The New York Fan Girl sight seeing that happens in this book is so fun. Plus the MCs are so sweet and love each other so much from beginning to end. I love when characters love each other well, so I loved this book for that dynamic; but I did struggle with the suspension of disbelief about the just friends for 40 years dynamic. The fact that the MCs were so surprised and thrown by the romantic feelings that are just coming up after almost 40 years of best friendship was hard for me to believe. If this were set during their 20s it would be much more believable. In my early 40s myself, I just can't see this being true of the lifelong relationship that Cole and Leila have. But also tip to everyone out there; listen to the audiobook, I will listen to Andrew Eiden read his grocery list!!

Cole and Laila are Just Friends is yet another highly engaging and creative story from Bethany Turner.

As the title suggests, Cole and Laila, late 30’s, are buddies. Actually, they’re lifelong best friends. To the reader, they’re completely married, except not a couple. And then circumstances force Cole to consider moving away from their remote mountain town. Laila is thrown into a spin and accompanies him on the trip of lifetime to New York.

While they’re there, something shifts their relationship but can the transition from BFFs to so much more be smooth? And this is where Turner shines. Because the short answer is ‘no’ but so deep is Cole and Laila’s relationship, that actually, yes, the move can be made simple. Until life steps in.

While long serving as ‘using pop culture royalty,’ Turner really ups her game in this story. Especially with the New York City references. I also like that the issues Cole and Laila face are not predictable ones you’d usually see in a friends to more trope. Plus the backstory involving Cole’s grandfather’s death and resultant fallout is intriguing and when you put it all together, the pages kept turning. I actually began reading this and midway through switched to audio which I thoroughly enjoyed. Both narrators did wonderful jobs. Written or spoken, I definitely recommend this for a fun summer read.

I received a copy of Cole and Laila are Just Friends from the publisher, via NetGalley. The views are all my own.

This was a truly lovely story. I really enjoyed the first in this series by Bethany and I think this one was even better than the first. The narrators were fabulous and did a great job of really making the story come alive. There is no spice and only kisses. I wouldn't say there were even any closed door scenes. This is a great example of when you really don't need spice for a great story. I think Cole and Laila are my best friends now too!

Big thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Bethany Turner for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review.

This title itself tells you the trope of this book. Friends to lovers, more like best friends to lovers. and This has always been my favourite trope because the main characters know each other so well that they know the reasons behind the other person's words and actions.
The only thing that makes or breaks these books is communication, because mostly one of them has been in love with the other person forever but doesnt share it in the fear of losing their best friend in this particular trope, and then there's miscommunication which is not my favorite part honestly.
But the author handled that part so well, I loved, LOVED how well they would communicate with each other because they have been friends since childhood. The way Leila handled Cole's reactions and behaviour because she knew he was going through something and didn't react like a teenager made this book much more realistic, believable and a lot more sweet.
Their small town was quaint and charming, and the stark difference between that and New York was portrayed beautifully. I loved their time in NYC especially the day of Leila's birthday, it was nothing less than magical.
This book gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling which I'm looking for in every romcom , so I would highly recommend this book to everyone.
Rating:4.5

BRYNN AND SEBASTIAN HATE EACH OTHER was one of my top 23 books of 2023, and I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel. I am happy to say that COLE AND LAILA ARE JUST FRIENDS is every bit as wonderful as the first book.

As those who have read any portion of my Fern & Dave WIP know, I love a long slow-burn, and this book delivers. These characters have known each other their entire lives, and have taken forty years to sort out their feelings.

I also love that these characters do communicate with each other. Their reluctance to admit to their feelings is out of genuine concern for their friendship and individual well being, not a result of any kind of major miscommunication. Everything about their relationship was believable, and it made me so invested in how things would turn out.

I loved the parts of the story set in New York. It felt very Nora Ephron, and I love Nora Ephron movies (as do the characters in this book). I also just love any romance set in New York City.

The pop culture references in this book are also so enjoyable. If you're an elder millennial right on the border with GenX (like I am, born in 1982), you will love the references these characters make to TV, music, and movies from our era. It was also just really fun to spend time with some romance characters who felt like my peers instead of my children. This book made me feel young.

I was lucky enough to be approved for both the ebook and the audiobook on Netgalley. The audiobook narrators, Talon David and Andrew Eiden, were excellent. They really became the characters for me, and I will seek out other books with their voices.

Thank you to @netgalley and @thomasnelson for the review copy! I have a feeling this book will make my 2024 favorites list.

Cole and Laila are Just Friends by Bethany Turner
Audiobook on Net Galley
Narrated by Talon David and Andrew Eiden
Overall: 4
Narrators: 4
Spice: 2
A fun love letter to NYC set rom coms.

Laila loves her small-town Colorado life and the several jobs she pieces together to thrive there. She especially loves that her best friend Cole has also stayed in the town and runs a popular bar restaurant. When Cole’s grandfather dies, the contents of his will throw Cole for a loop and causes him to question his life decisions. Is he ready for a change to big city life? Laila joins Cole for a trip to New York City to help him explore building a life there. Will the change in scenery help them to finally explore the nature of their decade’s old friendship?

The references to move rom coms are plentiful and add a lot of fun to this book. Several locations for movies set in New York City are included and I’ll be visiting several of the places they mentioned next time I’m in NYC. The banter is terrific and full of current references which I enjoyed. The side characters in their small town are delightful. I would recommend this book to romance fans as it had lots of tropes including friends to lovers, one bed, and small town and NYC life. I was initially thrilled to find main characters which were approaching 40, but had a hard time believing that they’d been friends their ENTIRE lives and they had NEVER considered being together? The book doesn’t reference other relationships that they’ve had. I’m all for later in life romances, but I’ve considered dating nearly everyone I’ve ever met. Maybe that’s just me.

I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy this book and am kind of sorry I forced myself to finish it. It might not have bothered me so much if I weren't listening to it on audio, but the story moves way too slowly for me and I didn't care for the narrators (esp. the man). I did speed up the narration to 1.25 and it was a little better but still annoying. Perhaps the friends to lovers format just isn't for me, but it was not believable to me that people in their late 30s who were this touchy-feely with each other wouldn't have already hooked up by that point in life. I've had close male friends for decades, too, but would never snuggle with them. If this doesn't bother you and you like very chaste romances, maybe it will work better for you. Personally, I'd give this author another chance, but wouldn't force myself to finish if it didn't work for me again.

A few too many pop culture references and friends to lovers is not my favorite. Agree with the other readers that this dragged at times. Nonetheless, it was still a cute story!!

I was excited to read this and while I don’t regret doing so, I did find it a little meh. I assumed there would be lots of mutual pining ant these two didn’t even realize they were interested the other until very far into the story. Just kind of bland.

I’m not usually one for a friends to lovers trope, but this one was fun. Part of me had a hard time believing that Cole and Laila had been friends for decades and never once had a romantic moment; however, I was able to suspend my disbelief and enjoy the ride. I also enjoyed feeling like I was exploring NYC with them.

WE LOVE TO SEE MCs IN THEIR LATE THIRTIES! Phew my heart! It was very close to breaking a couple of times. The narration on this audiobook is so good, I honestly just assumed I was reading in my own head. You know when that happens? Or is it just me? What kills me is how a female narrator can sound like the male character so seamlessly and vice versa. I genuinely had to go back and listen to a portion to make sure it wasn’t both of them in each chapter. (It’s not… but it could be!) Wild. Talent!

Okay the so the story. This is friends to more, and it’s always been you in the most slow burn, tension-y way imaginable. Will they? Won’t they? Do they love each other? Will they risk it? The FRIENDS references had me losing my cool. We were coincidentally right in the middle of a rewatch and in the final season when I started listening to this book. The emotions were emoting hard! The only moment in this book I didn’t just absolutely adore was when Laila says that baseball is terrible. 😭 She does eventually redeem herself. What great life has been given to the character when I had to remind myself that she isn’t a real person I can convince of the merits of baseball. 🤣👏🏻

Anyway, if you like best friends to lovers, slow burn, closed door, with a lot of witty banter— LISTEN TO THIS! It has some of the meltiest, sweetest moments. My notes are a roller coaster of raw emotions.

This was a cute friends to lovers story. i really enjoyed Cole and Laila's story. The way they loved each other from the beginning was very heart warming.

i listened to the audiobook, it was a quick and easy listen. i really enjoyed the narration.

review posted to Goodreads and Amazon.

This title was everything! From the pop-culture references to a couple who know each other inside and out, it was everything you'd want in a rom-com. I enjoyed every word and had a hard time putting it down. What a joy!

Thank You, NetGalley Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio

I loved every moment of Cole and Laila Just Friends! The characters of Cole and Laila are so well-developed and relatable that you can't help but root for them from beginning to end. Their dynamic is beautifully crafted, showcasing the highs and lows of friendship with authenticity and warmth.

The author has done an incredible job of capturing the essence of what it means to navigate the complexities of growing up and the often blurred lines between friendship and something more. Cole and Laila's journey is filled with humor, heartache, and moments of genuine connection that left me both laughing and tearing up.

What stands out the most is the deep bond between the characters. Their interactions feel so real, and their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply. It's refreshing to see a story that celebrates friendship's power while exploring personal growth and self-discovery.

"Cole and Laila are Just Friends" by Bethany Turner is a delightful and heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Cole and Laila's bond is beautifully depicted, filled with genuine warmth and humor that draws readers in from the start. Turner skillfully navigates the complexities of their relationship as they grapple with newfound feelings while navigating life-changing decisions.

The small-town setting of Adelaide Springs, Colorado, adds charm to the story, serving as the perfect backdrop for Cole and Laila's journey. Turner's writing is witty and engaging, with well-crafted dialogue that brings the characters to life.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of the intricacies of friendship turning into something more, without sacrificing the authenticity of the characters' emotions and experiences. While the plot may follow some familiar romantic comedy tropes, Turner injects enough freshness and depth to keep readers hooked until the very end.

Overall, "Cole and Laila are Just Friends" is a heartwarming and entertaining read that will leave you rooting for the characters long after you've turned the last page.

I enjoyed this book. I finished it so quickly. I loved the story of high school sweethearts. I liked that both characters kept to what they wanted and didn't compromise their happiness just for one another.

Since birth, Cole and Laila have been best friends. They live in the small town of Adelaide Springs, Colorado, and up until the passing of Cole's grandfather, everything was going well and both saw a future in Adelaide Springs. But upon the reading of his grandfather's will, everything changes for Cole. Facing changes, suddenly there is the possibility that Cole and Laila could be more than friends.

I listened to the audiobook version of this delightful book, gifted by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio via Netgalley. Thank you! All opinions and thoughts are mine and mine alone.
The audiobook really added to the overall enjoyment of this book because the chapters alternated between Cole's perspective and Laila's perspective. Both characters had a different voice actor to give life to the story.

Cole and Laila and their best friends were likable characters and I was invested in the story the whole time. This was my first real taste of the best friends-to-lovers trope, and I enjoyed it immensely. The only critique I have with this book is that Cole and Laila's definite more-than-friends feelings they have for each other were discussed almost immediately in the book. I would have liked more of a build-up.

Four out of five stars. This was such a good friends to lovers story of main characters, Laila and Cole. If you love references from You’ve Got Mail, Ghostbusters, Gilmore Girls, and so many more, this is for you. A clean romance between a couple who have been longtime friends and know everything about each other. One day Cole starts to see Laila in a new light. One dream sets off a plethora of thoughts. But it isn’t until he might lose her that it occurs to him he can’t live without her. When Cole‘s grandfather passes away, the restaurant he has so desperately worked hard for is snatched away. So why does he even need to stay in Adelaide Springs anymore. When an opportunity to go to New York and be a sous chef for a famous restaurant becomes available, Cole can’t help but go and have Laila come with him. As they go on this trip, Laila has other ideas. Ideas to make Cole realize that Colorado is where he belongs. Almost as soon as Cole is set on staying in New York, he has to go bad to Adelaide Springs again to settle a few things. His mom has arrived and everything as he thought. Available now on Amazon!! Thank you to @netgalley, @harpercollinschristian, and @seebethanywrite for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook version. #netgalley #coleandlailaarejustfriends

Cole and Laila are Just Friends is a classic beloved Hallmark movie in book form. Lifelong best friends Cole and Laila have always been inseparable, but never more than friends—until now. After the death of his grandfather and a resulting betrayal, Cole contemplates leaving their charming small town for New York City to start fresh. The two take a week-long trip to NYC which forces them to confront their growing feelings and the possibility of transforming their friendship into something more.

V cute friends to lovers clean romance. The only thing that threw me off was the dialogue and character actions feeling mismatched with their ages. In their late 30s, they came across as a bit immature and naive. Despite this, I enjoyed the storytelling and found it to be a very easy listen.

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Bethany Turner, Talon David and Andrew Eiden for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cole & Laila grew up together in their small town of Adelaide Springs, Colorado. Cole's family owns a local bar turned restaurant that Laila helps waitress at and things seem to be going well until Cole's grandfather dies and his will leaves the fate of the restaurant (and possibly the town) up in the air. When a chance meeting with an up-and-coming New York chef result in Cole getting a job offer in Brooklyn, Cole tags along on his friend's trip to New York to see if it's a move he's willing to make. With Lalia in tow, Cole and their friends Sebastian and Brynn head off on a truly touristy adventure.

I have to say I struggled with the way the relationship is written in this book. I love a friends-to-lovers situation, and I expected the normal situation where they thought about being together but dismissed it, or maybe tried it drunkenly one time and never addressed it, ect...... but the way both of these characters repeatedly, ADAMANTLY, deny EVER have thought of ANYTHING about them being in a relationship despite both being chronically single and almost forty requires a truly expert level of suspension of disbelief. The way the characters interact with each other, both what they say (I have never told a plutonic friend he's "a hottie" seriously) and the way they touch each other (excessive hand holding. forehead kisses, deep hugs) is weird. If I did any of those things to my male friends, especially in front of my other friends, everyone would immediately call me out on it. You will never in a million years convince me that it truly never occurred to either of these characters to get together.

Still, I loved a lot about this book. My favorite part of this book is that the main characters are almost forty. I read a lot and find so much of the genre has protagonists in their early twenties, maybe late twenties, but it's not often I come across a story where the characters are rapidly approaching forty and don't have their lives figured out. As an almost forty-year-old person, it was refreshing to read a legitimate 'I haven't figured my life out yet' story from the perspective of someone older than 22. I also love a good friends-to-lovers trope, it's always cute. I also appreciated a number of the very specific references aimed directly at my age bracket ("You shipped them harder than Mulder & Scully". referencing Dermott Mulroney as one of the most attractive celebrities, ect). Just a really quick, feel-good story. Highly recommended for fans of small-town romance and fans of the Gilmore Girls.