This one was just fine! I didn't love any of the characters! I think since Cam and Piper started out as a one night stand kind of connection, I just didn't believe their relationship. Probably a solid summer read where it is popcorn enjoyable and then forget 5 minutes after.

Thoughts: I'm a big Jill Shalvis fan and her books are always an auto-buy for me. I appreciate her down-to-earth writing style, plots, and characters, and Almost Just Friends fits her mold perfectly. Strong female lead, Piper, doing her best to take care of her family while also trying to put herself first for once. But when her siblings keep secrets from her, it takes all of her willpower to not let her control-freak side take over. And Camden, the good-looking despite still grieving over his dead brother temporary next-door neighbor, can't help but try to show Piper how to let go and just feel instead of always planning and over-thinking. These two don't seem like a likely couple at first, but they have more in common as the story goes on. I wasn't a huge fan of Piper's younger siblings, however as my own personal experience as a younger sibling I can totally understand why they are keeping secrets from Piper. I loved how Piper and her siblings love each other unconditionally, and how faithful Camden tries to be to everyone in his life. This was a sweet small-town love story packed with charm, heartfelt depth, and meaningful relationships between every character. Highly recommend!

I can’t believe I waited so long to read Almost Just Friends! I loved the story and the characters so much. Shalvis is excellent at writing compelling characters and interesting family stories. The setting was also very well done. I’m so excited to go and read the rest of the Wildstone series now. 4 stars

Just finished reading my first book by Jill Shalvis and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought this was gonna be your typical romance novel but it was so much more.
I loved how she introduced all the family members and their dramas. She did an excellent job writing this story and I can’t wait to read another.
Thanks Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked this book. The characters are endearing. The family dynamics are realistic. The story will keep your interest from page one till the end.

✦Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: ALMOST JUST FRIENDS by Jill Shalvis https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-boJ
Publication Date: January 21, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

This is a story about two people struggling with family issues and painful things in their pasts. I fell for Cam quickly. Despite carrying a load of guilt, he was open to taking a chance. Not only in romance, but with his father and those around them. I enjoyed him and his banter. I related to Piper in the beginning, but her self-preserving behavior frustrated me after a while. Thankfully she was a likeable person, so my groans were kept to a minimum.

I liked the family members, especially Cam’s dad, Emmitt. He was a hoot! Piper’s brother, Gavin had his own romance in the story that made me smile. Due to the nature of the families, I didn’t feel the camaraderie that I love in Shalvis’ books, but that didn’t ruin my enjoyment in watching them grow closer. It’s a story of letting go of the past to embrace the future, accepting others, and being open to love. It is a lovely romance.

*Review copy provided by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

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Kindle https://amzn.to/392LjEt

Almost Just Friends
Wildstone, Book 4

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series…. kinda

The Characters:

Piper Manning:
Camden Reid:
Gavin Manning, Youngest sister Manning and Camden’s dad (I can’t remember any names right now)

The Story:

I say kinda continuing the series because I let this series get away from me. I read book one and have now skipped to book four but it’s okay. My library has the whole series and I’m going to catch up soon.

Anywoo, I enjoyed this book. It focuses not only on Piper and Cam‘s romance but also on rebuilding the Manning family and quite a bit on Gavin’s romance. These people come together in the wake of a tragedy and have reluctantly teamed together to make a strong family unit. I hope we get to see more of each of them in the future.



The Random Thoughts:


4 Stars

Almost Just Friends (Wildstone #4). By Jill Shalvis. 2020. William Morrow Paperbacks (ARC ebook).

Dedicated EMT and control freak sister of two, Piper Manning is ready to leave Wildstone behind for a new home and profession. She’s got this. It’s all in her journal and the first step is already checked off.

1. Get Gavin and Winnie raised, out of the house and settled on their own √
2. Apply to a Physician’s Assistant program far away from Wildstone--Colorado will work
3. Get the lake house and cottages in good enough order to land a buyer so that there is money to pay for said program and relocation
4. Don’t fall for the new hunk staying at the marina

She so doesn’t have this.

5. So Gavin and Winnie are back, surely this is temporary
6. Gavin has a secret
7. What’s this about turning the property into a B&B???
8. Winnie has a secret
9. Missed the deadline for classes, can apply again
10. Can totally handle a fling with the marina/Coast Guard/DEA hunk named Camden Hayes

Family, fun, forgiveness and finding someone to put down roots for. Shalvis hits all the right notes.
The only confusion for me was the amount of the story spent on a secondary romance between Piper’s brother Gavin and Wildstone police officer CJ. It is easily a third of the book and not a setup for the next installment. My preference would have been to have Gavin and CJ’s story as a novella despite the overlapping events. This would have given some pages to see Cam on a mission and some shenanigans of the Mannings running the B&B before the epilogue. Final verdict though is that Shalvis writes such wonderful characters and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Great story! Jill has a way of connecting with readers. Did not want to put it down. I found myself rooting for Piper and Cam from the beginning. It was great the way the siblings helped each other, you could feel the connection through the pages/

I love Jill Shalvis books and this one was no different. I loved Piper and Cam and the entire family dynamic that came into play with them. There was all the family drama, romance and small town feels I could want! The Wildstone series is one of my favorite series and I look forward to the next in the series!!

4.5 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has pain, secrets, second chances, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Lost and Found Sisters (Wildstone, #1)
The Good Luck Sister (Wildstone #1.5)
Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone #2)
The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone #3)

This is Piper’s story. Piper is almost done fulfilling her duties as she sees them. She has raised her siblings and they have left. Now she needs to fix up the lake house and she will be free. When she meets Camden there is a pull, but she tries to ignore it. When secrets are revealed she might need not only her siblings but also Cam tog et her through it. She never though she would have a future with someone, but Cam makes her feel all kinds of things. But will the demons she uncovered make her run from the future she could have had?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story from this author.

Although it was a decent story and premise, I felt like it was something I'd read before, didn't dislike it, but also don't feel as if I'd really recommend it. It wasn't memorable.

What can I say, I love this series! Every time I read her books each ones becomes my favorite. Her books are hard to put down!

I always love books by Jill Shalvis, and Almost Just Friends is no exception.

Piper Manning has always been the responsible one. She took on the responsibility of raising her siblings after the death of her parents. Now they're on their own, she thinks, and it's finally her turn.

Will she stubbornly cling to her plans, or will she accept the love that's being offered? You'll have to read the book to find out!

I would highly recommend this title to anyone who loves romance.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#AlmostJustFriends#NetGalley

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers - William Morrow Paperbacks for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

It's a cute book. Yes, the characters all have gone through some type of tragedy/struggle BUT it was cute and feel good. The story is about Piper, her two siblings and her future love interest, Cam. The storylines were somewhat predictable at times but there were enough "twists" to keep the plot moving forward and not get too boring. While reading it I kept thinking of the movie, The Family Stone because of how the characters were so playful with one another and funny. Also, in the beginning it reminded me of the book Get a Life, Chloe Brown. Piper is obsessive with making lists (she makes a kind of to do list--similar to Chloe Brown) and there's a scene where a cat is stuck up a tree (again, same as Chloe). Once I read those things, I figured I would like this book since I liked the other one.

This book is for someone who loves romance and happy endings. There aren't really any crazy "steamy" scenes in this which surprised me but I've never read any other books by the author before. Overall, it was decent and just in the middle of the road for rating.

3.5/5

This is book 4 in the Wildstone series and it can be read as a stand alone. This is Piper's story but does bring back all the siblings. Piper has decided to sell the family home and move on with her life now that the her younger brother and sisters are living their own lives. A major storm damages her grandparents house and a stranger offers to help with the repairs.Piper likes Cameron but there are lots of secrets around him. Even more secrets from her family. I like the story line with Cam being in the Coast Guard reserve and a federal agent. A good story in the Manning family saga. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love Jill Shalvis books and this one didn't disappoint. I read it in one day. As in most of her books, family and friendship are at the very core. You always get the good, the bad, secrets, tears and smiles. The romance and this was wonderful. The chemistry between the two main characters was electrically charged. I wish we all had a man like this. the author did a wonderful job with character and plot development. I definitely recommend this feel good book.

I would like to thank the author/ publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jill Shalvis just keeps writing books and I just keep reading them and that seems like a relationship that isn't going to change any time soon. Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader copy!

This was an enjoyable read with a strong cast of characters and an engaging plot. I couldn't put it down after I started it. This is the 4th book in the series but I think anyone could read it as a standalone. I recommend this to any Jill Shalvis fan.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.