First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!

I DNF’d the Friends-to-Lovers Project by Paula Ottoni at 63%. Not once in this book did I think Daisy was going to actually get with her friend, Jeremy. Honestly, the whole friends-to-lovers project felt like an afterthought. This books was insta-lust between the two main characters and the first explicit scene made me cringe so hard that I actually laughed out loud. This book was just not for me! It was well narrated though.

I did not rate on goodreads or storygraph

This felt like a fun, short vacation read! I’m a simple woman — I like a hot man with an accent and limited obstacles to overcome in a love story, and that’s what this delivered. I did think it was a little strange that the whole “friends to lovers project” was billed as the premise of the book, and it was over by the time I was half way through (still not really sure what we liked about the best friend?) and it was slightly awkward how quickly everybody moved on from the original dumpings. Regardless, it’s some hot fun in a romantic setting, and I had a good time reading it.

3.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the audioARC :)

This book was carried a very unique premise that integrated a few elements I *love* to see in a romance: I love a chef, love a musician, and love an Italian escapade.

I can honestly say there were multiple points where I did not know what to expect for what would come next. Obviously I knew that it would have a happy ending but I did not know what path was laid out to get us there - on one hand that is very impressive because so often you can see where the story will take you! On the other hand, some stuff felt very surprising and incongruent. I liked the imagery conveyed about the beauty of Venice! The connection between the characters was stated in words but not always felt - the chemistry felt a bit lacking (both in the platonic realms and romantic realms). The pacing also felt weird at times and I was surprised by the abruptness of their departures and distance from one another. The epilogue tied it together well and I think it’s good everything got tied together in the end.

The Friends-to-Lovers Project by Paula Ottoni, narrated by Carly Robins and Will Damron, is a nice, easygoing audiobook that’s perfect for a relaxed listen. The story is light and enjoyable, with well-developed characters and a smooth flow. The narration adds warmth and charm, making it easy to stay engaged throughout. While it may not be groundbreaking, it’s a pleasant, comforting romance that earns a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing my copy of this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

#PaulaOttoni #TheFriendsToLoversProject #NetGalley #HarlequinAudio

The description of the book sounds so cute. A romance set in Venice! Maybe it was just the narrators, but I really didn’t like this book.

The 20 year friendship seems forced. There is no connection between them. Then suddenly Daisy is giving up everything for a man she just met.

I did not feel a connection between any of the characters. There is no witty banter. The spicy scenes were bland and clinical. The descriptions of Venice were lacking. If I had never been to Venice, I wouldn’t have been able to picture the environment. Picky thing, but I don’t understand why Milan was written/narrated in Italian but Italy and Venice were not.

The male narrator really bothered me. The Italian felt forced and out of place. His voice would go a bit deeper with an odd Italian accent for certain things. I did not enjoy the narration. But maybe that’s just me! I lived in Italy, and this sounded unnatural.

4 Stars!

The Friends-to-Lovers Project is a classic romance. Full of slow burns, miscommunication, best friends trying to be more and finding your true joy. I do think the title is a bit misleading but it doesn't take away from the story.

This story is about two plantonic besties finally trying to find out if what everyone says is true - that they are / should be more than platonic. Enter an amazing human who is willing to help them discover if they could be, by setting up romantic dates to move it along, only to find out... (no spoilers in this review).

I listened to the book over the course of a day at 1.5x speed. The narration was wonderful, very smooth and lyrical. The story was very picturesque and I never thought about visiting Venice until now. It was like a perfect travel journal. It was well written, the story was had a very developed destination and if you are able to suspend belief for a bit, has an wonderful HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley for trusting me with this ALC to listen to and review.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an advance listening copy of #TheFriendsToLoversProject. Best friends tour Venice while trying to see if they can become romantic partners. 4 stars.

If you’re looking for a fun, romantic getaway book this is the one. The Friends to Lovers Project, by Paula Ottoni.

It’s the story of two best friends that decide they want to fall in love, and the poor dude trying to make it happen.

There’s a lot of self discovery mixed in with the romance of Venice.

Also, I love Carly Robbins and her narration is second to none!

Thanks to Paula Ottoni and Netgalley for this ALC

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

🌶️ 🌶️

Narrated in duet by Carly Robins and Will Damron

Got in to this book thinking it was going to be a friend's to lover situation just to be hit by Lorenzo's hotness and Will Damon's voice really did it for me.

But the main love interest for me in this book was Venezia, I fell in love with the city and that's all Paula's way to describe and set the scenario for this love story, but I feel that the narration really brought me there.

And now I want to move no Venezia and fall in love with a casanova/violinist.

