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mels_reading_log's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
They’ve been best friends for years, but his bandmate just broke her heart. He dropped everything to be with her through the chaos, ending in a one night stand. Years later, they are back in the same town, will those one night feelings stay in the past? This book was a good, quick read, but it was way spicier than I thought it was going to be. We need to stop putting cartoon covers on romance novels!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Misogyny
Minor: Mass/school shootings
theespressoedition's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Gun violence
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
4.25/5 stars
2/5 spice
Friends to lovers with maaaaad pining coming from the MMC... yessss
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Country singer FMC
Producer MMC
Close proximity/neighbors
One night stand turned more
Songwriting with love messages
Erotic poetry
Banter & tension
He fell first and hard
Dual timeline
Dual POV
I only have a few things that irked me about this book, and that was the length and the miscommunication. Other than that, I really enjoyed both MCs. They have so much ground to cover in this book, so I understand the length, but it did feel like a few things could have been edited out. I loved both MCs, but I could relate to Lorelai and her inner dialogue so much. The pep talks and arguments she had with herself were funny and real. As for Craig/Huck... goodness me, that man was just amazing. The bestest friend and supporter a girl could ask for... which is why I was so mad Lorelai was so blind to his love for her. Just the way he takes care of her... uuuugh swoon 🫠
Everything wrapped up really nice and sweet in the end. I highly recommend this book for fans of friends to lovers or secret pining. This is an open door romance with some nice tension via songwriting and poetry 🥵
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions school shöötings, misogyny, sexual harassment, sexual content
2/5 spice
Friends to lovers with maaaaad pining coming from the MMC... yessss
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Country singer FMC
Producer MMC
Close proximity/neighbors
One night stand turned more
Songwriting with love messages
Erotic poetry
Banter & tension
He fell first and hard
Dual timeline
Dual POV
I only have a few things that irked me about this book, and that was the length and the miscommunication. Other than that, I really enjoyed both MCs. They have so much ground to cover in this book, so I understand the length, but it did feel like a few things could have been edited out. I loved both MCs, but I could relate to Lorelai and her inner dialogue so much. The pep talks and arguments she had with herself were funny and real. As for Craig/Huck... goodness me, that man was just amazing. The bestest friend and supporter a girl could ask for... which is why I was so mad Lorelai was so blind to his love for her. Just the way he takes care of her... uuuugh swoon 🫠
Everything wrapped up really nice and sweet in the end. I highly recommend this book for fans of friends to lovers or secret pining. This is an open door romance with some nice tension via songwriting and poetry 🥵
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions school shöötings, misogyny, sexual harassment, sexual content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Mass/school shootings
theoceanrose's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel like this book was designed for me. I knew from the first chapter that I would likely be giving this book five stars because like my favorite songs in a book form. Anybody who knows me knows how much I love music. Music and books are basically my life and country music is one of my top genres. The fact that each chapter begins with a country song, many of which were already my favorite songs, is basically what convinced me to read this book. I love how the book pointed out the hypocrisies and wrongdoings of the country music industry, something I’m personally invested in.
I should also talk about the real center of the book: the romance. OMG I ABSOLUTELY LOVED CRAIG (aka Huck) AND LORELAI’S RELATIONSHIP!!!! I’m a sucker for friends to lovers, but then add in the years of pining, the miscommunications, and the fact that they are the definition of “right person, wrong time” and this book was perfect for me! I wish we hadn’t skipped over so much of their fwb stage, but beyond that, it was amazing!
I should also talk about how this book literally inspired me to write a song. The book is full of poems and song lyrics and it just got me in a super creative mood, so yesterday, I sat down and wrote a song for the first time in like four or five years, so I have to thank Erin Hahn for her magical writing, because this book feels like it was infused with some sort of creative energy!
I also loved the side characters! I read Built to Last in July of 2022 and didn’t even realize that this was a continuation of that story until chapter two! It was great to see Shelby and Cameron again, and I hope that Maren gets a book! I actually went back and reread some of that book (specifically the mentions of Craig), which made my enjoyment of this book even better. I also found out that Clay/Jefferson and Annie, who are featured in this book, have a book of their own, which I definitely want to check out in the future.
Overall, Erin Hahn has created this lovely universe full of country music and HGTV references (two things that I highly value) and I’ve basically decided that I’ll read anything she writes!
I have only one question though: Why wasn’t “Friends Don’t” by Maddie & Tae included in this book? Between the fact that it’s practically the title of this book and it’s a great country song, I’m confuzzled…
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Erin Hahn for providing me access to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism and Pregnancy
anovelglimpse's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
Friends Don't Fall in Love was one of my most anticipated book releases for the fall of 2023. I have been waiting for it ever since I finished Built to Last. Fallen country star Lorelai was a side character who intrigued me, and I couldn't wait to get her story. Plus, I love Erin Hahn's writing and want to read everything she releases. Anyways. What I'm trying to say here is that I was excited for this release, and it did not disappoint me. I loved it.
Friends Don't Fall in Love is like if You'd Be Mine and Built to Last had a baby. It's got the adult characters, humor, and steam of Built to Last and the emotional ups and downs of the country music scene of You'd Be Mine. That being said, it's a well written and crafted story all of its own. Lorelai and Craig have new and different struggles and experiences in life and country music.
Don't let the illustrated cover fool you. A closed-door romance this is not. It's probably the steamiest book Hahn has written yet. Lorelai and Craig have a passionate and emotional connection. They get each other in the best of ways and that transfers to all areas of their lives. I loved the big moments with them, but also the small moments. Neither wanted to rock the friendship boat with a romance. It was frustratingly fun for them to work through it all, and I loved where their journeys took them solo and together. The lyrics, poems, and words Hahn used for them were perfection. Lorelai and Craig were a swoon worthy couple I could have read a hundred more chapters about.
This is also Hahn's most provocative book when it comes to speaking her mind or including some of her own experiences. She made her thoughts on religion known in Never Saw You Coming and she's gone a step further with this release. Hahn doesn't shy away from giving Lorelai a voice when it comes to social or political issues. If you can't handle reading about a character wanting stronger gun control laws, etc. this book probably isn't for you. There are topics sprinkled throughout. It's not preachy, but it's there and it is timely.
Oh! Earlier I mentioned that this book was like two books having a baby... I should mention there are some big cameos from those two previous books that fans won't want to miss out on. These characters show up to help out our MCs and I loved every minute of that.
There is so much to say about Friends Don't Fall in Love and I don't know that I'm capable of getting it all out in this review. I had a wonderful time reading this book. I was in a hurry to get to the end of Lorelai and Craig's romance, while at the same time wishing it would go on longer. Hahn's writing shines brightest when it is set in the country music world, and I wouldn't be sad if Hahn wrote every book within it. I'm super excited to read whatever she releases next.
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
Friends Don't Fall in Love was one of my most anticipated book releases for the fall of 2023. I have been waiting for it ever since I finished Built to Last. Fallen country star Lorelai was a side character who intrigued me, and I couldn't wait to get her story. Plus, I love Erin Hahn's writing and want to read everything she releases. Anyways. What I'm trying to say here is that I was excited for this release, and it did not disappoint me. I loved it.
Friends Don't Fall in Love is like if You'd Be Mine and Built to Last had a baby. It's got the adult characters, humor, and steam of Built to Last and the emotional ups and downs of the country music scene of You'd Be Mine. That being said, it's a well written and crafted story all of its own. Lorelai and Craig have new and different struggles and experiences in life and country music.
Don't let the illustrated cover fool you. A closed-door romance this is not. It's probably the steamiest book Hahn has written yet. Lorelai and Craig have a passionate and emotional connection. They get each other in the best of ways and that transfers to all areas of their lives. I loved the big moments with them, but also the small moments. Neither wanted to rock the friendship boat with a romance. It was frustratingly fun for them to work through it all, and I loved where their journeys took them solo and together. The lyrics, poems, and words Hahn used for them were perfection. Lorelai and Craig were a swoon worthy couple I could have read a hundred more chapters about.
This is also Hahn's most provocative book when it comes to speaking her mind or including some of her own experiences. She made her thoughts on religion known in Never Saw You Coming and she's gone a step further with this release. Hahn doesn't shy away from giving Lorelai a voice when it comes to social or political issues. If you can't handle reading about a character wanting stronger gun control laws, etc. this book probably isn't for you. There are topics sprinkled throughout. It's not preachy, but it's there and it is timely.
Oh! Earlier I mentioned that this book was like two books having a baby... I should mention there are some big cameos from those two previous books that fans won't want to miss out on. These characters show up to help out our MCs and I loved every minute of that.
There is so much to say about Friends Don't Fall in Love and I don't know that I'm capable of getting it all out in this review. I had a wonderful time reading this book. I was in a hurry to get to the end of Lorelai and Craig's romance, while at the same time wishing it would go on longer. Hahn's writing shines brightest when it is set in the country music world, and I wouldn't be sad if Hahn wrote every book within it. I'm super excited to read whatever she releases next.
You can find this review and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Mass/school shootings, Toxic relationship, and Gun violence
vicwaltz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
Erin Hahn is an easy auto-read for me, no matter if it's YA or adult. There is something so wonderful about how she crafts her stories. They're sweet and romantic and whimsical but also deal with real problems and real feelings. Having followed her books since the first, it's SO cool to see her come into her own as an adult romance author with a very real stance on very real issues.
Friends Don't has all the Hahn charm. The base idea is very similar to Built to Last - once upon a time best friends who always were kind of more reuniting as adults to do something cool in entertainment - but the nuances and details are different enough that it doesn't feel at all like a repeat. It *is* one of those romances where if the characters had an honest conversation with each other and their feelings then the book would be way shorter, but, that's the nature of the friends-to-lovers slow-burn trope and Hahn handles it really well. The building tension is sooo strong and both characters have things to work through before they can have that conversation. Plus, both Lorelai and Craig are full humans with stories that are interesting on their own. I have no idea if this is an accurate portrayal of country music, but I'm here for it!
Also I will never say no to a Jefferson Coolidge or Annie Mathers cameo. Or Trina. Give me all of the Trina content.
Extreme thanks to St. Martins press for reaching out with an ARC!
Friends Don't has all the Hahn charm. The base idea is very similar to Built to Last - once upon a time best friends who always were kind of more reuniting as adults to do something cool in entertainment - but the nuances and details are different enough that it doesn't feel at all like a repeat. It *is* one of those romances where if the characters had an honest conversation with each other and their feelings then the book would be way shorter, but, that's the nature of the friends-to-lovers slow-burn trope and Hahn handles it really well. The building tension is sooo strong and both characters have things to work through before they can have that conversation. Plus, both Lorelai and Craig are full humans with stories that are interesting on their own. I have no idea if this is an accurate portrayal of country music, but I'm here for it!
Also I will never say no to a Jefferson Coolidge or Annie Mathers cameo. Or Trina. Give me all of the Trina content.
Extreme thanks to St. Martins press for reaching out with an ARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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