What do you think?
Rate this book
No Strings Attached
No Strings Attached by Millie Criswell released on Jun 28, 2005 is available now for purchase.
366 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Millie Criswell
49 books34 followersNational bestselling author Millie Criswell didn't start out to be a writer. Instead, she had aspirations of joining the Rockettes as a toe-tapping member of their dancetroop, or tapping her heart away in one of those big, corny MGM musicals. Of course she was only ten at the time, had absolutely no talent as a dancer, and cannot be blamed for her failure to succeed.
To date, Ms. Criswell has written twenty-one historical, category, and contemporary romances. She has won numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, the Reviewers' Choice Award, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the coveted MAGGIE Award from Georgia Romance Writers.
Ms. Criswell resides in Virginia with her husband of thirty-two years. She has two grown children, both lawyers, and one neurotic Boston terrier
To date, Ms. Criswell has written twenty-one historical, category, and contemporary romances. She has won numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, the Reviewers' Choice Award, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the coveted MAGGIE Award from Georgia Romance Writers.
Ms. Criswell resides in Virginia with her husband of thirty-two years. She has two grown children, both lawyers, and one neurotic Boston terrier
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 12, 2014
Well, this was an annoying read all 'round. The sample had me thinking it was just going to be a simple, sweet friends-to-lovers tale, but that's not what I ended up getting. No, instead I got the irritating tale of two adolescents stuck in adult bodies who can't seem to grow up long enough to have a single adult thought, much less any semblance of adult communication.
Do you want spoilers? Oh, I'll give you spoilers.
So these morons can't figure out they'd make a great couple, get drunk, have sex, immediately regret it, and it destroys their friendship. Jack, who's a huge douchebag, pulls away from Samantha to the point where he moves out of their apartment and starts dating other people. When Samantha discovers she's pregnant with Jack's baby, she decides not to tell him. Then when he finds out and insists he's going to be there for his child, she's all, "nuh uh, this is my baby, you don't have any say in any of this."
I'm sorry, what? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a feminist. However, part of being a feminist is realizing and accepting the fact that men and women are equal. This means that children created together come under the perview of both parents. She was a complete bitch about the child they created together, yet let Jack walk all over her in every other way. It made zero sense and I wanted to slap the shit out of both of them. Not a fun read, not even an intriguing read, just an annoying read.
Do you want spoilers? Oh, I'll give you spoilers.
So these morons can't figure out they'd make a great couple, get drunk, have sex, immediately regret it, and it destroys their friendship. Jack, who's a huge douchebag, pulls away from Samantha to the point where he moves out of their apartment and starts dating other people. When Samantha discovers she's pregnant with Jack's baby, she decides not to tell him. Then when he finds out and insists he's going to be there for his child, she's all, "nuh uh, this is my baby, you don't have any say in any of this."
I'm sorry, what? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a feminist. However, part of being a feminist is realizing and accepting the fact that men and women are equal. This means that children created together come under the perview of both parents. She was a complete bitch about the child they created together, yet let Jack walk all over her in every other way. It made zero sense and I wanted to slap the shit out of both of them. Not a fun read, not even an intriguing read, just an annoying read.
June 12, 2011
Sam and Jack are friends who fall in love, but are too childish to admit it, then get in a ridiculous spiral of foolish pride bruising and miscommunication. This was a Sweet Valley High novel. The writing, particularly the dialogue, and the plot are aimed squarely at middle schoolers and the characters think and act like seventeen year-olds. Also, I seriously thought this book was written in 1992 (and would have thought it was set in 1965, except for a reference to the Internet) - that's how other-worldly the narrative was.
September 25, 2023
Sam and Jack are best friends and roommates. They are both focused on their careers, until one drunken night leads to them sleeping together. And, after that everything changes.
.
I love the friends to lovers trope, but this was just too repetitive. Both characters are quite two dimensional, immature, and walk around in circles with no real growth.
.
The story has some cute moments and there are some good secondary characters, but it just wasn’t enough.
.
I love the friends to lovers trope, but this was just too repetitive. Both characters are quite two dimensional, immature, and walk around in circles with no real growth.
.
The story has some cute moments and there are some good secondary characters, but it just wasn’t enough.
September 5, 2024
*sigh* PREDICTABLE. The whole story. There were no surprises, it was a typical friends who don’t know that they love each other go to hating each other after sex and getting pregnant to falling in love book. Add in a cynical about love best friend, a dog, and a pig headed brother to boot.
Honestly, I would use this book as a what not to do or blueprint if you want to write a romance or romcom novel. The formula is there, there’s no surprises or gotcha moments or anything really that makes it unique. That’s the only purpose for the book that I can think of. In fact the main character is a writer trying to sell her book throughout the novel and the baby daddy is a real estate agent. 🤦♀️😩 Take this story and not copy it, but use the formula and make it your own. The whole story was slightly painful to read and boring.
Honestly, I would use this book as a what not to do or blueprint if you want to write a romance or romcom novel. The formula is there, there’s no surprises or gotcha moments or anything really that makes it unique. That’s the only purpose for the book that I can think of. In fact the main character is a writer trying to sell her book throughout the novel and the baby daddy is a real estate agent. 🤦♀️😩 Take this story and not copy it, but use the formula and make it your own. The whole story was slightly painful to read and boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2025
Ugh. Very behind the times and “family values”. Icky successful woman being a bitch trope.
October 6, 2013
Originally posted on Sarahsbookshelf.com:
I picked up this paperback by Millie Criswell at my local library recently. I’m always looking for new authors to check out. When the author at least has a USA Today bestselling marker on it, it’s usually a good sign. Usually.
Jake and Samantha have been friends since they were six years old in Rhinebeck, New York. Now adults, they are also roommates and haven’t ever crossed the lines as lovers. When Samantha decides she’s ready to start a family, with or without a partner, Jack starts looking at her a little differently. Lots of stuff happens, so we’ll wrap up the synopsis at this point.
I hate, hate, hate giving books bad reviews. In fact, I try to finish almost every book that I pick up simply because I have this optimistic hope that things will get better. Unfortunately for Sam and Jack, things didn’t get better. This story was interesting, but I felt like there were a lot of smaller story lines and not enough substance to the big ones. There was a fair amount of bouncing around with only brief dialogue and a lot of telling (not enough showing). Criswell is a good writer, and one that I may give a second shot to in the future, but this book didn’t do it for me. I just felt like I needed much more of the hero/heroine than I got.
I picked up this paperback by Millie Criswell at my local library recently. I’m always looking for new authors to check out. When the author at least has a USA Today bestselling marker on it, it’s usually a good sign. Usually.
Jake and Samantha have been friends since they were six years old in Rhinebeck, New York. Now adults, they are also roommates and haven’t ever crossed the lines as lovers. When Samantha decides she’s ready to start a family, with or without a partner, Jack starts looking at her a little differently. Lots of stuff happens, so we’ll wrap up the synopsis at this point.
I hate, hate, hate giving books bad reviews. In fact, I try to finish almost every book that I pick up simply because I have this optimistic hope that things will get better. Unfortunately for Sam and Jack, things didn’t get better. This story was interesting, but I felt like there were a lot of smaller story lines and not enough substance to the big ones. There was a fair amount of bouncing around with only brief dialogue and a lot of telling (not enough showing). Criswell is a good writer, and one that I may give a second shot to in the future, but this book didn’t do it for me. I just felt like I needed much more of the hero/heroine than I got.
July 14, 2008
This was my first book by Millie Criswell so I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised! I really loved the story of Jack and Samantha. I could totally see this happening in real life - two best friends who have loved each other forever but never wanted to cross that line for fear of losing that friendship. Obviously, throw in a little alcohol, being stuck in a hotel during a storm and things have a way of working themselves out. I also found myself laughing out loud during several parts of this book.
Like I said, I really enjoyed the book and the story of these two characters. My only negative feedback would be that I wished it had a different ending - I would love to know more (i.e. sex of the baby). Oh well, maybe the author can do a spin off with the best friend Paula - she was great - and then maybe we could get a bit more info of what happens with Jack and Samantha. Just a thought!
Like I said, I really enjoyed the book and the story of these two characters. My only negative feedback would be that I wished it had a different ending - I would love to know more (i.e. sex of the baby). Oh well, maybe the author can do a spin off with the best friend Paula - she was great - and then maybe we could get a bit more info of what happens with Jack and Samantha. Just a thought!
October 23, 2016
It has been several years since I have read this book. I remember liking it since it has some humour, however, re-reading it a second time around, my interest throughout the book decreased.
Right from the beginning, the chemistry between Samantha and Jack was there. The dialogue between all the characters seemed more robotic and not too realistic. Hence, the reason why I did not enjoy it as much as I could have. The secondary characters was also a plus which included Samantha's lawyer friend and family as well as Jack's real estate partner.
Overall, it was not a bad book. It is good for a light reading.
For more of my reviews please visit my blog https://ilovereading2016.wordpress.com/
Right from the beginning, the chemistry between Samantha and Jack was there. The dialogue between all the characters seemed more robotic and not too realistic. Hence, the reason why I did not enjoy it as much as I could have. The secondary characters was also a plus which included Samantha's lawyer friend and family as well as Jack's real estate partner.
Overall, it was not a bad book. It is good for a light reading.
For more of my reviews please visit my blog https://ilovereading2016.wordpress.com/
August 26, 2015
In the beginning I was very excited of this book thinking it was a fluffy read about best friends who start having a sexual relationship or perhaps try to keep being friends (as the book kind of did), but it on a different semi-different direction, and I kept wanting to yell at the characters, but the book kept me invested, and in a way did enjoy the story so I give it three starts. [ Note: I picked up the book because of the title, and did not read the synopsis.]
July 20, 2009
I chose this book because of the Boston Terrier, who made his appearance way too late and wasn't talked about enough! This is a romance and it had its moments--it was allright. I got frustrated with the characters--most people are not that stubborn. If you want easy and light, go for it.
October 1, 2012
Meh. I read this at a recommendation and I was not thrilled. The dialogue between the two main characters always felt a bit stiff and unrealistic, particularly as the story moved along. And it was way too predictable to be enjoyable.
May 29, 2016
Good!
Its quite obvious but still lovely..
When you had loved someone for a very long time and the other part hasn't matured it's pretty hurtful because they want gave you what you need nor want, but it's perfect when you group up as a couple an work things together.
Its quite obvious but still lovely..
When you had loved someone for a very long time and the other part hasn't matured it's pretty hurtful because they want gave you what you need nor want, but it's perfect when you group up as a couple an work things together.
April 20, 2011
Soooo predictable. I read it b/c I want to see the movie and I thought it might be a funny, light read. It was just OK.
March 26, 2016
Oh boy. Review to follow. 2 stars mainly because of the enjoyment I got out of sharing this reading experience.
September 16, 2018
2stars= okay. I like friends to lovers, but the friendship broke down after they did the deed and both were a bit immature so I didn't get as attached to them as I needed to be...I ended up skimming.
January 15, 2016
Cute theme with a couple of mildly erotic scenes. A bit too cutesy in some of the phrasing and description, but otherwise a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews