The Jansen Brothers trilogy is such a hit for me! Right from Ten Rules for Faking It, each brother was slightly introduced into the story. Wes and Hailey’s story was a thoroughly enjoyable read! She is such a sunny person, and she balances out Wes’s more straightforward approach. This story was more of a slow burn, which I appreciate in my romances! Overall, this was a very fun read!

What's better than a romcom where we start off with a name confusion and a bad impression?

Wes and Hailey fall into step as friends and navigate this relationship but are they meant to stay there or does it turn to more.

I loved the characters, the aspirations and assertiveness. It was a well written novel and worth the read.

I really liked this book. A few times I thought I must be getting close to the end but there were many twists and turns on Hailey & Wes’ friendship timeline. This book also had me wanting to eat a stacked salad, and then go get a brownie, just like Hailey! Thank you for the advanced copy!

Overall I enjoyed this, but honestly I feel like it could’ve been about 10 chapters shorter. The main motives of the two main characters is that she is very focused on her cafe and doesn’t want a relationship to distract her, especially after a recent bad break up, and he is completely against falling in love because of seeing his parents’ marriage become toxic and fall apart despite their love for each other. Their internal monologues were so focused on not wanting to be in a relationship and being determined to just be friends, that it felt like the story didn’t have room to breathe beyond that. That’s where my comment about removing 10 chapters comes in. It was just too drawn out before getting to the good stuff of them admitting feelings and the third act fight (which felt more like the fourth act out of five).

Again, overall I enjoyed the heart of the story but I would’ve enjoyed Wes and Hailey’s story so much more if it was a little more condensed.

This book was absolutely wonderful! I’m so glad I got to pick this up early, it is right up my alley. The characters were delightfully nerdy, and not in a gratuitous way. It was the perfect blend of cute and geeky. And on top of that, the banter was perfect. Absolutely no complaints- it kept me so entranced. I will say that I think the book could be a little shorter, but otherwise lovely.

This is a cute friends to lovers story. The banter between Hailey and Wes is hilarious. My only problem with the book is that it was overly long.

I started reading this series quite by accident last year — drawn to the cover, I pulled the second book, "How to Love Your Neighbor" off the library shelf and stayed up`until after four in the morning reading it. Then I quickly read the first book in the series that I'd missed. If I liked Grace and Noah, I loved Everly and Chris. And when I saw that this last book in the series would be Wes' story? Well, good things come to those who wait.

From his first scarce mention, Wes was my favorite Jensen brother. He was quiet. Smart. Nerdy, but good looking in an understated sort of way. A little bit uncomfortable in his own skin. He felt like someone I'd met before. So when I started "A Guide to Being Just Friends" I was hopeful it would be my favorite. And it was!

There are probably a few reasons for this. Sullivan is a wonderful world-builder and character creator. After falling in love along with Grace and Noah and Everly and Chris, I didn't have to say goodbye! These characters, as well as some of the other minor ones like Stacey, Morty and Tillie, all remain part of the story in book #3.

And Hailey and Wes are the perfect pair — even if they don't realize it yet. Wes is organized while Hailey scrambles to keep things straight. Wes keeps his emotions close to his chest while Hailey let's everyone around her know how much they're loved. Wes is incredibly business savvy while Hailey is just starting to wrap her mind around being a new business owner. But they're both loyal and protective of each other, as well as of themselves. What could go wrong?

This friends-to-lovers romance is full of laughter, plenty of swoon and lots of opposites-attract energy. You can read "A Guide to Being Just Friends" as a standalone novel, but you'll have more fun if you start from the beginning and get to know the whole Jensen clan.

This book is for anyone who loves:
❤️‍🔥 Contemporary romance
😍 Friends to lovers
🧲 Opposites Attract
🗣️ Multiple POV
🤓 Nerdy guys
🌴 Warm California locales
👑 A satisfying happily-ever-after

Note: As a trigger warning, please be aware that this text has a storyline that centers around divorce and dysfuntional family dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley and Griffin for allowing me the chance to read and provide an honest review of this book! I've posted this review on GoodReads and will share to my social platforms, as well as Amazon and B&N listings, on release day.

A charming and delightful romance. Great beach read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read: 01/05-01/09
Pub date: 01/17


💗Friends-to-lovers
💗3rd person dual POV
💗Meet-cute

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for a copy of this digital ARC! This is book number 3 in the Jansen Brothers series.

I really liked the characters in this romcom. Wes and Hailey are both so sweet, and so good together. I loved both Hailey’s determination and drive, and Wes’s passion for his work.
It was fun to re-visit the MCs from the previous books and see “where they are now”.

The story just moved too slowly for me, and seemed much longer than necessary. There was also too much miscommunication, of which I am not a big fan (please just communicate 🤪)

I am a big fan of a friends to lovers romance as I feel like we get more history and connection with the characters as they grow into a relationship. I thought the first introduction between the two characters was a it lacking but the build up afterwards was lovely. I thought Hailey's and Wes's relationships with the other characters in the book was stronger than their relationship but that is okay. I will say this book did make me want to read the first two in the series so I will be doing that! Overall it was a cute book and a quick read for me and I look forward to learning about the side characters that were present in this story in the other books of the series

4.5/5
No spice - fade to black

THIS IS THE SWEETEST ROMANCE NOVEL I HAVE READ IN A VERY LONG TIME! The last time I can remember feeling this way was when I was reading Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. I mean GOOD LOOOORD I was squealing like a small child while reading this book. Sullivan's writing is beautiful. Her characters LEAPT off the page. I loved Hailey and Wes's dynamic so much and I enjoyed reading about their flaws. This made them feel relatable and tangible. The fade to black did not bother me one single bit because the romance was sweet like candy and the CHEMISTRY! WOW! I could actually feel it while reading Sullivan's words. You do not need to read the other two Jansen brothers books in order to understand this one. I didn't read them and had no issues following the story. If you are looking for a heart wrenching but sweet romance, this is the one for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

So I'll start with saying that I loved how to love your neighbor. But, I really didn't like this one unfortunately. Legit, first kiss at like 70% in....... !!! That's just way too long, there was so much miscommunication and difficulty between the two MCs. I couldnt stand Wes.. I get you had a hard childhood and parent problems but frig, your brothers grew up! I will say that I often have a hard time with friends to lovers, I just want more from them. I think if things happened earlier maybe it would be better. I was so annoyed by the end I just couldn't be bothered to read the epilogue.

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This kind of story is my favorite, as far as rom coms are concerned! This book is a fun slow burn, with a fun take on the trajectory from strangers to loving someone. The main characters compliment each other well, and they're a delight to read on the page.

I will say I went into this not knowing it was part of a series--but I thoroughly enjoyed it on its own!

Thank you StMartinsPress for the gifted copy!

We finally get to watch Wes fall in love in the third and final book in the Jansen Brothers series, and it was as pleasant a reading experience as the other two.

Overall I enjoyed all three of these books, but of the three, I think Ten Rules for Faking It is my favourite. Sophie Sullivan writes Everly with so much care and gentleness that I find myself thinking back to that story more often than the others.

Wes & Hailey’s story is kind of bland but what kept me reading was how much I enjoyed their friendship and the relationships of the broader Jansen family community. The moments where it was just the three brothers together calls to mind the fun I have with the Bromance Book Club, while the friendship between Hailey and Wes reminded me of Sarah Adams’ The Cheat Sheet.

If you’re looking for a fun series with a pleasant cast of characters these books will certainly have you covered.

So much fun. I love how these two meet and become friends. Of course, we all see it before them that friends they will not remain. Great romance novel.

A cute rom-com brings our last Jansen brother into the fold. The Jansen brothers are all swoony, each in their own way but Wes seems to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. He's made it his mission to never feel the pain of the loss of love like his Dad did (or cause it) but also never to feel love at all. He will protect those he cares about and do everything and anything to make sure they are happy but his own happiness seems to be far out of his grasp. Hailey sees the world as her oyster despite the fact that people in her past have chosen to throw her to the side (whether purposely or just blindly). She still sees beauty in the world and believes fervently in love and eventually finding her happily ever after. These two should never work but sometimes, when you least expect it...bam there it is. I had some giggles throughout and maybe a swoon or two.

This book for me was a slow burn. Friends to lovers. A wealthy businessman and a local salad shop owner become friends as he helps her with her business. They make sure each other knows all they want out of this is a friendship because they have both been burned in the past and they just want to focus on theirselves and their careers. until they both start catching feelings for one another and very slowly they come to care for each other way more than they wanted to!

This book was super cute & sweet! It is book three in a series but it definitely can be read as a stand alone.

“It isn’t because you weren’t enough, Hailey. It’s because I’m terrified you could become everything.”

Read if you like:
•friends to lovers
•closed door
•opposites attract
•slow burn

Hailey was fierce, fun, and independent. While Wes was sweet, smart, and creative. Their friendship turned relationship felt very natural and raw. However, there were a few times I wanted to scream and both of them to JUST KISS ALREADY!!! But none the less, the HEA was worth it.

The highlights:
+ banter
+ found family
+ the Jansen brothers
+ video game / movie nights
+ made up acronyms
+ boss business women
+ grocery store dates
+ female friendships

On another note, the book was dual POV but I think because it was in third person I was constantly confused on who’s POV we were actually in?!? So I was a bit frustrated. But maybe that’s just a me problem lol.

Overall, I am happy I picked this one up! Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥
This read was just okay for me.

Hailey Sharp and Wes Jansen have been burned by love in the past, so to protect their hearts, they individually built a fort around it and keep anyone of non-platonic potential at bay. Their meet-cute was based on a misunderstanding when salad shop owner Hailey comes into the café next door to get her caffeine and sugar fix and Wes mistakes her to be his blind date.

Circumstances keep bringing these two together until they agree to have a just-friends relationship. Yet as they grow closer together, they find that there is more to attraction than similarities. Chemistry and easiness can also foster and grow a connection that is hard to find with others.

Books this length usually take me a day or a day-and-a-half to read, but I found it hard to push through at some points of the book because of the pacing. I understand the point of establishing a great rapport between Hailey and Wes, but I felt like that point was revisited so much that it took away from the story. I also think a little bit of steam or spice might have helped, but that is totally a personal preference.

That aside, it was a good story about two people who have closed their hearts to love and their journey to finally opening said hearts. I appreciate that it wasn't just their own relationship that compelled them to give love a shot again, but that they had a great support system consisting of their families and friends to also help them open up.

If you like cute slow-burn friends-to-lovers, you might enjoy this light rom-com.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Sophie Sullivan, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

A sweet friends to lover romance, with many moments swooned over… unfortunately the story fell a little flat for me. A little boring and uninteresting at times