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A review by fairytalefootnotes
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Forbidden Love. Second Chance Romance for secondary characters.
3rd Act Breakup?: 2nd Act
The Praise: I loved Beth & Gwen and their development from friends to more. They’re so sweet together and there were so many moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet over them. The side characters were also wonderful, from the parents to Albie, Bobby, Meredith, Mrs. Gilpe, and Mrs. Stelm.
The Critique: My only real issues were that 1) Beth & Gwen didn’t immediately try to get their parents to marry when things went sideways when that had initially been the main plan and 2) it felt so long even though it isn’t really and I think it’s because so much happens. Oddly enough, it felt a lot like The Parent Trap in that way, in my opinion. I’ve always felt like the movie feels like 3 separate movies (camp, the switch, the switch back) and that’s how I felt with this, too, so maybe it was intentional.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this! The characters were excellent, the banter was fun, and the drama ripped my heart out.
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Forbidden Love. Second Chance Romance for secondary characters.
3rd Act Breakup?: 2nd Act
The Praise: I loved Beth & Gwen and their development from friends to more. They’re so sweet together and there were so many moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet over them. The side characters were also wonderful, from the parents to Albie, Bobby, Meredith, Mrs. Gilpe, and Mrs. Stelm.
The Critique: My only real issues were that 1) Beth & Gwen didn’t immediately try to get their parents to marry when things went sideways when that had initially been the main plan and 2) it felt so long even though it isn’t really and I think it’s because so much happens. Oddly enough, it felt a lot like The Parent Trap in that way, in my opinion. I’ve always felt like the movie feels like 3 separate movies (camp, the switch, the switch back) and that’s how I felt with this, too, so maybe it was intentional.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this! The characters were excellent, the banter was fun, and the drama ripped my heart out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent