Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Seeing an approval for a Jill Shalvis book makes for a happy day in my inbox!

Jill never fails to deliver on a book that entertains, makes me laugh and gives me a romance to root for.



What I Liked:

This cover is dreamy………..

Olive & Noah. The push and pull between them was intense and I loved it! Their current story, the peeks into their backstory… Oh, it was so good.

The family dynamics in the Better Than Friends. Made for a great story with characters that I could understand their motivation, even if I was annoyed at their roles.



Bottom line: If you are a Jill Shalvis fan, run to get this book on January 21, 2025 (or preorder!)



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

I love my visits to Sunrise Cove and this was no exception. A second chance friendship/romance between Olive and Noah. This book has it all, friendships from high school, family, laugh aloud banter, animals and a little mystery. You can never go wrong with a JIll Shalvis book, I highly recommend. This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

Jill Shalvis has done it again! I absolutely love reading her books because they always hook you in and she makes you love these characters soo much. This second chance, kinda enemies to lovers story between Olive and Noah was soo good. They try to fight against any feeling but when Noah helps Olive look for her parents things change. Love them! Also secondary character are great too. I feel like I could talk about them a lot but I can’t do spoilers cause I would hate to ruin that first time read for anyone but I would 100% recommend this and any other in this series if you haven’t read them yet!

Olive "Oli" Porter's life was perfect in high school until she ran Noah Turner, the local baseball prodigy over with an ATV. With Noah's dreams ruined, Olive was coerced into leaving Noah alone and hightailing it to the UK right after her college graduation. She not only left Noah behind, but her best friend, Katie Turner-Brooks, Noah's twin sister too.

Twelve years later, Oli finds herself back in Sunrise Cove to help Katie out with her 5 year old son, Joey. Katie's husband, Joe was in a serious accident and is in the ICU in a coma. Olive is enjoying being back in town again seeing Katie and her Grams. Surprisingly Noah is back in town too. It seems he was hurt in the same accident Joe was and is on leave. Slowly Oli is fitting back into the city of Sunrise Cove.

When Oli is concerned because she hasn't heard from her parents when it was time for their monthly call, she turns to the only person she knows that can help her....Noah. Noah agrees to help her try and find her parents. Of course the more time Olive and Noah spend together their old feelings start to surface. Both are reluctant to do anything about it at first, but they both finally give into these feeling they have had for years. Neither of them are looking for anything serious since Oli is going back to the UK and Noah still has resentments from his ex Molly, but before they know it, they are both reexamining things. It will take a lot of really looking deep inside themselves before Noah and Oli can finally find their happy ever after.

I just adored this second chance romance. Oli had always felt unwanted because of her parents and she had a hard time of feeling needed. Noah spend his life always doing things for everyone else. These two finally found their way back to each other when they both put themselves first. Another great addition to this fun series.

A great addition to this series, though can surely read as a standalone, but do yourself a favor and read the series. It’s really wonderful. Second chance romance, small town where everyone knows everything and forgets absolutely nothing, missing parents, long held grudges, forgiveness, family, friendships, love and more. A wonderful cast of characters and a great story. Loved it and now I just have to sit and wait for the next one.

This was an easy read romance. Katie, the best friend/supporting character, was my favorite part of the book and I think represented very well. Additionally I loved the pet duo additive and the cover is 🔥. I am not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope and I found the main characters' dialogue/dynamic for the first 70% of the book to be very confusing. This romance/relationship just wasn't for me but I would still try out others in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

This is book 2 in the Lake Tahoe series. But it can be read as a stand alone. It's a second chance trope.
Olive and Noah were were high school sweethearts. But due to an ATV accident, broke up and went their separate ways.
Years later, Olive comes home to help her BFF,Katie (Noah's twin sister) out when her husband has a serious accident. Both Olive and Noah are single, neither of which has been able to have a long term committed relationship.
It takes alot of back and forth, a lot of ancient history, a lot of miscommunication, the two finally get together and eventually work things out.
I enjoyed this story. I liked the main characters and the secondary characters. Jill Shalvis always makes me laugh. I gave it 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ because it was a little bit predictable.
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis is a charming blend of romance, family, and second chances set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Tahoe. Olive and Noah’s history adds depth to their love story, as they navigate old wounds, miscommunication, and undeniable chemistry. The dual timelines kept me intrigued, slowly unraveling the past while building toward their present connection.

Olive’s relationships with her best friend Katie and her grandmother were heartwarming, showcasing Shalvis’s talent for crafting meaningful friendships and family bonds. While Olive and Noah’s relationship had moments of push-and-pull that felt repetitive, their eventual growth and heartfelt communication made their journey worthwhile.

The mix of romance, mystery, and character growth kept the story engaging, even if some parts felt predictable. With humor, touching moments, and lovable side characters, this book delivers a cozy and enjoyable read. Shalvis fans won’t be disappointed!

Reading this book was like what a whirlwind summer romance in a quaint small town feels like. Olive and Noah had that all-important history that made it clear to the reader from the get-go how important they were to each other. The pacing, with the dual timelines, kept me engaged, especially when it came to finding out what had happened between the two of them and what exactly led to Olive making the decision to leave. The last third of the book felt a little slow, partly because it felt like they kept dancing around the same issue without really resolving things, but by the time they did get to actually communicating with one another, it was so easy to be happy for them. I hadn’t read the other Sunrise Cove books, though I have read other Jill Shalvis novels (including her Lucky Harbor series), but this book has definitely convinced me to take a stroll down some of her other small towns.

Also, I needed to include a special mention of Joey. What a cutie … I loved him so much.

such a fun story from one of my favorites. Set around beautiful Lake Tahoe the amazing friendship between Olive and Katie and the love Olive felt when she moved to her grandmother's helped her find her way after a hard childhood. Finding her way back to the family of her heart and the love she never forgot was beautifully written

I really like Jill Shalvis's books and I especially love how she creates friendships. This book is a perfect example as the relationship between Olive and Katie is really wonderful despite their differences and some past issues. Olive's relationship with her grandmother is also really sweet - especially since they are very much alike. Olive's relationship with Noah however is not quite so smooth.

It took me a bit to really connect to Olive and Noah's relationship. I liked them both and was enjoying the book but I wasn't really rooting for their relationship. I wish I had understood a bit more about the past confrontation earlier in the story.

I did enjoy the mix of character growth, mystery investigation, and romance in this book. As I expect from a Jill Shalvis, this was a fast paced fun read that tackled some deeper issues. I really liked Olive and Katie from the start even though I wish there was a bit more communication. I'm looking forward to reading more books from Shalvis in the future.

Do you like small towns, second chances, and romance? Then this is probably the book for you. Jill Shalvis’ books always promise a cozy read and a HEA with friends. I found it a bit slow to start, but then the story picked up.

Jill Shalvis has long been one of my favorite romance authors, and I am so glad that her books have grown as I have. I loved Olive and Noah's story, watching them overcome uncertainty to find their way together. I loved watching their personal growth. But even more I loved the small town feel, the cast of supporting characters and the dog with the adorable kitten. When you put it all together this is another success! Looking forward to the summer book!

This book was cute. There was nothing particularly special about it. The chemistry and dialogue between the couple felt forced. They were very hot and cold which was giving more high school/college versus 30 year olds. The relationships between the FMC and side characters also felt forced and just off in general. The humor was also very cliche and overdone. It's good if you need a quick read.

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of Better Than Friends.

Olive returns to her hometown to help her best friend care for her son while her husband is in a coma. She is also reunited with her best friend’s brother who she fell in love with when they were teenagers. There was an accident she blamed herself for and she left and she never told anyone the truth of why she left. Can they find their way back to one another?

This is part of a bigger series but each one can be read as a standalone book. I liked the fact that the characters were older and more mature but I did not like the miscommunication. Just talk to one another! I liked the storyline but I dislike when characters cannot communicate with one another.

Jill Shalvis is a go-to author for me and her books are always so well written. Better Than Friends is no exception and while this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Olive Porter has lived abroad for many years and she doesn't make many trips back to her hometown of Sunrise Cove. Her best friend Katie is going through a difficult time as her husband Joe is in a coma following an accident at work. Olive comes back to support her and help with her young son, Joey, but she also will see her grandmother and the guy who has always owned a piece of her heart, Noah.

Noah Turner has been in Olive's life for a very long time. Noah is not only Olive's friend, but the twin brother of her best friend Katie. Noah works for the National Park Service as an investigator, a job he's always enjoyed, but has also used to escape deep connections and relationships.

It's clear there is still chemistry between Olive and Noah, but they both deny that anything is between them or ever will be. While at home, Olive also realizes she can't get in touch with her parents and she enlists Noah's help to locate them. Will this bring the two of them closer together once again or will things from the past interfere?

I thought this book started out a bit slow, but once it got going it moved really well. I enjoyed the characters and little Joey was a trip. Plus, it wouldn't be a Shalvis book without some animals, and I loved them as well! This is definitely one worth reading!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Olive and Noah both left Sunrise Cove after high school and tried hard not to look back. Former high school friends, they each had their reasons- but they were both a big part of those reasons. Now they've come home to help Noah's twin sister (and Olive's best friend) Kate deal with her own crisis, and they'll have to work together to make that happen.

"Better Than Friends" is a second chance romance where the first time never quite got the chance it needed and there's a lot of emotion and a lot of baggage Noah and Olive need to get through to see if they even want to take a chance with each other. Because while the crazy chemistry between them has only gotten stronger with age, so has the stubbornness keeping them from talking through things. Olive feels guilty for leaving, but also afraid to trust anyone getting to emotionally close. Noah feels the stress of having to be always perfect for his parents and not seen by anyone-except Olive. But a few lousy relationships have convinced him he's not the relationship type and is better off alone. Olive knows if she goes for a relationship, the guy better be all in.

Olive, Noah, and the secondary characters are complex and in turns humourous and humanly lovely-flaws and all- just as you'd hope for in a Jill Shalvis book. The pacing was a little slow and the book maybe a little longer than it needed to be- it took Noah longer than it should have to get himself together and the end dragged a little. But overall this was a good book, about family and friends as much as romantic love and second chances for family as well as romance.

I received a DRC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

BETTER THAN FRIENDS – Jill Shalvis
A Perfect 10
Sunrise Cove Series
Avon
ISBN: 978-0063353381
January 21, 2025
Romantic Comedy

Sunrise Cove, California – Present Day

Olive Porter’s parents were unconventional in their childrearing methods, which meant she was mostly left with her beloved grandmother in Sunrise Cove. Olive became “adopted” by the Turner family next door, especially becoming friends with the twins Katie and Noah. In fact, Olive had a crush on Noah, but it was like she was off limits for him as he only treated her like a sister. On the night of their high school graduation, Olive accidentally ran over Noah, ruining his potential baseball career. She fled Sunrise Cove shortly after, only returning occasionally to see her grandmother and Katie. But she is back for a few weeks as Katie needs her after her husband was seriously injured in an accident that also injured Noah. Of course, Noah is also staying at Katie’s house, which means the two run into each other. Sparks fly, but can anything happen between them when Olive still feels guilty for ruining Noah’s potential baseball career? Are Olive’s feelings for Noah unrequited? What she doesn’t know is that he has always had feelings for her but her “hands off” demeanor, and their friendship, give him pause. Will things change now that they are living under the same roof?

As always, Jill Shalvis delivers readers with a fun tale filled with unconventional characters and real-life situations. You won’t be disappointed reading BETTER THAN FRIENDS, the latest in her Sunrise Cove series. Olive’s parents are modern-day hippies living off the grid. She hated that life, so she ended up living with her grandmother. In school, she was the “odd one” who was constantly bullied, but it was her friendship with the Turner twins that kept her afloat. Katie was her best friend and Noah was her protector, even though Olive always told him not to bother. After the accident, she couldn’t face him and went away to school. She has a successful career as a PR person and in fact, ends up doing some work locally while she is in Sunrise Cove. Noah and Katie’s husband, Joe, were special investigative agents for the National Park Service. While chasing a suspect, they crashed. Joe is currently in a coma, while Noah is on sick leave, not wanting to admit he is still in pain. But he can’t hide anything from Olive. She is as intuitive as ever when it comes to Noah. It’s clear to readers that these two belong together but stubborn pride keeps them apart.

In BETTER THAN FRIENDS, you will laugh, and you will cry at the antics of Olive, Noah, and everyone else around them. Olive refuses to accept Noah’s help. But then, he won’t admit to her if he’s in pain. They are perfect together. But the past, specifically the accident, drives a wedge between them. Can they make it work after all? They dance around the attraction which burns fiery hot between them, and you know it’s only a matter of time before they give in. When Olive needs help, it’s fitting that only Noah can help her. Will she accept? BETTER THAN FRIENDS will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens to Olive and Noah.

BETTER THAN FRIENDS is a mix of “friends-to-lovers” and “enemies-to-lovers” as on any given day Olive and Noah are one or the other. It’s a perfect and fun tale—and a big reason why I’m giving it a Perfect 10. Enjoy the ride when you grab a copy of BETTER THAN FRIENDS.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

This book is part of the Sunrise Cove series, but can be read as a stand alone. I haven't read all of the books in this series, but Iook forward to reading the others. I love Olive and Katie's friendship, but little Joey is a hoot. This is a book about second chances, friendship, romance, and healing. If you're looking for a cozy romance to read this winter I recommend this one.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

3.75⭐
.75🌶️
Tropes/Themes: small town, forced proximity, second chance, it’s always been you, flashbacks, coming home, snarky banter, slow burn, one bed.
Dual POV 3rd person

So despite a confusing beginning, I really enjoyed this story. It was kinda hard to follow at first but it quickly sucked me in. And despite being the 6th book in a series, I didn’t feel overly lost or like it was missing a lot of backstory. Sometimes books say they’re standalones but in reality there’s a lot of backstory with the side characters from previous books. This was not the case. I’ll be honest since I’ve never read this author before I didn’t really want to commit to reading 6 other books without knowing if I like her style 😅 It also had a lot of snark that made me happy.

I did get kinda annoyed with Olive and how stubborn/independent she is, but that’s probably the point of her character so I get it. And I’m not really a pet person so I got tired of all the interactions between the dog/cat. I also wish there had been more backstory to the drama with Noah and his job- it seemed thrown in at the last minute.

But as I said I got sucked into the story pretty quick, and I’m adding the previous 6 books to my TBR