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Frenemies
Just a few months shy of her 30th birthday, Gus Curtis finally feels like she has it all: a strong career, great friends, and a wonderful boyfriend. But all of this comes crashing down when Gus discovers Nate, her "Mr. Right," hooking up behind her back with her so-called "friend" Helen. Soon it seems like the life Gus has worked to make so adult looks a lot like the one she already had as a teenager, and Gus is left with more questions than answers: Can she win Nate back before she turns 30 alone? (And if so, does she really want him?) Is Helen really as devious and manipulative as she seems, or, worse, is Gus more like her frenemy than she ever imagined? And is she ever going to grow up? With the clock ticking down to her birthday, Gus discovers that sometimes the best thing about best-laid plans is trashing them altogether.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2007
45 people are currently reading
6681 people want to read
About the author
Megan Crane
63 books691 followersUSA Today bestselling, multi-award-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Megan Crane has written more than 150 books and shows no sign of slowing down. She publishes contemporary romance and paranormal romance as Megan Crane (and briefly M.M. Crane) with an extensive backlist of women’s fiction, rom-coms, chick lit, and young adult novels—among other things. She’s also won a large and loyal fanbase as Caitlin Crews with Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Dare, Harlequin Historical, and contemporary cowboy books. And for Midwestern small town coziness, found families, romance, and some paranormal scariness thrown in, Megan partners with Nicole Helm to publish as Hazel Beck.
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
May 27, 2008
Standard chick lit. Perfect reading material for the beach (or park). Gus is a 29-year-old Librarian (from Simmons, woot!) in Boston. She just caught her boyfriend making out with her old roommate, who as it turns out is bat-sh*t crazy. Gus wants revenge and her bofriend back, and in thr process beds her boyfriend's roommate. Her job sucks, her apartment sucks, and she's almost 30. Of course she's going to have a happy ending.
For librarians and those who live in the city. The portrayal is accurate, the author actually knows her way around Boston. It's fun to see shout outs to Bukowskis and Beacon Hill.
For librarians and those who live in the city. The portrayal is accurate, the author actually knows her way around Boston. It's fun to see shout outs to Bukowskis and Beacon Hill.
June 12, 2008
Megan Crane’s Frenemies is a coming of age novel that I felt I could relate to (so it seems much of what I’ve been reading lately deals with growing up and/or embracing adulthood). It spoke to me, mainly because I’m feeling caught in the crosshairs of “adult” and “young adult” and I found the story both poignant and believeable.
The heroine, Gus (short for Augusta), obsesses - much like a young college student might - about her ex whom she caught cheating on her with one of her so-called “friends”. Naturally, this leads her on a journey not only to try to get him back and plot revenge against the offending “friend”, but also propels her on a mission to make sure everything goes according to plan so she can arrive at age 30 with the man, the career, and the ideal independent living situation.
The interesting dynamic in this novel is the ties between friends and pseudo- or semi-friends. Guys might not understand this concept, but women do. She’s your friend, but not really. You have some laughs, maybe go out every so often, but there’s this underlying feeling you’ve got that you don’t completely trust one another. There’s this fine line between friendship, sisterhood, and competition. And which category do your “friends” fall into?
Plus, it’s about Gus growing up. Is a choice or does it just miraculously happen? Up until recently, I kind of thought it just happened. Poof, you’re grown. But every day, I get closer and closer to twenty-five! And I realize that’s not old by any means, I still find it a bit shocking. Twenty-five?! Already? But, wasn’t high school just, like, two springs ago? (Um, try seven years ago. I’m three short years away from my ten-year reunion!). Thanks to various conversations with a guy I’ll just call my White Knight, I’m questioning that and trying to figure out - like Gus was - how to go about the business of ‘growing up’.
To my chagrin, and everlasting surprise, I am once again flabbergasted by the degree of relateability I find within the pages of Ms. Crane’s well-crafted women’s literature. Take note, readers, chick lit has more to offer than you might think it does.
The heroine, Gus (short for Augusta), obsesses - much like a young college student might - about her ex whom she caught cheating on her with one of her so-called “friends”. Naturally, this leads her on a journey not only to try to get him back and plot revenge against the offending “friend”, but also propels her on a mission to make sure everything goes according to plan so she can arrive at age 30 with the man, the career, and the ideal independent living situation.
The interesting dynamic in this novel is the ties between friends and pseudo- or semi-friends. Guys might not understand this concept, but women do. She’s your friend, but not really. You have some laughs, maybe go out every so often, but there’s this underlying feeling you’ve got that you don’t completely trust one another. There’s this fine line between friendship, sisterhood, and competition. And which category do your “friends” fall into?
Plus, it’s about Gus growing up. Is a choice or does it just miraculously happen? Up until recently, I kind of thought it just happened. Poof, you’re grown. But every day, I get closer and closer to twenty-five! And I realize that’s not old by any means, I still find it a bit shocking. Twenty-five?! Already? But, wasn’t high school just, like, two springs ago? (Um, try seven years ago. I’m three short years away from my ten-year reunion!). Thanks to various conversations with a guy I’ll just call my White Knight, I’m questioning that and trying to figure out - like Gus was - how to go about the business of ‘growing up’.
To my chagrin, and everlasting surprise, I am once again flabbergasted by the degree of relateability I find within the pages of Ms. Crane’s well-crafted women’s literature. Take note, readers, chick lit has more to offer than you might think it does.
May 22, 2019
Augusta 'Gus' Curtis thinks her life is going fairly well. She has a good job and great friends, and has been dating Nate, a guy she has known since college, for two months. And things are wonderful - until she walks in on Nate and her friend Helen kissing each other. Reeling from the betrayal, Gus isn't sure how to handle herself and ends up making a series of poor choices (the first one involves large quantities of alcohol and a drunken confrontation). In the midst of her post-break-up hysteria, Gus hooks up with Henry - Nate's bad-boy roommate and someone Gus doesn't even like as a person, much less a boyfriend.
What is Gus supposed to do? Her friends seem to think she should just grow up and get over it. Helen is acting strangely too, one minute wanting to be Gus's best friend and the next trying to sabotage the last bits of Gus's friendship with Nate. Is there hope for Gus and Nate to rekindle their romance?
Frenemies starts slowly and is frustrating for a while. Approaching thirty, Gus should have developed some maturity. But she seems stalled in her college days and a college mentality through most of the book. Once she does begin to change, the pace improves and the plot begins to flow enjoyably. I think the main problem with my inability to summon up any sympathy for Gus's pining for Nate is that the reader is never given a first-hand look at Gus and Nate's relationship. We come onto the scene after everything has happened and find out about it through the narrative. Thus it takes time to warm up to Gus and to understand her motivations.
Gus's ongoing attempt at salvaging her relationship with Nate and with Helen adds drama and seems incredibly realistic. Helen especially could be considered the frenemy of the novel - the friend who becomes an enemy but acts like a friend. Many readers will find that they think they know Helen due to the Helen in their own lives. The last few chapters bring the story together cohesively and make reading the entire novel worthwhile. Frenemies is excellent chick lit that should appeal to a wide variety of women in all stages of life.
What is Gus supposed to do? Her friends seem to think she should just grow up and get over it. Helen is acting strangely too, one minute wanting to be Gus's best friend and the next trying to sabotage the last bits of Gus's friendship with Nate. Is there hope for Gus and Nate to rekindle their romance?
Frenemies starts slowly and is frustrating for a while. Approaching thirty, Gus should have developed some maturity. But she seems stalled in her college days and a college mentality through most of the book. Once she does begin to change, the pace improves and the plot begins to flow enjoyably. I think the main problem with my inability to summon up any sympathy for Gus's pining for Nate is that the reader is never given a first-hand look at Gus and Nate's relationship. We come onto the scene after everything has happened and find out about it through the narrative. Thus it takes time to warm up to Gus and to understand her motivations.
Gus's ongoing attempt at salvaging her relationship with Nate and with Helen adds drama and seems incredibly realistic. Helen especially could be considered the frenemy of the novel - the friend who becomes an enemy but acts like a friend. Many readers will find that they think they know Helen due to the Helen in their own lives. The last few chapters bring the story together cohesively and make reading the entire novel worthwhile. Frenemies is excellent chick lit that should appeal to a wide variety of women in all stages of life.
May 12, 2008
Growing pains don't stop when the birthday clock rolls into the 20's (and beyond)--but it's never too late to grow up. That seems to be the underlying theme to the often hilarious and sometimes cringingly close to home frenemies by Megan Crane. She defines a frenemie as "the friend who gives you the sweetest smile to your face, while holding the sharpest
knife to your back". The story centers on Augusta (Gus)Curtis who, in the shadow of her 30th birthday, discovers her boyfriend kissing a friend of hers when he's supposedly home sick. Her entire clutch of friends gets involved in the drama, opening more dramas and eventually new light on old friendships. It's a coming of age novel for those in their late twenties that is entertaining yet still manages to touch on some major themes of self respect, friendship and what it means to be an adult.
knife to your back". The story centers on Augusta (Gus)Curtis who, in the shadow of her 30th birthday, discovers her boyfriend kissing a friend of hers when he's supposedly home sick. Her entire clutch of friends gets involved in the drama, opening more dramas and eventually new light on old friendships. It's a coming of age novel for those in their late twenties that is entertaining yet still manages to touch on some major themes of self respect, friendship and what it means to be an adult.
November 30, 2007
One of those girl gets cheated on by a friend stories. I really like this one.
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October 15, 2008Can I give this a negative rating?
It was really poor writing, but so true. I imagine most women have lived this and don't need to read it.
It was really poor writing, but so true. I imagine most women have lived this and don't need to read it.
May 14, 2023
This book made me laugh so hard at times. The kind of laugh where your partner looks over at you and you have to explain the joke and he even laughs..
April 19, 2019
This was a reread (4th time) for me and it brought back all the same sentimental feelings I had the first day and really just got me. As a former Bostonian I loved the setting and all the familiar places Megan Crane referenced. I can clearly remember that time in my life where Gus is - itchy about her job, trying to make a bad relationship work and watching her relationships and friendship evolve and change as people grow up and move on. Gus is struggling to come to terms with the shifts taking place amongst the circle of friends she has had since freshman year in college. It's a group who knows each other so well, and while some friends do become like family, others are still there out of habit and familiarity. And when Gus is betrayed by people in the group she thought were her friends she falls into a bit of a rabbit hole trying to figure out how to cope, how to let go of her past and how to get it all done before her looming 30th birthday.
This book and the relationships were very familiar territory and I really enjoyed reading it again now with that part of my life in full 20/20 hindsight. People who you thought were your friends will do selfish things to serve their own self interest, people you trust will break that trust and breaking up with a best friend can be even more painful than breaking up with a partner.
I am someone who writes in my books and it was fun to see the passages I highlighted in the past....to see the person I was then and what resonated with me...and to also underline new passages that hit home. This is very much in that old school ChickLit vein and was a great, reminiscent read. I'm so happy I picked it up again.
I would give it 3 1/2⭐️ but rounding up for all those sentimental feels.
This book and the relationships were very familiar territory and I really enjoyed reading it again now with that part of my life in full 20/20 hindsight. People who you thought were your friends will do selfish things to serve their own self interest, people you trust will break that trust and breaking up with a best friend can be even more painful than breaking up with a partner.
I am someone who writes in my books and it was fun to see the passages I highlighted in the past....to see the person I was then and what resonated with me...and to also underline new passages that hit home. This is very much in that old school ChickLit vein and was a great, reminiscent read. I'm so happy I picked it up again.
I would give it 3 1/2⭐️ but rounding up for all those sentimental feels.
May 9, 2012
I have read a lot of Megan Crane's Harlequin Presents (written as Caitlin Crews) but this is my first mainstream novel of hers.
I am so glad I picked it up as I really enjoyed it. The intricacies and complexities often found in the relationship between women are captured and used perfectly by the author. She doesn't shy away from making her characters behave badly at times, and her heroine manages to be both likeable and un-likeable all at the same time.
The story is full of ups and downs, which perfectly relates to the theme of 'growing up' in this book. Plus it has a nice mixture of fun and grittiness. One of my favourites scenes is where Gus, dressed in her blueberry bridesmaid dress for a party, realises that what sounds like a laugh doesn't actually work in reality and her silly actions are only hindering her want to be taken seriously!
The almost-a-love-story running through the book is nicely executed and enough to keep me (a die hard romance fan) pleased, and I love how the ending was left nicely open.
Any woman will be able to relate to the themes in this book and Megan Crane writes as though she is your oldest friend telling you about her latest adventure.
Really enjoyable.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
I am so glad I picked it up as I really enjoyed it. The intricacies and complexities often found in the relationship between women are captured and used perfectly by the author. She doesn't shy away from making her characters behave badly at times, and her heroine manages to be both likeable and un-likeable all at the same time.
The story is full of ups and downs, which perfectly relates to the theme of 'growing up' in this book. Plus it has a nice mixture of fun and grittiness. One of my favourites scenes is where Gus, dressed in her blueberry bridesmaid dress for a party, realises that what sounds like a laugh doesn't actually work in reality and her silly actions are only hindering her want to be taken seriously!
The almost-a-love-story running through the book is nicely executed and enough to keep me (a die hard romance fan) pleased, and I love how the ending was left nicely open.
Any woman will be able to relate to the themes in this book and Megan Crane writes as though she is your oldest friend telling you about her latest adventure.
Really enjoyable.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
January 18, 2009
I had a lot of trouble getting interested in this book. The first few chapters, I thought Gus was a complete moron. In fact, I thought she was throughout the whole book, trying to win her ass of an ex-boyfriend back, WHILE he was with her ex-friend who he cheated on her with. Yeah, I know, drama.
The only reason I gave this book three stars is because of Henry. To me, he carried this book..and I grew to have a little bit of a crush on him. He was so complex, and I could really relate to him (being 'fake' with everyone as to keep appearances). I don't know if it was completely obvious to everyone, but I recognized the good in him immediately. From even when he let Gus in the house to find her boyfriend and her friend.
Don't think I'll be re-reading, but definitely worth the $4.00 I got it for.
The only reason I gave this book three stars is because of Henry. To me, he carried this book..and I grew to have a little bit of a crush on him. He was so complex, and I could really relate to him (being 'fake' with everyone as to keep appearances). I don't know if it was completely obvious to everyone, but I recognized the good in him immediately. From even when he let Gus in the house to find her boyfriend and her friend.
Don't think I'll be re-reading, but definitely worth the $4.00 I got it for.
November 13, 2011
I simply loved this book. Its about frndship, pure and simple and how frnds are the backbone to any woman's life. No matter how the bf, the husband, the son, the father, MEN can never bond with a WOMAN like WOMEN bond with WOMEN... Of course this precious bond comes with hazards and traps. Its lyk playing golf, one stroke can get you to the flag faster, bt if you get stuck in a hazard, you are likely to doom. The main character of Augusta is stuck in a hazard. She has recently witnessed her roommate and frnd Helen smooching with her bf Nate. The break-up brought out the worst bout of nagging, scolding, screaming, plotting, revenging in her. The people who have to bear the brunt so to speak are her frnds Amy Lee and Georgia. The book is an unique insight into the world of frenemies - an enemy disguised as a friend...
August 31, 2007
I just wasn't as impressed by this book as I thought I would be. The title of it hooked me in - but I don't think it delved deep enough into the complications of female friendships. The main character, Gus, was weak. At times, I wanted to throttle her against a wall. I enjoyed Henry's character and wish there would have been more interaction with him. Overall - I don't think I would recommend this to anyone. The more I think about it, the more disappointed I am with this book as a whole.
August 27, 2025
I know this type of book is usually utterly predictable, but in this one the road to the predictable end feels long and boring. The whole "frenemies" storyline sounds forced and is not interesting because Helen is uninteresting and Gus irritating, and the romantic relationship is treated in a superficial way.
January 6, 2009
I struggled between giving this 3 or 4 stars. It was such a fun read, but admittedly not the best writing I've ever encountered. I gave in and gave it 4 because I liked it despite its flaws. I love reading about librarians who don't adhere to the traditional sterotypes. And I guess I'm a sucker for some good chick-lit at times.
August 20, 2012
I do believe I am somewhat partial to this book because it's set in Boston, my favorite city, and I could relate to the locals, but in addition to that, it's a great, fun story. If you've ever had a friend turn on you or had to deal with an ex-boyfriend who you have to see constantly because he's part of your circle of friends, you will relate to this book. It's classic chick-lit at it's best.
December 4, 2013
Megan Crane writes about friendship, betrayal, pain and shame in a deep and thoughtful way I find. She clearly has an uncanny understanding of human character and dissects human behaviour. I have read a few of her books and I am on to the next one. She is a definite read for anyone interested in trying to peel back layers on people and try to understand them better.
May 15, 2014
I've read some Megan Crane before, and liked her work, but this book was just vile. I was in the mood for something a little less heavy, but this book definitely did not fit the bill. There wasn't a single likeable person in this book -- they were all a bunch of drama queens -- and I threw up in my mouth a little thinking people like this share the same planet as myself.
September 23, 2008
Every kind of relationship I have had is talked about in this book; which makes me realize it's not just me! Frenemies is a great book even for those who don't think they have ever been stabbed in the back.
April 20, 2009
This was OK. It was kind of interesting that I didn't find any of the characters to actually be a "good guy", so that set it apart from most chick-lit. I'm just not sure that was what the author was going for.
September 11, 2009
I really like this. Instead of the usual blah story about great women friends (which is a bunch of BS in real life)...this book accurately portrayed the petty bs that is female friendship. Refreshing, true to life and well written.... a total winner!
May 15, 2011
A typical story about how we all have that bitchy friend that all our other friends warn us about; we always defend that friend until she betrays us by doing something to do with a guy we liked or was our boyfriend etc and prove them all right.
Typical but an okay quick read.
Typical but an okay quick read.
April 22, 2013
Maybe it's because this is EXACTLY where I am right now - just into my 30s and trying valiantly to Figure It All Out. But the mix of immaturity, serious hilarity and true friendship was perfect for me.
May 23, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book, the storyline was great and very true to life. The characters where believable and the relationships and friendships between them really pulled you in and kept the pages turning.
June 19, 2020
Megan Crane is my spirit animal of authors. Her humor is such a match to mine that I feel like I either wrote the story or am in the story. She writes how I think! It's bizarre and awesome. Her female MC in each of her standalone novels are the most relatable characters I have ever read.
April 2, 2025
I struggled with this book. It felt like the writing was aimed at YA but the characters were in their thirties. They acted juvenile. I just wanted them to grow up and be less whiney. It kept making me think of Gossip Girl but not in a good way.
I debated between a 2 or 1 star. I'd go firmly 1.5.
I debated between a 2 or 1 star. I'd go firmly 1.5.
July 27, 2007
Ok so I am biased as my cousin wrote this novel, her third. If you like ChicLit, I recommend it!
June 22, 2008
This is such a cute book. You find yourself being pissed for the main character more than a couple of times. She's very likeable. It's an easy read.
June 6, 2008
As a female in my mid-late 20's, I found her worries to be common. I like how the author captured the conflict between growing and letting go. It was cute.
October 23, 2008
I don't know why I picked up this book, someone must have recommended it, although I can't imagine who. It was just dumb.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews