'Better Than Friends' delves into the complexities of growing up in a town divided by the haves and have-nots, a universal theme that resonates across communities big and small. Olive's journey back to her roots is a poignant exploration of childhood memories, both bitter and sweet. As a victim of bullying, Olive's path to empowerment is a testament to resilience, often supported by her loyal friends Katie and Noah. Despite lacking a robust support system at home, Olive's grandmother provides a steadying presence. Now a successful PR mogul in London, Olive's return is a whirlwind of reconnection and reflection. Jill Shalvis masterfully intersperses flashbacks, revealing the pivotal choices of Olive and Noah's intertwined past. These insights are crucial to understanding the lingering angst that shapes their present. Shalvis's signature wit shines through in the internal monologues and sharp dialogue, making 'Better Than Friends' an engaging read that captures the heart and the humor of its characters.

I knit because stabbing people is frowned upon. Yep pure Jill Shalvis picking up something current and using it to her story’s advantage. Those of us who knit will immediately google how to get this T-shirt. BETTER THAN FRIENDS is about growing up in a smallish town. Always an issue of haves and have nots. In any civilization and community whether small or a metropolis. Bullies are also everywhere. So when Olive goes home to help support her best friend from childhood she is inundated with memories, some tender and sweet but many not so. Her life was one of being on the receiving end of bullying. Learning how to cope, react and challenge took a long time. In the beginning she often had help from her few friends who learned how to take a step back and allow Olive to assert her own brand of revenge.
Olive had two best friends, Katie, and her twin brother Noah. Two that were really good at the whole sibling thing. But Olive knew they had her back. The problem was Olive didn’t really have her own support group. Her parents were flighty, so it was her grandmother that filled in.
So upon her return from London, which is where Olive wound up living and creating her impressive PR business, there is lots of catching up to do.
If we have any questions about how Olive and Noah got to this point in their non relationship we have Jill Shalvis providing short glimpses into their prior years together growing up. We need these to understand why some choices were made. Choices that were filled with angst back then, and still hold some weight.
Internal conversations, you know those you have with yourself, are primed and ready to entertain in this latest joy to read by Jill Shalvis. Honestly, I don’t know how she comes up with these almost curmudgeon thoughts. References to current media dialogs keep coming. BETTER THAN FRIENDS is definitely a page turner. You can’t help but fall in love with these characters and become their cheering squad. Dialog is crisp and filled with humor which is a Jill Shalvis trademark.

This is such a heartwarming, second chance romance. There’s a lot of angst. Secrets are revealed. I loved 5 year old Joey. He was so funny. This story is about best friends and family. Being true to oneself and being who you really are. The writing is really great. You never regret reading a Jill Shalvis book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

First, thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.
This is the next jn the Sunrise series and sadly they don't interact with previous books.
That being said, I did enjoy this book. If had a lot of different things. Cute kid, adorable animals, mean girls, neglectful parents, micro parents.
I liked Olive alot,not dk sure about Noah. Felt like he was a jerk most if the time. Couldn't figure out what he wanted, but blamed Olive for the distance between them. Don't get me started on Olive's parents!
All in all it was a good book.

Another fun read in the Sunrise Cove series. This time Olive returns to Sunrise Cove to help out after her friend Katie's husband Joe is injured. Interest reignites with Noah, Olive's pretend boyfriend in high school and Katie's brother. Read this one to find out what happens between the two and enjoy a return to Sunrise Cove. Pick this one up in January 2025!

Sunrise Cove is always a fantastic place to visit, and Better Than Friends is no exception. I love the quirky relationships and characters, the family dynamics, and the small town vibe.

Better Than Friends is the latest stand alone in Jill Shalvis' Sunrise Cove series. Sunrise Cove is a fictional town on Lake Tahoe, so mountains, lakes, remote forests, hiking & small town charm are ever present in this series. Olive Porter goes back home to help her friend, Katie Turner-Brooks with her son, Joey, while she sits at the hospital bedside of her husband, Joe Brooks. Joe is in a coma following an accident caused by a shooting during an investigation into a series of car burglaries for the NPS. Olive is eager to help her best friend, but not so eager to see Katie's brother, Noah, who is Joe's partner with the National Park Service, and also recovering from the accident. Olive & Noah have a history, a little romantic, a lot embarrassing, since Olive accidentally ran Noah's foot over with an ATV in a rainstorm, ending his college baseball dreams. Olive left town right after that, and tried to keep any interaction with Noah, who she's had a crush on forever, short and sweet. The situation with Katie & Joe throws them together a lot during her visit, and then, when her parents are missing, she has to rely on Noah to help her track them down. Does Noah return her feelings at all? Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors because of her witty dialogue and romantic love stories. Thank you to NetGalley and Avonbooks for an uncorrected advance e-proof to review.

Olive and Noah have trust issues, troubled family baggage, guilt and are generally messed up emotional wrecks. My takeaway on the overall theme was that family expectations are hard to live up to, no matter what age you are. Olive has no stability with her adventurous hippy style parents constantly chasing their next dream. Noah’s father had a vision of his son’s future not shared by Noah. Olive does pursue her dreams by running to London, she’s achieved many of her goals. She’s still lonely, worried about not hearing from her parents when she returns home to help her best friend. Olive and Noah contend with an abundance of family drama. Their relationship is barely friends, wannabe lovers. The past needs to be resolved, family secrets need to be aired and trust has to be rebuilt. I’ve read all in this series and the author always entertains me and gives me insight into complicated relationships. There’s a romance at the heart of the plot, but it’s really about families, everyday problems and finding our place.
Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “Better Than Friends” Sunrise Cove #7, by Jill Shalvis, publication expected 01/21/2025. These are my own personal, honest thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

Love a good second chance romance! The characters were lovable and the backstory had me ready for more. It is a delightful read and the series just keeps getting better and better.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

Another WIN for Sunrise Cove! I have devoured every book in this series so far and I feel like each one keeps getting better and better! The connection is palpable from the very beginning between Noah and Olive, Olive and Katie, and the rest of the characters. I really enjoyed the backstory intertwined within the chapters as well. I can't wait for the next one!!

Jill Shalvis includes all the tropes in a wonderful second change, enemies to lovers, old flames story. Olive and Noah have a lot to overcome to finally get their HEA but with every chapter and every page turned the reader is take on a emotional ride filled with laughter and tears. A beautiful HEA that never disappoints.

very entertaining and enjoyable. olivie and noah relationship was very well developed. noah was driving when his friend got hurt.

This was a great series, I have enjoyed several titles from this series and I think this one might be a personal favorite for me. The cast of characters was great and very relatable, the setting is picture us, and the storyline is engaging from start to finish. There’s just enough intrigue to keep your interest all the way through and the Romance aspect is lovely.

This was so much more heartfelt that I was expecting in such a good way! The author did a fantastic job of creating this story with so much love and care.

This book was ABSOLUTELY perfect. Like just bottle this sweet story up in a jar and keep it forever, it was the most darling wintertime story. The characters darling story, and the more than perfect setting created the most beautiful story. Cozy up, and get ready for this most perfect winter time read. Wonderfully done Jill Shalvis.

Anytime I pick up a Jill Shalvis novel, I'm guaranteed a good read. Once again, she has delivered. Olivia is back home for the first time in years to help her best friend, Katie. Unfortunately, Katie's brother is also helping out and Olivia has never stopped loving him. But Noah has never forgiven Olivia for leaving. This was a very enjoyable second chance romance filled with unique characters such as Olivia's parents. One thing I really enjoyed in this novel was all of the small side stories that were intertwined into the main storyline, it just made the book that much more interesting.

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis. Enjoyable second chance romance set in Sunrise Cove this time featuring Olive & Noah. A good addition to the series.

Thank you to Ms Shalvis, Avon Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I was very excited to receive this book!
I love this author's books because she almost always makes me laugh in these sweet second chance books.
I couldn't put the book down until Olive and Noah told me their story. Sometimes though I really wanted to shake my head at them because they literally couldn't see what was right in front of their face! Wow!
The only thing that I really didn't like was the run around that Olive kept giving Noah.
Then too, how Olive's parents treated her. Made me sort of angry because I felt that they were pretty selfish in that regard.
I loved Noah's family a lot! I felt like they were my family too.
I know that I didn't want the story to end. I enjoyed it that much.
Shalvis writes the sweetest stories loaded with secrets and those are what makes me keep turning the pages. I love the family dynamics portrayed in this book. She really made them seem very realistic.
5 stars for an entertaining novel. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Another wonderful SInrise Cover novel from Jill Shalvis!
The tropes abound in this one, along with the quintessential Shalvis heroine and hero.
My best friend's brother, friends to lovers, second chance romance, coming home again; all are perfectly written and mixed together to tell the story of Noah and Olive.
Both are commitment-shy but for different reasons.
Both grew up together from the time they were 14, parted under almost tragic circumstances ( no spoilers!) and then are reunited for another almost tragedy 2 decades later.
Noah, an agent with the forestry department, and Olive, who just started her own PR firm in London, are doing everything they can to avoid one another when they both come home to help Katie, Noah's twin sister and Olive's best friend, after Katie's husband Joe is injured on the job and in a coma.
heavy stuff.
But the everyday humor that is so normal and wonderful in our lives helps these two find each other once again. Even though they each have many secrets and anxieties, they realize they are nothing without the other.
I lovelovelove JIll Shalvis stories. She writes real people with real problems going through real lives.
5 well-deserved stars for another winner of a romance book!
Thanks to Netgally and Harper Avon for a sneak peek at this story!