3 stars
I struggled with this book a little. I could not get over the whole "step" family aspect. I know it is not a big deal for some, but for me it just felt wrong, no matter the situation.

The review will be published on the publication date.

Ein netter, recht typischer NA-College-Liebesroman

Von Zeit zu Zeit lese ich New Adult Bücher recht gerne, vor allem wenn sie am College spielen, da ich diese Zeit des Aufbruchs und Wandels spannend finde.

„Just a boyfriend“ wird als „warm, witty, and unpredictable“ beschrieben, was durchaus treffend ist. Wobei bei ich sagen muss, dass bezogen auf alle drei Beschreibungen noch viel Potential nach oben war. Vor allem empfand ich den Verlauf der Geschichte nicht wirklich unvorhersehbar, aber gut. Dafür habe ich vielleicht auch schon zu viele solcher Bücher gelesen.

Der Roman ist sehr leicht und gut zu lesen, die verwendete Sprache ist nicht kompliziert. Dies trifft auch auf den Satzbau zu.

Teils erschienen mir die Reaktionen der Charaktere (aller!) etwas überzogen. Dadurch war das Lesen manchmal anstrengender als erhofft.

Wer gerne recht typische NA-Liebesromane liest, die sich mit Charakteren im College-Alter und ihren Familien beschäftigen, der kann hier zugreifen. Ich würde nur vielleicht meine Erwartungen etwas nach unten schrauben und kein Meisterwerk des Genres erwarten.

Blended family dynamics can often be awkward, however, when you're newly blended family also includes your boyfriend- there are definitely no clear rules to follow. Bash and Ember put a pause on their relationship as Bash flees halfway across the country to live with his grandparents.

Fast forward to college, Ember soon finds out Bash is returning home and he'll be attending the same college as Ember. Trouble is...no one knows about their past- parents included. Bash and Ember now need to decide will they move past their clouded history or take a chance on one another.

This was a cute story about love and all the hiccups in between that occur in relationships. Both Bash and Ember grow as individuals and become more confident in what they want. I enjoyed their journey and would definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys a light-hearted novel.

I would rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #NetGalley

After disappearing without a word to her four years ago, Bash is back in Ember's life. Although it's not like he really left, her mom married his dad while they were in high school. Taken completely by surprise by their parents' decision, they knew that they couldn't be together anymore after a few months of dating. Needing space to collect himself Bash moved in with his grandparents across the country. Now he's home for college, and all of the old feelings and hurts are still there for them both.

This was such a sweet book. Ember was relatable in her insecurities, and her need to please her mom, especially after feeling like they'd been given a second chance with her mom's cancer in remission. Her need to be loved and please others was heartbreaking, and it was so wonderful to see her learn that even if they disagree, her happiness is important too. Bash was not without issue, his mom's abandonment and reappearance in his life is definitely a tough subject to tackle and his hesitance to forgive is understandable. This is such a sweet and angsty read, my heart hurting for them all of life's struggles, Bash's patience, Ember's fear, it all came together beautifully in the end.

Just a Boyfriend by Sariah Wilson a five-star read that’s not just another story, but the one. This is number two in the End of the Line series, but could be read as stand-alone, there are characters popping up so if you hate spoilers do read them in order, but of you don’t mind then you don’t have to worry. Sariah Wilson has become a go to author for me, she writes a lovely clean romance with enough heat and strength to it that you don’t need anything extra. Ian ‘Bash’ Sebastian will wow you, with his journey, he will show you his softness that hides beneath the big burley football player who could probably eat my body weight as a starter, a man who could wrap me in his arms and make me forget the world. (I may have an even bigger crush on him as the description of him is so similar to my Sunday delivery driver, I plan them so I get to see him over anyone else) Ember Carlson surprised me, the more we got to know her and the more we got to see why she is the woman she is made my heart break for her. As the story went on, I fell more in love with Ember, she just blew me away and in the end. This is a great romance, but even more it’s a great story.

When I saw Just A Boyfriend on Netgalley I knew I wanted to read it. I loved the colors and look of the cover. Luckily, the story inside was just as good as what was on the outside!

Sarah Wilson has a really great writing style.I loved the way her words flowed and the way she wrote her characters.

I am really looking forward to reading more books from her!

Just a Boyfriend is an adorable second chance romance. Bash and Ember were great characters that everyone will be rooting for till the last chapter.

Another fabulous sweet romance from Sariah Wilson. This is the second in the EOL series but both can be read as standalones. Really enjoyed this. Very positive, good characters, world building and plot. Definitely recommend reading it.

When these two were first together they were high school sweethearts but then their live turned to a forbidden live since their parents got married. Things had to change between the two and it wasn’t easy for either of them. These two have to navigate their lives differently with each other and boy do they go through hell. This book is entertaining. A low level of heat romance with a great story.

I would recommend to any romance reader.

*I was given a free advanced copy of this book by Net Galley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.*

This book was a great addition to the series. A different spin on the forbidden love trope. I liked the flirty, witty, behavior between the two main characters. Had a hard time putting this book down.

Another winner from Sariah Wilson! I loved this story, especially Bash, and stayed up way too long reading it I couldn't put it down! If you like funny slow burn romances, pick this one up!

Cute story! A new-to-me author that I will definitely be looking into. I don't typically enjoy YA romance, but the hero and heroine were mature for their age. Recommended!

I loved the first two books in this series and this one did not disappoint! I love Sariah Wilson's books. Her characters are real and you feel like you can step into the book and be friends with them. The banter between characters is snappy and so funny and the plot develops nicely so it's not insta-love. I also appreciate the fact that I feel better after reading one of her books. I loved Bash in the last book and was so glad that he got his own story. Another 5 star for me!!

I was super excited to read this book, especially since I thought book 1 was really cute. Just a Boyfriend was full of plenty of witty banter between the main characters and just enough chemistry to make things fun. But, similar to book one- things don't really get moving until the end of the book and their is no (not that I necessarily need it) sexual contact to be had.

I look forward to more from this author.

This was a sweet romance read. Very low heat level but very cute story.
The characters were believable, the dialogue was fantastic and the banter between Bash and Ember had me smiling a lot. The story also touched on some tough subjects in a realistic way. Easy, enjoyable read.

This is a good second chance forbidden/taboo YA romance. A young high school couple get a rude awakening one day when they find out their parents got married. Now that their relationship is off limits, he decided it was best to leave town... leaving her brokenhearted. Now, several years later, he has returned. That spark is still there between them, but she is determined to keep him in the Friend Zone despite her true feelings. Part of the book is them trying to get back to the friendship they had without any intimacy, and part is her trying to get over her past hurt. Then there is the whole family situation and what everyone would think if they do get back to what they had before. There are some other outside influences that have/had an affect on their emotional well-being and why they feel or act the way they do. Her character is sarcastic and has that whole 'Daria' vibe (remember from MTV?) often bringing the laughs. Despite his leaving previously, he is loyal and kind-hearted. While the book is fairly light-hearted, there are some heavier elements throughout. This is a sex-free book and safe for teens and up. It's well written and alternates between POV's. It is part of a series, but each can be read as a stand alone. (Each features a different couple.) You see some returning characters from the previous book if you are familiar.

*I received an ARC from Netgalley.

It’s always a good day when a new Sariah Wilson book comes out. I absolutely love her writing style, her intense (yet still clean) romances, the depth she puts into her characterization, and the fun comedic relief that many of her characters contribute to the story (so many times I caught myself literally laughing out loud). This book was no different and kept me reading way late into the night.

I loved Ember and Bash as protagonists. They both had some really great qualities in them- loyalty, protectiveness, lovers of food, outgoing, to name a few- that made them both likable and relatable. Their story was unique and had so much romantic tension throughout it. I loved that both Ember and Bash had things about themselves to work on- neither of them were perfect. There were lots of supporting characters and situations that also added depth to the story.

Each chapter began with either Ember or Bash’s perspective, written in first person, which I loved. It helped you to really get inside each of their heads and understand them as characters and what they were dealing with. There was a really good balance to their voices too, not too much of one or the other’s perspective.

This book is second in the “End Of the Line” (EOL) series, and although I definitely recommend reading them in order you don’t have to. I think you enjoy this book a lot more after reading the first. I loved seeing previous characters from the first book in this one, and some side characters as well. I hope there are more to come!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Montlake Romance for the ARC of this book. The review below is entirely my own opinion.

While the step-sibling trope is not my normal cup-of-tea, I clicked on this when I saw it available on NetGalley because I just really like the way Sariah Wilson tells a story. Something about the way she writes pulls me right in.

This book deals with more than just Bash and Ember's complex relationship. It touches on topics like depression and substance abuse with sensitivity, compassion, and respect. I loved that.

There's also enough humor and sweet/swoony moments to satisfy my HEA-loving heart. Plus, some of my favorite characters from book 1 make an appearance too!

This a well-written, balanced story that I think fans of Ms Wilson's previous books will be pleased. I certainly really liked it!

I love Bash so hard, such a swoonfest. This books was so great. I had a hard time putting it down.
Thanks Netgalley for the Arc

The adorableness of this book was on point. Bash is just too swoony. The characters and their love story was one you need in your life. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves this genre. Also really loved catching up with Jess and Logan. The snipets of their hea were perfect. I loved everything almost as much as they love cake and bacon.