***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
A chronic yes-woman finally admits to what—and who—she really wants in this unforgettable and heartfelt romantic comedy, by the author of The Layover.
Liv Bakersfield is used to living her life in “shoulds.” Be fit. Be financially responsible. Be your best self. An overworked graphic designer, she’s stretched so thin that she’s about to miss yet another vacation with her beloved group of college friends. But when Liv finally decides to start saying no, it feels good…good enough to leap straight into quitting her job and hopping on a plane to join them in South Africa.
Amid the exotic landscape and unforgettable sights, Liv expects sun and safari animals and an easy time with her best friends. But such close proximity makes everything more complicated, especially with the emotionally unavailable Lucas Deiss. Their friendship is the only thing in her life that's still solid, and she vows to do anything she can to keep the group together. But once they get back to LA, Liv discovers that her leap of faith has become a freefall, sending her crashing into Deiss's arms. With the trust of the people she loves most on the line, Liv must decide between doing what she should … and risking everything for what she shouldn’t want.
From the Jump by Lacie Waldon is a slow-burn, friends to lovers, romance partly set in Africa and California. I just loved the long-lasting friendships in this book and the romance and setting.
Liv Bakersfield has a nice life, great friends, and a great job. But something is missing as she still feels lonely. One day at work, after another stressful day, she decides to say no, and she leaves her job to join her college friends on a vacation in South Africa. But, instead of a relaxing vacation, her time with her college friends Phoebe, Simone, Diess, and Mac, becomes more complicated. Especially her relationship with Lucas Diess. The dynamic of all five friends starts to change, and Liv is afraid that the change could break the friend group up for good.
I really enjoyed the friendships in this book. I was a bit reminded of the TV show “Friends” while reading this. The way these five people remained friends for all those years and kept in touch and took vacations together was lovely to read about. Of course, there was some dysfunction, and that made the book more interesting. The romance was a very slow burn, but very satisfying when it finally worked out for them.
I also enjoyed watching Liv grow and change and step out of her comfort zone. She was stuck in a rut, and she needed to learn to enjoy life and do more of what she wanted and less of what she should do.
Friend groups have to grow and change as individuals grow older, and this group had to change too. The book is more about friends and growing up than romance, but it sure was a good romance too.
I highly recommend From the Jump to anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction and romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Lacie Waldon
Lacie Waldon is a writer with her head in the clouds—literally. A flight attendant based in Los Angeles, Waldon spends her days writing from the jump seat and searching the world for new stories.
Her best-selling debut novel, The Layover, can be found in bookstores all over the world (and not just because she uses her flight benefits to sneak signed copies onto shelves.) It has been featured by USA Today, Buzzfeed, PopSugar, Frolic, and many others, and was voted a most-anticipated book by librarians across Canada.
Her second novel, From the Jump, lands on shelves this summer and has been deemed a “winning friends-to-lovers romance” by Publishers Weekly. Like The Layover, it promises a tropical escape and is best paired with a fruity drink and a beach towel.
When I saw African vacation and something missing in her life I was wondering if she was going to end up meeting someone there. There’s a whole SNL skit about women vacationing in Africa. Great review!
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This sounds interesting and the Friends reference definitely sold me!
Fab review! You’ve definitely made me curious. xx
Thank you, Yvonne! It was better than I expected
This one sounds like a lot of fun. I love friends to lovers stories. 😀
Interesting that you compared it to Friends. It sounds an enjoyable read and I like that it’s partly set in Africa.
Sounds good. Although I always worry when someone just ups and leaves a job! I love the cover and the settings sound great.
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
Love that cover!
It’s super cute!
They are going on holiday to South Africa? Ha! Home territory. I might read this just to see what places they visited…
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Elza Reads
Yes! I bet you recognize some of their trips. I would say the trip to SA was about 1/3 of the book.
The friends part of the story intrigues me. I do enjoy a good friendship story. Excellent review!
Thank you, Tessa!
This sounds like a great book about friendships over the long haul.
It was, Linda.
Ooh it reminded you of Friends?? I want to read this now!
I hope you enjoy it, Nick. I just like that the friends bonded so well.
When I saw African vacation and something missing in her life I was wondering if she was going to end up meeting someone there. There’s a whole SNL skit about women vacationing in Africa. Great review!
Oh, I love SNL. I’m going to look up that skit.
I do like reading about friendships, great review 💕
Thank you, Jenny
I wish my college friends planned exciting African vacations! ;D This sounds like a fun one.
LOL! Yes, me too!
Lovely review Wendy!💗
Thank you, Susan.
This sounds like a lovely book, just perfect for a relaxing weekend or to take on holiday.
It sure is. Thank you Anca!
Lovely book cover, I could do with a nice cold swim just now.
Oh, Rosie. I sure hope you all get some relief from your heat very soon!
Wonderful review, Wendy. I had not seen this book around, but I do enjoy stories with great friends.
Thank you, Carla. I think I picked this one up on a whim, so I was surprised it’s as good as it was.
I hadn’t seen this book before but my review has sold me! I do enjoy a story of friendship. Wonderful review Wendy!
This one surprised me, it was much more engaging than I expected.
I love a book with solid friendships, great review!
Thank you, Rae!
You: “was a bit reminded of the TV show “Friends” while reading this.”
Me: “SOLD!” 😍
LOL, thanks, Stephanie.