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Tate Brothers #1
Just a Friend
They say don’t ruin the friendship. But honestly? I’ve never been great at following advice—or avoiding his smile.
Sophie
Every August, Oliver Tate waltzes back into my small town, buys me a milkshake, and pretends it’s totally normal that we don’t call it a date.
It’s our thing.
No kissing. No complications. Just whipped cream, sarcasm, and the tiniest bit of heartbreak (mine).
Falling for him is a terrible idea. My grandparents can’t stand him, he lives on airplanes running his family’s resort empire, and I’m here keeping the world’s most duct-taped mobile library alive.
If I don’t move on soon, I’m in trouble. Because this silly crush? It’s starting to feel a lot less silly.
Oliver
Sophie Lawson has always been my constant—the one who keeps me grounded when my life’s spinning through airports and business deals.
But now that I’m living near her again? Things are different. She almost picked another guy, and suddenly I’m realizing I might’ve made the world’s dumbest mistake by never making a move.
Now every smile messes with my head. Every hug feels like a dare. But she’s rooted here, and I’m built for takeoff. So why can’t I stop imagining what would happen if I finally stayed?
If I tell her how I feel, I could wreck the best thing in my life.
If I don’t… I might lose her forever.
One way or another, we’re about to ruin the friendship—and there’s no going back now.
Just a Friend is a sweet, small-town, closed-door romantic comedy with all of the sizzle and none of the spice! It lightly touches on the past death of a parent. However, there’s also an adorably huge dog named Wilford, the meddlesome antics of Aunt Stella, and no one cheats on anyone. Plus, you'll catch glimpses of all six of those handsome, illustrious Tate Brothers.
Sophie
Every August, Oliver Tate waltzes back into my small town, buys me a milkshake, and pretends it’s totally normal that we don’t call it a date.
It’s our thing.
No kissing. No complications. Just whipped cream, sarcasm, and the tiniest bit of heartbreak (mine).
Falling for him is a terrible idea. My grandparents can’t stand him, he lives on airplanes running his family’s resort empire, and I’m here keeping the world’s most duct-taped mobile library alive.
If I don’t move on soon, I’m in trouble. Because this silly crush? It’s starting to feel a lot less silly.
Oliver
Sophie Lawson has always been my constant—the one who keeps me grounded when my life’s spinning through airports and business deals.
But now that I’m living near her again? Things are different. She almost picked another guy, and suddenly I’m realizing I might’ve made the world’s dumbest mistake by never making a move.
Now every smile messes with my head. Every hug feels like a dare. But she’s rooted here, and I’m built for takeoff. So why can’t I stop imagining what would happen if I finally stayed?
If I tell her how I feel, I could wreck the best thing in my life.
If I don’t… I might lose her forever.
One way or another, we’re about to ruin the friendship—and there’s no going back now.
Just a Friend is a sweet, small-town, closed-door romantic comedy with all of the sizzle and none of the spice! It lightly touches on the past death of a parent. However, there’s also an adorably huge dog named Wilford, the meddlesome antics of Aunt Stella, and no one cheats on anyone. Plus, you'll catch glimpses of all six of those handsome, illustrious Tate Brothers.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2023
388 people are currently reading
1365 people want to read
About the author
Deb Goodman
45 books133 followersJoin Deb's newsletter to get the book, Just a Road Trip, part of the Tate Brothers series, totally FREE!
https://debgoodmanwrites.com
Deb Goodman’s obsession with the written word started at age three, when she realized the old-timey newsprint wallpaper in her family’s bathroom had actual words on it. The only problem? By the time she learned to read a couple of years later, the wallpaper had been replaced with something else—boring, non-worded wallpaper—and to this day, she still doesn’t know what it said.
Now, she and her husband and four children live in Utah. They love sports, music, and doing slightly insulting, pretend voices for their little shorkie, Mavis.
Deb writes funny, small-town romance that you won’t need to shield your kids’ eyes from. Billionaires, friends-to-more, enemies-to-more, cowboys, fake relationships…there’s something for everyone here!
Writing lovey dovey books comes naturally to Deb since, to her, there’s nothing better than reading and writing about how two people fall in love.
https://debgoodmanwrites.com
Deb Goodman’s obsession with the written word started at age three, when she realized the old-timey newsprint wallpaper in her family’s bathroom had actual words on it. The only problem? By the time she learned to read a couple of years later, the wallpaper had been replaced with something else—boring, non-worded wallpaper—and to this day, she still doesn’t know what it said.
Now, she and her husband and four children live in Utah. They love sports, music, and doing slightly insulting, pretend voices for their little shorkie, Mavis.
Deb writes funny, small-town romance that you won’t need to shield your kids’ eyes from. Billionaires, friends-to-more, enemies-to-more, cowboys, fake relationships…there’s something for everyone here!
Writing lovey dovey books comes naturally to Deb since, to her, there’s nothing better than reading and writing about how two people fall in love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
March 8, 2024
This was cute but too much telling instead of showing. I didn’t see much chemistry or love between the characters.
June 28, 2024
What was the reason for this book? 
What was the reason for two people falling in love?
What was the reason for not communicating?
What was the reason for the dog?
What was the reason for anything?
There was zero depth in this book.
I think I started this book like you start a bad movie.
You know it will be crap. But you will hopefully enjoy the bad scenes, bad lines and bad cutting.
But instead I didn't enjoy the bad sentences or the bad use of words.
The bad character introductions.
We do not know anything about the main people.
What do they do on their free time? What music do they like? What makes them happy? What are they scared of? What do they want in a partner?
Can you be disappointed even if you knew it would suck?
And lastly, who the f*ck EATS a milkshake?!?!?!
What was the reason for two people falling in love?
What was the reason for not communicating?
What was the reason for the dog?
What was the reason for anything?
There was zero depth in this book.
I think I started this book like you start a bad movie.
You know it will be crap. But you will hopefully enjoy the bad scenes, bad lines and bad cutting.
But instead I didn't enjoy the bad sentences or the bad use of words.
The bad character introductions.
We do not know anything about the main people.
What do they do on their free time? What music do they like? What makes them happy? What are they scared of? What do they want in a partner?
Can you be disappointed even if you knew it would suck?
And lastly, who the f*ck EATS a milkshake?!?!?!
May 14, 2024
3.75! Cute lil romance! Nice refresh book!
March 9, 2023
This was so cute!! I haven’t read anything by Deb before and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like her writing style.
I love how the book starts out “I hate Oliver Tate!” I was like, oh shoot, she starts out hating him?!?!Sophie doesn’t really hate him, but she is weary of him and doesn’t quite trust in his word anymore. But they are also really good friends, so
shutting down the once a year “meet -up” they have going on is going to be really hard for Soph to do. I loved meeting almost ALL of the Tate brothers in this book and cannot wait to read their stories (I am hoping they all have stories). Cute, sweet, swooney kisses, funny moments, you will love this book.
*I received a copy of this book as an ARC reviewer, but a positive review wasn’t required. All thoughts are solely what I personally thought of this beautiful book. Thanks for reaching out to me Deb and asking me to read your book. It was awesome!
I love how the book starts out “I hate Oliver Tate!” I was like, oh shoot, she starts out hating him?!?!Sophie doesn’t really hate him, but she is weary of him and doesn’t quite trust in his word anymore. But they are also really good friends, so
shutting down the once a year “meet -up” they have going on is going to be really hard for Soph to do. I loved meeting almost ALL of the Tate brothers in this book and cannot wait to read their stories (I am hoping they all have stories). Cute, sweet, swooney kisses, funny moments, you will love this book.
*I received a copy of this book as an ARC reviewer, but a positive review wasn’t required. All thoughts are solely what I personally thought of this beautiful book. Thanks for reaching out to me Deb and asking me to read your book. It was awesome!
August 29, 2025
Friends to more
Small town
Slow burn
Closed door romance
A delightful small-town romance that captures the magic of best friends becoming more. Sophie and Oliver’s annual milkshake tradition takes a heartwarming turn as they navigate the complexities of evolving feelings, family expectations, and personal aspirations. Their journey is filled with sweet moments, endearing characters, and a touch of humor, making it a perfect read for fans of clean, heartfelt romance.
Content Warnings:
-death of a parent (past)
-kisses only
-no language
Small town
Slow burn
Closed door romance
A delightful small-town romance that captures the magic of best friends becoming more. Sophie and Oliver’s annual milkshake tradition takes a heartwarming turn as they navigate the complexities of evolving feelings, family expectations, and personal aspirations. Their journey is filled with sweet moments, endearing characters, and a touch of humor, making it a perfect read for fans of clean, heartfelt romance.
Content Warnings:
-death of a parent (past)
-kisses only
-no language
August 14, 2024
Storyline: 3/10
Boy: 3/10
Girl: 3/10
Lovestory: 3/10
Comments: This book was very foreseeable and did not have a real plot at all and no depth to any of their characters. Oliver and Sophie worked together during the summer at a shake store when they were both in high school and he was visiting his aunt. Now they meet once a year to catch up until he doesn’t show up. She already knows she has feelings but also doesn’t really admit it. They are supposed to be best friends and text each other every day (weird that she never mentions him standing her up), but when he is in town he seems very surprised to see her??
When he sees her, he instantly is intrigued (after all those years?) and it is explained that this deepens after he realizes that she was engaged (they apparently never text about dating? even though that aspect may be a major life aspect). Oliver hired Sophie as library planner because he is opening a new hotel in town with his brothers. Sophie is the librarian in town who drives around in her old school bus that is now the mobile library. Oliver and Sophie do not really have a build up. A kind of cutesy situation in the lake but also random. They both agree that they like each other but are not compatible as she wants to stay in town and he wants to travel the world. There are so many aspects that are mentioned and would have build a nice foundation for more suspense like the dislike of her grandparents against the Tates, that he thinks she was in love with one of his brothers (more jealousy), a scene with her ex fiancé, a small discussion why he didn’t come / why he didn’t say anything earlier.
in the end it is very anticlimactic as both of them want to do what the other one does: she wants to travel with him, he wants to stay in town…
Boy: 3/10
Girl: 3/10
Lovestory: 3/10
Comments: This book was very foreseeable and did not have a real plot at all and no depth to any of their characters. Oliver and Sophie worked together during the summer at a shake store when they were both in high school and he was visiting his aunt. Now they meet once a year to catch up until he doesn’t show up. She already knows she has feelings but also doesn’t really admit it. They are supposed to be best friends and text each other every day (weird that she never mentions him standing her up), but when he is in town he seems very surprised to see her??
When he sees her, he instantly is intrigued (after all those years?) and it is explained that this deepens after he realizes that she was engaged (they apparently never text about dating? even though that aspect may be a major life aspect). Oliver hired Sophie as library planner because he is opening a new hotel in town with his brothers. Sophie is the librarian in town who drives around in her old school bus that is now the mobile library. Oliver and Sophie do not really have a build up. A kind of cutesy situation in the lake but also random. They both agree that they like each other but are not compatible as she wants to stay in town and he wants to travel the world. There are so many aspects that are mentioned and would have build a nice foundation for more suspense like the dislike of her grandparents against the Tates, that he thinks she was in love with one of his brothers (more jealousy), a scene with her ex fiancé, a small discussion why he didn’t come / why he didn’t say anything earlier.
in the end it is very anticlimactic as both of them want to do what the other one does: she wants to travel with him, he wants to stay in town…
March 12, 2023
Loved it!!
Friends to Lovers. Flirty, confident, funny hero. (My favorite 😏) Librarian heroine. Dual POV. No 3rd act break up 🙌🏻 A little bit of family drama, and family rivals/enemies.
What a wonderful story!! I am a sucker for Friends to Lovers and this did not disappoint!!
I love watching the love interests realize their feelings 🥰 Such a sweet story. Highly recommend! The series is to follow all the brothers and I. Am. Here. For. It. We get to meet most of them. They're all unique and I can already tell, are going to be fantastic stories!! 😍😆
💕 RCRS: 2 brief kissing
🗨Some Quotes
I don’t know if it was a good idea to come. It feels sort of dangerous. Not the thrilling kind of dangerous, the I’m-going-to-lose-my-lunch dangerous.
“Wait.” She starts laughing and then covers her mouth with both hands. “I wasn’t serious, Oliver.”
“Are you laughing at my body?” I stick my belly out to make it round and rub my hand over it like I’m pregnant. That’s what I do. I make people laugh. And my favorite person to make laugh is Sophie.
She stands up carefully, widening her stance so she doesn’t fall overboard. “No.” Her expression is serious. “I’m definitely not laughing at your body.” Her gaze sweeps over me for one brief moment before landing on my face again.
Mercy me, Sophie. You can’t look at me like that.
He’s everything. I thought that I loved him for all those years. But what’s happening now? My soul is on fire and set free. What I feel for him is more than I could have comprehended before.
Friends to Lovers. Flirty, confident, funny hero. (My favorite 😏) Librarian heroine. Dual POV. No 3rd act break up 🙌🏻 A little bit of family drama, and family rivals/enemies.
What a wonderful story!! I am a sucker for Friends to Lovers and this did not disappoint!!
I love watching the love interests realize their feelings 🥰 Such a sweet story. Highly recommend! The series is to follow all the brothers and I. Am. Here. For. It. We get to meet most of them. They're all unique and I can already tell, are going to be fantastic stories!! 😍😆
💕 RCRS: 2 brief kissing
🗨Some Quotes
I don’t know if it was a good idea to come. It feels sort of dangerous. Not the thrilling kind of dangerous, the I’m-going-to-lose-my-lunch dangerous.
“Wait.” She starts laughing and then covers her mouth with both hands. “I wasn’t serious, Oliver.”
“Are you laughing at my body?” I stick my belly out to make it round and rub my hand over it like I’m pregnant. That’s what I do. I make people laugh. And my favorite person to make laugh is Sophie.
She stands up carefully, widening her stance so she doesn’t fall overboard. “No.” Her expression is serious. “I’m definitely not laughing at your body.” Her gaze sweeps over me for one brief moment before landing on my face again.
Mercy me, Sophie. You can’t look at me like that.
He’s everything. I thought that I loved him for all those years. But what’s happening now? My soul is on fire and set free. What I feel for him is more than I could have comprehended before.
February 28, 2024
Cute, kind of enraging, but cute.
I really like Oliver and Sophie, but the amount of problem they dealt with was tiring. On every page it was “I love him so much, but…” and they would bring up the problems they had every single time they thought about each other which was a lot.
I did really like the dual povs, and the boat scene was the cutest thing ever. And they are SO OBSESSED with each other. I just wished they confessed it sooner.🫥
~“she's smiling. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight.”
~“There were women. And I've dated my fair share.
But then there's Sophie. On a level by herself.”
~“I ache for her, period.”
I really like Oliver and Sophie, but the amount of problem they dealt with was tiring. On every page it was “I love him so much, but…” and they would bring up the problems they had every single time they thought about each other which was a lot.
I did really like the dual povs, and the boat scene was the cutest thing ever. And they are SO OBSESSED with each other. I just wished they confessed it sooner.🫥
~“she's smiling. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight.”
~“There were women. And I've dated my fair share.
But then there's Sophie. On a level by herself.”
~“I ache for her, period.”
September 26, 2023
a cute short and sweet little romance book
Want to read
March 8, 2024awwwwwww
September 15, 2023
good just repetitive
September 1, 2024
Well. This book was eh. There is no chemistry between Oliver and Sophie. There’s really nothing exceptional about either character in general. The pacing of the book is slow and the plot underdeveloped. Several things are mentioned but then never finished. For example, Sophie’s fiancé and his father. They are an issue at the beginning but then there is no resolution. Her grandparents are another. She spends the book saying how they’d be so disappointed of her relationship with a Tate and then in the end, all it takes is one conversation between them and Oliver for them to get over it???
Then there are the brothers, who I’m sure, the author is setting up for future books. But none of them are well developed or given much space. I really don’t have a reason to pick up the next book about Alec because I felt no connection to him in this book.
I don’t know if I can recommend this book. It’s really not worth it.
Then there are the brothers, who I’m sure, the author is setting up for future books. But none of them are well developed or given much space. I really don’t have a reason to pick up the next book about Alec because I felt no connection to him in this book.
I don’t know if I can recommend this book. It’s really not worth it.
March 3, 2023
Finally Realising Her True Love -
Sophie and Oliver used to be really good friends when they were younger, but they grew apart as they hadn’t see each other for years. However, when Oliver returned as adult, he realised that even though he was crushing on Sophie, she was crushing on his brother Sebastian. When they got the opportunity to work together, Sophie realised that she had always had feelings for Oliver not Sebastian, but the feud between their families and Oliver’s way of living, made it difficult for them to be together.
They finally accepted that the heart wants what it wants, so they both threw caution to the wind and embarked on a relationship in secret. Unfortunately, small town gossip got back to Sophie’s family and they caused problems for them, but she stood her ground so she could get what she wanted. Going through the rollercoaster rides in their lives helped them finally acknowledge their feelings for each other and gave the the confidence to work towards a happily ever after.
This was an absolutely fantastic story to read. It was wonderful watching the characters figure out their feelings for each other, whilst the different dramas kept cropping. I was really invested in the story so much, that I found it difficult to take a break once I started. You will definitely enjoy reading this book.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sophie and Oliver used to be really good friends when they were younger, but they grew apart as they hadn’t see each other for years. However, when Oliver returned as adult, he realised that even though he was crushing on Sophie, she was crushing on his brother Sebastian. When they got the opportunity to work together, Sophie realised that she had always had feelings for Oliver not Sebastian, but the feud between their families and Oliver’s way of living, made it difficult for them to be together.
They finally accepted that the heart wants what it wants, so they both threw caution to the wind and embarked on a relationship in secret. Unfortunately, small town gossip got back to Sophie’s family and they caused problems for them, but she stood her ground so she could get what she wanted. Going through the rollercoaster rides in their lives helped them finally acknowledge their feelings for each other and gave the the confidence to work towards a happily ever after.
This was an absolutely fantastic story to read. It was wonderful watching the characters figure out their feelings for each other, whilst the different dramas kept cropping. I was really invested in the story so much, that I found it difficult to take a break once I started. You will definitely enjoy reading this book.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 26, 2025
friends to lovers
If you want a partner in life, you have to be willing to choose them. Oliver and Sophie are both dedicated to their separate goals and habits. They have to decide if a relationship more than their long-standing friendship is worth some time and attention.
Clean, contemporary romance.
If you want a partner in life, you have to be willing to choose them. Oliver and Sophie are both dedicated to their separate goals and habits. They have to decide if a relationship more than their long-standing friendship is worth some time and attention.
Clean, contemporary romance.
March 15, 2023
Just a Friend, Small-town Brothers RomCom
This is a cute friends to more book. Oliver and Sophie are good friends who make a pact to meet every August. They are totally different from each other. He travels the world extensively and she works with the small library in her hometown, never wanting to leave. There is conflict with between his family and hers so there will never be anything more than hidden friendship. But then he returns and asks her to help get the resort library ready before the grand opening. Will this be another Romeo and Juliet type of romance or will this couple be able to have their happily ever after?
This is a cute friends to more book. Oliver and Sophie are good friends who make a pact to meet every August. They are totally different from each other. He travels the world extensively and she works with the small library in her hometown, never wanting to leave. There is conflict with between his family and hers so there will never be anything more than hidden friendship. But then he returns and asks her to help get the resort library ready before the grand opening. Will this be another Romeo and Juliet type of romance or will this couple be able to have their happily ever after?
February 26, 2024
So yeah. I'm officially obsessed with the Tate Brothers!
I was so lucky to get an advanced copy of Just A Friend and I devoured it. It was painful to put it down and get a good night's sleep so I did what any (in)sane adult would do. I stayed up way too late reading. Two words: WORTH IT.
Oliver and Sophia are so cute. I am very hit and miss on the friends to love trope but this book was a great mix of longing and loving. 10/10 would recommend this sweet swoony read.
I can't wait to find out which Tate brother's love story is up next!
Thank you Deb Goodman for this fun read!
I was so lucky to get an advanced copy of Just A Friend and I devoured it. It was painful to put it down and get a good night's sleep so I did what any (in)sane adult would do. I stayed up way too late reading. Two words: WORTH IT.
Oliver and Sophia are so cute. I am very hit and miss on the friends to love trope but this book was a great mix of longing and loving. 10/10 would recommend this sweet swoony read.
I can't wait to find out which Tate brother's love story is up next!
Thank you Deb Goodman for this fun read!
March 6, 2023
This is my first time reading a book by Deb Goodman, and I was so glad I read it! I loved it! I loved the relationship of friends to lovers between Sophie and Oliver. I love the tension between them when they reconnect again and Oliver finally realizes that he has feelings for Sophie.
I was able to connect with Sophie so easily because of her love of books and wanting to share that love with her mobile library. Oliver is fun and optimistic. I love how he sees Sophie and loves her many quirks.
I was given an advanced copy from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was able to connect with Sophie so easily because of her love of books and wanting to share that love with her mobile library. Oliver is fun and optimistic. I love how he sees Sophie and loves her many quirks.
I was given an advanced copy from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 25, 2025
I picked this book up on a Stuff Your Kindle Day a long time ago and I’m officially so mad at myself for keeping it on my shelf for so long! This was such a wonderful and sweet book. I love the idea of two people discovering they’ve loved each other all along because they truly love all the little beautiful things about each other. Oliver and Sophie were absolutely adorable and such likable characters. I also loved all the side characters. I can’t recommend this book enough if you’re looking for a sweet romcom read!
March 3, 2023
That was fun!
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
Sophie and Oliver met as teens and have always been “just friends.” Now they are all grown up and... things between them—feelings—have changed.
I loved watching them navigate their evolving relationship. They both have interfering siblings and grandparents that offer advice and/or support/objection.
It was all realistic and an over all fun read.
This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.
Sophie and Oliver met as teens and have always been “just friends.” Now they are all grown up and... things between them—feelings—have changed.
I loved watching them navigate their evolving relationship. They both have interfering siblings and grandparents that offer advice and/or support/objection.
It was all realistic and an over all fun read.
December 4, 2023
Friends to More
Going from just friends to something more isn't easy. Sophie has been enamored with Oliver forever, through their one date per year. Oliver sees her as a good friend. There are just too many obstacles to overcome for their relationship to be more - including their incompatible visions for their futures. I love the first-person perspectives. I enjoy Sophie's love of books, people, and libraries. It's a sweet story with my required happy ending.
Going from just friends to something more isn't easy. Sophie has been enamored with Oliver forever, through their one date per year. Oliver sees her as a good friend. There are just too many obstacles to overcome for their relationship to be more - including their incompatible visions for their futures. I love the first-person perspectives. I enjoy Sophie's love of books, people, and libraries. It's a sweet story with my required happy ending.
December 14, 2023
This is a super cute start to a new series! Oliver & Sophie have been friends for a long time and while she’s always had more feelings for him, he didn’t see her that way. I really enjoyed watching him realize he was in love with her🫶🏻. I loved Sophie’s passion for books and the library. I loved their yearly milkshake tradition! Cannot wait for more Tate brother stories-they’re so intriguing👏🏻
June 10, 2023
Friends to romance
I really enjoyed this slow burn friends to more romance. I liked both the main characters and how they supported each other. Look forward to the other brothers stories.
I really enjoyed this slow burn friends to more romance. I liked both the main characters and how they supported each other. Look forward to the other brothers stories.
June 17, 2023
great fun
This was a first time read of Deb Goodmans’s writing. It was so fun to read this book. Loved the character development and story.Loved the old friends to lovers genre. I can’t wait to read more about the Tate boys! Bravo!
This was a first time read of Deb Goodmans’s writing. It was so fun to read this book. Loved the character development and story.Loved the old friends to lovers genre. I can’t wait to read more about the Tate boys! Bravo!
March 11, 2023
Really Sweet Story
This is a good book, great characters. It has a good plot, excellent antagonists, and great descriptions. I love that it is a clean story.
This is a good book, great characters. It has a good plot, excellent antagonists, and great descriptions. I love that it is a clean story.
March 21, 2023
This is a sweet romantic comedy with small town vibes. Long time friends who finally find love as they work through obstacles to be together.
June 30, 2023
Friends to more...
I loved this book. Deb did such a good job with the friendship between the main characters, and as their fondness grew, it was a great story.
I loved this book. Deb did such a good job with the friendship between the main characters, and as their fondness grew, it was a great story.
July 17, 2023
Absolutely loved everything. I want to be part of the Tate brothers and stay at their resorts! Love a good friends to lover story.
December 18, 2023
I am embarrassed by how long it has taken me to read this book! I know it was life that just kept "getting in the way" but I wish I would've somehow squeezed it in sooner, because Just a Friend was such a fun read! I read it over the course of two and a half days which I know is a long time to some readers, but with my reading schedule lately, this was fast for me. And it was easy to do because I enjoyed turning page after page, happy to follow along Sophie and Oliver's life story.
Add in the fact that Sophie is a librarian and overall book loving character - well, I guess I should've known I'd enjoy it. ;)
Sophie and Oliver have been friends for a long time - just friends, of course. But unbeknownst to each other, they've kindled feelings for one another without voicing it for some time. I think they fought against themselves in their feelings more than anything.
But there is definitely a spark between them. Which Oliver's aunt Stella, and his brothers Alec and Sebastian can even see. Probably long before Oliver. ;)
I enjoyed seeing how the friendship morphed into more serious feelings and eventually the define-the-relationship moment.
There wasn't too much angst or frustration which I appreciated because sometimes too much can just be....well, too much. But "Just a Friend" was a well balanced, delightfully amusing and sweet romcom which I am glad to have on my shelves!
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.
Add in the fact that Sophie is a librarian and overall book loving character - well, I guess I should've known I'd enjoy it. ;)
Sophie and Oliver have been friends for a long time - just friends, of course. But unbeknownst to each other, they've kindled feelings for one another without voicing it for some time. I think they fought against themselves in their feelings more than anything.
But there is definitely a spark between them. Which Oliver's aunt Stella, and his brothers Alec and Sebastian can even see. Probably long before Oliver. ;)
I enjoyed seeing how the friendship morphed into more serious feelings and eventually the define-the-relationship moment.
There wasn't too much angst or frustration which I appreciated because sometimes too much can just be....well, too much. But "Just a Friend" was a well balanced, delightfully amusing and sweet romcom which I am glad to have on my shelves!
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.
June 29, 2023
My kind of small town
This book has all the things I love.
Small towns -- I really enjoyed getting to know everyone in the small town of Longdale Lake and the new 5-star resort Oliver's family is building there.
Books!! -- Spending time anywhere without a book in hand is unthinkable, so librarian Sophie is perfect with her passion for books and her aging, mobile-library bus named Scott. So is her sister Claire and part-time assistant Violet.
Best forever friends -- Long time best friends, even if they only meet up in person once a year, are a lifelong treasure. But when you wake up the the fact that your best friend has become "more", that is my life and is a wonderful basis for a closer-than-anyone relationship.
Families -- Love them or hate them, families are a constant when our life, job or relationships are in chaos. You know what to expect from them, even if it is not always what we want to hear.
Happy ever after -- This book has all the sparkles, doggie love, feel goods, and warm fuzzies that leave you smiling when you close it after reading 'the end'. And it has you on the wdge of your seat to learn just which brother will fall in love with another special someone.
I purchased a copy of this story from Amazon and voluntarily chose to share my review.
This book has all the things I love.
Small towns -- I really enjoyed getting to know everyone in the small town of Longdale Lake and the new 5-star resort Oliver's family is building there.
Books!! -- Spending time anywhere without a book in hand is unthinkable, so librarian Sophie is perfect with her passion for books and her aging, mobile-library bus named Scott. So is her sister Claire and part-time assistant Violet.
Best forever friends -- Long time best friends, even if they only meet up in person once a year, are a lifelong treasure. But when you wake up the the fact that your best friend has become "more", that is my life and is a wonderful basis for a closer-than-anyone relationship.
Families -- Love them or hate them, families are a constant when our life, job or relationships are in chaos. You know what to expect from them, even if it is not always what we want to hear.
Happy ever after -- This book has all the sparkles, doggie love, feel goods, and warm fuzzies that leave you smiling when you close it after reading 'the end'. And it has you on the wdge of your seat to learn just which brother will fall in love with another special someone.
I purchased a copy of this story from Amazon and voluntarily chose to share my review.
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