After way too many mysteries and thrillers this hit the spot

It is nothing new really. You see exactly what’s going on and how this will wrap up but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes it’s nice to pick up something that you know will end in a happily ever after after the obligatory push and pull.

The writing and characters were great and the dialogue was sensible and funny. It was smartly written and felt more realistic than some of the other stories I’ve read in this genre. Overall, a sweet and entertaining read that I recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Entangled Publishing, LLC for a copy in exchange for a review.

The Best Friend Problem didn’t exactly wow me at any given point, but I didn’t dislike it either. It was just sort of there …. Other than the author using a unique twist to kick these two into gear about their feelings for each other, there really wasn’t anything that stood out for me.

I’ll be the first to say that this trope is really hard to surprise me with. It’s not exactly underwritten LOL So my feelings on the story could very much be because I’ve just read waaaay too many of these. I think the writing was done well and I didn't have any problems with characterization .. sigh, I just wasn't feeling it *shrug*

The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman is the first book in the Mile High Happiness series. Prudence Carlson has been lucky in life. A fulfilling wedding-planning business run with her girlfriends in Colorado, plus the best guy friend ever in her firefighter bestie Finn. All that’s missing from it is a baby. Luckily, it’s the twenty-first century—Pru can take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t need to find true love to create the future love of her life. Except all this talk of babies and insemination and...Pru and Finn cross a line they never expected to. Sure, one night of passion won’t change their close friendship. Until Pru goes in for a fertility check-up to find… she’s already pregnant. As best friends, Pru and Finn have survived college, new jobs, and bad breakups, but can they survive crib shopping, birth classes, and late-night cravings? Especially when Finn has never considered himself even remotely Daddy material?

The Best Friend Problem takes the friends to lover trope and doubles down by adding a unique wanted but accidental pregnancy twist. It was an ambitious story to tackle, and I'll say that Ankenman did it beautifully. I really enjoyed getting to know Pru and Finn- and seeing their journey through both perspectives. I could relate to Pru, at least with her reluctance to accept help, and understood her motivations and fears throughout the book. I liked Finn's openness and caring for others, and I knew they would figure it out once they admitted their own emotions. I also loved the secondary characters, not just Mo and Lilly, but Finn's coworkers and family to. I think the characters work was really the star of this story, the banter was fun and the characters supportive and real. I felt like this group of people are really liking in a Colorado town just waiting for me to visit and meet them.

The Best Friend Problem is an engaging read that had me rooting for and wanting to shake the main characters at the same time. I look forward to reading more from Ankeman in the future.

The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman is a sweet romance, and my first book by this author. Prudence “Pru” has been best friends with Finn forever. Pru has decided she wants a baby, but when she goes to the fertility clinic, she is already pregnant with Finn's baby. I enjoy the people and the situations in this book, along with watching the characters grow. I found this book to be a quick read, and recommend it to all readers who enjoy a best friends to lovers romance.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC, Thank you.

I absolutely loved Pru. She was driven and just all around perfect. I guess Finn was in all the best ways too. Pru was very guarded she didn't' expect anything from anyone, that was really her only flaw. It was a little irritating, but honest.

I loved that this story was unlike any other I've read doing the best friend angle. I couldn't stop reading. The story was quirky and fun, but sweet and serious. It ticked all my boxes.

Oh, sweet Pru! Oh, sweet Finn! Both of you separate, have your own issues; it's no wonder you two haven't got together! You both were standing in your own way, but when fate takes a hand in your relationship - buckle up! I enjoyed the progression of Finn and how he came to be the man and daddy he needed to be. I would've liked for Pru to let down her walls to those that loved her sooner, but she got there. In the end, though their road was not the norm, two people deserving of love found it.

Not having read other books by the author before, I didn’t know what to expect before reading The Best Friend Problem. Needless to say, this friends-to-lovers story had me rooting for the characters from beginning to end.

In the story we get to meet, Prudence Carlson, a wedding planner who hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to men. Her last serious relationship ended after the guy moved cross country and she has then sworn off men altogether. With her wedding planning business becoming successful, she is ready to take another step in life by becoming a mother. Since it’s the twenty-first century, she is able to take matters into her own hands and now has to pick the perfect candidate for her baby. But the hardest person to tell about her plans is non other than her best guy friend, Finn.

Having met in the seventh grade, they have been though ups and downs. He has seen her at her best and lows, and she is scared of what he is going to say about her new plans. But things turn out differently the minute they decide to get drunk and cross the line they never expected to. This ultimately leads her to finding out that she is pregnant and she doesn’t know what Finn is going to say. He is always on the go with his job and one-night stands, which he prefers so telling him about the baby might end up hurting their friendship. Needless to say, she is surprised to see him ready to help her right away. She never expected to be pregnant with her best friend’s baby and the idea of co-parenting is not appealing to her at all. Until he starts to change everything around her and she wonders if they might just be meant for each other after all.

Finn Jamison loves his job, as a firefighter he is able to help those in need, but it is also demanding and he is not always home. He understands the risks that come with his job and will never wish to have a family suffer if anything were to happen to him. So he stays away from those are looking for more and turns to his one-night stands instead.

