Sophie Sullivan creates a lighthearted and charming story that explores the complexities of friendships turning into something more. The characters are endearing, and they have great moments of banter, providing moments of genuine humour. However, the plot at times did feel somewhat predictable, sticking to certain romantic comedy conventions that left me at times hoping for more originality. Additionally, while the book succeeded in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, some aspects of the story lacked the depth needed to fully resonate and connect with me. Despite these critiques, Sullivan's writing style was engaging, making the novel an enjoyable read for those seeking a light and entertaining romantic experience, even if it doesn't break new ground in the genre.

Thank you SMP Romance and NetGalley for the eARC of A Guide to Being Just Friends! All opinions in this review are my own.

When I first started reading A Guide to Being Just Friends, I realized I like the friends to lovers trope better when the two people have been friends for a long time because it makes more sense that they are reluctant to share their feelings. When two characters meet and obviously like each other but then just decide to be friends, I feel like I spend the book just waiting for them to finally get together. Their reasons for remaining friends doesn't have as much weight compared to if they had years of history.

That being said, Sophie Sullivan was able to write two amazing characters in Hailey and Wes that I didn't mind waiting for them to get together. It's hard to compare Hailey and Wes's story with Grace and Noah's story but the third book and final book in the Jansen Brothers series brought just as much charm as the second one. I'm sad to see this series over with but I'm excited for whatever Sullivan is working on next!

A Guide to Being Just Friends is the third book in the Jansen Brothers series. I was not aware of this when I picked it up, and I really didn't miss anything by reading it as a standalone.

A cute meet-cute leads to a misunderstanding, leads to a friendship that blossoms into more. I appreciate a female lead character that can stand on her own two feet, without being pushy about her independence. The plot was a bit contrived for my taste, and I didn't feel that I completely connected with the characters. That being said, I enjoyed the basic premise of the story, and feel that this book will be enjoyed by many readers.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I ended up dnf’ing this. I don’t know why I couldn’t get into it- I think the pacing was just too off and the writing was lackluster. Really disappointed I couldn’t get into it!

Did not finish. It was one I just could not connect with unfortunately. I tried a couple times, but this was just not the book for me

This book has a different quality about it that makes it very easy to read and make you think about it after you put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone!

A Guide To Being Just Friends is a romantic friends to lovers read. It has everything to keep a romantic book flowing and enjoyable. Strangers meet and have the immediate eye (heart) connection that leaves them both wanting more. Neither party willing to open their hearts/minds for more than friendship so they pack a deal. Dual POV (my fave), humor, bantering, that will keep you reading just one more chapter. I had No idea this was a series about the Jansen brothers. Therefore a stand alone but has me standing in line to purchase the first two reads. Strong female lead character but not the woke female strong. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for ARC in exchange for my review.

🥗❤️Book Review:
Title: A Guide To Being Just Friends
Author: Sophie Sullivan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

Cute rom-com! It's definitely a much needed break from all of the intense thrillers and chillers that I've been mostly reading. I love the idea of a salad shop! I wish there was one near me!

Hailey Sharp, a young lady who is trying to start over with as positive as an attitude as she can have, strikes up a friendship with Wes Jansen, a perfectionist that doesn't have quite the outlook that his new friend does. He's a tad uptight and extremely confusing to sunshiny Hailey. But somehow, their friendship just works! Or is it just a friendship? Are they able to be strictly platonic, or are feelings starting to stir up in her salad shop?

Published: January 17th, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley, and @stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm going to miss the Jansen brothers so much!! Such a cute romance with the cutest cast of characters. Plus I love getting insight into the other brothers' lives. I'll always recommend!!

Dnf at 70%

Cute, fine, but there was absolutely no point in having a third act breakup because the characters had no reason to not communicate, so I stopped before I had to read it.

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I ended up listening to this on audio after I couldn't get into the ebook. It was slow and just so so for me. The storyline didn't feel like original and it felt like a safe, small town, friends to lovers read.

Sophie Sullivan back at it again with the Jansen Brothers, #3 in the series for Wes & Hailey. Wes & Hailey are not ready for a relationship for different but also similar reasons so they strike up a “we can only be friends” sort of relationship. Now, this may be a typical & sweet romance story but I loved every second. I admired Hailey’s determination and work ethic, so dedicated to her salad shop business - inspiration to pursue my own goals. I’m sad to see this series come to a close as I thoroughly enjoyed each book - I look forward to future Sophia Sullivan books!

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press, & Sophie Sullivan for this opportunity to review!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick. Our library purchased and our patrons have been checking out and and enjoying the book. I see it is a popular book club choice as well we hope to have more oppurtinies to support authors like them

This book uhhh 😍😍😍 it was just what I needed in that moment! I’ve never read any books by this author but I will definitely be on the lookout for more!
Plus a pink cover always draws me in!

I am a new Sophie Sullivan fan! The Jansen brothers series was my first set of books to read by Sophie. I fell in love with each brother and following along as they found the loves of their lives. Wes' story was a great one. I enjoyed watching both Wes and Hailey discover more about themselves and learning to love each other.

Not my cup of tea in a book. I found it very cliche and the two main characters weren't my favorite. It took me months to finish cause it couldn't keep my attention for longer than 5 minutes at a time.

A Guide to Just Being Friends, 3 stars

I had high expectations for this book and was devastated when I got through it. As I was reading, I felt like it was rushed, like there was no basis of plot, and word dumping.

We meet out MMC, Wes, who is a very wealthy businessman who owns the plaza in which Hailey has started a business in. However so many of the shops are struggling in exchange she offers some help for the businesses and overnight she ends up getting so much interest in her small restaurant.

The problem with this book though wasn't any of that, it truly felt like a struggle the majority of the book because of everything, and I mean everything being described. It made me loose interest because I went in with so much hope on the story and series, that the writing really tired me out.

I did enjoy the premise of the book however, it just tired me out on the writing. Thank you to Sophie Sullivan, Griffin Books, and NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much @SMPRomance for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 17 January 2023)

SYNOPSIS | Hailey moves to San Verde for a fresh start and opens up a salad shop. After an initially awkward encounter with Wes (he incorrectly assumes she is his blind date), they start up a friendship and agree to only be friends as neither of them have the time, energy or inclination to start a new relationship.

WHAT I LIKED:
- I want to eat at Hailey's salad shop & Tara's bakery

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- that Wes basically changes what he wants out of life after the third act break up (I really don't like characters that don't stay true to themselves)
- the speed at which the romance developed, then fell apart, then rekindled (whiplash much?!)
- the HEA was just too far into cringe territory for me
- the "guide" was mentioned but never really flushed out so I don't really understand the point other than to tie into the title
- I didn't feel the friendship vibes or the spark for them to become more

Rating: 3.5

Read if you enjoy:
- Slow Burn Romance
- Strangers to Lovers
- HEA ending
- Dual POV
- Closed Door Romance

Things I Liked:
- Female character self star business and perseverance.
- Friendship development throughout the beginning of the book.
- Wes’ character was very pleasant for a MMC.

Things I did not enjoy:
- The pacing was too slow for my enjoyment which led to me taking slightly longer to finish the book. I usually binge them.
- Hailey’s inability to accept help sometimes put me off as a reader.
- The romance connection was too little for me to fall for their story.
- The big breakup scene
- Miscommunication trope

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.