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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
okay, picture: a combination of YOU s2 and 3, but without all of the murder and make it romantic and sweet instead of terrifying.
sophie sullivan’s final installment in her jansen brothers series is, above all, sweet, like one of hailey sharp (our cute, feisty, talkative FMC)’s special dessert salads-in-a-cup. focusing on hailey and wes’ story, a guide to being just friends sets itself apart from its predecessors in all the right ways while still offering sentimental glances into noah and chris’ lives for those of you who salivate for more when a story is over (like me).
this book is, at its core, a strangers-to-kind of enemies-to-friends-to-desperately trying to stay friends-to lovers tale that hits nearly all of my boxes for a cute, fun, enjoyable romcom.
i am a SUCKER for a good friends to lovers. something about the are you feeling it too? type of angst is delicious to me, and seeing wes and hailey’s friendship progress into deeper waters was a treat. the casual intimacy of grocery shopping together? being in each others’ spaces? brb while i reevaluate all of my platonic friendships for romantic undertones. (just kidding……………)
the only complaints i have for this one are, while i love a heaping dose of unrealism in my romcoms, wes’ self-awareness was through the roof in only the way a man-written-by-a-woman can be. his inner monologue didn’t feel authentic to the standard male-love-interest voice we get in these types of books, and it left him feeling a little two-dimensional. while the writing is a bit clunky, and wes is a bit too unrealistically observant, it’s still a fun story that explores all the delicious, painful ways a friendship develops between two people who are perfect for one another.
be forewarned, my spicy friends, this book is STRONG fade to black. PG at the most. but sweet enough to keep your belly full through the whole thing. mostly.
sophie sullivan’s final installment in her jansen brothers series is, above all, sweet, like one of hailey sharp (our cute, feisty, talkative FMC)’s special dessert salads-in-a-cup. focusing on hailey and wes’ story, a guide to being just friends sets itself apart from its predecessors in all the right ways while still offering sentimental glances into noah and chris’ lives for those of you who salivate for more when a story is over (like me).
this book is, at its core, a strangers-to-kind of enemies-to-friends-to-desperately trying to stay friends-to lovers tale that hits nearly all of my boxes for a cute, fun, enjoyable romcom.
i am a SUCKER for a good friends to lovers. something about the are you feeling it too? type of angst is delicious to me, and seeing wes and hailey’s friendship progress into deeper waters was a treat. the casual intimacy of grocery shopping together? being in each others’ spaces? brb while i reevaluate all of my platonic friendships for romantic undertones. (just kidding……………)
the only complaints i have for this one are, while i love a heaping dose of unrealism in my romcoms, wes’ self-awareness was through the roof in only the way a man-written-by-a-woman can be. his inner monologue didn’t feel authentic to the standard male-love-interest voice we get in these types of books, and it left him feeling a little two-dimensional. while the writing is a bit clunky, and wes is a bit too unrealistically observant, it’s still a fun story that explores all the delicious, painful ways a friendship develops between two people who are perfect for one another.
be forewarned, my spicy friends, this book is STRONG fade to black. PG at the most. but sweet enough to keep your belly full through the whole thing. mostly.
Sophie Sullivan's "A Guide to Being Just Friends" is a contemporary romance about Jansen brother #3, Wes, and his newly found bestie, Hailey. After becoming friends after what could have been an amazing meet-cute, Hailey and Wes list their guide to being the greatest friends without the complications of romance and falling in love. During their friendship, Wes continues his business endeavours with his two wealthy brothers, including working at a recreation center that builds up young people in the community. His world slowly intertwines with that of Hailey as she works hard to grow her start up salad business. Thanks to Wes' know-how and connections, Hailey's small business not only skyrockets, but her social circle deeply widens.
I enjoyed the beautiful process of what makes a sweet friendship grow between two people. As Hailey and Wes overcome personal challenges, insecurities, and career changes, they are there for each other. Watching them slowly become intimate was lovely.
If there was one thing I’d change, however, it’s a little more editing. I feel like a chunk or two could have been cut. I also would have changed the expected conflict. I didn’t understand Hailey’s reaction and perhaps I knew where Wes was coming from. No spoilers but it would be an interesting convo if you’ve read it.
I recommend this book if you like a slow burn fade-to-black contemporary romance with themes like friends to lovers and found family.
Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy.
I enjoyed the beautiful process of what makes a sweet friendship grow between two people. As Hailey and Wes overcome personal challenges, insecurities, and career changes, they are there for each other. Watching them slowly become intimate was lovely.
If there was one thing I’d change, however, it’s a little more editing. I feel like a chunk or two could have been cut. I also would have changed the expected conflict. I didn’t understand Hailey’s reaction and perhaps I knew where Wes was coming from. No spoilers but it would be an interesting convo if you’ve read it.
I recommend this book if you like a slow burn fade-to-black contemporary romance with themes like friends to lovers and found family.
Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy.
This was just really frustrating. 2.5⭐️ rounded up.
Maybe the jokes on me because I was told this is a standalone, but really, it's part of an interconnected series. Either way, I didn't really care for the MCs. I didn't think their relationship felt real. The FMC gets pissed at absolutely everything. I understand she didn't want the MMC to do everything for her or spend money on gifts, but it got a little silly with how upset she was getting when the dude genuinely cared and wanted to help. We kept hearing how the past relationship with Hailey (FMC) was so horrible that she finally left, but literally, that's it. Like, what happened? Maybe that's part of her issue with getting attention and help from Wes? Idk. Frankly, I couldn't stop rolling my eyes, and it was a little snoozy.
Maybe the jokes on me because I was told this is a standalone, but really, it's part of an interconnected series. Either way, I didn't really care for the MCs. I didn't think their relationship felt real. The FMC gets pissed at absolutely everything. I understand she didn't want the MMC to do everything for her or spend money on gifts, but it got a little silly with how upset she was getting when the dude genuinely cared and wanted to help. We kept hearing how the past relationship with Hailey (FMC) was so horrible that she finally left, but literally, that's it. Like, what happened? Maybe that's part of her issue with getting attention and help from Wes? Idk. Frankly, I couldn't stop rolling my eyes, and it was a little snoozy.
After a case of mistaken identity, two entrepreneurial new comers befriend one another other with the express interest of friendship over anything romantic. Together, they learn how to navigate post break up feelings, and owning their businesses. Hailey Sharp, fresh out of a relationship, tosses herself into her new salad business when her path crosses with Wesley Jansen. After several failed attempts at dating, Wesley is focused on his business ventures with his brothers.
This book tries to be a modern day, When Harry Met Sally. . ., without the connection of the characters. I found myself increasingly frustrated with the protagonists intentions not being made clear, the lack of communication, and the absence of growth from either character. Instead of confronting their emotions, they invest their sexual energy in creating a guide to just being friends.
I felt very little connection with the main characters.
TW: Parental mental abuse, domestic mental abuse
This book tries to be a modern day, When Harry Met Sally. . ., without the connection of the characters. I found myself increasingly frustrated with the protagonists intentions not being made clear, the lack of communication, and the absence of growth from either character. Instead of confronting their emotions, they invest their sexual energy in creating a guide to just being friends.
I felt very little connection with the main characters.
TW: Parental mental abuse, domestic mental abuse
*3.5 stars*
I really liked both of the main characters in this book, he is serious and analytical but a softy on the inside, and she is warm, friendly and hardworking, their dynamic works really well, they have great chemistry and I loved seeing them become friends and then lovers throughout this book. There's not a lot of plot in this, at times I found the book a bit boring, and while the characters made up for it, it still lower my enjoyment. I found the final conflict kind of dumb and unnecessary because there already had been a conflict that made sense to the story, so why dragged it out with another thing.
I really liked both of the main characters in this book, he is serious and analytical but a softy on the inside, and she is warm, friendly and hardworking, their dynamic works really well, they have great chemistry and I loved seeing them become friends and then lovers throughout this book. There's not a lot of plot in this, at times I found the book a bit boring, and while the characters made up for it, it still lower my enjoyment. I found the final conflict kind of dumb and unnecessary because there already had been a conflict that made sense to the story, so why dragged it out with another thing.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I didn't realize this was the third book in a series (my fault) when I requested it, and think I might have enjoyed it more had I read the other two books first. It's definitely possible to read as a standalone, but I did feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters at some point and struggled to keep them straight.
A perfectly fine read, this was quick, easy, and fluffy. I found the dialogue to be a little clunky at points and as it goes with many many many romcoms, I was frustrated when there were inevitably situations that could've been cleared up with exactly one open and honest conversation at any point.
I didn't love Wes as a whole, but found myself rooting Hailey on.
I didn't realize this was the third book in a series (my fault) when I requested it, and think I might have enjoyed it more had I read the other two books first. It's definitely possible to read as a standalone, but I did feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters at some point and struggled to keep them straight.
A perfectly fine read, this was quick, easy, and fluffy. I found the dialogue to be a little clunky at points and as it goes with many many many romcoms, I was frustrated when there were inevitably situations that could've been cleared up with exactly one open and honest conversation at any point.
I didn't love Wes as a whole, but found myself rooting Hailey on.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good predictable romance as much as the next girl, but I had the hardest time getting through this one. I finished it just to finish it.
Friends to lovers is great, but this whole book had me screaming, “Just hook up and get it over with already!!” Like, clearly they were going to, and then the surprise that each expressed when they did was just silly. I was quite frankly more invested in Hailey’s female friendships than her romantic relationship.
Friends to lovers is great, but this whole book had me screaming, “Just hook up and get it over with already!!” Like, clearly they were going to, and then the surprise that each expressed when they did was just silly. I was quite frankly more invested in Hailey’s female friendships than her romantic relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my eArc copy. All opinions are my own.
So I really enjoyed this one! It was a friends to lovers with a hero who like predictability and therefore doesn’t want to be in love. I am sort of a sucker for these kinds of tropes. Any time two people decide to take their friendship to the next level but swear to stay just friends you know how it’s going to end. Someone is going to catch feelings and someone is going to run away haha.
This story doesn’t disappoint in the predictability department and honestly isn’t that why we mostly like romance books in the first place? We know we’re going to get that HEA!
I haven’t read the other books in the series but I didn’t find it hindered my enjoyment of the story. Normally I’d give a book like this 3 stars because I liked it a lot but it’s not one I’d reread over and over. However apparently 3 stars is a bad review and this is NOT a bad book. Id definitely recommend it to anyone who likes the tropes I mentioned and is looking for a good quick read.
So I really enjoyed this one! It was a friends to lovers with a hero who like predictability and therefore doesn’t want to be in love. I am sort of a sucker for these kinds of tropes. Any time two people decide to take their friendship to the next level but swear to stay just friends you know how it’s going to end. Someone is going to catch feelings and someone is going to run away haha.
This story doesn’t disappoint in the predictability department and honestly isn’t that why we mostly like romance books in the first place? We know we’re going to get that HEA!
I haven’t read the other books in the series but I didn’t find it hindered my enjoyment of the story. Normally I’d give a book like this 3 stars because I liked it a lot but it’s not one I’d reread over and over. However apparently 3 stars is a bad review and this is NOT a bad book. Id definitely recommend it to anyone who likes the tropes I mentioned and is looking for a good quick read.
4.5 stars
I am truly a friends to lovers girlie‼️‼️ this was soooo cute I absolutely adored seeing wes and hailey’s friendship blossom into something so beautiful
their love was so pure
I am truly a friends to lovers girlie‼️‼️ this was soooo cute I absolutely adored seeing wes and hailey’s friendship blossom into something so beautiful
their love was so pure