There was a lot about this book that I liked, the forced proximity trope being one of them, but it didn’t feel like anything I hadn’t read before. I enjoyed it but not as much as I had hoped I would

This is the first book in the series I stopped midway (42%) through. DNF. The storyline was not original felt as though its been done before.



*****************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion via NetGalley.**************

Overall an average read. If you enjoy Shalvis’ past work, you’ll probably enjoy this book.

There were parts of this book I enjoyed including
- The overall plot - I love a found family and second chance romance. I understood the reason they were separated for years and could see a believable path to successfully getting back together.
- Elements of the writing - I enjoyed the flashbacks in time and different perspectives from Noah and Olive (though more uncommon for the genre that it was in 3rd person)
- The underlying message around embracing your differences and loving your friends unconditionally

A few pieces that weren’t my favorite
- The writing itself - it felt like forceing common saying or memes (e.g., math isn’t mathing) to a fault, forsaking consist and realistic dialog/writing
- The back and forth between Noah and Olive - I understand they cared for each other and we’re struggling with their own issues with love, but it felt unhealthy and the type of relationship I wouldn’t wish on a friend
- Some of the characters felt over the top and more like caricatures (e.g., Olive’s mom, Katie…unless Katie is autistic in which case I think that should have been more clear)

Thank you to NetGalley, Jill Shalvis, and HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with an advanced reader copy.

There were some things and moments in this that I really liked— the heroine was a particular highlight— but ultimately something about this book just wasn’t for me. I quite liked a lot of elements in this, and it’s certainly not badly written, but the romance between Noah and Olive just wasn’t my favorite. Noah in general wasn’t my favorite; I think he really made the book drag for me.

Olive is back in her small hometown near Lake Tahoe to help her friend and see her grandma. And that’s it. She’s not here to see, Noah, her childhood crush and the only man she’s ever really loved. And Noah’s never forgiven her for leaving town and barely looking back. In fact, he won’t even let his sister (and Olive’s BFF) Katie even talk about Olive.

Olive and Noah are stone walls against love—they’ve both been burned and have no interest in going there again. But they’re forced into close quarters and all kinds of situations together, and forced to confront their feelings for each other. Watching them push each other away and try to deal with the complexities of their relationship, mistakes in the past, meddling families, and life in general is fun and rewarding. There are some cliches and phrases taken from various memes that I could have done without, but overall, Better Than Friends is a solid, enjoyable read. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, so ended up rounding up.

Read if you like: Second chances, enemies to lovers, small town, only one bed, childhood friends/teenage crush, good side characters.

Once again, Jill Shalvis delivers a great story filled with humor, wonderful characters, and animals we fall in love with. This book is part of a series, but it definitely stands on its own. Family and second chances are part of this heartfelt book.

I loved the imperfect characters in this book. Olive left home as a teenager and lived with her grandmother. She was friends with Katie and Noah (twins who lived next door.) After Olive accidentally runs Noah's leg over with an ATV ending his baseball college hopes, she leaves town. Katie is married to Joe who is in a coma after an accident while Noah and he were investigating a criminal case. Olive comes home to help, and the past comes back to make things interesting. This was a great story about families and how they impact us no matter how old we are. This is a well written story with great characters. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the book. Liked the characters especially the dog. He stole the show. The cat was a sweetie and added to the story in a good way.

Better than Friends by Jill Shalvis is a cute, heartwarming, romantic novel with lots of family drama stemming from an accident that occurred 14 years earlier. We are back in Sunrise Cove where forgiveness is hard to come by, second chances are there for the taking, and the love of family means everything. I can always count on Jill Shalvis for a good read and I recommend her books!

Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors and her series are always so warm and funny! SHe brings the emotion, the chemistry, and the grounded characters.

I enjoyed this book so much! I laughed a lot, and that was surprising.

This is a good book and I think a lot of people are going to enjoy and be able to relate too.

'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.