A GUIDE TO JUST BEING FRIENDS – Sophie Sullivan
Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250624208
January 17, 2023
Contemporary Romance

California – Present Day

Hailey Sharp left a career in Hollywood as a caterer to open her own salad shop called By the Cup. Business has been slow, so she’s pretty much open to anything to help increase business. After leaving her ex-boyfriend and wanting independence from her controlling parents, this is her dream. One day while visiting the next-door bakery, she runs into a strange man who appears nice, though he did insult her. A couple of days later, he shows up at her shop and apologizes. Turns out that his name is Wes Jansen and he’s a guy with plenty of ideas on how to succeed in business. Can he help Hailey?

Wes joined his two brothers in California after he finally got fed up with their controlling father. The three brothers are trying to build their own mega empire, though their father keeps threatening to sue them because he wants them back. Meanwhile, Wes hangs out at Hailey’s shop and offers her ideas, some of which she accepts. Since both aren’t looking for romance, they agree to be friends only. They’re supportive of each other and encourage the other to pursue dates with other men. However, it soon turns out that there is some jealousy when they do date. Wes and Hailey seem like they would be perfect for each other, but they are determined to only be friends.

Most of A GUIDE TO JUST BEING FRIENDS revolves around Hailey and Wes trying to ignore their growing feelings for each other. They do things with each other and offer advice, but they declare that they are friends only. One can understand Hailey not wanting to get involved after her recent bad romance, plus she is trying to get her business off the ground. Wes doesn’t think he is marriage material after watching his parents’ marriage implode. As they dance around their feelings, it puts up a barrier between them. When will Hailey and Wes realize that they are falling for each other?

A GUIDE TO JUST BEING FRIENDS plods along at times, but when Wes and Hailey are at odds with each other, it provides the best clues to their growing feelings. Even as his brothers tell him that he and Hailey have something more than friendship going on, he insists that they are wrong. Meanwhile, Hailey’s salad business starts to take off—a lot due to Wes’s suggestions—and she is finding herself busy. But when she finally realizes that she has feelings for Wes, she begins to back away from their friendship. Can they right the ship that is threatening to sink their friendship?

A light, enjoyable tale about friends to lovers, A GUIDE TO JUST BEING FRIENDS, is the perfect read if you like a romance that builds over time.

Patti Fischer
Romance Revews Today

This book is a sweet, entertaining slow-burn romance with lovable and appealing characters. Hailey and Wes have so much chemistry that I admit, I wanted them to get it together and get together! But it was worth it to see their friendship develop, and to watch Hailey come into her own both in her business and in building her “found family.” I loved getting to revisit the characters from Sophie’s other books, and Wes’s relationship with his brothers and their partners was so perfectly funny but also sweet and loving. It was really heartwarming to see Hailey become part of the group. Overall, this is a great read, perfect for fans of classic friends-to-lovers romcoms.

3.5 stars!

I really enjoyed this one; I read the first book in this series and the second is on my TBR. While this can definitely be a standalone novel, I think the reader would benefit from having read the other books.

Likes:
I really enjoyed that Hailey was a strong, independent gal! She was building herself up after a terrible breakup with a verbally abusive, narcissistic actor and moved to San Verde for a fresh start. I loved that she owned her own business and was committed to her own success. I loved how Hailey and Wes drew each other out of their respective comfort zones and complemented each other so well. This book also had some fantastic side characters, and I honestly wouldn't mind seeing them again (Maybe Fiona will get her own book?)

Dislikes:
I found that the descriptions of the characters physical attributes weren't very fleshed out. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't realize Hailey was a redhead into 3/4 through the book. I always find that describing the characters in detail helps me to visualize the story in my head better. I also wish we had gotten more time with Wes and Hailey as a couple; there was a LOT of build-up and I wished we had gotten to see them interact more once they finally revealed their feelings. Also, never much of a fan of a third act breakup, and in this case, it seemed to resolve itself a bit too quickly. I think if you are going to include one, there needs to be a bit more struggle in the process, but that's just me!

TW: Verbal abuse, parental neglect, cheating

A Guide to Being Just Friends was my first read of the series, and can be read as a stand alone. I had a hard time connecting with Hailey and Wes because there was alot of confusion in their relationship. A cute read but a bit too much of a slow burn romance for me.
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley.

This was a sweet, slow burn, closed door romance. This is book #3 in the Jansen Brother series. The only issue with the read was the fact that there were so many names / people in the book that I really feel I missed a lot by not having read the other books in the series. Normally it's not a huge issue but this one seemed to really have the characters playing quite a large role in the story line so I wouldn't suggest reading this as a stand-alone, from my personal opinion. However, this is a sweet story of an independent woman, Hailey, set to prove to herself that she can make her dream come true. She is a small business owner starting over after a rough relationship and lacking parental figures. Wes is a strong and successful businessman who is fiercely independent and outspoken on his opinions. Through a hilarious mix-up encounter these two enter into a relationship that is "Just Friends". But is that the zone that either of them want to be in? If you love a slow burn, close door romance, prefer chocolate over chips, believe brown sugar is the secret ingredient to life, family isn't necessarily blood relations, and showing love doesn't depend on how much money you have in your bank account this is the perfect read for you.

Thank you, Sophie, NetGalley, and St Martin's Press for my free ebook. It was not expected for me to leave any positive feedback. These opinions are 100% my own.

So good! Grumpy/sunshine, friends to lovers, banter, closed door. This was a book that I couldn’t put down. I love everything about Wes and Hailey’s relationship from the very beginning to the very end.

3.5 stars

A Guide to Being Just Friends is the third book in the Jansen Brothers series. This story follows Wes and Hailey who are both in San Verde for a fresh start. Wes and Hailey have an awkward first meeting which leads to a close friendship and agree that they will be “just friends”.

While this is the third book in a series, you can read it as a standalone. I haven’t read any of other Jansen Brother stories, although I do wish that I did in order to get some background information on some of the other characters that make an appearance. However, it’s not really essential to follow the storyline in this book.

As you can guess, this story has the friends to lovers trope. It was a slow burn and took a while for the characters to actually admit their feelings and get together. I felt that their friendship and dancing around feelings was drawn out little too long and I would have loved to see more of their actual dating relationship.

I liked most of the characters - I loved all of the side characters, and I feel that I would have loved them even more if I had read the other books in the series. As for Wes and Hailey, I did like them, but they just really annoyed me at times.

The writing was okay. There were some parts that felt all over the place, and it jumped from conversations to a really vivid description at times which seemed kind of choppy to me and broke up the dialogue awkwardly.

Overall, I did think it was a cute read, and I do think I will go back and read the first two books in the series.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Hailey Sharp is focused on her salad shop By the Cup, and doesn't want any distractions. Wes Jansen had a bad dating history and the memory of his parents' bitter divorce, so romance isn't on his radar. The two have a disaster of a meet-cute intended for other people, but Wes finding Hailey to apologize sparks up a friendship. It's all they want from each other, but not what they actually need.

What could possibly go wrong in a romance novel where two people who don't want to be in a relationship are actually perfect for each other? Everything, of course. Sophie Sullivan has a fun way of writing novels like these, to the point that I don't even feel any secondhand embarrassment from the meet-cute. It was so natural to read, no embarrassment at all for me, and from there the friends they had in common as well as the businesses kept them in each other's orbit. They have great relationships with their families and friends, letting us see those sides of them. Time passes and the friendship grows deeper, as both Hailey and Wes make bonds in their new community. We also see glimpses of characters from her prior books, which is a nice touch if you read them.

Of course, over time, the two of them realize what they have is more than just friendship. It's slower than our realization because we know full well what kind of book this is. They fit each other well, care about each other and find each other hot. Of course, eventually, they'll realize there's love as well as friendship. Fears raise concerns before the grand gesture proving that love is worthwhile, and I really loved how that sequence played out. It's a really great romance and worth the read.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although this is the 3rd book in a series I was able to read it as a stand alone. I really need to go back and read the other 2 books...it was such a cute sweet romcom.

I really liked all the characters and they had such great chemistry. It started out as an enemies to friends and then friends to lovers. Typical of a romcom we know there will be a HEA but I really enjoyed watching them come together.

Overall it's a cute romance.

Investor Wesly Jansen and owner of a salad shop Hailey Sharp are the main characters in the friends-to-lovers romance A Guide to Being Just Friends.

This novel started off strong with fantastic humor, not-so-meet cutes, and a great group of friends and family, but as the story went on, it seemed to drag on, with Wes and Hailey trying to stay friends. But that's not to say there weren't some enjoyable moments, such all the scenes in which the Jansen family was reunited, the tight friendship between the characters, and the clever banter between Wes and Hailey.

I understand that this was a "friends" to lovers romance and that trust in a relationship must be earned over time, but because Wes and Hailey clearly had the chemistry for this, I don't know how they lasted a year as best friends, it seemed strange to me. I also found it frustrating at the end when Wes said, "I don't plan on falling in love," because while I understand that he had prior family issues, I didn't think it was intended to go that far. Moreover, it was just annoying because he and Hailey had been dating for at least a month and he still didn't "love" her.

All in all, this was a cute and enjoyable book to read, and it would have been even better if Wes hadn't had the habit of constantly bringing up relationship and love statistics.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Press, and to the author, Sophie Sullivan, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

Title: A Guide to Being Just Friends
Author: Sophie Sullivan
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Hailey Sharp has a one-track mind. Get By the Cup salad shop off the ground. Do literally everything possible to make it a success. Repeat. With a head full of entrepreneurial ideas and a bad ex in her rearview, her one and only focus is living life the way she wants to. No distractions.

Wes Jansen never did understand the fuss about relationships. With a string of lackluster first dates and the pain from his parents’ angry divorce following him around, he’d much rather find someone who he likes, but won’t love. Companionship, not passion, is the name of the game.

When Hailey and Wes find each other in a disastrous meet cute that wasn’t even intended for them, they embarrassingly go their separate ways. But when Wes finds Hailey to apologize for his behavior, they strike a friendship. Because that’s all this can be. Hailey doesn’t want any distractions. Wes doesn’t want to fall in love.

What could possibly go wrong?

First, a confession: when the previous book in this series came out, I tried it, and could absolutely not stand the main characters. They were both jerks. I didn’t actually realize this until halfway through reading this one.

Hailey’s salad shop totally intrigued me, and I enjoyed her personality and growth a lot. Wes was…a lot. I’m pretty sure I’d have smacked him a time or two. How can any one person be so oblivious to the feelings of other people? (Hang on. Maybe go ask my ex that question.) This ended up being a quick, enjoyable read…but I still wouldn’t recommend that previous book.

Sophie Sullivan is from Canada. A Guide to Being Just Friends is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

This was a sweet and fun romantic comedy. It is book three in the Jansen brother series of books.

I found that both of the main characters were interesting. Hailey is a new business owner who runs her own salad store. Wes is a rich guy with very complex family relationships. When Hailey encounters business troubles they clash over Wes trying to resolve Hailey’s problems for her.

I read the second book in the series, How to Love Your Neighbor, so I was already aware of some of the backstory. If you hadn’t read the first two books, you might be a little lost, especially concerning the family relationship with their father.

Read if you like:
*Closed door romance
*Friends to lovers trope
*Slow burn romance

This was such a cute rom-com. I loved the characters and even thought the plot followed a typical one it still had me hooked throughout the entire book. I loved the chemistry between the two characters.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

Hailey is new to the small-business-owner world, recently moving to a small town to start over, and I loved how much she valued her independence. The way she met Wes was hilarious and I loved the friendship that blossomed between them, as well as all of the friendships she made with his friends & family and fellow local business owners. Hailey and Wes had such a great friendship dynamic, and in true friends to lovers trope fashion, hid their feelings for each other to save the friendship.

This was the first book by Sophie Sullivan that I've read and I NEED to go back and read her other books! I really enjoyed her style of writing and the life she brought to these characters, and being the third book in a series (all are standalones but have connected characters) I definitely need to read the other brother's love stories.

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

The 3rd book in this series is so sweet and charming. It was nice to be back with the Jensen brothers! This book was about the oldest brother Wes and Hailey Sharp.

Hailey left the glitz and glam of Hollywood to start her own salad shop in San Verde. After her last relationship with an arrogant and selfish actor, Hailey has taken an indefinite hiatus from dating. She believes the only person she can trust, is herself.

As the oldest brother, Wes feels protective of his brothers and would do anything to keep them happy. He's analytical, extremely hard working (to a fault) and always looks to solve problems for everyone. After watching how his father treated his mother during their divorce, Wes is convinced that he's not made for love or marriage.

After mistaking Hailey for his date, Wes tries to make up for his behavior by offering to fix the salad chop's website. But determined not to take a handout, Hailey offers to help him in some way. Soon they go from strangers to best friends. But the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to push aside their feelings for one another. Can they both overcome their past in order to have a future together?

There was a lot to like about this book. I love that Hailey and Wes start off as friends. I loved how the relationship naturally evolves and turns into love. I think Sophie did a great job of showing how both of their past relationships and insecurities have kept them from being in relationships. I also really liked see the characters from the first two book in this book as well.

This is a sweet, low-stakes romance that I really enjoyed. Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is the third installment of the Jansen Brothers series. I read the first book 10 Rules for Faking It a couple of years ago but haven’t read the second. However, the books can be read as standalones.

I really enjoyed jumping back into the Jansen Brother’s world. This book follows the oldest brother, Wes and Hailey, an owner of a salad shop in California.

It plays on the friends to lovers trope and is similar to When Harry Met Sally which is my favorite movie! The book follows the two characters becoming close friends and then feeling more for each other.

It was an easy book to read which is one thing I love about the author’s writing style. The characters were pretty well developed and I liked seeing characters I met in 10 Rules for Faking It.

Overall, it is a super cute closed-door romance that I recommend.

This is such a sweet romance. I normally get impatient with slow burn romances, but this one kept me engaged and interested the entire time. There are a lot of laugh out loud moments, especially where Wes's brother's are involved, and you can't help but root for Wes and Hailey to get together. I loved the dual POV and how it enabled the reader to get to know both of the main characters. The pining was palpable! This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC… that is the only reason I finished this book. This is such a slow burn romance that it was painful! I didn’t like the main characters and the dialogue was awkward and hard to follow at times.

I can’t believe this book was compared to When Harry Met Sally!

after a break-up, hailey sharp moves to san verde california and opens up a salad shop called by the cup. wesley jansen is a business investor with his brothers who is also new in town.

they have a rocky first meeting at the bakery next to by the cup, where wes mistakes hailey for his date named hayden. wes stops by her shop to apologize and ends up helping hailey grow her business.

they quickly become friends and decide to stay friends-only because they both don’t want to enter in a new relationship after their previous bad experiences. along the way, they can no longer deny their feelings for each other and i’m happy they finally get their happy ending.


i really enjoyed this book and it’s focus on friendships and family. although this is a stand-alone, this is the third book in a series, so i will definitely go back and read the first two to learn more about wes’s brothers and their significant others.

this was the perfect friends to lovers, slow burn, rom-com!


thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Sophie Sullivan for the eARC!

The following review was posted on my blog yesterday, Sunday, January 15th, 2 days before publication. It will be shared on Twitter and Instagram between that day and the day of publication, and has already been posted on Goodreads. The blog post includes links to order the books and to its Goodreads page, so readers can add it to their to-be-read books.






“People don’t think California is ever dark. They’re so used to the sun, it’s all they expect. All they see. (…) It reminds me of you. You’re so positive, so upbeat. I forget you’ve been hurt. That you’ve seen the other side of happiness.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses toxic parental relationships, toxic romantic relationships, emotional abuse, and gaslighting. Contains some sexual content, but closed doors.

“A Guide to Being Just Friends” follows Hailey Sharp, a salad shop entrepreneur who’s just moved to town in search for a fresh start after a bad breakup, and Wes Jansen, the oldest of the Jansen brothers (but also the last of them to find love), as they strike up a platonic best friendship based on their need for a break from dating and wish for companionship. Hailey and Wes are both new to town and have fit perfectly together—but only as friends, of course.. right?

I was so entranced by Hailey and Wes and their interactions that every other conversation felt like a filler—when they really weren’t. This book is more than just a romance novel, it’s the story of two very independent characters, as they find themselves and learn to be true and consistent with their dreams. I rooted for every single character (old and new) in “A Guide to Being Just Friends.” I could not get enough of this book.

It’s getting ridiculous but with every new book in this series, my favorite amongst them all changes. First it was Chris, then Noah, and now Wes. How can these brothers just keep getting better and better? This entire series as a whole is wonderful.

I would highly recommend this series if you’re looking for a clean romance series. Also, if you’re a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, then “A Guide to Being Just Friends” is most definitely for you.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: January 17, 2023