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wildflowerz76's review
4.0
I received a digital ARC from Edelweiss of this title for an honest review.
The Manning children had to grow up fast when their parents were killed they were sent to live with their grandparents. And when the grandparents died, Piper, the eldest, was left to finish raise her siblings at a very young age. So, when they're all fully grown and out of the house, Piper is finally looking forward to leaving the house, going to college, and starting the life she's put on hold until now. But on a stormy night she meets Cam, a neighbor's adult son and suddenly she has all these feelings. Then her brother and sister return. Suddenly there are all these secrets being revealed and Piper's dream of leaving seems to be going up in smoke.
I loved how real and dimensional all the characters felt in this story. The characters dealt with their problems in a totally believable way. The strong sense of family made this a happy read and the romance was lovely too.
The Manning children had to grow up fast when their parents were killed they were sent to live with their grandparents. And when the grandparents died, Piper, the eldest, was left to finish raise her siblings at a very young age. So, when they're all fully grown and out of the house, Piper is finally looking forward to leaving the house, going to college, and starting the life she's put on hold until now. But on a stormy night she meets Cam, a neighbor's adult son and suddenly she has all these feelings. Then her brother and sister return. Suddenly there are all these secrets being revealed and Piper's dream of leaving seems to be going up in smoke.
I loved how real and dimensional all the characters felt in this story. The characters dealt with their problems in a totally believable way. The strong sense of family made this a happy read and the romance was lovely too.
madelinem101's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
carleneinspired's review
5.0
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Piper Manning has always been the grownup, of her friends and of her family; she's the mom of the group, she's even embraced the nickname of Grandma. She lives by her lists, they keep her life neat and organized and her in control. Celebrating her birthday out sounds like the worst idea ever, especially with a storm blowing in, but her friend has left her with a mysterious stranger and for once she's embracing the lack of control. The storm turns out to be a wild one though, getting cats stuck in tree, leaving Piper covered in mud, and a very handsome Camden Reid stuck at her secluded cabin. With the morning light comes clarity and Piper's two wayward siblings. Piper can see her dreams going out the window, but Piper's sibling and Camden all know something she doesn't and the next few weeks are going to change all of their lives forever.
Piper is just as her siblings describe her; complicated, closed off, and a fixer. She's taken her role as guardian to her siblings like it's a full time career, spending her days as an EMT taking care of others and her nights making lists to ensure her brother succeeds in his career, her sister finishes college, and her family's property can sell. She can finally see her dreams of going to school becoming a reality, but when everyone returns to the small lake town at once it leaves her really questioning if her dreams will need to remain on hold forever. While I have never been the guardian of my siblings, I can so relate to Piper's feelings about her dreams and the steps required to achieve them. She's a mess of stress and worry and I could feel that coming from her as I read from her perspective. Camden is the handsome new guy, though it turns out he's got a tie to the small town too. His story is one of strength, family struggles, and grief, he can relate to Piper if she would let him in. The novel focuses on these two making their brief fling work while they each deal with the complications within their families.
I spent an obscene amount of time crying over this novel, there is so much more to this book than meets the eye. These characters and their stories, oh my heart. I was so in love with Piper and Camden, just as a romance it would've been a great novel, but Jill Shalvis knows how to really make readers feel like they've entered into an entire universe. The setting, the secondary characters, and the separate story lines about Piper's family and Camden's brother just made for a heartfelt, relatable read. Together and with their families they learn how life's lessons, though sometimes painful, can bring the greatest blessings with them. It's about slowing down, paying attention, listening, and letting love in. Like all of Jill Shalvis' novels, Almost Just Friends is another well-written, beautiful romance, one that I highly recommend.
ARC provided.
Piper Manning has always been the grownup, of her friends and of her family; she's the mom of the group, she's even embraced the nickname of Grandma. She lives by her lists, they keep her life neat and organized and her in control. Celebrating her birthday out sounds like the worst idea ever, especially with a storm blowing in, but her friend has left her with a mysterious stranger and for once she's embracing the lack of control. The storm turns out to be a wild one though, getting cats stuck in tree, leaving Piper covered in mud, and a very handsome Camden Reid stuck at her secluded cabin. With the morning light comes clarity and Piper's two wayward siblings. Piper can see her dreams going out the window, but Piper's sibling and Camden all know something she doesn't and the next few weeks are going to change all of their lives forever.
Piper is just as her siblings describe her; complicated, closed off, and a fixer. She's taken her role as guardian to her siblings like it's a full time career, spending her days as an EMT taking care of others and her nights making lists to ensure her brother succeeds in his career, her sister finishes college, and her family's property can sell. She can finally see her dreams of going to school becoming a reality, but when everyone returns to the small lake town at once it leaves her really questioning if her dreams will need to remain on hold forever. While I have never been the guardian of my siblings, I can so relate to Piper's feelings about her dreams and the steps required to achieve them. She's a mess of stress and worry and I could feel that coming from her as I read from her perspective. Camden is the handsome new guy, though it turns out he's got a tie to the small town too. His story is one of strength, family struggles, and grief, he can relate to Piper if she would let him in. The novel focuses on these two making their brief fling work while they each deal with the complications within their families.
I spent an obscene amount of time crying over this novel, there is so much more to this book than meets the eye. These characters and their stories, oh my heart. I was so in love with Piper and Camden, just as a romance it would've been a great novel, but Jill Shalvis knows how to really make readers feel like they've entered into an entire universe. The setting, the secondary characters, and the separate story lines about Piper's family and Camden's brother just made for a heartfelt, relatable read. Together and with their families they learn how life's lessons, though sometimes painful, can bring the greatest blessings with them. It's about slowing down, paying attention, listening, and letting love in. Like all of Jill Shalvis' novels, Almost Just Friends is another well-written, beautiful romance, one that I highly recommend.
ARC provided.
jcmbank's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
robinlovesreading's review
4.0
Piper Manning has put her life and dreams aside to raise her brother and sister after the loss of their parents. She has one last thing to do until her life is her own - and that includes getting the coveted college degree as a physicians assistant. She needs to do a lot of work on the lake house left to her by her grandparents. Once she is able to sell it, she can go back to school.
When Piper runs into a man during a big storm, named Camden Reid, sparks fly right off. However, she certainly has no time for romance. To further complicate things, her brother and sister come back to the lake house needing her help yet again. Piper has always been selfless, so what will she do now?
Jill Shalvis is a favorite author of mine so I am glad I got the chance to read this book. I quickly learned that this wasn't a cut-and-dried romance. Boy meets girl. Fall in Love. Major conflict. Happily ever after. Instead, both Piper and Cam had heavy baggage. Piper's sibling brought heavy baggage to Piper's feet. These things are part of the reason that this book was a really sensitive read that stressed the importance of family and love. Yes, readers got the happy ending, but the journey towards it was a rather nice ride.
Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks and to Edelweiss for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
When Piper runs into a man during a big storm, named Camden Reid, sparks fly right off. However, she certainly has no time for romance. To further complicate things, her brother and sister come back to the lake house needing her help yet again. Piper has always been selfless, so what will she do now?
Jill Shalvis is a favorite author of mine so I am glad I got the chance to read this book. I quickly learned that this wasn't a cut-and-dried romance. Boy meets girl. Fall in Love. Major conflict. Happily ever after. Instead, both Piper and Cam had heavy baggage. Piper's sibling brought heavy baggage to Piper's feet. These things are part of the reason that this book was a really sensitive read that stressed the importance of family and love. Yes, readers got the happy ending, but the journey towards it was a rather nice ride.
Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks and to Edelweiss for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
saschadarlington's review
5.0
Jill Shalvis is always an easy author to read. You’re immediately drawn into a warm, humorous story with likable characters. But Almost Just Friends? This is absolutely one of her best novels, one which I didn’t want to put down.
Although Piper is prickly and bossy, she is totally likable because she knows these things about herself. She has endearing quirks, like constantly writing lists in her journals that is much like a kid’s security blanket. She’s brave and honest and deserves a chance at happiness, if she doesn’t run away from it first.
read more: https://saschadarlington.me/2020/01/24/review-of-almost-just-friends-book-tour-and-excerpt/#.XitwLshKhPY
Although Piper is prickly and bossy, she is totally likable because she knows these things about herself. She has endearing quirks, like constantly writing lists in her journals that is much like a kid’s security blanket. She’s brave and honest and deserves a chance at happiness, if she doesn’t run away from it first.
read more: https://saschadarlington.me/2020/01/24/review-of-almost-just-friends-book-tour-and-excerpt/#.XitwLshKhPY
bougainvillea's review against another edition
2.0
I guess this was fine. About halfway through, I just wanted it to be over. Cheesy writing. I think I'm done with this author.
audreylee's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lisastein's review against another edition
4.0
Fast, fun, a good story. Not sure what made me add this to my list, but I'm glad I did.
There is just something I really enjoy about a book set in a small town where everyone knows everyone and everyone is kind to one another. I guess it's a fantasy place to live.
There is just something I really enjoy about a book set in a small town where everyone knows everyone and everyone is kind to one another. I guess it's a fantasy place to live.