This book had such a unique premise that if felt very fresh and new while also still following an expected arc for a romance. I loved the characters and setting in Italy. I loved that both characters were able to find and overcome so many personal challenges. If you want to read a cozy romance with a new premise then this is for you.
The narrators did a wonderful job brining the characters and story to life. They made everything interesting and their voice acting was great.

thank you to paula ottoni, harlequin audio & netgalley for an arc of this book. all opinions are my own. ♡

₊˚⊹⋆ first thoughts: this has been on my watch list for a couple months now, so i was super stoked to get the honor of getting an e-arc for this pretty lil baby! friends-to-lovers with a third party in VENICE?? please!

₊˚⊹⋆ final thoughts:

Daisy and Jeremy are both dumped by their partners while they were all vacationing in Venice together. The break-up note stated they should be together since they love each other so much.... However, Daisy and Jeremy are just friends, but after that note they try to be a couple for their one week in Venice.

In enters Lorenzo the concierge who wants to plan their days so they can fall in love with each other. And while he is originally doing this because he wants to prove he loved the hotel and will be able to take over. He can't help his feelings for Daisy.

I received an advance review copy audio version. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the opportunity to listen to this book. Carly Robins and Will Damron did an amazing job narrating this audiobook

It's a little difficult to review this because I requested this on NetGalley based on the narrators, cute cover and title. But this book doesn't really hit on my tropes. For one, this is a drama and I was expecting a rom com. There also isn't a friends to lovers plot. And, unfortunately, there's instalove here which I can never wrap my mind around.

That being said, the novel is a pretty fast read/listen and if someone wants Venice, Casanova, violins and all the melodrama and romance that comes with that, then this story will delight them.

Also, you get Carly Robbins and Will Damron! Will is always solid and I can wax poetic on Carly's glorious narration for paragraphs and paragraphs.

Thank you to NetGlalley and the publisher for the ALC.

I originally was interested in this book based on the blurb. It sounded like a fun and light friends to lovers romance based on the title but it ended up being more than that! I enjoyed the narration on this and the dual pov but I think probably my favorite thing was actually learning so much about Venice through the hot tour guide.


Thank you to both Harlequin and NetGalley for an opportunity to listen to this ALC early in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC

This was a fun, cute read and the narration was perfect for the characters. The title is a little misleading as the friends to lovers goes off the rails fairly quickly, and becomes something very different. Finding yourself again, and that person who challenges you to be your best self, unexpected as they may be. I ended up really loving this book, Carly Robins and Will Damron did an excellent job portraying their characters fears, grief, hopes, dreams and ultimately love.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the audio ARC!

3 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

🎧 AUDIOBOOK review 🎧

The audio was good! I love Carly Robbins so anything she narrates is good! It flowers nicely and both the male and female narrators did a great job.

The story was super cute! A sweet summer romance. When the friends to lovers projects fails Daisy finds her true love!

The Friends-to-Lovers Project is a fun, flirty escape that feels like a mini-vacation to Italy. Daisy and her best friend Jeremy arrive in Italy on a group trip with their significant others—only for the vacation to take a dramatic turn when their partners leave them for each other.

Newly single and stuck in romantic Italy, Daisy and Jeremy decide to see if their longtime friendship could turn into something more. Helping them along is Lorenzo, the devastatingly charming hotel concierge, who takes it upon himself to play matchmaker. But as the three explore Italy, it becomes clear that the real sparks are between Daisy and Lorenzo—not Daisy and Jeremy.

Full of tension, passion, and a touch of spice, this vacation romance is a delightful, emotional ride. Narrators Carly Robins and Will Damron do a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. Thank you to NetGalley, Paula Ottoni, and Harlequin Audio for the ALC—I thoroughly enjoyed every moment!

This story had a cute premise and a few genuinely heartwarming scenes. The transition from friendship to romance had its relatable moments, and there was some nice chemistry between the main characters.

That said, the pacing was uneven. Some parts felt drawn out while others moved too quickly, especially key emotional beats that could have added more depth. The dialogue was predictable at times, and a few side characters didn’t get the development they deserved.

Overall, it’s an easy, feel-good read with some charm, but it didn’t completely pull me in. Enjoyable enough, just not especially memorable.

I don't understand the title. She does enter a friends to lovers attempt but it lasts all of seven seconds before she moves on to someone she actually might like.

The book was not horrible but there were a few times I just wasn't feeling it and struggled to pay attention. I'm sure it's just me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this story. Carly Robbins (CJ Bloom) and Will Damron are a couple of my favorites, and they did a great job.

This made me feel like I was on an Italian vacation! The FMC has a plan and she will do whatever she can to achieve her goals. Things go off track when she meets the seductive concierge at her Venetian hotel. Will she stick to her original path or choose love?