Cover Image: Friends Don't Fall in Love

Friends Don't Fall in Love

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Member Reviews

Erin Hahn’s Friends Don’t Fall in Love is an adorable Hallmark style friends to lovers romance set in the world of country music. It follows Lorelia, a former country darling trying to rebuild her career after playing a protest song at a concert, and Craig, her long time friend and music producer who has been in love with her for years. Throughout the book they try to navigate not only their careers, but also their feelings for each other.

This book is absolutely adorable and there was a lot to love. Here are some of my favorite things about this book:

- Lorelai: I loved her from the moment I met her on the page, and I rooted for her to get her comeback through the entire story. She’s funny, endearing, and I loved watching her work through her past as part of her character development in this book.

- Craig: Definitely the golden retriever type you want in a friends to lovers romance. He’s been Lorelai’s best friend for years, and is that person who is always there for her regardless of the consequences. As the nice guy you don’t want to see him get hurt while you’re reading and also, his writing is pretty steamy which only adds to the appeal.

- The supporting cast: This book has an amazing and diverse cast of supporting characters. Most of them were extremely likable and interesting and I can’t help but hope to see more of them in future books.

What I wasn’t so fond of:

- When writing in first person there is always the temptation to break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience. This is usually done as an aside, and it’s meant to be funny. For me personally though it takes me out of the story, so I’m not a fan of this style choice.

- The beginning: The start of this story jumps around a bit in the timeline, and it could be a bit confusing. I think the first few chapters were meant to be more of a prologue, but it made settling into the actual story a bit more difficult.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

I really liked this book overall, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of Hahn’s work. If you like a sweet romance with a bit of steam, this is a good choice for you as I think Lorelai and Craig will quickly steal your heart.

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Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I loved the country music aspect of it as well as the history that the main characters had. I also enjoyed the introduction of newer characters in the mix to bring perspective to the storyline.

While I was not a big fan of the conflict surrounding Lorelei’s music career, I appreciated the fact that she didn’t give up and it ultimately brought her back to where she needed to be.

This book was truly a good read for me! With all of the times that I sat this book down, I never gave up or lost interest in this story!

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Unfortunately, this book confirmed that Erin Hahn's books and writing style just aren't for me.

For starters, the plot was all over the place, and I felt like the inciting conflict of the incident years ago just didn't feel big enough to warrant tanking Lorelai's entire career. There just didn't really seem to be any action driving the plot and I was bored for a good portion of the book.

Secondly, I just can't with characters being unable to be honest about their feelings for the sake of the friendship. If these are characters that are supposed to be in their mid-30s, it's frustrating to not have those ages matched with the appropriate level of maturity.

Lastly, the writing style does my least favorite thing, which is tell the reader what the character is saying/thinking flat out rather than working it into the narrative of the story. Too much of Lorelai's narrative was just her telling us how she feels, rather than us getting that organically. There was also an interview scene near the end of the book where, instead of the interview being dialogue, the interview was just pages of us being told what was happening, which detached me a lot from the overall narrative and made me struggle to connect with the story.

Overall, this book just wasn't for me.

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I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

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## Friends Don't Fall in Love: A Second Chance Melody

Erin Hahn's "Friends Don't Fall in Love" strikes a sweet chord for fans of friends-to-lovers romances and the country music scene. Our protagonist, Lorelai Jones, is a fallen star desperate for a comeback. After a public misstep derailed her career, she turns to her oldest friend, Craig, for help. Craig, a talented songwriter with his own demons, hesitantly agrees.

As they navigate the music industry and rekindle their bond, the line between friendship and love blurs. Hahn excels at building tension through witty banter and sizzling chemistry. The couple's songwriting sessions become a delightful dance of unspoken emotions, fueled by steamy secret poetry.

The friends-to-lovers trope unfolds at a satisfying pace, allowing the characters' deep connection to blossom organically. The supporting cast, including Lorelai's fierce girlfriends and Craig's supportive family, adds warmth and humor to the story.

Hahn's background shines through in her authentic portrayal of the Nashville music scene. From the collaborative energy of songwriting sessions to the cutthroat realities of the industry, the reader gets a behind-the-scenes glimpse into this captivating world.

**If you're looking for:**

* A slow-burn romance with a satisfying payoff
* Well-developed characters with relatable struggles
* A steamy escape into the world of country music

Then "Friends Don't Fall in Love" is a perfect pick. Be prepared to root for Lorelai and Craig as they rewrite their song, both on the charts and in their hearts.

**Minor quibbles:**

* Some readers might find the pacing a little slow in the middle sections.
* The ending, while heartwarming, could feel a touch predictable for some.

**Overall, "Friends Don't Fall in Love" is a charming and heartwarming romance that will leave you wanting more.**

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My god that was good. Erin is a great YA writer, but she's even BETTER at adult. Every girl deserves a man who writes erotic poetry about her in a secret instagram account and writes songs about her.

"Which one?"
"All of them."

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Thank you to SMP Romance for the review copy!

🎧 You absolutely need to read this one on audio, the narrators’ performance is incredible!

This gave me all the vibes I loved from Lovelight Farms, with that “friends to lovers” (but they’ve been into each other for a long long time).

I loved everything about FMC Lorelai Jones - she’s a little bit based on Natalie Maines and the fall from grace The Chicks had after speaking up about politics. After Lorelei Jones sings a protest song after another devastating school shooting, everyone abandons her - even her fiance. Everyone except Craig.

