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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
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
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
The story was enjoyable enough, though there were a few too many "eating a salad to earn dessert" type of comments for me. I found myself rolling my eyes at all the comments about how hot each other were while they were just friends, like get it together yall.
A Guide to Just Being Friends Book Review
Rating: ★★★
Read if you like:
・ Strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
・ Slow burn romance
・ Found family
・ Closed door romance
・ Opposites attract
“Right now, I want to learn how to keep that smile on your face.”
“That’s easy. Kiss me.”
(I am very unsure of how I feel about this book, so please give this review some grace and take it with a grain of salt)
A Guide to Being Just Friends is a cute, friends-to-lovers romance with a bit of grumpy/sunshine energy.
I really enjoyed getting to know Wes and Hailey at the beginning of this book. Their meet-cute introduced both of the characters well and established some relatively important plot points. On the whole, the first two-thirds of this book are a solid four stars: cute banter, amazing side characters, fun “friendly” outings, and good potential character arcs.
The last third of the book, however, falls completely flat for me. Both Wes and Hailey’s character development became confusing and felt generally unresolved by the end of the book. I think this is because there was so much happening in the last couple chapters that it was difficult to know where to look, so-to-speak. The writing was also generally subpar for an author’s third book.
This book is your typical romance: it’s fun, it’s easy, but that’s really all it is.
Rating: ★★★
Read if you like:
・ Strangers-to-friends-to-lovers
・ Slow burn romance
・ Found family
・ Closed door romance
・ Opposites attract
“Right now, I want to learn how to keep that smile on your face.”
“That’s easy. Kiss me.”
(I am very unsure of how I feel about this book, so please give this review some grace and take it with a grain of salt)
A Guide to Being Just Friends is a cute, friends-to-lovers romance with a bit of grumpy/sunshine energy.
I really enjoyed getting to know Wes and Hailey at the beginning of this book. Their meet-cute introduced both of the characters well and established some relatively important plot points. On the whole, the first two-thirds of this book are a solid four stars: cute banter, amazing side characters, fun “friendly” outings, and good potential character arcs.
The last third of the book, however, falls completely flat for me. Both Wes and Hailey’s character development became confusing and felt generally unresolved by the end of the book. I think this is because there was so much happening in the last couple chapters that it was difficult to know where to look, so-to-speak. The writing was also generally subpar for an author’s third book.
This book is your typical romance: it’s fun, it’s easy, but that’s really all it is.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This was cute! Wes and Hailey have a funny meet cute in a coffee shop where Wes thinks Hailey is the girl he's supposed to meet on a blind date and when Hailey denies he gets upset. Then realizes it was a huge miscommunication and the two become friends. This book is set over several months, almost a year. Eventually they both realize they have feelings for each other. It's a very cute, light fluffy romance read if you're looking for one.
It's important to note that this book is the third adapted in the Jansen Brothers series and although you probably could get away with just reading this one before the first two, however I wouldn't recommend it just because there are A LOT of characters and names being thrown around in this book. I don't think it would hugely affect your ability to enjoy this book but as someone who has read the first two prior to this, albeit a while ago now, I did find myself trying to remember who the original characters from the first two books were and who their friends were. There's just a lot of characters and names being thrown around that it kinda threw me off, I don't think it was entirely necessary to mention all of them however I wouldn't say it ruined the book for me in any way.
As for their "fight" scene I really don't want to comment on it. I didn't enjoy it. I thought it was dull and just made both the characters kind of not likeable but the fight was short so I can't say it affected too much.
The ending was really cute though, I really enjoyed that.
The characters: Wes, I found was really good. Protective and possessive at times when Hailey was his friend which personally I liked.
Hailey, I thought was pretty enjoyable but at times i did think she steered a bit too close to pick-me but it was just a couple comments. Otherwise she was pretty good character!
I would definitely recommend if you're looking for an easy read!
It's important to note that this book is the third adapted in the Jansen Brothers series and although you probably could get away with just reading this one before the first two, however I wouldn't recommend it just because there are A LOT of characters and names being thrown around in this book. I don't think it would hugely affect your ability to enjoy this book but as someone who has read the first two prior to this, albeit a while ago now, I did find myself trying to remember who the original characters from the first two books were and who their friends were. There's just a lot of characters and names being thrown around that it kinda threw me off, I don't think it was entirely necessary to mention all of them however I wouldn't say it ruined the book for me in any way.
As for their "fight" scene I really don't want to comment on it. I didn't enjoy it. I thought it was dull and just made both the characters kind of not likeable but the fight was short so I can't say it affected too much.
The ending was really cute though, I really enjoyed that.
The characters: Wes, I found was really good. Protective and possessive at times when Hailey was his friend which personally I liked.
Hailey, I thought was pretty enjoyable but at times i did think she steered a bit too close to pick-me but it was just a couple comments. Otherwise she was pretty good character!
I would definitely recommend if you're looking for an easy read!
funny
hopeful
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:
No
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was just...*chef's kiss*.
I love Wes, he is such a sweet soul. Hailey was all kinds of perfect for him. Their friendship was brilliant and hilarious. I love their teasing banter, and their support of one another.
The brother's relationship was great to see.
I loved this series so much. Highly recommend.
This was just...*chef's kiss*.
I love Wes, he is such a sweet soul. Hailey was all kinds of perfect for him. Their friendship was brilliant and hilarious. I love their teasing banter, and their support of one another.
The brother's relationship was great to see.
I loved this series so much. Highly recommend.
I know this is probably too early but I’m not feeling it and the premise is so weird
funny
hopeful
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
CAWPILE SCORE: 8.8
I loved this book more than words can describe. Sure it has it's flaws and can be cheesy or feel rushed at points, but when I think of rom-coms, that is what I am looking for. I loved Wes and Hailey together. I do not typically love slow-burns, however this one was done so well. I could feel their friendship turning into something more and understood their hesitation when they came to this realization. I also really appreciated that despite the slow-burn, it never felt like there was this miscommunication, but rather the two were great at talking things out.
When I rate books, I almost always use the CAWPILE system, which would actually bring this book to four or maybe four point five stars depending on the person. However, I had to make an exception and give this book a solid 5 stars because it did something that books rarely do,, it made me cry. Not because it was sad, but rather because I felt the characters pains and I emphasized with them. Sophie Sullivan did a fabulous job at getting the reads to feel what the characters were feeling and cheer for them along the way. I have loved each and every book in this series and the cameos in this book did not disappoint. I cannot wait to see what Sullivan does next, but whatever it is I will for sure be buying it.
I loved this book more than words can describe. Sure it has it's flaws and can be cheesy or feel rushed at points, but when I think of rom-coms, that is what I am looking for. I loved Wes and Hailey together. I do not typically love slow-burns, however this one was done so well. I could feel their friendship turning into something more and understood their hesitation when they came to this realization. I also really appreciated that despite the slow-burn, it never felt like there was this miscommunication, but rather the two were great at talking things out.
When I rate books, I almost always use the CAWPILE system, which would actually bring this book to four or maybe four point five stars depending on the person. However, I had to make an exception and give this book a solid 5 stars because it did something that books rarely do,, it made me cry. Not because it was sad, but rather because I felt the characters pains and I emphasized with them. Sophie Sullivan did a fabulous job at getting the reads to feel what the characters were feeling and cheer for them along the way. I have loved each and every book in this series and the cameos in this book did not disappoint. I cannot wait to see what Sullivan does next, but whatever it is I will for sure be buying it.