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Best Friends Don't Kiss
Goal: Find a boyfriend, get married, buy a house in the suburbs with a white picket fence, and pop out 2.5 kids.
Deadline: Sixty days.
That’s possible, right?
HAHAHA. *Faints*
I’m kidding. Well, kind of. I mean, I’m not going to attempt a shotgun wedding or try to get knocked up by some guy I met on the internet, but there is no doubt that, this year, home for the holidays takes on a whole new, terrifying meaning.
I have to travel from New York City—my home and safe haven for the last fifteen years—to my tiny hometown in Vermont for Christmas, my baby sister’s wedding, and my high school reunion.
Talk about a trifecta of single-doom.
Throw in Callie Camden—aka my high school class’s version of Regina George—and it’s a recipe for certified disaster.
Especially since my mouth ran away from me when she asked me if I’d be bringing someone to our reunion, and I told her to put me down for two.
Gah. Now I can’t go alone.
But the online dating world is a cesspool of bad manners, speedy hookups, and outright weirdos.
Handsome, single, successful—that’s what I’m looking for.
And it just so happens that my best friend Luke London fits all of the criteria.
The only problem is best friends don’t kiss…
But maybe it doesn’t count if it’s pretend?
Deadline: Sixty days.
That’s possible, right?
HAHAHA. *Faints*
I’m kidding. Well, kind of. I mean, I’m not going to attempt a shotgun wedding or try to get knocked up by some guy I met on the internet, but there is no doubt that, this year, home for the holidays takes on a whole new, terrifying meaning.
I have to travel from New York City—my home and safe haven for the last fifteen years—to my tiny hometown in Vermont for Christmas, my baby sister’s wedding, and my high school reunion.
Talk about a trifecta of single-doom.
Throw in Callie Camden—aka my high school class’s version of Regina George—and it’s a recipe for certified disaster.
Especially since my mouth ran away from me when she asked me if I’d be bringing someone to our reunion, and I told her to put me down for two.
Gah. Now I can’t go alone.
But the online dating world is a cesspool of bad manners, speedy hookups, and outright weirdos.
Handsome, single, successful—that’s what I’m looking for.
And it just so happens that my best friend Luke London fits all of the criteria.
The only problem is best friends don’t kiss…
But maybe it doesn’t count if it’s pretend?
324 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2020
2349 people are currently reading
3790 people want to read
About the author
Max Monroe
70 books9,313 followersMany moons ago, a dynamic duo of romance authors teamed up under the pseudonym Max Monroe, and, well, the rest is history...
Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of more than thirty contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.
Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of more than thirty contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.
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December 18, 2021don't have the attention span for this currently
December 11, 2022
Ava and Luke.
They've been best friends for 15 years - since day one at New York's Columbia University.
Now they still live across the hall from each other.
Ava is 33 years old and the only unmarried kid in her family - she's not even in a relationship.
So she needs a boyfriend asap to take home to Vermont for Christmas, her younger sister's wedding and the dreaded 15 year highschoool reunion!
After going through a few horrible dating app dates - we all know she'll take Luke ... ☺
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!
═════════════════
JUST ADORABLE!
I adored this!
Ava and Luke. They could've fallen in love back then - there was attraction ... but it never happened. But of course now we so want it to happen. And it's so adorable to watch it all play out!
I loved their banter and their obvious love for each other. I loved their besties and of course I loved the many cameos of all our darling Billionaires!! And I especially loved the dad and his Christmas obsession! Adorable!
What more can I say? READ IT!
This was just the cutest #RomCom!
I adored all the people and things!!
How are none of Max Monroe's books streaming their behinds off on Netflix yet??? The world is a weird and sad place!!
BEST FRIENDS DON'T KISS was such a funny & sweet & crazy holiday-ish rom-com! Hurry to your nearest amazon for your own Luke - he'll be sold out in no time!!!
💜
💜
November 26, 2020
A Funny & Sweet Holiday Romance
A sugary sweet best friends to lovers romance. Everyone needs a Luke in their life because that man was utter perfection. SWOON!
Ava and Luke became friends in college. Through boyfriends and girlfriends they always stayed close. Now fifteen years later, they are best friends and both happen to be single.
Ava’s getting pressured to settle down and her dreaded high school reunion is coming up. She needs herself a boyfriend.
Get ready for some laugh out loud moments as Ava tackles online dating. Luke becomes her lifeline as he has to step in to save her from interesting dates. Then again, he’s always been her greatest supporter and loudest cheerleader.
She needs the perfect guy and her best friend fits the bill. After online dating is a total failure, Luke agrees to act as her boyfriend. Cue the feels. For the first time, the lines are blurring because pretending to be in love isn’t hard at all.
Another perfectly romantic read by this author duo. Wonderful supporting characters and a fun holiday read. Luke is the total package. He’s successful and driven. He’s a wonderful friend and knows all the perfect words that Ava needs to hear. He was everything she needed and she was everything he wanted. While both characters were chasing their dreams, they never expected to find a happily ever after with their best friend.
A sugary sweet best friends to lovers romance. Everyone needs a Luke in their life because that man was utter perfection. SWOON!
Ava and Luke became friends in college. Through boyfriends and girlfriends they always stayed close. Now fifteen years later, they are best friends and both happen to be single.
Ava’s getting pressured to settle down and her dreaded high school reunion is coming up. She needs herself a boyfriend.
Get ready for some laugh out loud moments as Ava tackles online dating. Luke becomes her lifeline as he has to step in to save her from interesting dates. Then again, he’s always been her greatest supporter and loudest cheerleader.
She needs the perfect guy and her best friend fits the bill. After online dating is a total failure, Luke agrees to act as her boyfriend. Cue the feels. For the first time, the lines are blurring because pretending to be in love isn’t hard at all.
Another perfectly romantic read by this author duo. Wonderful supporting characters and a fun holiday read. Luke is the total package. He’s successful and driven. He’s a wonderful friend and knows all the perfect words that Ava needs to hear. He was everything she needed and she was everything he wanted. While both characters were chasing their dreams, they never expected to find a happily ever after with their best friend.
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November 28, 2020BEST FRIENDS DON’T KISS is LIVE NOW + FREE in KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!!
ONE-CLICK HERE (FREE in KU!):
★Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/BFDK_WorldwideEbook
★Paperback: mybook.to/BFDK_Paperback
(Audio currently in production, date TBA soon!)
WHAT IS BEST FRIEND’S KISS ABOUT?
Do you know the movies When Harry Met Sally and The Wedding Date with Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney? What about The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law? Well, this book is all three of those movies combined meets Max Monroe PLUS some hilarious flair from our favorite Billionaires!
.
Yes. Yes. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT.
✔️HILARIOUS feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy standalone
👄THE CUTEST, most adorable, (and sexiest) best-friends-turned-lovers (You are going to love Luke and Ava SOOOO MUCH!)
✔️OG BILLIONAIRE CAMEOS #ThatchisBack
✔️SO MANY LAUGHS
✔️SO MUCH SWOON
Happy Reading!
XOXO,
Max & Monroe
ONE-CLICK HERE (FREE in KU!):
★Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/BFDK_WorldwideEbook
★Paperback: mybook.to/BFDK_Paperback
(Audio currently in production, date TBA soon!)
WHAT IS BEST FRIEND’S KISS ABOUT?
Do you know the movies When Harry Met Sally and The Wedding Date with Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney? What about The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law? Well, this book is all three of those movies combined meets Max Monroe PLUS some hilarious flair from our favorite Billionaires!
.
Yes. Yes. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT.
✔️HILARIOUS feel-good, holiday-themed romantic comedy standalone
👄THE CUTEST, most adorable, (and sexiest) best-friends-turned-lovers (You are going to love Luke and Ava SOOOO MUCH!)
✔️OG BILLIONAIRE CAMEOS #ThatchisBack
✔️SO MANY LAUGHS
✔️SO MUCH SWOON
Happy Reading!
XOXO,
Max & Monroe
December 28, 2020
Luke and Ava just didn’t do it for me
I was bored through most of this book. I liked Luke but I wish Ava had more inner fortitude and strength. I wanted more energy but it was just low angst. It wasn’t for me
I was bored through most of this book. I liked Luke but I wish Ava had more inner fortitude and strength. I wanted more energy but it was just low angst. It wasn’t for me
December 16, 2020
3.5 Stars. This was cute. I loved the best friendship between Ava and Luke and I liked when it turned into more. I thought the pacing seemed a little odd, though. I expected the majority of the book to be in the fake relationship stage, but it's about half way through the book before they join Ava's family. There was so much time spent on Ava going on bad dates that seemed a little pointless because we already know that Luke is going to agree to be the fake boyfriend. There were also a number of cameos of characters from other books by this author duo that I'm sure long time fans love, but I found really confusing trying to keep track of. All that said, though, this was an enjoyable read and I might even try some other books by these authors. If it wasn't for the SUPER sappy last couple chapters that I found a little hard to stomach, I probably would've bumped my rating up to 4 stars.
November 27, 2020
Heavy on the friends and light on the lovers, this was SUPER cute, low angst, and fun. As with all of this writing duo's books, the story has plenty of humor and will put a smile on your face throughout. I did think that this was more slow than slow burn at times, with more friend chemistry than sexual chemistry. That changes in the last act, but there were some moments that dragged on the way there. It's feel good, light, and easy, and I loved seeing this couple get together in the end. And while it's not all that holiday-focused, this has a few moments that will get you in a festive mood.
The story follows Ava and Luke, best friends who've been close since college. Ava friend-zoned Luke upon meeting him, and that hasn't changed in the 15 years since. They're extremely close, great friends who have each other's backs. And while they've never been single at the same time (until now), neither one seems to think that would've changed anything. So when Ava finds herself in need of a boyfriend - fake or otherwise - in time for her high school reunion... Luke is barely on her radar. After a series of failed online dates, Ava seeks out Luke's help, not realizing how much of an impact the favor would have on their relationship.
I loved Ava and Luke together in a lot of ways, but I wish there had been more sexual tension to make the leap from friends to lovers not seem so rushed. Case in point: I seriously don't even think they looked at each other in a non-friendly way until the second half (despite a few breadcrumbs along the way). I love a good slow burn, prefer it actually, but this felt more like friends hanging out for much of the story. There are also a lot of scenes that Ava and Luke are not in together, which doesn't help the pacing. That being said, it's got a great, feel good vibe with plenty of humor. I loved both of these characters, and I was rooting for them the whole time. They were ADORABLE together, and their love was obvious from the start. If you're a friends to lovers fan and want something with minimal angst, this is a solid choice - even if a few tweaks could've made it stellar. I received an early copy via Social Butterfly PR and am voluntarily leaving a review of this light, funny romance.
The story follows Ava and Luke, best friends who've been close since college. Ava friend-zoned Luke upon meeting him, and that hasn't changed in the 15 years since. They're extremely close, great friends who have each other's backs. And while they've never been single at the same time (until now), neither one seems to think that would've changed anything. So when Ava finds herself in need of a boyfriend - fake or otherwise - in time for her high school reunion... Luke is barely on her radar. After a series of failed online dates, Ava seeks out Luke's help, not realizing how much of an impact the favor would have on their relationship.
I loved Ava and Luke together in a lot of ways, but I wish there had been more sexual tension to make the leap from friends to lovers not seem so rushed. Case in point: I seriously don't even think they looked at each other in a non-friendly way until the second half (despite a few breadcrumbs along the way). I love a good slow burn, prefer it actually, but this felt more like friends hanging out for much of the story. There are also a lot of scenes that Ava and Luke are not in together, which doesn't help the pacing. That being said, it's got a great, feel good vibe with plenty of humor. I loved both of these characters, and I was rooting for them the whole time. They were ADORABLE together, and their love was obvious from the start. If you're a friends to lovers fan and want something with minimal angst, this is a solid choice - even if a few tweaks could've made it stellar. I received an early copy via Social Butterfly PR and am voluntarily leaving a review of this light, funny romance.
December 28, 2022
Cute romance about two best friends that takes place over the course of a few months with a little blast to the past. I thought the repetition and the will they/won’t they was annoying. Also the side character, Thatch saying fluffing instead of fucking made me want to shoot myself.
July 14, 2021
*3.5
It was exactly what I expected. Predicted, cliche but fun and cute to read.
Sure Ava is very conveniently naive, but I loved hers and Luke’s moments. It was a nice, light audio while working!
It was exactly what I expected. Predicted, cliche but fun and cute to read.
Sure Ava is very conveniently naive, but I loved hers and Luke’s moments. It was a nice, light audio while working!
December 1, 2020
Ava and Luke have been friends since their freshman year at Columbia University. And now 15-years later, the two of them are thick as thieves and live across the hall from one another.
Ava’s family have been pressuring her to settle down for as long as she can remember and the pressure has only gotten worse since her 2 little sisters have found their soulmates and she hasn’t. So when everyone assumes she won’t have a date for Christmas, her sister’s wedding and her 15-year high school reunion, Ava tells a fib. She says she has a boyfriend and he’ll be tagging along.
After several bad online dates, Ava asks Luke to be her fake boyfriend for 2-weeks and surprisingly enough, he agrees. They’re already best friends, so pretending to be more shouldn’t be hard, right? But somewhere in the midst of pretending to be in love, they realize that love has been between them all along and they don’t need to pretend anymore.
Nothing should get in the way of their newfound love, except for the fact that Luke has been harboring a secret that could split them apart before they even truly get started.
Best Friends Don’t Kiss by Max Monroe is a sweet and hilarious friends to lovers romance set against a holiday backdrop. This was such an enjoyable read in every way. It was funny, lighthearted and full of pop culture references that made me feel apart of some inside joke. There isn’t much angst or drama, so you’re bound to have a good time reading this one. And the fact that it takes place during the holidays is the perfect cherry on top! 4/5 stars.
Ava’s family have been pressuring her to settle down for as long as she can remember and the pressure has only gotten worse since her 2 little sisters have found their soulmates and she hasn’t. So when everyone assumes she won’t have a date for Christmas, her sister’s wedding and her 15-year high school reunion, Ava tells a fib. She says she has a boyfriend and he’ll be tagging along.
After several bad online dates, Ava asks Luke to be her fake boyfriend for 2-weeks and surprisingly enough, he agrees. They’re already best friends, so pretending to be more shouldn’t be hard, right? But somewhere in the midst of pretending to be in love, they realize that love has been between them all along and they don’t need to pretend anymore.
Nothing should get in the way of their newfound love, except for the fact that Luke has been harboring a secret that could split them apart before they even truly get started.
Best Friends Don’t Kiss by Max Monroe is a sweet and hilarious friends to lovers romance set against a holiday backdrop. This was such an enjoyable read in every way. It was funny, lighthearted and full of pop culture references that made me feel apart of some inside joke. There isn’t much angst or drama, so you’re bound to have a good time reading this one. And the fact that it takes place during the holidays is the perfect cherry on top! 4/5 stars.
November 26, 2020
**4.5 stars**
Well, that was an absolute joy to read! Best Friends Don’t Kiss is the sweetest friends to lovers holiday romance. Ava and Luke met in college and have been best friends now for 15 years. The book is sprinkled with chapters from their past together, which I loved.
Ava has a bunch of family events over the holidays, as well as a 15-year high school reunion. She cannot bear to go alone after lying to her arch-nemesis from high school about bringing a date. She begs Luke and he turns her down. So, she begins online dating with some real gems. Finally, Luke agrees to go with her and they head to her hometown in Vermont as fake boyfriend and girlfriend. Cue all the adorable holiday moments and a relationship that starts to feel a lot more real!
Ava was quirky and fun. Luke was swoon worthy, as a pilot and ultimate nice guy. They have insane chemistry and have an amazing rapport with each other. Their friends were a real joy too. You do see some of the Billionaire Bachelors in here. It was a super quick read. I selfishly wanted just a little more in Vermont with all the holiday activities. Overall, this was an adorable holiday romance that I will definitely be rereading every December. I would highly recommend this sweet friends to lovers.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Well, that was an absolute joy to read! Best Friends Don’t Kiss is the sweetest friends to lovers holiday romance. Ava and Luke met in college and have been best friends now for 15 years. The book is sprinkled with chapters from their past together, which I loved.
