Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! The title and this beautiful cover drew me in and i was excited to read this book! I will be recommending this book to others for readers advisory.

The writing keeps on taking me out of the story because of its plainness. The main characters were also bland in their own ways that I find really tiring to read as the story progressed.

It's a fun and modern twist on the basic premise of Beauty and the Beast. Only instead of a cursed prince, we have a depressed and hurting billionaire heir. And instead of a bookish maiden from a small town, we have a capable and headstrong contractor with a love for restoration and romance novels. Bellami and Oliver couldn't seem more different, but their forced proximity as she works to restore his family's crumbling vacation mansion, along with circumstances forcing them to share one bed, lead to them getting closer than they could have ever imagined. But can what they find survive outside of the bubble of the restoration and all the pressure and expectations from the outside world?

I really enjoyed this new version of the classic because it kept surprising me with how Bennett wove the main elements into it while creating a wholly original story. Oliver's backstory is super sad and it's easy to believe and understand why he locked himself away. Bellami's willful desire to see her and her dad's dream of restoring that home and proving that she's just as capable as a man is relatable if you've ever been a woman in a job that's male-dominated, or even just as a woman trying to do something on your own. Their joint journey as work happens in the house and their relationship was a pleasure to read.

My one nitpick is that the rest of the characters fall a bit flat when compared to how well-crafted Bellami and Oliver are. The rich grandfather is a caricature of rich and entitled with zero redeeming qualities shown on the page. Bellami's dad is almost an afterthought, and her best friend and his partner are a little too close to the token gay friend stereotype for my liking.

But overall, it's a fun read with hints of a beloved classic that feels fresh even as it calls back to the source.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the

Barely Even Friends was a book I received for free on NetGalley and I really liked it. I loved the character development and how I was able to fall in love with Bellamy and Oliver’s characters start to finish. I also appreciate how engaging this book was as I did most of my reading while feeding my newborn through the night. So, thank you Mae Bennett for helping me stay awake at 3:00am with your wonderful romance book.

Barely even friends was a unique retelling of Beauty and the beast. I did love the different modern take of it and all of the characters. The cover was so cute!

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing the chance to read and review. This will be on blog soon.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

A Grown Up, and spicy, Beauty and the Beast Retelling for the Renovation Romantic that puts all of us real sized women at the heart of the fairy tale.

A grumpy rich owner of a historic mansion has to work with a sunshiney contractor to renovate the property. I'll admit, it's a fairly original twist on the Beauty & The Beast retelling, but it never quite manages to capture that enemies-to-lovers magic. They barely have any actual conflict, and actually start to sympathize with each other pretty much straightaway.

There's nothing wrong with some cheese or even a few clichés, but this tipped so far over into being cringe it became uncomfortable to read.

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!