Pru and Finn have been best friends forever. When Pru decides she wants to be a mom Finn knows he needs to be supportive. After a night of celebrating crosses the friendship line, Pru finds out she is going to be a mom - and Finn is the father. What follows is a story of a type-A personality figuring out how to manage altered plans and two friends figuring out how to be more. ⁣
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The Best Friend Problem is one of my favorite books of the summer! Friends to lovers is my favorite trope and Mariah Ankenman did it well. Written in third person with both Pru and Finn’s POVs, we get to see the full picture of their friendship and their thoughts as they approach parenthood together. I really enjoyed seeing their friendship and thought Finn was the perfect book boyfriend. I really related to Pru and felt like I understood her thoughts and actions even when I didn’t necessarily agree. This was surprisingly low angst which I loved.⁣
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The Best Friend Problem is a definite five star book for me! If you are looking for a fun friends to lovers story definitely pick up The Best Friend Problem today. It did not disappoint.
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book that I have read by Mariah Ankenman and I did enjoy it. This was a cute friends to lovers’ book. Finn and Pru have been friends for years. Pru has suffered loss in her family at an early age and when she lost her aunt, she decided that she wanted to have a baby. She decided to use a sperm donor but after unexpected night with her best friend that plan changed. It was nice to see them realize that the person they have been searching for has been there the whole time. If you are looking for a quick read that will tug at your heart strings then this is the book for you.

Prudence/Pru felt men sucked. Her last date had literally sucked on her finger in his mouth five minutes after they met. He’d been the latest disappointment in a long line of horrible dates. Then there was Terrance The Terrible, who was supposed to be the one but after two years together, he got a shiny job offer halfway across the country he left her for. Pru deleted all her dating apps and swore off men for good. Well Terrance had offered her the chance to move with him. But at that time was starting up her own business with her two best girlfriends/roommates -Lilly and Moira. It had taken eight months and when she jumped back into dating her heart didn't have any trust in romance. Pru never felt she was her parents priority even as their only child, they were tied up in each other. Than while she was with a sitter they died together in a car accident. Her heart's desire was a child and she could get that without her own man. She just needed semen from a male and she could get that from a sperm bank. Pru knew she wanted to be a mom and have a family like she’d seen on tv. Something she lost at a young age. But her loving great aunt and friends helped fill the gaping hole inside but it didn’t disappear completely. Finn was her best friend and had given her the nickname Practical Pru. Pru had a wedding planner business Pru was nothing if not a planner and expert budgeter. She’d already saved for the fertility treatments and the expenses of a baby. Six years in and the business with Lilly and Moira was remaining running in the black with no signs of slowing down. She and Finn had made a pact in HS if either were on a bad date and needed rescuing the other would come running.Pru and Finn had been friends since seventh grade. Taking care of the people in her life gave Pru a sense of warmth deep in her heart. Finn was a firefighter.Finn didn’t want anything serious in a relationship. Being a fireman, he risked his life every day to save others. He knew the dangers. He might die in service to others. He couldn’t live with the chance of leaving a wife and kids to mourn him. Pru called Finn to meet her and then she told him her plan to go to the sperm bank. They drank a few shots in celebration and go to his house . They are buzzed but drunk and have sex. It was to be only the one night.
Excellent book and a great easy sweet read. Sometimes I choked up and other times I chuckled while reading this book. I loved Finn and Pru together and how they interacted. I loved their relationship as she had no family left besides him, Lilly, and Moira. But they were her family. I also loved how Finns family considered her family and she them. Finn and Pru had hot chemistry. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

The Best Friend Problem is my first read by Mariah Ankenman but won’t be my last. I was captivated from the very beginning and loved the banter between Finn and Pru throughout this book. The best romances begin with friendship and that’s what this extraordinary couple have proved. Their relationship has moments of humour, irritation and misconceptions; but through it all there is love. I’m glad I chose to give this story a chance as it turned out to be a wonderful read, even though Finn and Pru were at times frustrating in their insecurity about the longevity of their friendship. I’m hopeful there will be books about the secondary characters in this story.

