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The Best Friend
“I can’t forget about that kiss, Elsie.” His hand comes up to cup my cheek, stroking the skin gingerly. “I don’t want to,” he whispers so lowly I almost don’t hear. His gaze falls to my lips once again.
It’s probably the alcohol that forces the next sentence out of me, or it’s the sheer terror that I’ll never be able to tell him how I really feel. “Neither do I.”
Elsie Archer and Hayden Jones have been best friends since they were four; the two are almost inseparable.
But that is when Hayden isn’t falling for a new girl. Elsie thinks her best friend’s only flaw is that he falls too quickly and too hard. She has seen him charm many girls and has cheered him on. Little does he know that her feel-ings for him have been growing steady for years.
Now on their senior year, will Elsie find the courage to tell Hayden what she really feels? Or will she remain in the safety of the friendship they’ve nurtured for years?
This young adult romance story will surely break your heart, but it’s worth the bittersweet hurt. Grab your copy now!
It’s probably the alcohol that forces the next sentence out of me, or it’s the sheer terror that I’ll never be able to tell him how I really feel. “Neither do I.”
Elsie Archer and Hayden Jones have been best friends since they were four; the two are almost inseparable.
But that is when Hayden isn’t falling for a new girl. Elsie thinks her best friend’s only flaw is that he falls too quickly and too hard. She has seen him charm many girls and has cheered him on. Little does he know that her feel-ings for him have been growing steady for years.
Now on their senior year, will Elsie find the courage to tell Hayden what she really feels? Or will she remain in the safety of the friendship they’ve nurtured for years?
This young adult romance story will surely break your heart, but it’s worth the bittersweet hurt. Grab your copy now!
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2017
179 people are currently reading
876 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 18, 2018
Disapointing Read.
*Recieved an ARC in exchange for honest review*
I am not sure how to go on about this book.
The book was by a newbie writer so i really want to try and be as non offensive as possible since i really wish that the author doesn't get discouraged cause i know how difficult it is to publish your work for the world to critique.
Plot:
Its a story about two best friends who practically grew up together but will their friendship live through the problems that arise due to their new found feelings towards each other?
Thoughts:
The book started off being very promising.
The writing had a few errors, but the narrative style was very strong and engaging.
The character introduction for main leads Elsie and Hayden, and their respective developments was also very nicely done. I think for me its was the story which fell flat around halfway through the book.
Story:
Everything was fine and well over the years untill Hayden's current girlfriend Abby comes in the picture. Hayden starts ditching Elsie, although remorsefully, for Abby and Elsie keeps on forgiving Hayden and keeps giving him one more chance.
This much was fine for me till this became the main focus of the story and kept happening again and again and again on repeat up until the end. If that was not enough and when things finally progressed, the whole France tangent was introduced only to go backwards once again. The end seemed way more out of the place. Elsie finally moves on in her life, goes away for 8 months and when she returns and sees Hayden, it is indicated that she will forgive him since its Hayden and he is irreplaceable in her life. Umm...then what was the point to show her moving on? The end was very bizarre and abrupt.
Overall:
Giving us one or two instances would have suffice but the entirety of the book was just based on this and that's when i lost interest.I genuinely think this book did not need the extra 80-100 pages. Dragging it was really unnecessary.
I would have left the book midway if not for the obligation of posting an honest review.
I really wish i had better things to say about this book but i dont.
Having said that i did really like the writing style....if only there was more to the story.
WOULD I READ THIS BOOK AGAIN: NO.
WOULD I READ ANOTHER BOOK BY THE SAME AUTHOR: I WANT TO SAY YES...BUT NO.
Happy reading :D
*Recieved an ARC in exchange for honest review*
I am not sure how to go on about this book.
The book was by a newbie writer so i really want to try and be as non offensive as possible since i really wish that the author doesn't get discouraged cause i know how difficult it is to publish your work for the world to critique.
Plot:
Its a story about two best friends who practically grew up together but will their friendship live through the problems that arise due to their new found feelings towards each other?
Thoughts:
The book started off being very promising.
The writing had a few errors, but the narrative style was very strong and engaging.
The character introduction for main leads Elsie and Hayden, and their respective developments was also very nicely done. I think for me its was the story which fell flat around halfway through the book.
Story:
Everything was fine and well over the years untill Hayden's current girlfriend Abby comes in the picture. Hayden starts ditching Elsie, although remorsefully, for Abby and Elsie keeps on forgiving Hayden and keeps giving him one more chance.
This much was fine for me till this became the main focus of the story and kept happening again and again and again on repeat up until the end. If that was not enough and when things finally progressed, the whole France tangent was introduced only to go backwards once again. The end seemed way more out of the place. Elsie finally moves on in her life, goes away for 8 months and when she returns and sees Hayden, it is indicated that she will forgive him since its Hayden and he is irreplaceable in her life. Umm...then what was the point to show her moving on? The end was very bizarre and abrupt.
Overall:
Giving us one or two instances would have suffice but the entirety of the book was just based on this and that's when i lost interest.I genuinely think this book did not need the extra 80-100 pages. Dragging it was really unnecessary.
I would have left the book midway if not for the obligation of posting an honest review.
I really wish i had better things to say about this book but i dont.
Having said that i did really like the writing style....if only there was more to the story.
WOULD I READ THIS BOOK AGAIN: NO.
WOULD I READ ANOTHER BOOK BY THE SAME AUTHOR: I WANT TO SAY YES...BUT NO.
Happy reading :D
June 28, 2020
this is not a review just a warning- this book will break your heart (ends kinda like five feet apart)
ooh! that rhymes ( sorry I'm getting distracted)
back to the point- this book will break your heart and if you read the bonus chapter your heart will break all over again
ooh! that rhymes ( sorry I'm getting distracted)
back to the point- this book will break your heart and if you read the bonus chapter your heart will break all over again
July 17, 2017
First off, I absolutely commend Ally Williams for having a vision, writing a book, and getting it published -- that takes tremendous discipline. Because of the obvious effort she put into this book, I hesitate writing a review, but I would have appreciated some insight before reading "The Best Friend." Williams tackles a familiar -- and popular -- topic, best friend to more-than friend. In this genre, it's repeatedly mentioned in forums as a favorite -- perhaps because being a good friend is a wonderful base to begin a romantic relationship.
This book is. in. need. of. serious. editing. The repetition truly becomes almost unbearable by the last quarter of the book. It's uneven -- and the dialogue needs to be tweaked to be more realistic. There are supposed to be different narrators, but they are indistinctive from each other. There's a lot of awkward reference to eyes -- "emerald orbs" and I can't find the first one, but it's (paraphrased) something like "my coffee-tinted irises scan the aisle." Cringy.
I am not insensitive to the tremendous melodrama that goes on inside the brain of a teenage girl (I was one myself, albeit many, many years ago), but Elsie's rumination and reaction try the reader's attention. It's also frustrating to the point of not liking her. That said, her "best friend"/"love interest" Hayden is seriously deplorable. Throughout the book, he's set up as the epitome of someone who is NOT a good friend, let alone a potential boyfriend. Another boy (Nick) is introduced and the reader roots for Elsie to open her eyes.
I would like to know why Hayden is so selfish and why he is an inveterate liar. His mother and sister Gwen are so sweet and supportive -- how could they not have drummed into him the importance of kindness and honesty?
There was a lot of potential in this story, but it becomes so bogged down in this cycle -- you invariably lose sympathy for Elsie, and never develop any for Hayden.
As an adult reader, this is a doomed relationship -- and will be until Elsie can meet someone who is worthy of her, shares her interest, is interested in her, and, of course, attractive. You can imagine Elsie in 10 years, with insight and perspective -- and (hopefully) having left Hayden behind. She may be kind to him and interested in what he's up to, because of their shared childhood, but by now she realizes that someone so selfish (and all the crying -- he seems almost unhinged) and immature is unworthy, but for a scant memory.
