What do you think?
Rate this book
Leah and Jake Ruin Their Friendship
Are best friends, mutual pining, and meddling families the ingredients for true love, or are Leah and Jake a recipe for certain disaster?
Millennial and bad movie junkie Leah Roth didn’t think her life would still be so directionless in her thirties. Not everything’s bad. She’s living in a small town straight out of Gilmore Girls with her eleven-year-old son and her friends and family. But her dating life is another story. There was the guy who insisted that his pet snake sleep next to them, the cheating ex who was more interested in admiring his muscles than changing diapers, and the amateur magician who tried to see how big he could grow his handlebar mustache. The one person who is always able to listen to her relationship woes is her best friend, Jake Bradley. Between telling him about her love life and taking trips down memory lane, she hopes the one thing they don’t talk about is the crush she’s had on him for years.
Jake Bradley was ten when his family relocated from Ireland to Minnesota. His world was rocked on day one by his new next-door neighbor, Leah Roth. They became best friends immediately, bonding over Game Boy, terrible films, and his love of baking. But underneath his jokes and self-deprecating personality, Jake has a secret—he’s been in love with Leah for a long time. After letting the chance to be with her slip by years ago, Jake has convinced himself that there is no way that Leah has feelings for him…
When Jake suddenly finds himself single, both friends realize that the timing might be right to admit their feelings. Will Leah and Jake be brave enough to take a chance on love and each other?
Millennial and bad movie junkie Leah Roth didn’t think her life would still be so directionless in her thirties. Not everything’s bad. She’s living in a small town straight out of Gilmore Girls with her eleven-year-old son and her friends and family. But her dating life is another story. There was the guy who insisted that his pet snake sleep next to them, the cheating ex who was more interested in admiring his muscles than changing diapers, and the amateur magician who tried to see how big he could grow his handlebar mustache. The one person who is always able to listen to her relationship woes is her best friend, Jake Bradley. Between telling him about her love life and taking trips down memory lane, she hopes the one thing they don’t talk about is the crush she’s had on him for years.
Jake Bradley was ten when his family relocated from Ireland to Minnesota. His world was rocked on day one by his new next-door neighbor, Leah Roth. They became best friends immediately, bonding over Game Boy, terrible films, and his love of baking. But underneath his jokes and self-deprecating personality, Jake has a secret—he’s been in love with Leah for a long time. After letting the chance to be with her slip by years ago, Jake has convinced himself that there is no way that Leah has feelings for him…
When Jake suddenly finds himself single, both friends realize that the timing might be right to admit their feelings. Will Leah and Jake be brave enough to take a chance on love and each other?
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2025
6 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Braun Boe
2 books18 followersAs a child, Amanda Braun-Boe could often be found playing too much Nintendo, watching old movies, reading in a hammock swing, and daydreaming about fictional worlds. She obtained her M.A. in English and decided to start putting those worlds down on paper. When not writing, she enjoys baking, reading, searching for the best donuts in whatever town she’s in, filling her phone with cat pictures, and testing the limits of how much coffee a person can consume in one day. She lives in rural Minnesota with her husband and their sofa-stealing furry friends. For more, visit her website or follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 8, 2025
This is a very enjoyable book. Leah and Jake's story is deeply emotional and richly angsty. Packed with intense feelings and lush emotions, this couple really gives your heart and heartstrings a heavy-duty workout.
December 1, 2025
I loved this book, it was a great best friend to lovers story! I was laughing out loud and crying my eyes out throughout this story! I was in it, invested into their world! Great writing it did not feel like a 500 page novel at all! I highly recommend it! Great feel good book and the love and connection were electric, the love was all consuming! It was beautiful!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
December 18, 2025
This one absolutely threw me into a full-on bookhole. I was so completely obsessed with Leah and Jake’s journey that once I finished, I honestly didn’t know what to do next. Picking up another book just felt… wrong. You know that feeling? Bookhole.
This story pulled so much emotion out of me—hope, devastation, moments where I was genuinely fighting tears, and then suddenly laughing out loud. I loved that the characters were older; the nostalgia hit hard, and I lived for the moments where kids casually roasted them in ways that clearly screamed "we know you’re the cool generation, we just won’t say it", even if they did slap the "you're old" comment around, DON'T REMIND ME!
The dual POV was perfection, the emotional build was strong, and the spice was solid—though my one tiny quibble is that I wanted just a bit more spice in the conclusion. And listen… if Jake says “frecking” one more time 🤣🤣 he’s only getting away with it because of the accent.
The side characters added so much heart and depth and really rounded the story out. If you love a dual POV friends-to-lovers with years of unresolved feelings, messy emotions, and character journey, this one is absolutely for you. 4⭐️
Thank you to the authors and @rrbooktours for gifting me a copy of this book.
This story pulled so much emotion out of me—hope, devastation, moments where I was genuinely fighting tears, and then suddenly laughing out loud. I loved that the characters were older; the nostalgia hit hard, and I lived for the moments where kids casually roasted them in ways that clearly screamed "we know you’re the cool generation, we just won’t say it", even if they did slap the "you're old" comment around, DON'T REMIND ME!
The dual POV was perfection, the emotional build was strong, and the spice was solid—though my one tiny quibble is that I wanted just a bit more spice in the conclusion. And listen… if Jake says “frecking” one more time 🤣🤣 he’s only getting away with it because of the accent.
The side characters added so much heart and depth and really rounded the story out. If you love a dual POV friends-to-lovers with years of unresolved feelings, messy emotions, and character journey, this one is absolutely for you. 4⭐️
Thank you to the authors and @rrbooktours for gifting me a copy of this book.
December 13, 2025
I was an arc reader for this book and was overwhelmingly surprised with how much I laughed and empathize with the characters in this book. If the authors intention was to make relatable, characters and scenarios. They nailed it! I highly recommend this as one of my top reads of the year. If you’re looking for a book with laughs, a touch of romance and quality writing this is for you.
January 24, 2026
Thank you to the author and MTMC tours for my copy. I rate this 3.5 stars
I needed a break from my usual genre reads and this was just the ticket. Full of yearning, tension, and angst it was a really sweet tale of two friends who were always destined to be more, but never seemingly colliding at the same time.
It was a lovely read that flowed well with loveable characters that pulled it along. I adored both Henry and Daisy for the sweet innocence that only children can bring to a story and I loved the long history between the main characters Leah and Jake. The meddling family were so sweet and I could instantly imagine them thanks to countless American sitcoms.
Leah met Jake when he moved to America from Ireland with his family. They instantly bonded over game boys and we're fast friends through all of life's ups and downs. Despite having feelings for each other their lives take different directions until one day when Jake's marriage crumbles and they both nervously realise the feelings are reciprocated. The path of true love never did run smooth though, so there are some bumps along the way and old long buried hurts from life that need to be addressed before they can truly decide what they want to do.
Sweet, charming and perfect for lovers of friends to lovers with some spice.
I needed a break from my usual genre reads and this was just the ticket. Full of yearning, tension, and angst it was a really sweet tale of two friends who were always destined to be more, but never seemingly colliding at the same time.
It was a lovely read that flowed well with loveable characters that pulled it along. I adored both Henry and Daisy for the sweet innocence that only children can bring to a story and I loved the long history between the main characters Leah and Jake. The meddling family were so sweet and I could instantly imagine them thanks to countless American sitcoms.
Leah met Jake when he moved to America from Ireland with his family. They instantly bonded over game boys and we're fast friends through all of life's ups and downs. Despite having feelings for each other their lives take different directions until one day when Jake's marriage crumbles and they both nervously realise the feelings are reciprocated. The path of true love never did run smooth though, so there are some bumps along the way and old long buried hurts from life that need to be addressed before they can truly decide what they want to do.
Sweet, charming and perfect for lovers of friends to lovers with some spice.
December 20, 2025
Awwwww I love Leah and Jake! And what I really love is that I can relate to this in a personal level. Same thing happened with my husband and I. So this story will always hold a place in my heart. This story was so sweet, so heartfelt. The characters were so relatable. Leah had some pretty icky relationships in the past, but her son ❤️ he’s what made those moments worth it in the end. And Jake, what an absolute doll. These two were made for each other. I loved that they both came together and found that love between them that they were meant to have. Fate brought them together at the right time.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team. ❤️
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team. ❤️
December 10, 2025
I received an ARC of Leah and Jake Ruin Their Friendship in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not usually a rom-com reader, so I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. The story started slowly for me, and it took time to settle into Leah and Jake’s world. But once their walls began to crack and years of buried emotions surfaced, this book pulled me in far deeper than I anticipated. Their love—tentative, messy, and long overdue—hit with a softness that lingered.
What it's about:
Leah and Jake have been best friends practically their entire lives. Leah works in her family’s furniture store, and Jake works at the restaurant that both their dads co-own. Their families are deeply intertwined—so much so that their kids, Daisy and Henry, have grown up as best friends too. After years of unresolved tension, Leah and Jake finally start a relationship, and the shift brings both sweetness and complications they never expected.
What I liked:
Their first kiss — the moment everything changes. When Jake breathes out, “Kissing you is fecking amazin’.” It’s raw and imperfect, and exactly the kind of confession that only comes after a lifetime of knowing someone too well.
The mosaic metaphor:
The line about people being made of a thousand contradictory pieces felt like the heart of the book. And when he says,
“And when you love someone, you have to love all those pieces… There isn’t a piece of you I don’t have,”
It hit like a quiet, emotional earthquake.
Family and community depth:
Their kids being best friends, their shared routines, the comfort of their intertwined families—it all makes their love story feel inevitable and terrifying in equal measure.
The emotional payoff:
Once the story finds its rhythm, the relationship feels tender and earned.
What didn’t work for me:
The slow start made it difficult to get pulled in early on.
A few emotional beats took too long to land.
Some moments felt drawn out or overly introspective.
Reading Experience:
Even though I struggled with the slow beginning, once Jake and Leah’s emotions finally spilled over, I found myself unexpectedly moved. Their shift from lifelong friends to something more felt tender and earned—full of years' worth of “almosts” finally catching fire. The emotional intimacy, the fear of losing what they’ve always had, and the heaviness of wanting more made their story resonate with a quiet, aching beauty.
Final Thoughts:
This isn’t just a friends-to-lovers romance; it’s a story about timing, vulnerability, and the terrifying hope of finally stepping into a love that feels carved from years of shared life. While not every moment landed perfectly for me, the emotional honesty and the depth of their connection made it worth the ride. Readers who crave heartfelt, character-driven romance will feel this one deeply.
I’m not usually a rom-com reader, so I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. The story started slowly for me, and it took time to settle into Leah and Jake’s world. But once their walls began to crack and years of buried emotions surfaced, this book pulled me in far deeper than I anticipated. Their love—tentative, messy, and long overdue—hit with a softness that lingered.
What it's about:
Leah and Jake have been best friends practically their entire lives. Leah works in her family’s furniture store, and Jake works at the restaurant that both their dads co-own. Their families are deeply intertwined—so much so that their kids, Daisy and Henry, have grown up as best friends too. After years of unresolved tension, Leah and Jake finally start a relationship, and the shift brings both sweetness and complications they never expected.
What I liked:
Their first kiss — the moment everything changes. When Jake breathes out, “Kissing you is fecking amazin’.” It’s raw and imperfect, and exactly the kind of confession that only comes after a lifetime of knowing someone too well.
The mosaic metaphor:
The line about people being made of a thousand contradictory pieces felt like the heart of the book. And when he says,
“And when you love someone, you have to love all those pieces… There isn’t a piece of you I don’t have,”
It hit like a quiet, emotional earthquake.
Family and community depth:
Their kids being best friends, their shared routines, the comfort of their intertwined families—it all makes their love story feel inevitable and terrifying in equal measure.
The emotional payoff:
Once the story finds its rhythm, the relationship feels tender and earned.
What didn’t work for me:
The slow start made it difficult to get pulled in early on.
A few emotional beats took too long to land.
Some moments felt drawn out or overly introspective.
Reading Experience:
Even though I struggled with the slow beginning, once Jake and Leah’s emotions finally spilled over, I found myself unexpectedly moved. Their shift from lifelong friends to something more felt tender and earned—full of years' worth of “almosts” finally catching fire. The emotional intimacy, the fear of losing what they’ve always had, and the heaviness of wanting more made their story resonate with a quiet, aching beauty.
Final Thoughts:
This isn’t just a friends-to-lovers romance; it’s a story about timing, vulnerability, and the terrifying hope of finally stepping into a love that feels carved from years of shared life. While not every moment landed perfectly for me, the emotional honesty and the depth of their connection made it worth the ride. Readers who crave heartfelt, character-driven romance will feel this one deeply.
January 24, 2026
There are friendships that feel inherited rather than chosen. They arrive early, settle quietly, and over time become the scaffolding of a life. Leah & Jake Ruin Their Friendship understands this truth intimately.
This is not a story that rushes. It unfolds the way real relationships do through kitchens and weddings and shared childhoods through the mundane rituals that slowly become sacred. A porch swing. A Game Boy. A restaurant run by intertwined families. These details are not decorative. They are the architecture of belonging.
At its heart, this book is not a rom com in the glossy sense. It is a meditation on loyalty, restraint, and the quiet devastation of timing. Leah and Jake do not circle each other with drama. They orbit with care. What makes their story compelling is not the inevitability of attraction but the discipline of friendship. The choice to protect something precious even when desire presses close.
Amanda Braun Boe writes with a steadiness that feels confident and lived in. Her characters age honestly. They carry grief without spectacle and love without grand declarations. Loss arrives early and leaves a long shadow. Marriage is shown not as a fairy tale but as an accumulation of misunderstandings and small tendernesses. Parenthood is present not as a plot device but as a reality that reshapes everything.
What lingers most is the emotional intelligence of the book. The restraint. The understanding that intimacy is often expressed through humor shared glances and showing up again and again. There is warmth here but also courage. The courage to let characters be flawed without punishing them. The courage to allow silence to do some of the work.
This is a story for readers who believe that love does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it waits patiently doing the honorable thing even when it aches. Sometimes it ruins nothing at all and simply endures.
A quietly absorbing novel about the lives we build alongside the people who know us best and the thin beautiful line between friendship and everything else.
This is not a story that rushes. It unfolds the way real relationships do through kitchens and weddings and shared childhoods through the mundane rituals that slowly become sacred. A porch swing. A Game Boy. A restaurant run by intertwined families. These details are not decorative. They are the architecture of belonging.
At its heart, this book is not a rom com in the glossy sense. It is a meditation on loyalty, restraint, and the quiet devastation of timing. Leah and Jake do not circle each other with drama. They orbit with care. What makes their story compelling is not the inevitability of attraction but the discipline of friendship. The choice to protect something precious even when desire presses close.
Amanda Braun Boe writes with a steadiness that feels confident and lived in. Her characters age honestly. They carry grief without spectacle and love without grand declarations. Loss arrives early and leaves a long shadow. Marriage is shown not as a fairy tale but as an accumulation of misunderstandings and small tendernesses. Parenthood is present not as a plot device but as a reality that reshapes everything.
What lingers most is the emotional intelligence of the book. The restraint. The understanding that intimacy is often expressed through humor shared glances and showing up again and again. There is warmth here but also courage. The courage to let characters be flawed without punishing them. The courage to allow silence to do some of the work.
This is a story for readers who believe that love does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it waits patiently doing the honorable thing even when it aches. Sometimes it ruins nothing at all and simply endures.
A quietly absorbing novel about the lives we build alongside the people who know us best and the thin beautiful line between friendship and everything else.
December 8, 2025
A beautifully heartfelt and compelling look at what happens when two decades-long best friends finally decide to risk everything for a chance at forever.
What I Loved:
Friends-to-Lovers Perfection: The core of the story is the classic, secretly-in-love-for-years trope. Watching Leah and Jake—both newly single—navigate the shift from best friends to lovers was a rewarding and well-earned journey. The emotional tension of not wanting to "ruin their friendship" was palpable and incredibly well-executed.
Witty Banter & Great Chemistry: The dialogue between Leah and Jake was top-tier, showcasing the easy intimacy and history between them with fantastic banter.
The Steven Factor: A highlight was the character progression of Jake's eccentric brother, Steven. He brought a dynamic, unexpected layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
Sweet & Steamy: This is a satisfying low to mid-level spice romance. It hits all the great tropes including small-town romance, single parents, and a second chance at romance for two people who waited too long.
Key Tropes & Themes:
- Friends for decades, secretly in love
-Single parents / Second chance romance
-Fear of commitment
-Jealousy & "Other Woman" drama
A Minor Drawback:
While I ultimately found the journey rewarding, there were times when the pacing felt a bit slow, particularly in the middle. Additionally, I wasn't a huge fan of the initial drama involving Jake's ex, who tried to shift the blame for her own behaviour onto him.
Final Verdict:
This is an excellent 4-star read for anyone who loves high-stakes emotional romance where friendship is the foundation. It’s a book that truly makes you root for the main characters to overcome their fears and finally claim the love they deserve.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What I Loved:
Friends-to-Lovers Perfection: The core of the story is the classic, secretly-in-love-for-years trope. Watching Leah and Jake—both newly single—navigate the shift from best friends to lovers was a rewarding and well-earned journey. The emotional tension of not wanting to "ruin their friendship" was palpable and incredibly well-executed.
Witty Banter & Great Chemistry: The dialogue between Leah and Jake was top-tier, showcasing the easy intimacy and history between them with fantastic banter.
The Steven Factor: A highlight was the character progression of Jake's eccentric brother, Steven. He brought a dynamic, unexpected layer to the story that I really enjoyed.
Sweet & Steamy: This is a satisfying low to mid-level spice romance. It hits all the great tropes including small-town romance, single parents, and a second chance at romance for two people who waited too long.
Key Tropes & Themes:
- Friends for decades, secretly in love
-Single parents / Second chance romance
-Fear of commitment
-Jealousy & "Other Woman" drama
A Minor Drawback:
While I ultimately found the journey rewarding, there were times when the pacing felt a bit slow, particularly in the middle. Additionally, I wasn't a huge fan of the initial drama involving Jake's ex, who tried to shift the blame for her own behaviour onto him.
Final Verdict:
This is an excellent 4-star read for anyone who loves high-stakes emotional romance where friendship is the foundation. It’s a book that truly makes you root for the main characters to overcome their fears and finally claim the love they deserve.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 3, 2025
4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
A phenomenal friends-to-lovers romance featuring two single parents who have been secretly pining for each other for ages!
Jake is the perfect golden retriever —loyal, swoon-worthy, and surprisingly hot in the bedroom! He absolutely stole my heart. While Leah's fierce fear of commitment was occasionally frustrating (especially since its origins are never fully explained), the heart-melting love they share for each other and for their children made every moment worthwhile. This book is truly heartwarming.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥Small Town Romance
➳❥ Childhood Friends to Lovers
➳❥ Golden Retriever MMC
➳❥She is Afraid to Commit
➳❥ Both Single Parents
➳❥ Mutual Pining
➳❥ Banter & Spice
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼
"𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
"𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚. 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒕."
"𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒆. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕."
"𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒌, 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒍𝒍 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔."
"𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕, 𝒕𝒐𝒐."
"𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎, 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒉, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒖𝒑. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
Thank you R&R Book Tours & Amanda Braun-Boe for sending me this arc! ㅤ♡
A phenomenal friends-to-lovers romance featuring two single parents who have been secretly pining for each other for ages!
Jake is the perfect golden retriever —loyal, swoon-worthy, and surprisingly hot in the bedroom! He absolutely stole my heart. While Leah's fierce fear of commitment was occasionally frustrating (especially since its origins are never fully explained), the heart-melting love they share for each other and for their children made every moment worthwhile. This book is truly heartwarming.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥Small Town Romance
➳❥ Childhood Friends to Lovers
➳❥ Golden Retriever MMC
➳❥She is Afraid to Commit
➳❥ Both Single Parents
➳❥ Mutual Pining
➳❥ Banter & Spice
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼
"𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
"𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚. 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒕."
"𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒆. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕."
"𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒌, 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒍𝒍 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔."
"𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕, 𝒕𝒐𝒐."
"𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎, 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒉, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒖𝒑. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
Thank you R&R Book Tours & Amanda Braun-Boe for sending me this arc! ㅤ♡
December 9, 2025
This was a cute little friends to lovers story! Leah and Jake have been bestfriends friends literally for decades. You can feel that history every time they talk. And I really loved that aspect! I loved that both characters were 30+, it's not often I see that in books.
Jake was that golden retriever man fr. Loyal, soft, funny.. you know the type who would probably shovel your driveway at 4am just to see you smile. He’s fighting through a divorce, raising his kid, and still managing to look at Leah like she hung the moon. I was here for it!
Leah though… girl. Listennnnnn. I get fear of commitment. But sometimes I wanted to shake her. But not to mention you're like 40 and doing all of this, it was getting kinda annoying. Her fear pops up heavy, but we never fully get the “why” behind it. So a couple times I was like okay babe… say it with your chest girl come on now. But her moments with the kids, and the way she loves Jake even when she swear she don’t, made it easier to root for her.
The kids honestly add so much realism to this story. And Steven was absolutely iconic. Probably my fave character in the book lol. He came in with chaotic energy but also real depth.
This story is soft, emotional, a little angsty, and a little spicy but not over the top. It's really about two people who’ve been in love longer than they want to admit finally choosing each other… even when it scares them.
If you like:
• childhood friends to lovers
• single parents
• mutual pining
• small-town cozy vibes
• golden retriever men who love hard
…this one's for you!
Thank you so much to Amanda Braun-Boe and RR Book Tours for the e-ARC!
Jake was that golden retriever man fr. Loyal, soft, funny.. you know the type who would probably shovel your driveway at 4am just to see you smile. He’s fighting through a divorce, raising his kid, and still managing to look at Leah like she hung the moon. I was here for it!
Leah though… girl. Listennnnnn. I get fear of commitment. But sometimes I wanted to shake her. But not to mention you're like 40 and doing all of this, it was getting kinda annoying. Her fear pops up heavy, but we never fully get the “why” behind it. So a couple times I was like okay babe… say it with your chest girl come on now. But her moments with the kids, and the way she loves Jake even when she swear she don’t, made it easier to root for her.
The kids honestly add so much realism to this story. And Steven was absolutely iconic. Probably my fave character in the book lol. He came in with chaotic energy but also real depth.
This story is soft, emotional, a little angsty, and a little spicy but not over the top. It's really about two people who’ve been in love longer than they want to admit finally choosing each other… even when it scares them.
If you like:
• childhood friends to lovers
• single parents
• mutual pining
• small-town cozy vibes
• golden retriever men who love hard
…this one's for you!
Thank you so much to Amanda Braun-Boe and RR Book Tours for the e-ARC!
December 12, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5
I fell in love with Leah and Jake's story from the moment I opened the book and had such a hard time putting this down! Who wouldn't want to fall head over heels in love with their best friend? Their meet cute as kids was adorable, and if someone walked up to me and wanted to play Gameboy with me at 6 or 10...I would have fallen too!
Their story was a good example of the phase "things happen when they are meant to." So even though it was later in life (in their 30s) that they finally cross that line, they wouldn't be people they were when they go together if they hadn't had all the life experiences that came before this....and 2 of my favorite people in the story would also be mssing: Daisy and Henry.
Everything about these characters is so relateable. I found myself smiling and laughing with them, and also felt my heart breaking with them as well. I love the relationship between Leah and her brother. Honestly, there was only 1 or 2 characters in the entire book that I did not care for.
I you love a cute, cozy small town, best friends to lovers, with adorable scheming children and a close knit family who sticks their noses everywhere they don't belong, this is definitely a story for you.
I fell in love with Leah and Jake's story from the moment I opened the book and had such a hard time putting this down! Who wouldn't want to fall head over heels in love with their best friend? Their meet cute as kids was adorable, and if someone walked up to me and wanted to play Gameboy with me at 6 or 10...I would have fallen too!
Their story was a good example of the phase "things happen when they are meant to." So even though it was later in life (in their 30s) that they finally cross that line, they wouldn't be people they were when they go together if they hadn't had all the life experiences that came before this....and 2 of my favorite people in the story would also be mssing: Daisy and Henry.
Everything about these characters is so relateable. I found myself smiling and laughing with them, and also felt my heart breaking with them as well. I love the relationship between Leah and her brother. Honestly, there was only 1 or 2 characters in the entire book that I did not care for.
I you love a cute, cozy small town, best friends to lovers, with adorable scheming children and a close knit family who sticks their noses everywhere they don't belong, this is definitely a story for you.
December 31, 2025
Leah and Jake have known each other since six-year-old Leah decided to find a new best friend, and Jake was it. He lived down the street, his family was from Ireland, and they had many things in common. Their families even went into business together and opened a café. When tragedy struck, Leah became everything to Jake. As years pass, they remain steadfast in their friendship, seeing each other through good times and bad. After Jake’s marriage ended, old feelings resurfaced. The chance to become more than friends is on the line. Their timing is finally right, and neither wants to destroy their bond. But what if they both love each other as more than friends? Will they explore a new connection, and if so, will it end a lifelong friendship or become the greatest love of their lives?
I liked the story, but it felt too long. The pace was slow, and Leah’s indecision, along with Jake’s constant worrying, made things feel dragged out. I did appreciate how their families supported and schemed for them, and the emotions around the kids, especially Henry, felt real and heartbreaking. Overall, it was a good story and makes me interested in trying more books by this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I liked the story, but it felt too long. The pace was slow, and Leah’s indecision, along with Jake’s constant worrying, made things feel dragged out. I did appreciate how their families supported and schemed for them, and the emotions around the kids, especially Henry, felt real and heartbreaking. Overall, it was a good story and makes me interested in trying more books by this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
—
this book was really nice! i enjoyed it a lot.
there were many aspects of this book that i liked, but the most was how real the conflicts were. not wanting to ruin a friendship for fear things won’t pan out, feeling like you’ve lost the person you used to be before having kids, being stuck in a relationship that doesn’t feel like both parties are putting in equal effort. they were all handled so well, too.
the family dynamics in this book were also great. i loved the characters we got to see, and they were all pretty well-developed for the parts they played. the kids were hilarious and i loved them, but i found that steven was really interesting. i related to him on a level that i didn’t expect. he was so deadpan and funny in a way that seemed unintentional, which i’ve been told i also end up being. he just says things that it seems he doesn’t realize are complete reads of whoever he’s talking to. it made me feel a real kinship to him.
i think this book has a lot of things that people are starting to look for more of in romance, especially MCs over forty. all types of people read romance, and everyone deserves to see themselves. not every MC has to be fresh-faced in their early twenties, and i think the fact that these aren’t is very refreshing.
—
this book was really nice! i enjoyed it a lot.
there were many aspects of this book that i liked, but the most was how real the conflicts were. not wanting to ruin a friendship for fear things won’t pan out, feeling like you’ve lost the person you used to be before having kids, being stuck in a relationship that doesn’t feel like both parties are putting in equal effort. they were all handled so well, too.
the family dynamics in this book were also great. i loved the characters we got to see, and they were all pretty well-developed for the parts they played. the kids were hilarious and i loved them, but i found that steven was really interesting. i related to him on a level that i didn’t expect. he was so deadpan and funny in a way that seemed unintentional, which i’ve been told i also end up being. he just says things that it seems he doesn’t realize are complete reads of whoever he’s talking to. it made me feel a real kinship to him.
i think this book has a lot of things that people are starting to look for more of in romance, especially MCs over forty. all types of people read romance, and everyone deserves to see themselves. not every MC has to be fresh-faced in their early twenties, and i think the fact that these aren’t is very refreshing.
Read
February 6, 2026˚.༄ Thank you to the author Amanda Braun Boe and MTMC Tours for the provided eARC in exchange for an honest review! 💌 ꒷·˚ ༘
- ⭐️
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but sadly I decided to DNF @ about 30%. I love friends to lovers, yearning and making up for all the lost years, but this book just wasn’t for me. Therefore I won’t leave a rating, it just doesn’t feel fair - especially since I haven’t read it completely (maybe I’ll pick it up again some other time, maybe I won’t. For now I DNFed it.)
The book was really slow and I felt like it wasn’t really going anywhere. The pacing just felt kind of off? ☹️ One second they long for each other and how they can’t have what they want, the next they’re a couple (I lived for their communication, though!). And don’t get me wrong, I liked the aspect of Leah and Jake being right for each other, because they definitely are!! I just couldn’t get into their story.
I’m sure there are a lot of people that’ll love this book, it just wasn’t for me at the moment I read it! 🌸
I might come back later on and edit this review, if I try to read it again.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓:
🤍 insecure, optimistic FMC
🥰 emotionally capable MMC
🤍 best friends to lovers
🥰 found family
🤍 divorce rep
🥰 characters in their forties
🤍 dual POV
- ⭐️
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but sadly I decided to DNF @ about 30%. I love friends to lovers, yearning and making up for all the lost years, but this book just wasn’t for me. Therefore I won’t leave a rating, it just doesn’t feel fair - especially since I haven’t read it completely (maybe I’ll pick it up again some other time, maybe I won’t. For now I DNFed it.)
The book was really slow and I felt like it wasn’t really going anywhere. The pacing just felt kind of off? ☹️ One second they long for each other and how they can’t have what they want, the next they’re a couple (I lived for their communication, though!). And don’t get me wrong, I liked the aspect of Leah and Jake being right for each other, because they definitely are!! I just couldn’t get into their story.
I’m sure there are a lot of people that’ll love this book, it just wasn’t for me at the moment I read it! 🌸
I might come back later on and edit this review, if I try to read it again.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓:
🤍 insecure, optimistic FMC
🥰 emotionally capable MMC
🤍 best friends to lovers
🥰 found family
🤍 divorce rep
🥰 characters in their forties
🤍 dual POV
December 11, 2025
Leah & Jake Ruin the Friendship completely stole my heart in the best, most chaotic, slow-burn way. I LOVE when a book makes me feel like I’m third-wheeling two people who are so obviously in love but absolutely terrified to admit it, and Leah and Jake nailed that vibe from the first chapter. Their banter had me smiling nonstop and their chemistry was just palpable in that “oh no they’ve been in love for YEARS” kind of way. The emotional moments were written with so much honesty that I kept catching myself nodding along like “yeah… that tracks.”
The way Leah and Jake tiptoe around everything they want, the history between them, the pining, the fear of ruining something so important—it all felt incredibly real. Jake is the ultimate golden retriever sweetheart and Leah’s messy, self-protective heart made me want to hug her repeatedly. Also, I was not expecting Steven to become a favorite but his chaotic commentary absolutely won me over. And the side characters (Steven especially) ended up being chaotic little scene stealers and I just couldn’t get enough! Easily one of my top romances this year.
The way Leah and Jake tiptoe around everything they want, the history between them, the pining, the fear of ruining something so important—it all felt incredibly real. Jake is the ultimate golden retriever sweetheart and Leah’s messy, self-protective heart made me want to hug her repeatedly. Also, I was not expecting Steven to become a favorite but his chaotic commentary absolutely won me over. And the side characters (Steven especially) ended up being chaotic little scene stealers and I just couldn’t get enough! Easily one of my top romances this year.
February 5, 2026
3.5⭐️ rounded down
One thing I love is a friends-to-lovers romance book. Leah and Jake became best friends when they were six and ten, respectively. As they got older, they both developed feelings for each other, but both kept those feelings to themselves. When they finally were ready to tell each other how they felt, it was too late. They always remained best of friends but kept their true feelings locked up tight until, in their thirties, they finally had their chance to be more than just friends. There were parts of this story that were so good. I loved the relationship development between Leah and Jake, but I'm not a huge fan of what tore them apart. Their two children, Henry and Daisy, were just adorable. They were like mini mirrors of Leah and Jake and their childhood. I also thought the supportive role both of their families played was perfect. I did feel like parts of this story dragged on, and some could've been left out as the book was very lengthy. The dual POV and short chapter breaks helped the reading go by faster, and once I really got invested in Leah and Jake's story, I didn't want to put it down.
One thing I love is a friends-to-lovers romance book. Leah and Jake became best friends when they were six and ten, respectively. As they got older, they both developed feelings for each other, but both kept those feelings to themselves. When they finally were ready to tell each other how they felt, it was too late. They always remained best of friends but kept their true feelings locked up tight until, in their thirties, they finally had their chance to be more than just friends. There were parts of this story that were so good. I loved the relationship development between Leah and Jake, but I'm not a huge fan of what tore them apart. Their two children, Henry and Daisy, were just adorable. They were like mini mirrors of Leah and Jake and their childhood. I also thought the supportive role both of their families played was perfect. I did feel like parts of this story dragged on, and some could've been left out as the book was very lengthy. The dual POV and short chapter breaks helped the reading go by faster, and once I really got invested in Leah and Jake's story, I didn't want to put it down.
December 9, 2025
This is a beautiful friends to lovers story where best friends, Leah and Jake meet as kids after he moves from Ireland and go through each other’s ups and downs skating a thin line of how they secretly feel for one another throughout their lives. Leah is a single mom to a son and Jake is married and with a little girl whose wife cheats on him and they divorce. These two best friends find themselves both available so Jake takes a chance telling Leah what she means to him. Everyone around them has seen their attraction towards one another knowing they are each others missing half. They date, completely blend their families and get ready to move in together when Jake makes a wrong move for the right reasons and pushes Leah away causing Leah to doubt herself and her ability to go the distance in a lasting relationship. They become brokenhearted and Leah’s son takes it the hardest. Figuring out what’s most important they separately discover who they are as individuals with another chance tat a lasting love!
December 28, 2025
Friends-to-lovers trope was done so well. Leah and Jake have been best friends for years, sharing everything from bad movie nights to relationship struggles. What makes it even more interesting is that both of them are single parents, juggling kids and responsibilities while secretly carrying feelings they’ve never dared to act on.
I loved Jake’s character he’s loyal, kind, and the type of man who shows up when it matters most. His quiet love for Leah made my heart melt. Leah, on the other hand, struggles with commitment and self-doubt, which made her journey feel very real.
Their banter felt natural, their history gave the romance depth, and when things finally shifted from friendship to something more, it was both sweet and emotional. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
I also enjoyed the small-town setting and the way family dynamics played into the story. It wasn’t just about romance it was about second chances, healing, and realizing that sometimes risking a friendship is worth it if it means finding love.
Heartfelt, funny, and deeply satisfying.
I loved Jake’s character he’s loyal, kind, and the type of man who shows up when it matters most. His quiet love for Leah made my heart melt. Leah, on the other hand, struggles with commitment and self-doubt, which made her journey feel very real.
Their banter felt natural, their history gave the romance depth, and when things finally shifted from friendship to something more, it was both sweet and emotional. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
I also enjoyed the small-town setting and the way family dynamics played into the story. It wasn’t just about romance it was about second chances, healing, and realizing that sometimes risking a friendship is worth it if it means finding love.
Heartfelt, funny, and deeply satisfying.
December 26, 2025
This friends-to-lovers romance was warm and emotionally strong. The quiet longing and deep, lifelong connection had me pining for Leah and Jake from chapter one. The novel honed in on the small-town Midwest feel that truly brings the reader home. This author did a wonderful job with the dialogue and banter between her characters. Their vivid childhood memories made everything feel real and familiar. At times, the pacing felt off, dragging a bit in the middle, and repeating the same emotional feelings from Leah and Jake too many times. The romance between Leah and Jake was sweet and not overly explicit. Just enough to feel the ache and love growing. The well-earned HEA fell into place for Leah and Jake. Easy, perfect, blended, and something that felt right all along. Overall, this novel was strong and showed real heart and connection between two friends, a small town, and their entire family.
December 16, 2025
"Leah & Jake Ruin Their Friendship" is, as the title suggests, a friends to lovers story. The central couple have been best friends since Jake and his family moved to the USa from Ireland. They finally find themselves on the cusp of romance in their mid 30s. It's a very sweet story, enhanced by a charming cast of supporting characters, mainly family members of Leah and Jake. Without spoilers, the main reason that I gave the book 3 stars is because I didn't believe in the tension that altered the course of true love. It was hard to suspend belief that these two wouldn't end up together so the middle of the book felt frustrating. It didn't help that there was very little build up to their first foray into lover territory, so the shifts in their relationship felt jarring.
Thanks to Book Sirens and the author for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Book Sirens and the author for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2026
I received an ARC for this book, thank you so much! 🤍
I have always loved the trope of friends to lovers, and in my opinion this is a whole other level. It hits close to home because of the age, which in my opinion is a really important part of the story. Being able to connect with them because we're similar in age and it's not younger people than me, feels extremely refreshing!
This is a book that you can read in an afternoon, honestly. Fun, deep, and will have you obsessed with both – FMC and MMC 🤍 I grew to love them and now they're my kids 😭
If you want a quick read to clear your mind from the heaviness of the world or your day was shitty and you want a laugh, you can totally read this! You'll love Leah & Jake as much as I did 💞
And like someone once said: my advice is to always ruin the friendship.
I have always loved the trope of friends to lovers, and in my opinion this is a whole other level. It hits close to home because of the age, which in my opinion is a really important part of the story. Being able to connect with them because we're similar in age and it's not younger people than me, feels extremely refreshing!
This is a book that you can read in an afternoon, honestly. Fun, deep, and will have you obsessed with both – FMC and MMC 🤍 I grew to love them and now they're my kids 😭
If you want a quick read to clear your mind from the heaviness of the world or your day was shitty and you want a laugh, you can totally read this! You'll love Leah & Jake as much as I did 💞
And like someone once said: my advice is to always ruin the friendship.
December 6, 2025
I love this friends to lovers, single parent romance featuring Leah and Jake. They’ve been best friends forever, sharing a love of bad movies. He is the person Leah can share her bad relationship woes with, but he has a secret. He has been in love with her for a while. When they both find themselves single, maybe it’s the right time to see if they can be more than friends. I love Jake! He is such a sweet, loyal, cinnamon roll guy. Leah has such a fear of commitment and is so hard on herself. The characters are really relatable and there were several lol moments which I loved. If you’re looking for an emotional, small town romance, pick this one up today.
December 13, 2025
I stayed up way too late, bawling my eyes out over Leah and Jake. This book got me in all the feels.
Leah and Jake have been steadfastly ignoring their feelings about each other in favor of a wonderful friendship. Their families are tied together through time, tragedy, and business so neither of Leah nor Jake - nor their families - wants to 'ruin their friendship'. But finally, it seems like the stars are aligning and they're both facing their biggest fear.
Steven was a riot, I kind of hope he gets his own book. I also enjoyed Dennis, Gail, and Craig. Henry and Daisy were delightful.
This book is a must read for contemporary romance and friends to lovers fans!
Leah and Jake have been steadfastly ignoring their feelings about each other in favor of a wonderful friendship. Their families are tied together through time, tragedy, and business so neither of Leah nor Jake - nor their families - wants to 'ruin their friendship'. But finally, it seems like the stars are aligning and they're both facing their biggest fear.
Steven was a riot, I kind of hope he gets his own book. I also enjoyed Dennis, Gail, and Craig. Henry and Daisy were delightful.
This book is a must read for contemporary romance and friends to lovers fans!
December 29, 2025
I'm a little sad because I had really high hopes for this book. It was slow. And Leah needs therapy.
Jake and Leah have been friends since childhood. And they have been in love with each other since then too. But life happens and they never really figured it out. Until now. Except obstacles, past
There were so many chapters of Leah talking about how bad she is at relationships, but she never tried to fix herself or her mindset which is frustrating in a romance because you know they belong together so what's her deal?
I wanted to love it, I just couldn't.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jake and Leah have been friends since childhood. And they have been in love with each other since then too. But life happens and they never really figured it out. Until now. Except obstacles, past
There were so many chapters of Leah talking about how bad she is at relationships, but she never tried to fix herself or her mindset which is frustrating in a romance because you know they belong together so what's her deal?
I wanted to love it, I just couldn't.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 30, 2025
I couldn't get enough of Leah and Jake. The thought of growing up with and loving your best friend but realizing it to late will always bring about a tug to my heartstrings. The exes that brought about such drama and the reality of some self destructive behaviors was prevalent and heart wrenching. Steven was not my favorite but as the story progressed that changed and he became one of my favorites due to his witty comments and. Chaotic nature.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2025
If you loved early 00's romcoms you'll enjoy this sweet romance! Jake and Leah have been friends since they were 6. Their entire lives are interconnected and they share every major milestone. Now in their 30s, can they finally admit to how they really feel? Can they become more than friends and not ruin a lifelong best friend? The only "negative" was the middle felt almost too long. The ending helps explain it but at times it was a little long. Overall, I give this book 4 stars and think you'll love it too!
January 10, 2026
Hello, people!
Today I come with a romantic book that will excite every reader and especially those who love the trope friends to lovers.
The author's writing is wonderful, stormy, warm, romantic, sweet, funny and enchanting. The book is breathless to read and the characters are well-written and real.
On the plus side are their chemistry, their relationship, their intensity, their intimacy and the emotions that overwhelm the readers.
Thank you very much to the author and MTMC Book Tours for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
Today I come with a romantic book that will excite every reader and especially those who love the trope friends to lovers.
The author's writing is wonderful, stormy, warm, romantic, sweet, funny and enchanting. The book is breathless to read and the characters are well-written and real.
On the plus side are their chemistry, their relationship, their intensity, their intimacy and the emotions that overwhelm the readers.
Thank you very much to the author and MTMC Book Tours for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
December 5, 2025
a lovely friends to lovers romance. I think I liked this story because the characters were older and not afraid to say what they needed to say. I don't understand Leah's fears. usually someone who is scared like she is has trauma to cause it, but we're left wondering why she is this way. Jake is trying to survive his divorce and admitted feelings for Leah. The kids are a great emotional component to this story.
December 10, 2025
I loved this book sooo much!!😍 Once I started it, I got so lost in it so immediately. The friends to lovers trope isn't my favourite but the way it was done here felt unique in a way and I absolutely ate it up. I couldn't love Leah and Jake more, they had the best banter, the sweetest friendship, and omg, the chemistry!! This story made me laugh out loud and completely melted my heart. If you only read one more romance this year, this should be it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews