A review by lolitalamb
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Second read didn't live up to what I'd remembered but still above average for a romance novel


I listened to The Friend Zone for the second time in November 2023. I first listened to the audiobook a few years ago, and I remember generally liking it and finding it more irreverent and sexier than I had anticipated.  My memory gave me semi-high expectations and then this time it fell a tad flat.

Like most romance novels, the protagonist is a young woman named Kristen who is emotionally unavailable in some way. And then there's a guy, in this case, Josh, who's like, really into her and wants more than anything to commit to her fully. Because that's what we fantasize about, right? Emotional girl porn.

Anyway, Josh wants Kristen but it can't happen as there are obstacles ofc. There's a lot of drama because they refuse to communicate with each other. Their utter commitment to NOT communicating is astounding, but this is what drives the plot. I'm a therapist, and I was like, "I need to get these people into my office. I just...need a word with them. We can fix all this mess with only a few conversations."

The above description, though sarcastic, is not really meant to be a criticism. Those are just the elements of the genre. I was still invested enough in the drama to purchase the next book The Happy Ever After Playlist and I am on the waitlists at my library for her other three novels.
 
Main Strengths:

  1.  Jimenez writes amusing banter, and gets even better in her next book The Happy Ever After Playlist.
  2.  She excels in her ability to write about sex and attraction. We'll just leave it at that.


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