Alice Murphy (Murph) is a small town girl working at her deceased mother's cake shop, trying to maintain the legacy. The book begins with the return of Nash, Murph's first everything-kiss, love and best friend. Nash returns to town with news- he has proposed to his new girlfriend Anna, and wants Murph make their wedding cake. Murph is shocked, confused and upset, and in a moment of vulnerability, declares that she is has been dating Harley- the third person in the best friend triangle, in an effort to gain a reaction from Nash. Harley decides to go along with the lie, and what results is a hilarious, heartfelt story of love, loss, friendship and discovering ones' true self.

This book kept me reading, it was super sweet- a light, fun read. I was constantly rooting for the characters. My only wish was that the book was longer and the story didn't begin so suddenly-I think the book would've benefitted from more background, especially between Harley and Murph and their friendship. This would've made their relationship throughout the book seem less sudden and more naturally progressive. I loved the writing, it was deep and emotional, yet light when it needed to be. This book kept me in suspense. The story touched on many profound realizations one comes to within themselves. I love how everything came together at the end. It was a great story, a perfect beach, feel-good read.

Could not connect with the heroine at all, sadly. Kept wanting her to get out of the self-pitying, pathetic 'why me' mentality after the first chapter, but this didn't happen, and it just didn't make sense to root for her to get the hero as she was really so hung up on a man who had discarded her throughout.

This story centers around Murph, a young woman who gave up her dreams when her mother got sick and passed away. Still harboring her love for the guy, Nash, she had to let go of to care for her mother, she still dreams of them ending up together. That is until Nash walks into her bakery, only to announce that he is getting married. Distraught over the news and determined to win Nash back, Murph starts a lie saying she is dating their best friend Harley. Harley is not happy being dragged into the drama, but can Murph final get her man back or will she end up with a happily never after.

While i did like this book, I did not like the main character Murph. She is way too needy, obsessed with her old boyfriend, and stubborn to anyone trying and willing to help or care for her. This story does have a predictable plotline; I knew how the story would end up pretty early on. However, this is a quick read and if you can get back Murph's subborness, it is a good read.

This is an hard review for me. On one hand, the book moved me to laughter and tears, on the other hand I often found the actions petty and the premise weak.

Throughout the book, I'd find myself commiserating with the various characters, then angry, then confused, and more than once wanted to yell at them to stop drinking and have a non-liquor fueled conversation. It was equal parts frustrating and engaging to read.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Friends for life and all that, but I'm not entirely sure it lived up to it's full potential. A little rough in places and not quote as developed as Inwould have liked. It was quick and easy and all the characters got their HFN ending, but the journey to that conclusion was wrought with angst, pain, and selfishness Not quite the happy, quirky read I was expecting.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and description.
It was a good read set in a small town with lots of love.
The fun and flirty fake relationship with Harley started out just a way to find out her ex is getting married.
She finds out that there may be some love between her and Harley but will she take the chance or hold out for her ex?
If you looking for a cute read I suggest this book ! I'll be suggesting to all my girlfriends to read this on their spring break !

YA romance
Good plot
So so writing
I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

I couldn't enjoy this. The writing was, for me, really juvenile. I felt like I was 13 again, reading fanfiction. The plot sounded intriguing and was something I could see happening in the late-40s, early-50s timeline, but I don't think it worked as well in current day life.

What a good well written romance novel. It was very best friend wedding based, but an enjoyable read

This was a fantastic new adult romance that was able to walk that fine line between love and hate when it comes to the players caught in a love triangle. Poor Murph (Alice) was losing her one true love, Nash, to another woman. Poor Harley (BFF to Nash and Murph) was the pawn plucked from the friend zone to help Murph save face. Poor Nash was just kinda clueless.

What I enjoyed about this tale is that the well-rounded characterizations were subtle enough that at times the reader could sympathize, empathize, and criticize with Anna, Harley, Nash, and Murph. It was a well-balanced narrative that never allowed an extreme opinion of any of the characters to solidify. At times you couldn't help but ache for Murph as she watched Nash fawn all over Anna. There were other times when Murph's action needed to be checked with a hefty dose of maturity (Poor Harley's underwear). In the end, no blood was spilled and everyone got a taste of their own HEA. The well-balanced narrative and dialog made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley, HQ Digital, and Shann McPherson for an ARC of 'Where We Belong' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Where We Belong, Shann McPherson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, General Fiction (adult)

Well, I love these small town America stories. I've no idea – being British – whether there really are towns like this, but I love the idea of everyone having friends, being there for each other. Of course its Always Sunshine and Warmth – and here in UK that's often in short supply, so that's a huge bonus. BBQ in the rain, summer dress for night out ruined by downpour, hair carefully coiffed and makeup done, then wrap up in warm hat that ruins the effect – that's UK summers. I love the fake GF/BF trope too.

Poor Murph, all set for a proposal from long time boyfriend, on and off romance, and then...he hands her an invite to his wedding. Oh I could feel her heart breaking. When we learned more about their past my heart was sad for her over again, and I wondered why she saw Nash as her HEA, when to me he was selfish and unreliable.
Still, here he is with his new love, and she wants to put a brave face on and in the momentary instinct claims Harley is hers. Poor Harley – give the guy credit, he goes along with it, but as we learn he's been picking her up for years, What's one more time.
And it could have been a fun read for me if Murph hadn't been so unpleasant to Anna. Its not her fault Nash loves her, and I really didn't like Murph's actions. Acting on the spur of the moment is one thing, but deliberate actions? Nope. Not in my playbook.
It may not bother you and you may laugh at parts, I did have a silent snigger at one even as I was annoyed at it....hey- I'm human, it set a funny visual. And I want to know why Harley writes his name on his clothes?

Overall it ends well, I'm not entirely sure I was convinced by it, but its a fun, easy read.

Stars: Three, I enjoyed parts, but a) didn't understand why Murph was so set on Nash and b) didn't like some of her actions.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Alice ‘Murph’ and Harley are in a fake relationship that she set up in a knee-jerk reaction to finding out her ex is getting married. She always thought they would get back together and now there is no chance. But what starts as a fake relationship seems to be turning all to real, but will either of them take a chance and admit how they really feel?

A great read.