This was a perfectly enjoyable romance. The romance between Jo and Mal was sweet and I had a good time reading this book. Although I did think Jo and Ezra had more chemistry than Jo and Mal. I didn't love the story all the time and I was able to put it down and come back to it at a different point.

The Plot: 4/5 The Characters: 4/5 The Setting: 4/5 The Writing: 5/5

Thoughts:

The book dives straight into an array of characters within the first few pages which definitely encouraged me to pay attention so I could keep up with the introductions. The multiple perspectives per chapter are narrated by Josephine Boateng, a Doctor and influencer and Malcolm Waters, who is an author of a top selling novel. Ezra Adelman, a bigshot/ world known actor, is Jojo’s close friend who she has known for many years since saving his life.

The setting begins at a party, where Jojo is hanging out with her best friend (secret love) Ezra and his famous model mother at their top floor penthouse. At this party, JoJo meets Ezras new girlfriend, who happens to be the nasty girl from high school.
Shortly after this encounter, Jojo finds author Ezra in the guest bedroom she’s staying the night in. He happens to be a nervous wreck and in total panic mode, revealing the intention of his arrival to the party being that he wanted Ezras mum Renata to turn his novel into a movie.

I LOVE how Shirlene Obuobi writes! The detail, characters and story was so immersive. The love Mal and Ezra have for Jo is shown through very different styles but heartfelt nonetheless. I judged Ezra for his lack of communication skills with Jo and was really rooting for Mal who honestly is the nicest person and has great emotional intelligence as well as knowing how to be completely considerate and respectful.. he’s also just a smart guy in general who’s very smooth with his words! Hence being a best selling author.

Mal 🥲 “Even if you can't do anything for me ever again. Even if I take care of you like this forever. I’ll be happy to just be yours.” 🥹

This book made me laugh, cry & sit in my feels!! The ending was perfect 💕

Tropes:

Love triangle
STEMinist romance
Best friend romance
Found family
Healthy boundaries
Celebrity


Pro's + Con's:

Pro's: Excellent story telling and character development! The dynamic and balance of Jo and Mal’s relationship is just the cutest.

Con's: n/a 🙃

"Between Friends and Lovers" had so much heart. When I picked this up I was expecting a super traditional, potentially cringey love triangle romance but was pleasantly surprised.

I really enjoyed the direction the romance went in. The couple were soft and kind and communicative with each other and it was nice to see a romance like that win out in the end.

I couldn’t give it a 5 stars because it just didn’t wow me. As far as romances go it leaned on the slightly more litfic side with oftentimes very serious themes. These themes were handled with grace and the author really respected the weight of them.

If you're considering reading this one, I would highly recommend it! But please consider that this book includes mentions and scenes regarding suicide, depression, parental neglect, racism, slurs, anxiety and death.

An enjoyable and easy read! The characters were likable and I enjoyed the normalness and healthiness of the relationship in this novel. The love triangle was a bit lacking for me, the tension could’ve been built a lot more and I also kinda wish we’d have had more Ezra and some chapters from Ezra’s point of view. Some plot points were left hanging which was a shame (her mum, the tv show).

Overall an enjoyable read with diverse and likeable characters. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, all opinions are my own. 3.5 stars 🌟

Between Friends and Lovers follows Dr Jojo who is a trained doctor but also an influencer. Her followers think she has it all figured out but really she is in love with Ezra, her best friend. Jo finds the perfect distraction from her feelings for Ezra with Malcolm. Malcolm is a writer and very willing to wait for Jo to work her feelings out.

This was a perfectly enjoyable romance. The romance between Jo and Mal was sweet and I had a good time reading this book. Although I did think Jo and Ezra had more chemistry than Jo and Mal. I would recommend this novel as it was quite unique with Jo being a doctor but also an influencer. Plus there was some important conversations around work pressures especially in high pressure jobs with doctors. I am giving this 3.5 stars rounded down to a 3.

This novel centers around Jojo, who juggles her roles as both a social media influencer and a medical professional. Despite her confidence and humor, she grapples with unrequited feelings for her longtime best friend, Ezra. Throughout the story, Jojo navigates her emotions and encounters a new figure in her life, Malcom.

Jojo's resilience shines through as she faces various challenges with poise, a quality that captivates readers. Her upbringing, marked by self-reliance in the absence of adult guidance, adds depth to her character.

Malcom enters the scene as a charming debut novelist collaborating with Ezra's mother. Despite his introverted nature and social anxiety, readers are drawn to his vulnerability.

While Ezra's obliviousness initially evokes frustration, delving into his backstory fosters empathy.

The blossoming relationship between Jojo and Malcom is a highlight, characterized by patience, support, and genuine care. Their bond strengthens organically throughout the narrative, offering a refreshing portrayal of love and appreciation for black women.

Despite typically disliking love triangle narratives, the nuanced exploration of relationships in this book proved compelling. Through Jojo's journey, readers gain insights and experience a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, and everything in between. The novel adeptly addresses weighty topics amidst its romantic storyline, culminating in a beautiful and satisfying conclusion.

The impact of the story lingers long after its conclusion, leaving readers eager to revisit its pages. A heartfelt recommendation accompanies gratitude to Netgalley, Avonbooks, and HarperVoyagerUS for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.