Reviews

Brand New Friend by Mike Gayle

bex2208's review

4.0

Where do I start. I began thinking a book about friendship, really?? But it’s much more than that! Why is there such a stigma about people of the opposite sex being nothing more than friends? Why does everyone believe someone wants more in the friendship? Why can’t we just live in a society where you can be friends with whoever you want and there be no judgement. Mike’s books always teach me something. Every single time and this is to be less judgmental on friendships. I think we are all guilty of it at times, not just me. I recommend this book a lot.

fordec26's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Brilliant, I really enjoyed this! Love Mike Gayle, he really does write books that are good for your soul 🥰

newson66's review

2.0

A little one dimensional and clunky. I just felt Gayle hadn’t really got to the nub of the subject or really understood the central theme from either perspective. Not a bad novel, he’s written much better books and undoubtedly can do far better than this writing by numbers ‘page-turner’.

jodsmi's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

nerdosaurus1998's review

3.0

I quite enjoyed this book once Jo came into the picture fully. Although, and I'm sure everyone's experiences are different, I have had close male friends. A mixture of feelings has come out of them, as well as relationships, which this book nicely explores.

The ending, however, did leave me a bit annoyed. Rob did not need to initiate the interaction which caused the two to make their final decision and I feel, if he hadn't, then their lives would have gone a little differently. But then, are the two of them truly happy with their choices one way or the other?

Overall, this book has made me think about my own past friendship with men and what's come from them.

kittenesque's review

3.0

Got through this in one evening after picking it up out of the swap box at work.

I actually really enjoyed the way this was handled especially the ending although it felt quite bittersweet. I agree with another reviewer who said how impressive it was that neither Rob, Jo or Ashley ended up vilified.

I do kind of wish that Rob hadn't
kissed Jo at the end but I suppose I can see why he did.

I have wondered myself about some right person(?), wrong time situations I have been in although I can say it's not just men and women who struggle being "just friends"

januaryreads's review against another edition

4.0

A bit of a slow start, which had me doubting I'd like this book. It turned out to be a nice, easy (and endearingly mid 00's-dated) read, though, with a not-too-obvious ending. The epilogue was pretty bad, but oh well.

mrhumpage's review

4.0

Very enjoyable rom com. Light enough to read in a sitting but dealing with some weighty themes - are there more than one types of love/can a man and a women sustain a genuinely platonic friendship?

Also as per Gayle's normal form it's funny and will make you laugh and smile. Recommended.

jascolib's review

5.0

very Very good book. Hard to put down.

mutablemoon's review against another edition

3.0

This was interesting. I enjoyed how it shows that a male and a female can just be friends.