CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, ROMANCE, COMEDY
ABOUT THE BOOK
title: the starter ex
AUTHOR: mia sosa
GENRES: romantic comedy, contemporary romance
PUBLISHER: audible originaLs
PUBLISHING DATE: 1/24/2024
FORMAT: audiobook
length: 7 hours, 59 minutes
narration: noah b. perez and miranda jay
A RELATABLE ROMCOM WITH A DASH OF SPICE!
GOODREADS summary
Meet Vanessa Cordero. A cynic with a colorful past. You see, in college, Vanessa devised a profitable side gig: For a reasonable fee, she’d date your latest crush…and make his life miserable. Too clingy? Check. Jealous? Check. A mother’s worst nightmare? Check, check, check. By the time Vanessa was done with him, your guy would be ready for…YOU.
Meet Jason Torres. A certified commitment-phobe. Jason doesn’t plan on getting married anytime soon (if ever), much to his mother’s dismay. What he needs is a temporary girlfriend. A totally inappropriate girlfriend. Someone his mother will hate. So she’ll abandon her hopes of getting Jason to the altar—for a while at least.
Enter Lisa, Vanessa’s younger sister. She’s got her eye on Jason and convinces Vanessa to come out of retirement for one last starter ex engagement. The rules are simple: no touching, no fooling around, and definitely no falling in love. But nothing’s going according to plan. Because Vanessa can’t ditch Jason no matter how hard she tries. And the longer these two are around each other, the more neither of them wants to be apart.
My Thoughts:
I stumbled upon a delightful listen titled “The Starter Ex,” reminiscent of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” which immediately piqued my interest. What sweetened the deal was that it was available at no extra cost with my Audible Plus Membership. Yes, some of the best things in life our free. Like audiobooks!
So, did “The Starter Ex” succeed in delivering the goods? Let’s discuss.
THE PLOT:
Our protagonist, Vanessa, finds herself back in the bustling heart of New York City, back to her roots at her family’s bodega in her hometown. Amidst striving to mend fences with her estranged family, she takes on a mission: to help her younger sister, Lisa, catch the eye of her crush by posing as the worst girlfriend imaginable to Jason, the object of Lisa’s affection.
Her hilarious antics sparked countless LOL moments, thoroughly immersing me in her schemes.
As Vanessa ups the ante, trying to drive Jason up the wall, her troubled past rears its ugly head and forces her let her guard down.
CHARACTERS:
Vanessa’s character, walled-off due to past hurts, is very relatable. Her struggle to gradually unveil her authenticity to her family and Jason resonated with me and was portrayed flawlessly.
Jason, too, is used to disappointment, fueling his reluctance to commit in relationships. Despite occasional gruffness and a tendency to throw in the towel on relationships, his kind-hearted nature and dedication to his community shine through.
The cast of characters, including Jason and Vanessa’s family, are depicted so realistically that it made me feel as though I grew up with them.
Narration:
The audiobook’s narration, courtesy of Miranda Jay and Noah B. Perez, is commendable. However, I felt the female narration at times could’ve been a tad more expressive.
Writing Style:
The writing is superb. While certain scenes where a bit far fetched—par for the course in romantic comedies—they never fail to entertain. The story radiates sincerity, capturing a both lovely romance and the heartwarming familial bonds.
The vivid portrayal of New York City’s Puerto Rican community adds an authentic cultural dimension to the narrative.
is “The Starter Ex” Spicy?
While the book has its steamy moments—one scene, in particular, sizzles—the focus remains primarily on playful and flirtatious dialogue. I’d rate the spice level at one 🌶 chili pepper.
In summary, “The Starter Ex” by Mia Sosa is a heartwarming, relatable romantic comedy with just the right amount of spice. It has certainly inspired me to explore more of Sosa’s lighthearted romances.
For those who just need to relax, kick back, and listen to a quick funny romantic comedy, this is the audiobook for you. For those with an Audible Plus membership, this title is a delightful freebie you won’t want to miss. What are your favorite romantic comedies? Share them in the comment box below.
IF YOU WANT MORE ROMANCE BOOK SUGGESTIONS, CHECK OUT MY POST “SIX SWOON-WORTHY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS” HERE.