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Ruin the Friendship
Everything in Maisie Cohen’s life is going to plan. She has a stable job, great friends, and a long-term relationship that has finally progressed to happily ever after … or so she thinks.
Her best friend Nate was never her fiance’s biggest fan, but it comes to a head when he crashes the bachelor party and shows Maisie who she’s really marrying. In the aftermath, her fiance forces her to choose who to keep in her life: him, or Nate. She immediately cancels the wedding—the easiest choice she’s ever made.
Maisie might be falling apart, but she figures someone should take advantage of the cruise booked for the honeymoon, and there’s no one more deserving of a vacation than her best friend. What she doesn’t expect is for Nate to insist she come with him, despite her fear of water.
But in close quarters, she can’t help but notice the distance between her and Nate that wasn’t there when they were kids. Even worse, now that she’s single for the first time in her adult life, she’s beginning to see her best friend in a whole new light.
Maisie knows she needs to keep herself in line and not rock the boat. She can’t bear the thought of ever losing Nate. But as they go on adventures together, navigate her fears, and fight over who gets the single bed, she’s never been more tempted to ruin the friendship.
Her best friend Nate was never her fiance’s biggest fan, but it comes to a head when he crashes the bachelor party and shows Maisie who she’s really marrying. In the aftermath, her fiance forces her to choose who to keep in her life: him, or Nate. She immediately cancels the wedding—the easiest choice she’s ever made.
Maisie might be falling apart, but she figures someone should take advantage of the cruise booked for the honeymoon, and there’s no one more deserving of a vacation than her best friend. What she doesn’t expect is for Nate to insist she come with him, despite her fear of water.
But in close quarters, she can’t help but notice the distance between her and Nate that wasn’t there when they were kids. Even worse, now that she’s single for the first time in her adult life, she’s beginning to see her best friend in a whole new light.
Maisie knows she needs to keep herself in line and not rock the boat. She can’t bear the thought of ever losing Nate. But as they go on adventures together, navigate her fears, and fight over who gets the single bed, she’s never been more tempted to ruin the friendship.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 554 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Elle Rivers, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
UGH this was a 5 / 5 ⭐️ read for me. No questions.
Brownie points because the FMC's nickname is Berry, too. I loved that I could have a bit of a self-insert moment while reading this!🍓🍓🍓
I will admit I don't usually read much friends to lovers romances. Sometimes I think they are a little cliche and overdone.. But Ruin the Friendship was anything but that. I devoured it. This book ate and left no crumbs.
Maisie and Nate have consumed my waking thoughts for the last two days. I loved their supportive friendship, their banter, and their love for each other even before they finally hit it off as lovers. They were so addictive, and felt so three dimensional and realistic!!
Maisie was a QUEEN. I loved her so much. Her character growth from the beginning of the book to the end was so heartwarming and oddly reminiscent/nostalgic to read through. I found myself feeling for her and really crying for her during her hard moments. Also, I loved her friendship with Scarlett! Imho all women need a strong friend like that in our lives.
Nate was the sweetest, most golden retriever coded man ever. Ugh. He was so patient, so kind, and so caring. It made me so happy whenever he was on the page.. Which was a good 80% of the book LOL. I just loved him, and I loved how he loved Maisie. And the flashback to strawberries? I wanted to cry.
I loved this book. I honestly couldn't get enough of it, and although I am so sad it's over, I am so happy I got to read about these two and fall in love with both of them.
♡ pre-read ♡
Jay told me about this ARC, so naturally because I love her, I have requested it and now I can't wait to read it HEHEHEHE
UGH this was a 5 / 5 ⭐️ read for me. No questions.
Brownie points because the FMC's nickname is Berry, too. I loved that I could have a bit of a self-insert moment while reading this!🍓🍓🍓
I will admit I don't usually read much friends to lovers romances. Sometimes I think they are a little cliche and overdone.. But Ruin the Friendship was anything but that. I devoured it. This book ate and left no crumbs.
Maisie and Nate have consumed my waking thoughts for the last two days. I loved their supportive friendship, their banter, and their love for each other even before they finally hit it off as lovers. They were so addictive, and felt so three dimensional and realistic!!
Maisie was a QUEEN. I loved her so much. Her character growth from the beginning of the book to the end was so heartwarming and oddly reminiscent/nostalgic to read through. I found myself feeling for her and really crying for her during her hard moments. Also, I loved her friendship with Scarlett! Imho all women need a strong friend like that in our lives.
Nate was the sweetest, most golden retriever coded man ever. Ugh. He was so patient, so kind, and so caring. It made me so happy whenever he was on the page.. Which was a good 80% of the book LOL. I just loved him, and I loved how he loved Maisie. And the flashback to strawberries? I wanted to cry.
I loved this book. I honestly couldn't get enough of it, and although I am so sad it's over, I am so happy I got to read about these two and fall in love with both of them.
♡ pre-read ♡
Jay told me about this ARC, so naturally because I love her, I have requested it and now I can't wait to read it HEHEHEHE
May 1, 2026
If you love the chaos, the banter, and the feel-good vibes of a classic romantic comedy movie, you need to pick up Ruin the Friendship. This book was such a fun read! I’ll be honest: I was hooked the second I saw the phrase “idiots-to-lovers.” 😂 Add in a cute cover and the promise of childhood friends-to-more, and I was officially sold. Reading Elle Rivers’ latest felt exactly like watching a classic, nostalgic rom-com. It's fast-paced, irreverent, and packed with chaotic humor.
Maisie Cohen’s life is going perfectly to plan... until it isn't, and the universe hands her a serious reality check. Just days before her wedding, her childhood best friend, Nate, helps reveal exactly who her fiancé really is. It’s visceral, it’s foul, and you’ll be cheering when Maisie chooses herself and calls the whole thing off. Since the honeymoon cruise is non-refundable, one thing leads to another, and Maisie ends up on a ship surrounded by lovesick couples, and of course, none other than Nate.
Nate is hands-down such a sweet, golden retriever meets cinnamon roll MMC. He’s a gym teacher who is so incredibly committed to Maisie that at times, it actually makes you a bit mad on his behalf! Beyond the humor, I really loved the themes of self-acceptance and learning to trust your own worth after being demeaned by a toxic partner. Watching Maisie shift from a relationship that stifled her to finding someone who truly sees her flaws and loves her 100% was so satisfying.
The dialogue in this book is hilarious! The banter between Maisie and Nate is sharp, witty, and had me cackling—they have that deep, comfortable chemistry that only comes from years of growing up together. If you love stories that don't take themselves too seriously but still deliver a heartfelt emotional punch, this is a must-read. Plus, as a massive Star Wars nerd, I was obsessed with the references! As an example, Maisie has a deep-rooted fear of water, and her "safe word" for when she panics while Nate teaches her to swim is "Obi-Wan." (Which is actually my puppy's name 😂) It’s such a hilarious detail that definitely had me cracking up!
Ruin the Friendship is a total gem of a travel romance. It’s lighthearted, action-packed, and full of pure entertainment. I’m crossing my fingers for a traditional publishing pick-up just so we can get a duet-style audiobook of that banter! If you want a book that will make you smile, laugh, and kick your feet, this is it.
Perfect if you love:
😂 Hilarious Rom-Coms: Think Meghan Quinn’s Till Summer Do Us Part
🚢 Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner
✨️ The laugh-out-loud shenanigans of Jo Lyons
🤣 Idiots-to-lovers chaos and sharp banter that made crack up!
😍 Total "He Falls First" Vibes: A devoted MMC who is down-bad in every way
🥰 Nostalgic romcom movies
💕 Tropes: Childhood friends-to-lovers, forced proximity (only one bed!)
✨️ Themes of self-acceptance, growth and healing
❤️🔥 Choosing someone who chooses you (flaws and all)
❤️ Supporting indie authors!
Thank you to the author, Elle Rivers, and Literary Rising for the ARC! I am writing this review voluntarily. These are my honest opinions.
Maisie Cohen’s life is going perfectly to plan... until it isn't, and the universe hands her a serious reality check. Just days before her wedding, her childhood best friend, Nate, helps reveal exactly who her fiancé really is. It’s visceral, it’s foul, and you’ll be cheering when Maisie chooses herself and calls the whole thing off. Since the honeymoon cruise is non-refundable, one thing leads to another, and Maisie ends up on a ship surrounded by lovesick couples, and of course, none other than Nate.
Nate is hands-down such a sweet, golden retriever meets cinnamon roll MMC. He’s a gym teacher who is so incredibly committed to Maisie that at times, it actually makes you a bit mad on his behalf! Beyond the humor, I really loved the themes of self-acceptance and learning to trust your own worth after being demeaned by a toxic partner. Watching Maisie shift from a relationship that stifled her to finding someone who truly sees her flaws and loves her 100% was so satisfying.
The dialogue in this book is hilarious! The banter between Maisie and Nate is sharp, witty, and had me cackling—they have that deep, comfortable chemistry that only comes from years of growing up together. If you love stories that don't take themselves too seriously but still deliver a heartfelt emotional punch, this is a must-read. Plus, as a massive Star Wars nerd, I was obsessed with the references! As an example, Maisie has a deep-rooted fear of water, and her "safe word" for when she panics while Nate teaches her to swim is "Obi-Wan." (Which is actually my puppy's name 😂) It’s such a hilarious detail that definitely had me cracking up!
Ruin the Friendship is a total gem of a travel romance. It’s lighthearted, action-packed, and full of pure entertainment. I’m crossing my fingers for a traditional publishing pick-up just so we can get a duet-style audiobook of that banter! If you want a book that will make you smile, laugh, and kick your feet, this is it.
Perfect if you love:
😂 Hilarious Rom-Coms: Think Meghan Quinn’s Till Summer Do Us Part
🚢 Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner
✨️ The laugh-out-loud shenanigans of Jo Lyons
🤣 Idiots-to-lovers chaos and sharp banter that made crack up!
😍 Total "He Falls First" Vibes: A devoted MMC who is down-bad in every way
🥰 Nostalgic romcom movies
💕 Tropes: Childhood friends-to-lovers, forced proximity (only one bed!)
✨️ Themes of self-acceptance, growth and healing
❤️🔥 Choosing someone who chooses you (flaws and all)
❤️ Supporting indie authors!
Thank you to the author, Elle Rivers, and Literary Rising for the ARC! I am writing this review voluntarily. These are my honest opinions.
September 8, 2026
Мені сподобалася літня, легка атмосфера, гумор, і близькі стосунки між Мейзі і її 'другом' Нейтом.
Це вже друга книга у вересні із тропом друзі - закохані. Ситуація повторюється - не говорять про свої почуття, зустрічаються з іншими, поки не стається якесь чудо /поштовх і вони таки зізнаються, або розуміють що насправді ось кохання всього життя, поряд весь час.
Як же Мейзі не помічала, що Нейт закоханий у неї - переїхав у квартиру поряд до її, завжди поруч коли треба, проти її мудака нареченого
Нейт такий милий 🥰
Роб іще той дурачок 🙈
Це вже друга книга у вересні із тропом друзі - закохані. Ситуація повторюється - не говорять про свої почуття, зустрічаються з іншими, поки не стається якесь чудо /поштовх і вони таки зізнаються, або розуміють що насправді ось кохання всього життя, поряд весь час.
Як же Мейзі не помічала, що Нейт закоханий у неї - переїхав у квартиру поряд до її, завжди поруч коли треба, проти її мудака нареченого
Нейт такий милий 🥰
Роб іще той дурачок 🙈
April 29, 2026
If you enjoy romance tropes, you’ll like Ruin the Friendship. The story features friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, and the classic one-bed situation, which keeps things entertaining. I really enjoyed Maisie and Nate, and their banter was one of my favorite parts. Their close friendship was clear from the beginning. I never understood why Maisie picked Rob when Nate was right there, since I hated Rob from the start. It was fun to see Maisie start out kind of closed off and evolve into a woman who wanted to face her fear of water, learn to love herself, and realize she deserves someone who lifts her up (like Nate). I couldn’t get enough of these two and finished the book in one night. Overall, it’s a fun read, and I definitely recommend it to romance fans.
Ruin the Friendship is out May 1st.
Thank you to Elle Rivers for the opportunity to review Ruin the Friendship. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ruin the Friendship is out May 1st.
Thank you to Elle Rivers for the opportunity to review Ruin the Friendship. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 1, 2026
Elle has never failed me, and she certainly hasn't this time either. A great summer romance for this year coming through!
Maisie and Nate have been best friends forever, navigating the seasons of life with unwavering commitment. While Maisie is preparing for her wedding, Nate is still there, supporting her in the background. As for her fiancé, Rob—why she ever picked him is a mystery to me. But why she stayed so long? That’s just outrageous. Anyway, the wedding falls through because Rob becomes so full of himself that he asks her to choose between him or Nate, and it seems he really didn't expect her to choose Nate! Confusing times, but what can you do—Maisie and Nate head off on the cruise that was supposed to be Maisie's honeymoon. What could possibly go wrong?
It's a classic mix of tropes: close proximity, hidden feelings, and that fear of ruining the friendship. There’s also the added complication of Maisie’s fear of water. It’s a funny one, and I really enjoyed how Maisie comes to terms with her own feelings, becomes more assertive, and finally fights for what she wants. As for Nate, he's like a golden retriever, really. My only gripe with him was—man, I respect you for respecting her choices, but you really should have fought for her sooner! (Yes, I know he doesn't know if she feels the same, but still...).
To conclude, it’s another quick and thoroughly enjoyable read from Elle. If you're looking for a summer read and love these tropes, this might just be the one for you.
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC!
Maisie and Nate have been best friends forever, navigating the seasons of life with unwavering commitment. While Maisie is preparing for her wedding, Nate is still there, supporting her in the background. As for her fiancé, Rob—why she ever picked him is a mystery to me. But why she stayed so long? That’s just outrageous. Anyway, the wedding falls through because Rob becomes so full of himself that he asks her to choose between him or Nate, and it seems he really didn't expect her to choose Nate! Confusing times, but what can you do—Maisie and Nate head off on the cruise that was supposed to be Maisie's honeymoon. What could possibly go wrong?
It's a classic mix of tropes: close proximity, hidden feelings, and that fear of ruining the friendship. There’s also the added complication of Maisie’s fear of water. It’s a funny one, and I really enjoyed how Maisie comes to terms with her own feelings, becomes more assertive, and finally fights for what she wants. As for Nate, he's like a golden retriever, really. My only gripe with him was—man, I respect you for respecting her choices, but you really should have fought for her sooner! (Yes, I know he doesn't know if she feels the same, but still...).
To conclude, it’s another quick and thoroughly enjoyable read from Elle. If you're looking for a summer read and love these tropes, this might just be the one for you.
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC!
April 12, 2026
Received an advance copy received from author
I just finished an ARC of Ruin the Friendship by Elle Rivers and it was such a fun ride! 3.5 stars for this perfect summer read. ☀️
It’s one of those books that makes you kick your feet and giggle. Nate and Maisie have the best banter, and even though you might know the general vibe of the trope, the twists kept me hooked. Also, we love a side character cast that actually adds to the story!
The setting is a cruise (even though Maisie hates water lol) and it felt so real. The spice was also done well—it didn't overwhelm the story, but it was the perfect "payoff" for their relationship progressing. Such a good palette cleanser if you need something quick and cute!
I just finished an ARC of Ruin the Friendship by Elle Rivers and it was such a fun ride! 3.5 stars for this perfect summer read. ☀️
It’s one of those books that makes you kick your feet and giggle. Nate and Maisie have the best banter, and even though you might know the general vibe of the trope, the twists kept me hooked. Also, we love a side character cast that actually adds to the story!
The setting is a cruise (even though Maisie hates water lol) and it felt so real. The spice was also done well—it didn't overwhelm the story, but it was the perfect "payoff" for their relationship progressing. Such a good palette cleanser if you need something quick and cute!
Read
April 3, 2026Arc reviews
Soooo , I was so exited to read this book and even if the trope is not in my liking .. I have to admit it was so BEAUTIFUL.
Maise and Nate such a cute couples and their entire journey was very enjoyable to witness.
Personally, I was amazed by them and the story so I will raccomnend this book forever
Soooo , I was so exited to read this book and even if the trope is not in my liking .. I have to admit it was so BEAUTIFUL.
Maise and Nate such a cute couples and their entire journey was very enjoyable to witness.
Personally, I was amazed by them and the story so I will raccomnend this book forever
May 7, 2026
3.75 🌟
First thanks to NetGalley for giving me this book as an ARC, and special thanks to the author for writing such a cute, easy read that made me giggle since the very first pages, this book is perfect if you love these tropes :
- best friends to lovers
- “Fuck it”
- “It’s always been you”
- helping her get over a past trauma
- choosing each other over anyone always
- everyone else sees it but them
- protective, gentle and caring MMC
- funny and cute banter
- 2000’s rom-com vibes
- no 3rd act breakup
- no miscommunication at all
I really recommend reading this as a summer or spring read!!🤩💗💗💗
AND OF COURSE DON’T FORGET TO READ THE MMC’S POV BECAUSE OMG I REALLY NEEDED IT HE IS SUCH A YEARNER😭❤️
First thanks to NetGalley for giving me this book as an ARC, and special thanks to the author for writing such a cute, easy read that made me giggle since the very first pages, this book is perfect if you love these tropes :
- best friends to lovers
- “Fuck it”
- “It’s always been you”
- helping her get over a past trauma
- choosing each other over anyone always
- everyone else sees it but them
- protective, gentle and caring MMC
- funny and cute banter
- 2000’s rom-com vibes
- no 3rd act breakup
- no miscommunication at all
I really recommend reading this as a summer or spring read!!🤩💗💗💗
AND OF COURSE DON’T FORGET TO READ THE MMC’S POV BECAUSE OMG I REALLY NEEDED IT HE IS SUCH A YEARNER😭❤️
April 25, 2026
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC!
I highly recommend Ruin the Friendship for anyone looking for the perfect summer read. Maisy and Nate make the cutest couple. It’s a forced proximity, friends to lovers read. And as a cruise gal myself, I really enjoyed those boat scenes 🛳️
I highly recommend Ruin the Friendship for anyone looking for the perfect summer read. Maisy and Nate make the cutest couple. It’s a forced proximity, friends to lovers read. And as a cruise gal myself, I really enjoyed those boat scenes 🛳️
May 2, 2026
I’m just going to dive straight into this review. This was my first book by Elle, and it was a great read. I really enjoyed Maisie and Nate’s long-standing friendship, especially with those underlying feelings they were both too afraid to act on. But with the forced proximity of going on a cruise together, everything starts to shift. This is a very slow burn with lots of tension and very character driven.
That said, I did struggle with Maisie at times. I found it frustrating how often she brushed Nate off, shut him out, or told him what to do just to avoid him. It happened quite a few times, usually followed by the same “I’m fine” before rushing off. There were also repetitive moments of her needing space and assuming Nate hated her touch it wasn’t constantly, but it stood out enough throughout the book.
Overall, I still think it’s worth the read and definitely one to give a chance if you’re considering picking it up.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 336
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️.5
Spicy Chapters: 25, 26 and 29
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Tropes or Themes: Best Friends To Lovers, One Bed, Forced Proximity, Slowburn, Chemistry, Its Always Been You, Yearning, Fuck It Moment, and Sexual Content.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
That said, I did struggle with Maisie at times. I found it frustrating how often she brushed Nate off, shut him out, or told him what to do just to avoid him. It happened quite a few times, usually followed by the same “I’m fine” before rushing off. There were also repetitive moments of her needing space and assuming Nate hated her touch it wasn’t constantly, but it stood out enough throughout the book.
Overall, I still think it’s worth the read and definitely one to give a chance if you’re considering picking it up.
Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle ARC
Pages: 336
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️.5
Spicy Chapters: 25, 26 and 29
POV: First Person
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Tropes or Themes: Best Friends To Lovers, One Bed, Forced Proximity, Slowburn, Chemistry, Its Always Been You, Yearning, Fuck It Moment, and Sexual Content.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Fable | Margins | Pagebound | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
April 1, 2026
Firstly, thank you so much Elle Rivers and BookFunnel for my eARC of this book!
I would give this book a 3.5 star rating but since Goodreads doesn’t allow that I figured I would round up. It was a very enjoyable read!
I really liked the characters Nate and Maisie, however I felt like sometimes Nate let things slide way too quickly with Maisie, and the fact that Maisie thought about Rob (her shitty ex) during weird, awkward times for her to be thinking of someone else bothered me.
I also felt like sometimes we were told much more often than shown right at the beginning, which made the pacing feel strained right at the start. However, this is not a problem I noticed throughout the rest of the book. Once they were on the ship it was good times.
This is a wonderful story to bring on your summer vacation. It shows the nuisance of love in ways that a good amount of romance books aren’t able to. It has characters that are perfectly flawed, with fears and dreams, that are able to come together time and again.
(personal rating system; 5 stars-perfect, read 4 stars-loved it, 3 stars-liked it would recommend , 2 stars-mostly wouldn’t recommend, 1 star-hated this)
I would give this book a 3.5 star rating but since Goodreads doesn’t allow that I figured I would round up. It was a very enjoyable read!
I really liked the characters Nate and Maisie, however I felt like sometimes Nate let things slide way too quickly with Maisie, and the fact that Maisie thought about Rob (her shitty ex) during weird, awkward times for her to be thinking of someone else bothered me.
I also felt like sometimes we were told much more often than shown right at the beginning, which made the pacing feel strained right at the start. However, this is not a problem I noticed throughout the rest of the book. Once they were on the ship it was good times.
This is a wonderful story to bring on your summer vacation. It shows the nuisance of love in ways that a good amount of romance books aren’t able to. It has characters that are perfectly flawed, with fears and dreams, that are able to come together time and again.
(personal rating system; 5 stars-perfect, read 4 stars-loved it, 3 stars-liked it would recommend , 2 stars-mostly wouldn’t recommend, 1 star-hated this)
March 30, 2026
•°. ❝ You don't need to ask me for a chance. You never did. I chose you. And I'd do it again. ❞ *࿐
✎ᝰ. ★★★★★ stars
✎ᝰ. 3/5 spice level
✎ᝰ. tropes:
𝜗𝜚 childhood friends to lovers
𝜗𝜚 idiots to lovers
𝜗𝜚 constant banter
𝜗𝜚 runaway bride
𝜗𝜚 honeymoon cruise
𝜗𝜚 forced proximity
𝜗𝜚 summer romance
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
First of all, I would like to thank Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Ruin the Friendship comes out on May 1st, 2026!
This is one of the cutest cruise romances I have ever read. I swear, it was such an amazing and addictive read that I just could not put it down. It was that good.
When I saw “idiots to lovers” as a trope, I was a bit confused, but after reading, I can 100% attest to it. The character I related to most was Scarlett, because it truly felt like watching two of your friends being completely oblivious to each other’s feelings from a front row seat.
Our main characters, Maisie and Nate, steal the show from the start. Watching Maisie recover from her toxic relationship and find her true self again was incredibly touching and inspiring, and I found myself cheering for her accomplishments as if she were my closest friend. Nate was the greenest of green flags to ever exist, and I hope that someday everyone can find a guy like him to call their own. He truly is the ultimate book boyfriend and deserves everything good in this world.
This book feels like a cozy blanket on a chilly summer evening while sitting on the beach watching the sunset. It is a combination of warmth and fuzzy feelings brought to life in a beautiful novel that will give you butterflies from start to finish. You will find yourself wishing it were a thousand pages long so you would not have to say goodbye to the characters.
I highly recommend Ruin the Friendship for anyone looking for the perfect summer read. It has the perfect balance of romance, humor, charm, and depth, along with everything that makes a love story special. Trust me, just like I was, you will be hooked on Maisie and Nate’s love story from page one.
•°. ❝ There are many things I'll let go. There are many things I won't fight about. Nate is neither of those things. ❞ *࿐
✎ᝰ. trigger warnings (possible spoilers): emotional abuse, explicit sexual content, anxiety, panic attacks due to water phobia.
April 17, 2026
[3.5⭐️]
Thank you, Victory Editing | NetGalley Co-op, for providing this E-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!!
"fear has always been something that i’ve avoided. after all, i always thought it was telling me that i shouldn’t do something. but as time goes on, i’m starting to realize that i can do things while scared. and it’s good for me to do them too."
i read this book in one sitting and definitely enjoyed it for what it was. i liked both maisie and nate as characters but when it came to their chemistry as a pair, especially towards the first half, i felt like i wanted a little more… i think maybe i would’ve enjoyed their relationship so much more if we also got nate’s pov, but of course that is just personal preference as someone who tends to enjoy dual pov romance a lot more. i alos think surrounding maisie leaving her fiancé rob (for good reason) i kind of expected a bigger moment around that, especially seeing as they were in a 10 year relationship. obviously leading up to the wedding you could already see anyway that maisie was almost kind of checked out, so i guess that could play into the reason why it wasn’t as dramatic. i did really enjoy maisie’s character development what with her facing her fears when it comes to water, especially with nate there to help her. overall this book was good and i did end up rooting for them towards the end!! also i just have to add here at the end, but the cover is absolutely gorgeous and is what initially drew me into wanting to read this book.
Thank you, Victory Editing | NetGalley Co-op, for providing this E-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!!
"fear has always been something that i’ve avoided. after all, i always thought it was telling me that i shouldn’t do something. but as time goes on, i’m starting to realize that i can do things while scared. and it’s good for me to do them too."
i read this book in one sitting and definitely enjoyed it for what it was. i liked both maisie and nate as characters but when it came to their chemistry as a pair, especially towards the first half, i felt like i wanted a little more… i think maybe i would’ve enjoyed their relationship so much more if we also got nate’s pov, but of course that is just personal preference as someone who tends to enjoy dual pov romance a lot more. i alos think surrounding maisie leaving her fiancé rob (for good reason) i kind of expected a bigger moment around that, especially seeing as they were in a 10 year relationship. obviously leading up to the wedding you could already see anyway that maisie was almost kind of checked out, so i guess that could play into the reason why it wasn’t as dramatic. i did really enjoy maisie’s character development what with her facing her fears when it comes to water, especially with nate there to help her. overall this book was good and i did end up rooting for them towards the end!! also i just have to add here at the end, but the cover is absolutely gorgeous and is what initially drew me into wanting to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3☆ | finished this one multiple days ago and still not quite sure how I feel about it. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either.
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I think my main thing with this book was that everything took place over such a short amount of time. I wish this has taken place over the span of multiple months and not one cruise trip. It just seemed like it was too quick
I did really enjoy seeing Masie and Nate together and how he helped her get through so much. And how when she was with him she was her best self.
I liked both Masie and Nate as characters enough but when it came to them as a couple I felt like the chemistry was lacking a bit. Like we probably could've gotten so much more from it. And I also wish this had been a dual pov book because Nate did feel somewhat underdeveloped and it would've added an extra layer to the book.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
This one wasn't entirely for me, though romance isn't my favorite genre. But I think anyone who's looking for a nice, summer romance book would really enjoy this one!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook - 2.5🌶 - 3☆
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I think my main thing with this book was that everything took place over such a short amount of time. I wish this has taken place over the span of multiple months and not one cruise trip. It just seemed like it was too quick
I did really enjoy seeing Masie and Nate together and how he helped her get through so much. And how when she was with him she was her best self.
I liked both Masie and Nate as characters enough but when it came to them as a couple I felt like the chemistry was lacking a bit. Like we probably could've gotten so much more from it. And I also wish this had been a dual pov book because Nate did feel somewhat underdeveloped and it would've added an extra layer to the book.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
This one wasn't entirely for me, though romance isn't my favorite genre. But I think anyone who's looking for a nice, summer romance book would really enjoy this one!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook - 2.5🌶 - 3☆
April 24, 2026
First, thank you to the author and Literary Rising for the ARC! This was such a fun, quick romance read.
I really enjoyed Maisie and Nate, their childhood friends to lovers dynamic gave their relationship a strong start and I was definitely rooting for them to become something more. The cruise setting was a highlight! With the cruise taking place right after Maisie calls off her wedding, you really get to see her start to rediscover herself and let loose again. Nate’s loyalty stood out especially when it wasn’t easy, which made me feel for him at times since Maisie was a bit blind.
That said, the transition from friends to lovers felt a little rushed, considering her recent breakup from a 10 year relationship. I would have loved to see Maisie take more time to figure out what she truly wanted for herself. After the cruise, the characters also started to feel a bit younger and I think adding Nate’s POV would have brought more depth to their story.
Overall, I did enjoy this one! While childhood friends to lovers isn’t always my go-to trope, this one worked well, especially with the added fun, summery vacation romance vibes.
I really enjoyed Maisie and Nate, their childhood friends to lovers dynamic gave their relationship a strong start and I was definitely rooting for them to become something more. The cruise setting was a highlight! With the cruise taking place right after Maisie calls off her wedding, you really get to see her start to rediscover herself and let loose again. Nate’s loyalty stood out especially when it wasn’t easy, which made me feel for him at times since Maisie was a bit blind.
That said, the transition from friends to lovers felt a little rushed, considering her recent breakup from a 10 year relationship. I would have loved to see Maisie take more time to figure out what she truly wanted for herself. After the cruise, the characters also started to feel a bit younger and I think adding Nate’s POV would have brought more depth to their story.
Overall, I did enjoy this one! While childhood friends to lovers isn’t always my go-to trope, this one worked well, especially with the added fun, summery vacation romance vibes.
April 27, 2026
First I want to give a HUGE thanks to Elle Rivers for the chance to read Ruin The Friendship. These are all of my honest thoughts and opinions.
Release May 1st
Childhood friends to lovers will forever be one of my favorite tropes and Elle did it so well. Add in some forced proximity and I’m hooked 😍
The slow burn was soooooo good. Everything felt so natural and real. Nothing was forced, nothing was skipped over. I felt all the emotions right along with them all.
Cue me giggling the entire time. The sneak peek into the shower!?👌🏼😍😂
I enjoyed the cruise ship setting and the adventurous aspect. I had fun and feel like it will definitely hit different reading in the summer time.
Scarlett was one of the best side characters I’ve read about. I love her and Maisie’s relationship. She helped her out so much.
I did want a little more from Nate. He was such a good guy. So sweet and attentive. 🥰
Overall such a fun and quick read. Perfect for the upcoming summer time.
First book by Elle Rivers and it definitely won’t be my last.
My rating- 4.0/5⭐️
Release May 1st
Childhood friends to lovers will forever be one of my favorite tropes and Elle did it so well. Add in some forced proximity and I’m hooked 😍
The slow burn was soooooo good. Everything felt so natural and real. Nothing was forced, nothing was skipped over. I felt all the emotions right along with them all.
Cue me giggling the entire time. The sneak peek into the shower!?👌🏼😍😂
I enjoyed the cruise ship setting and the adventurous aspect. I had fun and feel like it will definitely hit different reading in the summer time.
Scarlett was one of the best side characters I’ve read about. I love her and Maisie’s relationship. She helped her out so much.
I did want a little more from Nate. He was such a good guy. So sweet and attentive. 🥰
Overall such a fun and quick read. Perfect for the upcoming summer time.
First book by Elle Rivers and it definitely won’t be my last.
My rating- 4.0/5⭐️
April 16, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Read if you like:
• friends to lovers
• forced proximity
• slow burn
This was honestly such a cute and easy read. Ruin the Friendship by Elle Rivers just flowed so well, I didn’t even realize how fast I was going through it. The pacing felt right, nothing dragged, and the cruise setting made the forced proximity even better!
I really liked Maisie and Nate’s dynamic from the start. You can tell they already have that strong foundation, and it made the friends to lovers feel natural. The slow burn worked really well because you could see the walls slowly coming down, and it just made everything more satisfying.
I also liked that both of them had their own things to figure out. It added a bit more depth without making the story feel heavy. The side characters kept things fun, and the drama was just enough to keep me interested!
My only small issue was with Maisie at times. She could feel a bit childish and naive, like she was switching between being an adult and a teenager. But Nate definitely made up for it, he was so gentle, patient, and understanding!
Overall, this was such a fun and enjoyable summer romance. Light, sweet, and perfect if you’re in the mood for a cute friends to lovers story☀️🤍
Read if you like:
• friends to lovers
• forced proximity
• slow burn
This was honestly such a cute and easy read. Ruin the Friendship by Elle Rivers just flowed so well, I didn’t even realize how fast I was going through it. The pacing felt right, nothing dragged, and the cruise setting made the forced proximity even better!
I really liked Maisie and Nate’s dynamic from the start. You can tell they already have that strong foundation, and it made the friends to lovers feel natural. The slow burn worked really well because you could see the walls slowly coming down, and it just made everything more satisfying.
I also liked that both of them had their own things to figure out. It added a bit more depth without making the story feel heavy. The side characters kept things fun, and the drama was just enough to keep me interested!
My only small issue was with Maisie at times. She could feel a bit childish and naive, like she was switching between being an adult and a teenager. But Nate definitely made up for it, he was so gentle, patient, and understanding!
Overall, this was such a fun and enjoyable summer romance. Light, sweet, and perfect if you’re in the mood for a cute friends to lovers story☀️🤍
April 17, 2026
UM I LOVED this book! 🩷🥹 it was so cute! - big thank you to the Author; Elle Rivers, Literary Rising, and book funnel for my ARC of this book! This was a book that had invested from the start! I definitely looked forward to picking it up every time.
Tropes:
•Childhood friends to lovers
•One bed
•Forced proximity
•Called off wedding
While this is your typical friends to lovers romance, I loved everything about it. There were times the FMC self dialogue bothered me, but that’s to be expected when you’re someone who is in your own head all the time! She’s just a girl trying to navigate such big feelings! 🎀
I actually really enjoyed the dynamic between Nate and Masie. They really do have a beautiful friendship! I love watching them navigate hard times together. Their friendship, banter, and love for one another really was just… perfection ✨
Also a cruise being the main setting?? OBSESSED! I love a cruise!
This book was good reminder of how sometimes we settle and lose ourselves in relationships bc we think that’s what we want, but in the end sometimes walking away causes you to find yourself again and come back even better than before!
I loved this book and will deff be buying a physical copy to own!
Tropes:
•Childhood friends to lovers
•One bed
•Forced proximity
•Called off wedding
While this is your typical friends to lovers romance, I loved everything about it. There were times the FMC self dialogue bothered me, but that’s to be expected when you’re someone who is in your own head all the time! She’s just a girl trying to navigate such big feelings! 🎀
I actually really enjoyed the dynamic between Nate and Masie. They really do have a beautiful friendship! I love watching them navigate hard times together. Their friendship, banter, and love for one another really was just… perfection ✨
Also a cruise being the main setting?? OBSESSED! I love a cruise!
This book was good reminder of how sometimes we settle and lose ourselves in relationships bc we think that’s what we want, but in the end sometimes walking away causes you to find yourself again and come back even better than before!
I loved this book and will deff be buying a physical copy to own!
May 2, 2026
Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC!
-----------------------------------
This book was very cute! I really enjoyed Nate and Maisie's characters, however, once they got on the cruise ship and the miscommunication really kicked it, I felt like I got less and less interested in the actual story. To me it felt like the story was dragging on because of the miscommunication, it took me a while to finish this because I kept getting annoyed with the way they were both going about their feelings.
I did feel like the story was lacking a bit on Maisie's feelings for Nate. She realizes that she's interested in him on the cruise, she kisses him, and then they immediately have sex? Seems like she went from zero to one hundred really quickly and it absolutely made it seem like Nate was a rebound to me. On the opposite end of that, it was very clear how Nate felt about Maisie the entire book, and I loved his golden retriever energy and just the love and care he showed her as she worked to heal herself on a week long cruise.
If you love a slow burn - this is the book for you!
Tropes:
* Best friends to lovers
* He Falls First
* SLOW burn
* Forced Proximity
* Only One Bed
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5(rounded to 4)
🌶️🌶️
-----------------------------------
This book was very cute! I really enjoyed Nate and Maisie's characters, however, once they got on the cruise ship and the miscommunication really kicked it, I felt like I got less and less interested in the actual story. To me it felt like the story was dragging on because of the miscommunication, it took me a while to finish this because I kept getting annoyed with the way they were both going about their feelings.
I did feel like the story was lacking a bit on Maisie's feelings for Nate. She realizes that she's interested in him on the cruise, she kisses him, and then they immediately have sex? Seems like she went from zero to one hundred really quickly and it absolutely made it seem like Nate was a rebound to me. On the opposite end of that, it was very clear how Nate felt about Maisie the entire book, and I loved his golden retriever energy and just the love and care he showed her as she worked to heal herself on a week long cruise.
If you love a slow burn - this is the book for you!
Tropes:
* Best friends to lovers
* He Falls First
* SLOW burn
* Forced Proximity
* Only One Bed
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5(rounded to 4)
🌶️🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2026
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC! This was my first ARC and I was so excited to receive it. Best friends to lovers is my favorite trope and Nate and Maisie didn’t disappoint! There were times that the narration was repetitive, and the miscommunication (or purposeful lack of communication) got really frustrating at times, but the payoff was so good. Scarlett as a side character was hilarious, and I loved Quinn and Maisie’s parents too. It was a fun and fluffy romance for sure.
May 2, 2026
I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC and it was the cutest book ever! The character growth between Maisie and Nate was incredible. Maisie is a total boss, you can’t not want to root for her throughout the story. I love a good friends to lovers trope and this got me in my feels! Elle, you’ve written another masterpiece and I highly recommend this read ✨🤍
May 17, 2026
A bit heavy handed at points with Rob, but the main pairing has a lot of heart. I I ultimately I love the idea of having [drunk?] therapist on hand at pivotal life events to encourage you to do things for the plot.
April 13, 2026
4⭐️ This was such a fun and addicting read. I loved the cruise ship setting. There was a lot of miscommunication, which normally drives me insane, but I think it was necessary for the plot and I actually enjoyed it.
And wow Nate is the PERFECT man. The yearning and tension went WILD (on both ends). My favorite part about a friends-to- lovers trope is how well the characters know each other and how deep that relationship goes. They say to be loved is to be known and that theme really shines through in this book.
And wow Nate is the PERFECT man. The yearning and tension went WILD (on both ends). My favorite part about a friends-to- lovers trope is how well the characters know each other and how deep that relationship goes. They say to be loved is to be known and that theme really shines through in this book.
April 23, 2026
Thank you to Elle Rivers, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for the ARC for this book.
This. Was. SO CUTE! Unpopular opinion, I will take Friends to lovers over enemies to lovers any day.
I so enjoyed this book, it was genuinely hard to put down (thankfully I WFH so no one knows I was reading when I was supposed to be working). I really loved the characters friendship in this and how we see it blossom into something so beautiful. I also enjoyed watching Maisie rediscover herself after a long and awful relationship. I think a lot of people can related to loosing themselves and I for one really related to this. Also, the 1 bed trope? YES PLEASE. Parts of this felt cheesy but I didn’t mind it one bit.
Overall, I would give this 4 stars. It was a fun and sexy read, definitely a must read!
This. Was. SO CUTE! Unpopular opinion, I will take Friends to lovers over enemies to lovers any day.
I so enjoyed this book, it was genuinely hard to put down (thankfully I WFH so no one knows I was reading when I was supposed to be working). I really loved the characters friendship in this and how we see it blossom into something so beautiful. I also enjoyed watching Maisie rediscover herself after a long and awful relationship. I think a lot of people can related to loosing themselves and I for one really related to this. Also, the 1 bed trope? YES PLEASE. Parts of this felt cheesy but I didn’t mind it one bit.
Overall, I would give this 4 stars. It was a fun and sexy read, definitely a must read!
April 26, 2026
2.5~2.75
2 is pretty harsh and I admit this book had its moments but the first and last 50 pages (which makes 40% of the book!) made me too frustrated. It was a mix of decent scenes, very brief 4 stars worthy moments, but then a lot of very poorly executed ones so instead of settling on 3 stars as I was planning to for the most part, sadly I fear 2 is more fitting.
I received this book as an ARC, but all opinions are my own (as if it wasn’t obvious either my rating 😅)
I swear this is the last “random” ARC signup I went for. The blurb and tropes sounded so promising but the delivery was poor. I thought maybe I’m the issue - my mood and “friends to lovers” trope but the other books I read the same week/month got higher ratings from me (so it’s not like I was on 2-stars streak) and I read similar tropes this week and enjoyed them so this only proved that the execution in Ruin the Friendship was the issue.
I am sure some readers will like or maybe even love this book but for me it was a struggle and cause for some frustrations. Reading is subjective and all that but objectively I think the writing style if this book is nothing special and together with the plot execution it was similar to things I was writing and reading in high school (and I am NOT a writer at all).
If it was a debut maybe I would round it up to three but since it’s not a debut then how can you make some things make so little sense 😭
There were times when I was confused and times when I was frustrated. I don’t mind being frustrated AT the characters, but the cause of my frustration was HOW the characters were written (poorly, at times) and same goes for some elements of the storyline. They just lacked better crafting.
It made zero sense how the FMC was so long with the ex. The whole situation with his mother was ridiculous. How come these adults let her treat all of them like that?
And once again I do get such characters, these characteristics could work but it all lacked better execution and… writing.
Oh my review ended up being quite a rant (as my reading updates). This book was not THAT bad, the middle was just ok, but the first 50 pages and the last 50 pages made me too frustrated not to round down.
When I was reading this book I kept asking “why?”, “why?”, “why?” without the “that’s why!” moment so I’m sorry but 2 goodreads stars it is.
If you don’t pay much attention (or less than me) to the logical sense of the plotline or characters actions etc, you will probably like this book ok. Sadly for me it was just nothing special plus made me confused and frustrated way too many times.
2 is pretty harsh and I admit this book had its moments but the first and last 50 pages (which makes 40% of the book!) made me too frustrated. It was a mix of decent scenes, very brief 4 stars worthy moments, but then a lot of very poorly executed ones so instead of settling on 3 stars as I was planning to for the most part, sadly I fear 2 is more fitting.
I received this book as an ARC, but all opinions are my own (as if it wasn’t obvious either my rating 😅)
I swear this is the last “random” ARC signup I went for. The blurb and tropes sounded so promising but the delivery was poor. I thought maybe I’m the issue - my mood and “friends to lovers” trope but the other books I read the same week/month got higher ratings from me (so it’s not like I was on 2-stars streak) and I read similar tropes this week and enjoyed them so this only proved that the execution in Ruin the Friendship was the issue.
I am sure some readers will like or maybe even love this book but for me it was a struggle and cause for some frustrations. Reading is subjective and all that but objectively I think the writing style if this book is nothing special and together with the plot execution it was similar to things I was writing and reading in high school (and I am NOT a writer at all).
If it was a debut maybe I would round it up to three but since it’s not a debut then how can you make some things make so little sense 😭
There were times when I was confused and times when I was frustrated. I don’t mind being frustrated AT the characters, but the cause of my frustration was HOW the characters were written (poorly, at times) and same goes for some elements of the storyline. They just lacked better crafting.
It made zero sense how the FMC was so long with the ex. The whole situation with his mother was ridiculous. How come these adults let her treat all of them like that?
And once again I do get such characters, these characteristics could work but it all lacked better execution and… writing.
Oh my review ended up being quite a rant (as my reading updates). This book was not THAT bad, the middle was just ok, but the first 50 pages and the last 50 pages made me too frustrated not to round down.
When I was reading this book I kept asking “why?”, “why?”, “why?” without the “that’s why!” moment so I’m sorry but 2 goodreads stars it is.
If you don’t pay much attention (or less than me) to the logical sense of the plotline or characters actions etc, you will probably like this book ok. Sadly for me it was just nothing special plus made me confused and frustrated way too many times.
April 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!
*all thoughts and opinions are 100% mine*
Oh. My. God. I LOVED this book!!!!! I don’t know if I’ve ever finished a book so fast. It’s like if People We Meet on Vacation met The Unhoneymooners. So amazing.
Tropes: friends to lovers, only one bed, and a “fuck it” moment, which I loved.
Spice was open door, but there was not a ton of it. 2-3/5 on the 🌶️ scale.
Maisie and Nate are BFFs who end up going on a honeymoon together after Maisie calls off her wedding. The honeymoon takes place on a cruise, and Maisie is terrified of water. Nate and Maisie have an adventure together reconnecting as best friends, getting over fears, and realizing feelings they have for one another.
The friendships in this book were my favorite part, I think. More than the blossoming relationship between Nate & Maisie. Quinn and Scarlett were the epitome of a girls girl, and I love that they became friends with each other, too!
*all thoughts and opinions are 100% mine*
Oh. My. God. I LOVED this book!!!!! I don’t know if I’ve ever finished a book so fast. It’s like if People We Meet on Vacation met The Unhoneymooners. So amazing.
Tropes: friends to lovers, only one bed, and a “fuck it” moment, which I loved.
Spice was open door, but there was not a ton of it. 2-3/5 on the 🌶️ scale.
Maisie and Nate are BFFs who end up going on a honeymoon together after Maisie calls off her wedding. The honeymoon takes place on a cruise, and Maisie is terrified of water. Nate and Maisie have an adventure together reconnecting as best friends, getting over fears, and realizing feelings they have for one another.
The friendships in this book were my favorite part, I think. More than the blossoming relationship between Nate & Maisie. Quinn and Scarlett were the epitome of a girls girl, and I love that they became friends with each other, too!
May 1, 2026
ARC Review
I already knew I loved Elle’s writing, but this book reminded me exactly why. From the very first pages, her style feels so real and relatable that it is almost effortless to fall into the story and connect with the characters.
With childhood best friends and forced proximity at the center, I was already invested. It is one of those trope combinations that just works, and here it felt natural from the start, especially because of how easy and familiar Maisie and Nate are with each other.
At first, I was a little unsure about Maisie. I was worried she might turn into someone who lets things happen without standing up for herself. But as the story unfolds, you really see her grow into her own person. Watching her finally stand her ground and stop letting Rob walk all over her was so satisfying. And honestly, Rob was awful. I genuinely do not understand what she ever saw in him, so seeing her let him go felt like such a relief.
As Maisie starts to change, her dynamic with Nate becomes even more interesting. They are so funny together, and I loved their constant bickering. It feels natural, like second nature to them, and it makes every scene between them so enjoyable to read.
Nate is one of those characters you cannot help but love. He is caring, loyal, and always there for her in a way that feels quiet but constant. The kind of friend everyone wishes they had. But there is also something deeper going on with him, especially when it comes to touch, and it adds this layer of tension that you cannot ignore.
“It’s not that he hates touching friends, and from what I’ve seen, it’s not like he hates touching strangers either.
He hates touching me.”
That line really hurt.
And it is in moments like that where the story shifts from light and funny to something more emotional. Because at the same time, there are so many soft, meaningful scenes between them. I loved how Maisie decided to face her fear and learn how to swim, and Nate teaching her was just so gentle and intimate in its own way.
Their relationship builds through all of these little moments, the teasing, the care, the tension, until it all starts to feel inevitable. And when they finally kissed… I was literally giggling and kicking my feet.
The book balances these emotions so well. One moment you are laughing at their banter or recognizing yourself in small lines like “I don’t want you to hear the tinkle,” and the next moment you are completely in your feelings.
I also have to mention Scarlet, because she was easily my favorite side character. She is so kind and understanding, and I loved how she supported Maisie and rooted for her and Nate from the beginning. It made everything feel even warmer.
And then there is the newlywed game scene, which was one of my favorite parts of the entire book. It had humor, tension, and something deeper underneath it all. When Nate answered the question “When did your partner fall for you?” with “When I was ten,” it did not feel like a joke.
That is what this book does so well. It moves so naturally between lighthearted and emotional moments that you barely notice the shift until you feel it.
The only thing that held it back a little for me was the pacing of Maisie’s feelings. After a ten-year relationship, it felt like she moved on quite quickly and fell for Nate in a short amount of time. I do understand that their long friendship makes those feelings easier to develop, but I still wish it had been given a bit more time to grow.
Overall, I gave this 4 stars. It was a warm, funny, and emotional story that completely pulled me in and stayed with me even after I finished.
I already knew I loved Elle’s writing, but this book reminded me exactly why. From the very first pages, her style feels so real and relatable that it is almost effortless to fall into the story and connect with the characters.
With childhood best friends and forced proximity at the center, I was already invested. It is one of those trope combinations that just works, and here it felt natural from the start, especially because of how easy and familiar Maisie and Nate are with each other.
At first, I was a little unsure about Maisie. I was worried she might turn into someone who lets things happen without standing up for herself. But as the story unfolds, you really see her grow into her own person. Watching her finally stand her ground and stop letting Rob walk all over her was so satisfying. And honestly, Rob was awful. I genuinely do not understand what she ever saw in him, so seeing her let him go felt like such a relief.
As Maisie starts to change, her dynamic with Nate becomes even more interesting. They are so funny together, and I loved their constant bickering. It feels natural, like second nature to them, and it makes every scene between them so enjoyable to read.
Nate is one of those characters you cannot help but love. He is caring, loyal, and always there for her in a way that feels quiet but constant. The kind of friend everyone wishes they had. But there is also something deeper going on with him, especially when it comes to touch, and it adds this layer of tension that you cannot ignore.
“It’s not that he hates touching friends, and from what I’ve seen, it’s not like he hates touching strangers either.
He hates touching me.”
That line really hurt.
And it is in moments like that where the story shifts from light and funny to something more emotional. Because at the same time, there are so many soft, meaningful scenes between them. I loved how Maisie decided to face her fear and learn how to swim, and Nate teaching her was just so gentle and intimate in its own way.
Their relationship builds through all of these little moments, the teasing, the care, the tension, until it all starts to feel inevitable. And when they finally kissed… I was literally giggling and kicking my feet.
The book balances these emotions so well. One moment you are laughing at their banter or recognizing yourself in small lines like “I don’t want you to hear the tinkle,” and the next moment you are completely in your feelings.
I also have to mention Scarlet, because she was easily my favorite side character. She is so kind and understanding, and I loved how she supported Maisie and rooted for her and Nate from the beginning. It made everything feel even warmer.
And then there is the newlywed game scene, which was one of my favorite parts of the entire book. It had humor, tension, and something deeper underneath it all. When Nate answered the question “When did your partner fall for you?” with “When I was ten,” it did not feel like a joke.
That is what this book does so well. It moves so naturally between lighthearted and emotional moments that you barely notice the shift until you feel it.
The only thing that held it back a little for me was the pacing of Maisie’s feelings. After a ten-year relationship, it felt like she moved on quite quickly and fell for Nate in a short amount of time. I do understand that their long friendship makes those feelings easier to develop, but I still wish it had been given a bit more time to grow.
Overall, I gave this 4 stars. It was a warm, funny, and emotional story that completely pulled me in and stayed with me even after I finished.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25☆
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC!
All opinions are my own!
Ugh, I loved this book. This was such a fun and easy read, easy in the way, that I just couldn't put the book down!
The very catching start and the way it's almost movie like written, made it very easy to dive into.
Although there were hard etc topics, Ruin The Friendship was still a very sweet, light and nice book to read, that made me giggle and laugh a lot of times, which I loved to have, especially in times like this<3
The characters were so easy to love, and all introduced in a way that I did remeber every single one of them all throughout the book.
I just loved Scarlett, I wish I had someone like her! And of course Nate, he's so funny and the way he is so protective of Maisie but still respects her boundaries, no matter what. Those two have such a healthy relationship and way of communication, love it!
Oh, and let's not forget Rob, god I hated him so, so much, but I love that Quinn didn't use them being related as an excuse to tolerate his behaviour!
The spice was great and not overdone, love that they actually talk and have problems/difficulties etc too...
Oh and I loved the scene with Maisies dad when they told her parents about them dating, so funny😂
Maisie overall was such a relatable character to me and I loved to see her grow and overcome at least some of her insecurities!
But, I have to say that I think it's a little unrealistic, that she overcomes her fear of water etc so fast, I mean in a matter of a few days she goes from avoiding the whole pool deck to literally swimming in the ocean?! I mean obviously everybody is different, and faces those kind of things at a different pace etc, but I just wish the steps would've been a little smaller, to make it more realistic!
And I wish, we would know a little bit more about Nates family (other that one oarent died), like does he have siblings, what about the other parent etc...
So overall I loved this book, especially if you need a short, cute read that really hooks you, that's why I give it 4.25☆
<3
Thank you to Elle and Literary Rising for the ARC!
All opinions are my own!
Ugh, I loved this book. This was such a fun and easy read, easy in the way, that I just couldn't put the book down!
The very catching start and the way it's almost movie like written, made it very easy to dive into.
Although there were hard etc topics, Ruin The Friendship was still a very sweet, light and nice book to read, that made me giggle and laugh a lot of times, which I loved to have, especially in times like this<3
The characters were so easy to love, and all introduced in a way that I did remeber every single one of them all throughout the book.
I just loved Scarlett, I wish I had someone like her! And of course Nate, he's so funny and the way he is so protective of Maisie but still respects her boundaries, no matter what. Those two have such a healthy relationship and way of communication, love it!
Oh, and let's not forget Rob, god I hated him so, so much, but I love that Quinn didn't use them being related as an excuse to tolerate his behaviour!
The spice was great and not overdone, love that they actually talk and have problems/difficulties etc too...
Oh and I loved the scene with Maisies dad when they told her parents about them dating, so funny😂
Maisie overall was such a relatable character to me and I loved to see her grow and overcome at least some of her insecurities!
But, I have to say that I think it's a little unrealistic, that she overcomes her fear of water etc so fast, I mean in a matter of a few days she goes from avoiding the whole pool deck to literally swimming in the ocean?! I mean obviously everybody is different, and faces those kind of things at a different pace etc, but I just wish the steps would've been a little smaller, to make it more realistic!
And I wish, we would know a little bit more about Nates family (other that one oarent died), like does he have siblings, what about the other parent etc...
So overall I loved this book, especially if you need a short, cute read that really hooks you, that's why I give it 4.25☆
<3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2026
Rating this a 4.5/5. I’m so happy I got the chance to read this before it comes out! This book was such a compelling and enjoyable read from start to finish. The writing style was engaging without ever feeling overly complicated, and it pulled me in almost immediately, just like her books always do.
The characters felt incredibly real, each with their own motivations and flaws that made them easy to connect with. I loved the relationship between the two and how it developed over time. Friends to lovers normally isn’t my favorite trope, but it worked well as we got to see there relationship grow.
I absolutely adored Nate, I wanted to hug him 99% of the time (we’ll ignore the airport scene for a second). Maisie was so lovable too, and her constant overthinking made her feel very relatable. Her fear of water was such an interesting detail and added another layer to her character that made her feel even more human.
Overall, this book was amazing. The bonus content from Nate’s pov really did it for me, that man was so caring and supportive!!
The characters felt incredibly real, each with their own motivations and flaws that made them easy to connect with. I loved the relationship between the two and how it developed over time. Friends to lovers normally isn’t my favorite trope, but it worked well as we got to see there relationship grow.
I absolutely adored Nate, I wanted to hug him 99% of the time (we’ll ignore the airport scene for a second). Maisie was so lovable too, and her constant overthinking made her feel very relatable. Her fear of water was such an interesting detail and added another layer to her character that made her feel even more human.
Overall, this book was amazing. The bonus content from Nate’s pov really did it for me, that man was so caring and supportive!!
April 26, 2026
There are cute romances… and then there’s Ruin the Friendship 💙
This one completely snuck up on me in the best way. I expected something fun and light, but it ended up being so much more—soft, emotional, and impossible to put down.
The “idiots to lovers” trope? Fully understood now. Watching Maisie and Nate dance around their feelings had me equal parts entertained and stressed (in a good way). The tension, the pining, the “just say it already” moments… perfection.
Maisie’s journey felt so real—learning to let go of what hurt her and stepping into who she’s meant to be. And Nate? Quietly showing up, steady and patient the entire time. No drama, no games—just genuine care.
This book feels like golden hour on the water—peaceful, a little nostalgic, and full of that soft kind of happiness that lingers after you finish.
If you’re craving a romance that feels as good as it reads, add this to your list
This one completely snuck up on me in the best way. I expected something fun and light, but it ended up being so much more—soft, emotional, and impossible to put down.
The “idiots to lovers” trope? Fully understood now. Watching Maisie and Nate dance around their feelings had me equal parts entertained and stressed (in a good way). The tension, the pining, the “just say it already” moments… perfection.
Maisie’s journey felt so real—learning to let go of what hurt her and stepping into who she’s meant to be. And Nate? Quietly showing up, steady and patient the entire time. No drama, no games—just genuine care.
This book feels like golden hour on the water—peaceful, a little nostalgic, and full of that soft kind of happiness that lingers after you finish.
If you’re craving a romance that feels as good as it reads, add this to your list
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