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The Break-Up Clause
What do you do if your new intern at work turns out to be your secret – and hated – accidental husband?
Fia, an Irish lawyer based in a swanky, upmarket NYC law firm, has been given an intern for ten weeks over the summer. The only problem? Ten years ago she got accidentally married while on a wild night out in Vegas to someone she barely knew, but actively hated. They both signed a contract to get back in touch exactly one year from then to officially divorce . . . but she’s never heard from him since.
And now, Ben, her still-husband, is standing in her office, waiting to be her intern.
With a promotion on the cards if Fia can stick this out, Fia and Ben have no choice but to pretend they know nothing about each other, regardless of what their marriage certificate might say.
The second novel from the author of Twelve Days in May, this is The Hating Game meets What Happens in Vegas, all with Niamh’s one-of-a-kind hilarious voice.
Fia, an Irish lawyer based in a swanky, upmarket NYC law firm, has been given an intern for ten weeks over the summer. The only problem? Ten years ago she got accidentally married while on a wild night out in Vegas to someone she barely knew, but actively hated. They both signed a contract to get back in touch exactly one year from then to officially divorce . . . but she’s never heard from him since.
And now, Ben, her still-husband, is standing in her office, waiting to be her intern.
With a promotion on the cards if Fia can stick this out, Fia and Ben have no choice but to pretend they know nothing about each other, regardless of what their marriage certificate might say.
The second novel from the author of Twelve Days in May, this is The Hating Game meets What Happens in Vegas, all with Niamh’s one-of-a-kind hilarious voice.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2023
51 people are currently reading
1112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
August 15, 2023
slowest burn ever, got to 80% for it to be FADE TO BLACK ??? what did i do to deserve this
June 18, 2023
*Please see my note at the bottom about the harmful medical joke in this book*
The Break-Up Clause was an easy read to crush in one day. It was fun, engaging and the pages turned themselves almost. The MCs Fiadh (Fia) and Benjamin were reunited after eight years in a New York law firm. Their past was a mess of non-connection and bad decisions. Their present and future was full of biccering and a slow journey to like, kindling into more.
I love a good office setting for a contemporary romance. This was low angst, low steam but full of chemistry. There was a really curious side plot about the mysterious George and I wondered where that would end up. I think that was mainly a mechanism for Niamh to work through some of her issues on issues.
Both MCs were likeable even when they were together. I didn't understand Benjamin but he slowly grew on me like ivy, revealing a deeper person. The time frame worked well considering it was tagged onto a past experience.
Overall a fun read.
*Now to my issue from the beginning. On page 7 of this book is a harmful 'joke' about strokes. There is absolutely no reason for it; it is totally unnecessary. I happened to read this book on Father's day, a day I struggle with because my father died of a stroke in his brain stem and we had to withdraw care in the ICU. This is why any cheap shot at any medical condition is harmful, these words hurt people. The author and the editors need to do better.*
The Break-Up Clause was an easy read to crush in one day. It was fun, engaging and the pages turned themselves almost. The MCs Fiadh (Fia) and Benjamin were reunited after eight years in a New York law firm. Their past was a mess of non-connection and bad decisions. Their present and future was full of biccering and a slow journey to like, kindling into more.
I love a good office setting for a contemporary romance. This was low angst, low steam but full of chemistry. There was a really curious side plot about the mysterious George and I wondered where that would end up. I think that was mainly a mechanism for Niamh to work through some of her issues on issues.
Both MCs were likeable even when they were together. I didn't understand Benjamin but he slowly grew on me like ivy, revealing a deeper person. The time frame worked well considering it was tagged onto a past experience.
Overall a fun read.
*Now to my issue from the beginning. On page 7 of this book is a harmful 'joke' about strokes. There is absolutely no reason for it; it is totally unnecessary. I happened to read this book on Father's day, a day I struggle with because my father died of a stroke in his brain stem and we had to withdraw care in the ICU. This is why any cheap shot at any medical condition is harmful, these words hurt people. The author and the editors need to do better.*
May 29, 2023
It's really, really hard to find a satisfying enemies-to-lovers story, but boy did I hit the jackpot with this. Full disclosure: I LOVED Niahm's debut, Twelve Days in May, so I was always going to pick this one up. And, far from struggling with the difficult second album-syndrome, Niamh has knocked it out of the park.
I loved Fia and Ben in all stages of their developing love story. It was fun seeing them genuinely dislike each other, barely saying two words to each other, even though they share a tiny office. I adored how the small, subtle changes in their feelings develop naturally and unexpectedly. Fia is such a warm and wise character, who's easy to relate to. A native Dubliner, transplanted to a corporate law firm in Manhattan, she loves her job and her life, even if she hasn't quite worked out what she wants from the future. (The passages about family and home and belonging were genuinely moving.)
So yeah, there's some deeper stuff going on here, but what you really want to know is: is Benjamin Lowry hot stuff and is there heat between them? (Mandatory in enemies to lovers). Well, I'm pleased to report the answer is a resounding, YES, and THANK YOU, JESUS.
And, I hope it's not spoiling anyone's fun to say, hoo boy, do these guys ratchet up the heat factor. (Who doesn't love the old 'let's get it out of our system' ploy.)
The plot took unexpected turns which is always a lovely bonus, I definitely didn't see at least tw0 of them coming, and I read a *lot* of romcoms...
Run, don't walk, and buy this book. I am not going to stop talking about it for a loooong time.
I loved Fia and Ben in all stages of their developing love story. It was fun seeing them genuinely dislike each other, barely saying two words to each other, even though they share a tiny office. I adored how the small, subtle changes in their feelings develop naturally and unexpectedly. Fia is such a warm and wise character, who's easy to relate to. A native Dubliner, transplanted to a corporate law firm in Manhattan, she loves her job and her life, even if she hasn't quite worked out what she wants from the future. (The passages about family and home and belonging were genuinely moving.)
So yeah, there's some deeper stuff going on here, but what you really want to know is: is Benjamin Lowry hot stuff and is there heat between them? (Mandatory in enemies to lovers). Well, I'm pleased to report the answer is a resounding, YES, and THANK YOU, JESUS.
And, I hope it's not spoiling anyone's fun to say, hoo boy, do these guys ratchet up the heat factor. (Who doesn't love the old 'let's get it out of our system' ploy.)
The plot took unexpected turns which is always a lovely bonus, I definitely didn't see at least tw0 of them coming, and I read a *lot* of romcoms...
Run, don't walk, and buy this book. I am not going to stop talking about it for a loooong time.
September 20, 2023
Do not waste your time, would give it 0 ⭐️ if I could.
Almost dnf so many times it was so bad but I persevered
Took me almost a month to read
Almost dnf so many times it was so bad but I persevered
Took me almost a month to read
April 2, 2024
He learned how to spell her name, which was kind of everything. The bar is that low
August 3, 2025
Third person, present tense narration needs to be outlawed. Banned. Prohibited.
I liked the storyline & the characters for the first 50%, and then it really lost me.
I liked the storyline & the characters for the first 50%, and then it really lost me.
September 14, 2023
3.5/5. I really enjoyed the Irish voice and POV of this of this romance, with all of the slang and colloquialisms included-these are why I love the way Irish people speak in real life.
I did not love the heroine or fully buy into the problem these MCs had, and that is a bad combo. I'm petty. If I like an MC enough, I'll suspend my disbelief and root for them no matter what dumbass thing they did 10 years ago, but Fiadg's victim mentality and overall attitude had me rolling my eyes a lot.
People who loved The Hating Game will love this for the way the story is told and the writing style. That's what I actually enjoyed most. And the audio narration by Róisín Rankin was superb.
I did not love the heroine or fully buy into the problem these MCs had, and that is a bad combo. I'm petty. If I like an MC enough, I'll suspend my disbelief and root for them no matter what dumbass thing they did 10 years ago, but Fiadg's victim mentality and overall attitude had me rolling my eyes a lot.
People who loved The Hating Game will love this for the way the story is told and the writing style. That's what I actually enjoyed most. And the audio narration by Róisín Rankin was superb.
October 28, 2023
3.5⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Break-Up Clause by Niamh Hargan. This was such a fun rom-com with a unique plot; I’ve never read a love story like it! I would definitely recommend this to romance lovers.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Break-Up Clause by Niamh Hargan. This was such a fun rom-com with a unique plot; I’ve never read a love story like it! I would definitely recommend this to romance lovers.
August 23, 2023
Good holiday read. The good bits first, proper enemies to lovers with a good backstory which I thought was really fleshed out. Easy read and a compelling story. The bad bits, WHY DO WOMEN END UP RISKING THEIR JOBS FOR MEN WHO HAVE LESS TO RISK. I like that they addressed this and did have commentary on this exact thing HOWEVER would it have been sooooo hard to have the main character not want to throw away her career for a vaguely attractive man?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2023
3.5 stars.
Would have been 4 if it wasn’t in third person I just can’t stop my brain from itching when I read third person 😂.
The story though is cute, well paced, a little inevitable but a fun ride nonetheless.
Fiadh and Benjamin give me strong Lucy and Josh from The Hating Game vibes-in fact the whole book feels like the less spicy cousin of The Hating Game-with the addition of a What Happens in Vegas backbone.
I did enjoy it even though it’s a lot less spicy than the books I usually read-and it would make a great Netflix movie!
Would have been 4 if it wasn’t in third person I just can’t stop my brain from itching when I read third person 😂.
The story though is cute, well paced, a little inevitable but a fun ride nonetheless.
Fiadh and Benjamin give me strong Lucy and Josh from The Hating Game vibes-in fact the whole book feels like the less spicy cousin of The Hating Game-with the addition of a What Happens in Vegas backbone.
I did enjoy it even though it’s a lot less spicy than the books I usually read-and it would make a great Netflix movie!
July 24, 2023
Rating 4.5/5
I picked up this book after a recommendation from a bookshop and I’m glad I did because I might not have gravitated towards it otherwise but it was exactly the kind of book I love for summer reading. The premise was fascinating, I don’t think I’ve read a romance before where the two main characters have been in this situation and are actively trying to stay away from each other and it just worked so well.
It took me a minute to get into, even though we are straight into the action as it were, I just wasn’t immediately gelling with Fia and her predicament but it didn’t take long for both Fia to grow on me and the situation to have my full attention and then I found it so hard to put down. I think the setting is brilliant for this type of story because you can really feel the tension between the characters and the highly competitive work aspect definitely adds to that.
Admittedly neither Fia nor Ben were instantly likeable which makes sense given they aren’t on the best of terms and manage to wind each other up at every opportunity. I warmed to Fia quicker but Ben took a while to sway me, although he had his reasons for being more standoffish and I did get there around the midpoint of the book. I like that they both made assumptions about each other that were totally wrong, it was the best kind of miscommunication in this context, and I enjoyed watching them warm up to one another as they realised they were mistaken.
Given how their relationship starts it does take them a while to realise they might like each other and once their chemistry got started it was so much fun to play out that will they won’t they. Especially as it is clear that they can still easily push each other's buttons and are both very driven individuals, which makes for some tense dramatic moments. I enjoyed that Fia came into her own by the end, the way she takes command of each of the things that have been troubling her was amazing, particularly after seeing her flustered around Ben.
The Break-Up Clause is a fantastic take on enemies-to-lovers and manages to be lighthearted, fun, tense, and dramatic, with some unpredictable moments. I’m glad I picked it up and I definitely recommend it.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
I picked up this book after a recommendation from a bookshop and I’m glad I did because I might not have gravitated towards it otherwise but it was exactly the kind of book I love for summer reading. The premise was fascinating, I don’t think I’ve read a romance before where the two main characters have been in this situation and are actively trying to stay away from each other and it just worked so well.
It took me a minute to get into, even though we are straight into the action as it were, I just wasn’t immediately gelling with Fia and her predicament but it didn’t take long for both Fia to grow on me and the situation to have my full attention and then I found it so hard to put down. I think the setting is brilliant for this type of story because you can really feel the tension between the characters and the highly competitive work aspect definitely adds to that.
