Cupid's Count Down: A Rom-Com Short Read

by Ashley Farley

This short story packs all the feels in just a few pages—perfect for a cozy read!

Best friends Jake and Jenna make a daring whoever finds true love before Valentine's Day wins. Jenna, a hopeless romantic, swears off dating apps, determined to meet Mr. Right through a classic meet-cute. Meanwhile, Jake dives into the world of swipes and profiles, hiding the fact that he's been secretly in love with Jenna for years. Convinced she'll never feel the same, he's trying to move on. The twist? They've agreed not to speak until the winner is crowned.

A quick, heartwarming tale about love, friendship, and a Valentine’s Day pact gone awry.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2025

About the author

⭐️USA Today Bestseller⭐️
Ashley Farley writes heartfelt stories about women navigating life’s challenges. Her characters—mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives—face real-life struggles with resilience and grace. Best known for her Sweeney Sisters series, Ashley’s books have touched the hearts of readers far and wide.

A wife and mother of two young adults, for more than two decades, Ashley has split her time between Richmond and the Northern Neck of Virginia. Yet, a piece of her heart will always belong to the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she draws inspiration from the moss-draped oaks, coastal cuisine, and the warm, welcoming spirit of its people.

Ashley loves to hear from her readers.
Visit her website @ http://www.ashleyfarley.com
Sign up for her newsletter @ https://ashleyfarley.com/newsletter-s...
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Reviews

[Bookshelf🧸ྀི ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ ྀི]

╰┈➤Dnf at 77%
I was hoping to like this one so much but nah it was just not it! Wasted my time🫤

[Cathy Cottrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is, or maybe it isn't in the air!

Great, quick read. Witty characters, loved the addition of Henry, but what becomes of him? Such a sweet 8 year boy.
Ashley, I think you should write something like this each Valentine's Day!

[Steph Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

***My star rating is closer to 3.5***
Cute, very quick but predictable hallmark love story. Am I the only one to notice the doctors last name change? Did I miss something, was it explained??

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Valentines read.

[Lori Walton (Personal) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun quick read and yes best friends can be a couple as well!!!

Love Ashley’s books!!!

[Anne Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming story centers around longtime best friends, Jake and Jenna. They briefly dated ten years ago during college but ultimately decided that being best friends suited them better. As Valentine’s Day approaches, they agree to avoid seeing each other and plan to meet for dinner—each with their own special someone. However, this could prove challenging since they live in the same apartment building and both work as nurses at the same hospital. Despite the obstacles, they remain determined to make it work.
Jake signs up for a dating app, cuts off his man bun, and even shaves. Jenna, a romantic at heart, is convinced she’ll find "the one" through a charming meet-cute. As Valentine’s Day nears, both have potential partners lined up for their dinner date. However, if anything can complicate their plans, it certainly does.
This engrossing, fast-paced read features relatable and mostly lovable characters. However, I found myself disliking a handsome doctor that Jenna meets, which added an interesting dynamic to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Jen Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends are people that everyone needs in their lives. Among other things, best friends play jokes on each other, make bets with each other, but do they fall in love with each other? It certainly can be possible. Jake and Jenna have been friends for so long that it’s possible they have been besties for more years than they haven’t been.
Now both Jake and Jenna work as pediatric nurses. Jenna works in the ER and Jake on one of the pediatric floors. They each even live in the same building, just floors apart. It seems like there isn’t a part of life, that the two aren’t entangled.
A bet is made on whether Jake and Jenna can find their own special someone by Valentine’s Day. The winner gets a sacred item. Is it possible one of them found their person? I suggest reading to find out who wins this bet!

[Beth Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartwarming story about life long friends. This is so enjoyable that you won't want to put it down. Jake and Jenna started dating in College when Jenna saw someone kiss Jake she broke up with him and they became best friends. Jenna just never wanted to be hurt again. Jenna and Jake still talk everyday and see each other often as best friends. On NYE they make a bet to see who can find love first and they make a reservation for four on Valentines Day. They both set out to date and hopefully find the one. Can they find love? Will they realize they can't live without each other? This is such a fun read. Ashely Farley does it again. Everything Ashley writes is a hit out of the park. Enjoy! I did!!.

[Kaylen Trejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the concept of this book, but I thought the execution could use a little work. Friends to lovers. Coworkers to lovers. That’s literally my story with my husband lol. I just thought there was too much that didn’t add to the story and instead took away from it.
I will admit though that short stories aren’t my usual jam because I tend to find them rushed or feel like I’m reading a pointless plot.
I liked the style of writing, and although this short story wasn’t my favorite, I know someone else out there will love it (and short stories in general). This would be a great way to get a quick number in for reading challenges :)

[Colleen Hurley Jozwiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story about 2 High School Best Friends and former exes who are struggling to find the one. They decide to take a break from their friendship to see if focusing on meeting someone and having a lasting relationship would work if they didn’t talk or hang out all the time.

Jake and Jenna are both nurses at the same hospital. Jake meets a beautiful lawyer mother who is struggling to juggle life and starts hanging out. Jenna starts a fling with the sexy new doctor. But will things progress for either of them before Valentine’s Day?

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cupid's Count Down is a page turner about best friends, Jake and Jenna, who had a fling ten years ago and are looking for love. On NYE, they make a bet to see who will find love first. Jake tries a dating app, while Jenna meets a doctor in the hospital where she works. Some of the characters are unlikeable, but that only adds to story. Can best friends find love with each other?
This is Ashley Farley's first foray into rom-com short stories and it is nothing short of fabulous!

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a fun, fast paced read leading up to Valentine’s Day, then this book is a sure pick. Two best friends since college, Jenna and Jake decide to quit depending on each other and make a pact to find their special someone and meet up on Valentine’s Day for dinner. But sometimes Cupid has to step in and show these two what has been in front of them all along. I received an early copy from the author of this delightful book and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna and Jake are best friends that dated during college ten years ago. They are both looking to find love. With Valentine’s Day coming soon they make a bet to see who will find love first. They agree not to see each other until then.
Jenna meets a doctor at the hospital she works at, while Jake decides to try a dating app.
Will Jake and Jenna get a second chance at love?
A fast paced read with relatable characters, some you will love and some not so much.

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.

[Patricia Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful short story, the Jenna and Jake story that they have the opportunity to be friends and get a second chance at love. First a contest to get Jenna off his mind but only makes his heart grow fonder for Jenna. Jenna seeing what the dating life is like and slowly realizing what’s in front of her. Highly recommended

[Rose Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story about two best friends who make a bet on New Year's Eve. They have until Valentine's Night to complete the bet. This is a cute, quick read, with romance but closed door spice. A clean story. I liked Jake and Jenna, and the story is predictable but worth the read. Perfect for Valentine's Day.

[Rachel (storybookcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a good friends to lovers + second chance romance. This was a super fun short read for Valentine's Day that can be read in one sitting. If you want to swoon over two friends finding their way, then pick this one up.

[Brittney Packard · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute read!

I was pleasantly surprised by this read. I was about halfway through and really not loving the new relationships so the ending to this was exactly what I was looking for. This was adorable, a great valentine’s story.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lifelong friends Jake and Jenna make a dating bet on New Years Eve. They will avoid each other and meet again at a dinner with what they hoped to be their new partners. The story was cute although there were many additions that didn't add to the plot. Quick read with a HEA.

[Marta Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good Valentines love story

I loved Cupid's Count Down. It is a very cute book and can be read anytime of the year! It's a quick read and good. Of course, every book that Ashley Farley writes is worth reading!

[Andrea Jill Greenleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cupid!!

I loved this cute little story. I was happy to find an Ashley Farley release that I’d not read. It was a fast paced read and once I started reading, I didn’t put it down!

[Ashley Insogna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute quick read!

[Kaileigh Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short read! Enjoyed

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story.

[Betty Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I've read all your books. They are awesome. Keep writing girl. I love these books. I so enjoyed them all

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute, easy to read short story. Great for Valentine’s Day!

[Joanne Valdez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was a cute fast read but seemed childish.

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I had DNF’d this one. I didn’t like the FMC at all, and the MMC wasn’t much better. At least it didn’t take too long to read.

[Robyn Bronstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Anne OK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and silly without much depth -- left lots of open-ended questions in a Valentine's Day friends to lovers trope.

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Le faltó chispa y emoción.