The Friend Zone was one of those romances that had it all for me. It was filled with laughter, tears and a beautiful story from beginning to end. My heart broke for Kristen as she dealt with a medical issue that she felt prevented her from having someone as wonderful as Josh. Josh was a great guy that was willing to do anything for Kristen, if she just gave him the chance. This story was absolutely amazing and one of my favorite books this year. You need to buy The Friend Zone today because this book will show that love always finds a way, even if the characters don’t believe they deserve it. I love this story.

There are a lot of things that I really liked about The Friend Zone. Kristen and Josh both felt very real, as Jimenez did a very good job in showcasing their personalities and their struggles. She also did well in developing the relationship (from antagonism to friendship to romance), with their banter being a real highlight of the reading experience. But I was not a fan of the emotional cheating early on, though I could understand how the couple got there, nor was I fond of the big dramatic turn of events towards the end. What really frustrated me, however, was the stonewalling centered around the main reason they couldn’t be in a real relationship because it felt completely unnecessary. I’m still glad I read it, and I liked Jimenez’s writing style enough to know I’ll read more of her work, but sadly, The Friend Zone was ultimately just a slightly-above-average read for me.

This was the latest in my obsession with contemporary women's fiction and romances that deal with "tough topics". This time it is infertility. The treatment of the topic is sensitive and truthful at times, superficial and unrealistic at others. It was simply too unrealistic to me that the male character accepts this fate so easily and without question. Some soul searching would have been better and more honest.

**2.5 Stars**

This book didn’t work for me, and that’s okay! I think it’s a case of “it’s not you; it’s me.” I can see why so many people have fallen in love with Abby Jimenez’s debut novel. Her style is light, witty, and imminently readable. For a debut, I really have no issues with the writing, which delights me because I am really hoping I like the next book Ms. Jimenez puts out.

This book tackles a lot of important issues, including infertility and personal tragedy. I am glad Ms. Jimenez decided to go there. The book follows Kristen and Josh, two people who connect through mutual best friends and immediately click. The story is a winding road from friends to lovers, friends with benefits, with a lot of other stuff in between.

My biggest problem with this book was a complete lack of connection to the heroine. I think Kristen was supposed to come off as quirky, grouchy, and lovable, but she mostly just seemed immature, self-centered, and kind of mean. Her one-liners made me laugh a few times, but most of the time, being in her head was a chore. The way she handled the two men in her life gave me actual anxiety, and the kicker is, they apologized to her! When it was really her lack of communication and lies that caused 95% of her problems.

I would have had less of a problem with her if everyone else didn’t worship her. If I had to hear Josh pontificate about how she, “wasn’t like other girls because she likes beer, sweats, and sports, and is SO honest” when SO MANY women like that stuff AND she was lying to him basically the entire book. I mean, he literally calls her a unicorn multiple times. Pass.

Josh, oh, dear, sweet, doormat Josh. I really did like him, sometimes. But he had too much of a “nice guys finish last, woe is me” hound dog attitude. He let Kristen run their entire relationship, even though he wasn’t really okay with their arrangement. It also really bothered me how willing he was to move in on another woman while she had a boyfriend, although, I blame Kristen for that equally. She treated him so poorly, and he just kept coming back to her. It was tough to read.

Even the plot twist (which I did see coming) didn’t bug me as much as Josh and Kristen’s relationship. Even when Josh was trying to explain how he felt to Kristen, she just kept shutting him down. It didn’t feel healthy and it didn’t feel like a relationship I could root for. I will say, I did like the last chapter and epilogue, but I don’t think everyone will. What can I say? I am a sucker for an HEA.

Overall, I really am glad if some people found a favorite book in THE FRIEND ZONE. It didn’t work for me, but I think a great base was laid for a series. I have to say though, TYLER DESERVED BETTER. I’d date that man. He can take me to all the fancy seafood dinners he wants. I’m sure Ms. Jimenez will have a long and successful career, and I really hope the next book works for me. I’ll check it out from the library.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

Have you ever started a book and knew, you just knew, from the first few pages that it’s THE book. One of those books that you’ll never want to end. A book that you’ll be thinking about all year. A book that you’ll want to be shouting about from the rooftops. Well, my friends, this was THAT book for me. This was everything. It was romcom perfection unlike any I’ve read. And it is an absolute must read. It’s a book that I can’t recommend enough, whether romcom is your thing or not. It’s simply not to be missed and a story that will stay in my heart for a long while. I loved it from beginning to finish!

Food was my currency. Hungry was an emotion for me. I felt that shit in my soul.
Let’s talk about the heroine for a hot second here, shall we? Kristen Petersen is quite seriously my spirit animal. This is a girl that you’ll want for your best friend the near second you meet her on the pages. She’s blunt, honest, sarcastic and with a sharp wit and a type of hangry that you can’t help but relate you. What you see is what you get with her. She’s simple but complex. She’s honest, she’s loyal, and she’s so relatable that you can’t help but just love her.

In between her successful business of adorable boutique pet products, her sassy dog, Stuntman Mike, and planning her best friend’s wedding, Kristen is dealing with an upcoming surgery that will forever change the landscape of her life. She has a loving boyfriend currently serving oversees, so when she meets Josh the best man in the wedding, he’s the worst kind of unexpected; the kind that tempts her beyond reason but she knows she can never be what he needs.

He breathed into my ear. “Why won’t you just let me love you?”

Before you think this is a love triangle, let me say that it is, yet it isn’t. Without giving anything away, let’s just say that if you avoid triangles like a bad case of the clap, you’ll want to read this book. Kay? Great. But I digress.
Josh is sheer perfection. He is quite possibly one of the absolute best heroes I’ve read to date. He’s the quintessential nice guy who’s incredibly endearing and even more lovable. You won’t be able to help but fall head over heels for this man. He is just EVERYTHING. He’s sweet, understanding, patient, and just GAH. GAH!!!

Kristen and Josh form an adorably awkward friendship that soon begins to turn into something so much more.
And then things really get complicated.

I don’t have enough words to tell you just how much I loved this book. It had everything; humor, emotion, and a romance that will warm your heart. It’s full of depth and flawlessly written. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I finished and it’s a book that I recommend everyone check out. If there’s one book that hits your radar this year, make it this one. Trust me. I only hope there’s more to come for some of the secondary characters we get introduced to in this story and I simply cannot wait from this incredibly talented author. I’m still reeling knowing this was Abby Jimenez’s debut novel.

My rating: 2/5 stars

I received a copy from Forever Romance in exchange for a honest review.

I really hate doing this. I really do. Especially when the publisher was sweet enough to give me a copy and a cute note to celebrate the release of Abby Jimenez's debut novel.

I'm always skeptical when books are popularized all over Instagram and social media because most of the time, the book does not live up to the hype. You know what's more disappointing than an over-hyped book?

One that was doing so, so, so well, and then the ending just BURSTS into flames.

If you're new and didn't know anything about this book, it's basically one of the VERY FEW romance novels out there that talks about infertility or difficulty of conception. This is MAJOR NEWS for a lot of romance readers because a lot of women are affected by this and it's not popularized in romance because everyone wants a cookie cutter perfect romance.

Our main heroine, Kristen, suffers really painful, horrible, and long periods. It's basically leaving her uterus a disaster zone and because of her condition, she's all in for a hysterectomy (removing the uterus). Although she would love more than anything to be a mother, her quality of life is just nonexistent. She passes out from the blood loss, vomits from the pain, and suffers mood swings that impact the relationships she has in her life.

Our hero, Josh, is perfect. I totally get why so many reviewers swooned over him because he was understanding of Kristen and knew every single damn quirk about her. He just loved her from the very start which sounds cute but every time Josh praised Kristen for being a 'cool' girl because she swears, drinks beer, and says what's on her mind, it sounded a tad creepy and a light dose of annoying. I don't know. Maybe I'm just sensitive that Josh put Kristen on a pedestal. Also, are we not going to talk about how this book was written in dual perspectives but Josh hardly had a story? It was always about Kristen's condition (which is totally fine since it's an important topic) but where was Josh's backstory??? I WANTED MORE OF HIM DAMN IT. Without a proper backstory, he's just basically there to love Kristen and her antics. **It should be also mentioned that Josh really wants babies**

Okay, anyways. Long story short, Kristen and Josh fight each other's attraction for 1/3 of the book because Kristen is actually in a relationship with her boyfriend who is deployed in the army. It's borderline/really emotionally cheating as Kristen starts falling for Josh quickly. Josh, on the other hand, wants to stay away from girls because his ex messed him up but he falls for Kristen VERY QUICKLY. They basically love each other 50 pages in but they fight it and become friends.

I'm going to be honest with you guys and tell you that if you don't like long dragged out "sexual tension" or just closure that takes forever to come, you're going to be PEEVED by this book. It's frustrating because it's Kristen being very stubborn and NOT COMMUNICATING with Josh and letting him decide what he wants in this relationship and Josh not just sitting Kristen down and asking her really what's going on. Everything could have been 'resolved' if they just talked.

Like two adults.

And people might go, oh but it's a hard topic. I get it. I really do but I feel that Kristen owed it to Josh to let him in into her world of grief because she continuously played the hot/cool game with him. One minute, she wants in his pants. And the next, she freezes and doesn't talk to him for weeks. Kristen is clearly selfish and does not care about her actions impacting Josh. It's not a 'cool' thing to do. Josh was clearly hurt by it. The poor guy just loved her but he's being played.

2/3 We finally get them being truthful with each other!!! I'm ecstatic at this point because this pushing and pulling stuff was getting annoying even with all the cute fluffy bits in between. But nope, we're back at it. Kristen is convinced Josh will resent her if they ever go into a relationship and Josh is trying to prove to her, it's fine because Kristen is her soulmate and he will never find happiness if he's not with her. Cute. And then they drag it out even more with Kristen's silent treatments and BAMN! Something horrible happens and you're just sitting there like...

Why?

I cried. I mean, it was very sad that this had to happen to a character but also it really took a nose dive at that point. It was so depressing and my heart sunk. I couldn't stomach the idea that the next book in the series will be about how this other character would have to move on from this tragedy. It was no longer a light chick-lit novel but one that evoked emotions and heartbreak. Personally, I couldn't move past it.

So when Abby just tried to wrap up everything with a pretty ribbon on top, I was angered that some characters had to unnecessarily suffer. I don't think I'm going to read the next novel because it was just so tragic and my poor heart can't possibly handle it.

3/3 the way in and this is where you find out what exactly triggered, angered, and upset reviewers. This whole book was built on a premise of speaking the hardships of females who want children but suffer infertility issues. Women who invest a lot of time, money, and themselves into treatments to get pregnant. And I am sad for them because I can imagine a reader who might have found hope in a book that represented their grief and acceptance to whatever their future might be and only to find one that fit perfectly in a box with a bow on top. One that is uncalled for and misleading as the whole premise and plot was circled around one female who might have the hardest chance of getting pregnant.

It was almost like the book spoke to women with infertility issues that you're not alone and then the ending went, yeah, you still kind of are.

NOTE: I understand chances of fertility are low and still exist but after how Abby described Kristen's condition and built up to it... it just didn't feel authentic.


MY RECOMMENDATION
Overall, I understand the hype. The fluff in this book was some great stuff I read in Christina Lauren's books. I find friends-to-lovers to be a sweet story to tell but this one sadly plummeted in my rating due to the ending.

The poor execution of the ending should be mentioned as well. It felt like fraud that everything fell into place and it ended too perfectly.