Admittedly neither Fia nor Ben were instantly likeable which makes sense given they aren’t on the best of terms and manage to wind each other up at every opportunity. I warmed to Fia quicker but Ben took a while to sway me, although he had his reasons for being more standoffish and I did get there around the midpoint of the book. I like that they both made assumptions about each other that were totally wrong, it was the best kind of miscommunication in this context, and I enjoyed watching them warm up to one another as they realised they were mistaken.
Given how their relationship starts it does take them a while to realise they might like each other and once their chemistry got started it was so much fun to play out that will they won’t they. Especially as it is clear that they can still easily push each other's buttons and are both very driven individuals, which makes for some tense dramatic moments. I enjoyed that Fia came into her own by the end, the way she takes command of each of the things that have been troubling her was amazing, particularly after seeing her flustered around Ben.
The Break-Up Clause is a fantastic take on enemies-to-lovers and manages to be lighthearted, fun, tense, and dramatic, with some unpredictable moments. I’m glad I picked it up and I definitely recommend it.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
July 3, 2023
Actual rating 4.5.
It’s official - I love @niamh_hargan_author’s books! All the romance and joy thank you very much 🙏
First of all, as someone who it took seven years to finally get divorced, this one hit differently 😂😂 But seriously, I loved the What Happens in Vegas vibes and all the enemies to lovers drama and tension that this book provided - I couldn’t get enough! The NY setting was an absolute dream, as were both our main characters. I especially loved Fia who was so warm and funny, but Ben’s sarcastic wit was also great - they make a brilliant pair and I was rooting for them the whole way through. And finally, is there anything better than a big romantic gesture to round things up?! Absolutely adored that ending, and finished this feeling wholly satisfied and charmed - can’t wait for whatever’s next from Niamh 🥳
It’s official - I love @niamh_hargan_author’s books! All the romance and joy thank you very much 🙏
First of all, as someone who it took seven years to finally get divorced, this one hit differently 😂😂 But seriously, I loved the What Happens in Vegas vibes and all the enemies to lovers drama and tension that this book provided - I couldn’t get enough! The NY setting was an absolute dream, as were both our main characters. I especially loved Fia who was so warm and funny, but Ben’s sarcastic wit was also great - they make a brilliant pair and I was rooting for them the whole way through. And finally, is there anything better than a big romantic gesture to round things up?! Absolutely adored that ending, and finished this feeling wholly satisfied and charmed - can’t wait for whatever’s next from Niamh 🥳
August 15, 2023
My fave contemporary romance of the year so far!
The Break-Up Clause was buckets of fun, and the chemistry on the page was excellently done.
With the same sort of antagonism as The Hating Game, we see Fia and Benjamin perfectly set up as antagonists,.constantly sniping at each other.
Their rivalry goes one step too far though, when on a drunken trip to Vegas with work colleagues, someone dares them to get hitched, and neither will be the one to back down!
Eight years later, Fia is living in New York, working as a lawyer and gearing up for promotion...and resolutely ignoring the fact that she's technically married to a man she hasn't seen since the morning after. Imagine her shock when her new summer intern arrives, and she locks eyes with Ben! Furious with him for ignoring her attempts to contact him a year after their wedding, their antagonism and rivalry instantly starts back up, with the added complication now that they must arrange a divorce without anyone at work finding out.
Of course, sparks fly - love and hate are two sides of the same coin, my friend. Passion is passion. Can our enemies learn to work together and put their past behind them? With their jobs and their pride on the line, they best hope so.
Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend.
The Break-Up Clause was buckets of fun, and the chemistry on the page was excellently done.
With the same sort of antagonism as The Hating Game, we see Fia and Benjamin perfectly set up as antagonists,.constantly sniping at each other.
Their rivalry goes one step too far though, when on a drunken trip to Vegas with work colleagues, someone dares them to get hitched, and neither will be the one to back down!
Eight years later, Fia is living in New York, working as a lawyer and gearing up for promotion...and resolutely ignoring the fact that she's technically married to a man she hasn't seen since the morning after. Imagine her shock when her new summer intern arrives, and she locks eyes with Ben! Furious with him for ignoring her attempts to contact him a year after their wedding, their antagonism and rivalry instantly starts back up, with the added complication now that they must arrange a divorce without anyone at work finding out.
Of course, sparks fly - love and hate are two sides of the same coin, my friend. Passion is passion. Can our enemies learn to work together and put their past behind them? With their jobs and their pride on the line, they best hope so.
Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2024
3.5/5⭐️
June 28, 2023
I am opinionated. Always have been. Always will be. So much so that my mum said I was born with opinions. And I love sharing my opinions (hello bookstagram!), discussing the reasons for my opinions and most of all I love finding out reasons to change my opinions. This makes me sound insufferable I know, but I’m also very laidback, and I do enjoy a good giggle I promise! So, believe me when I say I am shocked to find that I have very few opinions about this book.
It was nice.
Nice.
I largely bought into the romance.
I enjoyed the enemies to lovers’ plot.
There were some nice thoughts shared on finding home in a foreign country, returning home after a long break, and trying to decide which home is more home.
It was nice that friendship was treated as just as impactful and important as romantic relationships.
The spice wasn’t cringey.
It was an easy read.
I did get irritated by the explanation given as to why they were enemies and why he ghosted her for 10 years. They simultaneously had the ability to overthink and considerably underthink at the same time. It just had so many holes in it, it could have been a slice of Edam.
Sometimes I felt like there was too many 'other' thoughts; too much fleshing out done. It slowed the pace and made me put the book down and leave it for a while.
That’s it my friends. Read it if you want an easy read. Read it if you’re a fan of the enemies to lovers’ trope. Read it if you like a New York corporate world setting. Read it if you are looking for something with a little spice. Read it if you like a happy ending. Just don’t expect to have your socks blown off.
It was nice.
Nice.
I largely bought into the romance.
I enjoyed the enemies to lovers’ plot.
There were some nice thoughts shared on finding home in a foreign country, returning home after a long break, and trying to decide which home is more home.
