Cole y Lila han sido mejores amigos por casi 3 décadas, pero un viaje a New York cambia sus sentimientos. Hay muchas cosas pasando en la vida de Cole que no saben sí ver que pasa o ignorarlo y quedarse como amigos.


Toda su vida como amigos nunca pensaron en el otro de otra forma, pero de la nada ambos empiezan a sentirse atraídos. Lo siento, pero no me fue creíble como mágicamente cambiaron sus sentimientos.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

I don't think this author is for me, unfortunately. First, the dual POV kept switching between first and third person. Then, the characters are pushing 40 and show no signs of wanting more than friendship with each other. I can't fathom them changing their minds that fast at that age and after such a long friendship. This book might work for others, but not for me.

I read this as a stand-alone (my first by this author) and while it's a sequel, it works well on its own! I love a strongly structured friends-to-lovers story and i love a good rom-com, so this book was great in my view!

The main characters were super relatable (and I loved they were a little older …aka not fresh out of college). Cole and Laila were fun and hilarious — and seemed truly like real friends I’d want in my own life! Their chemistry was palpable and they jumped off the page.

The story was full of depth, as well as really heartwarming and endearing, not to mention quite emotional. I so enjoyed reading this ARC!

LOVED this cover. SO cute! I loved the continuation of stories in Adelaide Springs. I loved being in that small town with all the dynamic small-town characters. I love friends to lovers tropes. I always love Turner's creative voice, turn of phrase, and pop culture references. However, this book just took too long for me to become invested. Felt like too much introspective and narrative without the plot moving forward much. I started skimming pretty early on. Buuuut ... I'm going to chalk it up to me and just not quite being in the mood for this one and hope to return to it later.

Tristemente no me gusto.

La historia me aburrió y no me creí el romance entre Laila y Cole que salió de la nada, lo sentí forzada, ¿cómo se supone que crea que de un día para otro empezaron a tener sentimientos románticos por el otro, siendo que convivieron por 30 años y jamas se vieron como otra cosa que mejores amigos?


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review

Beautiful friends to lovers Rom Com with the most relatable 30 something pair. Cole and Laila were fun and realistic and hilarious, totally people I could see myself being friends with in real life which is why this book was such a treat. Heartwarming and endearing, will cause you to hang onto every single word, desperate for even one emotionally charged moment. Adored this.

This was a sweet friends to lovers story. It took a little bit for it to get going for me! I really liked that the main characters were “older” than is typical for rom-com books these days, I think this will allow the book to reach a much broader audience. Bethany did a great job evolving their friendship into romance, I haven’t read many “friends to lovers” where the male character truly didn’t have feelings for the female character “all along” so this was an interesting take on the trope.

Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC!

Okay, I was kinda hesitant at first when starting this book. The last book, Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other was not my favorite, but this story redeemed it! It does help reading B&SHEO before starting because there are main characters from B&SHEO that carry onto this novel.
Cole and Laia’s friendship is so sweet and tender that you feel like you’re reading this book with a snuggie on. I did appreciate the dual point of view between Cole and Laila, their banter and jokes were funny! My one qualm was the lengthy asides and long train of thought dialogue. It made the scene drag on and on and then caused me to go on a rabbit trail of thoughts. Eh, not good for this mama. Overall it was a lovely read and will definitely make you want to book your next visit to NY with your bestie.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bethany Turner, and Thomas Nelson fiction for allowing me to review this ARC!

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I was unable to get into the story and found the writing stilted. Thank you for the opportunity.

Cole and Laila are Just Friends: A Love Story https://amzn.to/4dbPH5V

By Bethany Turner, Thomas Nelson, June 4, 2024, 336 pages.

Cole Kimball and Laila Olivet practically grew up in each other’s pockets in the small town of Adelaide Springs, CO. For almost forty years, they’ve experienced life together (except for the few years Cole spent away at culinary school). And for nearly 40 years, they’ve never thought about that. That thing that ruins friendships and makes things awkward.

But when Cole’s grandfather dies unexpectedly and only leaves him the house they shared together, Cole knows he must move on. Even if it means leaving his best friend behind. The pain of driving by the restaurant that no longer belongs to him would eat him like acid. But spending time away from his best friend just might kill him, too.

Despite her hate of flying, Laila agrees to travel to New York City with Cole and their newlywed best friends, Brynn and Sebastian. On their first night in the city, Cole and Laila end up sharing a bed—something they’ve done on occasion over the decades. Friends can share space while sleeping, right?

But this time, Cole dreams of Laila as something more than a friend. From then on, Cole and Laila must negotiate the delicate dance of deciding what they mean to each other and how that knowledge will play out in their lives.

What I Loved About This Book

If you love quirky characters in forced proximity situations, you’ll love Cole and Laila Are Just Friends. Cole and Laila might need to untangle their feelings for each other, but the entire town of Adelaide Springs can’t figure out why it’s taken them so long. The best romances start with trust, friendship, and good communication. And even though it feels awkward, Cole and Laila summon the bravery required to deepen their friendship and discover how they’ve felt all along.

Readers who love The Gilmore Girls, Friends, and classic movies set in New York will enjoy the pop culture references and locations. Fans of Emma St. Clair and Pepper Basham will enjoy Cole and Laila are Just Friends.

I read this as a stand-alone and only recently discovered it's a sequel. It works well on its own, IMO.
What a lovely couple! Loved their chemistry, and going from decades-long friends to lovers. Just wow! The writing was so heartwarming, it's now one of my favourite books.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

5 ⭐️

the moment i set eyes into this book i knew it would be amazing... and i wasn't wrong!!!

this is the very first book of bethany's that i've read and i'm already in love with her writing. the way the events are tied in to each other and how the characters have full built stories... i simply loved it ❤️

the amount of references though... i almost collapse every time taylor was mentioned (i love that i'm not the only one who refers to her as tay tay as if we're best friends 🤣), and don't get me started on the movies/series references... i had a total blast reading this book 👌

thank you netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Get ready for a read that'll tug at your heartstrings. It's the classic story of two friends who secretly have feelings for each other but are too afraid to confess. Normally, I'm not into the whole miscommunication thing, but in this case, it was done really well. You can totally grasp the fear both of them feel about risking their years-long friendship for something more.

The story flows so smoothly, I couldn't put it down, just rooting for them to give in already.

I really liked that the characters were in their late thirties. The writing was wonderful and kept me hooked; I'll definitely read more from this author.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC.

(I'll post a more detailed review closer to the release on social media)

What a delightful, emotional read!!! Friends to lovers is not normally a trope I get hooked on but this book was something else. The love and devotion Cole and Laila have for each other from page one is so obvious. It is like these two characters are living their happy ending but no-body told them. I loved this story so much I did not want it to end. I wanted to keep reading about their life and their love. I also loved all the 90s pop culture references. Thank you for an amazing read 😍

COLE AND LAILA ARE JUST FRIENDS is a sweet and heart-warming read. Cole and Lalia are so comfortable around each other and openly tell each other everything except when Cole and Lalia start to feel something towards one another without the other knowing, changing their dynamic. Cole values his friendships with Lalia so much, he would never want to put it at risk by pursing something more, so Lalia believes Cole has never even considered them dating. Cole knowing Lalia has weighed pros and cons of them together, but then hasn't ever acted on it and brought it up, Cole believes she's not that interested in being in a relationship with him. So between their fears and miscommunication of not fully saying how they're feeling and thinking the other isn't attracted to them, it feels like there is a possible future for them. So who is brave enough to make the first move knowing it will forever shift their friendship? Will someone even make a move when Cole has a big decision to make about whether he's committing to moving across the country for a career opportunity? I really enjoyed the emotional believability and the value/weight that Cole and Lalia put on their friendship, making the steaks feel higher, but also real.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I was thrilled to get a copy of this book, as I had heard good things about it. It was pretty much just what I was expecting: a light, fun, friends-to-lovers story (with occasional heavier moments). Yes, it's predictable and occasionally requires some suspension of disbelief/cynicism. However, the characters are so winsome, it's basically impossible not to like. Anyone who likes pop culture references or small towns OR New York City, or just loves love, will enjoy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I will post this review on Goodreads and Amazon closer to the book's publication.

I realllly liked this! Cole and Laila are childhood friends and I loved them both from the very beginning. The plot was really interesting and kept me engaged the whole time. I like them as individuals and as a couple! This book is very much a slow burn, almost too slow for me, but I really loved the book when it picked up. I really enjoyed the side characters as well. Overall, really enjoyed! Will probably go on my physical TBR as well so I can read it as a physical book too.

This started out slow but ended up delightful. A little too much of a slow burn for me, esp given how clearly into each other they were. I did really love that neither of them seemed to be aware that they had feelings for the other. There wasn’t a lot of pining or at least conscious pining which was a nice take on this trope. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

I really wanted to like Cole and Laila Are Just Friends, but I never really found myself connecting with the story like I had hoped.