Artifacts of an Ex: Review

About the Book:

Title: Artifacts of an Ex

Author: Jennifer Chen

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: November 14, 2023

Pages: 320

Genre: YA Contemporary

Synopsis:

When Chloe Chang gets dumped via USPS after moving across the county from NYC to LA, her first instinct is to throw her box of memories in the garbage. Instead, she starts buying other teenagers’ break-up boxes to create an art exhibit, Heartifacts. Opening night is going great, until she spots Daniel Kwak illicitly filming his best friend’s reaction to his ex’s box. When she tries to stop him, an intense discussion ends up launching a creative partnership and friendship… and a major crush for Chloe. 59653720

There’s just one problem: Daniel is dead set on not being another rebound.

Five times he’s been the guy who makes the girls he’s dating realize they want to get back with their ex. And he refuses for there to be a sixth. She insists she’s over her ex, but when he shows up unexpectedly with his new girlfriend, it turns out Daniel was right. She isn’t ready for a new relationship.

She throws herself into making Heartifacts successful, but flashy influencers threaten her original vision of the exhibit. To create the exhibit she’s always wanted, Chloe needs to go back to basics, learn to work with artists in a more collaborative way, and discover what love can be. Only then will she convince Daniel she’s truly ready for everything they could be to one another.

In the tradition of Jenny Han and Emma Lord, Jennifer Chen’s Artifacts of an Ex is a story of love, art, and finding your way when everything you know has changed completely.

Review:

*I received an e-arc for review via Netgalley. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity. All thoughts are my own*

3.5 teacups rounded up to 4.

Artifacts of an Ex was my first book by Jennifer Chen. This was a cute YA romance, and good for a debut!

I really enjoyed the art aspect of the story and found that really unique! Chloe and Daniel made a great team, and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. I think Daniel was my favorite character, as Chloe kind of annoyed me sometimes. I also liked how the importance of family was talked about in the book. Chloe has a great relationship with her grandmother and her parents.

I would recommend to those that enjoy YA!

About the Author:

Jennifer Chen is a freelance journalist who has written for print and online, including pieces in the New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, and Bust. She earned an MFA and BFA in dramatic writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and is a proud alumna of Hedgebrook, a women’s writing residency. Jennifer is represented by literary agent Caitie Flum at Liza Dawson Associates. She lives in Los Angeles with her TV writer husband, twins, two pugs, and a smoky black cat named Gremlin. 22064449._UX200_CR0,49,200,200_