I was profoundly disappointed by this story. Laila and Cole have been best friends for decades and now in their late thirties, Cole might be moving away, which prompts both of them to re-evaluate their relationship and love for each other.
Given that both characters were 39, I expected some introspection and communication skills. Instead the characters behaved like pre-teens who were so cringey. Laila was also “a country bumpkin” who did not know about take out or what an Uber is? Like, it’s the 21st century and she has access to the internet.
Thank you Netgallwy for my ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sweet romance novel. I really enjoyed the characters and the story. I love the friends to lovers trope.

An absolutely lovely romp between NYC and Adelaide Springs. Cole and Laila’s romance is everything you want from a best friends to lovers story. The banter, the awkwardness, the slow burn; all of it sprinkled with a hefty dose of 90s pop culture, in typical Bethany Turner fashion. This is my favorite of the series so far, but I am holding my breath for the next book!
Highly recommended rom-com

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner is a heartwarming and charming rom-com that explores the fine line between friendship and love. Cole and Laila have been best friends for their entire lives, and while they’ve always been there for each other, they’ve never considered crossing that boundary—until now.

When Cole is faced with the possibility of moving to New York City after a family betrayal, Laila is forced to confront a truth she’s been hiding: she might be in love with him. But as the two spend one final week together in the city, their friendship begins to shift in ways neither of them expected, challenging their long-held beliefs about love and loyalty.

Turner’s writing is witty and full of heart, and the chemistry between Cole and Laila is palpable. Their dynamic is fun, relatable, and filled with emotional depth. The plot perfectly balances humor and tenderness as the two navigate the uncertainty of what might happen next—both in their relationship and their futures.

For fans of friends-to-lovers stories, Cole and Laila Are Just Friends is a delightful and endearing journey that shows the complexities of relationships and the possibility of love where you least expect it. It’s a sweet reminder that sometimes the most important changes in life come when you take a risk and let your heart lead the way.

Cole and Laila are Just Friends caught me by surprise. I found the first half of the book a little slow, but found it really picked up and overall I loved this slow burn, friends to lovers romance.

With a more meandering pace, this story really focusses on Cole and Laila’s friendship, making this one of the more authentic friends to lovers stories I’ve read. You really empathise with how they both feel, but also what they have to lose. I really enjoyed the New York setting - wandering with Cole and Laila made me feel like a tourist myself.

The narration was emotive and engaging, and I’d strongly recommend enjoying this read as an audiobook. A great one for anyone looking for a slow burn, warm and character driven romance.

Thank you Thomas Nelson for a complementary copy is this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this story. The only reason I’m giving it for stars is because the slow burn was excruciatingly slow at times, and I couldn’t get over how long this slow burn had been going on. These are not 20 somethings.

All that aside, my favorite was the witty banter, funny inside jokes, and movie and New York City references. My favorite part was when Cole brought her to the hot dog place where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks met for lunch in you’ve got mail, my favorite movie. And they quoted lines back and forth. Swoon.

This was my first by Bethany Turner, and I’m looking forward to reading more!

Thanks to Bethany Turner and the publisher for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was a super sweet very slow burn friends to lovers story. Cole and Laila were both very likable characters and I enjoyed both of the narrators' performances. There's definitely romantic tension but there's virtually no spice, so this is great for anyone looking for a kissing only/closed door romance. One slight issue I had is the characters acted a bit immature given their ages, but it wasn't off-putting. I enjoyed watching Cole and Laila fall for each other after so many years of friendship, as this is one of my favorite tropes. I like that it wasn't one person pining away for someone else who is totally oblivious. I felt like their relationship grew together in a really healthy way.

This was an okay read, but not really my favorite. I wanted more in all areas. I do enjoy friends to lovers, but this could have been better.

I have conflicting opinions on this one. I loved the trip to New York, the thoughtfully planned birthday celebration, and the Taylor Swift references.

I didn't love the fact that these characters were 39 and yet immature or stunted in romance. How have two platonic best friends never considered the thought of their friend dating someone else? Had it never happened?

There were some fun and sweet parts (and zero spice, if you're wondering), and I loved the dual POV (though the male narrator far outshined the other).👂🏻

I really enjoyed this book! It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. The story was well-paced, and the characters felt real and engaging. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing an early copy—it was a pleasure to read!

Cole and Laila have been best friends for their entire lives. After Cole's grandfather passes away, he is at a crossroads. He is considering taking a job in NYC. Laila will be devastated if he goes. She tags along to NYC when he goes regarding the job opportunity. The new setting helped Cole think of her in a new light. But they are both afraid to go further and mess up their friendship.

I really enjoyed Cole and Laila's relationship. It was very real and plausible- except for the fact that they are 38 and 39. It'd have been more realistic if they were ten years younger. Still, ignoring the age, I really enjoyed their friendship and how close they were.

Talon David and Andrew Eiden narrate the audiobook. Andrew Eiden is one of my favorites and is great as always.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner is a charming exploration of friendship and romantic tension. The story follows Cole and Laila, two best friends navigating their feelings for each other while dealing with the complexities of their lives. Turner’s witty dialogue and relatable characters create an engaging narrative filled with heartfelt moments and humorous mishaps. As they confront their fears and uncertainties, readers are treated to a delightful journey that captures the essence of true friendship blossoming into love. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance!

This was a charming text that roped me in more than I expected. I'm not a huge fan of friends-to-lovers and imagined a simplified version of this story. It did impress me and I was charmed by the relationship that was depicted. The voice of the author and narrator were charming and the writing is strong. I still didn't overly enjoy the story, but was charmed

DNF. I wanted to love this after finding the first book so charming, but it just wasn't holding my attention.

Thanks so much to Netgalley for my complimentary ALC.

This is a textbook slow burn!

Cole and Laila have been friends for forever until they find out that they actually like each other. I could tell you all about how this book is unbelievable (how can you get to 40s without realizing you are in love with your bestie?), but it's so sweet. It's the perfect fall reading. Reading this book is like going on a tour of NYC romcom landmarks and still going back to a Hallmark small town in the end.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super cute read! I absolutely loved the friendships within the book, and it made me think about my core group of friends and how far I’d go to make them happy! I could keep reading about their adventures over and over again. Definitely a feel good, easy to read, heartfelt story!

I loved this book! I love a book with personal growth, and the “will they or won’t they” tease. It was a fun but also touching read.

Absolutely loved this! Even though just the name itself in this genre tells you that you can expect for them to fall in love. I still found it a great read and a very believable love story!
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. The format of the book has the POV of Cole and Laila alternating chapters, so it make sense to have two narrators. I am not a huge fan of most narrators' attempts to do voices for the opposite sex for lengthy sections.

The story was a riff on one of the usual romcom tropes - friends to lovers. I enjoyed the story and the writing; however, the main characters seemed to be smart adults who were conveniently very naive in order to fit the story. Otherwise, it was a fun read.

Cute story and great narration. Reading the story about Brynn and Sebastian, the reader has some backstory, but it’s not necessary for this one. Laila and Cole have a great friendship and an unexpected situation happens where they are tested to look to see if there is more to it.