I enjoyed this book for the most part. But I personally don't tend to enjoy reading books where something happened in the past between the two characters, and you don't get to know what happened until halfway through the book. Otherwise, this was a fun read and I loved the friends to lovers romance.

Unfortunately I had to dnf this one… I just couldn’t get into it no matter how many times I tried which breaks my heart.

Not giving up though, I will definitely try again to read it down the road!!

If Happy Place and People We Meet on Vacation had a baby, it would be this book!! This is the perfect beach summer vibes

I will read anything Sally Blakely writes after getting to read this one! I was captivated by the couple's friendship throughout the book and how realistic everything felt. It was relatable and swoony at the same time, and I never wanted it to end. Will be recommending to friends!

Reminiscent of a mix of Happy Place and People We Meet on Vacation. Beautifully written and such a good time. I loved getting to know Joni and Ren and their story.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This was a fun and emotional debut with one of my favorite genres...friends to lovers! Joni and Ren were best friends until they no longer were. We get two different timelines. The present where the two have not spoken since a line was crossed. Now they must fake a friendship that no longer exists in front of their families. And the past which showcases their best friend status with something more that finally comes to light...and then ends. UGH!

I'm glad we finally got to understand the reason Joni did what she did, but the heartbreak she caused, not just for Ren, but herself was emotionally draining. I loved their reestablished friendship, genuine connection, eventual declaration and acceptance of love...
This is a second chance romance with family dynamics thrown in. I will definitely check this author out in the future!

4 stars

Super cute story but felt very similar to PWMOV. I love friends to lovers and definitely think this is a fun book to take to the beach and a short read but dragged a bit. The romance didn’t feel super fleshed out? Or the chemistry was lacking

I did get Emily Henry vibes while reading this book. It was fun and light with excellent banter. The families were a bit much at times, but their hearts were in the right place. I was not a fan of the circumstances around the third act breakup, but otherwise a great read.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I had seen SO many raving reviews for this one, but it didn't blow me away. We obviously know Joni and Ren are ultimately going to end up together, but I didn't care for the "will they, won't they" aspect. I also feel like this book would have GREATLY benefited by having Ren's POV.

Really enjoyed this one! Love childhood friends to lovers and add in summer romance…yes please! Thank you for the arc! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advance eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, Just Friends wasn’t my favorite. I personally don’t enjoy the miscommunication trope, and it played a big role in this story. The relationship also felt a bit forced to me, and the pacing was slower than I usually enjoy.

While this one didn’t quite work for me, readers who enjoy slowburn romance and don’t mind some miscommunication may still find it a good fit.

2.75 stars

Everything about the romance aspect in this book felt extremely forced. Honestly by the time I finished it I wish it would have just been a book about friends to even better friends. The chemistry completely fell flat once we crossed into romance territory. The side characters were not that memorable and I struggled with trying to find a reason as to why I should care about the relationship between Joni and Ren.

This book reminded me exactly why I love romance. The slow burn, the angst, the little stolen moments, it all added up to something magical. I laughed, I teared up, and I couldn’t stop rooting for them. Definitely a new comfort read for me.

I really liked Ren....but struggled to like Joni. The back and forth in time didn't mesh well with me. The present day I liked BUT they had more chemistry in the past. I just couldnt get invested in this story.

5 stars
I definitely felt the Emily Henry vibes! Happy place/people we meet on vacation mixed up together!

All the emotions were there. I loved the flashbacks and the little details of everything.

I devoured this book and enjoyed it so much!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
I’ll definitely be purchasing a shelf trophy once it’s out!

જ⁀➴ 5 ✰
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹“I think I’m always going to be waiting for just five minutes of you loving me like I love you”⋆𐙚₊˚⊹


When I say I want a good friends-to-lovers story, I’m talking about this book!! I’m a HUGE friends-to-lovers addict—like, certified obsessed—and that’s exactly why I requested this book as an ARC. The title alone had me clicking “request” faster than I could blink, lmao. And then, once I realized it also had the second chance trope? Game over. Add those two tropes together, and you’ve completely won me over!!

There’s something deeply special about the friends-to-lovers trope. There’s nothing quite like watching two people who already know and love each other platonically slowly realize that what they feel is so much more. It's a love built on years of trust, shared memories, and emotional vulnerability. That kind of bond makes the eventual romance feel not only believable but incredibly earned. The slow-burn tension—the glances, the almost-confessions, the lingering touches—makes every moment crackle with anticipation. It’s heartwarming and comforting all at once, because there's a certain safety in falling for someone who already knows your quirks, your fears, your history... and chooses to love you anyway. That transition from friendship to something more is the ultimate payoff—it gets me every time.

𓍼 I absolutely LOVED everything about this book—from the writing to the characters to the overall story. It was truly spectacular and such a good summer read. Without a doubt, it’s one of my favorite reads of the year! For a debut novel, this was incredibly well-crafted. The writing was so clean and immersive, and the pacing was just right—smooth, steady, and engaging from start to finish. One thing that stood out to me was the way the flashback chapters were handled. Sometimes flashbacks can feel disruptive or unnecessary, but not here. They were woven in so seamlessly and appeared at the perfect moments, enhancing the emotional impact without ever pulling me out of the story. Honestly, it was just so well done and made the whole reading experience feel effortless in the best way.


𓍯𓂃"You're still my best friend. And I'm not interested in a life without you in it"𓂃 𓈒𓏸



When I tell you this book had me on the verge of a heart attack from all the emotions it stirred up—I’m not even being dramatic. There were moments when I genuinely wanted to cry, not because anything devastating was happening, but simply because of how much Joni and Ren meant to each other… and how painfully unaware they were of it. The way they loved each other so quietly, so deeply, without even realizing it—it wrecked me in the most beautiful way.
I was completely glued to this story everywhere with me—reading it in between errands, while waiting in line, even while cooking lunch. No exaggeration, I was flipping pages with one hand and making my meat with the other. That’s how addicted I was. I just couldn’t stop.

𓍼 Another thing I adored was the found family element woven throughout the book. The setting—a beach house during the FMC’s sister’s wedding—added such a cozy, intimate vibe. It felt like I was right there with them, part of the group. The dynamic between the characters was so authentic and full of warmth. I found myself laughing and smiling through their interactions. It made the whole story feel incredibly alive and emotionally resonant. Also, can we talk about the music?? I loved how the author included song mentions throughout the book. I had so much fun listening to the songs as I read—it elevated the whole experience. Sally seriously has great taste in music because every single song mentioned was an absolute chef’s kiss.

ִ ࣪𖤐 If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers, second chance romance, and a good dose of summer vibes, you need to add this book to your TBR immediately!!!!! I’ve seen a lot of people comparing this to Emily Henry—especially People We Meet on Vacation—and while it definitely gives off similar vibes, don’t panic if you’re not an EmHen fan. I actually hated PWMOV and I’m not a fan of Emily Henry’s writing in general, but I loved this one. So if you’ve been hesitant because of the comparison, trust me: give this book a chance. It deserves it.


𓇼 ⋆ 🌊.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆ 🫧 𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚⋆｡𖦹 °.🐚⋆˖°


𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚characters:



ೃ࿐ ⋆˚࿔ Joni 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

I absolutely LOVED Joni’s character—she was such a ִ relatable and lovable protagonist. She’s anxious about her future, unsure of where she’s going, and just trying her best to succeed at her job so that her family can feel proud of her after she made the big move to New York City. That feeling of pressure and uncertainty? So real. Joni might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you're not a fan of characters who overthink everything, but to me, she felt so real and deeply human. I found her easy to root for and connect with.

One of my favorite aspects of her character was her relationship with her sister. You could truly feel the love between them—messy, honest, and supportive in that very real-life siblings kind of way. I also loved how much Joni cared about others. She was so thoughtful and kind, even when she was struggling internally. When she returned to the beach house after being gone for two and a half years, she was scared that the group dynamics had changed without her—that maybe she no longer fit into the rhythm of the family. But seeing everyone welcome her back so warmly and genuinely love her for who she is? It was emotional and comforting. It showed how sometimes we’re much harder on ourselves than those who care about us ever would be.


𓍯𓂃"I'm serious, Joni," Ren goes on. "You're one of us no matter what. Everyone misses you, but no one faults you for not being here." He glances around the room like it represents the house, our families, and I see that mask falling, the best friend I used to know so well starting to show his face. "It's all here for you, whenever you want it.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸




ೃ࿐⋆˚࿔ Ren 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

MY LOVEEEEEEE. I’m so obsessed with Ren—the same way he’s obsessed with Joni. He’s the literal definition of thoughtful and romantic in the quietest, most heartfelt ways. Like, the man makes her playlists for every possible situation?? That alone would’ve had me falling for him. But it doesn’t stop there—he also goes out of his way to help Joni feel grounded. At one point, she’s anxious in NYC and he literally shows her a video of her favorite view in Oregon just to calm her down. That’s the kind of soft love and emotional support that just melts me.


𓍯𓂃"Loving you...it's like my heart exists outside my body, and that just hurts, sometimes. And losing you once... I got this glimpse of a person I didn't want to be.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸


⤷HE IS GONE FOR HER SO BAD😩😩


Since the book is told entirely from Joni’s point of view, we don’t get a super deep dive into Ren’s inner world. We learn the basics about his life, his personality, and his connection to the group, but I still found myself wishing we got more of him—especially his thoughts. A few chapters from his perspective would’ve been absolute perfection and added even more emotional depth to the story. Still, even without that, he left such a lasting impression. Every little thing he did screamed love, care, and devotion. He’s easily one of my favorite love interests this year.



˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥˚✿ °. Ren & Joni:
⤷ soulmates❤︎

These two were made for each other—literally. They’ve been best friends since they were three years old, growing up side by side, sharing every milestone, every heartbreak, every small joy. Their bond felt so authentic, so deeply rooted in shared history and understanding. Watching their relationship slowly evolve from friendship into something more was incredibly satisfying and heart-melting.

⟢THE LONGING. THE YEARNING. It had me feral. Like, i genuinely want what they have. The way they were constantly reaching for each other—whether through casual touches, lingering stares, or just being there—it was perfection. There’s something so special about watching two people who know each other inside and out fall in love without even realizing it’s happening. Their connection was full of unspoken feelings and subtle moments that carried so much weight. Every interaction was laced with tenderness, tension, and that delicious slow-burn ache that friends-to-lovers fanatics live for.


𓍯𓂃”Ren isn’t just some person I can write out. His life will always be irrevocably intertwined with mine.”𓂃 𓈒𓏸



They just get each other in that rare, once-in-a-lifetime way. Their inside jokes, their effortless banter, the way they always found each other in a crowded room—it was everything. Every scene with them felt like watching two soulmates orbit closer and closer until they finally collided. I’ll forever be rooting for them. Their relationship felt like home.

Another thing I loved was their sweet tradition of being each other’s plus-one for weddings. Ever since Joni moved to NYC and Ren stayed in Portland, they’ve held onto this ritual—no matter the distance, no matter the timing, they always reunited for weddings. The flashback chapters centered around those moments, and they were some of my favorite parts of the book. Seeing how much they missed each other in the months between, and how those brief reunions always sparked something deeper between them, was just beautiful.


⋆౨ৎ ₊˚ 🦢tropes:


ꨄ︎ friends to lovers (DUHH)
ꨄ︎ summer read
ꨄ︎ second chance
ꨄ︎ found family
ꨄ︎ slow burn
ꨄ︎ forced proximity


˖ ݁♬⋆.˚𝄞. Ren & Joni playlist


⤷ no one notices ⟡ the marias { their song }
⤷ adore you ⟡ harry styles
⤷ ghost of you ⟡ 5sos
⤷ supercut ⟡ lorde
⤷ don’t you (forger about me) ⟡ simple minds
⤷ dancing queen ⟡ abba

A swoony, beach‑side romance with childhood best friends who “just stopped talking”—until they have to reconnect for one last wedding. Slow‑burns, dual timelines, emotional, and lots of miscommunications. Joni and Ren are the perfect friends to lovers characters!!

Thanks Sally Blakely, Net Galley and Canary Street Press for the eARC of this book!

This was a perfect summer read... a cute, slow burn romance between two childhood friends who have an agreement to meet up at weddings. I love their friendship and I loved watching their friendship turn into something way more. This was told in dual timeline, which I really enjoyed and thought the author executed that well. I also enjoyed this great group of side characters. I gave this a 4 star book on Goodreads and will keep an eye out for any future work done by this author.

I really enjoyed Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely! It’s a sweet, slow-burn romance filled with emotion, nostalgia, and plenty of heart. The dual timelines worked well to show how Joni and Ren’s connection evolved, and Ren completely stole my heart—his love confession was one of my favorite moments in the book.

The friends-to-lovers and second-chance elements are written in a way that feels believable and heartfelt, and the family/wedding setting gave the story a cozy, comforting vibe.

What kept it from being a 5-star read for me were the miscommunication hurdles (so much could have been solved with one conversation!) and some slower pacing in the middle. I also didn’t always connect with Joni, but I still rooted for her and Ren to find their way back to each other.

Overall, this was a warm, emotional debut and a solid 4 stars. Perfect if you enjoy friends-to-lovers romances that balance sweetness, nostalgia, and a touch of angst.

🌶️

This one took me a while to finish. I just reallly had a hard time connecting with Joni, even as a fellow anxiety sufferer. Maybe this was more difficult for me because I don’t like the miscommunication trope, and I kind of put it in this one because of how Joni handled (or didn’t, more aptly) things and ran. I adored watching Ren try to show her how much he loved her for so long, but my gosh I wanted to make these two kiss like my dolls when I was little long before it happened. Honestly, Ren was definitely the best main character in this story. His line declaring his love on the doorstep melted me so much I went back and just reread it multiple times. Still a good read, definitely worth it for Ren alone 😅

❤️ Tropes ❤️
💋 friends to lovers (duh)
💋 second chance romance
💋 miscommunication/lack of communication
💋 mental health rep
💋 forced proximity

Joni has given so much of her life to her job in New York City. A job that just fired her. So she is going to nurse her wounds at the vacation home a little earlier than planned before her little sister’s wedding to be able to put on a mask that everything is fine. She isn’t going to ruin her sister’s wedding. Only.. she’s not the only one that came early. Her lifelong best friend Ren is there, which makes sense since their families share the vacation house. But they have talked in a couple years since “the incident”. She already has one mask up, another isn’t going to make a difference.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy, all thoughts are my own.