Ok, first of all, my confession: I have followed Abby Jimenez on Facebook ever since stumbling across her bakery's beautiful geode cake that went viral for its hilariously unfortunate (so, ultimately fortunate?) resemblance to a certain female body part. If someone with a wild sense of humor, a caring nature, an intrinsic understanding of 'hangry,' and the ability to effortlessly drop the more-than-occasional f-bomb appeals to you, you should follow her, too!

When Abby announced she had a book coming out, I wasn't sure that I would read it. Truthfully, I expected it to be a typical contemporary 'chick lit' romance, and though my reading tastes are all over the map, I don't often read those. However, my love for Abby (and the opportunity to read an ARC copy--thank you, NetGalley!) won me over, and I'm so glad it did. This is not your typical fairytale romance. Kristen has a quirky sense of humor (oddly akin to Abby's, lol), a stubborn determination to help others even at the expense of her own happiness, and an adorable dog those of us in the know fondly refer to as "Satan's Teddy Bear."

Alternately told in Kristen's, then Josh's voice, the story takes one from their initial, jarring meeting through their non-courtship, and beyond. However, don't expect a fairytale HEA. Kristen has some major health issues, and just as in real life, no one can wave a magic wand and make those go away.

Expect to laugh your fanny off, to cry real tears, and to read this book in one sitting, because believe me, once you start you're not going to want to put it down.

This review is difficult for me to write as there are no words that can truly do justice to this amazing book! Without a doubt, The Friend Zone will be making my top of 2019 list at the end of the year.

Kristen is helping her best friend Sloane plan her wedding - alongside the best man, Josh. There's something that draws Kristen to Josh, but since she is in a long distance military relationship, she pushes him off with scowls and sarcasm. The other issue? Josh wants children. Kristen suffers from endometriosis which she knows will impact her fertility in the future and she does not want anyone to settle...hence the move into The Friend Zone.

This book has so much heart, humor and romance and it is incredibly well done. I cried, I laughed, I loved. And I immediately wanted more. Happily, I've learned that a sequel is in the works and I will be the first one to pre-order a copy.

Thank you to Forever for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I almost stopped reading this book because this felt trite, a woman with a thing for a man in uniform. I AM SO GLAD I DIDN'T STOP. The book grabbed my attention because the blurb made a comparison to Christina Lauren, which feels accurate with the alternating chapters between Kristen and Josh. But it had way more substance. I cried for the last quarter of the book. They are dealing with real big things not imagined problems. The only part I didn't like was when she wore a g-string, she is far to practical for that. Just saying. Read it if you are looking for a good cry and a happy ending.

I absolutely loved this book!! Abby is a fantastic writer and wrote her characters like they could be your best friends. I did not want this book to end and can't wait until 2020 to read Sloan's story.

Thank you to Netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this book!! Abby Jimenez is an amazing writer!! I was thinking this was going to be the cute romance. This book was not just cute though! This book had very serious topics. No spoilers, but a trigger warning for infertility! I felt for these characters. The main female character, so strong. The main male character, so kind, and likable! There was so much about this book that I was caught off guard about. Love, loss, friendships, humor, family drama, I was laughing, and crying. Man, this was a book that I did not want to end. But when it did, it was just perfect.I was so happy to learn she has 2 more books following! I cannot wait to read everything Abby writes!! You guys...READ THIS BOOK!! Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my early Review copy in exchange for my honest review!

I was absolutely enthralled with this novel but found myself at times disconnecting from the story due to the stubbornness of the heroine. There were also quite a few sad parts when I thought we were headed towards their much anticipated hea. All in all while this isn't my favorite I will read this author again!

Thank you Forever for the opportunity tonread and review this book!

A romance novel that dealt with infertility - call me intrigued. Unfortunately, The Friend Zone did not do it for me. Right off the bat, I did not feel a connection to either main character. It could be just personal preference, but I found Kristin’s “cool girl” persona really annoying and unlikable. And Josh was just kind of blah for me. Yes, we get it. He’s a hot firefighter. Do we need to mention it every other sentence.

Romance wise, I get the whole concept is Josh being in the “friends zone,” but he’s not really. She likes him from the beginning even while she’s in a relationship. This kind of bugged me. I really did not get into it.

Overall, I thought this book had something unique to it with it dealing with such an important issue, but I just didn’t like the characters and couldn’t get into the story. This one wasn’t for me.

On the recommendation of @kmc_reads, I picked up The Friend Zone by @authorabbyjimenez and OH MY GOD I was so impressed. This book pleasantly surprised me in all the best ways and it’s easily ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. ⁣⁣
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The Friend Zone is the story of Kristen and Josh, who meet in a fender bender and turn out to be Maid of Honor and Best Man in their friend’s wedding. Their love story is so adorable, and the banter is amazing. Reminds me of a @christinalauren novel.⁣⁣
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I’m telling you, you need to pick this one up when it’s released in June. All my highest regards!!⁣
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Have you read this one? What did you think? What are your favorite romances?

So here's the thing, I really love romance novels. Here's another thing, romance novels get really repetitive really fast. The most fabulous thing about this book was its new sincere story that was supported by amazing characters with such great chemistry that you can't help, but be thoroughly enchanted and smitten by the last page. I, myself was invested from the beginning. This is an absolutely amazing book and I honestly, can't wait for what comes next from this author.
And yes, I have a thing for this kind of topic. I am someone who really really really wants kids. It's an absolute deal breaker to ever be with someone who doesn't want kids. I love books that deal with drama like this it truly is right up my alley. I also think it's super important to talk about infertility in women. It's something that is a part of so many women's lives and a society in which adoption is seen as an "unfavorable" choice can effect these women in serious way. Whether they want children or not.
Overall, just know that if you love quality quality romance, then this book is an absolute must! Sit yourself down, have some tea and tissues, and read it til you drop. It is absolutely the binge-read you've been looking for. Have fun and let me know if you want to talk about it. I'm always down.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It brought up periods, cramps, and women's health issues that are rarely brought up in books. I swear most romance novels make it seem like a women is never on her period. That is what makes this book different than the rest. Because of Kristen's condition (uterine fibroids) she cannot have children as she will be having surgery, she meets Josh, who wants tons of kids. Therefore Kristen had put Josh in the friend zone and that's how this book starts. There is heartbreak in this book involving other 2 people (Sloan and Brandon) but there is a second book coming for that in 2020 which i'm excited to read.

I was provided an e-arc from NetGalley for an honest review.

The Friend Zone was definitely one of my many anticipated romances of this year. As a women with Endometriosis (suffering from extreme/bad heavy periods, pelvic pain, nausea and having a high chance of being infertile) this books premise REALLY stood out to me! But it grieves me to say I didn't quite enjoy it as I hoped I would. I DNF'd at 40% And that's okay! Sometimes things just don't work out for one but does for others!
The first thing that got my attention was the writing style. For some reason I just could not get into it and that saddened me. All the characters except for Kristen also felt flat to me. They were missing depth and they just seemed to be there. Everything also felt rushed (Kristen and Josh's attraction and love for each other) and the fact that Kristen was in a relationship that she knew she wasn't all that in to put me off. I wasn't a fan on Kristen comparing Josh and Tyler or that she was having 'those' type of thoughts of Josh (meanwhile in a relationship.) I understand how Tyler's the 'convenient' option but I thought it was messed up how she literally was wasting both her and his time. Why be in a relationship? Why lead someone on for so long when you don't reciprocate the same feelings? To me that just wasn't fair. And lastly, I didn't feel Josh's and Kristen's chemistry at all which was the biggest disappointment of all because if I had felt it, that alone would have kept me hooked and going.
Anyways, these are my 'opinions' and it doesn't mean that anybody else won't enjoy the story. That said I can't wait for what else Abbey puts out in the future. I will definitely give her another try.

This book was somehow exactly what I expected it to be, and nothing at all what I was expecting.

How is that even possible?

I expected smart writing, acerbic wit, and engaging storytelling. I got all those things in The Friend Zone. It sucked me in immediately and I loved Kristen's snarky humor, the hilarious relationship she had with her best friend (Sloan), and her commitment to her no filter style of communication. The meet-cute worked for me. I loved Josh - maybe especially I loved the way Josh smoothed out all of Kristen's sharp edges. He complemented her in a way that was very satisfying to me.

It wasn't a perfect read, however. As much as I loved Kristen - as much as I related to her and identified with her (more on that later) - she drove me completely bananas. I wanted to shake her. I sometimes felt like she behaved out of character by applying filters when it came to some of the most important stuff in her life. This heroine takes no prisoners and spares no punches, so the fact that the "conflict" was drawn out for so long and could have been so easily resolved frustrated me and to some extent left me feeling unable to fully invest in her relationship with Josh for a huge part of the story.

I also didn't love the "triangle"vibes. This seemed to resolve itself as the story moved forward - so I wouldn't label this a love triangle story - but the vibes were there and I didn't love that feeling. My die-hard romantic heart didn't want the distraction or the ache that these vibes caused.

My quibbles aside, one thing I felt like Ms. Jimenez nailed, spot on, was Kristen's struggle with her female problems, and the infertility storyline. The author acknowledges that this struggle is different for every woman who experiences it, but Kristen's struggle resonated with me on a deep, deep level. There were so many similarities to my own experiences that even when I wanted to knock her in the head and tell her to snap out of it, I felt her struggle in my bones, because I have lived it. I don't know, maybe not everyone wants to read a story where the heroine struggles with her girly bits - but as someone who has had to have those conversations, and has lived those challenges - I loved it. I felt like it was captured with sensitivity and authenticity while still allowing my heart to give a hearty swoon over Josh's easy acceptance and unwavering love as Kristen sorted through her issues.

This story was a lot heavier than I expected it to be. There are certainly moments of lightness and playfulness between Kristen and Josh, but they're sometimes a bit overshadowed by the sadness and the frustration I felt over the course of the story. The ending was beautiful - worth the struggle to get there and I cried tears of happiness and sorrow as everything came together.

The Friend Zone was a bit of a mixed bag for me, but I genuinely liked it and am overall happy to have taken the time to get to know these characters and I am desperately curious to know what comes next and absolutely on board for more of this smart writing and engaging storytelling. ~ 3.5 Stars

Going into a debut novel as highly anticipated and buzzed about as The Friend Zone had me a bit nervous, I admit. I feel like this book is being talked about basically EVERYWHERE right now and I've been BEYOND anxious to read it. But you never really know what you'll get with a new author until you jump in, amiright? Will it live up to the hype? Will the writing feel unpolished or inexperienced? Well I'm THRILLED to share that this book was far better than anything I was expecting. I was knocked right on my ass by this author's sharp wit and stellar comedic timing. I was SWEPT AWAY completely by the character development and the wholly captivating storyline. I was impressed and overjoyed to find that Abby Jimenez is the REAL DEAL and The Friend Zone is 100% LEGIT. Believe the buzz... this book is a MUST READ. 

The Friend Zone is smart and wildly entertaining, sexy and deliciously angsty but rich with heartache and depth all at once. Abby Jimenez really committed to delivering a story that's both romantic and relevant in this book and IT SHOWS. With layer upon layer of emotional tumult and authentic drama, The Friend  Zone was a relentless barrage of heart pangs, but it remained funny and fresh and tender the whole way through. Just when you think this story is headed in one direction, another obstacle zings at you unexpectedly, changing the trajectory of the story once more. The romance between Kristen and Josh feels perfectly inevitable yet achingly impossible on every single page. There is so much stacked against this duo, so much insecurity and doubt, so much fear and selfless adoration... it makes for an intense love story full of hope and sexual tension and drama and devastation. I just loved it. 

Even when things are at the absolute worst... and it does get SUPER HEAVY on these pages... Josh and Kristen's hilarious banter and unwavering attraction held me ensnared. This is a wickedly smart rom com, a sweet friends to lovers romance that is JAM PACKED with push and pull and angsty complications. It's both light and heavy, both maddening and satisfying, and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.

I absolutely fell in love with this book and I seriously can not wait to re-read it. Without discussing the plot, I will tell you that this book had me feeling a kaleidoscope of emotions from laughing out loud to tears streaming down my face while I cried and ached for these amazing characters. I immediately fell in love with both Kristen (love heir feistiness) and Josh (love his tenderness) and the supporting characters too. Although this book started out light and funny it also discusses the very delicate issue of infertility and how heartbreaking and lonely it can make you feel.
The dialogue in this book was authentic and had such a great flow to it. Sometimes it’s hard to find that in romance books, but Abby Jimenez knows how to make you laugh, feel outraged on behalf of her characters and also cry your heart out. I was hooked right from the first page and it made me feel like I knew these characters and that they were my friends. I wanted to hug Kristen and Josh and help soothe their worries and fears. Because if anything, this book touches into the vulnerabilities that these two face on such a deep level. I know what the term means to be in the “friend zone,” but after reading this book you actually feel the tug and pull of being in the friend zone and you are rooting so hard for these two to end up together. Thank you Abby Jimenez for writing an amazing book. I already can’t wait for her next book. **ARC provided by Forever and NetGalley. All opinions are my own**

There are not enough stars in the sky for how GOOD this book is. It's an obsessive read, alternately hilarious and weepy, with great writing, emotionally invested characters, a compelling conflict, and and a heart-wrenching climax. Kudos to debut author Abby Jimenez, whose strong voice and delicious humor make this impossible to put down.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an excellent romance filled with laughs, friendship and of course some sadness. The topic of infertility is a tough one and I felt Kristen's sadness and despair. She felt Josh wouldn't want her if he knew. There was a lot angst and although I felt Kristen's pain I did feel she kept stringing him along although she kept insisting she couldn't be with him. I'm glad Josh stuck it out and stayed by her side making her laugh and supporting her at every turn. You truly felt his love for her.

This book. This freaking book just broke me. I knew from the start that this was going to be a favorite read of the year, but then Abby Jimenez took my heart, crushed it into a million pieces, and then somehow put it all back together. This book is a romance and we all know that means HEA but this one goes through an intense and wild ride to get there. I appreciated the honest depiction of infertility and other reproductive issues (my mom has endometriosis and was lucky enough to get pregnant twice after doctors told her it was impossible so stories like this hit home). I also was impressed by the honest portrayal of mental health issues especially when you see the signs in people you love but don’t always put all the pieces together right away. I could super relate to Kristen, especially thinking back to my early twenties, and Joshua was a soft boy like I like my heroes. I definitely recommend this one to any rom-com fan, just be prepared for some tears along the way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this one and I can’t wait until book 2 comes out next year.

*New favourite alert!!!!* This book receives an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me!! I loved every single thing about this book, right down to the last paragraph of the “a note from the author“ section. Wow. Just wow. What an incredible debut into the romance world for Abby Jimenez. Anything she writes in the future, I will be the first to buy!! This book made me feel soo many emotions, it was SO dynamic and I definitely sobbed. The characters are so authentic, relatable and interesting. Prepare for Josh to be your new fictional crush!!!! This book deals with a very important and close to my heart topic of infertility and Abby Jimenez does an incredible job of providing the readers with some beautiful insight on living with it. There were so many amazing parts I highlighted throughout reading this book to use as a quote for this, it was so hard to choose just one to reflect how amazing this book was. I am awe-struck by this book. So I’ll leave you all with this quote and a plug that you MUST get your hands on this book when it’s released on June 11th! “...and I was whole just looking at her”. *I’d like to give a big thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for giving me this e-ARC in return for my honest review of this book. I am so grateful.*

***Spoilers**

This book was billed as "women's fiction" and "romance." It definitely leans more towards romance, which this reader does not normally gravitate toward - so you may keep that in mind as you read this review.

There were so many ways that the characters were just not very relatable, at least in terms of anyone I know.

One of our protagonists is Josh, who is - of course - a 29 year old ex-Marine fireman who is not only gorgeous but is totally looking to settle down after moving from South Dakota to California. And of course he was perfectly trained on how to treat women by his 6 - yes, 6 - sisters.

Kristen, our other protagonist - they alternate chapters in the first person - turned down both Julliard (she's a closet pianist) and Harvard Law to...make pet accessories from home. She's also petite and gorgeous, naturally.

Kristen does all she can to keep Josh at arm's length, given that he wants a enough kids for his own baseball team and she...well, she suffers from terrible periods and pain and may never have children. Even though she is only 24, she's strongly considering a hysterectomy and therefore will not let herself love Josh - and does everything she can to turn him away.

The issue of her fertility is treated with sensitivity early on, including a comprehensive review of her options. In the end though - spoiler alert - Kristen finds out she's 4 months pregnant a bit after a spontaneous wedding to Josh at City Hall. Yes, she got pregnant her very first time with Josh...because his sperm is oh so strong.

I can understand wanting a happy ending for our two main characters, especially considering the fate of some of the other characters in the book. It was just a little too much of a fantasy world for me.

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters, and it was far more emotional than I expected. The only issue I had was Kristen. I loved her in the beginning—strong, funny, witty, and smart—but all the endless back and forth about being together got kind of old. I definitely understood the struggle, but based on the character in the beginning it just didn’t track for me that she would act that way. I did like it otherwise though.