The Ex-Perimento
A woman enlists the help of her favorite musician to win her ex-boyfriend back in this sparkling romantic comedy set in Venezuela by debut author Maria J. Morillo.
Maria “Marianto” Camacho is a planner. At twenty-seven, she has her life perfectly mapped out. Her long-term boyfriend, Alejandro, is perfect on paper, and she's expecting a proposal any day now. She has a stable job as a lifestyle columnist at Ellas, one of Latin America's biggest digital magazines. Her future is set; she's sure of it.
Until everything falls apart overnight: Marianto loses her boyfriend and her job. But she's determined to get them both back with an idea that is either delusional or ingenious—a juicy new article for Ellas that documents a series of romantic experiments to get her ex back. Thus begins The Ex-Perimento. With her bank account dwindling, however, Marianto lands a temporary gig on Venezuela's hottest new singing competition show. Her job? Personal assistant to Simón Arreaza, the lead singer of her favorite indie band.
It's only her second day on the job when Simón discovers Marianto's list of romantic experiments, striking her ideas and replacing them with his own better ones. Out of desperation, she offers a proposition: Help her win back Alejandro, and she'll give Simón's band a profile in the magazine once she returns to Ellas. But between the close quarters on set and the blurred lines of a budding friendship, Marianto and Simón find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, caught in a whirlwind of unexpected romance.
Maria “Marianto” Camacho is a planner. At twenty-seven, she has her life perfectly mapped out. Her long-term boyfriend, Alejandro, is perfect on paper, and she's expecting a proposal any day now. She has a stable job as a lifestyle columnist at Ellas, one of Latin America's biggest digital magazines. Her future is set; she's sure of it.
Until everything falls apart overnight: Marianto loses her boyfriend and her job. But she's determined to get them both back with an idea that is either delusional or ingenious—a juicy new article for Ellas that documents a series of romantic experiments to get her ex back. Thus begins The Ex-Perimento. With her bank account dwindling, however, Marianto lands a temporary gig on Venezuela's hottest new singing competition show. Her job? Personal assistant to Simón Arreaza, the lead singer of her favorite indie band.
It's only her second day on the job when Simón discovers Marianto's list of romantic experiments, striking her ideas and replacing them with his own better ones. Out of desperation, she offers a proposition: Help her win back Alejandro, and she'll give Simón's band a profile in the magazine once she returns to Ellas. But between the close quarters on set and the blurred lines of a budding friendship, Marianto and Simón find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, caught in a whirlwind of unexpected romance.
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Community Reviews
The Ex-Perimento starts with a plan to win back the wrong man and ends with something far better.
Maria Camacho is a planning perfectionist. She likes structure, stability, and a future she can map out step by step. She does what she does best when her relationship unravels overnight. She makes a plan. A very organized and worrying list of romantic experiments to win back Alejandro. Then, Simón Arreaza enters the picture and immediately disrupts her plan.
Simón is a musician with a completely different rhythm. He starts rewriting Maria's plan the moment he gets his hands on it. What begins as a strategic partnership turns into something charged with tension, curiosity, and a connection that sneaks up on both of them.
The fake dating works exactly how you want it to. It starts off playful and calculated. Then, slowly melts into something real. Simón pulls a vulnerability out of Maria that she has been avoiding. Watching that shift happen is what makes the romance so sweet. He is patient, a little teasing, and never pushes her past what she is ready for. His confidence makes every interaction feel electric.
Alejandro hangs around just enough to remind you why he was never the right choice. Watching Maria finally choose herself instead of the life that looked perfect on paper is so satisfying. Her growth becomes the heart of the story.
The romance takes its time. The connection builds through small moments, shared space, and learning how to meet each other where they are. Simón does not run when things get complicated. He finds a way to meet Maria in the middle when it comes to the one thing holding her back from committing. The payoff makes the happily ever after feel so easy to root for.
Sofía Palmero adds so much to the audiobook. Her delivery feels effortless and immersive. Her Español flows beautifully throughout. The accent adds depth without ever making it harder to follow. Sofía just pulls you deeper into the story.
The Ex-Perimento is a romance that gives you butterflies and leaves you smiling when it ends. Readers will love this if they are looking for a happily ever after romance that is light, heartfelt, and swoony.
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