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My Best Friend's Not-Boyfriend
My Best Friend’s Not-Boyfriend is a steamy, laugh-out-loud rom-com about forbidden chemistry, fierce friendships, and learning to choose yourself when your heart is on the line.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers tension, slow-burn romance, messy love triangles, and heartwarming found family moments.
Jennifer Kelly makes a living helping her clients build clear, healthy boundaries. In her own life? Not so much. Especially not with her gorgeous, bossy, and just-this-side-of-terrifying best friend.
So, when Mallory begs Jen to move in after a devastating breakup, Jen can’t say no, even if it means surrendering her space, her sanity, and the last scraps of her independence.
That’s when Jack Barker saunters in. He’s tall, cocky, sinfully charming, and exactly Mallory’s type. Jen sets them up, hoping he’ll keep Mallory busy and give her a little breathing room.
But when Jack turns out to be the first man to really see Jen, her carefully ordered world collapses. Suddenly, she’s tangled between the man she’s falling for and the friend she’s devoted herself to. One choice could cost her the two people in her life who matter most.
But if she doesn’t choose? She just might lose herself.
Laugh, swoon, and fall in love with a story about friendship, heart-fluttering attraction, and finding your own happiness.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers tension, slow-burn romance, messy love triangles, and heartwarming found family moments.
Jennifer Kelly makes a living helping her clients build clear, healthy boundaries. In her own life? Not so much. Especially not with her gorgeous, bossy, and just-this-side-of-terrifying best friend.
So, when Mallory begs Jen to move in after a devastating breakup, Jen can’t say no, even if it means surrendering her space, her sanity, and the last scraps of her independence.
That’s when Jack Barker saunters in. He’s tall, cocky, sinfully charming, and exactly Mallory’s type. Jen sets them up, hoping he’ll keep Mallory busy and give her a little breathing room.
But when Jack turns out to be the first man to really see Jen, her carefully ordered world collapses. Suddenly, she’s tangled between the man she’s falling for and the friend she’s devoted herself to. One choice could cost her the two people in her life who matter most.
But if she doesn’t choose? She just might lose herself.
Laugh, swoon, and fall in love with a story about friendship, heart-fluttering attraction, and finding your own happiness.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2025
4 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 18, 2025
Such a fun story with relatable characters who are just as messed up as me. 🙂
January 1, 2026
First book read this year, and I loved it!
December 23, 2025
My Best Friend’s Not Boyfriend is the kind of rom-com that sneaks up on you. It has all the genre staples to love—witty banter, palpable tension, and a romance built on proximity and feelings-that-shouldn’t-exist—but it also digs into messier emotional territory in a way that feels honest and earned.
The FMC’s anxiety is portrayed with real care. It’s woven naturally into her thoughts and reactions, shaping how she navigates relationships rather than being treated as a cute quirk to overcome. Her internal spiral moments felt deeply relatable, especially as she struggles with self-doubt, boundaries, and the fear of wanting too much.
One of the strongest (and most uncomfortable, in a good way) aspects of the story is the unhealthy best-friend dynamic. It’s subtle, layered, and painfully realistic—the kind of relationship that looks fine from the outside but chips away at the FMC’s sense of self. Watching her come to terms with that imbalance adds real emotional depth to what could have been a lighter, fluff-only story.
The banter between the leads is sharp and natural, and the tension simmers beautifully. Every interaction feels loaded with meaning, especially as secrets pile up and feelings go unspoken. The “not boyfriend” dynamic is deliciously frustrating in the best rom-com way, keeping the stakes high and the payoff satisfying.
And the cat adoption subplot? Absolutely charming. It adds warmth, humor, and heart while quietly reinforcing the book’s themes of vulnerability, care, and choosing what—and who—makes you feel safe.
Overall, My Best Friend’s Not Boyfriend balances humor and emotional growth exceptionally well. It’s funny, tender, and quietly heartbreaking at times, with characters who feel real and flawed. If you enjoy rom-coms with strong banter, meaningful tension, and an honest exploration of anxiety and complicated friendships, this one is well worth the read.
