Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!!
I'm a complete wreck and a mess from reading this. One thing that'll always get me is a good second chance romance.
This one tore me apart and pulled at my heart strings in ways I didn't know was possible.
Georgia is me on a page. This play was definitely about me. The way I knew and understood every little or big feeling Georgia felt throughout the book, just made me sob a little too much than I would like to admit. The feeling of longing, of trying to belong to a place, a person... It was so beautifully written. Her character was so beautifully flawed and yet perfect.
Eli, the man that you are. I too, just like Georgia, love you with all that you are. With your flaws, and mess, and imperfections... Because you too, are beautifully flawed 🥺😭😭
The angst, the banter, the tension, the chemistry, the romance... Everything was just PERFECT!!!🥺
Honestly, I finished this book last night (1st April) but I couldn't write a review because I was too much of a mess. I still am. I am so wrecked and heartbroken and still my heart is so full for these two, separately and together.
I love this book so so much and it is definitely going to be a contender for my 'top books I read this year'.
Please go read this book, as soon as it comes out. And if you don't like second chance romances, who knows, maybe this one will change your mind!!?💕💕

There's just something about March, because tell me why every book that I have read this month has been a favourite of mine. My reading slump of the previous two months is now completely gone and its all thanks to the many incredible books that I have had a chance to read early. When I first stumbled upon The Ex Vows , I knew this would be a book that would hold a special place in my heart.

I adore a good second-chance romance, where you know that two people who are still in love, and yet are hesitant about giving into their feelings. Because what would it result in? More heartbreak (but also happiness). And this book delivers on all of that. I feel like Jessica Joyce managed to capture the essence of what the second chance trope is and how utterly angsty it can get. Trust me, I felt my heart being broken and being put back together over and over and I would not trade this feeling for anything else.

How I loved all the characters in this book, but Georgia was truly my favourite. Yes, she's the main character and all that, but believe me when I say this, she is so easily to fall in love with. Her warmth, her kindness, plus her determination to do things for her friends are all qualities that I adored and related to a lot. There are rare few books that managed to capture what I feel and what I want in a romance and this one does it with success. Eli is the type of guy that I would immediately fall in love with if he existed in real life. And after finishing this book, I'm left with this question. Where can I get an Eli Mora for myself? Because my god, he left me swooning. He was so utterly charming and thoughtful and again, so easy to fall in love with. And I totally understood why Georgia had fallen in love with him (and stayed in love with him, even though she was denying it).

The Ex Vows is one romance book that I will not be forgetting about any time soon and I am definitely going to be shouting about it from the rooftops, begging for everyone that I know to read this.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the e-arc of this book!!

Oh Jessica. Your books hit me right in the heart.
This book was emotional, beautiful, addictive and everything I needed right now.

Already want to go back to the beginning and start all over again. Absolutely devoured this in less than two days, which is pretty unheard of from me!!

Obsessed 🤍

Jessica is definitely an auto buy author for me, I absolutely adored You, with a view and if I’m being completely honest… this one I loved even more which I didn’t think was possible!! 😍

As soon as I started reading this, it reminded me of Emily Henry's writing, which definitely wasn't a bad thing.
I also enjoyed the premise, despite the fact that I don't normally gravitate towards second chance romances.
I liked that they felt like real people, who are flawed and who have hurt one another in the past. It was also nice to see the growth and development of Eli in particular.
I was also rooting for them to get back together. There were also some cute moments, like the paper rings and what they signified.
But I did feel like this was probably 100 pages too long. At times it dragged on and I almost wanted to roll my eyes at just how many wedding disasters happened at once or over the course of the story.
I also wished that they would have just spoken to each other, both when they first broke up and when it was clear that they both still loved one another. It was pretty frustrating to see Georgia push Eli away towards the end.
I've got Jessica Joyce's first book, You With A View, on my bookshelf and I will be making an effort to read that next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎'𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚖, 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝?"

After reading You With A View, I was so excited to receive this novel as an ARC. Jesscia has a gorgeous way with words. Her descriptions are so vivid, it is like being absorbed right into the pages with the characters.

The Ex Vows follows two exs Georgia and Eli. Once lovers, turned strangers they remain faux friends for the sake of their best friend Adam. Georgia is strung up with making sure she is sticking to her lists. She has a list for everything in her life, including how she should interact with ex lover Eli. Everything seems to be going to plan, until Adam gets engaged. Adam’s original wedding gets ruined by what Adam believes to be a wedding curse. Every detail that was planned had to be rearranged for a whole new day and that job fell into the hands of Georgia and Eli.

Through the words on the page you could feel the love oozing out from both Georgia and Eli. It is such a beautiful story. You get to see how they interact with one another from the present day, as well as flashbacks from when they were previously together. Eli and Georgia start to spend more time together once they arrive back at Blue Yonder. They can’t seem to stay away from each other, even though there are a lot of things still unspoken between them, they begin to feel their spark clashing back. {"𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝙴𝚕𝚒 𝚠𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢"}. I absolutely adored the inner dialogue that was going on in both of their heads, it just made you understand their thought processes, decision making and how they came about saying or doing certain things. {"𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢, 𝚜𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘"}. They both start to have more patience with one another, and you can see their relationship fully developing once again. It really was so sweet. I was rooting for them to rekindle the whole way.

The paper hearts…

The flashback when Georgia was talking about how when she blew out her birthday candle and wished for Eli almost had me crying, it was just so pure, I can imagine how she must have been feeling, having to work through all those memories, while sort of pretending to still be in them. {"𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚞𝚜 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎"}. More so in the present time, when he showed back up at her house with the bakery box!!! Makes my heart feel so full. Georgia and Eli start to listen to each other, gaining some of that trust that they lost back. {"𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚟𝚞𝚕𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍"}.

Jamie is consistent in Georgia’s life and I feel she needs someone like Jamie so much. Their friendship is very special, it's like when you haven't seen your friend in months but when you finally do and it feels like no time has passed at all, that is the type of friendship that these two hold. I think it was really nice to have the issue that Georgia had with feeling left out from her friends vocalised and talked about. Life does go on, and you won’t always be able to share the same amount of time with the people you love, like you used to. I think a lot of people feel this way, and it was nice to see some healthy communication between all of the friends about it.

"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎 𝚙𝚒𝚎𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚝". This quote… I wish that I could shout it from the rooftops. Everyone deserves the chance to make reasonable mistakes, to feel sad, to feel anger and disappointment. Everyone should be allowed to fall apart and not be judged for it. The people that you have in your life that you trust and love, should be able to see past this, and still love you regardless.

3.75 stars
Big thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing an arc of The Ex Vows.

I really enjoyed this book. I think the reason I did not give it a higher star rating is because the wedding disasters stressed me out because I am getting married this year. That is completely not the authors fault and I should have known before reading the book.

I loved Eli and Georgia and although I not always a huge fan of second chance romance this seemed to do it well. It did seem like there was a slight bit of a miscommunication trope but not enough for me to dislike the book.
I especially liked the little details such as the paper rings and the inclusion of mental health and how it can effect relationships.

Having read, and absolutely adored YOU,WITH A VIEW, I had high hopes for this one. Boy, did it completely exceed my expectations. THE EX VOWS had me absolutely bawling one minute, laughing the next, and when I wasn't doing either of those things, I was swooning!! Jessica Joyce is an incredible storyteller and she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

I raced through this book, it's wonderfully written, I was invested in the characters and I thought the second-chance romances trope was done really well - bonus points for the fact the characters actually communicated! I just felt genuinely happy when I was reading this, though I would have loved a dual POV - I wanted more from Eli!

5 ⭐️

Firstly thank you so much to NetGalley for sending me this arc! The fact I got discover a new favourite read for me before it’s even published is wild 🤯

If you are a romance reader then make sure this book is on your radar because this second chance was executed to perfection!!! My first read by Jessica Joyce and it certainly won’t be the last! I’m running to go read You, With a View 🏃🏻‍♂️💨

The story of Eli and Georgia was so raw and real and that’s what I loved the most! Jessica made it easy for me to imagine these characters as the writing was so vivid! The representation throughout this book was top tier covering anxiety, mental health, people pleasing, navigating friendships in your 20’s and therapy (we love to see growth)! Also if you know me then you know I love a list and literally swear by them so I could really relate to Eli and Georgia on this 🥹

Even writing this review right now makes me miss this book and these characters! I truly felt every emotion while reading and that’s my favourite thing about being a reader when an author can make me FEEL!!!!

There’s nothing I would change about this book!!! The paper rings 😭!!!!!

This book takes romance and adds another layer. Georgia & Eli are impossible not to love (as well as a host of brilliant side characters!)

Georgia is incredibly relatable (although at times I felt like her inner monologue was extended for no real reason and became a little infuriating). Having said this, it meant that you could really see her character development which was great. At first Eli was infurating, however this was so cleverly done as we see him purely through Georgia and it isn't until later where she develops more awareness of how he has changed.

A great second chance romance book that isn't just a repeat of every other romance!

I would say, this book is maybe slightly too long, I felt some parts were a little repetitive near the beginning, however the pace quickly picked up in the latter portion of the book.

Jessica Joyce is officially on my automatic to be read list! I absolutely adored this book. I knew going in I was going to like it because I’m a sucker for second chance romance. Georgia and Eli are totally soulmates annd endgame. There is no horrible cheating that broke them apart but rather they are both dealing with their internalized insecurities that sometimes you need your 20s to get over. But that’s what makes the story so relatable and honestly beautiful. Joyce is such a good writer and adds such realism to the flaws and beauty of romance.

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story had me hooked from the very beginning. The characters were totally loveable and I found myself rooting for them the whole way through. Georgia and Eli had such good chemistry and I didn’t want their story to end.

I received a free arc of this book and am writing this review voluntarily.

4.5!!

Ohhhh this was a good one! Absolutely adored this book! The best second chance romance I’ve ever read!
Second chance can be a difficult trope to conquer but Jessica totally smashed this one. We were transported so graciously through all of Eli and Georgia’s relationship (past, present, heartbreak, falling in love). I love how while Jessica was retelling their past, we had their present right a long side it and it made me want to rip my hair out (in the best way possible) just seeing how perfect these two were for eachother! Totally soulmates 💘

The reasoning behind why things didn’t work out the first time round for them was something I also felt was really well thought out and written. There wasn’t some big bust up or cheating; but rather two people who just weren’t necessarily the best versions of themselves at that current time. And then to find their way back to each other years later … omg I just love it. They focused not only on each other but on themselves and I am so here for it.

I think it’s a hard task to write a love story about two people that have previously hurt each other, but are still so loveable. But then I also think this makes them incredibly relatable, real and raw.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole premise of this book I loved the storyline and the forced proximity!!! 👀 I loved all the side characters a long with it. Jessica’s writing is just absolutely beautiful she makes reading feel so effortless and easy she is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors!

Overall loved this book and I so highly would recommend! 🫶🏼 thank you to Netgalley for the arc! Add this one to your calendars! July 16th!!

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and Jessica Joyce for giving me an early copy to read!

Jessica Joyce really knows how to write an incredible romance that blends a fast paced, humorous and meaningful plot into one. These characters were so incredibly loveable and it was such a fun read where you felt that the characters really had such a great bond, a found family and most of all incredible chemistry.

The plot of the two main characters spanned 7 years which meant there was a lot of Jessica to build upon and develop and share snippets of both character’s lives over that period. I really loved how both characters had the ability to compliment each other with their personalities and to help each other with their respective troubles.

I really loved the entire plot of this, the slight forced proximity and how it intensified to the point of both characters just caving into what they both really want. This story was so meaningful and encapsulated what a romance book is all about.

I also really loved how Jessica dealt with the ‘second act break up’ aspect that’s a key point in all romance books. Jessica didn’t make it about a ‘we can’t be together, we’re not good for each other’ it was about how both main characters had to develop and find themselves before they could fully become each others and I really respected that approach compared to some of the typical second act break up plot that is in most romances.

Overall this was such a fun read and I loved reading Jessica’s writing again and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

It's rare for me to rate a book 5 stars, but the two Jessica Joyce books I've read recently have been 5 stars. There's something so addictive and real about her characters and I love her writing.

At first, I wasn't sold on Georgia. I felt she was irritating and too needy but then realised I've had her exact thoughts, feelings and anxieties in the past. I think we all have a little Georgia in us and that's what made her feel so real.

I loved the relationship <i>chef's kiss </i>, the character developments, the friendships, the banter, the messiness and realness of complicated feelings - everything was, for me, perfect. I'll 100% be reading more of Jessica's books.

I loved You With a View & was so excited to read this. This book was an easy 5 stars for me!!

A cursed wedding, ex’s as the ‘best people’ and a week to fix literally everything with the man you never want to see again but also never want to let out of your sight - what could go wrong?

I love a second chance romance as I just feel like the yearning is even greater. I also found Georgia’s struggles with friendships and allowing herself to need people, and Eli’s workaholic anxiety really compelling as foils that lead to the end of the relationship, while still making them sympathetic characters despite breaking each others hearts! Adam is a great friend and extra layer to their dynamic, and I loved their whole little gang.

I honestly cried for about 80% of this book (both happy and sad tears) and just can’t recommend enough. Thanks so much for this ARC

I loved 'You with a view’ by this author and second chance romance is one of my favourite romance tropes so I had high hopes going into this.

I enjoyed this one but I just didn’t feel that same deep connection to the characters as I did with You with a view.

I found the plot of them having to collectively work together to save their mutual best friends wedding gave way to some great tropes:

- Fake engagement
- Forced proximity
- Neighbours
- One bed trope
- Tension due to ticking deadline etc

Eli’s paper rings motif running through out the book which then created that adorable ending and revelation for Georgia was just wonderful.

I will definitely read more from this author as I really like her writing style.

Single FMC POV ✔️
Exes / Second chance ✔️
Sprinkle of open door spice ✔️
Anxiety rep ✔️

Thank you for this arc in return for an honest review.

*4.5 stars*

Thanks to Penguin Random House UK, Transworld, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book to review.

