A review by kates_books
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I genuinely am SHOCKED by how much I HATED this book. Especially after LOVING the author’s latest books. But THIS book?!? It REEKED of misogyny — both from the heroine and love interest. The heroine was “not like the other girls” and it was brought up all the freaking time. Honestly they were both kind of assholes. I’m all for women being overly honest and blunt and to not care what other people think of them, but she showed no compassion (other than to Sloane — their loyal friendship was probably the best part of the book), had an emotional affair despite claiming to be someone with values and caring and loyal, refused to take care of herself (shown be her getting hangry every 5 minutes), and was such a pick-me. I was excited to read a book about a woman struggling with infertility and a life without children — I think that would be a great addition to the romance genre — but instead it was filled with comments about how she wasn’t a real woman and didn’t deserve love because of her condition.
And then for her to end up miraculously pregnant?!? I saw it coming and was so annoyed and then was disgusted when my predication proved true. Even more disgusting though was when the love interest said his sisters would be happy to be the surrogate … I know that’s not how it happens but that struck me as SO GROSS. Plus it seemed to add to the fact that Josh only saw women as vessels for carrying children.


Speaking of Josh: I also was excited to see that the love interest was a firefighter — I was like ok hot — but he was constantly complaining about his job and saying that people didn’t actually need their services (I can understand this happening once but again and again??). And then the ending?!?
Killing off his best friend … for what?! I literally do not understand the point of that. Like yes it was used as a plot device to bring the love interests closer, but beyond that?? I have no clue. Sloane and Brandon were better characters and they deserved better.


There were also so many other scenes where I was just confused as to why the happened: her “ice queen” mother showing up out of nowhere, despite never being mentioned before; all of their comments about homeless people being “dangerous” and something that Josh needed to “protect her” from .. I was horrified to read it; the book started with Josh being stressed about money and then never mentioned it again; Kristen being insecure about her uterus being bloated … and then comparing her body to her “beautiful, hourglass” best friend whose “worst nightmare” would be being bloated … I can’t. 

Overall, I was BEYOND disappointed with this book. Maybe the author went through some serious life changes because her latest books are seriously amazing and showcase independent women who embrace and celebrate their friends … but this I cannot rate it lower and I am an overly generous rater usually. 
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