***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.***
Most Anticipated Romance by Buzzfeed and PopSugar
When Harry Met Sally meets 500 Days of Summer in A Guide to Being Just Friends, a playful and emotional romantic comedy from the author of Ten Rules for Faking It.
"Sophie Sullivan’s writing feels like a warm hug.” —Rachel Lynn Solomon, bestselling author of The Ex Talk
Hailey Sharp has a one-track mind. Get By the Cup salad shop off the ground. Do literally everything possible to make it a success. Repeat. With a head full of entrepreneurial ideas and a bad ex in her rearview, her one and only focus is living life the way she wants to. No distractions.
Wes Jansen never did understand the fuss about relationships. With a string of lackluster first dates and the pain from his parents’ angry divorce following him around, he’d much rather find someone who he likes, but won’t love. Companionship, not passion, is the name of the game.
When Hailey and Wes find each other in a disastrous meet cute that wasn’t even intended for them, they embarrassingly go their separate ways. But when Wes finds Hailey to apologize for his behavior, they strike up a friendship. Because that’s all this can be. Hailey doesn’t want any distractions. Wes doesn’t want to fall in love.
What could possibly go wrong?
"A joyful, swoony romance full of heart and humor!"—Sarah Adams, author of The Cheat Sheet
A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan is the third book in the popular Jansen Brothers series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. This slow-burn romance was engaging, romantic, and delightful.
Story Recap:
Hailey Sharp has just opened her Salad by the Cup restaurant and is busy making sure her dream is kept afloat. A terrible past relationship keeps her focused on her business as she knows she doesn’t have time for relationships and all their drama.
Wes Jansen doesn’t do relationships. His parents had an angry marriage and although he’s had a few first dates, nothing ever stuck.
After a misunderstanding the first time they meet, Wes decides he needs to apologize to Hailey, and they choose to remain friends. Both don’t want a relationship, but what happens when they both start to feel attraction?
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this friends-to-lovers story very much. It’s a slow-burn romance between a happy, sweet salad restaurant owner and a business-minded, geeky man. I loved how the author took her time, and let these characters get to know each other before they started to fall in love. Besides the main characters, the side characters are also a delightful addition to the story, especially because Hailey was such a lonely person before she meets Wes and his friend group. Wes’s friends immediately take to Hailey and pull her into their group, making her feel less lonely.
Although the author took her time to get these friends together, she kept the pace up and I never felt like the book bogged down. The friendship Hailey and Wes formed was adorable, and I loved the way they complimented each other.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend A Guide to Being Just Friends to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Sophie Sullivan
SOPHIE SULLIVAN is a Canadian author as well as a cookie-eating, Diet Pepsi-drinking, Disney enthusiast who loves reading and writing romance in almost equal measure. She writes around her day job as a teacher and spends her spare time with her sweet family watching reruns of Friends. TEN RULES FOR FAKING IT is her romcom debut novel, but she's had plenty of practice writing happily ever after as her alter ego, Jody Holford
Oh this looks good! I really prefer slow burn romances and I love the friends to lover trope. Also, I like this is a series involving brothers. It’s always fun to stay with the same family. Adding this to my TBR.
This sounds right up my alley! I’m such a huge fan of friends-to-lovers, but find it’s not always done super well. After reading your review, I know this is one I need to add to my TBR. It truly sounds adorable!
I’m going to admit – I’ve read all three books but didn’t realize it was a trilogy until this last book 🤦🏻♀️. My cluelessness astounds even me sometimes. I liked the second book better but I still thought this was a lovely story. Excellent review!
I love a slow burn. This sounds great, I’ll be looking into it for sure.
This sounds like a cute one! Great review! Although salad in a cup? Yuck, lol.
Oh this looks good! I really prefer slow burn romances and I love the friends to lover trope. Also, I like this is a series involving brothers. It’s always fun to stay with the same family. Adding this to my TBR.
This story does sound quite sweet, great review 😊
Thank you, Jenny!
Wes and Hailey sound like a great pair. I like strong side characters and am glad that was the case here. I will have to add this one to my wish list!
I hope you enjoy it, Wendy
Fab review! I really like the sound of this one.
Thank you, Yvonne!
Great review, Wendy. Glad you enjoyed this one.
Thank you, Carla!
I love the idea of Wes’ friends taking her into their group.
Yes, he’s such a good guy
This sounds like a great book. I’m glad the pacing was good even though it’s a slow burn for the romance. Great review Wendy!
Thank you!
Sounds adorable. Great review.
Thank you, Nadene!
I love the sound of this one! Lovers to friends is such a great trope. 😀
It’s one of my favorite tropes!
This sounds right up my alley! I’m such a huge fan of friends-to-lovers, but find it’s not always done super well. After reading your review, I know this is one I need to add to my TBR. It truly sounds adorable!
I hope you enjoy it, Stephanie!
I’m glad that you enjoyed this book as much as I did Wendy. Nice review.
Thank you, Jodie!
This sounds a sweet story. I like the friends to lovers trope especially since two people really get to know each other that way. Lovely review!
Thank you, Mallika!
I love a friends to lovers story that takes its time. I’m looking forward to this one!
I hope you enjoy it, Amanda!
Excellent review Wendy! This sounds so good! I’m going to see if I can find the three of them!🤗📚💜
It’s a cute and fun series!
Friends-to-lovers and slow burn romance are two of my favorite tropes! 😍
Mine too! Thank you, Stephanie!
We’re glad to hear you enjoyed it! It sounds like a sweet story.
Thank you!
I’ve been looking forward to your thoughts on this; lovely review, Wendy!
Thank you, Rae!
Lovely review!
Thank you, Cindy!
I enjoy a good friends to lovers story, and this sounds just like one.
It’s a good one, Cathy!
I’m going to admit – I’ve read all three books but didn’t realize it was a trilogy until this last book 🤦🏻♀️. My cluelessness astounds even me sometimes. I liked the second book better but I still thought this was a lovely story. Excellent review!
I’ve done that before too, Tessa! I now have to check GoodReads to see if books are part of a series.
This sounds so CUTE! I must have it immediately.
It is super cute. I hope you like it.
It is good to get to know the characters. Good review.
Thank you, Rosie!