A Familiar Love: From Friends to Forever

by Monae Nicole

What happens when the forever friend wants to be more?
For Cortez and Wysdom, their friendship will be put to the test.
When Wysdom finds herself off the market, a jealous best friend poses a threat to her new love.
An ultimatum is placed on the table, and Wysdom has to choose between the man she’s known forever, or the man who currently has her attention.
Feelings are running high, and bonds are on the verge of being broken.
Will the words “I love you’’ have a new meaning?

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

About the author

Monae Nicole is a Jersey girl currently residing in Texas. A lover of books since her teenage years, she began penning poems and short stories of her own when she was in high school. It wasn't until her adult years after encouragement from a friend, she decided to turn those short stories into novels and novellas. Being a lover of love despite your past circumstances motivates her to pen stories about second chances at love. Through her writing she wants readers to believe no matter what happens, there is love at the end of the tunnel. If you love a good romance and women’s fiction check out Monae Nicole’s catalog where she is cultivating new beginnings.

Reviews

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Familiar Love

I enjoyed this friends to lovers story from beginning to end. It was good seeing Cortez and Wysdom finally give into their feelings for each other. Cortez was a perfect gentleman when it came to Wysdom and had her back even when she didn’t know it. It took a little longer for Wysdom to fully accept the change in their relationship without thinking that it would affect their friendship but I liked that she also didn’t try to self sabotage and was felt comfortable enough to share her feelings and hesitancies so Cortez was able to reassure her. The only thing that truly changed about their friendship was the addition of a different type of physical intimacy.

I always find it interesting in friends to lovers stories that it’s the woman who tends to be hesitant about the change in relationship, but the man tends to be all in and willing to escalate their relationship once he has accepted and acknowledged his feelings have changed and that they are reciprocated.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cortez and Wysdom!!

Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, and I was thoroughly happy with this book. Cortez had feelings for Wysdom since middle school, and Wysdom had a crush on him that she thought had gone away. I loved how protective Cortez was of Wysdom and his nickname of Hershey for her. Cortez didn't make his feelings known to Wysdom until she started dating James, and he crashed out hard. The many "J" names that Cortez called James had me cracking up. 😂 The easy way that Cortez and Wysdom entered their relationship after making their feelings known was great. The friend group was also a fantastic addition to the storyline. I'm hoping the rest of them will get books of their own as well. I enjoyed everything about this book from beginning to end.

[Purple Lotus · Rating 5 out of 5]

forever kind of love

I love a good friends to lovers book and Monae hit it on the head!! I absolutely loved the friend dynamic of this group and Cortez and Wysdom’s love was so beautiful!! I truly enjoyed this book. Heavy on the love development and light on the drama, but there was enough to have a well rounded story. Loved it!

[Deborah Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

I would recommend this book! Friends to lovers, Cortez didn't play about Wysdom! The friendships they have with other a is just as nice! Two grown folks, established in their careers, giving themselves a chance at being in.love with one another with out risking the friendship! Great ending and I hope to see more of them!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

“They say the best lovers are friends first.” So is the story with Cortez and Wysdom, two members of a friend group who end up being more than friends. I like that the author took us on the discovery journey with them. Everyone knew how Cortez felt about Wysdom, but Wysdom. Once feelings were told, the story reveals a true and real love between friends who become lovers.

[Monique McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the book. The book was a true friend to lovers.
I love how Tez protected Wysdom no matter what. Everyone in their group saw that he loved her but her. When they finally revealed their feelings, their relationship grew.
It was a short, sweet book.

[Deyonna Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

friends to lovers

Cortez was not playing . I’m so glad they got it together and trust each other to have the happiness they both deserved. Plus Cortez wasn’t about to let anyone have his Hershey anyway 🤣

[Chantra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovers and Friends

I enjoyed this love story. They all was a trip. I would love to see more of them in another book. Maybe see all of them with their own story and catch up with Cortez and ruby.

[Terry Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

nailed it

Great friends to lovers to story. It’s always hard making a decision to take a long friendship into lovers territory. But I feel like the best relationships are those that begin as friends. Jin well done.

[Pamela session · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰🥰🥰🥰

Loved it from beginning to end amazing characters chemistry was off the chain loved it 😍😍😍 i love their friendship and how it became something more beautiful

[Shahtia Gay-hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends ♥️♥️♥️

I love a good friends to lovers. Tez knew he wanted Wyz and vice versa. They seemed to be fated from wee babies. Good read.

[Tai Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

This was a cute good read..no drama, glad Cortez and wisdom finally let their feelings for each other out and loved the friendship they all had together.

[Latricia Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

love

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers are the best. I’m glad they got it together. First read by this author.

[Terri Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Story. Cortez and Wysdom were best friend, but on had deeper feeling then the other. Sometimes your best friend could be your soulmate.