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The Best Friend Experiment
Zach
Kiss your best friend and see how they react.<>/i>
I would.
I even have. My dude best friend.
The only problem is, I recently noticed my other childhood best friend is a woman.
One-of-the-guys Denver is a WOMAN.
Now, I can’t see anything else.
Kissing her would only make me crave so much more and I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.
I’m grieving my mom and I can’t lose her too.
But it’s a dare from the captain of my hockey team and I’m just a rookie.
I’m in a Catch-22 here.
This is Denny, though.
She’s my fixer.
She won’t mind helping me out.
Right?
Denver
I do.
Kiss your best friend and see how they react.<>/i>
I would.
I even have. My dude best friend.
The only problem is, I recently noticed my other childhood best friend is a woman.
One-of-the-guys Denver is a WOMAN.
Now, I can’t see anything else.
Kissing her would only make me crave so much more and I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.
I’m grieving my mom and I can’t lose her too.
But it’s a dare from the captain of my hockey team and I’m just a rookie.
I’m in a Catch-22 here.
This is Denny, though.
She’s my fixer.
She won’t mind helping me out.
Right?
Denver
I do.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Serena Akeroyd
160 books6,351 followersUSA Today and International Best Selling Author Serena Akeroyd aka G. A. Mazurke is most known for her mafia and MC series set in the Five Points Mob Universe.
Avid reader of all things romance, she first started her career as a why choose author in both contemporary and paranormal.
She eventually made her way to MF romance where she found her groove with the O’Donnelly brothers, the Satan Sinners and most recently the Valentini Family.
In her back list you can find some MM, MF, MFM and Why Choose romances. HEA guaranteed!
When not writing Serena is either reading, traveling or coloring.
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Avid reader of all things romance, she first started her career as a why choose author in both contemporary and paranormal.
She eventually made her way to MF romance where she found her groove with the O’Donnelly brothers, the Satan Sinners and most recently the Valentini Family.
In her back list you can find some MM, MF, MFM and Why Choose romances. HEA guaranteed!
When not writing Serena is either reading, traveling or coloring.
Follow me on Amazon :
Serena Akeroyd
Follow me on Facebook :
Serena Akeroyd Author
Follow me on Instagram :
@serena_akeroyd
Follow me on Bookbub
Serena Akeroyd
Fly into the weird by joining my readers’ group on FB:
Serena Akeroyd's Divas
Follow me on Twitter :
@serenaakeroyd
Want to get my latest news? Sign up for my newsletter:
Newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
May 26, 2026
I would like to say a massive thank you to G.A. Mazurke for the ARC of The Best Friend Experiment.
I absolutely did not know how much I needed this book until I actually picked it up. It's everything you want and need in a college romance- emotional, funny, sweet, and from start to finish it was absolutely addictive. From start to finish I devoured this book because I could absolutely not get enough of these characters. Also the chapter headings seriously made me chuckle every time I got to the next one.
Zach and Denver have been friends since childhood, and due to that they have such an effortless connection that when their relationship transitioned from friendship to lovers it was natural and believable. From the very beginning they had chemistry, even though they weren't necessarily ready to admit it to one another. Zach slowly starts to realize Denver isn't just one of the guys, but that she was actually an incredibly attractive woman. It was such an emotional but incredibly satisfying and entertaining journey.
Despite Zach putting up a front with him being a hockey player, he was ultimately just struggling with the grief of losing his mother last year along with the fear from the possibility of losing the one person who has always been his safe place. The one he has always turned to in times of need. He slowly realizes that he can have both his safe place and the woman he has begun to see as more than just his best friend.
Denver is someone who is impossible not to love. She's loyal, strong and funny. Despite what she's endured, she's got so much strength and determination. She's not afraid to call Zach out when they first kissed. She's nervous to give herself over to him, knowing his past. I absolutely do not have the words to explain how much the way that both her and Zach grow in the relationship with each other made me ecstatic.
If you're looking with a book filled with a best friend to lovers romance with a hockey player, a curvy and sassy FMC and a hero who isn't afraid to burn down the world (or break some noses for her)- then this is the perfect book for you.
I'm super excited to see what comes next in the Oakwood College world!
I absolutely did not know how much I needed this book until I actually picked it up. It's everything you want and need in a college romance- emotional, funny, sweet, and from start to finish it was absolutely addictive. From start to finish I devoured this book because I could absolutely not get enough of these characters. Also the chapter headings seriously made me chuckle every time I got to the next one.
Zach and Denver have been friends since childhood, and due to that they have such an effortless connection that when their relationship transitioned from friendship to lovers it was natural and believable. From the very beginning they had chemistry, even though they weren't necessarily ready to admit it to one another. Zach slowly starts to realize Denver isn't just one of the guys, but that she was actually an incredibly attractive woman. It was such an emotional but incredibly satisfying and entertaining journey.
Despite Zach putting up a front with him being a hockey player, he was ultimately just struggling with the grief of losing his mother last year along with the fear from the possibility of losing the one person who has always been his safe place. The one he has always turned to in times of need. He slowly realizes that he can have both his safe place and the woman he has begun to see as more than just his best friend.
Denver is someone who is impossible not to love. She's loyal, strong and funny. Despite what she's endured, she's got so much strength and determination. She's not afraid to call Zach out when they first kissed. She's nervous to give herself over to him, knowing his past. I absolutely do not have the words to explain how much the way that both her and Zach grow in the relationship with each other made me ecstatic.
If you're looking with a book filled with a best friend to lovers romance with a hockey player, a curvy and sassy FMC and a hero who isn't afraid to burn down the world (or break some noses for her)- then this is the perfect book for you.
I'm super excited to see what comes next in the Oakwood College world!
May 25, 2026
ARC copy
Young adult romance, had more depth than I expected!
Young adult romance, had more depth than I expected!
May 26, 2026
Not gonna lie - when I heard we were going to be getting a next gen/college series from tried and true characters, I kind of stressed out because I didn't think I'd be able to 'get into it' but boy was I ever wrong. Zach and Denny were the perfect segue into the Oakwood College world. And like the magician Gem is, she took threads and characters from her other books and weaved them into this one seamlessly.
So, Zach and Denny...I love them. Like really really love them. Best friends basically since birth - spent some time apart, came back together, she watched him sleep thru all the puck bunnies, but then one day he sees her - like really sees her and that's it - he falls hard and fast. Their love story is sweet, honest, and what relationships should be.
Their other lifelong bestie, Pecan, I adore this guy. He is goofy and crazy but a perfect third to their duo. Adding Callan, Shay, and Victoria (and soon to be Katina) to the mix and I can't say enough how amazing this group is and will be in the future - I can already see it all weaving together. I love love love it!!
Another AMAZING book!! No one does character development and story lines like this lady.
Side note: YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW ‘PAST’ THEM (but if you don't you are sooooo missing out and I recommend playing catch up!)
So, Zach and Denny...I love them. Like really really love them. Best friends basically since birth - spent some time apart, came back together, she watched him sleep thru all the puck bunnies, but then one day he sees her - like really sees her and that's it - he falls hard and fast. Their love story is sweet, honest, and what relationships should be.
Their other lifelong bestie, Pecan, I adore this guy. He is goofy and crazy but a perfect third to their duo. Adding Callan, Shay, and Victoria (and soon to be Katina) to the mix and I can't say enough how amazing this group is and will be in the future - I can already see it all weaving together. I love love love it!!
Another AMAZING book!! No one does character development and story lines like this lady.
Side note: YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW ‘PAST’ THEM (but if you don't you are sooooo missing out and I recommend playing catch up!)
May 26, 2026
Zach and Denny are perfection
Well I just devoured this book up. Denny and Zach are just perfection. These two just made me swoon throughout and who doesn’t love a best friends to lovers , I know I do. This is the first book in a brand new series and it as plenty of familiar faces , if you have read this author before. Im just so excited for what's to come in this series and another series set in this universe. These books have got second generation kids in them and I am so ready for it. Im so glad to be getting little glimpses into all their life's and also meeting some new characters that l fell in love with too. Once again this author doesn't disappoint and I am obsessed with all these characters already , phenomenal five star read that I would definitely recommend.
Well I just devoured this book up. Denny and Zach are just perfection. These two just made me swoon throughout and who doesn’t love a best friends to lovers , I know I do. This is the first book in a brand new series and it as plenty of familiar faces , if you have read this author before. Im just so excited for what's to come in this series and another series set in this universe. These books have got second generation kids in them and I am so ready for it. Im so glad to be getting little glimpses into all their life's and also meeting some new characters that l fell in love with too. Once again this author doesn't disappoint and I am obsessed with all these characters already , phenomenal five star read that I would definitely recommend.
May 26, 2026
The Best Friend Experiment is book one in the Oakwood College Series. It is a friends to lovers, roommates to lovers, college, hockey romance with no third act breakup. The story is told in first person, dual POV.
Denny and Zach have been best friends since childhood. They grew up together and are now roommates at Oakwood college. Zach is a hockey star and a well loved playboy, while Denny is sassy and inexperienced with relationships. They both have rocky relationships with their parent(s), each for their own reasons. Zach's grieving over his only loving parent was heartbreaking.
Denny and Zach had chemistry galore. The way their relationship developed, how they transversed obstacles, and their support of each other was fabulous. I really enjoyed the relationships that they both have with their friends, both new and old. Zach's over the top possessiveness and protectiveness of Denny, as well as the fact that he only wants the best for her, was HOT! The intrigue, spice, mystery, and revenge plots were all incredible as well.
All of the characters in this book were fantastic. We meet so many new and great characters, as well as catching up with some old faces. The crossover of characters we met in the first generation books was terrific, especially Shay and Victoria. I loved being able to put together connections by last names of characters, relationships, etc. Some major characters from the Five Points universe were mentioned, and a part of the story as well.
I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it. It was incredibly written with fantastic characters, character development, pace, plot, flow, storytelling, storyline, and world building. I will be excitedly awaiting the next book in what promises to be a wonderful series!
Thank you so very much to G.A. Mazurke for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Denny and Zach have been best friends since childhood. They grew up together and are now roommates at Oakwood college. Zach is a hockey star and a well loved playboy, while Denny is sassy and inexperienced with relationships. They both have rocky relationships with their parent(s), each for their own reasons. Zach's grieving over his only loving parent was heartbreaking.
Denny and Zach had chemistry galore. The way their relationship developed, how they transversed obstacles, and their support of each other was fabulous. I really enjoyed the relationships that they both have with their friends, both new and old. Zach's over the top possessiveness and protectiveness of Denny, as well as the fact that he only wants the best for her, was HOT! The intrigue, spice, mystery, and revenge plots were all incredible as well.
All of the characters in this book were fantastic. We meet so many new and great characters, as well as catching up with some old faces. The crossover of characters we met in the first generation books was terrific, especially Shay and Victoria. I loved being able to put together connections by last names of characters, relationships, etc. Some major characters from the Five Points universe were mentioned, and a part of the story as well.
I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it. It was incredibly written with fantastic characters, character development, pace, plot, flow, storytelling, storyline, and world building. I will be excitedly awaiting the next book in what promises to be a wonderful series!
Thank you so very much to G.A. Mazurke for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
May 26, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
This book had all the fun college romance vibes I wanted while still delivering so much heart.
Zach and Denver’s transition from lifelong best friends to something more felt effortless and believable, which made their relationship even more satisfying to read. I also loved that the story avoided unnecessary drama and instead focused on the strength of their connection and the way they continually showed up for each other.
What really made this book stand out was the emotional depth woven throughout the romance. Both characters were dealing with grief, family pressure, and insecurities, and I appreciated how honestly those struggles were handled. Denver’s growth was especially empowering to watch, while Zach balanced protective hockey player energy with a softer, vulnerable side that made him impossible not to love.
The banter was witty, the chemistry was undeniable, and the college atmosphere made the whole book feel incredibly immersive. Even while tackling heavier topics like body shaming and loss, the story still managed to keep that addictive, comforting feel that made it so easy to fly through.
I finished this book feeling happy and already excited for the rest of the series.
~~~~
Huge thank you to G.A. Mazurke & The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This book had all the fun college romance vibes I wanted while still delivering so much heart.
Zach and Denver’s transition from lifelong best friends to something more felt effortless and believable, which made their relationship even more satisfying to read. I also loved that the story avoided unnecessary drama and instead focused on the strength of their connection and the way they continually showed up for each other.
What really made this book stand out was the emotional depth woven throughout the romance. Both characters were dealing with grief, family pressure, and insecurities, and I appreciated how honestly those struggles were handled. Denver’s growth was especially empowering to watch, while Zach balanced protective hockey player energy with a softer, vulnerable side that made him impossible not to love.
The banter was witty, the chemistry was undeniable, and the college atmosphere made the whole book feel incredibly immersive. Even while tackling heavier topics like body shaming and loss, the story still managed to keep that addictive, comforting feel that made it so easy to fly through.
I finished this book feeling happy and already excited for the rest of the series.
~~~~
Huge thank you to G.A. Mazurke & The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
May 26, 2026
The Best Friend Experiment had me hooked and I flew through this one.
Zach and Denver’s friendship felt so natural and effortless. You could feel the history between them in every interaction and watching that line blur from friendship into something more was equal parts sweet, emotional and frustrating in the best way 😭.
I loved that this wasn’t just romance. Zach is carrying so much grief after losing his mum and underneath the hockey player exterior he’s struggling with the fear of losing the one person who has always been his safe place.
And Denver… I adored her. Strong, funny, loyal and absolutely not afraid to call Zach out 👏🏻
Their chemistry was there from the beginning but what I really loved was the emotional growth between them. The tension, the uncertainty, the realisation that your best friend might actually be everything...
If you love…
💜 Best friends to lovers
🏒 Hockey romance
💜 College romance
🏒 Sassy FMC
💜 Emotional romance with grief themes
🏒 Protective hero energy
…this one definitely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Zach and Denver’s friendship felt so natural and effortless. You could feel the history between them in every interaction and watching that line blur from friendship into something more was equal parts sweet, emotional and frustrating in the best way 😭.
I loved that this wasn’t just romance. Zach is carrying so much grief after losing his mum and underneath the hockey player exterior he’s struggling with the fear of losing the one person who has always been his safe place.
And Denver… I adored her. Strong, funny, loyal and absolutely not afraid to call Zach out 👏🏻
Their chemistry was there from the beginning but what I really loved was the emotional growth between them. The tension, the uncertainty, the realisation that your best friend might actually be everything...
If you love…
💜 Best friends to lovers
🏒 Hockey romance
💜 College romance
🏒 Sassy FMC
💜 Emotional romance with grief themes
🏒 Protective hero energy
…this one definitely deserves a spot on your TBR.
May 26, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Author
A hockey romance you say? Best Friend to Lovers? Oh yes please!!
Zach and Denny are the best of friends who attend Oakwood College and this is their story of when Zach started to see Denny as more than his best friend…. He sees the woman she has become and wants more. The chemistry between them is electric, intense, tender and loving. They are the perfect couple.
The book is full of great banter, pranks and fantastic friendship. With other familiar characters from the Five Points series also attending college including Victoria and Shay, I was hooked and couldn’t put this book down. I am looking forward to more of this new series!
A hockey romance you say? Best Friend to Lovers? Oh yes please!!
Zach and Denny are the best of friends who attend Oakwood College and this is their story of when Zach started to see Denny as more than his best friend…. He sees the woman she has become and wants more. The chemistry between them is electric, intense, tender and loving. They are the perfect couple.
The book is full of great banter, pranks and fantastic friendship. With other familiar characters from the Five Points series also attending college including Victoria and Shay, I was hooked and couldn’t put this book down. I am looking forward to more of this new series!
May 26, 2026
Happy Release Day to The Best Friend Experiment!
I went into this one completely blind and I loved it so much! Friends to Lovers will always be my favorite trope! This is a must read if you like the following tropes:
💜 Friends to Lovers
💜 It was always her
💜 Hockey Player / Tomboy
💜 Reformed Playboy / Inexperienced Heroine
💜 He’s sunshine only for her
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Run, don’t walk because you can grab this one in KU right now!
“Zach
Kiss your best friend and see how they react.
I would.
I even have. My dude best friend.
The only problem is, I recently noticed my other childhood best friend is a woman.
One-of-the-guys Denver is a WOMAN.
Now, I can’t see anything else.
Kissing her would only make me crave so much more and I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.
I’m grieving my mom and I can’t lose her too.
But it’s a dare from the captain of my hockey team and I’m just a rookie.
I’m in a Catch-22 here.
This is Denny, though.
She’s my fixer.
She won’t mind helping me out.
Right?
Denver
I do.”
I went into this one completely blind and I loved it so much! Friends to Lovers will always be my favorite trope! This is a must read if you like the following tropes:
💜 Friends to Lovers
💜 It was always her
💜 Hockey Player / Tomboy
💜 Reformed Playboy / Inexperienced Heroine
💜 He’s sunshine only for her
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Run, don’t walk because you can grab this one in KU right now!
“Zach
Kiss your best friend and see how they react.
I would.
I even have. My dude best friend.
The only problem is, I recently noticed my other childhood best friend is a woman.
One-of-the-guys Denver is a WOMAN.
Now, I can’t see anything else.
Kissing her would only make me crave so much more and I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.
I’m grieving my mom and I can’t lose her too.
But it’s a dare from the captain of my hockey team and I’m just a rookie.
I’m in a Catch-22 here.
This is Denny, though.
She’s my fixer.
She won’t mind helping me out.
Right?
Denver
I do.”
May 26, 2026
A sweet and funny friend to lovers book. Denny and Zach have been friends and in each others lives from kids with their friend - Pecan. They've been existing in this limbo where neither one wants to jeopardise their friendship by pushing for anything more and acting on their attraction they both have for each other. Only once they're college things begin to escalate between them and sparks fly.
Denny and Zach have an easy going dynamic together that just seems to naturally drift into a relationship in this book. I loved how they were with each other. How Zach was protective of Denny and how she lifted him up when he was obviously grieving. They just seemed to click together effortlessly. It was also the circle of friends that they had that brought on lots of laughs especially the group chats. Comedy gold. A brilliant start to the series and a flaming great read too.
I was sent an advanced reader copy
Denny and Zach have an easy going dynamic together that just seems to naturally drift into a relationship in this book. I loved how they were with each other. How Zach was protective of Denny and how she lifted him up when he was obviously grieving. They just seemed to click together effortlessly. It was also the circle of friends that they had that brought on lots of laughs especially the group chats. Comedy gold. A brilliant start to the series and a flaming great read too.
I was sent an advanced reader copy
May 26, 2026
Zach and Denny grew up together have been friends for ages. Along with their friend Pecan they are all at Oakwood college and sharing an apartment. Zach realizes how attracted he is to Denny and she is oblivious. Always feeling a bit on the outside, Denny doesn't feel as beautiful as the girls Zach hooks up with. Being a hockey hero he scores a lot! LOVE seeing Denny come into her tough self with the outside world. LOVE how much Zach adores her. There are trials but it helps bring them together. Lot's of characters show from other series and that is tons of fun!
I was sent and advanced reader copy
I was sent and advanced reader copy
May 27, 2026
So. Stinking. Adorable. And cute. And funny. And just plain old lovely. Denver and Zach are just absolutely perfect! I’m a sucker for friends to lovers and this just hit the spot. The banter was top tier. I loved the relationship between Denver, Zach, and Pecan. I adored seeing Callan get slowly added into that friend group. (My sweet baby needs friends he’s not paying for. 🤭) This had just enough of an edge to keep you hooked, while still being mostly light hearted. I’m really looking forward to more in this world, especially the darker, grittier companion series. 💜
May 26, 2026
What a fantastic start to this new series! This book sucked me in from the very first page and I could not put it down
I absolutely loved Denver and Zach. They were perfect for each other. The banter between these two and the chemistry was off the charts. I love that we got to see a lot of characters from previous books
Nobody writes characters with so much steps like Serena does. Once you start this, I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.
A five star read for me!
I absolutely loved Denver and Zach. They were perfect for each other. The banter between these two and the chemistry was off the charts. I love that we got to see a lot of characters from previous books
Nobody writes characters with so much steps like Serena does. Once you start this, I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.
A five star read for me!
May 26, 2026
Fantastic!
The Best Friend Experiment is the best experience! This book is delightful from the first page. The couple is obviously made for each other, though they have all the normal insecurities. That's not to say there's no tension, there's plenty. Plus the setup for the long-term plot seems pretty nefarious. But this is a feel good experience all the way through.
The Best Friend Experiment is the best experience! This book is delightful from the first page. The couple is obviously made for each other, though they have all the normal insecurities. That's not to say there's no tension, there's plenty. Plus the setup for the long-term plot seems pretty nefarious. But this is a feel good experience all the way through.
May 26, 2026
Obsessed with this book. It was so good I read it in one day. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t stop giggling.
May 26, 2026
I’ll begin for anyone new, who’s never heard of GA Mazurke/Serena Akeroyd or of her universe, this is a second-generation series spinoff from an entire universe of books. If you are dying to learn about the backstory for such, there are a lot of books to read to find yourself at this point. Yes, this is kinda standalone and will run concurrently with a dark series set at the same college…depending on which path you wish to tread, you can either stick with the contemporary titles or you can start from the very beginning with Nyx in the Satan’s Sinners MC series a dark world that needs certain someones to cleaning up the trash, then follow the chronological order of the entire universe.
The rollercoaster ride is completely worth the adventure, there’s a story arc that travels throughout 30+ odd books, several series within those books, a couple of series which are Inception-like copies, and then there’s the different levels of contemporary and mafia/mob/MC, all a first generation of characters who will show up in this world as well. The following in brackets ([in here]) is how I feel about the backstory and how I feel about the world, my desire is to persuade you to read it, but that’s completely up to you once you do, despite how daunting that might be to read that many books, it is completely life-changing and worth the mental road trip.
[The Five Points universe is a type of chaotic energy that you’ve never read before, our fav author breaks our expectations. She has contemporary and dark romance worlds within the same world. The dark romance was in the spotlight for a long time, then life happened to trigger a shift towards contemporary for a change of pace. This change just expanded her world even more to build on the idea that yeah, you’d love to have these dark characters have your back, but this is the real world where people are civilians and are removed from this dark world in a Kevin Bacon and The City & the City (by China Miéville) way.
On the dark side of this world, she builds a world that makes those who are made out to look as if they were monsters in our society and reveals them to be the humans they truly are, while also revealing those who have manufactured their image and reputation to mask the villains to cover-up the fact that they are the true monsters they truly are underneath their public personas. The best things I've found about mob/MC/outcasts, etc. tropes are that the usually-considered-villain characters as main characters are not restricted to the rules. Their baddies' main character energy is that they don't have rules to confine them to society’s laws and rules, unwritten or not. They can work around, bend the rules, and/or use the rules to take down those who are using the system to get away with horrendous acts. More power to them for giving monsters in our midst their due and providing us with a lot of schadenfreude reading their tale. In our fav author’s world, the “baddies” are heroes and “heroes” are baddies, and that seems like that’s holding true in some ways we never really saw irl when this adventure started so many years ago.
Our fav author has broken the mold/mould, tropes are transformed into a new found family, not just in the books but also including her readers into such a warm found family fold. This is why she has so many fans of her world, because she writes her characters as if they could have your back in a tight spot [aka as your ride and die]. She writes a world so real, it’s as if you’re transported into that world with a birds-eye view and an inside view into her characters’ thoughts. I’ve mentioned that our fav author somehow tapped into a sister dimension and was able to find an intimate read on the people in that dimension that they seem entirely real. Reading her world is life-changing, because you see a world that might have been and has a possibility of probability in our world.]
Back to the review, after that warning to choose your adventure (if you haven’t skipped the bracketed section, there might be some repetition ahead), though it is truly recommended to start on the dark side and work your way to this contemporary beauty if you desire to keep it chronological. Our two main characters are newbies to this world entirely, they are connected in several Kevin Bacon-type adjacent ways, but not as closely connected to any existing main characters in the second generation as there has been in the past. This makes this book a refreshing change that is a major assist to transitioning to this second-generation world and making a clean-cut start.
I love the storyline throughout. You have a couple of life-long best friends [MF] who finally realize what is right in front of their face. After reading her entire collection, I completely trust our fav author to provide us with what we most desire; despite that, I was slightly worried it would get somewhat dark...though set in a contemporary world, since we find some familiar faces from the second generation joining our main characters from both contemporary and dark sectors; but let’s just say, the schadenfreude is juicy with this one because of the support of our endearing old guard and their offspring to the main characters is completely teary eyed wonderful. I love when a villain or nemesis is introduced and eventually get their due. It’s hard living in a world when the worst of the worst are allowed to run rampant. Rare to find people with the teeth enough and the wherewithal to be able to not just do something about the horribleness in the world, but also find the root of the matter and shine a spotlight on the situation, cause the roots to wither, so that everyone can see the filth and finally clean it up.
One of the things I love about this book—outside of the completely new couple, Denny and Zach with their bestie Pecan [insert “why is it always you three” meme], and a new world to explore and wrap my head around, while also perking up my head when I found a new name…well, to our main characters, but are an old face, to fans—is discovering these little Easter eggs of location mentions and new buddies who mean nothing to the main characters, but are Everything [sic] to anyone who has read our fav authors entire universe of books (aka as a portfolio in the career field). What a strong, capable, and unfailing support system to have in your pocket, Maestra indeed.
Also, the discovery that no one is out of the game, obscure books I never thought could be in this world, are now tied in like a Gordian knot, standalones and series are never off-limit, unless she can tie-in her fantasy and other magic and gods-type books (I wouldn’t put it past her since she’s the Queen of crossovers), is chef's kiss. Crossovers are our fav author’s cup of tea. You discover people, things, and inferences you’d never expect just pop-up out of the blue (a hint when you read her books, always read Everything from cover to cover, all the addendums, from cover to the All About the Author section, not just the main story or what KU has directed you to read by plopping you at Chapter 1 page 1. A warning that you might miss out on all the extraneous goodies that help you understand the book and world better, if you don't read cover-to-cover and then join her book groups where people discuss what they see between the sheets, of paper).
What lay ahead in this world, I've found Oakwood College is going to be exciting. Creating her own tropes from scratch, as per usual, our fav author will be using each pen name to split the adventure level for the second generation of her world and her characters at Oakwood College. Oakwood College series will be the contemporary thread where the everyday world, everyday people live their lives, while Oakwood Legacy will be the machinations behind the curtain, the darkness in all its tarnished glory in this dystopian world that’s so very similar to our own slightly removed.
As is suggested within the summary of Victoria and Maxim’s book that this story, The Best Friend Experiment’s conclusion continues into within the dark side in The Brat, then switches back into the contemporary world again with Callen’s HEA. The dark side have Secret Societies, an adventure within that darker world. All that darkness seen from the outside in is inside this book, seeing it that way was…quite interesting in a good way. Less trauma, but you still see the machinations behind the scene play out, if you really desire to stick your head in.
I love the concept that the dark side runs concurrent to everyday people living everyday life. Though we don’t really see what happens behind the scenes ourselves, because we’re the ones being protected by the baddies who are heroes from the monsters. Also, the machinations of those adjacent to the illegal/dark side, dealing with the repercussions of those not in the contemporary world is an interesting twist to the usual tropes.
Our fav author always spoils us with these lovely surprises, but she also spoils her fans with extras, bonuses, and Easter eggs galore. I am always honored to be able to read her world, because there is no redundancy, no way to expect what will happen, and I’m always satisfied, even if it takes a while; or she twists a stereotype from our world into a beautiful chaotic mess that reveals so much more than anyone could ever expect on all levels [Storm]. All the goodies about this book, about this series, and the adjacent darker crossover version series, treats, teasers, and all that will completely spoil you as a fan. Check her Patreon, her FB book groups (Divas and Spoilers), and her website to find all the goodies after you’ve read her books, if you’re jonesing for more and more of her world, since there will be a high possibility that that will happen.
After reading the 7C's series, the third book (2nd contemporary book in this series) in this second gen world, you will see Callen, who will find his second half and will build towards his HEA, after Victoria and Maxim’s book which will be published several days after the US Independence Day [July 4th] on July 7, though Callen’s book has not been announced…as of yet, though we’re still chomping at the bit awaiting the next sneak peek into this world.
I was sent an Advanced Reader Copy
The rollercoaster ride is completely worth the adventure, there’s a story arc that travels throughout 30+ odd books, several series within those books, a couple of series which are Inception-like copies, and then there’s the different levels of contemporary and mafia/mob/MC, all a first generation of characters who will show up in this world as well. The following in brackets ([in here]) is how I feel about the backstory and how I feel about the world, my desire is to persuade you to read it, but that’s completely up to you once you do, despite how daunting that might be to read that many books, it is completely life-changing and worth the mental road trip.
[The Five Points universe is a type of chaotic energy that you’ve never read before, our fav author breaks our expectations. She has contemporary and dark romance worlds within the same world. The dark romance was in the spotlight for a long time, then life happened to trigger a shift towards contemporary for a change of pace. This change just expanded her world even more to build on the idea that yeah, you’d love to have these dark characters have your back, but this is the real world where people are civilians and are removed from this dark world in a Kevin Bacon and The City & the City (by China Miéville) way.
On the dark side of this world, she builds a world that makes those who are made out to look as if they were monsters in our society and reveals them to be the humans they truly are, while also revealing those who have manufactured their image and reputation to mask the villains to cover-up the fact that they are the true monsters they truly are underneath their public personas. The best things I've found about mob/MC/outcasts, etc. tropes are that the usually-considered-villain characters as main characters are not restricted to the rules. Their baddies' main character energy is that they don't have rules to confine them to society’s laws and rules, unwritten or not. They can work around, bend the rules, and/or use the rules to take down those who are using the system to get away with horrendous acts. More power to them for giving monsters in our midst their due and providing us with a lot of schadenfreude reading their tale. In our fav author’s world, the “baddies” are heroes and “heroes” are baddies, and that seems like that’s holding true in some ways we never really saw irl when this adventure started so many years ago.
Our fav author has broken the mold/mould, tropes are transformed into a new found family, not just in the books but also including her readers into such a warm found family fold. This is why she has so many fans of her world, because she writes her characters as if they could have your back in a tight spot [aka as your ride and die]. She writes a world so real, it’s as if you’re transported into that world with a birds-eye view and an inside view into her characters’ thoughts. I’ve mentioned that our fav author somehow tapped into a sister dimension and was able to find an intimate read on the people in that dimension that they seem entirely real. Reading her world is life-changing, because you see a world that might have been and has a possibility of probability in our world.]
Back to the review, after that warning to choose your adventure (if you haven’t skipped the bracketed section, there might be some repetition ahead), though it is truly recommended to start on the dark side and work your way to this contemporary beauty if you desire to keep it chronological. Our two main characters are newbies to this world entirely, they are connected in several Kevin Bacon-type adjacent ways, but not as closely connected to any existing main characters in the second generation as there has been in the past. This makes this book a refreshing change that is a major assist to transitioning to this second-generation world and making a clean-cut start.
I love the storyline throughout. You have a couple of life-long best friends [MF] who finally realize what is right in front of their face. After reading her entire collection, I completely trust our fav author to provide us with what we most desire; despite that, I was slightly worried it would get somewhat dark...though set in a contemporary world, since we find some familiar faces from the second generation joining our main characters from both contemporary and dark sectors; but let’s just say, the schadenfreude is juicy with this one because of the support of our endearing old guard and their offspring to the main characters is completely teary eyed wonderful. I love when a villain or nemesis is introduced and eventually get their due. It’s hard living in a world when the worst of the worst are allowed to run rampant. Rare to find people with the teeth enough and the wherewithal to be able to not just do something about the horribleness in the world, but also find the root of the matter and shine a spotlight on the situation, cause the roots to wither, so that everyone can see the filth and finally clean it up.
One of the things I love about this book—outside of the completely new couple, Denny and Zach with their bestie Pecan [insert “why is it always you three” meme], and a new world to explore and wrap my head around, while also perking up my head when I found a new name…well, to our main characters, but are an old face, to fans—is discovering these little Easter eggs of location mentions and new buddies who mean nothing to the main characters, but are Everything [sic] to anyone who has read our fav authors entire universe of books (aka as a portfolio in the career field). What a strong, capable, and unfailing support system to have in your pocket, Maestra indeed.
Also, the discovery that no one is out of the game, obscure books I never thought could be in this world, are now tied in like a Gordian knot, standalones and series are never off-limit, unless she can tie-in her fantasy and other magic and gods-type books (I wouldn’t put it past her since she’s the Queen of crossovers), is chef's kiss. Crossovers are our fav author’s cup of tea. You discover people, things, and inferences you’d never expect just pop-up out of the blue (a hint when you read her books, always read Everything from cover to cover, all the addendums, from cover to the All About the Author section, not just the main story or what KU has directed you to read by plopping you at Chapter 1 page 1. A warning that you might miss out on all the extraneous goodies that help you understand the book and world better, if you don't read cover-to-cover and then join her book groups where people discuss what they see between the sheets, of paper).
What lay ahead in this world, I've found Oakwood College is going to be exciting. Creating her own tropes from scratch, as per usual, our fav author will be using each pen name to split the adventure level for the second generation of her world and her characters at Oakwood College. Oakwood College series will be the contemporary thread where the everyday world, everyday people live their lives, while Oakwood Legacy will be the machinations behind the curtain, the darkness in all its tarnished glory in this dystopian world that’s so very similar to our own slightly removed.
As is suggested within the summary of Victoria and Maxim’s book that this story, The Best Friend Experiment’s conclusion continues into within the dark side in The Brat, then switches back into the contemporary world again with Callen’s HEA. The dark side have Secret Societies, an adventure within that darker world. All that darkness seen from the outside in is inside this book, seeing it that way was…quite interesting in a good way. Less trauma, but you still see the machinations behind the scene play out, if you really desire to stick your head in.
I love the concept that the dark side runs concurrent to everyday people living everyday life. Though we don’t really see what happens behind the scenes ourselves, because we’re the ones being protected by the baddies who are heroes from the monsters. Also, the machinations of those adjacent to the illegal/dark side, dealing with the repercussions of those not in the contemporary world is an interesting twist to the usual tropes.
Our fav author always spoils us with these lovely surprises, but she also spoils her fans with extras, bonuses, and Easter eggs galore. I am always honored to be able to read her world, because there is no redundancy, no way to expect what will happen, and I’m always satisfied, even if it takes a while; or she twists a stereotype from our world into a beautiful chaotic mess that reveals so much more than anyone could ever expect on all levels [Storm]. All the goodies about this book, about this series, and the adjacent darker crossover version series, treats, teasers, and all that will completely spoil you as a fan. Check her Patreon, her FB book groups (Divas and Spoilers), and her website to find all the goodies after you’ve read her books, if you’re jonesing for more and more of her world, since there will be a high possibility that that will happen.
After reading the 7C's series, the third book (2nd contemporary book in this series) in this second gen world, you will see Callen, who will find his second half and will build towards his HEA, after Victoria and Maxim’s book which will be published several days after the US Independence Day [July 4th] on July 7, though Callen’s book has not been announced…as of yet, though we’re still chomping at the bit awaiting the next sneak peek into this world.
I was sent an Advanced Reader Copy
May 27, 2026
I loved this book SO much and honestly it was exactly the type of emotional, funny, and sweet romance I needed after reading darker books recently.
Zach and Denver have been best friends since childhood, and the transition from friends to lovers felt so natural and seamless throughout the story. The chemistry between them was there from the very beginning, even before either of them fully admitted their feelings.
Watching Zach slowly realize that Denver wasn’t just “one of the guys” anymore was honestly so fun and emotional to read.
Zach is a hockey player who is still deeply struggling with grief after losing his mom the previous year, and a huge part of his story revolves around his fear of losing the one person who has always been his safe place — Denver.
And Denver? I absolutely loved her.
She is loyal, strong, funny, determined, and continues moving forward despite everything she has gone through. She honestly felt like such a realistic and lovable FMC.
I especially connected with both characters emotionally. I related to Denver because of her strength and determination through difficult situations, but I also connected deeply with Zach’s grief. Losing my own sibling and becoming an only child completely changed my life, so parts of Zach’s emotional journey genuinely hit hard for me while reading.
This book balanced humor, sweetness, friendship, grief, healing, and romance so well, and it ended up being such a comforting read despite the emotional moments.
If you love:
🏒 Hockey romance
❤️ Friends to lovers
✨ Childhood best friends
😂 Humor & banter
🩶 Grief & healing
🥹 Emotional romance
📚 College romance
…then I definitely recommend picking this one up.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4.5/5
Thank you to The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Zach and Denver have been best friends since childhood, and the transition from friends to lovers felt so natural and seamless throughout the story. The chemistry between them was there from the very beginning, even before either of them fully admitted their feelings.
Watching Zach slowly realize that Denver wasn’t just “one of the guys” anymore was honestly so fun and emotional to read.
Zach is a hockey player who is still deeply struggling with grief after losing his mom the previous year, and a huge part of his story revolves around his fear of losing the one person who has always been his safe place — Denver.
And Denver? I absolutely loved her.
She is loyal, strong, funny, determined, and continues moving forward despite everything she has gone through. She honestly felt like such a realistic and lovable FMC.
