La historia no está mal y me gusta que traten cosas como lo que puede ocurrir si pones demasiada presión en tus hijos, el perfeccionismo, pasar de ser hija única a tener un bebé, el fanatismo religioso y el autodescubrimiento cuando eres un adolescente. Pero aun así no terminó de engancharme y la novela se me acabó haciendo pesada.

A pesar de que entiendo a Audrey, a veces se me hacía un poco insoportable. Entiendo que se sienta desplazada por lo que conlleva dejar de ser hija única en plena adolescencia, pero a veces su comportamiento me pareció demasiado infantil. De hecho, tenía que recordarme a mí misma que era una adolescente y no una niña. Tampoco entiendo la relación con su amiga, la verdad. Bash, en cambio, sí que me ha parecido más interesante y me ha gustado todo el trasfondo de su historia.

En cuanto a la madre de Audrey, entiendo que está acostumbrándose a ser una familia de cuatro pero hay ciertas cosas que me han parecido terribles. Como el no tener tiempo para escuchar a tu hija, no ir a verla cuando tiene algo importante y, en definitiva, dejarla un lado. A pesar de eso, sí que entiendo sus enfados y están justificados, sobre todo porque no está acostumbrada a que su hija tenga ese tipo de comportamientos,

A partir de la segunda mitad de la trama me enganché más a la trama, pero el principio se me hizo bastante largo y no terminé de entrar en la trama. Aún así, es un libro entretenido que estoy segura de que gustará a la gente, pero no está hecho para mí.

I was excited to read Audre's story after loving her character in Seven Days in June. I don't often read YA but will read anything by Tia Williams and I am so glad I decided to make the exception. This was an absolutely delightful read and I really enjoyed it, Even as a 38yo woman I found so much to relate to, especially being a former gifted child crushed under the pressure of perfection (like Audre). I thought the exploration of a variety of topics was beautifully done, from changing family dynamics, to mental health, to the pressures on teenagers these days, it all felt so honest and thought provoking.

The only reason this was a 4 star rather than a 5 star for me was because this is described as a YA romcom but I didn't find it especially funny. I think it might be better described as a YA romance, I feel like it was mostly serious and occasionally amusing.

This has been one of my most anticipated reads since it was announced. I absolutely adored Seven Days in June , which is where we first met Audre. I love Tia Williams’ writing and was curious to see how it would translate to a YA setting.

It turns out, pretty well. There were some absolute gut punch scenes in this book. Anyone who was considered a ‘gifted’ child, is addicted to perfection or had to take on a parental role as a child will relate so much to Audre’s struggles. I found myself getting so frustrated at Eva along with Audre, which made me so sad because I loved Eva’s character so much in SDiJ and I adored her relationship with Audre. The more I read, though, the more I realised how crucial hearing this perspective on the relationship was. Because in reality, a Gilmore Girls-esque mother/daughter relationship is not all sunshine and roses and becoming parentified at an early age (in Audre’s case, due to Eva’s chronic illness) usually has negative and long-lasting consequences for the child. It was really refreshing to see these explored in as much depth as they were here and I think it will be really powerful for young people who read this to see themselves represented in this way and to know that they are worthy and valuable because of who they are, not because of what they can provide.

I felt this book handled the theme of change (new family members, new friends, renovations, changing summer plans) from the perspective of a teenager really well. I really enjoyed watching Bash and Audre’s friendship blossom, their text conversations added fun little breaks from the narrative setting as did the excerpts from Audre’s self-help book. I really liked Reshma and Clio as side characters but I felt they could have been utilised more effectively, as much as I think they make a cute couple their chapters felt a little rushed.

The pacing felt a little off at times throughout this book - there would be chapters where nothing really happened and then we were hit with reveal after reveal in the last 15% of the book. The pacing issues weren’t significant enough to hamper my overall enjoyment of the book though, and it’s one I’ll probably recommend moving forward!

Finally I know not everyone loves cartoon covers, but I do and this has to be one of my favourites! The art style is so cute and captures Audre and Bash so well.

Audre & Bash Are Just Friends releases in May!

{ARC - huge thanks to Quercus Books for the early review copy!}

I devoured Audre + Bash the same way I did when I read Seven Days in June (and all of Tia’s other books to be fair!) This does not read like a YA certainly none of the YA I read as a teen. It handles the complexities of growing up and being relatable but also swoon worthy romantic chemistry between Audre and Bash. It’s exactly what I hoped it would be in terms of picking up where Seven Days in June left us 🩵

Do not read unless you’ve picked up Seven Days in June, or do but just know you’ll miss out on all the joy ✨

Thank you so much to Quercus for the opportunity to read this before it’s released on 20th May 2025, I can’t wait to reread this on audiobook! 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

This is just such a charming read that blends romance, friendship, and self-discovery.

The book follows Audre and Bash, two best friends who insist they’re just friends until life, emotions, and undeniable chemistry surprises them. The book manages to blend in humour and warmth but at the same time be heartfelt and cover depth and feelings well. The novel has lots of banter filled dialogue that makes the characters relatable and it gave me cause to laugh several times as well as have that tummy clenching moment when something is quite swoon worthy.

