After a breakup, Hailey Sharp picks up her life and moves to a new city for a fresh start! She follows her dreams and opens a salad shop, By The Cup, in a trendy part of town. Wes Jansen also recently moved for a fresh start. Wes is a workaholic and afraid of love. Wes mistakes Hailey for his date at a cafe and the two become friends.

Cute story and a light rom com read! Overall the story was slower than my liking. I did enjoy following along on the growth of Hailey’s salad shop and found myself more interested in her entrepreneurial journey than her relationship with Wes. Their relationship picks up halfway through the book, but overall I found myself wanting more.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just My Type releases January 17th, 2023. I recommend adding this slow burn, friends to lovers rom com to your TBR if you are looking for a light and easy read.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was so cute!! I loved seeing Hailey and Wes' friendship blossom and grow to something more. It was so sweet, especially given that these two wanted nothing to do with being in a relationship. It is a slow-burn romance, so you will be fine if you are brave enough.

However, this is a 3rd in the series, so I had a hard time following through with the other characters' backstories. I also wish we had more of Hailey's backstory about her family. They were mentioned but that was it.
Also, the title. I wished the guide was shown to readers, it would've been a lot more interesting in my opinion.

Overall, this was still a very cute read.

Thank you Netgalley, St Martin's Press and Sophie Sullivan for this arc!

I’m always glad when romance stories build around personal connection rather than focusing on physical attraction (niche taste, I know) and I know when I pick up one of Sullivan’s stories, I’ll get to meet characters who develop a relationship through mutual support and admiration alongside their flutters and stolen glances. Having read the first two books in this series, it was fun to see how Sullivan rounded out the story of all 3 brothers and their lady-loves. While the first book centered on the radio station and the second on neighbouring houses undergoing renovations, this one pans out, taking us in and out of settings old and new, while presenting us with a large cast of characters from all parts of the town. Readers who’ve read books 1 & 2 will get to see their favourite places and follow their favourite characters as more events unfold, while also falling in love with a new central pairing. This time we get a friends-to-lovers tale (a trope I remain a sucker for) as our leads fall fast but barricade their feelings behind lots of walls, desperate not to risk a friendship they both value. Sullivan warmly embraces several much-beloved rom-com references as the duo watches films together and takes a few tips from the on-screen characters. The titular guide is only referenced in the story, so we don’t get to know what it contains, though I’m sure readers will be clamouring for a copy. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s already on the author’s promo plans. :) Though the story stands on its own, a fair amount of the content is dedicated to following the characters from the other books, so I’d suggest reading them first rather than starting here. Overall, a great fit for readers who enjoy closed-door romance with big casts, easy-to-root-for characters, and a joyful embracing of popular romance tropes.

*ARC Review*

A Guide to Being Just Friends started as a really sweet rom com that ended with a bad taste in my mouth. This story follows Hailey Sharp, an entrepreneur who just opened a Salad shop in a bustling downtown area. What started as a team of one eventually grew into a salad empire in the city. I loved Hailey and thought she was strong and confident. She was great at explaining her emotions and did not want to be anything but herself.

At the beginning, Hailey has an awkward interaction with Wes, who thinks she is his blind date (when she isn't). They go their separate ways just to interact later. They begin a love story with plenty of drama. I enjoyed Wes as he was helping Hailey grow her business, but towards the end of the book I found him to be controlling. While there was a happy ending at the end, I felt these to characters were not good for each other. Wes was diminishing Hailey's shine for a majority of the book. I feel he did not deserve her.

The beginning of this story was good, but it went downhill over time. On the bright side I desperately want a "By The Cup" salad.

Overall, I thought this was a sweet, pleasant read that was true to the “friends to lovers” rom-com genre.

I didn’t find the dialogue to be quite as witty/ bantery as say, an Emily Henry, book. I also was annoyed by Wes’s over the top stubbornness and resistance to love. To me, it didn’t seem like a realistic “objection” but rather a means to an to delay the happily ever after ending.

That being said, it was an easy/ cute read that will please rom com lovers!

Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy!

A Guide to Being Just Friends is a cute, romantic and feel-good story by Sophie Sullivan.

It's a slow burn rom-com with plenty of fun banter and and charming characters.

I didn't realize when I had picked this up that it was the third book in the series about the Jansen brothers but I didn't feel like I missed much by not reading the previous books but I will definitely be reading them next.

What I loved most about this story is the realness, nothing seemed out of the ordinary and over the top. Wes and Hailey were both so relatable and easy to connect with and their character developments and how they worked through their issues and conflicts was believable. Their family and friends were also enjoyable. It was all around just a fun and charming read, it took me out of my book slump and I felt giddy reading it.

Highly recommend picking up this lighthearted, laugh out loud funny rom-com about "just friends" becoming more.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I completely loved the mistaken identity meet-cute they had (he accused her of being his blind date and trying to bail once she got a look at him in the coffee shop) but this didn’t seem to fit with Wes’s personality the remainder of the book. He was a little up tight but still a nice guy. Despite getting off on the wrong foot Wes and Hailey become friends and then eventually this becomes a friends to lovers story. I also was under the false impression that this was a slow burn romance. I often felt like there was no real connection between these two beyond friendship. When they finally kissed I felt like it came out of no where. Then about 80% of the way through I realized I had been tricked into yet another closed door romance 😑 Even though I liked the characters and it had some funny moments this was the last straw. I skimmed the last 20% and just read the epilogue. Not a horrible book but definitely not for me.

I have a lot of random thoughts about this one, so bullet points it is!
-I love salads so Hailey’s store sounds amazing 🤤🤤
-I wish we got to see more of Hailey and Piper’s relationship
-I’ve read all the Jansen brothers books, & I’ve enjoyed following them throughout their stories. I love that all the books piggy back off of one another and continue on. It makes me feel included in the story
-Sometimes it’s nice to read a happy book where everything just works out & this was the perfect book for that
-I did find it kinda annoying how Hailey was so against taking help from anyone. I totally get wanting to make it on her own, but sometimes you should swallow your pride and accept that those who love you WANT to help you, and aren’t just taking pity on you
-I did like the ending though. It wasn’t anything great but it was a good ending for the Jansen brothers

I enjoyed this book! I liked the characters a lot, despite being a bit confused by the large supporting case (I did unintentionally start with the third book in a trilogy, after all!). I enjoyed Hailey's (the female protagonist's) own story, and its themes around self-reliance, asking for help, and recovering from painful past relationships. It was presented in a way I think will be relatable for a lot of readers. I also enjoyed the male protagonist's character development. Even the inevitable conflict made sense within their characterizations, despite making me whisper, "oh no, come on now," while reading on the shuttle to work.

One drawback was that some of the dialogue felt a bit unnatural or spotty. There were times I had to re-read dialogue (as well as inner dialogue) because I genuinely wasn't sure what it meant until the second or third read past, which can be really distracting when you're getting into a book.

That said, the story was perfectly enjoyable, and while it doesn't make my "must read" list of recommendations, I think I'd go back and read the other books in the trilogy, because it was a pleasant way to spend a few hours!

A great way to start over in a new city, opening up your dream business and to make a friend that would not only expand your "new family", but help you rebuild your faith in others and yourself. Having only her cousin and her dream when it all starts to soo much more by the end of the story. Great read

A Guide to Being Just Friends is so sweet and wholesome! It's perfect if you're in the mood for something light, and that will give you the warm and fuzzies. Overall an enjoyable read!

I have not read the other books in this series, but after reading this one, I will definitely be picking them up. A Guide to Being Just Friends was a warm and enjoyable friends to lovers romance.

I loved watching Hailey and Wes grow closer -- from their awkward meet-cute to blossoming friendship to inevitably intensified feelings. Side characters are filled with unique personalities and quirky dialogue/quick wit. With romance books I don't typically find myself missing characters or the world, but with this one I definitely felt that. The friendships Hailey cultivates are meaningful and girls supporting girls, which I love to see!

This will definitely be a book I recommend to friends.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Guide to Being Just friends is the third installment of the trilogy, but could be read as a standalone. A sort of enemies to friends to lovers. With a dual-POV

Wes and Hailey first meet when Wes confuses her for a girl he was supposed to meet up with that he met on a dating app. Later when they see each other again they create a friendship. That will lead them to something more.

I honestly don't know what to say. I loved the book it's everything you want from a rom com. Recommend for those who love a romance .

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗/5

Guys and girls can’t just be friends. Right? The When Harry Met Sally theory in book form. Such a cute, fun, and sweet read. I loved the growth between Wes and Hailey and the way the two interacted. Throw in some chocolate cake, and I’m sold! I can’t wait for everyone to enjoy this book in January.

Love the premise, but it just didn't work for me. It felt unpolished, like a first draft, and lacked subtlety. "This thing happened, which made her feel this way because of this other thing that had happened in her childhood." Okay. What are we doing here? It doesn't seem like I'm necessary to this process, seems like you guys have got it handled. The pacing was off for me too, throwing off the tension and creating a slightly baffling reading experience. But like I said, it is cute, so if these things don't bother you, it may be worth checking out.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I’ve been on a friends to lovers roll lately! This one was a sweet FTL trope that had a super slow burn. If you don’t mind waiting the majority of the book for that “finally!” moment between the couple, then this could be a good read for you. I prefer the relationships in books to progress a bit faster but that’s personal preference. I haven’t read the other books in the series so I’m glad that this read well for me jumping right in the middle of the series.

I recall thinking How to Love Your Neighbor was a cute book, if not a bit cheesy, so I accepted this one. But I'm sorry I just cannot with the writing in this one. This feels more like a rough draft in need of some editor notes than a published book. I made it 30% and am screaming over the number of times someone's life has been changed by eating Hailey's salads or that she makes her own dressing.

Not to mention the number of "ha ha I will never fit into my clothes by having this slice of cake" or "maybe I should join your gym since I like chocolate" is giving me such icky body-negativity vibes. Honestly, this alone is enough for me to want to steer people away from this one.

I like the idea. Friends-to-lovers is a good trope and I think the *concept* of this one would have been interesting. Although... they are so instantly attracted to each other and keep talking about the "electricity between them" (I swear to god, they both felt a zap the first time their eyes met).

It's a no from me.

I loved that Hailey was a strong female lead. I really enjoyed seeing her grow her salad shop; the author did a great job of investing the reader in By the Cup. It didn’t feel like an afterthought but a very important part of the plot.

I haven’t read the other books in this series so was worried that I would feel as though I was missing something but I didn’t. We get to know Wes’s brothers and their girlfriends but I don’t feel as though their books were ruined for me.

Friends-to-lovers is not my favorite trope. It seems like such a natural thing to happen that I find a lot of the road blocks to feel contrived. I get that Wes and Hailey wanted to start things off as friends but they started to mutually develop feelings (all written very well —-the trajectory of their friendship was so sweet) and the drama just seemed kind of silly. I think readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers will really like this book.

***3.5 STARS***

Full disclosure, I received this ARC not knowing it is part of a series about the Jansen brothers. This is Wes Jansen’s book, the eldest of the the brothers. It read very well as a stand alone.

Wes is a protector. He spent his childhood trying to shield his younger brothers from their Dad whose only goal in life was to get rich. Wes does not believe in love and marriage and refuses to open his heart fully. Hailey’s heart has been broken by her “wanna be” actor boyfriend who treated her terribly and made her feel that she was not enough.

A meet cute between Wes and Hailey begins a very special friendship. Of course feelings grow deeper but both are convinced their relationship should stay platonic. However, a shared kiss has them foregoing the friendship and becoming a couple. Wes still has a guard up and Hailey refuses to settle for someone who claims he can never fall in love.

This is a very slow burn romance. Almost too slow for my liking. It got kind of repetitive and at times a bit boring. I enjoyed all the characters and the storyline but it lacked the spark and connection I usually feel towards the main characters. The last 25% of the book did pick up for me and overall I did enjoy this story. It was sweet and endearing, the Jansen brothers are quite charming.

“Sometimes we don’t know who we are until we find the right person. The one that helps us see ourselves in a way we never did before.”

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Review:
As with the other books in this series, they are adorable and lighthearted without totally dimishing the worries of regular people. The only problem with these brothers is how much they want to throw money at a problem to resolve it, and how much none of these women want them to.
I really like Wes and Hailey. They are both ambitious and become friends because they think they want the same things, and once they realize they are wrong they gracefully pivot until evertyhing falls apart (momentairly).
Once thing I relaly wish we'd had more of was Hailey's backstory. Her previous relationship impacted her so much and while I don't like making characters, especaily women relive their trauma, it would've helped us to understand her so much more.
Wes was a little bit more of an open book, especially if you'd read the other two books; which you absolutely son't have to do to fully understand or appreciate Wes or Hailey's story in this book.

Synopsis:
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.