This book is an absolute delight! I loved it from start to finish. It covers everything I want most in a romance novel: swoony moments, sexy times, humor, and heavy subjects.

This is part second chance, part friends to lovers. It takes place in the music industry, which was cool to see. Lorelai and Craig are wonderful, complex characters both separately and together. She is trying to get back into country music after being cancelled, and he is running his own studio.

Gun violence is a huge theme in the book, so be aware of that. It's also about found family and being true to yourself.

Highly recommend.

Lorelai Jones was a big country star with a famous fiancee, until one day she sang a protest song at a concert an her career blew up in her face. Her music career is considered over and her famous fiancee left her. After taking a job teaching for 5 years, she decides to try again in the music industry. She calls up her friend that she trusts the most in the music industry, Craig Boseman.

Craig Boseman has always been the guy behind the scenes of the music industry. He isn't the superstar you see on stage, but he has a talent for writing music. He starts out as a backup bass player but eventually, he opens his own record label and launches his songwriting career. He has always liked Lorelai, but has never had the guts to tell her. Once she reaches out to him, he decides that maybe he can help her with her comeback and also tell her how he feels.

Lorelai and Craig start working together and soon realize that maybe being just friends wasn't enough. They think that hooking-up may solve this issue between them, but spoiler alert, it just makes things worst. Friends with benefits isn't enough because they feelings they have for each other are deeper than that.

This friends to lovers romance is a quick and easy read that will leave you with all the feels. This book is great for people who want an easy read. For me, I wish some of the scenes went into more detail. I did think that somethings were rushed and brushed over too quickly. Huge thanks to NetGalley for sending me this ARC!

This book gave me all the feels!

Friends Don't Fall in Love portrays a genuine and heartwarming romance that truly blossoms from a foundation of friendship, and I couldn't get enough of Lorelai and Huck.

I've read this book twice now, but this go around I did the audio, which has dual narration. It was so amazing and brought the story to life even more through the song lyrics. They added an extra layer of emotion to the characters feelings.

It's rare to come across a book where music and storytelling are so intricately intertwined, and it was a delightful aspect of the story.

While this can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading You'd Be Mine and Built To Last as well, since those characters make several cameos throughout the book and you'll love it even more.

This was a touching and well-crafted novel that will leave you with a sense of warmth and a renewed belief in the power of love and friendship. I love that she calls him Huckleberry, and will be revisiting their story again soon!

ERIN HAHN IS A FRIGGIN' GENIUS AND I LOVE HER. FRIENDS DON'T FALL IN LOVE IS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY, and I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN.

And no, I will absolutely not apologize for my shouty caps.

I loved the connection to both Built to Last and her YA romance, You'd Be Mine. Seeing Annie Mathers and Jefferson Coolidge again made my heart sing, but honestly--Lorelei Jones and Craig Boseman stole the whole dang show as well as my heart. Their friends to lovers second chance romance is the stuff of legends. They shared one night of passion years ago after her engagement and career both abruptly and publicly ended, but they drifted away. Years later, they reconnect and start collaborating again, and one thing leads to another, and well, they're adults. You know what happens. They won't let little things like her tarnished reputation or annoying, song-stealing ex-fiancé get in the way.

As someone who has loved country music my entire life, THIS BOOK SLAPS. Hahn captures the ins and outs of the industry and Nashville perfectly, and the song Jonesin' deserves a g-d award. The audiobook actually has it set to music, and it's been stuck in my head all day. Oh, and the celiac rep is awesome.

If you love steamy romance, country music, friends who become more, or all of the above, YOU NEED THIS BOOK IN YOUR LIFE.

Thanks to SMP Romance for my advance review copy. My preorder just arrived, and it's now on the shelf with all of its siblings. Erin, YOU'RE THE BEST AND ILYSM.

Lorelai had it all - the successful country music career, the famous fiance, and everything she wanted. But after making a political statement, her fiance publicly dumps her, and country music turns its back on her. 5 years later she’s ready to try again at her career, so she calls up her old friend, Craig Boseman, who is also a successful songwriter. But as they work together, it's hard for each of them to ignore the chemistry between them and forget that one night stand from years prior. However, neither of them is willing to risk their friendship by expressing their feelings.

Erin Hahn never fails to deliver a beautiful story, and Friends Don’t Fall in Love is no exception. Both Lorelai and Huck were incredible characters and I loved getting both of their points of view. The slow burn and pining had me screaming for them to get it together and just say how they were each feeling, But I could also understand why neither wanted to risk their friendship and express their feelings. Even though the tension could have had an easy fix (communication is key yall), I wasn’t annoyed with it, I was still rooting for them the entire time. Pair this incredible friends to lovers story with a backdrop of the country music scene and we have a huge winner! I loved all the behind the scenes moments and looks into the music industry! This book was a joy to read and I can’t wait to see what else Erin Hahn comes up with.

Thank you to SMP Romance and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I have loved Erin Hahn's YA and adult romances. And I was especially excited to read this, as it features my favorite tropes: friends-to-lovers and a slow burn. Lorelai and Craig used to know each other well when she dated his bandmate, and he's wanted to be more than friends for years.

The book didn't quite meet my expectations. First, I was glad I had already read Built to Last. Even having done so, the beginning with its multiple timelines and quick history was a bit confusing. And second, I was annoyed by both main character's choices. Rather than a slow burn, it felt more that they were hiding their feelings and miscommunicating frequently.

But there was also lots I loved about the book. I really enjoyed the return to country music and all of the gorgeous songs and poetry. I also appreciated the representation and the strong statements against gun violence.

Lorelai and Craig had great chemistry and steamy scenes. And I love the strong circle of women who surround Lorelai. This is a story of reinvention and comebacks, and I greatly enjoyed those aspects of Lorelai's story.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Rounded up to 4 stars

Erin’s characters are relatable,
Lovable and unforgettably crafted. Reading her words are like listening to a much loved country love song. I let forget this story for a very long time.

4.25 stars

If you’re looking for friends to lovers perfection, Friends Don’t Fall in Love by Erin Hahn is the book for you. Hahn adeptly utilizes this trope, along with some serious second chance undercurrents in this story about a disgraced country starlet and her songwriter/producer best friend.

Hahn boldly addresses sexism and activism in this story, as female protagonist Lorelai Jones deals with the fallout of speaking out against a topic she feels passionately about. That move ends her relationship, and seemingly ends her career as well. The one steady presence in her life is Craig Boseman, who has been enamored with Lorelai from the moment they met. In Boseman, Hahn creates the kind of soft male character who is the perfect antidote to the toxicity and sexism that Lorelai has faced in her career.

The tension is fantastic, and though the storyline does rely on the element of miscommunication at times, it all feels very authentic and true to the story. It’s obvious that Lorelai and Craig are meant to be, but each character has to overcome their respective fears in order for them to be together.

This book was an absolute joy to read, and Hahn will continue to be a one-click author for me.

Thank you to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A sexy friends to lovers romance in the heart of Nashville and the country music scene.

Lorelai Jones had it all, a country music career, and engaged to a superstar. Then it all fell apart when she decided to use her platform and perform a statement piece in support of gun control. One minute she was on top of the world the next she is shunned from the industry, criticized by her peers, and publicly dumped by her fiancé.

After moving to Michigan and teaching third grade for the last 5 years she is ready to make a comeback, and her long time friend, and ex bandmate of her ex-fiancé Craig Boseman who owns a small indie recording studio agrees to help her.

Craig has had feelings for Lorelai for years, and jumps at the chance to have her back in his life and help her write and produce her comeback album. Sparks fly between them, but neither of them are ready to define and admit how they feel and insist they are just friends, despite the mind-blowing sex they are having, and how real it all feels between them. But Friend's Don't Fall in Love right?!?

Truly, I love Erin Hahn's writing so much I want to inject it into my veins. friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine. I love novels that feature music, and celebrities. I love that the author names each chapter after a song that fits the mood. The chemistry of the characters was undeniable. There was so much social commentary, and it features a queer side character and it just all felt so seamless in the story. I am truly a forever fan of the author and can't wait for Maren's story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Wasn't this the cutest, spiciest book. It's the story of Lorelai, a former teacher turned musican who gets banned for the music industry. & her best friend Hank, who is a music producer who would do anything to get Lorelai back in the music world.

After a very public break up with her country singer ex-fiancé Lorelai is wanting a fresh start in the industry. She enlists the help of former band mate Craig who now owns his own music studio and writes and produces hit after hit. He is determined to give Lorelai the second chance in Nashville she deserves. With all the recoding sessions, take out meals and late night talks Craig is determined not give in to long lingering feelings. But the attraction and memories form his and Lorelai’s one night stand are still there. Will timing finally be in their favor? Will Lorelai make the music comeback she’s been dreaming of?

This was such a wonderful follow up to Built to Last! Not only does the story have the celebrit and country music aspect but It also brings up relevant issues such as gun rights and mass shootings. I absolutely adored how Craig and Lorelai support each other and everything they do. If you want even more of a treat the audiobook is sensational and has some excellent singing!

I loved You'd Be Mine and the story of Annie Mathers and Jefferson Coolidge - I was so happy to see them appear multiple times in this book. I loved Friends Don't Fall in Love - it was a fantastic friends to lovers / friends with benefits romance. Craig/Huck/Huckleberry is so swoon-worthy (the secret poetry Instagram account - amazing). Lorelai Jones is sassy and not afraid to speak her mind. They have a lot of history to struggle through along with miscommunications and emotional hurdles to jump over - but the trip is definitely worth every second. Whenever Hahn's books delve into the music industry - they always seem to be my favorites - I literally could not stop reading. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

Well the timing couldn't be more perfect for a music romance! A country music romance that brings forever friends the lyrics to declare their love for each other.

Lorelai, a school teacher turned country music star had one misstep and the industry turned on her. Her protest anthem is something she'll never regret singing, and she's retreated back to Michigan to teach again. There is one person who's always been by her side, and it's country music's hottest song writer, Huck. He's been her rock especially after she was dumped by her fiancee after the controversial performance, providing comfort in the sheets.

Now ready for the comeback, she turns to the one friend who will help her succeed. A past between them, a burning connection and lyrical sexiness, these two fall hopelessly in love. Huck is so lovable and caring as only man who's pined for Lorelai his whole life can be.

Another wonderful book by Hahn!

Thank you St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy.

I'm so very torn on how I feel about Friends Don't Fall in Love - I think my final rating is 3 because of how I feel about the characters and their behavior.

First of all - I LOVE friends to lovers/second chance and while I felt like this book fell into those tropes, it didn't feel like it was very well done with those tropes. It was a very short lived friends with benefits trope, that didn't feel very well done either.

Lorelai and Craig are longtime friends, previous one night stand, both deeply involved in the music industry. They are both pining for each other, but because we cannot be adults, they refuse to own up to their feelings or even tell the other how they feel. Lorelai has been gutted in the country music industry because of her speaking out against guns & now she's trying to come back.

I loved the advocating against school shootings and violence. I loved the music side of the story, but the characters made me angry reading the book. Both Craig and Lorelai felt toxic because they had very little confidence in themselves - while the whole world is screaming their praises and telling them how much they love them.

it literally takes until 90-ish% before the characters even admit to themselves how they feel about the other and 93-95% before they admit to the other person.

Honestly - I deducted 2 stars because the characters were so hard to read :(

I have other books of Erin Hahn to read and I will give her more chances.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, this was a fun book! I loved the dynamic of the two main characters and them reconnecting five years later after the drama they both went through. I haven't read this author before, but have purchased her YA books based on friends recommendations. I'll definitely be moving those higher up on my TBR now!

Thank you SMP Romance and NetGalley for the eARC of Built to Last. All opinions in this review are my own.

I read Built to Last by Erin Hahn and absolutely loved it! Unfortunately, I think it was a one time thing for this author because I DNFed her YA book Never Saw You Coming. I had high hopes for Friends Don't Fall in Love but from the start, I didn't like how school shootings were included in the book. I know they aren't explicitly described on the page, but it felt out of place to be in a romance book about country stars. I wanted a lighthearted read and this reminder took me out of it.

DNF at 14%

Friends Don't Fall in Love was a friends to lovers romance with lots of frustrating moments. Lots. Of. them.
These to just couldn’t get it together so I was quit frustrated myself. I love this author and her romances but I didn’t love this one.
Thanks St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

Read this while listening to a playlist consisting of The Chicks, Miranda Lambert, and Johnny Cash. Thank me later.

CW: discussion of gun control and references to school shootings, toxic ex

The way I was foaming at the mouth for Lorelei's book ever since we met her in Built to Last and then Erin Hahn delivers a book both swoony and steamy, exactly as I wanted it to be.

Can someone please explain to me how motorcycle sex works because I am afraid to google that but also I am SO curious 👀

I consider myself and the author to be sorta friends, so I did slide into her DMs a few times to scream about things. (No, not the mechanics of motorcycle sex, I do have boundaries.) Here were the things:

1. Is Drake Colter inspired by Morgan Wallen, or are they both just assholes? (Answer: BAHAHAHA no, they just both suck)

2. Has your songwriting ever been brought to life? (Answer: YES they literally produced Jonesin' for the audiobook and I keeled over with swoons)

3. What came first, the erotic poetry or the book? (Answer: the book, she slotted in the poems where it felt right)

Did I know that I needed a motorcycle riding, songwriting, inheritance owning, erotic poet as a love interest? I did not until last week when I picked this up. And now I definitely DO.

FRIENDS DON'T FALL IN LOVE has many fun tropes, including friends-to-lovers (shocker), one night stand, flashbacks, caretaking!!, friends with benefits/get it out of our systems, neighbors (they share a duplex), workplace romance, he falls first, and rockstar romance (except she's a country singer).

There's also cameos from previous books, including Hahn's YA You'd Be Mine, so I quickly skimmed my copy of that one to refresh. I will say, all the cameos make it hard to read as a standalone, so if this was your entry to Erin Hahn, give her another shot where you enter the book on the same page as everyone else. I'm up to date on her releases and it took me a minute to remember all the characters from before.

Lorelei was a country starlet who let her anger and lack of a filter speak for herself when she played a gun control protest song at a concert and subsequently blacklisted herself all over Nashville, à la The Chicks and their Bush comment. She ran away to Michigan to become a third grade teacher, and after a school shooting (this is only implied) she retired and returned to Nashville with a heart full of lyrics and a determination to return to the scene. Her best friend in the industry, Craig "Huck" Boseman, recently inherited a bunch of money and now owns his own record label. Together they piece her career back together and come to terms with their tangled feelings for each other.

I read along with the reading playlist, which is a fabulous experience. The final chapter and that Maren Morris song almost made me cry. I love a grand gesture in the form of a song. I love the big confessions. I love a sassy, confident, ambitious, loud-mouthed lead and her soft teddy bear counterpart. I love a messy, but lovable, friends to lovers.

I wish we could have seen Lorelei as a teacher, even if just in a flashback. That part of her life is clearly so important to her, but we never see in her action and it's mostly just references to "maybe my student is watching" or something. I also wanted the conversation about school shootings to go a bit deeper, personally. I know Hahn wanted to be less heavy with the subject matters in these adult romcoms, which is probably why it's mostly brushed over, but I think there was opportunity to go below the surface a little and still maintain the low-angst tone of the book.

Overall, a very solid and sexy friends-to-lovers, with astonishingly good erotic poetry and country lyrics. I didn't consider myself an erotica lover before this book, but now I'm reconsidering. I wish the book delved more into certain areas, and it's hard to read without some context, but it was very fun and truly does a wonderful job capturing Nashville. I felt like I was back on those streets, and now I desperately want to return.

Rep: main character with celiac disease, gay side couple, lesbian side character

Thank you Griffin for the early copy of the book, both digital and physical, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was not able to finish the book and therefore do not feel that I can give an unbiased review about the book, its plot, characters, or the author's work. I might revisit this book at a later time and finish it then, but not right now.

I wanted to read this book because I loved Erin Hahn's Built to Last.

Lorelai Jones was a country starlet who fell from grace over a political performance that was not well-received. Several years later she is back in Nashville and trying to revive her music career with the help of long-time friend and music producer Craig/Huck. This is a friends to lovers story which happens to be one of my favorite tropes. I love a Nashville setting and the fun country music references - lots of song lyrics!