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Never Ever Getting Back Together — A Sapphic Reality TV Romcom

July 5, 2023 by Tara Leave a Comment

Never Ever Getting Back Together is the fourth Sophie Gonzales book I’ve read, and for me, it’s tied for first place with If This Gets Out (coauthored with Cale Dietrich). Just one chapter, I told myself. The next thing I knew, it was 1 a.m. and I was halfway through the book. If you’ve ever watched two girls fight over a guy and thought, you two should just date each other, then this book is for you.

Affiliate Disclaimer: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program. As such, if you purchase a book through one of my links below, I’ll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (but I’ll be ever so grateful for your support).

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
🌶️🌶️
(you can find my rating and spice system here)

POV & Tense: Dual POV, first person, present tense
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance, FF Romance, RomCom
Tropes/Themes: Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Reality TV Show, Revenge, All the Drama, Forget the guy let’s date each other, Angst with a Happy Ending

Synopsis:

One reality TV show. One certified Grade A douchebag. Six lovely ladies. Everyone is here for a reason: a second chance at love, publicity, a brush with royalty, revenge. For Maya Bailey, it’s personal. International sensation Jordy Miller dragged her through the mud, and now it’s her chance to humiliate him on live tv. The one thing she doesn’t count on is falling for Skye, the ex who stole him away.

Something important to know about Jordy is that he has an accent. It’s supposed to be an English accent, but I’m pretty sure it’s closer to how Americans think English people sound than an actual English accent.”

My Review:

Once I started Never Ever Getting Back Together, I couldn’t put it down. The concept is intriguing. I loved the way Gonzales introduces us to a jaded Maya Bailey. From the moment her phone rang — and the name that popped up was ‘DON’T YOU DARE TEXT HIM YOU GODDAMN MASOCHIST’ — I was hooked. The whole concept of signing up for a reality tv show to exact revenge upon the ex who wronged you is delicious, and this book brings the drama (I live for book drama; it makes my skin glow).

Excellent Characters

I LOVED the characters in Never Ever Getting Back Together. Jordy Miller is a certified Grade A douchebag. He’s written so well—the perfect villain. You’ll love to hate him (and his oiled abs and generic lines and strategic camera-ready smile). Maya is sympathetic but also a loose cannon. Ruled by her emotions—a fiery redhead with no filter—she’s her own worst enemy. Skye, Canadian to a T, is cool and reserved. She’s pragmatic, calculates every scenario before acting, and has only ever opened her heart once. The other girls were fun to get to know, and I adored Isaac, Skye and Maya’s handler.

He can’t breathe without a lie in the exhale.”

Enemies to Lovers

Enemies to Lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and it spiced this up to the nth degree. From Maya’s viewpoint, Skye started dating Jordy when she knew he was still in a relationship with her. But from Skye’s POV, Maya is the psycho ex who couldn’t take no for an answer and didn’t take their breakup well. Needless to say, they do not get off to a good start. There is tremendous tension, and the other contestants take sides.

When she smiles, I can’t help but smile with her. I didn’t realize it was so infectious. In my defense, that’s likely because she spent the last forty-eight hours scowling at me.”

Opposites Attract

Skye and Maya, once they get beyond their initial animosity, fit together like a glove. Maya encourages Skye to let loose and live a little, while Skye helps Maya to think before she acts. Of course, nothing is ever simple… Maya has choices to make and inner conflicts to overcome.   

Her lips are so much nicer than his. Softer. When she kisses me, it feels like the stars are falling out of the atmosphere, and landing around us in a spray of glitter and dust.”

Final Thoughts:

Never Ever Getting Back Together was such a fun read. There was a moment (I’m not going to say when) when I just knew everything was going to go to shit and I didn’t want to turn the page. I just wanted them to be happy. But of course, this is a romance, so we’re guaranteed a happy ending. The last part was a nail-biting rollercoaster. Overall, I loved it, and the ending was fantastic. Highly, highly recommend.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie GonzalesNever Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie GonzalesNever Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

 

Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Sophie Gonzales is an Australian author of many fabulous YA contemporary romance novels.
Website
Instagram
Goodreads
Bookbub

Filed Under: BOOK REVIEWS Tagged With: Angst with a Happy Ending, Bisexual Rep, Drama, Dual POV, Enemies to Lovers, FF Romance, First Person POV, Forced Proximity, Heat Rating: Two Chilis, LGBTQ+, Opposites Attract, Present Tense, Rating: Five Mangoes, Reality TV Show, Revenge, YA Contemporary, Young Adult Books

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