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.

It's hard to write a good review of Friends to Lovers without giving too much away. Let's just say that it's a great depiction of how changing the terms of a longtime friendship can be difficult. Joni and Ren can't quite seem to get on the same page, and the flashbacks build anticipation to find out how their friendship was put on ice for a while. I liked the coastal Oregon setting a lot as well.

Some minor quibbles: The character names were all a little out there (Joni, Ren, Thad, Stevie, Sasha, Mavis, etc. etc.) but why not, right? And there were a lot of characters that were just kind of there--I found myself having to search in my Kindle to remember who Greg or Oliver even was when they suddenly had a bit of dialogue. And I don't love when meddling relatives' problematic behavior is just explained away as "they really love you/they just want to help." But those faults don't detract from the main story.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Fans of Emily Henry will enjoy this book. Ren will be everyone’s book boyfriend, and you’ll be frustrated by many of Joni’s life choices. This was a fun read, a little wordy at times and some unnecessary T Swift references that felt clunky but a fun romance overall!

This book made me feel all my emotions - happiness, longing, tension, anger, frustration, hope, and finally love. I cried sad tears and I cried happy tears. Sally Blakely takes us through the course of time to understand Joni and Ren’s ever changing relationship. I felt a pull the entire time I read to know what happened and why current Joni and Ren feel the way they do.

If you loved reading Happy Place by Emily Henry then you will thoroughly enjoy Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely.

4.75/5

This was an enjoyable read that I finished in one sitting, thanks to its shorter length and engaging pace. While the story flowed easily, I found the plotline predictable, and the climax lacked the emotional impact I usually look for. I kept wanting something more to elevate the tension or drama. Parts of the plot, particularly the resolution and the main characters' reconnection, felt rushed. I also wished for stronger communication between the protagonists, as this could have deepened the emotional stakes.

One highlight was the dual timelines, which provided important context for the characters' conflict and gave the story depth. However, the formatting was occasionally confusing, though I adjusted as the story progressed. I appreciated the balance of romance—it wasn’t overly smutty, which kept the focus on the emotional connection. The reveal of what caused the two characters to grow apart for 2.5 years was unexpected, adding a layer of intrigue. Including Ren’s perspective would have been a great addition to explore his emotions more fully. Overall it was a good/easy read.

**Tropes**
- Second-Chance Romance
- Friends to Lovers
- Close Proximity

I truly enjoyed this book! The timing and contrast of the past vs the present felt like a countdown that had me flipping the pages, hungry for more. I loved the development of the characters and how anxiety played a role in the decisions that were made. This feels like a classic romcom but with complex feelings that made it really stand out for me.

Sadly I DNF this book. I could't connect with the characters or the story line. I didn't think this book was very romantic or cute.

DNFed, truthfully I just got bored reading this book, there was nothing special about it, which can be appealing to some or even me at certain times, I didn’t really feel anything while reading what I did.

This book is a solid 4 stars! Its unique storyline was refreshing and interesting! The slow burn left so much angst within the story that I was desperate to see it end. My only complaint is I wish there could have been more depth to Ren and Joni as characters. I also found myself confused on occasion when Joni would think of a memory in present day. However, Sally does a wonderful job with her writing style and I would read more from her.

I like this book. You get a lot of history between the main characters. Full of drama that only close knit family circles can have. It is a fun read

ARC Review:

I couldn’t put this book down. It was such a heart-warming, gut-wrenching, testament to how truly beautiful life can be, especially when you fall in love with your best friend.

Details: friends to lovers, time jumps, playlists, one bed, wedding dates, summer house, joint bach parties, sleep talking, capture the flag, phone calls, worrisome mama, matching tattoos

This was an amazing summer romance to read, but also so much deeper than that. Who are we without our careers? Why do we put our SOULS into our jobs and let the rest of life just pass us by? Why do we wait for the perfect time to be with someone we love? Why is it so hard for us to say what we really need to say? Slow down. Cultivate those deep connections. Love being in love with life.

If you like the vibes of Emily Henry’s books, you’ll like this book!!

I am a little sad there wasn’t the epilogue that I was expecting… IFYKY. ;)

Quotes:

“Let me crawl into your brain and make a home there.”

“I don’t know what comes next, but I let myself enjoy it, a snapshot memory I'll hold on to forever.”

“Talking to him every day again has brightened the colors that had faded for me, and I swear to myself now that I will never let it get that way again.”

“We’ve always chosen each other.”

“Needing someone isn’t some weakness. In fact, it might be the whole point.

“…I’d rather be alone than with someone else.”

“I’m just so fucking tired of not being with you.”

“I see our story for what it is: cool nights and warm hands and soft brown eyes and arcade games and laughter and memory, memory, memory with every rapidly increasing beat of my heart.”