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Exes & Foes
When two ex-best friends decide to hold a competition for the new girl's heart, they don't expect to fall for each other instead.
Emma has been a thorn in Caleb’s side since middle school. Having tarnished their friendship in eighth grade, she’s now little more to him than an unkempt, unruly, disastrous bisexual mess. Over the years, she’s gotten in the way of every romantic relationship he’s attempted to settle into, using little more than mischievous charisma to lure them into her clutches.
To Emma, Caleb sets the record for World’s Largest Stick in the Mud. Uptight, unbearably tidy, and a rule-follower, he’s exactly the kind of boring person her mother wishes she was. When she discovers they’re both after Juliet, the new girl, Emma proposes a competition to nudge him out of the way. Whoever can get Juliet to kiss them first wins, and the opposition must bow out with the promise of never talking to her again.
But plans go awry when Juliet seems mostly interested in hanging out with both of them together. Emma and Caleb just have to figure out whether winning Juliet’s heart is worth the torment of constantly dealing with each other, and the risk of reopening wounds from a past they thought they had left behind.
Emma has been a thorn in Caleb’s side since middle school. Having tarnished their friendship in eighth grade, she’s now little more to him than an unkempt, unruly, disastrous bisexual mess. Over the years, she’s gotten in the way of every romantic relationship he’s attempted to settle into, using little more than mischievous charisma to lure them into her clutches.
To Emma, Caleb sets the record for World’s Largest Stick in the Mud. Uptight, unbearably tidy, and a rule-follower, he’s exactly the kind of boring person her mother wishes she was. When she discovers they’re both after Juliet, the new girl, Emma proposes a competition to nudge him out of the way. Whoever can get Juliet to kiss them first wins, and the opposition must bow out with the promise of never talking to her again.
But plans go awry when Juliet seems mostly interested in hanging out with both of them together. Emma and Caleb just have to figure out whether winning Juliet’s heart is worth the torment of constantly dealing with each other, and the risk of reopening wounds from a past they thought they had left behind.
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First published July 23, 2024
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About the author
Amanda Woody
3 books637 followersA. M. Woody is a queer nonbinary author based in metro-Detroit and represented by New Leaf Literary. Some of their book weaknesses include:
Uncontrollable magic
Boys who fall in love
Girls with swords
Snarky banter
Eyes that glow
Chaotic queers
Dorks to lovers
Pirates and thieves
Uncontrollable magic
Boys who fall in love
Girls with swords
Snarky banter
Eyes that glow
Chaotic queers
Dorks to lovers
Pirates and thieves
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
July 12, 2024
Dear Amanda,
We all can have this terrible voice inside our heads that we’re not good enough. I know you worry readers won’t like your books. That your books aren’t good enough.
But Amanda, do you know how many people liked THEO? And would do anything to get that sequel you wrote? Do you know how THEO made me smile and gave this warm fuzzy feeling in my chest? And please know, Exes & Foes made me feel the same way!
The moment I started reading Exes, that smile I had while indulging THEO returned to my face. I grinned, I chuckled softly, I burst out laughing, and sometimes my chest tightened and a lump closed off my throat. You have a gift, Amanda. A gift to write fantastic character dynamics with so much vibrancy. I fell in love with badass Emma and awkward (her words) Juliette, and Caleb literally took a piece of my heart so he could live there forever. Even though I loved Juliette, I wanted Emma and Caleb to get together so badly. And when they finally did, after some hurdles, my heart fluttered.
Please, Amanda, never doubt yourself again. You’re one of those authors whose books I’d read without even reading the blurb.
Love,
Marieke
Thank you so much, Penguin Random House International, for this wonderful ARC!
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We all can have this terrible voice inside our heads that we’re not good enough. I know you worry readers won’t like your books. That your books aren’t good enough.
But Amanda, do you know how many people liked THEO? And would do anything to get that sequel you wrote? Do you know how THEO made me smile and gave this warm fuzzy feeling in my chest? And please know, Exes & Foes made me feel the same way!
The moment I started reading Exes, that smile I had while indulging THEO returned to my face. I grinned, I chuckled softly, I burst out laughing, and sometimes my chest tightened and a lump closed off my throat. You have a gift, Amanda. A gift to write fantastic character dynamics with so much vibrancy. I fell in love with badass Emma and awkward (her words) Juliette, and Caleb literally took a piece of my heart so he could live there forever. Even though I loved Juliette, I wanted Emma and Caleb to get together so badly. And when they finally did, after some hurdles, my heart fluttered.
Please, Amanda, never doubt yourself again. You’re one of those authors whose books I’d read without even reading the blurb.
Love,
Marieke
Thank you so much, Penguin Random House International, for this wonderful ARC!
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April 26, 2024
#PRHInternationalPartner ✨
After loving the author's debut They Hate Each Other, I was really excited for their second book, especially since it also features disaster bisexuals. Sadly, Exes & Foes didn't quite live up to my expectations. It's always a bummer when a book you've been excited for isn't what you hoped it'd be but Exes & Foes did pick up by the end and I really enjoyed the last part of it. I buddy read it with Dana which was great, as always ❤️
Emma and Caleb are ex-besties who no longer talk but still see each other as they go to the same high school. Caleb still doesn't understand why Emma suddenly stopped speaking to him but it's been four years so he's moved on… ish. When new girl Juliet shows up at their school, both Emma and Caleb crush hard. When they realize the other likes her, they make a bet - whoever Juliet kisses first gets to date her. As they both try to date Juliet, Emma and Caleb end up spending an unexpected amount of time together and it gets harder and harder for them to pretend they no longer care about each other.
There are 2 POVs: Emma's and Caleb's. Emma's a bit of a troublemaker at school, she's disorganized, defiant, and has a troubled homelife she's trying to keep quiet about but she doesn't have it easy. Caleb, on the other hand, is neat, organized, and a strict rulefollower. While he no longer gets bullied, he's still awkward and a bit of a (loveable) nerd. He was definitely my favourite with his disaster ways and constant need to clean lol
Because the book only has two POVs, it's obvious that Emma and Caleb get together. However, the first half of the book focuses on them trying to date Juliet, how wonderful she is, and how they both like her oh-so-much. For the majority of the book, all we seem to know about Juliet is that she's quirky, super clumsy, and very pretty, which had me wondering why exactly either of our mcs were so set on dating this girl in particular. Because so much time is spent on this setup, we also don't get a lot of interactions between Emma and Caleb beyond short exchanges, and I honestly was fairly bored the first 60% of the book.
I feel like it picked up once Emma and Caleb started interacting more. Especially the last 25% ish were great - we got to see the two spending time together, we got to see their chemistry and friendship, and I was really rooting for them! Even Juliet got a much needed personality and I ended the book with really liking all the characters. However, it just took way too long for me to get invested, and for the book to get to the good part.
That said, Exes & Foes had its funny moments, it definitely had me laughing out loud a few times, and it had great diverse rep. Basically everyone was queer, there was specific bi, demi, and ace rep, as well as great mental health rep. The book also did found family well, and dealt well with the trauma Emma especially was going through.
Overall, an okay book that ended on a great note with lovely character development but it just took way too long to get there.
Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody // ⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to PRH International and Edelweiss for the ARC. Exes & Foes is out July 23
After loving the author's debut They Hate Each Other, I was really excited for their second book, especially since it also features disaster bisexuals. Sadly, Exes & Foes didn't quite live up to my expectations. It's always a bummer when a book you've been excited for isn't what you hoped it'd be but Exes & Foes did pick up by the end and I really enjoyed the last part of it. I buddy read it with Dana which was great, as always ❤️
Emma and Caleb are ex-besties who no longer talk but still see each other as they go to the same high school. Caleb still doesn't understand why Emma suddenly stopped speaking to him but it's been four years so he's moved on… ish. When new girl Juliet shows up at their school, both Emma and Caleb crush hard. When they realize the other likes her, they make a bet - whoever Juliet kisses first gets to date her. As they both try to date Juliet, Emma and Caleb end up spending an unexpected amount of time together and it gets harder and harder for them to pretend they no longer care about each other.
There are 2 POVs: Emma's and Caleb's. Emma's a bit of a troublemaker at school, she's disorganized, defiant, and has a troubled homelife she's trying to keep quiet about but she doesn't have it easy. Caleb, on the other hand, is neat, organized, and a strict rulefollower. While he no longer gets bullied, he's still awkward and a bit of a (loveable) nerd. He was definitely my favourite with his disaster ways and constant need to clean lol
Because the book only has two POVs, it's obvious that Emma and Caleb get together. However, the first half of the book focuses on them trying to date Juliet, how wonderful she is, and how they both like her oh-so-much. For the majority of the book, all we seem to know about Juliet is that she's quirky, super clumsy, and very pretty, which had me wondering why exactly either of our mcs were so set on dating this girl in particular. Because so much time is spent on this setup, we also don't get a lot of interactions between Emma and Caleb beyond short exchanges, and I honestly was fairly bored the first 60% of the book.
I feel like it picked up once Emma and Caleb started interacting more. Especially the last 25% ish were great - we got to see the two spending time together, we got to see their chemistry and friendship, and I was really rooting for them! Even Juliet got a much needed personality and I ended the book with really liking all the characters. However, it just took way too long for me to get invested, and for the book to get to the good part.
That said, Exes & Foes had its funny moments, it definitely had me laughing out loud a few times, and it had great diverse rep. Basically everyone was queer, there was specific bi, demi, and ace rep, as well as great mental health rep. The book also did found family well, and dealt well with the trauma Emma especially was going through.
Overall, an okay book that ended on a great note with lovely character development but it just took way too long to get there.
Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody // ⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to PRH International and Edelweiss for the ARC. Exes & Foes is out July 23
December 31, 2025
This was so adorable! I loved the romance between the best friends! It was so cute and I loved the representation for Juliet. It’s not something you see a lot of in books. I’m glad that the asexual and aromantic community has such a wonderfully written character to add to their community! I love a good representation moment!
I might come back and reread this one because it was so so cute and the romance just did it for me!
I might come back and reread this one because it was so so cute and the romance just did it for me!
June 18, 2024
I only started getting into this and enjoying it around the 45% mark; getting there was rather painful at times. The cringey dialogue and silly moments throughout the book took me out of the story every single time. Like the time Emma threw candy at an adult’s face in the middle of a cafe during a serious conversation. That entire sequence was so unserious. Actually, every cafe scene was unserious, and there were a surprising amount of them. They would always behave as if there was nobody around to see them act like buffoons. The amount of second hand embarrassment this book gave me was way too much for my poor little anxiety brain to handle.
However, the strong point of this book is actually the complex relationships being portrayed, both romantic and parental, which I absolutely enjoyed. The lead up to the main characters getting together and actually talking through their issues was also quite scrumptious, I will give credit where credit is due. Which is exactly why I'll keep reading everything the author publishes. While this book just didn’t work for me very much, I can really see the potential for a 5 star from this author in the future, because when this book was good, it was GOOD.
(I would've also preferred this to go the poly direction, but alas.)
However, the strong point of this book is actually the complex relationships being portrayed, both romantic and parental, which I absolutely enjoyed. The lead up to the main characters getting together and actually talking through their issues was also quite scrumptious, I will give credit where credit is due. Which is exactly why I'll keep reading everything the author publishes. While this book just didn’t work for me very much, I can really see the potential for a 5 star from this author in the future, because when this book was good, it was GOOD.
(I would've also preferred this to go the poly direction, but alas.)
October 3, 2024
It's obvious since beginning that this isn't really a love triangle, but it was cute. I just wish Juliet was more developed.
May 7, 2025
I cannot lie, I was bored for the first half of this. We get two povs, Emma's and Caleb's, and we switch back and forth between 5 years ago and the present timeline. The book was very slow to build up the relationship between these two because a considerable chunk of it is spent with Caleb and Emma competing to win Juliet's heart hence there's not a lot of interacting between them. It does pick up once they get to talking but by that point I was only half committed.
I liked Caleb and his clumsy, cleaning obsessed self. He was so adorable. Emma was totally the opposite, strong and quick to fight for herself as a result of her horrible home life...god I wanted to hug her so bad. I loved them together and their banter was top tier...for teenagers at least.
With its abundant queer representation and Amanda Woody's commitment to making all her books have bi4bi couples, I always know what I'm going to get with her books and this was no different. It was a fun read!
I liked Caleb and his clumsy, cleaning obsessed self. He was so adorable. Emma was totally the opposite, strong and quick to fight for herself as a result of her horrible home life...god I wanted to hug her so bad. I loved them together and their banter was top tier...for teenagers at least.
With its abundant queer representation and Amanda Woody's commitment to making all her books have bi4bi couples, I always know what I'm going to get with her books and this was no different. It was a fun read!
August 29, 2024
One of the best books I have ever read.
The romance was perfect and the characters were made for each other.
But what I appreciated most about this book was the way toxic relationships between parents and children were written.
It was portrayed really well and felt relatable.
I've read too many books where lousy parents get away with one halfass sorta apology or a character says "but she's still your mom".
This one is heartbreaking and empowering.
And let's not forget it's a funny book with one of the best written romances ever.
The romance was perfect and the characters were made for each other.
But what I appreciated most about this book was the way toxic relationships between parents and children were written.
It was portrayed really well and felt relatable.
I've read too many books where lousy parents get away with one halfass sorta apology or a character says "but she's still your mom".
This one is heartbreaking and empowering.
And let's not forget it's a funny book with one of the best written romances ever.
April 25, 2024
Thanks to Viking Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
This story follows Caleb and Emma, who used to be best friends but had a falling out several years ago. In present day, they both start liking a girl (Juliet), so they decide to make it a competition to see who can romance her first.
Unfortunately, I think this concept was my biggest problem with the book. First of all, it made me immediately feel kinda icky. Caleb and Emma sometimes talked about Juliet like she was a prize to be won, which I didn’t like. They admitted it was a bad thing to do, and other people called them out on it too, and they apologized to Juliet for it, so it’s not like the book is glorifying this act, but still – I wish it’d been done a little differently.
I think the issue is that their reasons for “liking” Juliet didn’t feel… right. They were both instantly attracted to Juliet for absolutely no reason. All she did was be clumsy and pretty and Caleb and Emma were both like “Omg she’s amazing I wanna date her! 😍”. Juliet does absolutely nothing and those 2 immediately fall for her. I don’t get it, but perhaps I’m just too ace for this (though Caleb is supposedly in the ace-spec too, and was instantly attracted to Juliet after 1 conversation, so idk. Everybody feels attraction differently, though; I’m not trying to police anyone’s sexuality!).
They then spent half of the book constantly talking about how adorable Juliet is. And like, yeah, it’s kinda funny to see these 2 simp for the new girl and talk about how she’s so cute they want to smash their own faces into the ground, ha ha, but like… goddamn it. They couldn’t go 5 pages without mentioning how perfect Juliet is. It started feeling exaggerated and cartoonish, especially given the fact that they were instantly into her, for basically no reason.
Caleb and Emma’s individual romances with Juliet were definitely the weakest part of this book. I understand that these romances were just a plot device for the *real* romance of this story (the one between Caleb and Emma themselves), but I just wish their relationships with Juliet had been done differently. I think this would’ve worked better if we had more buildup for Juliet’s relationships with the MCs. Instead of having both Caleb and Emma *instantly* fall for Juliet, we should’ve gotten a bit of development in each of those relationships: 1) so we could actually get some reason for them to be falling for her, and 2) so it didn’t feel so weird that they’re competing for her love. If they had developed friendships, then actually started liking Juliet after getting to know her, then found out the other likes her too, and only then decided to compete, this whole thing would’ve felt less… icky, because there was some actual relationships already established with Juliet. Instead, it’s just insta love + using this poor girl as a pawn by competing for her feelings. And, sure, they acknowledge that this isn’t a good thing to do, but they do it anyways. The author could’ve definitely made it less questionable by better developing Caleb and Emma’s relationships with Juliet.
Regarding Caleb and Emma’s romance: it was very clear from the start that they still harbored feelings for each other, even though their friendship had ended years prior (apparently on a very bad note). I enjoyed learning more about their past, and I liked seeing them both looking out for each other, even though they were no longer friends. The idea that they’ll always be each other’s person, no matter what, was really sweet and well developed.
Unfortunately, though, (and I hate to say this)… I didn’t feel anything about their romance. 🧍 I’M SO SAAAADDDDD. 😭 They were so sweet – I especially liked this part near the end: . However, for some reason, I just didn’t feel *a thing* while reading their scenes together. Their “Always and forever” thing didn’t hit. I didn’t feel a single butterfly when they admitted their feelings, or when they kissed. Their cheesy moments (like when they helped each other shower, or when Caleb told that bully “Touch her again and I’ll break you”, or their love confession in the middle of an argument) just left me staring blankly at the page… Them getting steamy after 1 kiss (and 4 years of animosity) just made me feel… too ace for this shit lol.
I genuinely don’t know what happened! Like, in my head, I could tell they were super cute together, and I was rooting for them, but I still didn’t feel a singular butterfly in my stomach, and I’m sad about it. 😢😢😢 However, I think this might be a *me* problem; I haven’t been loving any books, recently. I hoped this one would reignite my love for romance, and leave me giggling and kicking my feet, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. I still think other people could love this romance, though! And I hope they do, because I still really like Amanda Woody and I can’t WAIT to read their next book!
Now for the things I liked:
✘ I thought Emma and Caleb were great MCs! I related a lot more to Caleb, but I liked them both. I enjoyed reading about their struggles and their family lives, and seeing how their different personalities complemented each other so well.
✘ The conflicts in this book made sense – the reason for their fallout was logical and well established, and their little argument later on was well integrated into the story, too. I appreciate that Amanda Woody always writes 3rd act conflicts that actually make sense for the story and characters, and aren’t there just for the sake of having a stupid 3rd act breakup.
✘ The SCs were enjoyable and well portrayed, especially Caleb and Emma’s parents.
✘ I also thought this book had some amusing lines.
✘ The queer representation was obviously amazing, and I loved all the conversations about it.
Overall, this is a fun book, with lots of great rep and a sweet romance. Definitely pick it up if it sounds like something you’d enjoy!
(review written on 25/04/2024)
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I GOT AN ARC BABY LET'S GOOOOO
(16/04/2024)
------
"2 ex best friends compete for the new girl's attention and accidentally start to fall in love with each other"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!!!?! that sounds SO GOOD!!!!! 😩😩😩 I will be selling my soul for this baby!
(10/08/2023)
This story follows Caleb and Emma, who used to be best friends but had a falling out several years ago. In present day, they both start liking a girl (Juliet), so they decide to make it a competition to see who can romance her first.
Unfortunately, I think this concept was my biggest problem with the book. First of all, it made me immediately feel kinda icky. Caleb and Emma sometimes talked about Juliet like she was a prize to be won, which I didn’t like. They admitted it was a bad thing to do, and other people called them out on it too, and they apologized to Juliet for it, so it’s not like the book is glorifying this act, but still – I wish it’d been done a little differently.
I think the issue is that their reasons for “liking” Juliet didn’t feel… right. They were both instantly attracted to Juliet for absolutely no reason. All she did was be clumsy and pretty and Caleb and Emma were both like “Omg she’s amazing I wanna date her! 😍”. Juliet does absolutely nothing and those 2 immediately fall for her. I don’t get it, but perhaps I’m just too ace for this (though Caleb is supposedly in the ace-spec too, and was instantly attracted to Juliet after 1 conversation, so idk. Everybody feels attraction differently, though; I’m not trying to police anyone’s sexuality!).
They then spent half of the book constantly talking about how adorable Juliet is. And like, yeah, it’s kinda funny to see these 2 simp for the new girl and talk about how she’s so cute they want to smash their own faces into the ground, ha ha, but like… goddamn it. They couldn’t go 5 pages without mentioning how perfect Juliet is. It started feeling exaggerated and cartoonish, especially given the fact that they were instantly into her, for basically no reason.
Caleb and Emma’s individual romances with Juliet were definitely the weakest part of this book. I understand that these romances were just a plot device for the *real* romance of this story (the one between Caleb and Emma themselves), but I just wish their relationships with Juliet had been done differently. I think this would’ve worked better if we had more buildup for Juliet’s relationships with the MCs. Instead of having both Caleb and Emma *instantly* fall for Juliet, we should’ve gotten a bit of development in each of those relationships: 1) so we could actually get some reason for them to be falling for her, and 2) so it didn’t feel so weird that they’re competing for her love. If they had developed friendships, then actually started liking Juliet after getting to know her, then found out the other likes her too, and only then decided to compete, this whole thing would’ve felt less… icky, because there was some actual relationships already established with Juliet. Instead, it’s just insta love + using this poor girl as a pawn by competing for her feelings. And, sure, they acknowledge that this isn’t a good thing to do, but they do it anyways. The author could’ve definitely made it less questionable by better developing Caleb and Emma’s relationships with Juliet.
Regarding Caleb and Emma’s romance: it was very clear from the start that they still harbored feelings for each other, even though their friendship had ended years prior (apparently on a very bad note). I enjoyed learning more about their past, and I liked seeing them both looking out for each other, even though they were no longer friends. The idea that they’ll always be each other’s person, no matter what, was really sweet and well developed.
Unfortunately, though, (and I hate to say this)… I didn’t feel anything about their romance. 🧍 I’M SO SAAAADDDDD. 😭 They were so sweet – I especially liked this part near the end: . However, for some reason, I just didn’t feel *a thing* while reading their scenes together. Their “Always and forever” thing didn’t hit. I didn’t feel a single butterfly when they admitted their feelings, or when they kissed. Their cheesy moments (like when they helped each other shower, or when Caleb told that bully “Touch her again and I’ll break you”, or their love confession in the middle of an argument) just left me staring blankly at the page… Them getting steamy after 1 kiss (and 4 years of animosity) just made me feel… too ace for this shit lol.
I genuinely don’t know what happened! Like, in my head, I could tell they were super cute together, and I was rooting for them, but I still didn’t feel a singular butterfly in my stomach, and I’m sad about it. 😢😢😢 However, I think this might be a *me* problem; I haven’t been loving any books, recently. I hoped this one would reignite my love for romance, and leave me giggling and kicking my feet, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. I still think other people could love this romance, though! And I hope they do, because I still really like Amanda Woody and I can’t WAIT to read their next book!
Now for the things I liked:
✘ I thought Emma and Caleb were great MCs! I related a lot more to Caleb, but I liked them both. I enjoyed reading about their struggles and their family lives, and seeing how their different personalities complemented each other so well.
✘ The conflicts in this book made sense – the reason for their fallout was logical and well established, and their little argument later on was well integrated into the story, too. I appreciate that Amanda Woody always writes 3rd act conflicts that actually make sense for the story and characters, and aren’t there just for the sake of having a stupid 3rd act breakup.
✘ The SCs were enjoyable and well portrayed, especially Caleb and Emma’s parents.
✘ I also thought this book had some amusing lines.
✘ The queer representation was obviously amazing, and I loved all the conversations about it.
Overall, this is a fun book, with lots of great rep and a sweet romance. Definitely pick it up if it sounds like something you’d enjoy!
(review written on 25/04/2024)
-------
I GOT AN ARC BABY LET'S GOOOOO
(16/04/2024)
------
"2 ex best friends compete for the new girl's attention and accidentally start to fall in love with each other"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!!!?! that sounds SO GOOD!!!!! 😩😩😩 I will be selling my soul for this baby!
(10/08/2023)
July 26, 2024
This seemed like it would be a fairly light rom-com, but ended up being deeper and delving into issues around family, abuse, bullying, and acceptance. I enjoyed the change up and felt like this a nice read.
The story is told in dual POV, so we really get to see both character's mindsets and their struggles. I was happy to see Emma and Caleb be forced together and slowly start to work on their relationship. There are also some great side characters, especially Juliet, who is incredibly sweet and loveable.
Great sophomore book from Woody and I'll definitely be going back to check out their debut after this!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the copy.
The story is told in dual POV, so we really get to see both character's mindsets and their struggles. I was happy to see Emma and Caleb be forced together and slowly start to work on their relationship. There are also some great side characters, especially Juliet, who is incredibly sweet and loveable.
Great sophomore book from Woody and I'll definitely be going back to check out their debut after this!
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the copy.
November 11, 2024
Well, past Stacee needs to be kicked for waiting so long to read this one.
I love love loved Emma, Caleb, and Juliet. They’re all so different and yet all looking to belong. I loved Emma’s crunchiness, Caleb’s caring, and Juliet’s sunshine. Of course, there are some wonderful secondary characters who were just as great, especially when everyone was together.
Plot wise, it was good. There are a few moving pieces here: Emma’s home life, Caleb’s dad, and Juliet’s ex-friends. The focus quickly becomes the history of Emma and Caleb and how they’re dealing with the present. I really enjoyed getting the “back then” chapters to read how it all went down, instead of being told they just weren’t friends any longer.
Overall, this was a delightfully real story, filled with characters who were so easy to root for (and want to mash their faces together at the same time.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I love love loved Emma, Caleb, and Juliet. They’re all so different and yet all looking to belong. I loved Emma’s crunchiness, Caleb’s caring, and Juliet’s sunshine. Of course, there are some wonderful secondary characters who were just as great, especially when everyone was together.
Plot wise, it was good. There are a few moving pieces here: Emma’s home life, Caleb’s dad, and Juliet’s ex-friends. The focus quickly becomes the history of Emma and Caleb and how they’re dealing with the present. I really enjoyed getting the “back then” chapters to read how it all went down, instead of being told they just weren’t friends any longer.
Overall, this was a delightfully real story, filled with characters who were so easy to root for (and want to mash their faces together at the same time.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
July 29, 2024
2024 reads: 211/250
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
content warnings: emotional abuse, bullying, homophobia
emma and caleb, once best friends, are now as close as strangers. emma has been getting in the way of every romantic prospect of caleb’s, but when caleb becomes interested in the new girl at school, juliet, he’s desperate to get to know her before emma asks her out. so, they have a little challenge: emma and caleb will get to know juliet, and whoever juliet kisses first gets to go out with her. as they make plans with juliet, though, she seems to be interested in hanging out with both of them at the same time, leading caleb and emma to wonder whether winning juliet’s heart is worth opening old wounds.
this might be a bit of an implied spoiler? but with a description like that, it was easy to see this story going one of two ways, either of which i would’ve been happy with. luckily, it did go one of my two predicted ways!
i loved all these characters so much. even though juliet doesn’t have a pov of her own, i enjoyed getting to know her<3 and caleb and emma had so much history that i loved learning about.
the writing was a bit silly at times, but honestly i think it added to the vibes of the book, so i didn’t mind that too much. i can’t wait to read more of amanda woody’s books!
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
content warnings: emotional abuse, bullying, homophobia
emma and caleb, once best friends, are now as close as strangers. emma has been getting in the way of every romantic prospect of caleb’s, but when caleb becomes interested in the new girl at school, juliet, he’s desperate to get to know her before emma asks her out. so, they have a little challenge: emma and caleb will get to know juliet, and whoever juliet kisses first gets to go out with her. as they make plans with juliet, though, she seems to be interested in hanging out with both of them at the same time, leading caleb and emma to wonder whether winning juliet’s heart is worth opening old wounds.
this might be a bit of an implied spoiler? but with a description like that, it was easy to see this story going one of two ways, either of which i would’ve been happy with. luckily, it did go one of my two predicted ways!
i loved all these characters so much. even though juliet doesn’t have a pov of her own, i enjoyed getting to know her<3 and caleb and emma had so much history that i loved learning about.
the writing was a bit silly at times, but honestly i think it added to the vibes of the book, so i didn’t mind that too much. i can’t wait to read more of amanda woody’s books!
Read
May 25, 2025dnf.
this was so insufferable that i just skipped to the end, and how about that? no character growth at all.
very very annoying.
this was so insufferable that i just skipped to the end, and how about that? no character growth at all.
very very annoying.
April 29, 2024
A cute, quirky YA romance between ex-best friends who are competing for the new girl’s heart.
Caleb is an adorably nerdy character with daddy issues who still isn’t sure why his best friend stopped talking to him in eight grade. A few years later and he’s still nursing that hurt - especially when it seems like every time he likes someone, she swoops in and woos them before he had the chance to. But that won’t happen this time if he has anything to say about it!
Emma is a troublemaker - always has been, especially when it comes to bullies. She’s never been able to keep her mouth shut or her hands to herself - even when it comes to her emotionally abusive mother who’s been chipping at her self esteem since she could talk, making her believe she’ll never be worthy of a friend like Caleb. So Emma decides to stop dragging him down with her. Until they both start crushing on the new girl.
Juliet may be the catalyst but this is the story of Caleb and Emma, kf them finding their way back to each other, forgiveness, and realizing they're stronger than they think they are. its a little slow to begin with as they focus on their competition for Juliet and we really only see Juliet as a caricature of herself through their eyes, rather than the three dimensional person she actually is (which we see later on). Once they give up the animosity, Caleb and Emma are actually really cute together, opposites but in a way that complements.
I enjoyed the diverse representation, the demisexual rep, the bisexual chaos, and trans rep!
3.5/5
Caleb is an adorably nerdy character with daddy issues who still isn’t sure why his best friend stopped talking to him in eight grade. A few years later and he’s still nursing that hurt - especially when it seems like every time he likes someone, she swoops in and woos them before he had the chance to. But that won’t happen this time if he has anything to say about it!
Emma is a troublemaker - always has been, especially when it comes to bullies. She’s never been able to keep her mouth shut or her hands to herself - even when it comes to her emotionally abusive mother who’s been chipping at her self esteem since she could talk, making her believe she’ll never be worthy of a friend like Caleb. So Emma decides to stop dragging him down with her. Until they both start crushing on the new girl.
Juliet may be the catalyst but this is the story of Caleb and Emma, kf them finding their way back to each other, forgiveness, and realizing they're stronger than they think they are. its a little slow to begin with as they focus on their competition for Juliet and we really only see Juliet as a caricature of herself through their eyes, rather than the three dimensional person she actually is (which we see later on). Once they give up the animosity, Caleb and Emma are actually really cute together, opposites but in a way that complements.
I enjoyed the diverse representation, the demisexual rep, the bisexual chaos, and trans rep!
3.5/5
September 8, 2025
i ended up enjoying this way more than i expected awwww. i love all three of them i was praying for a #throuple but i can settle for this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2024
Earlier this year I read they both hate each other and absolutely loved it. When I saw this one I knew I would love it too. This book starts off and you think it’s going to be some lighthearted rom com but no this book delved into lot of emotions of family abuse, bulling and neglect. Just reading this book you felt for Emma and Caleb was always there for her be was suck an amazing person and friend. I loved all the other characters too they all had their own unique personalities and all fitted so well.
April 18, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the ARC team for giving me an ARC to read and review.
This book had a similar tone to They Hate Each Other (a balance of silly/nonsensical concept against the backdrop of some heavier topics). The two main characters were three dimensional and broke away from gender stereotypes, which is always a good thing and a nice subversion for the YA genre. This was definitely a quick read and while the first half didn't grab me, there weren't necessarily any pacing issues.
This is just down to personal preference, but the language used definitely skewed younger, and it felt a bit Ali Hazelwood-esque. There are some YA books that are great for readers of any age (They Hate Each Other felt more like that) and some that are meant exclusively for teens and I think this one skews to the latter. It's probably sitting at a 2.5 star for me personally, but I really don't think I was the target age demographic for this one.
I wasn't actually able to get a clear read on some of the characters or connect with the plot until the second half. My biggest criticism is that I really wish there was a bit more put into Juliet's character because I couldn't quite figure out what made her just so compelling to Emma and Caleb. Her quirkiness and constant self-deprecation was more annoying than charming. Which wouldn't be an issue for a supporting character, but their interest in her is what was the catalyst for the whole plot.
This book had a similar tone to They Hate Each Other (a balance of silly/nonsensical concept against the backdrop of some heavier topics). The two main characters were three dimensional and broke away from gender stereotypes, which is always a good thing and a nice subversion for the YA genre. This was definitely a quick read and while the first half didn't grab me, there weren't necessarily any pacing issues.
This is just down to personal preference, but the language used definitely skewed younger, and it felt a bit Ali Hazelwood-esque. There are some YA books that are great for readers of any age (They Hate Each Other felt more like that) and some that are meant exclusively for teens and I think this one skews to the latter. It's probably sitting at a 2.5 star for me personally, but I really don't think I was the target age demographic for this one.
I wasn't actually able to get a clear read on some of the characters or connect with the plot until the second half. My biggest criticism is that I really wish there was a bit more put into Juliet's character because I couldn't quite figure out what made her just so compelling to Emma and Caleb. Her quirkiness and constant self-deprecation was more annoying than charming. Which wouldn't be an issue for a supporting character, but their interest in her is what was the catalyst for the whole plot.
August 11, 2024
Well this was utter perfection.
I didn't think it was possible to love a book more than I loved They Hate Each Other and yet... Exes & Foes is now at the top.
The ways these characters care about each other makes my heart implode with happiness I can't even explain.
I see myself in many parts of each of them, the good and the bad. And to know they find love despite the shit their parents have put them through, is all I've ever needed.
Hello Amanda Woody, you're my fave author now, thank you.
I talk about books here: Instagram / TikTok / Linktree
I didn't think it was possible to love a book more than I loved They Hate Each Other and yet... Exes & Foes is now at the top.
The ways these characters care about each other makes my heart implode with happiness I can't even explain.
I see myself in many parts of each of them, the good and the bad. And to know they find love despite the shit their parents have put them through, is all I've ever needed.
Hello Amanda Woody, you're my fave author now, thank you.
I talk about books here: Instagram / TikTok / Linktree
August 7, 2024
Lubby: The girl that they're chasing is an aro ace nonbinary person that wasn't interested in either of them. I'm glad they didn't ruin their new friendships with this bet (first one that gets Juliet to kiss them gets to ask her out), but definitely assumed the three of them were going to be poly.
Sooooo many Mommy/Daddy Issues. There's not a character in this book that doesn't need therapy.
Read by Jeff Ebner and Kristen DiMercurio. #booksin24
Sooooo many Mommy/Daddy Issues. There's not a character in this book that doesn't need therapy.
Read by Jeff Ebner and Kristen DiMercurio. #booksin24
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
had abit of a rough start for me, but when it got going it was great. Woody writes these damn traumatised teens too well.
thank god for ms daniels
thank god for ms daniels
April 10, 2024
ARC review: 4.8-5/5 ⭐️
i read this for the #TransRightsReadathon & i've never been more proud of my decision. lo & behold, another favorite book of 2024 is here!
y'know, when you are having a bad day & you pick up a book that instantly works like drug to your system, immediately makes you feel a little watery, flufflier, better inside? that has the ability to make you laugh out loud in the grimmest of situations? well, this is that book! the sheer intensity of the feelings it evoked in me was enough to obliterate all my thoughts about my own life and that’s the kind of oblivion you need sometimes.
the whole book was this giant burst of serotonin dopamine & every other happy hormones directly shot into my brain. it was a series of gutpunches straight to my sternum, happy sobs & warm hugs.
i mean, as if it being another bi × bi story is not enough, this time they are two childhood estranged bffs, crushing on the same person & giving themselves a second chance?? it's like Amanda Woody customized this book esp for me.
as usual it carved a vital part of my soul & that's not just bc of this sublime love story but also due to the difficult & nuanced thematics it champions. in addition to the complexity of lifelong friendships, it ekes out an excruciating narrative around different shades of toxic parenting & abuse in pixelated detail: of parents' emotional abuse & the devastation left in its wake for the children. that it is just as much damaging & bruising as phyiscal abuse. of absentee parents, parental neglect & indifference, & how that butchers children's emotional safety & self-esteem. of what actively working to heal from past traumas looks like, & how, if left unresolved, they can seep into your present life. about omnipresence of misogyny directed toward any women confident in her body.
& i think i can't speak on the non-binary representation as a cis person but i still want to say i just loved how it was introduced, explored, reflected on anyway, in whatever small capacity it was. and i ADORED them, their process of assimilation into their friend's group, how readily everyone accepted her of her buyont personality and strived to make her feel safe and themself in it.
now the romance?? SO WHOLESOME. their opposites-attract was beautifully opposite-attracting!
emmy was a "fiery spitball", & i couldn't love her more for it. FMCs with her kind of spunky, fiesty spirit, a tendency to etch her anger on her body, not be afraid to dim her rage and speak the truth despite all its disastrous consequences are like a personal compass for me.
and caleb, the sweetest gentlest boy. seriously he's befitting of a k-drama lead. the same kind of candor, sincerity & genuineness?? his emotions running high , spilling out on his face? who offers you handkerchiefs at a moment's notice?? he became my kriptonyte from the v. first page with his plead to talk about their feelings even when he's having a fist into his face.
their story arc was one of the angstiest, softest, warmest thing i've read in this year. i think part of the reason it was so exolosive was the tumultuous history between them, & the past timeline illustrating the slow & sweet build of their pre-teen-era friendship & feelings.
so this time, with that gulf of hurt & confusion b/w them, when they both started vying for the same person's attention & kept landing in the same places together, it was as hilarious as heartwarming. i was GIDDY reading their interactions, to witness their contradictory emotions; their near hostility & the little peeks of reluctant caring that'd fall through the crack in between.
it was so DELICIOUSLY, DELIRIOUSLY exhilarating to see their dormant feelings for each other SPEWING out with every little chest ache, stomach fluttering, lump in throat, & pang in the heart each got for something the other did for Juliet. and each other. how their dormant care for each other was not so dormant after all.
karaoke nights, bowling with disastrous results, carpooling together, gaming nights, sharing blankets on sleepovers, thrugh all of it Amanda woody charted their path to crawl back to each other, & my heart nearly gave out when he shampooed her hair and helped her shower??? honestly they couldn't be more adorable.
their relationship had the soft warmth, their love for each other so gentle but oh so fierce. the way they both took care of each other's need, became their support system, after reconciling was a thing of beauty to witness. they worked to be there for each other. and them together was an abnormal amount of joy, i nearly expired from the WHOLESOMENESS of their arc. the sugary sweetness made my teeth hurt, but in a good way.
also, Emma's relationship with two other female characters in the book was again so beautifully etched. the way the complex nature of her siblingship was described was heartaching. & i just ADORED her relationship with Celeb's mom.
soo, i want to say the biggest thank to amanda woody to provide me with the ARC to read. i cannot wait to see it on shelves on July 23!
i read this for the #TransRightsReadathon & i've never been more proud of my decision. lo & behold, another favorite book of 2024 is here!
y'know, when you are having a bad day & you pick up a book that instantly works like drug to your system, immediately makes you feel a little watery, flufflier, better inside? that has the ability to make you laugh out loud in the grimmest of situations? well, this is that book! the sheer intensity of the feelings it evoked in me was enough to obliterate all my thoughts about my own life and that’s the kind of oblivion you need sometimes.
the whole book was this giant burst of serotonin dopamine & every other happy hormones directly shot into my brain. it was a series of gutpunches straight to my sternum, happy sobs & warm hugs.
i mean, as if it being another bi × bi story is not enough, this time they are two childhood estranged bffs, crushing on the same person & giving themselves a second chance?? it's like Amanda Woody customized this book esp for me.
as usual it carved a vital part of my soul & that's not just bc of this sublime love story but also due to the difficult & nuanced thematics it champions. in addition to the complexity of lifelong friendships, it ekes out an excruciating narrative around different shades of toxic parenting & abuse in pixelated detail: of parents' emotional abuse & the devastation left in its wake for the children. that it is just as much damaging & bruising as phyiscal abuse. of absentee parents, parental neglect & indifference, & how that butchers children's emotional safety & self-esteem. of what actively working to heal from past traumas looks like, & how, if left unresolved, they can seep into your present life. about omnipresence of misogyny directed toward any women confident in her body.
& i think i can't speak on the non-binary representation as a cis person but i still want to say i just loved how it was introduced, explored, reflected on anyway, in whatever small capacity it was. and i ADORED them, their process of assimilation into their friend's group, how readily everyone accepted her of her buyont personality and strived to make her feel safe and themself in it.
now the romance?? SO WHOLESOME. their opposites-attract was beautifully opposite-attracting!
emmy was a "fiery spitball", & i couldn't love her more for it. FMCs with her kind of spunky, fiesty spirit, a tendency to etch her anger on her body, not be afraid to dim her rage and speak the truth despite all its disastrous consequences are like a personal compass for me.
and caleb, the sweetest gentlest boy. seriously he's befitting of a k-drama lead. the same kind of candor, sincerity & genuineness?? his emotions running high , spilling out on his face? who offers you handkerchiefs at a moment's notice?? he became my kriptonyte from the v. first page with his plead to talk about their feelings even when he's having a fist into his face.
their story arc was one of the angstiest, softest, warmest thing i've read in this year. i think part of the reason it was so exolosive was the tumultuous history between them, & the past timeline illustrating the slow & sweet build of their pre-teen-era friendship & feelings.
so this time, with that gulf of hurt & confusion b/w them, when they both started vying for the same person's attention & kept landing in the same places together, it was as hilarious as heartwarming. i was GIDDY reading their interactions, to witness their contradictory emotions; their near hostility & the little peeks of reluctant caring that'd fall through the crack in between.
it was so DELICIOUSLY, DELIRIOUSLY exhilarating to see their dormant feelings for each other SPEWING out with every little chest ache, stomach fluttering, lump in throat, & pang in the heart each got for something the other did for Juliet. and each other. how their dormant care for each other was not so dormant after all.
karaoke nights, bowling with disastrous results, carpooling together, gaming nights, sharing blankets on sleepovers, thrugh all of it Amanda woody charted their path to crawl back to each other, & my heart nearly gave out when he shampooed her hair and helped her shower??? honestly they couldn't be more adorable.
their relationship had the soft warmth, their love for each other so gentle but oh so fierce. the way they both took care of each other's need, became their support system, after reconciling was a thing of beauty to witness. they worked to be there for each other. and them together was an abnormal amount of joy, i nearly expired from the WHOLESOMENESS of their arc. the sugary sweetness made my teeth hurt, but in a good way.
also, Emma's relationship with two other female characters in the book was again so beautifully etched. the way the complex nature of her siblingship was described was heartaching. & i just ADORED her relationship with Celeb's mom.
soo, i want to say the biggest thank to amanda woody to provide me with the ARC to read. i cannot wait to see it on shelves on July 23!
August 12, 2024
10 out of 10. No notes. I loved this. Every page and character and interaction was just fantastic.
Character spoilers below!!!!
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Bisexual leads
Non-binary aroace SC
Character spoilers below!!!!
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Bisexual leads
Non-binary aroace SC
March 11, 2024
I loved this book! This story was sweet, had a lovely cast of supporting characters, and featured great rep (of multiple identities that I will leave unsaid for spoiler reasons).
Emma and Caleb were both written so thoughtfully, and Juliet was so much fun. This book—similar to They Hate Each Other—did a great job of balancing heavy topics and humor. (Also similar to THEO, it describes a lot of trauma, so check trigger warnings!) I laughed and cried within same scenes, and it pulled me out of a reading slump!
I loved THEO, and Exes and Foes did not disappoint. Amanda Woody has become an auto-buy author for me, and I am grateful to have read their wonderful book.
4.5 ⭐️
Emma and Caleb were both written so thoughtfully, and Juliet was so much fun. This book—similar to They Hate Each Other—did a great job of balancing heavy topics and humor. (Also similar to THEO, it describes a lot of trauma, so check trigger warnings!) I laughed and cried within same scenes, and it pulled me out of a reading slump!
I loved THEO, and Exes and Foes did not disappoint. Amanda Woody has become an auto-buy author for me, and I am grateful to have read their wonderful book.
4.5 ⭐️
January 17, 2024
Whenever I read a book with a love triangle now, I always want it to end with them all just happily together and get frustrated every time when that doesn't happen. This was the first book that gave a perfect alternate solution at the end. If you like ex-best friends to lovers, queer rep(there's a character on the ace spectrum), and YA coming of age romance I highly recommend this one. At times there are also hard themes, but it is shown and discussed. I've really liked this author's books so far and can't wait to see what they write next
August 11, 2024
An excellent YA queer love triangle with a fun twist. Ex best friends compete to win the affections of the new girl who they are both crushing on only to fall for one another. This had amazing queer rep with demisexual, asexual and bisexual MCs. I loved how complex each character was - they each had complicated parental relationships and were coming to terms with their sexuality and feelings for one another. Both a story of friendship, acceptance and first love and great on audio. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
CW: toxic parental relationship
CW: toxic parental relationship
featured
September 26, 2024Caleb from Exes & Foes is demisexual!
Juliet from Exes & Foes is aromantic asexual!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
Juliet from Exes & Foes is aromantic asexual!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
March 3, 2024
I really loved Amanda Woody’s book They Hate Each Other and I was so excited to get approved for an ARC of her latest book. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher! All opinions here are my own. :)
This book follows two (slightly chaotic) bisexual ex-friends Caleb and Emma who both have crushes on the new girl at school. They make up a competition that whoever the new girl kisses first, wins and gets to date her.
Things I loved about this book:
So many different queer identities were in this book - it was refreshing and yet felt so normal. This is exactly what I want to see in more books, especially YA!
Emma and her fiery side was so much fun, but she also deep down was very thoughtful and sweet. She worried about being a burden to everyone else.
Caleb was so sweet and I just wanted to hug him. He is a caretaker and cautious, and he has these sweet and thoughtful personality that comes out around the ones he loves.
Juliet as the newcomer was so relatable and I have felt like them before when it comes to being too much.
The whole friend group was wonderful and supportive. I loved their vibes. So so good.
Caleb’s mom 😭😭😭😭😭.
I liked how people called Caleb and Emma on their $hit!
That super sweet and lovely ending had me all giggly and swoony.
Fully recommend this one - especially if you liked THEO!!
This book follows two (slightly chaotic) bisexual ex-friends Caleb and Emma who both have crushes on the new girl at school. They make up a competition that whoever the new girl kisses first, wins and gets to date her.
Things I loved about this book:
So many different queer identities were in this book - it was refreshing and yet felt so normal. This is exactly what I want to see in more books, especially YA!
Emma and her fiery side was so much fun, but she also deep down was very thoughtful and sweet. She worried about being a burden to everyone else.
Caleb was so sweet and I just wanted to hug him. He is a caretaker and cautious, and he has these sweet and thoughtful personality that comes out around the ones he loves.
Juliet as the newcomer was so relatable and I have felt like them before when it comes to being too much.
The whole friend group was wonderful and supportive. I loved their vibes. So so good.
Caleb’s mom 😭😭😭😭😭.
I liked how people called Caleb and Emma on their $hit!
That super sweet and lovely ending had me all giggly and swoony.
Fully recommend this one - especially if you liked THEO!!
July 26, 2024
In the author's previous work, the characters said and did things ridiculous things but the grounding of the rest of the story balanced those elements out and made the story feel down to Earth. Unfortunately, all of the characters in this story had the same ridiculous nature, but the heavier topics were not covered well enough to ground the story. While the book dealt with some serious topics, they felt surface level to me and the emotional hits never quite landed for me.
I thought that the romantic pairing in the story was cute, until around the 85% mark when Caleb told Emma and then never once apologized for saying that to her. The book was probably a 4 star for me up until that point and might have remained so if some kind of meaningful apology was offered. This paired with the fact that I didn't love that they were competing for a person (though I did appreciate that the side characters recognized that they were being gross) ultimately knocked this down to a three star read.
I thought that the romantic pairing in the story was cute, until around the 85% mark when Caleb told Emma and then never once apologized for saying that to her. The book was probably a 4 star for me up until that point and might have remained so if some kind of meaningful apology was offered. This paired with the fact that I didn't love that they were competing for a person (though I did appreciate that the side characters recognized that they were being gross) ultimately knocked this down to a three star read.
July 31, 2024
Content warnings: alcohol consumption (underage drinking), slut shaming, violence (physical), harrassment, bullying, toxic parents, toxic friendship references (side character, past), lesbophobia.
Rep: Emma (MC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Caleb (MC) is cis, white, and biromantic demisexual. Juliet (SC) is Black, nonbinary and aroace. Side POC and queer characters.
I'll get this off my chest first - I don't know how anyone can read the synopsis of this and go 'ahh, yes, I will tag this as lesbian'. Stop with the bisexual erasure, please.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Having only read They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody only last month, I was excited to read this one.
This one wasn't as heavy (imo) as They Hate Each Other, but it definitely had that strained (or plain bad) parent for at least one of the MCs.
I felt like Emma got such a raw deal. She deserved a lot better. Her characterisation was done so brilliantly, and I adored it a lot.
I also loved Caleb's relationship with his own mum - she was so awesome. And he's such a good egg. His dad is a straight up wanker, though.
Anyway, I loved this one.
Rep: Emma (MC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Caleb (MC) is cis, white, and biromantic demisexual. Juliet (SC) is Black, nonbinary and aroace. Side POC and queer characters.
I'll get this off my chest first - I don't know how anyone can read the synopsis of this and go 'ahh, yes, I will tag this as lesbian'. Stop with the bisexual erasure, please.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Having only read They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody only last month, I was excited to read this one.
This one wasn't as heavy (imo) as They Hate Each Other, but it definitely had that strained (or plain bad) parent for at least one of the MCs.
I felt like Emma got such a raw deal. She deserved a lot better. Her characterisation was done so brilliantly, and I adored it a lot.
I also loved Caleb's relationship with his own mum - she was so awesome. And he's such a good egg. His dad is a straight up wanker, though.
Anyway, I loved this one.
June 21, 2024
(2.5/5) I’d pay exorbitant amounts of money to never hear the phrases “premarital hoo ha” or “unalive me” ever again. This book was okay, but I feel like the premise got old really fast, which dragged the first half of the book. I thought there were a lot of places that could be good exposures to some queer ideology, but this book should definitely be marketed towards younger teens. Some of the foreshadowing was really obvious, and some of the tropes used were predictable as well. Overall, not a bad read, I’m just not the target audience anymore.
March 6, 2025
this was . a bit painful.
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