Unfortunately, I could tell this was a debut author. This wasn’t necessarily a “bad” book, the premise was interesting and I did like the tie ins to beauty and the beast. I haven’t read many retellings but this one was fairly subtle, if not borderline cheesy. However, it didn’t do it for me. The writing was fine, nothing to get excited about and the characters were very flat. I found myself not super interested in where they were going or where they would end up - I was interested enough to skim through the last 30% of the book instead of DNFing and I’m glad I did because I don’t feel like I missed anything. The slow burn was way too slow and then when it finally hit its climax, it was disappointing. Which, after all that build up how could it not be? The male MC was too broody and whiny, which says a lot coming from a girl who loves grumpy sunshine but he was a different level where I couldn’t get to a point of feeling badly for him or wanting better. I kinda just wanted to lock him in the house and say fine have your pity party. And the female MC was just fine, again nothing wrong necessarily but, very flat. I liked how the author tried to be inclusive, both MC’s we’re on the bigger side and didn’t want to change that so I did like the body positivity represented and the thought process of loving yourself as you are but, the overall plot was forgettable. This was a miss for me.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Please check trigger warnings before reading.

4⭐️/ 3🌶️

A tale as old as time, I’ve been a big fan of, “Beauty and The Beast”, especially when it comes to reimagining the beloved story or giving it a new twist. This story followed, Bellamy and Oliver in a “Beauty and The Beast” inspired storyline, with Bellamy working on Oliver’s mansion. Bellamy worked alongside her father in Price Restorations, working on fixing houses and giving them new life. For Oliver’s mega mansion or shall we say his grandfather’s mansion, it needed all the work to help bring it back to the grandeur it once was. Oliver was a grumpy man who didn’t want to deal with someone like, Bellamy coming into his home, but even a man such as himself couldn’t stay away from Bellamy. A sassy, hard working female lead, a grumpy secluded rich heir, a beautiful mansion, and more brought this story to a modern take.

Before reading this book, I was expecting similarities of, “Beauty and The Beast”, but I was actually surprised by the twist that Mae Bennett wrote instead. In this book, Bellamy worked in restorations and was widely knowledgeable in her field. I was expecting a total bookworm, but rest assured, Bellamy was a fan of romance novels just like us. Bellamy wasn’t a carbon copy of what you would imagine hearing a story being inspired by a widely beloved story/character, but instead showed interesting things about herself. Bellamy struggled with living up to the expectations of working alongside her father, more so with some clients judging her on her looks. Part of the story also tackled body shaming which unfortunately Bellamy experienced. Bellamy was a capable, motivated worker, and seeing her come up with all the ideas and plans to fix up Oliver’s home was impressive. Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Keeping it simple and sweet was what came to mind in this story. Bellamy and Oliver didn’t exactly get along at first, but slowly over the time of reconstructing the mansion, found themselves becoming friendly and enjoying spending time together. I thought the characters were likable, sweet, and friendly. I initially thought I was going to be completely obsessed since this had hints of, “Beauty and The Beast”, but unfortunately it didn’t hit the mark for me. I also anticipated maybe having some magical aspect, but with this book being set in the modern world, that obviously didn’t happen. I will say, that by having “Blaze”, the AI that was installed in the mansion was an interesting idea, and the moments it spoke were funny. The romance was sweet, but also had a bit of depth to it as Bellamy and Oliver fell in love with each other. I wasn’t a fan of the third act breakup, but that’s just a “me” thing. As a whole, I think this was a good book, and if you’re a fan of, “Beauty and The Beast”, or even interested in seeing some hints of it in a story, then you should give this book a try. For this being Mae’s first book, I think she did a good job, and I have a feeling with future books she’ll create more interesting stories just like this one.

4/5

Mae Bennett's debut novel, "Barely Even Friends," delivers a steamy and creative retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a modern twist reminiscent of Succession. This engaging romance features classic tropes such as forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and grumpy-sunshine dynamics, all wrapped in a tale of personal growth and unexpected love.

The story centers on Bellamy Price, a determined and skilled contractor who is given the opportunity of a lifetime: to lead the restoration of the sprawling and mysterious Killington Estate. For Bellamy, this project is not just a job but a chance to prove herself in a male-dominated industry. However, her ambitions are quickly met with resistance from the estate’s grumpy caretaker, Oliver Killington.

Oliver, the heir to the Killington empire, has retreated to the mansion after a traumatic car accident that claimed his parents' lives and left him injured. His initial hostility towards Bellamy’s presence adds an intriguing layer of tension and chemistry to the story. Despite his efforts to thwart her progress, Bellamy’s resilience and dedication eventually win him over, leading to a tentative truce and a simmering attraction that neither can deny.

Bennett's writing shines in her portrayal of Bellamy and Oliver’s evolving relationship. The slow-burn romance is well-paced, allowing readers to savor the gradual shift from antagonism to affection. Bellamy’s character is particularly compelling; her strength, wit, and vulnerability make her a relatable and inspiring protagonist. Oliver’s journey from a brooding recluse to a man willing to confront his past and open his heart is equally well-crafted.

The inclusion of plus-size representation in Bellamy’s character is a refreshing and important aspect of the story, though at times it feels a bit forced into the narrative. Nevertheless, it adds depth to Bellamy’s character and highlights themes of self-acceptance and confidence.

The restoration of the Killington Estate serves as a fitting backdrop for the characters’ personal transformations. As Bellamy works to restore the mansion’s former glory, she and Oliver both learn to break down the walls they’ve built around themselves. The mansion itself becomes a symbol of renewal and hope, mirroring the characters’ journey towards healing and love.

Overall, "Barely Even Friends" is a delightful debut that combines classic romance tropes with modern sensibilities. Mae Bennett’s clever and steamy take on Beauty and the Beast will captivate readers and leave them rooting for Bellamy and Oliver until the very last page. If you enjoy slow-burn romance, witty banter, and stories of personal growth set against a richly detailed backdrop, this novel is definitely worth a read.

One of the best beauty and the beast retelling I have ever read. I loved every second of this book. The characters were funny, and sweet, and such a joy to read about. I could not love this book more! And....Who doesn't like forced proximity?!?!

Overall I'd definitely read this book again and I would recommend this book for fans of other romance books.I have received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/ opinions above are my own.

A fab read. Bellamy is a house restorer, and her latest project is the estate where Oliver lives. He is not a fan of the project for his own reasons. I loved both main characters and wanted everything to work out for them. Looking forward to more from this author.

Title: Barely Even Friends
Author: Mae Bennett
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

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.

This ended up being a cute read! I like the grumpy/sunshine trope—if it’s done well and Grumpy doesn’t come across as a jerk—and this one was done well. Bonus points for the body positivity message. Bellamy was a lot of fun, and her voice was so relatable it made me laugh. Her developing friendship with Oliver, as well as the secondary characters, made this a fun read.

Barely Even Friends is Mae Bennett’s debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of Alcove Press in exchange for an honest review.)

DNF


This book was not for me, I did not get hooked on the characters and the drama. The most I managed to reach was 21%.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a fun modern-day “Beauty and the Beast” retelling. As always, I love a good slow-burn romance and this was no exception to this. Once the spice started heating up….it was SO good.

I think one of my favorite parts of this whole story is Bl8z3, the AI-generated voice recognition software that was installed in Oliver’s home.

There was a lot of humor, a lot of banter, and a lot of spice (definitely a slow-burn, however).

Favorite Quotes/Highlights:

“Despite not owning a single physical book, I was a sucker for a library - and this estate had the most glorious home for tomes I’d ever seen. And this was before I’d gotten my hands on it.”

“‘But that’s not what’s driving me to distraction. I’m angry that you wear these stupid suspenders. I’m angry that you’re in every room, invading this house. And I’m furious at how much I think about kissing you.’”

Barely Even Friends is a Beauty and the Beast retelling made into a contemporary romance!

Bellamy Price is taking the lead in her father’s business restoring a mansion for the Killington Estate. She comes across the heir, Oliver, while working in the mansion and they quickly get off on the wrong foot. He’s forbidden her to go into the west wing but when she ultimately makes it there, she finds out why he wanted it hidden. The two main characters were very relatable at times and show depth through their emotions. I did find the story to be a bit choppy at times, there was no transition from enemies to lovers, it just seemed to happen with no build up. The AI system was so unnecessary to the story (for me) but I did like the other side characters. It was a cute read!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Mae Bennett, and Alcove Press for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This published on June 4th!

I have posted my review on Goodreads, in my Facebook book club, and will make a post on Tiktok.

This was fun, and I really loved Bellamy and Oliver. The Beauty and the Beast retelling was clever without being too cheesy. It did stumble at several parts where time just seemed to drag/jump really weirdly, but I’d love to see more from this debut author!

Had seriously high hopes for this book but it didn't catch me like I needed it to. The characters weren't likeable for me. The plot was the only saving grace. It was clever retelling of beauty and the beast. The writing was fine but it was a bit montonal for me. I need more splashy in my romance and this one just missed the mark.

Barely Even Friends by Mae Bennett is currently scheduled for release on June 4 2024.

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. 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. 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.

Barely Even Friends is a contemporary romance with a lot going for it. I loved the characters. I thought the character building for the main and secondary characters was very well done- and frankly I want more from several of those characters. I thought the conversations and relationship building between Bellamy and Oliver was also well done. The only issue I had with the book had me flipping back to the previous pages on several occasions, which took me out of the story a little. There was some trouble with transitions, there were time or movement jumps that did not quite flow with the story. It felt like they had been editing a sentence and then forgot to get it back in, which very well might be the case and be resolved in the final publication copy. The problem was that it happened more than once, and it just irked me. I loved so much about this read and will definitely be looking to see what the author does next because there is so much potential here. I think they will be an author to watch as they keep going and I look forward to having a front row seat.

I liked the pretense and how the author used the beauty and the beast characters to find into this story. I also really liked the ex football star aspect and being torn away from a sport when just about to hit the pros. I liked the plus sized FMV. I am not sure if it was because it was a retelling or what but it was just okay. Good but just okay. I think if you like retellings, I think you will like this.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Mae Bennett for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review.

