One of my favorite movies for a long time was “Walk the Line” - I loved the tension and angst and epic story of June and Johnny Cash’s love. Erin Hahn’s “Friends Don’t Fall in Love” gave me similar vibes (minus the problematic cheating of “Walk the Line”).

This is the story of Lorelai Jones, a former country singing superstar who has been out of the limelight and working as a teacher in Michigan ever since her career and celebrity engagement blew up. Six years ago, she sang a protest song and overnight saw it all disappear. Her best friend, Craig (aka Huckleberry or Huck - a middle name I didn’t know I loved until now), was there for her when it all fell apart and they had one night together before she disappeared. He’s held a torch for her for as long as he can remember, but he also happened to be her the bassist in her fiancées successful band. Now, Craig is the owner of an indie label in Nashville and Lorelei is ready to try and get back into music, getting back in touch after years.

This story was about so much more than romance - it was about redemption, staying true to yourself, and understanding your worth. It was also the age-old story of the right person being under your nose the whole time. I adored the way these characters interacted with one another, the romance was really hot (like, more than Erin’s usual), and the sarcasm/jokes/banter were so much fun. Both characters were more mature, and it was nice to see them stumble their way to better communication.

And Craig - oh that glasses-wearing, dirty cab drinking, cinnamon roll of a man. He was so beautifully written and loved Lorelai so much - he was supportive and knew when to fight and when to let go. And the poetry…whew!

I really enjoyed this book and the characters, and would especially recommend it if you’re into rockstar romances or even just a bit of a behind the scenes in music.

3.5 stars. I’m a sucker for a friends to lover’s story so I knew I had to read this. This book was cute and a quick read. There were a lot of secondary characters in this book - at times, I got confused about who was who. I did stop a few times and wonder if this was a book a series but as far as I could tell it wasn’t. Outside of the secondary characters, I liked MC and their story.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGallery for an honest review.

This book follows one of the characters we met in Erin Hahn’s Built to Last but she’s taken it all up a notch.
Lorelai Jones was a country star when a moment of on-stage activism led to a canceled tour, a public end to an engagement and being shunned by the country music industry. Now it’s 7 years later and Lorelai is attempting a comeback with the help of her best friend and former one night stand, Craig Boseman.

Erin Hahn is doing the MOST in this book - not only is she writing a very sexy friends to lovers, second chance romance, but she’s also writing song lyrics AND erotic poetry, with a side of activism.

Read this if you like Celebrity romance, and/or modern Country music. And there are a healthy amount of Taylor Swift references too.

Friends Don’t Fall in Love is a second chance romance with two main characters who work in the country music industry. Even though it’s a companion book, I had never read anything written by the author and still was able to enjoy it very much. As a main character, Lorelei is likable and relatable. I was a little confused by the number of secondary characters in the book— some of them seemed like they needed more back story, but I attributed that to not having read Built at Last. I loved Huck’s character so much and was pretty charmed by their romance overall. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

I asked to review “Friends Don’t Fall in Love” by Erin Hahn as I was going through a rough time and needed something lighthearted.

Lorelai and Craig are part of the Nashville Country music scene. Lorelai speaks out on an issue that matters to her, but gets a lot of backlash, which leads to a social media breakup with a guy who wasn’t worth her time anyway. Determined to rebuild her career, she reaches out to her close friend, Craig, who had been nursing a crush for Lorelai for quite some time.

Told in both Lorelai’s and Craig’s point of view, the author does a good job in keeping the two voices distinct. I thought moments of this book were a bit too saccharine, but appropriate for this type of story. Hahn does a good job in her descriptions of the country music industry and how fragile musical careers can be.

Three and a half stars.

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lorelai and Craig ‘Huckleberry’ have been friends through thick and thin as they navigate their careers in the country music industry. She’s a singer; he’s a songwriter who was besties with her now former fiance, Drake. And Drake is a whole other enchilada…. Told in dual POV, the story begins with Lorelai’s fall from stardom and broken engagement. Then the story bounces a bit between past and present as Lorelai attempts a career comeback with backing from Craig among other snafus.

I loved the snappy banter, as well as the song and famous star references. The pace was fast and mostly fluid probably because I was having so much fun reading the ‘will they, won’t they’ moments. Which is also why I want to hit my head on the wall! Lorelai and Craig are as direct as they get except with one another. They could. Not. Talk. To. Each. Other.

Oh….Emmm….Geeeeeee…….

In the scheme of things, it shouldn’t really matter because the general story was a lot of fun! Recap: Erotic poetry/snazzy songwriter/producer semi co-mingling with a songtress/school teacher and lots of sexual innuendo galore to match those very spicy bits. It’s all here. The witty banter was icing on the cake! But I wanted them to come to terms with their feelings sooner then they did if only to see how their relationship held up in the long term rather than what I got. Still, 4 stars for the rest of the story. Super fun, albeit a sometimes cheesy read!

I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I never wanted this romance to end. Lorelai and Craig are everything! I loved the premise because of the whole "the bass player never gets the girl." It was a hallmark movie in book form which I can't complain and I knew the ex would come crawling out of his hole like they always do. I would love to read another book by this author.

"Together we're unstoppable"

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read an Advanced Copy of Friends Don't Fall in Love by Erin Hahn!

One of the reasons I love NetGalley is that I feel like I end up reading new authors/books that I probably wouldn't have found originally. Erin Hahn is one of those authors. This was such a sweet, simple, and meaningful read. As a friends-to-lover simp, this book had my number from the beginning.

Lorelai Jones and Craig Boseman belong to the Nashville Country music scene for their respective talents, Lorelai as a songwriter/singer, and Craig more on the songwriting/production side. After Lorelai decides to take a stand to speak up on political issues, she is outcast from the entire scene and also broken up with by Craig's bandmate, Drake, on Instagram. An aside to add: Drake is just a douche, and I loved how Lorelai continued to shut him down.

The storyline for each character flowed so naturally. They each had their struggles that had to overcome, but as Craig says, "Together they're unstoppable". I feel like this book was a great reference to the fact that everyone is great on their own, but sometimes we each have those people who make us so much better. And Lorelai has that in not only Craig but her merry band of friends who stuck through the drama with her. Such a sweet toast to friendship and love in multiple forms!

Brownie Points for all the subtle references and mentions to Taylor Swift.

Years ago, Lorelai decided to take a stand on a cause important to her. Her courageous choice resulted in her being shunned by the country music industry. Years later, only her friend and producer Craig has stuck by her. Now neighbors, the two are working together on Lorelai's comeback. And a comeback is complicated, as is their relationship. What I loved about this one was the overlay of Lorelai's comeback with all its twists and turns with Craig and Lorelai trying to figure out their relationship. There were also some other layers of drama that made this one I just couldn't put down. I only wish there was a real-life soundtrack that went with the lyrics (and stories) that were shared throughout this one. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this October 2023 release!

I’m such a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers book. Lorelai and Craig were a delight. I loved their whole dynamic- best friends who had one hot night years ago, only for Lorelai to move to Michigan for several years and then come back to Nashville with their BFF status still intact. Lorelai is a complete badass. She knows what she wants and what she deserves and doesn’t let anyone tell her how to live her life. Craig is a total babe and Lorelai’s biggest champion, which no guy has ever been, his love for her knows no bounds. He didn’t abandon her after her professional singing career went down in flames and pushes her to pursue what she loves. I also appreciate the nod to social issues- IMPORTANT social issues that people need to wake up and pay attention to. The jumping back and forth between past a present was a bit clunky for me at times, but this was an overall great read.

Will post on other outlets closer to release date.

I like how the titles of the chapters are counry music songs. If you like a bplk about county music and a love story you will love this book. Its a fun book to read. I like the characters and thr storyline. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

4.5!

I’ve never read something by Erin Hahn before but have seen Built to Last several times when browsing books; I’ll definitely be picking it up at some point because I really enjoyed this one!

Friends Don’t Fall In Love is the story of Lorelai and Craig and their journey from friends to potentially something more. Lorelai is attempting to get back into the country music industry after singing a song related to gun control during a concert and country music blacklisting her. Craig, her ex-fiancé’s bassist was given a large inheritance and has started his own indie music studio and is now working on building up various other careers. When Lorelai decides she wants to get back out there, she reaches out to Craig for help.

This is a cute romance story with a long history between Craig and Lorelai. A long-time friendship when she was engaged previously, and then a one-night stand after her life falls apart, and then more friendship in the years that she’s been away from the industry.

I’m a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers romance and although they take some time to figure out their true feelings and those depths I really enjoyed this. Lorelai is a headstrong woman with some great convictions but is ultimately super scared of re-entering a country music kind of life and the battles she’ll have to face. Craig has let himself be walked over by several people in his past and is learning to be more vocal about what he needs from others and where he needs to stand up for himself.

I felt like the book started in the middle of a story with little context and it was hard to figure out the timelines and characters. I rooted for Huck and lore Lorelei to be together but felt their story and conflicts were missing something. Overall enjoyable but not my favorite

I loved this one. Though it took me a second to settle into the story since it drops you in the past and I needed to minute to find my bearings, this is a real winner.

I loved the writing style and the voices of the two main characters, Huck and Lorelei. The story is told from their points of view and you really get a sense of what kind of people they are. I found Huck to be a remarkable love interest with a very appealing personality and I loved that he wrote anonymous erotic poetry and YA books.

I really enjoyed the arc of each of them and think the secondary characters were also well rendered and real. Everyone from the other musicians to the Huck’s producing partner Arlo. I also learn a bit about Celiacs disease.

There was just the right amount of spice and no really outlandish or incredibly silly plot points.

This is the first book of Ms. Hahn’s I’ve read, but I’ll be looking to read more.

"Friends Don't Fall in Love" is a captivating and heartfelt novel that captures the complexities of friendship and the power of love to heal and transform. Erin Hahn's engaging storytelling and the palpable chemistry between Lorelai and Craig make this a compelling read for fans of contemporary romance. If you're looking for a story of second chances, pursuing dreams, and the joy of finding love in unexpected places, this book is a delightful choice.

dnf

Okay, I think this one is on me. This book has a wonderful and interesting plot. I really like the concept and relationship of singer and producer. But, as far as the tropes go, it just wasn't for me personally. I've never really been much of a slow burn kind of girl because I cannot handle the delayed gratification. Much of this story, moved quite slow and it made it hard for me to stay engaged. Which happens with other slow burns as well. Similarly, there was some miscommunication that I found frustrating. Though, I could understand why it would be interesting to other readers.

Overall, if you are a fan of slow burn and appreciate the characters in their respective chapters questioning where their feelings are returned, this is definitely a read for you.

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press*

Lorelai, an up-and-coming country music star is engaged to Drake, a hot country star. When she sings a protest song her band, agent, and Drake leave her. The one person who has always been her friend is Craig. After five years teaching elementary school, she returns to Nashville asking Craig to help her with her songs. Craig was a writer with Drake and played in his band. After Drake denounced Lorelai, Craig left the band. Now he has his own record label and is making his way as a producer. Lorelai and Craig spend a lot of time together and their friendship grows. Both are afraid of anything more. This is a great book. I loved how they seemed to know what the other needed. When she was sick, he quickly stepped in to help. All through her work to get back into country music, he knew just what to say. This story was so creative! I loved the songs they wrote with and for each other. His poetry expressed exactly how he felt. I enjoyed the games they played naming song titles to fit the mood. I can imagine that the music industry is very cutthroat as portrayed in the book with people who think only of themselves. Craig had a great love of family, especially for his nephew. Their trip to the cabin was heartwarming. There is so much friendship, humor, and love in this book.

This is definitely a love story in the Romance category, albeit a very sexy one. I was not expecting quite so much graphic descriptions of oral sex. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But for me, the book would have been more satisfying without all the pre-orgasmic, orgasmic, and post orgasmic descriptions. Unless, of course, if this author whom I have not read before is known for her erotic material. Then it already has an audience.

Not being a country music fan, I would never have known that it appeals to the ultra-conservative, right-wing audience, or those who love country music also favor unregulated guns for all. And that they could ruin a singer's career just for performing a protest song.

Huck is in love with Lorelai and Loralai with him, but things got in the way. So this former Nashville star who dared to sing "Ohio" during a concert is forced to go home to Michigan to teach 3rd grade. Friends, agents, morning show hosts all play a part in this novel. And ultimately, friends do - fall in love, that is.

For my taste, that C & W theme alone, without the descriptive cunnilingus, etc., might have been enough to earn four stars. But then the book would have been very short.

I loved getting a glimpse into Lorelai and Huck's story this time around. I thought this book was cute and I enjoy a good friends to lovers. I enjoyed how we got to see their relationship develop over a long period of time. I was also surprised to see some familiar characters like Clay and Annie from previous books and enjoyed catching up with them. It's cool how their worlds all came together.

The beginning of the book was a little slow for me and I did have a hard time following some of the story line but it did pick up for me a bit towards the middle.

overall I thought this was a great story and would definitely recommend.

Thank you Netgalley. for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lorelai and Craig (Huck) have been good friends forever. He’s always been there when she needed him and their friendship is easy. One drunken night hookup doesn’t even ruin it for them. Or so they think. That one night stays in both of their minds for years and when Lorelai moves back to Nashville to try to restart her music career and Huck produces her album, AND let’s her rent the other half of his duplex, can they resist the sparks? Or will what they have already HAVE to be enough? After all, friends don’t fall in love.

I think this is Erin’s best book yet! Huck and Lorelai are so fun and snarky and the HEAT IS AMAZING! Their chemistry is off the charts and though they both don’t communicate well in feelings, they find a way to grow and communicate which is amazing. Plus all the music references are just top notch!