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The Art of Breaking Up
Breaking up is hard to do. Whether you’re breaking up with a bad habit, a life you know, or your first boyfriend. But we all have to do it. It’s just one of the many sucky things about growing up. Some of us do it better than others. I do it badly.
Wade Phillips shattered Lisa McGinty’s heart in Year 10 for no known reason. One minute he was the perfect boy-next-door boyfriend, star goalie on the soccer team, and future head prefect. The next he was like a different person altogether, dumping Lisa and systematically making his way through every girl in our year.
By Year 12, he’d made it through most of them and was on to the year below. He’d miraculously made Head Prefect and was somehow still on the Soccer team, even though he put more effort into partying.
Lisa and I were used to his sarcastic teasing, his shallow taunting, and his insincere flirting. My best friend put on a brave face in front of him, but she still felt the sting. I knew she still loved him. At least, she thought she did. I kept waiting for her to see he wasn’t worth it.
No one knew what happened to Wade and no one got close to him anymore. Not until a life-altering incident throws me unavoidably into his path.
For one single second, I see through the armour he’s built. It takes just one single second for him to see through mine. Something connects us. It turns out, Wade Phillips might be the only one who understands me. It turns out, I might be the only one who understands him.
Wade Phillips might be the guy to teach me the art of breaking up, but will my heart – and Lisa’s – break in the process?
For those Keeping Up Appearances and Accidentally Perfect fans, here's a return to that style and vein. You’ll find this story is a bit of a combination of the two – there’s a bit more swearing than KUA, but it’s a little cleaner than AP. Like both, it’s about growing up, finding and accepting yourself, being with people who bring out the best in you, and getting the guy that you might not think you want but that you need and, more importantly, needs you. Hope you enjoy.
Please be aware that this story is set in Australia and therefore uses Australian English spelling and syntax. Not recommended for younger readers due to mature content.
Wade Phillips shattered Lisa McGinty’s heart in Year 10 for no known reason. One minute he was the perfect boy-next-door boyfriend, star goalie on the soccer team, and future head prefect. The next he was like a different person altogether, dumping Lisa and systematically making his way through every girl in our year.
By Year 12, he’d made it through most of them and was on to the year below. He’d miraculously made Head Prefect and was somehow still on the Soccer team, even though he put more effort into partying.
Lisa and I were used to his sarcastic teasing, his shallow taunting, and his insincere flirting. My best friend put on a brave face in front of him, but she still felt the sting. I knew she still loved him. At least, she thought she did. I kept waiting for her to see he wasn’t worth it.
No one knew what happened to Wade and no one got close to him anymore. Not until a life-altering incident throws me unavoidably into his path.
For one single second, I see through the armour he’s built. It takes just one single second for him to see through mine. Something connects us. It turns out, Wade Phillips might be the only one who understands me. It turns out, I might be the only one who understands him.
Wade Phillips might be the guy to teach me the art of breaking up, but will my heart – and Lisa’s – break in the process?
For those Keeping Up Appearances and Accidentally Perfect fans, here's a return to that style and vein. You’ll find this story is a bit of a combination of the two – there’s a bit more swearing than KUA, but it’s a little cleaner than AP. Like both, it’s about growing up, finding and accepting yourself, being with people who bring out the best in you, and getting the guy that you might not think you want but that you need and, more importantly, needs you. Hope you enjoy.
Please be aware that this story is set in Australia and therefore uses Australian English spelling and syntax. Not recommended for younger readers due to mature content.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2021
32 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Stevens
77 books368 followersWriter. Reader. Perpetual student. Nerd.
I started out writing fantasy. But, I like to write anything, honestly. These days, I mainly stick to YA and there's always at least a sprinkling of romance, if not a 'whoops, I dropped the whole packet in'. Almost all my books are set in my home state of South Australia, either in real or fictional places - gotta write what you know - with Netherfield being the only current exception.
Like most writers, I love to read. Although, time for reading at the moment is hard to come by. When I'm not too busy writing, I'm usually reading a number of authors. Some of my favourites are Rick Riordan, Jane Austen, Kate Forsyth, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Kasie West, John Flanagan, Terry Pratchett, Isobelle Carmody, Christina Benjamin, Emily Rodda, and many more.
I'm an avid fan of Marvel, DC, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Red Dwarf, IT Crowd, and pretty much anything similar. I've recently discovered Richard Ayoade's Travel Man and it's brilliant. I love watching soccer (go Gunners) and thoroughly look forward to seeing Eurovision every year. Celebrity crushes include Anna Kendrick and Chris Evans, because they are wonderful.
I live in Adelaide with my husband and a menagerie of animals – a cat reliving her (sixth) youth, a cowardly Beagle-Cavalier who thinks he’s smaller than he is, one meeping guinea pig who thinks any plastic bag has his greens in, two chickens who are terrified of free-ranging, and a turtle with a penchant for sticking her head up her filter pipe.
I have a Master of Arts (Writing) from Swinburne University of Technology. I also have a Master of Arts (Editing and Publishing) at University of Southern Queensland and, am now working towards my PhD. I also hope to one day undertake a PhD in Creative Writing - perpetual student, am I.
I also organise the Sleeping Dragon Emerging Fantasy Writers’ Collective writing group. The group self-published their anthology Tales from the Sleeping Dragon in 2012.
You can also find me on:
Facebook
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Wattpad
If you'd like to keep up with all my shenanigans, you can sign up for my newsletter here.
NB: I'm usually happy to discuss review copies of my books. A track record of reviewing is preferable, but not completely necessary.
I started out writing fantasy. But, I like to write anything, honestly. These days, I mainly stick to YA and there's always at least a sprinkling of romance, if not a 'whoops, I dropped the whole packet in'. Almost all my books are set in my home state of South Australia, either in real or fictional places - gotta write what you know - with Netherfield being the only current exception.
Like most writers, I love to read. Although, time for reading at the moment is hard to come by. When I'm not too busy writing, I'm usually reading a number of authors. Some of my favourites are Rick Riordan, Jane Austen, Kate Forsyth, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Kasie West, John Flanagan, Terry Pratchett, Isobelle Carmody, Christina Benjamin, Emily Rodda, and many more.
I'm an avid fan of Marvel, DC, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Red Dwarf, IT Crowd, and pretty much anything similar. I've recently discovered Richard Ayoade's Travel Man and it's brilliant. I love watching soccer (go Gunners) and thoroughly look forward to seeing Eurovision every year. Celebrity crushes include Anna Kendrick and Chris Evans, because they are wonderful.
I live in Adelaide with my husband and a menagerie of animals – a cat reliving her (sixth) youth, a cowardly Beagle-Cavalier who thinks he’s smaller than he is, one meeping guinea pig who thinks any plastic bag has his greens in, two chickens who are terrified of free-ranging, and a turtle with a penchant for sticking her head up her filter pipe.
I have a Master of Arts (Writing) from Swinburne University of Technology. I also have a Master of Arts (Editing and Publishing) at University of Southern Queensland and, am now working towards my PhD. I also hope to one day undertake a PhD in Creative Writing - perpetual student, am I.
I also organise the Sleeping Dragon Emerging Fantasy Writers’ Collective writing group. The group self-published their anthology Tales from the Sleeping Dragon in 2012.
You can also find me on:
Wattpad
If you'd like to keep up with all my shenanigans, you can sign up for my newsletter here.
NB: I'm usually happy to discuss review copies of my books. A track record of reviewing is preferable, but not completely necessary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 25, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It was a cute. For most of the book, the characters didn't feel like they were teenagers. Granted, almost all of them were 18 or about to turn 18, but they were all mature.
Lately I've been trying not to read reviews prior to reading books, but I did see a few for this book and multiple people made comments about how great the friendship was between Nora and Lisa. I'll admit I was surprised at how long the secret relationship went on before Lisa found out about it.
Lately I've been trying not to read reviews prior to reading books, but I did see a few for this book and multiple people made comments about how great the friendship was between Nora and Lisa. I'll admit I was surprised at how long the secret relationship went on before Lisa found out about it.
May 15, 2021
Releasing on June 8th is this wonderfully delightful New Adult Romance that takes you down a walk through memory lane. This story brought back all kinds of emotions that I experienced during High School and even college.
The friendship that we get to experience between Lisa and Norah reminded me of my own best friend through High School. We would at times have the same crush, but I never experienced it to the degree of Lisa and Norah during this novel. I loved the dynamic between Lisa and Norah other than the biggest secret Norah kept from her best friend.
Wade.
Wade is Lisa's ex-boyfriend and someone with who Norah finds herself going head to head and falling for him in the process. . So often, friendships are discarded for the romance in books. So I loved that this book laid such a strong emphasis on friendship and loyalty.
I also really loved the relationship between Norah and Wade. It began with them bashing head and Norah constantly being wicked towards him but throwing comments. The banter was very addictive because I used to act like that in High School. I saw a lot of myself in Norah as we go through the actions of denying herself happiness at the cost of her friendship with Lisa. Although the relationship between Norah and Wade quickly transforms from enemies to lovers, it was addictive to read. I loved how it wasn't all fluff, they discussed and worked through their problems both apart and together.
I'd definitely recommend this to romance fans! It was a quick read filled with some kissing, laughter, jokes, and everyday life problems. I found this book very relatable and the characters were well done.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an eArc of this book! #NetGalley #eARC
The friendship that we get to experience between Lisa and Norah reminded me of my own best friend through High School. We would at times have the same crush, but I never experienced it to the degree of Lisa and Norah during this novel. I loved the dynamic between Lisa and Norah other than the biggest secret Norah kept from her best friend.
Wade.
Wade is Lisa's ex-boyfriend and someone with who Norah finds herself going head to head and falling for him in the process. . So often, friendships are discarded for the romance in books. So I loved that this book laid such a strong emphasis on friendship and loyalty.
I also really loved the relationship between Norah and Wade. It began with them bashing head and Norah constantly being wicked towards him but throwing comments. The banter was very addictive because I used to act like that in High School. I saw a lot of myself in Norah as we go through the actions of denying herself happiness at the cost of her friendship with Lisa. Although the relationship between Norah and Wade quickly transforms from enemies to lovers, it was addictive to read. I loved how it wasn't all fluff, they discussed and worked through their problems both apart and together.
I'd definitely recommend this to romance fans! It was a quick read filled with some kissing, laughter, jokes, and everyday life problems. I found this book very relatable and the characters were well done.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an eArc of this book! #NetGalley #eARC
April 13, 2021
I really loved this one! I needed something cute and fluffy to binge, and this worked perfectly. I finished it in one sitting, this was that good.
My favorite thing about this was definitely the friendship between Lisa and Norah. So often, friendships are discarded for the romance in books. I hate that. So I loved that this book layed such a strong emphasis on friendship and loyalty.
I also really loved the relationship between Norah and Wade. It did fall into place super fast, but it was addictive to read. I loved how it wasn't all fluff, they discussed and worked through their problems both apart and together.
Id definitely recommend this to romance fans! It was a super fun romance, and I loved reading it
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
My favorite thing about this was definitely the friendship between Lisa and Norah. So often, friendships are discarded for the romance in books. I hate that. So I loved that this book layed such a strong emphasis on friendship and loyalty.
I also really loved the relationship between Norah and Wade. It did fall into place super fast, but it was addictive to read. I loved how it wasn't all fluff, they discussed and worked through their problems both apart and together.
Id definitely recommend this to romance fans! It was a super fun romance, and I loved reading it
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
April 13, 2021
3.5 stars
I've been saying since forever that if you want to read good high school YA (I'm not sure this is actually a genre but you get the feel for what I'm talking about) that's not too shallow but can also be enterteinment reading you should pick any of Elizabeth Stevens books. This one is no exception.
Funny dialogues, real characters dealing with high school problems and also more serious ones (like mental health or divorce), good friendships, funny moments, serious moments, cute moments. You get the all experience and even finish the book with a smile on your face. It's a very good story without being equal to all the others you have read before.
This one just had a few things that didn't work that well for me. But this is a serious question of It's not you, it's me. The way divorce was dealt with didn't sit well with me and my experience and that removed that half star that's missing from my usual ratings. Besides, I think I just really wasn't in my usual mood and that changed my reading experience.
All in all, a great read that I would have enjoyed more if I wasn't so stressed with school and such.
I received an ARC of this book via the author and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I've been saying since forever that if you want to read good high school YA (I'm not sure this is actually a genre but you get the feel for what I'm talking about) that's not too shallow but can also be enterteinment reading you should pick any of Elizabeth Stevens books. This one is no exception.
Funny dialogues, real characters dealing with high school problems and also more serious ones (like mental health or divorce), good friendships, funny moments, serious moments, cute moments. You get the all experience and even finish the book with a smile on your face. It's a very good story without being equal to all the others you have read before.
This one just had a few things that didn't work that well for me. But this is a serious question of It's not you, it's me. The way divorce was dealt with didn't sit well with me and my experience and that removed that half star that's missing from my usual ratings. Besides, I think I just really wasn't in my usual mood and that changed my reading experience.
All in all, a great read that I would have enjoyed more if I wasn't so stressed with school and such.
I received an ARC of this book via the author and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
dnf
June 6, 2021DNF @ 51%. It's just way too slowly paced and the characters seem to have the same conversations over and over again (Are they friends again or not? Is this a relationship or not? Don't forget we keep kissing each other.). I also just can't get on board with how the main character is going after the guy her best friend is still in love with even if the main character thinks her best friend really isn't and is just using him as an excuse to not get back out into the dating life. It's an icky feeling to think your best friend thinks she knows how you feel better than you do and doesn't have respect for how you say you feel. I can tell there's a lot of backstory still to come in the book but the guilt and secrecy surrounding the relationship just puts me off too much. This book definitely has an audience. It's just not for me.
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!*
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!*
April 28, 2021
This was such a fun but emotional read, it even made me cry, though in fairness I cry easily. And I cried more at the friendship stuff than the big emotional stuff, but I just really loved Norah's and Lisa's connection and I loved that the author spent time on that.
First things first, though. I really appreciated that the author clarified that this book was in Aussie English, which may seem like either a small or obvious thing to some, but I found it helpful. Then I was prepared to Google things like "Matric jumper" and I could heartily laugh at a debate between the characters whether it should be called a "twiggy stick" or a "bierstick" because I had no idea what they were talking about and the discussion tickled me (I've since looked it up and for my lingual preference, sorry Norah and Wade - and Elizabeth Stevens -, but I'll have to go with bierstick).
Secondly, the scathing banter is great. It is difficult to write something that must balance attraction and argument and I've read plenty of books where this failed miserably. Here I was drawn into the arguments and often felt the chemistry in the air and really *felt* what the characters were going through.
I loved the "SOILED" thing the auhtor came up with, very clever and I may have to steal this line for whatever future arguments I may have; "There is ALL the bullshit, Norah. So much that your arse has to be jealous over the amount of shit coming out of your mouth." LOL:
In general though, as someone who volunteers as a youth counselor in my spare time, there were parts of this book that I felt very important from a YA perspective. As in, as an adult there were some issues that I didn't relate to in the sense that I didn't think they were such "a big deal", and I had to remind myself that I was coming at it from a very adult perspective and that there are a lot of problems younger people hesitate to talk about because they don't feel it is "big" enough to warrant attention. And as a result a lot of them feel really bad but don't have a healthy outlet for their feelings because their problems can't compare to someone who maybe has it worse...
Hence, for me this book is important in the way that it doesn't minimize anyone's problems or feelings, there is perspective to be had for sure and the characters interactions reveal that, but there is still an underlying acknowledgement that the thing that is causing you distress matters and you have a right to feel that it matters. I can definitely see myself recommending this title.
Overall, much like Wade has his comfort movies that he re-watches over and over, I have comfort books that I re-read over and over when I feel a certain way and this one may qualify for that list. There were a few rough edges to the text, some repetitious word use e.g., but as I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy those are probably kinks that will be hammered out before publication. I look forward to getting the paperback edition and putting it on my bookshelf for those days when I need a pick-me-up.
Thank you Netgalley and Sleeping Dragon Books for this advanced copy to read and for helping me find a new author to love.
First things first, though. I really appreciated that the author clarified that this book was in Aussie English, which may seem like either a small or obvious thing to some, but I found it helpful. Then I was prepared to Google things like "Matric jumper" and I could heartily laugh at a debate between the characters whether it should be called a "twiggy stick" or a "bierstick" because I had no idea what they were talking about and the discussion tickled me (I've since looked it up and for my lingual preference, sorry Norah and Wade - and Elizabeth Stevens -, but I'll have to go with bierstick).
Secondly, the scathing banter is great. It is difficult to write something that must balance attraction and argument and I've read plenty of books where this failed miserably. Here I was drawn into the arguments and often felt the chemistry in the air and really *felt* what the characters were going through.
I loved the "SOILED" thing the auhtor came up with, very clever and I may have to steal this line for whatever future arguments I may have; "There is ALL the bullshit, Norah. So much that your arse has to be jealous over the amount of shit coming out of your mouth." LOL:
In general though, as someone who volunteers as a youth counselor in my spare time, there were parts of this book that I felt very important from a YA perspective. As in, as an adult there were some issues that I didn't relate to in the sense that I didn't think they were such "a big deal", and I had to remind myself that I was coming at it from a very adult perspective and that there are a lot of problems younger people hesitate to talk about because they don't feel it is "big" enough to warrant attention. And as a result a lot of them feel really bad but don't have a healthy outlet for their feelings because their problems can't compare to someone who maybe has it worse...
Hence, for me this book is important in the way that it doesn't minimize anyone's problems or feelings, there is perspective to be had for sure and the characters interactions reveal that, but there is still an underlying acknowledgement that the thing that is causing you distress matters and you have a right to feel that it matters. I can definitely see myself recommending this title.
Overall, much like Wade has his comfort movies that he re-watches over and over, I have comfort books that I re-read over and over when I feel a certain way and this one may qualify for that list. There were a few rough edges to the text, some repetitious word use e.g., but as I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy those are probably kinks that will be hammered out before publication. I look forward to getting the paperback edition and putting it on my bookshelf for those days when I need a pick-me-up.
Thank you Netgalley and Sleeping Dragon Books for this advanced copy to read and for helping me find a new author to love.
April 20, 2021
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
“There went that look in his eyes again. The one that was a little dark. A little sad.” (Quote from ARC)
A sweet story of young love and friendship,“The Art of Breaking Up”, by Elizabeth Stevens (Sleeping Dragon Books), features a charmer with a lot of baggage and a strong heroine going through family trouble.
Wade was so intriguing in the beginning; he has an aura that makes him an enticing hero. The fact this incorrigible flirt is dealing with some serious issues is interesting and gives the character an attractive dark side.
I really enjoyed reading about Norah’s dilemma between the lover and the close friend - it’s such a wonderful portrayal about what can happen at this age. I also liked the romance development in general, the secondary characters and how the author depicted the young people’s feelings and emotions
“There went that look in his eyes again. The one that was a little dark. A little sad.” (Quote from ARC)
A sweet story of young love and friendship,“The Art of Breaking Up”, by Elizabeth Stevens (Sleeping Dragon Books), features a charmer with a lot of baggage and a strong heroine going through family trouble.
Wade was so intriguing in the beginning; he has an aura that makes him an enticing hero. The fact this incorrigible flirt is dealing with some serious issues is interesting and gives the character an attractive dark side.
I really enjoyed reading about Norah’s dilemma between the lover and the close friend - it’s such a wonderful portrayal about what can happen at this age. I also liked the romance development in general, the secondary characters and how the author depicted the young people’s feelings and emotions
June 1, 2021
The Art of Breaking Up brings back memories of navigating young love in high school and college. But it's more than that. It's the story of finding your way through breakups - - not just in high school, but the devastating breakup of a marriage and its impact on the entire family.
The book started with me thinking it might be a bit of a bully romance. However, it quickly evolved into much more than that. It was a story of friendship, young love, finding support where you least expect it, growing up and finding your way through heartbreak.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
The book started with me thinking it might be a bit of a bully romance. However, it quickly evolved into much more than that. It was a story of friendship, young love, finding support where you least expect it, growing up and finding your way through heartbreak.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
April 19, 2021
Thanks Again Netgalley For Another Arc Again For A Honest Review
The Art Of Breaking Up Is A New Young Adult Novel By Elizabeth Thomas Which Is Set To Be Released To The Public on June 8th, 2021
This Book Is About 2 Characters Named Wade Phillips And Lisa Mcginty Who Were Together Once Until Wade Broke Lisa´s Heart In Year 10 Of Their School Year For No Apparent Reason
This Book Is Marketed As An Enemies To Lovers
Which Is My Personal Favorite Trope Ever
But This Book Was Not The Best Book I Have Ever Read
But It May Appeal To Others
The Art Of Breaking Up Is A New Young Adult Novel By Elizabeth Thomas Which Is Set To Be Released To The Public on June 8th, 2021
This Book Is About 2 Characters Named Wade Phillips And Lisa Mcginty Who Were Together Once Until Wade Broke Lisa´s Heart In Year 10 Of Their School Year For No Apparent Reason
This Book Is Marketed As An Enemies To Lovers
Which Is My Personal Favorite Trope Ever
But This Book Was Not The Best Book I Have Ever Read
But It May Appeal To Others
June 22, 2021
There were some real issues that were addressed in the book. These issue contributed to the storyline and helped both protagonist develop (and I love seeing characters grow *heart eyes*).
A sweet, easy read. I enjoyed reading this book. With flirty banter and crazy thick tension, the sizzling chemistry between Norah and Wade had me hooked.
A sweet, easy read. I enjoyed reading this book. With flirty banter and crazy thick tension, the sizzling chemistry between Norah and Wade had me hooked.
September 30, 2022
can we get a sequel?
As always with Elizabeth’s books, you are so invested in the characters you just don’t want the story to end. I want to know what happens now, I need a season two.
As always with Elizabeth’s books, you are so invested in the characters you just don’t want the story to end. I want to know what happens now, I need a season two.
December 27, 2022
Thank you Netgalley, publishers and to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t realise how much I would love this book but so many things about this book amazed me and I’m so glad I read this.
The representation of mental health in this book felt so good to see, particularly with a boy talking so openly about his mental health and seeing a therapist because society can be so toxic about this. This was one of the first books in a while that I felt I could relate to with my mental health.
Another thing I loved that went against societies judgment was the talk of hookup culture and how girls are judged more than boys about their number. The conversations Wade and Norah had were extremely sweet with a mix of deep and fun talk that just made the book flow perfectly and I fell in love with them both.
I highly recommend this book and I can already see myself re-reading this!
I didn’t realise how much I would love this book but so many things about this book amazed me and I’m so glad I read this.
The representation of mental health in this book felt so good to see, particularly with a boy talking so openly about his mental health and seeing a therapist because society can be so toxic about this. This was one of the first books in a while that I felt I could relate to with my mental health.
Another thing I loved that went against societies judgment was the talk of hookup culture and how girls are judged more than boys about their number. The conversations Wade and Norah had were extremely sweet with a mix of deep and fun talk that just made the book flow perfectly and I fell in love with them both.
I highly recommend this book and I can already see myself re-reading this!
October 25, 2025
I have a strong love-hate relationship with this book. I obviously loved reading it or I wouldn’t have finished 400 pages in less than 2 days.
I loved the tension and even if the banter is sometimes too much and even borders on hostile on Norah’s part, I really enjoy Elizabeth Steven’s writing style, especially dialogue.
I think it’s great how we see that a divorce isn’t just a little bump on the road but can affect children deeply, no matter how old they are.
Wade is a great character. He is flawed, he is real, he is dealing with stuff and even if I wouldn’t want him as a close friend, let alone a partner, as a reader I got invested.
But from the blurb I expected a big event which would bring the main characters together and would explain why he changed all these ago. But it were more multiple not so big events.
What I hated - SO SO MUCH! - is Norah’s behaviour towards her “best friend” Lisa.
I read multiple reviews that highlighted Norah’s loyalty and the great friendship between the two girls and I am so so confused. Did we really read the same book??
The way I see it Norah thought Lisa was madly in love with Wade and still crushed from the breakup 2 (?) years ago when she - secretly - began seeing Wade.
This is the point where a true and not totally selfish friend would stop meeting the guy and confide in her best best about what’s going on.
But no. Norah and Wade sneak around and start a strange no strings attached relationship with making out and sharing emotional baggage.
And this is still long before Norah understands she has feelings for Wade.
After the first kiss would have been the last situation I deem forgivable - as a BEST FRIEND. (I mean yes we should forgive, but I could never trust this so called best friend again.)
But no - again -, Norah keeps it up until Wade confesses feelings and she ends things because of her “loyalty” for Lisa…
Seriously. A bit late if you ask me.
But luckily for Norah she finds out Lisa isn’t in love with Wade after all and even wants the two of them together. So yeah, everybody is happy. Except for me, because I hate Norah.
Going through tough situations is never a good excuse to treat others poorly or to behave like a selfish brat. Not even as a teenager.
I originally wanted to give this book 3 stars, because for me personally it was a three star read. But thinking a bit more about the target audience (YA) I think this book, the language, the behaviour of the main characters and the very casual way physical intimacy is portrayed might be realistic in certain circles, but sets a bad example. I would not recommend this book to my kids before they’re grown up and can examine things through a different lens - in my very grown up and prudish opinion.
I loved the tension and even if the banter is sometimes too much and even borders on hostile on Norah’s part, I really enjoy Elizabeth Steven’s writing style, especially dialogue.
I think it’s great how we see that a divorce isn’t just a little bump on the road but can affect children deeply, no matter how old they are.
Wade is a great character. He is flawed, he is real, he is dealing with stuff and even if I wouldn’t want him as a close friend, let alone a partner, as a reader I got invested.
But from the blurb I expected a big event which would bring the main characters together and would explain why he changed all these ago. But it were more multiple not so big events.
What I hated - SO SO MUCH! - is Norah’s behaviour towards her “best friend” Lisa.
I read multiple reviews that highlighted Norah’s loyalty and the great friendship between the two girls and I am so so confused. Did we really read the same book??
The way I see it Norah thought Lisa was madly in love with Wade and still crushed from the breakup 2 (?) years ago when she - secretly - began seeing Wade.
This is the point where a true and not totally selfish friend would stop meeting the guy and confide in her best best about what’s going on.
But no. Norah and Wade sneak around and start a strange no strings attached relationship with making out and sharing emotional baggage.
And this is still long before Norah understands she has feelings for Wade.
After the first kiss would have been the last situation I deem forgivable - as a BEST FRIEND. (I mean yes we should forgive, but I could never trust this so called best friend again.)
But no - again -, Norah keeps it up until Wade confesses feelings and she ends things because of her “loyalty” for Lisa…
Seriously. A bit late if you ask me.
But luckily for Norah she finds out Lisa isn’t in love with Wade after all and even wants the two of them together. So yeah, everybody is happy. Except for me, because I hate Norah.
Going through tough situations is never a good excuse to treat others poorly or to behave like a selfish brat. Not even as a teenager.
I originally wanted to give this book 3 stars, because for me personally it was a three star read. But thinking a bit more about the target audience (YA) I think this book, the language, the behaviour of the main characters and the very casual way physical intimacy is portrayed might be realistic in certain circles, but sets a bad example. I would not recommend this book to my kids before they’re grown up and can examine things through a different lens - in my very grown up and prudish opinion.
January 11, 2024
I recently read The Roommate Mistake by Stevens and quite enjoyed it. Both that one and this one are YA rom-coms set in South Australia (where Stevens hails from) and both delve far deeper into the characters’ lives and thoughts and the context of the social world in which they move than most romantic novels written for teenagers.
So there are two principal players, Norah Lincoln and Wade Phillips, both high school seniors, plus Lisa, Norah’s longtime best friend and the largely unwitting catalyst for most of the plot. There was a time when they were younger when the three of them were close friends. Then romance blossomed and Wade and Lisa became A Thing. For a while. But then Wade dumped Lisa -- or non-obvious reasons that will take you some time to discover -- and became a player while Lisa is still carrying a torch and deluding herself that they will surely get back together. Anyway, Norah now officially hates Wade and takes every opportunity at school to take him down a peg or three, mostly via her sarcastic wit. And Wade always grins and has a teasing riposte ready, which is very frustrating.
But Norah’s life is more complicated than that. She recently overheard a conversation between her parents that they intend to get s divorce as soon as their “last Christmas” is past. She ought to tell Lisa about this -- they’ve always told each other everything -- but she finds she can’t. And she’s gong to explode from the tension. So she turns to Wade, who says he still cares about her, shattered friendship or not. And over late night visits to McDonald’s, she unloads on him, and he listens sympathetically. And suddenly her feeling for Wade are shifting and she finds herself doing things with him she knows she shouldn’t -- which, of course makes her feel like a traitor to Lisa.
You might think you know what’s bound to happen next, but you can’t made assumptions with this author. This is only the beginning of the deeper story and I was thoroughly caught up in it. While the book’s 400 pages isn’t especially long, it took me a surprising amount of time to get through it -- but not because the writing is inadequate. Quite the opposite, because Stevens is a very talented stylist. No, it’s that there’s so much multifaceted dialogue that makes you stop and think about what you’ve just read, and so many internal observations and ruminations that hook you, it simply feels like a much longer book. And I mean that in a very good way.
So there are two principal players, Norah Lincoln and Wade Phillips, both high school seniors, plus Lisa, Norah’s longtime best friend and the largely unwitting catalyst for most of the plot. There was a time when they were younger when the three of them were close friends. Then romance blossomed and Wade and Lisa became A Thing. For a while. But then Wade dumped Lisa -- or non-obvious reasons that will take you some time to discover -- and became a player while Lisa is still carrying a torch and deluding herself that they will surely get back together. Anyway, Norah now officially hates Wade and takes every opportunity at school to take him down a peg or three, mostly via her sarcastic wit. And Wade always grins and has a teasing riposte ready, which is very frustrating.
But Norah’s life is more complicated than that. She recently overheard a conversation between her parents that they intend to get s divorce as soon as their “last Christmas” is past. She ought to tell Lisa about this -- they’ve always told each other everything -- but she finds she can’t. And she’s gong to explode from the tension. So she turns to Wade, who says he still cares about her, shattered friendship or not. And over late night visits to McDonald’s, she unloads on him, and he listens sympathetically. And suddenly her feeling for Wade are shifting and she finds herself doing things with him she knows she shouldn’t -- which, of course makes her feel like a traitor to Lisa.
You might think you know what’s bound to happen next, but you can’t made assumptions with this author. This is only the beginning of the deeper story and I was thoroughly caught up in it. While the book’s 400 pages isn’t especially long, it took me a surprising amount of time to get through it -- but not because the writing is inadequate. Quite the opposite, because Stevens is a very talented stylist. No, it’s that there’s so much multifaceted dialogue that makes you stop and think about what you’ve just read, and so many internal observations and ruminations that hook you, it simply feels like a much longer book. And I mean that in a very good way.
May 2, 2021
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review; all opinions reflected below are my own!
It's been a while since I last read a YA book that caught and held my attention like "The Art of Breaking Up" - a book which was remarkably honest and which often made me pause and re-read certain passages so as to re-experience them again. Family, friendship, love, second chances, taking risks, opening up; this book brings all these elements together and more. And it does it well.
I have a soft spot for the characters in this book. They come face-to-face with situations that aren't pleasant and they do their best to work their way out. Sometimes it's sad, others there is a bright spot somewhere but I found the progress of events very realistic. These are accurate issues a teenager can experience. Norah and Wade had a wonderful dynamic - dare I say, a swoon-worthy and heart-wrenching dynamic depending on the occasion. It worked so well with the development of the story and the chemistry was amazing to read about. If you are keen on stories with an 'enemies to lovers' element or undertone, then this book will do wonders for you. The witty banter and the comebacks had me laughing at various moments. The friendship and family elements hold significance for this book as well and so, you will find them discussed and brought up often in the book. I especially favoured the emphasis on family as we, sadly, do not get that often in YA for some reason.
The pacing was good - it might feel a bit slow after the middle of the book but I also do think what Norah has to come to terms with requires time. Without spoiling anything, the topics of this book resonated with me a lot and I appreciated the openness and frankness in the discussions about family issues and mental health. Also the acknowledgement of how complex and scary it is to let someone in your life and your mind and how utterly terrifying life changes can be was extremely appreciated.
A refreshing YA contemporary with important messages to relay without making the story extremely heavy or difficult to read. Interesting characters and amazing dynamic. I would 100% recommend this book so make sure to pick it up when it comes out!
April 11, 2021
4.5 stars.
I got a copy of this book via Netgalley.
This starts with Norah and her best friend, Lisa, in school talking about an assignment when they accidentally bump into Wade, Lisa's ex - who she still has a giant crush on. All Norah feels towards the guy is animosity for breaking her friends heart and their triangular friendship group. But when Norah finds out her parents are divorcing and her dad is rushed to hospital for surgery she struggles for someone to talk to when she bumps into Wade in the hospital and they get talking again without all the anger and hate. She finds the guy she used to know before and is surprised to find she doesn't hate him as much as she thought she did and when they kiss, she realises the hate might have been masking another feeling altogether.
I stayed up reading this and nearly read half the book in one sitting. I was just getting dragged into it so easily. It's exactly the sort of style I like and I just wanted these two people to get together.
It has an air of enemies to it at the start - Norah is definitely holding a grudge against Wade for hurting her best friend two years earlier and thinking Lisa still has a big crush on him - but Wade is definitely giving Norah a run for her money with the trading of insults and scathing comments. It then seemed strange to find out that two years ago they'd all been so close and I was intrigued to find out what had happened to make them how they are now.
The romance between the two felt a little forbidden but you could both see and feel the connection between them growing and I was urging it to happen. It was nice to read. They really were there for the other when they needed them most.
It does deal with some issues including depression and divorce and how teens may or may not cope well with it. It's done really well in my opinion.
This is my first book by the author but after really enjoying this, I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
I got a copy of this book via Netgalley.
This starts with Norah and her best friend, Lisa, in school talking about an assignment when they accidentally bump into Wade, Lisa's ex - who she still has a giant crush on. All Norah feels towards the guy is animosity for breaking her friends heart and their triangular friendship group. But when Norah finds out her parents are divorcing and her dad is rushed to hospital for surgery she struggles for someone to talk to when she bumps into Wade in the hospital and they get talking again without all the anger and hate. She finds the guy she used to know before and is surprised to find she doesn't hate him as much as she thought she did and when they kiss, she realises the hate might have been masking another feeling altogether.
I stayed up reading this and nearly read half the book in one sitting. I was just getting dragged into it so easily. It's exactly the sort of style I like and I just wanted these two people to get together.
It has an air of enemies to it at the start - Norah is definitely holding a grudge against Wade for hurting her best friend two years earlier and thinking Lisa still has a big crush on him - but Wade is definitely giving Norah a run for her money with the trading of insults and scathing comments. It then seemed strange to find out that two years ago they'd all been so close and I was intrigued to find out what had happened to make them how they are now.
The romance between the two felt a little forbidden but you could both see and feel the connection between them growing and I was urging it to happen. It was nice to read. They really were there for the other when they needed them most.
It does deal with some issues including depression and divorce and how teens may or may not cope well with it. It's done really well in my opinion.
This is my first book by the author but after really enjoying this, I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
May 20, 2021
Received an early copy of this book from net galley and it was a pleasure to read. This book has so many feels and real life situations. I love it when books have meaning to then and brings you into lives of people you may not have had a chance to experience before.
We meet the main characters as they are trying to navigate through their last year in high school. Two best friends and am ex, really what could go wrong, or in their case what could be really right? Wade and Norah love sparring with one another, after all wade is the one who broke her best friend heart. But things start to get serious at home and Norah feels lost until she finds a distraction in wade.
This book not only went through their relationship growths but also talked about some serious issues. Norah's parents were going through with getting a divorce even though they hadn't said it to them and she didn't know how to handle it well, until wade helped her see the light at the end of the tunnel. This book talked about breaking up, getting back together and the very serious tropic of depression.
You could be what seems like the most put together person in the world but when very strong feelings take over and depression settles in it's how you handle them that shows the kind of person you are. Coping mechanisms are a real thing, but healthy ones are always the way to go.
I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the rollercoaster that was Wade's and Norah's relationship. I was rooting for them until the very end. This book shed light into some serious conversation starting experiences while bringing light into budding romances. This is a must read to take a glimpse into people's lives. Depression is real.
On another note the story flowed very organically and the setting was appropriate. I can really imagine these characters with their Australian accents throughout the book. Also made me want some Maccas. Great read and I will definitely read another by this author.
We meet the main characters as they are trying to navigate through their last year in high school. Two best friends and am ex, really what could go wrong, or in their case what could be really right? Wade and Norah love sparring with one another, after all wade is the one who broke her best friend heart. But things start to get serious at home and Norah feels lost until she finds a distraction in wade.
This book not only went through their relationship growths but also talked about some serious issues. Norah's parents were going through with getting a divorce even though they hadn't said it to them and she didn't know how to handle it well, until wade helped her see the light at the end of the tunnel. This book talked about breaking up, getting back together and the very serious tropic of depression.
You could be what seems like the most put together person in the world but when very strong feelings take over and depression settles in it's how you handle them that shows the kind of person you are. Coping mechanisms are a real thing, but healthy ones are always the way to go.
I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the rollercoaster that was Wade's and Norah's relationship. I was rooting for them until the very end. This book shed light into some serious conversation starting experiences while bringing light into budding romances. This is a must read to take a glimpse into people's lives. Depression is real.
On another note the story flowed very organically and the setting was appropriate. I can really imagine these characters with their Australian accents throughout the book. Also made me want some Maccas. Great read and I will definitely read another by this author.
September 13, 2021
Authors who write love interests that go to therapy and utilize the knowledge that they’ve gained from therapy to better their relationships ??? PHENOMENAL. Amazing. Iconic. I love them dearly. And especially the fact that Elizabeth Stevens gave representation for male mental health. That is so incredibly important to normalize and give representation to. I absolutely ADORED Nora and Wade. The way that they were able to be there for each other and support one another made my heart feel so full and happy. They didn’t trauma dump on each other but took turns giving the other space to reveal what they wanted and work through what they were feeling which I felt was so important. Everything about them felt so domestic and I ate it up. The way that Wade got Nora to communicate and open up throughout the book was *chef’s kiss*.
The friendship and love that Nora and Lisa have for each other is also everything. I loved the way Lisa knew there was something happening with Nora (without knowing it was the inevitable divorce) but gave her the ability to come to her on her own. Their girls' nights and support for each other felt true to the dynamic between my friends and I. They complimented/balanced one another.
I have concluded that authors who include a playlist for their books and/or characters deserve the most restful of sleep and supreme of joy. AKA I wish Elizabeth Stevens a wonderful rest and all the joy in the world. Since finishing this wonderful book I’ve been making my way through the playlist and was DELIGHTED to see some of my all-time favorite bands on it (accidental pun with All Time Low being one of the said bands).
more book playlists hooza. love interests who go to therapy and communicate !!!
Thank you Sleeping Dragon Books and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The friendship and love that Nora and Lisa have for each other is also everything. I loved the way Lisa knew there was something happening with Nora (without knowing it was the inevitable divorce) but gave her the ability to come to her on her own. Their girls' nights and support for each other felt true to the dynamic between my friends and I. They complimented/balanced one another.
I have concluded that authors who include a playlist for their books and/or characters deserve the most restful of sleep and supreme of joy. AKA I wish Elizabeth Stevens a wonderful rest and all the joy in the world. Since finishing this wonderful book I’ve been making my way through the playlist and was DELIGHTED to see some of my all-time favorite bands on it (accidental pun with All Time Low being one of the said bands).
more book playlists hooza. love interests who go to therapy and communicate !!!
Thank you Sleeping Dragon Books and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2021
This is a YA (Highschool aged) story that isn't entirely focused on the romance. I find it a little hard to explain, but it's more about the Heroine's life than just the romance. Norah is snarky and fiercely loyal to her best friend Lisa, going as far as hating Lisa's ex-boyfriend, and making sure he knows it (even though the three were good friends before that break-up.) One fateful day, she discovers something that totally rocked her world. And now, that ex-boyfriend is the one person who really understands what she's going through. Most of the book is that friendship blossoming, while keeping it under wraps as to not upset the best friend. Norah and Wade (the BFF's ex) both have their own personal issues on the homefront which plays a big part of the book (and also why I said the book's more about her life than romance.) There are parts of Norah's character that aren't as likeable, but then she never claimed to be perfect. She has a lot of different emotions running through her. She's angry at some things, guilty with others, happy about some and frustrated with others. Wade is one of those characters that is wise beyond his years. Other than his playboyish ways (or presumed playboyish ways) there isn't much to dislike about him. He has some swoonish ways about him. There is some talk about mental health issues. This is set in Australia and thus the English/Slang is Australian English, and the timeline is on Australia time... the school year dates may be different than what you are used to. For example... the school year ends around Christmas time. While the story kept my attention, there were some spots that seemed to move slower. There isn't any graphic sexual content, but it is alluded to, and the 'F' word is used on occasion.
*I received an ARC of this book.
*I received an ARC of this book.
May 6, 2021
I received an ARC of The Art of Breaking Up by Elizabeth Stevens thanks to the publisher through Discovery in exchange for an honest review.
Relationships are complicated, whether with friends or romantic partners. The Art of Breaking Up tackles both these difficulties through exploring a disolved relationship and the friendship that ended with it. Wade and Lisa had dated two years prior and Norah was friends with both of them. When the relationship ended, Norah was forced to chose between the two, but it really wasn't a choice. Wade was a jerk so she stayed friends with Lisa and hated Wade.
As the story develops these lines become blurred and such as great way. No spoilers, but it is definitely worth reading to watch this shift. It really felt like a roller coaster that was always on the edge of a loop.
I loved Norah and her devotion to Lisa, who is such a sweet person I can totally understand Norah's desire to be her friend. However, while I like both girls, Wade was by far my favorite character. He was incredibly complex and watching him 'unravel' was such an emotional experience that I just wanted more. Both him and Norah also had a great character arc/development, which was amazing. Definitely a great 'coming of age' story.
The writing was beautiful, with perfect timing and detail. I didn't feel like any topics were glossed over (even the difficult ones) and further than that they were handled in a way that was very appropriate. I loved the way coping was described and how the situations revolving around it were very real and relevant to so many people.
I highly recommend this book for teens and up. I loved it and an very much looking forward to reading more from this author!
Relationships are complicated, whether with friends or romantic partners. The Art of Breaking Up tackles both these difficulties through exploring a disolved relationship and the friendship that ended with it. Wade and Lisa had dated two years prior and Norah was friends with both of them. When the relationship ended, Norah was forced to chose between the two, but it really wasn't a choice. Wade was a jerk so she stayed friends with Lisa and hated Wade.
As the story develops these lines become blurred and such as great way. No spoilers, but it is definitely worth reading to watch this shift. It really felt like a roller coaster that was always on the edge of a loop.
I loved Norah and her devotion to Lisa, who is such a sweet person I can totally understand Norah's desire to be her friend. However, while I like both girls, Wade was by far my favorite character. He was incredibly complex and watching him 'unravel' was such an emotional experience that I just wanted more. Both him and Norah also had a great character arc/development, which was amazing. Definitely a great 'coming of age' story.
The writing was beautiful, with perfect timing and detail. I didn't feel like any topics were glossed over (even the difficult ones) and further than that they were handled in a way that was very appropriate. I loved the way coping was described and how the situations revolving around it were very real and relevant to so many people.
I highly recommend this book for teens and up. I loved it and an very much looking forward to reading more from this author!
June 7, 2021
I have followed Elizabeth Stevens for a few years now, and I would place the Art of Breaking Up in my top three from her. For those who liked Keeping Up Appearances, this book will remind you of that; but this is a bit more.
The Art of Breaking Up tackles depression--and tackles it well. Don't worry! This is not a maudlin novel, nor is it depressing though discussing depression. Stevens shows the many facets of depression: the masks that people wear, unhealthy and healthy coping mechanisms, and the ongoing nature of depression. Neither of the main characters have a "Eureeka!" moment and all problems are solved. Throughout the reading, I believed Nora and Wade to be real teenagers, not archetypes to prove a point.
Invariably, this book will be compared to Keplinger's The Duff because it has many of the same elements: parents pending divorce, love/hate relationship as a distraction, hiding divorce and relationship from best-friend, etc. I love The Duff and have re-read it many times; but this book manages to be both lighter and deeper than the earlier novel. The lightness comes primarily from the banter between Nora and Wade, which is full of clever, clever lines. Part of both the lightness and the death comes from Nora's motivations as she lies and hides in order to protect her best friend and brother, not just to avoid her own problems. A large part of the "moreness" of this novel comes from Wade and his encounters/expressions of depression, particularly as he shows the brave, bright face that many suffering from the disease display.
This will definitely be on my re-read list.
Full disclosure, I received an eARC copy from NetGalley. #ArtofBreakingUp #NetGalley
The Art of Breaking Up tackles depression--and tackles it well. Don't worry! This is not a maudlin novel, nor is it depressing though discussing depression. Stevens shows the many facets of depression: the masks that people wear, unhealthy and healthy coping mechanisms, and the ongoing nature of depression. Neither of the main characters have a "Eureeka!" moment and all problems are solved. Throughout the reading, I believed Nora and Wade to be real teenagers, not archetypes to prove a point.
Invariably, this book will be compared to Keplinger's The Duff because it has many of the same elements: parents pending divorce, love/hate relationship as a distraction, hiding divorce and relationship from best-friend, etc. I love The Duff and have re-read it many times; but this book manages to be both lighter and deeper than the earlier novel. The lightness comes primarily from the banter between Nora and Wade, which is full of clever, clever lines. Part of both the lightness and the death comes from Nora's motivations as she lies and hides in order to protect her best friend and brother, not just to avoid her own problems. A large part of the "moreness" of this novel comes from Wade and his encounters/expressions of depression, particularly as he shows the brave, bright face that many suffering from the disease display.
This will definitely be on my re-read list.
Full disclosure, I received an eARC copy from NetGalley. #ArtofBreakingUp #NetGalley
September 9, 2021
The Art of Breaking Up is a genuinely heartfelt novel about romance growing up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sleeping Dragon Books for allowing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Plot summary:
Wade Phillips Shattered Lisa McGinty’s heart in Year 10 with no reason given, and became a completely different person overnight. By Year 12 he has made it through nearly every girl in the year and was onto the year below.
In a story set up from the viewpoint of Lisa’s best friend, and what happens when a life event can really throw you into a path you didn’t expect, the story follows the relationships between Wade, Lisa and Norah, you get an insight into how their lives collide.
Review:
Plot and World Building – This was a really well developed romance story, cute and fluffy and I managed to actually binge read it in a day. The story shows the friendship between Norah and Lisa so well, and it was actually refreshing to read a romance story where the friendship between the girls is more important than the romance and it was done beautifully.
Overall pacing of the story was really quite varied and it worked well for the plot.
Characters and Development- Norah is a wonderful protagonist. Witty, smart and full of loyalty and her development throughout was fantastic. Wade was an interesting character and although he annoyed the living daylights out of me reading some parts of the book I am glad he got to develop and get a happy ending.
Lisa as well was also a wonderful addition and her character brought so much to the story she was honestly my favourite out of the lead three.
