Just Friends

#JustFriends #1

by Marie Cole

Fans of new adult authors like Abbi Glines and Jamie McGuire will love this brand new book by Marie Cole about being in love with your best friend. And how much it really sucks.

He's my first crush.
I'm his best friend.
When we are pushed into a room alone together sparks start to fly and there isn't anything anyone can do to put out the fire that sizzles between us.
Except maybe her
His girlfriend.
With her on his arm there couldn't be a worse time to explore the depth of my feelings for him.
So for now we're #JustFriends.
...Or are we?

Note to the reader: This the first in the #JustFriends series.
Series Order
Just Friends (Kent & Elly - College)
Old Friends (Kent & Elly - HEA)
Fast Friends (Rio & Stacy - HEA)
Secret Friends (James & Ainsley - HEA)

Alternate Cover Edition for B01CRNJQKW

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, College, Ebooks

224 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Marie Cole is an Amazon bestselling author in the US, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the UK. She resides in Georgia with her veteran husband, two beautiful daughters, and her two lazy cats.

When she isn’t writing, or doing all of the other things that go along with being an indie-writer, she is playing with her daughters, being a perfect (ha) housewife, or catching up on her favorite TV shows (of which she is extremely behind).

If you’d like to email her she loves receiving email and you can do so at MarieColeBooks@gmail.com.

Reviews

[Sara ➽ Ink Is My Sword · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 “WTF WAS THAT” Stars

Disclaimer:Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[INSERT A VERY MAD PHOTO OF MYSELF]

THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY ANGRY VERY ANGRY TEARS!


Warning: Awful sexual consent, I am really tempted to even put rape. Infidelity. Not HEA.

Okay so because NetGalley asks you first to say what you liked about the story I will try.

The book certainly gripped me, it was an awful story but I had to keep reading to know if something good would redeem this mess. So yeah it was kind of addictive, let’s say like a bad reality tv show, that although you know you are wasting precious hours of your life to just creepily sneak on the life of very fake people, you need to keep watching. The writing was also fine, although nothing remarkable. Something else I am missing? NOP.

So let’s dive to the shit ton of problems this has. It's gonna be full of spoilers as I will talk about specific scenes so if you want to get into this story with clean mind don’t read the following. But I honestly would like to keep reading because I find there are things that are not very much discussed in other reviews and are necessary for people to be aware of them.


Plot:
HOLY SHIT I REALLY SHOULD HAVE PUT ATTENTION TO THE TITLE, BECAUSE THAT SUMS ALL. Just friends, just friends who cheat, just friends who fuck, just friends who love masochism, because hell they just kept stabbing themselves with their actions. Literally, childhood friends who have been hot for each other since always, but then the guy gets a girlfriend and everything changes. Oh yeah, we follow them during like two years of their college years, but I swore I had to keep reminding myself of that because it seemed like a bad high school drama.

Characters:

I HATED EVERYONE.

Elly: OMG she was not even a little likable, nop. First, she slut-shamed girls. Second, she said that it was Kent’s falt the fact she had lost her virginity with a random guy because he didn’t pay attention to her. No please someone tell me I am not the only one laughing at this because I am sorry but the guy didn’t force you to have sex with another guy. She had a very bad consent definition, she sexually assaulted our other character, I really wanna say raped but there were somethings I need to explain first. Although she kept talking trash of Jen, she basically kept getting in between their relationship, so I totally understood the hate from Jen towards her. She could keep lying to herself that they were just friends, but they weren’t. She had a very bad decision making like honestly I think Monty from TGGTVAV looked as an excellent choice maker compared to her.

Kent: UGHHH, You are a coward and an asshole tried to disguise as the good-boy but honestly, I found him worse than the bad-boy type. At first, I thought he was fine an all but by the end of the story I wanted to pretty much kill him. He is the type of guy who cannot let go ot accept that he needs to let go one of the two girls. He cheated and then he pretended everything it was alright. I don’t like him one bit.

Jen: I don’t like her either. Somehow I felt the author insinuated she had cheated on Kent to at the start of the book, but then again nothing was explicitly call out so I really cannot blame anything on her.

Sexual Consent:

IT WAS AWFUL AND I HAD SOME MANY PROBLEMS BY THE FACT THAT JUST A FEW PEOPLE HAVE ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

First we have the way Kent lost his virginity, he was totally wasted and couldn’t remember anything, basically, Jen took advantage of him.

Second, we have the study night. Elly touched him while he was sleeping, I don’t care if he had a bit of consciousness at the end, HE WAS SLEEPING! She touched him and made him touch her and then he position herself for penetration, which then apparently he was lucid enough to finish the act. FUCK THIS WAS NOT HOT THIS WAS GROSS AND SO WRONG.

Also, our main character literally uses rape as a light term, here an extract:

"I wanted to make it the best since I'd all but raped him a few nights ago."

I was only mildly relieved that he wasn't going to know he'd had sleep sex with me.
Now, here is the thing, SLEEP SEX, is not a thing. He was unconscious! For fuck's sake, this is sexual harassment and rape.

Infidelity:

They cheated acted as if nothing happened, the cheated again acted as if it was normal. If you cheat before you are married, it is still cheating. They could blame alcohol all they wanted but they purposely put themselves in vulnerable positions. They basically never learned from their mistakes.


In conclusion, it was a very bad angst novel of friends. I have the whole box set to review as well and to be honest I am a bit curious to continue because the ratings are over 4.0 starts and I am really wondering why, because if they are even a bit similar to this book I think I am in an alternate reality with a very different content in a novel.

Do I recommend it? Honestly no.

[Shweta Padma Das · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. Makes me want to re-read something borrowed, just to get the emotional depth this work was so lacking.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

***ARC kindly provided by NetGalelly in exchange for an honest review.***

This book was a hard one for me. I try to give all books a chance and look for some good things about it, but I am honestly struggling with this one for a couple of reasons.

But to start off with the way Elly lost her v-card umm wow I couldn't even sympathize with her one bit. Then there's Kents confession of his first time which in my opinion was rape, but it's not even addressed in that way, which blows my mind. Then there was the whole study session situation between Elly and Kent which again in my opinion could be considered rape. NOT OKAY. Anytime anyone touches someone else without their permission that is taking advantage of them and that is NOT okay.

So the whole premise of this book is supposed to be unrequited love, Elly is in love with her best friend Kent. But Kent is supposedly in love with his high school sweetheart Jen. But there are a lot of mixed signals coming from Kent. Actually there's a lot of mixed up signals from all the characters. I personally had a hard time connecting with them overall.

There was some infidelity and overall shady behavior from the lot of them as well. There were a few times where it was suggested Jen was cheating on Kent but then nothing was ever fleshed out.
But excuses were made for her poor behavior and advances, using alcohol or personal life issues to make it seem like it was okay. I don't agree with that one bit

I unfortunately will not be reading the second book in this series. I hate to write bad reviews and hey others may really like it which is totally okay. It just was not for me.

[Nadwa · Rating 1 out of 5]

[I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review]
This made me contemplate swearing off Netgalley ARCs. There was no plot whatsoever. The main lead was hypocritical, annoying, and so full of herself. I will not go any further than that. This book was a major disappointment.

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one in a four book series I was a book that was so good it made me keep wanting to keep turning those pages. Yet, the two main characters Elly and Kent although at first start off as this set of friends who were so close, that they at eight had made a pack to always remain friends no matter what. By their freshman year in college Kent had all but forgotten that when in his freshman year in high school he had gotten a girlfriend.
Kent meets this girl, Jen, who moves into town who is brash, crude, rich, and oh yeah, a skinny and sexy BITCH. All the things Elly is not. And not she is not a BITCH because she is skinny and sexy she is just a plain BITCH. Elly and Kent try to keep up their friendship which was so much easier living next door to each other. But Jen’s jealousy starts putting a wedge between them. Breaking Elly’s heart because she had already known She was in love with Kent.
But the real break came the summer of their freshman year of college Kent never called or texted Elly, at all. That was okay though she used that time though visiting her grandmother to make a new and in proved Elly. So, coming back for her Sophomore year she was the bomb. Guys were all over her.
All guys except the one she wanted until she loses her “V-Card” and he overhears her telling her female best friend about what happened. Kent starts sexually teasing Elly, into believing that he is in love with her, and there’s something there. Yet, he breaks her and goes back to Jen. What he says to his mother after brunch and Elly were coming out of the restroom would have opened my eyes.
Not, Elly, she deserves what she gets because she keeps going on each time as if. Allow him to get away with it. Friendship or not you teach people how to treat you. She taught Kent that it’s okay to use me and abuse my feelings and our friendship any way you want.
The way it ended pissed me off. It’s okay though I had the box set. If I didn’t have the box set to read the rest of their romance and how it works out I would have even more pissed. And I would have given it a 3 star. Since I have the box set and I really was captured by the story and the characters did give me something to stress about. I have given it 4 stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some infidelity. You won't get a HEA. Ends on a cliffhanger. Both the antagonist and the heroine are guilty of rape.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

[SB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elly has been in love with her best friends since they were kids. Now she is a college student and recently lost a lot of weight and returns to school and is desperate for Kent to finally notice her. The only problem is that his girlfriend, who they both went to high school with, isn't willing to give him up.

This was an extremely long and drawn out story. You won't get a HEA ending, at least not in this book. Their story will be continued in a second book, however, I'm not sure I can keep reading this story. The first book was too long in my opinion and as much as I want to find out what happened to them ten years later, I'm not sure I have it in me to continue reading this series at the moment.

*parts of the book contain cheating, both emotional and physical, and may not be for everyone. In my opinion, a certain part of the book also would be considered rape in a sense as well.

**and ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Sandie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost put this one down, almost!

I was getting frustrated with the main character Elly because she wouldn't let her crush for Kent go. She kept insinuating herself in his life by going on his dates with him and his girlfriend and even attending his wedding. But as I read on I realized that though he didn't seem to return her feelings, she was his best friend. Elly delves into romantic relationships that seem to always turn out bad because she can't get over Kent. He in turn realizes that he has made bad choices where Elly is concerned. This was a great story, emotional, and a can't-put-it-down type of book!!

[☆Joycedale☆]

On my kindle as Just Friends

[Nkisha]

Dnf terrible book!!!

[Silverluna · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

[Cheryl O'Harney · Rating 3 out of 5]

*This book was reviewed for Summer's Eve Reads*

Title: Just Friends
Author: Marie Cole
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 2.5/5

I'm just going to come right out with it this book just didn't do it for me, it was too long and drawn out I just couldn't connect with the characters at all I found them all to be immature Elly in particular.

I myself don't mind reading books where there's darker or what some may consider sensitive or inappropriate issues, in this there's both physical and emotional cheating it also touches on what could technically be classed as rape so if you're offended by such topics then I'd suggest you avoid this, It ends on a cliffhanger so you don't get a HEA well in this book anyway.

I'm giving it 2.5 stars out of 5 as although I didn't enjoy the way this particular storyline played out the basics were there and I did like the authors style of writing.

[michelle okelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great

I gave this book 5 stars because it was a great book. It was very descriptive and also very detailed. I found this book very good I cant wait to read Old Friends.

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normalizing rape because the victim is a guy killed this for me. I couldn't finish it. Oh and the MC is so full herself but written as if we the readers should feel sorry or empathy to her.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

I'm not sure if to either say "Like father like son" or "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."based on Kent's final decision. I really don't know what to say apart from the fact that it was really a stupid decision and it would come back to hunt him.
As for our lead female character, i really like books that talks about girls physical transformation although i was a little bit concerned with this one because she kept on making mistakes with guys not giving herself the benefit of the doubt instead she jumps from one relationship to another. I literally wanted to get into this book and put a seat bealt on her to stop from getting thrown from one relationship to another.
As fo the dream part 😑 I didn't fall for it.

One part that concerns me is the part where I can't really write because i don't want to spoil this book.... but. Who was the blonde our female character's second boy sleeping with, my head is screaming Jen but the book doesn't say so... unless i accidentally skipped the part.

Sorry if i have spoiled but... yah.

[Chloe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just can’t believe this book, the stupidity of it actually blew my mind.
The whole book was just about cheating, obsession and false love. DNF at like 60%

Elly -
The main female character, Elly was basically obsessed with Kent the other main character. She was supposedly so in love with him, but happily got with other guys. Then when they didn’t work out after like two weeks she was sobbing and acting like she was engaged and stuff to the boys. She let everyone walk all over her, when Kent was a horrible to her she would be angry for like 2 pages and then they’d go back to normal. The most frustrating part about all that is that I literally think Kent never apologised to her once. The whole book was basically nothing, nothing happens, nothing is discovered, nothing significant takes place to change the dynamics of Kent and Elly’s relationship. The book is just one steaming pile of mess. Also, what the bloody hell is up with all the ‘sex’ scenes and yes I use the word ‘sex scenes’ loosely because they were all basically rape. Kent and Jen’s (the girlfriend) first time is when he is completely steaming and he can’t even remember having sex with her at all. When Elly and Kent have ‘sex’, Elly waits until he’s sleeping and then using his hand to touch her and then they have sleep sex, what the bloody hell is sleep sex?!

Kent -
I hated Elly, but I despised Kent. He was never a bad character, he was just so weak and boring. His girlfriend literally cheats on him 24/7 like right in front of him too and he does nothing. He just laughs and blames it on alcohol or some other excuse and then nothing else is made of it. I’m sorry, but wtf, like actually wtf. That’s all I have to say to that. The whole story is about Elly and Kent and Elly trying to get Kent to love her back, but you literally see none of that. Kent sometimes looks at Elly and makes flirty comments, but that’s it. It just left me wondering why this book was even made, you could tell Kent felt nothing for Elly and just wanted to sleep with her when he felt like it. Always cheating, yes people it isn’t just Kent’s girlfriend who cheats, nope I literally meant everyone’s just cheating on everyone in this book and it is never addressed. Then his girlfriend becomes pregnant and what’s the obvious thing to do? Marry her of course. No dipshit, the first thing i’d be doing is checking if the baby was even mine because everyone just loves cheating on everyone in this book.

I would never read this book again or another book in the series, even if someone paid me too.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

.
.
.
Series: Yes
Standalone: No, first in series, but cliffhanger
Read Again: No, might read next book

Main Characters: Elly and Kent
Setting: College
Married: Not the two main characters, Kent & Jen get married
Children: No
Sex: Yes, cheating
Themes: Dysfunctional. Cheating. Not getting over your crush. Marrying the wrong person. Being unhappy.

Stars: 1
Writing stars: 3
Plot stars: 1
This book was really not for me. I haven't read the rest of the series and am tempted to find their happily ever after. But the next book is 10 year later and the except that I read sounded just as dysfunctional as the first book. There was cheating, trying to win her best friend's heart but him alway choosing Jen. I was sure Jen was cheating on Kent and waiting for him to find out about it, but it never happened. Jen clearly isn't meant to be with Kent and Kent married her even though he loves Elly. The book states that Jen is insecure and jealous - I think she is justified. Elly keeps telling Jen she has nothing to worry about, then turns around and plots ways to seduce Kent...
It's clear that with the path this series is going, Kent and Jen are going to get divorced.

I give props for this book being realistic and that this stuff happens in real life. But when I read a romance book, I would like to feel enchanted and complete. This book made me angry. Angry that Kent couldn't see the real Jen and angry that Elly couldn't get over Kent and kept seducing him. The first time they have sex while he is "asleep" was in my opinion borderline rape - Elly said that Kent didn't want her, that he was devoted to Jen, but she initiated the sexual encounters between herself and Kent and took things to a new level when she thought he was asleep.
~February 2, 2019

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really REALLY hate writing a DNF review. But with all the supposedly good reviews for this book, I feel it necessary to provide another perspective.

First off, RAPE IS RAPE. I don’t care how anyone tries to romanticize it. If you have sex with someone who does not or CANNOT give consent, it is RAPE. Do not call it “sleep sex” because 1) what is this? And 2) it’s NON-CONSENSUAL SEX (aka RAPE).

Now that that’s off my chest...

This book was terrible from the very first page. The writing was juvenile, the plot was barely existent, and the characters weren’t remotely likable. Elly was an obsessive basket case (and a rapist), Kent was a complete pushover and not remotely interesting, and Jen was as fake as they come (and also apparently a rapist). As a literary scholar and a writer, I tend to try to get inside the head of an author—with this one I refuse to do that for a variety of reasons.

Basically, Kent was raped by his high school girlfriend Jen—while a crowd WATCHED no less. And then he was raped by his best friend Elly—referred to by the author as “sleep sex.” I try to be fair with my reviews, especially when they’re DNF. But I can’t get past the fact that the author seems to try to normalize this behavior. It’s not normal. It’s WRONG.

Anyway, I couldn’t read any further after the “sleep sex” RAPE. I actually had high hopes for this book, but I was sorely disappointed. I definitely won’t be reading any others by this author.

[SAM✡️ · Rating 1 out of 5]

** FREE ON AMAZON **
I was cringing the entire time i was reading this book. I literally repeated the words “I don’t understand, I don’t understand. I just don’t understand” every 5 seconds. I am completely ok with the the short plot of lack of character buildup because it is such a short story, so no disappointments there. Normally I am on an ok level with problematic and disastrous relationships, because I am an adult, and I feel like i have a good grasp on what is right and wrong. (Said the woman who’s failed at every relationship.) I also find them mad hilarious. My problems are: 1)- she literally molested her best friend while he was sleeping (disturbing,disgusting). 2)- casual usage of roofie to get a tattoo. Initiating sex whilst on roofie... only mentioning the fact that it is RAPE...in passing! 3)- cheating, rationalizing cheating, trivializing cheating.
Thoughts on the characters:
1)- Jen is not even worth the energy of hating her.
2)- Elly has ZERO sense of self worth. She only allows Kent to abuse her feelings and their friendship.
3)- Kent is a spineless, weak, passive individual undeserving of Elly. And very well deserving of Jen treating him like absolute shit!
EVERY TIME I SEE THIS BOOK, I GET ANGRY AND DISGUSTED!!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away with how good it was. I just could not put it down it was truly an amazing read. These characters were real to me. She described the characters amazingly. They were so descriptive. The characters of Elly and Kent are really well described. I loved how they meshed together. There were some flaws to them though. One main one which I understand how some people say they did not like the story because of the "rape" scene. Which if you read further into the story it was not really rape. But some people cannot get passed that one part. Which is understandable. Moving on, Kent was really well described, I really wish he would have tried to give Elly a small chance in the beginning. Or at least told her his feelings, but all is understandable. It was frustrating at times going back and forth and back and forth with the I love her and I can not be with her. Then the wedding scene. I really thought something would eventually happen. But that ending made me want to go straight into the next one. I just had to go out and buy they next story. It was just such a good read. And the ending made me just want more. Completely worth it. I truly loved this story.

[Shasta Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow burn.. Frustrating characters

Format: Kindle Edition

I finished the book and read the next one because I did enjoy the friends to lovers thing. However, this book was frustratingly slow and very high school ish. I get thats when their love story and feeling a started but the theme of high school dragged on and on. Elly should have walked away the first time she was heartbroken.. Kent should have realized sooner or just not been dumber especially after they slept together the first time. Ugghh!!!

[Marie Mckenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book.

Kent and Elly have know each other since they were kids. Both were unique and different growing up but best friends. Both loved each other but they never told each other. Kent ends up with Jen after several years. She is not a good fit for him. Kent and Elly do not end up being single at the same time for a long time. Elly has bad luck with men. They have a rollercoaster of emotions throughout this book. it is a long book but we'll worth the wait.

[Bree · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this book at all. Honestly, I felt that the main character was juvenile, naive, and an all around pain. She was about as deep as the shallow end of a dew drop. Pining over her bff who is a complete doormat..... I couldn't relate to her at all and every sexual enounter/ boyfriend relationship she has is so awkward and unrealistic. Especially where she pretty much rapes her bff in his sleep. Disappointing and creepy.....

[Saami Celada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. But I have to say that the waiting time for the love story for Elly and Kent is a little frustrating. The story was good, the attraction was there but still the two of them manage to push their relationship apart. I have to stay that I would love to read more about these two. Highly recommended

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were friends and then sparks fly between them. Will they explore it? There is going to be one problem, he already has a girlfriend. Why did it happen now? It is a problem they need to work through so they dont spoil everything.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kulsum Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and the foremost the layout and presentation of the book got me (E-book). Then, the story was pretty realistic, I hated the fact Elly had so much feelings, so strong,for Kent. And that dipshit took so long. ugh. But anyways good Book! 4 star story + 1 extra star for the Presentation/layout.

[Bev Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This was a really good book! Elly was such a cute girl but Kent just didn't see her the way she wanted and Jen was really insecure! Can't wait to read the next book to see what happens!!

[Felicity Harber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book thoroughly however was getting frustrated with the hookups between the two besties when the boy was in a committed relationship.

I do need to read book 2 to see if Elly and Kent get their HEA.

[Bev · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragged on for far too long. Definitely won't read again. Didn't care for hero or heroine.

[Isolde Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i only liked the last half part of the story, the story in the last part is super good and satisfying...