Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an enjoyable read in a beautiful setting. While predictable, I liked the characters and was engaged in the story.

I really enjoyed this read. I liked the diversity. I loved how the stories of everyone and their love lives were highlighted.

There's nothing particularly terrible about this book, but it was just a "meh" read for me.

Three friends, Holly, Paolo, and Chloe all work together in the Scottish Highlands at a vet practice. Holly is the MC (though the narrative switches randomly, and without any real purpose, between the three friends), and it's essentially a city girl ends up in a small town and finds sweet love story. It's a little shallow and forthright, without any real depth or complication. (Also tossed in are romantic subplots and other things that really just overcomplicated things, and made it so that the main storyline didn't get the development it deserved.) The three friends are written a little immature and annoying, and there's a lot of telling without showing.

Overall, I would say it's a cute story in a nice setting, but definitely has some problems.

Katy Turner's first published novel follows Holly, a young vet, determined to make her career a priority who unexpectedly finds herself in the small Scottish town of Eastercraig. Insert a grumpy boss, coworkers who become friends, and an unexpected intruder and you've got the perfect ingredients for a fun, romantic read!

The small town setting was beautifully portrayed, making me want to pack my bags and take a trip to Scotland. Katy captured the essence of Eastercraig through her characters and the community events that make you wish you were right there with the characters. I adored the supporting roles in this story - the bond between Chloe, Paolo and Holly was one of the best parts of the story for me.

The only part of the book that left a little to be desired for me was how the story flowed between a lot of characters stream of consciousness without warning. I love getting different points of view of the story, but did find it a bit hard to keep up with the switching and would have to reread certain sections again to make sure I had the right person's POV.

If you love your Scottish/rural escapism with some really adorable animals in and some strong tension romances then this is a perfectly cosy book to enjoy for a few hours. A slow burner to start, but halfway in I felt so invested in the community, the characters and loved the brooding tension of the romance plotlines.

For a book with so many character plot lines I felt like none fully resolved by the end. I liked the multi-POV but there wasn't enough clarity between switching POV. Instead of a chapter header with a name it seemed the POVs changed by paragraph. Turner did a good job showcasing the Scottish Highlands. The main characters barely shared any page time together, instead relegated to gossip circles between the three friends. This had potential but just didn't go anywhere.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute, sweet, light, and a total palate cleanser. The characters are genuine and kind and their friendships are wholesome and lovely. They’re also flawed and complex and I love when even the side characters are multifaceted!

I genuinely enjoyed this one, and also I want to move there and live in a little house near the coast and rolling hills of fluffy cows. 10/10 take me to there.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is sloooow. It ended up being an assignment to finish to write a review than a book i was engrossed in.

I was a little let down by the backstory. The way they played it up in the beginning, it should have been something more important than being passed over for a promotion. Story is pretty slow to start - I'm 27% through and the guy has only appeared once and she's only just now getting to any actual events in the story.

Now 45% through and he's only appeared one more time. Still flip-flopping awkwardly between story lines and starting to head toward snoozefest.

Never really got better from there, sadly. Pretty much a plod the whole time, then abrupt drama and quick end.

I do like that the POV narration also shows side characters' thoughts; it makes the story not so self-centered on just the main character. Though some of the transitions are a little awkward.

This book was delightful! I loved the setting and really liked the main character, Holly. The side characters, Chloe and Paolo were well developed which is the sign of a great rom com to me. I can't wait to read what Katy Turner writes next!

I would like to say a big thank you to the publisher for providing me with the eARC of this book prior to release.

Let's Just Be Friends is a perfect spring or summer read for all those people who love animals, rural villages and a small romance. The book is set in a small village Eastercraig where the main character Holly begins working as a vet in the clinic. The circumstances of her work there are not easy, she is taken away from the big city and has to learn how to fit in. I smiled throughout most of the book and really enjoyed the little details such as Sporran the seal - they make the book very unique.

One thing I struggled with while reading this book were the unfamiliar words, after discovering the glossary, the read became easier. So be sure to check it out before you start reading and throughout the read.

I loved this book for a variety of reasons:

1. The book was set in Scotland, near the sea - it was lovely seeing a different culture and experiencing the village life with Holly.

2. I am a lover of cows, especially coos - they were a big part of the book, but any amount of coo is a good amount of coo.

3. I read this book a few days before a cancer research race for life 10km run - the running event in the book inspired me to do my best and enjoy the run. I was thinking about the book while running, trying my best to stay motivated and happy while running for a wonderful cause.

This book has inspired me to carry on running, I may not be ready for a half-marathon just yet, but I know that I could do it if I put the effort in.

I will be recommending this book to everyone this year and definitely purchasing it as gifts for all those romance loving friends. - Maybe I can persuade my friends to move to a rural village by the sea, in some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland? I'm sure this book could help with some persuasion.

The book follows the story of 3 people, Holly, Chloe and Paolo and their way through life basically.

The plot was not really a plot to be honest, it took me 19 days to read this book because it just didn’t really pulled me in. Holly’s personality was a bit annoying, she kept saying that she wants to focus on herself and she doesn’t want to be like her mother and that money and career comes first but there wasn’t a lot of info about this, about her saving up or going above and beyond to earn a lot or to be the best vet that she can be. I mean, the intentions and the actions were mostly told but not described, not gone through.
Chloe was a nice character, a bit too childish for an adult, and Paolo, I feel like his character was just there to fill up some pages.
I got quite disappointed that the only story that had an ending was Holly’s. Chloe’s interaction with Angus was not written, just told as a “oh that happened “, and Paolo’s part was just not written at all.
I read worse but I would not reread it.
I did enjoy the fact that the story happened in Scotland, which I love, and the way it was written, I felt like I was hearing the Scottish accent, that was spot on.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was enjoyable, and I liked the friendship the three coworkers had.
Relationship wise, it was sort of uneventful. But maybe that wasn’t the main purpose of the author.
An easy, pleasant read.

For the most part this book was very enjoyable, For being the first book this author has published. It really is a good read. while the three main friends can come across as being silly/childish. that did not stop me form very much enjoying this book. the plot was a little predictable.

I got this book from Netgalley in return for my honest opinion.

What a great laugh out loud quirky love story. Holly is not into change but change will find her and her life will never be the same. As far as romance goes, Holly has no plans for that. She is a veterinarian and finds herself moving to a small town called Eastercraig to let’s just say escape her problems. There she meets some new friends and has a late night visit from Greg who had no idea she was living there. The novel is actually about three relationships and all of them are cute and relatable in their own way. Paolo, the only queer in whole area, or so he thinks, takes the story up a notch because of his outwardly extroverted personality. And finally we have Chloe. She has a need to tell someone that she is not just someone who works at the vet but how can she get him to really notice her? This one is definitely a humorous story about finding love when you least expect it. While not the genre I typically read, I would love to read more from this author. She has found her niche when it comes to creating characters and showing their flaws as well as how adaptive they are with changes.


5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I power read this book straight through. Is the plot original? No. Did it make me feel great after reading it? YES.

The book follows 3 characters in a SMALL Scottish village and their individual love lives. The storyline is kicked off by the arrival of Holly, a vet trying to escape her problems and get through the next year. Enter Greg, into her life, literally when he lets himself into her rental in the middle of the night. Add a few hairy coos and antics ensue.

It was refreshing to see not only multiple romantic stories in a novel, but also a queer love story as well as we watch Paolo deal with being the only queer person (so he thinks) for miles around.
Chloe has spent her whole life failing to tell the man she has feelings for that she's more than just Chloe from the vet.

Did this novel revolutionize the romance genre as we know it? Certainly not, but sometimes you're looking for a feel good romantic story with just a hint of spice to it and on that front Let's Just Be Friends certainly delivers. It's cozy, it's light and you will feel better after giving it a read. Put it on your list to pair with a cup of tea and blanket.

I received this e-book thanks to NetGalley for my honest review! Check it out June 29, 2023!

I thought this was a cute story but it had a lot going on with it. he blurb sounded like the exact kind of story I love. However, I found the writing boring. I feel so bad about it but I just could not connect to any character.
Thank you NetGalley and Katy Turner for the ARC.

I really liked this book, it was sweet and fun.

i didnt really know what to expect going in and i was a bit thrown off by the trio of storylines at first. i got over it quickly and it didnt affect my enjoyment of the story.

at points i wanted to shake all three of them though!!

loved the village of eastercraig, wolfie!! and even hugh.

I didn't love the writing style and found it to be jarring. I didn't finish but feel like there will be many readers who love this plot.

Going into this story, I did not expect to read three different POVs.

Not only do you have Holly, who's seemingly the main character, but you also have her two coworkers POVs. It was a lot. All three of them fall into relationships, and the story becomes a bit redundant. Especially when they all decide to finally make a move in their relationships after one single event.

I feel like this book would've been better if it were focused on a singular couple instead of three. Regardless, it was sweet to read about a small town where everyone is protective over each other and equally nosey.