Craig is so smitten with Lorelei from page one. But he’s happy to have whatever relationship she wants - friends, producer/artist, housemates…

This was just so good from beginning to end, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

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Erin Hahn is a must read author for me. I was a fan of Built to Last and Friends Don't Fall in Love follows the feels.

The story follows Huck and Lorelai as they navigate a comeback to country music along with their feelings for each other. Is their solid and stable friendship worth risking for the chance of true love? I love a good story where he falls harder and Huck is one of the fiction greats!

Friends Don't Fall in Love is a fabulous read that is entertaining with a dash of spice and a happy ending! For fans of Built to Last, Shelby and Cameron also make some appearances!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this charming book.

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While I enjoy the friends to lovers trope I don’t enjoy miscommunication. It’s my least favorite.

I thought the country music aspect of the story was cute. The romance was okay, I just didn’t really connect with the characters.

I still think lots of people will enjoy this one.

Thank you to the author, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy of Friends Don’t Fall In Love.

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thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

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This was so charming! I had a blast reading this and absolutely flew through it. As someone who lives near Nashville I always enjoy reading within the country music scene. The writing was beautiful and so easy to follow despite being layered with flashbacks. The flashbacks were perfectly tied in and added so much to the story. If you like slow burn with spice, friends to lovers, and he falls first (and harder) you will love this! This was my first Erin Hahn book but definitely not my last!

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First of all, I absolutely love Erin Hahn’s writing. This is only the second book of hers that I’ve read and I already know she is going to be one of my forever favorites.

Friends Don’t Fall in Love is a beautiful and timely romance about long time friends and music partners who finally take a chance on love. While the book is funny and light at times, it’s also complex and thought provoking.

I adored Lorelai and Huck, and all of their interactions, from the mundane everyday moments to the steamy scenes. Erin Hahn truly knows how to write a swoon-worthy romance.

If you are a fan of country music or even just a music fan in general, I think you will especially love this book.

While this book is a complete standalone, I think you will enjoy it even more if you read Erin Hahn’s Built to Last first.

The book does have discussions of school shootings and gun violence, but neither occur on page.

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This was a super fun, quick read. I liked Lorelei and how she stuck to her guns, despite losing her career for her "unpopular" opinions. What I enjoyed more was her relationship with Craig and how that relationship eventually progressed. I did think it took a little for her to open her eyes and that he pined for longer than needed, really. But that's just because I want happy endings RIGHTNOW sometimes :)


Thank you to NetGalley and Griffin Books for the opportunity to read Friends Don't Fall in Love.

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A super cute and sweet quick read. I thought the characters were cute and I enjoyed their relationship. As a huge fan of country music, I loved that aspect of it and all the references to country songs I love.

All in all, a cute and quick solid romcom with a country twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Lorelei is a country music sensation when she gets “cancelled” for speaking out and performing a song about gun control. She’s forced to move back home to Michigan to lay low. She was engaged to another country star, but he dumped her after all the controversy.

When she’s trying to make her comeback, she calls on an old friend and record producer, Craig. He has always had a crush on Lorelei and is thrilled when she calls. They work together and start to hook up. But friends don’t fall in love, right?

I personally didn’t see much connection between the two main characters. They had lots of sexual chemistry and that’s most of what their connection relied on. It was pretty spicy and I think that took away from their relationship. I did really like that Lorelei stood up for something she believed in and I especially loved that it was for gun control; something this country desperately needs. It reminded me of the Chicks when they were cancelled for speaking about the president.

Thank you @stmartinspress for my gifted ebook. Friends Don’t Fall in Love is on sale now.

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YALL! This book was so cute I loved it so much! I laughed I teared up a couple times I love them so much.

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"Friends Don't Fall in Love" is a sweet and passionate romance set in the country music world. It follows Lorelai, a former teacher turned musician, who faces challenges after speaking out on gun control through her music. With the help of her best friend Huck, who's been secretly in love with her for years, Lorelai works to revive her career. Their close bond and undeniable chemistry drive the story, making Huck a lovable and supportive character.

Thank you to NetGalley and Griffin Books for the opportunity to read Friends Don't Fall in Love.

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Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book so much. Everyone knows I love a good best-friend-to-lovers story. This was exactly that– except even better. I loved Lorelai as a character so much, and I loved how the book highlighted important real-life issues while being a romance story. I loved how Lorelai didn’t try to backtrack to save her career and stood behind what she believed in and I loved how supportive Craig was from the very first day. He never once told her to go on an apology tour to save her career, he was ready to risk his own reputation for her too. He was an excellent character and love interest. The classic “is it worth risking our friendship” problem was used well and I loved how both Lorelai and Craig overcame their own personal problems and the challenges that kept them from allowing themselves to fully commit to the other one. Also, this book was way spicier than I assumed it would be, so don’t let the cover fool you. Overall, this was a very fun read, everything about the characters and the story felt so real.

If you’re looking for a captivating best friends-to-lovers story that is raw, vulnerable, and beautiful, this book is for you.

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I enjoyed this romance, especially Craig and Lorelai. Although, there were times during this book that I wanted to shake them both and say "Just tell him/her your real feelings!" What I enjoyed most reading about with them was their careers and how they handled the problems, wrote poetry, overcame obstacles and bad advice, and just got through.

There is a stellar cast of friends and family to enjoy also.

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This is very cute, you can kind of see where it is going but I still enjoyed it. I appreciated it's points on country music.

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