Freaking PERFECTION. 10/10. This was just so so good. I couldn’t get enough of it and wanted a thousand more pages of this.

Mae Bennett spins a clever and steamy tale in her debut novel, blending the timeless allure of Beauty and the Beast with a Succession-inspired twist. Bellamy Price, the tenacious lead contractor, and Oliver Killington, the brooding heir with a tragic past, navigate the crumbling mansion of the Killington Estate in a story that captivates from the first hammer strike.

Charmingly Resistant Characters:
Bellamy Price's determination to make her mark in a male-dominated industry brings a refreshing strength to her character. Opposing her at every turn is Oliver Killington, a brooding recluse with a traumatic past. Their interactions, initially frosty, evolve into a captivating dance of sparks and resistance.

Mansion of Secrets:
The Killington Estate serves as a captivating backdrop, echoing with history, untold secrets, and the weight of expectations. As Bellamy endeavors to restore its former glory, layers of the mansion's history unravel, paralleling the evolving relationship between the main characters.

Steamy Chemistry:
The romantic tension between Bellamy and Oliver simmers with intensity, adding a delicious layer of steam to the narrative. Bennett skillfully weaves passion into the storyline, keeping readers invested in the characters' journey toward understanding and vulnerability.

Page-Turning Blend:
Barely Even Friends offers a delightful blend of romance, familial expectations, and personal growth. Fans of Tessa Bailey will find themselves rooting for this modern Beauty and her Beast until the very last page. Mae Bennett's debut is a promising addition to the world of fairy tale adaptations and steamy romances.

I will never not read a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and Barely Even Friends will forever have my heart as one of my favorites. Mae Bennett gave us a grumpy recluse, a strong leading lady out to prove herself, lots of spice, a supporting cast of characters who could all stand on their own, and an AI system that puts Cogsworth and Lumiere to shame.

I fall hard for a good grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and Oliver and Bellamy had that in spades. As soon as they both started butting heads over mansion renovations, I knew I was going to enjoy the ride this book took me on. One of my favorite parts of this story was how multi-faceted every single character was on the page. Bellamy had a full range of emotion, from determined to despondent and everything in between. I've watched enough home renovation shows to know that redoing an entire mansion in just a few months is a next-to-impossible task, but Bellamy worked her magic and Bennett conveyed all the hardship and stress and success so well on the page.

I loved that both main characters were out to prove themselves. Bellamy set out to prove that she was just as competent as her father when it came to renovations, while Oliver had to prove to himself that he was worthy of choosing his own path, rather than the life his grandfather wanted for him. Both characters had quite the job to do, and while one path was more physical and the other mental/emotional, I loved how well Oliver and Bellamy were able to help and support each other as they grew closer together. Barely Even Friends just had a perfect blend of grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and housemates to lovers.

Bennett wove in plenty of Beauty and the Beast references and similarities, but still made this romance wholly her own. Fans of the fairy tale will love the little nods to Belle and the Beast, but romance readers in general can easily enjoy Bellamy and Oliver's journey as they renovate the mansion and their relationship statuses.

If you're looking for a Beauty and the Beast retelling that brings all the magic of falling in love and gives plenty of steam, look no further than Barely Even Friends.

DNF at 50%. This read was a cute romance that just unfortunately wasn't for me! I was very intrigued by the Beauty & The Beast retelling but the story itself just didn't grasp my attention. The main this for me was an unevenly paced development in the relationship between the MMC and FMC, I couldn't help but think that a bit more groundwork and tension-building for the relationship would have worked better. While the book seemed to aim for a slow burn, the back-and-forth dynamics felt a tad jerky at times. I think the concept was very unique and I loved the idea of the FMC trying to succeed in a male dominated industry, the characters themselves just unfortunately did not connect with me!

Barely even friends is a hea novel, with spice, one bed/room, enemies to lovers trope.
When it says Beauty and the Beast retelling it means Beauty and the Beast retelling. And oh, how much I enjoyed reading it!
I loved how Bell was portrayed. An independent, sunshine, intelligent woman who isn’t afraid of being herself.
Oliver, despite being the heir to the Killington empire, one of the most humble and down to earth men I ever read about. And of course grumpy and sexy.
I loved how Bellamy helped him with his trauma, building him a home he deserves.
They relationship is one of the purest, honest one’s.
Oh, and Bell’s best friends, and the estate’s employees are on 🔝!!!!
I loved that there was no cheating or third act. Just slow burn and spice.
Did I mentioned that I’m in love with this book?! I can only recommend it.
Have fun reading the book! I guarantee you that you won’t regret reading it.

Barely even friends by Mae Bennett is a Beauty and the beast retelling about a girl that gets hired to restore a crumbling estate and the guy that lives there.
The similarities between the beauty and the beast and this felt a little bit exagerated. The attraction between the characters came out of nowhere, they were just there then they were all over each other, they talk a lot about how they feel but they don’t seem that way. There is way too much talk of suspenders.
The writing was weird and a lot of scenes came out of nowhere without the building they needed. The characters were kind of annoying and their conversations lacked something.
The library kissing scene was unexpected, it felt like I skiped a few pages and the ending was clicheic with the you deserve better, i am a bad man.
Overall it was an ok read but I don’t think I would recommend it.
Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early.

This one was a very sweet and cute romance. I thought the Beauty & The Beast retelling was clever and well done! I think my biggest issue was the relationship development between the male and female lead felt unevenly paced. The part where they are locked in the room for dinner felt rushed and another scene building tension and laying groundwork before that could have helped. I also thought the book was trying to do a slow burn between the two but it felt like a lot of really jerky back and forth. On a good note, the spice was really well done! I think the male lead was also a bit *too* perfect. Someone who is a recluse for years could have been a bit rougher around the edges. Giving away his fortune to a bunch of current causes and also having extremely healthy communication honestly felt unearned? But...it's a romance novel and it doesn't have to be entirely realistic, these are just thoughts I had and reflects more on the type of romance stories I prefer. Overall sweet and a nice premise!

As someone who loves Beauty and the beast I really really wanted to like the book but I just couldn’t. And I really didn’t like the whole AI butler thing. I didn’t like either main character.

DNF at 38%. The tropes are what initially drew me in. But unfortunately the story just isn’t holding my attention. I want to feel romance, a connection, or even chemistry early on… and don’t here. An AI butler? Cool. But just not the story vibes for me. Might be for you though!


*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Frenemies to lovers, plus size rep, grumpy/sunshine, steamy romance, modern Beauty and the Beast retelling
Spice level: Sizzling

Prepare to be swept off your feet by "Barely Even Friends," a contemporary romance that combines all the ingredients for a perfect love story. In this sizzling tale, sparks fly, and it's not just because of faulty wiring.

The story revolves around a captivating frenemies-to-lovers dynamic, where passion simmers beneath every exchange. As the grumpy and sunshine personalities collide, you can't help but be drawn into their magnetic attraction.

One of the standout features of "Barely Even Friends" is the plus-size representation, allowing readers to connect with characters who reflect real-world diversity. It's a refreshing and important aspect of the story.

Adding to the allure, this book is a modern Beauty and the Beast retelling, blending classic elements with a contemporary twist. The result is a narrative that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Prepare yourself for steamy romance scenes. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, making their journey from frenemies to lovers all the more electrifying.

"Barely Even Friends" is a must-read for fans of romance, especially those who adore frenemies-to-lovers tales with a modern Beauty and the Beast twist. Get ready to be enchanted!
Thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for sharing an advanced copy of this book for review.

I was really excited to read this one, but I never really clicked with it. This story was a bit goofy for me (the talking AI in a crumbling mansion was too much) and I never felt invested enough in these characters.

A steamy modern retelling of 'Beauty and The Beast'? Sign me up! This book was such a treat, and it was so much fun to read. Bellamy has been working with her dad for years, and this is her first time to run a home restoration project on her own. This project is on the mysterious Killington Estate in upstate New York. When she gets to the estate, she meets the reclusive Oliver, who has been living there alone for years. His parents passed away in a car accident almost a decade ago, and he was injured in the accident. He hasn't been seen in public for years, and he seems to want to stay closed off from the world.

At first, he wants Bellamy to leave because he doesn't want her help, but over time, the two begin an almost friendship. He starts to open up to her, and they spend more time talking to each other. She brings out a side of him that has him questioning his life of solitude.

There were so many great tropes in this one, including forced proximity, only one bed, and grumpy/sunshine.

I love that Oliver's nickname for Bellamy was Petal, and his explanation for why he chose that nickname is so sweet. I love that he only smiles when he kisses her, and she brings out his sweet side.

Both characters have to work through inner turmoil- Oliver with his grief and guilt about the accident and Bellamy with being told that she isn't a relationship type of girl. Both characters find their way to each other, and it gets steamy and sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC of this book. I loved it!

i LOVE a good re-telling of a story and this one is no different. fun and quick. i definitely want to reread this already which is always the sign of a great book <3

This book was really sweet and heartwarming! I enjoyed reading it so much. My favorite part was the found family element/trope in it. Aside from the story/plot itself, I really enjoyed the writing, the author did a very good job!

A quick, easy read - perfect for holidays or those in need of a cheering pick-me-up. This was very much a reimagining of Disney's Beauty and the Beast plot, which readers need to buy into before they dive in. I enjoyed the crossover, though would have loved a Gaston-style villain to pop up at some point!

I was so excited to read this retelling! I was happy to find that Bellamy wasn’t expected to fall in love with a “beast” and that Oliver had so many redeeming qualities despite his initial grumpiness. I also loved the modern twist with the AI in the house. I look forward to seeing what this author writes next!

I live beauty and the beast. Seeing that this was a parallel to that story I immediately was intrigued. It was a cute quick read. Fun similarity to the classic.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC of Mae Bennett's captivating debut, "Barely Even Friends" - a novel that weaves the classic "Beauty and the Beast" narrative into a contemporary story of romance and personal growth.

In this enchanting retelling, we are introduced to Bellamy Price, an ambitious lead contractor tasked with revitalizing the grand Killington Estate. Her path crosses with the estate's reclusive owner, Oliver Killington. Plagued by a tragic past and a life of isolation, Oliver's world is disrupted by Bellamy's vibrant presence.

Bennett's storytelling is a masterful blend of the old and the new. While she draws inspiration from the beloved fairy tale, her narrative stands out with its unique vitality and character. Bellamy and Oliver's relationship evolves in a dance of emotional complexity, reflecting their personal struggles and growth. The restoration of the Killington Estate mirrors their journey, peeling back layers of past wounds to uncover underlying passion and vulnerability.

The estate itself emerges as a silent yet potent character, its hidden corners and forgotten rooms echoing the depth and mystery of Bellamy and Oliver. Bennett's vivid descriptions breathe life into this setting, crafting an ideal backdrop for a romance that is as unpredictable as it is fated.

"Barely Even Friends" shines in its authentic portrayal of its protagonists. Bellamy's determination and Oliver's transformation are depicted with genuine rawness, bringing an element of realism to their story. The novel embraces the complexities of life and love, weaving them intricately into its narrative.

While the novel skillfully celebrates the theme of finding love and the bravery needed to expose one's true self, some aspects of the "Beauty and the Beast" motif felt a bit too deliberate at times. However, this does not significantly detract from the overall charm and message of the story.

Mae Bennett has indeed delivered a heartwarming and fiery debut. 3.5 stars to a novel that not only entertains but also resonates deeply with those who seek stories filled with depth, humor, and a touch of magic. Congratulations to Mae Bennett for emerging as a promising new voice in the genre of romance. We eagerly await her next literary endeavor.

SO DELICIOUS!! an amazing retelling with characters you can't help but root for! a witty, charming, incredibly smart heroine and a vulnerable, open, softie hero both of whom are HOTTIES this book is an instant rom com classic!

Barely Even Friends - Mae Bennett

I’ve never been particularly interested in modern story retellings of old favourites but I came across Mae Bennett’s, Barely Even Friends, and thought I would give it a go.

Based on the story of Beauty and the Beast, Barely Even Friends follows architect, Bellamy, as she makes her way to an estate that is in big need of a refurbishment. This is her first project without her father and she feels this is her moment to prove herself and hopes nothing will mess it up such as the estates grumpy resident, Oliver Killington. The two instantly butt heads but must grow to learn to live in each other’s company.

I thoroughly enjoyed the modernisation of the Beauty and the Beasts story and found it realistic and clever. Saying this, I unfortunately didn’t connect with the characters and found the writing had a slight immaturity to it.

Nethertheless, Mae Bennett’s story was very inclusive to all genders and sexualities which was refreshing to read and she touches on some very important topics making this an interesting read.