A Guide to Being Just Friends is a great finale to Sophie Sullivan's romcom series featuring the Jansen brothers. Wes is the oldest of the three brothers - he tends to stick to routines, doesn't see love in the future for him, and knows exactly what he wants and doesn't want in life. So of course he is thrown when he develops a friendship with Hailey - a new business owner who is determined to make her own way in the world and take chances with her business and her heart. Both characters are flawed yet endearing - their chemistry and banter is delightful! And of course the moments featuring all three Jansen brothers together are always entertaining! While more of a slow burn romance - it was great to see their strong friendship develop over many months, for Hailey to find her own family in close friends, and for Wes to realize that sticking to his routines won't make him happy forever. Thank you to St. Martin's and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this advance reader's edition.

“A Guide to Being Just Friends” is the final book in a trilogy by Sophie Sullivan. I didn’t realize it was part of a series - and the final book too - until I read the Author’s Note at the end. While this book can be read as a stand-alone, I think reading the previous books in the series might have been a good idea. This book mainly focuses on Hailey Sharp, a woman who has moved from Los Angeles to open a new business, who meets Wesley Jansen, who has recently-ish moved from New York to join his brothers’ business.

The Pros:
Hailey’s independence streak is wonderful. I greatly enjoyed how she didn’t want hand-outs, didn’t want favors, and wanted to build her business up by herself. She did accept help (as all smart business folks do) and she did take advice, but for the most part - this was a company she wanted to drive. Plus, a rather interesting concept for her business.

The website - that’s one website I’d like to actually see. Between the adorable sounding graphics and the online ordering form (was it becoming an app?) and the quiz to see what salad one might prefer - great idea! Props to Ms. Sullivan for that.

The friend group I found refreshing. I think that the “girls” welcoming Hailey in was refreshing - no jealousy, no cattiness, just a pure “hey, we like you, come join us.” I like friend groups like those.

The cover is great. That’s part of the reason that I requested the book - that cover sucked me in.

Shopping “dates that aren’t dates.” A long time ago, a grocery store in my area advertised “singles’ hour” where those looking for potential dates or friends could meet up in the produce aisle. I thought it was a cute idea and I liked how Ms. Sullivan took that idea and changed it a bit to suit Hailey and Wes.

The Cons:

So many characters. I think if I’d read the first two books it would’ve been easier to keep track of which brother was attached to which female. While I liked the characters in general, I did have problems keeping track of all the females - the cousin, the store owner next door, the radio personality, the quiz creator, and the core group in this book.

A lot of background that at times didn’t add much. While I know that character backgrounds adds to the depth of said character, I felt that some of Hailey’s background was just there … the ex-boyfriend story didn’t need to be dragged out; Hailey’s parents didn’t need to be dived into either. Additionally the “core friends group” also had their backgrounds explained - which I think added to my confusion.

In summation - the description (and cover) of this book sucked me in. If I’d known it was the last part of a trilogy, I would not have requested it (or I would’ve read the other two books before reading this one). I think the overall idea of this book - the meet cute, the character development, the over-arching story - was a good idea, but because I was confused a bit of the time it didn’t always work for me.

So I should start this review with a disclaimer. I requested this from NetGalley and was unware that it is the third book in a series (it can be read as a standalone though). But I think had I read the first two books and got to know all the characters better I probably would have enjoyed this book more.

Hailey has recently moved to a new town to start over after a messy break up and opens her dream store, a to go salad shop. She has a chance meeting with Wes, who thinks she is the date that stood him up. The two end up hitting it off and become friends. Neither of them are looking for anything more than that, so they fall into an easy platonic friendship. Things begin to change as they become aware that they are both starting to develop feelings for the other.

Now I liked Hailey and Wes' characters overall. But I did find Hailey's inability to let anyone be nice and help her frustrating. If I had a rich best friend you bet I would be okay if they were trying to buy me nice things and help my business succeed :) but that's just me haha. And Wes also drove me crazy with his ridiculous take on love and relationships.

Overall this is a cute read. There's no steamy scenes (which I think all romance books need) and it did feel slow through a lot of it. But the writing is good and I think if you have enjoyed the two previous novels in the series, you will like this one too.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Guide to Being Just Friends is the first book I’ve read by Sophie Sullivan, and I really enjoyed it! This is actually the third book in a series and follows the story of MC Hailey Sharp who is looking for a fresh start in a new city after the end of a bad relationship. As she focuses on getting her cute salad shop ‘By the Cup’ off the ground, she finds herself in a new friend group and forms a particularly close friendship with Wes Jansen. Wes is one of three brothers, and although he brothers are happily in love, he knows love will never be in the cards for him, and he is happy that Hailey also wants to be “just friends” and nothing more… and we all know how well that usually goes!

I will say that this book really drew me in initially with the funny banter, cute friendships, and adorable salad shop, but as the story went on, I wish the plot would have been a little more entertaining. That was the only part that was kind of lacking for me, as I felt like I kind of just followed along with the characters’ day-to-day. Nonetheless, it was a very cute and easy read, and I definitely plan to read the other two books in the series!

Read if you like:
•Friends to lovers
•Witty banter
•Opposites attract trope
•Lighthearted books

And a huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted ARC and opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

While I have seen Sophie books everywhere and this is my first book I've read from here. Frankly I went into it with zero expectations and came out enjoying it totally. This is really unique read because I had never read a book with fast friends to lovers.

Hailey is starting over a new city with new business and new friends after her disastrous relationship with her actor ex-boyfriend. Wes had moved to the city to work along with his brother on their business. Both Wes and Hailey are polar opposites and one thing they've common is their own insecurities. I had loved every moment of WesHailey journey from their unique first moment to them finally accepting they deserve everything.

As it is said " Sometimes it takes a bit to figure it out "

To say I loved this book is an understatement . Adore, love -- neither of these words fully describe how wonderful this books is. The characters are delightful, flawed, deep people that I want to be friends with. I was rooting for Hailey and Wes throughout and enjoyed being on the ride with them. I just wish there would be a sequel as I want them to be in my life longer. The writing is smart and satisfying , a real page turner. And a very satisfying ending -- except for wanting more

Reviewed on Good Reads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4870881001

I did not finish this book. It was so slow moving and kept going over the top to make sure the reader knew they were kind people and just did not keep my interest.

This was such a light, fun read and definitely refreshing from the darker books I’ve been reading lately.

The friends to lovers was very well done. Their friendship was probably my favorite part. I absolutely loved the found family trope in this book. It was so heartwarming.

I also loved that the timeline of the book was through many months, so you could really feel their relationship and feelings progress. It really gave a much better impact than if it was just over the span of one month. This also helped the slooooow burn of the relationship. There is no spice, but that doesn’t take away from the story at all.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a light, heartwarming romance. It was such a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars. I love a sappy and predictable love story buy this wasn't a favorite. Too many characters and wasn't a fan of Hailey. Found her to be annoying and immature and didnt think it was believable that someone would start a business with so little business knowledge. Kept my interest enough to finish but skimmed the last half.

The dynamics of 'A Guide to Being Just Friends' were delightful from start to finish for me. The slowly developing relationship between Wes and Hailey was lovely and heartwarming. I loved the growth in these characters, and how through each other they learned a lot about the world of enduring relationships. As the story was unrushed we were able to delve into the minds of these main characters and find a truly satisfying ending. I read the previous book in the series and loved the set-up for the last of the Jansen brothers' story. I hated for it to end, and would love to have a story about their sister!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Clean romance fans, get ready for your next favorite read. This book had my emotions all over the place and it was clean enough for book club and reading at work. Still very enjoyable to read even if you do like spicy romance! 😉

Wes is the oldest of 3, and has always taken his brothers under his wing. He protected them from his parents volatile relationship and has supported them in their dreams since he was a kid. When they decided to move away from home and break out on their own in business, he decided to move with them.

Hailey just went through an awful breakup with a narcissist actor that treated her like complete garbage. She just started a new business as the owner and chef of a salad shop. She loves to cook and is passionate about making it work.

Hailey and Wes hit it off but are adamant about being "just friends". They shop for groceries together, play video games, and watch romantic comedies. Wes doesn't believe in love and Hailey doesn't want to jump into another relationship so soon after her break up. What happens when they let down their guard and are honest with themselves?

Thanks to netgalley for an ARC for my honest review.

i really liked this book! i enjoy sophie sullivans writing and the slow burn trope was done perfectly! also this book is making me LOVE friends to lovers, i didn’t realize it could be that good.
overall i really liked how this kinda completed the series by completing their little family (found family trope goddd always a serve)

This was one of the best friends to lovers that I’ve read! It was well paced and they were strictly friends for many months. I feel like most friends to lovers books are too rushed, but this was perfect! The salad business was so fun to read about! I haven’t read the other books in the series but I didn’t feel like I was missing any details! Overall such a fun read! This is the type of book that just makes your heart happy!

A Guide to Being Just Friends is an amazing romance novel that shows how sometimes love can come from friendship and the leap that sometimes needs to be taken to really find the one.

I absolutely adored Hailey and Wes! They are both driven and have a strong love for their work and the people in their lives. I enjoyed the conversations between these two so much and laughed out loud many times. This book features the friends to lovers trope which is my absolute favorite!

I hope that everyone picks up this book when it is released early next year! Also check out the first two books in the series!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a chance to read this book before it's release!

A Guide to Being Just Friends is great for romantics who love a romance trope that is a slow burn. I've loved being in this world with all these characters. The two books before this one were so lovely, and this one was just as fantastic. I adored her previous novels, and while this one could be a stand-alone, I truly think I appreciated it more, knowing the cast of characters. If you love friends to lovers, a good slow burn, and big happy chosen family vibes, A Guide to Being Just Friends is a must-read.

4.5 stars ⭐️. I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was so cute and loved Hailey.

This book gave me very similar vibes to "The Cheat Sheet" by Sarah Adams. It had very similar themes and plot but with enough differences to make it its own different story. If you liked "The Cheat Sheet" I would definitely recommend this book to you.

Some of the tropes this book had was a rich love interest, strangers to friends to lovers, a possessive and protective guy, closed door, slow burn, and an emphasis on friendships and family throughout the story. Hailey was a very independent woman, who knows what she wants and how to get it. She owns her own salad shop and is very successful with it, some real girl boss energy. This book also had several references to Taylor Swift, which I always love.

The cutest thing ever was when she sent Wes a picture in a dress she loved but was too expensive and then it mysteriously showed up at her door before an event she needed to dress up for.

Overall this book was a super cute romance and I would definitely recommend it. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC. It comes out in January 2023!

Adorable and swoony.

Hailey Sharp moves to a brand new town in California and opens the sweetest salad shop to prove to herself that she could do it. She has sworn off men and is determined to make friends.

Wes Jansen just moved to California from New York to work with his brothers. He has everything planned and doesn’t believe in love.

After a disastrous meet cute, Wes wants to apologize to Hailey. In doing so, they declare themselves friends. However, in the mean time, both begin to realize how much they compliment each other.

I found the beginning of this story a bit repetitive, and slow. However, at the midway point, I was breezing through it.

Slow burn.
Fade to black.
Strangers to friends to lovers.

Sophie Sullivan has nailed it again with her newest novel, A Guide to Being Just Friends. I adored her previous novels and while this one could be a stand alone, I truly think I appreciated it more knowing the cast of characters. Wes, the oldest brother in a family of successful men, doesn’t seem to understand love and despite watching his two younger brothers find their partners. But when he keeps crossing paths with Hailey, a new in town entrepreneur, he can’t help but wonder if he’s had it wrong all along. A love story that definitely begins as friends, this slow burn romance was delightful. Sullivan creates a cast of characters that make me want to be friends with and a setting that seems believable and enchanting. All the stars for A Guide to Being Just Friends from one of Sophie Sullivan’s biggest fans.

A sincere thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc of A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan
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Pub date: Jan 17, 2023
Quick thoughts: loved it, would reread it, made me smile
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This book follows Hailey and Wes and is the third in a companion series following the Jansen Brothers. This book just might be my favourite! Swipe to read the synopsis.
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This one is so cute! Not only did I love meeting Hailey and Wes but I was so happy to revisit the characters from the other novels- this series has a great cast of characters who are fully rounded.
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Here are a few of the things I loved:
-the awkward meet cute
-friends to more
-good communication and a conflict that was plausible and that it occurred at a good point in the novel
-mutual pining
-characters were called out in things that made me go hmmm
-some swoony romance
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I definitely recommend for you to pick this series up!

4.5 stars. This was a cute, fun story with fun banter and slow burn, which I can never resist. The ending was so well done, too.