Sophie Sullivan – andrea's galley

“People don’t think California is ever dark. They’re so used to the sun, it’s all they expect. All they see. (…) It reminds me of you. You’re so positive, so upbeat. I forget you’ve been hurt. That you’ve seen the other side of happiness.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses toxic parental relationships, toxic romantic relationships, emotional abuse, and gaslighting. Contains some sexual content, but closed doors.

“A Guide to Being Just Friends” follows Hailey Sharp, a salad shop entrepreneur who’s just moved to town in search for a fresh start after a bad breakup, and Wes Jansen, the oldest of the Jansen brothers (but also the last of them to find love), as they strike up a platonic best friendship based on their need for a break from dating and wish for companionship. Hailey and Wes are both new to town and have fit perfectly together—but only as friends, of course.. right?

I was so entranced by Hailey and Wes and their interactions that every other conversation felt like a filler—when they really weren’t. This book is more than just a romance novel, it’s the story of two very independent characters, as they find themselves and learn to be true and consistent with their dreams. I rooted for every single character (old and new) in “A Guide to Being Just Friends.” I could not get enough of this book.

It’s getting ridiculous but with every new book in this series, my favorite amongst them all changes. First it was Chris, then Noah, and now Wes. How can these brothers just keep getting better and better? This entire series as a whole is wonderful.

I would highly recommend this series if you’re looking for a clean romance series. Also, if you’re a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, then “A Guide to Being Just Friends” is most definitely for you.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: January 17, 2023

“I’ll choose you again and again and again.”
“I’ll choose you back.”

Author: Sophie Sullivan
Narrator: Rebecca Gibel

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Narration: 5 mikes
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Describes and discusses panic attacks and anxiety. Contains some sexual content, but closed doors.

“Ten Rules of Faking It” follows Everly Dean right after the worst birthday of her life. She caught her boyfriend cheating on her with his assistant and then said occurrence is aired on the radio station she works in by mistake. Now people are lining up to date her and Chris, her cute boss, is set on helping her. As their friendship and trust blossoms in this Bachelorette-style competition, so do other feelings. Feelings that should not be there. Feelings that are quite scary, if you ask Everly.

Rebecca Gibel has now become one of my favorite audiobook narrators. Her character voices were distinctive but not annoyingly so, and her pace and tone just kept you engaged all the way through.

The story in general was entertaining and the characters likable—a bit unreality, but I was still there for it. Although the romance seemed improbable, you could definitely feel Everly and Chris falling in love. So much so I think I fell a bit in love with Chris too. The way he loved her with her anxiety helped me love myself a little bit more in the process.

With its dual POV, this story was told beautifully. I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a closed door romance with anxiety representation and some straight-on double pining.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.