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When It's Right

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He’s the last resolution she intends to break.



Still licking his wounds after a messy breakup, Nate is at loose ends for New Year’s Eve and itching for a wild and crazy adventure to jolt him out of his rut. Now if he could only convince his best friend, Cassie, to break away for an impromptu road trip to Times Square.

Fun as it sounds, Cassie is reluctant to accept Nate’s invitation. Little does he know, she’s made resolutions of her own—resolutions about finally getting over her long-standing crush on him. Telling herself this trip will be the perfect “last hurrah”, she packs her bag.

The trip is a fiasco from the outset. A car that won’t start, a freak storm that strands them on the side of the road, and a long drive with too much time for true confessions. Cassie’s rocks Nate to the core, leaving him wondering if the best thing that ever happened to him has been right in front of him all along.



Contains two best friends, a secret crush, and a road trip that leads to tow trucks, unexpected hotel-room sharing, epiphanies, sex, and more.

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2013

2 people are currently reading
245 people want to read

About the author

Jeanette Grey

39 books269 followers

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5 stars
29 (23%)
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53 (43%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for cosmogirl7481.
173 reviews178 followers
November 1, 2013
I was excited to read Jeanette Grey’s new book. I’ve followed her writing for about as long as she’s been doing it, and her words have never disappointed. When It’s Right was no exception.

We start off with two friends just hanging out just after Christmas. Nate, our hero, tells his best friend, Cassie, that he wants to do something spontaneous. After a failed eight month relationship, he’s ready to make some changes in his life. Specifically, he’s ready to start making different choices. So, with that fueling him, he proposes they take a road trip to New York for New Years Eve.

Cassie is shocked at his suggestion, but also hopelessly in love with Nate. And she has been ever since they became friends five years ago. So, even though she’s nervous and thinks it’s crazy, and even though she’s sure that it won’t lead to anything more in their relationship, she agrees to go.

And that’s when the fun begins.

I love a good friends-to-lovers story. And Jeanette Grey writes realistic, relatable characters whose emotions jump right off the page. And that’s why I’ve always loved her writing. She has a way of bringing their thoughts and feelings to the surface so the reader feels not only invested, but right there with them in the little moments that lead them to the realization that they’re supposed to be together.

I will say this – I loved Nate. He was a bit unaware and clueless (as men often times are). But it was the genuineness of his feelings for Cassie that truly won me over. You could tell he truly loved her – loved everything about her – long before he knew just how deep that love actually went.

And Cassie, welp…I adored her. ADORED. Heroines, especially the ones who’ve held the invisible torch of unrequited love, often lack self-esteem. But she didn’t. She secretly loved him, yes. But she never thought she didn’t deserve his love. She just thought she wasn’t the right kind of girl for her best friend. So, it was so much fun to read her reactions as she discovered he might actually feel the same way.

And another thing Jeanette Grey always brings to the table – heat and passion and this innate ability to write a love scene that is so hot, sweet, and needy you just get lost in it. And she always leaves you wanting more.

This was a fun, engaging, quick read that left me completely happy with a huge smile on my face. Fans of Contemporary Romance and New Adult will thoroughly enjoy this story. It delivers on every single level.

5 stars!

Profile Image for Mandi.
2,358 reviews733 followers
November 25, 2013
A cute best friends to lovers romance but too short. I would have loved more of their story. Review coming.
Profile Image for Marlene.
3,459 reviews244 followers
December 8, 2013
Originally published at Reading Reality

This is a romance for everyone who has made a resolution and then wanted to have one last hurrah. And it’s for every time you’ve thought that a friendship was too good to mess up by trying to go for more.

Because we’ve all been there, done that, and bought the whole closet full of t-shirts. Most of which are ugly and have sick-up stains on the front.

Every once in a while, you do it anyway. And it’s so perfectly right that it works. Just like this story.

Nick and Cassie are the very best of friends. They’re such good friends that whenever one of Nick’s romances with the “bimbo of the season” finally ends, Cassie is the one who steers him home after his tour of the local bar’s whiskey selections and makes sure he makes it into bed still possessed of his wallet and his watch.

She saves the “I told you so’s” until the next day. That’s what best friends are for. What she doesn’t say is that she wanted to crawl into that bed with him. And that she always has.

But that she has never been willing to settle for being another notch on his bedpost. That being Nick’s friend was a much better deal.

But that it isn’t enough any more. She’s tired of waiting for him to be between bimbos so that he has time to spend with her. She’s ready to give up.

Cassie’s New Year’s Resolution is to get over Nick. Once and for all.

However, now that Nick has shed his last and final bimbo, his eyes are open to the truth that’s been beside him all along. Nick’s New Year’s Resolution seems to be to get together with Cassie. Once and for all.

No matter how many miles and tow trucks and stolen purses it takes.

Escape Rating A-: When It’s Right is just right. Like kissing the right person at midnight on New Year’s Eve. It’s a perfect “feel good” romance and ends with the fizz and sparkle of New Year’s champagne.

There’s a tiny part of me that is just the teensiest disappointed that the story wasn’t longer. That we don’t see Nate kiss some of the frogettes, and watch Cassie struggle with the angst of coming to her New Year’s resolution. It might be great to watch their friendship develop into the awesome thing it is. It is definitely awesome and Jeanette Grey lets us see that awesomeness.

But the story ends exactly where it should. With the promise of a sparkly new beginning. Just like the New Year.
Profile Image for Jaime Arkin.
1,483 reviews1,367 followers
November 17, 2015
I’m a fan … I can’t lie. I’ve been reading Jeanette Grey’s words for a while now, and I’ve never been disappointed, and When It’s Right does everything perfectly.

I love the friends to more trope. You guys probably know this about me.

Nate and Cassie have been friends for years… she’s watched him date all the wrong women and even held her tongue after his latest breakup. They’re both looking for something different this New Year’s and that’s why she agrees to an impromptu road trip to New York City to celebrate and hopefully she can fulfill her resolution to give up on the crush she’s always had on him.

But of course the trip can’t run smoothly… and what starts with car trouble, moves on to a freak storm and a resulting car accident leaves them stranded and stuck in a hotel … and one king size bed.
Grey has a knack for writing amazingly relatable characters and When It’s Right is no exception.

Cassie is the kind of heroine who I adore. She’s smart and sweet and she’s been Nate’s best friend despite her feelings for him. She’s stood by him, never demanding more because she’s afraid to lose what they have. But she’s also not a doormat.

And Nate… he’s kind of fumbling through relationship after relationship simply because he’s a dumb guy and can’t see what is right in front of him. But it’s not irritating, it only endeared him more to me. That said, once he sees her for what she could be, that’s all that he can focus on.

”But what if it’s not wrong?” With his thumbs, he caressed the centers of her palms. “What if it’s not wrong at all? What if it’s right?”

And that’s what starts an amazing night for these two and you can’t help but cheer for everything to fall into place. You’re going to have to read to see if and when that happens!

Something that Grey always gets right… relationships and the chemistry and passion involved. Both of these characters are relatable and she manages to make them jump off the pages for me.

If you’re looking for a quick read that gives you a little bit of drama, an amazing friendship and a sweet and sexy romance this is what you should pick up.

Thank you to Samhain and the author for an advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
356 reviews73 followers
January 13, 2014
Reviewed @ Enticed by Books

One of my favorite movie to watch during holidays is the romantic comedy, New Year's Eve, starring trillions of stars, and reading When It's Right felt like this easily would've been one of the story featured in that movie. It was cute, adorable and a beautiful story about two best friends finding love on new years eve and hell yes, the location being New York. The scenarios is so romantic in itself; I was honestly in love with this story the minute the read the premises, there was no way anyone could mess up such a perfect storyline and I'm so glad to announce that they didn't. When It's Right was a great novella, it had feels, it had emotions and most importantly, it had a heartfelt, swoon-worthy romance!

Nate and Cassie have been best friends forever and like any "best friend turned lover" story, one of them was in love with the other while the other was completely clueless. Dateless on the biggest romantic event of the year (well, okay, second biggest), Nat and Cassie decided to make a trip to New York to see the ball drop and what started out as a harmless trip between friends turned into a journey that they both will never forget in a long time. From car troubles to crashing at cheap motels, this book had all the right stuff to entertain any reader, I was laughing and giggling and smiling at the cliched yet totally fun scenes. Even the ending was so good and satisfactory, unlike most of the novella endings. I would highly recommend fans of contemporary to pick this book up when in a mood for a quick, fun, full of feels read.

A Copy was provided by the author for an honest feedback. (Thank You!!!)
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
May 22, 2014
Charnel‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4 STARS


Review copy provided for an honest review


This is my favorite genre of stories, a friends to lovers story when all of a sudden you realize what you wanted has been right in front of you the whole time. When It’s Right is a cute friends to lovers short story with true love, fun mishaps and road trip adventures that keeps things exciting.
Nate: He is just out of another meaningless relationship and starting to look at his best friend in a new light.
Cassandra: She has been on love with Nate for years but has settled for just being his best friend.
With the New Year approaching she is planning on distancing herself from Nate and moving on. Nate plans a last min trip to Times Square for New Years and Cass’ last hurrah with her best friend has a chance of turning into a new beginning. The change between the friends quickly happens and while Cass is afraid of what might be to come Nate is ready for the start of something new. This is a lovely short story I read in about an hour. It’s a great story to pick up if your want a little hope for new beginnings.
Profile Image for Jody.
2,090 reviews61 followers
December 9, 2013
With New Year's just around the corner Nate has decided it's time for a change. He's single again after dating a woman who left him feeling disappointed. In fact most of the women he's dated have left him disappointed. He thinks a radical shake-up will refresh him and help him decide what he really wants. His plan includes a spontaneous trip to Times Square to watch the ball drop that veers radically off-course, but does in fact show him what he really wants, after a car accident leaves him grateful to be alive.

Cassie fell in love with Nate the moment they met but didn't want to jeopardize their friendship by admitting the truth. She's stood by watching him go from one bad romance to the next remaining his supportive friend always. But she too needs a change and putting her feelings for him behind her is her goal for the new year. In the blink of an eye, and after a near-death experience, she realizes that putting her feelings for Nate behind her isn't as easy as she hoped it would be as they cling together in a reaffirmation of life that catches both of them by surprise.

Friends to lovers is a favorite trope of mine and Ms. Grey has brought to life one that is both sweet and sexy. Nate and Cassie are delightful characters who are immensely endearing with a journey to HEA that put a smile on my face. Nate is charming but clueless at times as to what he has right in front of him. Once it dawns on him how important Cassie has become to him he goes after her wholeheartedly in subtle yet romantic ways. Cassie is a strong-willed woman who values what she has with Nate but can't help wanting more. She wants it to be his decision, though when given the chance she too jumps at the chance to push their friendship to more. The evolution from friends to lovers is slow yet teeming with sexual tension. It's an ultimately satisfying journey that brought a tear to my eye and had me cheering at the same time. Ms. Grey created a heartwarming story perfect for the holidays or anytime you want an uplifting story of realizing the importance of what's right in front of you.
Profile Image for Carrie.
362 reviews5 followers
December 5, 2013
Sometimes love is right in front of your face. Nate has just broken up with his girlfriend and he wants to do something spontaneous and fun. He suggests a road trip to New York for New Year’s Eve to his best friend, Cassie, thinking the adventure will be good for them both.

Cassie, unknown to Nate, has had a crush on him for years. She’s decided to make a New Year’s Resolution to get over Nate and move on with her life so what’s the harm in having a last fun road trip with the guy she secretly loves?

Unfortunately, the entire trip goes wrong and Cassie and Nate end up spending the night in a motel room after their car runs off the road. During the drive Cassie confessed she’d had feeling for Nate and now with the two of them in close proximity to each other AND a bed, Nate starts to wonder if maybe Cassie is the one for him.

After an explosive night of passion the two retreat into “friend” mode, neither on sure if this was the right thing to do. Their arrival in New York is just before the ball drops in Times Square so they rush to get there, only to have a purse snatcher grab Cassie’s bag and Nate taking off to grab him.

Everything has gone wrong with this trip, making them both wonder if fate is trying to tell them something. I won’t spoil the ending ;)

This was a great read, quick and easy to get through in one sitting. It’s short but sweet with two people who are perfect for each other but don’t seem to connect until disaster strikes.

3.5 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this novel for an honest review
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,073 reviews93 followers
January 8, 2014
4 stars for this fun New Year's novella!

This was a lovely little 79 pages of friends to lovers book. I truly enjoyed it. Cassie and Nate. It's a little peek into the moments when two people who care about each other very much (as friends) decide that it's time to move forward and admit to their true feelings. Even though they are scared to death that by doing so, it will blow their friendship to bits.

What better way to confront their growing attraction to each other by driving from North Carolina to New York City to see the ball drop in Times Square? Gee, no pressure there right? I really enjoyed reading about Nate and Cassie's roadtrip adventure and it's twists and turns. There was just enough backstory where their friendship was concerned so it did not feel like insta-love. They had a genuine years long friendship and it was a natural progression from friends to lovers. I'd love to read even more about them after their adventure!

This little novella is perfect for a quick read...a good light palate cleanser and I will definitely put Ms. Grey's books on my TBR list. I really like her writing voice and I loved the moments she wrote between Cassie and Nate as they tooks those steps from friends to lovers.

Straight Shootin' Book Reviews
Profile Image for GraceMyBookSnack.
321 reviews26 followers
December 19, 2013
“She almost forgot that everything between them was up in the air. Because it was just her and him. Her and her very best friend, and that was simple. As simple as breathing.”

Have you ever gone on a trip where everything goes wrong? Well, that is exactly what happens in this heart-warming novella. When It's Right is centered during the holidays around New Years. Cassie has had a crush on Nate for years. She's always wanted more with him, but he only sees her as his best friend. The decision to go on an impromptu road trip to New York seems cursed from the start.

I just adore Jeanette Grey's writing! She has a knack for exploring the emotional connection between two people. I loved how Ms. Grey delicately handled the situations of comfortable friendship, longing and hope, and then the realization of love one has for the other. Cassie and Nate were each others rock during trying times. Sometimes a string of unfortunate events can be a blessing in disguise for two people really meant to be together. Sweet, sensual, romantic, When It's Right is a friends-to-lovers short story that made me smile!

*A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,250 reviews588 followers
December 17, 2013
I LOVE romances about best friends when one has a secret crush.

Nate and Cassie have been best friends for about 5 years and all that time Cassie sat back and watched Nate go through one relationship after another. Nate has only seen Cassie as his best friend but after a messy break up he starts noticing she’s kind of hot.

After talking Cassie into an impromptu trip to New York to watch the ball drop for New Year’s the two have one hell of a road trip that leads them to facing their feelings for each other.

When It’s Right is the 3rd novella I’ve read by Jeanette Grey and like the others the only thing I can complain about is the length of the story. While Grey does a great job of giving you characters you care about and romances that can curl your toes I want her to write a full length novel, I would have loved to have a longer story for Nate and Cassie. So Jeanette if you’re reading this, make it happen. LOL

If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying romance give When It’s Right a read.
Profile Image for Jess.
183 reviews
January 1, 2014
I love books about best friends falling in love. I love the uncertainty that settles in the pit of my stomach with confessions and the realization that one or both people might have *gasp* feelings for the other. Jeanette Grey masterfully captures all this and more as she lets Cassie and Nate's story unfold.

Told from both of their perspectives, we get all the emotional ups and downs as they take an ill-fated (or is it?) road trip to New York to ring in the new year.

Fun, achingly good, and hot as hell, this book will pull you in and keep you on edge as they finally figure it all out. So so good.
Profile Image for Melissa Fox.
Author 21 books28 followers
December 11, 2013
Really enjoyed this New Year's Eve holiday short. Had all the good feels - excellent writing, good character development for the length, happy feels, hot sexy feels, smack the characters and then hug them feels. Honest, realistic characters with honest, realistic lives, troubles, and frustrations, while still interesting and relatable. Definitely recommended for a fun holiday read and any other time of the year!
Profile Image for Cara Connelly.
Author 16 books262 followers
December 24, 2013
Jeanette Grey's When It's Right is the kind of bite-sized, feel good romance that can turn a dreary day around. Short and sweet, it still feels complete, with just enough backstory to understand who these characters are and why they really need to get together. I liked them right away, and I felt like I was there with them when their road trip to Times Square took an unexpected turn, in more ways than one! A perfect New Year's Eve novella.
Profile Image for Lisazj1.
2,072 reviews193 followers
January 3, 2015
4.5 stars. I always love Jeanette Grey's writing and this is excellent friends-to-lovers, which is one of my favorites. Just too, too short. *Greedy* I'll always look forward to more from this author.
Profile Image for Emily.
85 reviews9 followers
December 5, 2013
I've enjoyed everything Jeanette Grey has put out there. The only downside of this story is that it is very short - made to feel even more so because the story finishes up at only 83% on my kindle - where I'm used to 92-95%.
Profile Image for Traci.
229 reviews21 followers
December 10, 2013
I don't know what it is, but I think somehow Jeanette Grey has poked into my mind and writes books that just get at every sweet sexy thing I want to read. I don't know how she does it, and it seems like a weird business model, but I don't want her to stop.
Profile Image for Limecello.
2,540 reviews46 followers
July 27, 2016
Cute story, a big draggy but if you love friends to lovers you'll probably enjoy this one
Super dense hero, but him running around does make up for ... well, some of it.

I'm not mad I read it, but wasn't bowled over.

C, C-
Profile Image for Luli.
718 reviews78 followers
July 14, 2014
Historia muy sosa y carente de emoción.
No ha habido “chispa” entre los protagonistas y ha sido excesivamente corta y apresurada.
Además de muy cara…
No ha funcionado para mí…
Profile Image for Lynn G.
112 reviews9 followers
January 20, 2014
Short and sweet read. I always like reading when best friends turn to lovers, I just wish there was more build up of them as friends. It seemed rather short.
1,692 reviews
December 9, 2013
Above par romance. Short and sweet.

There is nothing new in the plot - best friends maybe wanting more, the difference is in the quality of writing.
Profile Image for Sweetdulci.
49 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2014
Very cute. I'm a sucker for a friends-turned-lovers story, and this played out well.
Profile Image for Sm.
437 reviews9 followers
October 12, 2014
gah! wanted more nate & cassie!
love the whole friends/one-sided crush turning into more when the clueless one finally gets a clue stories!!! :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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