I read this as an ARC from NetGalley. This is a slow burn strangers to friends to lovers. And when I say slow burn I mean SLOW. For me personally I didn't really feel a lot of chemistry between the two main characters. They both suffered from their own anxiety and it got in their way a lot. Hailey for me was a little to stubborn. It kind of ruined the magic of a romance novel for me. I also think that the title is a little misleading. While they mention the "guide" they are writing a few times I really think they could have done more with that in the story to make it a little more romcom. Overall the book was enjoyable but I won't be reading the others in the series.

We are back with the third installment of the Jansen Brother's and they are back and better than ever. Hailey is fresh off a devastating break up on the road to make her salad shop a success. Wes, has just moved closer to his brothers, focused on making their new business a success. Neither have time for a relationship, but could use a friend in their new city. Enter a Guide to Being Just Friends.

After a slew of decent reads, this book just blew me away. I was addicted. I couldn't put the book down. The Slow Burn was so satisfying. I don't really enjoy slow burns but this one was done so well. The anticipation was palpable. I never thought I'd be invested in a salad shop either. I related to both Hailey and Wes. They were nice well rounded characters. We also got to see some of our favorite characters from previous book, but it was a nice balance between old and new characters.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

When I requested this book I had no idea it was the third in a series! Thankfully this book is written like a standalone and I will be returning to read the first two brothers books.

This story was very cute and had major When Harry Met Sally vibes (the movie is even mentioned hehe). I enjoyed reading this book, but it also felt similar to another I had read earlier this year. Nonetheless, I was gushing when they finally got together.

I love the relationship the three brothers have and I’m hoping when I read the first two I’ll get more background into their upbringing. It will be interesting to see how the younger two remember their parents marriage & divorce (this book focused on the eldest brother).

Read if you like:
When Harry Met Sally
Friends to lovers
Found family
Close brothers
Strong women

When I requested this book, I did not realize it was book 3 in a series, but each can be read as a standalone.

Overall this book was a flop for me. I thought it had a very cute cover and an interesting premise but it turned out to be wasted potential.

The writing itself was cringe and it was very choppy with the dialogue, robotic like. The plot itself? A barely friends to lovers trope plus a not great plot makes for a meh book. The characters themselves are shallow and not fleshed out.

This might not have been for me, but give it a shot.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a sweet end to the Jansen brothers trilogy. The characters were interesting and plot interesting. I was invested. Some bits were a little frustrating- Hailey took a LONG time to figure out she was into Wes even when Wes knew he was into her and Wes refusing to admit it was love was a little contrived and a little annoying. But the sweetness of coming together was easily a romcom moment. I personally would have liked a lot more spice but this was great.

I requested this book from Net Galley unaware that it was part of a series. I quickly caught up on the second book of the series before I read this one. One chapter into this book and it seems exactly like the second book except for minor details. This book and the author's writing is just not for me I gave it an entire series and I'm just not going to finish it. I have way too many other books to discover to keep on with another that's going to take me another 5 days to finish when I normally finish a book in 2.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review as always all words are my own.

Where do I begin?! I absolutely, without a doubt, loved this book! Following Hailey and Wes through their journey of friendship was the sweetest even through the ups and downs. I really enjoyed how the chapters alternate between Hailey's point of view and Wes'. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good romance! Now I'm off to read Sophie Sullivan's other books, specifically the first two from this series!

4/5
I hadn't read the previous two Jansen Brothers books, but it wasn't necessary to read this one which is perfect for connected stand-alones. This was a very cute romcom rife with so much sexual tension that it mostly made up for the fact that it was closed-door. It made me fall in love again with the friends to lovers trope. The only part I wasn't a fan of was that the majority of the angst was gone with the first fight and the rest of the book wasn't quite as strong with tension so it felt like it climaxed too early. Otherwise, my heart was beating fast the entire time from loving these characters so much!

Thank you Net Galley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan is the third book in the popular Jansen Brothers series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book. This slow-burn romance was engaging, romantic, and delightful.

Story Recap:
Hailey Sharp has just opened her Salad by the Cup restaurant and is busy making sure her dream is kept afloat. A terrible past relationship keeps her focused on her business as she knows she doesn’t have time for relationships and all their drama.

Wes Jansen doesn’t do relationships. His parents had an angry marriage and although he’s had a few first dates, nothing ever stuck.

After a misunderstanding the first time they meet, Wes decides he needs to apologize to Hailey, and they choose to remain friends. Both don’t want a relationship, but what happens when they both start to feel attraction?

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this friends-to-lovers story very much. It’s a slow-burn romance between a happy, sweet salad restaurant owner and a business-minded, geeky man. I loved how the author took her time, and let these characters get to know each other before they started to fall in love. Besides the main characters, the side characters are also a delightful addition to the story, especially because Hailey was such a lonely person before she meets Wes and his friend group. Wes’s friends immediately take to Hailey and pull her into their group, making her feel less lonely.

