I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

"If he's the sun, I must be the moon"

Whether you call this black cat / golden retriever or reverse grumpy / sunshine, it was an enjoyable read. I really enjoyed Ava and Finn’s relationship throughout this book. They are both people who run from their problems. By travel or sassiness. As they get closer, the confide in each other and start to deal with life. I do feel like the story was a bit flat, no crescendo. It was a nice story, I just wish there was a bit more... something. It was a little predictable. The ending was cute.

Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy to review.

5 stars 🌟 Wow wow wow I loved this book!! This rom-com made me laugh, cry, and smile the entire time.

What to expect:
- slow burn
- grumpy x sunshine
- friends to lovers

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In The Friendship Fling, Georgia Stone crafts a delightful opposites-attract story told through the dual perspectives of Ava and Finn. Ava, a guarded and somewhat prickly barista, has no interest in expanding her small circle of loved ones. Finn, on the other hand, is a vibrant, social optimist determined to befriend her. When Ava reluctantly agrees to a "friendship arrangement" with Finn for the summer—per the insistence of her best friend—they embark on a mission to complete his London bucket list. Along the way, Finn’s relentless charm begins to chip away at Ava’s walls, and she soon finds his presence more tolerable than she ever expected.

One of the highlights of this novel is the witty and dynamic banter between Finn and Ava. His unwavering good nature in the face of her sharp, often sarcastic remarks creates an engaging push-and-pull dynamic that keeps the story moving. Finn is effortlessly charming, and his persistence in forming a genuine connection with Ava is both heartwarming and humorous. The first three-quarters of the book fly by with ease, offering a light and entertaining read. Yet, Stone also weaves in moments of depth and realism, touching on the complexities of human relationships and self-discovery.

Overall, The Friendship Fling is a fun, heartfelt read that balances humor with authenticity. It’s a story about letting people in, even when it feels impossible, and embracing connections that can change us in the most unexpected ways.

My sincerest thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Georgia Stone, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is an opposites attract with slow burn. Ava is an anti social introvert and Finn is a social golden retriever. As a tentative friendship begins to form, Finn convinces Ava to help him with his London bucket list. I like how the author took care in having Finn gain Ava’s trust. Through this slow burn, you soon realize that they both have although different struggles, they are struggles just the same. It was great to read both MC’s walls coming down. Where I struggled with this book was with pacing. It felt like just when momentum was building, it would slow down to the point of lagging. The premise of the bucket list was great but I felt author didn’t capitalize on this aspect of the story enough. I’m normally a fast reader but this one took me longer as I struggled with finishing it.

I love a friends-to-lovers arc- this is no secret. And The Friendship Fling absolutely smashed it. I was obsessed with Ava and Finn from the moment we were introduced to her and the reverse grumpy-sunshine dynamic between her and Finn. This book was so perfectly British in the best way!

This book made it more than easy to keep turning the pages and stay invested in these characters. Finn falls way first and I was so here for it. It was adorable to watch him be so patient with Ava and to take the time to grow their friendship. He was so determined to be there for her and I loved it so much.

This book was a joy to read. It’s a story of friendship and love and the peace that comes from finding a home both within yourself and with a partner. It’s an ode to being independent but also finding comfort in being with someone, which is so beautiful.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Harper Perennial for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Friendship Fling was a cute read! I love Finn; I wish I had a friend as golden-retriever-esque as him. His struggles with neglect and wanting to take care of everyone resonated with me greatly. I also related a lot to Ava's more pessimistic/realistic outlook on life, and I loved the balance they brought each other.

Giving this book three stars because I had a hard time maintaining interest in it due to the pacing, but I still think it's a good fit for a lot of other readers, and I hope to read more of Georgia Stone in the future :)

ok after a slow start I ended up loving this book! huge friends to lovers girl and this was well done. loved the london setting. loved the MMC sunshine and FMC grumpy vibes. loved how patient he was. the tension and slow burn was great!

Love love love London! Also the cover for this book is stunning! I think it’s a new cover or for the U.S. edition? I’m not sure how the editions work but it’s gorgeous. I had fun experiencing London through this book and I’ve been craving a cozy romance book for a while so I was super excited to receive this ARC. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with Ava but I think that’s because I’m not a Hinge user and have a hard time relating to that. I did love Josie and the representation she brought to the story. Having her was unique and I liked that she didn’t fall into the “quirky bff and roommate” cliche trope so many other books have because I’ve been getting burned out from those characters. Also loved Finn, in love with Finn, want Finn LOL I liked him from the second he appeared in the book!

This is easily my favorite friends to lovers romance. The characters are so authentically human in a way that feels they could just leap off the page and I am so pleased without how the author avoids the usual trappings that come along with this trope. The chemistry and banter between the leads is palpable and witty, and the plot feels well paced. I will be recommending this book to many people in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers, and Georgia Stone for this eARC!

Based on the book description alone, I knew I was going to like this book.
-London bucket list? Absolutely yes. I looked forward to reminiscing about my own time spent in London.
-Grumpy x Sunshine - especially when it's reversed from the 'normal'? Hell yes! I’m a little grumpy myself so I could very much relate to the FMC.
-When the first two lines of the book made me laugh out loud? Don't tempt me with a good time!

This story was so sweet! The banter was definitely bantering. I appreciated the emotional growth by both the FMC and MMC. It was heartwarming to see Ava, begrudgingly, open up to Finn and let him into her world. Talk about a SLOW burn! I could cut the tension between these two with a knife. The connection these two have with each other is…*sighs* so dreamy (see below). Even the side characters were fun to read and get to know (I'm looking at you, Josie and Max). If you love a good love story, I highly recommend this book!

Some favorite moments:
-"That's my requirement. Someone who looks at me the way Rory looks at biscuits."

-"This is decaf. Because, you know, your bowels." Romance isn't dead, folks.

-"You deserve someone who pays attention, Ava. It's not difficult. You were playing a part, which was stupid, as I said, but if he was really paying attention he would've noticed. Because, no offense, but you're not as good an actor as you think."
"Excuse me? I am a woman of mystery."
"Don't even try that. I can read you like a fucking book."

-"I'm sorry if that messes up this whole thing we've had where we pretend there's nothing going on here. Where you pretend you don't like spending time with me and I pretend the air isn't on fucking fire when you're standing too close. But it's how I feel."

-She sighs against me, and when my teeth drag against her bottom lip, I realize I've never wanted to learn a language so badly in my life. I wish we had more than a few minutes. I want to relish the softness of her; find out if my theory is correct, if our bodies have been purpose-built for each other, for fitting in the gaps we both leave behind.

-He kisses like he's been away for a decade, like he's telling me ten years' worth of stories with every miniscule shift in position. Or maybe it's the opposite. Maybe he's storing up these seconds like they're the life source that'll sustain him over the coming months.

The Friendship Fling is a slow burn, strangers to lovers romance book set in London. We follow Ava, a coffee shop worker, who meets Finn, a golden retriever type in an opposites attract situation. Finn is only staying in London for a short time while searching for a new job, so Ava acts as his tour guide for the time being, helping him check off his bucket list. This book explores the consequences of the lines of friendship being crossed, especially when it can’t last. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it was very predictable. Throughout the book, I felt like the book was following the exact plot line that I had imagined in my head, with no plot twists in sight. I did think it was very cute, however, and I did enjoy how even though they were opposites in every way, they still were able to support each other. As an American myself, it was also interesting to see what British people think of Americans from a different perspective.

Features-
- Friends to lovers
- Slow burn
- She’s grumpy, he’s sunshine
- Third act breakup
- Golden retriever x black cat
- Summer romance
- Closed door (some fade to black)
- Found family

This book was amazing the plot was very interesting and fast paced. And the romance was so cute! I would highly recommend this book!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
A HUGE thank you to @netgalley and @harperperennial for an eARC copy!!

🌶️ Spice: Ch. 32,38

💕 Tropes
- Friendship of Convenience
- Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
- Slow Burn
- He falls first

🚨Trigger Warning
-Cancer

💭 My Thoughts

The amount of time that I wanted someone to squeal with over this book was surreal! The main couple definitely have black cat gf/ golden retriever bf vibes in the best way! While it definitely was a slowwwww burn, it paid off and made the later half of the book that much more impactful (I even teared up a bit at the end)! What I loved most about it was watching the way the two main characters helped one another grow as individuals. Overall, the Friendship Fling is a great romcom with the perfect proportion of laughter and heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

This was an upside down topsy turby grumpy/sunshine romance story. When we usually read this trope, it’s a big grumpy guy with a ray of sunshine girl. In this rom com, Ava Monroe is our grumpy character, whereas Finn is our ray of sunshine.

Finn and Ava meet in a coffee shop where Ava works in London. Finn is working in London short term and enlists Ava to help him complete a London bucket list before he moves to his next destination. What was not on the bucket list was healing for both characters and finding home.

I thought this book was sweet, funny, and I really enjoyed and got the warm and fuzzies reading their relationship develop.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Georgia Stone's debut novel is a dual POV featuring Ava, cynical barista and Finn, a traveler seeking to complete his bucket list. There is a reverse grumpy x sunshine and friends to lovers trope.

Loved Finn.. Ava not so much although I sympathize with her familial situation. Wish we saw more of Ava and Finn's relationship progress versus seeing her dating other people.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for eARC!

What a delightful friends to lovers story. Ava and Finn had black cat/golden retriever personalities that made for perfect banter and tension. I just loved how their relationship progressed, it was definitely a slow burn. They got to actually know each other, first for Ava as a way to get out of a situation and then they could not stay away from each other.

The story also shows how the characters deal with the other relationships in their life, specifically Ava and her brother Max. We learn why she is the way she is and is scared to open up after dealing with the fear of loosing him. The talk they have at the end is very emotional and heartfelt. In Finn's case it was his relationship with his parents and how he felt abandoned, all he wanted was some attention and love. It made me feel for him, he was my favorite character. I think the only reason it was not a five star was because the story dragged a bit at certain points. Overall this was a really lovely romance story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

The Friendship Fling was an unexpected surprise. I expected a fluffy read, and it was quite the opposite. It was thoughtful and deep. The way humans do certain things to protect themselves is relatable. It was quirky and fun but also serious and real life. I loved the main male character. You just want to hug him. The female main character was bristly but loveable as well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and plan on reading others by the same author.

I finished this lovely romcom last week and have thought about it ever since!! I was enamored by Finn as soon as his Face ID wouldn’t work because he was smiling like an idiot, which happens in like, the first twenty pages. Coincidentally, I was also grinning like an idiot

Every time an author pulls off friends to lovers where the main characters are ACTUALLY just friends, it amazes me. Watching Ava and Finn go from (reluctant) friends (Finn is a chaotic ball of sunshine and Ava is a black cat in human form who definitely is NOT AMUSED BY FINN) to more than friends so naturally was the most satisfying thing in the world, getting all those achey heart feelings and swoons upon swoons. This book dares you to break your own mold, to go out on a limb, to maybe give love a shot, and it made me want to hug my Kindle over and over again. Georgia’s writing style feels like nice, warm hug from your very best friend—I can’t see what she does next :-)

I really enjoyed this book! The slow burn was PERFECTION. I loved that this book took place in London, as a reader I felt like I got to explore the city alongside the characters. Finn and Ava's story was so much fun. If you love a grumpy (her) x sunshine (him) trope, you'll enjoy this book. This book was a perfect palette cleanser and felt refreshing in all the right ways. I'd absolutely read more Georgia Stone books in the future.