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The Breakup Artists
Adriana Mather, New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch, brings her signature wit, wild imagination, and all the feels to her new YA novel, The Breakup Artists--perfect for fans of Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probabilities of Love at First Sight.
August and Valentine, seventeen-year-old best friends, run a business called Summer Love, Inc. They hire themselves out to unhappy parents whose kids are in bad relationships, adopting fake identities and going undercover to break up these relationships by any means necessary.
Valentine, the brains of the operation, believes that they're making the world a better place by steering people away from a relationship precipice so they can someday find true love. But for August, every case is personal--another chance to prove that true love doesn't exist. He blames his sister's manipulative boyfriend for her death, and--unlike Valentine--he doesn't believe in soul mates. No, he thinks the idea of falling head over heels is ridiculous at any age.
But then August meets Ella, who suddenly turns everything he thought he believed about love upside down. The problem is that she's their new case, which means that everything he's told her about himself is a lie--including his name.
August and Valentine, seventeen-year-old best friends, run a business called Summer Love, Inc. They hire themselves out to unhappy parents whose kids are in bad relationships, adopting fake identities and going undercover to break up these relationships by any means necessary.
Valentine, the brains of the operation, believes that they're making the world a better place by steering people away from a relationship precipice so they can someday find true love. But for August, every case is personal--another chance to prove that true love doesn't exist. He blames his sister's manipulative boyfriend for her death, and--unlike Valentine--he doesn't believe in soul mates. No, he thinks the idea of falling head over heels is ridiculous at any age.
But then August meets Ella, who suddenly turns everything he thought he believed about love upside down. The problem is that she's their new case, which means that everything he's told her about himself is a lie--including his name.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
62 people are currently reading
5825 people want to read
About the author
Adriana Mather
12 books2,506 followersAdriana Mather is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch, with family roots that go back to Sleepy Hollow, the Salem Witch Trials, and the Titanic. She's also an actor and producer best known for her role in the award-winning Honeyglue. She co-owns Zombot Pictures, a production company that makes feature films. Her first acting scene in a film ever was with Danny Glover, and she was terrified she would mess it up. In addition, her favorite food is pizza, she has too many cats, and a deep abiding love for all things autumnal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
July 29, 2025
4,5
Kwintesencja świetnej i komfortowej młodzieżówki
Kwintesencja świetnej i komfortowej młodzieżówki
March 21, 2024
Wow! Just wow.. I got so choked up at the end and even cried a bit. Just finished reading this book, and I'm in awe. Adriana Mather is such a master with words, this story was so flawlessly and beautifully written. I loved Valentine and August, their friendship and their personifies... Just a fantastic duo! The banter amongst them and the other characters made me laugh quite a bit. Majority of this book was exciting, fun and moving. There were several moments it got deep and intriguing. A few moments towards the end where I teared up. Gosh, I'm trying to keep this vague and spoiler free.. so I need to stop writing as I can go on and on. I just loved it, wonderful story about friendship, life's hardships, hard decisions, unexpected love, and loss of a sibling (not a Spoiler as it's told almost immediately in story). Just all around a wonderfully packed book that will move you with fits of laughter and maybe shed a few tears in the process.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
July 29, 2024
✰ 3 stars ✰
“... long distance, but none of that really matters right now because it’s summer, and like our business name implies, summer is most definitely for love.”
It was refreshing to read a book that was about two best friends, who did not fall in love with each other, but in their efforts of helping others fall out of love, they were able to find the ones they would have feelings for. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 But, it was not entirely a romcom either, but a tender and heartwarming portrayal of two best friends, seventeen-year-old August and Valentine, who were deeply grieving the loss of someone quite dear to them - someone who was the inspiration behind setting up their break-up agency, Summer Love, Inc. and acting as The Breakup Artists to friends and family who wished to rescue their loved ones from a disastrous or dangerous relationship. 😥
It's hard to take a character seriously when their nickname is Tiny; heck, it's hard just imagining addressing someone by that name, but to each their own. And to each their own, too, in the way, both best friends overcame their personal challenges and faced the eventual realization that the amount of pain and sadness they had bottled up over the grief and heartbreak over the death of August's older sister, Dep, was something that could not be ignored any longer than it already had been. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 That at some point - there would be a breaking point that would damage themselves mentally and emotionally - where it could even be the undoing of their friendship, let alone their business.
“You’ve suffered an unimaginable loss, August, an unbearable one. And what I’m trying to tell you is . . . stop bearing it. For once in your life,” she says, but her voice cracks, “lean on me. Please. Let me shoulder this with you.”
I loved how real Valentine and August's friendship felt - 'everyone deserves a best friend like Tiny'.
It is so rare to see a platonic relationship this genuine that pulled on the heart strings and made you feel their loneliness and anger, as well as their jealousy and desire to help each other overcome their own troubles and anguish, as well as own up to the mistakes they've made, in order to salvage their lifelong friendship. Both characters were good people; I liked both of them. 'We all need someone to lean on once in a while, someone who’ll be honest and tell us when we’ve behaved poorly or overreacted...' 🫂 I did not quite care, though, about their fated romances, however, which was a shame, because they did have some cute moments with either respective love interest, but never enough to send my heart a-tingle. I was not entirely smitten with them or felt invested enough in them to feel their connection.
For the majority of the storyline was dedicated to how their recent and final case was changing them - for the better. Their triumphs and their mishaps - their heartaches and their arguments carried an intense real feel to it that strongly convinced me that they were best friends. 👍🏻👍🏻 And it made both their grief over the death of August's older sister, Des, and the circumstances in which it happened to her - ache even more so - in a palpable and yearning way. Some scenes had me screaming into my fist at how unfairly cruel it was to torment someone and not even see the pain they were experiencing. It was a tender and moving exploration of how we eventually learn to accept the loss and find the courage and strength to take the next steps forward without guilt or shame - or anything holding you back.
I do think the concept behind the story was quite a unique one; and yes, Ella's rage and humiliation about being betrayed was so painful to witness and I really would have been fine if she had never forgiven August. But, it felt like I was reading this book all morning; it felt unnecessarily long - like, there was no end to it. 😮💨 It became rather tiresome, as well as lacking any real surprise, because you somehow, know everything is eventually going to blow up and then also resolve, so there isn't anything really appealing to it. I found that rather odd and unpleasant; it was not boring, it was just --- dragging. Dragging, because, the stories that were running simultaneously with one another all had to reach a convergence and when they finally exploded - well, that is where the magic finally happened. 😟 The ending was a really emotional one - one where the two of them not only reconciled on their past mistakes, but were finally able to let go of the heartbreak that they were both clinging onto. 🤍🤍
“... long distance, but none of that really matters right now because it’s summer, and like our business name implies, summer is most definitely for love.”
It was refreshing to read a book that was about two best friends, who did not fall in love with each other, but in their efforts of helping others fall out of love, they were able to find the ones they would have feelings for. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 But, it was not entirely a romcom either, but a tender and heartwarming portrayal of two best friends, seventeen-year-old August and Valentine, who were deeply grieving the loss of someone quite dear to them - someone who was the inspiration behind setting up their break-up agency, Summer Love, Inc. and acting as The Breakup Artists to friends and family who wished to rescue their loved ones from a disastrous or dangerous relationship. 😥
It's hard to take a character seriously when their nickname is Tiny; heck, it's hard just imagining addressing someone by that name, but to each their own. And to each their own, too, in the way, both best friends overcame their personal challenges and faced the eventual realization that the amount of pain and sadness they had bottled up over the grief and heartbreak over the death of August's older sister, Dep, was something that could not be ignored any longer than it already had been. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 That at some point - there would be a breaking point that would damage themselves mentally and emotionally - where it could even be the undoing of their friendship, let alone their business.
“You’ve suffered an unimaginable loss, August, an unbearable one. And what I’m trying to tell you is . . . stop bearing it. For once in your life,” she says, but her voice cracks, “lean on me. Please. Let me shoulder this with you.”
I loved how real Valentine and August's friendship felt - 'everyone deserves a best friend like Tiny'.
It is so rare to see a platonic relationship this genuine that pulled on the heart strings and made you feel their loneliness and anger, as well as their jealousy and desire to help each other overcome their own troubles and anguish, as well as own up to the mistakes they've made, in order to salvage their lifelong friendship. Both characters were good people; I liked both of them. 'We all need someone to lean on once in a while, someone who’ll be honest and tell us when we’ve behaved poorly or overreacted...' 🫂 I did not quite care, though, about their fated romances, however, which was a shame, because they did have some cute moments with either respective love interest, but never enough to send my heart a-tingle. I was not entirely smitten with them or felt invested enough in them to feel their connection.
For the majority of the storyline was dedicated to how their recent and final case was changing them - for the better. Their triumphs and their mishaps - their heartaches and their arguments carried an intense real feel to it that strongly convinced me that they were best friends. 👍🏻👍🏻 And it made both their grief over the death of August's older sister, Des, and the circumstances in which it happened to her - ache even more so - in a palpable and yearning way. Some scenes had me screaming into my fist at how unfairly cruel it was to torment someone and not even see the pain they were experiencing. It was a tender and moving exploration of how we eventually learn to accept the loss and find the courage and strength to take the next steps forward without guilt or shame - or anything holding you back.
I do think the concept behind the story was quite a unique one; and yes, Ella's rage and humiliation about being betrayed was so painful to witness and I really would have been fine if she had never forgiven August. But, it felt like I was reading this book all morning; it felt unnecessarily long - like, there was no end to it. 😮💨 It became rather tiresome, as well as lacking any real surprise, because you somehow, know everything is eventually going to blow up and then also resolve, so there isn't anything really appealing to it. I found that rather odd and unpleasant; it was not boring, it was just --- dragging. Dragging, because, the stories that were running simultaneously with one another all had to reach a convergence and when they finally exploded - well, that is where the magic finally happened. 😟 The ending was a really emotional one - one where the two of them not only reconciled on their past mistakes, but were finally able to let go of the heartbreak that they were both clinging onto. 🤍🤍
March 26, 2025
J'ai dévoré le roman waaah, même moi je suis choquée. J'ai trouvé que c'était une histoire originale, toute douce et touchante, mais aussi assez drôle pour certains aspects. C'était un peu longuet sur certains moments et j'ai trouvé qu'on était parfois un peu trop en boucle sur la fin, en mode "on se dispute, on se réconcilie avec la bff" et "je dois rester loin de mon crush, oh tiens mon crush est là mais non, je dois rester loin de mon crush"... vous voyez le genre. MAIS, mis à part ça... j'ai kiffé. C'était addictif, c'était comme je l'ai dit très original et touchant, c'était bien mené malgré tout... et je vous jure j'étais beaucoup trop investies dans les relations amoureuses olalaaa. Ils m'ont fait avoir des paillettes et fait naitre des papillons dans le bidon tellement je les ai trouvé cute, attachants, bien green flag... bref, je passe tout près du coup de coeur avec cette chouette comédie romantique d!
July 11, 2024
4/5⭐️
Really cute summer read! But don’t let the cute book cover fool you; it dives in deeper, focusing on friendships, young love, grief and sorrow. Characters and story are definitely not one dimensional, which I’m really thankful for. And the concept was very unique and intriguing. I thought it would be a really lighthearted fun YA book -which it was-, but it surprised me when it pulled on my heartstrings. Will be reading more from her in the future🫶🏼 Would recommend!
Thank you to The Publisher Penguin House UK Children’s I Penguin, The Author Adriana Mather & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
Really cute summer read! But don’t let the cute book cover fool you; it dives in deeper, focusing on friendships, young love, grief and sorrow. Characters and story are definitely not one dimensional, which I’m really thankful for. And the concept was very unique and intriguing. I thought it would be a really lighthearted fun YA book -which it was-, but it surprised me when it pulled on my heartstrings. Will be reading more from her in the future🫶🏼 Would recommend!
Thank you to The Publisher Penguin House UK Children’s I Penguin, The Author Adriana Mather & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
October 17, 2025
˗ˏˋ꒰𝟱⭐️꒱ 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
playιng: [𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒖𝒑 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔] - [𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿]
1:35 ──────ㅇ───────── 3:47
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰⛱️ ꒱𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
➵ 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒅: august 3rd, 2024
⇒let’s be honest…i checked this out from the library because of the cute cover. i didn’t even look at the synopsis until i got home- the premise is so cute though so good job on that impulse check out.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ 💖 ꒱𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
➵ valentine (tiny) and august run a business where they break up couples during the summer break. this year, the stakes are high for the best friends and when august happens to fall in love with this summer’s client, he battles with his feelings and not wanting to believe in true love.
⇒ there were times were i wanted to cry, my heart was broken and then stitched back up and i was laughing and smiling again. summer love inc and the concept of changing identities with each new case was so fun and exciting! i loved the different storylines explored and it didn’t feel like too much was happening. it felt actually like peoples lives and how a lot goes on. each storyline got its time in the book and were also developed wonderfully!
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ ⛱️ ꒱𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵ 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 (𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮): i love this girlie so much…she is so sweet, happy, understanding, and so selfless. it may appear she has a perfect life but she shows that everyone no matter their home life is suffering. i related to her way too much on leaving your home behind for college. in ya books you don’t see that topic represented. she experienced all different types of emotions in this book and she felt truly real…like one of my own friends. she was actually written like an actual teenager and i admire adriana mather for that.
⇒ 𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩: poor guy suffered the loss of his older sister and also himself from the grief. he shut his emotions up, didn’t talk to anyone about his grief, and was slowly losing his mind. it was so heartwarming seeing his journey and seeing him slowly becoming a different normal for himself. he was also very realistic to a teenager and it was refreshing to see! we’re not all drinkers or go to wild parties…we have normal dreams and hobbies like everyone else.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ 💖 ꒱𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵ even though we didn’t povs from ella or bentley, they were still well developed and also felt like real people. they both had their own struggles and hardships at home. both of them deserve tiny and august in their lives.
⇒ we hate justin and kyle…why y’all gotta be disgusting trashy human beings??? why do people need to pressure their girlfriends into doing things they don’t want to do?
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ ⛱️ ꒱𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔:
➵ 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙨: heartbroken that’s it’s over…i want to experience reading it for the first time over again…
⇒ i admire that adriana mather made tiny and august best friends because you don’t see a lot of female x male best friend relationships. they both told each other what they needed to hear and not what they wanted to hear and that is a message for all friendships. it shows they really care about one another and it’s so wonderful. read this book right now because it’s purely perfection (at least in my mind).
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰ 💌 ꒱𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰! 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
playιng: [𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒖𝒑 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔] - [𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿]
1:35 ──────ㅇ───────── 3:47
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰⛱️ ꒱𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
➵ 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒅: august 3rd, 2024
⇒let’s be honest…i checked this out from the library because of the cute cover. i didn’t even look at the synopsis until i got home- the premise is so cute though so good job on that impulse check out.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ 💖 ꒱𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕
➵ valentine (tiny) and august run a business where they break up couples during the summer break. this year, the stakes are high for the best friends and when august happens to fall in love with this summer’s client, he battles with his feelings and not wanting to believe in true love.
⇒ there were times were i wanted to cry, my heart was broken and then stitched back up and i was laughing and smiling again. summer love inc and the concept of changing identities with each new case was so fun and exciting! i loved the different storylines explored and it didn’t feel like too much was happening. it felt actually like peoples lives and how a lot goes on. each storyline got its time in the book and were also developed wonderfully!
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ ⛱️ ꒱𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵ 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 (𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙮): i love this girlie so much…she is so sweet, happy, understanding, and so selfless. it may appear she has a perfect life but she shows that everyone no matter their home life is suffering. i related to her way too much on leaving your home behind for college. in ya books you don’t see that topic represented. she experienced all different types of emotions in this book and she felt truly real…like one of my own friends. she was actually written like an actual teenager and i admire adriana mather for that.
⇒ 𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩: poor guy suffered the loss of his older sister and also himself from the grief. he shut his emotions up, didn’t talk to anyone about his grief, and was slowly losing his mind. it was so heartwarming seeing his journey and seeing him slowly becoming a different normal for himself. he was also very realistic to a teenager and it was refreshing to see! we’re not all drinkers or go to wild parties…we have normal dreams and hobbies like everyone else.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ 💖 ꒱𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔
➵ even though we didn’t povs from ella or bentley, they were still well developed and also felt like real people. they both had their own struggles and hardships at home. both of them deserve tiny and august in their lives.
⇒ we hate justin and kyle…why y’all gotta be disgusting trashy human beings??? why do people need to pressure their girlfriends into doing things they don’t want to do?
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
꒰ ⛱️ ꒱𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔:
➵ 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙨: heartbroken that’s it’s over…i want to experience reading it for the first time over again…
⇒ i admire that adriana mather made tiny and august best friends because you don’t see a lot of female x male best friend relationships. they both told each other what they needed to hear and not what they wanted to hear and that is a message for all friendships. it shows they really care about one another and it’s so wonderful. read this book right now because it’s purely perfection (at least in my mind).
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
↯
˗ˏˋ꒰ 💌 ꒱𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰! 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
May 3, 2024
Ya romcom with dual pov, grumpy sunshine,
Summer vacation before college starts, coastal ocean front town. These were some of my basic notes k scribbled down throughout the first 100 pages or so.
August and Valentine are bffs running a secret break up business. With interesting side characters that grabbed my attention. I wouldn’t mind seeing spin off books from side characters pov or story.
So many passages that just knocked my socks off . Was expecting a fun, romcom and got that PLUS a beautifully written, heartwarming story about friendships, grief and love.
Such a fun, fast pace, exciting story, but also brought me to tears many times throughout the journey . ITS JUST REALLY REALLY GOOD!! These characters live rent free in my head now. I think about yhem constantly. I wonder how Berkley’s going and if they started a new business. *hint hint book 2??? That how I know I just read a 5 star read!
Thank you Adriana, for the opportunity to read an ARC once again!
Summer vacation before college starts, coastal ocean front town. These were some of my basic notes k scribbled down throughout the first 100 pages or so.
August and Valentine are bffs running a secret break up business. With interesting side characters that grabbed my attention. I wouldn’t mind seeing spin off books from side characters pov or story.
So many passages that just knocked my socks off . Was expecting a fun, romcom and got that PLUS a beautifully written, heartwarming story about friendships, grief and love.
Such a fun, fast pace, exciting story, but also brought me to tears many times throughout the journey . ITS JUST REALLY REALLY GOOD!! These characters live rent free in my head now. I think about yhem constantly. I wonder how Berkley’s going and if they started a new business. *hint hint book 2??? That how I know I just read a 5 star read!
Thank you Adriana, for the opportunity to read an ARC once again!
May 4, 2025
hmm.
valentine and august are friends who run an agency wherein they break up couples who are bad for each other, commissioned to do so by friends or family of aforementioned couple. and that checks out, really, because i've heard business partners tend to hate each other, and BOY do valentine and august hate each other. adriana mather can i ask you personally how and why valentine and august are still friends. their personalities clash and they fight so often that you'd think at some point they'd choose to protect their peace and just cut all ties.
funny thing is, when they do fight (which, again, is OFTEN) it's always valentine who is upset about it and thus makes a move to fix their relationship while august himself just does not gaf at all. girl STAND UP.
oh but august's sister died so you have to forgive him for being kind of shitty IS WHAT I WOULD SAY IF I GAF. there is no excuse for being a bad friend! ask valentine for space or break up with her or SOMETHING. GOD!!!
okay back to the agency. wow they're breaking up a couple OH NO AUGUST HAS FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ELLA (who is the victim in this relationship don't worry). i know that is like... the whole point of the book but the way august falls in love with ella over trauma bonding with her just sets them up for failure i'm so sorry but you will break up next year. i do like how his priority the whole time was still making sure ella got to her dream university and really started to focus on herself but come on august. you can add yourself to the equation AFTER.
speaking of august... the way all valentine had to do was tell him to listen to get him to finally open up about his dead sister? after a whole book of august being extremely volatile about the entire thing? idk if it was poor writing or if i was supposed to believe that he was finally healing because of ella but either way it was kinda weird. girl quit screaming at a tree and go see a therapist.
also valentine my love i do understand why she was so upset about august finally opening up and it being to ella considering he never once confided in valentine (who let me remind you is his BEST FRIEND) but girl come on. he doesn't wanna kill himself anymore surely that's a win?
speaking of love interests... valentine's romance was so half-arsed like okay this guy hates losers but omg he's loved valentine since they were kids he only bullies them because he's in love :( and then VALENTINE FALLS FOR IT? girl stand the fuck up AGAIN you're embarrassing me.
i like the idea of this book. it's silly and it's fun and they would absolutely make a netflix movie out of it and YES i would eat it up! HOWEVER. the execution was not... the best. it wasn't unreadable and, if i remember correctly, i do think i kind of enjoyed it, but knowing it had so much potential ruined the experience for me.
also, there were typos in the book. real life typos. in a penguin published book. you have to laugh.
valentine and august are friends who run an agency wherein they break up couples who are bad for each other, commissioned to do so by friends or family of aforementioned couple. and that checks out, really, because i've heard business partners tend to hate each other, and BOY do valentine and august hate each other. adriana mather can i ask you personally how and why valentine and august are still friends. their personalities clash and they fight so often that you'd think at some point they'd choose to protect their peace and just cut all ties.
funny thing is, when they do fight (which, again, is OFTEN) it's always valentine who is upset about it and thus makes a move to fix their relationship while august himself just does not gaf at all. girl STAND UP.
oh but august's sister died so you have to forgive him for being kind of shitty IS WHAT I WOULD SAY IF I GAF. there is no excuse for being a bad friend! ask valentine for space or break up with her or SOMETHING. GOD!!!
okay back to the agency. wow they're breaking up a couple OH NO AUGUST HAS FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ELLA (who is the victim in this relationship don't worry). i know that is like... the whole point of the book but the way august falls in love with ella over trauma bonding with her just sets them up for failure i'm so sorry but you will break up next year. i do like how his priority the whole time was still making sure ella got to her dream university and really started to focus on herself but come on august. you can add yourself to the equation AFTER.
speaking of august... the way all valentine had to do was tell him to listen to get him to finally open up about his dead sister? after a whole book of august being extremely volatile about the entire thing? idk if it was poor writing or if i was supposed to believe that he was finally healing because of ella but either way it was kinda weird. girl quit screaming at a tree and go see a therapist.
also valentine my love i do understand why she was so upset about august finally opening up and it being to ella considering he never once confided in valentine (who let me remind you is his BEST FRIEND) but girl come on. he doesn't wanna kill himself anymore surely that's a win?
speaking of love interests... valentine's romance was so half-arsed like okay this guy hates losers but omg he's loved valentine since they were kids he only bullies them because he's in love :( and then VALENTINE FALLS FOR IT? girl stand the fuck up AGAIN you're embarrassing me.
i like the idea of this book. it's silly and it's fun and they would absolutely make a netflix movie out of it and YES i would eat it up! HOWEVER. the execution was not... the best. it wasn't unreadable and, if i remember correctly, i do think i kind of enjoyed it, but knowing it had so much potential ruined the experience for me.
also, there were typos in the book. real life typos. in a penguin published book. you have to laugh.
June 15, 2024
TITLE: THE BREAKUP ARTISTS
AUTHOR: Adriana Mather
PUB DATE: 06.04.2024
It’s the summer before college and best friends Valentine and August start a unique business called Summer Love, Inc. where parents can hire them to break up their kids’ toxic relationships by all means necessary. Just one rule, don’t fall for your target.
This is a YA romcom that is uniquely creative, so much fun to read, has depth, great characterization, all the feels and emotions, and a read that may just tear your heart out. The dialogue was fantastic and I can see how amazing this would be on the big screen!
Don’t miss this gem of a read - you will thank me later.
Thank you #BlackstoneInsiders @blackstonepublishing and @blackstoneaudio
AUTHOR: Adriana Mather
PUB DATE: 06.04.2024
It’s the summer before college and best friends Valentine and August start a unique business called Summer Love, Inc. where parents can hire them to break up their kids’ toxic relationships by all means necessary. Just one rule, don’t fall for your target.
This is a YA romcom that is uniquely creative, so much fun to read, has depth, great characterization, all the feels and emotions, and a read that may just tear your heart out. The dialogue was fantastic and I can see how amazing this would be on the big screen!
Don’t miss this gem of a read - you will thank me later.