The only constant woman in his life is his best friend, Pru and he couldn’t be happier about that. They’ve known each other for so long and have promised to rescue each other if one is in trouble. But everything changes the minute she tells him that she wants to be a mom, he knows that she is going to be a great parent and they go celebrate. Only that ends up turning their life upside down when she finds out that she is pregnant with his child. He never wanted to be a father, but he is her best friend and will do anything for her including letting her be a solo parent. But the more time he spends with her, the more he stars to see the future that they could have together.

I very much enjoyed reading this book, the chemistry between the characters is undeniable and sweet. It’s evident that each of them have obstacles to overcome and the author did a great job with the story as a whole. I liked Pru’s independence, but that very same thing is what is blinding her from leaning on Finn for support. She wants to do things her own way and that doesn’t always work out. On the other hand, Finn is scared of leaving a family behind if something were to happen to him. He has seen that happen and he is shocked to hear that he is going to be a father. Throughout the story we get to see them change and go through ups and downs that ultimate decide their fate. I cannot recommend it enough, if you are looking for a good friends-to-lovers story with a baby in the mix then I would highly recommend checking out The Best Friend Problem. It will leave you wanting for more. :)

I was very interested in this book when I read the synopsis. And since the friends to lovers trope is one of my favorite, I was really excited for this book.

Pru has decided that she is ready for a baby with or without a man. When she decided on insemination she turns to her best friend, Finn to celebrate her decision. A night of celebrating turns into a one night of passion between the two friends. When she ready to get inseminated Pru finds out that she's already pregnant, with Finn's baby. One night turns into two friends try to navigate their new normal. And stirs up feelings that they never thought of. Can one night between friends turn into a relationship?

I really wanted to love The Best Friend Problem. The premise was different and new. And since Mariah Ankenman is a new author to me, I was really excited to see where this book would go.  I really wanted to see how a relationship would progress between Pru and Finn now with the twist of having a baby together but I just couldn't get into the story. I think the biggest problem for me was the lack of chemistry development between Pru and Finn. One minute they're talking about celebrating Pru decision to inseminate and the next minute their in bed together. Throughout reading the story I was waiting for that moment in the story that I would have butterflies in my stomach. That I would root for Pru and Finn's happily ever after but it never came.

When they find out that Pru is pregnant with Finn's baby I expected the awkwardness between the two friends. Which we did get for a bit. But what I didn't expect was out of nowhere that they start realizing they have feelings for each other. Especially when the author established they rarely, if ever, thought about each other in that way. At the beginning of the book, Pru is rescuing Finn from a bad date, which she's done many times. The evolution of their relationship just didn't feel realistic.

What I did enjoy were the secondary characters. Pru business partners, roommates and friends, Moira and Lily. They were so supportive of Pru when she decided to inseminate. Ready to make any and all change to their home to help Pru out. They were the voice of reasons when Pru had doubts. And I really want to know what was the thing that happened to Lilly that almost ruined their business.

I saw a lot of potential with this story but it just fell flat for me. That being said, I did enjoy the writing style and the set up for the next book with the series, hopefully, Lilly's story. I would love the read the next book in this series and see how the other characters progress.

Title: The Best Friend Problem
Series: n/a
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Mariah Ankenman
Genre: Romance
Blurb: Prudence Carlson has been lucky in life. A fulfilling wedding-planning business run with her girlfriends in Colorado, plus the best guy friend ever in her firefighter bestie Finn. All that’s missing from it is a baby. Luckily, it’s the twenty-first century—Pru can take matters into her own hands. She doesn’t need to find true love to create the future love of her life.

Except all this talk of babies and insemination and...Pru and Finn cross a line they never expected to. Sure, one night of passion won’t change their close friendship. Until Pru goes in for a fertility check-up to find… she’s already pregnant.

As best friends, Pru and Finn have survived college, new jobs, and bad breakups, but can they survive crib shopping, birth classes, and late-night cravings? Especially when Finn has never considered himself even remotely Daddy material?
Favorite quote(s): “There’s plenty of fish in the sea.”
Raising her mug, she skewered Mo with what Finn called her bulls$%@ glare. “There’s also a lot of garbage.”
Thoughts: So I didn’t love The Best Friend Problem, but I didn’t hate it either. I’m usually a sucker for this type of romance, but I just struggled with it. The characters were a bit flat, particularly Pru and Finn. I actually felt more for the characters when it was just Pru and her friends. That romantic connection between Pru and Finn…I just didn’t feel it. The timing of changing their relationship to more-than-friends also just didn’t fit.
For me, this one was just okay.
Rating: B-/C+

I love a good best friends to lovers story! This one is perfect. The friendship Pru and Finn have is hilarious and strong. I loved their sarcastic banter, the way they could talk about everything, and the way they interacted with his family. Those scenes made my heart smile. The way he looks out for or gets things for her, while she is and us not pregnant, is very special. Finn makes you want a real life one of him. I admired Pru's determination to do single parenting on her own and laughed at All her overly thorough planning. She was a great female lead. And as for them becoming a couple, it always cracks me up in books and movies when the two main characters are the last to realize they have loved each other and meant to be together all along.

This is my first book to read by Mariah Ankenman. I look forward to reading more of her books, especially if she writes more in this series. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Pru has been best friends with Finn forever. Along with her two female besties, Mo and Lilly, they are all she has left in the world. Which is why Pru has decided to take a huge leap and have a baby. Having decided to go with IUI, all that's left is letting her besties (the three of them) know, and choose a donor. When a celebratory night leaves Pru with a bit more than a hangover, will friendships be tested? Will Pru get the family that she craves or is that not in the cards for her?

This was such a cute story! A firefighter, best friends, a cute dog, steamy naughty bits and a side of drama. I just wish there was a bit more to it. I give this 4 stars

Accidental pregnancy meets friends to lovers, yes please!

Pru has decided she’s going to have a baby on her own, now she just needs to tell her BFF Finn. Telling Finn leads to one night that leads to oopsy!

I loved how respectful Finn was of Pru’s wishes and plans but also still made it clear what he wanted, once he figured it out. I also loved that there were some really real moments of indecision, anxiety, and out right wrongness that all the characters worked through together.

I do wish we had gotten a bit more on Mo and Lily but I’m assuming we didn’t because they will be getting stories of their own. Overall I really loved the pacing and style of the book and am excited for more.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Having never read anything by this author before, when it popped up on my radar I decided to give it a whirl. It was a great friends to lovers romance involving 3 besties that formed a special bond as roommates in college and remained roommates now and Pru and her hot fire fighter best friend Finn. Who knew one night of hot steamy sex could end up with more than they asked for? Plenty of laugh out loud moments, especially the breast pump in the baby shop one for me! one, and lots of love and tenderness. You can't go wrong with The Best Friend Problem.

Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for introducing me to this wonderful author. This review is my own opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was a delightfully, charming story. I was laughing so hard at times that I received some looks from the hubby. The rapport between between Finn and Pru was one that made the story so fascinating. This story just grabbed me right from the beginning and kept me engage all the way through to the end.

Pru wants to have a baby. She is a planner and has planned everything out to have her baby. Unfortunately the plan goes awry when she celebrates with her BFF Finn. Both had too much to drink (not drunk but pleasantly happy). Well one thing leads to another and several weeks later oops Pru's plans change when she finds out that she is already pregnant. Pregnant by her firefighter BFF who doesn't do relationships and never wants a family. He hates the thought of getting killed and leaving a wife and children behind.

The HEA journey for these two is one that is oh so believable. How they go from friends to soul-mates is one that shouldn't be missed. Having the book written in a dual POV format makes this journey oh so lovable. I could really see the story taking place in my mind like a movie.

I highly recommend this story to anyone over 18. I look forward to reading more from this new to me author.

3.5 Stars
Lighthearted, fun and cute.

Finn and Pru have been best friends since seventh grade. While they secretly pondered what a relationship with each other would have been like, they prefer to ignore and stay good friends. But all that gets thrown out the window when alcohol is introduced into the picture. After an amazing night together, they decide to act like nothing happened until Pru finds out that she is pregnant with Finn's twins. The whole plot was about their relationship and how they adapt to the change in their relationship.

Even though the friends-to-lovers troupe has been done endlessly, I enjoyed reading it. I would have liked to read more about their individual lives, a deeper look into their friendship and personalities. I do feel that these areas were just lightly brushed across without delving too deep. However, this book was definitely engaging and a great summer read.

The Best Friend Problem was my first book by Mariah Ankenman and I really liked it. The writing was great. I really liked the story and the characters. Can't wait to read more by this author.

This was a lazy Saturday morning, one sitting read for me.  There are no surprises, really, to the story line - it's laid out in the blurb after all.  So with that said, the key is in the execution - and that was bang on for me.

Both characters were well rounded, and their friendship was believable, as was their chemistry.  And so the move to more felt natural, and completely right for the story.  And the book just kept on delivering.

A really enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

I enjoyed this story. This is my first book by Mariah Annenman and I will be reading her again. Pru and Finn had a connection that showed their lifetime friendship. Watching the two of them try to navigate the new waters was fun. This book was one I read in one sitting and recommend.

I enjoyed reading this story that is filled with romance, laughter and a little drama. I liked the story flow and the characters. The story itself is friends to lovers romance and it is about Finn and Pru who are friends since highschool. Pru wants to be a mother and is thinking about getting sperm donor for that goal, but something happens and voila...(the rest is in the book, and you will have to read it...) It is my first read by Mariah Ankenman and I believe it won't be my last.

Pru has a lot of love to give. Her biggest desire is to be a mother. So with no eligible men on the horizon she decides to go it alone and use a donor.

Finn has been Pru’s best friend since childhood. They are each other’s wing men and life constant.

One drunken night changes everything. Can the best friends admit they are more than just friends?

This was a sweet easy read, I am keen to read more about the Mile High Happiness girls. Now, where do I find my own Finn?