I am totally in love with Erin Hahn’s writing. She effortlessly meshes laughter, and swoony moments, along with some bigger real world problems.

This story was low angst, a lot of the drama was external (my favorite), though there is miscommunication between Lorelai and Craig (Huck).

Huck is my favorite kind of hero, he’s the cinnamon roll sweetness, wrapped up in band t shirts and glasses; and an amazing lyricist/musician.

While this is the second book in the series, this can be read as a standalone. There are some crossover over characters, but overall you won’t be lost.

Most of this book takes place in Nashville, but there are some scenes set in the smoky mountains. Having just visited that area, I loved the author’s descriptions, it felt like I was right back there.

Erin Hahn always knows how to pull me in and make me love her characters! Lorelai and Craig are so much fun, and so is their love story! Also, it is set in Nashville, which is always a sure fire way to my heart.

After reading Built to Last, I knew that I wanted to hear Lorelai’s story. She was such a fun side character in that book, and I knew she deserved to have her story told. Then, as Friends Don’t Fall in Love went along, we started to encounter characters from another favorite Hahn book of mine, You’d Be Mine, and I got so excited!! I love when authors connect the worlds of their books in a seamless way. Seeing Annie and Clay in this story was like getting to catch up with old friends. I also love that the crossover was between one of her YA novels and her newest adult novel. ❤️

Getting to see Lorelai and Craig move through the novel, and see the beginnings of their friendship, was such a fun ride. I love a good friends to lovers story, and this certainly delivered. Their friendship was lovely, and seeing them slowly (oh so slowly…maybe a little too slowly…) figure out their true feelings was a delight, while simultaneously a bit frustrating.

The musical storyline was so much fun for me. I lived in Nashville for 14 years, so I could perfectly envision everything in this setting. The way that the music scene in Nashville functions was so accurately portrayed here, and I loved getting to get an “insiders peek” into the process behind the music. I’ve been on that side, and it felt very true to life to me.

If you like a good friends to lovers story, with some country music behind the scenes mixed in, all taking place in one of the best cities in the world, you will love this book!

My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

I gave Friends Don’t Fall In Love 4.5 Stars!

This book was cute! Sweet friends too loves romance. A little choppy in the beginning, but of a slow burn, but overall a cute story!

4.5 rounded up

🎙️ Friends to lovers
🎙️ One night stand
🎙️ He falls first
🎙️ Music producer MMC
🎙️ Country singer + teacher FMC
🎙️ Nashville
🎙️ Neighbors
🎙️ Caretaker
🎙️ Erotic poetry

⚠️ Check triggers there are mentions of schl shootings (though one does not occur on page) amongst others

First off I definitely did not expect this to be as spicy as it was. I should know my now to judge a cover for spice level 🤦‍♀️. But the spice and dirty talk came in hot.
Did you ever watch the show Nashville? This felt like it came as a Nashville spin off and I loved it so much!

Craig has been pinning for Lorelai for ever but she's his EX band mates EX finance. So pursuing her feels impossible. There's music drama, EX drama and so much more that makes this book a really great read!

Definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ARC

Erin Hahn does it again! I read Built to Last earlier this year and swooned with every page. Friends Don't Fall in Love follows Loralei from Built to Last, and her country music comeback after a faux pas derailed her career. It usually takes me several chapters to get into a book, but I was immediately hooked on this one. Loralei and Craig aka Huck have insane chemistry from the get-go, and I loved their flirty friendship. Be warned, this book is super spicy and has detailed romance scenes. I couldn't get enough of Loralei, Craig, and their friend groups. What an enjoyable read! And the Nashville setting was fantastic. Loved it all!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re looking for a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance, look no further. When you read as much as I do, it can take a bit to hook me sometimes and I'll meander through a book until it grabs me.

LOVED this followup to Erin Hahn's Built to Last. I chose to read this one today because I'm heading to Nashville next week and wow, did I choose well! I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and this is that plus second chance and workplace romance. The steamy scenes hit just right, the conflict was well crafted, and the characters were easy to like. I enjoyed the peek at our couple from Built to Last and the epilogue made my heart warm and full. A charming, one-sitting read that I'll happily recommend.

I love Erin Hahn! I always save her books for the right moment, and this one was no exception. I read FRIENDS DON'T FALL IN LOVE while holed up in bed with food poisoning. I love Erin's writing because of how authentic her characters feel. She doesn't overcomplicate her stories with a million subplots or excessive drama. Instead her stories focus on the relationships between humans. I loved Lorelai and Huck's relationship. I'm not usually a friends-to-lovers fan, but I loved the dynamic between these two so much. They truly loved each other for so long, took care of each other, always kept each other in mind even when they were miles apart. This book won't be for romance readers who like their third act breakups dramatic and stressful, but readers who like books that feel like a hug will love this one.

It’s a cute rom-com filled with country music, sass, and second chances. Lorelai and Huck have always liked each other as song writers and friends, not realizing they also loved each other the whole time. Now I want to read Maren’s story, which seems to be starting in Wisconsin.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins for the arc.

Can I love this book more??? I am such a sap but I am all for a good come-back story, and the friends to lovers trope is a win in this book. Lorelai’s career goes to the down, engagement broken and the music business dropped her, but her best friend Huck is there for her, they shared one steamy AF night, and then we fast forward to 3 years later where she’s back home, a teacher, and reaches out to Huck who now has his own studio and asks for his opinion, then the rest is history. I loved them, I loved Huck and Lorelai together. I loved how even through the doubt she has in herself he had all the faith in the world for her. They have both been hurt by that one person who literally ruined it for them in the music world but Huck was not for giving up. They have this amazing connection and I can’t stop saying how much I loved them together. This book was such a smooth read, and together they really are unstoppable.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in return for an honest review.

THIS WAS THE CUTEST!

According to Goodreads this isn't part of a series -- however, Erin Hahn's "Built to Last" sets this book up to continue where that first book ended - only rather than Cameron and Shelby's story continuing -- we've moved on to Lorelai and Craig's (aka Huck) story.

And was it ever... SWOONY. Full of charm, and mutual respect and friends who quietly love one another until they finally admit it to themselves and to the other. It was a sweet little story about loving, supporting and being the biggest cheerleader for "your" person.

If you read "Built to Last" you'll see some similarities (and not just because of the references to the two mains in that book):

1. Lorelai was country music's sweetheart -- until she wasn't anymore (Shelby was a child star/ pop star before crashing and burning)
2. Lorelai was dumped by her famous fiancée when her world imploded (same same only a douche boyfriend)
3. Love triangle where the previous BF wasn't THE guy for our main gal (again... same same).
4. Working together brought them together (again) (that happened in Built to Last as well).

But just because these stories follow a similar path, doesn't make this one feel repetitive. I was 100% smitten with our leads, their story and was cheering them on towards their HEA.

This book put a smile on my face and has left me wondering... what the heck is going to happen to Maren? Because she has got to get her own HEA after following these two books.

4 stars. Recommended. Loved that this all took place in Nashville and in the world of country music.

This was a super fun and cute read until it wasn't. And the only reason it wasn't was because it got HOT. Like, wow, I feel like I'm invading a very personal moment, but also they really didn't mind the audience. I enjoyed the characters and the story and there were only a few blips where things felt like they didn't quite play out properly, but nothing terribly jarring. Definitely one to pick up for a bit of lighthearted fun.

My thanks to St. Martin's Griffin, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Lorelai Jones is a country music star that has fallen from grace because while on stage, she sang a political song regarding guns. After the concert, her fiancé and her label dumped her. The only person that stood by her was her friend and producer Craig “Huck” Boseman. They spend one night together and then Lorelai leaves music to go teach in MI.

Fast forward five years and Lorelai reaches out to Huck to see what he thinks of some of her new music. He easily convinces her to move back to Nashville to work on a new album. There is miscommunication and it would have definitely helped their relationship earlier if they just talked to each other.

Read this if you love:

🎶 Friends-to-lovers
🎶 He falls first (He has a secret poetry account where he write about her. 💖)
🎶 Cinnamon roll MMC
🎶 Country music

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC. Friends Don’t Fall in Love comes out Oct 17, 2023.

Erin Hahn does it again… only better. She’s taken a romance skeptic and turned her. I don’t read romance. It’s just too cheesy and unrealistic for me. But Erin Hahn’s country music romance universe has me converting to a whole new world. KEEP THEM COMING.

A friends-to-lovers set in the music industry with a kick-ass playlist to listen along to as we read? Sign us up! We were lucky enough to get an ARC of Friends Don’t Fall in Love by Erin Hahn and because we couldn’t fit an episode into the schedule, we decided to write a dual review about it. We can’t seem to get enough of each other—what with all the recording and texting and being BFFs4Life.

A Little Bit of Plot
Seven years ago, Lorelei Jones—an elementary school teacher turned country star—sang a cover of a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song at a music festival. Seems innocuous, right? Well, not when the chosen song is “Ohio” and is a protest song inspired by the Kent State tragedy that occurred on May 4, 1970.

Harkening a Natalie Maines/The Chicks scenario, the country music industrial complex cancels her. To make matters worse, her fiance (another country star) breaks up with her in an Instagram post. “Lorelei Jones” is practically a cussword in Nashville from that moment forward. Everyone abandons her.

Except Huck. Her best friend, genius songwriter—and ex-fiance’s bass player.

The Compliment Sandwich:

The Top Bun (The Pro)
Veronica: This is selfish of me, but I love the recording/music/production discussions. Once upon a time, I wanted to be an audio engineer, so this brought up all kinds of warm, mushy, gooey feelings for my cold, black heart. The studio is a magical place and some moments of true brilliance happen in there.

Rae: For me, I would say that both of our lead characters, Lore and Huck are extremely likable. You find her righteous indignation leading to her public ousting in the country scene absolutely noble and Huck being the only person willing to drop everything and be at her side unflinchingly loyal. This relationship makes a quick sideline for a couple years, but after one random text, it’s as if they’ve never lost time. Huck, in particular, I would liken to a cartoon with hearts in his eyes, everytime Lorelai is mentioned. Lorelai, on the other hand, believes that Huck is a love’m and leave’m type and buries her affection under the guise of a strong platonic friendship. Both characters have their hearts in the right place and are extremely loyal not only to each other both those in their orbit who deserve it.



The Meat (The Con)
Veronica: I got frustrated in the middle of the book because both characters get really wishy washy. Obviously, two friends who have more than friendly feelings toward each other are going to be more hesitant. They don’t want to destroy what they have—good friends can be difficult to find. Especially when you’re a disgraced country star living in Nashville. But there were moments where each of them pulled away from the other in an infuriating way. Like, this decision you’re making right now is going to do more damage to your friendship than if you would just talk about it.

Rae: Folx, I hate to do this, but I’m bringing out the dreaded “this isn’t a book” card. I’m agreeing with everything Veronica stated. This book stalls at the 20% mark and doesn’t really pick back up until the 70% mark; therefore, we have 50% of this book where in which the main characters just ruminate whether or not the other is in love with them. While I enjoy low stakes angst in my books, I also enjoy plot, and there’s not much here. I believe this would have been so much more satisfying as a tight 178 page novella.


The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
Veronica: At the end of the day, this book is about friends falling in love, sure. But it’s also about deciding to be true to yourself. Lorelei’s comeback efforts are so shrouded in her perceived “indiscretions” that she struggles to carry out the “apology tour” her manager set up for her. Eventually, she grows tired of it and mouths off (in a truly excellent way) to a pair of sexist radio deejays.

I’m glad she finally figured out that her reinvented success wasn’t worth hiding who she is. Seems simple enough, but as most of us know… it’s not that simple very often.

Rae: My bottom bun is very similar to V’s. All the characters who find success and/or happiness in this novel have done so by taking ownership of both their actions and their ambitions. While reinventing herself, Lore has to question whether or not the country scene is actually a fitting one for her ideals any longer. As the reader, we sympathize and understand the decision to play ‘Ohio’ that one fateful night that brought down her career. She questions if that environment is indicative of who she is now as a person. While decidedly not, she changes up her reinvention to illustrate her true beliefs and not those given to her by artist management. The same could be said for Craig; he chooses to go solo and produce his own music rather than stay in Drake’s shadow. He could have spent many more years coasting through, writing hit songs and not getting the publicity, but it was eating away at his soul. Intervention came at the most opportune time, and he seized it by the neck and rode it onto more self satisfying avenues.

Overall, this is a recommend for both of us. It’s comical, steamy, and enjoyable. Just be aware that its overly long and at times repetitive. Additionally, many of the side characters are taken from Hahm’s YA novels. I’m not sure, necessarily, if you need to have read those to understand this book, but I believe it might bring some depth of character. This is NOT a YA, however, just to be forewarned.

After reading Built to Last I was hopeful Lorelai would get her own story and Friends Don’t Fall in Love was a great book for her. Craig was the perfect cinnamon roll love interest. Even though I’m not a fan of country music, I liked the behind the scenes of the country music scene this book offered.

My one downside to this book is I would’ve loved to have had more time to see Lorelai and Craig together. They both so obviously loved each other and for people who were great friends, they should’ve been able to trust each other more to open up. I felt like they could’ve shined as a music power couple throughout the book and it would’ve been great to see that.

I am SUCH an Erin Hahn fan and this book is no different. In fact, this one hits HARD. Not only do we have her classic writing style and snark to the reader, we have a swoon-worthy love interest, a relatable (and representing us food allergy girls!), deeply & heart-wrenchingly real main character, and throwbacks to our favorite characters from her previous books. I may or may not have squealed out loud when some characters showed up (I definitely did). This book had such profound heart and soul to it and I can't wait for everyone to love it as much as I do.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Lorelai is a country star until she performs a song that demands gun control, and suddenly she's dropped by her label, friends, and even her fiancé. The only one who sticks around is Craig. After lots of feelings and alcohol, they spend a passionate night together. Lorelai leaves the state in the morning. She goes back into teaching, until years later, she knows she has something special, musically. Cue Craig.

I love this story. Lorelai is passionate and fired up in the best way, and Craig is the love interest you dream about. I absolutely recommend this story. It also connects really nicely to some of Hahn's other novels 👀

CW: sexual content

A light, amusing friends to lovers romp. Lorelai was living her best life until she made one teeny tiny misstep and then it all came crashing down like a house of cars in a wind storm. She isn’t unwilling to let go of her dream and continues to work at it and them and connects with the one person who always had her back. The road to their happily ever after was funny, sexy, silly and an overall fun read.
Uprated to 4 stars from what I'd have rated as 3.5 ifs half stars were available.