*New favourite alert!!!!* This book receives an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!! I loved every single thing about this book, right down to the last paragraph of the “a note from the author“ section. Wow. Just wow. What an incredible debut into the romance world for Abby Jimenez. Anything she writes in the future, I will be the first to buy!! This book made me feel soo many emotions, it was SO dynamic and I definitely sobbed. The characters are so authentic, relatable and interesting. Prepare for Josh to be your new fictional crush!!!! This book deals with a very important and close to my heart topic of infertility and Abby Jimenez does an incredible job of providing the readers with some beautiful insight on living with it. There were so many amazing parts I highlighted throughout reading this book to use as a quote for this, it was so hard to choose just one to reflect how amazing this book was. I am awe-struck by this book. So I’ll leave you all with this quote and a plug that you MUST get your hands on this book when it’s released on June 11th! “...and I was whole just looking at her”. *I’d like to give a big thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for giving me this e-ARC in return for my honest review of this book. I am so grateful.*

***Spoilers**

This book was billed as "women's fiction" and "romance." It definitely leans more towards romance, which this reader does not normally gravitate toward - so you may keep that in mind as you read this review.

There were so many ways that the characters were just not very relatable, at least in terms of anyone I know.

One of our protagonists is Josh, who is - of course - a 29 year old ex-Marine fireman who is not only gorgeous but is totally looking to settle down after moving from South Dakota to California. And of course he was perfectly trained on how to treat women by his 6 - yes, 6 - sisters.

Kristen, our other protagonist - they alternate chapters in the first person - turned down both Julliard (she's a closet pianist) and Harvard Law to...make pet accessories from home. She's also petite and gorgeous, naturally.

Kristen does all she can to keep Josh at arm's length, given that he wants a enough kids for his own baseball team and she...well, she suffers from terrible periods and pain and may never have children. Even though she is only 24, she's strongly considering a hysterectomy and therefore will not let herself love Josh - and does everything she can to turn him away.

The issue of her fertility is treated with sensitivity early on, including a comprehensive review of her options. In the end though - spoiler alert - Kristen finds out she's 4 months pregnant a bit after a spontaneous wedding to Josh at City Hall. Yes, she got pregnant her very first time with Josh...because his sperm is oh so strong.

I can understand wanting a happy ending for our two main characters, especially considering the fate of some of the other characters in the book. It was just a little too much of a fantasy world for me.

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez was such a lovely little read. Kristen's snarky sense of humor mixed with Josh's friendly disposition meant I am now shipping a new dynamic duo. I can't wait to read Jimenez's next book about Sloan.

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters, and it was far more emotional than I expected. The only issue I had was Kristen. I loved her in the beginning—strong, funny, witty, and smart—but all the endless back and forth about being together got kind of old. I definitely understood the struggle, but based on the character in the beginning it just didn’t track for me that she would act that way. I did like it otherwise though.

A hilarious, steamy debut novel with quite a bit of heart told in alternating perspectives between Kristen Petersen and Josh Copeland. I look forward to Abby Jimenez's next novel.

Really liked the first half but then things got pretty serious and lost the rosy glow. There was lots of repetition saying why they couldn't be together which got a bit redundant. And the ending was just awfully convenient.

I can’t stop raving about The Friend Zone by @authorabbyjimenez. I have a million books on my TBR and I bypassed them all because @kmc_reads said I would love this book. Boy was she right! I sped through this book, devouring every page.

I fell in love with Kristen, Josh and Stuntman Mike! I loved the dynamic between the characters. Abby sure does know how to write romantic tension and make me laugh. I give high marks to books that make me laugh. This one gets all the stars because I found myself laughing out loud tons.

I am still talking about this book and that is a good sign for me. Usually I read a book and completely forget everything about it the minute I am done. This book is different and it has stuck with me.

Thank you @authorabbyjimenez and @readforeverpub for my copy of The Friend Zone.

This is on the lower side of three for me, but it was ok. Kristen and Josh meet accidentally (literally) when his car bumps hers on the road and she gives him plenty of sass...obviously he's intrigued, and then coincidentally they meet each other minutes later because their best friends are engaged. Kristen is taken, however, and she's also got some major infertility issues that she's sure would put Josh, who wants to have lots of kids, off even if she weren't off limits. Obviously, they fall in love, but there are things to overcome. Plus, the story takes some twists that made it a more nuanced story than I expected from the first pages.

So, I didn't think the writing started out strong and it definitely could have been shorter, but it was solidly ok.

Do you ever have the moment when you read an arc of a book, and just know immediately that you will be buying a physical copy to cherish on your bookshelves forever? I definitely had that moment with this book and only at a few chapters in. When I got an email from Forever about this book, the premise sounded really interesting with a slow-burn romance, and a female lead who had to deal with fertility issues and make a decision that could alter her life forever. The story follows Kristen and Josh, who happen to meet because they are the MoH and Best man for their best friends who are getting married (Sloan and Brandon - whose story isn't even the main one, but their story had me crying on the subway.. completely ripped my heart out and stomped on it). Josh is a firefighter and Kristen runs a small business for dog accessories and stairs. Kristen is also dating someone who is on deployment when they first meet, and Josh ends up helping her with her business to build the mini stairs. Also side note, I loved that Kristen's dog Stuntman Mike knew right away what kind of person Josh was. Kristen kept going on about how the dog didn't like her boyfriend at the time, and I'm like yes! dogs definitely can tell what kind of person a person is ;) Anyways, back to the review, they both find themselves hanging out with one another and just bonding over time. There's a clear attraction between the two, but they both don't act on it because Kristen isn't single. Along with all of this, Kristen has been having really bad periods her whole life, and she learns that her chances of having children are basically non-existent. She is faced with having to make a big decision about her future and what that can mean for her future relationships. I loved the rapport between Josh and Kristen. She has such a laid-back and straight-forward attitude that I just loved. She just says what she means, and Josh, he is just an all-around nice guy. I was rooting so hard for these two, and I just love stories that are built on friendship first. I don't want to say too much and give the book away, but I absolutely loved this book. It's one of those books that I wish I could go back and read for the first time again because that feeling of falling in love with a book is indescribable. This book is Abby's debut and I honestly cannot wait to see what else she writes. I am eagerly awaiting Sloan's story! Definitely going down as one of my favorite reads of 2019!! It's smart, funny, sexy, and absolutely heartbreaking, but soooo worth it. Please pick it up if you have a chance!

5 stars isn’t enough for this laugh out loud, beautifully honest, and sometimes heartbreaking novel. This book consumed me in the best way possible right from the start and I’m confident it will be one of my favorite reads ever. The Friend Zone was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019 and it was more captivating and moving than I ever could have imagined. It’s hard to believe that this is Abby Jimenez’s debut novel!

I absolutely loved Josh and Kristen! They were both such perfectly imperfect people. Their struggles (individually and together) were so relatable and honest. They had the best witty banter and their playful barbs were so much fun. I loved how they each gave as good as they got. Things start off on the wrong foot for them, but as they spend more time together, that spark they felt ignites and they recognize that their attraction is more than just physical. They truly see the other and that feeling of being known is so powerful. The build up between these two was delicious and their chemistry was off the charts. I felt all the longing and every stolen moment between them. It was all worth the wait though because when things come to a head, they aren’t just hot, they’re nuclear!

Without a doubt, Josh is a shoo-in for my book boyfriend hall of fame. He was everything I love in a hero - loving, considerate, loyal, understanding, funny, protective, intelligent, and an all around good guy. His thoughtfulness and unwavering patience only made him more endearing. Kristen was a fantastically complex heroine. I loved her blunt honesty and take no prisoners sarcasm, even though she mainly used it as armor to protect herself. She was fiercely loyal and cared so deeply and wholly for those that she loved. Her friendship with Sloan was unparalleled and I loved how they complemented each other so well. Yes, Kristen did frustrate me at times with the push and pull with Josh, but given her history and mindset, it made so much sense. One of the things I appreciated most about this book, is that the story was as much a love story between Kristen and Josh, as it was between Kristen and herself.

The author’s sense of humor really shines and there are some truly hilarious moments and dialogue that had me cackling like a mad woman. (I’m looking at you Shawn! LOL ) The humor balanced the poignant and heartwrenching scenes so well and readers will definitely want to have some tissues handy for the last quarter or so of the book. Through the tears though, there is also a wonderful message of hope and unwavering love. I don’t think I will ever be able to adequately express how much I loved this book. It resonated and touched me in a way that few books have. It was like the author opened my chest and held my heart in her hands. I felt every emotion while reading this one. Jimenez tackled infertility in such a compassionate and truthful way. It was gut wrenching and painful, but to those that have had their lives touched in this way or are a part of this club that no one ever wants membership to, it’s also unflinchingly honest. Kristen’s feelings of worthlessness and not being good enough will sadly hit home for many, but that’s what makes this book so compelling. I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end as well since it gives greater insight into the story and characters. The epilogue brought everything together so wonderfully and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book, which features one of the beloved secondary characters who is sorely in need of their own happily ever after. Truly an incredible book and one that will stay with me.

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

My emotions are everywhere and I seriously don't know where to put them.

Starting off with Kristen, who was so unapologetically herself and made me fall madly in love with her through the entirety of the story! Kristen is *the* heroine of al heroines and her and Josh were a romance couple made in heaven! The dialogue, the chemistry, OH THE ANGST! I love how Abby truly embodies that best friend love leading into a relationship. These two weren't two characters forced into a relationship by the author, they just fell in together. They wrote themselves, it seems.

Aside from that and despite this story having such an important and serious topic, this one had be double over laughing at times. The sarcasm, the wit, the banter!! All of the things I have longed for in a romance and felt I never truly got, I got HERE! And the story was just so realistic! The characters, the story, the feelings and emotions. It wasn't rushed, it wasn't cliche, it just was. A story that Abby allowed to play itself out and just became heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once.

Abby has truly made a name for herself in the romance world and I absolutely cannot wait to read more from her. Like seriously. She could write a grocery list ten miles long and I'd champion it all the way to the Times!

One last thing: Where is *my* Josh??

Abby Jimenez delivers an incredible rom-com with her debut novel The Friend Zone! I laughed, I teared up, and most importantly, I didn't want to put it down. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Forever Romance for granting my wish to read this novel.

When Kristen Petersen first meets Josh Copeland while helping plan her best friend's wedding, sparks instantly fly. He's attractive, attentive and gets a kick out of her biting sarcasm. There's just one problem: Josh is looking to build a relationship with someone he can have kids with and Kristen is set to have a partial hysterectomy after the wedding, making it impossible for her to get pregnant. Understanding how important a future with kids is to Josh, Kristen decides it's best for them to just be friends. However, the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for Kristen to keep Josh in the friend zone.

The chemistry between Kristen and Josh is off the charts. Seriously, I want The Friend Zone to be optioned for a movie so I can see their relationship played out on the big screen. I loved reading about Kristen struggling to keep Josh in the friend zone and Josh fighting to climb out of the friend zone. The push/pull of their relationship was so enjoyable to read.

The writing is well-paced and perfectly balanced. Abby Jimenez takes her time developing the friendship between Kristen and Josh, which makes their first kiss and first time together all the more satisfying. Readers experience so many emotions while reading this novel and it's a testament to Abby Jimenez's talent that readers are able to move through each hilarious, heartwarming and heart-wrenching chapter with ease.

It was so refreshing to see a difficult topic like infertility play such a significant role in a romantic comedy. Abby Jimenez took such care to realistically portray Kristen's health problems and the emotions that go along with those problems. I loved the moments where Kristen talked about her health problems with Sloan because you just knew Sloan's heart was breaking for what Kristen had to go through.

I highly recommend fans of romantic comedies dive into The Friend Zone! Thank you to NetGalley and

Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC. I read this book in two sittings. I couldn’t put it down. It was heartbreaking, sad, emotional, so very real. I cried and laughed. It definitely brought out a lot of different emotions in me. I loved it so much.
I cannot wait for next year May, for the next book. This character definitely needs its own book and HEA.

5 bright and shining ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kristen is helping plan her best friend's wedding when she meets Josh, the best man. Not only is he good looking and sweet but he accepts her and her crazy dog as they are. Unfortunately, they can only be friends because Kristen has a fiance in the military.
After Kristen breaks it off with her fiance, she and Josh become involved but Kristen insists they keep it casual because Josh wants a big family and Kristen isn't able to have children.
This book is both funny and heartbreaking. I also loved that it dealt with infertility which is a rare subject in romance books.

DNF at 30%

I'm just going to be really honest here and say that the main character killed it for me. I found her very unlikeable. Her actions and inner commentary were so annoying and completely overrated.

I was interested in the synopsis about a main character struggling with infertility while fighting feelings for someone who wants a big family. However, after reading to about 30%, I can't read anymore. I found Kristen unlikable and Josh was simply okay but nothing special.

I had a fellow blogger friend tell me the key points and ending of the book and I feel like I honestly didn’t miss out on anything. Just this big secret that she could and should have told earlier in the story.

The Friend Zone is a (mostly) fun, engaging, and decently paced read. The characters are interesting and their alternating perspectives transition smoothly. Their central conflict (the heroine's stubbornness over their ability to be together, given her fertility issues) wears on too long. It begins to feel contrived after the male lead finds out about it (she also hides it too long?) and is fine with it. Also: these two meet *for* a wedding and having the groom die is a bit dark for my romance taste -- especially so close to the end of the book. It makes the main couple seem selfish to revel in their love while the heroine's best friend mourns her lost love and, in turn, I felt conflicted as a reader about rooting for them to just forge ahead in their happiness, following such a grave tragedy.

One of the most adorable meet/cutes I've ever read. I really loved this friends to lovers romance. It did get surprisingly heavy towards the end but the author handled it well without losing the main romance.

A really enjoyable friends-to-lovers romance with a lot of heart and depth. Abby Jimenez is one to watch!

It says it's for fans of Christina Lauren, and it's almost right. Almost.

Prior to reading this one, I had just finished my new favourite Christina Lauren novel, so jumping right into The Friend Zone had me expecting humour and saucy times. Sadly this didn't quite get there. In fact, most of it felt just okay.

The chemistry between Josh and Kristen was all right. I would have liked it to be a little bit more light-hearted, but that would take away from the deeper themes of infertility and the sacrifices that are made in relationships when that comes into play. The angle of Kristen's periods and he inability to have children was well done I thought. She's a young woman (24 years old) and every thought she has is reasonable and relatable. As someone who had some pretty rough periods growing up (albeit not even close to her point), I definitely related with her struggle.

Surprisingly, this took a very sad/sombre turn. One I didn't think would have interested me in the story, but had me eager to get home from work so I can finish the last 30 pages. *Spoiler* I do struggle a little bit getting on board with couples getting married after maybe two months and kind of despise it when romance novels do so. But then I think of the Bachelor, which is basically that, and I hate it, but I love to watch it and scoff, so who knows? I do see why they did it, but still.

Where this story lost me was when it started getting repetitive. A hundred and one angry and defeated conversations were started about the same thing and never finished! It became so frustrating when they just kept going back and forth about their relationship and the whole baby thing at the centre of this story. And really 90% of my frustration would have been gone if they had just talked, but alas, this is one of those whether both sides of the love interest keep tight-lipped and drag things on longer than they should.

4/5 stars

I love a girl with confidence and a kick-ass attitude. From the moment I was introduced to Kristen, I knew this was going to be an absolutely fabulous read. Funny, witty, comedic banter is my kryptonite and The Friend Zone is filled to maximum capacity with it. At this point, it would be a quiche to call it un-put-down-able, but it so totally is!

I think it's the juxtaposition of a very decidedly quirky Kristen against the even keel, yet witty Josh, that makes this one of the best reads of 2019 for me.

Trust me, this is going to make the top of every top ten list this summer and it will be well deserved.