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.

I love a good Rom-Com. It was funny, easy to read, and just a great romance book with all the feels. It is a Lovers to Enemies to Lovers and a slow burn.😍😍🤩
Spice Level 🌶🌶.

This was such an enticing read for me. The storyline hooked me in right away and the characters development was 10/10.

Cute read

I didn’t read the others in the series but this one can definitely be read as a stand alone book. Olive and Noah take dated back in high school and are reunited when they come back together to help his sister and her best friends when her husband is injured. The book is a quick read. I enjoyed it. You obviously know what’s going to happen. But overall, an easy read.

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: January 21, 2025

Better Than Friends is a wonderful, heartwarming read that highlights the significance of family, friendships, and healing.

A tragic accident keeps Olive and Noah apart for many years. Now, Olive is a successful owner of a public relations company and is living in London. She comes back to her hometown and stays with her friend Katie in order to help her during a difficult time. Katie married Noah's best friend Joe, who is in a coma from an accident at work as a park ranger with Noah. When life brings Olive and Noah back together, all of the past emotions and unresolved feelings arise.

Overall, this book excellently portrays the way in which Olive and Noah reconnect while navigating their past and rebuilding their relationship. I especially loved the emphasis on supportive relationships. The author does such an amazing job at balancing humor and charm with some deeper topics throughout. I definitely recommend adding Better Than Friends to your TBR!

Tropes:
- enemies-to-lovers
- second-chance romance
- small-town romance
- forced-proximity

This book was exactly what I needed. Shalvis delivers another charming small-town romance with characters that leap off the page. The banter between the leads was top-notch – witty, flirty, and full of delicious tension. 🔥 The story had a great balance of sweet moments and steamy scenes, making it a perfect escape. If you're a fan of contemporary romance with a touch of humor and a whole lot of heart, definitely add this to your TBR!

Pros:

Great chemistry between the main characters
Charming small-town setting
Funny and heartwarming
Cons:

A little predictable (but in a comforting way!)
Rating: 4/5 stars

4.5 Stars!

I was in a book slump and I truly needed to read a story with the perfect combination of plot, character development and sexy times. I found that perfection with Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis.

It's been forever and a day since Olive Porter spent a significant amount of time in her hometown of Sunrise Cove. Living in London, Olive has her own PR firm, which enables her to work from anywhere.

Olive as well as her best friend Katie, were considered misfits in high school. As a result, they bonded instantly and became fast friends. Now Katie needs Olive's help with the care of her young, hilariously funny son. She is needed because Katie's husband, as well as her twin brother Noah, were in a horrific work accident. Katie's husband is in a coma and Noah is home, helping out, rehabbing and feeling guilty.

Olive and Noah share an intriguing history. They fell in love way back when, but due to miscommunication, guilt and stubbornness, have never worked through their emotional issues. Their chemistry is off the charts and they can't seem to stop kissing. Overtime, they realize how important they are to each other and find their happiness.

I really enjoyed Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis. The witty dialogue, the fast-paced storyline, and the amazing primary characters, are perfectly combined to create this well-written read. This is the seventh book in the Sunrise Cove series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

This has all the humor and well developed characters of a Jill Shalvis novel. It also has a lovable dog named Holmes. You know a writer has affection for dogs and humor when she can talk about an old pup that "had gas that could wipe out the entire ecosystem". That is just a sample of the real life humor you can find in this book.

I love Noah and Olive as characters but Katie is the one that had me laughing out loud the most followed by her son Joey. Sitting around the table with this family is like stepping into your parents' kitchen as an adult. It is genuine and hysterical all at the same time.

I love the way Jill Shalvis brings out emotion from the characters and endears you to each one. You can't help but love them and the way that these characters love each other. Even the dog and cat love each other.

I highly recommend this book and anything by Jill Shalvis. She is a very talented writer and I can't believe it took me this long to find her and all her wonderful stories. Pick up this book and share a piece of home with these characters.

Better Than Friends is a heartwarming second-chance romance that delves into deep family bonds, friendships, and healing after a tragic accident keeps two teens apart for many years. When life brings them back together, the simmering emotions and unresolved feelings resurface. The book beautifully portrays the reconnection of Olive and Noah, as they navigate their past and rebuild their relationship.

What makes this story stand out is the strong, supportive relationships, including Olive's friendship with Noah's sister and their shared history. The narrative is full of humor, snark, and cozy charm, set against the stunning Tahoe backdrop. While the romance remains mostly PG-13 with more hinted than detailed intimate moments, the chemistry and emotional depth are undeniable. This book is perfect for fans of second-chance love, family dynamics, and feel-good stories with heartfelt moments and humor.

Olive and Noah are perfect together. Their journey was one that a lotnof people take and can relate to. Can't wait for the next book.