Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Sophie Sullivan for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I didn't know this was the third book in an interconnected standalone series when I received this book. I'm not entirely sure any prior knowledge from those previous books would have helped me enjoy this book, but there were some moments where I thought if had a little more backstory, I would I care more about the brothers and their careers. The other two brothers were extremely prevalent, and while I don't think that hindered anything in this book, the constant "I love my partner, you'll just know love when you see like me bro" drove me crazy. It's fine to throw it in to nod to the previous book, but it happened so often. Why?

I don't even know how to put my thoughts down for this one - it was simply boring. The characters were boring, the constant jibjab about Wes & his brothers careers was boring, being a salad shop owner COULD BE FUN and quirky and cute, but the talk of needing business cards 800 times...was boring. It was quite repetitive, I feel like too long of a book for what it was, and by the time we got to the "lovers" part, I didn't even care. I thought Wes and Hailey had a nice little friendship.

This is a closed-door strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance between two people who say they fight hard against distractions and love, but are constantly going on dates with other people and pining for each other.

This is most likely a me thing, but one quote that really stood out was when Wes thinks, "She smells like Christmas cookies and Hailey". SHE IS HAILEY. Where is the formulaic romance medley of smells -- "She smells like Christmas cookies and patchouli" I see the sentiment in it, I do... he loves her natural scent...but it's a romance book. We don't know how Hailey smells. It seemed extremely out of place to just say that Hailey smells like Hailey. I think the romance readers understand what I'm trying to say!

The "3rd act break-up" happened way too late. Wes had his character development way too late.

Also...where was the guide? Did I just miss it entirely?

This story has a good flow from beginning to end. An interesting first few "meets", and how Hailey and Wes navigate from initial rebuke to friendship, to...the epilogue.
There are references to childhood family dynamics that can affect us for life, and hints, not preaching though, of ways to navigate previous hurts and the walls they may build. Again, HINTS, not lectures. Two thumbs up on that.
There is humor entertained throughout. Two thumbs up for that.
Finally, there is romance and ensuing intimacy without lurid details. Tho high drives for THAT! overall an enjoyable read.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

A slow start romance of two people trying to start a new life in California. I enjoyed the friendship to romance development and the community building.

Thank you Griffin Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was a cute romance about Hailey Sharp and Wes Jansen. Hailey moves to California and begins a Salad shop. She has big dreams and is excited to be in a new place. Her one focus is to life life in the way that she wants to. Also no distracts! Enter Wes Jansen a anti-relationship person. He does not understand how someone can love and be married to someone. He would much rather have companionship instead of love. So when Hailey and Wes meet in a disastrous meet cute that was not even intended for them, they embarrassingly go their own ways. When they meet again, they decide to be just friends. Especially because that is all they could possibly be. Hailey wants no distractions. Wes doesn't believe in love. That will be enough right? There is no way they end up spending way more time together?

This was a cute romance. I enjoyed the original plot and character development. I thought that the end was rushed a little bit. I also wish that we could have had more of Wes's side of the story. Especially when he decides certain things (no spoilers). I really liked the side characters as well they all were interesting and fun.

Read if you enjoy:
Romance
Friends to Lovers
Salads
Boss FMC
Grumpy MMC

I never read from Sophie Sullivan before so I wanted to give this books a try. I don't know if it's just me but I wasn't into this book very much. I kinda knew where this book was going from the start. It's a bit predictable.

I've enjoyed the books in this series, so I was glad to get a chance to read A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan. It's a slow burn rom com where staying just friends is harder than anyone thinks.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a sweet, funny, charming romance from Sophie Sullivan—I loved the friends to lovers arc and the fun banter along the way.

This book was so cute!! I’m a sucker for friends to lovers so I had a blast reading about Hailey and Wes.

This was the third book in a series of interconnected stand-alones, so I felt like I was missing a lot of backstory in not knowing the characters or their pasts, but I did still have a lot of fun. Hailey and Wes had such a fun and unexpected meet cute and watching them slowly become friends then lovers was adorable. I loved that it was slow burn and closed door and I would recommend this book to people in the future.

I accidentally read the 2nd book in this series and now the 3rd without having read the first. I'm sure I'll get to that one eventually. I enjoyed the book, it was cute and very frustrating at times which I suppose is pretty true to life. I think Wes would have benefitted from some therapy and I wish Hailey had made him grovel a bit more, but I am pleased with how the story ended. Truthfully i got a little bored toward the end, I feel like it could have been a little shorter, maybe.

Perfect to read as a standalone or along with the series, this perfect contemporary romance made my heart flutter and anticipate the next move. A great slow burn of friends to lovers that is great for fans of Emily Henry, Falon Ballard, and Jayne Denker.

I adored Wes and Hailey's relationship so so much! I absolutely loved the banter and the chemistry as friends and love interests! The entire dynamic was adorable and the journey from friends to lovers was PERFECT! They didn't have the typical meet cute and their friendship started off kind of rocky because of a misunderstanding but Wes did everything he could to get into Hailey's good graces and I ate that up! He tore down her walls and I adored how dreamy Wes's character was. Not to mention the friends group in this book was EVERYTHING - I realized this was the third book in a series and I cannot wait to back track to read the first two!

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

I had mixed feelings on this one! I feel like it was a cute story but didn't really keep my attention like I had hoped. It is definitely a slowww burn. I didn't feel too much chemistry or connection between the main characters and it just felt me wanting more. I felt like there could've been a deeper connection and character growth.

Thank you to Sophie Sullivan, St. Martins press and NetGalley for this book!

"A Guide to Being Just Friends" unfolds as a symphony of friendship, love, and personal discovery, showcasing Sophie Sullivan's adept hand in crafting heartwarming romances. In this third installment of the series, Sullivan takes the friends-to-lovers trope and weaves a narrative that dances with sincerity and emotion.

Hailey and Wes, the central characters, are portrayed with a depth that invites readers into the intricate layers of their lives. Sullivan masterfully explores the complexities of individual baggage, allowing the characters to evolve organically. The friends-to-lovers journey is not rushed; instead, it blooms naturally, embracing the delightful slow burn that permeates the story. The quieter, getting-to-know-you moments become exquisite scenes, making the reader savor each step of Hailey and Wes's evolving relationship.

The impending last-quarter drama, a common element in romance narratives, is navigated with finesse. Sullivan defies clichés by infusing the storyline with effective communication and character growth. The wisdom imparted by Wes's brothers adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, showcasing the strength of familial bonds.

Hailey emerges as a standout character, her relatability and down-to-earth nature making her a heroine worth rooting for. Sullivan's ability to keep the narrative drama-free and Hailey's determination to live a life free from unnecessary complexities contribute to her charm. The absence of explicit sexual intimacy, a stylistic choice in Sullivan's romances, may resonate differently with readers, offering a unique facet to the storytelling.

The larger cast of characters enriches the narrative, creating a sense of returning home to beloved friends and family. The interconnected relationships, including Wes's settled brothers and the introduction of new faces, contribute to the series' warm and familiar atmosphere.

While Sullivan's romances may not delve into explicit intimacy, they resonate with heartwarming sincerity. "A Guide to Being Just Friends" stands as a delightful addition to the Sophie Sullivan experience, affirming her ability to craft engaging and smile-inducing romance trilogies. As the final chapter unfolds, the reader is left with a sense of fulfillment, eagerly anticipating whatever enchanting tale Sullivan weaves next.

3.5 Stars

- I received a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I had liked A Guide to Being Friends more than I did. Sophie's writing style is fabulous and what made me want to continue reading till the end. It just played too much into romance tropes I hated and I struggled to relate to the characters too much. I also had to pause at the third act break up for a while.
It might not have been my cup of tea but don't let that lead you to not reading! if you like Strangers to Friends to Lovers, third act break ups, the rest of the series (obviously), and a fantastic writing style that leans more toward the LOVE than spice, then this might be for you.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review

I usually don’t reach for a friends to lovers story but this one was so sweet it had me reading ALL the friends to lovers stories out there! The slow burn in this was also so delicious I could not put it down!

a sweet, quick read that was both funny and light. this was relatable and believable, especially if you’ve ever had that friend that you might like a little too much.
it was such a fluffy fun book and i read it in no time!

This was a cute friends to lovers romance. Always enjoy when they think they are not relationship people cause they haven't met the right person.
As they helped each other to find a date they started to like each other.
A fun romance with a third act breakup and it's closed door.

Thank you stmartinspress for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed how for a huge chunk of the book and the very beginning of the friendship, they you were just two people who were just friends until this feeling ended up going in a deeper, different direction, even though we always knew it would. I appreciated how Hailey had a hard time trusting and Wes was always ready to fix his friends’ problems. They also were closer to each other in a way that wasn’t really possible with the other people in their lives. I would highly recommend this book.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a bit to be in the mood for this one but I'm glad I never gave it up! I ended up loving this series. The Jansen Brothers are *chefs kiss* and I really want a book from their sisters pov!!