It was nice that friendship was treated as just as impactful and important as romantic relationships.
The spice wasn’t cringey.
It was an easy read.
I did get irritated by the explanation given as to why they were enemies and why he ghosted her for 10 years. They simultaneously had the ability to overthink and considerably underthink at the same time. It just had so many holes in it, it could have been a slice of Edam.
Sometimes I felt like there was too many 'other' thoughts; too much fleshing out done. It slowed the pace and made me put the book down and leave it for a while.
That’s it my friends. Read it if you want an easy read. Read it if you’re a fan of the enemies to lovers’ trope. Read it if you like a New York corporate world setting. Read it if you are looking for something with a little spice. Read it if you like a happy ending. Just don’t expect to have your socks blown off.
April 10, 2024
Okay so maybe I would give this 3 and a half. I liked the reference from Hamilton (werk) I didn’t understand the whole George thing and then it was left on an open ending
I hate open endings.
I hate open endings.
September 24, 2024
Me provocó un bloqueo lector de 2 meses y medio. No tiene ni 1g de emoción. Si lo termino en algún momento de mi vida es un milagro.
December 7, 2023
dnf @ 22%
i mean romance books aren’t exactly known for their believability but this… i just couldn’t persevere any longer x
ok maybe i’m being hasty as there are parts of this that were good, but i check out if i don’t believe in either the protagonists or the plot and here i had packed my bags and was out the door by 15% x
—
omg so i started reading this again and i think i was actually a little bit harsh back there. yes it wasn’t exactly believable and wow it was the SLOWEST of slow burns, but i actually warmed up to it at about the 50% mark and ended up enjoying it a bit more… so lets upgrade this to a 2.5*
i also just read a review that said if you enjoyed ‘the hating game’ you’ll like this one. i unfortunately hated that book so i was never onto a winner here, but i do agree with the sentiment. so yeah, if that book is up your street then yes you’ll like this one x
i mean romance books aren’t exactly known for their believability but this… i just couldn’t persevere any longer x
ok maybe i’m being hasty as there are parts of this that were good, but i check out if i don’t believe in either the protagonists or the plot and here i had packed my bags and was out the door by 15% x
—
omg so i started reading this again and i think i was actually a little bit harsh back there. yes it wasn’t exactly believable and wow it was the SLOWEST of slow burns, but i actually warmed up to it at about the 50% mark and ended up enjoying it a bit more… so lets upgrade this to a 2.5*
i also just read a review that said if you enjoyed ‘the hating game’ you’ll like this one. i unfortunately hated that book so i was never onto a winner here, but i do agree with the sentiment. so yeah, if that book is up your street then yes you’ll like this one x
September 5, 2023
The book was ok but it didn’t really click for me. I didn’t end up liking neither of the main characters much. Fia was strange and didn’t know what she really wanted and I hardly knew much stuff for Ben by the end of the book, so I couldn’t really connect with him. I would like some more analysis of their feelings for each other, I couldn’t tell if it was going somewhere in the second half tbh.
November 1, 2025
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would considering the reviews.
Yes it was a slow burn and it did take me a sec to get into it but I didn’t think it was that bad. I did have a break over the week due to working long shifts and ended up getting attached to the characters in the meantime so I may be a little bias now.
Like when she realised that he actually did try to reach out to her but she never saw it - that shouldn’t have affected me as much as it did.
There were moments in this that were funny. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the 2 of them and it was a light-hearted rom com. I also really like how the author explored loss in a different way. In ways of friendship, in change, in time and it’s really relevant at the moment in my life so it felt kind of validating to read. Especially the discussion in the hospital - oof that got me.
I’ll put the scenes below so I can look back and remember them as they reflect certain parts of my life.
Now that I work its harder to make plans with friends and be involved in their lives and there was one paragraph that was so accurate so putting that here too:
Chapter 32:
“Fia and George had, after all, spent the past two years laughing and crying together, sharing all sorts of private and pointless things. They’d spoken, sometimes, in unison. Or in overlapping sentences, spurring one another on. Their conversations had often had sudden, wild digressions, promises to come back to that in a second. There was always too much to say between the two of them. Throughout the course of their friendship, they’d covered such an extraordinary amount of ground.”
Shoutout to my bestie 🥰🥲
Chapter 32:
“The thing is: you don’t even get to look back fondly,’ he says. ‘I don’t care if it’s a friend, a family member, or a significant other. I mean, I guess that’s the point, right? A “significant other” can be anybody. When something ends like that, it’s all the same – every good memory is just kind of soured by the ending.”
~~
“You know what’s weird,’ she says eventually, draining the last sip of her horrible coffee, ‘despite everything, if George showed up next week and just wanted to go back to the way things were … that would be so tempting. I like to think I’d be all “you burned your bridges, I’m done,” and I’m sure that would be the smart thing to say. But, as pathetic as it sounds, I still don’t know if I could say it.’
‘I get that,’ Benjamin replies quietly.
And, though she would never in a million years have predicted it, Fia thinks he really does.
This scene was so validating at where I am in my life. I know what advice I’d give to others and objectively looking at my situation I know what advice I’d give to myself, but when it all comes down to it, we’re still human and we can crumble and give in. This was definitely a dark truth I wanted to keep hidden but seeing it spoken about felt like therapy. It came at the right time and I’m so grateful. It’s made me sentimental too because I bought this as a ‘souvenir’ when I went to a really cool bookstore with my friends on a staycation only a month back. And for sure I know this book wouldn’t be as relatable as it was reading it now so timing was also everything.
3.5 ⭐️
Yes it was a slow burn and it did take me a sec to get into it but I didn’t think it was that bad. I did have a break over the week due to working long shifts and ended up getting attached to the characters in the meantime so I may be a little bias now.
Like when she realised that he actually did try to reach out to her but she never saw it - that shouldn’t have affected me as much as it did.
There were moments in this that were funny. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the 2 of them and it was a light-hearted rom com. I also really like how the author explored loss in a different way. In ways of friendship, in change, in time and it’s really relevant at the moment in my life so it felt kind of validating to read. Especially the discussion in the hospital - oof that got me.
I’ll put the scenes below so I can look back and remember them as they reflect certain parts of my life.
Now that I work its harder to make plans with friends and be involved in their lives and there was one paragraph that was so accurate so putting that here too:
Chapter 32:
“Fia and George had, after all, spent the past two years laughing and crying together, sharing all sorts of private and pointless things. They’d spoken, sometimes, in unison. Or in overlapping sentences, spurring one another on. Their conversations had often had sudden, wild digressions, promises to come back to that in a second. There was always too much to say between the two of them. Throughout the course of their friendship, they’d covered such an extraordinary amount of ground.”
Shoutout to my bestie 🥰🥲
Chapter 32:
“The thing is: you don’t even get to look back fondly,’ he says. ‘I don’t care if it’s a friend, a family member, or a significant other. I mean, I guess that’s the point, right? A “significant other” can be anybody. When something ends like that, it’s all the same – every good memory is just kind of soured by the ending.”
~~
“You know what’s weird,’ she says eventually, draining the last sip of her horrible coffee, ‘despite everything, if George showed up next week and just wanted to go back to the way things were … that would be so tempting. I like to think I’d be all “you burned your bridges, I’m done,” and I’m sure that would be the smart thing to say. But, as pathetic as it sounds, I still don’t know if I could say it.’
‘I get that,’ Benjamin replies quietly.
And, though she would never in a million years have predicted it, Fia thinks he really does.
This scene was so validating at where I am in my life. I know what advice I’d give to others and objectively looking at my situation I know what advice I’d give to myself, but when it all comes down to it, we’re still human and we can crumble and give in. This was definitely a dark truth I wanted to keep hidden but seeing it spoken about felt like therapy. It came at the right time and I’m so grateful. It’s made me sentimental too because I bought this as a ‘souvenir’ when I went to a really cool bookstore with my friends on a staycation only a month back. And for sure I know this book wouldn’t be as relatable as it was reading it now so timing was also everything.
3.5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2023
I’ve been on quite a big romance kick so far this year, and when Harper Collins approached me about reviewing The Break-Up Clause, I had to say yes!
Irish born Fiadh (spelt as Fia throughout the book) is a lawyer working in an upmarket New York law firm. Angling for a promotion, Fiadh jumps at the chance to mentor an intern for the summer. There’s just one problem. Her intern is also her husband.
One drunken night eight years ago, Fiadh and Benjamin woke up married, despite their very evident dislike, borderline hatred, for one another. Benjamin, wanting to avoid scandalising his mother’s Attorney General campaign, agreed to divorce Fiadh in exactly one year. When that day comes around, Fiadh can’t get ahold of him.
Forced together in the confinements of a small office, Fiadh and Benjamin must try to get along enough to do there jobs and keep their marriage a secret.
This book was fast paced and fun. It was one of those cute reads that doesn’t require too much mental energy to read, that you can just breeze through and enjoy the entertainment of.
The thing that made this book for me was the relationship that developed between Fiadh and Benjamin. It developed over time and didn’t feel at all rushed or forced. The banter that was present between the two was there throughout the entire book and was enjoyable without being too much.
As individual characters, I really enjoyed both Fiadh and Benjamin. As this book is written from Fiadh’s perspective, we got to see more about her life and her thoughts and circumstances, in comparison to Benjamin. I would’ve been interested to hear more from Benjamin and his life and what was going through his head, which would’ve been intriguing had this book been from both Fiadh and Benjamin’s perspectives.
A stand out part of the book that I really enjoyed was Fiadh considered her options surrounding New York and Dublin. As someone who has only ever lived in her home country, I don’t know firsthand what it would be like to live so far away from your entire family, however I can try to imagine. Putting a focus on this was a really nice aspect to explore, and I especially liked that Fiadh hadn’t made a decision by the end of the book. Oftentimes, similar struggles that characters experience or decisions they need to make can feel a little unrealistic or much simpler than they would be in reality. Most of the time, a character will wrestle with this dilemma through the entire book and by the end of the story, they have made a final decision with no doubt. I like that Fiadh was still unsure what she wanted to do, but had accepted that her uncertainty was normal and okay.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect frenemies (I think enemies is a little too strong a word for Fiadh and Benjamin’s early relationship) to lovers summer read.
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me a copy of The Break-Up Clause in exchange for my honest review.
Irish born Fiadh (spelt as Fia throughout the book) is a lawyer working in an upmarket New York law firm. Angling for a promotion, Fiadh jumps at the chance to mentor an intern for the summer. There’s just one problem. Her intern is also her husband.
One drunken night eight years ago, Fiadh and Benjamin woke up married, despite their very evident dislike, borderline hatred, for one another. Benjamin, wanting to avoid scandalising his mother’s Attorney General campaign, agreed to divorce Fiadh in exactly one year. When that day comes around, Fiadh can’t get ahold of him.
Forced together in the confinements of a small office, Fiadh and Benjamin must try to get along enough to do there jobs and keep their marriage a secret.
This book was fast paced and fun. It was one of those cute reads that doesn’t require too much mental energy to read, that you can just breeze through and enjoy the entertainment of.
The thing that made this book for me was the relationship that developed between Fiadh and Benjamin. It developed over time and didn’t feel at all rushed or forced. The banter that was present between the two was there throughout the entire book and was enjoyable without being too much.
As individual characters, I really enjoyed both Fiadh and Benjamin. As this book is written from Fiadh’s perspective, we got to see more about her life and her thoughts and circumstances, in comparison to Benjamin. I would’ve been interested to hear more from Benjamin and his life and what was going through his head, which would’ve been intriguing had this book been from both Fiadh and Benjamin’s perspectives.
A stand out part of the book that I really enjoyed was Fiadh considered her options surrounding New York and Dublin. As someone who has only ever lived in her home country, I don’t know firsthand what it would be like to live so far away from your entire family, however I can try to imagine. Putting a focus on this was a really nice aspect to explore, and I especially liked that Fiadh hadn’t made a decision by the end of the book. Oftentimes, similar struggles that characters experience or decisions they need to make can feel a little unrealistic or much simpler than they would be in reality. Most of the time, a character will wrestle with this dilemma through the entire book and by the end of the story, they have made a final decision with no doubt. I like that Fiadh was still unsure what she wanted to do, but had accepted that her uncertainty was normal and okay.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect frenemies (I think enemies is a little too strong a word for Fiadh and Benjamin’s early relationship) to lovers summer read.
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me a copy of The Break-Up Clause in exchange for my honest review.
June 24, 2023
What are the chances of the man you drunkenly married in Vegas, a man you didn’t particularly like and who you didn’t see again, turning up as your summer associate ten years later? One in a million? Well Terry Pratchett says million to one chances crop up nine times out of ten you know!
It was quite funny reading about how horrified Fia was to discover that this scenario was actually happening in the New York law firm she works for. She’s not even American, just working in the NY branch of the firm she works for, so surely the chances had to be remote?
I really didn’t like Benjamin for quite a chunk of the book. It was because he hadn’t responded to Fia’s calls or emails that they weren’t divorced and he seemed determined to make things as difficult as possible for Fia. However, things aren’t always what they seem and we do find out that perhaps he wasn’t as intransigent as Fia had thought.
I loved when they went to Dublin for the annual get together of the offices across the world. The easy relationship between FIA and her parents was great to read about. It was so funny when Ben ended up staying with them and fitted right in. And the incident with the seagull made me laugh out loud – sorry Ben!
Of course, Fia and Ben come to realise that neither is that bad and actually that they might like each other, really like each other. That’s when the fun starts as the heat and attraction between them grows. Maybe they are going to be divorced but they can have a bit fun on the way can’t they? And phew, that was when things really hotted up on the page too with the sexual tension between them simmering away and reaching boiling point!
With two lead characters who you will come to love, this is a great take on the enemies-to-lovers narrative. But don’t think that means that this book is completely predictable. Niamh Hargan has a few surprises up her sleeve for sure. The Break-Up Clause is a smart, sexy and witty romcom and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was quite funny reading about how horrified Fia was to discover that this scenario was actually happening in the New York law firm she works for. She’s not even American, just working in the NY branch of the firm she works for, so surely the chances had to be remote?
I really didn’t like Benjamin for quite a chunk of the book. It was because he hadn’t responded to Fia’s calls or emails that they weren’t divorced and he seemed determined to make things as difficult as possible for Fia. However, things aren’t always what they seem and we do find out that perhaps he wasn’t as intransigent as Fia had thought.
I loved when they went to Dublin for the annual get together of the offices across the world. The easy relationship between FIA and her parents was great to read about. It was so funny when Ben ended up staying with them and fitted right in. And the incident with the seagull made me laugh out loud – sorry Ben!
Of course, Fia and Ben come to realise that neither is that bad and actually that they might like each other, really like each other. That’s when the fun starts as the heat and attraction between them grows. Maybe they are going to be divorced but they can have a bit fun on the way can’t they? And phew, that was when things really hotted up on the page too with the sexual tension between them simmering away and reaching boiling point!
With two lead characters who you will come to love, this is a great take on the enemies-to-lovers narrative. But don’t think that means that this book is completely predictable. Niamh Hargan has a few surprises up her sleeve for sure. The Break-Up Clause is a smart, sexy and witty romcom and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 3, 2023
Fia and Ben got married drunkenly in Vegas almost a decade ago and for some reasons, they never got divorced, which wasn't really an issue for them until one day Ben waltzed into the law firm Fia was working at as one of the new associates. Fia couldn't let her colleagues know that they're married so they pretended not to know each other.
Though they had not spoken to each other for years, there was animosity between them, a result of both lack of communication and miscommunication. They ended up butting heads a lot at work but they did share one thing in common: they wanted to get divorced. Except, they didn't expect that they'd end up learning more about each other and that animosity soon turned into something else. Which made things all the more complicated because they worked together and were getting a divorce soon.
This book had such an interesting premise, but I did find the execution to fall a bit flat. It had a rough start and it took me some time to actually start enjoying it. Once I did, I found it hard to put it down. I did, however, find this book to be unnecessarily long. I would've definitely enjoyed it more if it was cut shorter.
I really enjoyed the slow burn between Fia and Ben. Their relationship had a shaky start, especially since they found each other irritating and couldn't seem to stop pushing the other's button, but once they got past that, they were pretty adorable together even though their chemistry wasn't as strong as I'd like it to be. What I didn't like about them was the revelation as to why Ben ghosted Fia when she reached out to him to proceed with their divorce. It was immature, yes, but it also didn't warrant them prolonging their marriage for almost a decade when they could've just sorted out their mess asap.
Anyway. This was a nice read for me. Not the best but not the worst. Though I found this to be unnecessarily long, I appreciated how well things were fleshed out and I thought the writing was great.
Though they had not spoken to each other for years, there was animosity between them, a result of both lack of communication and miscommunication. They ended up butting heads a lot at work but they did share one thing in common: they wanted to get divorced. Except, they didn't expect that they'd end up learning more about each other and that animosity soon turned into something else. Which made things all the more complicated because they worked together and were getting a divorce soon.
This book had such an interesting premise, but I did find the execution to fall a bit flat. It had a rough start and it took me some time to actually start enjoying it. Once I did, I found it hard to put it down. I did, however, find this book to be unnecessarily long. I would've definitely enjoyed it more if it was cut shorter.
I really enjoyed the slow burn between Fia and Ben. Their relationship had a shaky start, especially since they found each other irritating and couldn't seem to stop pushing the other's button, but once they got past that, they were pretty adorable together even though their chemistry wasn't as strong as I'd like it to be. What I didn't like about them was the revelation as to why Ben ghosted Fia when she reached out to him to proceed with their divorce. It was immature, yes, but it also didn't warrant them prolonging their marriage for almost a decade when they could've just sorted out their mess asap.
Anyway. This was a nice read for me. Not the best but not the worst. Though I found this to be unnecessarily long, I appreciated how well things were fleshed out and I thought the writing was great.
June 13, 2024
I picked this book up at the airport while waiting for my flight. The cover was cute and the synopsis was quite eye-catching. To say that other passengers thought I was nuts cause I was crying like a baby is an understatement. I related so much to Fiadh (I refuse to call her Fia). The way she talked about feeling like she did not belong in just one place. How she felt like her job played a big part in her identity, cause she saw that she wasn't succeding in other aspects of her life. My god, the friendship breakup with her and George. CRUSHED ME. It is wild to know every single thing about a person, even down to the most embarrassing thing they have ever done, but one day they just disappear. They are a stranger walking with your deepest darkest secrets. A person that at one time, you would have died for, leaves your life without any closure. You start picking apart every interaction, every single thing you said or didn't say. You blame yourself and you mourn what that person meant to you. Friendship breakups are as hard or even harder as romantic breakups. And I love how Fiadh learned from what happened and that sometimes you have to accept that you won't get that closure. Maybe there wasn't a big fight, people just leave. Anyway, I loved/hated Ben. HE WAS SO INFURIATING IN THE BEGINNING:.MY god, the level of miscommunication was insane. But he did win me over as he did with Fiadh. I wish we would have gotten a little more backstory about him, but I'm happy with what we got. They are THE CUTEST AND IN MY MIND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN A CUTE CASTLE IN DUBLIN WHERE HE STILL CALLS HER IRISH.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2023
Imagine you accidentally married in Las Vegas to someone you barely knew, only to find him ask you to agree to remain married for one year as it would affect his aspiring politican mother’s electorial changes. Then a decade later he turns up at your workplace and you have to mentor him. Now you have to keep this a secret as you’re his supervisor, and your secret marriage would look badly upon your character for promotion in your stuffy New York law firm.
That’s the story of Irish expat Fia and American Benjamin in Niamh Hargan’s wonderful second novel, ‘The Break-Up Clause’. We go through the gammut of Fia and Benjamin’s relationship, starting with Benjamin’s unexplained longstanding emnity at Fia, the professionalism they both are forced to demonstrate at work publicly, all the while a growing chemistry that threatens to burn down their office.
Hargan writes such fantastic characters, I loved Fia and Benjamin, and also the authenticity she brings to how the situation affects their emotions and how they treat each other (sometimes badly). ‘The Break-Up Clause’ is ‘enemies-to-lovers’ done right, filled with red-hot chemistry, banter and wit with the perfect resolution to their issues. Chefs kiss.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC. I’ve pre-ordered my copy.
That’s the story of Irish expat Fia and American Benjamin in Niamh Hargan’s wonderful second novel, ‘The Break-Up Clause’. We go through the gammut of Fia and Benjamin’s relationship, starting with Benjamin’s unexplained longstanding emnity at Fia, the professionalism they both are forced to demonstrate at work publicly, all the while a growing chemistry that threatens to burn down their office.
Hargan writes such fantastic characters, I loved Fia and Benjamin, and also the authenticity she brings to how the situation affects their emotions and how they treat each other (sometimes badly). ‘The Break-Up Clause’ is ‘enemies-to-lovers’ done right, filled with red-hot chemistry, banter and wit with the perfect resolution to their issues. Chefs kiss.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC. I’ve pre-ordered my copy.
June 13, 2023
💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the Irish element to the storyline and felt a bit at home with the scenes in and around Dublin. I loved the miscommunication bit of why they both hadn’t been in touch to get the divorce done. Getting to know both Ben and Fia was such a lovely journey. I did think however that it was a bit too long and the story was dragged out a bit much.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Haters to Lovers
Office Romance
Strong Female Lead
Character built
ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 – 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 – 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙙?
𝘍𝘪𝘢, 𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘶𝘱𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘕𝘠𝘊 𝘭𝘢𝘸 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮, 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮? 𝘛𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘝𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 . . . 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘉𝘦𝘯, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭-𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯.
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘍𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘍𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺.
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the Irish element to the storyline and felt a bit at home with the scenes in and around Dublin. I loved the miscommunication bit of why they both hadn’t been in touch to get the divorce done. Getting to know both Ben and Fia was such a lovely journey. I did think however that it was a bit too long and the story was dragged out a bit much.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Haters to Lovers
Office Romance
Strong Female Lead
Character built
ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 – 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 – 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙙?
𝘍𝘪𝘢, 𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘶𝘱𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘕𝘠𝘊 𝘭𝘢𝘸 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮, 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮? 𝘛𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘝𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 . . . 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘉𝘦𝘯, 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭-𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯.
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘍𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵, 𝘍𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺.
June 19, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of The Break-Up Clause in exchange for a review.
Fia has got her dream job as a successful lawyer at top international law firm, ZOLA, based in New York. Her life is thrown into disarray when her new summer associate whom she will be mentoring for 10 weeks steps into her office and turns out to be the man she drunkenly married in Vegas 10 years ago and hasn’t been able to pin down to sort out the divorce!
She now has to work out how to get through 10 weeks of awkwardness and snide comments from Benjamin Lowry whilst trying to keep on track to bag her well-earned promotion.
But as time goes on, Fia realises that the situation isn’t quite what she thought and Benjamin is not the irresponsible and annoying person she always thought he was.
Thrown in for good measure were interesting sub-plots around the divorce of a social media starlet and some twists and turns with Fia’s friendships and relationships back home in Dublin.
Overall The Break-Up Clause was an enjoyable story but a little slow for me. It would be a good beach / holiday read but isn’t one I would come back to. Although the growing romance between Fia and Benjamin had some sweet moments, I couldn't help but think it was a little bit bonkers that these two high-flying professionals couldn’t find a way of communicating and sorting the sorry mess out sooner than being in the same office all day every day for a few weeks!
Fia has got her dream job as a successful lawyer at top international law firm, ZOLA, based in New York. Her life is thrown into disarray when her new summer associate whom she will be mentoring for 10 weeks steps into her office and turns out to be the man she drunkenly married in Vegas 10 years ago and hasn’t been able to pin down to sort out the divorce!
She now has to work out how to get through 10 weeks of awkwardness and snide comments from Benjamin Lowry whilst trying to keep on track to bag her well-earned promotion.
But as time goes on, Fia realises that the situation isn’t quite what she thought and Benjamin is not the irresponsible and annoying person she always thought he was.
Thrown in for good measure were interesting sub-plots around the divorce of a social media starlet and some twists and turns with Fia’s friendships and relationships back home in Dublin.
Overall The Break-Up Clause was an enjoyable story but a little slow for me. It would be a good beach / holiday read but isn’t one I would come back to. Although the growing romance between Fia and Benjamin had some sweet moments, I couldn't help but think it was a little bit bonkers that these two high-flying professionals couldn’t find a way of communicating and sorting the sorry mess out sooner than being in the same office all day every day for a few weeks!
June 18, 2023
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆
When Benjamin Lowry is presented as Fia’s summer mentee at her top Manhattan law firm, she’s shocked. The guy she met and married one drunken night 8 years ago in Vegas and has ghosted her ever since is now someone she needs to share her tiny office with for an entire summer. And the rest of the firm can’t find out about their relationship, or lack thereof. Getting divorced is now a priority, but will the proximity send them over the edge?
𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
So much of this story played like a familiar Manhattan legal eagle movie, with young singles doing their thing. While there is ever present work and long hours, I appreciated that Fia also grapples with guilt over a lost friend, living far away from her family and how much to share with her flatmates. She’s aware that she is able to hold back on her comments, especially when she doesn’t want to with Benjamin. I felt like this story would have benefited from a dual POV, and seeing the relationship from his side. From Fia’s side, she is protecting herself from loss, but you get the sense that Benjamin is too. It’s a fun read with a HEA. ❤️
Read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pub Date 22 Jun 2023
When Benjamin Lowry is presented as Fia’s summer mentee at her top Manhattan law firm, she’s shocked. The guy she met and married one drunken night 8 years ago in Vegas and has ghosted her ever since is now someone she needs to share her tiny office with for an entire summer. And the rest of the firm can’t find out about their relationship, or lack thereof. Getting divorced is now a priority, but will the proximity send them over the edge?
𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
So much of this story played like a familiar Manhattan legal eagle movie, with young singles doing their thing. While there is ever present work and long hours, I appreciated that Fia also grapples with guilt over a lost friend, living far away from her family and how much to share with her flatmates. She’s aware that she is able to hold back on her comments, especially when she doesn’t want to with Benjamin. I felt like this story would have benefited from a dual POV, and seeing the relationship from his side. From Fia’s side, she is protecting herself from loss, but you get the sense that Benjamin is too. It’s a fun read with a HEA. ❤️
Read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Pub Date 22 Jun 2023
April 29, 2023
3.5 🌟
This was a fun and fast paced romance - I'm always up for a workplace/enemies to lovers & the banter, sarcasm and general back and forth bickering between Fia and Ben did have me giggling - it was probably some of my favourite parts of the book. I also loved the NYC setting.
The book is told from Fia's pov so at times it was hard to gauge what Ben was thinking/feeling but overall I found Fia's internal voice quite funny.
This book reminded me a lot of the hating game, so I reckon if you liked that then you'll probably enjoy this one too! My only slight negative about the plot was the miscommunication — usually I'm not actually that bothered about that type of trope — but with this one I felt it wasn't completely necessary and could've been resolved with a conversation between the two characters.
I loved the romance between Fia and Ben, they were super cute and I think they worked really well together 🫶🏼 Ben was such a sweetheart and I really loved his character.
Overall, an enjoyable read and I can definitely see a lot of people loving it.
Thank you Harper Collins for this arc.
This was a fun and fast paced romance - I'm always up for a workplace/enemies to lovers & the banter, sarcasm and general back and forth bickering between Fia and Ben did have me giggling - it was probably some of my favourite parts of the book. I also loved the NYC setting.
The book is told from Fia's pov so at times it was hard to gauge what Ben was thinking/feeling but overall I found Fia's internal voice quite funny.
This book reminded me a lot of the hating game, so I reckon if you liked that then you'll probably enjoy this one too! My only slight negative about the plot was the miscommunication — usually I'm not actually that bothered about that type of trope — but with this one I felt it wasn't completely necessary and could've been resolved with a conversation between the two characters.
I loved the romance between Fia and Ben, they were super cute and I think they worked really well together 🫶🏼 Ben was such a sweetheart and I really loved his character.
Overall, an enjoyable read and I can definitely see a lot of people loving it.
Thank you Harper Collins for this arc.
June 1, 2024
this feels like one of the most relatable romance novels i‘ve read in a long while.
maybe it‘s because i approach life and decision-making in a similar way as fiadh or because i‘ve had a george ferrera in my life or because i moved away from my family and hometown to a big city and my thoughts on whether to move back at some point or stay where i am read exactly like fiadh‘s or maybe it’s just because i’m a sucker for three dimensional MCs who are far from perfect but this truly was such a beautiful read.
and might be the first time i would have been okay with the MCs not ending up together, not because they don‘t click (they click so, so well) but because sometimes life just works that way.
every single page felt so real, niamh did a wonderful job with this novel, good pacing, great writing. fiadh and benjamin, i think you will stay with me for a while.
probably not your cup of tea if you‘re looking for love at first sight, hallmark-esque declarations of love or a spicy read but i honestly want to recommend this to every person in their mid-twenties who feels a little like a fish out of the water sometimes.
maybe it‘s because i approach life and decision-making in a similar way as fiadh or because i‘ve had a george ferrera in my life or because i moved away from my family and hometown to a big city and my thoughts on whether to move back at some point or stay where i am read exactly like fiadh‘s or maybe it’s just because i’m a sucker for three dimensional MCs who are far from perfect but this truly was such a beautiful read.
and might be the first time i would have been okay with the MCs not ending up together, not because they don‘t click (they click so, so well) but because sometimes life just works that way.
every single page felt so real, niamh did a wonderful job with this novel, good pacing, great writing. fiadh and benjamin, i think you will stay with me for a while.
probably not your cup of tea if you‘re looking for love at first sight, hallmark-esque declarations of love or a spicy read but i honestly want to recommend this to every person in their mid-twenties who feels a little like a fish out of the water sometimes.
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