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You Belong With Me #1

Break Up with Him, for Me

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(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B095H67WTQ.)

Penelope, I know that it’s three o’clock in the morning, but I have to get this off my chest.

I can't give you any more advice on landing this other guy, can't tell you another "sexy" thing that you should do, or suggest a new set of filthy words that you should text him late at night.

As your best friend, I've reached my limit, and I can honestly say that he doesn't deserve you.

I'm not saying all of this because I'm f-cking jealous, or because he had the audacity to say that he makes more money than me. (I still can't find his name on the Forbes 500 list, and I know damn well that he's renting that Ferrari, but that's a story for a different day.)

He's not who you think he is, and the better man has always been right in front of you...

You have every reason to never give me a chance since you know me better than anyone, and you agree with all the tabloids calling me "The Cocky King of New York," and the "Untamed Playboy of Manhattan." But I honestly believe that you're better off with someone else, and I need you to see.

I'm not asking for too much... I just want you to break up with him, for me.

391 pages, ebook

First published May 31, 2021

2187 people are currently reading
4123 people want to read

About the author

Whitney G.

84 books13.6k followers
Whitney G. is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author. Her books are currently published in over a dozen languages.

She lives deep in the Tennessee woods and spends most of her time drinking coffee while penning dirty-talking alpha males.

Find out more about her next project at www.whitneygbooks.com

(Be sure to sign up for "The F.L.Y. List" as that's the best way to receive new release updates. Link: eepurl.com/hbhVOf )

You can also connect with Whitney on Instagram and Facebook.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 984 reviews
Profile Image for Sonia.
1,281 reviews2,024 followers
September 3, 2023
4.5 stars A friends-to-romance novel with a swoony H

*Heart eyes* *sigh* I can’t remember the last time I read a F2L book that had NO *real* OWD… couple that with Whitney G’s signature banter (that always cracks me up and makes me smile) and dirty talking H and this is a home run for me… maybe *gasp* my favorite from her (but Turbulence is right there too). ❤️

This book is set up differently; it’s set up alternating between the past and the present, which I ended up loving because it showcases how the relationship between Hayden and Penelope develops.

Penelope‘s parents passed away, forcing her older/only brother Travis to be her guardian, which meant that he had to try to make money and provide for Penelope in whatever way he could. He asks his best friend, Hayden, to watch over her since he’s too busy, and he does.

Penelope goes through a series of heartbreaks, well, more like break-ups, and Hayden’s always there to pick up the pieces and console her. At first, they have animosity towards each other, but as time passes on, they realize how strong of a connection they have in the form of a solid friendship. Hayden’s in the midst of creating a dating app, and Penelope’s been competing professionally as an ice skater for years. Because of those, Penelope uses Hayden’s shoulder to cry on whenever she goes through a break up.

”He’s standing right in front of you.” He hissed. “And I want you to break up with him, for me.” Silence. I blinked and he took a few more steps forward. “I fucking want you, Penelope,” he said. “You belong with me.”

I loooove how close they are🥰. From the little things they know about each other, to the butterflies that flutter when their feelings start developing, I couldn’t get enough (and wanted to stop life to finish it). And then, when Hayden’s video goes viral😉 (of his d), Penelope realizes that she’s looking at her best friend in a different lense 👀 (shoot- I would too 💅🤤).

Hayden’s so damn swoony🥰- the things he does made my heart melt! From the @$$ kicking of the OM that aggressively took Penelope’s v, to the baths he would run for her, to the surprise visits when she was competing and had no one else show up for her, to the reasons behind the COLD WAR and the cold shoulder, I just wanted to jump/hug him. Penelope’s brother wasn’t always there, but Hayden was… and it only further solidified why they are PERFECT for each other.

And the way he CONFIDENTLY assures her that they’re mean to be was 🥵🔥🥰👏🏻😩. The bathroom/mirror scene 👏🏻😅💦. And then he shows her just how dirty his mouth can make her 👏🏻. It takes a while to get there, but I did not feel it. Everything leading up to their first time was necessary to BELIEVE in their HEA, and I was convinced 🚬 . I wish we had more detail in ALL the smexy scenes, but beggars can’t be choosers lol 😅.

Gah! I love this book! The romance, the banter, the swooniness, the dirty talk… all of it was 🤌🏻.

2023 update
On my reread, I’m deducting half a point 🤣 just because they had feeling for each other years ago and kept dating/sleeping with other people 😐

I also wanted Penelope to make Hayden suffer a bit more at the end 🤣. He was doing his thing with groveling, but I wouldn’t have minded if he suffered even more 😈. Bahahaha! I know. I’m evil 🤣😈
Also… where did the rest of my review go!?! 😭 I had more quotes 😭. I’ll have to put some in here again. Sigh

⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating*/sharing/owd*
-the h’s virginity is taken (after she withdraws consent) from her by one of her boyfriends ☹️
-they’re both with OP since they’re just friends but nothing on page throughout the book/years
-OM- she dates many guys throughout their friendship; some of them cheat on her. There’s one in the present that causes lots of drama
-H was a manhoar; we never see him with OW in the book- he’s always been a commitment phobe
-OW headline which isn’t true (wrong place wrong time)
-praise kink/biting/dirty talk
-no condoms
-HEA/epilogue (bonus epilogue newsletter)
Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,301 reviews13.6k followers
June 5, 2021
3.5 STARS
I have no idea what ‘this’ is, Hayden. When exactly would you need my help?”
“Tomorrow and every morning this week,” I said. “We ride at dawn.”
Silence. “Can you be honest with me?” He let out a long breath. “Is it cocaine or heroin?”

I've been desperately waiting for a full length romance from Whit for what feels like forever. As much as I love her steamy novellas, I wanted a bigger hit of her brand of banter and alphas. And I definitely got it with this book.

This was a slow burn, enemies to friends to lovers romance filled with hilarious banter that I couldn't get enough of. Hayden is Penelope's older brother's best friend. When Pen's parents pass and her brother chases his career dreams of being an MMA brother, Hayden becomes a bit of Penelope's keeper. Unwittingly they shift from bantering enemies to unlikely friends. Hayden becoming almost like a crutch to Penelope at times. He's becomes her relationship guru as she stumbles from one disastrous "relationship" to another.

Admittedly, I had a tough time connecting with Pen's character. It feels like she barely has any growth from 17 to early twenties and remains the bumbling ingenue even boyfriend #15 later. It was frustrating to read. She used Hayden like a crutch more than a friend at times, and that was even more frustrating.

Hayden is the type of alpha I've come to crave from Whit. He's a rich manwh*re whose sudden feelings for his best friend's younger sister hits him like a two by four. I loved the build up between them, though I could have done with a bit less flashbacks. Those parts dragged a bit for me and were a bit of same old same old. I didn't really care to know about any more breakups beyond the first two. I also didn't care for the side plot with Simon. The way that it all resolved was odd and...unsatisfying. But my main quibble was Pen's brother. I HATED him. SO HARD. I needed him to redeem himself at the end. Grovel. Beg for forgiveness. ANYTHING. But it was mostly glazed over.

All that aside, I did still enjoy this quite a bit. It was steamy and fun and full of banter. I don't think I could dislike a Whitney G book. Not really. There's just something about her books that no matter if I have quibbles or not, they'll still leave me with a smile on my face. And this one certainly did the trick.

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,365 reviews892 followers
May 30, 2021
No one does alpha heroes like Whitney G!!!

You know it’s good when you just can’t stop reading it! Hayden had me from the first page and the more arrogant he became had me loving him all the more. Afterall, arrogance in a Whitney G hero is a trademark of one that’s going to fall hard when he falls. And holy heck...Hayden fell until he was completely broken.


A guide to starting your perfect luxury watch collection | The Everyday Man


I don’t want to spoil any of the goodness that ends up being Hayden and it’s impossible to describe him without doing so. Rest assured, however, that he’s a hero that will do the unthinkable, turn around and give his heroine all that she needs to continue onwards, and will require the reader to need a change of panties along the way. He’s delicious in every way!


Rhinelander Figure Skating Club


While I’m all about the hero, there is no denying that Penelope was just as captivating and engaging. She was more than capable of keeping up with Hayden whether it required a sharp correction, a quirky reply, or an honest conversation. When all is said it done, there is only one woman that can keep up with him and Penelope is definitely the character to do so.


Animated GIF


Together, this couple were so freakin’ cute and oh my gosh, the heat between them was incendiary! I loved that those around them could see the writing on the wall seemingly long before either of them did.

This is a lengthier book than many of this author’s other works, and just as delicious. Despite the length, this felt like a fast read due to the pacing and content. With flashbacks throughout (labeled and marked for clarity), I felt transported to each “break up” while given an inside view of the developing relationship between this hero and heroine.

Definitely recommending this one!


Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Profile Image for Melanie (mells_view).
1,918 reviews392 followers
June 3, 2021
“Don’t let a guy distract you from your dreams…”

“He won’t be worth it, no matter who he is.”

2.5*

This one was ok. A reluctant besties to eventual lovers read. Hayden is Penelope’s older brother’s best friend. He is watching out for her because Penelope’s parents died and her brother is trying to make a MMA career so he can support Pen. Anyway. Somewhere along the way Penelope went from annoying little sister to best friend and then to the woman Hayden was in love with, and it goes the same way for Penelope except she has a ton of breakups Hayden coaches her through along the way.

So while the trope and overall plot of this one is good and all, the little details just were either too over the top or just bothered me. I really really had to push myself to finish reading this story. It’s a bit slow burn, and I honestly wanted to punch Penelope’s brother the ENTIRE story. Like… I can’t even express how badly he bothered me. Also there is a sexual assault/rape that happens in this that I think needed a bit more coverage after the fact.

I don’t know I think this was okay, but I had a few issues, and honestly had to DNF shame myself into finishing it.
Profile Image for give me books.
478 reviews6,006 followers
October 17, 2024
2.5
Początek genialny, zabawny, pociągający.

Ale potem wyszło jak wyszło, a za osłonką cudownego mężczyzny krył się “samiec alfa”, który zrobi wszystko dla SWOJEJ łani
Profile Image for Marureviere.
1,309 reviews215 followers
June 1, 2021
There were so many things in this book that irritated the hell out of me idek where to start.
Profile Image for Floripiquita.
1,473 reviews170 followers
January 20, 2025
2,5 Estrellas. No me ha acabado de convencer la estructura y la he sentido muy superficial, pero se deja leer. Eso si, al minuto te olvidas.

Relectura en abril de 2024. Y tanto que lo olvidas, que me lo volví a leer y no me acordaba que ya lo había hecho, jajaja

#Popsugar24 Reto 47: Un libro con 24 letras en el título
Profile Image for Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ.
1,038 reviews952 followers
June 1, 2021
I love Whitney G because she writes banter and steam in contemporary like no other author and she always comes up with original premises and set ups for her romances. Usually with many epistolary elements (texting, emails or letters) which is probably why I keep coming back to her when I'm in the mmod for something light, fun and sexy.

Break Up With Him, For Me is a friends to lovers/best friend little sister trope told in dual POV with present and past chapters, the "past" chapters focusing on all the breakups the heroine has gone through since she became Hayden's best friend almost ten years ago. I loved this idea of traveling through past breakups and get a glimpse at when Hayden started seeing Penelope as a love interest and not just his best friend's annoying little sister.

I liked the story okay but felt it started to drag after a few "breakup" chapters. There was a lot of times where I felt the author was dragging it out on purpose with the bare minimum, evading communication and confrontation between her MCs with the overused "rainchecks".

I wasn't a fan of the heroine's characterization. I can understand a young character being candid and naive about certains things in life that she needs guidance from someone more experienced but to make it a habit throughout the years and a way of life? To automatically defer all life decisions to your best friend felt incongruous and toxic and made the heroine look silly to me. What worked for her at 17 years old appeared ridiculous for a 25 years old young woman. Just no.

Something else I wasn't a fan of, the "Simon" plotline. I mean, yeah he certainly played a huge part in making Hayden pull his head out of his arse BUT I thought the way his scam was exposed and revealed was weak. So much build for very little effect. That was disappointing.

I also wished the brother had made a better job a groveling to his little sister! His coming back at the end of the book was a little too easy for me considering he was such an absentee all through the story.

Overall a nice read but it didn't hit the spot like previous from Whitney G. I will continue to look forward for whatever she comes next.

More reviews and book talk at :

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Profile Image for Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.•.
2,429 reviews238 followers
June 11, 2021
Penelope is an incredibly talented ice figure skater. She is at the peak of her career when one wrong move changes everything for her. She is now a coach/trainer for the upcoming Olympic hopefuls. I’m beginning with the ‘now’ but this story dips back and forth between the then and now. After spending most of her life dedicated to her sport she hasn’t had much time for a personal life or dating. Now she is dipping into the dating pool to see if she can find that someone special to share her life with.

Penelope enlists the help of her best friend Hayden. Well actually, he is her brother’s best friend, her brother entrusted Penelope’s safety to Hayden when he left to make it big in the world of MMA. Hayden has been the strongest supporter throughout Penelope’s career, attending as many competitions as he could and being her personal taxi to all her practices. He is the person she confides in about most things in her life. Now he has taken on the job of being her dating coach.

Hayden is a self made man, after developing a successful dating app. He has plenty of dating experience but has a reputation for being a bit of an a-hole, not just with the woman he has slept with but in the business world. In fact, it’s been so bad he is currently trying to right things in his life and has enlisted Penelope to help him make amends with everyone he has wronged.

Hayden has filled the gap of male role model in Penelope’s life and no one knows her better than he does. However, this has also worked against her when it comes to dating. Most guys eventually have a problem with her having a male bestie and the fact that she will drop anything she’s doing when it comes to Hayden. She can’t see why anyone would have a problem with the friendship she has but maybe they can see what she can’t yet?

Hayden knows he is 100% in love with Penelope and giving her dating advice for so long has pushed him to a tipping point so he needs to make his move and take what he has wanted for so long. He wants her to dump her latest beau for him….

This is a fun friends to lovers romance with plenty of steamy moments that kept me turning the pages. This was great reading escapism.
Profile Image for Vicky Sp.
1,775 reviews130 followers
August 23, 2022
Recensione in Anteprima sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/ChmEuRZMN...

⭐⭐⭐⭐, 5
Poteva essere possibile che il miglior amico del proprio fratello, che aveva il compito di badare a lei, diventasse qualcosa di più insinuandosi finanche nei suoi sogni erotici?

Una domanda che negli ultimi tempi Penelope si poneva spesso.
La ragazza, campionessa di pattinaggio sul ghiaccio, aveva una lunga storia di fallimenti amorosi sulle spalle e ogni volta che una relazione giungeva a termine finiva per rivolgersi ad Hayden, amico di sempre, per avere  consigli su come poter gestire quei disastri sentimentali che adesso iniziavano a pesarle.

Lui c’era sempre stato per lei, disponibile e attento ai suoi bisogni, presente alle sue gare, finché un giorno una foto inaspettata cambiò le dinamiche tra loro.

Era forse arrivato il momento di rivelare l’attrazione che entrambi provavano da tempo ma che avevano paura di palesare?

Probabilmente per non rovinare la loro amicizia ma anche e soprattutto per non vedersi scagliata contro l’ira di Travis, avevano ignorato fino a quel momento l’alchimia e l’intimità che permeava intorno a loro quando stavano insieme.

🖋️Un romanzo frizzante e non impegnativo, molto passionale e coinvolgente, che racconta passo dopo passo come un rapporto di amicizia sincero e leale evolve in poco tempo in una storia d’amore sensuale, ricca di phatos.

È un romanzo del genere amici /amanti molto divertente che vi terrà compagnia in queste ultime giornate estive.


*Ringrazio la CE per la collaborazione e la copia digitale in Anteprima

 

 
Profile Image for Alba and Her Secrets..♥.
941 reviews1,157 followers
June 1, 2021
3.5 'No breakup title' Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


I’ve been a huge fan of Whitney G. ever since she gave us the infamous Andrew Hamilton (my forever favorite dirty hero from hers). Nearly always I am ready to read whatever she comes up with, and her newest standalone release was no exception. Break Up with Him, for Me also features one of my absolute favorite troupes (friends to lovers) and I think Whitney did a good job with Hayden and Penelope’s relationship. It was a slow burn, sweet and sexy treat that many will enjoy!

Break Up with Him, for Me is, as I said, Whitney’s newest standalone romance and it focuses on the love story between Hayden Hunter and Penelope Carter, two best friends who started hating each other and now their relationship is about to take a turn. Penelope lost her parents very young; her brother deals with that staying away from her (even when she is injured, and her career is highly affected) and the only person there for her is always Hayden. Pen is also the queen of break ups and Hayden is quite the playboy, but both are always dealing with pent up longing for each other. What will happen when they take their friendship to the next level?

I wasn’t sure why, but for the time since we’d become friends, I felt like I was undergoing the oncoming symptoms of withdrawal.
And I didn’t like it.


I am always giddy when it comes to love stories between friends who love each other in secret. I feel it gives a new layer to the narrative, giving it that slow burn that many of us love. Also, it’s so enjoyable to read how two people who already know each other so well have new aspects and add a new kind of connection between them. Hayden and Penelope’s friendship is so sweet and full of banter and, when they take it to the next level, it’s passionate and emotional as well. Nevertheless, I felt the story was a bit too slow sometimes and Pen and Hayden’s back and forth was a bit too much for my nerves at times. The ending though was so adorable, and it brought everything together for these two.

“The best romance you’ll ever find is with your best friend.”

Therefore, I am rating Break Up with Him, for Me with 3.5 STARS because it was an enjoyable read, with not too much drama and taking a beautiful friendship to an intense and heart-warming relationship. I loved Hayden and Pen’s chemistry, their banter and the feels their connection gave us. However, I do have to say it’s not my favorite story from Whitney, I feel like her earlier work was more to my liking, but I do still enjoy her writing and I plan to read more, for sure!

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Profile Image for Sabi.
1,234 reviews357 followers
January 27, 2022
Exactly half of the book is good

The Story: Penelope and Hayden are friends and she gets boyfriend advices from him, after a while. He doesn't want to give them, we are romance readers, we know the reason why.

Things I liked:

• The opening and the ending of the book. Very intriguing.

• The first half of the novel, all their banter before becoming friends to lovers.

Things I didn't like:

• The lead was childish, annoying.

• All the break-ups were because of the male partner in the Female lead's relationship. Why? She could've gotten out of a relationship as well.

• The book is too long. Seriously, after the first half, it was getting repeatitve and I could've definitely DNF, if I ever did that.

Profile Image for Olga.
1,113 reviews163 followers
October 28, 2021
Empecé el libro por una lectura conjunta y lo he devorado ( como a Hayden si me dejasen jajaja)!

Es una historia que se lee sola , escrita desde los dos puntos de vista y dónde vas viendo que está historia se fraguó hace mucho tiempo pero siempre había un pero hasta que se cansaron de esos peros …

Es una historia maravillosa, hay muchos risas (los mensajes entre ellos son buenísimos ), los diálogos divertidos y la secundarios de lujo…

Esta mujer nunca defrauda 😜
Profile Image for Annuccia Palmeri.
1,189 reviews96 followers
August 28, 2022
4,5 Welcome back Whitney 🙌🏻 era ora di leggere un romanzo lungo! Storia che è stata proprio nel mood dell'autrice come i vecchi tempi + formula Friends to lovers e mi sono bevuta capitolo dopo capitolo in una mattina. Non è una storia perfetta, qualche sbavatura è presente ma non tale da essere d'ostacolo a questa lettura di alto intrattenimento.
Titolo scelto dalla CE che ci azzecca (alleluia), cover meh, editing male e refusi a gogò.
Profile Image for Vale198.
520 reviews
October 1, 2022
4 stelle

L’ho trovato molto confusionario, penso di non aver mai letto niente di più confuso 😅 addirittura da farmi perdere la concentrazione più volte ma nell’insieme mi è piaciuto 😍, che fatica per mettersi insieme questi due pazzi di Penelope ed Hayden 😂.
Profile Image for Karla✨.
876 reviews
October 28, 2021
description
🌟𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙽̃𝙰
Ahhhhg de verdad que adoro todo lo que hace esta autora, con cada uno de sus personajes e historias me atrapa de una manera que no quiero parar de leer 🤩.

El cliché de El mejor amigo de mi hermano ME ENCANTA.
Los personajes ME ENCANTAN
La pareja principal ME ENCANTA
La trama aunque al principio me pareció un poco lenta y aburrida en el desarrollo del libro todo de vuelve distinto y comienza lo que me imaginaba, drama, tensión entre Penelope y Hayden, el cómo ocurría lo de Simon AHHHHG de verdad que son muchas emociones 🤩.
Adoro los epílogos en las historias de Whitney por que ahhhhg siempre nos da lo que queremos 🤭, y aquí ese en especial le dio un toque a lo que fue la historia detrás.
Profile Image for Michal.
766 reviews65 followers
June 4, 2021
Dnf 68%
I tried, because I love this author..

• Great writing, as always.
• Stupid and clueless heroine.
• Cool and strog hero, but with low morals.
• Sex scenes fading to black and dull.
• Lukewarm chemistry.
• Lost interest from the back and forth.
Profile Image for Anto M..
1,219 reviews98 followers
November 16, 2022
4+
«Alla fine di ogni storia, mi ripeto che c’è una lezione da imparare e chiaramente non ci riesco mai. Dimentico i miei sogni e mi aggrappo a quelli del tizio in questione, oppure cerco di diventare parte del suo mondo a tutti i costi, sacrificando il mio». «Quindi vuoi allontanare chi ti ama?» «Mi capirà, perché sarà innamorato di me».


La Whitney G. è sempre sopra le righe, sempre brillante, almeno nelle storie lette finora e, anche quest'ultimo lavoro, non fa eccezione, ma anche se non manca di originalità devo ammettere che nella prima parte della storia mi sono persa più volte. Dei cambi di scena talmente repentini, anche a livello temporale, che rimanevo disorientata e non riuscivo a seguire al cento per cento i fatti narrati. Non so se sia stato un problema di traduzione o se, come in altri suoi lavori, abbia volutamente creato un po' di caos per distrarre il lettore. Alla fine è ampiamente promosso, una bella storia "friends to lovers", qualche risata sparsa qua e là e un finale molto romantico.
Profile Image for Dali.
2,080 reviews589 followers
June 1, 2021
I had missed Whitney G.’s books so much and her new offering is an alluring delight.

Hayden Hunter and Penelope Carter’s story starts many years ago when Penelope’s brother leaves her to pursue an MMA career under his best friend’s care. Hayden and Penelope start off as reluctant acquaintances but through the years, the trials and tribulations they face together they become the best of friends and eventually they cross the platonic line and their relationship must go through a bit more growing pains before they find their footing.

I really enjoyed reading about Hayden and Penelope’s relationship. The love-hate between them in the beginning was hilarious. Eventually Hayden became her everything from chauffeur, cheerleader, a shoulder to cry on, a confidant and adviser. Even though Penelope was an incredibly talented figure skater, her career wouldn’t have been the same without his support.

Their banter was fast and witty be it via email, text or in person. Although I was partial to their contact names shown in their multiple text messages. My eReader was nearly singed with the sizzling sexy scenes and chemistry they shared.

There’s so much more that goes on between the two that I loved. But it all boils down to their relationship being skillfully shown through entries from past and present which I found hard to put down.

Break Up With Him, For Me is a standalone contemporary romance by Whitney G.. Told from both points of view with a happy ending. Genres: Contemporary Romance. Tropes: friends to lovers | best friend’s younger sister

Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3i8EDMG

★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★

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Profile Image for Snow.
2,322 reviews730 followers
June 1, 2021
I have to say I am pretty disappointed in this one :/

I love Whitney's previous books and I look forward to her next publication even though she takes long to write/publish...LOL but so far, 90% of her books were smash hits for me...and then this one comes along, and I'm just...flat out disappointed...

I skimmed...a lot :/

that never happened with Whitney G's books before...ever

I just didn't like them, either of them...there was just not enough connection and that's truly odd, cause these two are supposed to be friends, best friends...so, blime me, what the hell happened?!

either I lost my touch but this was truly meh, for me...

And yeah, someone wrote similar in their reviews...Whitney G writes enemies to lovers so much better than friends to lovers BUT still, despite the preferences, this story and the characters just didn't sit right with me...unfortunately!
Profile Image for Sabrina Fornero.
1,413 reviews25 followers
August 26, 2022
💋Recensione per il blog New Adult e dintorni💋

Sono sempre entusiasta di leggere un libro di Withney G. la sua scrittura è una ventata d’aria fresca, sexy e divertente. Solitamente però è un po’ troppo precipitosa, ha troppa fretta di concludere ma fortunatamente non in questo libro, nel quale finalmente sorpassa di gran lunga le 100 pagine proponendoci un romanzo degno di questo nome, riuscendo tra l'altro a tenere sempre alto il ritmo della storia. Un friends to lovers senza esclusione di colpi.
Hayden e Penelope vi faranno impazzire!

Penelope Carter è una ragazzina quando si ritrova da sola a Seattle, il fratello più grande Travis è a Las Vegas per rincorrere il suo sogno di diventare campione di MMA. La madre che era anche la sua unica amica e la sua mentore è morta, l’allenava nel pattinaggio artistico affinché diventasse una campionessa mondiale proprio come lei. Rimane vicino a lei solo un arrogante amico di Travis, un essere spregevole che chiama solo in momenti di estremo bisogno. Ed è proprio durante uno di questi rari incontri che finalmente Hayden e Penelope diventano amici e negli anni delle vere e proprie anime gemelle.

“La migliore storia d’amore che tu possa mai desiderare è con il tuo miglior amico”. Il biscotto della fortuna mi rivela una verità che già conosco. Mi sto innamorando di Hayden Hunter.

Hayden Hunter non ha relazioni ma solo un chiodo fisso nella testa, inaugurare e sbarcare il lunario con la sua app di incontri. Penelope è un peso, un contrattempo ma è così sfortunata in amore e con alle spalle ben sedici relazioni fallite si sente in dovere di impartirle qualche consiglio giusto per arrivare a fare sesso e potersi tenere un ragazzo. Tra messaggi, mail e lettere di scuse tuttavia presto si renderà conto di quanto siano affini e a quel punto sarà inevitabile per lui quasi implorarla…

«Voglio che tu rompa con lui, per me»

Che forza questi due personaggi, dei veri mattacchioni, si odiano e poi si amano ma prima di dirselo passano un vero e proprio inferno anzi una guerra fredda come la chiamano loro. Nel primo e nell’ultimo capitolo è Hayden a parlare al lettore, nel prologo con un disastro annunciato e nel finale con una resa dei conti. L'irriverenza di Withney G. è sempre presente e il suo dirty talking un vero spasso.
Il libro si divide in due parti, la prima ci mostra due protagonisti giovani nel periodo in cui erano a Seattle e grazie alle sedici rotture di Penelope i due amici si innamorano l’uno dell’altra credendo che il sentimento sia solo unilaterale. Poi c’è il presente a New York dove veramente Hayden è diventato un miliardario con la sua app e Penelope è alle prese con una relazione che finalmente la soddisfa e lui si ritrova a fremere di gelosia. E poi c’è la parte dove l’angst schizza a livelli altissimi, il racconto della guerra fredda che è scaturita dalla sedicesima rottura di Penelope, il periodo in cui si sono fatti più male e sono stati lontani.
Insomma un tripudio di originalità in un genere, il friends to lovers, che a me non è molto congeniale ma che questa volta mi ha convinto perchè raccontato con tanta vivacità e sarcasmo è stata pura perfezione.
E non potrei mai tralasciare la parte hot, alla quale sicuramente arrivano in ritardo ma prima della quale ci sono preliminari lunghi anni, con messaggi spinti e consigli al peperoncino, e quando finalmente daranno sfogo alla loro passione repressa saranno inarrestabili.
Affascinanti anche i personaggi di contorno, fatta eccezione per i pseudo pretendenti di Penelope, tra traditori seriali e finti ricconi, abbiamo la coinquilina di Penelope, Tatiana, rivale sul ghiaccio ma vera amica nella vita.
Visto il successo di questo romanzo dalla lunghezza appropriata spero fortemente l’autrice non torni alle novelle, è brava e può fare tanto con il suo talento.
Profile Image for Elisabetta Veneziani.
873 reviews38 followers
August 30, 2022
4,5 ⭐️
Adorato! 😍🥰 Era un po’ che non leggevo una storia così carina e divertente e sono anche contenta di aver letto finalmente un romanzo lungo di questa autrice e non la solita novella!!

Unica pecca: l’editing. Mi domando: ma non si rilegge nemmeno una volta, prima di pubblicarlo, un libro? 🤔🙄
July 5, 2021
4-4.5 ⭐'s

Penelope is the sister of Hayden's best friend, Travis. After Penelope and Travis' parents died (there's not a lot of information on this), Travis took off to fight in the MMA leaving Hayden to look after Penelope.

They start developing an interesting relationship mainly consisting of Penelope's many short relationships and Hayden giving her advice. Things get a little spicy when she starts asking for ~ and getting ~ sexually advice.

There's a lot going on in their careers. The book goes back and forth from the past to the present so we sort of get to see how they advance...or don't.

There's also a bit of a side story with Penelope's present boyfriend that I didn't really care for. I felt it took away from Penelope and Hayden (especially because I would have liked more towards the end.).

I enjoyed the ending even though it wasn't anything surprising or new. I just really enjoyed them as a couple.
Profile Image for nikki.
795 reviews104 followers
Read
June 2, 2021
Yikes!!
No rating for this one because I couldn’t finish it.

The hero was an arrogant dick and the heroine was whiny and annoying. I think it was meant to be a rom-com but it really missed the mark for me and I just found it to be really cringey and slightly ridiculous.
Profile Image for Pilar S.C..
Author 10 books271 followers
November 7, 2021
Me ha parecido maravillosamente original. Divertida, efervescente y algo predecible a veces, he disfrutado de la historia de Hayden y Penélope. Cuando pienso que Whitney no puede sorprenderme de ninguna de las maneras, me cierra la boca. ¡Bravo por ella!
Profile Image for Pikolina.
891 reviews314 followers
November 11, 2021
2.5* para ésta historia que entretiene y engancha por su buen estilo de escritura, pero que no tiene ni pies ni cabeza y que tiene unos protagonistas pésimos.
Las historias de ésta mujer ya no son lo que eran ...
Profile Image for Jessica Alcazar.
4,377 reviews619 followers
June 9, 2021
I’ve always loved the heck out of every full length novel Whitney has written, and the opposite holds true with her not full length novels. She’s always at her best when she allows the story to breath and her characters to evolve. Even though her stories sometimes come across as rinse and repeat, there is something joyous in them that hooks me every time. My heart and my joy meter had the time of their life reading this story! :)

However, I’d me remiss if I didn’t point out two plot points that just did not do it for me. So much so, that I feel I must bring them up. Frist, Penelope’s brother … There are zero redeeming qualities in the guy as a brother and possibly as a human. I’m not going to spoil it for you guys by talking about him in detail, but I don’t even know what the point of him was in this entire journey of Penelope and Hayden. I’ve tried and I’m at a loss and by making him part of this story (on way too many occasions), a huge chunk of my joy was sucked right out of me :( Second, and this is huge,

So, aside from those two things, this story had an excellent joy factor for me. I enjoyed Hayden and Penelope and their slow-burn progression. I enjoyed Penelope’s naivete towards the world in general because it fit her character well. Not only did her career keep her at a distance from normal human interactions practically her entire life, but her parents died when she was young, followed by her brother’s abandonment. Anything more sophisticated about her character would have been out of place. I hate that I have to rate this story 3 stars, but I just cannot go higher, especially because of the plot point I hid as a spoiler. *sigh*
Profile Image for aqsa.
674 reviews135 followers
June 1, 2021
lemme just say that this book was not bad per say- like there was nothing that was plot or character wise bad. it’s just that the friends to lovers second chance trope fucking sucks lol. i absolutely hate it. & while she was able to make me eventually like the reformed manwhore in the end (despite my absolute distaste for them) the whole thing was kinda gruelling. i also don’t appreciate that she makes her female leads so lacklustre w/ awful sex lives & also just 0 critical thinking skills like they feel like they lack a spine. i was so angry. she was also just written very bland in many instances like she didn’t have a personality. hayden was written much better in comparison.

also there was just tons of cliche repetitive scenarios that play out that have all happened in her previous books. & while i actually enjoy that her work is formulaic - because it helps me have faith in her work as an automatic read- it’s getting kinda boring now lol. i enjoy the fun banters & smut but it’s getting very repetitive & just recycled 😭 i hope she switches things up down the road because i really do enjoy reading her books.

also last thing but she writes contemporary enemies/rivals/strangers to lovers MUCH MUCH MUCHHHHH better. see: reasonable doubt, turbulence & the fine print. which are all my favourites.

anyway, i cant say i didn’t enjoy reading because i stayed up till 8am to finish. but i’m also not looking forward to her next book because that’s also a friends to lovers second chance & i wasn’t the biggest fan of on a tuesday anyway & this is set in that same world so 🤷🏽‍♀️

i guess i’ll be waiting when the next hot lawyer one or sexy office one comes out then.
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