This book needs to be made into a Netflix series like yesterday! It was absolutely DARLING! The characters were so relatable and so sweet together. And the storyline just kept me on edge the whole book! I loved the ending.

I really enjoyed this sweet friends-to-lovers romance—two best friends who were clearly meant for each other from the start. It gave me The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes, but more grown-up and, thankfully, without the love triangle drama. I related a lot to Joni’s anxiety and how it held her back from taking risks—it felt very real and personal.

There were definitely moments where I got a bit frustrated, thinking, Come on, you're best friends—just talk to each other! But honestly, that just made the payoff even sweeter. By the end, the book gave me butterflies in all the best ways.

The audiobook performance was fantastic. The narrator really brought the story to life and made it easy to get lost in the world. The only downside was the long pauses between chapters—hopefully those will be tightened up in the final version.

This book is so cute and if you are a fan of The Summer I Turned Pretty, trust me- this book is for you. I love me some Friends to Lovers books and this one really satisfied my craving for them since it has been quite a while since I read one. It took me a bit to get into between the time jumps, but after the first few chapters I was HOOKED. I couldn't pause it because Patti Murin's narration was phenomenal, she brought so much heart into this story that I was just completely captivated.

The story follows Joni and Ren who have been lifelong best friends. When Joni accepts a job across the country, their friendship is put to the test, and maybe, just maybe, it could become something more. But after a major falling out, they stop speaking, until a wedding brings them back together at their families beach house. Then from here cue the flood of memories, unresolved tension, and even everyones personal favorite: forced proximity. Expect all the feels in this book and enjoy the slow but sweet transition of Joni and Ren from just being friends to becoming lovers.

Also... can Ren make me a playlist too?

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen to this ARC!

This book was fantastic!

If you’re a fan of Emily Henry—especially People We Meet on Vacation or Happy Place—I have no doubt you’ll love this one, too. Joni and Ren are wonderful characters, and I loved spending time in their world. The supporting cast is just as charming, and the setting feels like a character in its own right.

As someone born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, my heart nearly exploded reading about not just my beloved Portland, but also the Oregon Coast. If you’re an Oregonian, you already know how special the coast is—it’s woven into the soul of everyone lucky enough to grow up near all that beauty.

I absolutely adored this story, and am so excited to see what this author does next 🌊

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this sweet, heartwarming ARC. I loved meeting Joni and Ren and watching their friendship grow. The dual timelines added so much to the story and created a sense of mystery that I had not anticipated. While this was a slow burn story, I fell in love with all the characters and loved the way that these two families were so intwined and supportive of each other. I did not understand all the choices made by the protagonist, but I still had to know what happened next.

Friends to Lovers was a sweet, heartwarming romance – exactly what the title promises. Joni and Ren’s chemistry is both palpable and believable, making their journey from friends to something more feel natural and satisfying. Patti Murin, one of my favorite narrators, does a fantastic job bringing these characters to life, adding warmth and personality to every scene. This was a cozy, feel-good listen that left me smiling.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio and Sally Blakely for granting me access to the ALC.

Really loved the concept of this book. Childhood friends to lovers. The beginning really has me hooked, you could just feel the love between the mcs.

Just somewhere in the middle it lost me. I was no longer interested and I feel like their reasoning behind not speaking to each other anymore was not a good one. Seemed very young adult.

The narrator was okay. I do think the monotone had something to do with me tuning out.

Wanted to love this. Just was a miss for me unfortunately

I got this just before a long weekend vacation and it was perfection! Loved the two main characters, loved their families more. This hit all of the marks of a summer beach read, will they, won't they, why not with a large family event and some fun chaos sprinkled in. Added bonus for the Pacific Northwest setting. Solid narration. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an advanced listening copy of Feiends to Lovers by Sally Blakely in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will be released on July 22.
If you enjoyed Emily Henry’s The People We Meet On Vacation then you will enjoy this book. The audio is one female narrator told in first person from the FMC point of view. I listened at 2.0 speed. I liked the narrator; but I prefer 2 narrators when it’s first person.
Joni and Ren are childhood friends who friend zoned each other, but slowly realize that they want more. They agree to be wedding dates when needed, and the attraction grows. They each date other people, and it takes one wedding where blurred lines threaten their friendship. It takes another wedding (Joni’s sister) two and a half years later for Joni and Ren to see each other again. They quickly have to decide if they want to cross that line and stay friends (and forget parts of the past) or tackle life together.
An easy listen and a great book!

Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely is a heartfelt, sun-soaked story that perfectly captures the messiness of love, timing, and growing up. The main character feels incredibly real—her fear of the unknown and the emotional risks of stepping out of a comfortable friendship hit close to home. Blakely does a beautiful job creating complex, fully-formed characters who make mistakes, reflect, and grow in honest, relatable ways.

Set against a warm, summery backdrop that feels both sweet and nostalgic, the story pulls you in with its atmosphere as much as its emotional depth. The writing is vivid and expressive, filled with small moments that linger. It’s a story that balances lightness and depth, joy and regret. I especially appreciated the self-reflection that came after difficult choices—Blakely doesn’t shy away from showing the consequences of hesitation or fear, but she also offers a sense of hope and growth.

This is a perfect read for anyone who loves slow-burn romance, nuanced characters, and stories that feel as familiar as they are emotionally honest

🎧 ARC Review: Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely (Harlequin Audio)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
This is a sweet, slow burn, second chance romance told in single POV. Joni and Ren are childhood best friends whose bond runs deep, but life (and miscommunication) gets in the way.
Ren is an absolute swoon. The way he loves Joni is tender, patient, and heartachingly pure. I loved watching their history unfold and seeing how their connection stayed strong even after years apart.
That said, I’ve learned that dual timelines just aren’t for me. The back-and-forth between past and present continued until nearly the end, which made it harder for me to stay emotionally grounded in the story. And yes, the core conflict is fueled by miscommunication, which is my personal reading kryptonite. They spent two and a half years apart when a single honest conversation could’ve changed everything; and that drove me a little crazy.
But the story is well told, the emotion is there, and their eventual HEA was satisfying to witness. If you love childhood friends to lovers with all the yearning and a good payoff, this one delivers.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! Friends to Lovers title really sums it up.
It’s the perfect summer read or listen about second chance, family drama and secrets. The flashbacks allow us to better understand the circumstances around the story.
The Narrator Patti Murin did a wonderful job. The pace is good and kept listening part of the night.
I would recommend this title to those who enjoy a good summer novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for allowing me to review this audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook ARC copy.

Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely
Pub Date July 22, 2025

Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope, but I enjoyed this so much. It had me on the verge for so much of it just reminding me of how feelings can develop this way and how navigating that line can be so difficult but also very easy.

Joni and Ren are childhood best friends; their families are friends with each other too and even share a summer house. Their lives have been intertwined for so long but when something comes between their friendship, they have to figure out how to navigate this new dynamic. The fall out kept them from each other, their friendship frayed. Joni’s sister’s wedding is the first time they’ve seen each other since and it’s awkward at first since their family doesn’t even know about their changed friendship status and they have to fake it… until they don’t. They fall back into their friendship so easily. The line remains there though, tempting them to cross but figuring out what is worth the risk is easy when you know what you want.

The narration flowed so well, it’s a single narrative which allows us to be fully immersed into Joni’s mind. It definitely gave me The Summer I Turned Pretty and People We Meet on Vacation vibes as per the description. Small town summer vibes.

Friends to Lovers was the sweetest. Was it predictable? Yes. But I still loved the story of Joni and Ren and their intertwined families. While Joni had her own things she was working through, Ren was the perfect golden retriever. He was everything she needed even when she didn’t know that’s what she needed.

The narrator did a great job too!

This is the perfect friends to lovers trope. A slow burn romance with friendship, second chances and family. Joni and Ren have been best friends since childhood. She moves to Oregon and they agree to meet every summer to be plus one’s at friends weddings. They lose touch two years ago and are reunited for her sister’s wedding. I loved the emotional depth of this story, the angst, the chemistry and the found family. It is such a whirlwind adventure, perfect summer read.

The audiobook is narrated by Patti Murin. She is such a wonderful narrator and her voicing these characters in this story was perfection. A must listen to!

The perfect summer read!!! This was like watching a 2000’s romcom and I’m obsessed!

Loved the flashbacks, I really enjoy second chance romances & Joni & Ren were so perfect!!

Loved the wedding plus one part of the book, it was so cute to see them together at different weddings. I also loved Joni’s relationship with her siblings!

The beach house vibes were also *chefs kiss *

Thank you so much for the arc!!

Loved, but I just wish (and I never say this) that it was longer! It felt like there was so much more it could’ve explored but it was cut short. This made it feel at times that there was stuff I was missing, with lots of characters to keep straight but not a lot of time to delve into each character and relationship.

This book was just as good on audio the 2nd time around! If you love a great slow burn, friends to lovers story with a dual timeline, i highly recommend this one! An incredible debut.

🎧ALC REVIEW🎧
📚Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely
🎤solo narration by Patti Murin
💘thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC

📝what to expect
-friends to lovers (did the title give it away?)
-slow burn
-second chance
-music agent x still motion artist
-family secrets
-flashback chapters
-one bed


5⭐️- I’m starting to think a second chance, (childhood) friends to lovers story is my absolute favorite story in the world. This one had me crying, giggling, and even had my jaw dropping from the drama.

**scroll down for my 🎧 audiobook notes too!!

—

📚general review📚

This story follows Ren and Joni who grew up as best friends. They make a pact after college to be each other’s plus one any time either of them are invited to a wedding. They live on opposite sides of the country so this pact guarantees they see each other anytime a wedding comes around. The story is told during the week of her sister’s wedding and in flash backs to each wedding Ren and Joni attended together. It was such a unique way to frame this story and I absolutely loved it. I’m always a sucker for a ~wedding date~ trope!!

I love that this is a solo POV - Blakely does such a great job showing Ren fall for Joni without even getting his POV. It’s the actions, the words, the descriptions of his body language. It was done so well, I felt like I was falling in love too.

Another great aspect of this one was the family drama - I think it adds to the relationship itself when the family is so intertwined. And the blow up scene where it all gets aired out is so good here I was literally jaw dropping in shock. I looove messy family drama!

I loved their relationship so much and the ties to music/playlists, their little traditions, their comfort with each other. Blakely writes love so deeply- I get that gut punch, heart wrenching feeling that I’m always seeking out in a romance.


🎧audiobook review🎧
-Solo narration by Patti Murin
-Single POV with flash back chapters
-Patti is such a talent, anything she narrates I already know it’s going to be a beautiful story. She puts so much emotion into her performance and I love getting immersed in the story when she narrates.

I was given the chance to arc READ this book and absolutely loved it. So as soon as I saw it was available to listen to as the audio version, I jumped on that train! Both narrators, I feel like they fit the characters perfectly!