CROSSING THE FRIEND ZONE is the third and final book in Kelly Eadon's Belmont Beach series. CROSSING THE FRIEND ZONE is a sizzling romantic comedy, but also a little bit like the film THE ODD COUPLE. Being a planner is who Ainsley Sloane is at her core, as well as what she does for a career. Ryan Lawhill is a charming modern-day rake in the best sense, and with no plans to change his lifestyle. Ainsley and Ryan might not be besties, but after Ainsley's boyfriend unceremoniously ditches her, it's Ryan who provides a sympathetic ear, a distraction, and an offer to be her new life coach.

Even though they're opposites in some ways -- she's a wedding planner, and he's allergic to the word marriage -- I like how the teasing between Ryan and Ainsley never gets nasty or mean-mean-spirited. I dislike stories in which the hero and heroine get intimate when they actively dislike, and have no respect for, each other. By throwing them together and spending lots of quality time having fun, Ryan and Ainsley grow to like each other more, so that the romance develops very organically and the chemistry seems very real. It's interesting to me how Ainsley craves a committed relationship when the relationship with her family is so dysfunctional, and Ryan goes out of his way to flee from commitment when he has such a close relationship with his mom and sister. This attention to detail and such character-driven story is exactly why I love CROSSING THE FRIEND ZONE so much.

CROSSING THE FRIEND ZONE is one of the best opposites- turned-lovers stories out there. Ryan is a dynamite hero with hidden depths, and definitely worth taking a chance on. With Ryan, Kelly Eadon brilliantly captures the devil-may-care sexy player, with a hidden heart of gold, who is even sexier when he develops some self-awareness. The sparks between Ainsley and Ryan are electric and amazing, making for some torrid trysts. Since each book just keeps getting better, I anxiously await Kelly Eadon's next book!

Crossing The Friends Zone (Belmonte Beach Brides Series)
Ryan and Ainsley has something special simmering below the surface it just took some time to rise to the top. Ryan had that fun loving guy attraction that drew women to him. He was not over bearing but sweet and endearing. Ainsley felt she knew what was best for her. Keeping Ryan as a friend was what she thought was best for her but life has a way of showing you otherwise. Ainsley and Ryan had a connection that was beyond that of friends. It just took a few well place incidents to open both of their eyes to the possibility.

This was a welcomed addition to the series that gave a friends-to-lovers aspect to their romance. Kelly Eadon has done a great job mixing the characters and bringing them together to make a couple that shows a different side of their relationship and how it could be deeper and more lasting when they both are in it for keeps. A beautiful contemporary romance series that builds with each new book that is added to the series.

Ryan is the self-professed “Minister of Fun”, convinced that life is to be grabbed and enjoyed, and relationships are not possible. He’s bold, funny, caring and most definitely someone you’d want to hang out with. Fortunately for him, Ainsley the wedding planner and friend, perhaps even bestie, enjoys his antics and their relationship is easy –because they are friends. Sure, there’s an attraction between them – but that might ruin their friendship, and what would they do then?

Ainsley’s last relationship just dissolved, and she’s decided that a series of rules and guidelines will be her best option. But, Ryan has the next three weeks to convince her to go for the gusto and just enjoy life – if a relationship happens, it won’t survive with rules an guidelines – and if you are him, it won’t even get a chance to start. But, then the “we’re just friends’ moments start to weigh on them both.

The banter, attraction and personalities of these two are perfectly suited, and the giant neon sign that flashes “perfect for each other” can be seen a mile off. But, knowing that you have a friendship that you rely on, and could lose that in crossing that line leaves the two completely conflicted, until the temptations are too great to resist. Adorable together and fairly low angst, this story was light and engaging: perfect in tone to wrap up the series and leave readers with a smile.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” http://wp.me/p3OmRo-8Oy”> I am, Indeed </a>

What a great book!

I absolutely love Crossing the Friend Zone! It was a great growing up story about adults.

Ryan is a terrific person. He’s a great friend who tries to act shallow so he doesn’t get hurt.

Ainsley is all about relationships. Ryan’s way of life completely confuses her. Trying to see life from his point of view seems like the best idea after she’s dumped by the man she’s loved for years.

Crossing the Friend Zone is almost perfect. I loved the plot and characters. I thought the foul language was unnecessary. There was a steamy weekend at a B&B but it wasn’t more than a handful of pages.

This is a fun romp that'll have you smiling. The banter between Ainsley and Ryan is fast, fun, and full of energy - both sexual and spirited. These two love to get under each other's skin, and watching them fall for each other was a a good time.

Ainsley is a wedding planner. She's very much an uptight, live-life-by-the-rules woman. When her fiancé leaves her and the dreams she'd built her life on in the dust, she's adrift and hates the feeling. She decides to change herself - starting with how to loosen up and have a little fun. Watching her change her core self was wonderful. It seemed very authentic.

Ryan is a self-admitted manwhore. He loves women and he's one of the smoothest male leads I've read in awhile. He charms with humor and I loved that about him. He has some issues from when his dad left him as a young child, which makes him think that he's cut from the same cloth. I bought the story for the sake of suspending belief, but I regretted that when Ryan decided he wasn't like his bio dad. There was a moment between him and his mom that left me scratching my head. I absolutely did not understand what sort of revelation he came to, and I read the scene three times. Eventually I just let it go...I wanted to get back to him and Ainsley.

I liked the ending a lot, but then the author threw in an epilogue that I felt was 100% unnecessary. In my opinion, it didn't add anything to the story. I was left with a feeling of hope and happiness, then, when the epilogue hit, I thought the author felt that maybe I didn't see that Ainsley and Ryan were going to make it. It fell flat.

Overall, I give the story 3.5 stars. If the author had spent a little more time on Ryan's character changes (and more than a couple of lines that miraculously "fix" his issues) and axed the epilogue, I'd be more interested in reading the other two books in the series.

reviewed by Nancy

This is the third book in Kelly Eadon's Belmont Beach Brides series. And, because it's me, upholding a fine tradition acquired over nearly a year of book blogging, I have not read the preceding two.

As such, I came to Crossing the Friend Zone knowing nothing about Eadon's style or the characters. When the female main character of Ainsley made her appearance, I suffered one of those instant judgy things because I so don't like to read books about women whose main goal in life is "the wedding." I may have pouted because up to then I was enjoying Ryan's character.
Thankfully, Eadon is a smart writer because Ainsley's obsession with "wedding" and marriage does not show the complete Ainsley who does, in fact, change over the course of the novel.

Ryan, while he doesn't fundamentally change, comes to realizations about himself and why he's been keeping women away from his heart.
I came away liking both characters immensely. Ainsley can be tough and kind and Ryan is funny with a gooey center.

Crossing the Friend Zone felt like a fresh take and a fresh voice, enough so that I'll probably seek out the previous two novels in the series.

I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From Amazon: Crossing the Friend Zone

This was a cute friends to lovers story. Ryan and Ainsley's chemistry was obvious from previous books in the series, but now that Ainsley is single, they seem to finally realize it themselves. Unfortunately, Ryan doesn't think he's built for commitment and Ainsley got dumped by her boyfriend. She's always cared what people think about her and the break up has tongues wagging, while Ryan doesn't seem to care what people think about him. As Ryan helps her loosen up and not worry too much about what people think, Ainsley discovers that underneath his careless ways, lies a heart of gold. I loved it from beginning to end!
4.5 stars

Another great read from Kelly Eadon!The third book in the Belmont Beach Brides series focuses on Ainsley and Ryan!All the books in the series can be read as standalones,but I urge you to read all of them as I'm pretty sure you'd love it!

Ainsley has just come out of a relationship.Her boyfriend left for a job overseas without even telling her, when she was expecting him to propose to her.Poor girl!Not only does she have to deal with the questions, but on top of that her snobby,elite parents are disappointed that she remains unmarried.
She is a little bit of a control freak and has always been in serious relationships only.

Ryan is her polar opposite.He is a band manager and is not one for commitment.He knows that though he finds Ainsley incredibly attractive, their friends would have his head if he hurt her in any manner.And he would definitely hurt her since she's always looking for a serious relationship.As a favor to her and their friends, he escorts her.But, even though both try to put each other in the friend-zone, certain lines always end up being crossed.
Ainsley wants to learn to let go and have fun and she thinks Ryan is the best person to help her with it.So they go for a no strings attached relationship, but as always, emotions end up getting tangled!

Ryan and Ainsley were really great together!I loved how Ryan brought out the carefree side of Ainsley and how Ainsley helped Ryan with many other things.It was fun seeing the slow development of their relationship and it didn't feel rushed at all!
Watching Ainsley unwind and learn to have fun was so cute!In the beginning she was a little tensed and the start between her and Ryan felt awkward.So it was quite realistic!
And then it slowly transformed into a sweet friendship and a beautiful relationship!
Loved seeing all my favorite characters from the previous books back again!The friendship between the girls is one thing that I admire a lot!Kate,Beth and Ainsley are all so different from each other, but have each others backs!
And I think this is the last book in the series?If it is, then I am quite sad.But I will be eagerly waiting for more books from Kelly!

Crossing the Friend Zone is an adult contemporary romance by author Kelly Eadon. This is the third book in the Belmont Beach Brides series. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, but each of the books can be read as standalones. They are all set in the same world, and I enjoy seeing the character crossover. I loved Kelly’s easy way with romance and building a connection between characters. Her first book, The Wedding Date, was a feel good read for me, and her next book, The Family Man was the same. And Crossing the Friends Zone was no different. It was a feel good romance that I read in one sitting.

Crossing the Friend Zone is the story of Ainsley and Ryan. If you have read my reviews, you know that I love a good friends to more storyline. Mix that in with Kelly’s gift for writing fun, sweet and sexy romances that make you want to smile, and I knew this one was going to be a hit with me. Ryan and Ainsley are both such good people. Yes, neither one of them is perfect and I Ryan has a bit of a playboy in him, but he is what I am calling playboy light. Underneath it all, he is a big softie. The best thing about Kelly’s books is that she writes characters that you can’t help but like and you can’t help but relate to. I felt like I was friends with Ainsley and Ryan. Like I was watching two of my friends get together, which meant there were a whole lot of cheering and awh moments on my behalf. Plus, he rescued her! That earns major points in my book!

Bottom line: Crossing the Friend Zone, and the entire Belmont Beach Brides series is a very fun read. I love the way the series is set up because you can still read each of the books independently, but if you do read them in order you are privy to some extra insights into the various characters and you get to watch them interact in the background throughout the books. It it one of my favorite setups for contemporary romances. Kelly Eadon is quickly becoming a go-to feel good read author. I know that her books will put a smile on my face.

received in exchange for a honest review.

You cannot help but love Ryan. He was like a puppy and a kid in a candy store. So full of vibrant energy and always enjoying life. Inside though he was a little broken. After what happened with his dad as a kid he closed off the idea of love. He feared the person wouldn’t find him worth it and run from him. He feared he would hurt those that would love him and leave him. So instead he kept life lighthearted.

Ainsley was the serious friend. She didn’t really enjoy stopping to smell the roses. Now she is looking to have some fun and turns to Ryan for help there. Together they do some adventurous things. I love his lighthearted approach to some things. he doesn’t let life keep him down. When he needs to be serious he is but other than that he lets life come as it needs to and takes it one moment at a time. They balance each other out. She gives him a sense of calm and wanting to have more. Teaches him to open up and let someone in. To be more responsible and he teaches her it is okay to enjoy life. To let go and live once in a while.

the attraction between them is through the roof. They don’t act on it at first. First they get to know one another and just enjoy life as it comes. I love his van moments. He is just so adorable. Once they cross the line from friends to friends with bennies is when things change for Ryan. He gets feelings and emotions. he is wanting more and confused by this. It is Ainsley that keeps things more distant. When he comes with more she steps back. There comes a time though when their friends get on him he backs off afraid of hurting her. unfortunately Ainsley does get her dander up and in a moment to prove a point goes off on her own and puts herself in danger. This is when we see Ryan become a hero and rescue her. We also get them in a steamy and sexy 48 hours.

This is such a adorable and fun book. I love how opposite these two are and yet they both want the same thing someone to love them and be there for them. Someone to make them feel safe, wanted and there for them. Someone to come home to and wake up to. Someone to let in and trust. You can’t help but adore the characters and the journey that Ryan and Ainsley go on to find their way to each other.

I started reading Kelly Eadon’s books with book #2 in the series, The Family Man, which I absolutely loved. It was a little confusing as I did not read book #1 prior to #2. Even though each can be read as a stand-alone, I would highly suggest reading all of the books in order.

Ryan is a lady’s man who was very funny and a total charmer. He has a number of different women and is not one to be tied down. Living life, family and friends is what is important right now, not a girlfriend nor a long-term commitment. However, Ryan seemed bound and determined from the start to get Ainsley to live a little after her recent breakup has her down despite his attraction to her.

Ainsley, recently dumped and very uptight makes a connection with the free-spirited Ryan. She decides to take Ryan up on the offer of living life his way even when she knows she has sparks with this man like no other before him. I honestly had trouble at the beginning liking Ainsley as she seemed a little too uptight and I didn’t see how the two main characters would connect.

The chemistry between Ryan and Ainsley was good, as was their banter. Two people so unlike each other really brought out the fun in each other.

Bringing Ryan and Ainsley together had me a little weary but it all came together in the end. Crossing the Friend Zone was a romance low on drama and the characters are very relatable. However, I did just not feel any certain way about this book. I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. It really did not keep my attention and I found myself briefly skimming pages to get to the ending.

This was my first book from this series, so I can attest to the fact that this is enjoyable as a standalone. I do think I would have enjoyed it more if I were already familiar with the characters.

In this story, we have Ainsley, who is an event organizer for a hotel and also a socialite who was relatively recently dumped by the man everyone figured she would marry. She is uptight, particular, and a serial monogamist, which contrasts with Ryan, our hero. Ryan works in the music industry, managing bands, and is a one-night stand kind of guy who lives to have fun.

I liked both of these characters and thought they worked well as a couple.There was definite chemistry between them, and I always enjoy a couple who banters and bickers. My favorite scene is about 60% in, when they visit a mountain.

This did feel a bit rushed though, and left me wanting more, in particular with the more complex development of Ryan and Ainsley as individuals. Ryan's problems were nothing new but they worked... but were then rushed to where he acknowledged them and fixed himself in the last 4%. Ainsley felt a little unfinished, as well. I expected her to start her own event planning business. And stand up more to her parents. I was amused by how uptight she was at first and expected some big changes. And she did grow some, but I just really wanted to see her really bloom.

I did also get the impression that this was written mostly with the intent to wrap up the series and to tie up the Ryan and Ainsley loose ends. It makes for a fun, lighthearted read, and is perfect for someone looking for exactly that.

Kelly Eadon’s Crossing the Friend Zone is the final book in her Belmont Beach Brides series. Each book can be read as a standalone novel. The books intersect via common secondary characters. Ms. Eadon’s series is fun, fun, fun! The three stories are light-hearted and easy to read. While each leads to a HEA ending, the premise, character situations and journey in each story is unique.

Ainsley Sloan is a mess. She is a successful event planner whose life was basically laid out by her demanding parents and their social expectations. When her boyfriend takes a job overseas instead of proposing, it is a blessing in disguise. Cue Ryan Lawhill, who is committed only to staying single, to take the role of friend/escort. Ryan passes himself off as a man-child whose main goal in life is having fun, and that allows him to hide his baggage.

Fans of the series will recognize these characters from their roles in the prior books, and new readers are sure to fall in love with them. Ryan is funny and charming; even though his friends consider him a player, he really is a stand-up friend. While in the same circle of friends, Ainsley and Ryan are virtual opposites. Ryan is go-with-the-flow, and Ainsley is a detail-oriented, planner who leaves nothing to chance. Her own and her parents’ expectations have made her so high-strung that deviations from plans can push her over the edge emotionally.

Although it is obvious that Ryan’s role as last-minute event escort is going to lead to a friends to lovers relationship, every bit of the journey is entertaining. The banter between the two is great. It gives authenticity to Ainsley and Ryan’s roles as friends of different halves of various couples in their social circle. I appreciated that even though the two characters acknowledged the other as attractive, the author didn’t push them into an insta-love. Ms. Eadon set up her story with an interesting premise that gave her characters ample opportunity to get to know one another. Along the way, both Ryan and Ainsley get to know themselves better as well.

It is through that self-knowledge and growth that both characters become more likable and eventually find their happily-ever-after. Crossing the Friend Zone is a friends-to-lovers story with plenty of sweet moments, a dollop of humor, and a smidgeon of angst. A lovely read that left a smile on my face.

For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews: https://abookjunkierevews.wordpress.com

The Belmont Beach Brides series is a standout in the contemporary romance. Kelly Eadon has managed to take what are some standard tropes and make them feel fresh; a fake wedding date and a second chance, a single father and an unrequited crush, and friends becoming lovers, all feel decidedly unique by her hand. In this case, Ainsley and Ryan of the seem to find themselves in each others company more often then not, and a challenge is born. Can Ryan make Ainsley take dating without the intent to marry, and can Ainsley make Ryan see that commitment is doable. Basically make the uptight, rule focused Ainsley relax and make "for a good time only" Ryan take relationships seriously.

The story opens with the Ainsley licking her wounds after a breakup, and Ryan playing her knight in shining armor. The self professed Minister of fun has 3 weeks to convince Ainsley to loosen-up and let go of her dating rules.

"He glanced at her quickly. “It’s all about expectations. Keep them low, and nobody is hurt or disappointed. I could teach you, you know.”

Ryan comes to the fight with his own long endured battle wounds, the why behind his unwillingness to entertain the idea of an serious romantic entanglement, which is all the more reason that seeing Ryan transform is gratifying. He's protective and considerate, but just a little jaded. The ever loyal Ainsley has weathered rejection and disappointment, hanging onto a relationship for way to long, but she's a romantic, hopeful and stronger then she even knows. And Ryan knows a thing of two about romance.

The story unfolds at the perfect pace with the two of them valiantly fighting their attraction to each other. Challenges arise, communication breaks down, and I found myself completely enraptured by the potential of these two together. I've loved both of the characters throughout the series and Ryan is just the sweetest thing. He's got a strong foundation, he just needs to be enlightened.

This is a fun and sexy 5 star read. I recommend the entire series but this one may have been my favorite. I'm already looking forward to Kelly Eadons' next release.

I am sorry I did not enjoy this story. Largely I think its due to that I did not like the two main characters and the authors writing was as good as in the other books in this series. I read both previous stories to this book and I totally enjoyed them. But with this story I think the author made some extreme choices for the characters that made it hard to like them.

First lets look at the hero of this story, Ryan. He is a total manwhore and he is proud of it. He is the clown who wants only a good time and no one expects anything from him. Even his own family thinks he is a screw up. He also has a fear of dying young like his dad or having a family and abandoning them, so that is his reason for being this huge ass. So as you can see I did not like him.

Then we have Ainsley, who is an event planner, her family is very wealthy and she dated this guy Scott and dreamed of marrying him. Even when he hinted that things were over, she still would have married him or moved to Hong Kong with him if he hadn't dumped her. Now she is depressed and sad and crying over this guy who treated her like dirt.

Enter Ryan who wants to distract her from her pain as her friend gets married and she helps others plan their wedding. This would have worked if Ryan was not so gross. I mean he drives Ainsley home and gets texted to come by for sex with this other girl, and he would go but his sister asks him to come over instead.

UGH so he is not my kind of hero. And well I am not sure he was a great friend either. Since "friendzone" is in the title and all. You'd think great friend right? Nope, none of them even know he owns a club. Nor do they know about his father. And its not like he just met the friends, they are supposed close/best friends.

So anyways I did not love this story, and its about the two main characters. The author might have had a chnace to make me like Ainsley but Ryan, no way. I really positively hated his character and so I did not enjoy this story. I wanted to because I have liked this author and the previous books.

This was an enjoyable book. I loved the friends to lovers story. I also loved that there wasn't a lot of drama and angst. Ryan was so lovable and Ainsley was adorable. I loved them these two together, they made perfect sense and I also loved that they really brought out the best in each other. When the feelings become real, can they commit to them? I really look forward to read more from this author.

Kelly Eadon is a new discovery for me, but I'm enjoying her work. The biggest lure for me is that she can lighten the mood just as quickly as she can break your heart. All while tempting your soul. Her stories are great way to sit back, relax and get away from the daily grind. Crossing the Friend Zone is a perfect expect novel. Short enough to flirt but just the right length to leave a reader craving more. Ryan and Ainsley blur the line between friendship and seduction in almost as short a time as it takes Ms. Eadon to capture the heart. Lock, stock and barrel. I'm an Eadonite for life.

Ainsley is dealing with a broken heart and now she needs to face her friends and family at her best friends engagement party and she's glad to face it with her good friends. When Ryan challenges her she takes in on in hopes to also change him a little too and they both set the same rules not falling in love and no sex, just plain fun. Ryan is not a family or relationship kind of guys he likes to have fun and no connections at all to any women. He is set to show Ainsley how to have fun, relax and live in the moment. Will they both be able to walk away with their hearts in tack?
What fun book the emotions are all over the place through out. The friendship between the female characters seem more like siblings they just were there for each other no matter what. I did not read all the books in the series but I loved the two I read and want to go back and read the other. I really enjoyed the way that the author had both characters in the book struggle and it was not about who was the hero but how each came together. This book has strong language through out and does have some adult scenes so it may not be for everyone. Overall I did find it hard to put down I want to find what twist the author was going to through out next.

the belmont beach brides series ends with crossing the friend zone, with wedding planner ainsley sloan taking a bet from her playboy friend, ryan lawhill. ryan thinks ainsley is too serious and studied when it comes to relationships, and this is why she's had no luck. ainsley thinks ryan is full of it, but since breaking up with her long-term boyfriend instead of getting the proposal she expected, she figures why not?

and so for three weeks she agrees to approach relationships the ryan way. except since ainsley is the first woman in a long time that ryan hasn't just picked up in a bar, it's hard to stay casual. and before he realizes it they are doing serious couple-type things. when he tries to pull back on a camping trip because he knows he's getting too deep, things backfire. he's so terrified of being in a committed relationship because he's so afraid of being a deadbeat like his dad. and while ainsley didn't expect to enjoy spending this much time with ryan, but she's gotten to see another side of him. one she believes is worth knowing. maybe being serious isn't necessary all the time, but being casual all the time isn't the answer either.

ainsley gives up on her long-held beliefs more quickly than ryan does. though finally having an honest conversation with his mom gets his head on straight. she reminds him that while he is his father's son, he's also her son. and the fact that he loves and adores the people closest to him already makes him a different person. he's not the type to abandon his friends or his family. so he should have a little more faith in himself. and he should let ainsley have some faith in him. because from the moment he came to her rescue at their friends' engagement party, he's had her back.

most of the time actions speak louder than words. ainsley and ryan just need to learn to listen to the things that remain unsaid. mainly, that they are perfect for each other even if they appear to be opposites in every way.

Another hit by Kelly Eadon!

I adored this one from start to finish. It was cute, fluffy, and full of sass. The chemistry is sizzling, and scorching the pages! Crossing the Friend Zone was a lovely, quick read. Any readers of romance would be happy to read this one!

Ainsley is the only one who could tame Ryan, and personally, I wouldn't want it any other way. They were super cute together and fit even more perfectly than I imagined. An exquisite tale of friends to lovers.

Eadon ties up the final couple in the series with a bang. There were characters from the previous books in the series, which I think made this one all the more special. I loved the cameos and felt more involved with the story.