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bookswithmybulldog's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
lololovesthings's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars!
"Seven Exes" by Lucy Vine might be hard to get through for a lot of people, and that's completely understandable. Such is the nature of a story like this. The main female character, Esther, is a absolute hot mess of a person. She is a very selfish, dishonest protagonist who only seems to care about her own feelings, wants, and desires. She's the friend who always brings the conversation back to her, who lets others pay for her and doesn't pay them back, who uses people within an inch of their lives, who lies to get what she wants, who pushes people's buttons but gets mad when they push hers. We all know an Esther. If Lucy Vine's goal was to make her readers absolutely dislike Esther from the get-go, she did a great job.
In an effort to revisit all seven of her ex-lovers, Esther gets back in touch with each of them and casts away their feelings and the feelings of her friends so she can attempt to find the one that got away. She shirks off her works responsibilities and is then surprised when she thinks she's going to het fired. It becomes painfully oblivious right away that Esther is the cause of most of her breakups. From ignoring her exes to cheating on them, she is the source of most of her relationship problems. It is exceedingly difficult for some people to read a book about a protagonist like this. For me, despite Esther's unlikability factor, I found enough in this book to call it a success overall. I laughed many times. I liked to overall story, regardless of how bonkers the premise may seem. I loved Esther's friends Bibi and Louise, and I would totally read novels about them! The pacing is good and it doesn't overstay its welcome. I didn't have a problem with the writing. I found it to be funny and witty at times, painful at others, reflective and introspective here, difficult to process there. The British humor and the potty humor won't land for every reader, but I didn't mind it. I will definitely read another Lucy Vine novel if the protagonist isn't such a selfish jerk! It's hard to deny that Esther is a pill, but we should strive to support women's wrongs as well as women's rights, right? I wish there had been a touch more recognition from Esther about her terrible behaviors...her "ah-ha" moment felt a little too easy to me. Still, I liked this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Vine, and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for my review.
"Seven Exes" by Lucy Vine might be hard to get through for a lot of people, and that's completely understandable. Such is the nature of a story like this. The main female character, Esther, is a absolute hot mess of a person. She is a very selfish, dishonest protagonist who only seems to care about her own feelings, wants, and desires. She's the friend who always brings the conversation back to her, who lets others pay for her and doesn't pay them back, who uses people within an inch of their lives, who lies to get what she wants, who pushes people's buttons but gets mad when they push hers. We all know an Esther. If Lucy Vine's goal was to make her readers absolutely dislike Esther from the get-go, she did a great job.
In an effort to revisit all seven of her ex-lovers, Esther gets back in touch with each of them and casts away their feelings and the feelings of her friends so she can attempt to find the one that got away. She shirks off her works responsibilities and is then surprised when she thinks she's going to het fired. It becomes painfully oblivious right away that Esther is the cause of most of her breakups. From ignoring her exes to cheating on them, she is the source of most of her relationship problems. It is exceedingly difficult for some people to read a book about a protagonist like this. For me, despite Esther's unlikability factor, I found enough in this book to call it a success overall. I laughed many times. I liked to overall story, regardless of how bonkers the premise may seem. I loved Esther's friends Bibi and Louise, and I would totally read novels about them! The pacing is good and it doesn't overstay its welcome. I didn't have a problem with the writing. I found it to be funny and witty at times, painful at others, reflective and introspective here, difficult to process there. The British humor and the potty humor won't land for every reader, but I didn't mind it. I will definitely read another Lucy Vine novel if the protagonist isn't such a selfish jerk! It's hard to deny that Esther is a pill, but we should strive to support women's wrongs as well as women's rights, right? I wish there had been a touch more recognition from Esther about her terrible behaviors...her "ah-ha" moment felt a little too easy to me. Still, I liked this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Vine, and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for my review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual assault
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Harper Perennial for the eARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
The story switches between past and present with looks back at each of the seven exes and 3 interactions from the past that explains their relationship from how it started to how it ended!
