What a cute read!! I found myself smiling, laughing, and feeling all the emotions during the story of Wes and Hailey. the book didn’t feel dragged on by any means and pulled me in pretty quickly!

Genre: Adult Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶/5

Topics
• Past relationship trauma
• Friends to lovers
• Very slow burn
• Slight found family

Notable quotes:
• "But she also knew that if she didn't learn ti open herself up again, trust in someone, she wasn't going to be truly happy again"
• "A friend who'd been hurt horribly but somehow still believed in love"
• "I don't want to fit with them. I want to fit with Wes"
• "I was stupid enough to believe that not saying the words meant I could stop myself from feeling them"

Quick note: I have never read anything from Sullivan before however, I don't think this book 100% needed to be read after reading the other two.

Sullivan has created such amazing characters and dynamics between not only the brothers but simple side characters as well that I never felt lost in characters having never read the past two books in this series. However after reading this I did put the first two books on a "need to read soon" list.

How Sullivan writes is captivating and everything I love in a good romance book. From the insight of both characters with the alternating of focus to the little thoughts they have about eachother. Fantastic writing and honestly something I look up to.

I have personally never been to the west coast but Sullivan really puts you into this setting perfectly. I loved Haley's little salad shop and every second spent on the beach too.

Overall, I felt this book was amazing but I will say the slow burn was so slow that once the pair did get together every conversation seemed to end in a fight and the constant issues that had in such a short time wasn't the best.


Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book

I liked this book, but I LOVED the other Jansen brothers. I haven't read their books yet, but basically, this series is about stupid, rich brothers in relationships with women who are better than them. For this one, Hailey starts a salad shop and becomes best friends with Wes, a rich dude with a heart of gold.
I love these characters. Top notch. Yes, Hailey loves salad, but she's also awesome and successful!! She isn't dependent on Wes at all, and she's great at what she does. With Wes, he's pragmatic and occasionally off-putting and we love him for it!! My only gripe is that I liked the side characters (aka the main characters from the first two books) much much more. I NEED to read the other books after this one.
This relationship started with friendship, which can be the best kind. This is VERY When Harry Met Sally, practically the same thing except once they meet the second time, they're fast friends. Both their friendship and romantic relationship seemed really healthy, Wes just needed to stop mentioning that he was rich and could help her. We know, man. I also had problems with the end. I simply would not have forgiven that man after what he said to her. RIP to Hailey, but I'm different. I'd let him suffer alone. <3
With the plot, this flowed really well! I've seen When Harry Met Sally, and you could see the influence, but it still felt pretty unique. Again, I think I would've preferred the other brothers' books, but this one was really good and I enjoyed it.
Obviously, this book is for fans of romance and When Harry Met Sally. I'd definitely recommend it to that audience!

The third book in the "Ten Rules for Faking It" series, this novel follows Hailey Sharp, a type A, driven and determined entrepreneur. Trying to get her salad restaurant off the ground after a messy breakup, she is completely focused on her business with no room for romance.
Wes Jansen is in the tech and investment business, jaded after his parents failed marriage and his many failed first dates. He believes true love isn't for everyone and is fine focusing on his work, being a stable business partner with his brothers, and forgetting about trying to find love.
After a not-so-cute meet-cute, Wes and Hailey part ways only to keep running into each other and forming a friendship.
This book has a fantastic cast of supporting characters, that some readers will be familiar with from Sophie Sullivan's past works! The story never feels dry or forced because Hailey and Wes have great interactions and relationships with characters other than each other and you are invested in the side characters' stories as well.
Written with heartwarming and witty prose, it's an easy read that kept me engaged and laughing. It was not as steamy as I was expecting and some of the foils to the romance felt a bit forced but still an enjoyable read.
I loved how Sullivan explored themes of success, friendship, family expectations, and learning to accept help.
Excited for the next book in this series!

I’ve had a very specific craving for salads since reading this book 😂

Hailey and Wes were an ADORABLE friends to lovers couple! From their accidental meet cute, they had great banter and a natural progression of their friendship, which made their falling in love so much more believable.

One of my favorite things about this book was the occasional small time jumps. From the time they met to when they actually got together, months had passed. The relationship didn’t feel spontaneous or too rushed. They developed a close friendship first in a realistic timeframe and grew from that! That’s the kind of slow burn I love 😂

My only gripe with this story is when they finally got together and had their first fight, the next BIG fight came too close after. I wish there was a little more of the “honeymoon” phase shown before having two back to back arguments. And also, that man did not grovel nearly enough to win her back!!!

Overall I had a lot of fun reading their story and will definitely go back and read the brothers’ books as well!

*This ARC was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I freakking LOVEEE a Sophie Sullivan book and this one did not disappoint. This book is a slower burn and I love the friends to lovers trope that Wes and Hailey had going on. I was so happy to be back in the world of the Jansen Brothers! Hailey and Wes are super cute and I truly loved seeing their friendship and romance blossom. I especially appreciated the Epilogue :')

I tried, for months, to read this book. I'd pick it up, give it a second/third/fourth shot, and almost immediately put it back down. The writing style isn't one that I particularly enjoy. I like description and imagery and feeling like I am being placed into the story and while I did not finish this book, the first several chapters did not give me those things. It felt more like I was just being told facts about the characters or the setting or the plot. Statements rather than picture-painting. Some may enjoy the directness! Just wasn't for me!

This has got to be my favorite book out of the Jansen Brothers series! I absolutely adored the growing tension between Wes and Hailey! I also enjoyed how their relationship was built up! I truly felt their friendship begin and grow and evolve into something more. I think Sophie Sullivan does a great job at building the tension between her main characters! Overall, this was a cute and fun read!

Please note, this was an ARC provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3/5⭐️
2/5🌶

Series: Jansen Brothers no. 3 (I would recommend reading them in order)
Setting: Southern California
POV: dual, 3rd person, past tense
Tropes: friends to lovers

What I Liked: This was another very sweet romance to finish off this series of three brothers finding love. It continued the series themes of dysfunctional parents and fresh starts in adulthood. I thought the MCs friendship was so cute!

What I Disliked: My biggest complaint is that the FMC in this book felt too similar to the second book. The titular guide was also often referenced but we never actually saw it - I was craving what rules they were creating for themselves so we could see exactly when they broke them!

Memorable Quote: "You are the opposite of not enough. You're too fucking much. I can't breathe anymore when I'm with you.”

I'm a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope, and I think we all knew despite the title that no one was staying "just friends." Welcome to a book where the two main characters just continually friendzone each other thinking that's what is best for their relationship and what the other genuinely wants. There were many points that I was ready to throw the book across the room because of the TENSION! A Guide to Being Just Friends brought out the ex-fangirl in me, because I can't remember the last romcom book where I shipped the main characters this hard right out of the gate. Just... this book is *chefs kiss* and you need to read it. Just drop everything now. Pinky promise you won't regret it!

Let me preface this review by first mentioning that I have wanted to read a Sophie Sullivan book for a while, and so when I saw this ARC come up, I dove for it. I didn’t realize, until part way through, that this is actually the third book in the Jansen Brothers series. And I still adored it.

This is the last book in the Jensen Brothers series, and features Wes, the older, somewhat broody and well-intentioned brother of the three. He remembers his parents’ messy divorce, and would like no part of that. Hence, when he meets (in a comical way) Hailey, they set forth on the path of friendship, going so far as to dream up a guide to being just friends. (I see what you did there, Ms. Sullivan)

Because this is a friends-first romance between strangers, the story does move a bit slowly. Like Mariana Zapata slow. The friendship is established first, and then comes THE KISS. Throughout the development of the friendship, there are so many beautiful and hilarious moments that offset the urge to yell ‘JUST KISS ALREADY!’

I also love that neither of these characters have things figured out. They both need to get out of their own way, and the family and friends in this series are there to help! If you are looking for more Noah, Chris, Grace and Everly, you are in luck! Plus you get the added delight of Fiona, Hailey’s friend, whose cheeky and sarcastic banter had me laughing out loud.

While this book is light on the spice, it is heavy on the SWOON.

This book is available on January 17, 2023. Thank you to Sophie Sullivan, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the last book in the Jansen Brothers series and I am so sad! This book was the PERFECT friends-to-lovers story with the Sophie Sullivan touch of charm and heart.

Hannah Sharp is looking for a fresh start with her salad shop. She is fresh off a bad breakup and moved to a new city. She is focused on bettering her business and avoiding distractions. Wes Jansen is the eldest Jansen brother and recently moved from New York to join her brothers. He is focused on expanding their business their way, and not their fathers.

So when Wes mistakes Hannah for his date that stood him up, it is an impressionable first impression, to say the least. As they get to know each other and develop a meaningful friendship, they realize that they oftentimes lean on themselves. That was until they found each other, and might have found the one person they can lean on.

Hannah and Wes have huge hearts and are focused on improving themselves and those around them. So once they start allowing themselves to see their deep connection, it is impossible for them to continue to deny it. This book has the perfect Sophie Sullivan charm that the previous two books had. Plus the way the other characters were weaved through the story was rewarding for readers who have enjoyed this series.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
- mistaken identity
- friends-to-lovers
- found family

this was all my favorite rom-com combined to make it the most awesome book ever. read it you must and will enjoy it from the start.

“It isn’t because you weren’t enough, Hailey. It’s because I’m terrified you could become everything.”

Wow, this book. Such a wonderful end to one of my new favorite romance trilogies!!

Things I loved:
- The Female MC is a reader!!!
- I lived for their banter!
- This book MAKES ME CRAVE SALAD and I never thought that possible.
- The scene where they cook her grandma’s marinara >>>>>

Things I didn’t:
I’m not the biggest fan of friends to lovers, hence my four star rating. But I loved it nonetheless!!

A Guide to Being Just Friends-

Synopsis- Hailey Sharp moves to San Verde from LA to get a fresh start after a hard break up. Through a quirky meet cute, she runs into Wes Jansen. Only problem? Wes and Hailey both are committed to being just friends. Their friendship continues to develop and until a problem arises. The problem? Their deep and growing attraction to each other.

What makes this different than your typical friends to lovers/meet cute book? -
This book, in my opinion, really focuses on a healthy development- for both characters. In so many books I’ve read, I see so many dramatic ups and downs in the characters relationship that can often reflect toxicity or show negative relationship traits, but this slow burn really reflects a healthy growth. Through this entire book, we see what it looks like to have a healthy, natural growth to a relationship.

My review-
I really think that the overall plot and premise of this book is so cute. Hailey, one of the main characters, is endearing and you instantly grow attached to her and her personal development. You grow anxious wanting to see her succeed. I wish I felt the same for the other main character, Wes. I had a hard time growing attached to him. While I appreciated their relationship and their dynamics, I just felt disconnected from Wes and his personal development. I did overall enjoy this book and felt myself rooting for these two all the way through my reading.

OMG THIS BOOK! I didn't read the first two in the series but this one was so stinking cute! I can't believe I haven't read any Sophie Sullivan before but I'm definitely going to back list her other works!

When I started this book I didn’t realize it was the third in the series. That being said, it functioned well as a stand along romance. I probably would have felt more towards the secondary characters if I had read the first two books but it defiantly wasn’t necessary.

I enjoyed the friends to lovers troupe and the world the author created. I did feel like some of the drama was pretty forced. If they had been best friends for 6 months and then dating for 4 months you think they may know a little bit about each other that would have diffused the forced controversy.

ARC generously provided by NetGalley and St. Martins Press in exchange for fair and honest review.

This was cute and that’s about it. It was the slowest of slow burns and contained no spice. If that’s something you’re into, then you would enjoy this book. It reads like a cute romantic comedy movie from the 2000s and is a friends the lovers story. I enjoyed the book but I was missing something.

A Guide to Being Just Friends is a cute romance surrounding Hailey and Wes - a salad small business owner and a rich cyber security x realtor x who knows what - who meet and make a pact to just stay friends while slowly falling for one another.
It’s the typical friends to lovers trope, which I love and thought their progression of emotions was really natural. I think it’s important to note I haven’t read the other books in the interconnected stand-alones, which I think would make me more attached to the side characters than I was. Ultimately, I just couldn’t connect to the main characters that well. While I appreciated Hailey’s drive, her stubbornness and pride was exhausting. I wish we learned more about Wes’s interests in art, I think that would have been helpful for to dive into more. The final conflict in the book really just made me not like Wes, and without saying too much about it, I just feel like it was rushed and resolved too quickly.
I do think this book did a great job at friends to lovers. I loved their friendship and it was great to watch them fall for one another and create this bond. I just wish there was more time to show them work through the issues within their relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book read exactly like a movie. It was so cute and wholesome and made me smile. I loved how we got to see so much of their lives and journeys as the book went through different months and seasons. It was the slowest of slow burns but the connection between them was palpable. The simplest thing like them going to the grocery store had me smiling like an idiot. This book made me like the friends to lovers trope. I felt like I was watching a movie to whole time. Thank you NetGalley for this arc!