We were so excited to receive an advanced copy of A Guide to Being Just Friends as we loved the other two books in the series so much. These Jansen brothers all just need a little love in their lives!

Wes is closed off to love and doesn’t believe it’s for him. Hailey has been burned before and wants to put all her focus on her new business. They make a pact to be just friends and it works for a time.

Their friendship is easy and organic. They lean on each other and just enjoy each other’s company which is refreshing. As we normally do with slow burn romances, we were counting the pages until they got together! But the slow burn works for these characters because they are trying to work out their new lives and trying really hard to stay in the friend zone. Our favourite part has to be the brothers and their friendship. Kind of reminded us of us. Lol.

The overall theme of the book seems to be friendships and many were reflected throughout. We have the brothers, their significant others plus Hailey and her cousin and new friends all showcasing different support groups a person can surround themselves with in order to succeed. And sometimes friendship can turn into love. It’s a lovely message.

What we liked:
▪️The meet cute disaster
▪️Dual POV
▪️Hailey & Wes’s friendship
▪️Jansen brothers’ friendship
▪️The app/video game 💕

What we didn’t like:
▪️All the salad talk made us crave…salads (but maybe that’s not such a bad thing!)

I really enjoyed this book! I didn’t realize that it was the third book in this series but can be read as a stand-alone. It is a slow burn, dual POV, friends to lovers rom-com.

Hailey just moved to San Verde after a harsh break-up from her movie-star boyfriend. He really ruined her self-esteem, making it hard for her to trust others or even think of dating again. After selling her place, she moved to be near her cousin and opened a salad shop called By The Cup.

Wes is a wealthy businessman. He loves video games and secretly wants to design his own. He has had his share of bad breakups (plus some nasty family history) which makes him believe that he cannot fall in love.

Their first meet up was not so nice when he mistook her for the date that stood him up. After their second unexpected meet-up, he realizes his mistake and needs to fix things since Hailey was becoming a part of his inner circle. They quickly became good friends but when they share a kiss and feelings change between them. Hailey wants to become something more while Wes stands his ground of only being friends. He just may lose her (and her friendship) if doesn’t figure out his true feelings!

Overall, this is a really good book! I like the characters and the story. I love that she wants to prove to herself that she can run a successful business but I did find her annoying when she got so upset when others offered to help her. I honestly expected that the “guide” would be more prominent in the book since it was the title of the book. I also feel like the texting conversations should have been in another font/italics for easier reading - that may have been changed? I definitely plan on going back to read the previous books.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Sophie Sullivan for the Advanced Readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

I DNF’d the book, so I’ll leave a neutral 3-star review. The character dialogue was witty and relatable, but I couldn’t really connect with them. Wes kind of seemed two-dimensional to me.

And Hailey. I think Hailey was great honestly and I like her as a character, but again I didn’t feel the connection that makes me LOVE a character.

While the premise was fun, I found the pages to be a bit boring with not much plot going on throughout, which might just be how their slow burn is.

All in all, I think this has the making of a good book, but not particularly for me. If you love slow burns and romcoms, this could totally be the one for you!

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book. For characters that were adults, they were written in a juvenile fashion. I think this book would have been better suited if the characters were younger. It was difficult to connect with the book as a whole. Both main characters teetered a line of being annoying to unlikeable. Wes' aggression to Hailey when he mistook her for another woman made it difficult to enjoy his character. Hailey being inept at running a business, even though she had degrees in the areas, made her annoying

What's it about (in a nutshell):
A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan is the story of Haley Sharp, Wes Jansen, and the guide they are writing together – a guide to male/female friendships. Haley moved to a new town, determined to start over and build her small salad shop, Salad by the Cup. She left a toxic relationship and a secure catering job in Los Angeles. Now, she is only looking forward to her shop’s success. She doesn’t want to start a new romantic relationship anytime soon but does need friends. When Wes Jansen mistakes her for the blind date he is waiting for at the coffee shop next door, little did they know that the unlikely ill-fated meeting would lead to Haley making her first friend and becoming part of a found family that is exactly what she did need to begin again.
Actual Reading Experience:
Wow, I was so shocked when I realized that this book is part of a series, not to mention it’s the third in a series, and I had already read the first two. Needless to say, each book can be read as a stand-alone. What clued me in to notice that this was part of a series is that the back stories of Wes’ brothers sounded very familiar – just like two books I had read. I’m still shaking my head over it. Each book focuses on one of the three brothers and how each found the woman he would one day marry. Nora Roberts writes many romance series this way, and I love the technique.
This is a friends-to-lovers romance and, like many others of this style, is a slow burn. I notoriously lose patience with slow burns, but because of my familiarity with the brothers’ stories, my patience remains intact. I happily followed along, knowing that one day they would wake up ready to put the past where it belongs and find a new trail to forge together. Their relationship feels authentic, and I appreciate that. It also gives off strong When Harry Met Sally vibes. I could even hear Harry telling Sally that men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way numerous times.
The side plots and characters helped with this too. They are all so interesting, especially the young man from the rec center whom Haley brought on at Wes’ suggestion to help her with deliveries. I’ve spent my entire adult life assisting teens in finding their way in a world that is often unkind and unfair, so these types of stories touch my heart profoundly.
The writing is intelligent and engaging. It stays focused on the main plot, only venturing off for side plots that touch the heart and are well worth diverting the reader’s attention. The writing pulled me in immediately and kept me focused until the end.
Characters:
Haley Sharp is a focused, determined woman whose bubbly, friendly demeanor makes anything seem possible.
Wes Jansen is the oldest of three brothers who live under their father’s shadow though they fight like mad to escape from under it. It’s particularly hard on Wes because he is the oldest and has taken on the brunt of family responsibilities all his life.
Narration & Pacing:
The story is told in first-person narration through dual perspectives – Haley’s and Wes’. This worked very well to get both sides of the story as it helped me not get frustrated too soon. They both have fair arguments as to their choices, and I think most of us would react the same in their shoes.
The pacing is medium to fast. Personally, I almost finished it in one sitting, which speaks volumes about the pace for me.
Setting:
The setting is a small town on the California coast, though the beach is only referenced briefly. The story takes place in the heart of the town instead and focuses its time on that part of town. The reader doesn’t even know much about where Haley lives because it is not anywhere near downtown.
Read if you like:
• Friends to Lovers romances
• Found family themes
• PG-rated romances (closed-door)

I loved Wes and Hailey's friends to lovers, slow burn romance. It was great to catch up with Wes' brothers Chris and Noah, as well as Everly, Grace, Morty, Stacy and the others from the previous two books. I'm sad to see this series end but I'm looking forward to reading more from Sophie Sullivan.

This is the third book in the Jansen Brothers series and follows eldest brother, Will, and Hailey. Hailey is new to town after a horrible breakup and is focused on making her business a success. After their initial encounter goes terribly wrong, Will goes into her salad shop to apologize and the two strike up an unlikely friendship. Neither one are looking for a relationship - each for their own reasons - but they both could use a friend. As the two spend more and more time together over the following months, they grow closer but also let the other see parts of themselves they normally keep tucked away. But when feelings inevitably grow, can they become something better than friends or will they end up brokenhearted and alone? I absolutely adored this read. It is slow burn, friends to lovers perfection! Sullivan spends a good time building up their friendship and developing their characters separately as well as together and it pays off spectacularly at the end. As this is the third and final book in the series, we do see a good amount of the previous 2 couples which is always fun. I loved Hailey's friends-and-family support system and how the narrative supported her building her own support system in this new town before jumping into a relationship. I thought the hurdles in the relationship were realistic and handled well. I loved the declaration at the end (which made me cry) and how much these characters really came together in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC. Expected publication is January 17, 2023.

While being stood up on a date made on a dating app, Wes mistakes Hailey for his missing date, Hayden. Hailey sets him straight and they chat a bit. Both haven’t had much luck in the dating arena, so they agree that friendship is what they both need and want right now. When Hailey decides she’s ready to date again, she realizes that she’s caught feelings for Wes, but he made it clear he is not the marrying kind.

This book is a master class in what a rom-com should be…I laughed, I cried, I got mad, I swooned. I love the endearing, relatable characters and their relationships with each other. The writing flows easily and keeps you reading late into the night. A Guide to Being Just Friends is the third and final installment of the Jansen Brothers series, and I am very sad that this is the end, but happy to read more about Chris, Everly, Noah & Grace and where life has taken them. Definite must read in my opinion!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of “A Guide to being just friends” in exchange for my honest review!! First off I requested this book because of the cover and had no idea that this was a series. It’s one of the romance series that follows a few different people and you do not need to read them in order but I think it would have helped me care more about the side characters. I was a little lost on some context but that’s my fault for not reading in order and I will be going back to read the first two!

I really loved Wes as a main character and following along as he relocates from NYC to California to leave his father's company behind and team up with his two brothers. This was a super quick one day read and I really enjoyed the brother dynamic and I always love a book set in California. Overall I would recommend for anyone who loves classic rom-coms as that was what I was reminded of!!

Unfortunately, this wasn't the book with me and I'm DNFing 40% of the way in. I really tried to get into the book but I just wasn't connecting with the main character and the pacing was really slow. I get that it's a slow burn romance, but each chapter just felt really repetitive and nothing was moving.

Hailey was an okay character, but nothing special. Wes seemed very one dimensional and his background was nothing special in my opinion. Part of the problem may have been that I didn't read the rest of the series, but it didn't feel like there was any information I was missing.

My favorite character was the friend Fiona, she had the most personality out of everyone and a fun career in the story! Other than that, no one stood out to me that much.

If you are a huge rom-com lover, this may be the book for you! But before you go into in, just know that it moves very slowly and there isn't much romance in the first almost half of the book.

The Jansen brothers are back in this final book in the series! I definitely recommend reading the books in order - each brother plays a big part in the others' stories, ESPECIALLY this final one, and reading the first two books will give a lot of much needed context!

Synopsis: In A Guide to Being Just Friends, the final Jansen brother, Wes, has relocated from NYC to California to leave his father's company behind and team up with his two brothers. Analytical and determined to avoid the mistakes his parents made in their relationship, he wants companionship but not love. Love is too messy and anything could go wrong.

However, his resolve is tested when he meets Hailey. Hailey is also new in town, having relocated to open up her own salad shop after a breakup with a crappy ex. Hailey has put everything into getting her business started and doesn't want any distractions, but she can't deny that there's something about Wes that she likes.

The two agree to be just friends and help each other out with their businesses and personal lives as two people who are new in town, regularly trading each other favors. But even though they have agreed to be just friends, they keep getting closer and closer and are soon both feeling unexpected feelings. But with their friendship on the line, is Hailey willing to accept a distraction, and will Wes realize that love is worth it even if it's scary?

Review: I really loved how much the two couples from the previous two books in the series were a part of this final installation. Seeing the three brothers finally all together in California made me so happy! We also get some new characters such as Hailey's cousin Piper and some of her friends, who make for great wingwomen that Hailey can lean on.

As the oldest, Wes had some trauma from his parents' messy relationship and divorce that had him shying away from love. Hailey, who definitely believed in love, was just getting out of a bad relationship and needed to pour her attention in making sure her business was successful. It was fun to see them start out as friends and how much they supported each other, and how that slowly turned into attraction and mutual pining. The dual POV was perfect in this book and really helped to see what each character was thinking and feeling. This is definitely a slow burn, but it's so cute once they finally get together! Note that there is only one spicy-adjacent scene and it's closed door, but the sweet romance makes up for it.

Of course their relationship hits some bumps and there is a third act break up - both Wes and Hailey need to learn to communicate, look beyond themselves, and see what they and their partner really want.

Overall this was very cute and worth a read, I'm so sad this adorable series is over. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. A Guide to Being Just Friends is out on January 17, 2023!

A solid 3 stars. But nothing memorable to make me recommend it. I

I did like how the backstories of the characters from previous books were woven into the narrative without being a data dump. For example, Fiona recognizes Noah and Grace from a magazine article on the house they restored in book #2 and asks them questions about it. This totally jogged my memory because I had forgotten all about book #2.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

As someone who didn’t even realize this was a series, I can vouch for this book as a standalone. I have read the second in the series, but not the first. Of course, the other characters are included in this book, so reading the first two helps better understand the dynamics and backstories, but it is not essential. I’m struggling a little with reviewing this book because I loved the first 70% -- the characters were likeable, the story was steady but still engaging, and I was rooting for the main characters. However, the misunderstandings were a little too much for me. I didn’t see a lot of growth in the characters, and their disagreements came across as immature. I kept wanting to shake them and encourage both characters to go to therapy to work through the issues they’d previously had in relationships in their lives. Then I felt like they both just magically fixed their communication, commitment, and trust issues. Miscommunication is always a part of romance books that I tend to shy away from because it’s just so hard to describe and resolve in such a limited space. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m sad these characters are finished. I just wish the miscommunication would have been handled a little different. I’m looking forward to seeing what Sullivan writes next!

This is the third book in the Jansen Brother's series. While it can be read alone, it is much more enjoyable if you start from the beginning.
Hailey has just moved to a new city after a break up. All she wants is to get her new business, By The Cup, going and feel like she has control of her life. When she meets Wes, they agree that all they both need is just a friend. As time passes, they struggle with their own feelings and staying friends, especially when they start to date other people.
Opinion
First off, this whole series is fantastic and could be read in a long weekend (because they are just that good.)
The challenges in this book are absolutely primal. The main characters problems with love are at such a basic level that you may find yourself screaming at them to "wake up!" This by no means that the book is basic, because Sullivan has delivered again with the conclusion of the series. This book was a joy to read from the first to the last page.
I simply cannot wait to see what Sullivan has in store for us next. (You know, the brothers do have a sister as well as a single mother that could be written about...)
Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

My first from this talented author and it certainly will not be my last. Sophie Sullivan writes beautifully with just enough emotion to make sure this reader was fully engaged in the friends-to-more romance between the spirited Hailey and the somewhat staid Wes. Their meet-cute was truly adorable as Wes's dating woes continue and his no-show date at a popular bakery leads him to the new salad-to-go business owner, Hailey. Right from the start you could tell there was something simmering between these two and their very unexpected friendship on the fly leads to what could be the best relationship they've ever had with the opposite sex. That's if their undeniable chemistry doesn't get in the way, of course!

I loved these two and the cute ways they become great friends. Whether it's their weekly Saturday night grocery shopping date or playing video games, these two are truly wonderful together. The Author tears through the months at a good pace and before you know it, Wes and Hailey have caught major feels for one another but never want to jeopardize the good friend thing they have going on. Pushing each other to 'date' all the while stewing that they actually do what the other asks, classic denial that was written perfectly.

Of course, when everything is laid out and their hearts are on the line, nothing is ever as easy as it could be with Wes's fear of simply loving another messing with his head and heart more than once. Since I've not read the first two books featuring his younger brothers, Chris and Noah, I wasn't prepared for his aversion to being in a full-blown relationship and the number their seemingly despicable father did on them while growing up. I really felt for Wes and his reluctance to truly love, simply scared it wouldn't last and he'd be hurt all over again. Not to mention his need to save Hailey more than once and not really understanding that the best way to care for her was to be by her side, not two steps ahead.

The secondary characters like Chris and Noah, together with their significant others, as well as Piper and Hailey's newfound besties, add just the right touch when needed. Especially where Wes is concerned he has more than one 'come to Jesus' moment that leads to him getting out of his own head and grabbing on tight, for good this time, to the wonderful Hailey. Finding his perfect match may have not been on his schedule, but I was thrilled he knew a great thing when he saw it and figured out, with the help of those aforementioned amazing secondary characters that he deserved to love and to be loved before it was too late.

I was thoroughly charmed by this Author's prose and the way this story flowed ever so effortlessly once I dove in. I definitely need to go back and read all about how Chris and Noah found the loves of their lives and why these Jansen brothers are so addictive. But in the meantime, I'm here to say that A Guide to Being Just Friends made me smile and I happily give this well-written love story a big 5 stars!

3.75 ★
1 🌶️

Add to your tbr if you love:
- friends to lovers
- slow burn
- found family

The conclusion to the Jansen Brothers and my first intro to the series! Although you meet the other brothers and their partners, each book can be read as a stand-alone.

I really enjoyed getting to know Wes and Hailey throughout their story. Hailey’s independent streak and need to do things herself was a bit too relatable 😅 but I loved her passion for her job and connecting with people. I’m not sure if you get more info on the brothers’ backstory with their dad, but I loved Wes diving into why giving back to their community was important to him, and how they approached so many decisions trying to be smart for their business and also the community. This is a closed door romance but the tension and build up between them was so good!

Thank you to @netgalley, @stmartinspress, @smpromance for this arc!

This book is swoon worthy! Why have I never read the other two books in this series. I will have to go back and read them. You can read this book as a stand alone but I wish I had read the other meet ups !

I loved the story of Hailey and Wes. They are going to be just friends! They don't want to fall in love. This is One of my favorite tropes.

I also enjoyed seeing their characters evolve and Hailey do well in her business venture. The other characters are highly enjoyable as well.

My only complaint and it's a small one. Is why does Hailey have to get so crazy about Wes trying to help her or sometimes but her something nice. I get it you're a strong independent woman but this part of the story kept coming up again and again.

If you want a little romance in your life pick this one up. It's so cute! I'm off to read her other books.

Thanks to netgalley and St Martins press tor this aRc

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Again, friends to lovers is my favourite trope, that’s why the title already sold me into reading this. I love the Jansen Brothers so far, We haven’t had a lot of Wes in the past two books so I was excited to see what kind of a character he would bw and how his story will look like. I like Wes, he’s a dork with a good heart but sometimes he needs to trust his heart a little more. I didn’t know who his love interest would be and it turns out it’s someone who’s new in town, Hailey, just like Wes himself. Already a perfect match. The plot overall was okay, no complaints. Just like the previous two books, I just wished it had a little more of anything…something. The cringe dialogue/language is back but thank god it was even more reduced than the last book so that’s an improvement. The second book will still be my favourite of all the three. But I still love Wes and Hailey. I love their friendship.

"This changes everything. Our friendship. We can’t go back.”
"That’s okay. What I want is in front of me.”

I really liked this romance! It was the perfect ending to the Jansen brothers. Hailey and Wes’s meet cute was hilarious. Wes mistakes Hailey for his blind date and when she says that he isn’t he doesn’t believe her and thinks that she’s ditching the date! I loved how when he realizes he’s wrong later on he goes and apologizes to her. Next thing you know they end up becoming best of friends. I really enjoyed reading how they develop such an amazing friendship. I love that they truly knew each other. There was a little bit of a slow pacing with the transition from friends to lovers. Once they finally get together things get really good! There are such a cute couple! I Love that for the most part they work through their problems. Wes is upfront that he will make mistakes and that he and Hailey will need to work through them together. I love the ending and I think this is a really cute friends to lovers romance!
While this is the third book in the series it can definitely read as a standalone.

Read if you like:
3rd person dual POVs
Friends to lovers
Hilarious meet cute
Geek hero
Small shop owner heroine
Opposites attract

I received an advanced reader copy of this book.

I have to caveat this with the fact that I have not read the first or the second book in this series so I'm coming in cold. That said, I think this was an okay friends-to-lovers romance. Hailey moves to a new town in California to start a salad shop. After arriving, she meets a guy, Wes, who is in business with his two brothers. Wes and Hailey make an immediate connection, promising they will just be friends, and then (spoiler alert) fall for each other. Cute, but no real surprises and I didn't get overly invested.