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Love in Holiday Junction #1

Falling For Her Best Friend

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He's always been the boy next door, but could he also be the man of her dreams?

Violet Chalmers never thought she’d move back to Holiday Junction, but when her Broadway dreams fizzle, going home is the only option. When she runs into an old flame, Liam, and sparks reignite, Vi is convinced the man of her dreams is the one she left behind—and now she has a chance to win him back.

Kade Rivera has carried a torch for Violet since high school, but putting the “boy” in front of “friend” was never an option. Best friends since childhood, they lost touch over the years, but Kade’s never forgotten the girl who stole his heart. And when he sees her again, her bright eyes and sunny smile still make him weak in the knees.

Now that Vi is back in town, it could be Kade’s big chance to prove he’s more than the boy next door. The only problem is Vi’s determination to reunite with her first love. When Kade and Vi are roped in to planning the big Sweetheart Ball, can Kade make her see that the one who got away, is the one who was there all along?

FALLING FOR HER BEST FRIEND is the first book in the LOVE IN HOLIDAY JUNCTION series of standalone romances. Each fun and flirty story is set in the small town of Holiday Junction, WA and can be read on its own, but you’ll probably enjoy reading them in order more. If you love small town romances with strong heroines, swoony heroes, and a quirky cast of characters, download today!

*Previously published as Violet's Valentine

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2019

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About the author

Tami Franklin

16 books57 followers
Tami Franklin writes clean and wholesome romance that will sweep you away. A former TV news producer and freelance writer, she now enjoys sharing stories about people destined to be together... they just might need a little help getting there.

Franklin also writes contemporary and YA fantasy under the penname T.M. Franklin.

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5 stars
163 (48%)
4 stars
110 (32%)
3 stars
57 (16%)
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7 (2%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Andrea Fleury.
1,031 reviews79 followers
May 6, 2021
kade and vi strong>

Very sweet story about two people who have known each other since childhood. He has loved her forever. She's a bit slow. She's lived in NY and was away. Now she's back and he wants her.
Profile Image for ☆☆Hannah☆☆.
3,182 reviews46 followers
June 21, 2019
Overall I liked this book. I will admit at times I didn't care for Vi. Luckily she did get better. I felt bad for Kade. He was in a tough spot. However, in the end it all works out.
1,187 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2020
Vi has come back home to Holiday Junction having not been able to make her dreams of being an actress come true. She has taken a job as the drama teacher in the small town high school and is looking forward to spending time with her best friend, Kade. Kade sees this as his big chance to try and win her love and has dreams of being with her forever. He has one big obstacle Vi’s wants to get back with her first love, Liam. With Liam in the picture he doesn’t see how he can convince her to go from just friends to forever.

This sweet and heartwarming romance is the first book in the LOVE IN HOLIDAY JUNCTION series. It is a standalone contemporary romance set in the small town of Holiday Junction, WA. The characters are great, full of personalities complete with strengths and weakness. You want to see how the love triangle turns out. The storyline flows smoothly and quickly filled with emotional drama, fun, friendship, family and touching romantic moments. The narrative is great, giving insight into the character’s feelings and motivations as well as building the small town atmosphere. The dialogue is witty, funny and poignant. I really enjoyed this book. So if you are like me and love small town romances that pull at your heartstrings and have strong, intelligent heroines and handsome caring heroes, you should enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Denise.
Author 1 book8 followers
July 20, 2020
From BFFs to HEAs

Tami Franklin has done it again with the sweet love story set in the happy, familiar town of Holiday Junction. Vi and Kade have been best friends since ever, but when Vi left town to pursue her dreams, their friendship was left behind. Now she’s back, and Kade is thrilled to pick up where they left off... except he was left loving her, and she had no idea. Vi’s old flame Liam wants to rekindle what they had, and Vi wants that too. Or does she? A story of the past, present, and future colliding, “Falling for Her Best Friend” beautifully posits that maybe you have to go back to move forward. And when you do, love will be waiting there.
Profile Image for Tracy Fritts.
1,480 reviews36 followers
March 29, 2020
Sweet small town romance

I truly enjoyed reading this small town romance. I thought it was wonderful written. It has a great storyline. I enjoyed reading about these two characters Violet and Kade. I look forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for Peace Love Plan & Reads.
335 reviews30 followers
July 14, 2023
2.5

Vi moved back to Holiday Junction following a break up and realisation her career in theatre isn’t going anywhere. She runs into Kade, her childhood best friend who she hasn’t seen in years, and sparks still fly between them. But being back home also means seeing her ex boyfriend Liam again, and Vi has to choose if it’s Liam or Kade she has feelings for now.

I think this book suffered from being a novella as the pacing just didn’t work for me - it moves both too fast and too slow, with odd character decisions or motives because it’s trying to be everything all at once. Honestly if this was a full novel I’d probably have really liked it, it’s got absolute hallmark movie energy.

I also felt really bad for Liam who is collateral damage in this through no fault of his own and is called boring completely unnecessarily. I get we probably get his book later on but due to the pacing issues it’s hard to really see why Vi chooses Liam over Kade as they’re kind of much of a muchness. I almost think if Liam had been a dick this would have been a nicer read.

I also really didn’t need the epilogue, it would have been more believable if she just decided her life in HJ was enough. Also I just don’t think it would have happened like this.
Profile Image for Vicci Lucas.
203 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2022
Vi oh Vi

This is 5 stars for funny, 3.5 stars for Vi being so dense at times she made my teeth clench. 5 stars for sweet and clean Overall it’s a cute story, and I love the matchmakers! Everyone needs a Kade in their life to smile, laugh and cuddle with.

The plot is very believable, until the epilogue. No spoilers, but the music plan is really far fetched. A great cold snowy day read. I look forward to the rest of the series. I think Lou needs a HEA as well!!
Profile Image for Barbara Hackel.
3,006 reviews46 followers
February 23, 2022
Somewhat predictable, but still some surprises along the way kept this fun book moving forward quickly. Great characters (especially Vi's mother and friends) and humor injected throughout the book kept me rapidly reading to the very end. So many little laughs and chuckles along the way enforced how fun this story really was. Beginning of a great series!
116 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2020
So funny and satisfying! Loved watching the two of them realize they love each other. On to book two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lacey.
692 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2020
A fun, sweet and clean romance! So fun to read! Looking forward to reading more by Tami Franklin!
Profile Image for Jolanda Gelissen.
444 reviews12 followers
February 14, 2019
If you like your romances sweet with a dose of humor, look no further! This is a story about love in unexpected places, and broken dreams that turn out for the better.

Violet returns to her hometown after her dreams of being an actress in New York City fall apart, as well as a nasty break-up. Holiday Junction is the quintessential small town, and couldn’t be further removed from the bustling metropolis. So of course, at first, she feels a bit out of sorts, like she doesn’t fit in anymore, despite having grown up there.
To me, Holiday Junction has some similarities to Gimore Girls’ Stars Hollow; a charming small town full of tradition, where everyone knows each other. If you liked that show, I’m sure you’ll be enchanted by this book.

Upon her return to Holiday Junction and starting her new job, Violet reconnects with her childhood best friend and boy next door, Kade, and her high school boyfriend, Liam. She is, and always has been, blissfully ignorant of Kade’s true feelings for her, but now that they’ve grown up, things might change… The ensuing frustrations and misunderstandings are adorable to read, as is the meddling of the town’s “Mamas”, self-proclaimed matchmakers.

Another thing I liked is how recent events in Violet’s life, leading up to her return to Holiday Junction, aren’t shared in total at the start of the story, Rather, details of these events are shared at appropriate moments, like they also would in real life. It makes for a more naturally evolving experience, as well as keeping you guessing as to what exactly happened. And while some of it is very sad, it’s described in a way that contributes to the story, these characters, and their relationships.

This story is so agonizingly sweet and cute, it’ll leave you with a toothache! I’m now also looking forward to the next book in this new series.
Profile Image for Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon.
2,091 reviews155 followers
May 14, 2019
4.5 Cranky Stars


This book was just like watching Christmas films that make you feel all warm and gooey inside!!!
Violet had left her home town to become an actress in the city, but unfortunately like most she never got the break she needed. She had met Ben and thought they were in love until he got lead role in a film and dumped her for the leading lady. It got so bad that she had to return home for what she assumed would be a little while but was offered a position teaching Drama at the local school. So homeward bound she was.


Now her home town was called Holiday Junction and they did just that they worked as a community for each Holiday and the next one being Valentine.

On arriving home she meets her neighbour and best friend Kade, it had been 10 years since they had seen each other. Kade still adored her and Vi still thought of him as her bestie. Her ex boyfriend Liam also still lived in town he was a lawyer now. Kade and Vi spent a lot of time together and then she met Liam (childhood sweetheart).


It's a very lighthearted book with matchmaking, secret admirers and not forgetting Valentine's Day events which the whole town were involved with.


Was Vi trying to live in the past with Liam? But she was happy, wasn't she? Kade was happy for her wasnt he? That's all he ever wanted, her to be happy. Packed full of drama this was a feel good story.
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 1 book124 followers
July 9, 2019
Interestingly, this is the third book that I have read in the Holiday Junction series, but it is actually the first book of the series! I had, of course, seen this couple in the other books, but now I got to read their story! This is a friends-to-lovers romance. When Vi comes back to town, she thinks she might restart her relationship with her high school boyfriend, but her best friend from high school, Cade, has actually been in love with her since high school. He was content to remain her bestie while she was dating Liam. Will he have a second chance now that they're older?

I have found all of the Holiday Junction series books to be charming. This one felt especially so. I love the setting of the town, and that was explored more in this book than the other ones. I want to live in Holiday Junction; it is just so quaint and lovely. The meet-cute between the couple was funny and adorable, and Vi’s reaction to being home as well as Cade’s reaction her seemed honest and authentic. I like both of these characters, and it was fun to watch their relationship evolve.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.
Profile Image for Maria.
1,755 reviews8 followers
August 17, 2019
This story is about Violet and Kade. These two are best friend since school and she is back home and the first person she asked about was him, that is a true BFF. The problem with this is that Kade has always had feeling for her but never acted on them and since her first of everything was Liam, he respected her decision, but then she left to go to the big apple but success didn’t find her as she expected, so she is back home. She has a job lined up with the school where Kade works at and intends to do an awesome job, especially as she seen her first love and has her BFF there. The question is will Kade just be a BFF or will he make her see him as more than that? Kade plans to play for keeps, but Vi comes across Liam, her first love, does she make it work with him or dump him a second time but this time for her best friend?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
802 reviews6 followers
September 4, 2019
This is a deliciously sweet romance set in a small town America where the high school could actually be like many others. How many have left to pursue their dream in the big city only to return if that doesn't become a reality and the man you were in love with suddenly leaves you for another woman? Violet is facing this with her life in the Big Apple. Vi has decided to return home to Holiday Junction where she gets a job at the school, lives with her mom in her childhood room, picks up with her high school sweetheart, Liam, and has her BFF, Kade, still living right next door. Just as if she had been gone on a short trip, can she pick up her life here at home? A definite story of many second chances and the changes in ourselves that we don't often see. A delightful read that will leave you smiling. I would recommend this series by Tami Franklin of sweet, clean romances.
VICKI FROM WYOMING
2,286 reviews13 followers
February 22, 2019
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Kade and Violet/Vi. Vi had returned to get hometown if Holiday Junction after being in New York and having her heart broken. So when her BFF Kade finds her home, after her suitcase explodes in the driveway, he's excited and scared, he's always had feeling for Vi but she never returned them. Vi starts teaching with Kade at the high school they went to. Vi dated Liam while in high school and now that she's back her wants to pick up where they left of, but he wants Kade to back off. Kade has a hard time with Vi wanting to fall back into the ways of old. Watch as their relationship changes while working on the Sweethearts Dance. Great quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marichus Real.
3,778 reviews31 followers
July 28, 2019
Violet wanted to be an actress but after several years in New York and a bad experience with her boyfriend, she decided to go back home.
Kade has always been in love with his best friend, so when he sees that she is back. his heart beats faster.
It is a sweet story, full of funny situations and jokes between Violet and Kade. I love the Mamas. However, I found the dialogues a bit childish. Besides that, I found Violet's behaviour was not the one you expect to find in an adult woman. She suffered so much with the situation with her boyfriend that she wants to go back in time to happier memories and she doesn’t realize that the past is past and she has to live in the present and really see what she has in front of her.
Despite all of this, I did like the book and have quite a laugh sometimes.
Profile Image for Shannon Ross.
4 reviews10 followers
February 15, 2019
I am a Hallmark junkie... So I was beyond excited to read this!!! Let me just say, I was not disappointed!! It was great from the beginning, all the Hallmark cheesiness, the small town, the past romance and unrequited loves, the parent who is supportive... With a bit of a small twist, some horrible food imagery and everything you want in a feel good story that makes you smile but also tugs at your heartstrings. You end up loving everyone and rooting for everyone to end up happy and you love how you feel when you are done and walk away... But still cant wait to see what happens in this little town with the next love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,777 reviews20 followers
July 8, 2019
Vi and Kade were best friends growing up in Holiday Junction. Even though he developed feelings for her, he hid them because she was dating Liam. She comes back ten years later after losing her boyfriend and her career in NYC. Vi and Kade pick their friendship right back up especially since they are living next door and both working at the high school now. But Liam is lawyer back in town and she starts dating him again. What frustrated me was Vi couldn’t figure out what she wanted. She dated Liam, but she was attracted to Kade. Also, she thought Kade had a crush on Lena, when it was obvious to everyone else that it was Vi. Kade was a bit juvenile giving her noogies and making Vi call him king. There was a lot of humor and in this best friends romance.
2,123 reviews16 followers
July 28, 2019
This is the 1st book in the series. This is Violet and Kade’s story.
Violet returns to Holiday Junction to start a new job after her dreams of becoming an actress fall apart, as well as coping with a very nasty break up. Kade is the boy next door who has always loved her. Despite the frustrations, misunderstanding and everything else that could possibility go wrong and did, we have a beautiful story. Will they get to have their HEA? Enter the matchmaking mammas, heaven help us!!!
The characters are well written as you come to expect from Tami Franklin. The storyline is very plausible.
I just loved the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Franki.
403 reviews4 followers
July 8, 2019
Violet’s life hasn’t turned out the way she wanted it to. After being blind-sides by crushing heartbreak, she has moved back home to the small town she couldn’t get away from soon enough, after high-school.
Kade, has always been faithful. He has always loved his hometown of Holiday Junction, and he has always loved his best friend, Violet.
After returning home, Violet picks back up with her clingy ex-highschool boyfriend.
This is a beautiful story of growing up, seeing what’s in front of you, and making decisions that you can live with/love to live with.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,609 reviews19 followers
July 28, 2019
This book was solid 5 stars. Violet comes home from New York, where she attempted a career on Broadway but didn't get far. She left behind her ex-boyfriend Ben and returned after 10 years. She runs into her parent's neighbor, Kade who is her best friend, while at the same time she runs into her high school sweetheart Liam. She and Kade work together in their high school. Kade as a math teacher and Violet as a drama teacher. She has off the charts chemistry with Kade, but what will happen now when Liam is back? I loved this book. This was my first book from this author and I will read more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,248 reviews31 followers
July 28, 2019
Kade is the king.

Well, Kade Rivera is the perfect book boyfriend. He’s the math teacher in Holiday Junction. He’s the boy next door and has an unrequited crush on Violet “Vi” the girl next door. But she had a boyfriend, Liam in high school and then she left for ten years.

Now she’s back after failing in New York and a failed relationship with Ben. She’s pretty self absorbed (ok, very narcissistic). Cuz it’s high school all over again, she’s trying to get back with Liam and doesn’t see the amazing man next door. Who shows up every time.

Recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sassy Beta Reading & Review.
1,239 reviews24 followers
February 6, 2019
I really, really , wanted to love this book but I had a hard time getting into it. I kept wanting to skip ahead because it was basically the same thing over and over. Guy wants girl, girl thinks she wants someone else, guy gets feeling hurt, repeat. I did not care for Vi at all. She seemed wishy washy to me. I really liked Kade as a person but his character was not strong enough to carry this book.

Good story concept, just needs tightened up on the execution.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ciara Shayee.
Author 5 books30 followers
February 7, 2019
Well, where do I start? I absolutely fell in love with Violet, Kade, and their delightfully charming town within the first few chapters. This tale has all the perfect ingredients of the best, sweetest candy, and boy is it delicious! Tami had me rooting for the characters and getting wrapped up in their lives so quickly that I really struggled to put this book down.

Now, I'm going to patiently await the second book in the series to follow along with the wonderful characters we've been introduced to here in a cracking first book of (hopefully!) many.
Profile Image for Chele.
637 reviews
February 10, 2019
Wonderful story !!!!!!
Welcome to Holiday Junction.
Well it's welcome back to Vi.
She Left the Junction to pursue her dream of being a star, things didn't go to plan so she's back , and has taken on a teaching job music and drama.
Kade, Vi's best friend since forever, is excited to see her again. Years later and he still feels the same , but it's a grown up feeling now. Join Vi , Kade and the town of Holiday Junction as these two try to figure things out.
5 stars and recommendation to all.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.4k reviews8 followers
February 15, 2019
The first book in the Love in Holiday Junction series is well written and by an Author, I have not read before but I know I will be looking for more by her. Violet Chalmers and Kade Rivera were childhood best friends that lost touch with each other. He would like it to be more and now that she is back in Holiday Junction. Will working on the Sweetheart Ball together give him the chance he wants? I enjoyed reading this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews