Artifacts of an Ex is a sweet story about love, moving on, and the meaning of art. I loved every side character! I read this one in a matter of days because I needed to find out how it came out! Keep reading this book review of Artifacts of an Ex for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Artifacts of an Ex revolves around the memories of a relationship. Around the unanswered questions, the things we can’t let go of, and the pain we carry in these mementos. I loved how organized Chloe is, she’s certainly a character who is so relatable to me. We love a driven planner and Chloe certainly is even if sometimes things get away from her – despite her best intentions. What I loved about Artifacts of an Ex is how Chloe explores how a place becomes a neighborhood, a community, we find and make. I loved how it delves into the meaning of art and whether it has to be seen or just appreciated.
Artifacts of an Ex explores if we change pieces of ourselves for success or if we stick to our heart. Chloe’s story is charming and how we weigh whether it’s more important for people to be there or the right people for the right reasons. Each of the side characters has my heart and the side story with Chloe’s grandma and her dementia was so emotional. Artifacts of an Ex is a book I breezed through because I loved Chloe! We need a reminder that we have to do the right things for the right reasons and that we will find our people.
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Find Artifacts of an Ex on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.