Although the author took her time to get these friends together, she kept the pace up and I never felt like the book bogged down. The friendship Hailey and Wes formed was adorable, and I loved the way they complimented each other.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend A Guide to Being Just Friends to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A Guide to Being Just Friends is the third book in Sophie Sullivan’s Jansen Brothers trilogy – a fact I did not realize when I requested it from NetGalley. Each book is about the love life of a different brother – a theme I normally love (think Nora Roberts’ Boonsboro trilogy or Bride quartet). While the plot was easy enough to follow even without having read the first two books, I did feel that I was missing some background information on the various characters and unfortunately it just fell flat for me.

Overall, the book felt a little sparse on details, but also long at the same time. For example, I didn’t learn much about the brothers’ history and their clearly contentious relationship with their father – maybe there’s more of this in the first two books. Hailey kept referencing and dropping hints about her terrible relationship with her ex-boyfriend but she never fully describes it. I wanted to know exactly what happened and what finally made her leave.

Also, not to be nitpicky, but while I generally love the theme of female entrepreneurship, what kind of name is By The Cup for a salad place? I would have assumed that it would be a soup restaurant. What kind of salad comes in a cup? How big are these cups? I have so many questions. Although some of the salads did sound pretty good.

There are some things I did enjoy. I loved how Hailey built herself a community of friends and colleagues and Wes’ relationship with his brothers. I liked reading about Hailey’s restaurant developing and I even liked Hailey and Wes together which is why I was so annoyed it took so long for them to get together.

Overall, I think you would enjoy this more if you’ve read the first two books and had more of the background.

Best quote: “Life without cookies is just dumb.” Fully agree.

Publication Date: January 17, 2023

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These brothers and their stories are the best. While we’ve fallen for the two younger brothers in their books, Wes will definitely have you falling for him. He definitely is the most loyal and caring brother and wants nothing for happiness for them BUT doesn't think he deserves or can have that same happiness for himself.

Hailey also didn’t have the most warm and loving childhood. Past relationships have lead to a lot of self doubt as well. So between both Wes and Hailey’s pasts they are both quite wary of love. Rather than risk losing each other they decide to being just friends forever.

Join these two on their path to becoming best friends and nothing more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book early in exchange for a review.

This book was just painfully average to me. Nothing that made me swoon. I actually hated the love interest because of how rude and weird he came off as in the first meeting. The main character felt kind of “self insert” because she was a reader and it’s almost like the author relied on this book being read by readers.
I was so excited to get behind a woman who was running her own business but she was just running it into the ground with the lack of thought into establishing a business model. I will forget this book in about two days.

“You’re enough. You’re so much more than enough.”

A Guide To Just Being Friends was a sweet, emotional read about two people who are determined to focus on their careers and believe they don’t have the time nor inclination for love so they vow to just be friends. Wes and Hailey have a fun meet cute and then they slowly develop a strong friendship that turns into something more.

“This tether she was weaving with Wes felt strong, sturdy. Like something she could count on even if it was stretched.”

Hailey is such a sweetheart. She’s desperately trying to find her way in life after a failed relationship and feelings of always being shoved to the background. She always wants to help everyone, but she refuses to allow anyone to help her.

I might not have the romantic hero down but I know what makes you smile, I know who you are and who I am when I’m with you.”

Wes has uprooted his life so he can be close to his brothers and be more involved in the business they run together. He’s a fixer and always wants to shield those he cares about from some harsh realities. He’s a bit stilted emotionally even though his heart is huge.

“I feel like I’ve found a secret code that unlocks a different world that only I’m allowed to be part of, that only I know how to navigate. Even the hurdles feel more manageable with her there. It feels like everything fits perfectly into place even when it doesn’t all make sense.”

The friendship that these two develop is so emotional. They support and uplift one another and have honest, open communication. There is definitely a slow build to them realizing that they have romantic feelings for each other and both are in denial for a long time about their attraction. It takes a lot of self-reflection and personal growth for them to realize what truly will make them happy in life.

“Sometimes we don’t know who we are until we find the right person. The one that helps us see ourselves in a way we never did before.”

Wes and Hailey were great, realistic characters that grow up a lot throughout the story and I felt like I really got to know them. Full of heartwarming moments, lighthearted banter and with strong likeable characters and a fantastic supporting cast, I enjoyed this beautiful and adorable friends to lovers story.

This was a cute rom-com, but it didn't seem to stand out very much to me. It felt like it was trying to be too much of other things. I enjoyed the chemistry and the friendship, it's a cute read.

This was a cute read. Wes and Hailey’s friendship turned relationship was fun and quirky. Wes is the planner while Hailey is pretty free spirited, so I enjoyed reading about them interacting with each other. I also liked Wes’ dynamic with his brothers, so now I need to go back and read the other 2 books!

Engaging from the first page to the last. Not necessarily a rom-com, but a feel-good romance that isn't too heavy on romance. Plus, it is not smutty! I quite enjoyed all the characters and their development :)

The story is way better than the cover art, just so you know

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

If you’re looking for a heartfelt romance, A Guide to Being Just Friends is sure to enchant you. Sullivan’s latest offering in the Jansen Brothers standalone series got me smiling until my jaw hurt and rooting for two outstanding characters who think or perhaps aren’t on the same wavelength. I’m a glutton for embarrassing first encounters that slowly lead to a friendship, and although the third-person narrative isn’t my cuppa, playful banter and emotional dialogue enriched their story.

Hailey is a newbie in town, trying to make a success of her salad bar. Excuse the pun, but she has a lot on her plate. Overcoming business challenges, getting to know her customers’ likes and dislikes, and picking up the pieces left behind, her enthusiasm to make it work is catching. I liked that she avoided being distracted, but if there were anyone who deserved to make new friends, it was her.

Love me a somewhat serious-minded entrepreneur, especially when he’s wary of taking the next step. But I was totally into his idea of having a friend of the opposite sex—in Wes’ case, no romantic strings attached which baffled me well into the read. Slowly, I would learn why he felt as he did. Even so, I appreciated his and Hailey’s effort to keep things in perspective but was eager to see if they’d eventually acknowledge their true feelings. And I enjoyed observing them support each other; however, it wasn’t plain sailing since former and current personal issues required addressing.

Frankly, Hailey and Wes annoyed me to such a degree it brought to mind how easy it is to look for an easy way out; having what makes life complete means trust. Would they be able to reach such a compromise? Okay, I love it when the author throws this kind of dilemma into a story, but as they say, it takes two to tango!

Being a gourmet lover, I relished what Hailey whipped up with what looked like the easiest finesse and the running of a similar firm I’ve had experience in felt genuine. Also, the importance Sullivan gave to the community was, for me, an added plus. The siblings’ dynamics play an essential part, but if you haven’t read each one’s previous books, don’t fret. The author will keep you in the loop. Yeap, anything family oriented is my thing, and the author drives home the brothers’ connection to a tee.

So, the best of the book. Sullivan takes her readers on Hailey and Wes’ journey of finding happiness with its ups and downs, coming to terms with bare truths and opening one’s heart with laughter, sorrow, and so much more. I’ll most certainly be keeping my eye on Sullivan’s new releases. Bravo!

Gratitude to St. Martin Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

** Thank you to NetGalley and Sophie Sullivan for my eArc of this book! **

I love a good friends-to-lovers romance, and this one is so sweet. Hailey and Wes are clearly made for each other and the slow burn of them resisting it for the sake of their friendship is worth the payoff. Both Hailey and Wes have their flaws (which honestly, comes down to stubbornness, mostly), and once they're able to face them, the relationship is perfection.
The supporting cast of characters are all quirky and lovable. I'm a sucker for found family, so I adored this for Hailey's character.
Overall, the writing is witty and compelling, and I really enjoyed this!
I didn't realize going into the book that this was the last book in a trilogy, and I'm undecided at the moment if I'll go back and snag the other two. Only because I'm easily distracted, and not for any other reason.

2.5 stars rounded up.

This book was fine, just not my cup of tea. I was hoping for more "When Harry Met Sally" vibes of friends to lovers and humor, but it fell flat. There was a lot of telling and not showing in the character's experiences to explain why they both have a fear of commitment, either from past romantic histories or family estrangement.

Hailey just opened a new salad shop in Southern California. She wanted to escape the fakeness of the L.A. scene and her toxic ex who told her she would never be good enough for him. She;s firecely independent and wants this business to succeed. She is also our sunshiney heroine.

She meets Wes at the bakery/coffee house next door to her salad shop. He's there to meet an online date, and the barista got Hailey's name wrong on her drink (which happened to be his date's name). He thinks Hailey is his date, she is all "Sir, I'm not." He thinks she is messing with him, because he has a history of bad luck with women. She tries to explain that she is not lying. They end their encounter in a huff, though achingly attracted to one another.

Through various plot points, they wind up meeting again through mutual friends. There is a connection and they decide to firmly be friends, because relationships are messy and devastating. But, this is a romance, so good luck with that buddy.

I think the big thing missing for me in this book is there was no swoony moments or banter that made me root for these character. And at the 90% mark, Wes does something that made me channel my inner Liz Lemon and think, "Girl, that's a deal breaker."

This is the third book in the author's Jansen's brothers series. I have not read the first two (and the brothers and their significant others do pop up in this book), so perhaps that played a role in why this book wasn't for me.

Thank you for the ARC from St. Martin's Press and Netgally for my honest review.

A cute book!
I enjoyed the premise of this book a lot! I felt, however, something was missing from the book. It is a slow burn, but a cute friends to lovers! I enjoyed Wes and his brother's relationship; after reading the first two books, I was excited to see Wes. This book was personally not my favorite, but don't let my opinion sway you; I enjoyed it. It is an excellent book for anyone wanting a slow burn, friends to lovers, and closed-door romance!