I enjoyed the overall story and loved the found family trope that Olive had with the Turner family. What I didn’t like about it was how back and forth and indecisive Olive and Noah were. Noah drove me crazy and was such a man baby. There was also way too many plot points in this story - a past accident/injury, family drama, coma, childhood/second chance love, neglectful parents, lost parents, job issues, etc, I couldn’t keep up and it made the story go all over the place. This is the only book I’ve ever read by this author, though, and I would definitely give her other books a chance as I’ve heard good things about her.

She returns to help a friend but finds more than she expects

As a teenager Olive Porter left her unconventional parents behind and moved to Sunrise Cove to live with her grandmother. Next door was the Turner family, twins Katie and Noah and their parents. Katie became her best friend...."misfits unite"...was their motto....and Olive became part of the family. Noah was her first crush, but everything changed the night of the accident that changed the course of Noah's future and sent Olive running away to make a life for herself elsewhere. Olive and Katie are still best friends, albeit via long distance, but Olive and Noah have never regained the close friendship they too once shared. Guilt, ego, fear of commitment....all that and more have kept them at arm's length from one another. When Katie's husband (and Noah's partner in the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service) is left in a coma after a high speed car chase gone wrong, Katie begs Olive to return to Sunrise Cove to help with her young son Joey as Katie tries to hold things together; Olive readily agrees. But the antagonism between Olive and Noah is a constant problem, as is the fact that her parents can't be reached. Olive has worked hard to leave her ill-clad weirdo teenage self behind to become a well put-together and successful business woman; coming back to Sunrise Cove reawakens her old insecurities. It also is hard for her to pretend that she ever stopped loving Noah when the two are living in close quarters, while Noah is battling his own demons about being back in the family home that he had had to escape to forge his own path in life. Will the two of them be able to make peace with their pasts, and is there a way forward for them together?
Better Than Friends is the seventh in author Jill Shalvis' Sunrise Cove series, but can easily be read as a standalone. Two people who hurt one another badly when they were teenagers have moved on and created new lives for themselves, but each has struggled with relationships. Their shattered friendship also impacted Olive's bonds with the Turner family, and the reasons for what happened are slowly revealed over the course of the story. With family and friendships intertwined in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business, current circumstances are forcing Olive and Noah to face one another and the mistakes each has made over the past dozen or so years. Each has reason to mistrust love and is certain that happily ever after isn't in the cards for them. But with the adorable Joey, Holmes the aging Basset Hound who is mending his own broken heart by adopting a sassy stray kitten who's decided to move in, and the nosy, nagging family that want both Olive and Noah to find love (preferably with one another) rooting them on, maybe the time has come to open their hearts to what awaits those brave enough to take a chance. A smart feisty woman, a protective but broody man, and the possibility of second chances make for an enjoyable read. Fans of Ms Shalvis' other books as well as readers of authors like Susan Mallery, Samantha Chase and Nora Roberts will enjoy this latest love story. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyage for allowing me early access to Better Than Friends in return for my honest review.

This was such a sweet book. I would definitely recommend to any romance genre fans! There were so many romance tropes happening and I loved them all.

FMC Olive and MMC Noah fake dated and caught feelings back in high school but an accident tore them apart. Fourteen years later, another accident brings them back together again.

Things I loved:

Second chance
Best friend’s brother
Shared trauma
Forced proximity
Miscommunication
Fake Dating
Satisfying epilogue

The characters are adorable, the humans and animals. Olive is going back home, just for a visit, and the first person she (almost literally) runs into is Noah. Isn't it enough that she ran over him years ago. It seems that no one is going to let her forget it. Olive left suddenly and it hurt the people that cared about her. She is making a good living in London now. Noah still doesn't understand why Olive left with hardly a word to anyone. He has closed off his heart, but his mom keeps hoping he will get married and have grandchildren for her. He doubts that will happen. Olive's parents have left her alone for so many years and doesn't see anything wrong with that. They let her just be herself. Is that neglect on their part? Olive and her BFF Katie have always been different, but Noah never cared that she was different. If Olive and Noah would just open up and be honest with each other, they might just clear up some misconceptions. Will either of them open up their hearts?

60/100 or 3.0 stars

This was a fun romance that was able to have some complexity within the characters that I enjoyed quite a bit.
I liked reading about the characters and this only took a few sittings to finish it, since I wanted to know how this would end. The cover is awesome, and that combined with the description is why I requested the book. I have seen the author's name around, so that was also what caught my attention.
I am glad I was able to read this, as I will definitely check out other books by this author in the future!

Olive and Noah parted years ago under circumstances Noah was unaware of and he’s held a grudge against her ever since. But she’s back in town and needs his help and, try as he might, he can’t resist.

I loved this story! A sweet second chance story, with close friendships, meddling family members, missing family members, humor, sarcasm, and bantering.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis is the 7th book in the Sunrise Cove series. Jill Shavis writes small town romances. Her ability to make the characters so realistic, likable and fun always makes her writing enjoyable. I love how her novels are always full of interesting storylines.

