A review by aromanticreadsromance
Friends Don't Fall in Love by Erin Hahn

emotional slow-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

3.0

Don't let the cute cover fool you; this book is surprisingly SPICY. Of course a guy with the name "Craig" has an anonymous erotic poetry Instagram account. It's always the most unsuspecting ones who are the kinkiest. And don't let the title fool you, either, because these friends most certainly DO fall in love. Craig (or "Huck" short for Huckleberry, his middle name) is a 36-year-old music producer in Nashville, and Lorelai is a 33-year-old disgraced country music star turned school teacher wanting to return to music. Once upon a time, Craig was in a band with Lorelai's now-ex-fiancΓ©, who unceremoniously dumped her through an Instagram post after she protested gun violence at one of her concerts (he was an abusive prick, so she's better off). Craig is a talented songwriter wrote all of the band's songs (including one clearly about Lorelai) but was never credited, not even as a co-writer. After her "scandal," Lorelai moved from Nashville to Michigan, and now, five years later, she has returned to Nashville, living in one part of Craig's duplex and hiring Craig's record label to produce her comeback album. This book is perfect for he falls first (and harder) lovers, because Craig has been in love with Lorelai forever, but it's been a right person, wrong time kind of thing. Seriously, they're the epitome of "it's been a long time coming, but / it's you and me, that's my whole world / They whisper in the hallway, 'She's a bad, bad girl.'" I could write an entire essay about how Lorelai is the poster child for Miss Americana.

This book started off pretty choppy, with several consecutive time jumps that left me both confused and wanting more. With all the history behind their relationship, I constantly felt like I was missing some context. For this reason, I struggle with books where one of the main characters is (secretly or not so secretly) already in love with the other. I don't get to witness the process of them both falling in love with each other. There is also some lasting miscommunication and uncorrected misunderstanding regarding what each person wants from the other (i.e., casual or serious). And yes, this leads to a third act breakup. Even though this book is a standalone, it heavily connects with You'd Be Mine (Annie and Clay) and Built to Last (Lorelai is best friends with Shelby and Maren), neither of which I have read. Craig and Lorelai are both great main characters (though Craig has some major side character energy, lol). They're likable but flawed. With a name like Craig, his personality needs to do all the work (haha), so I'm glad he is a cinnamon roll (I guess you could call him a beta, though he def takes charge in the bedroom! Beta on the streets, alpha in the sheets?).

At times, I felt so frustrated for and with Lorelai. For her because of how she has to resign herself to such disgusting and crude sexism to gain back her career. With her because she couldn't see an alternative to the "apology tour" and hiding her true thoughts and beliefs. I don't doubt that country music, especially the industry (and labels) as a whole, is still ultra conservative, but the tides have been changing over the last few years. And then there are progressive icons who have long carved out a space in country music (take Dolly fucking Parton, for one). So the fact that Lorelai couldn't see this as an opportunity to embrace rather than stuff down her values was hard for me to relate to or understand. She eventually gets to the point of being unapologetic, and I was rooting for that growth.

As a Swiftie, Lorelai's situation totally reminded me of Taylor Swift, specifically the frustrations she expresses in Miss Americana. While Lorelai is nowhere near as famous as Taylor (it's hard to reach THAT level of fame), she has to deal with the repercussions from her label and the country music industry after speaking out about injustice (though Taylor no longer writes country music). In Miss Americana, Taylor and her dad argue over what she should do: speak out and potentially lose fans or keep quiet. I definitely see more spunk and an activist inclination in Lorelai than I do in Taylor (as much as I love Tay, her feminism is very white/performative and she doesn't speak out nearly as much as she should), and I could really relate to Lorelai's inner turmoil over her return to country music. When I requested this book on Netgalley, I wasn't expecting the overtly political messaging in it, but I really appreciated it. I could feel how near and dear the subject is to Erin Hahn. And despite my hang-ups, I did enjoy this book, and I liked Craig and Lorelai together.

Do yourself a favor and read this book if you like:

πŸ‘©πŸ»β€πŸŽ€ Taylor Swift-coded FMCs (and your fav Taylor song is Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince)
πŸ‘©πŸ»β€πŸŽ€ he falls faster AND harder
πŸ‘©πŸ»β€πŸŽ€ she upgrades from her ex to a much better model
πŸ‘©πŸ»β€πŸŽ€ friends to lovers, SLIGHT celebrity romance (they're not UBER famous)
πŸ‘©πŸ»β€πŸŽ€ country music (but like, make it progressive)!

Thank you SO much to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest, voluntary review. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings