Books & Spoons Review MIXED SIGNALS by DIANA BARNES

Getting dumped is never easy, but there’s a special bonus sting if your ex-fiancé is a producer for a popular morning radio show. Jillian Atwood’s breakup with Nico has become the hosts’ number-one topic.

They’re even running a competition to find him a new girlfriend. The entire population of Boston, it seems, is tuning in with an opinion about who Nico should date next—and what Jillian should do to get over him.
 
Jillian’s co-worker, Ben, has his own ideas on that score. He hates seeing Jill depressed over a guy as unworthy as her ex. While he’s providing a friendly ear, he's also realizing how much more he’d like to offer. 

​And if Jill could just get over the man who broke her heart, she might find the one who’s perfectly equipped to heal it...

---

No, breakups are never easy, especially after a longer relationship. They often take a toll on the people, sometimes even affecting the people around the couple separating. This story is a somber and wistful tale of the end of Jillian and Nico's relationship after six years together and three weeks engaged. 
It is told in the first person from Jillian's point of view only, and we get to live with her through all the angst, sorrow, sadness, doubts, the first laughs after the split, the disaster that follows with the radio station, the pining after Nico, the hopes for them coming back together, the rejections, the anger, all the crazy that can happen after a very public breakup, all the thoughts that are in her mind for several months that follow. 
The dark cloud does have the silver lining, Ben. But it takes time for Jillian to be able to move on, and get over Nico, the years they were together, the humiliation of the whole town knowing what is going on in her life. And even though Ben is there for support and some flirts, the story's focus is on moving on from the breakup, getting over the past, and learning to accept what happened. 
I didn't know if I should have laughed or cried for the desperation of the dating world for the thirty-somethings wanting a relationship. I am aware it's not easy, and not making fun of it in any form, but the dread Jillian had was written with humor and made me want to laugh out loud.
With the different twist to a romance story, being more about breakup and development from the devastation of it, than the development of a relationship, it really wasn't for me, or for my taste. That said, I am sure there are many who will enjoy it. I just didn't like to be stuck in Jillian's head with the first person point of view. I guess this story is a great example of what can happen when a relationship goes on for years without commitment one of the party wants and needs, in a way reminding me of the movie He Just Not That Into You. 
With the silver lining shining, the author gave a satisfying and pleasing storyline of the worst case scenario of a breakup turning into a blessing and growing moment in life
~ Three Spoons

---