What do you think?
Rate this book
Broken Shelves
More Than a Friend
Ava Greenfell is a single mom trying her best to navigate co-parenting with her ex-husband, working full time, and processing her newly realized romantic feelings for her off-limits best friend with her therapist. The only reason she’s thought about getting back into the dating game is to get over her inconvenient feelings for Skylar.
Skylar Call has secretly pined for her best friend for thirteen years, but resigned herself to being nothing more than a friend due to Ava being straight. Her goal is to be there for Ava in any capacity she can, even if it's not in the way she truly desires.
When Ava comes out and says she’s exploring her sexuality, Skylar’s head starts spinning with ideas about what that could mean. Her confusion only increases when Ava drunkenly asks her to teach her how to pleasure a woman.
Even while knowing a sexual relationship could ruin their friendship, neither of them can say no to crossing that line.
Will their friendship grow into something more? Or will this be the end?
Skylar Call has secretly pined for her best friend for thirteen years, but resigned herself to being nothing more than a friend due to Ava being straight. Her goal is to be there for Ava in any capacity she can, even if it's not in the way she truly desires.
When Ava comes out and says she’s exploring her sexuality, Skylar’s head starts spinning with ideas about what that could mean. Her confusion only increases when Ava drunkenly asks her to teach her how to pleasure a woman.
Even while knowing a sexual relationship could ruin their friendship, neither of them can say no to crossing that line.
Will their friendship grow into something more? Or will this be the end?
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
102 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 10, 2025
A novella about two best friends who have had feelings for each other for years. I liked some things about the book and disliked others.
I liked the friendship between the two women. I found the thought of always being there for each other, no matter how bad the situation was, very beautiful. I also found the portrayal of Ava's former beliefs and church very well done. At the same time, I am shocked, as I obviously didn't know much about Mormons. The conflict with her ex-husband, especially over the upbringing of their two children, was very present and felt real.
I missed the sexual attraction between Ava and Skylar. There were many spicy and smut scenes, but somehow I felt something was missing. I didn't feel the chemistry.
It was okay, but nothing more.
I liked the friendship between the two women. I found the thought of always being there for each other, no matter how bad the situation was, very beautiful. I also found the portrayal of Ava's former beliefs and church very well done. At the same time, I am shocked, as I obviously didn't know much about Mormons. The conflict with her ex-husband, especially over the upbringing of their two children, was very present and felt real.
I missed the sexual attraction between Ava and Skylar. There were many spicy and smut scenes, but somehow I felt something was missing. I didn't feel the chemistry.
It was okay, but nothing more.
October 7, 2025
➥ 3.25 stars ⋆˚࿔
Really fun to read! Loved the religion aspect and how it was addressed.
Really fun to read! Loved the religion aspect and how it was addressed.
July 6, 2025
3.5 / 5 Stars
This is a sapphic novella about Ava and Skylar. Ava has separated from her husband and has left the Mormon church. Skylar has been her best friend for 13 years. Turns out they have feelings for each other and they turn into more than friends (see what I did there with the title – 🏆 for me).
You will probably like this book if you like:
💜 Novellas
💋 Single mom romance
💜 Best friends to lovers
💋 Sex lessons
💜 Pining for years
I love novellas because they are just brain candy – quick, easy reads. Ava and Skylar are unaware of each other’s feelings which can be a frustrating trope to read, especially when they won’t just say it, but in novella length, they get to everything more quickly which felt rewarding. The spice lessons were fun. Ava’s kids were very cute and Skylar was great with them.
This book also touched on other serious topics like religious trauma, homophobia (internalized and externalized), body image, and cheating. I think this is where the novella length didn’t quite serve the story. These are all big topics and because we didn’t have a ton of time with each one, I felt like we got a lot of tell not show. Ava told us (the book is written in first person POV from Ava and Skylar) about her past instead of seeing it unfold in some way (maybe some chapters set in the past?). I truly would have read a longer book so that we could learn more about them and see more of their relationship play out.
Thank you Dairy Wren and Luna Literary for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
___________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Just a sapphic novella as a tasty little treat.
This is a sapphic novella about Ava and Skylar. Ava has separated from her husband and has left the Mormon church. Skylar has been her best friend for 13 years. Turns out they have feelings for each other and they turn into more than friends (see what I did there with the title – 🏆 for me).
You will probably like this book if you like:
💜 Novellas
💋 Single mom romance
💜 Best friends to lovers
💋 Sex lessons
💜 Pining for years
I love novellas because they are just brain candy – quick, easy reads. Ava and Skylar are unaware of each other’s feelings which can be a frustrating trope to read, especially when they won’t just say it, but in novella length, they get to everything more quickly which felt rewarding. The spice lessons were fun. Ava’s kids were very cute and Skylar was great with them.
This book also touched on other serious topics like religious trauma, homophobia (internalized and externalized), body image, and cheating. I think this is where the novella length didn’t quite serve the story. These are all big topics and because we didn’t have a ton of time with each one, I felt like we got a lot of tell not show. Ava told us (the book is written in first person POV from Ava and Skylar) about her past instead of seeing it unfold in some way (maybe some chapters set in the past?). I truly would have read a longer book so that we could learn more about them and see more of their relationship play out.
Thank you Dairy Wren and Luna Literary for providing the eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
___________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Just a sapphic novella as a tasty little treat.
July 5, 2025
This was nice! Pacing was really solid and a lot was fit into the novella without feeling rushed, which I appreciate.
Quite a focus on leaving the Mormon church (which I’m kinda morbidly curious about) and discovering being queer afterwards which I think is a pretty unique story line. The religious trauma wasn’t too sad in this either, Ava has already gone through a lot of deconstruction before the story begins so we don’t go on a healing journey with her, just observe her healed self finally going after what she want.
This book has single mom rep with two cutie patootie kids& they’re childhood best friends to lovers (two tropes I love) so this couldn’t really go wrong for me haha
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC, I enjoyed reading this (review is obviously all my own thoughts)
Quite a focus on leaving the Mormon church (which I’m kinda morbidly curious about) and discovering being queer afterwards which I think is a pretty unique story line. The religious trauma wasn’t too sad in this either, Ava has already gone through a lot of deconstruction before the story begins so we don’t go on a healing journey with her, just observe her healed self finally going after what she want.
This book has single mom rep with two cutie patootie kids& they’re childhood best friends to lovers (two tropes I love) so this couldn’t really go wrong for me haha
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC, I enjoyed reading this (review is obviously all my own thoughts)
September 15, 2025
(rounded down from 4.25)
Look, I love When You Least Expect It and this was basically that story in novella form. We love hot queer lawyer/paralegal ladies who love kids and are crushing on their recently divorced from a horrible husband friend and root for them to get together for a happily ever after. Love that, will read it every single time!
Look, I love When You Least Expect It and this was basically that story in novella form. We love hot queer lawyer/paralegal ladies who love kids and are crushing on their recently divorced from a horrible husband friend and root for them to get together for a happily ever after. Love that, will read it every single time!
October 23, 2025
I needed a quick, fun read before I dove into a darker novella. More Than a Friend did just that! I was surprised how deep the story was able to go with it being a novella. It was a nice surprise. Of course, with every novella, I wanted more. I feel like this would be an epic full-length book exploring the religion, ex-husband and homophobic parents of it all. But I enjoyed the story and will definitely be reading more from the author.
June 12, 2025
i was lucky enough to be given an ARC for this novella!
i’m convinced that i would love daisy’s grocery list at this point! her writing is SO GOOD and this was no exception! I loved seeing Sky and Ava and how they discovered the feelings they had for one another! I loved seeing how Sky interacted with the kids and with Ava. 10/10 so freaking good!
thank you to daisy and her team for letting me read this early!
i’m convinced that i would love daisy’s grocery list at this point! her writing is SO GOOD and this was no exception! I loved seeing Sky and Ava and how they discovered the feelings they had for one another! I loved seeing how Sky interacted with the kids and with Ava. 10/10 so freaking good!
thank you to daisy and her team for letting me read this early!
September 14, 2025
You know that tingly feeling of happiness you get everywhere? That’s this book all over.
Everything is so raw and real. It has all my favourite tropes and I just loved it so so much, my review doesn’t do it justice. I can’t put into words how much I loved it. Please please please release more wlw romance!
I really recommend this one to all my sapphic lovers out there 💗
Single Mom. Best Friends to Lovers. First Person. Dual POV. Plus Size MC.
Everything is so raw and real. It has all my favourite tropes and I just loved it so so much, my review doesn’t do it justice. I can’t put into words how much I loved it. Please please please release more wlw romance!
I really recommend this one to all my sapphic lovers out there 💗
Single Mom. Best Friends to Lovers. First Person. Dual POV. Plus Size MC.
June 17, 2025
⭐️4.5/5
🌶️3/5
Oh wow, I really enjoyed this novella!
Daisy Wren’s writing is engaging and easy to sink into, and the main characters, Ava and Skylar, felt genuine and well-matched. As an ExMo, I really connected with Ava’s process of deconstructing her faith and coming to terms with her sexuality, Daisy’s Broken Shelf series is *chef’s kiss*.
Ava and Skylar chemistry was strong, and the spicy scenes were definitely a highlight 🔥(the spice was spice-ing). I also appreciated that there wasn’t a dramatic third-act breakup. It was refreshing to read a story where the characters actually communicated and stayed grounded in their relationship.
I also have to say that Ava’s kids, Gus and Zoe, are so cute. I loved how naturally they fit into the story, and how Skylar had zero hesitation when it came to showing up for not only Ava but her kids too. 💕
I don’t typically read novellas so there were a couple moments where I caught myself wishing for more build-up between Ava and Skylar, or a little more plot to balance out the spice, but then I’d remember it’s a novella. If there was more of that, it’d probably just be a full-length novel 😂. That’s just a me problem though, not the author’s.
Overall, this was a fun, emotionally resonant, and satisfying read. I finished it in one sitting and found myself thinking about it all day afterwards.
Thanks to Luna Literacy and Daisy Wren for the ARC! 🌙
🌶️3/5
Oh wow, I really enjoyed this novella!
Daisy Wren’s writing is engaging and easy to sink into, and the main characters, Ava and Skylar, felt genuine and well-matched. As an ExMo, I really connected with Ava’s process of deconstructing her faith and coming to terms with her sexuality, Daisy’s Broken Shelf series is *chef’s kiss*.
Ava and Skylar chemistry was strong, and the spicy scenes were definitely a highlight 🔥(the spice was spice-ing). I also appreciated that there wasn’t a dramatic third-act breakup. It was refreshing to read a story where the characters actually communicated and stayed grounded in their relationship.
I also have to say that Ava’s kids, Gus and Zoe, are so cute. I loved how naturally they fit into the story, and how Skylar had zero hesitation when it came to showing up for not only Ava but her kids too. 💕
I don’t typically read novellas so there were a couple moments where I caught myself wishing for more build-up between Ava and Skylar, or a little more plot to balance out the spice, but then I’d remember it’s a novella. If there was more of that, it’d probably just be a full-length novel 😂. That’s just a me problem though, not the author’s.
Overall, this was a fun, emotionally resonant, and satisfying read. I finished it in one sitting and found myself thinking about it all day afterwards.
Thanks to Luna Literacy and Daisy Wren for the ARC! 🌙
June 14, 2025
4,5⭐️
Yes yes yeeeees!!!
So this was my first book by Daisy Wren and my first spicy sapphic novel and I LOVED it!
We’re following Ava, who’s a divorced single mom, trying to find herself, to deal with the toxic father of her children and to overcome religious trauma.
And Skylar, her coworker and best friend of 13 years. Who had been openly gay for a long time, but tries to hide her actual desire.
Together they’re trying to handle their work, their life, Ava‘s kids and their…. Friendship? Because what Skylar doesn’t know is that Ava might be also be a part of the Community.
I loved their friendship and it felt so genuine. Ava being insecure about a lot of things and Skylar trying to downplay what she can without putting more pressure on her. Skylar being so incredibly with her kids was basically the cherry on top.
Also Ava‘s struggling with the religion she fled from felt very personal and so honest.
And oh my god…. The SPICE? I was holding my breath. So hot.
I did wish that I could’ve read a little more about them and that the problematic behavior of her ex was more addressed.
Yes yes yeeeees!!!
So this was my first book by Daisy Wren and my first spicy sapphic novel and I LOVED it!
We’re following Ava, who’s a divorced single mom, trying to find herself, to deal with the toxic father of her children and to overcome religious trauma.
And Skylar, her coworker and best friend of 13 years. Who had been openly gay for a long time, but tries to hide her actual desire.
Together they’re trying to handle their work, their life, Ava‘s kids and their…. Friendship? Because what Skylar doesn’t know is that Ava might be also be a part of the Community.
I loved their friendship and it felt so genuine. Ava being insecure about a lot of things and Skylar trying to downplay what she can without putting more pressure on her. Skylar being so incredibly with her kids was basically the cherry on top.
Also Ava‘s struggling with the religion she fled from felt very personal and so honest.
And oh my god…. The SPICE? I was holding my breath. So hot.
I did wish that I could’ve read a little more about them and that the problematic behavior of her ex was more addressed.
August 7, 2025
3.5 rounded up— i love ex mormons realizing how cult-ish it is and i love when they become lesbians
June 16, 2025
Can I have some more of Ava and Skylar, pretty please? 🥺
On a more serious note, I loved More Than a Friend and wouldn’t have minded spending more time with Ava, Skylar, Gus and Zoe. When I love a story, no matter whether it’s written as a novella or a novel, I don’t want to leave the characters, and I always want to know what happens to them once the last words have been written.
As I’ve said before, Daisy Wren has quickly become an author whose books I’ll read as soon as they’re released. I’ve grown very fond of her stories and writing style. What I find very interesting about her Broken Shelves series is that it has taught me a lot about the process of deconstruction involved in leaving Mormonism—it’s not a widely practised religion in France, where I’m from and live.
In More Than a Friend, Ava divorces both her husband and her religion. She is gradually learning to deconstruct the religion she spent a large part of her life practising. At the time of the story, she is a single mother of two and works at a law firm thanks to her best friend, Skylar, who helped her get hired there. Ava is now discovering and accepting whom she is outside of religion, partly through therapy. She realises that her sexuality is not as heteronormative as her former religion dictated, and without labelling her sexual orientation, she begins to accept her attraction to women and to one woman in particular: her best friend, Skylar.
Skylar has known Ava for thirteen years and has been in love with her best friend for all of that time. However, she assumes that these feelings cannot be reciprocated because, in her eyes, Ava is heterosexual. Nevertheless, Skylar remains a shoulder for Ava to cry on and an ear to listen to her. In short, she is a huge source of support for Ava, especially since her divorce. One day, Ava tells Skylar that she has downloaded some dating apps and lets slip that she is also attracted to women. Once Skylar has recovered from the shock of this news—which is only a shock because it was unexpected to her—and after a few mojitos, Ava asks Skylar to teach her how to pleasure a woman. What the two young women don’t yet realise is that they both have feelings for each other.
Ava and Skylar are simply made for each other. I can’t imagine it any other way for either of them. One reason I believe Skylar is the right woman for Ava is the love that August and Zoe—Ava’s children—have for her. The two children are still confronted with Mormonism through their father, Shea, who still practises the religion and takes them to the temple on weekends when he has custody of them. This really upsets Gus, the eldest of the two siblings, especially when he is confronted with words that cause him a great deal of anxiety. I felt so upset for him at the time 😢
Like many people who have or will read this novella, I feel a lot of violence and animosity towards Shea 🤬😡
As usual when it comes to Daisy Wren’s books, I highly recommend More Than a Friend and the Broken Shelves series in general.
Many thanks to Daisy Wren and Luna Literary Management for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of More Than a Friend. This review is my own. All opinions expressed are mine.
On a more serious note, I loved More Than a Friend and wouldn’t have minded spending more time with Ava, Skylar, Gus and Zoe. When I love a story, no matter whether it’s written as a novella or a novel, I don’t want to leave the characters, and I always want to know what happens to them once the last words have been written.
As I’ve said before, Daisy Wren has quickly become an author whose books I’ll read as soon as they’re released. I’ve grown very fond of her stories and writing style. What I find very interesting about her Broken Shelves series is that it has taught me a lot about the process of deconstruction involved in leaving Mormonism—it’s not a widely practised religion in France, where I’m from and live.
In More Than a Friend, Ava divorces both her husband and her religion. She is gradually learning to deconstruct the religion she spent a large part of her life practising. At the time of the story, she is a single mother of two and works at a law firm thanks to her best friend, Skylar, who helped her get hired there. Ava is now discovering and accepting whom she is outside of religion, partly through therapy. She realises that her sexuality is not as heteronormative as her former religion dictated, and without labelling her sexual orientation, she begins to accept her attraction to women and to one woman in particular: her best friend, Skylar.
Skylar has known Ava for thirteen years and has been in love with her best friend for all of that time. However, she assumes that these feelings cannot be reciprocated because, in her eyes, Ava is heterosexual. Nevertheless, Skylar remains a shoulder for Ava to cry on and an ear to listen to her. In short, she is a huge source of support for Ava, especially since her divorce. One day, Ava tells Skylar that she has downloaded some dating apps and lets slip that she is also attracted to women. Once Skylar has recovered from the shock of this news—which is only a shock because it was unexpected to her—and after a few mojitos, Ava asks Skylar to teach her how to pleasure a woman. What the two young women don’t yet realise is that they both have feelings for each other.
Ava and Skylar are simply made for each other. I can’t imagine it any other way for either of them. One reason I believe Skylar is the right woman for Ava is the love that August and Zoe—Ava’s children—have for her. The two children are still confronted with Mormonism through their father, Shea, who still practises the religion and takes them to the temple on weekends when he has custody of them. This really upsets Gus, the eldest of the two siblings, especially when he is confronted with words that cause him a great deal of anxiety. I felt so upset for him at the time 😢
Like many people who have or will read this novella, I feel a lot of violence and animosity towards Shea 🤬😡
As usual when it comes to Daisy Wren’s books, I highly recommend More Than a Friend and the Broken Shelves series in general.
Many thanks to Daisy Wren and Luna Literary Management for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of More Than a Friend. This review is my own. All opinions expressed are mine.
June 24, 2025
Ava is a good mom who had to get her kids out of a bad marriage and church trauma. Skylar has been her best friend for over a decade and is gay. After leaving her husband and the church (which none of her family supports), Ava is finally learning who she is and just maybe she is someone whose sexuality is "to be determined." Ava has been in therapy talking to her therapist about some feelings she may or may not be having for Skylar and one drunken night she asks her for some education just in case. Of course, Skylar is in love with with Ava and knows this could ruin the friendship.
This was a cute story, quick to read (novella) and Ava & Skylar are just so lovable. The awkwardness of any first encounter was so relatable and make me laugh as I felt the discomfort in my bones! They both cared so deeply for each other for so long that entering into a romantic relationship was just about seamless.
Of course, the response of her ex-husband and her parents was disappointing but I felt I knew that was coming, particularly with the already mentioned church trauma/leaving the church. I was so proud of Ava when she stood up for who she was becoming and for her best friend who already was such a huge part of her and her children's lives.
I always feel like I'm left wanting when I read novellas because I totally could have read an entire novel about these two!
I received an eARC for free and my review is voluntary. Thank you to Daisy Wren and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity!
This was a cute story, quick to read (novella) and Ava & Skylar are just so lovable. The awkwardness of any first encounter was so relatable and make me laugh as I felt the discomfort in my bones! They both cared so deeply for each other for so long that entering into a romantic relationship was just about seamless.
Of course, the response of her ex-husband and her parents was disappointing but I felt I knew that was coming, particularly with the already mentioned church trauma/leaving the church. I was so proud of Ava when she stood up for who she was becoming and for her best friend who already was such a huge part of her and her children's lives.
I always feel like I'm left wanting when I read novellas because I totally could have read an entire novel about these two!
I received an eARC for free and my review is voluntary. Thank you to Daisy Wren and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity!
July 6, 2025
I received an ARC for More Than a Friend by Daisy Wren in exchange for an honest review.
What I really loved about the book is the love Ava and Skylar have for each other and how that is written. Since they have been friends for so long, their friendship is so important to them and the reader really feels this. I also loved Ava's bond with her children but also how Skylar fit into their family.
Even though I don't have any experience with Mormons or leaving a church, I feel like Daisy Wren really portrayed what it is like for Ava. It is not easy for Ava, being divorced but also experiencing and exploring her sexuality. She is finally finding herself, but it takes a long while before she is supported by the people around her from before. It is such a brave thing to leave your church behind and it must be so hard if you're not being understood by the people close to you.
It turns out I'm not really a fan of novellas. Too much is happening in too little time.
From the start it is clear that both Ava and Skylar want to be in a relationship with the other person, but they are too scared that the other will reject them. During a sleepover, when they are both a bit tipsy, an idea forms: Ava is inexperienced in relationships with women and maybe Skylar can teach her. The teaching part was too short in my opinion. I would have loved to read more about that, since these moments were so special for both Ava and Skylar. It was so much more for them than just sex. Since this felt rushed to me, the start of their relationship also felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to read more about Ava and Skylar in an easier pace.
What I really loved about the book is the love Ava and Skylar have for each other and how that is written. Since they have been friends for so long, their friendship is so important to them and the reader really feels this. I also loved Ava's bond with her children but also how Skylar fit into their family.
Even though I don't have any experience with Mormons or leaving a church, I feel like Daisy Wren really portrayed what it is like for Ava. It is not easy for Ava, being divorced but also experiencing and exploring her sexuality. She is finally finding herself, but it takes a long while before she is supported by the people around her from before. It is such a brave thing to leave your church behind and it must be so hard if you're not being understood by the people close to you.
It turns out I'm not really a fan of novellas. Too much is happening in too little time.
From the start it is clear that both Ava and Skylar want to be in a relationship with the other person, but they are too scared that the other will reject them. During a sleepover, when they are both a bit tipsy, an idea forms: Ava is inexperienced in relationships with women and maybe Skylar can teach her. The teaching part was too short in my opinion. I would have loved to read more about that, since these moments were so special for both Ava and Skylar. It was so much more for them than just sex. Since this felt rushed to me, the start of their relationship also felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to read more about Ava and Skylar in an easier pace.
July 17, 2025
It’s no surprise I loved this one! Daisy Wren’s writing makes my heart so happy! Here she was able to put so much love and healing into less than 200 pages! Ava and Skylar were perfect!! Friends to lovers is honestly the superior trope! And watching them finally be able to voice their feelings and watching Ava find herself and find someone to really make her happy and make her feel seen was SO beautiful! I loved how easily they were able to become a family, because they already were. Skylar was always another support person in Ava and her kids lives.
I also really appreciate how Daisy writes the hard things. It’s always hard truths and big feelings. I also really appreciate that the resolutions take time - because not everything is so easily resolved.
I am a huge fan of Daisy Wren and can’t wait to keep reading her books!!
I also really appreciate how Daisy writes the hard things. It’s always hard truths and big feelings. I also really appreciate that the resolutions take time - because not everything is so easily resolved.
I am a huge fan of Daisy Wren and can’t wait to keep reading her books!!
June 24, 2025
Daisy....you got me to sit still and read this book in one sitting!
First off, Ava and Skylar are the sweetest friends. But they are both crushing hard and have more than friendship feelings for one another. Ava is carrying so much on her plate between being a mom, dealing with her loser of an ex, breaking free of her religious upbringing, and trying to navigate her feelings. And Skylar is over here like LOOK AT ME, LET ME HELP YOU AND CARE FOR YOU. *swoon*
Don't get me started on the "spicy lessons" in this book, so freaking hot! Ava coming into her own and going after what she wanted added an extra layer of hotness to it all as well.
This is the perfect book for those looking for short, sweet, and spicy!
First off, Ava and Skylar are the sweetest friends. But they are both crushing hard and have more than friendship feelings for one another. Ava is carrying so much on her plate between being a mom, dealing with her loser of an ex, breaking free of her religious upbringing, and trying to navigate her feelings. And Skylar is over here like LOOK AT ME, LET ME HELP YOU AND CARE FOR YOU. *swoon*
Don't get me started on the "spicy lessons" in this book, so freaking hot! Ava coming into her own and going after what she wanted added an extra layer of hotness to it all as well.
This is the perfect book for those looking for short, sweet, and spicy!
June 12, 2025
I needed to get lost in a story and this one did not disappoint. The story features Ava a single mom and her best friend Skylar. The two have unknowingly been secretly crushing on each other. Through therapy, Ava is able to work out her feelings and take a chance at the possibility of love with Skylar. Skylar has always been openly gay and at first she questioned Ava’s desire to be with her romantically. Regardless of their hesitations, they both agreed to one time exploration. This led to them opening up and realizing that they in fact were and had been in love for quite some time. I absolutely loved Ava and Sky’s love story. It was a quick, spicy, easy read. It was my first read by Daisy Wren and will definitely not be my last.
Book Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️5/5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Favorite Quotes:
“We’re all human, Ava. We’re all scared of rejection. Some of us are better at pretending we’re not.”
“Good things never come without their risks.”
“My body is your playground. Have it, sweetheart.”
“Are you going to be a good girl and be quiet?”
Tropes:
💝 Best Friends to Lovers
💝 Sapphic Romance
💝 Single Mom
💝 Workplace Romance
💝 Spicy Lessons
💝 Gay Awakening
💝"Just Once"
Book Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️5/5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Favorite Quotes:
“We’re all human, Ava. We’re all scared of rejection. Some of us are better at pretending we’re not.”
“Good things never come without their risks.”
“My body is your playground. Have it, sweetheart.”
“Are you going to be a good girl and be quiet?”
Tropes:
💝 Best Friends to Lovers
💝 Sapphic Romance
💝 Single Mom
💝 Workplace Romance
💝 Spicy Lessons
💝 Gay Awakening
💝"Just Once"
June 15, 2025
More Than A Friend is such a cute sapphic romance! Ava and Sky are so sweet together!
🩷Best friends to lovers
🩷Sapphic romance
🩷Single mom
🩷Workplace romance
Ava has been divorced and a single mom for over a year and now she wants to get back into the dating world. What she doesn’t expect is to see her best friend Sky as more than a friend lately.
Sky has been out and in love with her bestie for thirteen years, but she never exclaimed or acted on her attraction in respect for Ava’s relationship and self proclaimed straightness.
But now that Ava is looking for spicy lessons with a woman, Sky is the perfect person to teach her. But will she be able to keep her feelings to herself?
These two are adorable and so hot! Their spicy scenes were off the charts and this took being a best friend to a whole new level! I loved Ava’s confidence right out of the gate and Sky’s willingness to give her what she wants.
This is my first Daisy Wren book and definitely not my last.
🩷Best friends to lovers
🩷Sapphic romance
🩷Single mom
🩷Workplace romance
Ava has been divorced and a single mom for over a year and now she wants to get back into the dating world. What she doesn’t expect is to see her best friend Sky as more than a friend lately.
Sky has been out and in love with her bestie for thirteen years, but she never exclaimed or acted on her attraction in respect for Ava’s relationship and self proclaimed straightness.
But now that Ava is looking for spicy lessons with a woman, Sky is the perfect person to teach her. But will she be able to keep her feelings to herself?
These two are adorable and so hot! Their spicy scenes were off the charts and this took being a best friend to a whole new level! I loved Ava’s confidence right out of the gate and Sky’s willingness to give her what she wants.
This is my first Daisy Wren book and definitely not my last.
October 12, 2025
Two best friends who secretly have loved each other for longer than they realize. Ava recently divorced, experiences bi-awakening while working through her challenges. The difficult part is being looked down upon for leaving the church. While it’s difficult Ava’s child make it feel normal.
The character development was everything. Seeing how Ava developed and fell hard was perfectly placed and perfectly balanced.
The character development was everything. Seeing how Ava developed and fell hard was perfectly placed and perfectly balanced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
Less than alright but not entirely terrible
June 12, 2025
ARC Review: Thank you so much to Daisy Wren and Luna Literary Management for sending me a copy of this novella to read and review
First off, this book should come with a warning that you’ll need a cold shower!
Ava is a divorced single mom who not only separated from her husband in the divorce, but also the Mormon religion. In the two years since her divorce, she’s been going to therapy. In the process, she realizes that she’s a lesbian and always has been. Growing up in the Mormon church had caused her to repress that.
Skylar is Ava’s best friend. She’s had a crush on Ava since they were teenagers. When Ava comes out to her, she asks Skylar to “teach her”. Skylar is the ultimate golden retriever girlfriend. Skylar shows Ava that she doesn’t have to do it alone and that it’s ok to ask for help. Skylar also 100% had Ava’s back when it comes to her jerk ex-husband, and we love to see it.
This book does deal with religious trauma and homophobia.
First off, this book should come with a warning that you’ll need a cold shower!
Ava is a divorced single mom who not only separated from her husband in the divorce, but also the Mormon religion. In the two years since her divorce, she’s been going to therapy. In the process, she realizes that she’s a lesbian and always has been. Growing up in the Mormon church had caused her to repress that.
Skylar is Ava’s best friend. She’s had a crush on Ava since they were teenagers. When Ava comes out to her, she asks Skylar to “teach her”. Skylar is the ultimate golden retriever girlfriend. Skylar shows Ava that she doesn’t have to do it alone and that it’s ok to ask for help. Skylar also 100% had Ava’s back when it comes to her jerk ex-husband, and we love to see it.
This book does deal with religious trauma and homophobia.
June 23, 2025
I love all of Daisy's stories and this one was no exception.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this novella and I can't wait for everyone else to get their hands on it!
Skylar and Ava's relationship is so sweet and I love that Ava took care of herself. Shae can eat sh*t.
Single mom is one of my favorite tropes in the whole world and at this point, if Daisy writes it, I'm going to read it. She is an auto-buy/download/ARC application forever
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this novella and I can't wait for everyone else to get their hands on it!
Skylar and Ava's relationship is so sweet and I love that Ava took care of herself. Shae can eat sh*t.
Single mom is one of my favorite tropes in the whole world and at this point, if Daisy writes it, I'm going to read it. She is an auto-buy/download/ARC application forever
June 23, 2025
**⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 4/5**
This was my first Daisy Wren book and my second sapphic romance—and I’m officially hooked!
I went in expecting a cute, spicy novella and got so much more. More Than a Friend is sweet, emotional, and full of heart. Ava and Skylar were such a joy to read. Their chemistry? Off the charts. And I loved that they were in the dark about each other’s feelings—it made for some adorably awkward moments that felt so real. Following Ava’s therapy journey and her realization about her feelings was *perfect*.
Skylar was such a standout for me. Her patience, her love for Ava’s kids, and the way she supported Ava without pushing her too hard—it all just made me melt. And the spice? Whew. 🔥 It was intense in the best way, but still grounded in emotion.
I really liked how the story touched on Ava’s religious trauma and the challenges with her ex—it felt honest and real. I do wish we’d gotten a bit more closure or depth in those areas, especially with how much they impacted her. But honestly, the focus on Ava’s personal growth and her evolving relationship with Skylar was so strong that it still felt really satisfying overall.
Honestly, my only complaint is that I wanted more!! I don’t usually read novellas, but I could’ve easily read a full-length novel about these two. I didn’t want to leave them.
If you love friends-to-lovers, queer romance, or stories about healing and found family, definitely check this one out. I’ll be reading more from Daisy Wren for sure!
Thank you to Daisy Wren and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity! This review is my own. All opinions expressed are mine.
This was my first Daisy Wren book and my second sapphic romance—and I’m officially hooked!
I went in expecting a cute, spicy novella and got so much more. More Than a Friend is sweet, emotional, and full of heart. Ava and Skylar were such a joy to read. Their chemistry? Off the charts. And I loved that they were in the dark about each other’s feelings—it made for some adorably awkward moments that felt so real. Following Ava’s therapy journey and her realization about her feelings was *perfect*.
Skylar was such a standout for me. Her patience, her love for Ava’s kids, and the way she supported Ava without pushing her too hard—it all just made me melt. And the spice? Whew. 🔥 It was intense in the best way, but still grounded in emotion.
I really liked how the story touched on Ava’s religious trauma and the challenges with her ex—it felt honest and real. I do wish we’d gotten a bit more closure or depth in those areas, especially with how much they impacted her. But honestly, the focus on Ava’s personal growth and her evolving relationship with Skylar was so strong that it still felt really satisfying overall.
Honestly, my only complaint is that I wanted more!! I don’t usually read novellas, but I could’ve easily read a full-length novel about these two. I didn’t want to leave them.
If you love friends-to-lovers, queer romance, or stories about healing and found family, definitely check this one out. I’ll be reading more from Daisy Wren for sure!
Thank you to Daisy Wren and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity! This review is my own. All opinions expressed are mine.
June 25, 2025
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5 (rounded up)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ / 5
This contemporary sapphic novella is tooth-achingly sweet. It’s very low angst with easy-to-root for characters facing relatable challenges. The depiction of life after divorce, single parenting, co-parenting, and finding one’s way after major life and belief system upheaval are handled with care.
Our leads, Ava and Skylar, have been best friends for 13 years, having met in school. Given how quick their story needs to unfold, there’s a lot of backstory shared in internal monologue. While there’s the potential to feel bogged down, Wren balances the telling and real time action well.
I flew through this enjoyable read and loved the HEA. I would’ve enjoyed a peek at more of them bringing their lives together and overcoming the challenges raised in the last quarter of the book, but I’m happy with what we got to see.
Definitely recommended for fans of sapphic romance and authors like Rian Birch, Sahara Lane, and similar!
📚Fast facts📚
✨ Friends-to-lovers
✨ Awakening
✨ Single mom
✨ “Teach me”
✨ Love after divorce
✨ Mental health rep
✨ Freeing oneself from religion
✨ Open door
✨ Contemporary FF novella
✨ Standalone
✨ First person, dual POV, present tense
I am so grateful to the author and Luna Literary Management to have received an advanced copy of this story! This is my honest and unbiased review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ / 5
This contemporary sapphic novella is tooth-achingly sweet. It’s very low angst with easy-to-root for characters facing relatable challenges. The depiction of life after divorce, single parenting, co-parenting, and finding one’s way after major life and belief system upheaval are handled with care.
Our leads, Ava and Skylar, have been best friends for 13 years, having met in school. Given how quick their story needs to unfold, there’s a lot of backstory shared in internal monologue. While there’s the potential to feel bogged down, Wren balances the telling and real time action well.
I flew through this enjoyable read and loved the HEA. I would’ve enjoyed a peek at more of them bringing their lives together and overcoming the challenges raised in the last quarter of the book, but I’m happy with what we got to see.
Definitely recommended for fans of sapphic romance and authors like Rian Birch, Sahara Lane, and similar!
📚Fast facts📚
✨ Friends-to-lovers
✨ Awakening
✨ Single mom
✨ “Teach me”
✨ Love after divorce
✨ Mental health rep
✨ Freeing oneself from religion
✨ Open door
✨ Contemporary FF novella
✨ Standalone
✨ First person, dual POV, present tense
I am so grateful to the author and Luna Literary Management to have received an advanced copy of this story! This is my honest and unbiased review.
June 25, 2025
Thank you to Luna Literary and Daisy Wren for letting me read an ARC of this novella!
I don't know what it is about it but I am sucker for the "teach me" trope where an inexperienced person asks their more experienced friend to show them something whether it be something like flirting or even as far as sex. It's such a fun read every time. The spice was my favorite thing about this, I loved how comfortable Ava and Skylar were with each other and the way that Ava was able to tell Skylar exactly what she wanted to learn in bed. I liked Ava and Skylar, they are both very interesting characters even if we do get to learn WAY more about Ava than we do about Skylar. Ava is trying her best to be a good mom while also learning as a person and I was rooting for her the whole time.
I normally LOVE novellas, but I really feel like this story would have really benefitted from being a fully length novel. It deals with a lot of topics like internalized homophobia, escaping a oppressive religious life, coparenting with someone still in that religious life, external homophobia and therapy and with it being a novella, I felt like outside of Ava and Skylar being happy together and in love, things weren't wrapped up in a satisfying way.
I will definitely be checking out more from this author!
I don't know what it is about it but I am sucker for the "teach me" trope where an inexperienced person asks their more experienced friend to show them something whether it be something like flirting or even as far as sex. It's such a fun read every time. The spice was my favorite thing about this, I loved how comfortable Ava and Skylar were with each other and the way that Ava was able to tell Skylar exactly what she wanted to learn in bed. I liked Ava and Skylar, they are both very interesting characters even if we do get to learn WAY more about Ava than we do about Skylar. Ava is trying her best to be a good mom while also learning as a person and I was rooting for her the whole time.
I normally LOVE novellas, but I really feel like this story would have really benefitted from being a fully length novel. It deals with a lot of topics like internalized homophobia, escaping a oppressive religious life, coparenting with someone still in that religious life, external homophobia and therapy and with it being a novella, I felt like outside of Ava and Skylar being happy together and in love, things weren't wrapped up in a satisfying way.
I will definitely be checking out more from this author!
June 20, 2025
More Than a Friend is a beautifully written, heartwarming sapphic novella about Ava, a divorced single mom who’s left both her husband and the Mormon religion. Through therapy and self-discovery, she realizes she’s a lesbian—something she had long repressed due to her upbringing. What unfolds is a tender, spicy, and empowering friends-to-lovers romance with Skylar, her best friend who’s quietly loved her for years.
Ava and Skylar are simply perfect together. Their chemistry is off the charts, and Skylar’s unwavering support—especially when it comes to Ava’s kids and her toxic ex—is what love truly looks like. The story doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of leaving a restrictive religion, especially when children are still involved. My heart broke for Gus, Ava’s eldest, who struggles with the harmful messages he still hears from his father—and yes, I felt a lot of rage toward Shea!
Daisy Wren continues to blow me away. She’s an auto-buy author for me now—I’ll read anything she writes. More Than a Friend is sweet, spicy, and full of heart, and I already miss these characters. Highly recommend this novella and the Broken Shelves series!
Ava and Skylar are simply perfect together. Their chemistry is off the charts, and Skylar’s unwavering support—especially when it comes to Ava’s kids and her toxic ex—is what love truly looks like. The story doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight of leaving a restrictive religion, especially when children are still involved. My heart broke for Gus, Ava’s eldest, who struggles with the harmful messages he still hears from his father—and yes, I felt a lot of rage toward Shea!
Daisy Wren continues to blow me away. She’s an auto-buy author for me now—I’ll read anything she writes. More Than a Friend is sweet, spicy, and full of heart, and I already miss these characters. Highly recommend this novella and the Broken Shelves series!
June 25, 2025
I could have read a full length novel about Ava and Skylar’s story! This childhood friends to lovers, bi awakening, holy smokes I think I LOVE LOVE my best friend book was just amazing from start to finish!
Single mom Ava is still finding herself after a divorce and leaving the Church she always knew. As she unravels the lies and bigotry she grew up surrounded by, she does so with the support of her best friend, Skylar.
The pair have been best friends since high school and Skylar knows it could be trouble agreeing to Ava when she asks Sky for lessons on pleasing women. She tries to stuff down her feelings and be supportive of her best friend, all while knowing she’s fighting a losing battle.
Ava’s side of the story isn’t without turmoil and frustrations. Her ex-husband and parents are deeply rooted in their beliefs, and her husband refuses to see the damage he’s doing emotionally to their 6 year old son.
This novella was packed with spice and storyline and has me wanting to check out even more of Daisy’s work! Thank you Luna Literary for the ARC!!
Single mom Ava is still finding herself after a divorce and leaving the Church she always knew. As she unravels the lies and bigotry she grew up surrounded by, she does so with the support of her best friend, Skylar.
The pair have been best friends since high school and Skylar knows it could be trouble agreeing to Ava when she asks Sky for lessons on pleasing women. She tries to stuff down her feelings and be supportive of her best friend, all while knowing she’s fighting a losing battle.
Ava’s side of the story isn’t without turmoil and frustrations. Her ex-husband and parents are deeply rooted in their beliefs, and her husband refuses to see the damage he’s doing emotionally to their 6 year old son.
This novella was packed with spice and storyline and has me wanting to check out even more of Daisy’s work! Thank you Luna Literary for the ARC!!
June 16, 2025
Sweet sweet Romance book 🍨💕
I really enjoyed this book so much and I think it’s so short and sweet. I did love how the lines blurred between friendship and romance and the tension was insane.
— Friends to Lovers
— Single Mom x Lawyer
— Friendship and sisterhood
This is about a woman who ends up being a single mother after realizing she deserves better in her marriage. Gaslighted into a toxic religion and abusive and toxic marriage, she moves on with her life even though it’s difficult and begins to see her best friend of thirteen years in a different light. The gag is that her best friend has loved her for a long time so the pinning and angst is top tier.
I enjoyed the light shed on how toxic religion can be and very harmful and it’s never too late to discover yourself.
The way Skylar always encouraged her and was there for Ava and her kids is what love truly is.
A brilliant and sweet novella.
I recommend.
Thank you to Luna Literary for the ARC, I appreciate.
I really enjoyed this book so much and I think it’s so short and sweet. I did love how the lines blurred between friendship and romance and the tension was insane.
— Friends to Lovers
— Single Mom x Lawyer
— Friendship and sisterhood
This is about a woman who ends up being a single mother after realizing she deserves better in her marriage. Gaslighted into a toxic religion and abusive and toxic marriage, she moves on with her life even though it’s difficult and begins to see her best friend of thirteen years in a different light. The gag is that her best friend has loved her for a long time so the pinning and angst is top tier.
I enjoyed the light shed on how toxic religion can be and very harmful and it’s never too late to discover yourself.
The way Skylar always encouraged her and was there for Ava and her kids is what love truly is.
A brilliant and sweet novella.
I recommend.
Thank you to Luna Literary for the ARC, I appreciate.
June 20, 2025
More Than a Friend is a spicy friends to lovers Sapphic romance that is going to knock you off your feet. It's full of emotions, steamy intimate scenes and a happy ever after that is going to make your heart swell with joy.
Ava and Skylar are friends. Skylar has helped Ava get through a divorce and has always had a slight crush on Ava but Ava was off limits because she never showed any interest in women or anyone non-binary. Until now...
I loved this novella for many reasons. For one, the sex scenes were not cringe. A lot of times when I read Sapphic books they get everything right BUT the sex scenes. Which then ruins it for me. But this.. was SPOT ON (when you're figuring out what to do). More Than Friend is about as realistic as you can get with a friends to lovers with a sprinkle of religious situations (from her ex husband pushing the Mormon religion).
If you're looking for a quick read with NO 3rd act breakup AND a happy ever after.. then nab this up!
Ava and Skylar are friends. Skylar has helped Ava get through a divorce and has always had a slight crush on Ava but Ava was off limits because she never showed any interest in women or anyone non-binary. Until now...
I loved this novella for many reasons. For one, the sex scenes were not cringe. A lot of times when I read Sapphic books they get everything right BUT the sex scenes. Which then ruins it for me. But this.. was SPOT ON (when you're figuring out what to do). More Than Friend is about as realistic as you can get with a friends to lovers with a sprinkle of religious situations (from her ex husband pushing the Mormon religion).
If you're looking for a quick read with NO 3rd act breakup AND a happy ever after.. then nab this up!
July 12, 2025
rating 4 1/2 spice 2
More than a friend is a sapphic, friends to lovers with "teach me" moments. This follows Ava is a single mom who has been divorced for about two years. After the divorce she went through the process of learning more about herself. One is how to be happy. Skyler is apart of the lgbtqiap+ community. She has had a crush on her friend of thirteen years. Available wants to know what it is like to be with a woman, who else to ask than her friend. This story is cute, cute in a good way. Seeing Ava as a single mom trying to teach her kids a different point of view was personally eye opening to me. What I found interesting is the mormon topic. There isnt a lot I know about the topic, so I want to be more educated about that. Off topic sorry, reading about Ava growing into herself and loving herself was great. Skylar stepping up and noticing when she was struggling and doing something about it, loved it!
More than a friend is a sapphic, friends to lovers with "teach me" moments. This follows Ava is a single mom who has been divorced for about two years. After the divorce she went through the process of learning more about herself. One is how to be happy. Skyler is apart of the lgbtqiap+ community. She has had a crush on her friend of thirteen years. Available wants to know what it is like to be with a woman, who else to ask than her friend. This story is cute, cute in a good way. Seeing Ava as a single mom trying to teach her kids a different point of view was personally eye opening to me. What I found interesting is the mormon topic. There isnt a lot I know about the topic, so I want to be more educated about that. Off topic sorry, reading about Ava growing into herself and loving herself was great. Skylar stepping up and noticing when she was struggling and doing something about it, loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews