What a beautiful read! We all know when the title of a book is ‘Strictly Friends’ that those people are definitely NOT just going to be friends at some point. Despite knowing that going in, I loved how the story developed and not everything was just a ‘given’.

Six years ago, Ruby’s partner and the father of her child suddenly abandons them to go live on a remote island in the Caribbean. With the help of her Aunt Pearl and best friend Griffith, Ruby manages the trials and tribulations of being a single parent and tries to forget about her ex.

However, when Ruby’s son Jake starts acting up in school and making up stories about what his dad is doing (he’s a spy, he’s super rich) and getting in trouble, Ruby realises that Jake needs to meet his father and understand who he really is. Armed with just an island name and the place where he works, Ruby and Jake set off on an adventure to track down Kenny and find out exactly why he left them six years ago.

Ruby is a strong character with a (sometimes very frustratingly) stubborn disposition. Once her mind is made up, it’s made up! Best friend Griffin is a certified womaniser and leaves a trail of broken hearts in his wake.

Sorrel Island is a fictional island in Jamaica (or at least, noted to be within a twenty minute flight from Montego Bay) and the descriptions of its beauty are hugely enjoyable throughout the book.

My main frustration was with Kenny’s reason for leaving (which seemed a little baffling to me), combined with how much I sometimes wanted to smack Ruby and tell her to stop being so damn pigheaded and stubborn.

Overall, a solid 4.5 stars, rounded up. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

For the most part, I absolutely loved this book! It was easy to read, had a fun premise, and who doesn’t love a romance book where there are multiple love interests? I was never truly invested in anyone except the very clear winner (indicated just the title) but it was still an effortless read.

As some of the other reviews have echoed, I did find that the last part of the book didn’t seem to be as engaging as the first three quarters. I don’t know if it was just the conflict feeling like it was over running, or whether I just wanted the happily ever after ending to happen already, but I struggled to stay as invested and engaged as I had been.

A big plus is the language - it’s simply stunning. The descriptions of the different settings were so wonderfully done, I could picture everything perfectly. It was descriptive without being overly flowery or rambling.

A solid 3.5 stars (rounded up for Goodreads) - would recommend for anyone who enjoys a romance that touches on some heavier themes.

I really enjoyed this book! Will definitely be looking for other books by this author. I would recommend this book!

Thank you for granting me access to this book, I've been curious about Williams' work for a long time now. I enjoyed this book so much that I stayed up all night to finish it. The elements I didn't enjoy has to do with me as a person and where I am in life currently. I'm more motivated to go through the author's backlist now though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fall Union Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book is about our main character Ruby, who’s boyfriend, Kenny, up and left her for no reason six years ago. Her son, Jake, has been telling tall tales about his absent father in class, so she decides that he needs to see his father. So they pack up their bags and head to Sorrel Island, the place Kenny lives, to see if Jake can bond with him. Along the way Ruby’s best friend, Griffin, unexpectedly shows up, and adventure ensues.

Truthfully, I really did love this book right up until the third act. But that last 20-ish percent just bothered me to say the least. The ending wasn’t overall amazing, and I feel like the conflict was dragged out a bit too long. It just didn’t give me the satisfaction the conclusion to a good book should, you know?

But aside from that, this book is a really fun read. I mean, come on, it’s set on an island that’s shaped like a heart, what’s not to love? (See what I did there? Because love and hearts… ok) In all seriousness though, this book was very well written, incorporates hard hitting topics in a way unlike I’ve ever seen before, and has a lovable cast of characters. How can one not fall in love with Jake? He’s adorable.

Overall, a really fun book with an ok ending.

Wow i can imagine what a beautiful place is Sorrel Island. Ruby visit this island to reconnect with her exboyfriend for sake their child Jake. Ruby who swore off Love get stumble of legend in this island its said you will find love in this island. Ruby face with 3 choises, her ex, the artist or her bestfriend. Ruby realize every moment in this island she always wish Griffin her bestfriend here. Relationship between Ruby and Griffin was unique. They know each other since childhood, understand each other, involve much emotion here.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#StrictlyFriends #FrancesMensahWilliams #AmazonPublishingUK #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley #ARC

This was a sweet read. I loved Sorrel Island and its history in the novel. The main romance was lovely and heartwarming, although there were too many gaps in the novel with the the characters not interacting! I suppose I just wanted to see more from them. Ruby’s journey from insecurity to confidence was an important part of the story for me as well though, at times her pain from feeling unattractive was tangible and broke my heart a bit 💔 The art storyline was an interesting way for her to finally feel worthy, alongside the romance.

A gentle easy read which I quite enjoyed. The main character Ruby is a bit too stubborn to be believed but it didn’t distract from the story. Pleasant story with lovely ending, an enjoyable weekend was spent reading this

Strictly Friends explores a light hearted story but many layers of a single mother who when steps out meets so many new people and the experiences she never imagined would happen with her are something that makes her realise her own worth and with her son Ruby is able to express herself and finally find the courage to get out of her cocoon and say what people around her have been saying it forever. I liked how realistic the character Ruby as a mother and as a lover was and while there are people who can love you there wouldn't be much left if you don't love the person standing in front of you. The complications of relationships is well explored and gives you an insight into the idea of a love triangle or a triangle somewhat close to it.

A meaningful story about love and life. This story took me on a journey which connected me with the main female character. There were moments where I wanted to shake Ruby because of her stubbornness. The plot is soft and gentle and the book is easy ti read.

A fabulous story about life, love, and finding healing. I loved the journey this story took me on and the characters were complex and flawed. Did I think the female main character was a little too stubborn? Absolutely. But it was believable after what she had gone through with her first love.
A lot of growth was made by all of the characters in this novel and I couldn’t put it down. The setting was described beautifully. I think this would be even better in audiobook format because the main character does quite a bit of inner monologue.

Review posted to Goodreads, Books-a-Million, and Barnes & Noble.

It took me longer than I anticipated to finish this book, but that‘s only because of all the stress at work, having to work overtime and all. So that says nothing about how good or bad the book was. I just didn‘t have the time or mental capacity to read it as fast as I‘d liked to.
Well, let‘s talk about the book itself. It was such an easy read thanks to the easy story telling and writing of the author, but also the story itself was such a cute one. It‘s a cute romance story with a friends to lovers trope BUT it‘s not only about the romance, it also has some few side topics like family issues, selflove, self acceptance, self esteem, being a mother and all that. Again it‘s not the best piece of literature I‘ve ever read but that‘s also not something I expect or want out of a romance book. It‘s predictable but absolutely adorable. This is a good book for someone who loves a good romance novel.

Description:

When Ruby Lamont’s young son Jake starts telling tall tales about the dad who walked out on them six years ago, she realises that, for her son’s sake, it’s time to find out the truth. It’s not that she wants Kenny back in her life—her best friend, charming commitment-phobe Griffin, has always been more of a father-figure to Jake—but if she can understand once and for all why Kenny broke her heart by leaving her, perhaps she and Jake can finally move on.
Their journey takes them to heart-shaped Sorrel Island, a Caribbean paradise that according to legend was created as an enchanted refuge for lovers. For no-nonsense Ruby, romance is the last thing on her mind. Spoiling for a fight, she confronts her runaway ex, but he’s a changed man, or so he claims. Just as Ruby’s starting to remember what she saw in Kenny, gorgeous American portrait artist Mac propositions her for a role as his muse, or more…and when Griffin shows up out of the blue, seemingly with more on his mind than friendly moral support, the tropical heat builds to an inferno.
With sparks of lust and jealousy flying in all directions, Ruby has to wonder whether the magic of Sorrel Island is more than just a legend. As the truth of Kenny’s departure—and Griffin’s arrival—spills out, she seems destined for another devastating heartbreak. Shaken out of her state of romantic limbo, Ruby must discover whether people really can change—or if paradise has been on her doorstep all along.

Strictly friends by Frances Mensah Williams 🏝️

I was very kindly approved for a proof of this book via NetGalley- all thoughts are my own✨

Ruby’s son is having a difficult time at school. Jake keeps telling his peers made up stories about his dad who walked out 6 years ago. Ruby is finally convinced to go and find Kenny (dad) on Sorrel Island. She’s doing this for Jake and not for her broken heart. Ruby convinces herself that life is fine, she has Jake, her auntie, friends and best friend, Griffin. While Ruby has her heart set against romance, she finds herself tangled with Kenny, Max and Griffin. Will Ruby find love on this island or was it right in front of her all along?

I would put this book in my “easy read” pile. The plot is soft and gentle with minimal angst. I didn’t have to think when reading and sometimes, I need that.
Ruby is an interesting character. At points, I felt like she could have been developed further to help the reader relate to her.
Griffin and Ruby are cute together. The title tells you where this book is going…. So I wasn’t that invested in the other two men.
The language to describe the island was beautiful. I could imagine sitting at the beach and picture the food.

It was a lovely light read. Strictly friends comes out in March ❤️ 3 ⭐️

This was ADORABLE for fans of the Unhoneymooners and the Flatshare. Highly recommend for a cute read!

Publication date 16/03/23


Ruby's son Jake is playing up in school. He's making up stories about father which is getting him in even more trouble with his peers. Ruby makes the decision to take Jake to Sorrel Island to finally see his father who abandoned them 6 years ago, when he was 2, so he can start to build a relationship with him. Ruby finds that she has a journey all of her own with Kenny Jakes dad, Mac a famous artist and her best friend Griffin. Sorrel Island is where you find love Ruby finally find her happily ever after?

I enjoy this type of book really easy to read, you don't need to over think it. Yeah it's predictable but if predictable it's called strictly Friends. So from the begining it's very clear the relationship we will be focusing on is Ruby and Griffin as they are best friends. Everyone says they should be together but Riby tells everyone about a kiss they had as teens and they knew they would be friends only from then on. The friendship is something everyone dreams of (you know if you need to bury a body who would you call they wud call eachother no doubt), Ruby doesn't approve of Griffin's playboy life but clearly he doesn't want to settle down. But I think it's more to the point why she doesn't approve?

Now this idea that you pack up take a month of school and work get on a plane then a helicopter with a 8 year old and fly to an island no one has heard of. Well that just sounds insane. But hey this is fiction after all. As Ruby just arrives she stays in a recommend guesthouse and the holiday side of the book is pretty awesome. Made me want to go to Sorell Island if its such a place. We get our love interests Kenny, Jake's dad, Mac a famous artist who looks like George Clooney and ofcourse Griffin is in the background.

The book although a light hearted romcom there is a lot of heavy hitting subject matter in regards to racism placed throughout the book. It is so well place it doesn't make the story any harder to read but it reminds us of some very important issues going on still world wide. She also talks about body image throughout which I found to be quite deep and powerful, Ruby is a tall black woman and there are preconceived notions Ruby has had attached to her because of this and therefore she hates her body. Yet others love it. I think the way the author demonstrates that just because we tell someone every day they look amazing often won't make them believe it.

I must say the characters throughout are all quite well developed and have their own stories that go along nicely with the narrative. I think Nana was my favourite to quote her favorite line "im not one to say i told you so". It's a book that greatly represents diversity and ethnicity. There's also talk on mental health and trauma. It's just so well done because although I have learnt about different musical interventions in the book, it still was just so easy. This would be so great for a YA audience and well as anyone who enjoys RomComs/women's literature.

I must sayThis is a great book, with a strong black female IT'S ABOUT TIME! I truly felt like Ruby was a queen and I loves reading her journey. Yes the main plot is predictable but that's what you get for this genre on plus side its not as cut and dry as most in this genre I have read so that makes it stand out from the rest the characters are great storyline good, prose excellent all in all it was great. 3.5*

Thank you to Netgalley, Frances Mensah Williams and Lake Union publishers for the advanced digital copy of Strictly Friends in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.

This one was not for me. I thought the pacing was too slow and it made it difficult for me to relate to any of the characters.

Single mum Ruby feels that she has been let down by men, all except her best friend Griffin. He has helped her parent her son Jake.
After a few incidents at his school, Ruby decides to take Jake to meet his dad Kenny in Sorrel Island.
Will Ruby get the answers she needs from Kenny?
A story of love, friendship, secrets and unanswered questions. Will Griffin and Ruby become more than best friends?

I enjoyed this book.
Strictly Friends had many layers of complication just like life which made it easier to read since it wasn’t all fantasy. The relationships have good connection and I felt they were well developed to the point that I was able to find them each relatable or able to predict what certain characters would respond with. Not in a ‘such a predictable book’ sort of way but as if you knew these characters in real life and understood how they would react to certain situations.
I fully appreciated how Ruby showed change with her growth as a woman from someone that despised her ex to someone that respected her ex and even wished him well. It will serve their son better for his future and I wish more people could be that respectful of past partners.

Ruby has her hands full when she sets foot on Sorrel Island. Confronting her ex Kenny who walked away from her and her son with no explanation, meeting famous painter Mac and becoming his muse, and learning that her best friend Griffin has held a secret from her for years. Strictly Friends takes un on the highs and lows of the long-term effects of childhood bullying, the struggle to come to grips with being abandoned and wondering if you are enough and the newfound attention from suitors in unlikely places.

Readers will enjoy this light-natured tale of love, friendship, and forgiveness. I recommend this book to readers.

This was a quick, cute, and enjoyable read. I loved watching Ruby learn to love herself and prioritize herself as well as her son. There were a lot of romantic options for her, which would be far more overwhelming for me than she seemed to think it was. I liked that though that was a main plot point, it also focused on everyone’s individual character growth as well! It made each character much more dimensional and likeable.