Chloe Liese became a need to read author, so I didn’t even think twice to hit request on Happy Ending! I curled up with one and want to tell you all about this book today. Keep on reading to learn more about the book and what I thought.
A big thank you to Netgalley and Galllery Books for providing me with an eARC to read and review. This doesn’t affect my opinion in any way.
From USA TODAY bestselling author Chloe Liese, a clever and heartwarming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Annabel Monaghan about two best friends who must fake a relationship for their exes.
Thea and Alex have three things in common—they love food, they hate where they live, and they’re both divorced. Otherwise, they couldn’t be more different.
Thea’s never cooked a day in her life. Alex is a world-class chef. Alex resents feeling stuck in his hometown. Thea resents the town for not feeling more like home. Thea and her ex are in a contentious custody battle for their dog. Alex and his ex amicably coparent their daughter. Beyond a few friends in common, a couple small-world connections (welcome to life in a mid-size city), their lives look nothing alike. Fast forward two years, and they’re truly the best of friends. No one would ever know their friendship began as a lie…
Two years ago, their exes got together immediately following their divorces, and somehow, Thea and Alex found themselves spinning a spite-fueled story about being old friends and first loves. Two years later, what began as a ruse has grown into real friendship—just friendship, despite what friends and family seem to think. But when their exes invite them on a two-week, “two family” beach vacation—daughter and dog included—Alex and Thea start to wonder if this story they’ve spun might have gotten away from them, and if it’s led them to the last place they ever thought it could: a happy ending.
Review
Chloe Liese has written some of my favorite books (I’ll never stop talking about the Bergman Brothers), so anytime a new book by her is announced it’s a need! Happy Ending was one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 and it didn’t disappoint. The story of Thea and Alex ends up coming full circle by having chapters that take place in the past and in the present.
Our main characters’ friendship starts with a little white lie. Their exes end up together and they just happen to let slip that they were each other’s first loves. That definitely gives some awkward situations, but also develops into an amazing friendship. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes (how can it not be when my happily ever after is that trope) and Chloe Liese did it justice with these two characters. Seeing them grow close and feel things but not wanting to ruin the friendship was such a hit in all the feels!
So when they go on vacation with their exes, I knew it was going to hit a boiling point and it did! That was everything I needed! It was messy here and there but it just worked for these two characters. Add in Mia, she was just adorable and so loved! I loved that we see Alex being a very present father and doing everything he can to be present in her life.
We also get some amazing side characters. I didn’t love their exes very much, but Thea’s best friend, Jen, is amazing as well! The group chats and the way that she teases Alex was so fun! For me these books are never long enough! I see Happy Ending on my 2026 favorites list.
Chloe Liese proved to me again why she’s an auto-buy/read author! Who are some of your auto-buy/read authors? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