I really enjoyed this read and was surprised by how deep it was. It is one of the first books I've read that really focuses on infertility, and I was impressed with the way it was handled. There were a few things that bothered me about the way Kristen handled things, but overall, I thought it was a great read.

Loved this unique story of self-discovery, love at all costs, and friendship.

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez surprised me in the best way possible. Going into the book, I was initially super annoyed by heroine Kristin Peterson’s brashness and her prejudices against anything “cultured.” As a foodie, art and film lover myself, I found myself a little irritated (especially since Kristin and hero Josh’s favorite director is one of my own, Quentin Tarantino – who totally makes arthouse movies!). It didn’t help that hero Joshua Copeland is a hunting fiend and a gun owner. Like, SO not my cup of tea.

But my initial reservations about this book were completely swept away as I got more into the story, which sees Kristin and Josh as the maid of honor and best man to their best friends and forced together. Kristin hides a lot of her feelings behind sarcasm and insults, and she’s a perfect foil for her softer, more emotional bff Sloan. Kristin is also a major joker, who sends Potato Parcels (long story) to her best friend for fun, and owns a business selling silly and funny merchandise for tiny dogs like her own, Stuntman Mike.

Joshua has just moved to L.A. after a breakup with a girl because she didn’t want kids, and as he says it, he wants a whole baseball team. Josh and his bff Brandon served in the Marines together, and now Brandon works as a firefighter, while Josh is the medic who drives the fire truck. As luck would have it, Josh is in need of some fast cash, and Kristin is looking for a new carpenter to build the custom, tiny dog staircases that she sells.

Even though their initial meeting is pretty rough, Josh is super into Kristin’s tough-girl exterior, sarcasm, and her constant need for food. And even though Kristin has a long-distance boyfriend in the Marines who’s coming home soon, she can’t help but notice how well she and Josh get along and how much they’re attracted to each other.

For me, this story didn’t ratchet up until about 20% in, when Kristin reveals some of her issues and the real reason why she can’t be with Josh: she doesn’t think she can have kids. She’s had terrible, debilitating periods all her life, and her uterus is full of fibroids (benign tumors) that will probably make it hard for her to conceive or carry a child. She knows how important this is to Josh, so for her sake and his, she tries to steer clear.There’s a lot more to this story than that – but honestly, this book has to be experienced to really get it.

As someone who a) didn’t know if she wanted kids and b) was with a guy who was absolutely sure he wanted them, WOW did I know how Kristin felt. And then there was the infertility. Even if it didn’t happen the same way for me, I know from personal experience how devastating that diagnosis is, and for someone like Kristin, who clearly really wants kids, it’s so painful to deal with on top of her insane periods. This isn’t the crux of the story at all, but it’s the driver of Kristin’s actions, and it makes the conflict in The Friend Zone so realistic. This isn’t your usual rom-com where the people are getting in the way of themselves. This is the real deal: a real issue that couples every day have to deal with. I felt so much of this story.

Aside from that, the chemistry between Kristin and Josh ratchets up so nicely, and the romantic bits are super swoony. This is how love should feel – both when you’re in it, and when you’re reading about it.

And the secondary characters are fantastic. This is SUCH a friendship book, you guys – both for Sloan and Kristin, and for Josh and Brandon. These people will do anything for each other. They take care of and feed each other. They’re sources of comfort for their friends. You will want to hug your friends and family after this book, because the friendship and hurt is REAL in this book. And author Jimenez isn’t afraid to dial up the pain. There are some devastating moments in this book, and how the characters deal with them is just…A+++++.

If I have qualms, they are just that this book could have used a few more steamy scenes. But other than that, this is one of the most solid rom-coms I’ve read in awhile. The characters are unique and multi-faceted. The story is authentic and honest. And if you don’t come out with a giant crush on book boyfriend Josh, you’re basically not into romance. I can’t wait for the next installment of this series. I’m definitely a fan.

