***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
When their now famous ex-boyfriend asks them to participate in a teen reality show, two eighteen year old girls—one bent on revenge, the other open to rekindling romance—get tangled up in an unexpected twist when they fall for each other instead in Never Ever Getting Back Together by nationally and internationally-bestselling and Indie Next Pick author Sophie Gonzales.
“Wickedly funny [and] searingly sexy.”—Kelly Quindlen, author of She Drives Me Crazy
It’s been two years since Maya's ex-boyfriend cheated on her, and she still can’t escape him: his sister married the crown prince of a minor European country and he captured hearts as her charming younger brother. If the world only knew the real Jordy, the manipulative liar who broke Maya’s heart.
Skye Kaplan was always cautious with her heart until Jordy said all the right things and earned her trust. Now his face is all over the media and Skye is still wondering why he stopped calling.
When Maya and Skye are invited to star on the reality dating show Second-Chance Romance, they’re whisked away to a beautiful mansion—along with four more of Jordy’s exes—to compete for his affections while the whole world watches. Skye wonders if she and Jordy can recapture the spark she knows they had, but Maya has other plans: exposing Jordy and getting revenge. As they navigate the competition, Skye and Maya discover that their real happily ever after is nothing they could have scripted.
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales is a fun, YA romance about a dating show. I enjoyed this book and the behind-the-scenes look at a dating show.
Story Recap:
Maya can’t escape her ex-boyfriend, Jordy after Jordy’s sister married the crown prince of a small European country. Jordy is now one of the most eligible bachelors in America. However, the world doesn’t know that Jordy is a cheating liar, and Maya wants to destroy him after he broke her heart two years ago. So when Maya is approached to do a dating show with Jordy as the “prize” bachelor, she immediately refuses. But, after thinking about it, she realizes this is the perfect chance to expose Jordy for the lying cheat that he is. Once she gets on the show, she meets Skye, the “other” woman that Jordy was seeing at the same time as Maya. At first, Maya despises Skye, but once they compare stories, they realize that Jordy was cheating on both of them at the same time. Maya and Skye bond and form a plan to work together to take down Jordy.
My Thoughts:
At first, I thought that Maya’s need for revenge was a bit over the top, but as I got to know Maya better, I began to understand her need for revenge a bit better. I liked Skye the best, she has such a good heart and seems to balance Maya’s cynicism really well. Jordy was horrible, but he made a good villain for the story.
I liked the behind-the-scenes of a dating show, and in this case, I thought it sounded very authentic. What I especially liked was the way the producers could easily change the narrative and the perceptions of the participants. It was very clear that the show participants didn’t have much input into how they were portrayed and how these types of shows can be easily manipulated in order to please the audience.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Never Ever Getting Back Together to anyone who enjoys YA romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Sophie Gonzales
Sophie Gonzales writes young adult queer contemporary fiction with memorable characters, biting wit and endless heart.
She is the author of THE LAW OF INERTIA, ONLY MOSTLY DEVASTATED, PERFECT ON PAPER and IF THIS GETS OUT (co-written with Cale Dietrich). NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER is forthcoming in November 2022 from Wednesday Books / Macmillan.
When she isn’t writing, Sophie can be found ice skating, painting, and practicing the piano. She graduated from the University of Adelaide and currently lives in Adelaide, Australia where she is registered as a psychologist.
I do enjoy reality tv show stories like this. I can’t wait to get my hands on it! I don’t know which cover I like better, they’re both great! Great review!
Sounds like this is kind of book in which you like best friend more than main character and you hate ending up loving main character as well. I want to get this book. Great review!
I rarely read YA anymore but I do enjoy books that make me laugh. I like both covers but the UK one seems easier to see, but I like the colors of the US one more.
I’ve read a couple other books by this author I really enjoyed, but this one just wasn’t for me. But I agree – Jordy was horrible. Great review, Wendy!
This does sound a fun read. Like another of your commenters said, it isn’t perhaps that surprising to see her need for revenge since one’s feelings do tend to be much more intense or perhaps far less tempered by experience. Great review, Wendy🙂
Thank you, Mallika! I have to remember sometimes the intensity of feelings for younger people. I do remember my feeling was much more intense when I was a teenager.
That UK cover is cool!
I think a YA dating show is interesting. But sounds like the characters are 18, so maybe not as scandalous as that sounds to me.
Everything is over the top with teens. It always amazes me how intensely they feel about things that seem inconsequential. So that part was probably like a teen really would act and feel 😂. This sounds like a fun story. Excellent review!
I do enjoy reality tv show stories like this. I can’t wait to get my hands on it! I don’t know which cover I like better, they’re both great! Great review!
Thank you, Lisa!
Sounds like this is kind of book in which you like best friend more than main character and you hate ending up loving main character as well. I want to get this book. Great review!
Yes! Thank you, Yesha
I rarely read YA anymore but I do enjoy books that make me laugh. I like both covers but the UK one seems easier to see, but I like the colors of the US one more.
I don’t read much YA either, and it’s ok once in a while, but not all the time for me.
Fab review! I definitely like the sound of this story.
Thank you, Yvonne!
I’m not sure if this is one I would enjoy but sounds like one to give a chance from your review 😊
Thank you, Jenny.
Interesting premise…yeah I am always skeptical about the revenge. Glad the author brought you around.
Thanks, Kimberly. The revenge trope is a tough one.
I’ve read a couple other books by this author I really enjoyed, but this one just wasn’t for me. But I agree – Jordy was horrible. Great review, Wendy!
Thank you, Teri! I can see how this isn’t for everyone.
Sounds like a fun read.
Thank you, Nadene!
This sounds like a fun book, especially the dating show aspect. Great review Wendy!
Thank you!
I don’t read a lot of contemporary YA romance but this one does sound good! I may have to give it a try.
I hope you enjoy it! I don’t read much YA either.
Great review. I’ve read books with similar plots before, but this one has a different take on it.
Thank you! It was a bit different for me too.
What an interesting concept. I kind of dislike the idea that Jordy may get an HEA though.
Hmmm, will he? 🙂
This does sound a fun read. Like another of your commenters said, it isn’t perhaps that surprising to see her need for revenge since one’s feelings do tend to be much more intense or perhaps far less tempered by experience. Great review, Wendy🙂
Thank you, Mallika! I have to remember sometimes the intensity of feelings for younger people. I do remember my feeling was much more intense when I was a teenager.
That UK cover is cool!
I think a YA dating show is interesting. But sounds like the characters are 18, so maybe not as scandalous as that sounds to me.
Yes, they were very young for a dating show.
I prefer the UK cover, it’s more striking.
Yes, it’s a lot better!
Never Ever Getting Back Together is on our TBR. We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed it. We love the reality TV setting.
I hope you both enjoy it too!
This one sounds really good. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, Kristi!
Wonderful review Wendy! The dating show setting sounds interesting.
Thank you, Jodie!
Great review! It has a cute cover.
Yes, it’s a very cute cover. Thank you!
Awesome review Wendy!☔📚🤗💜
Thank you, Susan!
Everything is over the top with teens. It always amazes me how intensely they feel about things that seem inconsequential. So that part was probably like a teen really would act and feel 😂. This sounds like a fun story. Excellent review!
Yes, I try to remember my teen years, many years ago, when I read YA books.
Great review, Wendy!
Thank you, Rae!
I think that the Uk cover seems a little less cluttered.
I agree, Rosie. I just makes more sense to me.