Fans of Jill Shalvis are sure to be happy with this latest addition to the Sunset Cove series. This book was painful at times (only in reference to what the characters were going through), but a lot of fun overall. Two sets of high school sweethearts (one out in the open and one whose feelings for each other were mostly kept a secret by both) stay friends for the most part, and come back together when an accident lands one of them in the hospital and they need all hands on deck.
I really enjoyed the friendship between Olive and Katie. Joey was a super well written. I don't usually enjoy supporting child characters in books, but I really liked this kid. and the tension between Noah and Olive was palpable. Grams was also great, and Amy was alright, but I didn't care for her as much as I enjoyed the other characters in this friends to lovers, friends to enemies, enemies to lovers story.
This is a very fun, at times light-hearted, and at times heavy read.

Thank you to Jill Shalvis, Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

By far, my favorite Jill Shalvis book. I absolutely ATE UP this book. Noah and Oli are my absolute favorite sunrise cover couple.

I cannot begin to say how much I loved this found family for Oli. Joey was absolutely adorable. Gram was my favorite little spitfire.

I feel like I have Katie, and I have mixed feelings on that. So much of my own issues felt seen in her character.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Harper for this ARC.

I really enjoyed reading Better Than Friends! I loved all the friendships and the small town of Sunrise Cove. The progression of Olive and Noah’s relationship was great and it didn’t seem forced or unrealistic. The friendship between Katie and Olive was the best. They were there for each other through all of life’s ups and downs and I loved it. I don’t think there was really anything I didn’t like about this book. I didn’t realize it was part of a stand alone series and now I want to go back and read all the other books in the Sunrise Cove series.

A huge thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Jill Shalvis never disappoints. Her books grab you right away into the characters and their lives. Olive comes back to town to help her bff, Katie. Joe, her husband was in an accident along with her brother, Noah. Katie is clearly on the spectrum and has a hard time dealing with all the drama and emotions. It's a great story about friendship and families. Olive's family was unconventional. When her parents go missing, Noah offers to help her locate them. The story is funny, dramatic, and a bit more.

Better Than Friends is another amazing Jill Shalvis book. Her sense of humor always shines through making her stories even more enjoyable.
Olive returns to where she grew up to check on her grandma and to help out her longtime best friend with her son while her husband is in a coma . The only downfall is running into her friend’s brother and her long ago crush that she hasn’t seen for year after she accidentally ran him over her senior year.
Although Olive and Noah try to stay away from each other it doesn’t seem possible . Noah determined to keep things platonic soon realizes they have both grown up and he finds himself falling for Olive.
This story is full of family issues, past trauma and second chances. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

An enjoyable story with all the right characters. Love, friendship, childhood memories of growing up and family history kept me engaged til the end. Loved this story and look forward to reading the next book in the series! Recommend.

Olive Porter is the owner of a PR firm in the UK, but she finds herself back in Sunrise Cove, California, to assist her childhood best friend. Returning home stirs up a whirlwind of memories, particularly those involving Noah Turner, her high school crush. When Olive is unable to reach her quirky parents, she turns to Noah for help in finding them. Can she move past their shared history to forge a new beginning with Noah, or have they both missed their opportunity for a future together?

Noah Turner serves as a special investigative agent for the National Park Service. When his brother-in-law suffers a serious injury, he returns home to support his sister. He never anticipated running into Olive again. The memories of their past and his lingering feelings for her resurface, but Noah worries he can't provide Olive with the stability and security she craves. Will he have to let her go once more, or will he seize the chance to be with her? Both Olive and Noah are burdened by their shared history and regrets, yet they prioritize helping Katie through her difficult time, even if it means being in each other's presence.

What I admire most about Noah is how he cared for Olive during their high school years. Although he was the "golden boy," he never acted arrogantly like many others. I also appreciate Olive's understanding and patience with Katie's neurodivergent traits. Many people might not show the same level of compassion, but Olive cherishes these qualities in her best friend, often playfully teasing her about her hugs and sense of humor.

I love the books that Jill Shalvis writes. There is never a dull moment in them. I really enjoyed this book. It was heartwarming and romantic. I really liked Joey. I thought he was cute and funny. I can't wait to read the next one in the series. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review

Easy reading.
Nice story of two people, Olive and Noah, revisiting a mutual attraction that never seemed to quite
disappear even though many years and a continent were between them. Olive returns home from abroad, after a long absence, for a visit when her best friend's husband is in an accident and lies in a coma in a hospital. She finds the love of her young life, who also happens to be her best friend's brother, is visiting also.
Interesting secondary characters help.push the story along in a nice easy rhythm with little
conflict and many smiles.
A real treat after a steady reading diet of black ops, foreign intrigue, International terrorists and
domestic thrillers.

Truly enjoyable read! I loved Second Chance Season by Emily March! This is the third book in this series but can easily stand on its own.
Second Chance Season follows the life and romantic journey of three characters- sisters Helen and Genevieve, who co-own a beautiful resort in the Colorado mountains; and Zoey, a bride-to-be who visits the resort with her fiance as they sought out a wedding venue. Through a series of events, the three characters discover unexpected family connections in a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness and true love! The magical mountain setting in Colorado was a favorite “character” as well. I can’t wait to visit this series again in the future! Highly recommend!

Loved this one! The dialogue was great, the characters were lovely, and it was such a heartwarming and satisfying read, perfect for the winter months.

Katie, Olive and Noah have been friends for a very long time.
Actually, I think Noah is the one that got away for Olive
They are reunited again when Katie’s husband and Noah are in a terrible accident.

I liked Olive right away and know what took me a bit to warm up to, but once I did, I really enjoyed them.

Like small town, romance and Second Chance novels this book is for you!

Classic Jill Shalvis! Better Than Friends is 100 percent charm. Filled with a charmingly quirky cast of characters (both two and four footed), Olive and Noah’s happily ever after tale is a heartwarming good time. I loved every minute.

Jill Snacks is one of my favorite authors. This was such a cute read. A little romance, a little quirky and of course a pet or two. The story holds your interest, I started the book today and finished it tonight, quick read for me!!! Always look forward to her books, seldom disappointed! Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!!!

Olive comes back home after years of avoiding to help her best friends family. Her avoidance from Noah has resulted in her relationships not being what they should be. Olive and Noah play the avoidance game while flirting from a distance. They both have their own issues and we follow along as they come to terms with the past and grow in the present. Great story if growth and found family. Loved how these two went from friends to enemies to lovers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy

I loved Oli and Noah and how they got their HEA. Joey stole the show along with his furry pals. This author never disappoints and this series has been a wonderful one.

This book was pretty good. I loved how the author wrote the Katie, the best friend. She never mentioned an actual diagnosis, just wrote about how everyone loved her for her. The relationship between the main characters was a bit confusing but still cute. I laughed out loud every time Joey popped up at an inopportune moment.

I love Jill Shalvis' wit & snarkiness! Her characters are always fun & relatable to me. This story kept me hooked and I couldn't put it down!

Let me start by saying I have not read any of the other Sunrise Cove books but was able to jump right into this book no problem!

Better Than Friends had an interesting premise although I thought the plot line with Olives parents was a bit of a waste. It was not a bad story over all just didn't really hold my interest. As other readers have mentioned Noah was tough to root for because he was so hot and cold. I enjoyed the setting and Olives character. She is always willing to help and has overcome so much in her life and still managed to be successful.

If you like small town, second chance romance and found family check this one out for sure when it comes out in January.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jill Shalvis, and HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was perfect for me! Joey was absolutely hilarious throughout this book! The interactions and communication between characters was great and written very nicely. It took some time for me to get used to Katie but I can also relate to her neurodivergent tendencies and how it can come off to other people.
The strong female friendships is what made me love this book because it was just so refreshing to see and just made the book that much more comforting.
The writing is so good and I was able to get immersed into this book so easily.