I love the characters! I love that they are older !! I enjoyed the narration they kept me interested in the book. I absolutely loved the storyline the older characters just made it such a better story. I adored the banter 🖤

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.

This was a really cute book! I appreciated that there wasn’t an overuse of the miscommunication trope especially with the characters being older. The narrators were both great and I felt like they fit the characters well. I had fun listening to this book and I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends.

I’ll be honest, I always go into friends-to-lovers’ stories with the strong belief that I won’t like it. I’ll always say they’re not for me. When I got approved for this audiobook, I thought I’d maybe like it a little. In the 1/4 of the book, the thought cemented that it would be a 3-star read at best. I was wrong. This is one of those crazy bingeable reads. Every time I paused my audiobook, I kept finding a reason to press play again. All the while saying that I can’t like it too much because it’s friends-to-lovers.

But I think I might like friends-to-lovers more than I thought. Maybe it’s because Bethany Turner is a super talented author, or because the trip to New York gave me a new setting that I prefer over the small town feels. I screamed at these two idiots to stop with their fear because they missed decades together because of it. The worst part of the book was the final argument/miscommunication moment for our leads, which felt so unnecessary. Otherwise, it’s a truly amazing book.

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.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧

What would you do if your best friend was floundering because everything they ever knew was turned upside down?

I loved the connection between Laila and Cole. They are each other's rock. When Cole's beloved grandfather passes, and he discovers the most heartbreaking of betrayals, he doesn't know what he will do or where his future will take him now.

Everyone wants to be there for Cole, but Cole just needs time and distance. When he gets the opportunity to possibly move across the country, it devastates Laila; they have been there for each other throughout it all.

It's a story about growing into the person you want to be and the person you need to be and having hope that it will all work out the way it was meant to.

It is a fantastic story with amazingly talented narrators who give us all the emotions to elevate this novel to the next level. I honestly didn't want to pause for any reason. It was that good.

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!

The audiobook was so well done and I truly couldn't put it down!

Thank you for the ARC of the audio book.

What an easy and fun read. Cole and Lelia are best friends, they always have been. They live in a small town, Adelaide Springs, and they have the type of friendship most can only dream of finding, and even with how well they know each other, they still don't know everything. The main characters are older, late 30's, and this is a clean romance that focuses on the relationship and the feelings that go along with a shift from friends to something more.

When Cole receives news that changes how he thought is life would play out, he decides he needs a change. A job offer plus friends who life there he decides to give New York a try. As his best friend, who can't imagine life without him, Lelia goes along. Her life is settled and she has many reasons to not want to leave their home town. She goes along for the adventure as well as to try and convince him to stay, that Adelaide Springs has as much to offer as it always has.

The trip turns out to be the trip of a lifetime, not only because they get to wander finding iconic spots from movies they have watched over the years, hello Ghost Busters Firehouse and the Friends Building. It's also a chance for two friends to get to know each other even better and to discover that the feelings they have for each other are deeper than just friendship, when they take a chance and go on a pretend date, one where they act as though they have just met.

Through the twists and turns, this is a fun easy read, the narrators had me wanting to meet Cole and Lelia. They felt so real and were believable.. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants a clean and well written romance for their summer beach read or listen.

One of my favorite tropes is friends to lovers. I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters, but their immaturity sometimes felt exaggerated for their age. Laila's attitude and behavior were quite insufferable, and while they had good banter and inside jokes, it sometimes felt overdone. Their interactions often made it seem unrealistic that they were unaware of their feelings for each other.

I am usually a big fan of friends to lovers stories, but I kept getting so distracted by the dialogue. I liked the story, but I felt like so much of the dialogue was unrealistic. It could be that I listened to the audiobook rather than reading it, but I’m not sure. I liked the characters but I just felt some of the little cutesy jokes and conversations between them were a little unbelievable. I do love the cover.

This was a nice & cute friends to lovers story. I did enjoy the characters of Cole & Laila but found they could be quite childish considering they are supposed to be in their late thirties.
It does have its laugh out loud & feel good moments which I loved and I love a dual POV!
———————
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity to review this book.

This is a friends to lovers romance. Cole and Laila have been best friends for forever.

I thought this was too long but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I’ve always been a big fan of friends-to-lovers and this hit all the right notes. Despite knowing there just had to be a HEA, I legit worried and got teary-eyed when Cole said he was going to stay. It just broke my heart!

I did think that Cole’s mom was still kind of crappy for not being around even if his grandfather was keeping her updated.

Everything else was wonderful though- and I especially loved the pop culture references and seeing Brynn & Sebastian again.

Full of late 90s pop culture references, this is a sweet romcom about lifelong friends who, as they approach 40, find themselves wondering if they could be more.

Laila is a big fan of Meg Ryan, romantic comedies, Friends, music of the 90s - and the many references work with varying success. I’d imagine a younger reader (remember, I’m in my 50s so they all landed for me) might feel lost at times.

Overall, it’s very chaste. There’s only the barest amount of kissing, so if that’s not your romcom jam, this might not do it for you. And although these two are entering their 4th decade, there’s no mention of any previous relationships. Weird.

The writing is good enough, the dual POV narration works, as always. Audiobook worked.

Oh! And there is no third act break up.

It’s a nice, safe, easy read.

——
Cole and Laila have been inseparable since diapers. In fact, there’s barely been any time spent apart in over three decades; and even when Cole went away to college, he’d make the 500 mile road trip home to spend weekends with her.

Laila. His best friend.

Because apparently neither understands love?

But when Cole’s grandfather dies and he finds out that the restaurant he was sure would be left to him - he’s the chef and grandson after all - has been sold, he decides it’s time to make a big change.

And so he accepts a job in a kitchen in Brooklyn. New York. Across the country.

Laila follows him to NYC. For one week they will decide what they are to each other and what they might want.

And maybe understand what love looks like.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinschristian for the audiobook ARC. This one comes out June 4, 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for this audiobook

This book was absolutely adorable. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. These books are like Hallmark movies on the page and I’m here.

As my friend says, it’s so nice to read rom coms about characters in their 30s and 40s. Makes you feel like it’s never too late to fall in love. We can all use that feeling sometimes.

If you’re looking for a fun, nerdy, New York vacation story, this one is for you.

Cute small town friends-to-lovers romcom about two best friends who have absolutely-never-considered-being-more-why-would-you-ask-that? When Cole’s grandfather passes away and his will is mistakenly interpreted, Cole decides to leave everything he knows behind - including Laila, his lifelong best friend, who isn’t ready to let go yet. Definitely intrigued enough to go back and read Brynn and Sebastian’s story now!

✨3.5 stars rounded up✨
I enjoyed listening to Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner. It was super cute and wholesome with all the Hallmark vibes. I thought the narrators did a great job of bringing the town and people of Adelaide Springs to life and I’m definitely going to miss them!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio & NetGalley for the complimentary audio. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Bethany Turner for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I will start by saying that I started this listen and only got 10 minutes in when I pumped the brakes and said- Hold up- I have to go read the first book. I'm not certain if these are meant to be interconnected standalones- but for me- I already felt like I was missing too much context. Thankfully, my library had Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other at the ready. So this review is based on reading both books in order- and enjoying the big picture!

This was the sweetest friends to lovers story I have read. The build up from book 1 was perfect to show how comfortable and complacent they had become in their friendship. The story is glittered (not littered, glittered) with amazing NYC movie and TV references (When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Ghostbusters, Friends, Gilmore Girls..). Milo Ventimiglia even is a character... how fun!

You'll love this if you enjoy light & sweet stories- no spice, no heartbreaking stress- just romance.

If you're a season/mood reader- this is a great fall read! Autumn in New York, how dreamy.

"Cole and Lalia Just Friends" by Bethany Turner is a sweet friends-to-lovers story that follows Cole and Laila, longtime friends. When Cole decides to move away after some life-changing news, their trip to New York together takes their relationship to the next level.
The writing is solid, and the story is engaging with just the right amount of tension and emotion. The pacing is mostly spot-on, though there are a few slow moments. The characters are well-developed, with Laila's chapters in first person and Cole's in third person, which gives an interesting perspective on their friendship and evolving relationship. Although tagged as a Christian book, there’s no mention of faith or religion.

However, the characters, who are supposed to be in their late 30s to early 40s, often behave more like they're in their 20s, which can be a bit hard to believe. The book also features characters from a previous book by the same author, but it’s not officially part of a series. Overall, I enjoyed this cute, easy-to-read romance and would be interested in reading more from Bethany Turner.

Thank you to Bethany Turner, NetGalley, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel. It will be on sale on June 4, 2024.

This was a cute, heart-warming friends-to-lovers book. Cole and Laila have been friends for decades, but after some life-changing news, Cole decides he needs to move away and start fresh. Laila is supportive of her friend, but during their trip together in NY, things turn from just friends to something more. This is categorized as Christian, but it isn't, just a clean, sex-free book. I listened to the audiobook version, which was done in alternating POV chapters. Both narrators were good and while I don't think they made the book more enjoyable (as it was already pretty good), they didn't detract from the story either.

~~What I liked~~
-The writing was good, easy to read (or listen to) and the story was interesting. The tension and emotion were there, adding to the overall feel for the book. Pacing was moderate, generally perfect, with a few spots that dragged a tad.
-The characters were good. The majority of the book centered around Laila, with her chapter being told in first person. Cole's chapter were told in third person, which was an interesting choice stylistically. These perspectives allowed the reader to better understand the thoughts and motives of both characters.
-The friendship between Cole and Laila was sweet. There wasn't a huge focus on their friendship history, instead the focus was on how they were currently in their relationship and how they might become more.

~~What I didn't like~~
-The ages of the characters (late 30's to early 40's) was fine, but they behavior of the characters didn't align. They acted more like they were in their 20's. I really had to suspend my disbelief in this aspect.
-This book has characters from a previous book by the same author. It isn't listed as part of a series anywhere and while technically I did get through the book and was able to understand what was happening, there were several places where the history of the characters was referenced and I was confused. I wish it would have been more obvious that this was the second book in the 'series'. Aside from what I think is a quote from the book Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other before the prologue, there is no mention of any other book. As I listened to the audiobook version, this was REALLY confusing at the beginning of the book as there was literally zero context for this obscure quote.
-There were quite a few pop culture references, a few too many IMO.
-This is NOT a Christian book, just a clean, sex-free book. There is no mention of faith or religion in the book. I'm not sure why it is tagged as such.

Overall, it was a cute book that was easy to read and had a clean romance. I enjoyed it and while it didn't blow me away, I would be interested in reading other books by Bethany Turner.