Verdict: A big-hearted, very low-angst holiday romcom: Miami lawyer Grace and LA hairstylist Alix meet on an anonymous heartbreak app, and their texts turn into holiday meet-ups and something more. Readers adore the text banter, the yearning and the seamless co-writing; the only common complaint is that almost nothing goes wrong.
Best for: Readers who want a warm, funny, spicy holiday read with zero drama.
Heat level: L4 · Explicit (4/5)
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5 — a 4.43 Goodreads average across 1,665 ratings, 4.36 on StoryGraph from 283 reviews, and 4.7 stars across 1,320 Amazon ratings)
Tropes: Friends to lovers, long distance, texting romance, holiday romance, opposites attract, slow burn.
Breakup Buddies is J.J. Arias and Bryce Oakley’s 2025 contemporary lesbian romance. Alix swore off serious; Grace swore off messy. Neither expected to fall for someone they met on a heartbreak-anonymous app.
It holds a 4.43 average across 1,665 Goodreads ratings, with 86% of them four or five stars, 4.36 on StoryGraph from 283 reviews, and 4.7 stars across 1,320 Amazon ratings.
What Is Breakup Buddies About?
What starts as venting about their exes becomes friendship, then holiday meet-ups from Miami to Colorado to LA. Long distance — and fear of losing the friendship — may be all that stands between them and something real.
It is a story about being seen and chosen, and finding your way home for the holidays.
What Works in This Book
- Text banter: Readers love the messages and the slow build of connection they show.
- Yearning: One reader calls it the best longing they have ever read.
- Seamless collaboration: Fans of both authors say the joint writing is flawless and funny.
- Warm hug: Readers describe it as the festive comfort read they needed.
Book Synopsis
Two women getting over breakups meet on an app — and keep meeting over the holidays.
Zero chance of staying just friends.
My Review
Readers say they swooned, laughed and teared up. With dual perspectives and distinct voices, it is tender, sexy and funny in equal measure.
The critiques are about stakes. Several readers found that not much happens beyond the romance and wished for more conflict or hijinks, and one found it cute but forgettable. One reader disliked the casual drug use, and another wanted to see more of the exes realising the pair had moved on.
My honest note: Pure holiday comfort — don’t expect drama.
| Element | In Breakup Buddies |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Grace (Miami lawyer) & Alix (LA hairstylist) |
| Core tropes | Friends to lovers, long distance, texting |
| Setting | Miami, Colorado and LA across the winter holidays |
| Heat level | L4 · Explicit (4/5) |
| Length | 371 pages (Kindle listing) |
| Series | Standalone |
| Content notes | Casual drug use, homophobia (StoryGraph and readers) |
How Spicy Is Breakup Buddies?
Readers call it sexy and spicy; StoryGraph users flag graphic sexual content.
StoryGraph users also flag minor homophobia; one reader mentions casual drug use.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you want a festive, funny, low-drama romance. It is on our cozy lesbian romance list.
You may want to skip it if: you need conflict to stay engaged.
In short: Heartbreak app, happy holidays.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 57% five stars, 29% four, 11% three, 1% two and under 1% one. On StoryGraph, 81% tagged it funny and 77% hopeful.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): The texts first. Second, the yearning. Third, the collaboration. Fourth, holiday comfort.
What readers argue about and complain about: Too little conflict, above everything. Second, forgettable for one. Third, drug use for one.
The comparison worth making first: Tapping into Love, another holiday-season romance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays does Breakup Buddies cover?
Several — readers say every holiday from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day, with meet-ups in Miami, Colorado and LA.
Is there any angst?
Very little. Readers call it zero-angst and low-drama; a few wished for more conflict.
How spicy is Breakup Buddies?
Fairly spicy. Readers describe it as sweet, funny and sexy, and StoryGraph users flag graphic sexual content.
Is it long distance?
Yes. Grace lives in Miami and Alix in LA, and one reader was thrilled to finally see long-distance representation.
Is Breakup Buddies on Kindle Unlimited?
Yes, when we checked. The audiobook uses dual narration.
If You Loved Breakup Buddies, Read These Next
Try Tapping into Love or Book Lovers. Browse our cozy list or the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
Breakup Buddies sets out to be a cosy, sexy holiday romcom, and readers say it is one of the best. What holds it back is a near-total absence of stakes. Highly recommended for the season. Check Breakup Buddies on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, Breakup Buddies ranks as an excellent holiday romcom — funny, warm.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
- ✓ 4.43 average across 1,665 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 86% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 4.36 on StoryGraph from 283 reviews
- ✓ 4.7 stars across 1,320 Amazon ratings
Romance ★★★★☆ 4.3/5
- ✓ Texting build
- ✓ Yearning
- ✓ Long distance
- ✓ Slow burn
Characters ★★★★☆ 4.1/5
- ✓ Grace and Alix
- ✓ Funny side cast
- ✓ Distinct voices
- ✓ Awful exes
Writing ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
- ✓ Seamless collab
- ✓ Witty one-liners
- ✓ Dual POV
- ✓ Text banter
Emotional Impact ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
- ✓ Tagged hopeful by 77%
- ✓ Swoony
- ✓ Zero angst
- ✓ Low stakes
Heat Level ★★★★☆ 4/5
- ✓ Spicy
- ✓ Graphic per StoryGraph
- ✓ Sexy
- ✓ Adult
Ending ★★★★☆ 4/5
- ✓ Home for the holidays
- ✓ Warm
- ✓ Chosen
- ✓ Satisfying
Re-read Value ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
- ✓ On Kindle Unlimited
- ✓ Dual-narrated audiobook
- ✓ Holiday reread
- ✓ 371 pages
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