I have never been so torn as to what a review as I am with The Friend Zone. This book coming out a few years ago I think I wouldn't have put as much thought into it but the over all :issue" between the main characters, I found to be very close minded to the point that I almost put the book down quite a few times. The only thing that saved it for me was the banter between characters. I am not one to be made to laugh easily, and this book was one of the only books to ever have my laughing out loud... loudly. I wish the characters were more honest, because it just all felt like it was drug out for too long, and half the close minded aspects could have been avoided. Any how, I am curious to read Abby's future work because her humor is spot on, I just hope some aspects don't seep through again. Characters 3.5, Banter 5, but storyline 1.5. Over all, a 2.

I only deducted the half star because I was ready to throttle the heroine a million and one times while reading this story. I mean, sheez! Communicate from day one and the story could’ve never happened. But I digress....

A story about an OCD business owner who meets a hot as heck fireman/paramedic in the worse scenario, when they had a bit of a fender bender. Little did they know, they have mutual best friends in common and their lives only get more entwined from there.

Our feisty heroine has one stipulation- friends with benefits situation only. Nothing more. She knows Josh comes from a family of a million kids and that’s just not in the cards for her. But can she make that decision for him to spare his giving up children for him? We shall see...

I was under the impression this was a debut author but maybe I’m wrong because the writing is fantastic, meaning like a well-seasoned author would write. It’s cute and a bit angsty and even has a decent dose of steam. Which, to me, has it all!

I just cannot wait for the next book- Sloan (the bestie). Bravo.

This book made it hard to like.
I loved Kristen, and her no nonsense attitude. But she ultimately frustrated me so much that I almost didn't finish the book. Josh her were so perfect together and she wouldn't let him in, and she wouldn't fully be herself around him. It was cute - until it wasn't. It created a huge bubble of suspense that just went on way too long. And about 70% into the book it took a completely unexpected turn that simply made no sense to the rest of the book. And it basically turned this whole book into a soap opera. Drama after drama just got out of hand and I ultimately loved the beginning half of the book and the latter half made no sense at all and almost seemed like a different book entirely. Not really worth getting invested in the characters. 2/5

** Book Review ** Firstly, I would like to thank @readforeverpub and @netgalley for the ARC of this book, Estelle in particular has been amazing help!
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Synopsis: Kristen Peterson doesn’t do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don’t get her. Josh Copeland is funny, sexy, never offended by her mile wide streak of sarcasm and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. There’s a catch... Kristen’s in a long distance relationship, plus, Josh wants a big family some day, a major stress for Kristen. But as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arms length.
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It’s been a while since I’ve loved a book this much. The Friend Zone will have you laughing one minute and grabbing for tissues the next and I am not ashamed to say that I definitely rode those emotional rollercoaster 😭. This book by @authorabbyjimenez is a must read of 2019, a great contemporary romance that has some hard hitting issues that makes it painfully relatable!
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Pub day for The Friend Zone was June 11, 2019 so check with your local bookstore if they have stock (I know I will be because I need a physical copy ASAP).
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5/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
- J 📚

loved this book. Highly recommend. Great character development. Interesting story. Didn't want it to end.

The Friend Zone is a good read. I was originally really excited for this one but then I found out Kristen had issues that would possibly make her not be able to have children and then I wasn't sure if I was ready to read about Kristen. After hearing another blogger say that this one was one of the best books she read this year, I knew i just had to read it.

This story is told in the dual POVs of Kristen and Josh. The first meeting between Kristen and Josh was funny. Josh is new in town but he turns out the be Brandon's friend and Brandon is marring Kristen's best friend, Sloan. Josh and Kristen form a friendship. I loved their connection. Kristen is sassy. She and Josh have some great banter and go tit for tat with each other. This one is not all laugh though. There are some heavy issues discussed in this one. It has all the feelings and at some points I just wanted to jump through the pages and hug a couple of characters.

This book was extremely addictive. I could not put it down and had to find out how it ended. I didn't really understand Kristen's stance on staying away from Josh. Her thought process seemed pretty selfish to me. However her relationship with her mother shed some light as to why she behaved the way she did. The twist that happened about 3/4 into the story was completely unexpected and shocking. It definitely added to the tension between our two main characters. All in all a really good beach read that is more than just a light-hearted romance.

Well written and touching. Absolutely adored Josh. I appreciated the fact that the book dealt with a real issue that is rarely spoken about.

Josh, a fireman and newly moved to LA, falls in love with Kristen, who is in a Serious relationship with Tyler, a Marine. Deciding that he’d rather just be friends with Kristen than not have her is his life at all, Josh willingly and obediently follows Kristen’s rules of friendship. However, Kristen isn’t as apathetic toward Josh as she pretends to be. So when Tyler reenlists, breaking up with Kristen, she and Josh rapidly fall into friends with benefits. However, despite their (secret) growing affection and care for one another, Kristen refuses to officially date Josh because she knows Josh a whole gaggle of kids and Kristen can’t have kids due to uterine fibroids. Will they ever tell each other the truth of the enormity of their feelings? Will they be able to figure out this seemingly non-negotiable? Will they be able to have their happily ever after?

The Friend Zone is delightfully three-dimensional in characterization. However, I do wish that more had been said in regards to [spoiler]’s OCD earlier in the story as it seems to come from nowhere. Additionally, the ending seems too convenient. The author’s note at the end explains that her friend Lindsay’s infertility was “solved” this way, but it just screams dues ex machina to me.

If you want a true rollercoaster of emotions, The Friend Zone has it: frustration, grief, sadness, glee, lust, banter, love, and more.

This book is a roller coaster of emotions disguised as a cute contemporary romance. There is romance, humor, but a whole new layer of emotional complexity I haven't seen in previous books by Jimenez. The meet cute isn't standard, the witty banter is actually witty, and boy is there chemistry.

The Friend Zone came out at the beginning of June, with so much hype surrounding it. I do think the hype was warranted, this is a fast-paced book that deals with infertility which isn't discussed much in books, and it sucked me in and made me emotionally invested in the characters and the story.

I really enjoyed the writing style of the novel. It was well written, and I flew though it way quicker than I thought I would. I literally started and then thirty minutes later looked at the page number and was like "how did I get this far already?"

Like I mentioned above, there was a lot of hype surrounding this book, with lots of people talking about certain parts of the story. I heard early on that this book was going to be sad. I'm not a huge fan of sad books (life is already so hard, let me read something happy), but I can usually deal with it and move on. I've been so busy the last few months counseling, that I'm at the point where I don't like reading sad things or watching sad things because I get enough of that from real life, so I was wary going into this novel. I was enjoying the story, but was on edge the whole first half because while I didn't know when the sad thing was going to happen, I just knew it was going to happen. I flew through through the first half, but was also low-key anxious the whole time. Eventually I decided that if I wanted to continue reading the book I'd have to spoil myself for what was going to happen. This definitely helped put me somewhat at ease with continuing the story.

While reading, the only issue I had with the book was how "not like other girls" Kristen was. This really wasn't a problem after the first few chapters, but at the beginning I rolled my eyes a few times at how she described herself, or how Josh described her. I was also frustrated that the two wouldn't communicate. I don't want to minimize what infertility and what Kristen was going through, but so much could have been prevented if Kristen and Josh just talked to each other.

I know this review seems like I'm pointing out more negatives than positives, but I did enjoy this book. I loved the banter between the two characters. They genuinely seemed to care for each other a lot. I loved reading about their friend group, and how everyone cared for each other and looked out for each other.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but know I would have enjoyed it more if I read it at a different point in time.

If you've read the book, what were your thoughts?

This book was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. One minute I was laughing, the next I was crying, and the cycle continued. I loved every second of it though and devoured it in one night!