Ultimately, there's no character growth in this book (I kept hoping, though!). Just because it's stated, doesn't mean it's been demonstrated. And the character to whom the reader puts in hope (Nick) is remains one dimensional. It would have been good for Elsie to develop what is a REAL friendship with Nick -- it would provide a comparative with what she really doesn't have with Hayden.
I've written so much here because there are so many books I'm. anxious to read and I feel it's a commitment to do so -- and when a book has the potential, but doesn't deliver, it's disappointing. I can't help but think that if this book had gone through a couple of editors (who allow the author, Williams to make suggested edits), it could be a substantive work. As it stands, though, it's unrealized, repetitive, frustrating and disappointing (and I actually am sorry to have to say that).
This book is. in. need. of. serious. editing. The repetition truly becomes almost unbearable by the last quarter of the book. It's uneven -- and the dialogue needs to be tweaked to be more realistic. There are supposed to be different narrators, but they are indistinctive from each other. There's a lot of awkward reference to eyes -- "emerald orbs" and I can't find the first one, but it's (paraphrased) something like "my coffee-tinted irises scan the aisle." Cringy.
I am not insensitive to the tremendous melodrama that goes on inside the brain of a teenage girl (I was one myself, albeit many, many years ago), but Elsie's rumination and reaction try the reader's attention. It's also frustrating to the point of not liking her. That said, her "best friend"/"love interest" Hayden is seriously deplorable. Throughout the book, he's set up as the epitome of someone who is NOT a good friend, let alone a potential boyfriend. Another boy (Nick) is introduced and the reader roots for Elsie to open her eyes.
I would like to know why Hayden is so selfish and why he is an inveterate liar. His mother and sister Gwen are so sweet and supportive -- how could they not have drummed into him the importance of kindness and honesty?
There was a lot of potential in this story, but it becomes so bogged down in this cycle -- you invariably lose sympathy for Elsie, and never develop any for Hayden.
As an adult reader, this is a doomed relationship -- and will be until Elsie can meet someone who is worthy of her, shares her interest, is interested in her, and, of course, attractive. You can imagine Elsie in 10 years, with insight and perspective -- and (hopefully) having left Hayden behind. She may be kind to him and interested in what he's up to, because of their shared childhood, but by now she realizes that someone so selfish (and all the crying -- he seems almost unhinged) and immature is unworthy, but for a scant memory.
Ultimately, there's no character growth in this book (I kept hoping, though!). Just because it's stated, doesn't mean it's been demonstrated. And the character to whom the reader puts in hope (Nick) is remains one dimensional. It would have been good for Elsie to develop what is a REAL friendship with Nick -- it would provide a comparative with what she really doesn't have with Hayden.
I've written so much here because there are so many books I'm. anxious to read and I feel it's a commitment to do so -- and when a book has the potential, but doesn't deliver, it's disappointing. I can't help but think that if this book had gone through a couple of editors (who allow the author, Williams to make suggested edits), it could be a substantive work. As it stands, though, it's unrealized, repetitive, frustrating and disappointing (and I actually am sorry to have to say that).
August 17, 2017
I am very very angry that I wasted time on this book. No disrespect to the author because it's difficult to write a novel and publish it for the world to see. However Elsie was a spineless idiot who was extremely weepy most of the time and really was every feminist nightmare. Haydn was a selfish bastard who had no redeeming qualities whatsoever, I don't think I can put a lot of blame on him though because she was the idiot that kept going back to him. The story felt as though we constantly went back to the same things and I found myself rolling my eyes at the things she expected from him. The narrative I found was littered with descriptive passages that slowed down the pace of the book and was quite tiring to read through.
However I enjoyed the family element within the novel, she had a good relationship with her family and that's rare to see in Young adult fiction. Though even some of the dialogue between the family and characters was a little far fetched I found myself struggling to actually hear anyone say some of the things they said to one another,however I appreciated the intention.
Overall I didn't enjoy it.
However I enjoyed the family element within the novel, she had a good relationship with her family and that's rare to see in Young adult fiction. Though even some of the dialogue between the family and characters was a little far fetched I found myself struggling to actually hear anyone say some of the things they said to one another,however I appreciated the intention.
Overall I didn't enjoy it.
September 24, 2017
This book ending was supposed to be about female independence and growing up to be strong & intelligent woman... The authors miserably failed with both issues, her main characters were ridiculous clichés !!
The "boy" was simply too stupid and selfish to feel anything but exasperation, while the "girl" was a weak idiot ... THE END
The "boy" was simply too stupid and selfish to feel anything but exasperation, while the "girl" was a weak idiot ... THE END
July 11, 2017
I'm upset that I actually wasted my time on this book. I kept hoping and waiting for it to get better but it never did. I don't like Elsie. I hate Hayden. He pretty much seems psychologically unstable, obsessive and somewhat abusive. Maybe if he had some horrible backstory with trauma or something the reader would be more sympathetic to him. But he basically has no redeeming qualities. He's not even a bad boy learning to love or some other crap like that. He's just a selfish bastard. And Elsie is just a spineless doormat.
Another thing that annoyed me was that on the rare occasion when the story was from his POV it still wasn't even compelling enough for the reader to sympathize or understand him better.
Obviously, from the other reviews I'm in the minority here. But I honestly am shocked that so many people liked it.
No disrespect to the author. I'm sure it's very difficult to write a novel. I Sure as hell couldn't do it. This book was just a big miss for me.
Another thing that annoyed me was that on the rare occasion when the story was from his POV it still wasn't even compelling enough for the reader to sympathize or understand him better.
Obviously, from the other reviews I'm in the minority here. But I honestly am shocked that so many people liked it.
No disrespect to the author. I'm sure it's very difficult to write a novel. I Sure as hell couldn't do it. This book was just a big miss for me.
September 19, 2017
I really tried my best to finish this book, but i cant anymore. All the characters are annoying in this book.
June 11, 2018
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, and I gave an honest review.
Elise and Hayden have been best friends since they were children. They both love each other but haven't admitted this to each other yet. Hayden has a girlfriend now and has had multiple in the past also.
It was a light and quick read. I quite did not like either of the characters. Elsie was so in love that she had no self respect and could go through anything for Hayden even though he did not give her any importance a times. Hayden seemed psychologically unstable and obsessive about things and also become violent at times.
This ending was supposed to be about female independence and being selfish to think about your own self sometimes. But I don't think it worked well.
Elise and Hayden have been best friends since they were children. They both love each other but haven't admitted this to each other yet. Hayden has a girlfriend now and has had multiple in the past also.
It was a light and quick read. I quite did not like either of the characters. Elsie was so in love that she had no self respect and could go through anything for Hayden even though he did not give her any importance a times. Hayden seemed psychologically unstable and obsessive about things and also become violent at times.
This ending was supposed to be about female independence and being selfish to think about your own self sometimes. But I don't think it worked well.
April 13, 2018
Elsie and Hayden are best friends since they were children. Elsie is in love with Hayden, and Hayden is in love Elsie... except he has a girlfriend.
I was all for this book after reading a brief summary. It sounded like a light read I like and the story and genre was something I was really interested in. As I started to read the book, the story itself was fine the first few chapters, but then it hit a certain point where I couldn't stand the characters and the story itself was becoming cringe-worthy.
Elsie was stupid to keep forgiving Hayden for all the wrong he's done. He's an idiot, he's selfish and annoying as hell. The two characters weren't likable and you couldn't connect to either of them. I understand these two are still in high school, but the way they act and talk is as if they were way younger. It didn't sound believable to me. I also felt it was pointless to have Hayden's point of view for a few chapters. It didn't really do anything to the story if they wanted us to sympathize with him because his feelings and his actions don't match.
I was glad to finally get to the end of the story, but I was left feeling angry once it was over because of how it ended. I was really hoping for a HEA but got the opposite. It would have been fine if it was written in a way where they got the right kind of closure with each other, instead it almost felt like the cycle was about to start again with their relationship.
The other characters in the story didn't add any value. In fact, Nick was only there to basically show Hayden gets jealous too. The way it was written, I thought Nick would have ended up with Elsie, or even go a completely different route where he comes out to Elsie that he's gay or something. Either one of those would have made more sense of his presence in the story than just to be there.
I would have given this one star, but I gave it two because I was kept interested in the beginning. Other than that, It lost my interest and I just finished it for the sake of finding out what happens.
Lastly I'd like to say that I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, and I gave an honest review.
I was all for this book after reading a brief summary. It sounded like a light read I like and the story and genre was something I was really interested in. As I started to read the book, the story itself was fine the first few chapters, but then it hit a certain point where I couldn't stand the characters and the story itself was becoming cringe-worthy.
Elsie was stupid to keep forgiving Hayden for all the wrong he's done. He's an idiot, he's selfish and annoying as hell. The two characters weren't likable and you couldn't connect to either of them. I understand these two are still in high school, but the way they act and talk is as if they were way younger. It didn't sound believable to me. I also felt it was pointless to have Hayden's point of view for a few chapters. It didn't really do anything to the story if they wanted us to sympathize with him because his feelings and his actions don't match.
I was glad to finally get to the end of the story, but I was left feeling angry once it was over because of how it ended. I was really hoping for a HEA but got the opposite. It would have been fine if it was written in a way where they got the right kind of closure with each other, instead it almost felt like the cycle was about to start again with their relationship.
The other characters in the story didn't add any value. In fact, Nick was only there to basically show Hayden gets jealous too. The way it was written, I thought Nick would have ended up with Elsie, or even go a completely different route where he comes out to Elsie that he's gay or something. Either one of those would have made more sense of his presence in the story than just to be there.
I would have given this one star, but I gave it two because I was kept interested in the beginning. Other than that, It lost my interest and I just finished it for the sake of finding out what happens.
Lastly I'd like to say that I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, and I gave an honest review.
October 15, 2018
Sighhhhh. I don’t even know where to start with this one. There will probably be spoilers because I don’t think I can really explain without them so, heads up.
Anyway, I had high hopes for this book & consider myself to be a pretty patient & empathetic reader. In the beginning, I thought that I might actually be able to relate a bit because (embarrassingly) my (now) husband & I were young and pretending (albeit poorly) not to be in love once. At times, we acted immaturely and recklessly and sometimes even out of vengeance but, the difference is that we learned from it, realized that we were hurting ourselves in trying to hurt the other or even just play it cool then, got our mess together & stopped being dumb. Hayden & Elsie? Not so much. Even after learning in the first half that Hayden is selfish, manipulative, immature, stalkerish & just an all around trash person, that Elsie needs to listen to that old “Fool Me Once” song on repeat for eternity and that they both have serious emotional & codependency issues that warrant extensive professional help, I still kept waiting for the turning point or the grand gesture. Spoiler alert: it didn’t come. Well, I guess it did when they finally decided to be real about their feelings but then they (or he) screwed that up as well and, judging by the epilogue she is about to waste the 8 months of growth & self discovery she finally found the guts to go for by just jumping right back in to the destructive, codependent cycle after their first chance run-in. Smh! Super frustrating & while it had potential, is definitely not anything I’d want the target audience (young adult - female) to read because it romanticizes everything we pray our little girls don’t become and every boy we pray they’ll never meet.
Anyway, I had high hopes for this book & consider myself to be a pretty patient & empathetic reader. In the beginning, I thought that I might actually be able to relate a bit because (embarrassingly) my (now) husband & I were young and pretending (albeit poorly) not to be in love once. At times, we acted immaturely and recklessly and sometimes even out of vengeance but, the difference is that we learned from it, realized that we were hurting ourselves in trying to hurt the other or even just play it cool then, got our mess together & stopped being dumb. Hayden & Elsie? Not so much. Even after learning in the first half that Hayden is selfish, manipulative, immature, stalkerish & just an all around trash person, that Elsie needs to listen to that old “Fool Me Once” song on repeat for eternity and that they both have serious emotional & codependency issues that warrant extensive professional help, I still kept waiting for the turning point or the grand gesture. Spoiler alert: it didn’t come. Well, I guess it did when they finally decided to be real about their feelings but then they (or he) screwed that up as well and, judging by the epilogue she is about to waste the 8 months of growth & self discovery she finally found the guts to go for by just jumping right back in to the destructive, codependent cycle after their first chance run-in. Smh! Super frustrating & while it had potential, is definitely not anything I’d want the target audience (young adult - female) to read because it romanticizes everything we pray our little girls don’t become and every boy we pray they’ll never meet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
September 28, 2021DNF at 27%: I can’t bring myself to finish this. I might’ve enjoyed this book a handful of years ago, but it’s just too cringey and unrealistic.
January 10, 2018
Our story (TBF) starts off during their senior year. Elsie’s just about had it with this relationship: Hayden continuously ignores her in favor of his girlfriend of the week, as exemplified by his dropping their plans together and absconding from their hang-outs at the buzz of a text. Elsie is stood up by him twice, I think? In that first chapter alone. And she’s miserable. Ms. Williams is great at describing emotions and really tugs at your heart, but also… there was a part of me going “really Elsie? You’re going to keep crying but then run back to him at the drop of a hat? smh dude” And that pattern continues for the rest of the story. Elsie puts her faith in Hayden. Hayden messes up really badly. Elsie cries. Hayden continuously texts her and begs for forgiveness. Elsie reluctantly forgives him. He coddles her for a month or so and then the cycle begins again.
So I’m not sure what this book means to be about, but I construed it as being about a toxic relationship. A really toxic relationship, because Elsie is fully invested in Hayden, who is flaky, narcissistic, and demonstrates very manipulative and possessive behavior. He doesn’t seem like a predator or an abuser, but he definitely has some deep-set issues and he’s dragging her down with him.
Elsie is… not my favorite. While she’s self-aware, she doesn’t do anything about her situation. She wallows in her misery and literally is at Hayden’s beck and call, despite all the stuff he’s pulled on her. She recognizes his pattern of manipulation, yet does nothing to break free from it. And this is the pattern of someone who is being abused, but… also, aside from that, she has no personality or character outside of her devotion to Hayden. She’s just a sad girl.
But maybe I’m being too harsh. There was definitely character development and I enjoyed reading her perspective on the issue. Elsie brings a human element to the table; she’s the star of her own tragedy. Hayden is just the perpetrator.
If you'd like to read the rest of my review, visit:
https://summerprat.wordpress.com/2018...
So I’m not sure what this book means to be about, but I construed it as being about a toxic relationship. A really toxic relationship, because Elsie is fully invested in Hayden, who is flaky, narcissistic, and demonstrates very manipulative and possessive behavior. He doesn’t seem like a predator or an abuser, but he definitely has some deep-set issues and he’s dragging her down with him.
Elsie is… not my favorite. While she’s self-aware, she doesn’t do anything about her situation. She wallows in her misery and literally is at Hayden’s beck and call, despite all the stuff he’s pulled on her. She recognizes his pattern of manipulation, yet does nothing to break free from it. And this is the pattern of someone who is being abused, but… also, aside from that, she has no personality or character outside of her devotion to Hayden. She’s just a sad girl.