The FMC’s anxiety is portrayed with real care. It’s woven naturally into her thoughts and reactions, shaping how she navigates relationships rather than being treated as a cute quirk to overcome. Her internal spiral moments felt deeply relatable, especially as she struggles with self-doubt, boundaries, and the fear of wanting too much.
One of the strongest (and most uncomfortable, in a good way) aspects of the story is the unhealthy best-friend dynamic. It’s subtle, layered, and painfully realistic—the kind of relationship that looks fine from the outside but chips away at the FMC’s sense of self. Watching her come to terms with that imbalance adds real emotional depth to what could have been a lighter, fluff-only story.
The banter between the leads is sharp and natural, and the tension simmers beautifully. Every interaction feels loaded with meaning, especially as secrets pile up and feelings go unspoken. The “not boyfriend” dynamic is deliciously frustrating in the best rom-com way, keeping the stakes high and the payoff satisfying.
And the cat adoption subplot? Absolutely charming. It adds warmth, humor, and heart while quietly reinforcing the book’s themes of vulnerability, care, and choosing what—and who—makes you feel safe.
Overall, My Best Friend’s Not Boyfriend balances humor and emotional growth exceptionally well. It’s funny, tender, and quietly heartbreaking at times, with characters who feel real and flawed. If you enjoy rom-coms with strong banter, meaningful tension, and an honest exploration of anxiety and complicated friendships, this one is well worth the read.
January 1, 2026
My Best Friend's Not-Boyfriend by Jessica Highfield delivers on all the elements I want from a rom-com and then some! The romance is swoony and so lovely, with palpable chemistry between the main character and the love interest. The comedy is wry and sarcastic and it often made me genuinely laugh out loud. Most importantly, this story communicates an impactful message about claiming one's own power and living authentically to one's self.
One of the most notable and impressive qualities of this book is the author's ability to evoke that sense of escapist fantasy that a lot of us readers look for when we read while also building in a strong quality of realism that keeps the story feeling grounded and honest. I felt immersed in the wintery Michigan setting, with quaint, cozy cafes and snowy outdoor theatre, and I was even more immersed in the mindset of the main character. From a first person point of view, hearing all of Jen's unfiltered thoughts and feelings as they came to her, I was able to so easily and meaningfully connect with her as a character. As a reader, you go on every emotional rollercoaster right alongside her, and it makes you care so deeply for this figure and relate to her so realistically.
The other characters, especially the titular best friend, Mallory, and the love interest, Jack, and Jen's coworker Vicky, all sparkle with life and energy. Each has their own unique characterization that makes them fun to read about as they influence Jen's world and path, yet they each also demonstrate the complexities of real relationships. This book, this author, does not shy away from the fact that the feelings we have about other people and our interactions with them can be incredibly complicated. I absolutely loved the way that friendship was handled as a topic- something that can be so beautiful and encouraging in someone's life, but also something that can be confining and limiting when it's not right. I also love the way that, as a reader, your perspective on these secondary characters shifts in the same ways that Jen's does as she grows and changes throughout the narrative. Additionally, I also very much appreciated the way that Jen's relationships with these secondary characters helped her own understanding of herself and her needs to grow and change. In that way, again, this book feels like it is offering a poignant reflection on reality.
Yet don't mistake me- this book is not dreary or solemn in the way that realism can sometimes feel. It's realism is paired with enough drama to make it deliciously fun and the perfect amount of wackiness/silliness to make it hilarious. And, by the end, I felt as if I had been on a wild romp AND engaged with a heartfelt, empowering narrative.
If you're looking for a book that you can lose yourself in as you turn page after page to find out what happens next, only to realize you've actually found yourself, look no further and enjoy reading Jessica Highfield's My Best Friend's Not-Boyfriend!
One of the most notable and impressive qualities of this book is the author's ability to evoke that sense of escapist fantasy that a lot of us readers look for when we read while also building in a strong quality of realism that keeps the story feeling grounded and honest. I felt immersed in the wintery Michigan setting, with quaint, cozy cafes and snowy outdoor theatre, and I was even more immersed in the mindset of the main character. From a first person point of view, hearing all of Jen's unfiltered thoughts and feelings as they came to her, I was able to so easily and meaningfully connect with her as a character. As a reader, you go on every emotional rollercoaster right alongside her, and it makes you care so deeply for this figure and relate to her so realistically.
The other characters, especially the titular best friend, Mallory, and the love interest, Jack, and Jen's coworker Vicky, all sparkle with life and energy. Each has their own unique characterization that makes them fun to read about as they influence Jen's world and path, yet they each also demonstrate the complexities of real relationships. This book, this author, does not shy away from the fact that the feelings we have about other people and our interactions with them can be incredibly complicated. I absolutely loved the way that friendship was handled as a topic- something that can be so beautiful and encouraging in someone's life, but also something that can be confining and limiting when it's not right. I also love the way that, as a reader, your perspective on these secondary characters shifts in the same ways that Jen's does as she grows and changes throughout the narrative. Additionally, I also very much appreciated the way that Jen's relationships with these secondary characters helped her own understanding of herself and her needs to grow and change. In that way, again, this book feels like it is offering a poignant reflection on reality.
Yet don't mistake me- this book is not dreary or solemn in the way that realism can sometimes feel. It's realism is paired with enough drama to make it deliciously fun and the perfect amount of wackiness/silliness to make it hilarious. And, by the end, I felt as if I had been on a wild romp AND engaged with a heartfelt, empowering narrative.
If you're looking for a book that you can lose yourself in as you turn page after page to find out what happens next, only to realize you've actually found yourself, look no further and enjoy reading Jessica Highfield's My Best Friend's Not-Boyfriend!
December 20, 2025
My Best Friend’s Not-Boyfriend strikes a lovely balance between cozy, Hallmark-style romance charm and real emotional depth. Jen feels like a classic romance leading lady, but one grounded in relatable challenges and believable choices. The friendship between Jen and Mallory beautifully drives the central conflict, honoring the complexity and history between them. I felt angry, then hopeful, and moved through every stage of grief as their friendship reached its emotional conclusion.
The friendship and romantic arcs unfold in parallel, weaving together naturally and building toward an ending that feels both satisfying and earned. If you love charming settings, slow-burn romance with a side of spice, and characters who feel like real people, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
The friendship and romantic arcs unfold in parallel, weaving together naturally and building toward an ending that feels both satisfying and earned. If you love charming settings, slow-burn romance with a side of spice, and characters who feel like real people, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
December 31, 2025
A will-they-won’t-they, featuring a small town, cats, lessons in friendship & boundaries, a sexy dark-haired man, LOTR and Shakespeare references…I mean, come on, what more can you ask for? This was the perfect cozy, winter read. The writing flows really well, putting you right inside the main character, Jen’s, head. Jen is super relatable; the kind of MC whose pains you feel right along with her, and triumphs you root & cheer for. And Jack is…🔥 For me, there’s nothing better in a romance, than a healthy dose of yearning. The slow burn of “we shouldn’t, but how can we not?” is so compelling because of how good the chemistry is between the leads, especially when layered with the complicated best-friend relationship. Hoping there’ll be a sequel!
December 20, 2025
I didn't know I needed a romance book that educated about boundaries, but I got it in this book and I liked it! This book really stands out due to the main character's growth as she learns to choose herself. As a Michigander, I love the Ann Arbor setting!
January 9, 2026
I really did like this book. However, Mallory is absolutely toxic and it made me feel quite uncomfortable. And sorry but Jen being a therapist when her anxiety is this bad, and how she allows herself to be treated isn’t okay 🙃 loved the story line just struggled with the characters
January 7, 2026
8/10
This was a great read. Jess has a great way of explaining emotions and the chaotic feeling of anxiety. It was a good ride.
This was a great read. Jess has a great way of explaining emotions and the chaotic feeling of anxiety. It was a good ride.
January 11, 2026
Great debut!
I enjoyed that the characters were real. I loved that she included a setting I am familiar with. This was a nice quick read. Congratulations on a job well done!
I enjoyed that the characters were real. I loved that she included a setting I am familiar with. This was a nice quick read. Congratulations on a job well done!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews