To Lagos for Love: A Friends-to-Lovers Romance

by Melissa Tereze

When you’re pining from afar, distance can be just an illusion.

Laura Ross doesn’t know what circle of hell she’s in, but it’s torture. Because somewhere between business meetings and late-night laughter, and somewhere in the midst of her boss, Natasha Ainsworth, transforming her into a successful luxury real estate agent, Laura fell. Hard.

Confessing her feelings could break the most meaningful friendship of her life. So Laura swallows them down, wears a smile, and politely declines Natasha’s yearly invitation to her annual getaway in Portugal. The temptation to go one comment or one touch further would be too great.

Natasha is considering a permanent move to Portugal, telling herself she’s ready for a slower pace of life, better weather, and a fresh start. But the truth is, it’s Laura. Or more accurately, it’s everything Natasha can’t say to her. The feelings that build every time Laura smiles, and the words she’s terrified will escape her lips and ruin Want. Need. Love.

And then, after years of refusals, Laura shows up on the doorstep of Natasha’s clifftop villa, suitcase in hand.

Can time alone beneath the Portuguese sun unlock the dream of a future they both thought impossible? Or will secrets and long-held fears unravel it all before it’s even begun?

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

Melissa Tereze is a best-selling author living in Liverpool, UK, with her fiancée and Golden Retriever. She holds a degree in Sports Development, and when she’s not writing, she can be found at a local bar singing one of her favourite tracks.

You can contact Melissa through her social media and her website.

Reviews

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Melissa Tereze does it again! Natasha has a fabulous realty business,selling multimillion dollar mansions, and estates. Her prodigy is Laura who is just as good as Natasha in selling properties. They each have a secret, they're in love with one another. But Laura thinks Natasha, who is older and divorced,is straight.
When Natasha takes a vacation to her property in Lagos, Portugal, she invites Laura (as she has invited her in the past). Laura finally says yes.
When Laura finds out a secret about Natasha, things change between them. They get closer!
This is another beautiful age gap, HOT, love story! A FAVORITE!! I LOVE THIS BOOK! 5 stars!!

[Jess Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and lighthearted

Another banger from Melissa. This was very low angst and just a really sweet friends to lovers story. And it makes me want to take a trip to Portugal!

[Rebecca MacAlister · Rating 3 out of 5]

repetitive

Seemed like from the moment they admitted their feelings for each other, they kept saying the same thing over, and over, and over. There was no growth after that. Just fumbling and awkwardness. This is very unusual with this author.

[Gina L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha & Laura Loved Them! Lagos Portugal Love It! Melissa Tereze Love Her!

There was so much to love with this book. The writing was superb. It had heart, it had depth and it had promise. The main characters, Natasha & Laura. How hard life is when you are so in love with someone that must be kept inside. To be with said person almost everyday but unable to speak the truth. It is one thing when you work with your hard crush, it is another when that person is your best friend that you love with all your heart. Things change after Laura suffers another breakup and Natasha has already left for her annual vacation in Lagos Portugal. When she once again extends the invitation to join her at her villa, Laura decides to take her up on it. She has convinced herself that it is only two weeks and she could put her heart away while there. But she is not the only one who is having trouble controlling her own emotions, Natasha is having an extremely hard time of it until they run into her fling. Cat who was trying to hit on Laura, drops that attempt once she sees Laura’s best friend for the chartered boat ride Laura reserved is Natasha, she hasn’t seen nor heard from for years. What truths come out affects all three women. This story was about loyalty, about sacrifices made for the love of friendship and ultimately the decision to address the elephant in the room. I love this book. Melissa Tereze just keeps getting better and her experiences being in Lagos Portugal comes through in this book. Now I need to go and see for myself.

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this book would transport me to the beautiful Algarve, Portugal,
so I just relaxed in my favorite spot and enjoyed this wonderful romance.
I just couldn't put it down! I also knew there wouldn't be a breakup or anything in the third act, but there was still a bit of tension and a hint of jealousy, which added a nice spice to the whole stoty, and it definitely wasn't boring!
Quite the opposite! Lauren and Natasha's love story is just as exciting as any other love story in Melissa Tereze's books.
Even though they're already best friends, they've hidden a lot and definitely kept their feelings for each other to themselves.
Neither of them can imagine anything other than friendship developing into anything else.
Because that's just wishful thinking, right?!
Summer, sun and the breathtaking landscape of Lagos in the Algarve lead to a very beautiful, light and touching love story
Thanks so much for this ARC and another beautiful book!

[Samantha Busa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg how do I put into word how much I loved this book!!

When I knew this book was gonna be a Portugal age gap romance, I knew I had to read it! This booked checked off every box for me, I love that it was a friends to lovers romance, about two best friends who have been secretly in love with each other for years, and Natasha only ever being with one woman ever many years before for like a week fling , but in her heart she knew she had always wanted her best friend Laura. I love that this book didn’t put them together straight off the bat, I love the slow burn feeling, and the build up of taking their long friendship to the next level and crossing the bridge into lovers. Also why I loved this book was because in the next year or 2 my fiancé and I are planning to move to Portugal, and I may be feeling Lagos now after reading this story, and i sure would go to Lagos for love. Thank you Melissa for another fantastic read, can’t wait for the next one. :)

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both Natasha and Laura have feelings for each other, but both don't want to risk their friendship. But when Laura gets dumped, Natasha invites her to join her on vacation.

Natasha is also considering semi-retiring, which bothers Laura as she won't see her as much. As both pine over each other, Laura learns Natasha had a affair there... with a woman.

Bit of a slog. For the first 1/3 of the book they just pine for each other and don't talk. I wanted to bang their heads together. Which is weird as I usually like slow burns.

3 out of 5. The end half was good.

(Also the font choice for 'Lagos' makes me keep reading it as LEGOS. Oops.)

[Maria Magdalena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a M Tereze fan, loved most of her books. This one to me was a disappointment. I understand it's a love story to Lagos - but the actual love story between the two MC's is kinda boring. OK, so they secretly pined for each other for ages - being best friends and all and not wanting to loose that relationship. But when they finally fess-up the story becomes oh so repetitive. I read to about 75%, not waiting for the 3rd act misunderstanding/split up/ make up (which usually happens in these type of stories) - I just did not care if they stayed together or not.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was ready for a good book and this one did not disappoint. This story had what a lot of us have gone through, falling for out best friend. Will she or won't she reciprocate those feelings, the angst is real. Will she or won't she if I ever get the guts to tell her? I don't want to ruin the story for those who are reading about Laura and Natasha. We will just say it is well worth the money to buy the book.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story!
Natasha and Laura are so good together. Taking that step from friends to more is a scary one, sometimes it goes better than you ever imagined.
The setting is beautiful, the story is incredibly sweet, even though they are a fictional couple, I hope MT doesn’t put them through the wringer if future books are on the horizon.
I’ll admit, this one did bring back memories, just in reverse…
Take that risk, it just might change your life!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful but repetitive!

I enjoyed the story of two best friends, Natasha and Laura, luxury property agents in England then Portugal. They actually realized they were in love early on. Going from best friends to lovers is tricky to write. While their emotions were well-written, it often felt repetitive. Their friendship was truly special and the scenery appeared breathtaking. Heck, I'd like to visit that villa!

[Lis Reads Everything · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Melissa Terese. I laughed, I cried, and I smiled so hard I thought my face would crack. This book was absolutely divine and I really wish I could read it again for the first time.
The pining between the characters was really well done and easily felt. And when they finally admit it all...well, it's just even more delicious from then on.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully sunny book. A friends to lovers story that was perfectly written. The tension between Natasha and Laura is palpable throughout the book and I loved reading how they navigated their change in relationship.

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a phenomenal story I loved the main characters their connection was embedded beautifully throughout but their individual struggles were described with so much depth giving you front row seats into their world ,I couldn't put it down definitely must read congratulations

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful

Pages filled with courage and passion that leads to a happily ever after. After taking the leap of faith to living an authentic life with the one that truly fills your heart.

[Lydia Beskalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book

Another amazing book by an amazing author. It was lighthearted and beautiful. Seeing the two MCs finally admit what they were feeling and seeing them build their life together was so sweet. Great job !!

[kayo · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF ~45%.
I’m all for friends to lovers and years of pining, however, this book fell incredibly short of encapsulating a true story. MC’s were boring and too predictable. I thought it would get drawn out longer but it was just stupid miscommunication after another.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friends to lovers story in the classic Melissa Tereze style, throughly enjoyed it.

[Stephanie Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this book was so good. I loved it, I couldn't read it fast enough but then I didn't want it to end. It has all the feels and everything I love in a good book. Great job!

[Nh lakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the relatable MCs. Found myself thinking about the story while running errands.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

All of her books are amazing, but this one was breathtaking. Such an amazing love story between best friends and the Portuguese sun.