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Another Bailey Brother #2
Owen Bailey Needs Advice
Dear Ask Annie,
I know my best friend is THE ONE. But how do I tell her that?
Annie Archer has a problem… She can’t get one email—one mind-boggling letter from her advice column out of her head. The one? Does the one even exist?
She should be able to answer this question, just like all the others. Except, she doesn’t have firsthand experience with the one. In fact, except for those few months back in tenth grade when she went temporarily insane and fell for her best friend—she’s never been in love. But then, her advice is based on research and facts, not experience.
So, time to research. Convincing Owen to be her hands-on experiment isn’t too difficult. She’ll set him up, use her guaranteed advice, and find him the girl of his dreams. It’s a foolproof plan… until everyone around them—including half her readers–start asking why she isn’t dating Owen.
Yep—Annie has BIG problems. At the top of the list—falling for her bestie.
Owen Bailey has—you guessed it—a problem. He’s found the one. He fell for his best friend a long time ago, even if she doesn’t know it. He’s been watching Annie go out with guy after guy, only to never be The Guy. And now she wants him to date other women? As in—not her?
He’ll do anything for Annie. But he doesn’t have to like it. Doesn’t she see that they were meant for each other? How can he convince her that he’s the one?
If he’s going to show Annie that it’s time for her to abandon her plans and see what’s right in front of her, he’ll need advice.
Lucky for him, he knows exactly who to ask.
I know my best friend is THE ONE. But how do I tell her that?
Annie Archer has a problem… She can’t get one email—one mind-boggling letter from her advice column out of her head. The one? Does the one even exist?
She should be able to answer this question, just like all the others. Except, she doesn’t have firsthand experience with the one. In fact, except for those few months back in tenth grade when she went temporarily insane and fell for her best friend—she’s never been in love. But then, her advice is based on research and facts, not experience.
So, time to research. Convincing Owen to be her hands-on experiment isn’t too difficult. She’ll set him up, use her guaranteed advice, and find him the girl of his dreams. It’s a foolproof plan… until everyone around them—including half her readers–start asking why she isn’t dating Owen.
Yep—Annie has BIG problems. At the top of the list—falling for her bestie.
Owen Bailey has—you guessed it—a problem. He’s found the one. He fell for his best friend a long time ago, even if she doesn’t know it. He’s been watching Annie go out with guy after guy, only to never be The Guy. And now she wants him to date other women? As in—not her?
He’ll do anything for Annie. But he doesn’t have to like it. Doesn’t she see that they were meant for each other? How can he convince her that he’s the one?
If he’s going to show Annie that it’s time for her to abandon her plans and see what’s right in front of her, he’ll need advice.
Lucky for him, he knows exactly who to ask.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2024
273 people are currently reading
1264 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
February 16, 2024
ARC REVIEW
My Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
My Spice Rating: 1/5 🌶️
What you’ll find:
☀️Dual POV
☀️Best Friends to Lovers
☀️Advice Columnist FMC
☀️7th Grade Science Teacher MMC
☀️Closed-Door Romance
☀️The Bailey Family
☀️He Falls First
☀️HEA
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is the sweetest story I've read in a long time. I loved this book so much! This is my first book by Jen Atkinson, and it won't be the last. Owen Bailey Needs Advice is the second book in the Another Bailey Brother series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Owen Bailey and Annie Archer grew up together and are childhood best friends. At one point in HS, Annie thought maybe she and Owen would be more, but that did not happen. Little does she know Owen has been in love with her since the third grade. However, he has kept his feelings secret. Instead, he has been the best possible friend he can be to Annie, has supported her throughout the years, and has done everything in his power to make her happy. When Owen finally reveals his feelings, Annie worries she may lose her friend.
Owen is so incredibly sweet. Everyone needs an Owen in their lives. I love how he has been 'all-in' with their friendship, even though he secretly wishes for more. He doesn't do or say anything to make Annie feel uncomfortable and is the perfect gentleman. Annie is high-spirited and is a great friend to Owen. I adored Owen and Annie's relationship and how comfortable they were with each other. I loved the involvement of both families, especially the grandma, niece, and nephews. I also loved Owen's students, and the classroom scenes were perfect.
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is a fun, sweet, closed-door romance worth reading. I can't wait to read more from Jen Atkinson.
Thank you, Jen Atkinson, for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
My Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
My Spice Rating: 1/5 🌶️
What you’ll find:
☀️Dual POV
☀️Best Friends to Lovers
☀️Advice Columnist FMC
☀️7th Grade Science Teacher MMC
☀️Closed-Door Romance
☀️The Bailey Family
☀️He Falls First
☀️HEA
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is the sweetest story I've read in a long time. I loved this book so much! This is my first book by Jen Atkinson, and it won't be the last. Owen Bailey Needs Advice is the second book in the Another Bailey Brother series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Owen Bailey and Annie Archer grew up together and are childhood best friends. At one point in HS, Annie thought maybe she and Owen would be more, but that did not happen. Little does she know Owen has been in love with her since the third grade. However, he has kept his feelings secret. Instead, he has been the best possible friend he can be to Annie, has supported her throughout the years, and has done everything in his power to make her happy. When Owen finally reveals his feelings, Annie worries she may lose her friend.
Owen is so incredibly sweet. Everyone needs an Owen in their lives. I love how he has been 'all-in' with their friendship, even though he secretly wishes for more. He doesn't do or say anything to make Annie feel uncomfortable and is the perfect gentleman. Annie is high-spirited and is a great friend to Owen. I adored Owen and Annie's relationship and how comfortable they were with each other. I loved the involvement of both families, especially the grandma, niece, and nephews. I also loved Owen's students, and the classroom scenes were perfect.
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is a fun, sweet, closed-door romance worth reading. I can't wait to read more from Jen Atkinson.
Thank you, Jen Atkinson, for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 3, 2024
Take my opinion here with a grain of salt because the friends-to-lovers trope tends to frustrate me like no other. While there were plenty of sweet moments, I really struggle when two characters avoid their feelings out of fear of losing their friendship.
That being said, I adore the Bailey brothers. Owen, in particular, was so incredibly thoughtful, patient, and genuinely kind. He’d do anything—absolutely anything—for his best friend Annie, sometimes to his own detriment. His love for her shines brightly throughout the story!
"If you didn't want me to fall in love with you, Annie, you should have stopped being so wonderful."
Annie runs an advice column, and to answer a puzzling question, she enlists Owen's help by setting him up on dates with various women to test her advice. I truly appreciated the eventual open conversation between these two, but it was hard to watch Annie consistently self-sabotage any potential happiness with Owen, relying on reasonings that often seemed contradictory.
Her extreme resistance made Owen seem like a doormat, which I hated to see. It all works out in the end, of course, but a few times had me questioning if he deserved better.
(heat level: kissing only)
That being said, I adore the Bailey brothers. Owen, in particular, was so incredibly thoughtful, patient, and genuinely kind. He’d do anything—absolutely anything—for his best friend Annie, sometimes to his own detriment. His love for her shines brightly throughout the story!
"If you didn't want me to fall in love with you, Annie, you should have stopped being so wonderful."
Annie runs an advice column, and to answer a puzzling question, she enlists Owen's help by setting him up on dates with various women to test her advice. I truly appreciated the eventual open conversation between these two, but it was hard to watch Annie consistently self-sabotage any potential happiness with Owen, relying on reasonings that often seemed contradictory.
Her extreme resistance made Owen seem like a doormat, which I hated to see. It all works out in the end, of course, but a few times had me questioning if he deserved better.
(heat level: kissing only)
February 19, 2024
This book had some cute moments. The writing is good. Owen is a sweetie and I loved his middle schoolers. His family is great!
I struggled a bit with the FMC. Annie was willingly in denial for most of the book even though Owen’s feelings were very obvious. I liked Owen a lot and felt like he deserved someone who was emotionally available (which Annie was not) and appreciated him for how great he was. My feeling was that he deserved more from her. More effort. More assurance. More enthusiasm. More certainty. She eventually got there, but it felt like Owen did all the work and kind of had to talk her into loving him.
I struggled a bit with the FMC. Annie was willingly in denial for most of the book even though Owen’s feelings were very obvious. I liked Owen a lot and felt like he deserved someone who was emotionally available (which Annie was not) and appreciated him for how great he was. My feeling was that he deserved more from her. More effort. More assurance. More enthusiasm. More certainty. She eventually got there, but it felt like Owen did all the work and kind of had to talk her into loving him.
February 18, 2024
Could not get behind this FMC. She spent most of the story, not wanting things to change from the way they were because they were perfect, but only for her. Spent almost the entire story being selfishly self-absorbed.
February 15, 2024
This story was SO sweet and fun! I absolutely adore these Bailey Brothers!
Owen Bailey and Annie Archer have been best friends since childhood. As they got older, that friendship turned into a deep love for Owen. He keeps his true feelings hidden from her, but loves doing anything he can to make Annie happy, and hopes she’ll finally see how perfect they are for each other.
After a former boyfriend tells her she’s unlovable, that becomes Annie’s truth, and so even if she has some romantic feelings towards Owen, she’s convinced it won’t work out between them.
With the help and support of Owen's family and his 7th grade science class 🤣 he’s finally ready to open up and let Annie know he wants to be more than her best friend.
Owen is one of the sweetest MMCs ever! He’s all sunshine and goodness. I loved his gentle soul and how deeply his feelings ran. I especially loved his “I’m not going anywhere” commitment to Annie.
Annie was a fun and spunky character. It took her a while to figure things out, but I loved her growth and how she chose a new truth for herself.
What I loved:
🎯 Best friends to lovers
🎯 He falls first
🎯. Dual POV
🎯 Bailey Family
🎯 Alice
🎯 The proposal
🎯 Chocolate pie (iykyk)
🎯 Overcoming fears
🎯 HEA
This is the second book in the Another Bailey Brother Series and can be read as a standalone, but you’re seriously missing out if you don’t read Levi’s story.
I received a copy from the author but a positive review wasn’t required.
Owen Bailey and Annie Archer have been best friends since childhood. As they got older, that friendship turned into a deep love for Owen. He keeps his true feelings hidden from her, but loves doing anything he can to make Annie happy, and hopes she’ll finally see how perfect they are for each other.
After a former boyfriend tells her she’s unlovable, that becomes Annie’s truth, and so even if she has some romantic feelings towards Owen, she’s convinced it won’t work out between them.
With the help and support of Owen's family and his 7th grade science class 🤣 he’s finally ready to open up and let Annie know he wants to be more than her best friend.
Owen is one of the sweetest MMCs ever! He’s all sunshine and goodness. I loved his gentle soul and how deeply his feelings ran. I especially loved his “I’m not going anywhere” commitment to Annie.
Annie was a fun and spunky character. It took her a while to figure things out, but I loved her growth and how she chose a new truth for herself.
What I loved:
🎯 Best friends to lovers
🎯 He falls first
🎯. Dual POV
🎯 Bailey Family
🎯 Alice
🎯 The proposal
🎯 Chocolate pie (iykyk)
🎯 Overcoming fears
🎯 HEA
This is the second book in the Another Bailey Brother Series and can be read as a standalone, but you’re seriously missing out if you don’t read Levi’s story.
I received a copy from the author but a positive review wasn’t required.
November 22, 2024
3.5 rounded up
A sweet, swoony, dual POV, friends to lovers story with secret pining, a relationship advice columnist forced to take her own suggestions and give her best friend a chance at love. Another wonderful Bailey Brother's kissing only book and while the miscommunication trope runs a little too rampant in this one for my tastes, overall it was a great story and I'm looking forward to the third book in the series. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Juliana Smith and Emma St. Clair.
A sweet, swoony, dual POV, friends to lovers story with secret pining, a relationship advice columnist forced to take her own suggestions and give her best friend a chance at love. Another wonderful Bailey Brother's kissing only book and while the miscommunication trope runs a little too rampant in this one for my tastes, overall it was a great story and I'm looking forward to the third book in the series. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Juliana Smith and Emma St. Clair.
January 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-rom-com
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: make outs
-⚠️: none that I remember
This was cute! I can see why everyone on bookstagram seems to love the Bailey brothers! After finishing this one, I promptly started listening to Miles's book. The narrators for the audiobook are fabulous! I highly recommend that format.
Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope, but I thought the advice columnist spin on this one made it feel fresh. Owen is a very sweet human, but I was glad that he had his grumpy brother to help him realize that he was leading Annie to believe things about him that weren't true (eg: he loved the Dallas Cowboys, he liked rap music). Because while I do think doing things that your partner or your person loves are important, it's also important to let your needs and preferences be known. It's not a healthy relationship when only one person is doing the things they enjoy all the time.
The almost kiss between Owen and Annie in the closet had me kicking my feet while I was driving, which was maybe not the safest of moves haha! The tension in that scene was delicious, though. I also loved how Owen went over to see Annie at an ungodly hour on Christmas morning and then how Annie gave Owen a grand gesture near the end of the book. It felt like it worked for them and their unique situation.
I didn't jot down any quotes this time. I'll be back soon with a review of Miles and Delaney!
GENRE
-rom-com
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: make outs
-⚠️: none that I remember
This was cute! I can see why everyone on bookstagram seems to love the Bailey brothers! After finishing this one, I promptly started listening to Miles's book. The narrators for the audiobook are fabulous! I highly recommend that format.
Friends to lovers is not my favorite trope, but I thought the advice columnist spin on this one made it feel fresh. Owen is a very sweet human, but I was glad that he had his grumpy brother to help him realize that he was leading Annie to believe things about him that weren't true (eg: he loved the Dallas Cowboys, he liked rap music). Because while I do think doing things that your partner or your person loves are important, it's also important to let your needs and preferences be known. It's not a healthy relationship when only one person is doing the things they enjoy all the time.
The almost kiss between Owen and Annie in the closet had me kicking my feet while I was driving, which was maybe not the safest of moves haha! The tension in that scene was delicious, though. I also loved how Owen went over to see Annie at an ungodly hour on Christmas morning and then how Annie gave Owen a grand gesture near the end of the book. It felt like it worked for them and their unique situation.
I didn't jot down any quotes this time. I'll be back soon with a review of Miles and Delaney!
February 27, 2024
This friends to lovers romcom was just adorable! I love Jen’s writing and how she puts so much heart into her characters.
I love the Bailey brothers and couldn’t wait for Owen’s story! He’s been best friends with Annie since they were kids and he’s secretly been in love with her pretty much the whole time. And everyone knows this but….you guessed it, Annie.
Annie runs a column and gives out romantic advice, but she has a problem…she’s never been in love. So, she decides to test her advice and do a dating experiment using Owen as the test subject. But he will be dating other women. So when others start to ask why she isn’t the one dating Owen, she starts to wonder herself….
Owen was a sweetheart! I loved him to pieces! He was everything good and kind. Bless him, there were many times I just wanted him to tell Annie how he felt and end his misery. 😂 He was the real deal with all the patience he had! The angst was real with this one. But when it is made known how he feels, look out! Those sizzling kiss scenes were well worth the wait!!
Add in a spunky Grammy, a classroom full of nosy 7th graders, and the rest of the Bailey clan and you have a romcom to leave you grinning from ear to ear! If you’re a friends to lovers fan, then definitely give this book a go!!
Now I need Miles’s story!!!! Oh, it’s gonna be good!
Things I Loved:
💌Grammy
💌The concussion
💌“The One” Experiment
💌Sweet little Steve and Bucky
💌Date snooping
💌The letters
💌Classroom scenes
💌Levi… nuff said!
💌The second date! 😍
💌Washing Dishes🔥
💌Alice again!
💌One bed
💌Chapter 62
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love the Bailey brothers and couldn’t wait for Owen’s story! He’s been best friends with Annie since they were kids and he’s secretly been in love with her pretty much the whole time. And everyone knows this but….you guessed it, Annie.
Annie runs a column and gives out romantic advice, but she has a problem…she’s never been in love. So, she decides to test her advice and do a dating experiment using Owen as the test subject. But he will be dating other women. So when others start to ask why she isn’t the one dating Owen, she starts to wonder herself….
Owen was a sweetheart! I loved him to pieces! He was everything good and kind. Bless him, there were many times I just wanted him to tell Annie how he felt and end his misery. 😂 He was the real deal with all the patience he had! The angst was real with this one. But when it is made known how he feels, look out! Those sizzling kiss scenes were well worth the wait!!
Add in a spunky Grammy, a classroom full of nosy 7th graders, and the rest of the Bailey clan and you have a romcom to leave you grinning from ear to ear! If you’re a friends to lovers fan, then definitely give this book a go!!
Now I need Miles’s story!!!! Oh, it’s gonna be good!
Things I Loved:
💌Grammy
💌The concussion
💌“The One” Experiment
💌Sweet little Steve and Bucky
💌Date snooping
💌The letters
💌Classroom scenes
💌Levi… nuff said!
💌The second date! 😍
💌Washing Dishes🔥
💌Alice again!
💌One bed
💌Chapter 62
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 21, 2024
I absolutely adore Jen Atkinson's writing and this one is no different. If you are looking for romcoms with heart, supportive extending families, laugh out loud moments and sizzling kisses she always delivers.
I absolutely adored Owen and am so happy he gets his happily ever after! He is so adorable both with Annie and as a teacher to middle schoolers.
If you love the friends to lovers trope definitely give this one a go!
Physical Intimacy Lvl 2.5 (Longer making out sessions with more description but no tongue detail)
Zero Swearing
Dual first person POV
I absolutely adored Owen and am so happy he gets his happily ever after! He is so adorable both with Annie and as a teacher to middle schoolers.
If you love the friends to lovers trope definitely give this one a go!
Physical Intimacy Lvl 2.5 (Longer making out sessions with more description but no tongue detail)
Zero Swearing
Dual first person POV
November 13, 2024
This book had me laughing, smirking, and rolling my eyes out loud as I listened to the audiobook. Jen does a great job of making the tropes feel fun and not overdone. Loved it!
March 12, 2024
4.5 stars
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is book two in this series. This time it’s about Owen Bailey and his best friend, Annie Archer.
Owen has been in love with Annie since the third grade, fourteen long years. He has been very patiently waiting for her to realize she loves him, too. But, Annie is afraid to lose her best friend. She has a bad track record with relationships. They last two months at the most. She’s afraid to put herself out there and possibly lose Owen in her life. She couldn’t handle that.
This is a fun, adorable, kissing-only romance. Owen is a sweet man who would do anything for Annie—and he does. Annie runs an advice columnist and decides to use Owen as her test subject in dating.
Of course, the Bailey family are heavily involved in this book and Owen’s life. I enjoyed this book so much and think the stories just keep getting better.
Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is book two in this series. This time it’s about Owen Bailey and his best friend, Annie Archer.
Owen has been in love with Annie since the third grade, fourteen long years. He has been very patiently waiting for her to realize she loves him, too. But, Annie is afraid to lose her best friend. She has a bad track record with relationships. They last two months at the most. She’s afraid to put herself out there and possibly lose Owen in her life. She couldn’t handle that.
This is a fun, adorable, kissing-only romance. Owen is a sweet man who would do anything for Annie—and he does. Annie runs an advice columnist and decides to use Owen as her test subject in dating.
Of course, the Bailey family are heavily involved in this book and Owen’s life. I enjoyed this book so much and think the stories just keep getting better.
Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 10, 2024
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is the second book in the Another Bailey Brother series. Though we do meet these characters in the first book, this can definitely be enjoyed just fine as a standalone as well.
Oh my goodness, this was such a fun read! I enjoyed Owen's character in the first book, so I was really excited to see him get his story... and it most definitely did not disappoint. I love a story where 'he falls first'... and Owen definitely fits that well. His dedication to Annie despite her hesitations... oh, I just loved it so much. There were definitely a few times I wanted to shake Annie out of it... but really, I just loved these two together so much... and I loved the meddling from everyone around them from his family (whom I just absolutely adore!) and students to her sister... and her grandma? She had me cracking up! Their story was the perfect blend of laugh out loud moments and swoony ones and I absolutely loved every single minute of it. As much as I enjoyed the first book in the series, I think I enjoyed this one even more!
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is a closed-door romance, with nothing beyond kisses and no language.
**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Oh my goodness, this was such a fun read! I enjoyed Owen's character in the first book, so I was really excited to see him get his story... and it most definitely did not disappoint. I love a story where 'he falls first'... and Owen definitely fits that well. His dedication to Annie despite her hesitations... oh, I just loved it so much. There were definitely a few times I wanted to shake Annie out of it... but really, I just loved these two together so much... and I loved the meddling from everyone around them from his family (whom I just absolutely adore!) and students to her sister... and her grandma? She had me cracking up! Their story was the perfect blend of laugh out loud moments and swoony ones and I absolutely loved every single minute of it. As much as I enjoyed the first book in the series, I think I enjoyed this one even more!
Owen Bailey Needs Advice is a closed-door romance, with nothing beyond kisses and no language.
**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
February 16, 2024
4.5 stars.
Oh I just love these books! First Levi Bailey and now Owen Bailey. These books are sweet, clean, fun reads. They have some swoony kissing scenes and a lot of playful banter. I loved Owen and his honesty. I loved that he didn’t shy away from his feelings. I enjoyed Annie’s spunk and her close relationship with her sister. I did get a bit annoyed with Annie’s character and how insistent she was that nothing was going to work out, and she worked hard to go against it. But overall, I was grinning from ear to ear while reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I definitely enjoyed getting snippets of Levi and Meredith. I was glad they played such an integral role in this book, as well as Coco. Little Alice was a hoot, and I loved every scene with her! I love how the author writes her characters. They are all so different and unique. Sometimes I feel like authors write a lot of their characters the same from book to book, but not Jen! Each of them is different and fun to read about it. If you are in the mood for a cute, fun, clean, romcom, this is it!
-friends to lovers
-small town
-dual pov
-letters back and forth
Oh I just love these books! First Levi Bailey and now Owen Bailey. These books are sweet, clean, fun reads. They have some swoony kissing scenes and a lot of playful banter. I loved Owen and his honesty. I loved that he didn’t shy away from his feelings. I enjoyed Annie’s spunk and her close relationship with her sister. I did get a bit annoyed with Annie’s character and how insistent she was that nothing was going to work out, and she worked hard to go against it. But overall, I was grinning from ear to ear while reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I definitely enjoyed getting snippets of Levi and Meredith. I was glad they played such an integral role in this book, as well as Coco. Little Alice was a hoot, and I loved every scene with her! I love how the author writes her characters. They are all so different and unique. Sometimes I feel like authors write a lot of their characters the same from book to book, but not Jen! Each of them is different and fun to read about it. If you are in the mood for a cute, fun, clean, romcom, this is it!
-friends to lovers
-small town
-dual pov
-letters back and forth
February 11, 2024
I love these Bailey boys so much! Levi stole my heart with his grumpy/sweetness and now Owen has captured my heart with his ready smile and his sunshine vibes!!
Owen and Annie are the cutest best friends ever! I loved how well they knew each other and how Owen would do ANYTHING for Annie (even say he loves the Cowboys)! He’s the sweetest and I loved how much he loved her!
Annie was adorable! I loved her Ask Annie column and how Owen used her advice to help him woo her! I wanted to give her a wake up call to the amazing man she had in front of her and was so glad when she finally came around. 😏
I loved Annie’s friendship with her sister, Owen’s relationship with his brothers and their cute mom, and Alice was a riot—as always! I loved her little remarks and her candidness!
Such a cute friends to more story!!
Owen and Annie are the cutest best friends ever! I loved how well they knew each other and how Owen would do ANYTHING for Annie (even say he loves the Cowboys)! He’s the sweetest and I loved how much he loved her!
Annie was adorable! I loved her Ask Annie column and how Owen used her advice to help him woo her! I wanted to give her a wake up call to the amazing man she had in front of her and was so glad when she finally came around. 😏
I loved Annie’s friendship with her sister, Owen’s relationship with his brothers and their cute mom, and Alice was a riot—as always! I loved her little remarks and her candidness!
Such a cute friends to more story!!
January 1, 2026
Owen Bailey Needs Advice by: Jen Atkinson
📖Annie needs a subject for her advice column. She convinces her best friend Owen to go on a series of dates to meet "the one". Problem is, he's already in love, with Annie.
Friends-to-more isn’t usually my favorite trope, but fans of slow burn romance may enjoy this one. I loved the small-town setting and the kids and siblings who brought great humor. The narration was also excellent.
I struggled with Annie, who often seemed oblivious to Owen’s feelings, while Owen sometimes felt too eager to please. The family’s matchmaking, though well-meaning, came across as more pushy than supportive. After fifteen years, I wished Annie had realized Owen’s worth on her own.
A clean romance (just kissing, no language) with charming moments, even if the main relationship didn’t fully work for me.
📖Annie needs a subject for her advice column. She convinces her best friend Owen to go on a series of dates to meet "the one". Problem is, he's already in love, with Annie.
Friends-to-more isn’t usually my favorite trope, but fans of slow burn romance may enjoy this one. I loved the small-town setting and the kids and siblings who brought great humor. The narration was also excellent.
I struggled with Annie, who often seemed oblivious to Owen’s feelings, while Owen sometimes felt too eager to please. The family’s matchmaking, though well-meaning, came across as more pushy than supportive. After fifteen years, I wished Annie had realized Owen’s worth on her own.
A clean romance (just kissing, no language) with charming moments, even if the main relationship didn’t fully work for me.
February 15, 2024
4 stars !!! arc review <3
“the one does exist. don’t give up. don’t give in. you are worth loving. just be brave enough to believe it.”
TROPES:
✧ best friends to lovers
✧ he FELL years ago and everyone knows BUT her
✧ middle school teacher x advice columnist
✧ dating experiment !!!
✧ closed door romance
owen and annie have been best friends since third grade but we can’t ruin friendships by trying to date, right? well, that’s basically what they think. so what could happen if owen gathers courage and wants to make annie see that he loves her and has been for years?
annie is a columnist. readers wonder about “the one” and she starts to overthink about it because all her relationships didn’t work out so she thinks her experience isn’t the right one to help her writing the column. that’s how owen joins a dating experiment, in which annie will give him the advices she would give to the reader and show that the one does exist. but will it work? owen already knows that annie is the one so what will happen with the dates?
owen bailey needs advice may be my favorite bailey brother book. i’m still obsessed with them and their whole story was just cosy and funny !!! annie is totally oblivious about owen being in love with her but i loved when she started to realize that they could be in a relationship :,)
like everybody that’s gonna read the book, owen’s classroom scenes are THE BEST !!!! i laughed so much and alice busting them???? 10/10 i love that girl so much . but the whole family asking for advice and sending letters to annie to try helping her see that “the one” can be her best friend???? it made me so jejdkwbdejj like literally .
the third act is sad because i know is how a lot of women think about love and i blame maddox for it, i hate him. when i read “he told me he couldn’t be with anyone as unlovable as i was. that no one could be” IT BROKE ME but i’m so glad owen was able to show her that she was lovable and an incredible person !!!
i would like to thank jen atkinson for sending me an arc in exchange of an honest review !!
this is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone
“the one does exist. don’t give up. don’t give in. you are worth loving. just be brave enough to believe it.”
TROPES:
✧ best friends to lovers
✧ he FELL years ago and everyone knows BUT her
✧ middle school teacher x advice columnist
✧ dating experiment !!!
✧ closed door romance
owen and annie have been best friends since third grade but we can’t ruin friendships by trying to date, right? well, that’s basically what they think. so what could happen if owen gathers courage and wants to make annie see that he loves her and has been for years?
annie is a columnist. readers wonder about “the one” and she starts to overthink about it because all her relationships didn’t work out so she thinks her experience isn’t the right one to help her writing the column. that’s how owen joins a dating experiment, in which annie will give him the advices she would give to the reader and show that the one does exist. but will it work? owen already knows that annie is the one so what will happen with the dates?
owen bailey needs advice may be my favorite bailey brother book. i’m still obsessed with them and their whole story was just cosy and funny !!! annie is totally oblivious about owen being in love with her but i loved when she started to realize that they could be in a relationship :,)
like everybody that’s gonna read the book, owen’s classroom scenes are THE BEST !!!! i laughed so much and alice busting them???? 10/10 i love that girl so much . but the whole family asking for advice and sending letters to annie to try helping her see that “the one” can be her best friend???? it made me so jejdkwbdejj like literally .
the third act is sad because i know is how a lot of women think about love and i blame maddox for it, i hate him. when i read “he told me he couldn’t be with anyone as unlovable as i was. that no one could be” IT BROKE ME but i’m so glad owen was able to show her that she was lovable and an incredible person !!!
i would like to thank jen atkinson for sending me an arc in exchange of an honest review !!
this is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone
March 28, 2024
The love story here is so frustrating! But, I suppose the tension is what makes it good. It was fun to see the two main characters fall in love with each other without realizing that the other felt the same way.
The plot is fun and entertaining. I kept turning pages, needing to know how things would turn out for them. The first chapters just make me giggle and all the way through you are just rooting for the MC to get together. The characters were interesting and dimensional, even those that made a minimal appearance in the story, there's a story for Owen's brother also and that makes this book as a series but you can read this book as a standalone also.
Fun, quick read though. Hope the author has plans for many more! May be if I want to read something light, I'll go back to this book and re-read just for the fun of it. This book definitely encourage many of us to look for our partners within our friends circle (Oh, I'm in love with my bestfriend for almost 9 years and we're in a relationship for the past 8 years) so, yes I'm in love with this book.
I loved the book, was very sweet as well. It is a well-written and memorable love story that fans of clean-but-still-toe-curling romance will enjoy. I enjoyed this book immensely because of the fun and lightheartedness of the characters and book overall. But this is definitely a must-read. I highly recommend it.
The plot is fun and entertaining. I kept turning pages, needing to know how things would turn out for them. The first chapters just make me giggle and all the way through you are just rooting for the MC to get together. The characters were interesting and dimensional, even those that made a minimal appearance in the story, there's a story for Owen's brother also and that makes this book as a series but you can read this book as a standalone also.
Fun, quick read though. Hope the author has plans for many more! May be if I want to read something light, I'll go back to this book and re-read just for the fun of it. This book definitely encourage many of us to look for our partners within our friends circle (Oh, I'm in love with my bestfriend for almost 9 years and we're in a relationship for the past 8 years) so, yes I'm in love with this book.
I loved the book, was very sweet as well. It is a well-written and memorable love story that fans of clean-but-still-toe-curling romance will enjoy. I enjoyed this book immensely because of the fun and lightheartedness of the characters and book overall. But this is definitely a must-read. I highly recommend it.
October 11, 2024
"You have a way of making everything better. You always have...You are my personal sunshine."
Owen Bailey Needs Advice by Jen Atkinson
This was a very delightful read and audiobook. Owen was a really fun character to get to know. I loved the glimpses I got of him in Levi Bailey Gets Butterflies, so listening to his story was even more fun. I just love this group of siblings. The way they encourage each other, love each other, get on each other's nerves, and meddle in each other's business is hilarious, realistic for siblings, and makes for a jolly good time.
Owen and Annie are best friends. They have been for a very long time and what Annie doesn't know is that Owen is in love with her. She writes for an advice column and when someone doubts her advice, she decides to put her advice to the test by having Owen use it while going on blind dates with girls that Annie sets him up with. Great plan, right?
Owen will do ANYTHING for Annie.
I loved both of their growth by the end, how she vows to always be straight and true like an arrow, and he to be himself always.
I loved the sweet things they do for each other and their gifts to each other at the end are so sweet and perfect.
I definitely recommend this book in audio format, which is now available by the way!
Only on Audible.
Audiobook Review:
I loved the dual narration for this one. Both narrators did a really fantastic job.
My favorite parts:
Golden Retriever
“Fake” dating
Best friends to more
Meddling middle schoolers and family members
One bed
Gifts
Owen Bailey Needs Advice by Jen Atkinson
This was a very delightful read and audiobook. Owen was a really fun character to get to know. I loved the glimpses I got of him in Levi Bailey Gets Butterflies, so listening to his story was even more fun. I just love this group of siblings. The way they encourage each other, love each other, get on each other's nerves, and meddle in each other's business is hilarious, realistic for siblings, and makes for a jolly good time.
Owen and Annie are best friends. They have been for a very long time and what Annie doesn't know is that Owen is in love with her. She writes for an advice column and when someone doubts her advice, she decides to put her advice to the test by having Owen use it while going on blind dates with girls that Annie sets him up with. Great plan, right?
Owen will do ANYTHING for Annie.
I loved both of their growth by the end, how she vows to always be straight and true like an arrow, and he to be himself always.
I loved the sweet things they do for each other and their gifts to each other at the end are so sweet and perfect.
I definitely recommend this book in audio format, which is now available by the way!
Only on Audible.
Audiobook Review:
I loved the dual narration for this one. Both narrators did a really fantastic job.
My favorite parts:
Golden Retriever
“Fake” dating
Best friends to more
Meddling middle schoolers and family members
One bed
Gifts
February 29, 2024
I really enjoy Jen Atkinson’s books. They are always so sweet and swoony so needless to say I really loved Owen Bailey Needs Advice! The friends to lovers trope is my favorite and this one was super cute and done so well!
Owen Bailey has been in love with his best friend Annie since the third grade and she has no idea at all. Annie runs an advice column where she gives out romantic advice each week, although she has never been in love herself. She decides to ask Owen to test out the advice she gives by going out with a few different women she chooses for him; maybe he will even find himself in love. Then her readers start wondering why she isn’t the one dating him so she can’t help but start to question it herself.
This one had me smiling so much! Owen is just the sweetest, kindest, most patient man ever! All he wants is to make Annie happy and he is so gentle with her especially later in the book when she is afraid to give them a chance. I loved Owen’s interactions with his 7th grade class. These were some of my favorite scenes in the book. I was laughing so hard! Annie's grandma is the best! She was a fun character that gave out great advice. The relationship between Owen and Annie felt so real and relatable. The story unfolds naturally as they go from friends to exploring what it would be like as more. I enjoyed their thoughts on how we have done this as best friends before, but now going out is the same but feels different as they reestablished their relationship. I also really enjoy the closeness of the Bailey family and how they are always there for each other. Coco fits right in like she was always a part of them and little Alice brings joy everywhere she goes. This book is just so happy and uplifting. It's filled with sweet, heartfelt moments and many hilarious antics. Annie’s nephews brought some great comic relief to the book. I just adored them! Make sure you grab this one, you won’t be disappointed.
What I loved:
Friends to lovers
Dual point of view
Owen’s middle school students
Owen’s hilarious date with Ang
The closeness of the Bailey family
Christmas morning
Swoony kisses
Owen and the pie
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Owen Bailey has been in love with his best friend Annie since the third grade and she has no idea at all. Annie runs an advice column where she gives out romantic advice each week, although she has never been in love herself. She decides to ask Owen to test out the advice she gives by going out with a few different women she chooses for him; maybe he will even find himself in love. Then her readers start wondering why she isn’t the one dating him so she can’t help but start to question it herself.
This one had me smiling so much! Owen is just the sweetest, kindest, most patient man ever! All he wants is to make Annie happy and he is so gentle with her especially later in the book when she is afraid to give them a chance. I loved Owen’s interactions with his 7th grade class. These were some of my favorite scenes in the book. I was laughing so hard! Annie's grandma is the best! She was a fun character that gave out great advice. The relationship between Owen and Annie felt so real and relatable. The story unfolds naturally as they go from friends to exploring what it would be like as more. I enjoyed their thoughts on how we have done this as best friends before, but now going out is the same but feels different as they reestablished their relationship. I also really enjoy the closeness of the Bailey family and how they are always there for each other. Coco fits right in like she was always a part of them and little Alice brings joy everywhere she goes. This book is just so happy and uplifting. It's filled with sweet, heartfelt moments and many hilarious antics. Annie’s nephews brought some great comic relief to the book. I just adored them! Make sure you grab this one, you won’t be disappointed.
What I loved:
Friends to lovers
Dual point of view
Owen’s middle school students
Owen’s hilarious date with Ang
The closeness of the Bailey family
Christmas morning
Swoony kisses
Owen and the pie
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 15, 2024
Everybody needs an Owen in their life! While I have been hooked on Jen‘s world and characters, I am so in love with Owen! He is the epitome of the whole package! Annie and Owen have been friends for as long as they can remember. Annie is spunky and free spirited, and Owen is down to Earth and cautious. Annie answers letters seeking relationship advice. What happens when the letters hit closer to home?! I love how this book features letters and has a bit of intrigue woven in. I also really love how this book is written in dual POV, so you can get insight into both of their thinking and inner most desires. While this is part of a series, it can totally be read as a standalone. The way that she writes her characters is amazing! You go into the book expecting great things, and you walk away with characters that you feel like are your friends and that you’ve known your whole life! Jen‘s books never disappoint. You get the swoon, the funny moments, the witty banter, lovable main characters and side characters, an HEA, and all those small moments that you crave along the way! You will be smiling ear to ear the whole time, and you won’t be disappointed! This book is a warm hot cup of cocoa on a cold night-snuggle in!
August 18, 2024
I didn't realize that the Bailey Brothers was a spin-off to The Insta series by Jen Atkinson. I plan to go back and read them as it gives the background to Coco and the Bailey Brothers. However, Owen Bailey Needs Advice and the rest of the Another Bailey Brother series should be read in order.
I loved Owen, he is sweet with a heart of gold. While I eventually came around to Annie, I didn't feel like she was good enough for him. I didn't understand why she let one comment from a guy dictate her entire life. It seems out of character for her since she seems to be a fighter in every other way.
Read for:
📨best friends to more
📨Advice columnist
📨7th grade Science teacher + his students
📨he falls first
📨Alice
📨chocolate pie
📨Grammy
📨the Bailey family bond
📨witty banter
📨plenty of LOL moments
I could go on but I don't want to give too much away, plus, I am ready to dive into book three, Miles Bailey Gets Down on One Knee.
I loved Owen, he is sweet with a heart of gold. While I eventually came around to Annie, I didn't feel like she was good enough for him. I didn't understand why she let one comment from a guy dictate her entire life. It seems out of character for her since she seems to be a fighter in every other way.
Read for:
📨best friends to more
📨Advice columnist
📨7th grade Science teacher + his students
📨he falls first
📨Alice
📨chocolate pie
📨Grammy
📨the Bailey family bond
📨witty banter
📨plenty of LOL moments
I could go on but I don't want to give too much away, plus, I am ready to dive into book three, Miles Bailey Gets Down on One Knee.
October 23, 2024
This friends to more book was so fun! I really felt for Owen, as he had truly loved his best friend, Annie, for most of their lives and that love was unrequited…or was it?
Annie was sure she was unlovable, based on her history of failing in her relationships. Even though she loved Owen as a friend, she was afraid to let herself desire more with him because her relationships always failed.
There were lots of funny moments in the story, definitely putting the comedy in this RomCom, yet there were some deep issues that these two had to face. Annie needed to learn that she was worth loving and Owen needed to learn to open up to Annie, admit his feelings, and be real about his likes and dislikes.
I loved the way these two were together. Yes, I was frustrated with Annie at times because she had a defeatist attitude about herself and romance. But, I also enjoyed seeing her through Owen’s eyes. And, whew…when Owen really got the chance to date her. Wow! He was a spectacular boyfriend who was completely devoted to her and I loved seeing Annie fall for him.
(4.5 stars)
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Annie was sure she was unlovable, based on her history of failing in her relationships. Even though she loved Owen as a friend, she was afraid to let herself desire more with him because her relationships always failed.
There were lots of funny moments in the story, definitely putting the comedy in this RomCom, yet there were some deep issues that these two had to face. Annie needed to learn that she was worth loving and Owen needed to learn to open up to Annie, admit his feelings, and be real about his likes and dislikes.
I loved the way these two were together. Yes, I was frustrated with Annie at times because she had a defeatist attitude about herself and romance. But, I also enjoyed seeing her through Owen’s eyes. And, whew…when Owen really got the chance to date her. Wow! He was a spectacular boyfriend who was completely devoted to her and I loved seeing Annie fall for him.
(4.5 stars)
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
February 17, 2024
I loved Owen and Annie’s story! My teacher-heart connected with Owen and the classroom scenes had me laughing out loud. Curious and opinionated 7th graders...ha!! One of my favorite characters was Owen’s 7-year-old niece Alice. She says exactly what she is thinking at all times! Jen does a fabulous job making you feel the tension, swoon and family love throughout the book!
A few of my favorite things: Alice, Grammy, the dishes scene, and the tattoos
A few of my favorite things: Alice, Grammy, the dishes scene, and the tattoos
January 23, 2025
This was a fun addition to this series! I enjoyed getting to know Owen and Annie.
The dating experiment was a fun twist on the friends to lovers trope. I enjoyed seeing Annie's advice in action and seeing how they both react to Owen's different dates. Friends to lovers isn't my favorite trope so there was some frustration for me with their inability to communicate about their feelings. Annie seems determined to sabotage their relationship. But I was so happy when they both finally go all in and see all the best in each other and their potential future.
I love the Bailey family! The family interactions and dynamics are just so fun! They stand up for each other. They tease each other. They help each other. They tell each other the truth even when they don't wait to hear it. They meddle and they meddle and they meddle. It's so fun!
Already started book 3 and loving it!!
The dating experiment was a fun twist on the friends to lovers trope. I enjoyed seeing Annie's advice in action and seeing how they both react to Owen's different dates. Friends to lovers isn't my favorite trope so there was some frustration for me with their inability to communicate about their feelings. Annie seems determined to sabotage their relationship. But I was so happy when they both finally go all in and see all the best in each other and their potential future.
I love the Bailey family! The family interactions and dynamics are just so fun! They stand up for each other. They tease each other. They help each other. They tell each other the truth even when they don't wait to hear it. They meddle and they meddle and they meddle. It's so fun!
Already started book 3 and loving it!!
March 2, 2024
Reading this was like a nice, warm hug. I loved everything about it.
If you are in the mood for a sweet read, you need to get this book.
The characters are so endearing. Some are a bit quirky ;)
A perfect closed door romance with fun hilarious moments.
I think I was smiling and giggling throughout the book.
@shortbookthyme
#shortbookthyme
If you are in the mood for a sweet read, you need to get this book.
The characters are so endearing. Some are a bit quirky ;)
A perfect closed door romance with fun hilarious moments.
I think I was smiling and giggling throughout the book.
@shortbookthyme
#shortbookthyme
March 15, 2024
First off, let me just say how much I adore Jen’s books. She takes me on such a beautiful journey of friendship, family and love with each one, that I am always anxious for the next books release the moment I finish.
It is so funny, because in Levi’s book, I almost cringed when he talked about Annie. She wasn’t a person I was super excited to read about because Levi portrayed her as being such an annoying human being. But Owen? I was SO excited to read Owen’s book and I knew Annie was his best friend, so I knew that I could at least tolerate Annie because of that one fact. And do you know what? I actually really like Annie.
We all deal with trauma from our past lives. Sometimes it is physical, sometimes mental, and sometimes, there is that one person who says something that can stick with you for the rest of your life. I am sure we have all experienced moments such as these, and they suck. They really do. But it is people like Owen Bailey, that really make the difference when we are so hard on ourselves that we can’t move past our “faults” that these “other people” so judgingly point out.
Thank You Jen, for writing a book that shows this. That expresses these feelings and gives people who might be dealing with these thoughts, just a little bit of hope.
*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.❤️❤️❤️
It is so funny, because in Levi’s book, I almost cringed when he talked about Annie. She wasn’t a person I was super excited to read about because Levi portrayed her as being such an annoying human being. But Owen? I was SO excited to read Owen’s book and I knew Annie was his best friend, so I knew that I could at least tolerate Annie because of that one fact. And do you know what? I actually really like Annie.
We all deal with trauma from our past lives. Sometimes it is physical, sometimes mental, and sometimes, there is that one person who says something that can stick with you for the rest of your life. I am sure we have all experienced moments such as these, and they suck. They really do. But it is people like Owen Bailey, that really make the difference when we are so hard on ourselves that we can’t move past our “faults” that these “other people” so judgingly point out.
Thank You Jen, for writing a book that shows this. That expresses these feelings and gives people who might be dealing with these thoughts, just a little bit of hope.
*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.❤️❤️❤️
February 16, 2024
Loved this one! Oh Owen is such a sweet, faithful guy…Annie is absolutely it for him & I love that he was able to win her over🤎. And Alice?! Haha! If you loved her in Levi or Coco’s book-prepare to love her even more!
June 29, 2024
Friends to lovers just hits different
June 2, 2025
Annie got kind of obnoxious but SWOONING over Owen!!
July 1, 2025
This is my favorite Bailey brothers book so far! This was so cute and I love a good no spice romance!
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