But maybe I’m being too harsh. There was definitely character development and I enjoyed reading her perspective on the issue. Elsie brings a human element to the table; she’s the star of her own tragedy. Hayden is just the perpetrator.
If you'd like to read the rest of my review, visit:
https://summerprat.wordpress.com/2018...
October 31, 2018
This is the first story I've read by this author. I received a complementary copy in exchange for an honest review and I will do my best to provide one.
I'm very torn on what to say. There were aspects of the story that I thought had tremendous promise and would have liked to see explored deeper and then there were other components that were stretched way to thin and could have be trimmed or cut completely from the book. I think this story could benefit from a strong editorial scrub and rewrite. The guts are there... I actually liked that it was raw in places - not just the typical happyily ever after. I didn't mind that the main characters treated each other "bad" - because that is real life. What was hard was how the writing would be flowing great and then all of a sudden take an odd turn or lose me completely and leave me going back and reading sections over thinking I missed something.
I would go back and read this again if it was updated and redone. I hope you consider that.
Good luck and keep writing.
I'm very torn on what to say. There were aspects of the story that I thought had tremendous promise and would have liked to see explored deeper and then there were other components that were stretched way to thin and could have be trimmed or cut completely from the book. I think this story could benefit from a strong editorial scrub and rewrite. The guts are there... I actually liked that it was raw in places - not just the typical happyily ever after. I didn't mind that the main characters treated each other "bad" - because that is real life. What was hard was how the writing would be flowing great and then all of a sudden take an odd turn or lose me completely and leave me going back and reading sections over thinking I missed something.
I would go back and read this again if it was updated and redone. I hope you consider that.
Good luck and keep writing.
January 1, 2018
First Impression/s
I went into this expecting the typical plot to similar young adult love stories. I was not exactly wrong: girl protagonist in love with her guy best friend but whose feelings are seemingly not reciprocated.
First few chapters were manageable; however, as the story progressed... Elsie (female protagonist) became frustrating, annoying, and confusing to me.
Lines and Colours
1. Elsie admirably loves her family ------ She needs to develop a backbone when it comes to Hayden
2. Hayden is... a persevering best friend ------ He needed to get his everything together
3. I appreciate the author's attempts to give depth to the characters ------ The attempts did not fully reach the intended results
Final Impression/s
I gave up on this book. A little halfway in, I just skimmed through the chapters and then just skipped to the epilogue altogether.
I went into this expecting the typical plot to similar young adult love stories. I was not exactly wrong: girl protagonist in love with her guy best friend but whose feelings are seemingly not reciprocated.
First few chapters were manageable; however, as the story progressed... Elsie (female protagonist) became frustrating, annoying, and confusing to me.
Lines and Colours
1. Elsie admirably loves her family ------ She needs to develop a backbone when it comes to Hayden
2. Hayden is... a persevering best friend ------ He needed to get his everything together
3. I appreciate the author's attempts to give depth to the characters ------ The attempts did not fully reach the intended results
Final Impression/s
I gave up on this book. A little halfway in, I just skimmed through the chapters and then just skipped to the epilogue altogether.
July 4, 2021
I really tried hard to find something redeeming about this story and I stuck with it until the end but I just felt badly for the author who I'm sure tried hard and is proud of her work. And I know there will be people - young kids and teenagers who will enjoy this book and good for them, and good for the author - I do hope so.
I did not like this book at all. It read, to me, like it was written by a hormonal teenager and someone who had no idea how relationships, platonic and romantic actually develop. It was just a very disappointing read.
I did not like this book at all. It read, to me, like it was written by a hormonal teenager and someone who had no idea how relationships, platonic and romantic actually develop. It was just a very disappointing read.
September 19, 2024
It feels like I’ve been searching for this book forever. I remember this book when it was on Wattpad and it was a Harry Styles fanfiction. I have not read it in years, but for some reason, I never forgot about this book and I’m so glad that I found it again. That being said, the main male character is actually a villain. I have never read about a character so awful and oblivious to his actions. It’s actually insane. I pray for any girl that comes in his path because they’re all gonna need therapy!! Justice for Abby.
September 3, 2019
The Best Friend
I am a huge fan of best friends to lovers romances. However, this one fell short with me. First, both characters had no appeal to me at all. I thought they were both immature, childish, and didn’t have enough depth to be main characters. Second, the ending was terrible no resolution what so ever. Thirdly, this book was very dry. I had to come back to it several times to finish it. Overall I wouldn’t recommend this book I give it a 2.9
I am a huge fan of best friends to lovers romances. However, this one fell short with me. First, both characters had no appeal to me at all. I thought they were both immature, childish, and didn’t have enough depth to be main characters. Second, the ending was terrible no resolution what so ever. Thirdly, this book was very dry. I had to come back to it several times to finish it. Overall I wouldn’t recommend this book I give it a 2.9
April 28, 2020
Ugh! Just read this book, what a bloody waste of time FFS! I've read thousands of books, this has to be amongst the worst 50 books I've read. Pathetic characters, selfish insolent lead male with a weak drippy lead female. No conclusive ending. The whole book is a continuous cycle of repetitive of happy... now screw up. You hope that after 8 months away Elsie finds herself and they come back together and hope they've both had personal growth... But no. Pissed off, what a waste of my time.
July 8, 2017
No, unless you love sad stories
Well written, but, so sad, and depressing. Hayden, the male lead, needs counselling. It was nice that Elsie was able to break the cycle of their relationship. I would have liked them to have a solid HEA. I do think that with help, they could have a, forever, kind of love.
Well written, but, so sad, and depressing. Hayden, the male lead, needs counselling. It was nice that Elsie was able to break the cycle of their relationship. I would have liked them to have a solid HEA. I do think that with help, they could have a, forever, kind of love.
November 12, 2017
This book is so beautiful, sweet, and heartbreaking. And I felt like I still want to know about Hayden and Elsie story more. Although I was kinda confused with that book Elsie found out, because it's same with Chunk's book on Riverdale. But like I said, this book is good, especially if you fell in love with your best friend and didn't have a courage to tell him/her.
November 3, 2019
😭😍😭😍
I love love love this story. I am crying right now because this love story ended and I am craving more of my new favorite best friends to lovers book. If you want to cry, fall in love or just laugh, read this book because its worth it!!!
I love love love this story. I am crying right now because this love story ended and I am craving more of my new favorite best friends to lovers book. If you want to cry, fall in love or just laugh, read this book because its worth it!!!
March 5, 2021
Stop. Don’t do it! I read this book that’s been sitting on my eshelf forever. I totally should have at least read one or two reviews first. I HATE HATE HATE CLIF HANGER BOOKS! In standalones obviously. If I’m reading a romance, unless someone dies-I expect a HEA😩
June 20, 2017
I LOVED IT!!
This book was absolutely amazing. I know this author through wattpad and her writing is impeccable. I can't wait to see what she will write in the future.
This book was absolutely amazing. I know this author through wattpad and her writing is impeccable. I can't wait to see what she will write in the future.
July 8, 2017
3.75-4.0
August 3, 2017
DNF. I hate the characters to the core. I just can't take this anymore.
September 22, 2017
I finished it, so it's readable, but I have strong doubts that it was edited.
December 2, 2017
LOVED IT
I absolutely loved this book. It was so amazing. I'm so sad that I finished it, but all good things must come to an end.
I absolutely loved this book. It was so amazing. I'm so sad that I finished it, but all good things must come to an end.
September 26, 2018
I was disappointed in this. The story dragged on and on. I didn't feel like the author made me care about the characters.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2018
This book was cute. I wish it ended differently. I hope the author makes a continuation. The book does need some editing
Read
April 2, 2020its good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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