A review by theladysparks
The Friendship Study by Ruby Barrett

4.5

 

Jesse Logan doesn’t want a fresh start. He wants his old life back—before an injury made his career as a firefighter impossible, before his grandfather’s Alzheimer’s got so bad he doesn’t recognize Jesse anymore. When a friend tells him about a paid psychological study, Jesse sees it as a chance to get back to the man he was while making a little extra cash.

All Lulu Banks is asking for is a fresh start. Back home after a devastating breakup, she’s struggling to find her place. She’s always been a lot—too loud, too eager, too obvious about her feelings. The friendship study seems like a great idea…until she’s paired with Jesse Logan, who recently ghosted her after a blind date that led to a steamy make-out session.

Now that old familiar tension is back. Despite the program’s strict “no romance” rule, Jesse and Lulu are quick to find a work-around that allows them to explore their tenuous connection. And soon they’re on their way to total self-improvement…

As long as they don’t get caught.

"I belong to you, if you want me."

I've been wanting to pick up this book for a long time but anytime there is Alzheimer's or Dementia in a book, I am always hesitant because it never fails to hit close to home. But I decided to pick this one up and I am so glad that I did because it's one of the most beautiful romance books I've ever had the privilege of reading.

Our two main characters, Jesse and Lulu, first meet because they're set up on a date by a mutual friend. Things get hot and heavy but Jesse pulls away and Lulu takes it in strides and continues on with things as normal. The two of them both struggle to make friends and when the university that Lulu works at starts up a Friendship Study on Millenials, the two end up signing up without knowing they'd each be part of it. Forced proximity brings them close together but the lines blur between friends and something more so they opt for a friends with benefits situation, but keep it secret because it's against the study's rules. Things get messy and complicated and it honestly just felt like such a realistic story about two friends that become so much more.

Jesse is exactly the kind of male main character that I find myself drawn to, quiet but with big feelings that he struggles to vocalize. Lulu was the kind of character that I felt seen in with her struggles of feeling like she's too much but also not enough. And I think having both of these characters be vulnerable in what they're both experiencing through their POV's was just an absolutely beautiful way to tell this story that feels so real. The ease that these to move around each other and the way that friendship turned to love was beautiful and profound.

A lot of people have described this book to me as emotional and horny / spicy and I could not agree more. I rated this one a five star because Goodreads doesn't allow for half-stars, my rating is 4.5! I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend.

- queer romance
- grumpy/sunshine
- opposites attract
- friends to lovers
- hurt / comfort
- slow burn
- chronic pain rep
- friends with benefits
- emotional and horny
- dual pov