The book is a real feel-good romance with a dash of real-life complexity. It left me smiling.

now i get it why audre is their fan favorite in seven days in june... her character is so lively and positive (but deep inside, she has panic attacks). bash, too. his back story got me bawling that my pillow left a wet spot in it. their chemistry is so cute. and i love how both characters didn't give up their own paths despite the comments from their parents.

but the amount of gen z slangs is sending me. looks like i'm reading a book written by a gen z author. also, the reshma x clio moments is lacking for me, and i want to expect more moments with them 😭

but well, i'm just here for the cutesy moment between audre and bash 🤭

I thought this book was really cute, I'm not the biggest fan of YA but I enjoyed this. The only thing I don't really like is the amount of pop culture references that were used. It really can take you of the story sometimes. Thank you for allowing me to read it early!

I loved Seven Days in June and was so excited to learn more about Audre! The writing style was fantastic, characterisation was well rounded and the romance itself was so cute. Williams maintains her impressive ability to balance the serious with the light hearted and overall this was a wonderful read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Audre and Bash are Just Friends is a spin off of sorts from Tia Williams novel Seven Days in June, which focuses on Eva and Shane. In it, Audre featured heavily and the reader was able to experience a chapter from Audre’s perspective. I was incredibly eager to be able to get a whole book that focuses on Audre. This book didn’t disappoint, it was a coming of age story that touches on teenage angst, family complexities and being an age gap sister.

I liked Audre, I thought she was witty and insightful. Whilst at times I thought her behaviour was a bit bratty, I also think it was a more than valid response to the massive upheaval that had occurred in every aspect of her life, with her most sacred rituals and routines discarded by both sets of parents. Having read from Eva’s perspective, it was also interesting to see just how sheltered and innocent Audre really was. Bash too, was a likeable character. I particularly liked his style, his outfit descriptions were always so vivid and unique and I enjoyed his attitude towards tattoos. From his very first POV his melancholy really leapt up from the page and spent much of the book hoping someone would give him the hug he needed.

The writing was excellent, it felt like each word was carefully chosen (sometimes with the aim and purpose of punching me directly in the feelings) and each character was given such a unique voice. The snippets of Eva and Shane were such a treat, I loved getting to see them exist in their happily ever after. The dialogue sounded realistic to my interactions with teens, I didn’t feel like it was adults talking and it also didn’t make me cringe to my core.

I loved the story and strongly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own

There’s something special about a romance like this one.
I love the character depth and building between the two main characters. Their relationship with each other forces themselves to confront aspects of their lives and character they don’t want to. Also I loved seeing Eva and Shane again in this completely different light from their child who has been left out of important conversations *genius*

Thanks NetGalley for an early copy of this book to review!

“Bash and Audre were definitely, absolutely, not just friends“
I didn’t want this book to end! It was fun, it was swoon worthy, it was emotional, it was the best thing of ride. Everything you expect out of a book. The theme of 7 throughout the book, bash’s personal relationships, the things he was hiding, audre’s relationships and discovering her past and how they found each other, PERFECTION. It was all so well written, easily a 5 star read! I will be rereading in May and purchasing a copy!
what do I have to do to get an Audre and Bash sequel or novella?

This book gave me all the feels! A heartwarming YA romance set against the backdrop of a gorgeous summer, it was beautifully written, deeply engaging, and effortlessly tackled serious themes with a lighthearted touch.

I loved experiencing the story through André’s perspective—getting to see the world from her POV was a highlight. It was also wonderful to catch up with Audre, Shane, and Eva after Seven Days (my favorite couple!).

I devoured this book in under 24 hours, completely unable to put it down. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a captivating, feel-good read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

“We sometimes don’t notice growth as it happens.."

Am I the only one who smiles nervously when they hear that their auto-buy author is trying something new? That was me when I heard that Tia would be trying her hand at YA romance.

It's been a while since the Internet was thrown into the world of Eva Mercy & Shane Hall in Seven Days In June. I think I speak for the majority of us when I say that Audre (Eva’s daughter) stole the hearts of many. Hearing that Audre would be our FMC definitely piqued my interests.

Audre is a budding therapist, one of her favourite pasttimes & side hustles is to therapise. But outside of therapising her peers, Audre just doesn’t know how to have fun. New & supposed wild boy, Bash, may be the person to help Audre take a walk on the wild side. Audre “employs” Bash to become her funsultant. There just one rule, things must remain strictly platonic…

I really loved the perspectives that Tia offered in this book relating to parent/child relationships. It offered me food for thought on the way in which we interact with our children, how our pasts impact the way in which we raise them & the expectations we have of them.

I was really taken aback by the first few chapters, not because they were bad, but simply because I couldn’t believe how much the dynamics of Eva & Audre's mother-daughter rship had changed. I really felt for Audre, especially realising how co-dependent & toxic their relationship was & how this had negatively impacted Audre's childhood & adolescent years.

Now, while Eva had the best of intentions, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between both Eva & Bash’s father. Bash’s father was extreme, but the way in which both he & Eva parented their children resulted in their children feeling both alienated & neglected.

Onto the lighter part of this novel. The romance was everything that I could have asked for. It was very cute, very swoon-worthy & a very accurate depiction of friendship & young love. I found myself smiling like a giddy teenager everytime I read the interactions between them both.

If you are after a feel good and cute YA romance with a sprinkling of real-life issues, then this is definitely one to add to your TBR and take with you on your summer holidays.

Release date: 20th May

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can't help but adore Audre and Bash and the spark between them. Audre and Bash Are Just Friends was such a delightful read and you'll definitely find yourself laughing and kicking your feet as you dive into their adventure. The writing is filled with so much love and care, making it the perfect romance story. This is hands down the YA romance of the year!

I’m so glad we got an Audre book as she was my favourite character from Seven Days in June!

Bash was a good character to balance out Audres and the romance between them was so freaking cute! Love how we got to see Shane and Eva again aswell.