Love a country music romance!

Lorelaid sang a controversial song regarding gun control and was cancelled. Her fiance, also a singer, dumps her on social media. Her label dumps her. She has a one night stand with her friend Huck (and her ex fiance's music partner). Then she moves to Michigan and returned to teaching.

But she's baaaaaaaaaaaaaack. It's five years later. She played some new music for Huck, now a producer, and he wants to help her revivie her career.

Their is clearly chemistry between then and it's obviously he's head over heels.

Cute love story!

Many thanks to NetGalley and SMP for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Friends Don't Fall in Love features a former on the rise country music star attempting to rebuild her career after a political stance led her to be shunned from the scene.

There's some good bones here and I really did appreciate that the topic she stood up for was for gun control. Given the country music scene, it's so believable that this would cause quite the stir and reminded me a lot of The Chicks (formerly known as Dixie Chicks) in the early 2000s. I do wish we dove a little deeper into this.

As for the romance, it was ok. We're hit with a slow burn and while she is bright and sunshiney and he's quite the cinnamon roll leaving just a puddle of joy and ease- I think I would've loved harder and deeper had the pacing been just a notch faster.

this book was so stinkin' adorable and the perfect quick read after not having read a contemporary romance in a while! this is my second book by erin hahn and I was pleasantly surprised to see that her other characters were also present inn this one which is always so fun. while I am not a big country music fan, I still loved the plot as it is set around a singer and her friend who is a songwriter and music producer now. this was such a fun take on a friends to lovers and second chance romance and I thought both tropes were so well done. the emotion and connection between the two was so evident and I loved getting to see their relationship grow - ugh it was just so good. the only thing that I didn't love was the third act conflict which I felt was unnecessary and just didn't fit into the storyline that well but I honestly got over it pretty quickly so it didn't detract from the story too much. also the different timelines at the beginning were a bit confusing to keep up with but this didn't continue throughout so it ended up being fine lol. overall, I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it for fans of contemporary romances, particularly centered around music and friends to lovers!

BOOK REVIEW: Friends Don't Fall in Love by Erin Hahn
2023 Publication Date: October 17

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Contemporary Romance Books
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2023 | Best Contemporary Romance Novels

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
"Whether other people accept you or not is completely out of your control... Only whether you accept yourself..."

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
A Must-Read Contemporary Romance Novel by Erin Hahn...
Ah, romance novels... They always seem to hold a special place in our hearts and minds. For those who can't resist a good dose of swooning, I have fantastic news. Erin Hahn’s Friends Don’t Fall in Love is an unforgettable contemporary romance novel that will keep you invested until the very last page.

Let's take a deep dive into why this book should be on your TBR list today...

Plot Points
The story follows the lives of Lorelai Jones and Craig Boseman. Lorelai is a former successful country music star with a bright future ahead of her. Craig, on the other hand, is a best friend and former bandmate of Lorelai's ex-fiancé. When Lorelai's world crashes down around her after a spontaneous moment at one of her concerts, she finds both her career and her celebrity romance engagement in the dumpster. She turns to Craig for support, and they begin navigating the often treacherous (and vulnerable) path of friends-to-lovers romance with tons of angst and "what ifs" at every turn.

Standout Features of Friends Don’t Fall in Love
• Rich Development of Main Characters
One of the things that stood out to me the most about Friends Don’t Fall in Love is the rich development of the main characters. Hahn does an excellent job constructing the plot and arc of the romantic relationship between them. Each character is given their own unique motivations and struggles to overcome, making each of them feel real and relatable.

But what makes Friends Don't Fall in Love so compelling is the undeniable chemistry between Lorelai and Craig. Hahn has a real talent for writing believable, three-dimensional characters that readers will root for from the very start.

Whether they're arguing, flirting, or simply spending time together, their interactions feel natural and realistic... and ring authentically "real life" true to these two being lifelong friends before any romance vibe starts to spark. It's easy to understand why they care so much about each other, even if they don't realize it yet.

