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lottsofplots's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
infjkiki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
wisewayfarer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
margaret_rose_reads123's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What I will say is that I LOVED the concept, and the couple that makes it out of Second-Chance Romance, and was rooting for them to win all along. No spoilers 😉
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Any trigger warnings are experienced indirectly, and are very clear for the reader to see the character flaws. The “toxic relationship” is minor. Think YA novel level of tw.novelty_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I won't lie, I did not like this book.
I have loved Sophie's previous books specifically Only Mostly Devastated and Perfect on Paper which ended up being two of my favourite YA books of all time. While I didn't love If This Gets Out, I was excited to read Never Ever Getting Back Togetherhearing it was very angsty with a revenge plot line following two girls going on a dating show trying to bring their ex down (and falling in love with one another in the process).
Literally everything about this book screamed that I would love it and yet I really struggled. There were even times I seriously considered DNF'ing.
Lets start off with the plot line. Maya and Skye get asked to join the cast of Second Chance Romance which, like the name suggests, is a TV show trying to find "the one that got away." This year's bachelor? Jordy Miller, Maya's ex boyfriend who had a relationship with another girl while they were still together. Now he's famous with a sister who's married to a prince and Maya sees his face all around her, reminding her of a time when he said he loved her, and betrayed her.
So Maya hatches a plan to bring Jordy down and expose him for who he is by going on this show, hoping to dump him at the Grand Finale in front of thousands of viewers.
The one thing she doesn't count on is falling in love with Skye, the girl he cheated on her with.
To me there are two key ingredients to creating a great romance story: great chemistry and great characterisation. To me, there was no chemistry between Maya and Skye. There didn't seem to be a true connection between them and it didn't help that they went from enemies to lovers in a heartbeat with no development or romantic tension to set that up.
I blame the characters for that. I didn't really connect with any of them. While I loved the angst of Maya, apart from her anger there was nothing else I knew about her. I felt like I knew slightly more about Skye, aka I knew she loved nature but apart from that, there was nothing else that drew me to her. The side characters were not spared from this. The competing girls had no other characterisation or personality other than their motives for being on the show. Perrie was one of the side characters that appeared a lot and yet I knew nothing about her apart from being an influencer.
The other criticism I had was with the dual perspectives. It was extremely difficult for me to work out if I was reading Skye or Maya's chapters mainly because they were so similar and there was no differentiation. It's rare for me to say (because I'm a sucker for dual perspective books) but it would've been better if this book just remained a single POV rather than two.
I'm very sad this book wasn't the book I expected to love.
ACTUAL RATING: 1.3 STARS
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
maggies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Infidelity
funshine3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Body shaming and Cursing
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexism
bubbly_lara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Also, highly recommend if you're into "The Bachelor"-type reality shows.
How much do you want readers to roll their eyes at Jordy Miller?
Sophie Gonzales: Yes.
What a terrible person. I think this might appeal to many many people, since, like Isaac stated, "we all knew a Jordy Miller once".
Go read the book if you're up for reality TV shenanigans, revenge plots to bring down an ex-boyfriend, and secret romances.
Now, when can we get a queer Love Island, please?
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
micaelacccc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting