The Ex Project

by Jennifer Aline

Fern is always willing to give people a second chance—even her exes. With the anniversary gala of the dating app she works for—called My Cup O’ Joe—coming up and her parents pressuring her to settle down, Fern revisits past relationships to see if anyone could fit into her present and maybe stick around this time.

Emmie may be Fern’s best friend and co-worker, but that doesn’t mean she wants a long-term, monogamous relationship. However, when the My Cup O’ Joe marketing team makes some changes, she looks to Fern for inspiration. Emmie decides to make her next My Cup O’ Joe blog series a twisted version of Fern’s she will give the previous partners who cheated on her a taste of their own medicine.

The co-workers dive into their pasts—Fern for love, Emmie for revenge. From bad dates and (re)broken hearts to viral videos and throuples, the friends take their plans to the limit. What they don’t expect is for their experiments to come full circle, forcing them to cross detrimental lines in their friendship. Fern and Emmie must decide what’s worth bringing into their future—their pasts or their friendship—as the gala grows near and the final cheater on Emmie’s list learns of her plan…and is ready with one of his own.

THE EX PROJECT brings light to relatable, modern-day scenarios involving dating app technology, the growth and evolution of current relationships, and the LGBTQ+ community. For fans of PLOT TWIST by Erin LaRosa, TEXT APPEAL by Amber Roberts, and Comedy Central’s BROAD CITY, THE EX PROJECT will fit perfectly on your bookshelf.

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2024

About the author

Jennifer Aline lives in Western New York with her twin daughters and grumpy Miniature Schnauzer. She owns way too many plants, has an unhealthy obsession with vintage typewriters, and is a self-titled coffee snob. As a longtime fan of romance and women’s fiction (with some romantasy sprinkled in), her stories combine steamy elements of romance with the raw realities of friendship and family-focused themes of women’s fiction.

Reviews

[Carly Dombkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ex Project is a heartwarming and hilarious story about two best friends on hilariously different—but equally dramatic—missions involving their exes. Emmy and Fern, each channeling a distinct “Taylor Swift era,” are on a journey filled with nostalgic missteps and bold, unexpected moments. Emmy is all about Reputation vibes, ready to shake things up and reclaim her narrative, while Fern is deep in her Lover era, searching for closure with an open heart.


Their antics are all fun and games until their plans collide in the most unexpected ways. Packed with friendship dynamics, second chances, and just the right amount of spice, The Ex Project is a must-read for anyone who’s ever felt pulled back to their past, whether to laugh, cry, or maybe even get even. Get ready for a story that celebrates the power of friendship, love, and all things Taylor Swift.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredibly fun from start to finish and reading it felt like catching up with an old friend over a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I loved how the dual pov allowed you to see the two different approaches of going back to revisit your exs, with Fern looking for love and Emmie looking for revenge! What I loved most about this book was the female friendship at the center of the story! I love the way Fern and Emmie supported each other through the whole process! I was also completely obsessed with all the illustrations throughout the book! They are so unique and I looked forward to seeing what each chapter's picture would be and getting to see all of the details put into the dating profiles! There was a twist toward that end that left me completely speechless! It had such witty and fast paced dialogue that made the book hard to put down!

[Carrie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much I finished in a few days. Between this one and a few other local authors books I think it’s safe to say I am back out of my slump. Sometimes when I read a book with multiple fmcs there is one I like more. This was not the case with this one. I loved both Emmie, and Fern for totally different reasons.Its always nice when the characters get their “happy ending” and learn a lesson along the way. The next one in this series comes out soon and I can’t wait.

[Carole Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coffee, friendships and exes…the perfect combination! I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I truly enjoyed the journey.

[Alison Panetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but had too many side characters to keep track of. It had a just-slightly-larger-than-life energy that kept me interested.