The story switches between past and present with looks back at each of the seven exes and 3 interactions from the past that explains their relationship from how it started to how it ended!
I mean it’s not life-changing literature that makes you examine your life (which isn’t a bad thing!); it’s an easy and enjoyable enough read. The writing is okay but there are some parts that felt forced like the discussions on feminism and the patriarchy, it was randomly placed and made no sense.
Esther’s friends feel more like background characters there to prop up Esther instead of being fully formed, complex characters themselves. We get zero descriptions of any characters so I couldn’t picture anybody, I usually prefer at least some descriptions. And Esther is clearly a shitty friend.
Esther is kind of immature and selfish (she’s like Carrie from Sex and the City, and I mean that in a derogatory way 😂), i didn’t hate or love her but felt meh towards her and just couldn’t get myself to really care about her, often feeling annoyed at her playing the victim with her friends and a couple of her exes.
The ending was well done but predictable (I saw it coming by the 15% mark). Reminds me of What’s Your Number-that 2010s romcom with Anna Faris and Chris Evans-and kind of gives me Sex and the City vibes. It’s a fun, quick read which I think many will enjoy especially as a beach read! I didn’t love it or hate it, it was a decent enough read that was enjoyable but ultimately forgettable and one dimensional.
Rep: bi MC, WLW romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape and Stalking
mjscooke's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
Promoted by an old magazine article, Ester is going to seek out her exes to see if any of them could have been the one; A premise that is equal parts hilarious (because it isn’t actually you doing it and they aren’t your exes) and cringe inducing (because it’s immensely relatable and you can’t help reflecting on what it would be like if it was you and your exes). As much about friendship as it is about love, Vine contemplates what makes a great life in a fast paced, light, & amusing way reminiscent of Bridget Jones, Angus, Things and Full Frontal Snogging, and Ghost of Girlfriends Past.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
natashaleighton_'s review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A wonderfully witty and wildly chaotic Rom-com that’s packed full of humour, and sees hopeful protagonist Esther reflect upon her past relationships and romantic mishaps in the hope of discovering ‘THE ONE’.
I absolutely loved every second of this and—given the lighthearted tone of the premise (which sounded fabulously Rom-com-y and reminded me of the movie What’s Your Number), I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of emotion and social commentary that we get to explore.
Dealing with past insecurities, infidelity, mental health struggles and even exploitative workplace relationships— Lucy Vine cleverly traverses the highs and lows of dating and how our perceptions (and life experiences—both the good and the bad) shape us into the people we are today.
This is actually the first book by Lucy Vine I’ve ever read but I know given how much I enjoyed this—it certainly won’t be the last!
I adored the writing which was easy to follow and wonderfully conversational in tone. I truly felt immersed in Esther’s world and loved getting to know the vibrant and beautifully nuanced characters within her friend group. The banter was off the charts good and made me chuckle on more than once occasion—especially during their drunk/ tipsy conversations.
I absolutely loved Esther, who was such a relatable character and I loved watching her grow in confidence and learn to accept all the great things in her life (even if they don’t fit the dream version of her life she visualised as a teen.)
The exes were interesting to meet and I enjoyed the flashback scenes which gave us a good sense of what each relationship was like (and true reasons behind the initial breakups).
I had soo much fun watching Esther and her besties (Bibi and Lou) comparing each ex to their past selves and discussing whether reconnecting would be worth it.
I laughed, cried and (a couple of times) got irrationally angry —and in one particular scene got completely grossed out, but the bond of friendship and the unconditional support of the people you love was what really made this a standout read for me.
Overall, a heartfelt and humourous read that’s perfect for fans of Rom-coms with Bridget-Jones level catastrophes, drunken shenanigans and endearing characters you can’t help but root for.
Also, a huge thank you to Simon and Schuster for the physical arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness
lit_with_lauren's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault