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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
In the final book of the Jansen brothers series, a friends-to-lovers story gets a modern update with Hailey and Wes. Both focused on their lives outside of love Hailey and Wes meet in an abrupt passing - eventually resulting in a friendship that they both value. Not willing to give up the friendship they both struggle with what it means to be friends and what it means to be more.
I enjoyed the final chapter in this series but it took me a bit to really dive in. I was not sold by the story at first and had a hard time getting through the first few chapters but I am glad that I did. My favorite parts were the explanation of Hailey’s parents - who changed how she approached relationships but without the major traumatic circumstances that typically explain this behavior in this trope.
I also respected many of her reactions and the conversations between Hailey and Wes as they usually are blown off and not always examined in romance novels. It feels like a more grown-up friends-to-lovers story one where the two of them will live happily ever after because of a good foundation.
Overall, this book made me want to go back and read the other two books in the series. And it would be a great book for a fun girls' weekend away.
I received a digital copy from netgalley.
I enjoyed the final chapter in this series but it took me a bit to really dive in. I was not sold by the story at first and had a hard time getting through the first few chapters but I am glad that I did. My favorite parts were the explanation of Hailey’s parents - who changed how she approached relationships but without the major traumatic circumstances that typically explain this behavior in this trope.
I also respected many of her reactions and the conversations between Hailey and Wes as they usually are blown off and not always examined in romance novels. It feels like a more grown-up friends-to-lovers story one where the two of them will live happily ever after because of a good foundation.
Overall, this book made me want to go back and read the other two books in the series. And it would be a great book for a fun girls' weekend away.
I received a digital copy from netgalley.
This book was so cute! For the most part I loved the characters, there were a couple of little fights that seemed a little silly to me, but I think that’s just real life right?
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 ⭐
Update: Happy Publication Day!
I had no idea that this was the third book of a trilogy when I first came across it and read it.
After my enjoyable experience with this one, I am planning on picking up the other two books. Although I hadn't read the first two books, it was completely fine. This book stands strong on its own and does a great job incorporating the previous characters into the narrative.
This story follows the oldest Jansen brother Wes Jansen and a new shop owner Hailey Sharp. Hailey is just starting to her store open and its been a slow start up. Wes and Hailey have a meet cute moment in a coffee shop after a misidentification by Wes. They both thought this was a one off moment, but they run into eachother again after Hailey's company is hired to provide salads for a meeting that Wes is at. Things progress and the two fall in to a comfortable friendship, neither wanting more due to experiences from past relationships. With all books like this that never lasts and things progress into more.
I really enjoyed both Hailey and Wes' characters. I thought they were both cute. It was sort of grumpy sunshine, but Wes overrall was a really good nice guy and not really that grumpy. just a cynic to love. Hailey though was bubbly and overall happy character. Wanting to stand on her own and didn't want to take handouts.
This was definitely a slow burn romance, but Sophie Sullivan did a nice job building their friendship and including the side characters/interaction. My one criticism was their friendship to best friends was pretty instantaneous to me. It didn't really seem to build up why they were friends to begin with.
The side characters, the two brothers/girlfriends (which I now realize are main characters in the other two books) were really fun to read. I loved the brothers relationship and how they interacted with eachother. I loved how they called Wes out on his S&*t and were fair to call him an idiot at times. However it never felt mean or cruel, they did it out of love to try to get Wes to open his eyes.
One thing I didn't love was Wes' whole outlook on love and marriage. I didn't seem like a strong case to create the conflict needed for this story. It had its cute moments and progressed the story, but I was kind of meh to it. Hailey also was a bit annoying at times when she was so hard set on not accepting help. I get it, she doesn't want hand outs from a rich friend, but there was some smaller things he wanted to help with that she was so stubborn to not let him do.
Overall I thought this was a cute story and I will be reading more stories from Sophie Sullivan. I felt like she did a great job writing a cute friends to lovers story. I look forward to reading the other two Jansen Brother books.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this advance reader copy. My review of this story is voluntarily my own.
Update: Happy Publication Day!
I had no idea that this was the third book of a trilogy when I first came across it and read it.
After my enjoyable experience with this one, I am planning on picking up the other two books. Although I hadn't read the first two books, it was completely fine. This book stands strong on its own and does a great job incorporating the previous characters into the narrative.
This story follows the oldest Jansen brother Wes Jansen and a new shop owner Hailey Sharp. Hailey is just starting to her store open and its been a slow start up. Wes and Hailey have a meet cute moment in a coffee shop after a misidentification by Wes. They both thought this was a one off moment, but they run into eachother again after Hailey's company is hired to provide salads for a meeting that Wes is at. Things progress and the two fall in to a comfortable friendship, neither wanting more due to experiences from past relationships. With all books like this that never lasts and things progress into more.
I really enjoyed both Hailey and Wes' characters. I thought they were both cute. It was sort of grumpy sunshine, but Wes overrall was a really good nice guy and not really that grumpy. just a cynic to love. Hailey though was bubbly and overall happy character. Wanting to stand on her own and didn't want to take handouts.
This was definitely a slow burn romance, but Sophie Sullivan did a nice job building their friendship and including the side characters/interaction. My one criticism was their friendship to best friends was pretty instantaneous to me. It didn't really seem to build up why they were friends to begin with.
The side characters, the two brothers/girlfriends (which I now realize are main characters in the other two books) were really fun to read. I loved the brothers relationship and how they interacted with eachother. I loved how they called Wes out on his S&*t and were fair to call him an idiot at times. However it never felt mean or cruel, they did it out of love to try to get Wes to open his eyes.
One thing I didn't love was Wes' whole outlook on love and marriage. I didn't seem like a strong case to create the conflict needed for this story. It had its cute moments and progressed the story, but I was kind of meh to it. Hailey also was a bit annoying at times when she was so hard set on not accepting help. I get it, she doesn't want hand outs from a rich friend, but there was some smaller things he wanted to help with that she was so stubborn to not let him do.
Overall I thought this was a cute story and I will be reading more stories from Sophie Sullivan. I felt like she did a great job writing a cute friends to lovers story. I look forward to reading the other two Jansen Brother books.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this advance reader copy. My review of this story is voluntarily my own.
An enjoyable and fitting end to the Jansen brothers!
Even though one goes until this novel knowing the “just friends” concept will fall apart, reading about Hailey and Wes building a strong foundation first was lovely
I have not finished the first book in the series yet, and I would advise other readers to tackle them in order. I felt like I was missing some key background on Wes and how the brothers ended up breaking away from their father.
Even though one goes until this novel knowing the “just friends” concept will fall apart, reading about Hailey and Wes building a strong foundation first was lovely
I have not finished the first book in the series yet, and I would advise other readers to tackle them in order. I felt like I was missing some key background on Wes and how the brothers ended up breaking away from their father.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
In this book we follow Hayley and Wes and their journey to just being friends. But will they be able to?? Hayley just moved cities and opened up her salad shop. She doesn't have time to mess around with feelings she just wants to put her main focus on her goal: Have a successful business. But, with Wes around, she finds it difficult to focus on one task.
This book was really fun to read! Hailey and Was were really cute together! I loved that the author talked about how childhood trauma can affect present day relationships. We also love to see a boss women who doesn't need a man to help her run her business. The characters were really relatable and overall very fun. I loved the relationships between Wes and his brothers and the relationships between Hailey and her cousin. They felt real and relatable. I have to admit the story started off kind of slow and I was wondering where it was going but I don't regret continuing with the book. The romance was worth it. The ending was really cute!
If you're looking for a second chance romance, small business owner, friends to lovers, no spice book, this is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me to review this book for free!
This book was really fun to read! Hailey and Was were really cute together! I loved that the author talked about how childhood trauma can affect present day relationships. We also love to see a boss women who doesn't need a man to help her run her business. The characters were really relatable and overall very fun. I loved the relationships between Wes and his brothers and the relationships between Hailey and her cousin. They felt real and relatable. I have to admit the story started off kind of slow and I was wondering where it was going but I don't regret continuing with the book. The romance was worth it. The ending was really cute!
If you're looking for a second chance romance, small business owner, friends to lovers, no spice book, this is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley for approving me to review this book for free!
emotional
funny
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
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
A GUIDE TO BEING JUST FRIENDS
By Sophie Sullivan
3/5
There were a lot of things I loved about this book. I was rooting for Hailey to get her happily ever after from the start. I thought her character was so lovely and I really appreciated her drive and motivation as a small business owner fighting to make her way. I *love* when food serves as a plot point in books. There were lots of food descriptions that left me hungry, literally. The found family trope is one that always leaves me feeling those happy-gushy feelings for the characters.
I didn’t love Wes as a character. I really wanted to but I just wasn’t vibing with him. Because of that, the dual pov (which I typically love) just didn’t do it either. I wanted more of Hailey. I also felt like there were just a few too many characters looped in. However, I read this as a stand-alone so I didn’t have the same level of buy in I would had I read the other two books in the series. Note: I don’t believe you have to read them first, as they all follow different characters.
All in, I thought this book was super great and entertaining. Three stars is still a really great read in my book.
By Sophie Sullivan
3/5
There were a lot of things I loved about this book. I was rooting for Hailey to get her happily ever after from the start. I thought her character was so lovely and I really appreciated her drive and motivation as a small business owner fighting to make her way. I *love* when food serves as a plot point in books. There were lots of food descriptions that left me hungry, literally. The found family trope is one that always leaves me feeling those happy-gushy feelings for the characters.
I didn’t love Wes as a character. I really wanted to but I just wasn’t vibing with him. Because of that, the dual pov (which I typically love) just didn’t do it either. I wanted more of Hailey. I also felt like there were just a few too many characters looped in. However, I read this as a stand-alone so I didn’t have the same level of buy in I would had I read the other two books in the series. Note: I don’t believe you have to read them first, as they all follow different characters.
All in, I thought this book was super great and entertaining. Three stars is still a really great read in my book.