Olive Porter comes home when her best friend needs her. Realizing her bestie needs her support, Olive stays even when her ex is added in the picture. To top it off, Olive’s wanderlust, off the grid parents seem to be missing.That means, Olive has to ask her ex Noah Turner to help her.

Noah is home recuperating from an accident. He is struggling with his best friend in the hospital in a coma, which he feels guilty for. He is being strangled by his family and now helping Olive find her parents

Olive and Noah spark off each other. You can feel the tension between them while reading! The best part is that both of them manage to be clueless about so much to do with each other. Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis is a fun, flirty goodread.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

When her best friend's husband is injured on the job, Olive returns home to support her and she is forced to confront her past while also finding her future.

It was great to be back in Sunrise Cove. Once again, Shalvis crafted a story filled with humor, family, friendship, and emotion. What I found most interesting was that I felt the romance was front and center in this book.

Olive and Noah met at fourteen when she moved in with her gram and became best friends with Noah's sister, Katie. A lot of time was spent filling us in on the what transpired in the past between them and what had kept them apart for so many years. I will admit that their push and pull frustrated me a bit, but it was well worth it. I love that they pined for each other for so long and that they STILL carried a spark for one another. When they were together, everything just seemed right. They were a healing balm for each other and brought them calm.

Friendships and found family dominated in this book. First, there was an amazing life-long bond between Katie and Olive that 6,000 miles could not weaken. Their relationship was built on being true to themselves, and it was easy to see how well they understood each other. Though we didn't get to see as much of it, I also loved the bromance between Noah and Joe. Another long friendship where they literally trusted each other with their lives. There were a few subplots, here and there, but it was the romance and friendships that really captured my heart.

Overall this was another hit for me. As with all Shalvis' books, Better Than Friends made me smile and laugh while it filled me with warmth. There were these moments of pure joy along with so many sweet and tender moments which simply made me a happy, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next Shalvis book.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this second chance/sister’s best friend. Olive and Noah grew up together but towards the end of high school they developed feelings for each other. After an accident, Olive left and both were left with broken hearts. Now Olive is back to help her best friend after her husband was in an accident and Noah and Olive need to figure out not only how to be in the same house but to resist the feelings that never went away.

#7 in the Sunrise Cove series, Jill Shalvis has written a wonderful addition to her series. I have read these books out of order and it hasn't mattered in my opinion.

An accident in their senior year of high school puts a bar between these two best friends, Noah and Olive. Noah's twin sister, Emma, is Olives best friend. Even though Olive and Emma keep in contact, Noah and Olive lose contact over the years with bitterness and misunderstandings being the main reason why. Years later they meet up again after an accident that puts Emma's husband in a coma. Noah and Olive are thrown together and makes them take a look at their past and what they want their future to be. Very strong female character representation, second chance romance and family drama with forgiveness are the main themes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jill Shalvis and Avon Books for allowing me this eversion arc in exchange for my opinion.

Want a sweet second chance romance that is laugh out loud funny with light spice? This is the one for you! This book finds Olive returning back home after her best friend's husband suffers an accident and questioning what she really wants in life.

She and Noah were forced apart as teens by tragedy and find another tragedy pushing them back together. The banter between these two had me laughing out loud at many places. Olive is also a badass who has overcome a difficult childhood to be a brilliant woman in her field. The idea with the roaches for the zoo? Brilliant!

I did feel like the back and forth between Noah and Olive went on for a little longer than it should have but ultimately, they end up finding their HEA.

This book also finds both Noah and Olive healing their relationships with their family and coming to grips with the choices their parents made. All in all, this was an enjoyable read and if I'm looking for a feel good romance with minimal spice, I will be going back to Jill's work in the future!

I received an advanced copy of Better Than Friends. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased. Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon. This is the 7th book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone. I have not read the other series but may go back and read them now. I really enjoyed this story. There was an accident when two teens were in high school. Olive left town to return only during sad times. Olive never told anyone why she left and why she rarely comes back home. Olive came back when her bestfriends husband was in an accident and in a coma in the hospital. This is about true friendship and strong family and friendships that never fade. This was so enjoyable. You won't be able to put it down. If you like second chance romance, long lasting friendships and true family you are going to love this.

Olive left Sunrise Cove years ago. Now she is back to help her friend Katie whose husband is in a coma. Hoping to avoid Katie's twin brother Noah he is practically the first person she runs into. Noah was her first love and truth be told she still loves him. These is a sweet small town, second chance love story.

I’ve read several of Jill’s books and find them to be easy reads with interesting characters. This one was no different and kept my attention. Highly recommend!

Better Than Friends follows Olive and Noah who were best friends when they were young. However an accident after they graduated high school, along with some words from Noah’s dad, pushed Olive away, where she stayed for many years.
A different accident brought Olive back home and ultimately brought Olive and Noah back together, even if they both decided to fight it.
Overall a good solid romance novel with some drama and a little suspended twisted in.

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.