I would like to thank Netgalley, the author and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

As a lover of the friends to lovers trope, I was excited for this. I really wanted to love it, but I ended up disappointed. I almost DNFed but gave it a chance and skimmed most parts.

Maybe it was the writing style - too meandering for me, paragraphs were interjected all the time, cutting off a lot of the conversation. The sentences were too long and run-ons.

The characters were supposed to be in their late 30s but I don't think they behaved with enough maturity for their age. For two people who claimed to know each other so well, there was just so much miscommunication.

I did enjoy exploring New York with Cole and Laila, even though I couldn't relate with the pop culture references. I liked them enough to want what's best for them and loved their first date.

DNF at 34% - that says something. I really did give this book a shot!

But omg the beginning of this book was SO boring and it felt like small daily things were unnecessarily prolonged just for word count. Like nothing really interesting happened (except for the fall) until like 30% in!

Also, why was Laila’s POV in first person but Cole’s was in third person? I just couldn’t get past the weird discrepancy - I’ve never seen a book doing that format and it was just confusing and made Cole feel really distant.

Funny, relatable, and a great storyline. If you love friends to lovers, but are looking for sweet/clean reads, this is it!

As someone who really loves the friends to lovers trope, I wanted to like this but was slightly disappointed in this story. Laila and Cole have been best friends for most of their lives. The characters were supposed to be in their lates 30s and I did not feel like they had the maturity of that age bracket. The transition of friends to lovers was not very smooth to me especially considering their almost 40 years friendship. This was an enjoyable book but several parts fell flat for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a fun friends-to-more romance full of endearing characters, hilarious moments, pop culture references, a charming small town, and a big city adventure to boot.

While I really enjoyed the prologue, I was never fully pulled into the story. Not to say that I didn't enjoy it. I did. I just felt a bit disconnected from what was going on. But that was probably just me and the mood I was in.

I genuinely cared about Cole and Laila and only wanted the best for them. (Which was each other, of course!) And I really enjoyed catching up with Brynn and Sebastian.

I absolutely adored the small town of Adelaide Springs. I wish it was a real town! I'd love to visit it!

There were a plethora of pop culture references, and while I usually enjoy that, there were so many that it kinda pulled me out of the story at times.

While this wasn’t one of my favorite Bethany Turner books, I still had a lot of fun reading it and look forward to her next one.

This is connected to Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, but you don’t have to read that to enjoy this story.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Cole Kimball and Laila Olivet are BFFs.  They have known each other for so long that loving each other is second nature.  People think they are, or should be more, but they just laugh it off. When they do slow down and consider the possibility, they decide it would not work. They don't want to mess up their friendship to see. After all, being best friends is great, right? This is a fun, quick read. Perfect for the summer!
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Cole & Laila Are Just Friends was a cute read - the ultimate friends to lovers story. I tend to overthink things so the whole time I was wondering why it took them 30+ years to realize they wanted to be more than "just friends". But aside from that, it was a cute story with likeable characters. I enjoyed the pop culture references sprinkles throughout.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this eARC, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a very cute, easy to read story. It was a clean, slow burn romance. The way it was written, you root for Cole and Laila to realize their feelings for each other. Then you root for them to finally tell each other.

There were a few times the miscommunication got a little old and frustrating. They kept misunderstanding what the other person was trying to say or not saying. I wanted them to just be honest with each other.

The different points of view really helped the story move along.

Really enjoyed this one. It was not too heavy, although emotional situations did happen. The perfect happy ending, even if somewhat expected. Definitely a closed door romance but the way the author wrote the romantic scenes had me in my feels for sure. Highly recommend for a feel good, not too spicy romance.

I've never been so drawn in by someone's writing as I was with Bethany. It's amazing how she does it, constantly interrelating things that happen and making the characters develop like real people. The story of Cole and Laila turning from friends to lovers is something that will stay with me forever.
Cole and Laila have had an unbreakable bond all their lives, ever since they were children growing up in Adelaide Springs - not even the twists and turns of life could break it. However, these days, Cole finds himself being tugged towards New York by circumstances leaving behind a past that is as much Laila’s as his own. To sort out what lies ahead they spend a week together in the ‘Big Apple’, she wants him to stay rooted in his birthplace but he wants her to join him there so he can start fresh.
Their lifelong friendship is put to the test by new feelings of romance that arise throughout the week. These stir up lots of emotion as well as questions without answers. Cole and Laila are both very likable characters – they have odd habits and an amusing way of talking that also brings different cultures into it all. I longed for their tender moments to never end; each one was filled with so much warmth and detail! Even though there may be extra details from time to time, watching Cole and Laila grow from friends to something more is still an incredibly sweet experience.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Cole and Laila have been friends forever, but some life events shake up the status quo, leading to major revelations about their relationship. Will Cole and Laila stay friends, or will they be open to the love that's right in front of them?

I loved that this story was about characters in their late 30s and early 40s! You don't see that age represented enough in romance novels. I also appreciate sweet romances, especially when we see scenes containing comfy cozy hugs that bring all of the love and emotion! I loved the ensemble cast represented here primarily by Brynn and Sebastian (from "Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other"). The small town turned big city feels were great as well! I especially loved the pop culture references!!

I had a bit of difficulty suspending belief with regards to the fact that Cole and Laila were nearly 40 but hadn't ever given each other a shot at love especially considering how special they were to each other. It just felt like such a good relationship (for the most part), that they should have taken the leap long ago. Additionally, I found myself skimming through some parts of the story due to what felt like extraneous information. But I still really enjoyed the story!

I'd like to thank Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was NOT good. And when you read this, know that friends to lovers is my favorite trope.

I really didn’t like that the characters were completely platonic until almost 85% of the book and then the author tried to throw down our throat that “they were in love with e/o since they were 11 years old”. NOPE, I refuse that you try to tell me and not show me. I need proof. I need emotions. I need memories and shared moments.

The fact that the story switches from 1st POV in Laila’s chapters to 3rd POV in Cole’s chapters made me completely lose it. How can that be?? Where are the betas? I was completely lost and disconnected from the characters.

The writing style overall really didn’t do it for me. It goes like this: Laila says things like “My dress was green like a cucumber” and then 30 PAGES of some absolutely boring anecdotes about that one time she ate a cucumber to FINALLY return to what’s happening.

Okay, I’m going to stop writing this review because I'm starting to feel angry.

Anyway. Some moments were cute. I guess.

Although I was the very target for this friends-to-lovers romance, I unfortunately didn’t enjoy this book at all.

“What if we’re so afraid to mess up what we have that we’re actually messing up the best stuff? The stuff we haven’t even seen yet.”

I won’t lie - this is a bit of a generous 4⭐ …. it probably could’ve been a 3.5. However, the loveable characters and friends-to-lovers rom-com won me over in the end. A perfect, lighthearted, summer beach read!

Plot Thoughts: The plot itself is a little lacking; it definitely reads as a more character driven novel. There is a little family drama and angst that I wish would’ve been explored more; but two best friends from a small town falling in love while adventuring in NYC was definitely a nice backdrop! ❤

Character Thoughts: I adore the characters - they are sweet & quirky & swoon worthy! I will say, I felt like they were late teens/early twenties most of the time when in fact they were actually forty. I prefer/enjoy adult characters, but when they are written like teenagers and have miscommunication like teenagers it does end up feeling confusing to the reader. It didn’t always feel like a traditional friends-to-lovers…it felt like basicallylovers-to-lovers in many ways (but in the end I guess that was the whole point). Also, I do wish we got a little more of Laila & Cole without Brynn & Sebastian…as Brynn & Sebastian already have their own book! (That I loved and reviewed previously, btw!)

In the end, these things weren’t enough to deter me from enjoying this heartwarming interconnected standalone. It was a right book, right time kind of read!

👍🏻Would recommend to someone looking for a lighthearted summer romance!

Cute friends to lovers romance.

I listened to this as an audiobook and I really liked that Cole and Laila each had their own narrator, because the chapters are told from their alternating points of view. The narrators brought the story to life in a fun way.

This book follows Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, which in retrospect would have been helpful to have read to get the setup for the characters. Alas, I did not read that one, but I was not terribly lost as they are only side characters in this book.

Cole and Laila are in their 40s and have been best friends all of their lives. They have never been more than friends, but when everything in their lives is set to change, they begin to reconsider their feelings.

I did enjoy the later in life development into a relationship, but I just wondered why? I struggled a lot with the naiveté of the characters, particularly of Laila who at times made it seem like she was a clueless teenager rather than a full grown adult. I just didn't have buy in for their ages based on the way they were acting. In their late 20s maybe, but after so many years you would think they would be more siblings than all of a sudden noticing a spark.

Regardless, this is a cute story and if you enjoy pop culture references and fun banter, this book is filled with it. If you just go with the romance and don't think too hard about it, you'll enjoy the journey.

Happy Publication Day!

This book picks up after the events from the novel Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. While I don’t think it’s essential to have read the first book before beginning the second, I’m always a fan of doing so because I enjoy having all the info!

This was certainly a sweet, enjoyable, clean romance. I did take one star off however because I felt the characters were a bit juvenilized. I believe a romance can be clean while also representing men and women in their late 30’s and early 40’s more accurately. One example was a character saying that their friend taking 3 ibuprofen was the equivalent of their friend being like Courtney Love at the Chateau Marment.

Once I acknowledged and moved beyond that however, it was all in all a cute story that I’m sure many will love!

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.