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A Risk Worth Taking: A Best Friends-to-Lovers Contemporary Romance
Her Best Friend…
…Her Secret Crush
After years of failed romances, Giselle Lewis has decided to play it safe. She’s given up on getting swept off her feet or falling head over heels. These days, she’d much rather keep her feet on the ground as she tiptoes cautiously into love with someone sensible. Someone reliable and predictable. Someone who definitely isn't Brandon Clark, her friend and secret crush. Taking a chance on something more with Brandon could end in disaster, ruining their friendship. On the other hand…turning her back on all they could have together might be the biggest risk of all.
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
The Friendship Chronicles
Book 1: The Shoe Diaries
Book 2: Bloom Where You're Planted
Book 3: London Calling
Book 4: Her New York Minute
Book 5: Falling for the Competition
Book 6: A Risk Worth Taking
…Her Secret Crush
After years of failed romances, Giselle Lewis has decided to play it safe. She’s given up on getting swept off her feet or falling head over heels. These days, she’d much rather keep her feet on the ground as she tiptoes cautiously into love with someone sensible. Someone reliable and predictable. Someone who definitely isn't Brandon Clark, her friend and secret crush. Taking a chance on something more with Brandon could end in disaster, ruining their friendship. On the other hand…turning her back on all they could have together might be the biggest risk of all.
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
The Friendship Chronicles
Book 1: The Shoe Diaries
Book 2: Bloom Where You're Planted
Book 3: London Calling
Book 4: Her New York Minute
Book 5: Falling for the Competition
Book 6: A Risk Worth Taking
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
About the author
Darby Baham
19 books167 followersDarby Baham (she/her) is a debut author with Harlequin Special Edition and a New Yorker of five years who sometimes desperately misses the sprawling shoe closet she had while living in Maryland. She’s had personal blog posts appear in The Washington Post’s relationship vertical and has worked in the communications industry for more than two decades. The New Orleans, LA native is also a lover of big laughs and books that swallow you into their world. Her first book, The Shoe Diaries, debuts in 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 4, 2025
This was a slow burn, friends to lovers romance.
It was fun to revisit this series as the heroine in the first book makes an appearance in this 6th book.
Darby does a great job at making her characters feel like you know them. Her stories always have a lot of heart.
It was fun to revisit this series as the heroine in the first book makes an appearance in this 6th book.
Darby does a great job at making her characters feel like you know them. Her stories always have a lot of heart.
August 4, 2025
Rating: 4.5 stars
Giselle wants to find that man who will love her and treat her special. Her two best friends are currently in relationships and she would love to find something similar.
The girls remind Giselle that Brandon is the one for her. However, to her, Brandon is the best friend she needs, and even though she is attracted to him, she does not wish to ruin that friendship.
However, a week away with her group of close friends maybe just what Giselle and Brandon need to explore taking their friendship a bit further.
A Risk Worth Taking is my first read from Darby Baham, and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more of her work. This story highlights some strong, beautiful relationships and romance that is believable.
Giselle wants to find that man who will love her and treat her special. Her two best friends are currently in relationships and she would love to find something similar.
The girls remind Giselle that Brandon is the one for her. However, to her, Brandon is the best friend she needs, and even though she is attracted to him, she does not wish to ruin that friendship.
However, a week away with her group of close friends maybe just what Giselle and Brandon need to explore taking their friendship a bit further.
A Risk Worth Taking is my first read from Darby Baham, and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading more of her work. This story highlights some strong, beautiful relationships and romance that is believable.
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April 17, 2026I was definitely struggling to fully buy into the story.
There was little to no direct interaction between Gigi and Brandon for the first 100 pgs but supposedly he’s a bestie she had a crush on. We hear about him through other characters, then he pops up via text, WHICH SHE DOESN’T ANSWER and then we go back never hearing from Brandon even though they “speak everyday”. Without seeing their dynamic firsthand, the “friends-to-lovers” angle feels unearned. There’s no real foundation, no clear chemistry, and definitely no sense of a close friendship. It makes the core romance hard to invest in.
The pacing also doesn’t help. The writing tends to be overly descriptive in areas that don’t need it. The outfit descriptions were pissing me clean off. Definitely could have been trimmed down without losing anything. Meanwhile, key emotional beats were repetitive. For example, a breakup scene is explained then reiterated again in the following chapter with the same conclusion, which slows the story instead of pushing it forward.
There are also some noticeable grammatical errors, which is surprising for a finished product and a bit distracting while reading.
Character wise, Gigi’s constant need for reassurance despite clear interest from Brandon makes the romance feel more frustrating than alluring. Instead of building tension, it leans into her overthinking in a way that stalls the connection even more.
Overall, the premise has potential but the execution wasn’t quite hitting for me. If this were to be a true “friends to lovers” trope, we should have gotten more scenes showcasing Gigi & Brandon’s “close friendship”. Orrrr if the author wanted to continue on the path she did, Brandon should have not been considered her close friend but rather a friend of a friend who always had a crush on her. Just saying.
There was little to no direct interaction between Gigi and Brandon for the first 100 pgs but supposedly he’s a bestie she had a crush on. We hear about him through other characters, then he pops up via text, WHICH SHE DOESN’T ANSWER and then we go back never hearing from Brandon even though they “speak everyday”. Without seeing their dynamic firsthand, the “friends-to-lovers” angle feels unearned. There’s no real foundation, no clear chemistry, and definitely no sense of a close friendship. It makes the core romance hard to invest in.
The pacing also doesn’t help. The writing tends to be overly descriptive in areas that don’t need it. The outfit descriptions were pissing me clean off. Definitely could have been trimmed down without losing anything. Meanwhile, key emotional beats were repetitive. For example, a breakup scene is explained then reiterated again in the following chapter with the same conclusion, which slows the story instead of pushing it forward.
There are also some noticeable grammatical errors, which is surprising for a finished product and a bit distracting while reading.
Character wise, Gigi’s constant need for reassurance despite clear interest from Brandon makes the romance feel more frustrating than alluring. Instead of building tension, it leans into her overthinking in a way that stalls the connection even more.
Overall, the premise has potential but the execution wasn’t quite hitting for me. If this were to be a true “friends to lovers” trope, we should have gotten more scenes showcasing Gigi & Brandon’s “close friendship”. Orrrr if the author wanted to continue on the path she did, Brandon should have not been considered her close friend but rather a friend of a friend who always had a crush on her. Just saying.
July 25, 2025
Whew—this one pulled me right into the drama, and I wasn’t mad about it! The sixth installment in The Friendship Chronicles delivers everything I love in a romance: tension, growth, a juicy love triangle, and, of course, strong friendships.
Let me just say—I was feeling for my girl Gisele! Being caught between two men is never easy, and this love triangle had me all in my feelings. I started off Team Philip—his approach to Gisele felt sincere and heartfelt. But when he tried to flip the blame on her? Sir, be for real. That had me heated! Meanwhile, Brandon? From the locs to the muscles? Yeah… I see why the choice wasn’t easy. 👀
Reagan and Keshia definitely had their nosy moments, but in the end, they proved that sometimes our friends can see what we’re blind to. I loved that layer—it added depth to the story and reminded me why this series is so special. Darby Baham describes this series as a love letter to Black female friendships, and it truly shows.
The ending? Perfectly satisfying. Gisele got the love she deserved, and the friendship bonds remained strong. I’ll always show up for a story that celebrates Black love and sisterhood.
Let me just say—I was feeling for my girl Gisele! Being caught between two men is never easy, and this love triangle had me all in my feelings. I started off Team Philip—his approach to Gisele felt sincere and heartfelt. But when he tried to flip the blame on her? Sir, be for real. That had me heated! Meanwhile, Brandon? From the locs to the muscles? Yeah… I see why the choice wasn’t easy. 👀
Reagan and Keshia definitely had their nosy moments, but in the end, they proved that sometimes our friends can see what we’re blind to. I loved that layer—it added depth to the story and reminded me why this series is so special. Darby Baham describes this series as a love letter to Black female friendships, and it truly shows.
The ending? Perfectly satisfying. Gisele got the love she deserved, and the friendship bonds remained strong. I’ll always show up for a story that celebrates Black love and sisterhood.
August 6, 2025
I love the friends to lovers troupe, the black love and the friendship vibes between the black women. The love that was showcased between the friend group was absolutely amazing.
Giselle is in this love triangle. Dating can be hard nowadays I love how her friends are pushing her towards Brandon. Brandon is the fun, outgoing friend that Giselle always had a small crush on but never went for it. He is her guy best friend. Is it worth the risk?
Now will they test their friendship for a relationship?
Thank you Darby for the arc. I really wanted to savor this book. It was just what i needed.
Giselle is in this love triangle. Dating can be hard nowadays I love how her friends are pushing her towards Brandon. Brandon is the fun, outgoing friend that Giselle always had a small crush on but never went for it. He is her guy best friend. Is it worth the risk?
Now will they test their friendship for a relationship?
Thank you Darby for the arc. I really wanted to savor this book. It was just what i needed.
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July 1, 2025Contemporary Romance, Multicultural & Interracial Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, African American & Black Romance
Miniseries
The Friendship Chronicles (Book #6)
Miniseries
The Friendship Chronicles (Book #6)
October 13, 2025
I enjoyed the story, but Gigi’s friends meddled so much and didn’t let her figure out her own dating life in peace.
August 25, 2025
A heartwarming and magical read that will inspire fans of romance that value personal purpose (self growth and discovery) journey work and finding a love match who inspires and encourages you to take risks! No notes. All goodness.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews