It is a book in which Cole and Laila, who have been friends for many years, appear as a heartwarming pair. After receiving life-changing information, Cole has made up his mind to leave the past behind. Laila is there for her friend but on their trip to NY they change from being just friends to something more. Although a Christian categorization of the book exists, it is not clean or devoid of sex.

The writing is good; it’s an entertaining read and the storyline itself is interesting. The story was full of tension and emotions that added to its overall impact. The pacing was moderate if with some spots that dragged quite a bit. The characters are fine, most of the books centered on Laila who told her story from first person narration while that of Cole-Cole’s pov –in third person- revealing what motivates them in order for readers to understand them better.

The friendship between Cole and Laila is adorable, without any significant concentration on their backstory. Yet age of the characters (late thirties to early forties) does not match their actions while the book has people from a former book by similar writer. The book is not part of a series and it doesn’t show any religious inclination or mention faith.

There are also references to popular culture which might be confusing at first reading. In general, this is an endearing, quick-to-read novel with no graphic sex or strong language in it but could be good for young adults. It neither blew me away nor was mind-blowing, still I would want to read other novels written by Bethany Turner.

In a book about two almost 40 year old best friends who have taken this long to figure out they love each other romantically, what’s a little longer? This book took forever to get to the point; meanwhile, it was overly littered with 90s and early 2000s pop culture references.

I really enjoyed too hearing this book, the plot was light which made I much easier to get through the book.
I also liked to read about this relationship, because it just works out with no miscommunication. The story was a bit too long in my opinion but I still wasn’t so long I got bored.
The narrators was great, and I liked that there were 2 narrators to the 2 POV’s.

It’s a funny and warm read.

3 stars.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were perfect for this book. The storyline was interesting but the writing was even better! I loved this one and it felt realistic with likeable characters. I loved all the pop culture references too. Highly recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was the curtest! I fell in love with the characters and want to be best friends with them. The perfect book.

Cole and Laila had a very refreshing friends to lovers relationship. I imagine this is what it would be like having a best friend that you might love but don't want to hurt the friendship over a feeling you're not sure is reciprocated. The way their romance blossomed was very cute and had realistic timing.

Stars: 3
Spice:1
Synopsis: In the wake of a family loss and major life changes, lifelong best friends finally stumble upon the feelings they have ignored for years, and they embark on new paths. Besties Cole and Laila share everything, from childhood secrets to culinary adventures in Cole's family restaurant. When Cole discovers his late grandfather has made a decision that will have a major impact on his life, he is left to decide what to do next. Laila can't imagine how life will change for everyone involved, and she is heartbroken. She knows she will support Coles's decisions moving forward.
They agree not to influence each other's future choices, but they struggle with newfound romantic feelings that could change their friendship forever.
Format: Audio
Review: I enjoyed this read. It was light and easy to read…exactly what I needed between some heavier reads. I love multi-povs and am a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope. The chapters were short and bingeable.
Pros: I love Friends to Lovers; loveable character, the pop culture references, great narration
Cons: Predictable but sweet
Favorites Moments: I loved the idea of a profound event resulting in someone finding a new life path and just going for it…it's fun to envision.
Recommend (Yes/No/Maybe): Yes
Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to review the title.

A strong 4.5! I really enjoyed this dual POV friends to more book. I loved the characters, as well as all the pop culture references and celebrity name drops woven in. Of all the reasons why it takes friends so long to become more, the fact that guys are slow is always the most believable (to me). 😂 I listened to the audiobook and liked both of the narrators.

This book ended up being just as fun as the cover. I chose it because I loved the cover, and it did not disappoint. After a life-changing turn of events, a group of nearly 40’s best friends have a collective mid-life crisis and end up in NYC. There are many ups and downs, slow burn clean romance, and a shocking twist ending. It is one of those where you think you know what will happen, and then the last twenty pages twists and turns so hard you just set the book down and process after. It has a single narrator portraying multiple characters, but ultimately she does it well. Cole and Layla are both just lovely people and very well-written. It is rare to find a great romance with no spice these days, but Bethany Turner has really accomplished that.

Cole and Laila have been best friends for their entire lives but start questioning everything about their relationship after Cole’s grandfather’s death sets off a chain reaction of unexpected events.

This was a cute story with a ton of 90s and early 2000s romcom and pop culture references! Bethany Turner did a great job in capturing the insecurity and curiosity the characters felt about change and what the future held. The reader could sense the love and respect the characters felt and how each other’s happiness was the priority through all the uncertainty. I liked that the characters were older and well-developed but some of their interactions felt a bit flat and immature. The miscommunication drove me a bit mad at times and the slow burn felt a little off. With almost 40 years of friendship, I thought we’d get more glimpses into the past to build up the burn rather than experiencing it over a handful of days on a quick trip to New York.

Talon David and Andrew Eiden were fantastic narrators! I enjoyed their narration and how they brought Cole and Laila to life!

This was a fun, sweet Rom-com type read about two thirty-something best friends that realize they love each other. As a reader, it’s kind of like “duh” the entire time…so why they were never a couple is kind of baffling. But if you set that info aside, the whole plot of helping Cole find his place, and Laila realizing what’s important is sweet. And the whole fake-date around New York with all the Tv and movie references was funny and cute. Definitely rom com material. Both audiobook narrators did a great job. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed listening to Cole and Laila! Andrew Eiden/Teddy Hamilton is always a great listening experience for me. Cole was very sweet and I enjoyed their relationship. It felt a little immature for the age of the characters but it was good for a road trip!

Tropes:
Lifelong best friends to ❤️
Romcom
Mutual secret pining
Cinnamon roll hero who would do anything for her

Hilarious romcom and super sweet read. Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.

DNFed at 36% for three major reasons.

1. While it seems to be marketed as a stand alone, it is clearly a continuation of another book and doesn’t give a recap of that book. I felt lost but not interested enough to find a copy of the first book to get context.
2. The relationships in this books just don’t ring true to me. I just don’t buy two high powered celebrities being best of friends with two bumpkins who have nearly never left their small town and are too naive to realize they have been in love with each other for 25 years. The friendships *might* have worked for me if they were all 10 to 15 years younger.
3. The is a dual POV story. Hers is in first person and his is in third person. I’ve never noticed a book doing this before. It was jarring every time the POV changed.

I absolutely loved this story! Before reading, I saw some reviews that complained about the characters seeming immature for their age, but I didn't feel that way at all. I turned thirty-five this year so the MCs are 4+ years older than me and I feel like their thoughts and actions were absolutely on par with my reality. Does anyone ever actually feel completely grown up?! I adored all of the pop culture references peppered throughout. They were perfection. This was my first Bethany Turner book, but I can't wait to read more!

Laila...what an absolutely relatable FMC...and one of my favorites lately! I love how Laila isn't chasing some crazy career or intense goal. She truly loves being a waitress and interacting with all the people of Adelaide Springs, sewing, and hanging out with Cole. Her life is a simple one, but she is so happy and I love that.

Cole...He honestly reminds me a lot of Luke in Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham. He's fiercely loyal, works hard, and has a great beard. I loved his journey to realizing his feelings for Laila. To be honest, friends to more is not usually my favorite, but I think Bethany just did it so well in this one!

Things I loved...The friendship between Cole, Laila, Seb, and Brynn, the way loss was dealt with in such a genuine and respectful way, Laila's cats and their names (I don't even usually care for cats), all the music, TV, movie, etc. references (❤️), the humor (I laughed so many times), the precious little things Cole and Laila do (and have always done) for one another, and the simplistic ending (I usually love a good epilogue, but I felt like this bare bones wrap-up was so true to the book).

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing group for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

It's official, Bethany Turner is on my auto buy list. I absolutely adored this book. She perfectly encompasses the small town feel. This felt like a well written hallmark movie on the page. The friends to lovers trope without miscommunication driving the plot made the book more enjoyable to me. I found that reading books with older MC's was different from what I normally read (in a good way!) This book is a second book to Brynn and Sebastian hate each other and, spoiler for my review, I LOVED that one too! You don't have to read the first book to enjoy the second but I highly recommend book one as well. Keep in mind, like book one, this book is a sloooooow burn. You get cute moments all throughout the story but it is definitely a slow burn.

Now onto the narrators: I loved them! Teddy Hamilton was especially amazing and he has become one of my favorite narrators to date. I would listen to him read the phonebook. Talon David also did an amazing job and I look forward to listening to audiobooks narrated by her in the future.

I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of the friends to lovers trope, slow burn and definitely Bethany Turner. I definitely recommend this book if you are fans of these tropes.

Right off the bat, friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, so when I saw this description on NetGalley, I was excited from the start. I had no idea this book was the second in a series that starts with "Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other," which I just so happened to have listened to. While I don't think you must have read Brynn and Sebastian's book first, it certainly sets up this book with a lot more context - and honestly, my favorite thing about Brynn and Sebastian's book was the townspeople (including Cole and Laila).

Cole and Laila's story as the best friends all of their lives - but unwilling to consider anything else for the sake of their friendship is a classic. I love it because the author doesn't have to convince us that the two MCs know each other well enough to fall in love. In this case, it is 1000% obvious that they do. They are so in sync that they know how to comfort, make each other smile, and almost read each other's minds (except when it comes to a budding romantic interest).

Cole and Laila's romp through NYC was a love letter to the city and very fun for anyone who loves a good New York TV show or movie. I have also visited some of my favorite NYC TV/Movie haunts with my best friend with the same unfiltered giddiness.

Overall, Cole and Laila's story was the right mix of slow burn, heart-aching, and satisfying. It's also good to note that this book has zero spice (kissing is the farthest it goes). I find it easier for folks to enjoy when they know that going in.

Cole and Laila are Just Friends. Is a book I've set with and the narration was great the story not so much. They never thought about being together. Ok thats fine but then its a thought and I feel like they just go around with what the other person says. We should try a date oh okay. This won't work. Oh okay that makes sense. the actions and dialogue just didnt make sense. I almost DNF'd this but carried on...


Thanks to Netgalley for this audio arc in exchange for my hones review.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing access to the audiobook *Cole and Laila are Just Friends*! Wow, what a fantastic book that had me rooting for Cole and Laila to become more than friends right from the start! I instantly fell in love with Laila and her vibrant personality. The narrators did an incredible job bringing Bethany Turner's characters to life. This book earns a solid 4 stars! Let it take you on an unforgettable ‘friendship’ adventure!

I liked the continuation of the Brynn/Sebastian story line. I didn't really care for the friends to lover angle, even though that was the whole point of the story. I just didn't buy the relationship by the end of the story. I wasn't invested.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.