With rules set in place, you think it'd be easy to "just be friends" with the opposite sex, right?! When Hailey and Wes meet in the oddest of ways, they strike up an awkward-at-first friendship that soon becomes very important to both of them. They just have to remember all the reasons why they can only ever be friends and nothing more.

I was first introduced to Sophie Sullivan in 2020 with the first in this series, Ten Rules for Faking It and I've enjoyed getting lost in her words. The characters are easily relatable and you connect with them right from the start. This book is the third in the series (# 2: How to Love Your Neighbor) and I'm sad that it's over!

I didn’t realize this was book 3 and can’t wait to go back and read the first 2. I’m obsessed with this couple and so glad Wes got his happy ending

A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan, it was a cute read at times but overall did not capture my attention.

While I enjoyed the first two books of this series, this one just really was forgettable for me. Was it particularly bad? No. Was it particularly good? Meh. I only read this a few weeks ago and I remember exactly zero of it. I ended up listening to it as an audiobook, and even then I found myself not very engaged. The little I do remember, these characters had a little chemistry and there story was fun enough.

This book had a strong start with a cute meet-cute, and I absolutely loved the setting—her little salad shop was so vivid, I’d stop by for lunch if I could! The brothers and their witty banter were also highlights. However, the story dragged a bit in the middle for me, and the frequent swearing and suggestive references felt out of place, making it hard to determine the tone. While there were no bedroom scenes, the overall lack of character depth was a big miss. It felt like a YA-level story with too many hints at backstories that never fully developed. The title reference also felt underwhelming, and as someone unaware it was the third in a series, I didn’t feel Wes’s character was fully fleshed out either. This one just didn’t hit the mark for me.

I picked this up not realizing it was part of a series, but it stands alone so you're not missing anything. I liked this one, but didn't love it. Great concept but found some parts were just too surface level or obvious, and other parts dragged on a bit. It took me longer than I expected to finish it, and I thought the break up towards the end was a bit forced.

Title: A Guide to Being Just Friends
Author: Sophie Sullivan
Genre: Romance / Contemporary Fiction

Review:

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the eARC of Sophie Sullivan’s "A Guide to Being Just Friends". It is a delightful dive into the complexities of modern relationships, wrapped in a warm, witty package. The novel centers on the dynamic between Hailey and Wes. two friends who's lives collide at a meet-cute.

Sullivan’s writing is charming and humorous, bringing her characters to life with relatable dilemmas and engaging dialogue. Hailey, a vibrant and driven woman, and Wes, have a chemistry that feels both genuine and electric. Their friendship is depicted with a depth that captures the essence of real, platonic bonds, and Sullivan skillfully navigates the gray areas where friendship and romance blur.

One of the standout elements of the novel is Sullivan’s ability to infuse humor and heart into the narrative. The witty exchanges between the friends-turned-lovers lightness that contrasts beautifully with the more introspective moments. The secondary characters also add depth, providing a well-rounded view of the protagonists' world.

However, at times, the plot can feel predictable. Despite this, Sullivan’s engaging writing style and the heartfelt journey of the characters make the story enjoyable and worthwhile.

Overall, A Guide to Being Just Friends is a refreshing take on friendship and romance. Sophie Sullivan has crafted a novel that’s both entertaining and thoughtful, offering readers a charming story about the complexities of relationships and the power of staying true to oneself.

This is a cute friends to lovers romance that is book 3 in a series. I didn't realize it and while it worked fine as a standalone I think I would've enjoyed already knowing the stories of the other characters. I will go back and read them now. I enjoyed the audiobook and the pacing in the story. The character growth was fun to see and I'm looking forward to meeting the other Jansen's.

didn't realize it was part of a series, and i didn't know if i had to read the others first, i don't think i lost much by the confusion but i'll never know. slow burn was slow enough.

Slow burn romance, but I love a good friends turn to lovers story. It's a warm and fuzzy story. First book I've read by Sophie Sullivan and I think I will definitely be reading more.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“You’re never really lonely if you have a book."


A Guide to Being Just Friends was pretty cute. Out of all three books, I'm not sure if I have a favorite brother or not. I will admit that the books kept getting better and better throughout the series.

In this, you will meet Hailey and Wes. She has her own salad shop, Get By the Cup, and has no time for dating. He hasn't had amazing first dates and feels like maybe it's not the right time for romance in his life. Together, they formed a pretty cute friendship.

It takes a while for crushes to form, but it was quite enjoyable when they still continued to date other people. Once they realized their true feelings for one another, it was obvious why nothing ever worked before. He helped her feel more confident and boosted her self-esteem. She helped him realize that money doesn't always matter. Sure, it helps every now and then, but she didn't care about his money. Oh, and also, family can be crazy chaotic, but it's your chaotic mess.

They took risks—romantically, of course, but maybe financially too. I like that they found each other and developed genuine feelings along the way. Friends becoming lovers can be sweet every now and then. It also doesn't hurt that I absolutely devoured this in one sitting (again).

In the end, I'm very happy that I found this series and got the opportunity to read each book as an ARC. I look forward to the next book, or series, that Sophie writes!

This is a charming and sweet friends to lovers romance. Hailey leaves LA where her actor ex stomped on her self esteem, so not interested in a relationship right now. When she meets Wes, she’s happy to be just friends. Wes is looking for a certain kind of woman, and as their friendship grows, he realizes that Hailey is the one. Can they overcome their past relationship fails?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan is a delightful and emotional romantic comedy that is a perfect fit for readers who adore lighthearted, feel-good stories about strong-willed women and grumpy-sunshine men, and are looking for a heartwarming tale of friends-to-lovers romance with a dash of humor and wit.

Definitely needed more editing. The characters were really boring and didn't really stand out individually. Wes seemed to have an alpha male type of personality and was really rude. His brother Noah was obnoxious and impolite as well. The jokes that were thrown in were more offensive than funny. Also everyone talked about salad way too much. I get that it's Hailey's business but it seemed like that's all they ate or talked about. The whole story was just very anticlimactic and lackluster.

It was kind of cute, but very predictable. There wasn't much that happened or was that much of a plot other than first world complaints. But still good enough for 3 stars

At this time this book isn't for me. It just didn't catch my attention and I'm not sure why. The storyline had potential, but felt too cheesy. I don't get a strong connection from the two characters who are supposed to like one another.

The characters seemed ok. They each seem like a great group that have each other's best interest. The friends and brothers you want in your life. I realize that this is a series and I am not sure if I have missed important pieces from the previous books.

I do like that the story is dual POV. I may give this book another chance at some point.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

While I love a good friends-to-lovers story, this one didn’t really work for me, mainly because the lead characters lacked chemistry, and there was not much in the way of pining and build up to getting together.

Too slow and too poorly developed. I didn’t believe in the romance between the characters. I ultimately was speed reading just to finish. This one was not for me.

The writing made me feel told, not shown. I didn’t feel invested in the characters. Stopped at 10%. Our average readers are likely to give it 2-3 stars, 4 for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

A Guide to Being Just Friends is a sweet and charming contemporary romance. Honestly didn’t realize this was part of the series, but this felt like a standalone. This series is surrounded around the handsome Jansen Brothers with this one being all about Wes. He’s upright, analytical and afraid of falling in love. Which he then becomes conflicted along the way as he meets a beautiful, fun and bubbly new to town Hailey. They meet during a fun meet cute moment and decide to continue as friends, but the more time spent with one another it’s harder to keep the friendship pact. I always do enjoy a friends to lovers, but this one was definitely a slow burn. This was fun and an easy read I would definitely consider going back and read the other 2 in the series. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.