Small spoilers:
I really wanted to like this one. I love the premise of a group of college friends because I am still really close to mine but it was really hard to like this book when I really didn’t like the female MC, Liv. She was awful to herself and her friends. In the beginning I was okay with this because I was like oh, she will redeem herself. She never does though and actually I feel like she got worse because she betrays her friends and doesn’t learn anything from it.

The characters were too forgiving of each other in this book and I couldn’t stand Simone. She was written in a way that I couldn’t believe that these people were still friends with her after all the years.

Diess was the best part of the book and I really liked him. He was loving and forgiving and if other things were a little different, I could see him becoming one of my favorite male MC’s.

Overall, I really struggled to get through this one and unfortunately looked forward to the ending.

Most importantly, I loved Deiss. And I really enjoyed his banter with Liv, and how he interacted with everyone else. I wish more of the book had taken place in South Africa, as I was really looking forward to that part of the book. I also think more South Africa time would’ve helped build up a bit more tension. It felt like the book tried to cover too much ground, which left things feeling rushed and a little unfinished. There were too many events, and they seemed slightly underdeveloped to me. That said, I still really enjoyed the book because of the character relationships and the banter that actually made me giggle. I was not a fan of the ending as it also seemed rushed and gave me a bit of whiplash. It needed maybe 2 more chapters.

Thanks for the review copy...unfortunately this story wasn't for me. This book was supposedly about a group of friends in their late twenties, but they behaved like they were in middle school. I couldn't get past the weird, near-constantly flirting but also arguing like teens. You can't be a good group of friends for years if you're fighting over the same guy in the group.

Unfortunately, I didn't find any of the characters sympathetic or likable, and there were just too many coincidences. I'm sure there's definitely a lot of people who will enjoy this quick summer story, but it wasn't for me.

Friends right lovers and suuuuuper romantic!
The cover is beautiful. It’s what drew me in first. The characters are extremely lovable. Except Simone… yuck 😂
Overall, a solid read. Would be perfect for the beach!

There was a lot to like about this one, but ultimately I felt very disconnected from the story and the characters. Fairly often throughout I felt the writing was choppy and things were happening that were confusing or that we didn’t have background information for.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this book so much! It’s such a fun, quick moving story with sensitivity to the characters’ emotions while being humorous and light hearted. There’s a perfect balance of everything - just enough tension and dynamics and steam while still being entertaining and easy flowing.
It’s the perfect summer romance read. I’m definitely a fan of the author (new to me) and look forward to reading more of her works!

This book was delightfully charming and I am smitten with Lucas Deiss. That could be the end of this review, but alas, it is not because Olivia Bakersfield and the gang deserve more words.

This book follows a group of friends, who have been friends for 11 years, and as a semi-adult I can attest to how hard this is. I rest my case and say that their friendship was one of the most enjoyable aspects of this book and got into some really interesting point of how someone can know you for so long and still not be privy to all of you. Anywho, their friendship and the whole trip to South Africa was 10/10.

Liv, our main character, was wonderfully complex and came into her own in such a beautiful way during the course of the book finding more of herself and her freedom. And I mean true freedom, not the crap we sometimes pass off as freedom that’s really slavery. So, yeah, I loved her character arc and the way she unfurled during the course of the book.

Now, I arrive at the romance in this book and goodness gracious, please hold me or get me a cute man who I can become best friends with to fall in love with later because BOY AM I LONGING! Lucas Deiss was, well, just something else with his supportive streak and laidback attitude and just over all general hotness. I genuinely liked him as a person, though sometimes I felt like rolling my eyes at this suave persona of his, but it really is just the way he is, and I always roll my eyes at the people I love best, so… All joking aside, the romance developed in a way that was believable and highly satisfying.

The only reason I didn’t give this book a full five stars is because I would have liked the ending to be a little more drawn out or go into more detail, but other than that this book was delightful and it’s such a perfect summer read we should all be reading it poolside.

Olivia Bakersfield has done everything to make her life what she thinks it’s supposed to be: perfect makeup, perfect body, perfect job, perfect apartment. The problem is, it’s made for a boring life. One devoid of spending time with the friends she loves, and of doing boring work at the job that’s supposed to be perfect. When she tells her boss no and he gives her six weeks unpaid leave, she starts living life on her own terms. Liv makes a rash decision to join her friends in South Africa and finally sees what she’s been missing this whole time. These friends have been like family since college and Liv realizes they have been the family she’s been longing for this whole time. Throw in a friend turned lover story (more than one), and some great characters, and you have a great summer read!