Thank you #BlackstoneInsiders @blackstonepublishing and @blackstoneaudio
June 11, 2025
Podeszłam do tej historii bez żadnych, konkretnych oczekiwań, jedynie miałam nadzieję, że uda mi się ją szybko skończyć i napisać recenzję. Nawet nie zdajecie sobie sprawy, jak bardzo pozytywnie zaskoczyła mnie treść, która okazała się naprawdę świetna i jednocześnie wartościowa. W środku znalazłam ogromna ilość ciepła oraz komfortu, który sprawił, że nie mogłam oderwać się od tej lektury.
Uwielbiam bohaterów, którzy zostali wręcz idealnie wykreowani. Niesamowicie spodobało mi się to, jak autorka przedstawiła relacje głównych postaci, a zarazem dwójki najlepszych przyjaciół, którzy są dla siebie największym, wzajemnym wsparciem. August i Valentine, to osoby, które od ponad dwóch lat prowadzą swój tajemniczy biznes - Summer Love Inc. Ludzie wynajmują ich, aby rozbijali toksyczne związki, które bardzo wpływają na decyzję życiowe. Niesamowicie zaintrygował mnie temat tego sposobu na zarobek i szczerze mówiąc był to jeden z lepszych, tak dobrze przeprowadzonych pomysłów na książkę. Bawiłam się świetnie przez to, że całość nie była wcale tak oczywista, jak pierwotnie mi się wydawało.
Kreacja bohaterów to prawdziwy majstersztyk i w tym przypadku myślę, że wiele osób przyzna mi rację. Dzięki grubości książki oraz ogromnego talentu do przekazywania emocji przez papier autorki, całość była spójna i niezwykła. Podczas czytania miałam okazję poznać i wyrobić sobie opinie o Auguście, czyli mojej ulubionej postaci. Adriana podjęła się napisania dość ciężkiego tematu, a mam na myśli straty bliskiej osoby, w tym przypadku starszej siostry oraz problemów rodzinnych takich, jak na przykład, brak ojca czy problemy finansowe. Wszystko zostało przeprowadzone bardzo realnie, co sprawiło, że czułam się, jakbym to ja zmagała się z wszystkimi przeciwnościami losu. Naprawdę ogromny szacunek dla autorki, bo napisanie czegoś takiego wymaga dokładnej analizy i przede wszystkim zrozumienia tematu. Ja jestem zachwycona, choć jednocześnie przez ten cały realizm bardzo bolało mnie to, co przydarzyło się temu nastolatkowi, który zdecydowanie zasługiwał na coś więcej od życia.
Valentine, to takie moje słoneczko, które rozjaśniło całą ponurą stronę treści. Dzięki niej ta historia nabrała masy koloru, entuzjazmu i po prostu w najzwyklejszy sposób klimatu, który był doprawdy przyjemny. Jednak warto pamiętać, że z pozoru szczęśliwa osoba może okazać się bardzo zraniona przez świat i potrzebująca trochę wsparcia, czy najzwyklejszego przytulasa. Tak było w przypadku Tiny, która pomimo mylnego założenia, również miała swoje problemy, które na szczęście nie były tak ogromne, jak te z którymi zmagał się jej przyjaciel. Ale - bo tutaj okropnie ważne jest to "ale" autorka nie zbagatelizowała tego tematu i przedstawiła go tak dobrze, jak u chłopaka, co jest naprawdę świetne i pokazało tylko jakbym dojrzałym piórem dysponuje Mather.
Co do fabuły, nie ukrywam, że bawiłam się wręcz nieziemsko. Na wstępie bardzo zraziłam się do długości, no bo przecież ponad 500 stron to kosmiczna ilość, jak na młodzieżówkę... Po przeczytaniu bardzo żałuję, że nie ma jeszcze kilku dodatkowych rozdziałów, które w mojej opinii idealnie dopełniłaby tę książkę. Jedyne czego tak naprawdę mi zabrakło, to rozwinięcia relacji dziejącej się pomiędzy Ellą, a Augustem. Miałam wrażenie, że historia w dużej mierze skupiała się na drugiej, według mnie mniej ważnej dla fabuły parzę, czyli Valentine oraz jej chłopaku. Miałam dużą, ale to strasznie dużą nadzieję, że ta powieść będzie bardziej skupiać się na tej dwójce, do której należy ta książka. Jest mi strasznie szkoda, ponieważ gdyby nie ta jedna, niby mała, nieważna rzecz, to Sztuka zrywania na pewno otrzymałaby ode mnie pięć, zasłużonych gwiazdek.
Pomimo tej małej wady, cała lektura była naprawdę świetna i zdecydowanie godna polecenia dla osób, które uwielbiają słodkie, delikatne młodzieżówki, które pomimo kolorowego wyglądu, niosą za sobą ogromne przesłanie oraz wiele ważnych w życiu wartości, które na pewno kiedyś komuś się przydadzą. Polecam. 4,25
[współpraca reklamowa z wydawnictwem]
Uwielbiam bohaterów, którzy zostali wręcz idealnie wykreowani. Niesamowicie spodobało mi się to, jak autorka przedstawiła relacje głównych postaci, a zarazem dwójki najlepszych przyjaciół, którzy są dla siebie największym, wzajemnym wsparciem. August i Valentine, to osoby, które od ponad dwóch lat prowadzą swój tajemniczy biznes - Summer Love Inc. Ludzie wynajmują ich, aby rozbijali toksyczne związki, które bardzo wpływają na decyzję życiowe. Niesamowicie zaintrygował mnie temat tego sposobu na zarobek i szczerze mówiąc był to jeden z lepszych, tak dobrze przeprowadzonych pomysłów na książkę. Bawiłam się świetnie przez to, że całość nie była wcale tak oczywista, jak pierwotnie mi się wydawało.
Kreacja bohaterów to prawdziwy majstersztyk i w tym przypadku myślę, że wiele osób przyzna mi rację. Dzięki grubości książki oraz ogromnego talentu do przekazywania emocji przez papier autorki, całość była spójna i niezwykła. Podczas czytania miałam okazję poznać i wyrobić sobie opinie o Auguście, czyli mojej ulubionej postaci. Adriana podjęła się napisania dość ciężkiego tematu, a mam na myśli straty bliskiej osoby, w tym przypadku starszej siostry oraz problemów rodzinnych takich, jak na przykład, brak ojca czy problemy finansowe. Wszystko zostało przeprowadzone bardzo realnie, co sprawiło, że czułam się, jakbym to ja zmagała się z wszystkimi przeciwnościami losu. Naprawdę ogromny szacunek dla autorki, bo napisanie czegoś takiego wymaga dokładnej analizy i przede wszystkim zrozumienia tematu. Ja jestem zachwycona, choć jednocześnie przez ten cały realizm bardzo bolało mnie to, co przydarzyło się temu nastolatkowi, który zdecydowanie zasługiwał na coś więcej od życia.
Valentine, to takie moje słoneczko, które rozjaśniło całą ponurą stronę treści. Dzięki niej ta historia nabrała masy koloru, entuzjazmu i po prostu w najzwyklejszy sposób klimatu, który był doprawdy przyjemny. Jednak warto pamiętać, że z pozoru szczęśliwa osoba może okazać się bardzo zraniona przez świat i potrzebująca trochę wsparcia, czy najzwyklejszego przytulasa. Tak było w przypadku Tiny, która pomimo mylnego założenia, również miała swoje problemy, które na szczęście nie były tak ogromne, jak te z którymi zmagał się jej przyjaciel. Ale - bo tutaj okropnie ważne jest to "ale" autorka nie zbagatelizowała tego tematu i przedstawiła go tak dobrze, jak u chłopaka, co jest naprawdę świetne i pokazało tylko jakbym dojrzałym piórem dysponuje Mather.
Co do fabuły, nie ukrywam, że bawiłam się wręcz nieziemsko. Na wstępie bardzo zraziłam się do długości, no bo przecież ponad 500 stron to kosmiczna ilość, jak na młodzieżówkę... Po przeczytaniu bardzo żałuję, że nie ma jeszcze kilku dodatkowych rozdziałów, które w mojej opinii idealnie dopełniłaby tę książkę. Jedyne czego tak naprawdę mi zabrakło, to rozwinięcia relacji dziejącej się pomiędzy Ellą, a Augustem. Miałam wrażenie, że historia w dużej mierze skupiała się na drugiej, według mnie mniej ważnej dla fabuły parzę, czyli Valentine oraz jej chłopaku. Miałam dużą, ale to strasznie dużą nadzieję, że ta powieść będzie bardziej skupiać się na tej dwójce, do której należy ta książka. Jest mi strasznie szkoda, ponieważ gdyby nie ta jedna, niby mała, nieważna rzecz, to Sztuka zrywania na pewno otrzymałaby ode mnie pięć, zasłużonych gwiazdek.
Pomimo tej małej wady, cała lektura była naprawdę świetna i zdecydowanie godna polecenia dla osób, które uwielbiają słodkie, delikatne młodzieżówki, które pomimo kolorowego wyglądu, niosą za sobą ogromne przesłanie oraz wiele ważnych w życiu wartości, które na pewno kiedyś komuś się przydadzą. Polecam. 4,25
[współpraca reklamowa z wydawnictwem]
August 25, 2025
3,75 ⭐
Non è stato ciò che mi aspettavo (un Friends to lovers) ma mi è piaciuto lo stesso e forse di più, perché al centro di tutto c'è l'amicizia e quello che si arriva a fare per tirare fuori dal buco nero l'amico di una vita.
E infatti qui il personaggio vincente è Valentine, quella che mi è piaciuta di più nonostante si percepisce durante la lettura che l'autrice vuole rendere più protagonista l'amico August, ma io ho letto con più piacere i capitoli con il pov di lei e ho apprezzato il suo modo di essere, la sua genuinità e l'affetto che prova per i suoi cari.
August ha un po' più di risalto proprio perché l'agenzia spacca relazioni che mettono su nasce per spronare lui ad uscire da dietro il muro in cui si rifugia da due anni, cioè da quando ha perso la sorella maggiore (e suo punto fermo) in un incidente.
Lui incolpa il fidanzato della sorella che l'ha portata fuori dalla retta via e l'idea di mettersi al servizio per parenti e amici preoccupati è un modo per salvare altre ragazze da relazioni tossiche, cosa che lui non è riuscito a fare per la sorella.
August non crede nell'amore, Valentine invece si e soprattutto crede nella loro amicizia, che sente sfuggirle di mano perché il suo amico in pieno lutto non è più quello con cui è cresciuta.
Quindi cerca di spronarlo alla vita con la loro agenzia e in effetti da quando lavorano in incognito su "Summer love Inc." August ha almeno uno scopo per il quale esce e vede altre persone al di fuori di lei.
Tutto cambia quando accettano il caso di Ella, ragazza perfetta che sta rinunciando ad andare a studiare a Londra per stare con il suo ragazzo manipolatore.
Nel frattempo Valentine presta finalmente attenzione a Bentley, vicino di casa che cerca da anni di attirare la sua attenzione, ma lei ha sempre evitato tutti per stare con August e non lasciarlo solo.
Avrei voluto davvero uno sviluppo un po' più approfondito su loro due perché mi sono piaciuti tanto, sono carinissimi e lui è di una tenerezza inaspettata.
Mentre la vicenda tra August ed Ella è stata tirata per le lunghe, non troppo certo perché effettivamente l'intero libro regge e la trama è coerente, soltanto che non mi è piaciuta lei e non perché non fosse forte, ma lui la descrive come troppo perfetta e troppo "sorprendente" che alla fine me l'ha fatta diventare antipatica 😅 e la loro storia si sviluppa su delle bugie quindi insomma, avrei preferito uno sviluppo differente alla fine.
Però come dicevo all'inizio qui l'amore che conta è quello fraterno, quello della famiglia e quello dell'amicizia tra i protagonisti ed è quello che conclude il libro e me lo ha fatto promuovere.
Menzione speciale per Des, la sorella di August, nonostante non sia presente nel libro i momenti in cui August e Tiny la ricordano mi hanno commossa tantissimo. 🥹❤️
Non è stato ciò che mi aspettavo (un Friends to lovers) ma mi è piaciuto lo stesso e forse di più, perché al centro di tutto c'è l'amicizia e quello che si arriva a fare per tirare fuori dal buco nero l'amico di una vita.
E infatti qui il personaggio vincente è Valentine, quella che mi è piaciuta di più nonostante si percepisce durante la lettura che l'autrice vuole rendere più protagonista l'amico August, ma io ho letto con più piacere i capitoli con il pov di lei e ho apprezzato il suo modo di essere, la sua genuinità e l'affetto che prova per i suoi cari.
August ha un po' più di risalto proprio perché l'agenzia spacca relazioni che mettono su nasce per spronare lui ad uscire da dietro il muro in cui si rifugia da due anni, cioè da quando ha perso la sorella maggiore (e suo punto fermo) in un incidente.
Lui incolpa il fidanzato della sorella che l'ha portata fuori dalla retta via e l'idea di mettersi al servizio per parenti e amici preoccupati è un modo per salvare altre ragazze da relazioni tossiche, cosa che lui non è riuscito a fare per la sorella.
August non crede nell'amore, Valentine invece si e soprattutto crede nella loro amicizia, che sente sfuggirle di mano perché il suo amico in pieno lutto non è più quello con cui è cresciuta.
Quindi cerca di spronarlo alla vita con la loro agenzia e in effetti da quando lavorano in incognito su "Summer love Inc." August ha almeno uno scopo per il quale esce e vede altre persone al di fuori di lei.
Tutto cambia quando accettano il caso di Ella, ragazza perfetta che sta rinunciando ad andare a studiare a Londra per stare con il suo ragazzo manipolatore.
Nel frattempo Valentine presta finalmente attenzione a Bentley, vicino di casa che cerca da anni di attirare la sua attenzione, ma lei ha sempre evitato tutti per stare con August e non lasciarlo solo.
Avrei voluto davvero uno sviluppo un po' più approfondito su loro due perché mi sono piaciuti tanto, sono carinissimi e lui è di una tenerezza inaspettata.
Mentre la vicenda tra August ed Ella è stata tirata per le lunghe, non troppo certo perché effettivamente l'intero libro regge e la trama è coerente, soltanto che non mi è piaciuta lei e non perché non fosse forte, ma lui la descrive come troppo perfetta e troppo "sorprendente" che alla fine me l'ha fatta diventare antipatica 😅 e la loro storia si sviluppa su delle bugie quindi insomma, avrei preferito uno sviluppo differente alla fine.
Però come dicevo all'inizio qui l'amore che conta è quello fraterno, quello della famiglia e quello dell'amicizia tra i protagonisti ed è quello che conclude il libro e me lo ha fatto promuovere.
Menzione speciale per Des, la sorella di August, nonostante non sia presente nel libro i momenti in cui August e Tiny la ricordano mi hanno commossa tantissimo. 🥹❤️
July 9, 2025
4,5⭐️
[ współpraca reklamowa z @wydawnictwoyoung ]
„Sztuka Zrywania” to opowieść o Auguście i Valentine, którzy założyli swoją firmę, po to aby rozbijać toksyczne związki na zlecenie bliskich. Mają pewną ważną zasadę, nie zakochują się w osobach, których związki mają rozbić. To jest granica, której nie mogą przekroczyć. Ale pewnego razu…. Nie wszystko idzie po ich myśli.
Nie spodziewałam się, że ta historia tak bardzo mnie wciągnie! Niezwykle lekka książka, ale przepełniona akcją i humorem. Do tego porusza ważne tematy, takie jak strata bliskiej osoby. Uważam, że ta pozycja to must read dla fanów młodzieżówek i tylko! Myślę, że dzięki niej można zakochać się w tym gatunku.
Bardzo podobało mi się w tej książce to, że nie mamy tutaj opisanej jednej relacji romantycznej, ale dwie. Główni bohaterowie to Austin oraz Valentine, ta dwójka przyjaźni się od zawsze. Naprzemienne śledzimy miłosne poczynienia tej dwójki. Austin przepada dla dziewczyny, której związek mieli zniszczyć, a Valentine dla przystojnego sąsiada, za którym nigdy nie przepadała, ale odkąd bliżej go poznała, wszystko się zmieniło. Obydwie relacje śledziło się bardzo ciekawie, ponieważ mieli oni różne dylematy, problemy itd. Poza wątkami romantycznymi, mamy tu też przyjaźń wspomnianej dwójki.
Wątek romantyczny nie jest tutaj przeważający, jak dla mnie mogłoby go tutaj dla mnie nawet nie być. Cała fabuła jest tak ciekawa, że sam pomysł na prowadzenie firmy, niszczącej toksyczne związki, do tego rozterki bohaterów, już wystarcza! Bawiłam się naprawdę genialnie. Powieść zainteresowała mnie już od pierwszego rozdziału. Nawet nie wiem, kiedy ją przeczytałam. Mam ochotę na więcej!
Idealna książka na lato! Baaardzo ją polecam! Ocena: 4,5/5 ⭐️.
[ współpraca reklamowa z @wydawnictwoyoung ]
„Sztuka Zrywania” to opowieść o Auguście i Valentine, którzy założyli swoją firmę, po to aby rozbijać toksyczne związki na zlecenie bliskich. Mają pewną ważną zasadę, nie zakochują się w osobach, których związki mają rozbić. To jest granica, której nie mogą przekroczyć. Ale pewnego razu…. Nie wszystko idzie po ich myśli.
Nie spodziewałam się, że ta historia tak bardzo mnie wciągnie! Niezwykle lekka książka, ale przepełniona akcją i humorem. Do tego porusza ważne tematy, takie jak strata bliskiej osoby. Uważam, że ta pozycja to must read dla fanów młodzieżówek i tylko! Myślę, że dzięki niej można zakochać się w tym gatunku.
Bardzo podobało mi się w tej książce to, że nie mamy tutaj opisanej jednej relacji romantycznej, ale dwie. Główni bohaterowie to Austin oraz Valentine, ta dwójka przyjaźni się od zawsze. Naprzemienne śledzimy miłosne poczynienia tej dwójki. Austin przepada dla dziewczyny, której związek mieli zniszczyć, a Valentine dla przystojnego sąsiada, za którym nigdy nie przepadała, ale odkąd bliżej go poznała, wszystko się zmieniło. Obydwie relacje śledziło się bardzo ciekawie, ponieważ mieli oni różne dylematy, problemy itd. Poza wątkami romantycznymi, mamy tu też przyjaźń wspomnianej dwójki.
Wątek romantyczny nie jest tutaj przeważający, jak dla mnie mogłoby go tutaj dla mnie nawet nie być. Cała fabuła jest tak ciekawa, że sam pomysł na prowadzenie firmy, niszczącej toksyczne związki, do tego rozterki bohaterów, już wystarcza! Bawiłam się naprawdę genialnie. Powieść zainteresowała mnie już od pierwszego rozdziału. Nawet nie wiem, kiedy ją przeczytałam. Mam ochotę na więcej!
Idealna książka na lato! Baaardzo ją polecam! Ocena: 4,5/5 ⭐️.
June 15, 2025
Nie planowałam czytać tej książki, ale naprawdę dobrze spędziłam na niej czas i mi się spodobała.
May 3, 2024
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads
(Full review to come)
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC
(Full review to come)
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC
October 4, 2024
୨⎯ 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒔 ⎯୧
rating: 3.75
plot: 3.5
characters: 4
writing: 3.5
romance: 3
spice: some kissing that’s it
narration: 3.75
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
°•*⁀➷ the rundown
this was a really interesting concept for it being YA, i saw some issues with their business like the lying and altering their personalities, although there wouldn’t be conflict in the story without that, but in general having a friend briefly during a time you need it does sound like a great idea. but i would feel awful about if they weee genuine or the fact it was paid for… but that’s me, an anxiety filled girl who hated her high school and teen experiences.
the romance was cute, the fact that she kinda disliked him at first and they slowly built to friends and then connected romantically despite her being involved and it was his literal job to help her as someone else.
and i adored Tinys romance, she was adorable and although i hate 3rd act breakups, a double hit in this case, i did enjoy it.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
ᯓ ᡣ𐭩 thank you libro.fm for the ALC!
rating: 3.75
plot: 3.5
characters: 4
writing: 3.5
romance: 3
spice: some kissing that’s it
narration: 3.75
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
°•*⁀➷ the rundown
this was a really interesting concept for it being YA, i saw some issues with their business like the lying and altering their personalities, although there wouldn’t be conflict in the story without that, but in general having a friend briefly during a time you need it does sound like a great idea. but i would feel awful about if they weee genuine or the fact it was paid for… but that’s me, an anxiety filled girl who hated her high school and teen experiences.
the romance was cute, the fact that she kinda disliked him at first and they slowly built to friends and then connected romantically despite her being involved and it was his literal job to help her as someone else.
and i adored Tinys romance, she was adorable and although i hate 3rd act breakups, a double hit in this case, i did enjoy it.
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ
ᯓ ᡣ𐭩 thank you libro.fm for the ALC!
March 8, 2024
"I pull my sparkly purple notebook from my shoulder bag and plop down in August's desk chair. "Ready?"" - The Breakup Artists - Adriana Mather
.
Another overdue book review, but what can I say, I have perfectionist tendencies and like to be in control, kind of like Tiny (Valentine). This wasn't the exact vibe I was going for, but I still had fun with this little photoshoot! I always find that it takes me some time to get into books with romance, but then once I'm into it, I end up enjoying it and it always awakens the hopeless romantic that I am.
.
Something I truly enjoyed about The Breakup Artists, besides the fabulous cover art by Boo Boo Stewart, is that it kind of breaks the mold a bit. There are so many stories about the girl/boy who lives next door and they have a fling or fall for each other. Sometimes that works out, sometimes it doesn't. But I LOVE the adorable and real friendship between best friends and neighbors, Valentine and August, and while they are vastly different in many ways, they also share something special. They even have a business together, which Tiny had the idea for to help August heal, so the money they make ends up being a huge bonus.
.
Throughout The Breakup Artists, we see who Valentine and August are and what drives them. We see glimpses of their life on the Massachusetts coast during summertime (and classic New England summers are something many can only dream of being able to experience). Adriana captures New England in all seasons well, paired with characters that just belong, almost like you can picture bumping into them in real life. We see their family life, what their dreams are, their personalities, and we see that Tiny and August share a friendship that most of us crave, and especially one that's really rare to find and maintain between a guy and girl when so often romance breaks up friendships, too.
.
Tiny and August started and run a secret business called Summer Love, Inc., in which they're hired by clients to break up toxic relationships their family members or friends are in. Absolutely nobody, not their friends or parents, know that this is their summer job. They come up with elaborate plans and use fake names and back stories, usually that they're cousins. And they have rules to make sure their cover isn't blown. One of the rules: don't fall for or get personally involved with the cases and clients.
.
When Tiny and August take on their newest client, also promising a big payout, they know they can't mess this one up. But it all becomes the perfect storm for disaster. Tiny goes by Mia and is the mastermind behind their scheming, with her purple notebook and purple gel pen. August, pretending to be a witty, mysterious, artistic guy named Holden, meets Ella with every intention of sticking to breaking her and her no good, manipulative, pushy boyfriend Justin up and then never seeing her again. But for the first time since August's sisters passing a few years back, he feels like he can connect and talk to someone that actually sees him and brings him back to reality. As Tiny is dealing with her own secret romance and family drama of her own, and August is focused on trying to gain trust from Ella to get her to breakup with Justin, unexpected feelings happen. And we all know what happens when there are feelings there shouldn't be, miscommunications happen and people get hurt or confused. But in this case, it all works out for Tiny and Bentley, and August and Ella. That is, after a party where their cover is blown and Tiny and August's business, Summer Love, Inc. has an end put to it.
.
In the end, everything that happened forces Tiny and August to face things with their families they'd been worrying about and they're preparing to head to college themselves. Even though they couldn't save their business, and even though August couldn't save his sister and nothing can fix that loss, Tiny and August know they've helped so many others and in the end, Ella breaks up with her terrible, jerk, boyfriend and is back on track for her dreams she almost gave up as well. But most importantly, Tiny and August have a restored and greater appreciation for their own friendship and all the secrets and now more truths and trust they share as well.
.
Overall, it's hard not to give this a 5☆ rating, a 10/10. I may be biased, but Adriana Mather always nails it whether it's the YA historical fiction and mystery elements, or the rom-com style, and always with incorporating that sweet as summertime New England touch to her characters and stories. It was so delightful to read this, and I'm really grateful to have an opportunity to share about it! Please go follow @adriana_mather everywhere, and make sure to read her books!
.
Another overdue book review, but what can I say, I have perfectionist tendencies and like to be in control, kind of like Tiny (Valentine). This wasn't the exact vibe I was going for, but I still had fun with this little photoshoot! I always find that it takes me some time to get into books with romance, but then once I'm into it, I end up enjoying it and it always awakens the hopeless romantic that I am.
.
Something I truly enjoyed about The Breakup Artists, besides the fabulous cover art by Boo Boo Stewart, is that it kind of breaks the mold a bit. There are so many stories about the girl/boy who lives next door and they have a fling or fall for each other. Sometimes that works out, sometimes it doesn't. But I LOVE the adorable and real friendship between best friends and neighbors, Valentine and August, and while they are vastly different in many ways, they also share something special. They even have a business together, which Tiny had the idea for to help August heal, so the money they make ends up being a huge bonus.
.
Throughout The Breakup Artists, we see who Valentine and August are and what drives them. We see glimpses of their life on the Massachusetts coast during summertime (and classic New England summers are something many can only dream of being able to experience). Adriana captures New England in all seasons well, paired with characters that just belong, almost like you can picture bumping into them in real life. We see their family life, what their dreams are, their personalities, and we see that Tiny and August share a friendship that most of us crave, and especially one that's really rare to find and maintain between a guy and girl when so often romance breaks up friendships, too.
.
Tiny and August started and run a secret business called Summer Love, Inc., in which they're hired by clients to break up toxic relationships their family members or friends are in. Absolutely nobody, not their friends or parents, know that this is their summer job. They come up with elaborate plans and use fake names and back stories, usually that they're cousins. And they have rules to make sure their cover isn't blown. One of the rules: don't fall for or get personally involved with the cases and clients.
.
When Tiny and August take on their newest client, also promising a big payout, they know they can't mess this one up. But it all becomes the perfect storm for disaster. Tiny goes by Mia and is the mastermind behind their scheming, with her purple notebook and purple gel pen. August, pretending to be a witty, mysterious, artistic guy named Holden, meets Ella with every intention of sticking to breaking her and her no good, manipulative, pushy boyfriend Justin up and then never seeing her again. But for the first time since August's sisters passing a few years back, he feels like he can connect and talk to someone that actually sees him and brings him back to reality. As Tiny is dealing with her own secret romance and family drama of her own, and August is focused on trying to gain trust from Ella to get her to breakup with Justin, unexpected feelings happen. And we all know what happens when there are feelings there shouldn't be, miscommunications happen and people get hurt or confused. But in this case, it all works out for Tiny and Bentley, and August and Ella. That is, after a party where their cover is blown and Tiny and August's business, Summer Love, Inc. has an end put to it.
.
In the end, everything that happened forces Tiny and August to face things with their families they'd been worrying about and they're preparing to head to college themselves. Even though they couldn't save their business, and even though August couldn't save his sister and nothing can fix that loss, Tiny and August know they've helped so many others and in the end, Ella breaks up with her terrible, jerk, boyfriend and is back on track for her dreams she almost gave up as well. But most importantly, Tiny and August have a restored and greater appreciation for their own friendship and all the secrets and now more truths and trust they share as well.
.
Overall, it's hard not to give this a 5☆ rating, a 10/10. I may be biased, but Adriana Mather always nails it whether it's the YA historical fiction and mystery elements, or the rom-com style, and always with incorporating that sweet as summertime New England touch to her characters and stories. It was so delightful to read this, and I'm really grateful to have an opportunity to share about it! Please go follow @adriana_mather everywhere, and make sure to read her books!
October 31, 2024
With a toothache from how sweet this book was.
Grief is always a hard subject to tackle, but I think that Adriana did it in a very sensible and relatable way.
The friendship between August and Valentine was a testament to what real friendships should be and their bond tugged at my heartstrings.
And let’s not forget my boy Bentley. He made me swoon and giggle like I was back in high school.
Grief is always a hard subject to tackle, but I think that Adriana did it in a very sensible and relatable way.
The friendship between August and Valentine was a testament to what real friendships should be and their bond tugged at my heartstrings.
And let’s not forget my boy Bentley. He made me swoon and giggle like I was back in high school.
February 8, 2024
Absolutely perfect summer read, Adriana Mather was able to blend serious topics such as dealing with grief, while still weaving in hilarious characters and moments. The book also keeps you on your toes as you try figure out how situations are going to work out (I’m trying not to spoil it, but oh my god one of the plot twist made me put the book down for a second cause it was an “oh nooooo” moment in the best way.)
February 2, 2024
I read an Advanced copy of this book.
I don’t even know how to express in words my full thoughts and feelings about this book. I just know that this is probably one of my top favorites so far. It has a very unique plot line that hooked me almost immediately, the characters were well written and the way Adriana Mather was able to capture what it feels like to be a teenager the summer after high school was incredible.
There’s not very many books that I can say I would reread over and over again, but I think that this one makes the list.
As always with Mather’s work, I cannot recommend her books enough and I love being a part of the FAMB community.
I don’t even know how to express in words my full thoughts and feelings about this book. I just know that this is probably one of my top favorites so far. It has a very unique plot line that hooked me almost immediately, the characters were well written and the way Adriana Mather was able to capture what it feels like to be a teenager the summer after high school was incredible.
There’s not very many books that I can say I would reread over and over again, but I think that this one makes the list.
As always with Mather’s work, I cannot recommend her books enough and I love being a part of the FAMB community.
July 10, 2025
Hejjj kochani🧸🧸
Post powstał we współpracy z wydawnictwem @wydawnictwoyoung za co jestem baaaardzo wdzięczna<3
Głównym wątkiem tutaj był ,,Summer love INC” prowadzony przez głównych bohaterów - Augusta i Valentine. Doprowadzali oni do zerwań toksycznych związków… i jak?
Muszę przyznać, że ta firma to niezwykle oryginalny pomysł, który wg mnie został świetnie poprowadzony!!! Co jest na ogromny plus<3
August i Tina - UWIELBIAM ICH OBOJE!! Cieszę się, że odchodzimy od ,,idealnych” bohaterów i skupiamy się także na ich niedoskonałościach jak i traumach oraz problemach, które do nich doprowadziły. Bardzo dobrze stąpało mi się ich śladami.
Były także wątki romantyczne, aleee… chyba nie mogę wam tego zdradzić😝😝 Jednym z nich był August i Ella - zupełnie różni, a mimo to tacy sami. Cieszę się, że mieli możliwość poznać swoją bratnią duszę i trzymam za nich kciuki. A drugi wątek… przeczytajcie, to się dowiecie!!
Przez tę książkę niemal się płynęło. Masa plot twistów nie dopuszczała do mnie poczucia nudy, co jest ogromnym plusem!! No i wątek wakacyjny - idealna pora na sięgnięcie po ,,Sztukę zrywania”
TO TYLEEEE
MELAAAA
Post powstał we współpracy z wydawnictwem @wydawnictwoyoung za co jestem baaaardzo wdzięczna<3
Głównym wątkiem tutaj był ,,Summer love INC” prowadzony przez głównych bohaterów - Augusta i Valentine. Doprowadzali oni do zerwań toksycznych związków… i jak?
Muszę przyznać, że ta firma to niezwykle oryginalny pomysł, który wg mnie został świetnie poprowadzony!!! Co jest na ogromny plus<3
August i Tina - UWIELBIAM ICH OBOJE!! Cieszę się, że odchodzimy od ,,idealnych” bohaterów i skupiamy się także na ich niedoskonałościach jak i traumach oraz problemach, które do nich doprowadziły. Bardzo dobrze stąpało mi się ich śladami.
Były także wątki romantyczne, aleee… chyba nie mogę wam tego zdradzić😝😝 Jednym z nich był August i Ella - zupełnie różni, a mimo to tacy sami. Cieszę się, że mieli możliwość poznać swoją bratnią duszę i trzymam za nich kciuki. A drugi wątek… przeczytajcie, to się dowiecie!!
Przez tę książkę niemal się płynęło. Masa plot twistów nie dopuszczała do mnie poczucia nudy, co jest ogromnym plusem!! No i wątek wakacyjny - idealna pora na sięgnięcie po ,,Sztukę zrywania”
TO TYLEEEE
MELAAAA
March 25, 2024
In a world where most new YA books seem to follow the same structure and tropes, this was such a breath of fresh air.
