This romance has the makings of a page turning good time but missed the mark in some ways. I enjoyed the forced proximity, friends to lovers, and satisfying ending- I didn't love the naive YA feel of the story. It created some disconnect for me and made it difficult to root for the main characters. Miscommunication isn't my favorite plot device, unless it's believable and executed very well. Which wasn't the case for Frigid.

Frigid is the first book in what is bound to be an outstanding duology. It is a dual POV book that follows Sydney and Kyler, who are best friends. From the beginning, readers know that Sydney is in love with Kyler. But Kyler is a bit of a "player" and is not known to have relationships. Out of fear of ruining their friendship, Sydney decides to love quietly. Meanwhile, Kyler has Sydney on a pedestal where no one, including himself, is good enough for her. When they are trapped together at a ski resort and forced to wait out a snowstorm, sparks fly. Sydney and Kyler have to not only try to survive the storm and what lurks outside, but try to keep their friendship intact as sparks start to fly.

I am obsessed with this book. I normally do not like the friends-to-lovers trope because there is a lot of history that occurs before the book even starts. That is the case here, but despite it all, readers can see that they are clearly in love with each other. Yes, you are told at the beginning that Sydney loves Kyler, but it is believable, and in some ways, it feels like the most torturous slow burn. I also appreciated how the storyline was not just about their love story, but some things are going on as well. Readers are left in suspense waiting to see what is going to happen next and how the two will respond to it. One of these subplots is Sydney's anxiety, and how she responds to situations. I appreciated how Armentrout approached her anxiety and how it was never seen as there being anything wrong with it, and it was something that Kyler accepted without question. It's refreshing to see a character who has anxiety and can live with it, and people do not question it, but rather accept Sydney and her coping mechanisms, like showing up hours earlier than seemingly necessary. Overall, if you are a romance lover, a lover of friends to lovers, or obsessed with forced proximity, this book is for you. I promise you will not regret it.

Thank you to Bloom, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of Frigid in exchange for my honest review.

❄️⛷️🏠🩷🎸

Thank you Source Books, Bloom Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first ever JLA book and I thought it was cute. What drew me into this book was the concept of being snowed in for days with your best friend who you secretly harbour a HUGE crush for. However, the miscommunication in this book drove me insane!!!!! Like what do you mean every single person around Kyler and Sydney knew they were madly in love with one another except for them?!? Are they that naive??? That stupid?? You're telling me that every single time Sydney tried to talk to a guy, Kyler would drag her away or get strangely possessive over her and she never once talked to him about it or questioned why?!?!? And you're telling me that every single time Kyler was a playboy and Sydney would give him looks and comments, he didn't question her?!? Talk to her about it!!?!? Kyler and Sydney call themselves best friends but they literally do not communicate and talk to one another?!? Which led to the whole third act break up which could have been completely avoided if they just talked?!? I know that I have been quite negative so far, but the miscommunication trope with your "best friend" makes me so angry!!! How can you be best friends if you don't communicate with one another!!

Moving onto the things that I did enjoy in this book!! I did think this book was cute. The concept of childhood friends to lovers, "it's always been you" vibes always hits the spot for me. Being snowbound, Kyler and Sydney are forced to be together, keep each other safe/warm and come face to face with their attraction to one another. Let's just say there's a lot of tension and angst!
There's also a fun twist in it, it makes you not want to put the book down because you just want to figure out what happens next!!

Overall this book was ok. I would definitely explore JLA's books in a different genre because I do like her writing style. However, I do not think I will continue and read the next book in this series.

Frigid: ★★★☆☆ (3)

Pub date: November 5, 2024 - with a beautiful new cover!!

Tropes:
- childhood best friend
- close proximity / snowbound
- playboy
- slowburn
- "it's always been you"

3.5 stars.

I liked the premise of this story a lot. The friends to lovers vibes, the forced proximity and the little thriller aspect were all great in my opinion. What I didn’t love, and it was a huge part of this story, was all the miscommunication/over thinking. I don’t mind a little miscommunication when it helps add depth to a story but this was just a lot for me and I kept getting so mad at the characters for it lol. I still liked the story and loved the ending but I just struggled to really connect to it which is why I’m rating 3.5.

𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚
4⭐️

It’s been years since I’ve read a @jennifer_l_armentrout book. I was so excited when I saw this one on @netgalley and got approved. This is a best friend romance. Super hot slut of a man and his quiet cutie bestie who just so happens to be a girl. This was the type of curl up on the coach weekend book that the doctor ordered. Sydney has been in love with Kyler for years. Problem is everyone sees it but Kyler. Fate happens and they are stuck in a ski resort alone due to a snow storm. The story is told from dual POV. It was frustrating that neither of them could get out of their own way and just be together. When they finally figured it out, the their love story was such a great read. The plot was romantic and suspense also. Ya they had a psycho trying to hurt them. I really enjoyed this one and it was a quick read.
This is book one of a series and I’m hoping to read tanner and Andreas story soon.

🏷️#booklover #bookstagram #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #readingtime #ilovebooks #bookblogger #bookblog #booknerdigans #bookobsessed #bookishfeatures #bookphotography #yalit #yabooks #currentlyreading #igreads #instaread #bookworm #booknerd #bookaddict #bookdragon #love #drbooksreads #snow #skiresort #romance

If I had read this book without knowing the title or author. I would never in a million years have guessed that it was written by JLA.
This book felt very YA (but with some smut) - it was best friend to lovers which I tend to like - but the MMC was very playboy-ish and even though you get more insight into that persona and the why - I just didn't like it that much. I thought the FMC needed more confidence and though, to some extent, I get why she was written that way.. she didn't resonate strongly with me.

The two characters get stuck in a snowstorm (hello forced proximity) and there's some mystery when strange things happen like their generator cord gets cut and a window shatters...

All in all, it was fun to read an early writing from JLA. It was a quick read and didn't require her typical world building (non-fantasy). I felt like I was a bit too old of an audience for this one.
3/5

Frigid by Jennifer L armentrout
3.5 stars
This book felt like a hallmark movie, the plot was predictable, it was Christmas time and the best friends have both been secretly in love since childhood. Cue Mr. “I’m not good enough for the girl” Kyler (which is not a good name by the way) who’s solution is to numb his feelings by sleeping with any girl who offers. When has that ever been a good idea?
Then we have Sydney, who instead of speaking on her feelings decided it would be best to pine after her best friend and watch him sleep around BUT also allow him to push away guys who get close to her.

I know they were college kids but the characters felt really immature to me. It really felt like one conversation could have solved all of their problems. The bad guy of the story was obvious from the beginning but I didn’t have a problem with that.

Overall I didn’t hate this book but I also didn’t love it. I’ve been a big JLA fan since I read From Blood and Ash and I’ve like everything fantasy from her but maybe her contemporary romance isn’t for me. If you’re into cute Christmas hallmark movies where the guy always gets the girl you’ll probably like this one.

Thank you netgalley and SourcebooksBloombooks for the review copy!

3.75 stars rounded up

I do love the idea of Bloom bringing these oldies back and giving them special treatment but wow it was eye opening to see how much Jennifer L. Armentrout has grown as an author.

Frigid is the story of two best friends who are secretly in love with each other. They get snowed in together so of course THINGS happen plus there's a bit of a suspense thrown in. I could not really connect with the FMC, Sydney. She really REALLY cared a lot about what Kyler, her BFF, thought of her and constantly doubted herself. Even after they get together she is still berating herself and thinking the absolute worst of him. Not very best friendly of her...sure call him out on his bullshit but dang she was pretty brutal. And Kyler is not much better...he's very much a slut apparently and uses that to cover up his REAL feelings for Syd?? I thought he was really immature. I did like the overall plot of the story, it was entertaining and I liked the side characters Andrea and Tanner.

JLA has definitely grown leaps and bounds since writing this, not to say it's terrible but it's just not what I'm used to from her. She's spoiled us with quality as of late! I still would recommend this if you're in the mood for a wintery vibe romance that you can finish up in a day. Thank you so much to Bloom Books for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
--
This was a second read through for me. I enjoyed this snowbound best friends to lovers romance. The thriller twist makes for interesting reading but I am not sure this added plot twist is necessary for the narrative as a whole.

“𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”

- 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝘁𝗼-𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
- 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝘆
- 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁
- 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻

A lifetime of love kept secret, until a snow storm puts Sydney and Kyler alone to face the truth.
An angst-filled book that burns slow!

ARC read for the re release!

This is my first time r we ding JLA that wasn’t fantasy and honestly the writing was quite good! I think the romance is one of JLAs strengths for sure.


Things I liked:
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity (snowed in)
Little twisty subplot

Things I didn’t love:
Miscommunication trope
Third act breakup

Pretty standard little romance, quick easy read. Good development between the characters! The romance (😏) is well written. The subplot was a surprise and kept it interesting. The characters seem a bit immature. If you don’t mind a miscommunication trope, definitely read this!

This book follows best friends Sydney and Kyler as they go on their annual Christmas ski trip, only to be stranded alone in the cabin due to a storm. Sydney has been quietly pining for Kyler for years, while Kyler parades endless one night stands in front of her. Kyler apparently also has secret feelings for Sydney? And his solution is to constantly ditch her to go hookup with the previously mentioned parade of one night stands. But trapped together, years of feelings come to the surface. But someone mysterious is on the mountain with them, and they seen to want them gone.

I think this is unfortunately one of those times when I’m not the right reader for this book. I love Jennifer L Armentrout, so I was shocked when I didn’t enjoy this story. I think the tropes were just not for me. I enjoy Friends to Lovers, but these characters frustrated me, so it was hard to connect with them. I felt like the strongest plot point was the mystery, which was pretty unnecessary to the overall story. I had a hard time feeling anything kind towards Kyler, as he came off as a gross womanizer. Womanizers are just fine, but when he isn’t upfront with the women and leads them on it doesn’t sit right with me. And being flirty/touchy feely with his best friend, preventing other men from dating her, and then still walking a line of women in front of her was not my favorite. Sydney was a lovely character, but she had absolutely zero self respect. She was in near constant pain because of this man and still let him walk all over her. There were multiple instances of other women from his past that showed up to proposition him, which Sydney just accepted. I was ultimately rooting against their relationship towards the end of this book.

Overall I think a lot of people would still enjoy this story! I could very well be in the minority here. I just found myself frustrated and unsatisfied with this particular story. I’ll go back to reading anything else by this author.

The beginning of 'Frigid' definitely grabbed my attention, This sweet story ticked all my favs boxes and I hand on heart enjoyed this book!!!

Yesssss give me locked room spice and I am sold.

This was a really great will they, won't they, friends to lovers story with the perfect amount of spice for the storyline. Is this going to win a Pulitzer? No. Is it more fun than that? 100%.

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer. I might have found my reading cure. This book is an amazing well written romance book. While I know JLA mainly for her fantasy books. This really shows her writing chops.

I’ve only read JLA’s fantasy books and after reading this one, I don’t know why I was dragging my feet to pick up her other works. This was such a cute story, I loved the dynamic of friends to lovers with the spice. The added plot of a little bit of mystery and suspense kept me on the edge and made this a really really enjoyable read!

While being named Frigid this is Spicy girl.
Absolutely loved it. Can not wait for ‘Andy’s’ story.

Two best friend s ready for a weekend with their fellow friends. A snowstorm is coming and mysterious events keep happening that don’t add up with just Mother Nature.


First. Kyler was so swoon worthy. I forget how much I love the protective friend protector but pining until I get one and man did I love him.
Second. Sydney finally getting lady balls was so *chefs kiss* & so relatable with being in your head about everything.

Sydney has been quietly crushing on her best friend Kyler for years, but she doesn't think he views her as anything more. Particularly after her ex told the school that she was 'frigid.' But when the two are trapped in a snowstorm, will things change between them?

Read if you like:
-Forced Proximity
-Friends to Lovers
-Miscommunication Trope

I love JLA, but this book just wasn't for me. The miscommunication trope really overshadowed the friends to lovers potential goodness. And the weird revenge subplot really didn't mesh with the rest of the story.

Title: Frigid (Delux Edition)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publishing Co.: Bloom Books
Publishing Date: November 5, 2024
Length: 320 pages/ chapters
Rating: 4.25⭐️ / 🌶️
Trigger Warnings:
Tropes: Friends-to-Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Mystery/Suspense

Frigid is my first-ever novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout and is certainly not my last. I found the characters Sydney Bell & Kyler Quinn relatable in this best friends-to-lovers sweet romance with a splash of mystery/suspense. Sydney & Kyler have been best friends since childhood, and have been pinning for each other. You most certainly find yourself rooting for these two. The characters and plot were enjoyable in addition to Kyler Quinn although a playboy will most definitely be a book boyfriend *Chefs Kiss*.

Thank you to #Netgalley, Sourcebooks/Bloom Books for a pre-published copy of Frigid (Delux Edition) in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this story! Perhaps I’m biased because I have the same first name as the FMC and grew up going to Snowshoe regularly - but I loved the friends-to-lovers arc of this story (with aN ADDED hint of danger. This may be my favorite Jennifer L. Armentrout book yet!

I also firmly believe that Kyler walked so Casteel could run! If you love Cas, you’ll love Kyler.