CourtShip

Best Friends #1

by Noelle Adams

Three years ago, I found her drunk on my doorstep, crying over a television show that betrayed her. A year later, we were best friends. She taught me how to laugh, and she set me up on double dates. Sure, I occasionally felt an attraction to her that went far deeper than friendship, but I could pretend it wasn't important.

Now she's everything to me. My life has reshaped itself around her. I'm not allowed to want her for more than my best friend. But I do anyway. I want everything from her, and fighting my heart doesn't work anymore.

CourtShip is a friends-to-lovers romance novella spanning three years of a changing relationship, written entirely from the hero's point of view.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Fiction

157 pages, ebook

First published September 23, 2018

About the author

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Reviews

[Bibi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather lovely slow-burn-friends-to-lovers story which, had it been full length, would have gotten a higher rating.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread review:
I loved this reread of one of my favorite books by this author! I’d forgotten how entertaining Shipley and Courtney were. I got so caught up in it, I forgot about the angst. For such a lighthearted read, this has some moments that made my heart hurt. I love that it’s written from Shipley’s point of view and realize now how rare that is from this author. I love Shipley so much! So glad I had the opportunity to read this one again!

Original Review:
Oh my gosh! This was the sweetest, most endearing, heartwarming story I’ve read in a very long time.



I loved the way Shipley and Courtney met. With her drunken confusion, Courtney stole my heart just as quickly as Shipley did as he cared for her and ensured her safety. I immediately fell in love with this couple.





This friends to lovers story was told completely in the hero’s point of view and I couldn’t love a hero more than I do Shipley. His whole heart belonged to Courtney but she had friend-zoned him long ago and he had too much to lose to risk having more. I understood why she felt the way she did and I loved Shipley even more because he recognized that she needed to heal. He was completely swoon worthy in his nerdy way and was the very best kind of friend to have, making him an even greater boyfriend when this couple finally get their happy ever after.






I loved everything about this story! The conflict is pretty much relationship only due to the hero’s unrequited love and it brought with it a higher level of angst. However, following that angst came the wonderful rush of fulfillment when Courtney and Shipley finally yield to their feelings. The getting there was so sweet, so satisfying and extremely enjoyable, I read this in one sitting, hating when it ended.

If you like friends to lovers, you’re going to love CourtShip!


Hero POV
SafeH/h met 3 yrs ago; they both have relationships with others although H does so in an effort to keep himself in the friend-zone; the h is the one that keeps him at arm’s length while the H wants more; a little over a year ago they both stop having relationships and remain celibate until they become a couple
Triggers no apparent triggers

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sweetest I've read in a while. The male mc was so sweet and adorably clueless, so refreshing. He cared about her from the beginning, but stayed away bc she wasn't ready for a relationship, so he kept her the only way he could.

[Luli · Rating 3 out of 5]

*sweet
*short
*angsty
*lots of OW/OM
And little else.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Seriously how cute was this...the best I have read from Noelle Adams. I feel like this book was tailor made for me, had the favourite type of hero and heroine and sweetest friends to lover story.

My only complaint- wish it was longer!!

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtship by Noelle Adams is a lovely slow burn friends to lovers romance. College neighbors at the start, Shipley and Courtney meet when a drunk Courtney ends up outside his door by mistake. She’s only 20, and fortunate that Shipley is a decent guy a few years older than her who makes sure she gets back to her apartment in the same building but on the opposite side. It’s the start of their friendship, and the story is told from that day, then moving forward over a 3 year time period. Shipley is in graduate studies working on his PhD while over the course of the book Courtney graduates and gets a job. It shows them becoming good friends, and then how Shipley’s feeling change for Courtney over time (the story is told from his point of view). He’d always been attracted to her but considered her too young when they first met and kept his feeling in check. Through those years they have dating relationships with other people but still remain close friends until it becomes something more. Once they move into a more intimate relationship it’s not long before they are fully committed to each other. It’s a delightful, easy read.

A copy of this story was provided by the author for review.

[Emily (Mrs B's Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This a quick novella that takes place over three years and focuses on the changing relationship between Courtney and Shipley from the moment they meet to the present day.

Both Shipley and Courtney struggle to open up with other people, but it is Courtney that brings Shipley back to life and they find in each other someone dependable and someone who is there for them.

We watch as Shipley struggles with his feelings, the book is told from his point of view, and the physical responses that Courtney bring out in him.

This is a very fast read and leaves you feeling happy that they both manage to sort out their feelings and what they want from each other.

A cute read that will leave you feeling satisfied.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolutely sweet, thoughtful read - damn near perfect in my opinion. I just wanted to hug the H/h and their friends.
With the sweet, I also got the sexy. And coming from a man's point of view, it was cool being inside of Ship's head. 4.5 stars!

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtney is a college student who lives with a burden in her heart. She doesn't date only hanging out with guys (that implies sex but nothing serious).
Shipley is studying his PHD program he carries a burden too. He doesn't have time for a social and love life.

One fine night, Courtney drinks a lot of wine and confused she stumbles at Shipley's door and their friendship starts.

She doesn't want anything more with him because she doesn't have relationships.
He doesn't try anything with her because he doesn't want to lose her.
Is any way to go to friends to lover without risking them? We will see.

My impressions

I have followed Noelle Adams since her first book, she is one my fave authors and I am been dying for a book like this. Why? Because she never have written a book narrated for a guy.
And I don't know why because she nailed it as always.

CourtShip is the story of two broken persons who doesn't open up with other people, have serious relationships or fall in love. They becoming close for three years before open completely each other and make a move.

I really like their dynamic and scenes. I can't wait for listening a guy reading a Noelle's book. Fangirl request complete. Finally 😉

[Jessica CW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney and Shipley.... their meet cute is just adorable, their push and pull of getting to know one another....and his pov of view.....
He’s an awkward nerd on track for professor, she’s barely begun. Both have no one and open up to know one, well except each other- slowly. They both want to protect their friendship so no matter if some non platonic feelings surface- they get pushed right away. Even when they date others and cannot seem to make it work....they move forward and try again....

But maybe.....

That person right for you was your best friend and favourite person of all time.

I was extremely fortunate to receive this story in advance with a serial and not only is it by my favourite authors, it’s officially my favourite romance. This couple makes you feel warm and fuzzy, this will be a book I read when I need a pick me up. When you just need a HEA without drama, major insecurities and a long journey. Just beautiful and chocolatey sweet.

[Arfeya Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read. The story is quite simple, it's exactly what you read in the blurb, nothing more or nothing less. It takes place in the span of 3 years showing how the both main characters have met and their relationship over those 3 years. It is said through hero's point of view. It is a very very short book and could be finished in an hour or two.

[Emma B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
A quick, short and easy to read romance entirely told from the hero’s point of view.
Read many a Noelle book, some I absolutely love and others are just so so. This was a so so one for me.

[Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short, fun friends to lovers story. I have to say that I loved the meet cute in this one! Courtney had me laughing and was a nice contrast to Shipley's seriousness. I am glad that this story was told from Shipley's point of view because I would have been frustrated if I had not had insight into some of his thoughts and actions.

[readswithsam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good I’m so happy I feel so much love. For a novella it surely packed a lot of feels

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was cute.

We have Courtney and Shipley, meeting in college after he finds her sitting and crying in front of his door. Turned out she had the wrong door, but really, it was just the right place and time for these two to meet.

I loved these two, they were not perfect at all, with many hung ups and very difficult past. It was fun to watch them fall for each other, and see just how obvious it was for everyone but them, lol.

There were ups and downs here, cute moments and a lot of growth for them.

A cute and lovely story.

*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story! This book definitely left me with a smile on my face and was just what I was looking for. I adored Shipley. The entire novella is told from his perspective, which is different than a lot of what I have read lately. I found that I really enjoyed it, and he was a great hero. Courtney really is a breath of fresh air in his life, and they have a beautiful friendship that eventually turns into deeper feelings. Their meeting was hilarious, and I like watching their friendship build over the years. Both Shipley and Courtney are deep characters, but they struggle with opening up. The ending was everything I wanted, and the epilogue was absolutely adorable. I can't wait for more in this series!

*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Romance

Shipley and Courtney were a sweet couple with sweet friends and this was a sweet story. Shipley was wimpy. I know he was supposed to be an injured soul but buck up a little. I prefer a more alpha male in a story. I don’t think I will read another of this authors books.

[Ana Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noelle Adams has a super-power which is writing novellas. She has the power of putting wonderful stories that say so much in so little pages. She creates entire human characters with a emotional story and you understand their feelings and why they are who they are.

Courtney and Shipley made me cry and laugh and it is incredible that this story can engage you in a way that you will believe that this is a 200 page book.

The novella tells a 3-year tale of this couple and how they finally discover how to be together and heal their pain. I just loved their story!!

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one offered the perfect break - it was short and sweet with characters that I could definitely relate to and want to be friends with. Courtney and Shipley were both a little quirky when it came to relationships, I love the bound they formed over 3 years, the friends that they made and how they were finally able to open up!

I am never let down by this Author when it comes to the "feel good" ending...

[Christy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short story! I could have read a much longer book about these too. It was a fun read!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Courtney and Shipley. This was a short story, but it was fast moving and really kept my attention.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the cutest friends-to-lovers story I've ever read. It's not my favorite genre, mind you.

Told entirely from Shipley's POV, we get to see his friendship with Courtney progress from so deep in the friendzone to a beautiful love between two people who truly care for each other. Shipley is hilarious and endearing in his cluelessness and Courtney is a likable heroine who actually has sex with a healthy number of guys and doesn't feel bad about it. Both Shipley and Courtney date people throughout the first two years of their friendship. He doesn't want to lose her and when she practically begs him to never ask her for sex, he starts dating other women. Fortunately, you can see that none of them come close to meaning more than Courtney to him. Both are celibate the year before they get together (because, let's face it, they end up getting together), and when they get together it's laugh-out-loud hilarious! Then it's sexy ;)

A very cute ending that had me smiling from ear to ear. It's a novella you can read in less than an hour, the perfect length for a short story like this.

[seton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute.

[Jenelle Chadwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hero's POV & Great story length

I really appreciate the length of this story because it IS fron a man's perspective. The most meaningful element is how the Hero honors the woman he's in love with by giving her preferences deferrerence. He doesn't force himself on her. He doesn't manipulate. He doesn't try to coerse. He waits, denying his own wants and drives. He patiently waits until she's ready. Additionally, neither character is perfect; they're very relatable.

Another satisfying read from Noelle Adams.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, quick little story told from the guy's POV - which was refreshing. Michael Fell did a great job with the audio. I think the thing I liked the most was the way it went from friends, really good friends, best friends, to lovers. It wasn't terribly witty or deep, but it was sweet.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friends to lover novella. Loved it! The story starts 3 years in the past and moves forward a year at a time. This is told completely from the guy's point of view. I didn't think this would work, but it totally did!

[Diana Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sorry, but this short sweet story does not deserve anything above 5 Stars. I am shocked by this author, how she has so many good stories and then a bad one that is so bad you want to stop reading her. But this one here it's a gem!

[Stacie Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book loved it

[Maria Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read.

[❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short read. Super role reversal, loved Noelle Adams' male voice.