I read this series backwards! I have not read any others in the series but this one sounded interesting! I was a light hearted and fun read and got me excited to back track and read the others! I ended up finishing reading this book with my physical arc, over the audio-version.

A GUIDE TO BEING JUST FRIENDS - Sophie Sullivan

#3 Jansen Brothers

Cute and funny - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - When Hailey and Wes find each other in a disastrous meet cute that wasn’t even intended for them, they embarrassingly go their separate ways. But when Wes finds Hailey to apologize for his behavior, they strike a friendship. Because that’s all this can be. Hailey doesn’t want any distractions. Wes doesn’t want to fall in love.

Writing - 4 stars - Sullivan writes in a cute and light-hearted way that is very easy to read and get into. After reading the first two books in this series, it was natural to settle in with well-known characters and a scenario that is fun and entertaining.

Characters - 4 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Wes is great. Sure, he's analytical and super organized, but he's also vulnerable and nice and just looking to have a peaceful, quiet life. I love his interactions with his brothers--they definitely show off his humorous side. Hailey is determined to establish her business (I wish I had something like that shop near me), and her natural outgoing style is helping that along. She also has issues, however,
after a difficult relationship in which her self-esteem was destroyed. She's kind and sweet, but I also found her pride to be a little overwhelming and hurtful to those around her, especially Wes, who just wants to help.

Title - 4 stars - The title definitely fits the story since Wes and Hailey mention several times that they are just in the market for a new friend, not dating. Wes even goes so far as to say that they have established a loose set of rules about their relationship.

Cover - 4 stars - I'm not a fan of a cartoony cover, but this one is a good color, and the style fits the previous books in the series.

Overall - 4 stars - There's lots to like about this book. The characters are easy-going and very relatable. It's fun to get to know them. I particularly enjoyed the camaraderie between Wes and his brothers, not to mention the joking between Wes and Hailey once they got to know each other better. There's a casual feel to this book that appealed to me, despite the serious bent the story took when their relationship became strained or sometimes between the brothers, especially when discussing their father. There's a lot more than romance in this story--I liked the community focus, the "give back" philosophy, the strong work ethic of all of the characters, and the frank and honest discussions between them. Sullivan writes a good romance with some meat, and I look forward to more from her.

this book gives some serious “when harry met sally” vibes and i’m here for it. i love the fact that they even incorporated the movie title into the book several times. this was very much a slow-burn romance. i was impatiently waiting for the part where they fell for each other. i couldn’t get enough of hailey and wes. they are perfect together.

This was a cute and sweet rom com. The premise was interesting and I liked the slow burn. This has little to no spice, and was a light and pleasant read. I would definitely recommend it.

2⭐️

A boring read that sadly didn't give me any warm, fuzzy feelings.

I was really excited for this book because friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and I love a disastrous meet cute, but this was a let down. Nothing about this book is memorable except for the fact that I had to push myself to get through, especially in the first half and that all of the characters felt two dimensional. Both Hailey and Wes were stiff and hard to relate to, Wes more often than Hailey, and both felt underdeveloped, as did many of the side characters, though it wasn't as glaring as it was for the main characters. I didn't feel attached to Hailey and Wes or invested in their love story at all. Perhaps since I didn't read either of the previous two books in the series I'm missing some connections that would have made it a more enjoyable read, but even then, the story felt like undercooked.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a cute story about Wes and Hailey trying to avoid a relationship and be just friends. It's the third installment of the series. I wish I had read the first 2, which were about Wes' brothers love stories. Those characters figured heavily into this book, and I probably would have enjoyed the story more if I was invested in those side characters. As it was, I found the story a little too earnest. It reminded me a lot of the Virgin River series, where the women were broken and the men were idealized versions of uber-masculinity who also happened to be broken. I can see why others enjoyed this book, but it was a little too saccharine for me.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

BOOK REVIEW: A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan
2023 Publication Date: January 17

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Contemporary Romance Book
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2023

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
"To give yourself completely... You are going to have to let yourself fall... "

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
A Fun and Flirty Read
Everyone loves a good romantic comedy, and Sophie Sullivan’s A Guide to Being Just Friends is no exception. With its mix of hilarious meet-cutes, heartfelt moments, and passionate romance, this story will keep you glued to the page until the very end.

Readers looking for What Book Should I Read will fall in love with Hailey Sharp and Wes Jansen as they navigate their way through the emotional rollercoaster of being just friends on their journey toward true love.

This book is ideal for anyone looking for an entertaining read that explores the complexities of modern relationships.

Let’s take an in-depth look at why this book is worth your time...

The Characters

Hailey Sharp and Wes Jansen are the protagonists of the book, but they are so much more than just two people trying to find love. The main characters are well-rounded characters with their own distinct personalities, flaws, and hopes that make them feel like real people.

Hailey Sharp is a driven entrepreneur determined to make her dreams of owning her own salad shop come true. She is funny, smart, and caring, but she also has a stubborn streak that can get in her way at times.

Hailey is determined and passionate about making her salad shop a success while also trying to take care of her "inner circle" as well as herself.

Wes Jansen is a down-on-his-luck romantic who has been hurt by love too many times in the past... starting with the example set by his own parents. He is kind-hearted but also has his own set of issues he must deal with before he can find happiness again.

Wes is passionate about his entrepreneurial success as well where he invests in businesses and communities. But love has not been as successful. He has been hurt before, so he wants nothing more than to be able to be friends with someone without worrying about commitment or getting his heart broken again.

The dynamic between these two characters makes for an engaging story filled with plenty of surprises along the way and laugh-out-loud funny circumstances as their relationship develops. Making it an exciting story full of both laughter and tears which will make readers root for the pair from page one.

The Plot
This book follows Hailey and Wes as they try to navigate their complicated relationship from best friends to potential lovers. As their feelings begin to change, they must confront their own insecurities about love and life that have been holding them back from finding true happiness in a relationship.

While things don’t always go smoothly for these two characters, it makes it all the more satisfying of a read to keep guessing whether they will reach their happily ever after.

The Writing Style
Sophie Sullivan’s writing style is both fun and flirty while still capturing the raw emotion of each scene perfectly. Her dialogue crackles with witty banter while her descriptions make you feel as if you are right there with Hailey and Wes on their journey toward love.

Sullivan's writing style draws readers into the story from page one with its engaging dialogue, vivid descriptions of settings, and unique scenarios. She also allows readers to gain insight into each character's thoughts and feelings which helps us understand their actions better throughout the story.

Sullivan does a great job of making each scene feel like it has a purpose — nothing ever feels out of place or unnecessary — giving the romance novel an overall cohesive flow from start to finish.

Finally, I want to applaud Sophie Sullivan for her continued commitment to writing best contemporary romance novels that focus on building a strong friendship first.

This is my third Sullivan read (all contemporary romance novels on each of the Jansen brothers!) and found each book to be simply delightful while delivering plenty of chemistry without all the steamy details. A tough razor's edge to maintain in best contemporary romance writing!

♡ T.I.M.E. TIP
• Although this book is not officially a part of a contemporary romance novels series, I encourage you to try each of the three romance novels that individually focus on each of the three Jansen brothers finding their true (and very unique) love. Each book weaves in the cumulative characters as they are introduced, but each book is a satisfying standalone read.

In order they are:
The Ten Rules for Faking It
How To Love Your Neighbor
A Guide to Being Just Friends

Perfect for What Book Should I Read readers looking for lighthearted yet emotionally charged best contemporary romance novels about friendship and romance set against an exciting backdrop of big entrepreneurial dreams coming true.

With its engaging dialogue, vivid descriptions of settings, interesting plotline, and well-rounded characters — this book has something for everyone!

So grab your copy today and join Hailey Sharp and Wes Jansen on their unforgettable journey!...✨😎✨

Pages: 330
Genre: Best Contemporary Romance Novels
Sub-Genre: Friends To Lovers Romance
Time Period: Present Day
Location: California (US)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin


IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Booked On A Feeling by Jayci Lee ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Movie: Yesterday ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️️

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Guide to Being Just Friends is a romantic comedy written by Sophie Sullivan that is sure to have you alternating between laughing and swooning.

Hailey Sharp and Wes Jansen meet in a disastrous meet-cute but quickly become best friends... Until sparks start to fly! That’s when things start to get complicated.

A Guide to Being Just Friends follows Hailey and Wes as their relationship changes from friendship to something more. Along their journey, they learn how difficult it can be to balance friendship with romance while navigating through past hurts and misunderstandings along the way.

Through these obstacles, they must figure out if they can truly be just friends or if there is something more between them that neither one of them can ignore anymore.

Sullivan expertly captures all of the highs and lows of modern relationships in this truly enjoyable read and keeps readers engaged throughout the entire novel as they wait in anticipation of what will happen next!

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• Friendships must be nurtured and grown over time, they don't just happen overnight.
• Communication is key in any relationship, whether it's romantic or platonic.
• Taking risks and being vulnerable can help open the door to new possibilities in life.

BOOK QUOTE:
"Believing in love doesn't make me naive. It makes me brave..." — A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan

--------------------

All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

A Guide to Being Friends is the 3rd book in the Jansen Brothers series. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, characters from the previous books make an appearance. This particular book is a friends to lovers romance. This honestly isn’t my favouite trope. Hailey and Wes both move to San Verdre to embark on a fresh start. An awkward first meeting boots them into a close friendship as neither are looking for a relationship.

I struggled a little with the chemistry and the slow-burn didn’t work with me as I wasn’t drawn in. On a positive note the writing was easy to follow and I truly believe people will get warm and fuzzy feelings but the romance didn’t work for me. This Canadian author is one to add to your list if you want a cute friends-to-lovers romcom.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ALWAYS a sucker for a friends to lovers, this was super sweet and I had a good time reading! I had tried Sophie's other books in the past and wasn't the biggest fan but this one is def my fav of hers so far

I just want to grab a salad in a cup and chocolate cake from the shops and hang out with these people at the beach house or "book club" where they don't read books. Though, I'd read the books. This friends to lovers is highly predictable, as these usually are. These two deny the feelings they clearly have for each other and tell themselves it's for the best but secretly both are miserable over it. They have their reasons of course, but from an outsider's point of view, they aren't seeing clearly! Hence, the side characters that always steal the show. This was a great cast fun characters that made me want to go ahead and read the other books in this series. Light, fun and cute, a quick contemporary rom-com read.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I love friends to lovers books!

This is the third book in the trilogy about the Jansen Brothers. I read the first two, so was looking forward to reading the story of Wes, the MMC, and how the trilogy would be wrapped up.

Overall, I liked the book, though not as much as the second book in the trilogy. I found that this book was much slower paced, introduced or continued some sub-plots that weren't resolved (e.g., we never find out how the brothers leave things with their father), and could have been a lot shorter. It felt like some elements/conflicts were introduced in the plot, especially those about miscommunication, just to extend the length of the book.

I felt that the romance aspect of Wes and Hailey's relationship was a bit forced and didn't come as naturally as it did in the first two books. I did like how, as friends, they supported each other, growing to trust each other and rely on one another for encouragement and help, e.g., Wes helping Hailey with her business's website and then making her the app, and Hailey helping Wes to relax a bit.

I think my fave parts of the book were when we got to revisit the characters from the first two books to see where they are at in their lives and how they all come together as a group of friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Michael's Press for the eARC.

Friends to lovers is the top trope and nothing anyone says will ever change my mind. I love this book. The pining, the yearning???? TOP TIER ALWAYS. I really enjoyed this book.

This book is like a warm hug. So sweet and tender hearted, I think a lot of people will love this book especially if they are a fan of the slow burn.

A Guide to Being Just Friends is a friends to lovers, slow burn romcom about Hailey and Wes. These two have a disastrous meeting and initially plan to never see each other again. But Wes wants to apologize and they surprisingly begin a new friendship.

Both Hailey and Wes are very against relationships at their current point in life. Hailey has dealt with a bad boyfriend and Wes’ parent’s divorce set a perfect example of why not to fall in love. These reasons aren’t enough to completely stop their eventual feelings though and turn their life upside down.

I struggle with the friends to lovers trope, but when it’s done right, I love it. This story had a great plot of two people very against relationships and truly wanting to stay just friends. I felt like I wanted to see more of their connection and feelings develop than what we saw. It is an extremely slow burn book which I do like, but only if the ending blows my mind and I finally get to see everything come to fruition. I think some of that usual buildup and some details to show their connection was missing.

Hailey and Wes were interesting characters. Hailey can be pretty stubborn, but I liked her independence. I was initially worried about Wes after their first meeting, but I think he redeemed himself. I really enjoyed the side characters as well. Overall, I liked various elements of the book, but some areas just fell flat with me.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC.

This was a cute romance story. I enjoyed the slow burn/build to the relationship between the two main characters. An easy, enjoyable read.

Sophie Sullivan has done it again. I have read all the books with the Jansen brothers and this one is right up there with the first two.

Wes and Hailey meet and decide to just be friends as they both have their own baggage. I like and am driven crazy by the stubbornness of both of the main characters. Having read the first 2 books, I totally get Wes and his dislike of the word love and all the stuff that comes with it. They are both headstrong characters.

I was happy to see the brothers back as I absolutely loved them. If it is possible for there to be more brothers, that would be great!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a slow burn and the anticipation that comes with it.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin's, and the lovely Sophie Sullivan for this e-ARC. This review is my own opinion.

Wanna read a hug? A frikken smile? Want a book that makes you crave salad and chocolate?
This was the cutest and most frustrating book I've read in awhile.
Wes and Hailey were immediately meant for each other but they've got themselves wrapped up in a friendship neither wants to ruin!
And they're both stubborn idiots who should have seen this coming! Especially Hailey with her love of rom-coms! And Wes with his head so far up his backside! Stupid stubborn idiot!!!! He's the worse one! But these two figured it out!
The will they, won't you pulls you along at a nail biting pace and the payoff is worth it!
Its so sweet and happy and just plain adorable!

Cutest story ever. I love that it carried on from the first two in the series! It was like a cup of cocoa on a cold day. It warmed my heart and I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC

I enjoyed A Guide to Being Just Friends, as I have the other books in this series by Sophie Sullivan.

Wes and Hailey are amazing friends and I loved following them while they were slowly (FYI - very slowly, this is super slow burn) realizing their feelings.
I have slightly mixed feelings about Hailey. I understand that she wants to make it on her own, but it‘s never wrong to ask for and accept help from others, especially people that care about you!

I really enjoyed seeing the characters I liked from the other two books.

I will keep reading Sophie in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my review.