Oh my gosh, this is the friends to lovers book of my dreams. If you have a serious hangover from PWMOV, let me introduce you to your remedy. This book has the best of friends to lovers—the pining, the chemistry, the ‘right person wrong time’. I am a huge fan and can’t wait to see what comes next!

I loved the story of best friends Joni and Ren as they navigate what went wrong in their friendship — the shifts between timelines provided a captivating way to continue seeing what happened. This was very reminiscent of Emily Henry's Happy Place and People We Meet on Vacation.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

grrrrrrr
this book changed me for the better and i don’t know what to do about it

it messed me up, ripped out my heart, left me aching on a hard concrete bench just because of how much of myself and what i want i saw reflected in Joni and Ren

there is no doubt in my mind that this absolutely is a five stars and that it needs to be read by all the hopeful dreamers out there who just want love to come in the form of the person who is all they’ve ever known

Sally Blakely takes us through the story of best friends Joni and Ren, as they are forced to face the issue that ended their life-long friendship. This books is reminiscent of The Summer I Turned Pretty, and shifts between timelines in a way that wants you to keep on going to see exactly went wrong. For those who love Emily Henrys "Happy Place", I think you'd like this one too. I'm excited to read future works from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

loved this romance of friends to lovers and what happened over the 5 years and going to weddings. Loved that things all came down to the week with family in the Portland area and figuring out their relationship. loved the family

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 4.75 rounded up.

It's easy to make comparisons to Emily Henry's "Happy Place" or her earlier "People We Meet on Vacation", or even Christina Lauren's "Holidaze" without the supernatural Groundhog Day-esque repeating. But this was its own gem of a story. Total Man Falls First friends to lovers, as the title says!

Told in Joni's first-person POV we explore her lifelong (since age 3) friendship with Ren as they reconnect at her sister's wedding to his band mate (okay Ren runs A&R so not IN the band, but he discovered them for his label) at their shared family cabin on the Oregon coast.

Joni and Ren had a falling out and haven't spoken in 2.5 years after HIS sister's wedding. Before that, they spend 4 years attending family & friend weddings as each other's plus one. With Ren staying in their Portland hometown while Joni was at her dream job in NYC, the weddings are their only time to connect and renew their friendship in person.

I really enjoyed the strong friendship focus within this story. Ren makes Joni playlists, she encourages his career, their families are intertwined, and they have a lot of inside jokes and history. But reflecting on all their recent time together shows both cracks and greater potential within their relationship.

While the central friendship is the main focus, we get some side characters. I loved Joni's sister Stevie for her dry wit and general support. I am unfortunately Sasha with my planning, and though my mom isn't a therapist, I understood the relationship Joni has with her mom. Joni also deals with anxiety, sometimes manifesting as attacks, which has been hovering over most of her life.

There are some lightly spicy moments but they're on the level of the referenced books at the start of my review. Also, the author listed a playlist at the end and I felt VERY cool for already knowing half of the list.

Yes! Summer beach read vibes galore. I loved the story's writing style, and I adore books with weddings! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I have a love/hate relationship with this title - on one hand it hooked me immediately because FTL is one of my fave tropes…but also spoils the plot on the cover??? I was invested with these characters, but the plot lost some steam for me around 75%. The climax just didn’t have the payoff I was hoping for. (Tho I did appreciate the focus on emotion over smut!) All that to say, I was in from the jump with the Emily Henry PWMOV vibes and I enjoyed Ren and Jodi’s story. I would definitely read more from Sally Blakey. I give this one 3.5 stars.

Friends to Lovers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read this book if you like:
- Friends to lovers & 2nd chance romance
- Romcoms
- 30 y/o main characters
- Slow burn and a little spice
- Two close knit families with kids who grew up together
- Shared family vacation beach home
- Weddings
- Sobbing through the last 45 minutes of a book

I felt everything, every emotion, Sally Blakely, wanted us to feel through her words while I read this book. The happiness and the angst, the peace and the anger, giddiness and anxiousness, then the feeling of heartbreak and the feeling of falling in love over and over again… so many types of love - love between friends, love between siblings, love between a daughter and her mother and then the love of a soul mate. Throughout this book, weddings are a common setting and you get to experience not only the transformation of the main characters from friends to lovers, but also the love of their closest friends and family. This is an epic love story. Thank you, Net Galley, for the opportunity to read this ARC. I can’t wait for everyone to get a chance to read this book! @netgalley @sallyblakely #friendstolovers #netgalley #arc #bookreview #bookrecommendations

Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely is an absolutely delightful read. As I journeyed through the pages, I found myself rooting for Emma and Jake, childhood friends whose bond deepens into something undeniably special. Blakely does an incredible job of illustrating their relationship's evolution, capturing the awkwardness and joy of transitioning from friendship to romance. What stood out for me were the authentic moments of realization and vulnerability between the characters, making their love story feel incredibly real and relatable.

I could genuinely feel the tension and anticipation build, and even though the plot follows a familiar trajectory, the charm and chemistry between Emma and Jake made every moment enjoyable. The book balances humour and heartfelt moments beautifully, and I appreciated how Blakely portrayed the challenges of redefining a long-standing friendship. Overall, the book left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a renewed belief in love's transformative power.

This is such a cute story and what a great debut novel for Sally. I fell in love with both the main characters and their story. Also love how much the Oregon coast is mentioned as someone who grew up in Oregon and on the Oregon coast. I am excited to see where sally goes in her career and what other stories she comes up with!

The title (a nod to a popular romance trope) and the cover of this book caught my eye and demanded my attention right away. Sally Blakely's "Friends to Lovers" centers around two characters, Ren and Joni, who have been good friends for decades. However, after one drunken night, lines are crossed and the relationship is taken to a new level. Neither of them know how to react and the relationship effectually fizzles out until they have no choice but to meet up. At Joni's sister's wedding, Joni and Ren come face to face for the first time in years and have to determine whether to walk away for good, or give their relationship one more shot.

I thought this was a cute book, but the storyline is a little un-original. I wish it had been less predictable. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

🔥 slow burn
🌶️ spicy meter: Mild (not too many spicy scenes but the ones there are don’t disappoint)
⏳smooth transitions between past to present timelines (I personally prefer linear timelines but I wouldn’t change a thing on this book)

It’s 👏🏼 All👏🏼 In 👏🏼 The 👏🏼 T-I-T-L-E👏🏼

FRIENDS TO LOVERS so you know from the start what you’re getting, you’re not going in blind! So if you know you don’t like friends-to-lovers tropes skip this one….

Not only was this a love story between Jodi and Ren and a friendship that has lasted a lifetime but also about their families beautiful friendship! I don’t know anyone that would buy a vacation home together so that they can vacation together but these families made it work! I love how much of their family story was incorporated into this book. I feel in love with all the brothers, sisters, their spouses and even both sets of parents.

I hope Blakely turns this book into a series(if she hasn’t already) and we get to hear their individual stories ❤️

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

PS: once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down ;)

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC of Friends to Lovers.

Learning that this was a debut novel inspired me to round up to 4 stars! The storyline isn't anything new or original (friends falling for eachother) but the authors approach on this trope was refreshing. You also couldn't help but to love the MC's.

omg!!!! i love this book!!! i love all of the tropes in this book soo much!!!! friends to lovers, dual timeline, faking still being friends!!!! ugh!!!! i thought that it was beautifully written, and i found myself rooting for joni and ren in every moment!!!! thank you so much to harlequin trade publishing, sally blakely and netgalley for the arc!

FRIENDS TO LOVERS is the best friends-to-lovers romance I've ever read, so the title makes absolutely perfect sense. It is filled with so much emotional depth, raw feelings, delicious tension and real love that makes me want to cry and squeal at the same time. Joni and Ren have been inseparable and friends since they were little. When Joni moves across the country for a job, they make a promise to be each other plus ones for weddings to keep their friendship in tact - which worked until it didn't. It's been two and half years after last being in each others presence that resulted in a blowup big enough for them to not be in each other's lives since then.

With Joni's sister's wedding coming up, Joni and Ren are back under the same roof of their shared families' cabin where they avoid talking about their past until they no longer can't and their feelings that they can no longer ignore. But if they were to be in a relationship, what happens to their two close families if they split up? Joni will not let herself be responsible for that and not to mention, can't afford to lose her very best friend - her rock. As good it feels to be talking to one another again, they must also learn to rebuild their trust. But it's only a handful of days before the weekend is over and everyone goes back to their daily lives. Do they have enough time to repair their friendship and perhaps explore something more?

I found Joni to be very relatable and real, especially when it comes to fearing the bad so much that you lose out on seeing any of the good in your life. I appreciated the reminder that when it comes to people we love, we want to do the noble thing and put their best interest first, thinking we know what they want and need, when in actuality it's not up to us decide what will make someone else happy, but to them.

I love Joni and Ren and their story so, so much and feel so privileged and honored to have witnessed their love. (And when Ren grabbed Joni's wrist, I about died). I very much look forward to reading whatever the author decides to grant us with next!!!!

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this second chance, friends to lovers book. I felt all the emotions=frustrations, sadness and happiness. I loved Joni and Ren's story and of course all the Swiftie references. A great read!!

One of my favorite tropes is Friends to Lovers, so when I saw this title I was immediately drawn to it. When I learned it was also a Second Chance romance I was really hooked. That can be such a tricky trope to do and if it’s not done well it can be really frustrating. I’ll be honest, there were definitely some times in this book when I wanted to shake Joni and I seriously questioned her choices. But Sally Blakely’s writing was so good that I really felt like I was right there with the characters and I was so drawn into the story. Joni is feeling a little lost after experiencing a major disappointment in her life. I can relate to the struggle that she was going through and trying to not let her disappointment affect those around her. Ren is such a loveable character, though we define don’t get in his head as much since the book was entirely from Joni’s POV. I was really rooting for Joni and Ren to get their happy ending. Read this if you’re looking for a sweet, heartfelt story about love, friendship, and family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Friends to Lovers is a perfect rom com. It follows best friends since childhood as they discover their friendship is more than just that, as it self destructs and as they find their way back to each other. The music influence and mentions are a fun touch. This rom com is light on spice making it perfect for almost anyone. Sally Blakely is a new must read for me.

*Friends to Lovers* by Sally Blakely is the kind of story that grabs your heart and doesn’t let go. It’s about Joni and Ren, two lifelong best friends who’ve always had each other’s backs. Even when Joni moves across the country for work, they find a way to stay connected by making a pact: they’ll be each other’s plus-ones for wedding season, no matter what’s happening in their lives. It’s a sweet, foolproof tradition… until it’s not. Things take a turn when Joni and Ren cross a line, and neither of them sees anything coming, and everything falls apart. Fast forward to the present, and Joni is back at their shared summer home for her sister’s wedding. She’s determined to make the week picture-perfect—even if it means pretending she and Ren are still the best friends they used to be. Easy, right? Not so much when the person you’re faking it with knows you better than anyone.

As the days go by, filled with sandy beach mornings and quiet, star-lit nights, Joni starts to wonder if her life without Ren in it is even worth imagining. There’s so much tension between them—so much unsaid—and it’s impossible not to feel all the history and heartache simmering under the surface. Blakely does such a good job of capturing those messy, complicated feelings that come with loving someone who’s always been more than a friend. The setting is gorgeous, too. That summer home by the beach and all the wedding chaos make the perfect backdrop for Joni and Ren’s emotional tug-of-war. It’s warm, nostalgic, and brimming with little moments that make you feel like you’re right there with them. And when the wedding finally rolls around, all the emotions and unresolved issues come to a head in a way that’s heartbreaking and hopeful all at once.

What really makes this book shine is how relatable it is. Joni’s journey—figuring out what Ren means to her, deciding if their relationship is worth the risk—is so raw and real. You can feel her struggle, love, and fear on every page. And Ren? He’s just as compelling, navigating his own feelings and regrets while still being the steady presence Joni’s always known. *Friends to Lovers* isn’t just a love story—it’s about growing up, facing your fears, and realizing that sometimes the person you’re most afraid to lose is the one you’ve loved all along. It’s heartfelt, bittersweet, and full of those little moments that make you want to laugh, cry, and cheer for Joni and Ren. If you’ve ever had a friendship that blurred into something more, or if you just love a good emotional romance, this one’s for you.