This young adult novel explored the themes of family, friendship and coming of age well. It would be very relatable for younger teen readers.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

- Loved how diverse the characters were, also loved the coincidence of this book being based in Toronto and me travelling there next month!
- The problems she had with her friends kind of hit too close home - I’m glad they resolved their issues though
- I really liked James and Lara’s relationship but just so you know, this one doesn’t have a conventional ending like other romance books.
- Really appreciated Lara prioritising herself to her friendship and relationship since many mistakes were made.
- I wish there were an epilogue since it kind of ended in an open ending

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I feel as though this is an incredibly relatable book, it reminds me of the show Never Have I Ever in an amazing way, where each character is unhinged in the way all teenagers are.

This was a fun read! I liked the different dynamics in the friendships and the way they all balanced each other out. The writing was easy and it was a lot of fun!

I recently dove into "How to Be the Best Third Wheel" by Loridee De Villa, and I have to say, it's a fantastic read! 📚 I breezed through it in just one day, completely hooked from the beginning. The author really captures the essence of being the "third wheel" in a friendship, which is something many of us can relate to.

The book does an amazing job of highlighting the bittersweet truth about being the single friend when everyone else is coupled up. Friends might promise that everything will stay the same, but in reality, it's never quite that simple. 🙅‍♀️ The dynamics change, and simply speaking up about it can sometimes be misconstrued as jealousy.

I particularly resonated with the main character, Lara, who finds herself losing her friends to their boyfriends. 🙁 Plans get canceled, and it seems like the boyfriends are always invited to every event, leaving her feeling a bit lost. The dynamic between Lara and James, her unexpected companion, adds an interesting twist to the story.

In the end, I thought the book wrapped up beautifully, showing two people in their senior year of high school, embarking on new adventures and relationships. It's a great exploration of friendship, romance, and growing up. I'd give it a solid four stars.

"How to Be the Best Third Wheel" by Loridee De Villa is a cute and enjoyable book that's perfect for a quick, fun read. It has its moments, but it won't necessarily blow your socks off.

This book is all about relationships and friendship. It's like a guide on how to navigate the tricky waters of being the third wheel in your friends' romantic escapades. The situations the characters find themselves in are relatable, and you'll probably chuckle at some of the antics.

Loridee De Villa's writing style is casual and modern, making it easy to breeze through the pages. The dialogue feels like something you'd hear from your own friends, which adds to the book's relatability.

While it's an enjoyable read, it doesn't dive too deep into character development or complex plotlines. This is more of a light-hearted, surface-level story, which can be both a pro and a con depending on what you're looking for.

The pacing is consistent throughout the book, but don't expect any major surprises or plot twists. It's a straightforward narrative that sticks to the theme of being the third wheel.

In a nutshell, "How to Be the Best Third Wheel" is a fun, easygoing book that provides some laughs and relatable moments. It won't redefine literature, but it's a nice addition to your reading list when you're in the mood for something light and undemanding.

In How to Be the Best Third Wheel, Loridee De Villa offers an insightful and humorous guidebook for those finding themselves in the often precarious position of being a third wheel in social settings. With a lighthearted approach and relatable anecdotes, the author provides practical advice and tips on how to embrace and excel in this unique role.

De Villa's writing style is conversational and engaging, making the book an easy and enjoyable read. She seamlessly blends personal experiences with witty observations, creating a relatable narrative that will resonate with readers who have found themselves as the perpetual third wheel.

The book covers a wide range of topics, including the dynamics of third wheeling, handling awkward situations, and embracing the positives of being a supportive friend. De Villa offers valuable insights into maintaining a healthy mindset, fostering open communication, and finding fulfillment in the role of a third wheel.

One of the standout features of How to Be the Best Third Wheel is the author's ability to navigate the delicate balance between being present and respecting boundaries. De Villa emphasizes the importance of being an active participant in social situations while also recognizing when to give couples their space. Her advice promotes inclusivity, ensuring that third wheels feel valued and included rather than merely tolerated.

Throughout the book, De Villa maintains a positive and empowering tone, encouraging readers to embrace their unique position and find joy in it. She challenges societal norms and stereotypes associated with third wheeling, reminding readers that being a supportive friend is something to be celebrated rather than seen as a burden.

While the book primarily focuses on friendships and relationships, it also touches on self-care, personal growth, and maintaining a healthy balance in all aspects of life. De Villa's insights go beyond third wheeling, offering valuable life lessons and promoting the importance of self-love and personal development.

Although the book excels in providing relatable anecdotes and practical advice, some readers may find certain sections repetitive or wish for more in-depth exploration of specific topics. Additionally, the book predominantly centers on heterosexual relationships, and more inclusion and representation of diverse types of relationships would have enhanced its relevance and appeal.

Overall, How to Be the Best Third Wheel is an entertaining and insightful guidebook for anyone navigating the world of third wheeling. Loridee De Villa's humorous and relatable approach, combined with practical advice and empowering messages, make this book a valuable resource for individuals in the role of a third wheel. Whether you find yourself in this position by choice or circumstance, this book will equip you with the tools to embrace your role and thrive as the best third wheel you can be.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a copy of How to Be the Best Third Wheel provided by the publisher.

It had me completely engrossed, and I devoured its pages with great enthusiasm. The subtle and authentic portrayal of the challenges teenagers often encounter was truly engaging. I felt deeply connected to Laura, and her perspective resonated with me on a personal level. The dynamic between her and James was a highlight for me; the childhood best friends to enemies to lovers trope was brilliantly executed in this book. The blend of humor and the sudden shift from lightheartedness to serious circumstances in the plot added an extra layer of depth to the story. The pacing was perfect, and I was fully immersed throughout. However, I must admit that the appearance of a certain bothersome character detracted from my overall enjoyment. Despite this minor setback, the book beautifully captured the highs and lows of dating, as well as the experience of feeling left behind when friends become absorbed in their own relationships. It delved into the complexities of teenage life, portraying genuine struggles that adolescents often face. I'm grateful to have embarked on this special journey with Lara as she discovered herself and found what truly brings her happiness.

I'm sorry, it was difficult to make through this one. it felt to me poorly written, like there had been zero process of refining a first draft. I liked the concept but the execution was not there at all .... a little more time and care would have made this much better and I am sad that that time was not given to a story that had heart behind it. that said, I think it is a fun read even if not quality, and I do intend to finish it ... at some point. I just could not as a serious read, unfortunately.

I an unable to review this title, as it was archived before I had a chance to download and read it. This feedback is only to stop this title from adversely affecting my netgalley feedback rate. If in the future I have the opportunity to read this title, I will post a proper review here.

I enjoyed this YA novel which is about friendships and growing up,and how that impacts friends and family. The romance is there but not the entire novel and I think it was great.

When our MC, Lara, comes back from a long summer vacation, she's stunned when all of the girls in her friend group are no longer single -- except for her. She can't help but feel bitter and lashes out at them, which I find ridiculous because she couldn't hold back her jealousy for a minute??

The love interest is James, who Lara hates but is somehow deemed a "frenemy"? He messes around with other girls throughout the book but we have to believe he's loyal to her? No thanks. He also never really developed a personality. He was just kind of there for the whole book. He sucked. And the ending was super unsatisfying too, an epilogue would have been nice to read. The MC is so incredibly insecure, even for a 16 year old it felt like too much.

I read that the author wrote this book when she was 18. I think that’s why this book felt so relatable. This story is 100% teenage girl navigating life. if you’re a fan of to all the boys i loved before… then this is definitely up your alley! . There is a lot of diversity as well which is a huge bonus for me. The author truly represented the Filipino culture as well. This was a very fun and cute read. I highly recommend it. Thank you NetGalley.

#bookreview How to Be the Best Third Wheel by Loridee de Villa

🤔where did ya come from?🤷🏼‍♀️
- eARC from the publisher (watt pad books) via NetGalley

😍the good stuff😍
- James was a likable character and his friendship/relationship with Lara was sweet

🫢my complaints🤫
- I thought this was going to be a book about finding yourself and then I thought it was about accepting change and then I thought it was a YA romance, but it ended up just being a mismatched mix of things.
- No happy ending.
- Lara never improves. She’s annoying beginning to end. If I hadn’t been given an eARC in exchange for a review, I would’ve DNF’d this book.


⚠️the warnings⚠️
- No happy ending for the couple.
- Somewhat ambiguous ending.


rating: ⭐️

This was a cute YA book about a girl who is trying to figure out a new normal when she comes back from break to find that all her friends have boyfriends. I thought this was a sweet book that made me smile. I would have LOVED this when I was in high school. I enjoyed the family relationships that were represented. The banter between Lara and James was so fun and I enjoyed the ride to see where their relationship would go. A cute, sweet, quick read.

I read this book last year and simply did not enjoy it. It felt like the motivations behind the "beef" and the characters themselves were excessively childish. I often mistook them for freshmen rather than seniors. Also the ending was very unsatisfying.

I wanted to love this book, but it just kinda feel flat. While I look back at high school and cringe, this was even a bit to immature and cringey for me. I had a difficult time falling for the characters and just couldn’t relate.

i couldn't finish the book because of time constraints in my personal life, but what i did finish, some of it was good some of it was not. thus the 3 star rating