I really enjoyed the background of Hailey as a character, I feel like it helps to understand where she is coming from throughout the book. The actual feel of the town that Hailey worked in was great, I felt like I could really see the strip of stores. I really loved how Wes was grumpy at the beginning of the book and the scene in Tara’s coffee shop was pretty funny. I enjoyed the background on Wes as well and felt like it was again, understand where he was coming from in different situations. The first grocery store scene was so cute. I did find it frustrating that it took so long for Hailey and Wes to figure it out, I don’t think I have wanted a couple to be together more. When Wes didn’t say I love you back I was floored. There was a weird story that never got brought up again - Tara telling Hailey a different day for the meeting? I would have enjoyed more steamy scenes as well.

A Guide to Just Being Friends
Sophie Sullivan

Genre: Romance
Published: 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
Recommended: Yes!

Was pleasantly surprised by this book. I didn’t love the other Sophie Sullivan book I read (How to Love Your Neighbor), but this one was much more enjoyable! Slow burns are one of my favorite tropes in romances and this book delivered that with Wes and Hailey’s story.

*I received this book as an ARC from St. Martin’s Press and #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so very much for allowing me to read and review!*

This is a cute and unique romance novel. I loved the complexities of the relationship and the twists it took. It really shows the impact past traumas and experiences can have on future relationships and how we can learn from and grow despite our pasts. I did not realize this was part of a series, because it completely works as a standalone. I will definitely have to check out the previous books now. I would recommend this book if you are interested in teasing banter and slow burn romances, but with fade to black romance scenes.

(4/5)
Disclaimer: I didn't know it was the third book in the series, but you can read it as a standalone and I appreciated the found family aspects of the novel itself and it compelled me to read the other two and I'm quite excited to pick them up and see the other brothers stories, since they all have very dynamic personalities.

Synopsis: Hailey Sharp is starting over in a new place after a bad breakup with her ex and she opens a salad shop, which is her dream. After an awkward encounter with Wes, the two end up hitting it off and become genuine platonic friends who support each other through all sorts of various scenarios and life circumstances. Initially neither of them are looking for anything more so they fall into an easy rhythm, but what happens when feelings arise and complicate that?

This might be one of the cutest friends to lovers I've ever read. I tend to be generally skeptical of friends to lovers, because I have a hard time believing they were actually friends, but this book absolutely convinced me of their friendship and their relationship. Some people are meant to be in your life at a particular time and this book proved it for me. If you don't enjoy the spicy novels and just want the fluff and the slowburn of a good friends to lovers I'd highly recommend this book. It made me have little butterflies and I really connected to all of the characters. It has dual POV and Wes is an absolute sweetheart, he watches all the rom-coms with Hailey, they go grocery shopping together, he buys her the thing she wants that is too expensive (as he should!) and he makes cute drawings and is talented at video games and he makes all these things for her and it really reminded me of the things you can do to show appreciation to someone who you admire and love. It was a really easy read, the characterization of Hailey was accurate in my opinion - she is someone who is mistrustful of men and their intentions (understandably, she literally moved to be away from her ex and start over) and because of that and her desire to succeed on her own she does not want to accept help from anyone else. I can sympathize with that, the desire to prove that you've made it on your own and that people are there for you and are not going to throw money at a problem at hand.

Also, this book scratched two weird itches in my brain: firstly it made me crave a salad (which is a miracle in itself, I'm the most unhealthiest person ever) and secondly it made me feel like I was playing the sims or those restaurant games with the shop openings and you're rooting for Hailey to succeed financially and her shop to do well.

I will post a shortened review on instagram, likely in 3-5 days!

Special thanks to netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sophie Sullivan for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The book itself releases January 23 2023!

Nice little friends to lovers read for a cute comfy read. I would have liked a little bit more spice but that’s personal preference. I do read all genres so it doesn’t take away anything. I loved the sass of the main female character And the depth of the friendship between these two the way they cherished each other as friends was beautiful and made their relationship that much more amazing.

I LOVE friends-to-lovers romance. It's without a doubt my favorite trope. So, this book had me hooked from the title and concept alone, and it didn't disappoint.

I read TEN RULES FOR FAKING and HOW TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR previously, and it was such a joy to continue to see these characters' worlds and the love present - platonic, familial, and romantic - in their stories. Hailey's a salad shop owner and Wes is a tech guy and when a totally awkward meet-cute has their paths colliding, neither is looking for love.

What I really love about this book is that it shows the power of their friendship as well as their eventual romance and really shows why they cherish each. It's laugh-out-loud funny throughout, sweetly romantic always, and the author knows just when to sneak up and hit you in the heart.

All in all, this is a lovely, enjoyable book that brings back fan-favorite characters and has you falling in love with heartwarming new ones.

An enjoyable and fitting end to the Jansen brothers!

Even though one goes until this novel knowing the “just friends” concept will fall apart, reading about Hailey and Wes building a strong foundation first was lovely

I have not finished the first book in the series yet, and I would advise other readers to tackle them in order. I felt like I was missing some key background on Wes and how the brothers ended up breaking away from their father.

Thanks NetGalley and St Martin’s press for the chance to read this one early! Pretty cute little read :) 3.25 stars. I loved the sweet characters and really rooted for Hailey, with her bravery and spunk. The story was a little slow at times and kinda choppy, but overall a wholesome silly-grinning read!

Picture a meet cute gone horribly wrong, when our leads meet and get off to a rough start. This book delivers with great banter, points of view from both leads Hailey and Wes (which I always love), great friendships and more. Perfect if you love friends to lovers trope with a slow burn. This is the third book in a series but can be read as a standalone. I will definitely read the first two to catch up and get to know the other related characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Sophie Sullivan for gifting me an early e-book arc in exchange for an honest review.

So the plot/trope here is pretty obvious due to the title. Friends to lovers isn’t my favorite but when it’s done right, it can be amazing. This was my first time reading this author and I liked her writing.
Couldn’t really relate to Hailey on much but really liked the idea of ‘By the Cup’, had me craving a salad. Wes was not my favorite after he was super rude to Hailey when they first met and his daddy issues were ..boring. I liked the slow burn but when they finally got together it fell flat for me. Maybe this isn’t my trope?

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A cute story of Haileh and Wes. Hailey owns a salad shop and meets Wes. They become friends and decide to have a guide on how to just stay good friends. Feelings grow and they have to work out how to tell each other their feelings. Some other storylines follow on in the story relating to the main characters families and careers. Overall a cute read. It was just a little bit long and wanted a little bit more of the romance bug recommend for a fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins publishers for the advanced cop of this book.

I loved Wes! This was a cute, slow burn and I recommend it for a sweet romantic read. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. All opinions are my own

Such a fun cute story, loved it
Loved how Haileyand Wes met, how they had sooo much chemistry and how at the moment they just needed to be friends. thinking that's all that they needed or wanted, funny bc doesn't it always start that way.
great business idea (By The Cup) loved this also
So many details, lots of emotions, self growth, well written and great dual perspective
great characters, of course I mean the main characters but also the others (friends and family) made this story sooo much stronger.
friends to lovers (I am a sucker for this tehem)
So if you also enjoy the friend to lovers storyline, this is a must read for sure

I would like to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for letting me get my hands on ARC of this book, so happy to have read it. The opinions and thoughts above are my own and voluntarily posted.

A Guide to Being Just Friends is the third book in a series on the Jansen Brothers. I haven't read the previous books before but this book could be read as a stand alone and still be understood. This book focuses on Wes Jansen the oldest of the 3 Jansen brothers. Growing up, Wes took on the brunt of the responsibility and tried to shield his younger brothers from the trauma experienced from his mom and dad fighting prior to their divorce. Based on what he observed he is scared of ever committing and falling in love. Although he fears love he still steps into the world of dating through apps and through an accidental meet cute comes in contact with Hailey. Hailey is a new store owner that runs By the Cup, a salad shop that's next door to the coffee shop where Wes and Hailey meet. After the awkward encounter and confusion the two find themselves face to face when a salad delivery is made to a business that he works with. When the two reunite he realizes that he should apologize for the weird encounter at the coffee shop and through that develops a friendship with Hailey. With Wes running from love and only looking for a good time and Hailey focused on her new business venture the two decide to just be friends.

This book has one of my favorite tropes of friends to lovers as the two attempt to fight the growing attraction toward one another. As they navigate where their relationship is taking them they have to ask themselves what it is they really want and what they're willing to give up to stay happy together. I would say this book started at 3/5 and by 75% increased to 3.5/5. It is a slower paced book with minimal spiciness but still allows the reader to follow along on their journey, This is a dual perspective book which gives insight to both Hailey and Wes's point of view as they figure out what they want.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

I am absolutely and completely in love with this book, however I wish I had realized going into it that this was the third book in a series but it can be read as a standalone.
Moving on from that point this is such a cute story about slow-burn friends to lovers story, starting over, following your dreams, and just overall cute romance.

This book is for anyone who is a fan of Sarah Adams, Taylor Swift, tender romance, found family, romance movie references and great banter between all characters.

I will gush and recommend this book to anyone who will listen.

I had a bit of trouble getting into this one. Although it had a slow start, I came back to it and really enjoyed it! Hailey is new to town, and she makes friends with Wes. Both have had some abandonment in their past and are hesitant to start a relationship. So, they decide to be "Just Friends". As their relationship develops, you are cheering for them to get together, but it takes a bit for them to get there. Overall, I really enjoyed Wes & Hailey's story, and was satisfied by the ending!

Hailey and Wes (individually) move to San Verde for a fresh start. Hailey opens a cute salad shop, and Wes runs a company with his brothers. Neither Hailey nor Wes are looking for a romantic relationship because 1) they’re both so focused on their careers, and 2) they each have past negative experiences that make it hard for them to open up to love. After an awkward first meeting, they quickly form a close friendship.

The thing about me is I love the friends-to-lovers trope in romance, and I think that makes me a bit picky about which friends-to-lovers books actually wow me. I did enjoy parts of this book: The close relationship Wes had with his brothers; The changes the main characters made to get their own HEA; The organic and genuine friendships Hailey made in SV.

The writing was pleasant, and the story will likely give many readers all the warm and fuzzy feelings that sweet love stories do. However, the romance didn’t make me feel as much as I wanted to. That’s why I can’t honestly rate it higher based on my own reading experience, but I think it’ll work for anyone who wants a cute friends-to-lovers romcom.

Sophie Sullivan knocks it out of the park with the third book of the Jansen siblings series. This sweet and hilarious friends-to-lovers romcom keeps a smile on your face throughout the novel. Wes and Hailey’s relationship starts with the funniest of meet-cutes which leads to a beautiful and easy friendship that slowly blossoms into love. Wes Jansen is the oldest of the Jansen siblings and has joined his brothers in California to work on their company together, after leaving their father’s grip on them. Hailey Sharp is a new salad shop owner who is determined to find her footing in the food business. Throughout their journey, they learn how to accept help, share their dreams and feelings, shed the hard protective shell and let themselves depend on another person. It’s a beautifully written book that will make you not only happy with the romantic comedy, but also make you reflect on your own feelings.

3 stars

I liked this book, I like how Sullivan writes her characters. The love interest was SO sweet, and I really liked Hailey as well. Their not so meet cute had me giggling for at least 10 minutes.
The only thing that really had me rate this 3 stars was that I felt this book had a lot of talk of their work lives, and I felt it took away from the romance and relationships.
Was this a bad book? Absolutely not. I enjoyed it, I just would’ve loved to see more plot depth.
If you like friends to lovers, slow burn, and family relationships, you will enjoy this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for an ARC of this book :)

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was not aware this book was apart of a series but it was easy to read as a stand alone. I found this book to be pretty slow throughout. I was also annoyed with Wes’ take on love and relationships. And I found Hailey’s level of independence to be too much and annoying. I did like the brothers’ relationship and the homey, close knit group feelings. This story had zero spice, which I prefer for romance reads! Overall, not a bad story and interesting enough to make me finish!