I especially connected with both characters emotionally. I related to Denver because of her strength and determination through difficult situations, but I also connected deeply with Zach’s grief. Losing my own sibling and becoming an only child completely changed my life, so parts of Zach’s emotional journey genuinely hit hard for me while reading.
This book balanced humor, sweetness, friendship, grief, healing, and romance so well, and it ended up being such a comforting read despite the emotional moments.
If you love:
🏒 Hockey romance
❤️ Friends to lovers
✨ Childhood best friends
😂 Humor & banter
🩶 Grief & healing
🥹 Emotional romance
📚 College romance
…then I definitely recommend picking this one up.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4.5/5
Thank you to The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 20, 2026
•eARC
I can see an audience for this novel. There were some interesting aspects. Sadly it missed the mark for me.
I think the tone got off track for me early on- around the 7% mark. The MMC/love interest/ BFF states:
"You're not fat. You're curvy..”
That’s an old statement that perpetuates the ‘curvy = good/acceptable’ and ‘fat = bad/not acceptable’ narrative.
I like the author- I like a number of the author’s works. This was simply off for me.
I’d like to see more from some of the other characters in this novel. Pecan was particularly interesting. I do think the opportunity is there for this to be a multi book series just off of the number of characters in this one.
The friendship between the MMC & FMC in conjunction with Pecan was good. I liked the background tidbits and snips we were shown too.
I think overall the monologues and dialogue read (came off) as much younger than college aged people. To me, that hindered the novel a great deal.
There are a plethora of tropes in this one- so I think several things are open for readers to enjoy. It’s not a bad novel- it simply didn’t hit the mark for me.
Don’t particularly like posting negative reviews, but doing so as a part of the ARC agreement to review when I received this novel.
The author has some very good works out there- and as always- reading is subjective. If this sounds like something you would like to- try it. See the tropes for this book.
We all have different tastes .
✨💛✨
I can see an audience for this novel. There were some interesting aspects. Sadly it missed the mark for me.
I think the tone got off track for me early on- around the 7% mark. The MMC/love interest/ BFF states:
"You're not fat. You're curvy..”
That’s an old statement that perpetuates the ‘curvy = good/acceptable’ and ‘fat = bad/not acceptable’ narrative.
I like the author- I like a number of the author’s works. This was simply off for me.
I’d like to see more from some of the other characters in this novel. Pecan was particularly interesting. I do think the opportunity is there for this to be a multi book series just off of the number of characters in this one.
The friendship between the MMC & FMC in conjunction with Pecan was good. I liked the background tidbits and snips we were shown too.
I think overall the monologues and dialogue read (came off) as much younger than college aged people. To me, that hindered the novel a great deal.
There are a plethora of tropes in this one- so I think several things are open for readers to enjoy. It’s not a bad novel- it simply didn’t hit the mark for me.
Don’t particularly like posting negative reviews, but doing so as a part of the ARC agreement to review when I received this novel.
The author has some very good works out there- and as always- reading is subjective. If this sounds like something you would like to- try it. See the tropes for this book.
We all have different tastes .
✨💛✨
May 29, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️.5
The Best Friend Experiment is the first book in the Oakwood College series and can be read as a standalone or as a companion book to her upcoming book The Brat.
Zach and Denny have been best friends since they were kids and now they are roommates with their other best friend Pecan. One night Zach's world is turned upside down when he gets sexually attracted to Denny when she dresses up to pledge for a sorority. Now , he can't stop thinking about her, but is afraid to ruin their friendship. Things change when he completes the best friend trend where he filmed his best friend's reaction after you kiss them. This changes everything and things heat up fast.
While I enjoyed the characters and the friend group, I did struggle with this one. It felt very different from this authors usual writing style. The inner monologue felt younger than college students and it was also pretty repetitive. I think this could have been trimmed down 50-100 pages. It felt too long for the story it was telling. My other issue was how Zach just randomly wanted her after she dressed up in a little black dress and sexualized her in his inner monologue.
I really loved Pecan and Callan and I am excited to read their books. I am also excited to read The Brat next since it will give us some more answers on the secret society.
🏒College Hockey
🏒Friends to Lovers
🏒Roommates
🏒Reformed Playboy
🏒Virgin MC
🏒No 3rd Act Break Up
TW: fat shaming, bullying, mentions of SA on the college campus
I was sent an Advanced Reader Copy.
🌶️🌶️.5
The Best Friend Experiment is the first book in the Oakwood College series and can be read as a standalone or as a companion book to her upcoming book The Brat.
Zach and Denny have been best friends since they were kids and now they are roommates with their other best friend Pecan. One night Zach's world is turned upside down when he gets sexually attracted to Denny when she dresses up to pledge for a sorority. Now , he can't stop thinking about her, but is afraid to ruin their friendship. Things change when he completes the best friend trend where he filmed his best friend's reaction after you kiss them. This changes everything and things heat up fast.
While I enjoyed the characters and the friend group, I did struggle with this one. It felt very different from this authors usual writing style. The inner monologue felt younger than college students and it was also pretty repetitive. I think this could have been trimmed down 50-100 pages. It felt too long for the story it was telling. My other issue was how Zach just randomly wanted her after she dressed up in a little black dress and sexualized her in his inner monologue.
I really loved Pecan and Callan and I am excited to read their books. I am also excited to read The Brat next since it will give us some more answers on the secret society.
🏒College Hockey
🏒Friends to Lovers
🏒Roommates
🏒Reformed Playboy
🏒Virgin MC
🏒No 3rd Act Break Up
TW: fat shaming, bullying, mentions of SA on the college campus
I was sent an Advanced Reader Copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Best Friend Experiment by Serena Akeroyd, writing as G. A. Mazurke, is an engaging friends-to-lovers romance and a promising start to the Oakwood College series. The story follows lifelong best friends Zach, Pecan, and Denver, whose bond has always felt unbreakable. However, things begin to shift when Zach suddenly realises Denny is more than just one of the boys after catching sight of her in a little black dress, that the friend he’s always relied on is a beautiful, captivating woman he can barely resist touching or kissing Still struggling with grief after recently losing his mother, Zach knows risking their friendship could cost him another one of the most important people in his life, but he can’t ignore his growing attraction and obsession with her.
One of the strongest aspects of this story is the believable connection between the three friends. Their bond feels authentic and deeply rooted, shaped by a lifelong closeness as they shared milestone events and where each other’s families have become extensions of their own. Despite their close-knit dynamic, each character has personal struggles that add emotional depth to the story. As well as wrestling with his grief, Zach dealing with difficult family dynamics involving his father while Denny faces intense pressure from her divorced parents. From pursuing a degree she hates to joining a sorority for the future connections and networking opportunities it will bring, all while managing insecurities about her body image, something exacerbated by the mean girls of Pi Beta Epsilon.
Denny was a standout character for me. Despite the pressure she faces, she remains confident, sharp, and independent, especially when it comes to standing up for herself and getting revenge on those who underestimate her with all the tactical skills of a three-star general and the assistance of her newfound friend group. The evolution of her relationship with Zach felt balanced and natural as they went from friends to more. She grounds him emotionally and isn’t afraid to challenge him when his temper needs reining in, especially when as their relationship progresses, he becomes even more fiercely protective than usual whenever anyone insults her revealing just how deeply he cares for her.
The supporting cast adds plenty of humour and personality to the story. Some characters like Shay, Victoria, and Wynter will be familiar to longtime readers of this author, but Callan was easily one of the highlights stealing many scenes as he grows into himself away from home and finally finds a group of people where he feels he belongs. Combined with the drama surrounding the ice hockey team, this story delivers romance, humour, emotional moments and a healthy dose of revenge in equal measure, making The Best Friend Experiment an entertaining and enjoyable opening to the series.
One of the strongest aspects of this story is the believable connection between the three friends. Their bond feels authentic and deeply rooted, shaped by a lifelong closeness as they shared milestone events and where each other’s families have become extensions of their own. Despite their close-knit dynamic, each character has personal struggles that add emotional depth to the story. As well as wrestling with his grief, Zach dealing with difficult family dynamics involving his father while Denny faces intense pressure from her divorced parents. From pursuing a degree she hates to joining a sorority for the future connections and networking opportunities it will bring, all while managing insecurities about her body image, something exacerbated by the mean girls of Pi Beta Epsilon.
Denny was a standout character for me. Despite the pressure she faces, she remains confident, sharp, and independent, especially when it comes to standing up for herself and getting revenge on those who underestimate her with all the tactical skills of a three-star general and the assistance of her newfound friend group. The evolution of her relationship with Zach felt balanced and natural as they went from friends to more. She grounds him emotionally and isn’t afraid to challenge him when his temper needs reining in, especially when as their relationship progresses, he becomes even more fiercely protective than usual whenever anyone insults her revealing just how deeply he cares for her.
The supporting cast adds plenty of humour and personality to the story. Some characters like Shay, Victoria, and Wynter will be familiar to longtime readers of this author, but Callan was easily one of the highlights stealing many scenes as he grows into himself away from home and finally finds a group of people where he feels he belongs. Combined with the drama surrounding the ice hockey team, this story delivers romance, humour, emotional moments and a healthy dose of revenge in equal measure, making The Best Friend Experiment an entertaining and enjoyable opening to the series.
May 26, 2026
I want to start by saying that I have read all of Serena Akeroyd/G.A. Mazurke’s books and have genuinely loved them, which is why I was surprised that I struggled so much to get into this one.
For quite a while, I found it difficult to connect with the story and fully grasp the characters of Denny and Zach. I kept having to go back and reread sections just to figure out who was speaking, which unfortunately pulled me out of the story. I honestly think this might have been much easier for me to follow in duet audiobook format, where the distinction between characters would feel clearer.
That said, there were definitely elements I enjoyed.
Denny is such an emotionally layered character. On the outside, she tries to appear strong and unaffected, but after being bullied and called fat her entire life, something that sadly continues at Oakwood College, you really feel the emotional toll it takes on her. The moments where her confidence cracks felt very real and understandable, and my heart hurt for her.
Zach is carrying his own emotional baggage. A hockey star on his way to the NHL, he is still deeply affected by the loss of his mother, something that has left him emotionally guarded, especially when it comes to his relationship with his father. His grief manifests in destructive ways, fighting and endless puck bunnies, making him an imperfect but interesting character. His protectiveness of Denny shines through.
I liked the dynamic between Denny, Zach, and Pecan, whose childhood friendship and living situation gave the story a solid emotional foundation. Watching Zach suddenly see Denny differently after seeing her dressed up, and realising there might be something more between them, had some sweet and spicy moments. After their first kiss, the feelings become impossible to ignore, but while Zach is all in, Denny’s hesitation felt believable given her parents’ history of cheating and divorce.
The story really started to pick up for me much later on, and from that point, I became far more invested. I especially appreciated seeing Denny find support and friendship after being publicly degraded by a school bully, those moments of people rallying around her were satisfying and emotional.
Callan completely stole the show for me. I absolutely loved his character, tutoring Denny and Pecan while secretly having some very interesting hacking skills made him stand out immediately. And the mentions of Conor and Star were such a nice bonus for longtime readers.
While this wasn’t my favourite from G.A. Mazurke and took me much longer to connect with than expected, I did enjoy it more as the story progressed. Most importantly, I am very excited for Callan’s story because I already know I’ll be first in line for that one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
For quite a while, I found it difficult to connect with the story and fully grasp the characters of Denny and Zach. I kept having to go back and reread sections just to figure out who was speaking, which unfortunately pulled me out of the story. I honestly think this might have been much easier for me to follow in duet audiobook format, where the distinction between characters would feel clearer.
That said, there were definitely elements I enjoyed.
Denny is such an emotionally layered character. On the outside, she tries to appear strong and unaffected, but after being bullied and called fat her entire life, something that sadly continues at Oakwood College, you really feel the emotional toll it takes on her. The moments where her confidence cracks felt very real and understandable, and my heart hurt for her.
Zach is carrying his own emotional baggage. A hockey star on his way to the NHL, he is still deeply affected by the loss of his mother, something that has left him emotionally guarded, especially when it comes to his relationship with his father. His grief manifests in destructive ways, fighting and endless puck bunnies, making him an imperfect but interesting character. His protectiveness of Denny shines through.
I liked the dynamic between Denny, Zach, and Pecan, whose childhood friendship and living situation gave the story a solid emotional foundation. Watching Zach suddenly see Denny differently after seeing her dressed up, and realising there might be something more between them, had some sweet and spicy moments. After their first kiss, the feelings become impossible to ignore, but while Zach is all in, Denny’s hesitation felt believable given her parents’ history of cheating and divorce.
The story really started to pick up for me much later on, and from that point, I became far more invested. I especially appreciated seeing Denny find support and friendship after being publicly degraded by a school bully, those moments of people rallying around her were satisfying and emotional.
Callan completely stole the show for me. I absolutely loved his character, tutoring Denny and Pecan while secretly having some very interesting hacking skills made him stand out immediately. And the mentions of Conor and Star were such a nice bonus for longtime readers.
While this wasn’t my favourite from G.A. Mazurke and took me much longer to connect with than expected, I did enjoy it more as the story progressed. Most importantly, I am very excited for Callan’s story because I already know I’ll be first in line for that one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Review of advance copy received from Author
What I thought I was going to read about was totally not the book I read…. Well mostly.
This book is a friends to lovers story that had me locked in from page 1. It has so much depth to it the more I read. What i thought was just a friends to lovers story was so much more deeper than that.
Oakwood college
Denver, Zach and Pecan all attend there. They have been friends since childhood. Pecan and Zach are hockey players on the college team while Denver is studying a degree in Sports MAnagement just to apease her father.
The story of their friendship was so beautiful. You could’ve see the connection all 3 of them shared but especially our MMC Zach and FMC Denver, or Denny, as Zach called her. They were there for each other through thick and thin and nothing was gonna tear them apart.
Zach and Denver then discovered they both had feelings for each other but hesitated due to their friendship. Neither one was ready to go there in case it didnt work out and they lost each other.
You could feel the hesitation between the two but more importantly you could feel the longing they had. Once they admitted their feelings and were an item, watching them navigate everything that was thrown at them from other people on the campus was so lovely.
Zach was fully IN for Denver, he was ALL IN and whatever she needed he was there for her. He was her protector, her person. Denver was ALL IN as well and when trouble came up with Zach’s hockey members Denver was there to back him up as well.
Unfortunately we do read about some bad behaviour from students, including bullying of Denver and mentions of sexual assault (NOT OF FMC) that makes this story more than just friends hooking up.
I absolutely loved many of the side characters too, a book filled with a lot of different personalities all trying to cope with college and the happenings within.(obviously there were a few i didn’t like) but the ones i did like brought more depth to the storylines. They also brought laughter and a sense of true friendship and solidarity.
We do deal with loss of a parent in this book and also breakdowns of marriages and how that affects our MMC and FMC. They are stories that needed to be told and that brought depth to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had so many emotions reading this book. I was happy, I laughed, I was cheering, I was angry and I was sad. If a book can give you all those emotions and have a HEA then thats a book i will recommend over and over.
This was more than a friends to lovers book. This was a book about friends and what can happen when your new friends turn into your new found family.
Bring on Book 2 in the series.
This book is a friends to lovers story that had me locked in from page 1. It has so much depth to it the more I read. What i thought was just a friends to lovers story was so much more deeper than that.
Oakwood college
Denver, Zach and Pecan all attend there. They have been friends since childhood. Pecan and Zach are hockey players on the college team while Denver is studying a degree in Sports MAnagement just to apease her father.
The story of their friendship was so beautiful. You could’ve see the connection all 3 of them shared but especially our MMC Zach and FMC Denver, or Denny, as Zach called her. They were there for each other through thick and thin and nothing was gonna tear them apart.
Zach and Denver then discovered they both had feelings for each other but hesitated due to their friendship. Neither one was ready to go there in case it didnt work out and they lost each other.
You could feel the hesitation between the two but more importantly you could feel the longing they had. Once they admitted their feelings and were an item, watching them navigate everything that was thrown at them from other people on the campus was so lovely.
Zach was fully IN for Denver, he was ALL IN and whatever she needed he was there for her. He was her protector, her person. Denver was ALL IN as well and when trouble came up with Zach’s hockey members Denver was there to back him up as well.
Unfortunately we do read about some bad behaviour from students, including bullying of Denver and mentions of sexual assault (NOT OF FMC) that makes this story more than just friends hooking up.
I absolutely loved many of the side characters too, a book filled with a lot of different personalities all trying to cope with college and the happenings within.(obviously there were a few i didn’t like) but the ones i did like brought more depth to the storylines. They also brought laughter and a sense of true friendship and solidarity.
We do deal with loss of a parent in this book and also breakdowns of marriages and how that affects our MMC and FMC. They are stories that needed to be told and that brought depth to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had so many emotions reading this book. I was happy, I laughed, I was cheering, I was angry and I was sad. If a book can give you all those emotions and have a HEA then thats a book i will recommend over and over.
This was more than a friends to lovers book. This was a book about friends and what can happen when your new friends turn into your new found family.
Bring on Book 2 in the series.
May 28, 2026
This heartfelt book delves into the charming world of a college romance that offers much more than just a typical love story. It blends emotional depth, humor, and sweetness. If honest, it took a while to get into the book. Glad we stuck with it, as this book was filled with a ton of emotion, real-life scenarios, complex families, love, laughter, loss, and healing, hot and sexy scenes, and beautiful friendships.
The story revolves around Zach and Denver, childhood friends whose connection naturally evolves into a romantic relationship, making their journey both believable and engaging. The characters’ chemistry is palpable, though initially unspoken, with Zach gradually recognizing Denver not just as a friend but as a woman he deeply admires. Given Zach's Playboy ways and Denver's background, would she take that leap of faith with him?
Their transition is portrayed with sensitivity, highlighting Zach’s internal struggle with grief over his mother's death and his fear of losing the one person who has always been his sanctuary. His growth reveals a balance between vulnerability and strength, underscoring that it is possible to embrace love and healing. We loved Zach's character and how he was with Denever, possessive, protective, kind, and loving, and always took her happiness to heart. A swoony character in our book.
Denver emerges as a loyal, strong, and refreshingly candid. Her resilience in the face of past hardships and her willingness to confront Zach on their relationship dynamics add layers of authenticity and relatability. Her nervousness about fully opening up to Zach, given his emotional baggage, adds emotional complexity and growth to the plot. Our hearts went out to Denver and those who tried to intimidate and bully her; she was not without support, and those who were in her corner would not let that kind of thing slide, but, in the end, she showed just how clever and determined to change her fate. We found her to be beautiful inside and out.
For those drawn to best-friend-to-lovers romances featuring a hockey player hero and a sassy, curvy heroine, this story hits all the right notes. It offers a perfect blend of passion, humor, and heartfelt moments, with Zach’s fierce protectiveness and Denver’s unwavering spirit making their romance unforgettable. This book is a celebration of love, the strength found in friendship, and the courage it takes to open one’s heart to new possibilities. Denver and Zach were so lucky to have the friends they had in Pecan and Callan; they were amazing characters, also. We enjoyed this one.
The story revolves around Zach and Denver, childhood friends whose connection naturally evolves into a romantic relationship, making their journey both believable and engaging. The characters’ chemistry is palpable, though initially unspoken, with Zach gradually recognizing Denver not just as a friend but as a woman he deeply admires. Given Zach's Playboy ways and Denver's background, would she take that leap of faith with him?
Their transition is portrayed with sensitivity, highlighting Zach’s internal struggle with grief over his mother's death and his fear of losing the one person who has always been his sanctuary. His growth reveals a balance between vulnerability and strength, underscoring that it is possible to embrace love and healing. We loved Zach's character and how he was with Denever, possessive, protective, kind, and loving, and always took her happiness to heart. A swoony character in our book.
Denver emerges as a loyal, strong, and refreshingly candid. Her resilience in the face of past hardships and her willingness to confront Zach on their relationship dynamics add layers of authenticity and relatability. Her nervousness about fully opening up to Zach, given his emotional baggage, adds emotional complexity and growth to the plot. Our hearts went out to Denver and those who tried to intimidate and bully her; she was not without support, and those who were in her corner would not let that kind of thing slide, but, in the end, she showed just how clever and determined to change her fate. We found her to be beautiful inside and out.
For those drawn to best-friend-to-lovers romances featuring a hockey player hero and a sassy, curvy heroine, this story hits all the right notes. It offers a perfect blend of passion, humor, and heartfelt moments, with Zach’s fierce protectiveness and Denver’s unwavering spirit making their romance unforgettable. This book is a celebration of love, the strength found in friendship, and the courage it takes to open one’s heart to new possibilities. Denver and Zach were so lucky to have the friends they had in Pecan and Callan; they were amazing characters, also. We enjoyed this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Best Friend Experiment
A College Hockey Romance
(Oakwood College Book 1)
by G.A. Mazurke and Serena Akeroyd
I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to be up against! It didn’t take to long to realize I was going to get a book that had me laughing, crying and wondering are all college students as brilliant as this group!
Childhood best friends Zack Bradley and Denver (Denny Parilla) have been hanging with each other since they were four years old. Add on their other best friend Pecan and you have to know that this group is going to always be there for each other. They never let you down.
It wasn’t until Zach realized he had more than a crush on Denny! It took him a bit of time before it hit him the night she was going to Invite night for the Pi Beta Epsilon Sorority. The night she walked out the door, leaving Zach with an erection and every emotion in the world taking his body and his mind over. Now that he’s faced his tada moment, how is he going to explain this surprising news to Denny?
Denny has no interest in joining the Sorority, she has hutzpah, she is fine with who she is and how she looks and she speaks up for herself, so when Zack told her how he felt…she listened, she gave him perimeters and from there you realize this is going to be a couple that stays with you for a long time.
Hockey is the game of the day so be ready for Zach, Pecan and the other guys on the Oakwood team…watch out for several team members who are not team players!
This author gives her readers so many names of friends we have met and it was wonderful to watch this fairly close-knit group become a bigger group who allow each character to grow and support those new as well as old friends. Readers will laugh (humor runs throughout the story, the banter is gold and the emotions will show you how they have each other’s back.
The Best Friend Experiment kept me turning pages and volunteering to be a mother figure (cause sometimes I felt I should tell them a few things) while giving me a wonderful read! I can’t wait to read one of the new members book…I liked him when I first met him (at his home in Canada) but I love him now, he’s coming out of himself and hacking his way to the next book!
A College Hockey Romance
(Oakwood College Book 1)
by G.A. Mazurke and Serena Akeroyd
I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to be up against! It didn’t take to long to realize I was going to get a book that had me laughing, crying and wondering are all college students as brilliant as this group!
Childhood best friends Zack Bradley and Denver (Denny Parilla) have been hanging with each other since they were four years old. Add on their other best friend Pecan and you have to know that this group is going to always be there for each other. They never let you down.
It wasn’t until Zach realized he had more than a crush on Denny! It took him a bit of time before it hit him the night she was going to Invite night for the Pi Beta Epsilon Sorority. The night she walked out the door, leaving Zach with an erection and every emotion in the world taking his body and his mind over. Now that he’s faced his tada moment, how is he going to explain this surprising news to Denny?
Denny has no interest in joining the Sorority, she has hutzpah, she is fine with who she is and how she looks and she speaks up for herself, so when Zack told her how he felt…she listened, she gave him perimeters and from there you realize this is going to be a couple that stays with you for a long time.
Hockey is the game of the day so be ready for Zach, Pecan and the other guys on the Oakwood team…watch out for several team members who are not team players!
This author gives her readers so many names of friends we have met and it was wonderful to watch this fairly close-knit group become a bigger group who allow each character to grow and support those new as well as old friends. Readers will laugh (humor runs throughout the story, the banter is gold and the emotions will show you how they have each other’s back.
The Best Friend Experiment kept me turning pages and volunteering to be a mother figure (cause sometimes I felt I should tell them a few things) while giving me a wonderful read! I can’t wait to read one of the new members book…I liked him when I first met him (at his home in Canada) but I love him now, he’s coming out of himself and hacking his way to the next book!
May 27, 2026
When I heard that we were getting books for the second generation of characters I was beyond excited, but this book blew my expectations out of the water. I always love Gem's books, but this book left me with an even greater zest for this series. I cannot wait to see more from our loveable and crazy cast of characters.
I am totally and completely in love with Denny and Zack. I was giggling within the first few pages and have never highlighted so many passages in a book. Denny is so feisty, sweet and sexy. I loved her sassy and her take no crap attitude. I love that Zack is both a jock and a closet nerd at the same time. Zack was so sweet with Denny and so fierce and loyal when he was protecting her. I was kicking my feet in glee, when Zack saw Denny in her little black dress and his attraction to her smacked him right between the eyes. Their chemistry absolutely burned up the pages and the sheets. I always love a reformed playboy and Zack gave us that in spades. It was so amazing getting to see them both realize that they were each other's penguin.
The relationship between Denny, Zack and Pecan was so fun and I could feel the history from the start. Their friendship really gave this amazing sense of comfort, fun and family. Getting to meet our old and new friends was so much fun and I cannot wait for their stories. Getting to know them as adults is a gift and I am so thankful we get to take this journey with them. Gem folded in so many amazing easter eggs for her legacy readers, but everything blended so well that new readers were not lost. I love her ability to weave her stories together to make this big and beautiful world that she has created.
If you have never read any of Gem's books do not worry you can jump in and not be lost, but if you want to experience her world to the fullest, I recommend checking out her other books.
If you want a book that has great humor, plenty of spice, found family, friends to lovers, hockey player/tomboy, toucher her and suffer, revenge, angst, great banter, sassy FMC, Curvy FMC/ Jock MMC, his greatest cheerleader/ her fiercest protector and so much more, then this is the book for you.
I received an advance readers copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
I am totally and completely in love with Denny and Zack. I was giggling within the first few pages and have never highlighted so many passages in a book. Denny is so feisty, sweet and sexy. I loved her sassy and her take no crap attitude. I love that Zack is both a jock and a closet nerd at the same time. Zack was so sweet with Denny and so fierce and loyal when he was protecting her. I was kicking my feet in glee, when Zack saw Denny in her little black dress and his attraction to her smacked him right between the eyes. Their chemistry absolutely burned up the pages and the sheets. I always love a reformed playboy and Zack gave us that in spades. It was so amazing getting to see them both realize that they were each other's penguin.
The relationship between Denny, Zack and Pecan was so fun and I could feel the history from the start. Their friendship really gave this amazing sense of comfort, fun and family. Getting to meet our old and new friends was so much fun and I cannot wait for their stories. Getting to know them as adults is a gift and I am so thankful we get to take this journey with them. Gem folded in so many amazing easter eggs for her legacy readers, but everything blended so well that new readers were not lost. I love her ability to weave her stories together to make this big and beautiful world that she has created.
If you have never read any of Gem's books do not worry you can jump in and not be lost, but if you want to experience her world to the fullest, I recommend checking out her other books.
If you want a book that has great humor, plenty of spice, found family, friends to lovers, hockey player/tomboy, toucher her and suffer, revenge, angst, great banter, sassy FMC, Curvy FMC/ Jock MMC, his greatest cheerleader/ her fiercest protector and so much more, then this is the book for you.
I received an advance readers copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🛏️ Roommates
🎓 New Adult College Romance
💞 Best Friends to Lovers
🏒 Hockey Romance
☀️ Sunshine Hero
🖤 He Falls First
🔥 He Would Burn the World Down for Her
🥹 Emotional Healing
😤 Bullying Themes
👟 Tomboy Heroine
💕 It Was Always Her
🚫 No Third Act Breakup
💋 Forced Kiss/Dare
🏡 Childhood Best Friends
❤️ Protective Hero
👀 Slow Realization Romance
🔥 Curvy Girl / Jock
🌸 Inexperienced Heroine
😈 Reformed Playboy Hero
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
The Best Friend Experiment by G. A. Mazurke was everything I love in a college romance. It was emotional, funny, sweet, and completely addictive from start to finish. Zach and Denver had such an effortless connection that made their best friends to lover's story feel natural and believable. Their chemistry was there from the very beginning, but what really made this story stand out was the depth of their friendship and how much they truly cared for each other.
Zach completely stole my heart. Underneath the hockey player confidence was a guy struggling with grief, fear, and the possibility of losing the one person who has always been his safe place. Watching him slowly realize that Denver was never just one of the guys was both emotional and incredibly satisfying. Denver was equally amazing. She was strong, loyal, funny, and impossible not to love. My heart hurt for her at times, especially with the bullying she endured, but I loved seeing her finally get the love and support she deserved.
The roommates dynamic, the college setting, and the hockey team atmosphere made the story so fun and immersive. I also loved that there was no unnecessary drama or third act breakup. The relationship development felt genuine, and the emotional moments hit perfectly without taking away from the lighter, swoony scenes.
This book gave me all the feels with protective hero moments, emotional healing, intense chemistry, and a romance that felt completely earned. If you love best friends to lovers romances with hockey players, curvy heroines, and a hero who would absolutely burn the world down for her, this one is definitely worth reading.
🎓 New Adult College Romance
💞 Best Friends to Lovers
🏒 Hockey Romance
☀️ Sunshine Hero
🖤 He Falls First
🔥 He Would Burn the World Down for Her
🥹 Emotional Healing
😤 Bullying Themes
👟 Tomboy Heroine
💕 It Was Always Her
🚫 No Third Act Breakup
💋 Forced Kiss/Dare
🏡 Childhood Best Friends
❤️ Protective Hero
👀 Slow Realization Romance
🔥 Curvy Girl / Jock
🌸 Inexperienced Heroine
😈 Reformed Playboy Hero
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
The Best Friend Experiment by G. A. Mazurke was everything I love in a college romance. It was emotional, funny, sweet, and completely addictive from start to finish. Zach and Denver had such an effortless connection that made their best friends to lover's story feel natural and believable. Their chemistry was there from the very beginning, but what really made this story stand out was the depth of their friendship and how much they truly cared for each other.
Zach completely stole my heart. Underneath the hockey player confidence was a guy struggling with grief, fear, and the possibility of losing the one person who has always been his safe place. Watching him slowly realize that Denver was never just one of the guys was both emotional and incredibly satisfying. Denver was equally amazing. She was strong, loyal, funny, and impossible not to love. My heart hurt for her at times, especially with the bullying she endured, but I loved seeing her finally get the love and support she deserved.
The roommates dynamic, the college setting, and the hockey team atmosphere made the story so fun and immersive. I also loved that there was no unnecessary drama or third act breakup. The relationship development felt genuine, and the emotional moments hit perfectly without taking away from the lighter, swoony scenes.
This book gave me all the feels with protective hero moments, emotional healing, intense chemistry, and a romance that felt completely earned. If you love best friends to lovers romances with hockey players, curvy heroines, and a hero who would absolutely burn the world down for her, this one is definitely worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars
🌶️🌶️ 2/5 Spice
I just finished The Best Friend Experiment by G.A. Mazurke (Serena Akeroyd), and it reminded me how much I love a good college romance. I’m usually not a big fan of the reformed playboy trope, so I went in trusting the author to make it worth it and she delivered 100%.
Zach and Denny’s lifelong friends to lover's arc is one of my favorite tropes, and I love that the story begins right at the moment they finally see each other differently. More than friends, not quite lovers, both of them fumbling through those new feelings in the sweetest way. If we’d spent too long in Zach’s “playboy” era, I probably would’ve struggled, but the timing is perfect. Their shift from best friends to something deeper feels effortless, even with the bumps along the way.
This isn’t the spiciest romance, but the intimacy we do get fits the college setting and their emotional journey. Some moments are quick glimpses, others are fuller scenes, and the balance works really well for this couple.
Denny’s journey is what really stayed with me. She wrestles with how people treat her and how she sees herself, and Zach never wavers. He stands up for her, refuses to let things slide, and shows her consistently that she’s wanted and loved. As someone who has had my own battles with body image, I deeply appreciated the care put into her character.
The supporting cast is another huge highlight. I love it when side characters feel just as vivid as the leads, and this book nails that. It made me crave their stories next, especially with the crossover hints toward the darker upcoming book The Brat. Seeing familiar faces pop in was such a fun bonus.
I’m so excited to dive back into this world when Callan and Pecan’s books drop. If you love a “he falls first” vibe, a curvy FMC, and a hot reformed playboy hockey player, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
🌶️🌶️ 2/5 Spice
I just finished The Best Friend Experiment by G.A. Mazurke (Serena Akeroyd), and it reminded me how much I love a good college romance. I’m usually not a big fan of the reformed playboy trope, so I went in trusting the author to make it worth it and she delivered 100%.
Zach and Denny’s lifelong friends to lover's arc is one of my favorite tropes, and I love that the story begins right at the moment they finally see each other differently. More than friends, not quite lovers, both of them fumbling through those new feelings in the sweetest way. If we’d spent too long in Zach’s “playboy” era, I probably would’ve struggled, but the timing is perfect. Their shift from best friends to something deeper feels effortless, even with the bumps along the way.
This isn’t the spiciest romance, but the intimacy we do get fits the college setting and their emotional journey. Some moments are quick glimpses, others are fuller scenes, and the balance works really well for this couple.
Denny’s journey is what really stayed with me. She wrestles with how people treat her and how she sees herself, and Zach never wavers. He stands up for her, refuses to let things slide, and shows her consistently that she’s wanted and loved. As someone who has had my own battles with body image, I deeply appreciated the care put into her character.
The supporting cast is another huge highlight. I love it when side characters feel just as vivid as the leads, and this book nails that. It made me crave their stories next, especially with the crossover hints toward the darker upcoming book The Brat. Seeing familiar faces pop in was such a fun bonus.
I’m so excited to dive back into this world when Callan and Pecan’s books drop. If you love a “he falls first” vibe, a curvy FMC, and a hot reformed playboy hockey player, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
May 26, 2026
The Best Friend Experiment ( Oakwood College Series Book 1 ) what to expect!! 🏒Hockey Player / Tomboy 💜Inexperienced Heroine / Reformed Playboy 🏒Curvy Girl / Jock 💜childhood best friends / friends with benefits/ to lovers 🏒he’s soft for only her and will burn the world down to ensure her happiness 💜popular guy / girl next door 🏒she’s bullied , he deals with it 💜campus king / ugly duckling / opposites attract 🏒Roommates and all the feels !!! Zach and Denver !! Oh how these two just utterly and completely had my heart from the very first page . Emotional, funny , sweet, heart wrenching, heartwarming , filled with friendship, love , passion , pain , tragedy, loss , obstacles, family, friendships, angst , humor , witty banter and so much more . There were just so many things that made me fall in love with theses two and their journey , a journey that most definitely was not all hearts and flowers . I think something I loved most was how likable and relatable both characters were . That just like we all do they had flaws and emotional struggles to overcome . I loved the friendship they had , how they were each others safe place and the way that changed into so much more throughout the book . I really felt like I was going through everything right along with them . Smiling and laughing out loud during the good times , crying, yelling and cheering for them during the not so great times . The Best Friend Experiment is so much more then your typical college sports romance. It’s the type of story that will touch your heart and resonate with you on so many levels . And it will definitely keep you up reading well into the early morning hours. I was so lucky to have been sent a advanced readers copy of this awesome story
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Best Friend Experiment will have you laughing, smiling, groaning at the pranks, raging, sighing, swooning, fanning yourself, and kicking your heels up. If friends-to-lovers stories, childhood best friends to FWB to lovers, a hockey player and a curvy tomboy, roommates, found family, banter, and NO 3rd act breakup are just what you are looking for in a romance, then look no further.
What do you do when the wool of your toque no longer covers your eyes, and you suddenly see your childhood best friend and roommate as more than they are? Zach gives Denver an experimental kiss, and the world as he knows it changes. Sure, they've both harboured crushes on each other over the years, but neither acted upon those urges. Being best friends since an early age means you know all the good and bad about one another, and still look past those traits. But Zac has become more possessive about Denny, taking it upon himself to deal with those who bully her at Oakwood College. He's not about to let anyone get away with hurting the love of his life. And Denny isn't any better. Come after Zach, and she will defend her hockey-playing buddy with everything she has. Now that they can express how they feel, there's no holding them back. Zach has reformed his playboy ways, and Denny can't wait to gain firsthand experience from all he knows. Zach ensures their physical love blossoms at Denny's pace, and she's racing for the finish line. Yet even as they explore what is growing between them, external threats and conflicts from the hostile environment around the ice rink and college campus threaten their happiness, adding tension to their journey.
Thank you to the author for an advanced review copy.
What do you do when the wool of your toque no longer covers your eyes, and you suddenly see your childhood best friend and roommate as more than they are? Zach gives Denver an experimental kiss, and the world as he knows it changes. Sure, they've both harboured crushes on each other over the years, but neither acted upon those urges. Being best friends since an early age means you know all the good and bad about one another, and still look past those traits. But Zac has become more possessive about Denny, taking it upon himself to deal with those who bully her at Oakwood College. He's not about to let anyone get away with hurting the love of his life. And Denny isn't any better. Come after Zach, and she will defend her hockey-playing buddy with everything she has. Now that they can express how they feel, there's no holding them back. Zach has reformed his playboy ways, and Denny can't wait to gain firsthand experience from all he knows. Zach ensures their physical love blossoms at Denny's pace, and she's racing for the finish line. Yet even as they explore what is growing between them, external threats and conflicts from the hostile environment around the ice rink and college campus threaten their happiness, adding tension to their journey.
Thank you to the author for an advanced review copy.
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