I loved Brynn & Sebastian Hate Each Other but it pales in comparison to this work of art. While I was hesitant to leave Adelaide Springs behind, Bethany does such a great job centering her new setting, New York, as a backdrop worthy of exploration and awe from our two mains. As always, I am an absolute menace over a one-bed scene. This book made me laugh, made me cry, made me mad, etc. It is a natural successor for anyone suffering from Polin season this summer as we love oblivious friends-to-lovers.

While B&S's stories focus on belonging in community, Cole and Laila are focused on whether or not they want to stay with their found belonging. The idea of comfort vs freedom to explore and the implications of closing the door to the past.

Nearly 40 years of friendship and a dream from Cole with Layla has him questioning being more than friends with Layla. This was a really cute sweet friends to lovers romance. The best part is their own realization that there might be more than friends feelings towards each other.
The narration was amazing.

I loved this so much! I was a fan of Brynn and Sebastian so when I saw this new book, one that has that couple in it as supporting characters, I knew I had to read it! I listened to this in one sitting- these narrators are fabulous! I am such a friends to lovers fan and this was great. I love the town of Adelaide Springs and was so happy to be back there again.

Thank you for the ALC for my honest review!

This book was so good.
Slow burn? Yes.
Dual POV? Check.
Friends to lovers? Sign me up.
Multiple LOL moments? Thank god.
A cover with people I actually love? Who knew that could happen?
Andrew Eiden????? Any time I unknowingly hear him narrating a book I just started is the equivalent to waking up on Christmas morning. And I love Christmas. I audibly gasp when he begins to speak. I have a problem. He just makes the story so much better with his performances.

“Cole and Laila Are Just Friends” is everything you should want in a friends-to-lovers book. The cheesiness was tasteful and believable because they’ve been friends for so long that all the potentially cringey moments felt natural for a friendship like theirs. The slow burn was primo. Not too short which just made everything so worth the wait and kept you fully invested in the characters for the entire of the story.

My only critique is that their ages seemed off. Sure, anyone can act any certain way at any age and to each their own. But if you’re going to make the main characters 39 going on 40, have a reason to do so? All in all, it didn’t affect the story for me whatsoever but I just kept reminding myself that they weren’t 25 or 30 but actually 40, yet that didn’t ever seem to fit the story.

10/10 story and would recommend to everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the arc! 💌💌
has context menu

This was a very cute story. I loved the “first date” these characters took, pretending not to know each other. Even though the storyline was predictable it was an easy listen with great narrators. I liked all the pop culture references from the 80’s as an 80’s baby myself. It was nice to see people close to my age still figuring it out and not feeling like they had to have all the answers to all the things by a certain age. It brought home the idea that’s it’s never too late to find your happily ever after.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I’ve always been a big fan of friends-to-lovers and this hit all the right notes. Despite knowing there just had to be a HEA, I legit worried and got teary-eyed when Cole said he was going to stay. It just broke my heart!

I did think that Cole’s mom was still kind of crappy for not being around even if his grandfather was keeping her updated.

Everything else was wonderful though- and I especially loved the pop culture references and seeing Brynn & Sebastian again.

Thank you for the ARC of the audio book.

What an easy and fun read. Cole and Lelia are best friends, they always have been. They live in a small town, Adelaide Springs, and they have the type of friendship most can only dream of finding, and even with how well they know each other, they still don't know everything. The main characters are older, late 30's, and this is a clean romance that focuses on the relationship and the feelings that go along with a shift from friends to something more.

When Cole receives news that changes how he thought is life would play out, he decides he needs a change. A job offer plus friends who life there he decides to give New York a try. As his best friend, who can't imagine life without him, Lelia goes along. Her life is settled and she has many reasons to not want to leave their home town. She goes along for the adventure as well as to try and convince him to stay, that Adelaide Springs has as much to offer as it always has.

The trip turns out to be the trip of a lifetime, not only because they get to wander finding iconic spots from movies they have watched over the years, hello Ghost Busters Firehouse and the Friends Building. It's also a chance for two friends to get to know each other even better and to discover that the feelings they have for each other are deeper than just friendship, when they take a chance and go on a pretend date, one where they act as though they have just met.

Through the twists and turns, this is a fun easy read, the narrators had me wanting to meet Cole and Lelia. They felt so real and were believable.. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants a clean and well written romance for their summer beach read or listen.

I have a bad habit of wanting to give Bethany Turner’s books 10 stars all the time, but this one absolutely earns it! Laila and Cole’s history, effortless flow, and off the charts chemistry makes this a friends-to-more you will ADORE! I’ve come to love little Adelaide Springs, and the pillars of the town’s hierarchy—and it’s always fun getting the skinny on all of the drama in the group of 5 friends (which will happen, I promise). But Cole and Laila have been in a comfortable place their whole lives, and just one day wake up to discover that the world has suddenly shifted on its axis. Their raw emotions, their tenderness, the gentleness they care for and support each other is so beautiful it nearly made me cry (even though the book itself is flat out hilarious). I’ve always heard the saying that Love is just friendship set on fire, and CoLai exemplifies that so spectacularly. Grab it. Grab the book now. Grab the audio book too because it’s wonderful. Now please excuse me while I slip back into Adelaide Spriings again just for funsies. I received an advanced copy of this book/audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Seriously, why have I not read more of Bethany Turner’s books?! I had a fabulous time with Cole and Laila and I’m sure that my bibliophile enjoyment was enhanced by the wonderful performances of narrators Talon David and Andrew Eiden. I highly recommend the audio edition of ‘Cole and Laila are Just Friends’. The narrators’ voices matched the characters perfectly and conveyed all the energy and angst to sweet perfection!

So — one of my favourite tropes is friends to more and this one was sooo good! I loved the relationship between these two besties. So tender and caring and loyal and they are so comfortable together. Thirty years is a long time to be ‘just’ friends though and I’ll admit to starting the read thinking these two must be pretty dense not to have figured things out earlier. But now, I honestly can’t imagine their love story unfolding in any other way. It’s perfect for them! And I loved every second.

A great blend of humour and drama — but the drama isn’t over the top. More deeply rooted and poignant, maybe? If that makes any sense. I love that Cole and Laila talk things out — not always right away, but they get there eventually. And the love and respect they have for each other is always at the forefront, even when they’re fighting. And honestly, they can’t sustain any kind of anger for long because….sigh, they are each thinking about how the other feels. Swoony sigh.

This book follows ‘ Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other’ though I don’t see it marked as a series. There are some carry overs from the first book — but I think this book reads fine without having read the other. I didn’t and I never felt lost. The books share a core friend group in a small Colorado town and I immediately got that vibe without feeling like I was missing out because I hadn’t read Brynn and Sebastian’s story.

Loved the jaunt to New York City and the drastic change that kickstarted a transformation in Cole and Laila’s relationship. Tons of classic rom/com scenes kept me giggling. Also, a lot of pop culture references relating to television and movies, which is so not my thing, however, I may not have gotten the specifics but I got the context which was just as fun, so it worked for me. 🙂

Of Note: This is one of Thomas Nelson’s general market selections (wish they’d create a catchy name for this non-inspirational line!) so no faith thread but definitely a clean romance.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Really enjoyed this one. It was not too heavy, although emotional situations did happen. The perfect happy ending, even if somewhat expected. Definitely a closed door romance but the way the author wrote the romantic scenes had me in my feels for sure. Highly recommend for a feel good, not too spicy romance.

I can't stop smiling!!! I had tears, butterflies, all of it! The way these two characters cared for each other.....It was BEAUTIFUL!!

Cole and Laila have been best friends for their entire lives, growing up in a small town in Colorado. After the loss of his grandfather and some unexpected changes, Cole is considering taking a job in NYC. Laila loves their small town - but she can't imagine it without her best friend.

This one actually really surprised me! I know that Bethany Turner can write a good love story, but I was not expecting to read this in a day and fall in love with Cole and Laila! I didn't finish "Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other" and this is a companion, so those characters show up in this story quite a bit. That did not bother me at all!

I loved that this is following main characters in their late 30's, early 40's! I loved all of the pop culture and romcom movie references! I loved the inner dialog and overanalyzing/overthinking. I loved how Cole and Laila communicated with each other!!!!

This book is a perfect example of how clean romance can be so full of swoony moments!

My small, tiny, only sort of kind of critiques: There is...pain prescription impairment??...that I'm just not a fan of in comedy. Also, is it unrealistic that these two lived almost 40 years of their lives in an extremely close friendship and didn't know they were in love? Sure. But I don't care! Their friendship was over the top, like I can't imagine any other potential partner for either one of them would have been ok with that. But that's the point, right? I didn't need it to be realistic to thoroughly enjoy it!

If you love clean, pop-culture filled, friends to more romance.......go read this book!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook to honestly read and review.

Thank you NetGalley and B Audio limited for the advanced copy of this book. The narrator does a great job and the cover just makes you want to pick up this fun read! Coke and Laila are just friends is a sweet, no surprises summer read! I connected with the characters all with their own personalities. The pop culture references to Gilmore Girls and Friends as well as New York tourist spots is what really hooked me. I’m sure my 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ will be lame for others but for me I loved it! It just released on Monday June 3! Go buy it!

had the pleasure of receiving an Advanced Listener Copy (ALE) of this audiobook from NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

What would you do if your best friend was floundering because everything they ever knew was turned upside down?

This question lies at the heart of "Cole and Laila are Just Friends," a touching story about friendship, loyalty, and personal growth. The connection between Laila and Cole is the backbone of this story —they are each other’s rock. When Cole’s beloved grandfather passes away, he uncovers a heartbreaking betrayal that leaves him questioning everything. Amidst the turmoil, Cole needs time and distance to figure out his next steps, even though everyone around him wants to help.

The prospect of Cole moving across the country devastates Laila, highlighting the deep bond they share. They have always been there for each other through thick and thin. This story beautifully explores their journey as they grow into the people they aspire to be, holding onto hope that everything will work out as it’s meant to.

Bethany Turner crafts a fantastic story, elevated by the amazingly talented narrators Talon David and Andrew Eiden. Their performances bring all the emotions to life, making the novel even more compelling. I found myself completely immersed, unwilling to pause for any reason. It was that good.

Final Thoughts:

"Cole and Laila are Just Friends" is a captivating audiobook that blends heartfelt storytelling with exceptional narration. It’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates stories about deep, enduring friendships and personal growth.

I love that some of the same characters from the book Brynn & Sebastian hate each other by Bethany Turner are in this book! This story is about two best friends that are in love with each other but don't want to cross the line to ruin everything. It takes place in Adelaide Springs, Co and New York City! After reading this, I really want to go to new York City and take the same tour they went on Lailia's bday.

I also love that Bethany Turner 's books are heartfelt but also romantic without the smut. I really need to read her other books!

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book! I absolutely loved this next in the series! You really need to read Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other first! Although you don't have to, but you will want to. This is a brilliant follow-up! The writing is brilliant and absolutely flawless and I actually LOVED both characters. Cole was a gentleman and took all the things coming at him with such calm and sincerity, I fell in love with the man! Laila was delightful throughout the turmoil of her best friends' life. I was so pleased with the whole unfolding and will read this again! This author is an auto buy!

Thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing! All opinions are my own!

I absolutely love a best friends to lovers story and this one did not disappoint! It was my first book by Bethany Turner and I really enjoyed her writing. I was living for all of the 90s and 2000s pop culture references. And I adored the characters so much!! But let’s be honest, Cole and Laila have an unhealthy obsession with each other for two people who are not in a romantic relationship. Almost four decades is a long time to be best friends with a person you find attractive and able to keep it platonic. But when they are faced with the threat of separation, Cole starts looking at Laila differently. It makes for some amazing chemistry, anticipation, and build up.

I listened to the audiobook and I loved the narration by Talon David and Andrew Eiden (aka Teddy Hamilton) 👏🏼 I highly recommend!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

I've only read one other book by Bethany Turner, Plot Twist, and loved it more than most. So, I was really excited to be approved for the audio on her newest novel. I'm also a big fan of the friends-to-lovers trope (it's one of my favorites) AND I visited NYC for the first time back in December 2022 and immediately planned a second trip for October 2023. This book just seemed right up my alley - and it 100% was.

I adored Cole & Laila. They were both very solid and well-developed characters - I felt their chemistry very well - especially between the audio narrators! Their experience of visiting NYC for the first time, especially coming from a smaller town, really felt true to what I experienced. I loved the specific NYC call outs.

There was honestly nothing that I didn't like about this book and the narration. It was top-notch all the way around. It might not be for everyone, but it really hit its audience with me.

Best fake dating story. I loved the character continuation from Brynn and Sebastian’s story. I was grinning while reading. Truly enjoyed the story.

This book was an absolute joy from start to finish!

It’s as if the author picked through Amy Sherman-Palladino’s brain and wrote a book that encompassed all of the joy and quirkiness of the first few seasons of Gilmore Girls. All the quick wit, the pop culture references, the quirky small town, and bffs who speak their own shorthand. I haven’t laughed out loud this much while reading/listening to a book in a long time. I was thoroughly entertained and so completely engrossed that I didn’t want to leave this world and these characters when it was all said and done. This book will be getting a spot on my favorites shelf.

The narrators for the audiobook were utterly fantastic. The pacing, the delivery, the emotion, all of it came together seamlessly. I will definitely be listening to this book again.

Favorite Quotes:

"I don't like the expression 'just friends'," I whispered. "I don't like the implication that there's a hierarchy of relationships. And if there is a hierarchy, how dare anyone minimize friendship? Isn't friendship everything?"

There wasn't a singular moment when something had shifted and somewhere deep in his subconscious his soul had whispered, "She matters more than the rest." It had just always been. He'd always known.

"I think, in a way, I'm sort of hoping you realize it doesn't matter where we are, as long as we're together."

*Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the alc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Something tells me you and I are going to be very good friends."
Cole and Laila Are Just Friends is a fresh addition to the friends to more trope. I really enjoyed that the characters communicated strongly when that moment arrived where they teetered from friends to romance. It had its bumps, but it was so realistic which was refreshing; even their reasons for not waking up to those feelings before were super believable. I also appreciated that the characters were in their late 30s/early 40s and the maturity they had as well as the years of history this lent to their backstory. It was neat how the author presented the term "just friends" in the book and allowed that to play into the evolution of Cole and Laila's relationship.
I enjoyed the settings and overall small-town vibe and community. I felt invested in their romance, their friendship, and their town. I listened to the audiobook version of this book and found the narration to be easy to follow along with and differentiate who was talking or which character's voice the chapter was being told in. I'd listen to it again and I recommend it.
Thank you Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Audio for the advance listening copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I enjoyed this story and the audiobook version, I recommend it.
This is a clean romance.

Thank You, NetGalley Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio

I loved every moment of Cole and Laila Just Friends! The characters of Cole and Laila are so well-developed and relatable that you can't help but root for them from beginning to end. Their dynamic is beautifully crafted, showcasing the highs and lows of friendship with authenticity and warmth.

The author has done an incredible job of capturing the essence of what it means to navigate the complexities of growing up and the often blurred lines between friendship and something more. Cole and Laila's journey is filled with humor, heartache, and moments of genuine connection that left me both laughing and tearing up.

What stands out the most is the deep bond between the characters. Their interactions feel so real, and their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply. It's refreshing to see a story that celebrates friendship's power while exploring personal growth and self-discovery.

WE LOVE TO SEE MCs IN THEIR LATE THIRTIES! Phew my heart! It was very close to breaking a couple of times. The narration on this audiobook is so good, I honestly just assumed I was reading in my own head. You know when that happens? Or is it just me? What kills me is how a female narrator can sound like the male character so seamlessly and vice versa. I genuinely had to go back and listen to a portion to make sure it wasn’t both of them in each chapter. (It’s not… but it could be!) Wild. Talent!

