Bellamy Price and her father Maurice have built a reputation for themselves by restoring historic homes to their full glory. Their next project – restoring the famed Kellington Estate – could cement them as the top restoration company in the area. And with Maurice recovering from an illness, Bellamy is in charge. She’s hoping that by pulling this off, she’ll make a name for herself and secure her dream job. But when she arrives at the mansion to get started, she encounters Oliver Killington, heir to the estate and business, and current resident of the mansion. A brooding recluse with a tragic past, Oliver is not happy about the months-long renovation project and refuses to cooperate. But once Bellamy and Oliver get to know each other’s situation, they decide to work together. Then sparks begin to fly, and soon they’ll have to decide if there’s room for love in their plans for the future. Barely Even Friends by Mae Bennett is an adorable reimagining of a Disney classic in which the couple must let their walls down to let love in.

Bennett offers an enjoyable modernization of a Disney favorite with Barely Even Friends. Readers will enjoy finding easter eggs throughout the story and how the side characters fit in. Bellamy’s work ethic and determination, along with Oliver’s growth and soft-spot for Bellamy will charm readers until the very end. Even though it’s a trope-filled predictable romance, I still got sucked in and wanted to see how things would turn out. Romance lovers will definitely enjoy this one.

Mae Bennett's debut romance, Barely Even Friends, is a modern, sexy Beauty and the Beast retelling--and it's perfect for readers who like their fairy tales with a little (ok, a lot of) spice. Bellamy Price has been hired to renovate and restore the enormous but derelict Killington Manor. Only, when she gets there, she finds it occupied by a beast of a man who absolutely DOES NOT want her there. There are lots of recognizable characters, especially to readers familiar with the Disney version--only updated and modernized. It was fun to try to connect the dots as I read, connecting this version to other versions I have seen or read. Even though it was very recognizably a B&B retelling, mirroring the beats of the source material, it stands on its own two feet as a quick, enjoyable romance read.

Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for my advance review copy.

I liked this one a moderate amount. The writing was a bit choppy and the pacing was a off but I liked the premise. If you are looking for a steamy book, this is the place to go though. The author did not hold back on this one.

I think that this is a decent romance, it just needs some extra editing.

I ended up enjoying this one! Thanks to Alcove Press for the eARC of this one! These are my honest thoughts.

I tried eyeball reading this book earlier this year, and it just wasn't drawing me in for some reason. I let a few months go by, and then I downloaded the audiobook via Hoopla (feat. one of MY FAVES, Victoria Connolly!), AND THAT DID THE TRICK. I got through the audiobook so fast!

I liked this Beauty and the Beast retelling featuring a book/movie/restoration nerd, Bellamy, and the beast resident of her most recent project, Oliver. There was so much to enjoy!

Things I really liked:
- Diversity and inclusion; we met all our favorite Beauty & the Beast characters, but with a modern take on them! We have someone who uses they/them pronouns! We have a gay couple! We have so much diversity in the cast that I felt like everyone could feel seen in this book!
- Grumpy beast Oliver ended up having the sweetest heart!
- A little built-in and meddling AI computer system in this old house
- Renovation problems that forced an ONLY ONE BED situation? Yes, please!
- Characters that were uniquely themselves

Overall, this one gets maybe a 3.75-star rating from me? It was fun. It had a lot of unique elements that I liked, but it was just missing that something special I'm looking for in my romance books.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for this ARC. I loved this grumpy/sunshine troupe. I read this book in one sitting. It is a modern day Beauty and the Beast retelling, which I enjoyed also. I would definitely recommend this book.

Mae Bennett delivers a compelling debut with Barely Even Friends, a modern spin on the "Beauty and the Beast" trope set against the evocative backdrop of a crumbling mansion. The story weaves themes of ambition, grief, and vulnerability, creating a slow-burn romance that feels fiery and tender.
Bellamy Price is a standout protagonist—determined, capable, and fiercely independent as she takes on the monumental task of restoring the Killington Estate. Her resolve to succeed in a male-dominated field adds depth and relatability to her character. Oliver Killington, the brooding heir-turned-caretaker, is a compelling match with his gruff exterior and guarded heart. Their clashing personalities evolve into a reluctant partnership, and their chemistry is undeniable, punctuated by witty banter and moments of raw emotional connection.
The Killington Estate becomes a character, its decay mirroring Oliver's emotional walls and providing a vivid, atmospheric setting. Bennett's writing shines in these descriptions, bringing the mansion and its secrets to life. The stakes feel tangible as Bellamy races against time to complete her project while Oliver wrestles with his familial pressures.
The novel balances humour, tension, and steam, making it a satisfying read. While some plot points feel a touch predictable, the charm of the characters and the emotional payoff more than compensate. Bennett's ability to explore complex emotions—grief, ambition, and the fear of vulnerability—adds depth that elevates the story.
Barely Even Friends is a delightful debut that combines heartfelt romance with a touch of renovation magic. Fans of clever, steamy stories with strong-willed heroines and grumpy but lovable heroes will find much to enjoy here. Bennett proves she's an author to watch.

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QOTD- What is your first read of June?

"Bellamy Price has just been offered the job of a lifetime: lead contractor on the restoration of the mysterious and sprawling Killington Estate. If she meets the owner’s ridiculous timeline, she’ll finally make a name for herself in this male-dominated industry. But when she rolls up her sleeves, slips on her suspenders, and shows up at the crumbling mansion, Bellamy finds the estate very much occupied.
After a traumatic car accident that left his parents dead and himself injured, Oliver Killington, heir to the Killington empire, took up residence as the grumpy caretaker of his grandfather’s mansion. None too pleased by the presence of the hammer-wielding woman who’s moved into his house, Oliver tries to block her at every turn.
But when Bellamy discovers Oliver’s facing his own ultimatum from his grandfather, the two form a cautious truce, which leads to flying sparks that are definitely not from faulty wiring. As Bellamy restores the gleam to the Killington Estate, she’ll have to decide if the walls she’s built around herself are worth knocking down to make space for someone else." -Goodreads

This was such a a fun Beauty and the Beast retelling! I thought this was a unique approach to the beloved tale as old as time. Definitely check this book out! 💛🫖🌹

You know how you can read a book and just tell it's a debut author? This book is that for me. Everything felt just a little too on the nose, and a bit too choppy. It was almost cliche. I really liked the premise, but the execution was just off. I think it was fine, and the author is as sweet as can be and has a lot of promise as a writer, but I think the book reads very superficial. Little things here and there bothered me, especially the pacing and the over-focus on her suspenders. I know these are all me problems, but I think it could use a little more originality without being "quarky" and trying too hard. So it was fine for a debut, but really didn't hold my attention and did annoy me from time to time, and the romance really wasn't believable.

I requested this title because I think the idea of different authors retelling varying Disney stories is a fun concept - however I forgot that I’m not really that big of a Disney fan as an adult - obviously I enjoy their movies, and enjoy showing them to my child - but the Disney aspect of the story threw me a bit.

I think because it so closely resembles the Disney retelling, the spicy scenes and language made me feel verrrrry uncomfortable, and it left my reading experience feeling disjointed. I know that is just my own issue, so I don’t want to reduce too many stars for it.

Overall the writing was very easy to follow, the characters were fun, and I enjoyed Bennett modernization of the concept.

Thank you to Mae Bennett and Alcove Press for an eARC of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A very sweet 'Beauty and the Beast' retelling that skews very closely to the Disney movie, which sometimes holds the story back.

An interesting Beauty and the Beast retelling with a cozy vibe to it!

This book included a lot of my favorite tropes such as grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity. I was intrigued into the story right from the beginning and had several late nights because I couldn't but the book down. There were moments that went slower but overall I had a good reading experience.

Overall I really enjoyed the book. I liked Bellamy as the main character and thought that her job was really interesting and to see what she's doing.

The story had a really cozy vibe and fits perfectly into the current season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this EARC! I'm excited to read more from this author in the future!

This steamy grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, only one bed, Beauty and the Beast contemporary reno romance debut was soo worth the wait for the audiobook excellently narrated by Victoria Connelly!

Oliver Killington is a former football player turned recluse who has been hiding away from the world out of guilt from his parent's deaths, while Bellamy Price is a fat female contractor with something to prove on this first independent project without her father. The two get off to a very rocky start but slowly a friendship develops into something much deeper.

I loved the mental health rep, the banter between the two MCs, the steam and chemistry, the plus size rep, the disability rep and the crazy rich family drama as well as the queer found family side characters. Heartfelt, emotional and spicy and just plain delicious from start to finish. I can't wait to read whatever Mae Bennett writes next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!

I really wanted to absolutely love this book, but I didn’t. I really liked the modern take on Beauty and the Beast and thought the elements of the story to create a 21st century version were very clever. It also could’ve been thought through a little more. The Ai was a little too sentient. The house managers were also very quick to try to push two people together when they didn’t take the time to get to know the FMC at all. The male character was completely a gray space to me. I loved the FMC but could not find a pulse on the MMC. I hope this author’s next book finds a really good editor she can write alongside because she has the makings of being a great writer!

This was such a lovely and clever debut! I'll never say no to a Beauty and the Beast adaptation, and Mae Bennett's Barely Even Friends is a fantastic one.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Absolutely warm and wonderful and delightful. I loved it, and can’t wait to see what Bennett does next.

This was a cute modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I felt a bit of grumpy x grumpy which isn’t my favorite combination - but I liked both characters. I did struggle with this book a little bit but I do thing it was a complete me thing - it wasn’t vibing with my mood and I wasn’t feeling the chemistry between the characters.
I loved the fact that it was very women empowering - women can do anything that men can do AND that women deserve the credit and confidence.

Overall it was a cute book and one that I would like to re-read because I’m very much a mood reader & since I read this as part of a traveling ARC, it just hit me at the wrong time.

Thank you to Alcove Press for the traveling ARC for our group and thank you & NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First, a big thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC of Mae Bennett’s novel “Barely Even Friends" – “A grumpy, rich recluse meets his match in this steamy Beauty and the Beast retelling—with a Succession twist.”

Here me out, I am an instant sucker for the Beauty and the Beast trope. The author has really stuck to recreating that classic Beauty and the Beast vibe, but updated it with a modern twist. The lead characters Bellamy and Oliver are so engaging, with real depth and complexity that makes you feel like they are real people.

The tension is off the charts when ambitious contractor Bellamy gets thrown into the world of the mega-rich Killingtons, taking on a reno job at their ancient family mansion. Oliver, the brooding but fit heir, isn't having any of her being there at first, setting up a classic opposites clash dynamic that soon leads to sparks flying another way.

But it goes way beyond just a will-they-won't-they romance. As the juicy plot thickens, some right twisted family secrets and jaw-dropping twists worthy of popular tv show Succession get uncovered.

What really makes this a belter of a book are the blazing intimate scenes woven amongst that elegant prose. The author turns up the heat without being crude or vulgar about it. It's a total page-turner from start to finish. Fans of passionate romance tales such as Tessa Bailey’s “Tools of Engagement,” and Anne E. Collins’ “Love at First Spite” will love this book. Packed with loads of dramatic plot, you will definitely need to devour this book. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of this author's work and I am glad that I started here!

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I swear this has all of my favorite things jampacked into one book! First of all, I absolutely adore retellings but especially Beauty and the Beast retellings! I once thought that contemporary romance just wasn't for me, but I have never been so thrilled to be proved wrong! From the very beginning, this book grabs your attention and refuses to let go! The essence of the original fairytale has been so deeply embedded within this story, and yet it has such a beautiful originality to it that I didn't think was possible. Throw in a good ole grumpy sunshine but the grump is just a shy softie AND the spice was very much hitting. Adored!!!

I loved this story. The representation of larger bodies is something we need more in the romance genre. I liked the Beauty and the Beast vibes, and thought that Bellamy being a contractor was different in a good way. I love frenemies to lovers and I thought that this book did it very well. The tender moments hit for me and the spice was fire. Thank you for sending me this to read!