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shyanne_shilson's review
*Big thank you to NetGalley/Publisher who sent me this book in exchange for an honest review*
I really enjoyed this book.
The first thing that stood out to me was that the characters had their own lives outside of the romance. Most books rely heavily on the romance to carry the book and this one didn't. Yes, the romance was major and steamy as hell, but the characters had personalities and troubles and issues and lives outside of the romance. I loved that.
It's hard to describe the book without giving away too many spoilers. Really. All's I can say is that I read it in one sitting and grinned from ear to ear quite a lot so it was a good read. I also fell in love with the characters as separates and as a pair. I also fell in love with the secondary characters but really, who wouldn't?
There isn't much that I would say that I didn't like about this, to be honest.
Definitely worth the read!
I really enjoyed this book.
The first thing that stood out to me was that the characters had their own lives outside of the romance. Most books rely heavily on the romance to carry the book and this one didn't. Yes, the romance was major and steamy as hell, but the characters had personalities and troubles and issues and lives outside of the romance. I loved that.
It's hard to describe the book without giving away too many spoilers. Really. All's I can say is that I read it in one sitting and grinned from ear to ear quite a lot so it was a good read. I also fell in love with the characters as separates and as a pair. I also fell in love with the secondary characters but really, who wouldn't?
There isn't much that I would say that I didn't like about this, to be honest.
Definitely worth the read!
myrthekorf's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
bewitched_bibliophile's review
4.0
3.5 Stars
Strictly Friends is Witty and Sexy Contemporary Book by Chloe Liese. It's a stand alone spin off book of Tough Love trilogy. Even though I haven't read Tough Love Trilogy but I got a glimpse what might had happened in the first three book. The story revolve around Lucas and Elodie, the supporting characters of Tough Love Trilogy.
Coming to the Characters and the Plot. I like Elodie and Lucas. They both are smart and sexy at same time. I love the way they support each other. Even when Lucas was diagnosed with a genetic illness Elodie didn't stepped back and encouraged Lucas wherever she can. I love Nairne and Zed, even though I haven't read their story but I can tell they are amazing couple. About the plot, I felt some chapters were stretched. I would have preferred single POV. I felt there are some scene which wasn't necessary like Lucas mentioning about Elodie's physical appearance again and again, I get that he's deeply in love with her but that doesn't mean he will mention it all the time. Overall I like the book, mostly the characters in the book.
If you are love reading Friends turned lover, contemporary romance books then I would recommend you this book.
Strictly Friends is Witty and Sexy Contemporary Book by Chloe Liese. It's a stand alone spin off book of Tough Love trilogy. Even though I haven't read Tough Love Trilogy but I got a glimpse what might had happened in the first three book. The story revolve around Lucas and Elodie, the supporting characters of Tough Love Trilogy.
Coming to the Characters and the Plot. I like Elodie and Lucas. They both are smart and sexy at same time. I love the way they support each other. Even when Lucas was diagnosed with a genetic illness Elodie didn't stepped back and encouraged Lucas wherever she can. I love Nairne and Zed, even though I haven't read their story but I can tell they are amazing couple. About the plot, I felt some chapters were stretched. I would have preferred single POV. I felt there are some scene which wasn't necessary like Lucas mentioning about Elodie's physical appearance again and again, I get that he's deeply in love with her but that doesn't mean he will mention it all the time. Overall I like the book, mostly the characters in the book.
If you are love reading Friends turned lover, contemporary romance books then I would recommend you this book.
booklover1974's review
3.0
I really like when a romance book isn't just fluffy but also contains more serious issues, like disability in this story. The author did a good job writing about the anxiety and the hurdles that comes with a disability.
If it weren't for all the repetitive description about Lucas and Elodies physical appearance and how everybody just fell in love with them for their good looks, the rating would have been much higher.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
If it weren't for all the repetitive description about Lucas and Elodies physical appearance and how everybody just fell in love with them for their good looks, the rating would have been much higher.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
jessicam89's review
5.0
Lucas and Elodie quickly became two of my favorite characters. From reading about their struggles to their love for each other, was a beautiful thing to experience.
littlesnelson's review
3.0
I found the last 10ish % weirdly annoying but other than that this was another enjoyable read, I'm looking forward to korw spin-offs.
things_i_read_lately's review
4.0
So sometimes I do a great job of reading books in the appropriate order and others I miss the boat entirely. This is a #bookstagram made me do it book, as I’d seen in around in my feed quite a bit and decided to dive into it last weekend since it was on KU. It sucked me in from the beginning and I could tell it was going to be an emotional ride. Lucas and Elodie have both had emotional upheaval in their lives and are working to cope with it. The story was wonderfully written and so real, raw, and emotional. I love that rather than a slow burn to will they or won’t they, we got the real work and love put into relationship to make it work. There was a fantastic mix of steam, love and support in this book. The core friend group was also amazing, proving that your family is really who you pick, not who you’re born with. I’m
bookswithvee's review
4.0
First of all I wanted to thank NetGalley and Chloe Liese for the ARC. The following is my true and honest opinion of this book.
Where to start? Chloe Liese has managed to write a book that many authors would try and make a trilogy of, and I think that is why I enjoyed it so much. The characters are well developed and interesting, and the plot is well written and spaced out. The story was so well written without all that extra drama authors usually add in to make a story last 3 books. I never thought that I would see a book like this one, where everything that happens, does so in the somewhat appropriate time without the extra drama in it. I'm not saying I don't like the extra drama but simply that this book is a refreshing take on things. This is the first book I read from Chloe Liese and it was totally unexpected, I fell in love with Elodie and Luke. Seeing Luke going through such a difficult time in his life and, Elodie being there for him and helping him as best as she could through it all. I'm a hopeless romantic that believes love can conquer it all, you just have to give it your best and believe things will work out eventually. They're Strictly Friends brings that renewed hope that if you have faith in yourself and follow your heart things will eventually work themselves out. Yes, you also have to put in the work but that's just part of life, if you don't work nothing happens for you. Luke is a prideful and hardheaded man that can not imagine himself depending on anyone else in his life, despite his prognosis and what's to come. Elodie is a surviving child carrying a lot of guilt and parental issues. Together they work through each other's issues one at a time, helping each other heal and accepting each other as they are, loving each other for who they are. I'm looking forward to reading more books from Chloe Liese.
Where to start? Chloe Liese has managed to write a book that many authors would try and make a trilogy of, and I think that is why I enjoyed it so much. The characters are well developed and interesting, and the plot is well written and spaced out. The story was so well written without all that extra drama authors usually add in to make a story last 3 books. I never thought that I would see a book like this one, where everything that happens, does so in the somewhat appropriate time without the extra drama in it. I'm not saying I don't like the extra drama but simply that this book is a refreshing take on things. This is the first book I read from Chloe Liese and it was totally unexpected, I fell in love with Elodie and Luke. Seeing Luke going through such a difficult time in his life and, Elodie being there for him and helping him as best as she could through it all. I'm a hopeless romantic that believes love can conquer it all, you just have to give it your best and believe things will work out eventually. They're Strictly Friends brings that renewed hope that if you have faith in yourself and follow your heart things will eventually work themselves out. Yes, you also have to put in the work but that's just part of life, if you don't work nothing happens for you. Luke is a prideful and hardheaded man that can not imagine himself depending on anyone else in his life, despite his prognosis and what's to come. Elodie is a surviving child carrying a lot of guilt and parental issues. Together they work through each other's issues one at a time, helping each other heal and accepting each other as they are, loving each other for who they are. I'm looking forward to reading more books from Chloe Liese.
cokiereads's review
5.0
Sooo... I have not read the first three books. But its a different couple than the others so I feel ok about it. I did enjoy the couple that the first three are about so I will be giving those a chance.
Ive read a few of Chloe's books and I have enjoyed each one. I loved the couple in this one. Friends at first! I love friends to lovers. Its a great background.
Now, our MMC Lucas has a really, really good reason for being so standoffish. I promise!
I really enjoyed Eloide. You'd think with her backstory she should be standoffish or cold. But she wasnt! I liked how we got so much relationship. I think thats because they knew each other for so long.
So, there is a lot of angst. Some heartbreak. All will not be sunshine and roses. But its good! Give it a try.
Ive read a few of Chloe's books and I have enjoyed each one. I loved the couple in this one. Friends at first! I love friends to lovers. Its a great background.
Now, our MMC Lucas has a really, really good reason for being so standoffish. I promise!
I really enjoyed Eloide. You'd think with her backstory she should be standoffish or cold. But she wasnt! I liked how we got so much relationship. I think thats because they knew each other for so long.
So, there is a lot of angst. Some heartbreak. All will not be sunshine and roses. But its good! Give it a try.
hijinx_abound's review
2.0
** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
I love a romance that can tackle tough subjects and still keep me interested and rooting for the couple. However, this book really got bogged down in internal musings and conversations that went nowhere or took place during really inappropriate times.
Neither of the characters caught my attention and I felt like I was peering into their story instead Of being in their story.
I love a romance that can tackle tough subjects and still keep me interested and rooting for the couple. However, this book really got bogged down in internal musings and conversations that went nowhere or took place during really inappropriate times.
Neither of the characters caught my attention and I felt like I was peering into their story instead Of being in their story.