The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman was a sweet and charming best friends-to-lovers romance. Pru is a planner. Lists and plans get her from one day to the next. With a successful business with her friends, a great guy best friend and support system, she is ready to become a mom. Who needs a man the old fashion way when she can do this her own way, right? Ready to take the next step to become a mom, the last thing she expected was a one night with her best friend to change all her best laid plans!

I loved Finn. He was an easy-going guy who was loyal, honest and caring. Though both Pru and Finn found the other attractive, they never wanted to change what they have, but then one night changes everything. Can they go back to just being friends, especially when that night has major consequences? I loved watching Pru and Finn navigate their new found normal as everyone around them saw what they never allowed each other to see. The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman was such a delightful read.

Happy reading!

The Best Friend Problem is a cute, fun and lighthearted romance that I truly enjoyed! Pru and Finn have an amazing friendship that has never crossed the line until one night neither Pru or Finn will ever forget! This story was my first by Mariah Ankenman and I have to say it was very enjoyable. The romance, the relationships between friends and the friends to lovers trope were fantastic and I really fell for Finn and Pru!

This was a super sweet, light romance. Pru and Finn were super enjoyable characters, along with their friends and family.
Prudence wanted a family and after no luck in the relationship department, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She has the most supportive group of friends and business partners who will be there every step of the way. Then there is her best friend since forever, Finn. Who will also supportive of her and her decision. Of course, Practical Pru’s plan doesn’t turn out like she imagined and her friendship with Finn will be forever changed.
I LOVED Pru and Finn’s friendship from the start, but there relationship was something special. They wanted the exact opposite when it came to relationships and family. Pru wanted it all, she was the girl who didn’t really have that growing up and Finn, didn’t want to put anyone through the pain of losing him given his career choice of being a firefighter. They had chemistry that was through the roof. Finn was super swoony and caring and loving and so supportive.
The Best Friend Problem is a super sweet best friends to lovers romance with a sweet adorable baby added into the mix. Definitely a must read for anyone looking for a light hearted romance.

You know you love a book when you start and finish it in less than 24 hours. I couldn't get enough of Finn and Pru, the main characters in The Best Friend Problem. The best friends have one night of passion, which leads to Pru getting pregnant. It was a joy to read along as they attempt to navigate their new relationship (steamy scenes included). I also really like Ankenman's writing style and the fact there weren't too many characters involved. If you're a fan of Christina Lauren or Sally Thorne, read The Best Friend Problem immediately!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars for The Best Friend Problem
This is a new author to me but not for long because after reading this book I will certainly be checking out her other works and I really hope she decides to give the secondary characters in this book get their own stories. This book captivated me from the ist chapter to the last line, I loved the banter Finn and Pru shared and I had some real laugh out loud moments throughout this witty read.
Friends to lovers are one of my favourite genre’s but this book was so much more than just a friendship that turned into love this book left me feeling that what ever happened in this couple’s life their friendship would remain intact even miss understandings and miss communication would not break the bonds of friendship. If you are looking for a lighthearted witty read with great loveable characters look no further than The Best Friend Problem. Looking forward to more from this author.

I honestly love Best Friend-to-Lovers trope. This one has a bit of a different take on it.

Neither of them actually had true feelings towards the other. Sure, as human beings and attractive ones, there was attraction but the only feelings they had and had admitted to each other was that of friendship.

Which had worked out great for them. There was no complications with their relationship. Pru, though, from the beginning was the one putting any and all brakes on any advancement in any direction. She was, however, completely serious about her becoming a mother. She was completely set on doing it by herself. She did all the calculations and all the logistics about becoming pregnant.

Pru did not bank on acting on the lustful feelings towards her best friend and therefore becoming pregnant.

She handled it pretty well until Finn wanted to get involved more. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with that seeing as how it takes two to tango, so to speak, and Finn was willing.

That was my big hiccup with the whole book is the fact that despite knowing how much work babies are, Pru wasn’t willing to accept help from Finn. I thought she was being really really stupid.

How stubborn must you be before accepting help with babies!! As a single mother!

I am not disparaging the amazing job single mothers do but I am almost 100% positive that if there was willing hands and people to help with raising their children, they would accept it.

Besides that, The Best Friend Problem, was a joy to read and I loved it.

Mariah Ankenman entertains with her new release The Best Friend Problem, which features two childhood friends who blur the lines between friendship and forever.

Ankenman takes the traditional BFF trope and amps it up a notch with Pru and Finn. Never having a romantic relationship what could come one hot night together? A baby. Ankenman takes these two on a journey between love, friendship and family that was absolutely worth your one click.

Pru, Finn and all the characters were interesting, funny and lovely to read. Her storyline was entertaining from cover to cover. As a lover of friends to lovers storylines, I can easily say this one is worth your read!

A delightful story. Prudence likes to make plans so she won’t be disappointed. She wants a baby and has it all worked out. Finn is a sexy firefighter and her best friend. They decide to celebrate her plans to have a baby and instead end up making one. Now they have to figure out their friendship and future. The story is filled with funny quips and conversations. There are some really great characters that are bound to make great future books. You will love the sweetness of this friendship and the dreams they are able to achieve.

*ARC kindly provided by NetGalley, publisher and author*

When it comes to best friends to lovers and accidental pregnancy tropes in romance I am the first to admit that I absolutely love them. If I read the blurb of a book and I see these tropes then I am hooked. I know many people avoid these as they think they can be overdone at times, but in this case it definitely works.

Finn and Pru have been best friends since they were kids and it has always been entirely platonic their whole lives. Until one night. Pru decides she wants a baby and in a very modern world knows she doesn’t need a partner for this. She confides in her best friend Finn and tells him of her plan to be artificially inseminated. Finn, who doesn’t completely agree with her plan, supports Pru wholeheartedly. That leads to a passion filled night neither of them will forget any time soon.

I truly loved this book and it will definitely be a re-read one for me. Finn just stole my heart. He was such a kind and honorable hero, he was always putting Pru first no matter what.

This was such an enjoyable 5 Star read for me and I am so glad I had the chance to receive an ARC of it.

“She wanted a baby more than she wanted a man”

Now THIS is the kind of stories I love and adore to read. The stories where best friends fall for each other after years of denial and only coming together because of an unexpected pregnancy are just the best and they legit tug at your heartstrings.

Finn and Pru had been friends from a young age, they grew up together with Finn always being there after the many losses Pru had suffered starting with the loss of her parents. In the present day, Pru lived with her two best friends Mo and Lilly and co-owned a business with them. Finn on the other hand was a fireman who happened to have an adorable fur baby by the name of Bru. As adults, both Pru and Finn had gone through so many relationships, these relationships never amounting to anything because these two didn’t realize that all they wanted was right in front of them.

Cue in, Pru’s lifelong dream of being a mother and you know something is gonna go haywire. One night of celebration results in double the unexpected outcome, leaving Pru and Finn wondering just what they’ll do in this situation they’ve landed themselves in. Of course, their solution was staying friend’s and co-parenting but we all know that never lasts and true to form.. they begin a “relationship” that in the end forces them to admit their true feelings for one another.

I read this book in one sitting and above and beyond fell in love with these characters. Everyone from Finn and Pru to the dog.. this author weaved a story that was so easy to fall in love with and I couldn’t be more happy that I got to read it.

This was an entertaining read and one that curbed my surprise pregnancy trope itch. The Best Friend Problem is a super predictable and kind of unrealistic novel that follows Prudence, a independent to a fault heroine who has decided to take life by the horns and get artificially inseminated. However, when the big day comes she finds out she is already pregnant and her best friend is the father. A time.

I kind of wish that their was a bit more substance and character development with this story as everything felt the same and stagnant throughout the story, I don't feel like their was any development of plot nor character throughout besides the pregnancy, which I wish we saw a bit more of? I'm not sure, I just wish I got...more.

Huge thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for sending me an ARC for my honest review!

4 star review The Best Friend Problem by Mariah Ankenman

A new author to me, I found myself captivated by this story from the first to the last chapter. Pru and Finn are best friends and after one drunken night of passion, Pru finds herself pregnant. For Pru this is a dream come true, even though it was not how she had planned to conceive.

The banter between Pru and Finn, as well as Pru and her partners/roommates was humorous and at times made for some laugh out loud moments.

I really enjoyed the relationship that Finn and Pru built based on a firm friendship of many years. Even though it took a lot for them both to realize the feelings that they had for one another. It appears everyone else could see it, except them.

Miss communication led to stress and tension at times throughout it all you knew that their friendship would remain intact. Although having said that there were times that I got frustrated with both Pru and Finn.

Hopefully the secondary characters will get their own stories as I for one would love to read their stories.

The Best Friend Problem is a delightful, light-hearted romance. Prudence has amazing friends and a wonderful career, now all she's missing is a family. Too bad her dating history is less than stellar and filled with duds, so that's when she decides to take matters into her own hands... I was super jealous of her relationship with Finn throughout the story, as I wish there were more guys out there like him! Pru is fiercely independent and has a plan for everything, so watching it all go up in smoke is highly entertaining. This story is filled with romance, laughter and a touch of drama. My first read by Mariah Ankenman, but definitely not my last! (Although we really need to talk about the pregnancy cravings she created!)

This book was absolutely charming! I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and this book had a really fun, fresh take on the trope that made for a unique read. I also just adored Pru and Finn, and their dynamic -- both as friends, and as more.

As someone who's been going through fertility treatments, I also appreciated the fairly realistic portrayal of the process leading up to/planning for artificial insemination. I see fertility-related treatments mentioned so carelessly sometimes in romance (like NBD, I'll just go get IVF -- without any regard for cost & what's involved in the process). So it was particularly nice to see something portrayed realistically and honestly.

I'll post a more in-depth review on the blog closer to release date, but I definitely adored this one & highly recommend it!

This was my first book by Mariah Ankenman and I really enjoyed it. I love friends to lovers trope and throw in them not knowing that they were in love all this time or suppressing their feelings and I'm a goner. Oh, and also I love surprise pregnancy books so there was no way i was going to pass up a chance to read The Best Friend Problem! I adored Pru even though I was a little frustrated with her at times. Once I realized why she was holding back, I understood her perfectly and it really made sense why she wanted what she wanted. I loved Finn as well. A sexy, hot tattooed fireman... what's not to love. And the way he was with Pru just melted my heart. The two of them were so perfect together and they just fit. I liked Mo and Lilly as well and I hope this is a series that follows their love lives too. The only complaint I have is that I think this book would have been better in first person. I kept being jarred out of my reading space when I was wondering who "her" or "him" was when it was referring to the main characters. Overall, this was a sweet and funny read that I really liked.

What an amazing surprise! I am a huge romance reader and after a while everything sort of blends together and I am constantly looking for new or new to me authors, that’s where Mariah Ankenman came in! The cover to The Best Friend Problem is what drew me in at first. I am a sucker for babies in novels. I especially LOVE when it’s a SECRET BABY!!!!!


The whole book was great. I loved the writing style. I love the characters and how the banter played our so naturally between them. Pru and her two best friends lived and worked together, so the three of them are really close. Enter Finn her boy best friends since childhood. I loved their connection. They were so cute together.

The whole book was great start to finish. I will definitely be on the looking out for more novels by Ankenman.