this book was super cute. Just like the first one. Another smash it. I love everything about this world and I can't wait to see what happens next.

5 Stars
I loved this book! It was such a great example of writing a story without the miscommunication troupe that is in so many romance books. The characters had great emotional intelligence that was such a breath of fresh air. This is a great summer read that I will think about for a long time. I am adding all of this authors other books to my list because I want more of whatever she is writing. I also really enjoyed the narrators. I love an audiobook with more than narrator and they were phenomenal. I was greatly surprised by this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

My standards are higher for this title because of it being published by a Christian publisher. The book has no Christian fiction elements but more so questionable elements if it was a real Christian fiction (shared bed and living space).

Overall, that aside the writing was poor (mixed first and third person between chapters), characters were very immature for being 40- I kept having to remind myself they weren’t 20, and even with friends to lovers being my fav trope- this fell flat and wasn’t showing me why I should route for them and felt more immature than believable. Overall, this author and series isn’t for me because I felt the same about the first book. I’m also still eagerly waiting for Thomas Nelson to start publishing real Christian fiction again.

Cute! I love a fun friends to more story. And Cole and Laila are just adorable and you can definitely see that they are the best of friends. The perfect start to any relationship! I loved how they knew each other so well that they could anticipate what the other was thinking or feeling. That's a gift to have in any relationship. But I will say that I had to suspense reality and my disbelief that these two have known each other their whole lives and are 40ish years old and this is the first time that they are realizing there is more to their feelings than just a platonic friendship. Yes, the author does put some thoughts in both characters' POVs about them brushing off those feelings and just staying friends but now with Cole getting ready to leave their small town, those feelings come rushing to the surface. So if you can suspend reality and your disbelief on those and go with the story, it is really cute and full of humor and great references that older adults will love! Gilmore Girls and many other tv show/movie references, and lots of celebrity references that those in their 40s+ will understand and giggle over. And hey, hopefully others who are younger will catch the references and will enjoy them as well!

The book opens with some sad news that builds up for Cole thinking about moving to NYC where his and Laila's best friends live. We get to go on an adventure in the Big Apple with these two and I loved that!

I listened to the audiobook and loved that there were two narrators, one male and one female to capture the personalities of these two characters! Well done. I really enjoyed it a lot!

Content: There is a one bed trope moment that the main characters share a bed. Nothing happens but some looks and thoughts but the thoughts didn't get graphic. Some kisses but nothing further. Clean language.

I received a copy of the audiobook from the publisher, Harper Collins Christian Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

This one is, by far, my favorite of Bethany Turner’s so far. It had several points that left me chuckling and I was so happy with how their relationship progressed. I personally also love when a couple exits the friend zone which may have an impact on my rating here. It’s a more difficult trope and I feel like the author did a great job with it. Cole is also the sweetest MMC ever!

🌀Synopsis
Cole and Laila have been best friends forever. When Cole’s grandpa dies things get crazy for him and Laila is right there to support him. Even when that means they take a trip to New York so Cole can escape and think about pursuing a new career. Laila can’t imagine life without him but knows she needs to be supportive.
In New York a different Cole and Laila emerge. One where they recognize there may be deeper feelings than just friendship. They go on dates and finally are able to show the affection that’s been hidden for so long.
The problem is still that Laila can’t move and Cole is. When Cole leaves early to take care of the remaining paperwork Laila is heartbroken. She chases after him, realizing it’s now impossible for her to live without him and it’s impossible to be just his friend too.

This book really didn’t do anything for me - seemed like a force second book. I didn’t like that the characters were completely platonic for 85% of the book. Their friendship wasn’t even really shown but rather told. We were never really shown special moments and memories between them. It seems like they were emotionless and had to be told they love each other which makes it seem like an external relationship to satisfy friends and family. Then they had their date were they pretended to be strangers and it felt very cringe. Overall the book just felt forced.

Very enjoyable story, just like a hallmark movie. I enjoyed this friends to more story. These characters are in late 30s + 40s, they have been best friends for ever, each other's person. when the rug gets pulled out from Cole his life turns on its head. One last birthday together and things shift. The usual things happen, it falls apart but seeing its obvious to everyone but themselves that they were meant to be it comes together for a HEA.
This is a sweet story nothing more than some sweet kisses. Audio was easy to listen to and was also enjoyable.

I love books with pop culture references and this one had so many, it was delightful. And while the friends to lovers trope is not my favorite, this one was still cute and a fun read.

I liked the idea of this book, but after getting a quarter of the way through it and still not caring about what happens, I'm DNFing. I like the friends to lovers trope, but this one just felt like it dragged on and to be friends for your literal entire life to the degree that these two were and have the intimacy and proximity that they do with each other was unbelievable to me. For them to have coupled friends that are also in their late 30s and none of them have ever suggested anything more happens between Cole and Laila is REACHING. I talk about a boy once and my entire friend group thinks that he and I are about to start dating lol. I have no desire to read any more of this one and with as many ARCs as I have to get through right now, it just doesn't seem worth it to try to push through any further.

Oh this story was such a fun listen. The narration by Talon David and Andrew Eiden gave the story such a full effect it was wonderful. Author Bethany Turner’s creation of a love story in the middle of a messy will created a happy ending I was so hoping for. This was fun and romantic and all the angst of will they or won’t they? As much of a great as this would be it was even better in my opinion as a listen! Well done!

This contains an audiobook review.

This is a book connected to a previous story by Bethany Turner, Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. I don't see where the two are linked on most platforms. While this is a standalone story, those characters do show up in this book quite a bit. It can definitely be read without having read the other book, but you may enjoy this one more if you have read them together.

Cole and Laila, as the title implies, are friends. Best friends. The first part of the book focuses on events that take place in their hometown. The writing itself is good, but I found that part of the story to be rather slow moving. This is definitely a slow burn romance, but this part was almost torturous slow to me. The action seems to pick up for the last half of the book, and I ended up enjoying that part quite well.

I listened to the audiobook thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Netgalley. The book has both a male and female narrator. I thought they both did a very good job with the characters and reading of the story. I had no trouble following along even at a slightly increased listening speed and was never annoyed by their voices.

I just finished Cole and Laila are just Friends by Bethany Turner audiobook Narrated by Talon David; Andrew Eiden and here are my musings.


Cole and Laila have the kind of friendship that spans decades. They can be themselves around each other and need stability in their lives. Everything changes when Cole’s grandfather dies and leaves the family restaurant that Cole has built from the ground up, to some corporation that already owns it.

Cole cannot believe what has happened and cannot bring himself to now stay in the town he once loved. Laila on the other hand cannot bring herself to leave. When Cole is given the opportunity to interview for a top restaurant in New York, laila wants to support him and offers to go too.

They make one rule, Laila won't beg him to stay and Cole won’t try and convince her to move and they give themselves one week to enjoy the time they have left together before it all changes. Problem is that things are starting to change for both of them and trying to tell each other could break apart their once rock solid friendship.

I am going to admit that I have never read a christian romance. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I thought the narrators did a really great job of portraying their budding romance too.

It was really cute. The characters were really well developed and that includes all the side characters too. I loved the friendships and connections that all the people in the friend group had.

The plot was a lot of fun. I love that Cole got to break away from the monotony of the life he had stuffed himself into and the devastation of what his grandfather did gave him the shake up he needed to really step out of his comfort zone and with it, view Laila as something more than just his best friend. It put his whole life under a microscope and it was very well written.

I am not a massive fan of friends to lovers as a trope but I think this one actually worked because they never really had anyone else in their lives that could have been a lover for either of them so it was a pretty natural progression.

I actually thought the ending was the best part. Seeing what actually happened was a really great twist! I highly recommend this book!

4 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @harpercollins for my gifted copy

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends, A Love Story, by Bethany Turner, is a standalone book but with close ties to her previous book Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. Set in both small town Adelaide Springs, CO, and NYC, this is the story of what happens when elderly Bill Kimball passes away seemingly disinheriting his step grandson Cole, who has cared for the old man and run their bar/restaurant since Bill had gotten too old to do so. In this period of time, Cole has made multiple upgrades at his own expense, has expanded the kitchen and increased the dining room, and given the old business a new lease on life.When the will is read after Bill’s funeral, Cole learns that while he inherited the house and all within it, the business has been sold to a holding company and Cole is out.

Best friend since childhood Laila Olivet has worked at Cole’s side for years. In fact, the pair are as close as two humans can possibly be. Now that Cole seems to be on the outside looking in, he decides to sell the house, sell his investment into the restaurant, and take up a New York socialite chef’s offer to come to New York to work for her in her new restaurant when he met her as he catered friends Brynn and Sebastian’s wedding in Adelaide Springs.

No longer having a job with the closing of the restaurant and no prospects for another, when Cole asks Laila to join him and their friends Brynn and Sebastian on their return to New York to investigate the job situation she decides to go. However, investigating a job isn’t the only set of discoveries made.

This is a very well written story with endearing characters and an interesting plot line. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

I loved this one enough that I listened to the audiobook AFTER reading the book originally. To add on to my general book review (which I will add below), I really thought the narration of this book elevated the story. Talon and Andrew did a fantastic job.

Book review:
This book had me hooked from the blurb and didn't lose me until well after I finished. I absolutely adore Cole and Laila. When Harry Met Sally and Gilmore Girls are two of my favorite pieces of media, and the comparison was spot on. Additionally, Cole being a chef does a lot for my deep love of food romance, even if it wasn't the main point of the plot. Lifelong friends to lovers isn't always my go to, as the transition can feel pretty awkward sometimes. Bethany did a great job with the build of chemistry and their relationship. I did also read Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, so I loved seeing them pop in. And finally, Bethany's affinity for pop culture really speaks to me. I really liked this!

I enjoyed Cole and Laila Are Just Friends. I listened to the book and the narrators were fantastic. It was fun to travel with the characters from Colorado to New York as they explored their growing feelings for each other. (This book was a friends to more trope.) I felt as if I was on the trip with them enjoying the sights and sounds of New York. The author did a great job of describing the settings. This was a cute story. I did feel the ages of the characters were a bit off, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the book. So, if you are looking for a romance with witty quips, pop culture references and sweet and clean romance, I think you'd like this book.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. Was just hard to believe it's taken them this long and so codependent on each other threw me off.

Cole and Laila's friendship is top tier. They're the best of friends. They know every little thing about each other... except that they've been in love with each other since the beginning of time. Cole faces a difficult task of having to choose between a new venture for himself or staying in town with Laila. As they take on New York City together, they realize that the feelings they have for each other will be put on the back burner if Cole decides to stay in New York.

This book is on my friends to lovers A list! I love Cole and Laila's banter and their relationship shines through every chapter's POV. The narration was perfect and helped the story move along quickly. I'd recommend this audiobook!

So I’ll be honest: I was not convinced this book would work for me. Friends to lovers is a popular trope and can work if done correctly, but from best friends of decades to lovers – that is a huge leap, and I was just not convinced this book could do it justice.

I was a bit surprised at how much I was actually rooting for Cole and Laila. Their chemistry was just off the charts, and it was so endearing to read how much they actually love each other as humans. Their love is a deep love, and you could actually feel that.

I also appreciated that especially Laila highlighted how weird their dynamic would become if either of them had a significant other. This is something that is often swept under the rug, as if relationship dynamics are always amicable and without jealousy – even if they had not developed romantic feelings for each other, that would have been a minefield to navigate.

Cole and Laila both acted “youngish”. I am a bit younger than their characters, so I couldn’t tell if this would be an accurate depiction of someone “their age”. I felt like they were both emotionally mature, but easy going at the same time, so it felt natural to me.

I listened to the audiobook and especially like the male narrator, the female narrator was nice too though. I would recommend listening to the audio production.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had a slightly slow start for me. However, because of the slow beginning it really set the tone for the dynamic between Cole and Laila which helped with the character development that occurred throughout the book. By the end I really enjoyed Cole and Laila’s unique connection and loved the subtle wit that Bethany Turner interwove. It’s a fun NY exploration setting, with the small town sense of place as well which is nice to get both extremes in one read.

What a beautiful, sweet, and fun rom-com style love story! Cole and Laila have been friends for basically their entire lives…which is almost 40 years! Their relationship is laid out from the start as a one of a kind special bond that not everyone finds in their lives- even with a best friend. They find themselves dealing with some major life changes and figuring out how that will impact their relationship. In the midst of those events, something a switch seems to have been flipped and they need to learn if they can/should explore themselves in a different light.

Admittedly, I’m not usually a fan of friends to lovers, it’s just not my usual trope of choice, but this was a joy to listen to. It was a very slow burn and at times I just wanted to shake them both due to some basic miscommunication, but ultimately their relationship made me smile and I found myself grinning more often than not. This story is told in dual POV and the audiobook is fantastic! It is read by Talon David and Andrew Eiden. One drawback I had upon initially listening was that Laila’s chapters are told in first person, and Cole’s are in third person. I’m not sure I entirely understand whether there was a purpose to that choice or not, and I eventually got over it, but it was a little off putting in the beginning.

I adored all the millennial pop culture references sprinkled heavily throughout this story. I might be partial to that since the characters are close to my age, but so found it relatable and it kept me engaged! I liked that their friends are famous, but still remain close with them, and the banter was cute. Oh, and be prepared for the slow burn!

In case you’re wondering this is a clean romance, and its sweetness delivers.

Thank you NetGalley, author Bethany Turner, and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing me this ARC. It was a pleasure to listen and share my thoughts!