Friends to Lovers was a lovely ride and I definitely recommend grabbing it asap! Loved jumping back and forth between present day and memories as Ren & Joni’s story unfolded. It was a bumpy ride for the friends, but ultimately, I fell in love with the story and all the characters!

Friends to Lovers is a sweet and heartwarming story about two lifelong best friends who slowly begin to realize that their bond runs deeper than just friendship. The story follows their emotional journey as they navigate the shift from being each other’s safe space to exploring the possibility of something more.

Blakely does a great job capturing the tension, fear, and excitement that comes with risking a friendship for love. The characters are lovable and their chemistry is undeniable, making the slow-burn romance feel authentic and rewarding. While some moments felt a little predictable, the emotional payoff was worth it. A comforting, feel-good read for fans of the friends-to-lovers trope.

This isn't your typical friends to lovers book. The book starts with Joni and Ren not speaking to each other for two and a half years after having been best friends for their entire lives. No explanation as to what happened to cause this rift until about 85% through the book. It drove me crazy. I felt like I was robbed of getting to witness them falling in love. When they finally get back together, it feels like I missed everything leading up to that moement, because I did. I sound like I am saying this isn't a good book, but I'm not saying that. The writing was beautiful and the supporting characters were well rounded. I just felt like for a romance novel, I didn't get a lot of romance. Finally, at the very end I felt like I finally got to the romance. It's a wonderful story with great characters and beautiful writing. I just wish it was in a different order without all the flashbacks so that I understood from the beginning what had happened to Ren and Joni that had them to the place where they were strangers.

Wowowowow. I did not expect to love this as much as I did. The book immediately draws you in and keeps you hooked from start to finish. I literally could not put it down. I love love love when Friends to Lovers is done right and this book does just that. You can feel the chemistry between the characters in an instant. And you can just tell how deeply they love each other and miss each other when they're apart. This is definitely a must read. Even if you don't like the traditional romance, I think you'll love this one.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and Sally Blakely for the chance to read and listen to Friends to Lovers early! I was gifted both the eARC and ALC, which made for the perfect immersive reading experience, and honestly, I didn’t want to put it down.

This was such a heartfelt, nostalgic friends-to-lovers romance. I loved Joni and Ren’s connection. Deep, complicated, and full of that "what if" tension that keeps you turning pages. Their wedding-season tradition was such a sweet setup, and watching it unravel and rebuild had me fully invested. The beachy, summer setting gave it all the cozy, romantic vibes, and the emotional depth really hit home.

Patti Murin’s narration was spot-on. She captured Joni’s heart and humor so well that it made the story even more relatable and real.

There were a couple of slower moments, but overall, this was a beautiful debut full of love, growth, and second chances. If you enjoy stories about rekindled connections, messy feelings, and the kind of love that feels like home, this one is definitely worth a read.

A lovely reminder that sometimes, love has been right there all along. 💛

This book has a serious case of "I feel like I have read this before", and the other book was way better. After looking at the reviews other readers thought it was a People We Meet On Vacation knockoff...and I have to agree. Sorry to the author, but I would say go read the other book instead.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So. freaking. cute. I loved this book so much! Another reviewer described it as "if Happy Place" and "The People We Meet On Vacation" had a baby, it would be this book and I completely agree. Somehow Sally Blakely has captured all the fun and chemistry of an Emily Henry book, but made it her own. It doesn't feel derivative or like a copy at all, but if you liked either of those books at all, you'll almost certainly love this one, too.

I'm so impressed by this debut and can't wait for more by this author!

3.5 ⭐️

This was an enjoyable summer read. I loved the chemistry between Ren and Joni. I think this was a wonderful debut novel from Sally Blakely. The only thing that is not my favorite is the miscommunication trope. The whole book could have been solved with a simple convo. I’m also not a big fan of other woman drama (even though it was a very small portion of the book it still wasn’t for me).

Overall I think the book was really well done and I’d be excited to see what the author writes in the future!!

Thank you NetGalley and Sally Blakely for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Canary Street Press for the ARC of Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Never heard of this author, and appears to be her debut book…expected less and got way more! The bright blue of the cover drew me in and made me think this would be an excellent summer read, but this was just a great feel good love story. If you’ve ever had a best male friend who maybe you also crushed on this book is so relatable. And Ren, he’s the kind of guy most women would want as a best friend and boyfriend. Joni just needs to figure it out and decide what she wants, friends or lovers? The best part of this book was how gracefully Sally Blakely would slip from past to present and back again. We learned snippets of what drew Ren and Joni together and then tore them apart, but it was done so smoothly. Haven’t read a book like this that didn’t feel rushed in a long time. Just loved it.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

Loved this one! I’m a huge fan of the now and then timeline it’s so fun to see the MCs throughout the years and how their relationship evolves. So fun to see a book based in OR and feel the PNW vibes. This book has a strong family vibes and it felt like a summery hug with your bestie. Highly recommend adding to your beach stack!

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Joni and Ren have been inseparable since they were 3 years old, best friends for life. Then Joni takes her dream job in NYC and moves away from Portland and everything she knows. Thankfully friendship can stretch the miles and vowing to be each other’s wedding dates through the years. Joni and Ren stay connected.

Until one fateful wedding weekend when lines are crossed, and decades friendship left behind. Now 2.5 years later Joni has to face Ren again. It’s her sister’s wedding and avoiding home is no longer an option, so she’s heading home to OR to spend the week at the families beach house.

Joni would do anything for her sister so she will paste a smile on her face and fake her friendship status with Ren. But sunny skies, ocean waves and spending alot of time together will push Joni & Ren together again - maybe they can overcome the past and move out of the friend zone.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“I think I’m always going to be waiting for just five minutes of you loving me like I love you.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* Childhood Besties to Lovers
* Dual Timelines
* Reunion & Second Chances
* Wedding Dates Thru the Years
* He Makes Her Playlists
* FMC Deals with Anxiety
* Forced Proximity
* Portland, OR & PNW Beach Vibes
* Single POV w/ Spice

🩵🎶🌲🎸🩵🎶🌲🎸🩵🎶🌲🎸🩵

Get ready for an emotional slow-burn beach read that will evoke every feeling imaginable: happiness, sadness, nostalgia, hope, uncertainty, and everything in between. I'm holding back on spoilers, but trust me, you'll feel all.

Joni and Ren have been best friends since they were toddlers. Throughout their lives, they made a pact: they'd always be each other's plus-one. Even as other significant others came and went, their unwavering support for each other remained constant. So, what catastrophic event two and a half years ago shattered their bond?

Now, after two and a half years of silence since that New Year's Eve, they're finally reunited for Joni's younger sister's (Stevie) wedding. Will they finally be able to talk through what happened, or will they keep avoiding the truth and maintain a safe, polite distance?

Communication is the essential, overarching theme of this novel.

The Book:

Joni and Ren are best friends - or were best friends, but they haven't talked to each other in 2 years ... unbeknownst to their families who are so close, they even share a cottage.
It's been 2 years since Joni has been to the cottage, but her sister's getting married there, so it's time to go back and face Ren.
Told between the present and past timelines, we see Joni and Ren reunited, as well as their friendship (which involved always being each other's dates to weddings) over the years and learn what happened that led to them not speaking for the last 2 years.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this. It's funny, it's sweet, it feels like summer - Basically, everything I'm looking for in a summer romance and really gave me Carley Fortune (whom I adore) vibes!

I loved this romance so much! An excellent story! The character development, the pacing - all sooo good!!! 5/5!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Oh, how I enjoyed Joni and Ren. I love a good friends to lovers trope and this absolutely fit the bill. Taking place in Oregon made me enjoy it all the more. Joni and Ren have been best friends since they were three and their families co-own a beach house where they all gather. Joni gets her dream job in NYC and so she and Ren decide to be each other’s plus-one for all weddings they are invited to as a way to make sure that they still get to see one another. We learn that something happened at a wedding two and a half years earlier that has resulted in the breakdown of their friendship. We get snapshots of the weddings they attend together interspersed with the week of the wedding that they are forced to be at together. We eventually learn what happened as they start to let each other in again. Definitely an enjoyable read.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Canary Press for this E-ARC copy of this book!

"Friends to Lovers" by Sally Blakely presents a beautifully crafted exploration of the complexities that come with transitioning from friendship to romance. The story follows two best friends whose deep-rooted connection gradually shifts into something more tender and romantic, and Blakely does an excellent job of illustrating their evolving feelings. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, drawing readers into their journey as they navigate the intricacies of love and vulnerability.

Blakely's writing shines in its ability to capture the subtleties of emotion and the moments of hesitation that often accompany such transitions. While the initial engagement is strong, the pacing can occasionally lag, particularly in the middle sections where the slow burn feels a bit prolonged. This can create moments of frustration, especially when combined with the miscommunication that often arises between the main characters and their families, adding layers of conflict to their relationship.

The supporting characters add richness to the narrative, combining humor and depth that enhances the overall experience. Their interactions serve as both comic relief and valuable insight into the protagonists’ lives, making the journey feel more relatable.

Overall, "Friends to Lovers" is a sweet and heartwarming read, perfect for fans of the friends-to-lovers trope who appreciate the nuances of friendship and romance. With its engaging storyline and relatable themes, it offers a satisfying escape into the complexities of love. It came in at a solid 3.5 stars for me.

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and I knew that's exactly what we were going to get with the title! I enjoyed reading about Joni and Ben's story and how they go from BFFs to in an actual relationship. I also love a good fake relationship and what better than with 2 people who are already friends! You knew that was going to end with them falling in love and I ate it up.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAudio for an advance listening copy of #FriendsToLovers. Lifelong friends find love at a family gathering. 4 stars.

This has all the tropes! But it works. Joni and Ben were bffs who agreed to always be each other's plus one at weddings but then something happened (no spoilers) and they haven't spoken in three long years. This goes back and forth to tell their story even as, in the present, they must pretend to still be a couple (and share a room) at her sister's wedding. It's cute, it's got a bit of angst, and it's got weddings. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Good storytelling makes this a good read.

When done right a second chance romance is my most favorite trope and this one was done perfectly, I fell in love with Joni and Ren.

Joni and Ren have been friends since childhood and when Joni moves away for work they make a pact to be each others plus ones to all weddings for the next year. A line is crossed and their friendship is ruined and now Joni is back for her sisters wedding and is determined to make the week perfect even if she has to fake her friendship with Ren. I loved the back and forth with Ren and wondering if it would all work out for them in the end.

described as perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and People We Meet on Vacation and I totally agree, loved it!

Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequintradepublishing for the ARC and my very first ALC of Friends to Lovers!

Last week was a lot—my first week back at work, Canada Day, and planning S’s first birthday party (seriously, how is she one already?!). So I was extra grateful to have the audiobook. I had a headphone in while juggling life and this book became my little escape.

And what a book. Cozy in the best way, with depth and feeling that caught me off guard—in a good way. Annabel Monaghan wasn’t wrong in the blurb. I totally had a book hangover after this one.

Here’s the synopsis:

Joni and Ren have been best friends since childhood, maintaining their bond through a yearly tradition of being each other’s plus-ones for wedding season—even after Joni moves across the country. But when their friendship is shattered by a crossed line, everything changes. Now, reunited at their families’ summer home for Joni’s sister’s wedding, Joni is determined to make the week perfect—even if it means pretending to be friends with Ren while avoiding the painful truth behind their fallout. As old memories resurface and lingering feelings grow harder to ignore, Joni must decide whether to let Ren go or fight for the love that might still be between them.

Friends to lovers isn’t usually my go-to trope (enemies to lovers has my whole heart), but this one is officially my second favourite. We’ve got:
✔️ Childhood best friends
✔️ Summer nostalgia
✔️ Dual timelines
✔️ Second chances
✔️ A slow-burn romance with actual emotional payoff

If you’re in the mood for something heartfelt, nostalgic, and romantic, this one’s for you. 4 stars from me.