Noé would love to tell you about the latest romance we read.

Y'all, let me tell you what I really enjoyed:

🫖 If you're new here, I am always a sucker for a fairy tale retelling. I really enjoy how the Beast was reimagined in this story.
🫖 Bennett did such a great job of incorporating some of our very favorite romance tropes in such a fun way. We've got: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, getting trapped in the rain, to name a few. I also loved that it plays around a little bit with breaking the 4th wall and acknowledging some of the tropes as they happen.
🫖 The side characters in this story were so well created I wanted even more of them! Bellamy's best friends were absolutely hysterical and I would love to read a love story featuring the delightful Rue. She gave the best Mrs. Potts energy.
🫖 The chemistry between Bellamy and Oliver was very well done, both emotionally and physically. I enjoyed the development of their relationship throughout the story and the steamy scenes certainly did not disappoint.
🫖 I appreciated the way that Bennett took Beast's being locked away and turned it from a literal curse to the "curse" of trauma. I think Oliver's recovery is really well done through the support of Bellamy throughout.

Thank you to Alcove Press for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I was so excited to read this amazing new Beauty and the Beast retelling from Mae Bennett. It updates the classic fairy tale by making Bellamy a contractor who specializes in restoration of historic homes. And Oliver has been reclusive since a devastating car crash. There isn't any magic in the form of a teapot or candlestick come to life. But the charm of those elements is matched by a hilarious and fascinating use of AI throughout the home.

I especially enjoyed the fun popular culture references. They went way beyond the fairytale and matched the tone of the book well. I also appreciated the LGBTQ representation and casual introduction of each character with pronouns. And the plus size representation is so necessary and well done.

Bellay was such a great and snarky heroine. And Oliver had such a wonderful heart. There's great drama from his family. It gets steamy between the two of them faster than I expected, but I appreciated their chemistry.

This was a great debut, and I am excited for more from Mae.

I did not love this book. I got bored and didn't even finish it. I was also confused in the beginning, I had no idea what was supposed to be happening.

I’m a huge Beauty and the beast fan and so I was super excited for this book. I think it does what many fairy tale adaptations can’t - the set up, the modernizing of the plot, it worked really well. The versions of the enchanted objects in this retelling were so funny, current but with the spirit of the originals.

I really enjoyed Bellamy and Oliver, and the book started to strong with their antagonistic relationship. It’s easy to pinpoint when he starts to melt around her, and I loved it. There’s nothing more fun that learning about the guy underneath the grumpy exterior. And Bellamy was stubborn and determined and talented - a well rounded person.

I just thought the pacing was off. The timeline of the renovation project is tracked and there were large time jumps right after a major relationship moment that were sometimes jarring. But I did enjoy it overall

I immediately want to confess: I loved this book! It wasn't a perfect pace, but I still got thoroughly entertained.
It's a retelling of the Beauty & the Beast plot: love the grumpy-sunshine, rich boy, frenemies-to-lovers tropes, but it was a very weak narrative at certain crucial points.

I absolutely loved how the "supporting cast" came to be. Even the negative characters were amusing. And that's the verdict for me: everything was amusing...the descriptions, the tropes, the dialogues, the unfolding of the project, the deadline, the romantic scenes, I wholeheartedly enjoyed each of these things, but purely from an entertainment standpoint. I begin to think logically about certain plot points and it unnerves me.

Every romance plot has that one twist in the end that disintegrates the calm in the lovers' world. In Barely Even Friends, that twist felt too unconvincing, frail, and unnecessary. I felt that there were several other, stronger plot points that could have been used as that narrative tool. That's all I can say without spoilers.

As a lifelong Beauty and the Beast fan, I couldn't wait to read this book and I was not disappointed! This reimagining of the classic tale succeeded in the challenging task of balancing a story that worked on its own while still nodding to the original. Oliver is perfectly Beastly, and the origin of his nickname was adorable, as was the reimagining of the house staff. Most importantly, this book delivered the one thing all BATB fans yearn for: the opportunity to watch the leads give into all that sexual tension (I mean, that library scene!).

Barely Even Friends by Mae Bennett
Contemporary romance. Retelling, Beauty and the Beast.
Bellamy Price is the lead contractor in a historical house remodel project. It’s her first time as lead though she’s worked in her father’s business since she was a child. She and her crew of experts will be restoring a mansion on the Killington Estate in New York but she finds the heir to the empire in residence. Oliver Killington is unwilling to relocate and doesn’t even want her anywhere near the west wing. It’s the family rooms of the estate and Oliver has been sequestered there since his parents died in a traumatic car accident almost ten years ago.
Faced with an impossible deadline to update the mansion for crumbling walls to party ready, has Bellamy and Oliver working together restoring his home.

Oliver is guilt-ridden, thinking he’s responsible for getting his parents killed and basically abandoning his sisters to their dictator of a grandfather.
Bellamy is confident in her restoration work, but not as much from a curvy woman relationship perspective.
Together they work on the mansion, and after a bit of fumbling, a relationship. They are comfortable in the sexual togetherness, but the emotional has yet to be decided.
Secondary characters make this novel rich with personality and humor.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.