Final Thoughts:
A Cute, Fluffy romance perfect for a rainy day and escapism.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sleeping Dragon Books for allowing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Plot summary:
Wade Phillips Shattered Lisa McGinty’s heart in Year 10 with no reason given, and became a completely different person overnight. By Year 12 he has made it through nearly every girl in the year and was onto the year below.
In a story set up from the viewpoint of Lisa’s best friend, and what happens when a life event can really throw you into a path you didn’t expect, the story follows the relationships between Wade, Lisa and Norah, you get an insight into how their lives collide.
Review:
Plot and World Building – This was a really well developed romance story, cute and fluffy and I managed to actually binge read it in a day. The story shows the friendship between Norah and Lisa so well, and it was actually refreshing to read a romance story where the friendship between the girls is more important than the romance and it was done beautifully.
Overall pacing of the story was really quite varied and it worked well for the plot.
Characters and Development- Norah is a wonderful protagonist. Witty, smart and full of loyalty and her development throughout was fantastic. Wade was an interesting character and although he annoyed the living daylights out of me reading some parts of the book I am glad he got to develop and get a happy ending.
Lisa as well was also a wonderful addition and her character brought so much to the story she was honestly my favourite out of the lead three.
Final Thoughts:
A Cute, Fluffy romance perfect for a rainy day and escapism.
May 18, 2021
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I typically have a hit-or-miss relationship with Elizabeth Stevens' writing. She has books that I absolutely adore ("Keeping up Appearances" and "Being Not Good") and she has books that I have DNF'd after the first chapter. I am thrilled to report that "The Art of Breaking Up" falls firmly in the former category! Like, for real - I read this in a day. And it's not short.
A bit deeper than her typical work, this novel follows our MC Norah who overhears her parents discussing their plans to divorce and is unable to talk to anyone about it except Wade, her best friend's ex-boyfriend with whom she has an incredibly antagonistic relationship.
I don't want to dive super deep into my thoughts because I run the risk of completely fangirling and spoiling everything, but the characters in this were so well written. Norah and Wade had a dynamic that felt incredibly real and their chemistry practically jumped off the page. Their relationship is also incredibly healthy, with both of them respecting and supporting the other's struggles without venturing into co-dependent territory. I particularly loved that Wade wasn't your typical romantic lead, having his own personal struggles that don't get magically "fixed" over the course of the novel. Obviously, he's hot too, cause romance.
The secondary characters, particularly Lisa, were also so well-fleshed out. One of the things I loved most was how Stevens wrote a YA Romance where no one falls into a stereotype. Even Lisa, the "jilted ex-girlfriend" is a strong, independent female living her best life.
Stevens - I need more of this in my life!
I typically have a hit-or-miss relationship with Elizabeth Stevens' writing. She has books that I absolutely adore ("Keeping up Appearances" and "Being Not Good") and she has books that I have DNF'd after the first chapter. I am thrilled to report that "The Art of Breaking Up" falls firmly in the former category! Like, for real - I read this in a day. And it's not short.
A bit deeper than her typical work, this novel follows our MC Norah who overhears her parents discussing their plans to divorce and is unable to talk to anyone about it except Wade, her best friend's ex-boyfriend with whom she has an incredibly antagonistic relationship.
I don't want to dive super deep into my thoughts because I run the risk of completely fangirling and spoiling everything, but the characters in this were so well written. Norah and Wade had a dynamic that felt incredibly real and their chemistry practically jumped off the page. Their relationship is also incredibly healthy, with both of them respecting and supporting the other's struggles without venturing into co-dependent territory. I particularly loved that Wade wasn't your typical romantic lead, having his own personal struggles that don't get magically "fixed" over the course of the novel. Obviously, he's hot too, cause romance.
The secondary characters, particularly Lisa, were also so well-fleshed out. One of the things I loved most was how Stevens wrote a YA Romance where no one falls into a stereotype. Even Lisa, the "jilted ex-girlfriend" is a strong, independent female living her best life.
Stevens - I need more of this in my life!
May 21, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Sleeping Dragon Books for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
I went back and forth between giving this 4 and 5 stars, but when it came down to it my heart told me this is a 5 star book, because of three main factors: 1) I didn't want to put it down; 2) I finished it in less than 24 hours; and 3) it brought back so many emotions and memories from my own high school experience - both good and bad - in a way that I hadn't experienced before.
Norah and Wade's story resonated with me because of how many events paralleled my own life, maybe not in exact detail but in emotion and emotional reaction. Their love story & path to finding each other isn't clean but it happens in the way that is necessary for them, which is something that I think is lacking in many YA books at times. Relationships aren't always pretty & perfect, it takes breaking up with situations to find the way to be together, and this book resonated with me on those counts. Plus, it is always fun to read books about other parts of the real world - in this case Australia - when 99% of the books I read are either based in the United States of America or in fantasy worlds. This book also touches on some mental health issues, but it does so in a way that I found really respectful. Overall, as long as you go into this book keeping in mind location (i.e. if you are from the U.S. you aren't upset that they are drinking at 18 because that is legal in Australia) and context (these are high schoolers trying to find their way in life) this is truly a great book.
This book comes out in early June of 2021 and I highly recommend that you pick it up.
I went back and forth between giving this 4 and 5 stars, but when it came down to it my heart told me this is a 5 star book, because of three main factors: 1) I didn't want to put it down; 2) I finished it in less than 24 hours; and 3) it brought back so many emotions and memories from my own high school experience - both good and bad - in a way that I hadn't experienced before.
Norah and Wade's story resonated with me because of how many events paralleled my own life, maybe not in exact detail but in emotion and emotional reaction. Their love story & path to finding each other isn't clean but it happens in the way that is necessary for them, which is something that I think is lacking in many YA books at times. Relationships aren't always pretty & perfect, it takes breaking up with situations to find the way to be together, and this book resonated with me on those counts. Plus, it is always fun to read books about other parts of the real world - in this case Australia - when 99% of the books I read are either based in the United States of America or in fantasy worlds. This book also touches on some mental health issues, but it does so in a way that I found really respectful. Overall, as long as you go into this book keeping in mind location (i.e. if you are from the U.S. you aren't upset that they are drinking at 18 because that is legal in Australia) and context (these are high schoolers trying to find their way in life) this is truly a great book.
This book comes out in early June of 2021 and I highly recommend that you pick it up.
April 20, 2021
Do you believe in girl code? Could you date a best friends ex? What if you fall for or start falling for a best friends ex no matter how hard you try? Elizabeth Stevens mastered the art of breaking up and I loved every second of this book.
Wade and Norah have been enemies ever since Wade broke up with Norahs best friend two years ago. Ever sense then Wade has been dating his way through the school and Norah can't stand him. But are her feelings for him really hate or is there something more to it? As things in her life are falling apart Norah finds herself reaching out to the last person she ever expected to reach out to.
This book not only deals with teenage romance and relationship but it has so much more. Mental health is a big topic in this book and you dive into what are healthy and unhealthy coping practices are. There are a few more things that are discussed but I don't want to give too much away, just know there are some pretty big changes happening in the Norah's and Wade's lives!
Do you love enemies to lovers? Second chances? Forbidden dating? Well make sure to read this! You will fall in love with Norah and Wade. This was such a cute, fun and fast read. As I am writing this review The Art of Breaking Up is not available so if it sounds good to you then go try Keeping Up Appearances by Elizabeth Stevens, I think they are pretty similar and will love that one as well!
Wade and Norah have been enemies ever since Wade broke up with Norahs best friend two years ago. Ever sense then Wade has been dating his way through the school and Norah can't stand him. But are her feelings for him really hate or is there something more to it? As things in her life are falling apart Norah finds herself reaching out to the last person she ever expected to reach out to.
This book not only deals with teenage romance and relationship but it has so much more. Mental health is a big topic in this book and you dive into what are healthy and unhealthy coping practices are. There are a few more things that are discussed but I don't want to give too much away, just know there are some pretty big changes happening in the Norah's and Wade's lives!
Do you love enemies to lovers? Second chances? Forbidden dating? Well make sure to read this! You will fall in love with Norah and Wade. This was such a cute, fun and fast read. As I am writing this review The Art of Breaking Up is not available so if it sounds good to you then go try Keeping Up Appearances by Elizabeth Stevens, I think they are pretty similar and will love that one as well!
June 22, 2021
How loyal is too loyal?
Norah's best friend, Lisa, was dumped by school hottie, Wade, two years ago. Naturally, as a good best friend, Norah is as pissed at Wade (or maybe even more) as her bestie Lisa. But is Lisa still hung up on him after all these years? Norah thinks so and it makes her hate him even more. They exchange verbal jabs everyday on the regular.
At one of Norah's lowest points in her life she bumps into (literally) Wade and starts confiding in him again since they used to be friends at one time. He seems to be the only one who can understand her at the time. Frequent talking turns into a secret close bond and then an even closer possible physical bond. Guilt is overwhelming Norah and her loyalty to Lisa. But what about her own heart? Or Wade's? Argh! It's so frustrating to see how Norah is tearing herself apart!
I really liked this sweet story full of difficult choices and consequences. The only sticking point for me was how sexual this high school is. It's all about how many people you've hooked up with or slept with. And it's not just a small group of friends, it's like it's commonplace for everyone at the school and it's not even a little bit of a big deal. Maybe that's how it is everywhere and I'm just out of the loop?
Overall, I got past it and really I liked this story.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.)
Norah's best friend, Lisa, was dumped by school hottie, Wade, two years ago. Naturally, as a good best friend, Norah is as pissed at Wade (or maybe even more) as her bestie Lisa. But is Lisa still hung up on him after all these years? Norah thinks so and it makes her hate him even more. They exchange verbal jabs everyday on the regular.
At one of Norah's lowest points in her life she bumps into (literally) Wade and starts confiding in him again since they used to be friends at one time. He seems to be the only one who can understand her at the time. Frequent talking turns into a secret close bond and then an even closer possible physical bond. Guilt is overwhelming Norah and her loyalty to Lisa. But what about her own heart? Or Wade's? Argh! It's so frustrating to see how Norah is tearing herself apart!
I really liked this sweet story full of difficult choices and consequences. The only sticking point for me was how sexual this high school is. It's all about how many people you've hooked up with or slept with. And it's not just a small group of friends, it's like it's commonplace for everyone at the school and it's not even a little bit of a big deal. Maybe that's how it is everywhere and I'm just out of the loop?
Overall, I got past it and really I liked this story.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.)
May 30, 2021
2.5 stars
Reading The Art of Breaking Up feels like watching a 90s high school romantic comedy today. It is certainly enjoyable, but you realize that the stereotypes being used are not necessarily as fun as you remember.
Stevens is clearly looking to pull off an enemies-to-lovers story with this book, which I normally love. However, the reason for Norah to hate Wade is pretty weak considering just how horribly she treats him in the beginning of the book. The romance, which is triggered by Norah needing someone to talk to after something happens in her family life, took a really long time to solidify for me because of how strongly it is emphasized that they are just using each other as a coping mechanism. By the time I had finally warmed up to it, we got the big misunderstanding followed by a resolution that occurred way too quickly for me.
For me, this ended up being a little bit of a mess. However, based on how many people I see talking about new adult bully romances on BookTube and TikTok, there is definitely an audience out there for this book! If that genre is something that you devour, I would highly recommend picking this book up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sleeping Dragon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Reading The Art of Breaking Up feels like watching a 90s high school romantic comedy today. It is certainly enjoyable, but you realize that the stereotypes being used are not necessarily as fun as you remember.
Stevens is clearly looking to pull off an enemies-to-lovers story with this book, which I normally love. However, the reason for Norah to hate Wade is pretty weak considering just how horribly she treats him in the beginning of the book. The romance, which is triggered by Norah needing someone to talk to after something happens in her family life, took a really long time to solidify for me because of how strongly it is emphasized that they are just using each other as a coping mechanism. By the time I had finally warmed up to it, we got the big misunderstanding followed by a resolution that occurred way too quickly for me.
For me, this ended up being a little bit of a mess. However, based on how many people I see talking about new adult bully romances on BookTube and TikTok, there is definitely an audience out there for this book! If that genre is something that you devour, I would highly recommend picking this book up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sleeping Dragon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
June 14, 2021
This was a great read! I loved the characters in this story. We really get to know Wade and Norah in this book. Wade has a big wall and façade up that has made him seem like a player with no cares in the world, when instead he has a lot going on. Norah and Wade trade barbs all the time since Wade broke up with Norah's best friend two years ago. There is a lot of depth to this story as things are not black and white. Wade is there for Norah at a time where she doesn't know how to open up to her best friend. He picks off that there is something wrong and gives her a safe space to be in. Wade pushes Norah to realize that it might not be pretty or fun but sometimes life is messy and that it's not always a bad thing. He pushes her enough while making sure that she knows she is safe with him and he can be her healthy distraction. She feels guilt as it is her best friend's ex who she believes still has feelings for him but he is the one place that she can feel a little bit of peace and quiet while her world is being turned upside down. This book was well written and pulled me in from beginning to end. We get to see a lot of character growth between Wade and Norah and see them have to walk through those shades of gray to find their path.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
May 23, 2021
The Art of Breaking Up is a fun YA Romance that hits on some hard topics. This book is set in Australia (I am from the US) so some of the slang and terms were not familiar to me.
This book is about a senior in high school realizing that she is in love her with best friends ex-boyfriend, all while juggling her parents getting a divorce and juggling what goes along with moving on to the next stage of life after high school.
The male main character talks openly about his suicide attempts, depression, and therapy. I think this component of the book is very well done and it was nice having the male character be the one that was open about his mental health and not the female.
This a semi-bully romance due to the two main love interest always being at each others throats verbally. They have a lot of back and forth, along with witty banter which I thoroughly enjoyed.
While it did have the typical happy ending I really enjoyed the plot, character development, and the overall story. The only thing I would have like to have seen was the characters be a bit older because it was hard for me to envision 17 year olds having a friends with benefits relationship.
This book is about a senior in high school realizing that she is in love her with best friends ex-boyfriend, all while juggling her parents getting a divorce and juggling what goes along with moving on to the next stage of life after high school.
The male main character talks openly about his suicide attempts, depression, and therapy. I think this component of the book is very well done and it was nice having the male character be the one that was open about his mental health and not the female.
This a semi-bully romance due to the two main love interest always being at each others throats verbally. They have a lot of back and forth, along with witty banter which I thoroughly enjoyed.
While it did have the typical happy ending I really enjoyed the plot, character development, and the overall story. The only thing I would have like to have seen was the characters be a bit older because it was hard for me to envision 17 year olds having a friends with benefits relationship.
June 3, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc of this book.
This book felt like two very different books. The first half of the book was fun and light and seemed like a normal romance novel, but the second half got deep and dark really quickly. And that was my biggest problem with the plot. It went from light and fluffy to super heavy with no build up and it’s as if I was reading about completely different characters.
This made it hard for me to connect with the very real struggles the main characters were facing. I also felt that the ending went back to the cute and fluffy with out giving the characters the wrap us that they deserved. I will say that the enemies to lovers felt realistic without being overly toxic or abusive.
Overall everything was just okay. If the first half was more connected to the second half I think I would have enjoyed this more. But I still had a fun time reading it and I loved the banter between the main characters. While fun the second half of the book defiantly had some thought provoking ideas, and I think it added depth to the book. A fun read, but nothing that really stood out.
This book felt like two very different books. The first half of the book was fun and light and seemed like a normal romance novel, but the second half got deep and dark really quickly. And that was my biggest problem with the plot. It went from light and fluffy to super heavy with no build up and it’s as if I was reading about completely different characters.
This made it hard for me to connect with the very real struggles the main characters were facing. I also felt that the ending went back to the cute and fluffy with out giving the characters the wrap us that they deserved. I will say that the enemies to lovers felt realistic without being overly toxic or abusive.
Overall everything was just okay. If the first half was more connected to the second half I think I would have enjoyed this more. But I still had a fun time reading it and I loved the banter between the main characters. While fun the second half of the book defiantly had some thought provoking ideas, and I think it added depth to the book. A fun read, but nothing that really stood out.
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