Valentine and August have a unique summer job: they get hired to break people up. For every new job, they create entirely new personas, use aliases, and have strict rules that prevent them from falling for their targets. But, when they start a new case, August can't help but feel like something is different with this one. And soon, he finds himself breaking all the rules.
The Breakup Artists is a unique, well-crafted story about friendship, love, grief, growing up, and so much more. It has some of the best and funniest banter I read but it also portrays very relatable fears about leaving for college, healthy male-female friendships, strong character growth and development, and how hard yet necessary healing from trauma is. For lack of a better phrase, I really loved it and look forward to reading Mather's other work.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Valentine and August have a unique summer job: they get hired to break people up. For every new job, they create entirely new personas, use aliases, and have strict rules that prevent them from falling for their targets. But, when they start a new case, August can't help but feel like something is different with this one. And soon, he finds himself breaking all the rules.
The Breakup Artists is a unique, well-crafted story about friendship, love, grief, growing up, and so much more. It has some of the best and funniest banter I read but it also portrays very relatable fears about leaving for college, healthy male-female friendships, strong character growth and development, and how hard yet necessary healing from trauma is. For lack of a better phrase, I really loved it and look forward to reading Mather's other work.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2024
ARC via the publisher.
If a book makes me ugly cry, it’s getting five stars.
Important spoiler: this is not a friends to lovers book. This is true blue platonic love between friends who need a realignment in their lives. It's the summer before they leave for college, emotions are in turmoil, and a lot of issues have been stuffed down and ignored for protective reasons. This summer explodes everything so that besties Valentine and August have to clear out the junk of the past to get what they want at the start of their future.
Valentine and August have a summer business where at the request of friends or parents, they break up relationships. Carefully vetted, carefully planned, they both like protecting people from someone who is pulling them away from their best interests. The source of this business is painful and altruistic, and is probably the most devastating part of this book.
While there are moments that are funny, moments that are adorable, but there's also loss in this book and different ways of dealing with, and failing to deal with, grief. I was completely captured but this summery coastal world, this friendship, and the romantic relationships they embark on over the course of this summer.
Content warnings for parental neglect and abandonment, parentification, sibling loss, relationship abuse and specifically coercive behavior, and social media violations of privacy.
If a book makes me ugly cry, it’s getting five stars.
Important spoiler: this is not a friends to lovers book. This is true blue platonic love between friends who need a realignment in their lives. It's the summer before they leave for college, emotions are in turmoil, and a lot of issues have been stuffed down and ignored for protective reasons. This summer explodes everything so that besties Valentine and August have to clear out the junk of the past to get what they want at the start of their future.
Valentine and August have a summer business where at the request of friends or parents, they break up relationships. Carefully vetted, carefully planned, they both like protecting people from someone who is pulling them away from their best interests. The source of this business is painful and altruistic, and is probably the most devastating part of this book.
While there are moments that are funny, moments that are adorable, but there's also loss in this book and different ways of dealing with, and failing to deal with, grief. I was completely captured but this summery coastal world, this friendship, and the romantic relationships they embark on over the course of this summer.
Content warnings for parental neglect and abandonment, parentification, sibling loss, relationship abuse and specifically coercive behavior, and social media violations of privacy.
June 28, 2024
A quirky romcom is not what I was expecting from Adriana Mather, and it isn’t exactly what we get. The Break-Up Artists tells the story of Valentine and August and their business - being hired to help people get out of a bad relationship. Their success rate is impressive, but the case they are working on for the duration of the book messes things up.
Although their dating break-up business is a key focus, this book felt so much more.
As we follow their story, we learn how they came to be doing this. We learn about the grief August is living with after his sister is killed. We follow Valentine as she comes to realise that her hot next-door neighbour may be sincere in his attempts to gain her interest. And we watch as they each come to terms with the things that they are scared to address.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this book had me very envious of both characters and the relationship they share. It made me laugh and, yes, it made me get a little emotional. A read I’d highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
Although their dating break-up business is a key focus, this book felt so much more.
As we follow their story, we learn how they came to be doing this. We learn about the grief August is living with after his sister is killed. We follow Valentine as she comes to realise that her hot next-door neighbour may be sincere in his attempts to gain her interest. And we watch as they each come to terms with the things that they are scared to address.
I don’t want to give too much away, but this book had me very envious of both characters and the relationship they share. It made me laugh and, yes, it made me get a little emotional. A read I’d highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
April 14, 2025
4.25⭐
I went into this book not really having the highest expectations (it was a book recommended by GR, and they aren't the most reliable lol) but omg the expectations were passed and went up and beyond!! i thoroughly enjoyed the unique plot (breaking up bad relationships as a summer job), and the characters were fleshed out so well to the point where i wished they each had their own novella...😌💗
I will say, I preferred Valentine and Bentley's relationship to August and Ella's (August's being the central plot) i guess i'm down bad for B: a dirty-blonde yearning man AND HE COOKS!! gets me every time. wish we got more of him.
The grief that August experienced was portrayed in a way that made my gut hurt. Des, RIP😭
Overall, a very fun yet reflective read! Will hopefully be reading more of this author in the future.
I went into this book not really having the highest expectations (it was a book recommended by GR, and they aren't the most reliable lol) but omg the expectations were passed and went up and beyond!! i thoroughly enjoyed the unique plot (breaking up bad relationships as a summer job), and the characters were fleshed out so well to the point where i wished they each had their own novella...😌💗
I will say, I preferred Valentine and Bentley's relationship to August and Ella's (August's being the central plot) i guess i'm down bad for B: a dirty-blonde yearning man AND HE COOKS!! gets me every time. wish we got more of him.
The grief that August experienced was portrayed in a way that made my gut hurt. Des, RIP😭
Overall, a very fun yet reflective read! Will hopefully be reading more of this author in the future.
February 6, 2025
This book was just so good!!! The characters... the plot... the romance. it was just what I needed.
I absolutely loved August and Valentine's (Tiny's) friendship. We need to read about more like those. Luckily I have a Tiny of my own. (Sending hearts, you know who you are!)
READ THIS BOOK. It was adorable, explored somewhat darker topics, and the healing was beautiful.👌
I absolutely loved August and Valentine's (Tiny's) friendship. We need to read about more like those. Luckily I have a Tiny of my own. (Sending hearts, you know who you are!)
READ THIS BOOK. It was adorable, explored somewhat darker topics, and the healing was beautiful.👌
August 18, 2025
Bardzo mi się podobała! Dużo wątków, poważniejszych tematów, dająca nadzieję i pokazująca wiele ważnych wartości! Myslę, że zostanie ze mną na dłużej.
September 18, 2025
Cute, charming, and delightfully romantic!
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 is an engaging, heartwarming tale that follows August, a seventeen-year-old boy perfectly content running a breakup business with his best friend until his latest job introduces him to Ella and changes everything he thought he knew about love.
The writing is witty and light, the characters are quirky, supportive, and endearing, and the plot is a touching coming-of-age tale that weaves themes of life, loss, grief, guilt, teenage struggles, dreams, first love, and friendship.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 is an entertaining, uplifting, thoroughly enjoyable read by Mather that’s filled with humor, heartfelt moments, and a sweet happily-ever-after that left me with a smile.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 is an engaging, heartwarming tale that follows August, a seventeen-year-old boy perfectly content running a breakup business with his best friend until his latest job introduces him to Ella and changes everything he thought he knew about love.
The writing is witty and light, the characters are quirky, supportive, and endearing, and the plot is a touching coming-of-age tale that weaves themes of life, loss, grief, guilt, teenage struggles, dreams, first love, and friendship.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 is an entertaining, uplifting, thoroughly enjoyable read by Mather that’s filled with humor, heartfelt moments, and a sweet happily-ever-after that left me with a smile.
March 18, 2024
Adriana Mather does it again. This book had it all summer love, summer fights, and the story of true friendship. 2 Teens undercover help to destroy bad relationships and help produce real bonds and better lives for those in need.
November 29, 2024
DNF
boring, boring AND boring.
The book put me to sleep by how BORING it was.
boring, boring AND boring.
The book put me to sleep by how BORING it was.
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