Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi

3.98 AVERAGE

megan_is_reading's profile picture

megan_is_reading's review

3.75
emotional hopeful reflective 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
jess_97xo's profile picture

jess_97xo's review against another edition

4.0
emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
Between Friends & Lovers 💙

Between Friends & Lovers is a heartfelt and emotionally intelligent romance that delves into real issues like social media pressures, mental health, and the nuances between friendship and romantic love. It explores our differences when navigating challenges, and it portrays a real, loving and flawed love triangle between the characters, Jojo, Mal and Ezra. 

I really enjoyed this book 🫶🏼 I found this romance to be refreshing within my love of consuming lots of romance stories. 

Jojo was unapologetically herself, fierce and independent, and quietly kind and generous, and I thought Mal was a steady presence, ever romantic, emotionally intelligent and gentle. It was lovely to see their honest communication and growing friendship, which sometimes I do feel romance stories do miss. 

I found the pacing and structure to be slow and steady, with a few separate plot points interwoven with the main plot of romance, and at times the story felt quiet, but in a pleasant and enjoyable way. There were definitely difficult themes explored, including mental health, trauma, parental illness, racial and women’s issues, which were all written well. I thought the segment surrounding Jojo’s experience of depression was relatable and written in a considered way. 

An enjoyable romance and audiobook 💕
deandra_w's profile picture

deandra_w's review against another edition

5.0
emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
colyforniaroll's profile picture

colyforniaroll's review

4.0
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

canikwe's review

3.5
emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

swatt22's review

4.0
emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
sumries's profile picture

sumries's review

4.5
adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

jesreadstoo's review

4.0
I really enjoyed this one! It dives into the tension between friendship and something more. Doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable parts. Felt like the tension was slightly forced between the friends at times though. There was also mental health aspect & it was nice to see the gentleness loved ones were able to provide. The story captures the in-between space where nothing is clear, but everything feels high-stakes. 

carinaschr's review

3.5
emotional lighthearted medium-paced

itstimeforaskashley's review

4.0
emotional reflective 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