Gotta love the friends to lovers trope. It gets me every time, so this box set was a treat. If you're into the friends to lovers romances like me, then you'll enjoy this box set of characters who are friends at first before they fall for each other before they even realize it.

This was an ok read. I thought Elly and Kent’s story was a little boring in the first books be it did seem to heat up in the second book. I did enjoy Stacy and Rio’s book although I would liked that to have been longer and a little deeper. More story behind them both maybe. I didn’t finish Jen’s book as she came across so self cantered in the first two books that i didn’t want to like her in her own story

Books 1 and 2 are a strange tale of the most dysfunctional relationship two people could have. If that's your idea of romance, go for it. if you prefer sane characters, might want to pass on this one.

I am sorry I never got a chance to read this. My phone would not download it. I apologize.

Just Friends: ★☆☆☆☆
Old Friends: ★☆☆☆☆
Fast Friends: ★★★☆☆
Friends Again:★★☆☆☆
I rounded a bit for an overall 1.5 stars

Just Friends and Old Friends is about Elly and Kent... dear god. I hated them with a passion. I'm in the boat of -- get your feelings off your chest and just tell the person OR get over it. Also, I'm totally against rape WHICH EVERYONE SHOULD BE AND IF YOU THINK ELLY DOESN'T RAPE KENT THEN YOU ARE IGNORANT. Seriously,(view spoiler)THIS IS NOT OKAY! And then (view spoiler)
*deep breathe* So, if that all doesn't bother you, let me explain some more why I did not like these first books.
Everything revolves around the romance, which I understand because it is a romance, but there is no world-building (what state are they in? What is the scenery like?), there is barely friendships and when they exist they seem forced, I still have no idea what Kent's major is, being in college you would think more of college life would make it into the book (spoiler: no), and I really wanted to learn about Elly living life alone or trying to reach her dream which we barely... no, I have no idea what she wants to end up doing since she repeatedly said she did not think she could become pro.

So, these books move super fast-- from one encounter to the next, which leaves the characters feeling bland and flat.

Fast Friends is my favorite out of the bunch. We still hear about how shitty of a person Kent is (no surprise), but we get to see flawed characters here with a little more depth. Still overly dramatic at times? Yes *sighs* but I could handle it, because it is much better than the previous relationship. Stacy has dreams--RIO HAS DREAMS, they both have goals and real-life concerns, so they seemed like real people (dear god this is a stretch, but kinda). It was insta-love-ish, but in then end I thought it was really sweet and I absolutely loved this couple. Rio is a sweetheart and Stacy is so cute. They are kinda #relationshipgoals.

Friends Again...*sigh*
Everyone hates Jen after coming from Elly & Kent's story, so it was a bit difficult to get into this novella. Her and Dominic... might work out? But, I honestly feel like Jen needs to figure out who she is and what she wants before anything else. This Jen did not make sense to me-- she seems different from the dark hole she was in the first book. So, I feel she should get a relationship, yes, but I feel more that she needs to be ready for one.
So, what I'm trying to say is, if I did not think of her as Jen from the previous books, then this was much easy to read, even if it was fast all the way around.


Also, Jesus, if anyone drinks AS MUCH AS ALL OF THESE PEOPLE I'm surprised they aren't dead, AND maybe that is why there is so many misunderstanding and unwillingness to talk or explain or act like an adult. Towards the end there they are mid 20s and 30s, sooooo *groans* I just don't understand, so I will leave it at this.
I will say, the author made this easy to read and it was not boring, considering I actually finished it all.

This for me is one of those book series which was not only painfully cliche to read but even more hard to review because I don't want to spend more time on talking/reading it then I already have. The writing although bearable in a lot of places did not make up for the lack of a strong plot and characters - the friendships were unrealistic, the characters underdeveloped and in some cases plain not paid enough attention to, and the plot as mentioned before was something that made it harder to read the next book in the series. I'll still deem Book 2 somewhat 'readable' (if that's a word), but otherwise, this series as a whole was a huge disappointment and to be very honest a time waste.

What's not to love with a box set of some friends to lovers books. Good read from beginning to end.

It's rare that I don't finish reading something I've started - I figure I've already invested time in it, might as well see it through to the end - but in the case of the #JustFriends boxed set, I just couldn't do it. I made it partway through the first book in the set, "Just Friends," and while I liked the premise of the story and of the series (longtime friends eventually find love with each other), the writing left a LOT to be desired. The characters had no depth or emotion, the dialog was juvenile, and the storyline quickly ventured into the absurd.

When I read the first book of the series, I was mildly horrified at how it went from being porn-y to borderline rape-y in places. I decided, though, to keep reading.

In my opinion, book three should have come before book two, though its epilogue I realize needed to come after book two. It's just that book two makes the outcome of book three painfully obvious. Book three is definitely the most well written of the four.

As for the novella that makes up book four...for three books, the lead character has been painted as an awful, manipulative bitch. It is hard to feel anything positive for her, but the brief sex scene is hot...so there's that.

This boxed set was one of my favorites. #JustFriends made me fall in love all over again. Solid 5 star read.

This set had everything: drama, friendship, heartache, love - you name it, it was in there. I could hardly put my phone down -- I was so engrossed in it. It helped that the writing had a "realness" to it, with each character's feelings being poured out in every page.

The first two books tell the love story of Elly & Kent, two childhood best friends who can't seem to catch a break, or find a right time to be together. I hurt for Elly so much, and found my self shouting at Kent to stop being a douche and to get his act together.

The next book, Fast Friends, is about Elly's friend Stacy, who is tired for falling for the same type of guy, but something about Rio keeps pulling her back to him.

The last book, Friends Again, is novella-length, and gives a short glimpse into Jen's life post-Kent.

I definitely recommend this book, especially if you're into angsty romances, like me. Thanks, NetGalley, for providing me with this ARC, which I read & reviewed voluntarily.

This book is an exciting roller coaster ride with lots of ups and down and plenty of twists and turns. The main characters have great chemistry with each other, but you'll want to shake them for their impulsive behavior that leads to misunderstandings and heartache. The beautiful thing is that they never let their friendship die. I'm glad I bought The Complete Story because it would have been a real cliffhanger to stop after the first book. Lots of fun to read! Would recommend this book left review on Amazon.uk

#JustFriends is now officially at the top of my list. The list of the worst books I've ever read. if you're into childhood crushes that go on into adulthood unrequited with tons of constant heart ache and where the hero not only sleeps with another woman but marries her and our heroine sticks around and watches it all unfold than this boxed set by Marie Cole is going to be your favorite series of all time. I didn't stick around to read the whole set after my second huge dissapointment, I started to skim and skip forward to see if and when it gets better to discover that its way too little way too late for me. However, if you like this type of relationship triangle, heartbreak angst then you may like these as it's extremely well written at least. I appreciate the opportunity to read the book and Thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Just Friends boxed set
By:Marie Cole
📚💕⭐⭐⭐⭐💕📚


Let me start by saying I think I just read a book that had everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Each story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it and ready for the next one.The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.