What do you think?
Rate this book
In Shady Grove #2
What Happens Between Friends
Friends…with benefits?
For Sadie Nixon, life is one big adventure with something new around the corner. And anytime she needs a break, she can always rely on James Montesano—the best guy she knows. This time when she arrives in Shady Grove, however, something is different. There's a little extra between her and James that has them crossing the line of friendship into one steamy, no-holds-barred night.
Afterward, no matter how hard she tries, Sadie can't erase the memories of James that way. He's so hot, so tempting…. But his life is here and hers isn't. She needs his friendship, but she doesn't do commitment. So where does that leave them? Suddenly what happens between friends is more complicated than ever!
For Sadie Nixon, life is one big adventure with something new around the corner. And anytime she needs a break, she can always rely on James Montesano—the best guy she knows. This time when she arrives in Shady Grove, however, something is different. There's a little extra between her and James that has them crossing the line of friendship into one steamy, no-holds-barred night.
Afterward, no matter how hard she tries, Sadie can't erase the memories of James that way. He's so hot, so tempting…. But his life is here and hers isn't. She needs his friendship, but she doesn't do commitment. So where does that leave them? Suddenly what happens between friends is more complicated than ever!
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
126 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Beth Andrews
49 books102 followersRomance Writers of America RITA® Award Winner Beth Andrews writes heartfelt contemporary romance and young adult novels. She loves coffee, hockey and happy endings.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 3, 2013
2 stars
This book started out well in the first chapter but quickly took a landslide and it was all because of the thoroughly unlikable, selfish, judgmental and seriously irritating heroine.
I'm a sucker for friends to lovers storylines, love reading about characters with history - a shared past that defines them and links them together. I was compelled by this story at the beginning. I found James, the hero, endearing and sweet, gentle and caring. But from the outset I was uncertain about Sadie and her behaviour within the first few chapters sealed the deal. I had a serious hate of for this girl and cannot understand why a man like James would love her at all, would want a selfish, snobby, judgmental woman as a friend let alone as a lover and partner.
Sadie was rude to her mother, selfish with James, wanting him to hold her hand through all her mistakes without giving any thought to his feelings or how her choices affected his life and without giving a lick of support or understanding back to him in return. Some friend.
She burned pretty much all her bridges, being rude and seriously judgmental to her mother's life choices and refusing to see what a user she was to everyone in her life, flitting in and out of her family and friends' lives whenever she messed up her own life and expecting them to be there for her to pick up the pieces long enough for her to take everything she needed from them and then fly off again.
I loved that James stayed strong and called Sadie on her crap. And honesty the thing that kept me reading and the only reason for the two stars is because I kept turning pages to see more of Sadie being an ass and James calling her on it.
I found myself looking for any other relationship to take an interest in. Although I wasn't that taken in by Charlotte, I still clung to the possibility of a romance between her and the local bar owner. I liked Leo, James's brother and anticipate he might have a book of his own. I couldn't even take heart in the setting or side characters to keep me invested because honestly, the setting wasn't all that drawn and the secondary characters only props to amp up the drama between James and Sadie and Sadie's life in general. I couldn't get at all invested in the romance.
I couldn't stand Sadie and by consequence any liking I might have had for this book flew quickly out the window. This was the first romance where I wasn't routing for a HEA for the hero and heroine. I actually thought James deserved much better than Sadie.
An ARC of this book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out well in the first chapter but quickly took a landslide and it was all because of the thoroughly unlikable, selfish, judgmental and seriously irritating heroine.
I'm a sucker for friends to lovers storylines, love reading about characters with history - a shared past that defines them and links them together. I was compelled by this story at the beginning. I found James, the hero, endearing and sweet, gentle and caring. But from the outset I was uncertain about Sadie and her behaviour within the first few chapters sealed the deal. I had a serious hate of for this girl and cannot understand why a man like James would love her at all, would want a selfish, snobby, judgmental woman as a friend let alone as a lover and partner.
Sadie was rude to her mother, selfish with James, wanting him to hold her hand through all her mistakes without giving any thought to his feelings or how her choices affected his life and without giving a lick of support or understanding back to him in return. Some friend.
She burned pretty much all her bridges, being rude and seriously judgmental to her mother's life choices and refusing to see what a user she was to everyone in her life, flitting in and out of her family and friends' lives whenever she messed up her own life and expecting them to be there for her to pick up the pieces long enough for her to take everything she needed from them and then fly off again.
I loved that James stayed strong and called Sadie on her crap. And honesty the thing that kept me reading and the only reason for the two stars is because I kept turning pages to see more of Sadie being an ass and James calling her on it.
I found myself looking for any other relationship to take an interest in. Although I wasn't that taken in by Charlotte, I still clung to the possibility of a romance between her and the local bar owner. I liked Leo, James's brother and anticipate he might have a book of his own. I couldn't even take heart in the setting or side characters to keep me invested because honestly, the setting wasn't all that drawn and the secondary characters only props to amp up the drama between James and Sadie and Sadie's life in general. I couldn't get at all invested in the romance.
I couldn't stand Sadie and by consequence any liking I might have had for this book flew quickly out the window. This was the first romance where I wasn't routing for a HEA for the hero and heroine. I actually thought James deserved much better than Sadie.
An ARC of this book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2020
2 ⭐⭐ - Meh!
============
Super annoying heroine! Aff!
============
Super annoying heroine! Aff!
July 27, 2013
Good book that was very emotional. Sadie is the proverbial rolling stone. She doesn't stay anywhere for very long. She had spent most of her childhood in Shady Grove, with James as her best friend. Even after she left she could always count on James to be there for her. When she came back this time something was different and she found herself not sure if she wanted to stay or go.
I loved James. He has always been Sadie's best friend, but lately he's had to admit that he wants more. When she comes back to Shady Grove he gives in to those feelings and kisses her. The result is an explosive night together that turns to ashes the next morning. He is stunned when she tells him that they should forget it happened, that it will ruin their friendship and he knows she doesn't do commitments anyway... He lets her know that just being friends isn't enough anymore and if that's not good for her then their friendship is done anyway. I really liked the fact that James finally took a chance and let Sadie know how he felt. His reaction was also completely understandable. He was protecting himself. Over the next few weeks he tried really hard to move on but his heart was still stuck on Sadie. There were several times when he just couldn't maintain his distance and let her get close again, only to wind up hurting again. The last time he finally laid it all out for her and told her what he really thought and what his dreams were. I ached for him but loved that he stood up for himself. His problems with Sadie also made him see that he was having some job dissatisfaction working for his dad and opened up about that, though perhaps not in the most constructive way.
I had a hard time with Sadie. Throughout the book she seemed to be incredibly selfish, only thinking about her own needs and not how her actions impacted others. I felt that she was something of a lost soul with James being the thing that made her world right again. This was the story of her journey to finding herself, but I had some trouble really connecting with her. When she returned to Shady Grove and was with James that first night I had high hopes that she was going to see what she had been missing. Instead, she threw James's love back in his face and wanted to pretend everything was the same as always. She expected that in spite of it all he would still be there to pick up the pieces whenever she screwed up her life again. It also bugged me that she had no problem going to stay with her mom even though she considered her to have settled for a boring life instead of the fun one they'd had when her dad had been alive. She was so judgmental that I really wanted someone to tell her what a witch she was being. There were a few pages later when I thought she was finally starting to get it, but then she went right back to her selfish actions again. She was self aware enough to realize that her lifestyle was her way of remembering her father but it took some straight talk from her mother to really open her eyes. She really felt battered at the end but it seems that's what it took to wake her up. She came around at the end (of course) and James seems to believe in her now.
I loved James. He has always been Sadie's best friend, but lately he's had to admit that he wants more. When she comes back to Shady Grove he gives in to those feelings and kisses her. The result is an explosive night together that turns to ashes the next morning. He is stunned when she tells him that they should forget it happened, that it will ruin their friendship and he knows she doesn't do commitments anyway... He lets her know that just being friends isn't enough anymore and if that's not good for her then their friendship is done anyway. I really liked the fact that James finally took a chance and let Sadie know how he felt. His reaction was also completely understandable. He was protecting himself. Over the next few weeks he tried really hard to move on but his heart was still stuck on Sadie. There were several times when he just couldn't maintain his distance and let her get close again, only to wind up hurting again. The last time he finally laid it all out for her and told her what he really thought and what his dreams were. I ached for him but loved that he stood up for himself. His problems with Sadie also made him see that he was having some job dissatisfaction working for his dad and opened up about that, though perhaps not in the most constructive way.
I had a hard time with Sadie. Throughout the book she seemed to be incredibly selfish, only thinking about her own needs and not how her actions impacted others. I felt that she was something of a lost soul with James being the thing that made her world right again. This was the story of her journey to finding herself, but I had some trouble really connecting with her. When she returned to Shady Grove and was with James that first night I had high hopes that she was going to see what she had been missing. Instead, she threw James's love back in his face and wanted to pretend everything was the same as always. She expected that in spite of it all he would still be there to pick up the pieces whenever she screwed up her life again. It also bugged me that she had no problem going to stay with her mom even though she considered her to have settled for a boring life instead of the fun one they'd had when her dad had been alive. She was so judgmental that I really wanted someone to tell her what a witch she was being. There were a few pages later when I thought she was finally starting to get it, but then she went right back to her selfish actions again. She was self aware enough to realize that her lifestyle was her way of remembering her father but it took some straight talk from her mother to really open her eyes. She really felt battered at the end but it seems that's what it took to wake her up. She came around at the end (of course) and James seems to believe in her now.
June 18, 2013
I really thought that I was going to like this book, but the heroine ruined it for me. She was extremely selfish, and I hated the way that she talked to her mother. She was constantly criticizing her and just about everyone in the book. James was fabulous, and I couldn't understand why he was so in love with Sadie. She completely took him for granted. He deserved much better than her.
I did like Eddie and Leo, and if they have their own stories, I will read them. And even though she seemed completely crazy for half of the book, I found myself liking Sadie's sister, Charlotte, at the end.
*I received my copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I did like Eddie and Leo, and if they have their own stories, I will read them. And even though she seemed completely crazy for half of the book, I found myself liking Sadie's sister, Charlotte, at the end.
*I received my copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2018
This is the 1st book I read by Beth Andrews. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 2 because it didn't grab my interest.
August 30, 2013
Sadie has run back home after her most recent string of failures and expects everything to be the same as always with her BFF Jamie. Sadie has always lived a life of adventure, only going home to regroup after failing at one career or relationship or another. She idolizes her father, who passed away when she was a child, for his free spirit and his quest for adventure. For the first 9/10th of the book she is outright scornful of her mom for settling down after his death, and of her sister and friends for being content to live in one town with a career and family. Jamie is actually fairly likeable. He’s worked for his father’s construction business his entire life. He’s a hands-on uncle, a terrific brother and an all around good guy. He has been in love with Sadie for his entire life, and finally realized that he either needs to go for it or give up on the idea of being with Sadie, if he ever wants his own wife and kids. He chooses to go for it, of course, and while Sadie is happy to spend the night with him, she freaks out the next morning. James stands firm tho, and isn’t willing to go back to his dreams, even if it means closing her out of his life.
This book has one major problem, and that is Sadie. She is completely unlikeable. From her first scene to the end of the book, she has very little to recommend her. The author tries hard to paint her as a likable free spirit- she’s not into drugs, she is a hard worker, she never ever borrows money, etc, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that she thinks every single other person in the book is a complete idiot for wanting a stable life. This rears its head early in the book and I thought perhaps I could grow to love her as she grew to realize that she wanted to stay put, but she doesn’t show any signs of maturing at all. James does his best to close her out once it’s clear that she has no plans to stay for him, and there’s one heartbreaking scene where he tells her he never wanted to change her; but Sadie refuses to even consider sticking around until literally the very last pages. When she does, it is completely unbelievable. It is never really clear why Jamie and Sadie are such good friends, or what draws him to her and I wasn’t able to see her from his point of view at all. I would have loved to see James in another book, with someone with the least bit of sense and likeability. It seems possible that there will be (or have been) books about the supporting characters, but I have no desire at all to seek them out.
This book has one major problem, and that is Sadie. She is completely unlikeable. From her first scene to the end of the book, she has very little to recommend her. The author tries hard to paint her as a likable free spirit- she’s not into drugs, she is a hard worker, she never ever borrows money, etc, but it doesn’t make up for the fact that she thinks every single other person in the book is a complete idiot for wanting a stable life. This rears its head early in the book and I thought perhaps I could grow to love her as she grew to realize that she wanted to stay put, but she doesn’t show any signs of maturing at all. James does his best to close her out once it’s clear that she has no plans to stay for him, and there’s one heartbreaking scene where he tells her he never wanted to change her; but Sadie refuses to even consider sticking around until literally the very last pages. When she does, it is completely unbelievable. It is never really clear why Jamie and Sadie are such good friends, or what draws him to her and I wasn’t able to see her from his point of view at all. I would have loved to see James in another book, with someone with the least bit of sense and likeability. It seems possible that there will be (or have been) books about the supporting characters, but I have no desire at all to seek them out.
August 6, 2013
I liked this one but it has one of the most rushed, unresolved endings I've ever read!!
Sadie is terrified of commitment - and after her best friend tells her he loves her, their friendship goes from best friends to almost enemies because she can't return the sentiment.
Some other GR reviews mentions how unlikable Sadie is. I never felt that way. She fully understands her faults..I found her flawed yet well developed. I loved how her mother treats her (with a firm hand) and I even liked how her sister had a crush on James too.
The problem is - literally at 99%, we realize Sadie changes her mind and goes to tell James she loves him. So we have 1% to be convinced she is okay with all of this???? After an entire book where she is ready to flee? Very, very frustrated at the end. But I will say, this author has a very smart, and witty voice.
Sadie is terrified of commitment - and after her best friend tells her he loves her, their friendship goes from best friends to almost enemies because she can't return the sentiment.
Some other GR reviews mentions how unlikable Sadie is. I never felt that way. She fully understands her faults..I found her flawed yet well developed. I loved how her mother treats her (with a firm hand) and I even liked how her sister had a crush on James too.
The problem is - literally at 99%, we realize Sadie changes her mind and goes to tell James she loves him. So we have 1% to be convinced she is okay with all of this???? After an entire book where she is ready to flee? Very, very frustrated at the end. But I will say, this author has a very smart, and witty voice.
September 9, 2015
Silly book with equally silly characters.
May 24, 2025
It’s actually a shame that harlequin romances are so unpopular with the general reading community bc this story was really good and can stand toe to toe with a lot of the other romance books out there. Sadie and James were a hot mess but an entertaining one and I’m glad I randomly borrowed their love story <3
February 23, 2019
The ending felt rushed - the heroine still had an unresolved issue with her mother. Also hard to completely buy into the heroine's GMC. Not this author's best story, imo.
August 12, 2019
I like the book but it kinda ended abruptly.
July 3, 2024
Sadie needs a fucking therapist. So does Charlotte. James was the only good thing about this book. Sadie def doesn’t deserve James. This books sucked.
July 2, 2014
Originally posted on my blog: Tangled Up In Books
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
I actually got this one off NetGalley last year sometime, but life happened and the review never got written. So I figured I'd quickly skim through the book for a bit of a refresher, I seemed to find myself actually rereading it for the most part anyway because it started sucking me back in. You're probably thinking, "Brilliant! Another good one!" And while in a lot of ways it is good, I'm also starting to remember just how much this book pisses...me...off...
People didn't get mad at her. They didn't dislike her. She was Sadie Nixon, for God's sake. A ray of freaking sunshine.
This book is told from 3 different POVs, and out of those 3, only 1 of them was likable. Sadie and her sister Charlotte are 2 out of the 3 and they were both such complete nut jobs it was hard to decide who was worse. First there's Sadie. She's selfish, judgmental and she has this air of arrogance about her that was so annoying. She treated everyone in her life, friends and family alike, like complete crap. And she was usually completely oblivious and shocked when people finally stopped allowing her to mooch and walk all over them and told her enough is enough. She's so used to people doing everything for her and getting things her way that she comes to expect it and almost feels entitled. Needless to say, I did not like her much.
So she'd stretched the truth a bit. All was fair in love and war.
Now, as much as I didn't like Sadie, I think I disliked Charlotte just a wee bit more. If you want lessons on how to be a fake person read this book and study Charlotte and basically do everything she does. She, quite literally, has her entire future planned out. Down to the man she's going to marry (but he doesn't know it yet..), the ring he'll use to propose, how long the engagement will last, how many kids they will have, etc. All she needs for her plans to happen is for James to go ahead and realize she's not just a kid anymore and fall in love with her. She goes about trying to change his mind about her in a very manipulative way, in my opinion. Like, if she didn't like something she would pretend to like it in front of him hoping he'll be like 'Wow we have so much in common!' Or she'd get him talking about his work, he's a carpenter, and once she'd get him going about a project he was working on, she'd zone him out because she could care less. I can't stand fake people, therefore my feelings about her never wavered. She's a whack-a-doodle.
"I've been in love with you for most of my life, and it's not going away. It may never go away, but that doesn't mean I have to torture myself by being your friend. It's not enough for me. Not any more. And it's not fair of you to ask me to pretend it is."
I seriously love James and most of the Montesano family. They were all so funny. Like laugh out loud funny. I think that's the biggest reason that I disliked the Nixon sisters so much. James was this genuinely super sweet guy and he didn't deserve any of the head games from those 2. I think James and his family, especially his brother Leo, are really what saved me from giving up on this book completely. They actually made the whole thing worth reading.
It's funny because by the time I get to the end I nearly forget all that frustration. I actually did the first read through. Before I started skimming through I'd been thinking that I remembered being happy with the end. This time around though I remembered to take better notes and such. I didn't hate it. I just feel like things would have been a whole lot easier if half of the characters central to the storyline weren't so freaking horrible. To want to see a happy ending with the people involved you have to like them even if it's just a couple of redeeming qualities you see here and there. I think if Leo gets his own book, I just might give this author another chance to win me over. If not, well I think I'll stick with just this one and call it a day.
I really fought myself with how I wanted to rate this, but I felt like all the good parts outweighed the bad and there were plenty of them. So giving it less than a 3 just didn't make sense to me.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.
I actually got this one off NetGalley last year sometime, but life happened and the review never got written. So I figured I'd quickly skim through the book for a bit of a refresher, I seemed to find myself actually rereading it for the most part anyway because it started sucking me back in. You're probably thinking, "Brilliant! Another good one!" And while in a lot of ways it is good, I'm also starting to remember just how much this book pisses...me...off...
People didn't get mad at her. They didn't dislike her. She was Sadie Nixon, for God's sake. A ray of freaking sunshine.
This book is told from 3 different POVs, and out of those 3, only 1 of them was likable. Sadie and her sister Charlotte are 2 out of the 3 and they were both such complete nut jobs it was hard to decide who was worse. First there's Sadie. She's selfish, judgmental and she has this air of arrogance about her that was so annoying. She treated everyone in her life, friends and family alike, like complete crap. And she was usually completely oblivious and shocked when people finally stopped allowing her to mooch and walk all over them and told her enough is enough. She's so used to people doing everything for her and getting things her way that she comes to expect it and almost feels entitled. Needless to say, I did not like her much.
So she'd stretched the truth a bit. All was fair in love and war.
Now, as much as I didn't like Sadie, I think I disliked Charlotte just a wee bit more. If you want lessons on how to be a fake person read this book and study Charlotte and basically do everything she does. She, quite literally, has her entire future planned out. Down to the man she's going to marry (but he doesn't know it yet..), the ring he'll use to propose, how long the engagement will last, how many kids they will have, etc. All she needs for her plans to happen is for James to go ahead and realize she's not just a kid anymore and fall in love with her. She goes about trying to change his mind about her in a very manipulative way, in my opinion. Like, if she didn't like something she would pretend to like it in front of him hoping he'll be like 'Wow we have so much in common!' Or she'd get him talking about his work, he's a carpenter, and once she'd get him going about a project he was working on, she'd zone him out because she could care less. I can't stand fake people, therefore my feelings about her never wavered. She's a whack-a-doodle.
"I've been in love with you for most of my life, and it's not going away. It may never go away, but that doesn't mean I have to torture myself by being your friend. It's not enough for me. Not any more. And it's not fair of you to ask me to pretend it is."
I seriously love James and most of the Montesano family. They were all so funny. Like laugh out loud funny. I think that's the biggest reason that I disliked the Nixon sisters so much. James was this genuinely super sweet guy and he didn't deserve any of the head games from those 2. I think James and his family, especially his brother Leo, are really what saved me from giving up on this book completely. They actually made the whole thing worth reading.
It's funny because by the time I get to the end I nearly forget all that frustration. I actually did the first read through. Before I started skimming through I'd been thinking that I remembered being happy with the end. This time around though I remembered to take better notes and such. I didn't hate it. I just feel like things would have been a whole lot easier if half of the characters central to the storyline weren't so freaking horrible. To want to see a happy ending with the people involved you have to like them even if it's just a couple of redeeming qualities you see here and there. I think if Leo gets his own book, I just might give this author another chance to win me over. If not, well I think I'll stick with just this one and call it a day.
I really fought myself with how I wanted to rate this, but I felt like all the good parts outweighed the bad and there were plenty of them. So giving it less than a 3 just didn't make sense to me.
August 3, 2013
This is the story of Sadie, a true free bird. Always on the go, moving from one town to another, one state to another, one job to another and one relationship to another. Her only constant she has had is her best friend, James. He is her rock, so dependable and reliable. He is always there for her when she needs help, or a shoulder to cry on, or in her current situation, when she comes home to lick her wounds and make enough money to move on to her next venture in life. Unknown to Sadie is that James has been in love with her since they became friends when they were 10 years old. He has kept his feelings to himself for over 20 years and resigned to just being her 'good buddy' James. Until the night of his birthday, which also happens to be the night she returns to town, unexpectedly.
A few feelings are spilled between the two of them and then they do the only thing left to do. They sleep together. Then, the next morning Sadie, of course, regrets it, feeling like she will lose her one true person in life, if their relationship changes. So, she asks him if they can just forget that anything happened. This is where the real story and emotions begin.
I just picked this book up yesterday and I spent a good portion of my day and night, reading it. I just couldn't put it down. I read a lot of books and I have to tell you that this is one of the best books I have read in quite a while. This particular story line, the friends to lovers bit, is probably my favorite out of any romance novel. And it was done so well. I love all the angsti-ness that comes along with this type of story and all the struggles that come with the main characters trying to figure out their true feelings.
I can't tell you how many times I choked up while reading this book. I could practically taste the emotions and tension that built up throughout this story. There was a boat load of frustrations while I was reading this book. I just kept thinking what a wonderful and great guy James was, and how crazy Sadie was for not only, not accepting her true feelings for him, but for even recognizing them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story. There will be a second book coming out in December and I am hoping it is either Sadie's sister Charlotte or one of James' brothers story(or maybe even both) and I absolutely can not wait.
A few feelings are spilled between the two of them and then they do the only thing left to do. They sleep together. Then, the next morning Sadie, of course, regrets it, feeling like she will lose her one true person in life, if their relationship changes. So, she asks him if they can just forget that anything happened. This is where the real story and emotions begin.
I just picked this book up yesterday and I spent a good portion of my day and night, reading it. I just couldn't put it down. I read a lot of books and I have to tell you that this is one of the best books I have read in quite a while. This particular story line, the friends to lovers bit, is probably my favorite out of any romance novel. And it was done so well. I love all the angsti-ness that comes along with this type of story and all the struggles that come with the main characters trying to figure out their true feelings.
I can't tell you how many times I choked up while reading this book. I could practically taste the emotions and tension that built up throughout this story. There was a boat load of frustrations while I was reading this book. I just kept thinking what a wonderful and great guy James was, and how crazy Sadie was for not only, not accepting her true feelings for him, but for even recognizing them. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story. There will be a second book coming out in December and I am hoping it is either Sadie's sister Charlotte or one of James' brothers story(or maybe even both) and I absolutely can not wait.
August 31, 2013
I have to say I haven't had a huge amount of luck with friends-to-lovers stories recently. What Happens Between Friends, despite employing one of my all-time favourite tropes, unfortunately fell a bit short for me.
It took three days on and off to finish this book, as I was in the middle of packing for the RWA conference in Fremantle while I was reading it. The other reason it took so long to read was that I very nearly didn't finish this book.
My main issue, and it is an important one for me, is that I had quite a difficult time connecting with Sadie and James - not only as a couple but as characters. They just didn't gel for me.
Neither Sadie or James appear to have developed a great deal of maturity, and this is what I found the most frustrating about them.
Sadie, a free-spirited wanderer with no desire to settle down or put down roots, unfortunately came across as a petulant blamescaper who simply chose to take no responsibility for her actions. Oh, and the way she spoke to her mother - dear Lord, if I had spoken to my own mother that way, I am sure she would have reconsidered her stance on physical discipline.
James is not without fault either. Buddy, you did drop a fairly major bombshell on your friend there - you whip out the "I love you & want you for life" card and then stomp your feet up and down (like my toddler does when I try to close the iPad) when Sadie doesn't automatically return your feelings in the way you want. Give a girl some time to digest, dude!
The ending, and yes, there is a happy one, seemed incredibly abrupt and rushed.
I have no issues with the writing style of Beth Andrews, far from it in fact. I have read other stories of hers where the hero or heroine has been a little prickly and enjoyed them. It's just that the execution of this story, and of Sadie and James as a couple, could have been so much better.
Honestly, I don't think I will be revisiting this particular tale in the Shady Grove series. However, I am rather curious about how the rest of the series will pan out as there are some intriguing secondary characters whose stories are yet to be told.
My rating: 2 out of 5
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Harlequin via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It took three days on and off to finish this book, as I was in the middle of packing for the RWA conference in Fremantle while I was reading it. The other reason it took so long to read was that I very nearly didn't finish this book.
My main issue, and it is an important one for me, is that I had quite a difficult time connecting with Sadie and James - not only as a couple but as characters. They just didn't gel for me.
Neither Sadie or James appear to have developed a great deal of maturity, and this is what I found the most frustrating about them.
Sadie, a free-spirited wanderer with no desire to settle down or put down roots, unfortunately came across as a petulant blamescaper who simply chose to take no responsibility for her actions. Oh, and the way she spoke to her mother - dear Lord, if I had spoken to my own mother that way, I am sure she would have reconsidered her stance on physical discipline.
James is not without fault either. Buddy, you did drop a fairly major bombshell on your friend there - you whip out the "I love you & want you for life" card and then stomp your feet up and down (like my toddler does when I try to close the iPad) when Sadie doesn't automatically return your feelings in the way you want. Give a girl some time to digest, dude!
The ending, and yes, there is a happy one, seemed incredibly abrupt and rushed.
I have no issues with the writing style of Beth Andrews, far from it in fact. I have read other stories of hers where the hero or heroine has been a little prickly and enjoyed them. It's just that the execution of this story, and of Sadie and James as a couple, could have been so much better.
Honestly, I don't think I will be revisiting this particular tale in the Shady Grove series. However, I am rather curious about how the rest of the series will pan out as there are some intriguing secondary characters whose stories are yet to be told.
My rating: 2 out of 5
Note: I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this book by Harlequin via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
August 4, 2013
Review can also be found at:Jackie's Book World Blog :)
*ARC provided by Netgalley*
What Happens Between Friends is a story about Sadie and James and how their friendships ends up turning into something more. When Sadie Nixon comes back to the small town of Shady Grove for Jame's birthday, she wasn't expecting to see a new James. On the other hand, James has always been there for Sadie. He feels protective towards her and he'll do anything to make her happy. But he is holding a secret; a secret that can either hurt him or turn in his favor. From the beginning to the very end, I was compelled to read the story, it was definitely romantic yet frustrating. I liked Sadie's character, she is carefree and independent. Jame is lovable, smart, caring and sweet. He is the character that will do anything to make sure someone like Sadie is save and protected. They both have problems with their families, and they have to learn how to move past that so they can move on. Although it was frustrating to see Sadie turn away from James whenever he started to get close to her, she ultimately had to decide whether her goals were more important than what he has always wanted the most. The author does a really good job with the story and it ties perfectly fine in the end. I enjoyed reading the book and I hope to read more from the author.
*ARC provided by Netgalley*
What Happens Between Friends is a story about Sadie and James and how their friendships ends up turning into something more. When Sadie Nixon comes back to the small town of Shady Grove for Jame's birthday, she wasn't expecting to see a new James. On the other hand, James has always been there for Sadie. He feels protective towards her and he'll do anything to make her happy. But he is holding a secret; a secret that can either hurt him or turn in his favor. From the beginning to the very end, I was compelled to read the story, it was definitely romantic yet frustrating. I liked Sadie's character, she is carefree and independent. Jame is lovable, smart, caring and sweet. He is the character that will do anything to make sure someone like Sadie is save and protected. They both have problems with their families, and they have to learn how to move past that so they can move on. Although it was frustrating to see Sadie turn away from James whenever he started to get close to her, she ultimately had to decide whether her goals were more important than what he has always wanted the most. The author does a really good job with the story and it ties perfectly fine in the end. I enjoyed reading the book and I hope to read more from the author.
November 24, 2013
Sadie has always been a carefree girl. Travelling from one place to another is a dream of her and she never has the qualms to leave at anytime she wants. Her free spirit extended to her relationship where she moves on from one relationship to another. The only thing that is long term with her is her friendship with James. James is her rock and has been all these years. Whenever she stumbles in her job, life or relationship, she has James to fall back to. Now she is back in town on James’birthday after another failure in her relationship and career and is looking for job to earn enough money to move to another city. But unlike before, James is reluctant to extend his welcome. James have loved her for many years and been keeping his feeling from her. Yet, he finally comes to a realisation that things cannot stay as it is. On the night of her arrival, they spent the night together and it changed everything for them.
This is a story of friendship turned into a long term relationship between men and women. I really like the way the author have written the story; it gives me an insight as to the true feeling that the main characters have for each other. It is an emotional read for me and I could hardly put down the book and actually took only awhile to finish it.
This is a story of friendship turned into a long term relationship between men and women. I really like the way the author have written the story; it gives me an insight as to the true feeling that the main characters have for each other. It is an emotional read for me and I could hardly put down the book and actually took only awhile to finish it.
June 9, 2014
Ms. Andrews continues her Shady Grove series with What Happens Between Friends, a friends-to-lovers story. James Montesano's been Sadie Nixon's rock for years--she's always got a plan and there's a new adventure to be had, but she's always returned home to James in between.
Usually friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, but to be honest, while Ms. Andrews's writing and characterizations and storytelling are as well done as before, I just didn't like or connect with Sadie's character. I think it's because I have a hard time with the free-spirited type, and alas, I found Sadie's footloose and fancy-free life not something I could appreciate.
Also, while Ms. Andrews does an excellent job as before with letting us come to know James and Sadie's hearts, the ending came up so quickly that I wanted more to the story; I wanted another chapter or two to convince me that their HEA was going to be solid.
Still, I'd happily return to Shady Grove!
Usually friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, but to be honest, while Ms. Andrews's writing and characterizations and storytelling are as well done as before, I just didn't like or connect with Sadie's character. I think it's because I have a hard time with the free-spirited type, and alas, I found Sadie's footloose and fancy-free life not something I could appreciate.
Also, while Ms. Andrews does an excellent job as before with letting us come to know James and Sadie's hearts, the ending came up so quickly that I wanted more to the story; I wanted another chapter or two to convince me that their HEA was going to be solid.
Still, I'd happily return to Shady Grove!
April 6, 2016
Beth Andrews is quickly becoming one of my favourite romance authors. The first book in the series was a pleasant surprise and this one is even better. Sadie's and James's story is about a free spirit Sadie looking for excitement and unwilling to settle in 'boring' Shady Grove and of James Montesano, reliable, serious and hard worker. They are the best of friends until one night it all changes and Sadie is forced to think of a life without Jamie in it. The feelings, the struggles, the doubts and fears are very human. Romance is all about happy endings with as much or as little sex as the author wishes but in Ms Andrews books for her characters to achieve their happy ending some compromise and growth has to happen and witnessing Sadie's growth for me was a treat. Some of us fear routine, settling in and what it really means is that we are afraid to risk our heart, hence, we run. Well done Beth Andrews!
July 21, 2013
Messed up Sadie has been chasing ephemera for years, convinced she'll find what she's been looking for, convinced she'll be happy if she can just find it--and herself. It's not to be. But whenever she needs a friend, all she has to do is fall back into the arms of her best friend since was 10: James, a steady, hard-working member of his family's construction business.
Too bad James has been in love with Sadie, but hasn't dared to point this out to her.
What follows is a gradually dawning awareness by Sadie--after practically being hit up the side of her hard head by both her mother and her half-sister, as well as James. I sometimes felt she should have got the picture long before it finally happened...
Too bad James has been in love with Sadie, but hasn't dared to point this out to her.
What follows is a gradually dawning awareness by Sadie--after practically being hit up the side of her hard head by both her mother and her half-sister, as well as James. I sometimes felt she should have got the picture long before it finally happened...
July 12, 2013
This book promised to be more than what it accomplished.
the heroine is unlikable and judgemental more than half the book we hear her complain about everyone elses life choices, she´s despicable.
the plot is really slow and drags a lot. and the way this girl talks to her mother is just disgusting.
James as a character is ok, but nothing out of the ordinary.
I still can´t comprehend where the romance was supposed to be in this book cause the characters spend the whole book being nasty and hurting each other and when they are finally not fighting the book just ended.
Just like that, rushed can´t even describe the ending.
ARC Provided by Netgalley
the heroine is unlikable and judgemental more than half the book we hear her complain about everyone elses life choices, she´s despicable.
the plot is really slow and drags a lot. and the way this girl talks to her mother is just disgusting.
James as a character is ok, but nothing out of the ordinary.
I still can´t comprehend where the romance was supposed to be in this book cause the characters spend the whole book being nasty and hurting each other and when they are finally not fighting the book just ended.
Just like that, rushed can´t even describe the ending.
ARC Provided by Netgalley
June 8, 2013
The story moved a bit slow for me and I never really go a sense of the feelings between the h/h. There really wasn't that much of a spark between them. They both spent most of the book not talking or if they were talking, fighting with one another. Not enough romance for my liking.
The heroine kind of got on my nerves. She's very selfish and doesn't think about her actions and how they affect the ones around her. Found her to be uncaring.
Felt like the ending was a bit rushed and I would have liked to have seen it fleshed out a bit more.
The heroine kind of got on my nerves. She's very selfish and doesn't think about her actions and how they affect the ones around her. Found her to be uncaring.
Felt like the ending was a bit rushed and I would have liked to have seen it fleshed out a bit more.
July 9, 2013
This book was disappointing for me; I expected it to be so much better. I generally love the friends turning into lover’s stories, but this storyline didn’t do it for me. It seems to be lacking the chemistry and connection.
James was sweet, gentle and caring, really a sucker almost. Sadie had deeper issues and was hard to even like her. Sadie seems to hurt everyone around her, making bad choices and only thinking about herself.
The ending was far to rushed, and I didn’t like how it flowed at the end.
ARC provided by NetGalley
James was sweet, gentle and caring, really a sucker almost. Sadie had deeper issues and was hard to even like her. Sadie seems to hurt everyone around her, making bad choices and only thinking about herself.
The ending was far to rushed, and I didn’t like how it flowed at the end.
ARC provided by NetGalley
October 25, 2014
Plane read! Sadie is a free spirit who jumps from place to place and job to job and returns to BFF Jamie every time she crashes and burns, which is pretty often. I sympathized with her and Jamie both, but didn't really like either much. She was pretty snotty with anyone who disagreed with her, and he got pretty mean when she (understandably) was taken aback to learn he was in love with her and withheld his friendship when she didn't respond the way he wanted. They worked it out, and he got called on his atrocious behavior, and he did try, but not a favorite.
June 5, 2013
Cozy small-town contemporary romance between carefree female lead and steady male character. Decent storyline and charming Southern family. The end felt a little rushed, but overall worth the time.
Net Galley Feedback
What Happens Between Friends
Beth Andrews
Net Galley Feedback
What Happens Between Friends
Beth Andrews
May 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! I read some of the reviews after purchasing this book and I will admit, I was worried. but I really liked it! It drew me in and I couldn't wait to get to their HEA. I enjoyed the secondary characters too! So much so that I will definitely be reading the rest of the series!
August 13, 2013
This book was ok. I really thought I would like it better. The girl was selfish, rude and can't understand why everyone doesn't want to live her life like she does. The guy was really great but I don't understand what he sees in her.
Read
December 29, 2014"Nice, realistic characters and spot-on emotions make this a solid read." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
Miniseries: In Shady Grove
Category: Romance with More
Miniseries: In Shady Grove
Category: Romance with More
Read
December 29, 2014Miniseries: In Shady Grove
Category: Romance with More
Received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Category: Romance with More
Received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
November 19, 2013
Rating 3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews