I could not stop reading!!
All the emotions were there and it was so well written that I went on the rollercoaster with these two main characters. I loved their friends, I loved their history and I was shipping them 100% but you could see that their struggles were not just the standard oops miscommunicated at around 75% of the book but something that you would want to overcome and be stronger together for. It was a well thought out dilemma with an even better written HEA.
This is the second full length book by Jessica Joyce and I have read both and can honestly say 5 stars (for both)!!

I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This novel was simultaneously heartbreaking and deeply romantic and fulfilling. It’s rare to read a second chance romance with such emotional depth!

The Ex Vows is a thoughtful tale on how adolescence can shape your adulthood, how childhood wounds can be hard to shake, and how to navigate it all so you can readily pursue your happiness.

Eli and Georgia’s journey back to each other was so beautiful, and so were the friendships surrounding them. Adam, Grace, Jamie… they both learned a little bit about love from their loyalty too.

And the grand gesture/big moment at the end… not sure I’ve ever read anything more romantic. I would melt in a puddle on the floor if that happened to me.

Highly recommend this book for any second chance romance lovers, or anyone looking to go on a seriously emotional journey!

Oh dear god Jessica Joyce you little BEAUTY. I swear this woman could write a shopping list and I would DEVOUR it (we all know we love a list)
This book is EVERYTHING - it’s messy, complex, pure, indents cute, heart wrenching and incredibly relatable.
I was giggling, I was sobbing and I was everything in between.

Also sorry the SIDE characters were just impeccable, more Jamie pleaseeeee. I disliked Adam for a period of time because I felt like he was incredibly demanding and should’ve known that G would never want to let him down, even to her own detriment but fair play he crawled it all back.

Eli you quiet little devil in disguise. You beautiful beautiful man.
Georgia, the most relatable FMC for me. I could feeeeel her presence and emotions the whole book.


God damn, just god damn.

I just finished reading The Ex Vows and my heart is very full. This summer I read You, With a View and loved it, but I think this book is even better. I can’t remember the last time I read a love story that was so tender and thoughtful - that was so interested in the very real messiness of human beings and how often we get in the way of our own happiness, not because it’s a convenient plot device but because people truly are complicated and flawed (and often in need of a huge amount of therapy).

But also… I am pleased to report that no one is writing better chemistry than Jessica Joyce. The tension! The banter! The pining! Impeccable. A million out of ten. No notes. This is a lovely dream of a book that made me laugh AND cry my eyes out, and if you are a fan of Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren, then you’re going to adore this.

4 stars ⭐️
Where do i begin? Jessica Joyce has such a phenomenal way of writing characters, and the tension and longing and chemistry between them. In this book? the chemistry was sizzling!

This book follows Georgia, and an emergency call from her best friend Adam, his wedding planning is in ruins! but Georgia isn’t the only best friend he calls. Enter: Eli Mora, the third and final person of the trio and also, Georgia’s Ex. Can both Georgia and Eli make amends to save their best friend’s wedding? Well…no comment, go read the book on July 16th 2024 to find out!!

my fave parts!
💍 eli’s paper rings
💍 the trio friendship
💍 jamie & georgia’s friendship
💍 eli & georgia opening up (was so scarily relatable, Jessica did you read my journal?)
💍 the longing looks…had me swooning

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you tear through my skin, tissue and ribs you’ll find this book nestled into my heart 😭😭

Currently I’m slapping myself for NOT reading Jessica Joyce’s books sooner, because this was pure and utter perfection from start to finish. The stunning cover and the tropes (second chance is my kryptonite) called to me and I knew I had to request this and the second I was handed the arc I dived into the story head first and didn’t once come up for air until I read “The End”.

Eli and Georgia broke me in the best possible way but also mended me back together complete with a pretty little bow. I don’t even know where to start 😭 Georgia is one of my favourite heroines ever, her personality was so endearing and fun, she had me laughing one second and sobbing the next because I related to her abandonment issues so hard 😭 the fact that she thinks she can’t be too needy or clingy or show how much she needs Eli because of her dad hurt me so much, I was screaming at my book “JUST TALK TO ELI” but it’s never that simple. My girl needed to be made the priority for once in her life, and when Eli did that? Her communication was ON POINT 👏🏽

This brings me onto Eli. I know it’s only the 2nd month of 2024 but I’m already claiming Eli as my book boyfriend of the year. This is how you write a real man. I could feel how much he loved Georgia, how he never actually stopped loving Georgia from the very first page 😭 I know that miscommunication played the biggest part in their breakup 5 years ago, and maybe they could’ve avoided the breakup entirely if they just talked but I’d argue that Eli needed to make those sacrifices for himself first before he could ever put Georgia first. They both needed the time away to work on their own independence, especially Eli with therapy and his job. Watching him flourish and give Georgia space and respecting her boundaries whilst still not giving up and fighting for her? This is what cinched it for me. Eli Mora the man that you are 😭🩷😭🩷

On top of loveable main characters who I was rooting for, the plot of the book was amazing. I mean the best man and woman trying to plan their best friends “cursed” wedding was the comedic relief this book needed. I adored how love and friendship was at the forefront of this novel. As much as this book was about Eli and Georgia finding their way back to eachother, it was also about how they supported and loved Adam unconditionally, and the lengths they would go to ensure everything was perfect for his big day.

Another big positive for this book is the way it’s set out, I’m not a huge fan of books which have dual timelines and go back and forth chapter by chapter with past vs present chapters. I’m always more invested in one timeline over the other. What was amazing about the ex vows is that Eli and Georgia’s history was portrayed through memories/flashbacks which gave us a big insight into their past without it taking over the story and putting the present in the back burner.

All in all The Ex Vows went from one of my most anticipated releases of the year to one of, if not the best, book of 2024 for me 😭 I need it to be July already so I can hold the paperback in my hands. This book is perfect for fans of second chance romcoms such as Happy Place by Emily Henry, Every Summer After by Carley Fortune & One Day in December by Josie Silver!

A huge thank you to netgalley, the publishers and Jessica Joyce for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Following the huge success of ‘You with a view’ (one of my favourite books of 2023 and one I regularly think about!!), I have been eagerly waiting the release of ‘The Ex Vows’ . This book did not disappoint.

Jessica Joyce has an incredible ability to structure the most beautiful romance books (and I read a lot of them!), her characters steal your heart and take you on the most delicious journey of love and self discovery. They are so relatable.

Eli and Georgia’s love story will rip at your heart in the most wonderful way, chapter 31 in particular!! Ex-lovers reuniting at their best friend’s wedding, attempting to save the event after a series of unexpected accidents… this is full of hope, tension, friendship, flirty banter, spice, more tension and the most beautiful paper rings (I’ll say no more about these… other than emotional).

A must have summer read. A go to author for me. A book I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. ❤️💍 🍷 🍇 💔 👰🤵❤️

Thank you Net Gallery for the opportunity to read this book early for an honest review.

‘The Ex Vows’ by Jessica Joyce is my absolute favourite read of 2024 so far…

Georgia, the main character / narrator, is an HR professional whose experience of being de-prioritised in favour of work by two of the most important men in her life has led her to a place where she actively tries not to lean on her friends too much. When she is presented with a career opportunity that requires careful thought, she is far more inclined to weigh up the pros and cons in one of her famous lists than open up with her best friends Adam and Jamie… and there’s absolutely no way she can discuss with her ex Eli.

Talking of Eli, after five years of separation punctuated by one awkward interaction at another mutual friend’s wedding, he is about to be thrust into her orbit once again - Adam is marrying the love of his life Grace, and Georgia and Eli are his Best Woman / Man. Soon, the exes are on their way to Blue Yonder winery to re-plan the supposedly cursed wedding in record time… As the forced proximity leads to sparks, Georgia is determined to mend their friendship by hiding what she wants, while Eli plans to atone and reach for what he needs.

This book absolutely destroyed me - I was sobbing at so many scenes, laughing at others (the terrifying baker was hilarious) and blushing at the gorgeous intimacy of the spicy scenes because the chemistry between Georgia and Eli was so strong and believable.

The growth and character development in this book makes it impossible not to adore the two leads despite their flaws. This loveability means that when events culminate in possibly the sweetest scene I’ve read in any book ever, there’s no aftertaste of soppiness, just a blissful shot of beautiful, genuine happiness for them both.

I also cared immensely about Georgia’s friends, and the book made me want to visit Napa Valley whatever the weather. I could say so much more, but inevitably this gets 5 stars.

I received a free review copy of this ebook from the publisher Random House UK, Transworld via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I fell in love with the cover and the description of the book was just what I needed.

The Ex Vows follows Georgia and Eli. The were friends who then fell in love. However broke up 5 years before the start of the book. Over those 5 years they attempted to be civil for their mutual friend Adam.

The book starts of with them agreeing to help Adam out with his wedding. Because everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. So we get this beautiful book of them confronting their feelings and the memories of their previous love.


The mixture of past and present merged into one just shows us how much they mean to eachother and how visceral their feelings actually are.

I loved the messy and complicated relationship Eli and Georgia have. It felt so realistic and I enjoyed every moment in this book.

I highly recommend this book for people who love second chance romance

The Ex Vows – Jessica Joyce

THE WORLD IS IN FOR A TREAT ON THE 1st of AUGUST.

I knew this book was going to be a favourite. It’s a beautiful second chance romance that has my favourite combo: HORNY AND SAD. It makes me FERAL (we don’t need to unpack that, counselling is an option)

Joyce knows how to create characters SOULMATES. Georgia and Eli are so beautiful. This is spoiler free but I just want you to know that I cried MULTIPLE times as they battle to help themselves and the ones they love. A pure, angsty love which explores anxiety and mental health with such a tender hand.

My reading experience reminded me of battling waves. I was forever rushing into the water and knowing that it wasn’t going to be easy but I was safe, in this case, in Joyce’s hands. IN HER I TRUST.

Jessica Joyce is a mastermind. This is a perfect second-chance romance that I will be thinking about for many years to come. Go and pre-order now. I’m counting down the days till I get my hands on this baby <3

Thank you NetGalley and transworld, penguin round house for giving me an advanced copy. xox

I really wanted to love this one but sadly I ended up pretty disappointed by it. I couldn't help comparing this book to Happy Place by Emily Henry--both are friends to lovers + second chance romance + focus on adult friendships and growing pains. And Happy Place was such an incredible novel that this one just paled in comparison. The banter was lacking, the romance was not super well developed, the book was too long, and I found Georgia to be a very frustrating character. Sadly this one was not for me.

Jessica Joyce could write anything and I will devour it (and apparently fall in love with ever MMC). The friendship group was wholesome. The main characters were relatable and realistic. If I was to compare it to any book I’ve read I’d say it’s the closest to Happy Place. However, I’ve got to say I preferred this. This book made me ACHE but in a good way whereas Happy Place just broke me. I am also a big fan of the second chance not being related to cheating!

Basically grab this book when it’s out on 1st August!

💫 “Again?” “Still.”

If you’ve had the misfortune of coming into contact with me before, you’ll know I yell about You, with a View to anyone who’ll listen. I’m DELIGHTED to inform you that annoying people never rest, because I’m adding The Ex Vows to the roster too.

The Ex Vows follows Georgia (👀) and Eli, who became friends as lonely teenagers, fell in love, then broke up five years ago. Since then, they’ve attempted to keep things civil for the sake of their mutual best friend Adam, but there are still wounds that haven’t quite healed. When they both agree to help Adam fix his dumpster fire of a wedding together in the place they fell in love years ago, they’re forced to confront the people they were, and the people they’ve become.

Georgia’s spent her whole life fearing she’s both too much and not enough, so when Eli comes back, she worries it’ll blow up her already fragile sense of self. But maybe making a mess is the only way to find out who she wants to be. She takes a bit of time to hop on the help-your-brain train, but it was such a joy to see her grow. Meanwhile, I *love* how Eli’s arc revolves around his commitment to continue the work he’d already started on himself.

Past and present merge when the pair tentatively rebuild their friendship, until it’s hard to know what’s old and what’s new. And then, when the connection shifts into something more, Georgia’s fear is VISCERAL. There’s always something so delicate about friends to lovers anyway—the fear of destroying something precious to you—but when it’s second chance? When that precious thing has already been destroyed once before? Pain! I love angst and this gave me all of it.

TEV feels so real and believable; whether it’s in #Geli’s banter, their reason for breaking up, or in the connections they have with their found family, and I loved it. And the grand gesture at the end? No notes. They might’ve taken a pause, but their love never did. 🥹

The Ex Vows is a tender, heartfelt story about finding your voice, accepting help, and letting people love you the way you love them; wholly, unrelentingly, and exactly as you are.

4.5 stars rounded up

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I’ve been a fangirl of Jessica Joyce since I read You, With a View, so as soon as this landed in my inbox, I of course dropped everything to read it immediately.

The Ex Vows follows Georgia and Eli, who broke up 5 years ago, and now have to team up to save their mutual best friend’s wedding, after having minimal contact since their break up. They have a week to fix the wedding, in which they’ll be alone in a vineyard venue in Napa Valley, where they first fell in love all those years ago.

This was second chance romance done to perfection. Jessica was able to weave the past and the present of Eli and Georgia’s relationship into a gut-wrenching, beautiful story that had me laughing, gasping, smiling and sobbing. This was also a story of friendship, found family, and navigating the uncertainty of life in your twenties, when everyone is at different points in life and it’s easy to wonder if you’re “doing it right”.

The characters in this book are messy and flawed; just how I like them. At the heart of this book is the message that it’s okay to be messy and flawed. It’s okay to have fears and insecurities, to worry about the future and being left behind. Georgia and Eli were both going through it in this book, and I loved their growth both as individuals and as a couple. Mental health was handled so gracefully in this book, and I loved seeing both of the characters reaching out for professional help, as well as opening up to each other and those around them.

The plot was engaging and fun, and the banter, tension and steam were of course, impeccable. The love declarations had me absolutely bawling, as did the super sweet ending and epilogue. All I’m gonna say is, if you’re a Swiftie, you need to read this one!

The only thing that didn’t make this quite a 5 star read for me was that the start felt a little slow. I still enjoyed myself, but I wasn’t absolutely invested in the story until around the 20% mark. I also wish the author had leaned into the vineyard setting a little more, which would have made the book more atmospheric.

Overall, another stunning book from one of my new favourite authors that I’d highly recommend. I can’t wait to read The Soulmate Charade next Summer!

I cannot express properly in words how good this book is. If you love angst and well done second chance, pick up this book ASAP. It’s so beautifully written 🥹

Second chance, forced proximity, it’s always been you, I’ll show you my love with a language you can understand, I see you.

I’m going to start by saying that I don’t think any review I could write would adequately be able to convey just how very, very good The Ex Vows, Jessica Joyce’s second book, is, but I’m sure going to try.

Joyce’s debut, You, With a View was one of my absolute favourite books of last year, but this, The Ex Vows, has become already one of my favourite books of all time. I know that this will be the kind of book I’ll come back to time and again. It’s genuinely perfection.

The Ex Vows is Georgia and Eli’s story. There were once deeply in love but have spent the last 5 years apart. They’ve now been tasked with trying to fix their best friend’s wedding, that seems cursed following one mishap after another. As Georgia and Eli rush to mount a perfect wedding, their old chemistry comes back like an unshakable case of déjà vu. The idea of trying again is terrifying - but the possibilities of what could be just might make falling worth the risk.

There is so much I want to say about this one so I’m going to try for a list so here goes:
- it’s a PERFECT second chance romance. That we get to see when Georgia and Eli meet in the prologue and chart the highs and lows of their relationship to its epic conclusion is so special. You can feel just how much they deeply care for one another and you’re rooting for them to get back to one another.
- There is such a spark between our MCs with incredible banter and sizzling chemistry.
- I don’t think I’ve ever read an MMC who is that deeply in love with the FMC. I don’t want to give anything away but I balled my eyes out at the paper rings.
- I love that we have two MCs who are trying to work on themselves and that they’re being brave enough to be vulnerable and honest with one another and those around them. Joyce dealt with our MC’s mental health with such care and respect.
- The friendships and found family within this novel were so beautiful. I loved both Jamie and Adam and how they both supported Georgia and Eli; especially in how they encouraged Georgia to let herself be messy, explaining that it would NEVER change how they felt about her. Also special shout out to Cole - he’s hilarious and full of heart.
- There’s a line in this novel that says ‘it’s not going perfectly. Doesn’t mean it’s not right’ and my goodness did that one hit me. It works so perfectly for so much in this story and I think is generally a great reminder for life.

Can you tell I loved this one? I really hope so. It’s honestly one of the best books I’ve read and I’ll hold it so close to my heart.

This one was a nice contemporary romance . I struggled however to connect with the writing and the characters. The story and setting was my favorite part. Would recommend it to fans of second chance romances.

There is something magical about the way Jessica Joyce writes, and I know that, no matter what I put down in this review, it's still not going to do this book justice, but I'll give it a go anyway...

The prologue just grabs you. Read it and fall in love with them both instantly. It gives you the need to know more, to know the story, to know them, and oh my god, what a journey you're going to go on, get your tissues and your Spotify ready...

"Sometimes I swear adulthood is staring at your phone and wondering which of your friends has enough time to deal with your latest emotional meltdown, then realizing none of them do." - This hit far too hard, it can be a lonely place being a single adult.

This isn't just a story about second chance romance, this a story of self discovery and growth, growing together and growing alone.

Eli and Georgia are just so relatable, and human, its hard to believe their not real. I loved the banter, the back and fourth, the accidentally answering questions at the same time, the raw emotion behind each interaction. Even when she's jumping to the worst in him, it just feels real. "How strange it is to have a first for the second time. How lucky and messy and perfect."

It's fun watching them navigate around the curse, all the things going wrong, but that's then whats bringing them together more and more.

There is something so raw about a man being open about his vulnerability and mental health, and Jessica writes this beautifully and empatheticaly, that you just want to wrap Eli up in your arms and make everything OK.

And then we get to the smut. The beautiful, passionate, spicy smut!

Im going to finish this review by sayiny; this book, this story, these characters, ripped me wide open and slowly stitched me back together again.
I dont know how Jessica does it, but she is a goddess among writers.

5 stars isn't enough.