And I dare you to not start thinking about whether you have a best friend that might be the answer to your romantic wildest dreams!... Who knows? Your actual "first love" may have been your best friend all along...

• Witty Banter and Humorous Dialogue
Another aspect of this book that deserves high praise is the witty banter and humorous tone of the dialogue. Hahn’s writing is smart and snappy, and she adds plenty of pop-culture references that will have readers chuckling in agreement. The dialogue flows exceptionally well, and there's never a dull moment in the story.

Erin Hahn has a real knack for dialogue, and her witty banter is both hilarious and heartwarming... A tough balance to stay on point with, as often witty banter will tip too far over into sarcasm which can really destroy the "heartwarming" factor. But, Hahn masterfully walks that razor's edge like a pro... And we, as readers, are grateful to swiftly turn the pages with each chapter burrowing these characters (and their experiences) deeper into our hearts.

Even in the most emotional scenes, she manages to inject humor and levity without undercutting the gravity of the situation. The result is a book that is simultaneously laugh out loud funny and thought-provoking.

Readers will find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering for Lorelai and Craig every step of the way.

• Pacing On Point
What also sets Friends Don't Fall in Love apart from other romance novels is the pacing. It doesn't rush into the romance, which allows the reader to fully invest in the characters and their story before they confess their feelings to each other. The work Hahn puts into the story world-building makes their eventual union all the more satisfying.

• Rave Reviews from Both Critics and Readers
It's also worth noting that Friends Don't Fall in Love has received rave reviews from both critics and readers alike... Including being named one of my T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Contemporary Romance Books.

This book is a perfect example of why contemporary romance is such a popular and enduring genre.

Why, you may ask?... Contemporary Romance speaks to universal human experiences, like the pain of loss and the joy of falling in love, in a way that is both accessible and emotionally resonant. This speaks to what readers are often looking for, which is the combination of a great story with a "bridge" of shared experiences from their own lives and the lives of the characters.

• Music, Music, Music
Every time a new Erin Hahn book is announced, I know my iTunes playlist is about to get an injection of new music playlist suggestions... And once again, Erin does not disappoint!
Keep your highlighter close and ready to make note of all of the new, classic and nostalgic fab country music playlist suggestions that you will want to add to your favorite music playlist... Nobody does this better than Erin Hahn...

At the end of the day, Friends Don't Fall in Love is a perfect must-read for any fan of the contemporary romance genre looking for best book recommendations. Erin Hahn’s beautifully written characters, rich world-building, and witty dialogue blend effortlessly to create a story that stays with you long after you finish it.

Whether you're a dedicated romance reader or a newbie to the genre, this book is a gem that should be in your TBR pile today!
Buckle up and get ready for an emotional ride that will leave your heart full, your emotions soaring and your toes tapping to wonderful country music playlist suggestions!... ✨😎✨

♡ T.I.M.E. TIP: This book is an interconnected romance with Erin Hahn's previous book, Built To Last... Meaning each book are considered standalone books, but some characters are interconnected between the books… As for me, I started with Built To Last and recommend reading in order, as you get the opportunity to read more of each characters' backstories and how they weave in and out of the overall timelines... ✨😎✨

Pages: 336
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Friends To Lovers Romance | Steamy Romance | Interconnected Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Extra Hot Spicy)
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Nashville, TN (US)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Built To Last by Erin Hahn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Movie: A Lot Like Love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Two long-time friends who find themselves falling for each other in unexpected ways. With witty banter, heartfelt emotions, and plenty of steamy scenes, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves romantic fiction...

The book opens with Lorelai Jones, a country music star who has just lost everything. Her career, her fiancé, and her sense of self-worth are all in shambles after she sings a protest song at a concert.

Desperate to reclaim her life and her dreams, she reaches out to Craig Boseman, a best friend and bandmate of her ex-fiancé. What follows is a beautifully written story about two people who discover that they might have been perfect for each other all along.

Erin Hahn's Friends Don't Fall in Love is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary romances. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and witty writing style, this book is sure to capture your heart.

Whether you're a fan of the contemporary romance genre or simply looking for a great summer read, Friends Don't Fall in Love is the perfect choice.

So grab a copy and settle in for a heartfelt, steamy, and thoroughly enjoyable ride...

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
• The importance of communication in relationships... Throughout the book, Lorelai and Craig struggle with opening up to each other about their feelings and past experiences. This leads to misunderstandings and challenges as their relationship develops. However, as each main character learns to communicate effectively, we can "step into their shoes" in how each step forward... or backward... can potentially play out.
• The beauty of taking risks... Lorelai and Craig's journey towards love (and their respective careers) is not easy, but it ultimately pays off... Explores the power of taking risks and being vulnerable enough to stay rooted in what your heart is telling you to find true happiness.
• The healing power of music... Music is a central theme in this book, with both main characters being musicians. Playing and creating music allows them to express their emotions and cope with challenges in their lives... An effective reminder of the therapeutic value of art and creativity.

BOOK QUOTE:
"I'll never be done with you..." — Friends Don't Fall In Love by Erin Hahn

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Friends Don’t Fall in Love
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Erin Hahn

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Lorelai Jones had it a thriving country music career and a superstar fiancé. Then she played one teenie tiny protest song at a concert and ruined her entire future, including her impending celebrity marriage. But five years later, she refuses to be done with her dreams and calls up the one person who stuck by her, her dear friend and her former fiancé’s co-writer and bandmate, Craig.

Craig Boseman’s held a torch for Lorelai for years, but even he knows the backup bass player never gets the girl. Things are different now, though. Craig owns his own indie record label and his songwriting career is taking off. If he can confront his past and embrace his gifts, he might just be able to help Lorelai earn the comeback she deserves―and maybe win her heart in the process.

But when the two reunite to rebuild her career and finally scratch that itch that’s been building between them for years, Lorelai realizes a lot about what friends don’t do. For one, friends don’t have scratch-that-itch sex. They also don’t almost-kiss on street corners, publish secret erotic poetry about each other, have counter-top sex, write songs for each other, have no-strings motorcycle sex, or go on dates. And they sure as heck don't fall in love... right?

My Thoughts: This was a cute listen. I have read a prior book by Hahn and fell in love. This is full of sweetness, angst, tension, lovely witty banter and so much chemistry. Lorelai Jones and Craig Boseman to back decades. Craig was the songwriter for Lorelai’s then fiancé. When her relationship crumbles because Lorelai stands in her truth, she moves out to the mountains and starts teaching. When Lorelai decides to give her dreams another go, she goes straight to Craig as she knows he will help her. This follows the tropes of friends to lovers, miscommunication, the guy falls first, second chance, and country music setting.

This story is narrated in a dual narration by Lorelai and Craig with some past flashes. Lorelai is a caring, kind, compassionate woman who by standing in her truth, causing a ripple to her career. Craig decided to stop song writing for other artists and opened his own producing company. He is kind and loyal to a fault. The flashbacks really help the storyline and fills in the gaps. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and were creatively developed. The supporting characters were fantastically designed and uplifted our MCs. The author’s writing style was complex, creative, funny, spicy, thought-provoking, and kept me engaged from cover to cover. This story was spicy and delivers the steam in explicit details. The story flowed well with the pacing and tone set wonderfully, the plot was delivered through our MCs with a Happily Ever After.

Trigger warnings include gun violence, school shootings, and relationship toxicity. This was the perfect light-hearted romance novel. The story has some spice and steam and just warms the heart. Typically I do not like miscommunication tropes, however the author does it so well that the characters grow from this miscommunication. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good romance that warms the soul.

Friends Don't Fall in Love is a lovely read all about second chances. Second chances at life, love, at achieving your dreams. It's about surrounding yourself with only the best people and finding real happiness without holding yourself back.

Lorelai Jones was an up and coming country music star when she torpedoed her career by publicly protesting a mass shooting. While mourning her career and her broken engagement, she slept with her best friend, Craig Boseman. And when they got back in touch a few years later, they tacitly agreed to never speak of that night ever again. Except, now that Lorelai is back in Nashville and living in Craig's duplex and recording music at his studio, it's a lot harder for the two of them to deny their attraction to each other. So they decide to go down the friends with benefits route. It doesn't work.

The love story here is a pretty run-of-the-mill second chance romance between good friends, but the country music element really made everything shine. Nashville makes an excellent backdrop for this story, and the politics of the music genre adds a level of depth that the book needed. That's not to say that Lorelai and Craig don't have chemistry - they definitely do, and their scenes together really crackle. But it's always nice to see an author bring something a little different to a frequently-used trope.

There were times when the writing was a little iffy or where I felt like the story had a little too much going on for its own good, but overall, this was a super enjoyable read that had a little something extra to make it stand out.

4/5

Lorelai and Craig are old friends who have always felt something extra for each other. After some trials and tribulations for Lorelai, Craig remains steadfastly her friend. But as times change, feelings begin to develop. Can Craig and Lorelai make this work without ruining their friendship?
This story dragged on for way too long. The back and forth of will they, won’t they was dragged out for almost 75% of the book. It was a cute story and an enjoyable friends to lovers trope.

This was a cute friends to lovers book. I enjoyed the dual POV as I enjoy seeing both sides of the story. It was a fun weekend read.

Friends Don’t Fall in Love by Erin Hahn

Published: October 17, 2023
St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 336
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

ERIN HAHN is the author of the young adult novels You'd Be Mine, More Than Maybe, and Never Saw You Coming as well as the adult romance Built to Last. Romance is her vibe, grunge is her soundtrack and fall is her signature color. She fell for her flannel-clad college sweetheart the very first day of school and together, they have two hilarious kids who keep her humble. She lives outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has a cat named Gus who plays fetch and a dog named June who doesn't.

I am always curious to how a slow burn romance will build. I tend to get impatient. I did enjoy the music industry aspect, and I loved that Lorelai spoke her truth, even if the fall out was harsh.

The use of poetry/song lyrics was well played and I liked the bind between characters. This was a charming read with a little something for all fans of romance.

I love that country music was the musical genre used. I feel like we don’t see a lot of country music centered love stories. I found the way Erin tells a story captivating.

The timeline felt a little all over the place, but it does come together and as I read further I got used to the way things jumped around. This was like a puzzle and I loved all the pieces coming together through different elements.

Charming, heartwarming and fun. Couldn’t ask for anything else, Enjoyed this one very much. Thank you for the arc in exchange of an honest review, sorry for the delay, I fell a bit behind.

Lorelai Jones has a strong country music career when she stands up for what she believes in, plays a "protest song," and is blacklisted by the country music community. Her career crashes, and her fiancé, another country star, dumps her (online). Five years later, Lorelai is looking to get back into country music, and she turns to her friend, Craig "Huck" Boseman, who runs a small label. Craig has always had a thing for Lorelai, but he was a backup player in her fiancé's band back in the day. Can Craig help reunite Lorelai's career--and get the girl?

This book had everything I love... friends to lovers, country music, tough heroines, cute lyricists, ties to other favorite books... it was so, so good. The relationship between Lorelai and Craig smolders off the pages; their chemistry is amazing. It's sexy and full of banter and romance through songwriting and poetry. There are some really fun ties to Hahn's other country music story (YOU'D BE MINE) and her book featuring Lorelai's friend, Shelby Springfield (BUILT TO LAST), but it easily stands alone (I love everything Hahn writes, though, so definitely recommend them). The way music weaves into the story is really fun. Lorelai has a great group of friends, and it's interesting to hear about Craig's job running his label and writing songs.

Overall, this is a really great romance with fun, real characters (loved them both) and a wonderful story rooted in music. This one was a hit for me.

Love this book! Hooked for the first page! This book has some spice which I loved. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. Loved the dual POV. Loved the chemistry between Craig and Lorelai.

Craig Lorelai, Drake

Lorelai, a popular country singer, gets engaged to her long-time (also famous country singer) boyfriend, Drake. When Lorelai takes a stand against guns by singing “Ohio” by Neil Young at a protest rally, her fiancé ghosts her and breaks up with her by posting a video of him deleting their wedding from his calendar to his IG.

Craig aka Huckleberry aka Huck was Drake’s bassist for many years. He also happened to be Drake’s ghostwriter and Lorelai’s bestie. When his uncle dies, Craig inherits millions of dollars and a few acres of land near Nashville and so he decides to leave the band and start his own production studio. On his way out, he gives Drake a bunch of unfinished songs as a “parting gift” - aka good luck to Drake cuz he’s never been good at writing. HOWEVER, Huck didn’t realize that he included a song (Jonesin’) that was never meant to be heard by anyone because it was a love song about Lorelai Jones.

Before Jones skedaddles out of town, she and Huck hook up (!)…

—

While I can be empathetic towards Lorelai’s terrible experience with her ex-fiancé, it was hard for me to be patient with her. There were chunks of the novel where I was like wow Huck and Lorelai clearly need to deep dive into a discussion about where they’re at before going into this? maybe being honest with each other will help? because neither of them were sending up flares to stop what they had.

I find it hard to rate books where I like the author's writing style, but don't necessarily like the story itself - which is why I gave it 3 stars. Would recommend if you're ok with slow-burn that's only slow because they won't communicate.

I’ve really enjoyed all of Erin Hahn’s other books but this one ranks at the bottom of my list. A lot of miscommunication that was aggravating to me. I do think it has an overall good storyline that is engaging enough for most readers to enjoy. If you have liked this series, I’d recommend continuing with this one,

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Erin Hahn's "Friends Don't Fall in Love" is a delightful and steamy friends-to-lovers romance set in the heart of the country music scene. It's a story about second chances, taking risks, and realizing that sometimes the love you've been searching for has been right beside you all along.

Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Witty Banter
Dual POV
Country Music

"Friends Don't Fall in Love" is a charming and heartwarming romance that will appeal to fans of the genre. While it may not break new ground, it delivers a satisfying and well-told story with characters you'll root for and a romance that will leave you smiling. If you're looking for a light and enjoyable read with plenty of steamy moments, this is definitely a book to add to your TBR pile.

I enjoyed this book. It had the f word in it way too much for me to give it 5 stars. But I liked the plot and the pace. And Huckleberry. MmmmMMM! I thought he was so sweet and caring towards Lorelei. He was willing to wait and love her and fully supported her in her stance against things that got her shut out from her music industry. It was a good screw you and sweet romance!

Erin Hahn's "Friends Don't Fall in Love" delivers a delightful friends-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of country music. Filled with fun, cuteness, and a dash of spice, this book skillfully navigates the typical tropes of the genre.

Lorelai, the darling of country music, faces a career setback and finds solace in her steadfast friend Huck. After a one-night connection, she disappears for five years, only to return with Huck by her side for a musical comeback. As they spend time together in the studio, the question lingers: Can Huck keep his feelings hidden, or is there more to their relationship?

Despite the inclusion of the miscommunication trope, Hahn's writing makes the characters relatable and authentic. The genuine connection between Lorelai and Huck, coupled with their relatable struggles, makes it a compelling read with an irresistible pace. If you love a sweet friends-to-lovers story, especially with a country music twist, "Friends Don't Fall in Love" is a must-read. Erin Hahn's storytelling has left me eager to explore more of her works. 🥰🥰

Friends Don't Fall in Love is a friends-to-lovers contemporary romance. The book takes place in several timelines, which I found were very hard to keep track of while trying to connect to the story. The book also greatly depended on the much overused miscommunication trope to keep the two main characters apart. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book.

I have adored every one of Erin Hahn's books and this one was no exception. Her characters are so wonderfully real. Getting glimpses into their lives is like having conversations with old friends. This was swoony and wonderful! I'll be raving about it to everyone I see!

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.