I actually enjoyed this way more than How to Love Your Neighbor. With the exception of the jump from strangers to friends, the pacing felt smooth, and for the most part, the characters felt fleshed out.

I wasn't a huge fan of the 3rd act conflict I do think there could have been a bit more development to Wes's backstory. His reluctance to date was a bit confusing (especially considering his brother's books), and his ability to get over his past hurt happened a bit too quickly.

Overall, would recommend for a quick, light-hearted read.

Content: language, fade-to-black

3.5

Totally adorable conclusion to the Jansen brothers trilogy. Loved the addition of stubbornly independent Hailey and the friendship she developed with awkward and protective Wes. Toss in the rest of the cast of characters and it was a delightful romcom.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy slow-burn and find themself fond of the strangers to friends to lovers trope (heavy on the FRIENDS). Unlike most book who skim past the friend part this one was dedicated to building and showing their friendship. this was a fast and enjoyable read. i am only giving it three stars though because towards the end I did get a bit bored and found myself skimming.

Review will be posted on Instagram & goodreads
The review will be posted january 10 2023 a week before publication

⭐⭐⭐.75/5 Rounded up to 4. (3.5 was too low, but 4 was too generous IMO) BUT SEE BELOW.

Let me preface this by saying I requested this ARC without knowing it was #3 of a series (boo). BUT, can definitely be read as a standalone. I do think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the previous ones to better understand character development? But can't be positive...because...you guessed it, I didn't read them first 😂.

Not the typical type of romcom I read - slow burner for sure, but 🔥. I honestly really loved the attraction here, was different for me from the normal romance.

Hailey moved to San Verde from LA to start fresh. She opens a salad shop, as opposed to a food truck (salad on wheels..I mean, good choice girl). Wes, the oldest of the Jansen brothers, mistakes her for his *no show* date, Hayden at the coffee shop nearby. After profusely apologizing and helping her with her website, he is forgiven. Hailey, not wanting to get involved with *friends* or a relationship for that matter, and wanting to focus on her new business, hesitates when she gets invited to a party with the other Jansen brothers, their girlfriends, and Wes 😉. I mean...you can guess how this story goes. Don't want to say more due to spoilers.

My opinions - super cute and fun friends to lovers book. I love the character development, the emphasis on sibling closeness, the fact that the main character started off as a successful, new to town, single, female entrepreneur. I mean come on. What more can you want?!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for an ARC of this book. It has been a pleasure! This was my first ARC and I am so grateful! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my first book by Sophie Sullivan and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I couldn't put the book down. I loved the way Hailey and Wes's relationship started and evolved from friendship to more. Loved Wes's brothers and can't wait to go back and read their stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A bit too slow paced for me, but I did enjoy the characters, especially Hailey, who was really likeable. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Thank you to Sophie Sullivan, St.Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. A Guide to Being Just Friends comes out January 17, 2023!!

This book is a wonderful slow burn, friends-to-lovers novel that is the third book in the Jansen Brothers series even though it can be read as a stand alone. I am not always the biggest fan of slow burn romance, but I absolutely loved the friendship that developed between Hailey and Wes. Their friendship was full of laughter, support and laid the ground work for the romantic relationship they turned into. I think that there was the perfect amount of angst not only leading up to them being in a relationship but also when they hit a couple of snags. I have previously read the other books so it was amazing to see the other couples and get little insights into their relationship developments. I felt like both characters had their flaws and by the end they were able to communicate working on said flaws. Overall I completely enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a slow burn closed door romance.

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect romcom that reminded me of the ones from Hallmark and Netflix. A Guide to Being Just Friends is incredibly cheesy in the way that puts a smile on your face the entire time. It was light and fun and made me truly happy while reading.

My favorite part was how the characters had their own goals and plots that weren’t necessarily tied to the romantic interest, of course the personal goals get intertwined with their love interest but aren’t reliant on the other person. I found myself rooting for not only Hailey and Wes as a couple, but also each of them individually which is a breath of fresh air for me.

The first quarter of the book had difficult parts to get through with the writing, it seemed like there was an eagerness to show the character’s backstory that translated to info dumping. This is really my only critique I have for the fun romance.

I would absolutely recommend this book to people who want a lighthearted and fun read!

A guide to being just friends by Sophie Sullivan is a funny, cute novel about a guy and a girl who struggle to remain just friends. For chick flick lovers, yes this book will remind you of When Harry Met Sally. The main protagonist is a huge fan of the film as well. If you have not seen the film before, I recommend watching it.

Hailey starts a new salad shop in a new town. She does not know anyone and is hurt from a failed relationship. Business is very slow. She visits the next door coffee shop where she meets Wes. Wes mistakes her for a date who never shows up to meet him. But from that first encounter, they both feel a sizzling chemistry. Hailey denies her feelings and tells herself that he is not her type and that she is done with relationships.

Wes cannot forget about her. He has had his share of disappointments in love and dating. He thinks that relationships are sentimental nonsense for other people, like his brothers. Yet he goes out of his way to help Hailey with her website. He feels like he needs to help her even though she has not asked and she tries to discourage him at first. He is able to persuade her to accept his help.

Through a twist of fate, Wes and Hailey meet up again when Hailey drops off an order to a radio station where his friends work. After that, Hailey's business picks up and both characters are drawn together for family and community events. And soon, Hailey cannot deny her feelings for Wes. To not say those three words would be the biggest mistake of her life.

I really enjoyed the character development of Hailey and Wes. Wes's brothers and girlfriends are so lovable and supportive of Wes. It is nice to see family sticking together. I also love how they adopt Hailey as one of the family so it is inevitable that Hailey and Wes end up together as a couple.

The plot may be predictable. However, I highly recommend this book if you like romances and engaging characters. Plus, Sophie Sullivan has two other previous books about how Wes's brothers fall in love after leaving New York.

This book was a joy to read. I loved the spin on the usual coffee shop romance turned in to a salad shop. Such a California thing to do. If you're a friends to lovers fan this is a great book for you. I've always believed the best relationships start out as friendships and Hailey and Wes proved that here.

I adore Sophie’s books and this one is no different! The Jansen brothers have had my heart since book one, and I loved getting to read Wes’s story. And a “By the Cup” salad shop?! Is this a real thing anywhere?? If not, it should be! I was craving salads 🥗 the whole time 😂. Genius. I do think Hailey was a little too sensitive at times and kept thinking “Why won’t this girl just let Wes do his thing?!” Haha, but she definitely showed some growth! 👏🏻 Another great one Sophie!

Ugh I loooove this book! Seriously I was in a super dry spell when it came to love stories after reading Abby Jimenez’s latest book, and then this popped up on my NetgGally recommendations. Thank god. I am in Love with Hailey and Wes (and everyone else) and the amazing way this story brings them to life! Hailey’s life, running her new business and trying to succeed on her own with a new start rung so close to home. It’s the story of so many amazing indépendant women who have been brave enough to go start something of their own. Expecting nothing from anyone but being given small but gracious gifts as she started out, Hailey and her business develop in such a fun way through this book. And at the same time, we get to watch Wes finally live his true dreams, with his brothers away from their father. It’s such a great story. I can’t wait to read more on this amazing group! I’ll be going back to read Wes’s brothers stories for sure!

Hailey, new in town and owner of a salad to go restaurant has a not so meet cute with Wes who has confused her as his no show date blowing him off. After meeting again Wes apologizes and end up connecting as two people totally against love. Together they put together a guide to be friends but the closer they get the more they realize the best way to find love again is starting with friendship!

I adored this book! It had so many funny and charming moments not only between Hailey and Wes but all the other characters as well. I have not read the other two books in the series but I definitely want to now!

A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan was a super cute fun read. It was the third book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone (I did not read the first two). The premise - two people meet both wary and/or turned off “love” by past betrayals. Then they decide why not just be friends. They can have a fun time together (totally platonic) without any of the heartache that allows follows relationships.
This book was really predictable and did repeat “we are just friends” a lot but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story. I mean you know that they are going to fall in love - the ride is when will they know.

For those that love a slow-burn romance, this sweet story is a gimme. Friends to lovers is a tried and true trope that makes for a good story. The story is well developed and I had high hopes for the two main characters.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time with parts of the story. You see, I love love. I love when the characters spark off of each other. This was such a slow burn that I really felt almost no connection between them through most of the story. Plus, Hailey was so closed off to anything other than what she wanted, that she did not see the other side until it was almost too late.

The other characters added fun and levity. Wes was great although he did have his own issues to deal with as well. At least he was all in for quite a bit of the book, just scared to lose her friendship.

Overall, A Guide to Being Just Friends is a sweet romance that gives you the warm and fuzzies once they figure it out. Sullivan knows how to write with a warm-hearted feeling and sucks you into the story.

This was such a cute slow burn romance. I love the banter between the characters. They both were so like able. Their relationship was super sweet. Overall, I really enjoyed reading it!

I really enjoyed the storyline of Hailey and Wes in this book. The dynamic of friends to lover is always a cute story in my opinion. I did think it dragged on just a tad, and that’s why I rated it 4 stars. But the character development was a big highlight point for me. I didn’t know this was a series, and now I need to read the previous books about Wes’ brothers.

I loved this book! I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy- so I can sit back and reread these great characters! The writing and the setting were perfect.

It was a cute romance, and a slow burn. I liked the characters, especially Wes. The book was a little slow but overall I enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley in exchange for this review. Overall, I enjoyed this book but I felt like it went on for way too long. I have never read the other books in the series, so it might have helped to know more about the back story for Wes, but both main characters felt flat to me. When the big conflict came in, Wes's response seemed more extreme than the story had led up to