Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely is a beautifully written story that captures the emotional complexity and quiet magic of watching two lifelong friends fall in love. Ren and Joni are the kind of characters who feel real from the very beginning—flawed, funny, and completely meant for each other.

What stood out most to me was the incredible chemistry between them. Blakely does a fantastic job building tension and intimacy, making the transition from friendship to romance feel both natural and deeply moving. There’s a certain kind of bittersweet beauty in their journey—it’s painful at times, but in the best possible way.

This book is a heartfelt exploration of timing, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to risk something precious for the chance at something even greater. I truly enjoyed every page and found myself rooting for Ren and Joni the whole way through.

I’m giving it four stars only because I can’t say that it was a truly unique read.

Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakey gave me strong People We Meet on Vacation vibes—with its slow-burn tension, layered emotions, and the kind of deep-rooted friendship that makes you ache for more. Like Emily Henry’s work, this one leans into quiet longing over dramatic flare, focusing on subtle moments: the hand lingering too long, the unspoken thoughts, the years of almosts. Blakey brings a gentler, more introspective rhythm. It’s less about witty repartee and more about the soft unraveling of two people who have always been meant for each other—if only they’d admit it. While it doesn’t pack the same rom-com punch, it lingers in a way that feels intimate and real. If you’re a fan of love stories that grow from years of shared glances and inside jokes, this one’s worth a read

I think the only other novelist who I can compare Blakely’s debut novel to is Emily Henry, and I mean that as the most sincere of compliments. I was shocked to find out that this was a debut novel, for so many reasons. The characters are all so realistic; the timeline organization builds suspense while not being confusing or frustrating; the problems feel realistic and reasonable; the conclusion makes sense and leaves the reader feeling content and pleased, while also being believable.
Second chance romances can be really hard to get right, but Blakely balances it phenomenally with a dash of ‘he falls first’ and forced proximity to boot. That being said, it didn’t feel tropey: you know when a book lists its tropes and it feels like the author is just checking them off a list? All the tropes in this book feel very genuine and smooth, and don’t feel fabricated or anything other than a genuine story point.
Blakely also does a phenomenal job of creating flawed, realistic, and lovable characters. Both of the main characters and the ensemble of their families and friends all have such realistic mannerisms, attitudes, and conflicts that come up, and this ‘world building’ makes for an exceptional story that feels genuine and tugs at your heartstrings, but also puts you back together by the end.
Thank you to Sally Blakely, Netgalley, and HarperCollins for the chance to read this amazing novel in exchange for my honest review! Friends To Lovers is expected on July 22nd. I will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy for myself, and I can’t wait to have it in my hands!

Sally Blakely is literally the next Emily Henry and I am so here for it!!! This was the perfect summer/beach read and I cannot say enough good things about this book. I loved the slow burn, nostalgic vibes, and rich summer romance.

I was drawn to this cover and title but in. Practice struggled to connect with the story. Thank you for the arc.

As a debut, Sally Blakely’s Friends to Lovers is beautifully executed. While there is some room for growth in the areas of character development and description (a lot of internal dialogue in this one), this is a strong and promising first novel!

The story blends the slow burn charm of People We Meet on Vacation with the emotional tension of Ex Vows, featuring a friends to lovers dynamic, a nearly ruined friendship, a wedding backdrop, and a thoughtful arc of personal growth. The dual timeline adds depth, following Joni and Ren’s relationship from its early days to the present. Their chemistry is natural and well-paced, and Joni’s personal journey navigating a career setback and complex family relationships adds emotional resonance.

At times I would have appreciated a dual POV to offer more insight into Ren’s perspective, Friends to Lovers delivers a sweet and satisfying romance, that makes it a perfect beach read.

I tandem read the audiobook with the physical and it was an enjoyable experience! Patti Murin did an excellent job and brought so much emotion to the story! I found her narration to be engaging throughout. The only part I struggled with was the time jumps it sometimes took me a second to realize we were in the past even though it was announced it was easy to miss as it blended in with the story.

💫 Tropes in this story:
• Childhood best friends to lovers
• Forced proximity (shared summer home)
• Emotional slow burn
• Unspoken feelings
• One bed–adjacent energy (emotionally)

This one’s about two childhood best friends, Joni and Ren, who’ve always had each other’s backs—so much so, they make a pact to be each other’s plus-one for every wedding season, no matter where life takes them. But then something big shifts between them, and it all falls apart. Now Joni’s back in town for her sister’s wedding, trying to fake normal around the one person who used to know her better than anyone. Cue awkward moments, late-night feelings, and the question that lingers all week: do you fight for the person you once lost, or finally let them go?

I’m such a sucker for childhood best friends who drift apart and then have to fake being fine around each other (while very much not being fine). The emotional tension between Joni and Ren is so well done—quiet, aching, and believable. The beach house setting, the wedding chaos, the late-night conversations under the stars—it all made this feel like the perfect read for summer.

Friends to Lovers is a contemporary romance novel that explores the emotional complexities of transitioning from a close friendship to romantic love. Set during a nostalgic, sun-soaked summer, the story follows two longtime friends who find themselves questioning the boundaries of their relationship as old feelings resurface and unspoken truths begin to emerge.

The plot is driven by emotional development rather than dramatic twists. The characters are well-crafted and believable, especially the main pair, who share an easy, natural chemistry. Their relationship builds slowly, rooted in shared history and mutual trust. Readers who appreciate character-driven stories will find the progression of their bond both realistic and satisfying.

The novel’s pacing is steady, allowing room for reflection and depth. Moments of humor and lighthearted dialogue balance out the more introspective scenes, creating an engaging rhythm throughout the book. The beach setting reinforces the story’s warm, nostalgic tone, giving readers a strong sense of time and place.

Themes in the novel include personal growth, emotional risk, and the tension between comfort and change. The narrative emphasizes the value of honest communication and the courage it takes to be vulnerable with someone you’ve known for years.

Blakely’s writing style is clear, accessible, and emotionally resonant. The prose focuses more on emotional clarity than lyrical complexity, making it an easy and enjoyable read for a wide audience.

I love a good friends-to-lovers book. I loved the main characters, Joni and Ren. Their lifelong relationship is changing as they maneuver adulthood. The feeling of having to leave a place with so many memories to pursue a dream is one that Sally Blakely did well. I resonate with the heartache of leaving people behind. I wish there were a little more "something." I'm not quite sure, but I feel like I needed more communication between Ren and Joni. The miscommunication was driving me nuts. With that being said, it was a good book and a great read. Thank you to Sally Blakely, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

2.75⭐️ thank you Harlequin trade publishing and canary press via NetGalley for the eARC!

Ultimately this one didn’t resonate with me. I found the characters to be really flat and would have liked this to be dual POV. And books where the whole conflict/miscommunication could have been solved with a single call or text really irk me.

I liked the concept for the plot where Joni and Ren are each others plus ones for every wedding and I enjoyed the flashbacks to weddings they’ve attended together. At the end of the day I just didn’t feel the chemistry between the two of them.

I’ve seen this compared to people we meet on vacation by Emily Henry, and I didn’t like that book either so if you were a fan maybe check this one out!

This was my first book by Sally Blakely. I thoroughly enjoyed Friends to Lovers, both Joni and Ren's love and friendship were so heartwarming.

Cute story very easy to read and entertaining, definitely has People We Meet on Vacation vibes. This is the perfect beach/summer read I liked the writing style and the characters. Would recommend I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

People have been saying this book is like if People We Meet On Vacation and Happy Place had a baby, and they are right! This is a great poolside read.

Get ready to SWOON with Sally Blakely's "Friends to Lovers," a heartwarming and emotional journey that explores the delicate dance between friendship and romance. This novel takes the beloved "friends to lovers" trope and infuses it with genuine emotion, relatable characters, and the undeniable pull of a shared history.

At the center of the story are Joni and Ren, best friends since childhood, whose bond is as strong as the ocean tides. When Joni's job takes her across the country, they create a unique tradition to keep their connection alive: they'll be each other's wedding season plus-ones every year. It's a plan that works, a comforting constant in their changing lives, until one fateful moment a line is crossed, shattering the foundation of their seemingly unbreakable friendship.

Now, Joni is back at their families' shared summer home for her sister's wedding. The week is a minefield of shared memories and unspoken tensions. Determined to make the wedding perfect, Joni is forced to confront the awkward reality of faking a friendship with Ren, all while avoiding the truth of why their bond was broken in the first place. How difficult can it be to pretend with the person who once knew you better than anyone?

As the days unfold, filled with sunny beach outings and starry nights, the carefully constructed facade begins to crumble. Joni starts to question what her life truly is without Ren in it. The proximity, the shared history, and the undeniable chemistry reignite feelings they both thought were buried. When the wedding day arrives, bringing past heartaches to the surface, Joni is faced with an agonizing decision: does loving Ren mean letting him go, or is their love story one worth fighting for?

Blakely masterfully captures the bittersweet nature of navigating a changing relationship. The emotional depth of the characters, the picturesque summer setting, and the compelling narrative will draw you in and keep you invested until the very last page. "Friends to Lovers" is more than just a romance; it's a story about growth, forgiveness, and the enduring power of connection.

If you''re looking for a book that will make you believe in second chances and the magic of falling in love with your best friend, "Friends to Lovers" is a must-read. It's a beautiful exploration of how love can blossom from the deepest of friendships, leaving you with a warm feeling in your heart.

I would like to thank Netgallery and the Publisher for the ARC.

I don't generally like the friends to lovers trope but that usually doesn't stop me from reading them. This was was cute, I felt at times a bit bored with the pacing and the goings on of the characters. I enjoyed the MMC but didn't really like the FMC. I didn't mind the back and forth of when they were friends to the present but I felt pulled out of the main story whenever it happened and forgot at times when I was in the past or present. The pacing was a bit slow but you could visualize your surroundings very well.

When the inevitable secret comes out to the family I thought they took it really weird and blew up for no reason. And I appreciated that the sister apologized but the mother did not after what she said to the FMC. And then when you find out the mess that blew the MMC and FMC a part, I had to stop and face palm because considering the age the characters are, you would think they would be able to sit down and have a conversation.

But overall I still enjoyed this book. 3.5 stars.

Cute and a little emotional!

I enjoyed it and the writing was great. I look forward to more from this author!!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the ARC!

This book was exactly like any other friends to lovers romance where all the problems would have been avoided by communication. And what bedazzled me is that they know each other through and through but still fail to open up and talk about important things 🤦‍♀️

I'm not going to say it was a bad book, but it lacked the surprising or holy crap effect. Nevertheless, it was a perfect pool side read.

DNF at 1%

Unfortunately, the format was distracting enough that I couldn't get into the story in order to properly review it.

"But like any good story, life has its twists and turns, and sometimes, just when you think things are going to end up one way, those two lines head straight for each other."

Given the title of this book, Friends to Lovers, I thought I knew exactly what to expect and what the plot of the story would be. Boy, was I wrong - but in the best way! I cannot believe this is Sally Blakely's debut novel, and I will definitely be looking for more of her books in the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed the nod to romantasy (and Zoltar!) hidden in the text. Any mentions of other nostalgic or modern fantasy books/movies is a surefire way to get me hooked immediately. I also really appreciate that these characters seem real and multi-dimensional. They have their own "real life" struggles, and aren't a perfect, cookie cutter version of what you see in similar books or themed rom-com movies.

The timeline was absolute perfection, and even though I began to anticipate when the narrative changes would occur, they were a welcome addition to that point in the story. I was desperate for more information, and I was never left disappointed. I'd consider this a cozy beach read, and am rather sad that I was not cozied up on the beach reading it myself!

Thank you to Harlequin/Canary Street Press and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book!

Joni and Ren have been inseparable since childhood. When Joni moves across the country, they make a pact: no matter where life takes them, they'll always be each other’s plus-one for every wedding. But as time passes and blurred boundaries strain their bond, a rift forms. Now, at a summer reunion for Joni’s sister’s wedding, they’ll finally have to face the tension between them—and the feelings they’ve tried to ignore.
If you love friend to lovers and Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation then this book is for you. A great, lovely summer read.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the arc.