*3.5
This was a cute read. I feel like the Hailey and Wes were real people with real fears. While I didn’t always appreciate how unintelligently those fears impacted some of their decisions, I can accept that it was a realistic way for them to respond in the moment.
The start of the book was a little bit challenging for me to process. The amount of characters introduced to the reader in a really short span of pages is overwhelming. However, I think that it parallels how Hailey would have felt being introduced to all of those people just as quickly. Over time, the personalities differentiate better, and it makes sense, but the beginning can be off putting. With that being said, the side characters were a great touch. I like it when the main characters have a support system outside of the significant other. Hailey was able to achieve that through her new friends, and Wes had her brothers (which I find adorable).
All in all a good read. I found it a little long and wordy at times, but the storyline was very cute!
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A delightful romantic comedy. Hailey and Wes are each characters growing and learning as they navigate their relationship. I have always adored the concept of best friends turned lovers, and this story hits this idea out of the park. Their friendship allows them to both grow into themselves before they start a romantic relationship. With themes of friendship, supporting others, family, and love all wrapped into one fun read you won't be disappointed.

Another great addition from Sullivan! I enjoy her humor and the way she builds relationships. This is the third story in this particular universe and she brings in the other characters with just enough refresh that the story still functions as a stand alone book. Would totally recommend and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

This is a friends to lovers slow burn romance. And I was so so excited to read this and while there were lots of aspects that I enjoyed this one was a bit if a let down for me. I found it difficult to stay engaged and connect with the characters or even root for them at some points. Their meet cute is adorable and awkward and I really enjoyed the authors writing style but this just didn’t have some of the essential romcom elements I was hoping for

This 3rd book in the series about the Jansen brothers features the oldest brother Wes, and I am here for his story with Hailey! First, their meet cute is adorably awkward. Then they decide to be “just friends” even though there is undeniable attraction. Neither wants a relationship but obviously life has other plans for them. I love their sweet interactions and how they figure out how to fit into each other’s lives and families/friend groups. The glimpses of the other brothers were perfect. Now we need a story for sis! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own!

I'm a simple woman. Head empty, no thoughts. Contemporary slowburn friends to lovers where they are actually friends til the 70% mark. They grocery shop and play Dead Red Redemption together. She knew his phone password and they both called each other out on their crap. They fought and then talked it out after. "Some people are worth adjusting for" was said platonically. A sweet romance that felt like it cleared my emotional sinuses, and my first foray into the series, which made me interested in the other brothers' books!

Thanks so much for the ARC!

The characters are the biggest let down of this story. At first, I found Hailey and Wes to be typical romcom protagonists. Perfectly serviceable, but bland. As the story progressed, my opinion changed. Their inability to acknowledge their own very obvious emotions made them seem obtuse and childish. Not realistic for business owners in their 30s. There are times where I found Hailey's thought process to be baffling. I couldn't connect with her. I usually don't enjoy the hero's POV in romance novels and this book did nothing to change that. The dialouge between Wes and his brother's was straight up cringe.

My problems with the main characters translated into problems with their romance. I felt like they lacked chemistry. The misunderstanding about their initial meeting is quickly squashed and they become friends almost immediately. It didn't feel organic. The frequent time jumps of the book did not help at all. I would have liked to see the basis of their friendship developed more to help with the believability. The slow burn element of the romance also made this a slow moving book. When they did get together I was more relieved that something big happened plot wise then that they finally confessed their feelings. The ending was rushed and unsatisfying.

Side elements of the story such as other characters and the setting were underdeveloped.

A frustrating but ultimately forgettable romance.

This was so exciting! This book is the first ARC (advanced readers copy) that I have received since starting my account and it was so lovely to read! I haven’t read the first two books of The Jansen Brothers series but I am tempted to now with the way this one turned out!

I fell in love with Wes and Hailey’s story. It was a wonderful slow burn, friends-to-lovers journey. My favorite part of the book was the dialogue and banter between the couple and all of their friends. It was very realistic and is ultimately what made me fall in love with this book. It had a good balance when it came to speed/pace and some good lessons that I found relatable.

I don’t really have any criticisms. The beginning felt a little bit slow but that happens to me every time I start a new book so that’s a me thing not a critic! Thank you for letting me read this. I absolutely loved it and I know others will too!!

🌟🌟🌟💫/5

When Hailey moves away to get a fresh start and prove to herself that she can accomplish her dreams, her plan gets derailed after an unintentional meet-cute sparks a friendship with successful businessman Wes Jansen. But a friendship is all it can be, because Hailey doesn’t want distractions from her business, and Wes isn’t looking for a serious relationship.

Read if you like:
Friends to Lovers
Sweet gestures
Open communication

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

A Guide to being just friends was great up until they first kissed. It was harder for me to read after that. I think Hailey just got a little too over the top and worried for me to feel sympathy for her when she was going through the phases of if she liked him or not. It rubbed me the wrong way. But like… i want to step into her salad shop and try every single one on the menu!! It all sounded so good!

This is my first book from this author so maybe i should’ve read the first one in the series to get a feel for the characters. But i don’t know. i tried so hard to love it.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Griffin for the early ARC.

“I knew I wanted these things but I didn’t know how much finding the right person, finding you, would fill all these spaces in my heart and my life.”

This story is a slow burn and friends to lovers. I thought the writing of the story was good but I had a hard time connecting with the story at times. Hailey is very hard headed, independent, and ready to work hard to create a successful business after a bad relationship. Wes is a successful business man with his brothers, cares so much for the ones he's closest to, and wants to make a difference. They had a very strong friendship. They had their own routine together, supported one another, and had a great bond. But I did feel like it dragged out too long. I love a slow burn but they spent so much time hiding their feelings from each other causing unnecessary problems. Hailey was very closed off a lot in the beginning understandably from her past but she pushed it off on Wes when he was only being genuine towards her which was frustrating at times. I did love the dynamic of all the characters together. There are no spicy scenes which is perfectly okay but I personally prefer some spice in a romance novel. Overall it was a good read, I did not know this was the third in the series so if you enjoyed the first two, I’m sure you would enjoy this one as well.

Oh those Jansen brothers! I can't get enough of them. A Guide to Being Just Friends is the third book in the series following each of the three Jansen brothers as they navigate finding happiness and love in a small coastal town in California. Although this can be read as a standalone, I definitely think there are a lot of references to the characters from the previous books, that it is more enjoyable to read those first. I will also say all of the books are delightful so you should definitely read them.

This installment follows the older and more reserved Jansen brother, Wes. He befriends a new local shop owner names Hailey and become good friends. But what happens when their friendship turns to more??? Especially since Wes fears marriage after seeing his parents unhappy splitting. Hailey has her own baggage as well from past relationships.

I really enjoyed this book! For the first two in the series, I listened to the audiobooks, which were great, but for this I read the actual book. Both experiences were good, but I think I might want to go back and listen to the audio for this one as well. The cute dialogue between the characters really comes to life in the audio and the narrator is great.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. I would put it as my second favorite Jansen brothers book after Noah and Grace's story.

Absolutely loved this! This was just what I needed after reading some heavier books. Thank you netgalley & the publisher for the arc, in exchange for an honest review!

Most of this book is very enjoyable, the friendship between the main characters is beautiful but once they begin a relationship, their chemistry goes out the window.

Finishing this book was bittersweet! I enjoyed this book and this series but am sad that it's over. I love a friends to lovers story and Wes and Hailey's story was no different. I do wish the ending and resolution was a bit more fleshed out -- the final conflict and resolution happened so quickly and I wanted more there.

I also made the mistake of reading this ARC less than a month after reading book 2 of the series. My main issue there is that while that was enemies to lovers, I felt very similar. The trappings and external conflicts were different but the emotional conflicts and personalities felt reused.

I did love how each book we met and collected more characters. I really hope Sullivan writes more books in this world.

This had christina lauren vibes - highly recommend for lovers of romance and friends-to-lovers trope.

I really looked forward to reading this book, especially after reading Noah and Grace's story in book 2. I enjoyed Wes and Hailey alot, both had trust issues, and both had the ability to give to another person, they just needed to find it. Loved Fiona and Piper, and adored how Hailey built up her business and helped the community center. What I didn't really care for was the amount of time it took both characters to get a grip on their relationship, just seemed to drag on in parts and took away from the great story being told. All in all I loved this final book in the series. Am very much looking forward to what this author has in store next for her readers.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

I did not know this was part of a series but it read fine as a stand-alone. This book had such an easy flow and so many heartwarming moments.

Wes and Hailey’s story from friends to lovers was so enjoyable to see unfold. I loved how strong and determined Hailey was, I felt her character was relatable without being too cliche. Some dialogue between the brothers was just unbelievable, meaning, I don’t think men really talk about their emotions like that to one another.

Overall it was a quick, entertaining and gushy romance story I loved and would enjoy seeing made into a movie. Might have to check out the other Jansen brother’s stories….

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC!

this story is a slow burn, friends to lovers romance. I loved seeing their friendship grow. they love spending time together and genuinely care for each other, so it was only natural that it blossomed into something more. Wes and Hailey each know the risks of love, but together they help each other realize that the risks are worth it. it was also great seeing how the other couples from the previous books are doing! go read this when it comes out and the first two in the Jansen Brothers series!

This book was so cute! I have not read the other two books in the series but I’m excited to go back and read them now. I love Hailey and Wes friendship so much. It was so pure, sweet and just overall adorable. I was so glad when they finally realized they were meant to be! The classic problems get in the way but you know things will always work out! Perfect easy romance read!