I really enjoyed Liv and her friends and their relationships. It was a fun story without seeming forced or too stereotypical. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Soooo, let’s dig in: We have Olivia, who strikes to be perfect—good, steady job and attentive worker; perfect body and presence. Who is reserved, to the point she’s considered the Ice Queen by her group of friends she’s known since college. And then, one day she’s overwhelmed and decides to act without thinking for once.
What happens, you ask?
1. She basically quits her job.
2. She hops in the first plane to South Africa, to join her college friends in an exotic trip.
3. She might find love in unexpected places.
4. And she starts to feel alive for once.

This book was extremely funny, and entertaining, and everyone should read it if…
1. They like friends to lovers. This is probably one of my favorite tropes and Deiss was wonderful.
2. Opposite attracts. Liv strikes to be perfect while Deiss couldn’t care less for much in this world, much less impress someone.
3. Forced proximity, oh man, is this delicious to detonate every single interaction between our lovers.
4. Excellent friendship dynamics. You can see it from the funny conversations between the college friends, but also between the co-workers at Deiss’s Music Store. Every banter was funny and witty and you can’t help but fall in love with each supportive character.
5. Slow-burn, tension built up. Oh, did I sigh through this book and growl in frustration and closed my eyes in pain. The slow burn was excellent and delicious.
6. Entertaining events at every corner, you won’t believe how many things happen to Olivia. It was a surprise in each chapter, you just want to keep reading more and more.

Conclusion: maybe we should start saying “no” more often like Olivia and start caring less about expectations. We might stop missing a lot of adventures.

The slowest slow burn friends to lovers of all time…. But I loved it so much. The transformation of Liv realizing she doesn’t have to be perfect for anyone (not even herself) and that she deserves to live the life of her creation not one atoning for the mistakes she perceives her mother made during Liv’s childhood was so beautifully imagined on the page. This was my first book by Lacie Weldon but I will be picking up The Layover after falling in love with her storytelling and writing style in From the Jump. The friend group in this book is one dreams are made of… although it does raise the question can girls and guys be friends without getting feelings involved? If Lacie wants to write Simone a book so we can get the epilogue we were denied in this one and find out what happens next you definitely won’t find me complaining.

I had super high hopes for this one because I remembered absolutely enjoying the author's last book (THE LAYOVER) but this one fell short. I mean, there wasn't anything inherently wrong with it but it just felt a bit meh. I think that mostly had to do with the side characters causing me irritation and taking me out of the story. But if you're looking for a book that screams summer vibes - this one is it!

This was so so good put it on your TBR! Yes it is a friends to lovers trope, but this is on a whole different level because it’s not just one friends it is a group of college besties and they’ve made a pact to not date each other so they will always stay friends.

Liv has been living her life the way she thinks you “should” for years. She is a graphic designer who always does what she is asked even if that means eliminating every piece of own creativity from her work. After a coworker opens her eyes to the word “no” she quits her job and decides to join her friends on a trip to South Africa. Due to her last minute arrival, she ends up in close quarters with her friend Lucas Diess and the path from friends to lovers starts to open. Once back home, a series of unfortunate events leads her to once again be in close quarters with Deiss. Soon the door opens all the way and the question becomes whether or not their friend group can handle make it through.

I loved Liv’s journey of finding herself in this book. Yes it is a romance, but it was also about her really figuring out what she wants, who she wants to be and going for it. It is definitely a sloooowww burn, but Deiss is very good at creating that burn if you know what I mean. The friend banter is great between all characters and overall this was a fun read! I have Waldon’s book The Layover in my TBR pile and I can’t wait to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This releases to the world on July 19, 2022

I just feel kind of "meh" about this book. I almost DNF it but I am glad I continued because the last half of the book was a lot better than the first half.
My main problems were that for a super close group of friends, none of them seemed to know or like each other that much. I mean, they didn't even know Liv had a cat! It was just strange. I also felt like Deiss's and Liv's relationship had strange pacing. Liv also forgives WAAAAYYY too easily. There are two characters that wrong her (one on purpose and one on accident) and she just quickly forgives and forgets! I know it's not good to hold grudges, but come on.

Even though the main relationship had weird pacing, I did like it overall. They had good banter and some cute moments, especially whenever they were at the music store.

Overall it was a cute read but my irritation for some of the characters just really bothered me and took me out of the story.

Lacie Waldon’s sophmore novel - From the Jump - is just as fabulous as her debut! Friends to Lovers trope, then throw in five college friends, travel, and witty humor - and you end up with the perfect mix.

Liv is the quintessential yes girl of the group and she lives her life (quite literally) by the book. When she realizes she is continuously missing out on yearly vacations with her four college best friends - she suddenly says No - quits her job, hops on a plane to Africa - what follows is the adventure of a lifetime (literally and figuratively).

Waldon’s ensemble includes Liv, Lucas Diess, Phoebe, Simone, and Mac. While in Africa, the girls make a pact that non of them will get together with the boys - as it could ruin the dynamics of their friendship. However - when Liv and Diess end up in close quarters - their chemistry just cannot be denied.

We then follow the group back to California, and life - where Waldon continues to develop the storyline - and the relationship between Liv and Diess. When they end up taking The Jump - will it work out?? You’ll have to read to find out.

I breezed through this in two days - it was the perfect summer read! I laughed, shed some tears - and found myself genuinely rooting for Liv and Diess to figure it all out.

Looking forward to reading Lacie’s next novel - due next year!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lacie Waldon, and the publisher for this ARC - all opinions are my own.

I loved Lacie Waldon's debut novel The Layover and was so afraid this wouldn't be able to compare, but her second good was just as good in its own way!

I found Liv so relatable, maybe because I'm in the same place in my life with kind of a boring job, but I loved following her journey as she learns to say no and do things because she wants to, not because she feels like she should. I was just as invested in seeing her grow as a person as I was in her relationship with Deiss!

I also enjoyed reading the trip her friend group took to South Africa. It took up about 15% of the book, but I wish it had been more! However, the book was able to hold its momentum and keep me glued to the page even when they got back to California and back to life as (almost) normal.

As a romance, it had some of the tropes I love like only one bed, sharing a tent, and just - the slow burn of their relationship gave me all the feels. I'd highly recommend this and am already looking forward to Lacie Waldon's next book!

I am usually not a big fan of friends to lovers but I really enjoyed the romance and the dreamy location. I liked the growth Liv showed and loved watching her and Diess’ progress their relationship.

🐘From the Jump💿
By Lacie Waldon

Thank you to netgalley for an ARC of From the Jump!

A sweet friends to lovers romance about finding yourself and found family!

I’m torn between 3.5 and 4 stars 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ok, I really enjoyed this book and her other book the Layover. I thought that the banter in both books was excellent and the story very entertaining. The spice is lacking and it is very PG. The book did keep me entertained the whole time and it was a fun read.

What I loved:
- I loved the found family aspect with college friends being there for one another
-The banter between MCs
-The South African vacation was one of my favorite parts of the book
-The angst was top notch
- I don’t know who does Waldon’s covers but both her books have some of my favorite covers

What I didn’t love:
- More spice please but a great option for those who don’t care for it
-The big secrets and drama were a little silly
-I found it hard to relate to the perfectionist type personality of the female MC

I have to say that lately I have been loving friends to lovers romcoms. It gives a very sweet aspect you don’t get from enemies to lovers.

Here are my hot takes because I am struggling with a review for something I didn’t particularly like, nor did I dislike it.

1. Liv wasn’t like able. Like at all.
2. Deiss was the man. Loved him.
3. The friend group was amazing! Simone was cringey at times, Phoebe was a doll, Mac was a hot mess, but they were so fun.
4. The romance. No chemistry. Not believable. Sort of underwhelmed.
5. Deiss. He was the real shining star here!

Being an Angeleno, I loved the LA spots that our friend group went to!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book.

I loved this book!

Centered around 5 friends who’s have been friends for over 7 years who have a weekly meet up to catch-up with one another.

Liv who is the focus of the book has always presented herself as having a perfect life. Good paying job, beautiful, regularly works out and financially stable. The only thing is she plans for the future and doesn’t live in the moment.

Every year her friends take a vacation together. But not once has Liv joined because it doesn’t fit in her planned out life. Until one year she decides to say no to project at work, which leads her to join her friends on vacation. These lead her down and unplanned path with many unknowns and although it’s unfamiliar, maybe it’s what she finally needs.

The friendships, adventure and romance in this book gave me all my he feels. I couldn’t put it down and caught my self laughing and smiling at a lot of the cute back and forth commentary.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Easy 5 stars.

Thank you Net Gallery and Penguin Group Putman for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for this E arc of From the Jump.
Five beautiful stars for Lacie Waldon! This story had me
captured from the beginning! Our main character Olivia is
always living life the way others say you are supposed to
live, instead of for herself. This causes her to miss out on
so many things in life that are important to her, like her
dream career, being closer to her best friends and doing
things for herself. This story is about Olivia finally saying
yes/ no to things she WANTS to and discovering that life
is so much more beautiful when you do things for
yourself.
Also, the romance between long time best friend and her
is BEAUTIFUL!! I was absolutely in love with Desis. The
love story between them totally makes up for the lack of
smut between them.
All in all this book is one of my new favorites.