Okay the so the story. This is friends to more, and it’s always been you in the most slow burn, tension-y way imaginable. Will they? Won’t they? Do they love each other? Will they risk it? The FRIENDS references had me losing my cool. We were coincidentally right in the middle of a rewatch and in the final season when I started listening to this book. The emotions were emoting hard! The only moment in this book I didn’t just absolutely adore was when Laila says that baseball is terrible. 😭 She does eventually redeem herself. What great life has been given to the character when I had to remind myself that she isn’t a real person I can convince of the merits of baseball. 🤣👏🏻

Anyway, if you like best friends to lovers, slow burn, closed door, with a lot of witty banter— LISTEN TO THIS! It has some of the meltiest, sweetest moments. My notes are a roller coaster of raw emotions.

BRYNN AND SEBASTIAN HATE EACH OTHER was one of my top 23 books of 2023, and I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel. I am happy to say that COLE AND LAILA ARE JUST FRIENDS is every bit as wonderful as the first book.

As those who have read any portion of my Fern & Dave WIP know, I love a long slow-burn, and this book delivers. These characters have known each other their entire lives, and have taken forty years to sort out their feelings.

I also love that these characters do communicate with each other. Their reluctance to admit to their feelings is out of genuine concern for their friendship and individual well being, not a result of any kind of major miscommunication. Everything about their relationship was believable, and it made me so invested in how things would turn out.

I loved the parts of the story set in New York. It felt very Nora Ephron, and I love Nora Ephron movies (as do the characters in this book). I also just love any romance set in New York City.

The pop culture references in this book are also so enjoyable. If you're an elder millennial right on the border with GenX (like I am, born in 1982), you will love the references these characters make to TV, music, and movies from our era. It was also just really fun to spend time with some romance characters who felt like my peers instead of my children. This book made me feel young.

I was lucky enough to be approved for both the ebook and the audiobook on Netgalley. The audiobook narrators, Talon David and Andrew Eiden, were excellent. They really became the characters for me, and I will seek out other books with their voices.

Thank you to @netgalley and @thomasnelson for the review copy! I have a feeling this book will make my 2024 favorites list.

Loved this book so much I requested it on audio, and I loved the narrator too! This series will have you smiling all the way through (this is the second in the series). I can’t wait to read what comes next from Bethany Turner!

Cole and Laila are Just Friends by Bethany Turner is the sweetest friends-to-lovers rom-com ever!
Cole and Laila have been best friends their whole lives in a small Colorado town. After Cole's grandfather dies and sells the diner Cole loves out from under him; Cole is left trying to start over at thirty-nine. He has an opportunity to start a new job at a restaurant in the big city but there is one problem he'd have to leave Laila behind.
Laila is an adorkable waitress who has worked beside Cole in his diner. She likes her small-town life, cats, and her best friend Cole.
Right from the bat these two had couple vibes and were touchy-feely in a way that platonic friends are not in real life. No one in their lives believes it either. the story mentions a lot of rom-com favorites like You've Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally. Their trip to New York is adorable and nostalgic. This book would appeal to other millennials as they discussed all the shows and movies I grew up with.
I laughed so hard in parts it had me in tears.
This book had dual POVs and the narrators did a fantastic job relaying the character's emotions.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this audiobook. This review was written Voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.

I love this story so much. The development between the 2 main character as to best friend to lovers. They realized they can't live without each other and everything they went through. I did enjoy the pop culture reference through out the story esp their little adventure in NYC it just felt relatable.

Oh my goodness! I loved this adorable story! Cole and Laila have this amazing connection and as I began listening to this novel, I wondered how things would change for them. And I simply loved the way the author handled their relationship both as friends and then as something potentially more. I am not kidding when I say that the moments where they begin to move into a possible romantic relationship are so wonderfully swoony and sweet all at the same time, because these two mean so much to each other already.

The story is packed with such fun moments around New York City. The sites they visited from famous romcom movies makes me want to go on my own tour doing the same thing. And even though there are so many fun and silly moments that Cole and Laila share, there are many deep and heartfelt moments, too.

This book comes after Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other and I definitely think that this story is even better having read the other book first, however, it is easily enjoyed as a stand alone, too. I listened to the audio book version and the dual narrators did a fabulous job with the voices.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Cole and Laila have been best friends just about forever. They tell each other all their secrets and know each other's most embarrassing moments. They ALWAYS have each other's backs and they are always there for each other. This is just the way it's been. Never more than the best of friends. Until they aren't. Until Laila has dreamt of Cole wanting more and Cole has dreamt of having more but they're best friends so they both just keep their mouths shut and continue on with life the way it always has been.

After the loss of his grandfather Cole decides to make some big life changes that include moving away. Laila is devastated. How can she support her best friend in a decision that will take him away from her? She decides she must because that's what best friends do.

I really enjoyed this best friends to lovers story. I know some people have complained that they must have known and how they are nearly 40 and never considered being in a relationship. I don't know, I felt their story was genuine. Plus with the added bits of information found while reading the story it really does make sense.

I highly recommend this if BFF to lovers is your jam.

Cole and Laila's friendship is top tier. They're the best of friends. They know every little thing about each other... except that they've been in love with each other since the beginning of time. Cole faces a difficult task of having to choose between a new venture for himself or staying in town with Laila. As they take on New York City together, they realize that the feelings they have for each other will be put on the back burner if Cole decides to stay in New York.

This book is on my friends to lovers A list! I love Cole and Laila's banter and their relationship shines through every chapter's POV. The narration was perfect and helped the story move along quickly. I'd recommend this audiobook!

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends, A Love Story, by Bethany Turner, is a standalone book but with close ties to her previous book Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. Set in both small town Adelaide Springs, CO, and NYC, this is the story of what happens when elderly Bill Kimball passes away seemingly disinheriting his step grandson Cole, who has cared for the old man and run their bar/restaurant since Bill had gotten too old to do so. In this period of time, Cole has made multiple upgrades at his own expense, has expanded the kitchen and increased the dining room, and given the old business a new lease on life.When the will is read after Bill’s funeral, Cole learns that while he inherited the house and all within it, the business has been sold to a holding company and Cole is out.

Best friend since childhood Laila Olivet has worked at Cole’s side for years. In fact, the pair are as close as two humans can possibly be. Now that Cole seems to be on the outside looking in, he decides to sell the house, sell his investment into the restaurant, and take up a New York socialite chef’s offer to come to New York to work for her in her new restaurant when he met her as he catered friends Brynn and Sebastian’s wedding in Adelaide Springs.

No longer having a job with the closing of the restaurant and no prospects for another, when Cole asks Laila to join him and their friends Brynn and Sebastian on their return to New York to investigate the job situation she decides to go. However, investigating a job isn’t the only set of discoveries made.

This is a very well written story with endearing characters and an interesting plot line. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Oh this story was such a fun listen. The narration by Talon David and Andrew Eiden gave the story such a full effect it was wonderful. Author Bethany Turner’s creation of a love story in the middle of a messy will created a happy ending I was so hoping for. This was fun and romantic and all the angst of will they or won’t they? As much of a great as this would be it was even better in my opinion as a listen! Well done!

this book was super cute. Just like the first one. Another smash it. I love everything about this world and I can't wait to see what happens next.

5 Stars
I loved this book! It was such a great example of writing a story without the miscommunication troupe that is in so many romance books. The characters had great emotional intelligence that was such a breath of fresh air. This is a great summer read that I will think about for a long time. I am adding all of this authors other books to my list because I want more of whatever she is writing. I also really enjoyed the narrators. I love an audiobook with more than narrator and they were phenomenal. I was greatly surprised by this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing group for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

It's official, Bethany Turner is on my auto buy list. I absolutely adored this book. She perfectly encompasses the small town feel. This felt like a well written hallmark movie on the page. The friends to lovers trope without miscommunication driving the plot made the book more enjoyable to me. I found that reading books with older MC's was different from what I normally read (in a good way!) This book is a second book to Brynn and Sebastian hate each other and, spoiler for my review, I LOVED that one too! You don't have to read the first book to enjoy the second but I highly recommend book one as well. Keep in mind, like book one, this book is a sloooooow burn. You get cute moments all throughout the story but it is definitely a slow burn.

Now onto the narrators: I loved them! Teddy Hamilton was especially amazing and he has become one of my favorite narrators to date. I would listen to him read the phonebook. Talon David also did an amazing job and I look forward to listening to audiobooks narrated by her in the future.

I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of the friends to lovers trope, slow burn and definitely Bethany Turner. I definitely recommend this book if you are fans of these tropes.

I absolutely loved this story! Before reading, I saw some reviews that complained about the characters seeming immature for their age, but I didn't feel that way at all. I turned thirty-five this year so the MCs are 4+ years older than me and I feel like their thoughts and actions were absolutely on par with my reality. Does anyone ever actually feel completely grown up?! I adored all of the pop culture references peppered throughout. They were perfection. This was my first Bethany Turner book, but I can't wait to read more!

Laila...what an absolutely relatable FMC...and one of my favorites lately! I love how Laila isn't chasing some crazy career or intense goal. She truly loves being a waitress and interacting with all the people of Adelaide Springs, sewing, and hanging out with Cole. Her life is a simple one, but she is so happy and I love that.

Cole...He honestly reminds me a lot of Luke in Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham. He's fiercely loyal, works hard, and has a great beard. I loved his journey to realizing his feelings for Laila. To be honest, friends to more is not usually my favorite, but I think Bethany just did it so well in this one!

Things I loved...The friendship between Cole, Laila, Seb, and Brynn, the way loss was dealt with in such a genuine and respectful way, Laila's cats and their names (I don't even usually care for cats), all the music, TV, movie, etc. references (❤️), the humor (I laughed so many times), the precious little things Cole and Laila do (and have always done) for one another, and the simplistic ending (I usually love a good epilogue, but I felt like this bare bones wrap-up was so true to the book).

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️

This book ended up being just as fun as the cover. I chose it because I loved the cover, and it did not disappoint. After a life-changing turn of events, a group of nearly 40’s best friends have a collective mid-life crisis and end up in NYC. There are many ups and downs, slow burn clean romance, and a shocking twist ending. It is one of those where you think you know what will happen, and then the last twenty pages twists and turns so hard you just set the book down and process after. It has a single narrator portraying multiple characters, but ultimately she does it well. Cole and Layla are both just lovely people and very well-written. It is rare to find a great romance with no spice these days, but Bethany Turner has really accomplished that.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was the curtest! I fell in love with the characters and want to be best friends with them. The perfect book.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were perfect for this book. The storyline was interesting but the writing was even better! I loved this one and it felt realistic with likeable characters. I loved all the pop culture references too. Highly recommend this one!

This was such a good transition between Brynn and Sebastian and Cole and Laila. The love story was very friends-to-lovers and highly nostalgic of New York.

Loved it!

When you need a story that will make you laugh, smile and swoon, this is the story for you. I liked the banter between Cole and Laila. It was fun to watch. The variety of charaters and personalities was solid.
Bethany's writing is always entertaining.

This was adorable! It is obvious that they are not just friends, but it is so much fun watching them figure it out! They are both so kind, lovable, and sweet! I loved seeing Bryn and Sebastian back too! Here’s hoping for a third book!

With laugh out loud moments, this is the best friends to lovers story Ive ever read. I love that it had 2 narrators that were both outstanding! I highly recommend it if you like clean rom-com novels!

This is a wonderful millennial pop reference filled rom-com. Zero spice but the banter and the romance is off the charts. Friends to lovers at it’s finest.

# Cole and Laila Are Just Friends
# 7/23/2024 ~ 7/25/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

So....I've decided that me and Bethany are now BFF's because anyone that can come up with this AMAZING story is one I want in my life!

This story was a beautiful blend of humor, butterflies, raw emotions, genuine confusion, and a tour of NYC that I could NOT get enough of!!!

Thank you for writing this story, Bethany, and for bringing Cole and Laila into my life! Thank you also to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ALC of the wonderful story!

Absolutely loved this! Even though just the name itself in this genre tells you that you can expect for them to fall in love. I still found it a great read and a very believable love story!
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a super cute read! I absolutely loved the friendships within the book, and it made me think about my core group of friends and how far I’d go to make them happy! I could keep reading about their adventures over and over again. Definitely a feel good, easy to read, heartfelt story!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish. The story was well-paced, and the characters felt real and engaging. I’m grateful to the publisher for providing an early copy—it was a pleasure to read!