The Ex-Perimento by Maria J. Morillo

A beautifully immersive story about love and redefining what you truly want.

The Ex-Perimento hooked me immediately, and it never let go. I was fully invested in Marianto’s life from the first chapter, from her job and her heartbreak to her stubborn determination to reclaim the future she thought she wanted. This is entirely her story, told in a single POV, and it works beautifully. Even without Simón’s perspective, I never felt like anything was missing. His feelings come through clearly in his actions, his dialogue, and the way he shows up for her. At the same time, Marianto’s blind spot feels completely believable given where she is emotionally at the start.

The writing is lush and immersive, especially in its depiction of Caracas. Marianto’s love for her city shines through every page, and the setting feels vivid and lived-in. While there is romance at its heart, this story is about watching a carefully planned life come undone. It explores what happens when stability on paper no longer feels like enough. Watching Marianto question herself and slowly redefine what she wants was deeply satisfying.

The romance itself is a slow burn with undeniable chemistry, even without explicit heat. The tension builds steadily, and their first kiss was a moment I will not forget. While the ending feels like a happy-for-now, I have no doubts about where Marianto and Simón are headed. I loved this book and could not put it down.