I've only read one other book by Bethany Turner, Plot Twist, and loved it more than most. So, I was really excited to be approved for the audio on her newest novel. I'm also a big fan of the friends-to-lovers trope (it's one of my favorites) AND I visited NYC for the first time back in December 2022 and immediately planned a second trip for October 2023. This book just seemed right up my alley - and it 100% was.

I adored Cole & Laila. They were both very solid and well-developed characters - I felt their chemistry very well - especially between the audio narrators! Their experience of visiting NYC for the first time, especially coming from a smaller town, really felt true to what I experienced. I loved the specific NYC call outs.

There was honestly nothing that I didn't like about this book and the narration. It was top-notch all the way around. It might not be for everyone, but it really hit its audience with me.

I absolutely love a best friends to lovers story and this one did not disappoint! It was my first book by Bethany Turner and I really enjoyed her writing. I was living for all of the 90s and 2000s pop culture references. And I adored the characters so much!! But let’s be honest, Cole and Laila have an unhealthy obsession with each other for two people who are not in a romantic relationship. Almost four decades is a long time to be best friends with a person you find attractive and able to keep it platonic. But when they are faced with the threat of separation, Cole starts looking at Laila differently. It makes for some amazing chemistry, anticipation, and build up.

I listened to the audiobook and I loved the narration by Talon David and Andrew Eiden (aka Teddy Hamilton) 👏🏼 I highly recommend!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

I thought this was a cute and sweet book. It's a strong friends to lovers with a couple that has been best friends for most of their lives with no slip-ups during that time. Yet, once the door is cracked open, you discover that Laila has thought "what ifs" in the past and always wondered if they might end up together. And now Cole is having "thoughts." But what if things don't work out and they lose everything and their special friendship vanishes?

Cole has lived in the small town where they grew up for most of his life. Yet when something unexpected and unwelcome happens and he is taken by surprise, staying there doesn't feel right anymore. Except, his best friend, Laila is there. And he cannot imagine living in a place where she isn't.

At the same time, Laila wants to support Cole and she knows he's stunned by the recent developments in his life. However, she can't imagine her life without him living and working next to her in Adelaide Springs, Colorado where they grew up together. She never thought he'd leave. What will this do to their friendship?

This was a Friends to Lovers story with a unique feeling to it. Cole and Laila truly are the sweetest of friends. Yet, they are touchy-feely and affectionate and don't think twice about it. The question is do they just take one another for granted? How do they not realize there is more to their relationship? Their journey to discovering the "more" is a fun little ride.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration in the audiobook was done quite well. I thought the voices fit the character's personalities. It definitely made it easier to connect with the characters and story. 4 1/2 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook.

Fans of friends to lovers and small towns will enjoy this.

For me this book was solidly 3 stars. Cute, light, and feel good but nothing life changing. This book is part of the Adelaide springs universe and while it can be read as a standalone reading Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other first will be helpful.

This book! I absolutely loved this next in the series! You really need to read Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other first! Although you don't have to, but you will want to. This is a brilliant follow-up! The writing is brilliant and absolutely flawless and I actually LOVED both characters. Cole was a gentleman and took all the things coming at him with such calm and sincerity, I fell in love with the man! Laila was delightful throughout the turmoil of her best friends' life. I was so pleased with the whole unfolding and will read this again! This author is an auto buy!

Thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing! All opinions are my own!

I love that some of the same characters from the book Brynn & Sebastian hate each other by Bethany Turner are in this book! This story is about two best friends that are in love with each other but don't want to cross the line to ruin everything. It takes place in Adelaide Springs, Co and New York City! After reading this, I really want to go to new York City and take the same tour they went on Lailia's bday.

I also love that Bethany Turner 's books are heartfelt but also romantic without the smut. I really need to read her other books!

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

had the pleasure of receiving an Advanced Listener Copy (ALE) of this audiobook from NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

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

This question lies at the heart of "Cole and Laila are Just Friends," a touching story about friendship, loyalty, and personal growth. The connection between Laila and Cole is the backbone of this story —they are each other’s rock. When Cole’s beloved grandfather passes away, he uncovers a heartbreaking betrayal that leaves him questioning everything. Amidst the turmoil, Cole needs time and distance to figure out his next steps, even though everyone around him wants to help.

The prospect of Cole moving across the country devastates Laila, highlighting the deep bond they share. They have always been there for each other through thick and thin. This story beautifully explores their journey as they grow into the people they aspire to be, holding onto hope that everything will work out as it’s meant to.

Bethany Turner crafts a fantastic story, elevated by the amazingly talented narrators Talon David and Andrew Eiden. Their performances bring all the emotions to life, making the novel even more compelling. I found myself completely immersed, unwilling to pause for any reason. It was that good.

Final Thoughts:

"Cole and Laila are Just Friends" is a captivating audiobook that blends heartfelt storytelling with exceptional narration. It’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates stories about deep, enduring friendships and personal growth.

Thank you NetGalley and B Audio limited for the advanced copy of this book. The narrator does a great job and the cover just makes you want to pick up this fun read! Coke and Laila are just friends is a sweet, no surprises summer read! I connected with the characters all with their own personalities. The pop culture references to Gilmore Girls and Friends as well as New York tourist spots is what really hooked me. I’m sure my 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ will be lame for others but for me I loved it! It just released on Monday June 3! Go buy it!

🎧 3.5 ⭐️ Overall, I did enjoy this book and really grew to like Cole and Laila! However, there were a few details that I struggled to understand which ultimately dropped the stars for me.

Cole and Laila are almost 40. They are the quintessential example of a boy/girl best friend pair. I love their loyalty to each other and how well they take care of each other. A recurring theme for Cole was that he never saw Laila “like that.” Bro, what? You hug her, kiss her, emotionally care for each other in every way. After three decades of loving her well, romantic feelings have NEVER crossed your mind?? No way. I don’t buy it. Not to mention that when he does profess his love for her after one singular week he says something like, “I’ve been informed that I’ve been in love with you forever.” (His mom and townspeople who have known him his whole life told him this the day prior). WHAT?! No… just no.

Even after that rant, I truly did still enjoy it! I just wish the author gave their friendship a more realistic romantic history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy of the book!

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the complimentary audio in exchange for an honest review.

This is a charming friends to lovers rom-com that would make a good summer beach read!

Cole and Laila grew up in a small town in Colorado where Cole runs a local restaurant and Layla is a server. They’ve been life long friends for nearly 4 decades.

When Cole’s grandfather passes away and the will is read everything begins to change, including an opportunity for Cole to move to NYC and be a Chef for a top restaurant. Laila offers to come to NYC with Cole for the week while he decides if he can move that far away and start over. NYC brings more than a career decision as Cole has a dream about Laila and begins to look at her differently.

What you’ll find:
Friends to lovers
An amazing Chef
A crafty seamstress
Slow burn
Dual POV Family drama
Celebrity friends!
Tons of NYC movie quotes and moments
The best birthday ever!

The dual audio readers were great and entertaining!

Romance content: Just Kissing!

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this one. I didn't hate it, but honestly, I didn't really like it either. As someone who is the same age as the main characters, I could not relate to them in the slightest when it came to the romance, and it made me roll my eyes a time or two. I just felt like they were immature and unrealistic in that area. How are you that close and lovey dovey with someone of the opposite sex for 27 years, but you never even visit the idea of liking them until one day out of the blue? I didn't buy it.
I did enjoy the friends to love troupe and loved that it was a clean read! I enjoyed the duel narration and POV and thought both actors did a great job.
I'm not sure this author is for me personally, but I can see how her books are gaining popularity. I would definitely recommend this to other readers who love friends to lovers or someone looking for a clean and sweet read.
Thank you, NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Tbomas Nelson, for the opportunity to listen and review this advanced copy.

If you love romcoms, this is the book for you! I loved all the references to my favorite romcom movies throughout this book and it made me want to go back and watch those movies again. I have read every Bethany Turner book and although this one is not one of my favorites is still a great one. I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud because the banter and romcom references were just so cute. The scenes in New York City made me feel like I was there. I like both characters and really love their friendship, but unfortunately the romantic chemistry was lacking for me. That really was the only downfall of this cute story. If you were looking for a cute clean, lighthearted book this is the one for you!

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.

A fun, lighthearted listen with classic romcom humor, pop culture references, and wit. I liked having Brynn and Sebastian, from Bethany Turners precious book “Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other” as side characters. That was a nice touch.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC audiobook for an honest review.

I was happily surprised that this book had connection to Brynn and Sebastian from previous book! I so enjoyed our main characters Cole and Laila and all their history together. Cuteness overload and definite friendship goals.... Both of our main characters were so endearing and supportive of each other. And while the friendship felt real, it was hard to believe that it took so long for the "aha moment" where they realized they not only loved each other but were in love! The characters were in their late 30s but felt so much younger in their maturity level and actions. If you overlook the age thing and just go with the flow of all the sweet moments and quirkiness of the two., you will enjoy the ride of best friends becoming more.

Narrators did a perfect job!

4 stars

A perfectly sweet, friends to lovers, dual POV romcom featuring older MCs about to turn 40 and realizing maybe their years' long friendship could be something more. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! The cover is GORGEOUS on top of everything else and I am OBSESSED!!!

Rating: 4.5 stars!

Lets talk about Cole for a second. What a gentleman who just absolutely adores every human in his life. I think everyone deserves a Cole in their life! I docked the book a half star ONLY becuase I just wanted to shake the main characters to make them realize how silly they were being! Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy "Brynn & Sebastian Hate Each Other," which made it hard for me to appreciate this book fully. However, I did find the writing and characters to be an improvement over "Brynn & Sebastian Hate Each Other." Even though this book wasn’t for me, that was a definite plus..

4.5 stars! I read Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other last year and thought it was good but nothing extraordinary. I was intrigued enough to pick up this companion but I didn't have super high hopes for it.

I am surprised and delighted to report that I enjoyed this book so, so much! I'm a friend-to-lovers girly, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a best friends-to-lovers romance that was this deep and complex and unique. Cole and Laila are some of the most communicative friends that are in love with each other that I’ve read about, and it was SO refreshing! It made the intimacy of their friendship more believable and made me root for their romance even more.

The first 20ish% of the book I found to be a little slow, but overall this story was so, so sweet and I adored the characters as individual characters and together. It had just the right amount of heart and emotions and tension that felt real and made me root for them to overcome it. The small-town-girl-takes-the-big-city vibes were super fun and I loved that so much of it took place in New York City. It had me laughing and swooning and kicking my feet and I HIGHLY recommend it! Also one of the audiobook narrators is Andrew Eiden so there’s that 😍.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this audiobook!

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. The narrators did a great job at bringing Cola and Laila to life.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ALC. Happy pub day!