I went back and forth between a 3 and 4…there were some things I loved and some things I didn’t. However…these are the reasons I bumped it to a 4. 1) Spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling…enough said 2) Taylor Swift was brought up a lot! 3) One-liners and banter between characters was top notch. 4) It was a retelling without being cheesy…it had enough subtle nods that you knew but nothing over the top/cliche’ (especially since it wasn’t fantasy) 5) The creative liberties of some of the changes were perfection! If you are a Belle fan, this book is for you!

I know this is meant to be a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but it's just fine as a trope-y rom com with a touch of spice even if you don't want to look for B&B plot points, Bellamy is working hard to step up on her home renovation business and the job she's got now could be the thing. Unfortunately, Oliver, the grump, is still struggling after a fatal car accident and he's not inclined to agree with anything she wants to do, in part because he's got a deadline to get back to to work in the family corporation-when the renovation is done. This is sprightly and entertaining (loved the AI and Bell's friends). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for a lazy day.

*Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I was promised a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and there's no doubt that that's what I got. In some areas it felt a bit on the nose, but I really enjoyed the home renovation spin on it. I freaking loved the AI, the suspenders, and the tantric wallpaper cleaning scene. It felt like an ode to contemporary romance, but definitely takes awhile to get started. It really starts to speed up once the bathroom pipes burst, if you know what I mean.

I wish that we got to delve into Oliver's past more - how does he move past the trauma of his car accident? Is he really so gruff in his head? The book may have benefitted from having his PoV. The third act break-up didn't really make sense to me and kind of felt unnecessary, but c'est la vie.

Beauty and the Beast was and is my favorite fairytale so when I saw this cover my interest was immediately peaked. Then I saw it was a retelling and I was sold, I had to get my hands on it!

It made my inner child so happy to see parts of my beloved fairytale retold with a modern twist. It was fun seeing how many references I could pick up on. Even with it being a retelling, the story had many new aspects that made it its own. Including getting rated up to an adult romance with the addition of some spice. (This beauty and her beast sure know how to get steamy)

Found family is an underrated trope in my opinion so I love when it makes its way into a story. This cast of side characters were so lovable and amazing, they definitely delivered the warm fuzzy feeling I always hope to get with found family.

This was a solid debut and I can’t wait to see what Mae does next!

This was an adorable story! When I heard “Beauty and the Beast retelling”, I knew I had to read this one because that is my all-time favourite fairytale, and this didn’t disappoint. It had so many references to the “original source material” and I loved how Mae put her own spin on everything.

I felt so much sympathy and cheered Bellamy on all the way through the book, her self doubts and her hopes and her fears, all nurtured of course by our broody beast of a protagonist, Oliver. He was the perfect foil for Bellamy, a real grumpy versus sunshine which I love!

And of course the review wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the supporting cast - Bellamy’s friends in particular were hilarious.

If you love Beauty and the Beast, I’d definitely not miss out on this one! I know this won’t be the first review to say it but - it’s a tale as old as time!

What a fun spin on a tale as old as time! Full of sexy situations and talking AI ala Tony Stark's in avengers this was a fun romance you don't want to miss.

I wanted to love this so much! But parts of the story just moved a little slow for my taste. I enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast connections and the originality.

Bellamy Price has created a name for herself under the umbrella of her father's building restoration business. She has big dreams, but one of those dreams is not getting into another relationship. With her father slowing down, it is up to Bell to keep the business running and her reputation for doing the impossible alive and well.  Bell has begun to believe that she is a rolling stone, one who definitely shouldn't be falling for the mysterious resident of the Killington Estate.  Oliver Killington is the heir to a major fortune, but after the traumatic car accident that took his parents and his time in football away, he wants nothing more than to hide from the spotlight.  As Bell swings her hammer at the biggest restoration project of her life, Oliver tries to block her changes.  She has everything to lose if she fails, but Bell is as tough as the nails she hammers. Oliver is under an ultimatum. Either return to the Killington empire at the end of the renovation or lose everything.

Mae Bennet gives readers a bright story with hints of Succession and a wealth of well-written sex scenes. Barely Even Friends is a modern romance with delightful dialogue and loveable characters, including a curvy main character. The household staff at the Killington Estate are charming and delightful.  Bennet does a great job of combining pop culture, a solid plot, and a romance that curls the reader's toes.

Barely Even Friends is now available.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Mae Bennett for kindly providing me with an ARC of Barely Even Friends in exchange for an honest review. Bennett's debut novel, Barely Even Friends, releases on June 4th 2024 and is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The novel follows Bellamy Price on her career-defining job of restoring the Killington Estate where the reclusive Oliver Killington resides.

I enjoyed Barely Even Friends, I thought Oliver and Bellamy had a really sweet relationship and had some adorable moments between them. There was also a little bit of spice in certain areas. My main criticism was the pacing; this could have been an interesting slow burn, however, they kissed fairly quickly after deciding to become civil and there wasn't a lot of tension allowed to build. The ending also fell a bit flat for me, I'm not even fully sure what even happened.

I will say it was a very cute and fun read, especially in the second third of the book and if you are looking for a modern, contemporary, fairytale retelling then it may be the book for you.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine,

This is a beauty and the beast retelling with a modern twist. The book tells the story of Bellamy a restorer and Oliver a reclusive grump that enjoys his own company . When their path cross sparks are felt.It’s a wonderful read .It was well written.

This was overall a cute romcom book!🥰💘 Full review to come after the publication date!!

Thankyou to Netgalley, the Publisher and the Author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

This was a promising debut!

Bellamy is an interior designer with a love of old homes. When she's hired to renovate a crumbling mansion, she does not expect to find Oliver there. Oliver has practically been a shut in since an accident claimed the lives of his parents and destroyed his hopes for a football career. I loved the chemistry between the two right from the get-go! I also loved watching them discover their feelings for each other. This is a Beauty and the Beast re-telling and it's glaringly obvious - but it's a fresh take on it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

A modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast where our curvy heroine is sent to renovate a mansion inhabited by a scarred, grumpy, hot guy.

I liked the premise and there were some scenes that really worked, such as the scenes between Bell and her friend Sebastian. But the dialogue felt stilted for me and, even though the story is based on a known legend, I also found the plot a bit predictable.

There's plenty of chemistry between the characters but I had read their conversations many times before in other romance novels. Sometimes the conversation seemed a bit like a satire of romantic comedies.

This book didn't really work for me.

I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you, Alcove Press and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of Barely Even Friends.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my all-time favorite fairytales. Check out my favorite tumbler to use (https://etsy.me/3V2OJlr) which of course was beside me the ENTIRE time I read this. This was everything I could want in a retelling down to the ladder in the library. *Swoon!* As this is Mae Bennett's debut romance, I'm excited to see what she brings to us in the future!!

Bellamy Price needs one big job to show off her skills in the male-dominated industry of building restoration. She wants to be put on the map not because of her father's abilities, but because of her own, and the Killington Estate is just that chance. Oliver Killington has been holed up in the estate since the untimely death of his parents which also left him injured and in turn ruining his athletic career. He does not take too kindly to find that Bellamy Price will not only be renovating his house but also residing in it at the same time. Since his grandfather owns the house, he doesn't get much say in the matter. Bellamy is faced with an incredibly short and unrealistic timeline to complete the renovations issued by dear old gramps, and Oliver is facing his own conundrum from the patriarch: join the family company as CEO or forfeit it all. Will the house crumble around them or will they be able to work together to accomplish their goals and appease dear old gramps?

A sexy home renovation version of Beauty and the Beast, but one where everyone is hot and just grumpy. So good! It’s a pretty quick read and very spicy - nice!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Bellamy is looking to make her mark as the lead contractor on the restoration of a run-down estate. The problem is that when she shows up to the estate, it is occupied by a beast of a man who doesn't want her there. 

I was immediately drawn to this story because of the title and premise.  I love Beauty and the Beast retellings as it's my favorite Disney story.  I thought the story had some creative elements to it.  I liked the grumpy/sunshine trope and the backstory that led to Oliver living in this deteriorating estate. 

Some things didn't really add up for me.  The fact that their was modern technology in a house that's crumbling around them when nothing else seems to be updated was odd and forced. Most of the characters weren't really likable, including Bellamy's father.   I didn't feel the chemistry between the main two characters. It wasn't something that compelled me to keep reading. The story overall seemed to be lacking something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.  If you're a fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings, then this one might be for you, but I found it to just be ok.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was one of those perfect little romcoms that you read at the beach while on vacation. The Beauty and the Beast references in the beginning were very sweet. Bell and Oliver were likeable characters and the conflict of the story wasn’t super annoying. I recommend this if you’re looking for a quick relaxing read.

Barely Even Friends, then somebody bends, unexpectedly. Or perhaps a little expectedly?
This steamy Beauty and the Beast retelling had all the loveable characteristics of the original storyline; the blunt but caring housekeeping staff, the grand mansions filled with secrets and beauty, and the personal growth from recluse to loved. Although the ending was expected, it was still anticipated as the reader. You were drawn into cheering them on together and loved the banter, playfulness and vulnerability that overflowed from their new relationship.
Barely Even Friends lost a few stars for me as I felt the inner turmoil of the female MC to be a little repetitive and frustratingly miscommunicated. For such an intelligent woman, she was unable to articulate herself well with anyone. Additionally, there was a lot of descriptions of stomach clenching and chest clenching during interactions with the male MC. I found them to interrupt the flow of the scene and, at times, over-done.
Overall, I believe that Disney fans, readers of fairy tale retellings, readers of domestic fiction and those who enjoy an optimistic ending would enjoy this story.

This book was a cute predictable read. I wish I felt more connected with the characters. It seemed to be more of a recipe for how to write a romance book the author was following then trying to write an engaging story. I see much potential in the author’s writing so I would read another book by her. Just wish I like this one more.

I would like to thank netgalley and Alcove Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a brilliant homage to beauty and the beast. I loved all the references and the characters.