This was different than many other friends to lovers. It showed a true friendship for a good part of the book with its ups and downs before they started talking about feelings. Being outside their comfort of their small town, New York brought tough conversations that they needed to have about not just them but their future. Love Cole and Lailas friendship. Very sweet story of meant to be.

Cole and Laila were just friends but what amazing friends they were! The author of this wonderful friends-to-more romance story took a familiar trope and gave it a twist to make it fresh and, at times, unpredictable. It was a real pageturner! I was very moved by the predicament that Cole and Laila faced and it took me through all the emotions; I even shed some tears at one point but mostly I was enchanted over the beauty of the wonderful relationship the two friends had created. This book is part of a series and it was fun to get updates on other beloved characters but it is easily read as a standalone. Highest recommendation! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Cole and Laila are friends. They could be something else–everyone expects it–but do they want to?

In this novel, the characters already being familiar with each other meant that readers had to play catch up. We were initially presented with an abundance of information, with too much going on in the characters’ heads, and too little happening outside of them. In short, it was slow.

The vibes were vaguely similar to those of “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. The writing style reminded me of Chloe Liese’s. There were a lot of pop culture references (the Milo thing–what was that?). None of these aspects worked for me.

I felt quite lukewarm about this story, but a refreshing take on the value of different types of relationships (what do you mean “just” friends, friends are the coolest) made me glad I stuck with it.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC! Opinions expressed are my own.

This beautiful story about lifelong soulmates Cole and Laila takes slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance to a whole new level. I have never read a love story where two people are more open and honest with each other as well as being protective and, to their possible detriment, self-sacrificing.

When Cole’s curmudgeonly, stoic grandfather dies and he learns that the family restaurant he poured his heart into has been sold out from under him, it brings all of his fears of being unloved and undeserving to the surface. After all, he’s the adopted son of the man’s stepdaughter, so what is he owed? Laila, who has worked side-by-side with him for over a decade and has been his friend for nearly 40 years, knows the old man loved him but can’t explain how she knows. Yet, when Cole impulsively considers a job offer in New York City because he can’t handle the memories all around him, Laila agrees to accompany him on a visit, hoping to support him in making a decision but also selfishly hoping he’ll decide to remain in their small Colorado mountain town. While staying in their mutual friends’ Tribeca penthouse apartment, they’re finally forced to confront whether their feelings for each other are more than platonic and if they can have any future together if they’re thousands of miles apart. After they share a surprisingly passionate kiss (the description of which is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read), they decide to spend her birthday acting as if they’re on a blind date and just getting to know each other, almost a test run of what could be if they’re brave enough to go there. The planning Cole puts into the long day, where he brings her to numerous locations featured in some of her favorite rom-com movies, is a testament to the deep love and affection he has for Laila and evidence of just how well they know each other.

Turner’s wise choice of a dual POV enables readers to see how deeply these two care about each other. It’s a totally clean romance with main characters just shy of forty, so a perfect choice for those looking for mature romances. .

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I have a bad habit of wanting to give Bethany Turner’s books 10 stars all the time, but this one absolutely earns it! Laila and Cole’s history, effortless flow, and off the charts chemistry makes this a friends-to-more you will ADORE! I’ve come to love little Adelaide Springs, and the pillars of the town’s hierarchy—and it’s always fun getting the skinny on all of the drama in the group of 5 friends (which will happen, I promise). But Cole and Laila have been in a comfortable place their whole lives, and just one day wake up to discover that the world has suddenly shifted on its axis. Their raw emotions, their tenderness, the gentleness they care for and support each other is so beautiful it nearly made me cry (even though the book itself is flat out hilarious). I’ve always heard the saying that Love is just friendship set on fire, and CoLai exemplifies that so spectacularly. Grab it. Grab the book now. Grab the audio book too because it’s wonderful. Now please excuse me while I slip back into Adelaide Spriings again just for funsies. I received an advanced copy of this book/audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Bethany Turner never disappoints!
Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner is an adorable rom-com I found to be so entertaining.
This adorable best-friend, fake dating story is so addicting.
The characters are realistic, funny and so witty.
The quirky relationship between Cole and Laila kept me invested until the very last page.
Cole and Laila Are Just Friends is a charming and heartwarming read that will leave readers smiling and rooting for their happily ever after.
If you enjoyed Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other like I did…. You’ll freaking love her newest title.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I save Bethany Turner novels for a kind of treat for myself--something to dive into after I've met a deadline or made it through a busy couple of weeks. The thing is, I know once I start reading, it's going to be tough to put the book down and tough also to focus on other writing work!

This novel was a joy; the friendship between Cole and Laila is sweet and wonderful right from the start. It was fun to be back in Adelaide Springs. While I think a reader new to Turner could start here, I'd recommend getting acquainted with the crew in Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other first. The characters are a kind of family and it was fun to pick up where that story left off. Even when I knew where things are going, they were such good company along the way.

I admit I read another review that suggested some of the pop culture references go on too long, and I found myself agreeing. I do think I would have come to this conclusion on my own, as I think lighter touches are more enjoyable. They help the reader feel like they're in on the joke and build a relationship with the author from one side of the page to the other. Here, the allusions were more heavy-handed, and at times felt closer to a gimmick than part of the story. Still, I got almost every reference, being the FRIENDS and GILMORE GIRLS aficionado that I am. Maybe a reader less familiar with those shows would need a little more to make the connections.

For a story with an ending the reader anticipates from the title, it took enough twists and turns to keep me interested and keep me cheering the characters on. I adore Cole and Laila, and look forward to meeting them again when I get to spend some time with others in Adelaide Springs.

Well, Bethany Turner has done it again! She just keeps writing my very favorite kind of romcoms and I love her for it!
🫶🏻
If you’re familiar with this author, then you already know Cole and Laila from the previous book set in Adelaide Springs, Colorado - Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. While I loved - I mean LOVED - Brynn & Seb’s enemies to lovers story, I am absolutely obsessed with the friends to lovers trope we get to delve into with Cole & Laila!
🥰
I loved EVERYTHING about these two best friends and their relationship. I don’t want to give y’all any major spoilers, but Bethany Turner’s take on the inevitable miscommunication trope was so refreshing. These two characters actually make a strong effort to communicate ALL THE TIME! But their respective struggle to successfully interpret those subtle things left unsaid between lifelong besties is what causes their wires to cross. Actually, it’s more like the wires never fully cross, they run parallel to each other on different floors of the same building.
🤷🏻‍♀️
As someone who makes a living helping couples develop healthy communication and conflict resolution skills (yes, I am a marriage counselor) this is the most realistic representation of miscommunication between two people who genuinely love and want the best for each other. And that’s all I’ll say about it until you read the book - then slide into my DMs and let’s talk about how IRL it’s possible to be communicating our butts off and still misunderstand the situation.
🥴
I simply loved that about Cole Kimball & Laila Olivet and it made them the realest couple I’ve read in a very long time. Speaking of real people - let’s talk about Bethany Turner for just a second.
😍
She is my kind of nerdy and I think we should be best friends. Like, not exclusive best friends as in she has to make me her number one - come on, that would be ridiculous! I mean “best friends” in the sense that I can call her my bestie and chat her up on Instagram and she doesn’t get a restraining order or anything.
🙃
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a free copy of this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

loved the characters of Cole and Laila when I read the first book in this series. I loved their best friend dynamic, and I enjoyed the fun of their small town life. In this book, Cole and Laila are still working together at his family's restaurant. After Cole's grandfather passes away, he starts to question if he is meant to stay in their town or move on to something else. Laila wants to stay, but she also wants to be wherever Cole is. They have been best friends for almost 40 years, and now, they are on the verge of being separated for the first time in their lives.

I struggled to get through this book because Laila's chapters were in 1st person POV and Cole's were in 3rd person. It was jarring to go back and forth. I didn't like that they had been friends for such a long time, and they never had a conversation about dating each other. They seemed very immature, and the story didn't feel realistic or grounded.

Cole had a dream about Laila and all of a sudden, he has feelings for her? It just seemed so abrupt.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for an ARC.

Cole is a chef at a restaurant/bar owned by his grandfather who is on his last legs. When the time comes for the will to be read, Cole finds out the restaurant has been sold out from underneath him. He is devastated beyond just the normal grief of losing his grandfather. Cole gets an invitation to be a sous chef at a new upscale restaurant in Manhattan. Cole and Laila go to Manhattan with their newly married friends Seb and Brynn. They take the time to explore and experience all that the city has to offer. When the job offer comes in, Laila goes back to Colorado. She refuses to be a stumbling block to Cole's career. She will be able to find a job when she gets back home. After Laila leaves, Cole's mother returns to Adelaide necessitating Cole's return as well.
Cole and Laila have been friends since childhood and Laila has loved Cole almost since then. One of my favorite parts of the book is their "first date" in Manhattan--the amount of thought Cole puts into the date, the sheer enjoyment Laila gets from it, and the realization that neither is willing to hold the other back.

There were parts where the plot seemed to drag a bit for me, but overall, this is an excellent book with yummy characters and incredible settings. It is part of a series, but it stands alone quite well, and that makes it worth reading.

Four Strong Stars.

Thomas Nelson Fiction provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I adored Bethany Turner's last book, Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. So I was thrilled to get an ARC of the next in this world, Cole and Laila are Just Friends. Big thanks to Thomas Nelson & NetGalley for this ARC!

This story follows Cole and Laila, who we previously met and are lifelong best friends. They've always been the biggest part of each others lives in their small town. And despite what others may assume, it has only ever been friendship for the two of them. They talk about anything and everything - its always been one of the best things about their friendship.

But then Cole's grandfather passes away, and everything goes sideways. Cole, stung with the confusion of his grandfather's final actions decides he needs to leave Adelaide Springs, and sets his eyes on moving to New York City. Together they spend a week in NYC - for Cole to try to see if he can really make it there, and for Laila to try to convince him not to.

Friends to Lovers isn't my favorite trope, but I was already invested in these characters and excited for their own story. It also felt like a love letter to classic rom coms , which I always enjoy. The pacing was a bit slow to me, but overall a very sweet story.

A slow burn closed door friends to lovers. Really light, not too much action. Features their friends who are characters in her other book.

Cole and Laila have been best friends for as long as they can remember. They grew up together, shared the same friend group, experienced all the adolescent milestones together, they even work together. Life is good, comfortable, they are just going with the flow. Then the death of a beloved family member throws their perfect existence into a tumult of emotions and decisions.

While this crisis, isn’t one of Cole’s own making, it sets his world off axis. And because Laila is part of his orbit, her life is about to change as well. So Cole does the only thing that seems right. Leave—leave Colorado, all of his problems and disappointment behind for a change of scenery. An opportunity to clear his head and explore his options. And definitely not process all the things that need processing. Of course, Laila must join Cole for a week in NYC. That’s what they do. They support each other.

But NYC doesn’t provide the relief Cole is hoping for when his eyes are opened to the possibility of a life of more than “just friends” with Laila. No one wants to take a chance on switching up the recipe when it is already tried and true. Now Cole has more decisions on his plate than he could have ever imagined.

It did take me a little to become invested in this story. Maybe because best friends to lovers isn’t my preferred trope. The story is filled with lots of inner dialogue and while it portrays Laila’s character perfectly it did feel like rambling and I had the intense desire to just skim those parts after awhile. Cole and Laila have a huge history with lots of memories and backstory to explore, so that and their reminiscence did take up a lot of page time. I did love the slow burn. And those almost kisses were tortuous! I was disappointed with the ending I wanted more from them after they finally made a decision. Epilogue??

Cole and Laila is filled with terrific pop culture's references this book is a dream for a Gen-Xer like myself. It definitely gives off a thirty-something meets Friends vibe.

Many thanks to the publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

Well, I have mixed feelings about this. They were friends for almost all their lives and were both almost forty years old, yet they had never once dated or talked about the possibility. None of them even had long-term relationships. They were just there for each other all through, being the best of friends.

I'd say imagine they're probably in their twenties or haven't been friends for like three decades so that it can be believed that they'd never once had any close calls or discussed being more. That would make more sense but alas.

Aside from that, I did enjoy some parts of their story. How they handled each other once they acknowledged that things were different was awesome. I loved the way they communicated in a time when things were changing drastically. Would've loved more of them together as the romance seemed to come out of nowhere after so long a time.

I enjoyed the audio. Both narrators did an awesome job. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this! Cole & Laila's friendship was the best. I liked how they tried not to avoid the hard conversations. It was the perfect balance of very serious at times and very funny at other times. Their amazing almost kisses built up the anticipation so that when they finally did kiss, it was perfect. I enjoyed seeing Brynn & Sebastian again, as well as a few citizens of Adelaide Springs. All the pop culture references were so fun, especially the You've Got Mail ones. I wouldn't say that I've seen that movie as many times as Laila has, but it's definitely one of my favorites. This sweet story gave me the best feelings. 😁

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

this was such a sweet read! I really loved Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, and this was such a fun follow up! I was so excited to read Cole and Laila's stories. Bethany Turner just writes such a good, sweet romance! This was clean and closed door and so, so swoon worthy. Plus I LOVED the New York City setting and the FUN tour of *spoiler alert* rom com sites! So, so fun!

This is a captivating story about best friends. I love that this book is funny and touching, showing how close friendship can turn into love. It's a sweet story where laughter and heartfelt moments lead to something beautiful.

This is a must-read for romance lovers and anyone interested in evolving relationships. I also love how the author's storytelling and the relatable characters they've created make the book so engaging, keeping readers hooked until the very end.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends: A Love Story by Bethany Turner

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends was such a cute friends to lovers story.

It’s not often that I read a book I find to be just fine but this one fits in that box.

There’s was nothing I didn’t like or disagree with about it but there wasn’t anything that made me really like it either.

Just a nice, easy story about friendship! Would totally recommend as a summer/autumn vacation read.

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends follows Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. While you'll see more of some familiar characters if you've read that first book, I do think this one could be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well.

This was such a cute friends-to-love story! I will say it got off to a bit of a slower start for me, but I think that might be in part because of the alternating POV going from first (hers) to third (his). This is not my favorite style and takes me a little longer to get used to. Once I got used to that, I was ALL in. These two had such a sweet friendship and I just adored them. They had been friends since childhood and had only ever been just friends, but during a trip to New York when Cole starts to see things a little differently, things get complicated. Their first date might just be one of my favorite fictional dates ever... it was so fun and unique, and I couldn't help smiling throughout. There were a ton of pop culture and New York references... some of which I recognized and some I didn't, but I thought those were a fun addition too.

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

✨3.5 stars rounded up✨

I enjoyed reading Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner. It was super cute and wholesome with all the Hallmark vibes. The time they spent in NYC made me feel like I was there, being touristy, with them. The town and people of Adelaide Springs were great and I’m definitely going to miss them!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed above are my own.