I am in love with all of her books they just keep on getting better and better. this was another good one. glad i found this author and have the privilege's to read her books.

YOU GUYS! I have been waiting for Friends Don't Fall in Love for what feels like forever, and following along on Twitter. Let me tell you, this is worth the wait! I loved that this was not only a fun country music industry portrayal, and a sweet (and sexy) romance, but that there's a lot of individual growth outside of the romantic piece of the plot. This is just so so good!

I’d been counting down to Erin Hahn’s latest romance, and she didn’t disappoint with this one. She has a keen ability to write lovable, complicated characters who still make you swoon, and Lorelai and Craig are as dreamy as they come. Yes, it’s a delicious slow burn, friends-to-lovers story with all the delightful “just talk to each other, you dumb dumbs!” tropes, but it’s also a story about decent people who were burned in their pasts and have done the work to put themselves back together and take their hurt and make sure they don’t do the same to anyone else. They’re also both just exceedingly normal. Lorelai is hot-tempered but earnest and thoughtful. Instead of creating tension through mean-girl tropes, Hahn shows us strong female friendships through Lorelai’s taking Nashville’s newest “it girl” under her wings instead of being threatened by her. And anyone with a chronic illness will appreciate Lorelai’s Celiac disease and how it’s just part of her life. Her dietary restrictions are something her friends and family treat with normalcy instead of a burden or inconvenience to them. When she accidentally “glutens,” they get it and are empathetic—as most loving family and friends are for friends dealing with auto-immune disease. This may seem small, but as a reader with chronic illness, it was so refreshing to see a character who despite a health issue, that’s not the foundation for their entire character.
Similarly, while Craig certainly has hot MC qualities (he writes erotic poetry, people), he’s also a very average man, just trying his best. He overthinks and misinterprets and puts his foot in his mouth. He doesn’t have all the answers, and he’s certainly not a solid brick of rippling muscles. We root for these characters because we know these characters. They’re our older brother and best friend; they’re people we would and could choose as partners. This is a beautiful love story with accessible characters with whom everyone who enjoys a love story should spend some time.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. This review contains mild spoilers.

This is my favorite Erin Hahn novel. This is my second time ARC reading for her and the third book of hers I've read. As with her other novels, Friends Don't Fall in Love is funny and emotional and romantic. It's the perfect blend of romantic comedy.

I am in love with Craig. He is honestly the sweetest mmc I've ever read. The 'he fell first and harder' trope is one of my favorites for good reason and this book is no exception. There were so many lines of his that made me clutch a pillow to my chest and giggle. He's respectful and supportive. Lorelai can always count on him to be there for her.

Lorelai is absolutely amazing. She is headstrong and firm in her beliefs. She stands up for herself and worries about the consequences of her actions on others. Throughout the book she was strong, but she still had room to grow and Hahn did an excellent job of writing that arc.

Of course I can't talk about an Erin Hahn novel without the side characters. Some of them were new to me, while others were the main characters of her other books. I was so happy to see old faces and get a 'where are they now' glimpse of their lives. The new side characters stole my heart and I hope to see more of them in her future novels.

This book is perfect for fans of country music, friends to lovers, and cavity inducing sweet romances with a kick of spice. I can't recommend this book enough and I can't wait to get a physical copy.

3.5 rounded to 4

I really loved the author's previous story set in this series. This one engaged with a trope that is a hard sell for me--and despite the wonderful way the author wrote about music, I found myself putting it down often. But I always picked it up again, because of that wonderful love of the creation of music, and because I wanted to see Lore get her happy ending, even if it was with a guy who was jonesing for her for years without saying anything--for no reason that any adult would accept. There was a story only because these two didn't talk to each other in spite of the fact that they were totally into each other and had been for several years. Frustration!

So my suggestion is to read it as a very low-key romance between musician/writers, who express themselves through melody and oblique lyrics, not face to face like a couple of grownups.

I'll still read the next!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing book before its publishing date.
4 stars, but I wish I could do 1/2 stars.
This was an adorable romance novel! I absolutely love the characters; I think I will never forget Huck!
i enjoyed Lorelai’s character too. She was a bit too pity party for me at times, but I think she needed to be that way.
I will highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
'Friends Don't Fall in Love' is a friends to lovers trope, which I happen to love. (brownie points!!) If you're a fan of this trope, Nashville and the country music scene, then this book is 100% for you!
Craig is THE boyfriend we all want. He's just gruff enough, but sweet, caring, and willing to always fight for his girl. I may have fallen in love with Craig (Huck) while reading this book...
Without giving too much detail of the storyline (trying to avoid spoilers) this did not have the typical falling out that happens too often in a friends to lovers book, it was very mild and I found that so refreshing.
I do have to say the only "confusing" thing to me is the event that caused Lorelai to be forced from the country music world, before making her comeback during the story. I think I understand what the author was trying to do, but with this specific topic (sorry trying not to give spoilers!) being so relevant currently in America, I am not quite sure why this would have been a shocking act to cause her to be shunned by everyone. It seems like in reality the opposite would have happened. But, I can still appreciate the author adding this into the book, no matter how she chose to use it.
Additional brownie points include, Michigan shoutout! Untamed shoutout! Britney Spears shoutout! AND one of the best lines I have EVER read in a romance (it's in the epilogue, and can't use it without spoiling - darn it!)

Rating a solid 4 stars and would recommend to all of my fellow romance readers!

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

This was a fun and fast read with plenty of tropes mixed in. Craig was my kind of MMC - cinnamon roll with a spicy side. The FMC, Lorelai, is still recovering from past pain, and needs reminding that she can be herself. Thankfully Craig, and some other side characters are there to push her along.

If you like the country music scene, friends with benefits, friends to lovers, dual POV, second chance/it's always been you, and open door romance, then this book is for you!

This book was a sweet read.
Lorelai is a character I can relate to in a lot of ways. She’s a fun loving woman, that has had life knock her down a few times.
Craig is a lovesick man that is more talented than most know.
These two are destined to be together. Unfortunately they need to learn to communicate better! 😊
This was a fun book to read. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I enjoyed it!

I was eagerly anticipating this sequel and while I enjoyed this love story, I perhaps expected it to be more similar to the first in the series instead of what it was (a standalone story with unique characters with their own dynamic). The chemistry and second chance was endearing, it just felt a little inevitable the whole way. Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! This comes out in October.

Beware: FRIENDS DON’T FALL IN LOVE by Erin Hahn is going to ruin men for you. In a literary world where leading men snag my heart (I’m looking at you, Charlie Lastra), Craig “Huck” Boseman swooped in and had me falling “head over ass” in seconds. He is the best and kindest of friends to Lorelai, but underneath his band shirts simmers a bottomless passion and a hidden talent for erotic poetry. No lie.

And it’s perfect. In BUILT TO LAST, we are first introduced to Lorelai Jones and fall for this former-musician who had her heart trampled but remained kick ass and a fierce friend. In FDFIL, Lorelai is restarting her musical story with her friend and now-producer Huck at her side. The two are the definition of sexual tension, but can their friendship survive something more?

FRIENDS DON’T FALL IN LOVE made me swoon and laugh. You don’t have to read BTL first, but you are going to want to. Don’t worry - this drops in October so you have plenty of time.

Also, I now have a new book boyfriend.

Overall, I really liked this book. The characters' chemistry is great, the sex scenes are good, the supporting characters are well-rounded and interesting.

My only real complaint is that the main conflict centers on a song I have never heard of. And that's fine—but even a line or two of lyrics would have been incredibly helpful. The song was released years before I was born. Every time they mentioned "Ohio," I had to resist the urge to put the book down and google it. There's a little explanation—I gather than Neil Young didn't like guns? (Rock on, Neil.) But I'm not a music person. I was halfway through before I realized that Neil Young wawsn't the guy who did "Sweet Caroline." I realize this makes me an incredible loser, but I like to think even musically ignorant people should get to enjoy a book.

Of course, I also had trouble understanding why mentioning that guns are bad should lead to total cancellation, but that's a very different and much deeper issue.

Also, Lorelei was a complete idiot for not realizing that Craig was in love with her when they were younger, and it was stupid or downright cruel for her to suggest keeping it casual. (Which was such a brief conversation, when Craig kept talking about it later, I thought he'd just assumed and I was mad at him.)

Friends Don't Fall in Love is the next book in a universe of interconnected characters. In this novel we get the story of Lorelai (a friend of Shelby's in Built to Last) and Huck. Huck, our lovable, geeky, sweet, smart, record producer has been in love with Lorelai since he was in a band with her ex-fiancé. And Lorelai? Well Lorelai has been in denial of her feelings about Huck since she's been in Michigan licking her wounds after being 'canceled' for a benign protest when she was a rising country music star. They both end up in Nashville, where they are working on her album, and it's during this time that they fall even further for each other. Of course they muck it up--lots of doubts, unspoken feelings, and poor communication, even though communication is what they're known for. And in the midst of all of this there are missteps with her comeback, followed by the best steps for her comeback; thank goodness for good friends in high places. Also luckily for them, they have a lot of outside help that nudges them into the right direction when it comes to *them*, making for a sweet and happy ending.

Friends Don't Fall in Love is fun, sexy, and sweet; it reminded me of a Taylor Swift song--lots of longing and love that leaves you feeling fully satisfied when it ends.

Singer Lorelei Jones and songwriter Craig Huckleberry Boseman were friends for years as she dated and then got engaged to his band mate—and then said band mate broke up with her super publicly. So they had a one night stand and now it’s six years later. Lorelei wants to get back to the country music scene and Craig has started his own record company and writes erotic poetry on the side. They’re still good friends—but can friends fall in love?

Yes. The answer is yes.

This book was a low-stakes, low-angst romance centered around the Nashville country music scene and featuring cameos of country stars from Hahn’s YA book You’d Be Mine. There was nothing wrong with this book. But I’m going to say something maybe controversial: this book (and maybe the previous) might’ve worked better as novellas. Because the romance is so low stakes, I was left asking myself from about 20% on, why aren’t they getting together now? I didn’t see what was stopping them. It would be one thing if they hadn’t ever thought of each other beyond friends. But they had a one night stand. They had seen each other romantically. I didn’t understand what was keeping them apart. And I didn’t find the plot of Lorelei’s annoying ex and Huck’s stealing lyrics band mate much of a stumbling block.

This is no slight to Hahn’s writing which I have very much loved in the past; it may be just me, and YMMV. Having low stakes romance is fine. I am sure there will be plenty of people who love this very much. But I found myself wishing that if it was so low stakes, why didn’t they get together earlier and have a good portion of the book be cute relationship things?
3 stars. Heat level: 4🌶️

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc copy. This is my honest review. Friends Don’t Fall in Love comes out October 17.

4.5 stars

Lorelei is a former country star whose career came to halt and her fiancé calling off the wedding over social media instead of telling her.

Craig (or Huck/Huckleberry as Lorelei call him) is a former band mate of her ex as well as old friend of Lorelei. After receiving an inheritance from his Uncle, open up his own recording studio. He also has been in love with Lorelei for year.

Huck and Lorelei have a one night stand after she was left heartbroken by her ex and for six year haven’t seen each other. After right a song and sending an email to him, he decides to bring her out and try to record a new album for her. She also moves next door to him in the duplex he own. Can Lorelei escape from the “mistake”? Can being friends with benefits work out between the two?

Friends to lovers is one of the favorite tropes. Again, this didn’t disappoint. I loved both characters, as well the side characters that we have seen as main characters in her other books. It was nice to get a little update on them. I also like that it this was told in pov. Can’t wait to read more by Erin Hahn.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I loved Lorelei in Built to Last, so I was so excited when I heard she was getting her own book and it exceeded my expectations. Love her and love Craig for her. Also, just... love Craig. Like really, really love him. He has secured a spot high on my list of book boyfriends.

I also love the music aspect of this book- I enjoyed You'd Be Mine and it was fun to be back in that world and seeing those characters again! I also don't think I've ever read a book with a music producer MC so that was interesting as well. The found family aspect that runs through Hahn's books is prominent here and I love every single person that Lorelei and Craig have surrounded themselves with.

This is a fun, sweet, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers and it is chock-full of tension, but like, the good kind.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

A slow burn friends to lovers romance, with a side of friends with benefits? Yes, please!

Lorelei had it all: a thriving music career, and a country music superstar fiancé. Until one day, she gets cast off for singing a protest song during a concert. She was dropped by her label, her band, and even her fiancé. Five years later, she still feels like she isn't done with music and decides to call the one person who stuck by her this whole time–Craig Huckleberry "Huck" Boseman, former co-writer and band mate of her ex-fiancé, current owner of his very own indie record label, and one of her closest friends.

Craig has been carrying a torch for Lorelei for forever, so he will do anything to help Lorelei earn back what she clearly deserves–to get back into the heart of the country music world–and hopefully win her heart in the process.

This was so much fun to read! I loved the down to earth characters. I always appreciate when characters are so fleshed out that by the end of the book you feel like they could be one of your closest friends. They're just so well written.

I also loved the insight we got into the country music world! I'm not a huge country fan, so this was all new and quite fascinating.

Also, I just have to say, the understated humor of this book made it extra fun to read. I'm such a fan of Hahn's writing. I can't wait to read Maren's story.

*ARC Review*

Friends Don't Fall in Love is a sweet friends to lovers romance (obviously) with a country twang twist. Lorelai Jones is a has been country music star who is back in Michigan after ruining her career by singing a protest song. She lost her record deal, her fans, and even her fiance all in five minutes. She thinks she will never make it back to Nashville until she gets reacquainted with Craig Boseman, who she lovingly calls "Huck". Craig has loved Lorelai for years, but has tried to suppress it, especially since he was her ex fiance's bass player and writing partner. Now a record producer, Craig is trying to find his own path... and Lorelai fits into it perfectly.

The story follows the two working out their relationship and creating country magic in the recording studio.

It is a really cute read with plenty of personality. I really enjoyed it and think you will too :)

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book!

The story follows Lorelai Jones and Craig Boseman who have been best friends for years. Both working in the country music industry, Lorelai is a singer and Craig runs his own recording studio. The story also shows flashbacks from years ago, showing Lorelai’s life with her ex-fiance Drake Colter who is also a country singer.Around six years prior to the present day, Lorelai does something that makes her get canceled by the country music community which results in her and Drake splitting up. When Drake and Lorelai broke up, she and Craig had one secret night shared together before she moved away that no one knew about except for them. Now, she is back in town and working with Craig to make some new music.. But what both of them don’t know is that they both secretly think back to that one night spent together, leaving them both wanting more from each other.

I’ll be brutally honest, the beginning of this book was not my favourite. It was a bit all over the place and confused me a bit, but once I read more and made sense of everything, I loved the book! I loved how it was dual POV so we got to see both sides, each from Lorelai and Craig. I loved how everything kinda just flowed naturally, nothing seemed rushed or forced between Lorelai and Craig. Erin did an excellent job with the whole friends-to-lovers situation in this book.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves the friends-to-lovers trope! Erin Hahn did an amazing job with this one!

I haven’t had this much fun with a romance in such a long time. Lorelai is a beloved country singer that was blacklisted from the industry after performing a cover of a protest song. Craig (or Huck) is the CEO of an indie record company, but used to be the bass player and ghost writer for Lorelai’s ex-fiance.

We watch as both Lorelai and Craig navigate their respective careers separately and together. I think this was my favorite thing about the story, seeing how they interact with other producers, agents, and musicians. Learning about the ins and outs of the industry was so much fun, while simultaneously watching a relationship unfold.

Lorelai and Craig have been in love with each other for years. But they’re so deep in their friendship, that they both can’t imagine the other reciprocating their feelings. Their chemistry is insane and I adore them. There is some miscommunication, but not so frustratingly.

But readers beware, this story is dripping in pop culture references. Mostly in regards to music, which is to be expected. But there are some references to gifs and memes and interactions with real celebrities.

Overall, this has easily become one of my favorite romance reads of the year.