This is everything I want in a romance and more. This book made me laugh, cry, and feel every emotion possible. It felt like a much grander romance than ones I have been reading recently, with much higher stakes, so I felt like I was fully absorbed in Georgia's and Eli's world the entire time I was reading this story.

I think part of the reason I loved this book so much was because the issues Georgia was going through felt very personal to me at the moment, and I felt so emotionally connected to her experiences. The feeling of friendships changing as you grow into different stages of your lives and not knowing where your place is with your friends anymore. Another thing for Georgie was that she knew the best thing for her as a person was to move away from everything she knew and loved and start fresh in a place she had loved once before but only lived for a short space of time, but having the fear of leaving all of her loved ones behind, them forgetting about her, the fear of things not going well when she gets to the new place. All of these things that Georgia was going through made me just root for her as a protagonist, because I saw myself a lot in her, and so could empathise with all her worries.

Eli was just one of the cutest people ever. From the moment he entered the book, it was obvious how much he adored and loved Georgia, but due to their past, she never wanted to address things between them. They had to stick to their carefully crafted rules to ensure their best friend, Adam, thinks things are good between them, when really they don't speak since they broke up five years ago.

Second chance romances get me every time, and sprinkle in a bit of friends to lovers, you have the recipe for a perfect book in my eyes. Oh, and add in some forced proximity, that's one tasty book!

All the side characters in this were beautiful too. I particularly loved Cole and his particular brand of chaos. I loved how he was so brutal with his comments, but actually turned out to be such a solid friend for Eli and had both their backs so much when they were struggling to navigate their new dynamic.

I can't wait for this book to hit shelves and for everyone to fall in love with these characters as much as I have. I know this is one that I'll definitely come back to time and time again, and now I can't wait to read Jessica Joyce's debut novel, as I just loved her writing style.

Highly recommend!

I was absolutely swept away by the emotional rollercoaster of a journey depicted in this book! What initially seemed like a simple exploration of lingering feelings between exes turned out to be a deeply intricate, authentic, and passionate love story that resonated with me on so many levels.

I'm thrilled to have discovered this gem and I wholeheartedly recommend it to you. Be prepared to shed tears, to immerse yourself in the poignant melodies of "Paper Rings" on repeat, and to sing along at the top of your lungs until your vocal cords protest or your neighbors kindly request a pause. Because when you find a book that speaks to your soul in such profound ways, who cares about the opinions or reactions of others?

Jessica Joyce has truly outdone herself with this masterpiece, deserving not just five stars but a galaxy of accolades. I found myself not only rooting for team Geli (Georgia-Eli) but also deeply invested in their genuine connection with their friends and the vivid backdrop of Napa Valley, which may just convince you to plan your own wedding in Blue Yonder.

Upon finishing the book, I couldn't resist revisiting certain chapters, particularly those between Eli and Georgia, and I was captivated anew by their raw and heartfelt dialogues. It's possibly one of the most authentic portrayals of a bittersweet and compelling love story I've encountered.

The character development is striking, with both protagonists embarking on profound journeys of self-discovery. There's no unnecessary drama, exaggerated angst, or tired clichés here; instead, readers are treated to a refreshing honesty and relatable perspectives that foster a deep connection with the characters.

Let's delve into the plot: Picture yourself as the maid of honor at your childhood best friend's wedding, which seems to be plagued by a series of unfortunate incidents, including the venue burning down. Is it a sign of impending disaster?

This is just one of the challenges facing Georgia Woodward as she scrambles to salvage the wedding arrangements in just one week. From revisiting her past in Blue Yonder to sourcing the perfect wedding cake, she's got her hands full. And to make matters more complicated, she's forced to work alongside Eli Mora, the man who shattered her heart years ago.

Despite their attempts to maintain a facade of indifference for the sake of their friendship circle, it becomes increasingly clear that the unresolved feelings between Georgia and Eli are impossible to ignore. As they navigate the wedding preparations together, the tension crackles, and suppressed emotions bubble to the surface.

Georgia is hesitant to reopen old wounds, but what if confronting the past is the key to unlocking a future filled with happiness? What if burying her feelings only leads to more regret and sorrow? What if they have a chance to rewrite their story and find the happiness they both deserve?

I absolutely adored every page of this book—it resonated with me on such a deep level. Have I mentioned how much I loved it? Well, let me say it again: I adored it beyond measure! Count me firmly on team Geli!

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy of this incredible book in exchange for my honest feedback.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

this was absolutely brilliant. I loved everything about this book.I mean literally everything .the writing was beautiful, the characters were multidimensional and had my undivided attention.the plot .I am in awe.this was my first book by this author and I can't wait to read more of her work. 100% recommended. Readers that love second chance romance will adore this.