Jill Shalvis, thank you for writing books!

Dual POV
Second chance romance
Found family
Friends to lovers
Small town
Close proximity
Slight mystery
Neurodivergent rep
Flashbacks
Best friend’s twin brother
Protective mmc
Witty dialogue

A second chance romance between once next door neighbors Olive Porter and Noah Turner. Fantastic side characters — both human and animal — make this a delightful blend of contemporary romance with drama, mystery, humor, and heart.

Jill Shalvis has a remarkable talent for crafting stories that are hard to put down. This one is no different! Her books are always a cozy read, filled with wonderful relationships. Better Than Friends is about strong friendships and heartfelt connections. This second-chance romance is especially captivating. The story centers on a close-knit family, a lifelong best friend, and her twin brother—who also happens to be your ex. Adding to the dynamic, his best friend is married to your bestie. The deep-rooted family ties create a rich and layered narrative, while Shalvis skillfully weaves in unexpected suspense and twists. The banter shared between characters, keeps you turning the pages late into the evening. This book is packed with witty humor, but doesn’t shy away from tackling serious themes, which add emotional depth and bring out the compassionate side of the characters. The rebuilding of the second-chance relationship is beautifully portrayed, as the main characters gradually reconnect and rebuild trust. Every story by Jill Shalvis always leaves me wanting more! Jill Shalvis is an auto-buy, pre-order author for me, I have loved her for years! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

The storyline of how a family was built to support Olive in her teen years as she was searching for a love she could count on is very unique. Her hippie parents are woven into the threads of the story in its present day story as well. However, this part felt as forced to me, as did the resistance Olive used to keep Noah away. Yet, the bonds of friendship and love prevail as the author plants scenes full of fun; like a thrift store game and a snowy hunt for a yurt!

This is a second-chance romance in many ways. Though Olive and Noah were in a fake romance as teens about to graduate high school, there were real feelings on both sides. An accident, meddling parents, insecurities, and pride got in their way all those years ago and Olive left town. Being Noah’s twin’s best friend means she’s been back, but always kept her distance from Noah as much as possible. Now they are thrust together when Noah’s best friend, his twin sister’s husband, is seriously injured and both Olive and Noah descend on their hometown to help out. So I guess you could say there’s some forced proximity thrown into the mix, too.

While I love how careful Noah is with Olive, it also gives him an excuse to hide from his feelings. He may seem like he came from the perfect family, but there was a lot of pressure on Noah to be perfect and he has been repressing his feelings for about 30 years. He’s a pro at it. But of all the people in the world, Olive always understood Noah to the core; even more than his twin. He didn’t (and doesn’t) have to be perfect for her, yet that’s something he doesn’t know how to trust.

Olive is stubborn and is often as frustrating as Noah, making unilateral decisions because of what she thought was happening instead of being truthful about things. Though I will admit, the hot and cold reactions she got from Noah would have sent a lesser woman running for the hills.

Even with the angst in this story, it was still a comforting read. The love Noah and Olive have in their lives is beautiful, even if they don’t always recognize it for what it is. The connection they have is captivating and kept me rooting for them to figure it out, even when they weren’t being their best selves.

I have not read a Jill Shalvis book I haven't enjoyed and this one is no different! You'll find in this book a slow burn romance with a mix of friends to lovers, best friend's brother, small town and second chance tropes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics and depth of the relationship between Olive and Noah. I also appreciated the author giving flashbacks of their relationship and a how they got to the point where they are now type deal. It was clear when she was giving some history and coming back to the present. It really helped appreciate the growth and history of our characters throughout the book and having opportunities to reminisce and remember where they started and how they got to where they are in the present day.

Olive, a stunning beauty but has never received compliments to really own that in life. She, also, has had an interesting upbringing and one that no one would have wanted to experience but she made the best of it and developed family and acceptance through her best friend Katie and her twin brother, Noah and the Turner family during her formative years. Olive is a hard worker and in the present time had really made quite the living for herself and very successful. I admire her for doing it all on her own and for having the confidence to take next steps. Noah is all things masculine and gorgeous. He takes his job seriously but is extremely loyal to his family to a fault. The way he is with Olive makes him totally swoon worthy.

Both Olive and Noah have been hurt by the past.....in different ways and misunderstandings on how things got to where they are in the present. Good solid and honest communication between these two lacked for quite some time despite the fact that they truly pined for one another and the love was deep. They both were at times hard to peel back the careful layers that were built up around their hearts but through each interaction....each layer as pulled away and things began to work in positive direction. There is a hint of suspense in regards to where her parents were but I honestly feel that was anti-climate and the suspense was geared more toward when these two were FINALLY going to get it through their heads that the love ran deep for one another.

Plot and growth was well written.....mix of humor and tugs on the heart strings...fun meddling family members, one of them being an adorable preschooler boy; I even enjoyed the growth and maturity of Noah's mom -- don't want to spoil any details!....cute and adorable furry animal friends.....Chemistry was explosive.....open door intimate scene but details remain undisclosed so tastefully written....not a clean language -- you will find f-bombs, and other profanity words used. It is not over the top but noticeable and honestly I don't know why author's ever include them. Profanity words are just ugly in my opinion. TRIGGER WARNING - Olive's best friend and Noah's twin sister, Katie's, husband is an a coma for much of the book and so you see glimpses of the hardship of being a young mom and not knowing if her husband was going to survive or not.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an advanced copy of this book. All my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Better Than Friends
By Jill Shalvis
First of all, I love Jill Shalvis’ books. If you like your romance with steam and side of quirks and sarcasm, you are probably already a fan. That said I wanted to love Better Than Friends more than I did. Did I laugh in parts?, yes. Did I find the kid and animals cute, also yes. Did I like the MC’s Olive and Noah?, also a yes. Every yes was a little weaker than usual for me. We find ourselves in Sunrise Cove, a town like a smaller Tahoe and a better kept secret. Noah, is a federal wilderness agent ( I made that title up) and Olive, is a PR extraordinaire and have known each other since they were teens. Now theirs is a traumatic past (shocker) and more trauma has brought them back together. There are certain catchphrases Shalvis’ characters use interchangeably from story to story, the female MCs sometimes feel like a retread and the male character says something incredibly harsh when the female MC overhears it as do all the others. Those things bugged me like a gnat near your face. You still enjoy the view/ ride but the gnat! Male MC is hot. Olive has a kick ass talent. Both are adventurous. Dialogue is good. Still a good read and a recommendation from me. I can’t wait for her next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced digital read.

Based on the description, I thought this was going to be a sort of suspenseful adventurous book that focused on Olive and Noah out in the wilderness looking for her parents. In reality, the looking for her parents part was only a small portion of the story. It focuses more on Olive being back at her childhood home and old feeling resurfacing n' such. I don't feel like the blurb accurately describes the story...but let me tell you, the story is GOOD.

It has tasteful flashbacks from back when Olive and company were kids, to give you the background of why certain things were occurring in the present day.

I envy the relationship that Olive and Katie have. Also, I feel like Joey is probably the most likable child in any book I've ever read.

Also interesting to note: it seems like neurodivergence is the "in thing" now. Seems like EVERYONE is writing a book with a main or major character showing these traits. This is the only book I have read so far where the characters are written in a natural way. They are believable and realistic, not just awkwardly stuck in there for the author to be able to say that they're there....you know?

I laughed out loud throughout the book, and also teared up more than a few times. Jill writes in a way that like, immerses you in the world of the book.

I also super appreciated that the intimate scenes were not super long and graphic. Just enough to get the message across!

And of course, the cover art is GORGEOUS. (On the whole series, not just this one!)

This is a winner all around. So of course, now I get the joy of going back to read the rest of the series!

This was a really sweet, small town love story! There was a really interesting dynamic, not just between Olive and Noah, but both of their families as well. The humor throughout really helped soften the sadder hardships between the characters and I really enjoyed it!

I liked the balance between Olive and Noah’s relationship. Sometimes Noah seemed hard to crack and stuck in his ways, but he fully redeemed himself by the end. There’s tension, a bit of banter, but a lot of really heartfelt moments.

I would recommend this to my book besties looking for a small town, second chance romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of this book!

This book offers a perfect blend of emotional depth and lighthearted charm, making it a compelling read from start to finish. The second-chance romance between Olive and Noah is heartfelt and powerful, with the couple navigating their past heartbreak and gradually rebuilding their relationship. Set in a cozy, picturesque town, the story also highlights strong family bonds and the intricate dynamics of lifelong friendships, adding layers of warmth and complexity to the plot. The author’s knack for balancing humor with more serious themes ensures that the book is both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

What really stands out in this story are the well-crafted supporting characters, who bring a delightful mix of humor, snark, and heart. Noah’s sister and Olive’s best friend inject a lot of fun into the narrative, with their witty banter and loving yet complicated relationships. The setting, as always, is beautifully rendered, creating a cozy atmosphere that enhances the book’s overall feel-good vibe. With its engaging characters, emotional resonance, and a satisfying blend of romance and humor, this novel is a must-read for fans of second-chance romances and small-town settings.

Small town, romance, love, deep friendships and breaking down walls. This book has it all. A great read about finding second chances and overcoming obstacles!

I loved this sweet, and emotional story about family, regrets, hope, and love. Noah and Olive's second chance romance was fun, moving, and unputdownable. Noah's sister is Olive's best friend. Both Noah and Olive had crushes on each other, but kept it a secret. When an accident happened, Olive left town and never looked back. Now she is back home looking for her parents. Noah is also home helping his sister when her husband is in the hospital. Noah and Olive are both staying with his sister forcing them to face the feelings they thought were long buried. I loved watching Noah and Olive battle it out with their verbal sparring and antagonism as they opened up, worked through their past, and fell back in love. Noah and Olive begin to see life back home in a new way and they feel more at home than before. But what happens when it is time for them to go back to their real jobs? Will long distance work this time, or will their hearts shatter for good? This is a beautifully-written story about returning home, and second chances. Noah and Olive were fire together and I loved every single part of their story. I also loved their relationships with their families who added some tension, hilarity, lots of meddling, and lots of unconditional love and support. Shalvis has created a beautiful slow burn romance that is so moving, funny and heartfelt, and it made me completely happy.

If you want a good book to read that is about second chances and has some quirky secondary characters this is for you. The story has Olive and Noah being a bit awkward with each other despite them being there to support his sister Katie as her husband Joe is in a coma after being shot in the line of duty. Noah's injuries are less, but he is struggling with the guilt of driving and crashing as they were being shot. Katie and Olive are best friends from high school as each were socially awkward. Olive is helping take care of Joey, who is a precocious preschooler, while Katie is at Joe's bedside. Add in a basset hound who finds a best friend in a kitten and that adds so much humor to this story. Olive's parents are off the grid hippies who cause her unending stress when she can't find them as well as embarrassment when she can. Long held secrets come out unexpectedly which gives explanations to past hurts, decisions, and gives the opportunity for second chances. This book has it all, humor, friendship, second chances and pets.

This was a heartfelt second chance, dual POV, small town romance that delivers all the feels, was good on audio narrated by Andi Arndt and can be read as a standalone. I liked the animal and human side characters and thought this was a cozy feel good read for winter. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Another solid entry in Jill Shalvis's excellent Sunrise Cove series. Book 7 started off much like her others, and I felt like the first half dragged a bit. It wasn't bad, but felt like a 'been there, done that' kind of romance novel. We meet the perspective players and learned of their relationships. It wasn't until the second half of the book did I feel like things really picked up. Once the main couple was isolated and forced to deal with their feelings, I felt like I truly believed them as a couple. There were issues and feelings that felt real. Even trauma that felt more than the cookie-cutter trauma you sometimes see in these 'feel good' romance novels. By the end, I was rooting for them, even though we all know what the end result will be. The only real complaints I have about the books are that Katie felt a little too 'on the spectrum' that it felt cliche, and I thought the final chapters dragged a bit. Maybe I'm used to the couple getting together in the final pages, but I was surprised that they got together found another 5% or so left in the book. Wasn't terrible, but a little odd. Overall solid. Excited to visit Sunrise Cove again later this year.

Olive Porter has returned to her hometown to assist her best friend, Katie Turner whose husband is in the hospital due to an accident that also involved Noah Turner, Katie's brother, with whom Olive has a history. While in town, Olive has been trying to contact her parents who live off the grid. Noah agrees to accompany Olive track down her parents. This story follows the lives of Olive from the time they meet age fourteen until the present. Olive has a life in London where she owns her PR firm and plans to return there.

4 stars ⭐️ This was a sweet, easy to read book and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Olive has always done things the hard way and now she has to return to the home that was her sanctuary until it wasn’t because a dear friend needs her.
Noah has a reputation for being unapproachable but Olive has always known the path to his heart.
Shalvis’ writing is quirky and endearing as are her characters.
I liked Olive’s tenacity but not her propensity to run. Noah was a hunk but he couldn’t find his voice to elucidate his feelings. Katie was cute but sometimes obnoxious. I did love the roach campaign idea, very original.
As usual, Holmes and Pepper were the ultimate stars of the book and I enjoyed their antics more than the the human characters.

I want to give this book review all the heart eye emojis possible! I have loved the Sunrise Cove series since the beginning, but this one, this one quickly became my favorite.

Second chance romance just may be my favorite trope and Olive and Noah remind me of why I love second-chance so much.

Years after running away from Sunrise Cove, Noah and her best friend, Katie (who happens to be Noah's sister), Olive is returning. Katie needs help with her five-year old son after her husband is injured. Soon, Olive finds herself in very close proximity to Noah and their past, which she has immense guilt over, looms over them. As they all band together to help Katie and her husband, Olive and Noah find themselves reconnecting in a way that neither had thought possible. Can old wounds heal to make way for a fresh start?

Once I picked this book up, I could not put it down. This is the perfect book to cuddle up with on a cold winters day.

This was such a sweet read. I absolutely would have devoured this in one day if it hadn't been for my horrible cold. I can't wait to start the series from the beginning. I absolutely adore Joe and katie, Joey makes me crack up. Gram is the apple of my eye and Noah's and Olive are everything.

ARC Review — this was my first book by Jill Shalvis & I thought it was a good story!

Olive & Noah have a complicated past. A past that comes back to the surface after decades of being apart when Noah and best friend Joe are in an accident that brings Olive back to Sunrise Cove to help support Joes wife & her best friend, Katie.

The tension between Olive & Noah was there from the start. They clearly have messy feelings and emotions for one another but are both too stubborn to admit it.

Meanwhile, the rest of the family can clearly see the spark between them. I enjoyed reading about how Olive and Noah navigate their situation & watch it turn into a second chance romance.

I rated this one 3 stars because I really had a hard time with the chemistry between Olive & Noah.. I just didn’t feel it. It was very wishy washy in my opinion. The dual POV revealed that both characters had moments of not being interested in one another, and then being completely in love with the other. It seemed too inconsistent. Overall tho, I don’t feel like they had much chemistry.. which made this a slower read for me.

Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review.