Member Reviews
I really, really enjoyed this book! Love the tropes in it. I normally read fantasy by JLA but I will definitely be reading more of these by her.
Absolutely loved this book! I hadn't read any of JLA's books that weren't fantasy/romantasy, but I loved this one! It was a quick read for me and I loved the friends to lovers vibe in this book! It was sweet, steamy, and just perfect for them!
Thank you to JLA and Netgalley for letting me read and review an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
Jennifer L Armentrout never disappoints! I'm so obsessed with this book and characters! This is my 3rd time reading it and each time I love it more
I was disappointed in this one. I understand the friends-to-lovers trope, but didn't feel that there wasn't enough other material to carry the story. The part about the jealous young man vandalizing their vehicles and attempting to rape Sydney was overplayed.
Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4/5)
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I really enjoyed Frigid! It’s so different from Jennifer L. Armentrout’s usual romantasy, but that made it feel fresh and fun to read. Even though there’s no magic or fantasy world in this one, what remains is her skill in writing a slow burn between two characters with undeniable chemistry. The tension between Sydney and Kyler keeps you hooked, waiting for them to finally realize what’s been right in front of them the whole time.
The story focuses on these two best friends who clearly have feelings for each other but are too scared to admit it. When they get stuck in a snowstorm, things heat up fast, and all that tension finally bubbles to the surface.
The romance between them is sweet, a bit steamy, and has a lot of heart. You can’t help but root for them to figure things out. I liked how the snowy, isolated setting created a cozy atmosphere and gave them no choice but to face their feelings. The drama isn’t overdone, and the pacing kept me hooked the whole way through.
If you’re into contemporary romance with a bit of tension and drama, this one is definitely worth picking up. It’s a nice change if you’ve been reading Armentrout’s more fantasy-heavy stuff, and it shows off how versatile she is as a writer.
this was okay. not my fav but didn’t hate it. a story about best friends secretly in love trapped in a snow storm.
ok, this one was just ok for me. Maybe a little too sweet and a little too predictable but some thing were too much.
I probably would have liked this more if it wasn't dual POV. May if I didn't know what Kyler was thinking? But that could be the problem. I didn't particularly like Kyler. Him not being 'good enough' for Sydney got really old. And if he wasn't going on about that then he was going on about how perfect she was. It was all too much for me. I felt it lacked that authentic feeling.
Then, as with most romance novels, the relationship is put to the test. Well, let's just say that Syndey's and Kyler's 'test' was pretty lame. It seemed totally random and Syndey overreacted. I just wasn't feeling it but since I didn't feel all that connected prior too, I really wasn't expecting much.
Its a easy ready especially if you like Jennifer Armentrout, so give it a go if you think its your vibe!
I love a good best friends to lovers trope! Sydney and Kyler had loved each other since they were kids but neither confessed their feelings for each other. Instead Sydney dated someone in high school and they broke up her freshman year of college. While Kyler sought out one night stands to ignore his feelings. Even though the culprit was pretty obvious, I did like the mystery aspect. But I couldn’t get over the amount of times Sydney was described as being tiny and looking like a 16 year old. And 90% of the book she was so insecure and immature. For example, he woke up before her and left the bed and she immediately went to he doesn’t like me and he regrets what we did. But really he just woke up before her and was getting her coffee. Meanwhile Kyler felt like he wasn’t good enough for her and wasn’t a good communicator. Overall, I feel like this book had so much potential but fell short.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This one is a childhood friends to lovers wooo! with a player mmc wow exciting Also wasn’t expecting the added mystery element wow fun The tension was definitely present in this one
SPOILERS INCOMING! disappointed that i didn’t love this one especially when I have enjoyed j.lynn's previous works. it’s a childhood friends to lovers with a player mmc so it had so much potential. the execution of this love story wasn’t it for me
first off, I can tell this was written in 2013 with the cringe vocabulary and juvenile dialogue.
direct quote from this book - “you are such a vagina” HUGE ICKKK
I understand this is a republishing of an old book but idk maybe rewrite it to be better
sydney was kinda annoying with her “not like other girls” attitude and her slut shaming other girls that kyler would interact with. she also acted like a child as well as damsel in distress with kyler like girl STAND UP PLS
3.5⭐️
"In reality, even though I’d been with everyone else, I’d always been Syd’s."
I've never read any of Jennifer Armentrout's contemporary romance so I was interested to see how this went. This is a SOLID friends-to-lovers romance, and is really quite cute
I will say, I don't know how neither of our main characters clued in to the other's feelings? Like Sydney has been fully in love with Kyler for years, and he loves her too but is in denial. But they both openly act like people with feelings for each other? Like Sydney gets upset when Kyler acts like a playboy and Kyler gets mad whenever other guys talk to Sydney. Even their best friends knew!!
Their friendship was really well done though, like I truly believed that these two were good friends and had known each other for years. They were comfortable with each other only good friends can be
The plot here is very secluded- Sydney and Kyler are going to a ski-lodge with friends and are the first to arrive, but are immediately snowed in by a blizzard. Their friends can't make it, so it's just the two of them in a cozy cabin. Because of this, there isn't much going on outside of the two of them. Not a lot of personal growth or backstory outside of their friendship. The ONE small tidbit about Kyler's life gets resolved off page and we hear about it later
I took off a .5 here because the third-act breakup was just so stupid. [ After Sydney is attacked at her cabin by Zach, she blames Kyler. (Zach was trying to get back at Kyler, who a YEAR AGO slept with his girlfriend?) She basically says the whole ordeal was because Kyler was incapable of 'keeping it in his pants'. Which is unfair, and it took her way too long to apologize for this. She tells Kyler to leave her alone and then goes to her parents house. When Kyler leaves her alone because he blames himself, Sydney's like "wow he must not care about me at all." So infuriating (hide spoiler)]
Thank you to Netgalley and publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I love the forced proximity trope so I was excited for this book. However, I found it kind of immature. I finished it fairly quickly, but it's pretty forgettable.
Jennifer Armentrout delivers a deliciously angsty, friends-to-lovers romance in Frigid that will leave you rooting for Sydney and Kyler from start to finish. The tension between these two best friends is palpable from the get-go, as Sydney’s unrequited love for Kyler simmers beneath the surface, while he tries to bury his feelings by playing the field. Their dynamic is relatable and engaging—who hasn't fallen for their best friend at least once?
The forced proximity trope is masterfully done in this story. When a snowstorm traps them together at a ski resort, all their pent-up emotions explode in the most intense and steamy ways. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Armentrout beautifully captures the vulnerability of crossing the line from friendship to something more.
What really sets Frigid apart is the depth of the characters’ emotional baggage. Kyler’s belief that he’s not good enough for Sydney adds a heartbreaking layer to his character, while Sydney’s internal struggle to preserve their friendship is both poignant and realistic. Their journey from friends to lovers feels natural and deeply satisfying.
While the romance is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the novel, the suspense element adds an unexpected twist. The stalker subplot creates tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat, though it does feel a bit rushed at times. I would’ve loved to see this part of the story explored a bit more to heighten the stakes.
Overall, Frigid is a captivating, emotional read that fans of friends-to-lovers romances will adore. Armentrout's talent for blending heart-pounding romance with suspense shines through, and while a few elements felt a little underdeveloped, the connection between Sydney and Kyler is more than enough to keep readers hooked. A perfect winter read!
I enjoyed this new adult contemporary romance involving best friends (who secretly are pining over each other) to lovers. However, Kyler drove me insaneeeee. He’s certainly no Aiden, Daemon, or Nyktos but he eventually pulls his head out of his ass 🤣. I really wish Sydney had more confidence and we saw more character growth. It would’ve been nice to see her go from “frigid” to the warm woman we know she is deep down. Instead, we see how others perceive her as well as TONS of overthinking.
There was an overarching plot to this one that added a tinge of suspense, albeit it was predictable. We also had a snowy, holiday setting which added some coziness without this being a “Christmas romance.”
Even with all this being said, JLA is a comfort author for me and I will read her every time. Her writing style just flows freely and her books are easy reads.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the pre published copy of this one!
Can I state that I have no clue why authors republish older books they wrote? Is there a different ending or any added new scenes. I actually read this book before. And totally forgot that I did. So picking it up again and rereading it made me remember it well. I didn't read anything new. So I’m more confused. Syndey and Kyler were best friends since grade school. I love the best friends to lovers romance troupe. Which was why I picked it. Kyler was a ladies man and Sydney was in love with him. No clue why since he seemed immature and clueless most of the time. Stranded in the cabin during Christmas break by a huge storm, made them realize how much they do love each other. There were many strange obstacles such as a stalker and self doubts. The stalker part was very weird. Kyler and Sydney were cute together. The sexy scenes were hot. The ending was just cute. Overall, it was a nice romance. Thank to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
I read this many many years ago and loved it then. It felt like coming home when I read this again, Jennifer writes pure magic into all her books.
Just phenomenal
This friends to lovers with the unrequited love trope with them being friends since childhood. I really enjoyed Syd's character and felt a connection with her trying to work through her feelings. There are some great twists and turns throughout that got me. It focuses around miscommunication and it's not necessarily my favorite trope, I feel that it was done well for this one! It's a pretty quick read for fans of friends to lovers with unrequited love.
Frigid is the perfect blend of romance, angst, and suspense that kept me hooked from the very first page. Sydney and Kyler's dynamic is the ultimate best-friends-to-lovers scenario, with a depth that makes their emotional turmoil both relatable and heart-wrenching. Sydney's unrequited love for Kyler has simmered for years, and watching her navigate her feelings while trying to preserve their friendship really struck a chord.
Kyler, on the other hand, is the classic commitment-phobic guy who's hidden his feelings under layers of flings and casual encounters. I loved how the author explored his insecurities. The chemistry is undeniable, and when they’re trapped together in a snowstorm, the tension is so thick you can practically feel it crackling off the page.
The added suspense of being stalked in an isolated ski resort adds a thrilling layer to the story, heightening the stakes and keeping the pages turning. It felt like more than just a romance—it had an edge of danger that I didn’t see coming, which made the book that much more engaging.
While the plot was gripping, there were moments when the pacing felt a bit rushed, especially towards the climax. I would have loved a bit more buildup in certain scenes, but overall, the emotional payoff was totally worth it.
If you love friends-to-lovers romances with a twist of suspense, Frigid will keep you warm on a cold night. The author delivers a compelling story full of heart, heat, and a touch of danger. Highly recommend!
A little cliche, a smidge cringe but also cute. While this is definitely a slow burn, I loved the friends to lovers aspect. Kyler and Sydney were so dang cute together. The whole forced proximity bits of this with the mystery of the mayhem going on was intriguing and kept me fully engaged. Kyler might've been outwardly a man wh0re, but he was the best book boyfriend vibes internally and to Sydney as her best friend, always taking care of her. This definitely had some YA vibe moments but also some steamy, spicy moments. Overall, it was a good read if you get past the little cliche moments on the first little bit. I'm definitely going to have to try more of Jennifer L Arnentrout's books now!
I received this ARC for the new deluxe edition with sprayed editions re-release from SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
Frigid is a charming, well written, and a steamy friends to lovers story. I absolutely loved the characters. The witty dialogue was great. I need to read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book.
Always an absolute fave author of mine writing just another phenomenal story that I just couldn't put down! I just ate this one up and instantly wanted to re-read the second I was finished. Everything I need and want from start to finish. The anticipation I had from this release I was not let down. JLA always give me all the feels in her writing and this is one written with friendship and incredible love.