friendship. Flash forward ten years, and Mari introduces Javi to her fiancé, who he didn't even know existed. They're getting married in six weeks, and Mari never asked him for his thoughts. Worse, Javi was planning on confessing his feelings for Mari!

The book kind of lost me when there were multiple consecutive flashback chapters. I felt like we focused more on the past than the present. Flashbacks are useful when characters have known each other for a long time, but sometimes all of that backstory can drag on. I became more invested in the story when the flashbacks were closer to the present timeline, like 2 years ago or 8 months ago.

If you like friends to lovers who have a long history, then this book is for you!

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy of this book!

Mari y Javi se conocieron en la universidad hace 11 años, han sido amigos durante 5 de esos años y siempre se han amado. Sin embargo, ella está cansada de esperar algo que sabe que nunca sucederá, por lo que decide seguir adelante con su vida y comprometerse con su novio. Javi, por su parte, estaba listo para declarar sus sentimientos, pero se lleva una gran decepción al descubrir que ya es demasiado tarde... ¿o no?





La calificación es totalmente para Mari. Me pareció un personaje carismático, inteligente, trabajadora y que lucha por lo que quiere. Al final, todo salió bien para ella y, aunque no quería que se quedara con Javi, me dio lo mismo porque ella estaba feliz.

Javi, en cambio, dejó mucho que desear. Nunca demostró que lucharía por su amor, y de hecho, era el primero en huir ante cualquier obstáculo.


El tema de los padres de Mari no tuvo un cierre satisfactorio, especialmente en lo relacionado con su madre.



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

You know how sometimes you pick up a book and it just makes you smile? That's exactly what happened when I dove into Mia Sosa's "When Javi Dumped Mari." Picture this: two best friends who made this adorable pact in college to be each other's relationship gatekeepers, and now, years later, it's completely backfiring in the most delicious way possible.

The story centers on Javi, who's finally getting his life together, when BAM! – Mari drops the bombshell that she's engaged to some guy he barely knows. Talk about a wake-up call! Now he's in this frantic race against time (six weeks to be exact) to stop the wedding, all while probably realizing he's been in love with her this whole time. Classic, right?

But here's what really got me – these characters feel like people you actually know. Javi's this theater-loving softie who's trying to play it cool while clearly freaking out inside, and Mari's this total boss entertainment lawyer who's done waiting around for something that might never happen. When they're together on the page, their back-and-forth is pure gold. It's like watching your two friends who are obviously perfect for each other but just won't get their act together!

Sosa really knows how to balance the laugh-out-loud moments with the heart-squeezing ones. Sure, the beginning takes its sweet time with college flashbacks, but once the wedding chaos kicks in? Pure entertainment. And don't even get me started on the side characters – they're like that group of friends and family who can't help but meddle because they care too much.

At its heart, this book is about that messy, beautiful journey of figuring out what (and who) you really want in life. If you're the kind of person who yells "Just kiss already!" at fictional characters or lives for those slow-burn romances where best friends finally realize they're in love, you're going to eat this up. It's got the same vibes as "The Worst Best Man" but with its own special charm that'll leave you grinning like a fool.

Trust me, this is the kind of book that'll make you believe in second chances – and probably make you want to text your best friend just to check in. You know, just in case?

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for sharing this delightful romance's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

3.5 ⭐

*+:｡.｡𝓦𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓯𝓲𝓽. 𝓦𝓮’𝓻𝓮 𝓾𝓷𝓲𝓺𝓾𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓸𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓼, 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝓭𝓰𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓾𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸𝓰𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮.”｡.｡:+*

This was my first Mia Sosa book, and I loved the Latina rep and culture so much. Admittedly, I don't like the dual timeline; it gets me distracted. I really wanted to slap Mari so many times throughout the book but it ended up great

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

𝕊𝕜𝕚𝕡 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤: 𝟚𝟚, 𝟛𝟘, 𝔼𝕡𝕚𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕦𝕖

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕿𝖗𝖔𝖕𝖊𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
🌸 𝙵𝚁𝙸𝙴𝙽𝙳𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂
🌸 𝙻𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚊 𝚁𝚎𝚙
🌸 𝙳𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝙿𝙾𝚅
🌸 𝙳𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚃𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

I received the eARC 💕 THANK YOU Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam

Mari and Javi agreed in college that neither would date anyone without the other’s approval. Well, Mari broke that pact by not only dating someone that she didn’t tell Javi about — she got engaged before Javi even knew the guy existed! To make matters worse, she dropped this on Javi the day he was going to confess how he felt about her.

The book basically follows Javi trying to find a flaw in Mari’s fiancé, or pretty much any reason to get this marriage shut down. It’s really cute, but in a grown up way.

Whereas going back and forth between flashbacks of the past and the present can be confusing or feel jumbled, I didn’t get that from this. The back and forth was almost seamless to me. Most of the characters were so likable. The story is very sweet and well-written. It may seem like it’s progressing a little slowly in the beginning, but the information you get during that time is pretty integral. It definitely picks up.

I would recommend this book for someone who is just looking for a cute, cozy romance without a whole bunch of trauma.