This was the second book I have read of Sophie Sullivan and I have to say I am a fan. This story is great as a stand alone as well as in the series. Hailey is determined to make her salad business work. Wes is happy just being friends after his parents traumatic divorce. Neither one of them can stay that far from the other though.

My mistake for thinking this was a standalone. It was a cute friends to lovers, but I think I prefer friends to lovers when the MC's have known each other for longer than just a quick meet cute. I most likely will not be reading the other books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

Sophie Sullivan's "A Guide to Being Just Friends" presents a charming and heartfelt exploration of relationships, friendship, and the blurred lines that often separate the two. Through relatable characters and witty storytelling, Sullivan crafts a delightful romantic comedy that resonates with readers.

The story centers on two best friends, who, after a failed attempt at romance, strive to navigate the complexities of their evolving relationship. Sullivan expertly captures the intricacies of friendships turning into something more, showcasing the chemistry, tension, and vulnerability that come with such transitions.

The narrative is infused with Sullivan's signature blend of humor and emotion. Readers are treated to moments of laughter as well as introspection, as the characters grapple with their feelings and navigate the uncharted territory of redefining their connection. The book's pacing keeps the reader engaged, offering a balance between heartwarming scenes and the ups and downs of the characters' journey.

One of the strengths of the book lies in Sullivan's ability to create characters that feel authentic and relatable. The protagonists' individual quirks and personal struggles add depth to their personalities, making them more than just archetypes. As they navigate their way through misunderstandings and emotional hurdles, readers are invited to invest in their growth and eventual happiness.

Sullivan also adeptly explores themes of self-discovery and the importance of open communication in relationships. The characters' internal dialogues and external interactions highlight the challenges of admitting one's true feelings and confronting the fear of risking a valued friendship.

While the storyline follows familiar romantic comedy conventions, Sullivan infuses it with unique touches that make it stand out. The inclusion of the guidebook concept adds an amusing and insightful layer to the narrative, enhancing the character development and adding depth to the story's central theme.

In "A Guide to Being Just Friends," Sophie Sullivan crafts a heartfelt and entertaining tale that captures the essence of friendship, romance, and the journey of discovering what truly matters. With its endearing characters, engaging narrative, and genuine emotional resonance, this novel is a delightful addition to the romantic comedy genre, perfect for those seeking a heartwarming and relatable read.

"A Guide to Being Just Friends" by Sophie Sullivan is a heartfelt and engaging novel that beautifully explores the complexities of friendship and the blurred lines of romance. This book is a delightful journey that navigates the fine balance between friendship and something more.

Sullivan's writing style is warm and relatable, making it easy to connect with the characters and their experiences. The main characters' interactions are filled with authenticity and humor, creating a dynamic that is both endearing and engaging.

At the core of the narrative is a beautifully portrayed friendship that evolves into something deeper. The author skillfully captures the nuances of emotions and the gradual shift from platonic connection to romantic attraction.

"A Guide to Being Just Friends" delves into themes of vulnerability, communication, and the joys and challenges of navigating the transition from friends to something more. The novel's exploration of these themes adds depth to the story, making it resonate on a personal level.

In conclusion, "A Guide to Being Just Friends" is a charming and heartwarming read that captures the essence of friendship and romance. If you're looking for a book that examines the complexities of relationships with heart and humor, this novel offers a delightful and relatable narrative that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Hailey currently has only one S word on her mind… no not s*x dummy, SALADS! After starting her own salad shop, it is her biggest entrepreneurial dream to get it off the ground and make it a success!
After a disastrous meet-cute with Wes, they become friends… because that’s all they can be… or so Hailey says ha!

You know, sometimes it’s actually really nice to read a rom-com with minimal spice, and you can just focus on the LOVE! Hailey and Wes’ love story was very sweet, and watching them open themselves up to love was very fun to experience. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a cute love story with no smut!

I thought the author Sophie Sullivan did an excellent job giving us a cute rom com. Will this be one I recommend? Most likely. Does it make me want to read it over and over again? Not currently.

A Guide to Just Being Friends: 4 stars
Spice level: 🌶️

I enjoyed everything about this cute romance. The main character Hailey is building her dream business and determined to make it on her own. Although she absolutely doesn't want help, she is open to friendship and she expresses herself so well. I really liked her friends too, especially Fiona who writes quirky magazine quizzes. Wes doesn't want any sort of romantic relationship and is a lot more closed off. Watching their friendship develop is delightful and it makes a believable foundation for their romance.

A Guide to Being Best Friends was something I thought I would love, but ended up just being extremely disappointing. Our main characters, Hailey and Wes each have their own growth in the book as well as a romance. These are aspects I generally like, but I was not emotionally invested in any of it.

Wes has commitments issues after his parent’s messy divorce and doesn’t let any relationship get close to serious. Hailey has her own trust issues after getting away from a horrid ex. The two meet in a bit of an embarrassing way and strike up a friendship after Wes’s apology and some other circumstances. So for the most part this is a friends to lovers romance.

I am a bit hit and miss with friends to lovers, so if you love that you may really like this. I also didn’t really connect with our character’s business journeys, which play a decent role in the story. Really I think the tone and writing just wasn’t for me, but I do think others will really like it. I will warn that the 3rd act breakup was pretty meh and brought this down quite a lot for me, so pick it up if the blurb really speaks to you.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I did not know that this was a series but you can totally read it as a stand-alone. #bonus

This book is definitely a cute read but honestly it look me a while to finish this book.

I felt like it was slow moving but it was still good. It is a good slow burning romance.

The epilogue was just perfect! I think Hailey and Wes are the cutest!

Thank you NetGalley

This book is part of a series but it’s also a fine stand alone. The book is about wed Jansens finding love with the fake it to you make it girl hailey. This is a friend to lovers and will give you that cheesy vibe of a romcom while I liked this book it was just okay

3.5⭐, 1🌶️

Book #3 of Jansen Brothers series - Can read as a series or as a standalone.

This book was so sweet! An adorable closed-door friends to lovers romance. I loved how strong an independent Hailey was (even though she definitely got stubborn at the end) and then how quiet and adorable Wes was (even when he refused love while clearly loving Hailey). I loved the fun of all the brothers and their girlfriends intermingling and overall this was a lovely book!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC of A Guide to Being Just Friends, written by Sophie Sullivan.

I love Sophie Sullivan. Her books always captivate me. I am a sucker for friends to lovers and Wes and Hailey were it! I love the first two books about the other brothers and now I can’t decide which one I love more! You need to read this entire series!!!!

It was quite boring so I skipped from 30% to 70% and felt like I missed nothing. Both characters had big flaws and it was good to see them work on them but at the same time I kinda hated them the whole book.

This is Book 3 of the Jansen Brothers series and also my first book by this author. Although it seems characters from the previous books make an appearance, the book can still easily be read as a standalone. Hailey opens up a cute salad shop in Los Angeles. She needs to get the word out about her business to gain more customers but doesn't have the money for marketing. To help get the word out, she makes friends with other business owners in the area, one of them being Wes Jansen. They meet under less than ideal circumstances, but end up becoming friends. Hailey came to Los Angeles to start over and put the past behind her. She's been hurt in the past and has put up emotional barriers to protect herself. Wes isn't necessarily looking for love, just someone comfortable to be around he can share good times with. Neither were looking for love, but couldn't stop it when it came knocking on their door. Are they both willing to risk their hearts at a chance to find happiness?
This was a very sweet and angsty story filled with emotion and heart. The characters were well-developed and likable and I fell in love with them. The story left me with a warm feeling and a smile on my face. After reading this, I'd love to go back and read the previous books!
I received a complimentary copy from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

3.5 stars! Another great romance with a strong, independent female who just happens to find Prince Charming. But she doesn’t need him. No, no. He must earn her affection and time, which I loved. The plot lost me a bit around 85%, but overall I enjoyed the love story and the support characters.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always excited when a meet cute goes wrong, even if I'm a ridiculous romantic at heart. A Guide to Just Being Friends is what we always assume - that people of opposite genders can't be friends. But, it also proves that just the same - two people who have different ideas of what it means to be in love and what it means to be in a community find each other, even when they don't WANT to find each other.

Fun, fast, and a great kids are back to school and now you have time to read kind of book.

I really enjoyed this enemy to lovers type romance novel. The story was quick to get into and had a fun to follow plot line. I was rooting for them the whole time!

Such a fun romance. If you enjoy friends to lovers, this is a great read. 2 people who don't want a relationship, but can't stay apart. Can they really remain just friends?

I did not realize just how much of a slow burn this would be and truth be told thats just not my jam. Like so slow that I didnt really feel the connection between the fmc and mmc. I also really had trouble connecting with the fmc and I know its nice to make the female character stubborn and hard headed but sometimes it backfires

While this book is part of a series, it certainly works as a standalone. I was excited for this book to come out as I had enjoyed the previous one in the series. Unfortunately, this story was just not for me.
I liked the initial idea of MC's Wes and Hailey working on becoming best friends, since neither were interested in a relationship, they were new to town, etc. I found their weekly grocery shopping trips and movie nights adorable. However, the fact that this was such a slooooooooooooow burn nearly killed me. And then the fact that it went completely fade to black??? No. I would have thrown the book if it hadn't been on my kindle.
Those things can be forgiven for great characters, though. But I struggled with how much the story focused on Hailey's new business. I'm sorry, I simply cannot get that excited about salads. I just can't. And good grief, can Wes please just go to therapy? How did he not have therapy after his parent's divorce? How had no one suggested that to him in his whole life? HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A MILLENNIAL AND WE ALL LOVE THERAPY! Anyways, the idea of the story was much cuter than what was written. I almost wish it could be redone to match the energy of book 2, which I liked a lot more.

When I started reading this book, I did not realize there was going to be a connection with previous books, but I was pleased when I realized that Wes’ brother Noah and his girlfriend Grace were the Grace and Noah from “How to Love Your Neighbor”, which was an enjoyable rom-com. It was nice to revisit old book friends (Grace, Noah, Morty, Tilly), so to speak.

Friends to lovers is a fairly common romance novel theme, but usually it involves people who have been friends for a long time realizing that there is something more between them. What I particularly liked about this book was that Hailey and Wes, once they got past the initial awkwardness of how they first met, set about forming a friendship with no intentions or expectations of more. And much of the story focuses on how that friendship developed and evolved, and the numerous positives for Hailey and Wes that the friendship brought about. I enjoyed the banter and teasing, and how they took the friendship seriously but also had fun with it, such as the creation of the Guide to Being Just Friends.