Romance, Revenge and Reality TV: Read Our Review of Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

Romance, Revenge and Reality TV: Read Our Review of Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

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, a new YA novel by nationally and internationally-bestselling and Indie Next Pick author Sophie Gonzales.

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.

If you’re a fan of any reality TV, or just romance in general, Sophie Gonzales’ latest novel is a breath of fresh air that delivers heartwarming romance, humour and a spectacular cast of characters. Never Ever Getting Back Together is a perfect summer romance that shakes the love triangle trope on its head.

While setting out to highlight the unhealthy obsession both the media and the public has with celebrity romances, Gonzales wrote Never Ever Getting Back Together as a way to explore not only the effects of fame on teens, but why the world cares so much about their dating lives – and she hits the nail on the head with this novel.

From the get-go, Skye and Maya are meant to be rivals, working against each other to win the love of Jordy. But in the fashion of most reality shows, this is manipulated behind the scenes to add drama and entertainment for the viewers. Gonzales shakes things up however as Skye and Maya work together to show the world that they aren’t there to play along, but stand up and speak out against the toxic industry.

If you’re looking for a novel filled with rollicking romance, satisfying revenge and characters you love to love – and some you love to hate – then this is for you. Never Ever Getting Back Together is the perfect summer read to add to your TBR pile.

Buy a copy of Never Ever Getting Back Together here.

Reviews

A Fresh Romance: Read an Extract from Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

Review | Extract

18 January 2023

A Fresh Romance: Read an Extract from Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

Publisher details

Never Ever Getting Back Together
Author
Sophie Gonzales
Publisher
Hachette
Genre
Young Adult Fiction
Released
29 November, 2022
ISBN
9781444964646

Synopsis

Romance, revenge, and reality TV. The new queer YA rom-com from Sophie Gonzales, bestselling author of Only Mostly Devastated. Recommended for ages 12+

Eighteen-year-old Maya dumped her cheating ex-boyfriend Jordy two years ago. So, when she receives a call to participate in Second Chance Romance - a reality show in which the now-famous Jordy re-dates his ex-girlfriends - she isn't interested . . . until she realizes she can use this opportunity to exact her revenge. If she can make it to the final spot on the show, she can reject Jordy in front of the nation, and publicly break his heart.

Maya's fellow contestants include Skye, the beautiful, charismatic girl Jordy cheated on Maya with. Skye charms the socks off everyone she meets, except for Maya, who knows that underneath all the sparkle, she's the girl who dated her boyfriend while he was still her boyfriend.

The reality show is a challenging environment. Amidst backstabbing, bickering, and having to see Jordy again, Maya finds herself becoming friends with Skye. Together, they come up with a plan for the ultimate revenge on Jordy.

But as she spends more time with Jordy and Skye, Maya is torn. Is Jordy a good guy who made a mistake? Is there more than friendship between her and Skye? As the season finale approaches, can Maya execute her plan, or will she go off-script?
Sophie Gonzales
About the author

Sophie Gonzales

Sophie Gonzales is a YA contemporary author. She graduated from the University of Adelaide and lives in Adelaide, Australia. When she isn't writing, she can be found ice skating, performing in musical theatre, and practicing the piano.

Books by Sophie Gonzales

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