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A review by savvyrosereads
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Kristen meets the perfect man, but there’s one problem—he wants a huge family, and she cannot have children.
This book had SO much potential—I thought the premise and the chronic illness/infertility representation was excellent and so important. But unfortunately, the book itself didn’t fully land for me—I was really frustrated with a number of plot points (which I can’t really name because of spoilers). I also really hate the “she’s not like other girls, she’s a cool girl” trope (which is super sexist) and didn’t love that this was a big part of the MMC’s inner monologue in the first half of the book.
I do think that part of my issue with The Friend Zone may have also been that I’m not a big fan of either love triangle or miscommunication/lack of communication tropes, and this novel had both in spades. If you enjoy either, you might have a better time with this one!
All of the above said, I liked the characters Jimenez created, there was a lot of great emotion (and some truly heartbreaking moments) and I really am looking forward to continuing the series (I’ve heard great things about the second and third books!)
Recommended if you like: rom-coms with a lot of emotional weight; he-falls-first + pining; love triangle vibes
CW: Infertility/chronic illness; grief/death; injury/medical emergency
Kristen meets the perfect man, but there’s one problem—he wants a huge family, and she cannot have children.
This book had SO much potential—I thought the premise and the chronic illness/infertility representation was excellent and so important. But unfortunately, the book itself didn’t fully land for me—I was really frustrated with a number of plot points (which I can’t really name because of spoilers). I also really hate the “she’s not like other girls, she’s a cool girl” trope (which is super sexist) and didn’t love that this was a big part of the MMC’s inner monologue in the first half of the book.
I do think that part of my issue with The Friend Zone may have also been that I’m not a big fan of either love triangle or miscommunication/lack of communication tropes, and this novel had both in spades. If you enjoy either, you might have a better time with this one!
All of the above said, I liked the characters Jimenez created, there was a lot of great emotion (and some truly heartbreaking moments) and I really am looking forward to continuing the series (I’ve heard great things about the second and third books!)
Recommended if you like: rom-coms with a lot of emotional weight; he-falls-first + pining; love triangle vibes
CW: Infertility/chronic illness; grief/death; injury/medical emergency
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, Death, Grief, and Infertility