Ava has a bunch of family events over the holidays, as well as a 15-year high school reunion. She cannot bear to go alone after lying to her arch-nemesis from high school about bringing a date. She begs Luke and he turns her down. So, she begins online dating with some real gems. Finally, Luke agrees to go with her and they head to her hometown in Vermont as fake boyfriend and girlfriend. Cue all the adorable holiday moments and a relationship that starts to feel a lot more real!
Ava was quirky and fun. Luke was swoon worthy, as a pilot and ultimate nice guy. They have insane chemistry and have an amazing rapport with each other. Their friends were a real joy too. You do see some of the Billionaire Bachelors in here. It was a super quick read. I selfishly wanted just a little more in Vermont with all the holiday activities. Overall, this was an adorable holiday romance that I will definitely be rereading every December. I would highly recommend this sweet friends to lovers.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 12, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
Best Friends Don’t Kiss was a cute read but I had a few issues with it.
The heroine could be annoying sometimes. Like the time she asked Hayes, her best friend, to pretend to be her boyfriend to her High School reunion and her sister’s wedding and he said no right on the spot! She was disappointed! But when he finally agrees with the idea she was making a whole list why they shouldn’t???? Make up your mind, girl! Ugh!
And talk about a long-time friends-to-lovers here. It took these two no less than 15 years to realize their true feelings. 15 years! Even their friends were frustrated with them and so was I. But once they got together, they were really sweet. I really enjoyed them together.
Overall, a cute, entertaining and witty story.
Best Friends Don’t Kiss was a cute read but I had a few issues with it.
The heroine could be annoying sometimes. Like the time she asked Hayes, her best friend, to pretend to be her boyfriend to her High School reunion and her sister’s wedding and he said no right on the spot! She was disappointed! But when he finally agrees with the idea she was making a whole list why they shouldn’t???? Make up your mind, girl! Ugh!
And talk about a long-time friends-to-lovers here. It took these two no less than 15 years to realize their true feelings. 15 years! Even their friends were frustrated with them and so was I. But once they got together, they were really sweet. I really enjoyed them together.
Overall, a cute, entertaining and witty story.
January 8, 2021
easily fell into ava and luke's romance. after luke saved ava from burning her dorm room down 15 years ago, they had been best friends. though something more had been lingering at the back of their heart for a while now. when ava had to, unwillingly, accept her high school reunion invitation, she blurts out that she was going with a plus one. she turns towards dating apps which only proved to her that one person will fit the bill, and that is luke.
at the beginning, ava's inability to say no or to make people quit putting their noses into her business irritated me. it was clearly making her miserable but she didn't want to disappoint or feel the awkwardness sip in. regardless, i loved her bubbly personality. she has an art career that's placed on hold. on the other hand, luke has been working his way to work for NASA's astronaut program. luke's charming, kind and hilarious. ava and luke have this chemistry that felt natural because they've known each other for so long. they are tuned to each other's emotions and feelings.
it was fun to see the two of them coming to terms with their feelings and recognising the fact that they had been in love with one another for years. everyone around them were silently hoping for them to be together. when luke started hanging out with the rich billionaires, they all seemed down-to-earth and cool.
at the beginning, ava's inability to say no or to make people quit putting their noses into her business irritated me. it was clearly making her miserable but she didn't want to disappoint or feel the awkwardness sip in. regardless, i loved her bubbly personality. she has an art career that's placed on hold. on the other hand, luke has been working his way to work for NASA's astronaut program. luke's charming, kind and hilarious. ava and luke have this chemistry that felt natural because they've known each other for so long. they are tuned to each other's emotions and feelings.
it was fun to see the two of them coming to terms with their feelings and recognising the fact that they had been in love with one another for years. everyone around them were silently hoping for them to be together. when luke started hanging out with the rich billionaires, they all seemed down-to-earth and cool.
November 28, 2020
These authors are my go-to when I want a low angst and funny cutesy read, and so far they never fail to deliver exactly that!
Although I found this book a bit lacking compare to others they released, it was still fun to read the shenanigans of Ava, a clumsy heroine, and Luke, her best friend who has been through all of her ups and downs for 15 years until they finally realized that maybe they are more than friends 🥰🥰
Although I found this book a bit lacking compare to others they released, it was still fun to read the shenanigans of Ava, a clumsy heroine, and Luke, her best friend who has been through all of her ups and downs for 15 years until they finally realized that maybe they are more than friends 🥰🥰
November 27, 2020
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll smile, you will MOTHERFLUFFING LOVE this book! From beginning to end this book hits you with all the right feels in all the right ways! Trust me when I say that this is one sweet and sexy best friend's to lovers story that you absolutely won't want to miss!
Ava Lucie and Luke London have been best friends forever. 15 years to be exact. They get along better than anyone else. They know each other better than anyone else. They're each other's ride-or-die and through it all, will always have each other's back. Of course they're also perfect for each other.
A fact that is so painfully obvious to everyone else but them...
All it takes is one fake relationship, a high school reunion with an old nemesis, a sister’s wedding, a holiday visit home, and Luke's NASA dreams finally furtuition for these two to finally realize what has been in right front of their faces the entire time...
That they have always been more than just friends and were so much more... Both finding out that love is deeper than friendship.
I didn't just love this book, I absolutely ADORED this book! It was an utterly delightful and humorously entertaining slow burn that will keep you turning those pages! Luke London is book boyfriend PERFECTION! He's sexy, sweet, kind, and the lengths he'll go to just to make Ava happy will make you melt! I LOVE HIM! Ava is an adorable, people pleasing, bit of disaster that you can't help but like! These two together were pure magic with undeniable chemistry that just explodes on to the page! Hilarious cameos from my favorite OG Billionaire's and their wives just added more to the story and made it that much more enjoyable.
This book was so much fun and I enjoyed every single fluffing moment of it!! It is acompletely fantastic holiday read that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND putting on your TBR and suggest doing it NOW! You'll thank me later! 😘😘
*I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review *
Ava Lucie and Luke London have been best friends forever. 15 years to be exact. They get along better than anyone else. They know each other better than anyone else. They're each other's ride-or-die and through it all, will always have each other's back. Of course they're also perfect for each other.
A fact that is so painfully obvious to everyone else but them...
All it takes is one fake relationship, a high school reunion with an old nemesis, a sister’s wedding, a holiday visit home, and Luke's NASA dreams finally furtuition for these two to finally realize what has been in right front of their faces the entire time...
That they have always been more than just friends and were so much more... Both finding out that love is deeper than friendship.
I didn't just love this book, I absolutely ADORED this book! It was an utterly delightful and humorously entertaining slow burn that will keep you turning those pages! Luke London is book boyfriend PERFECTION! He's sexy, sweet, kind, and the lengths he'll go to just to make Ava happy will make you melt! I LOVE HIM! Ava is an adorable, people pleasing, bit of disaster that you can't help but like! These two together were pure magic with undeniable chemistry that just explodes on to the page! Hilarious cameos from my favorite OG Billionaire's and their wives just added more to the story and made it that much more enjoyable.
This book was so much fun and I enjoyed every single fluffing moment of it!! It is acompletely fantastic holiday read that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND putting on your TBR and suggest doing it NOW! You'll thank me later! 😘😘
*I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review *
December 3, 2020
Merry fluffing Christmas to all of us from @authormaxmonroe because this book is AMAZING! I know I’ve said it about a few previous holiday books already, but THIS book NEEDS to be made into a holiday special for @netflix ASAP! Like I don’t even care if it’s in May that they release it, it just needs to be done now.
Ava is desperate to bring a man home with her for not just Christmas, but her sisters wedding and her high school reunion. When she can’t find the perfect man through TapNext, she begs best friend and sexy pilot (and aspiring astronaut) Luke to go with her and pretend to be her boyfriend. I mean who else would fill that roll perfectly than him!? He knows her backwards and forwards and nothing, I mean nothing, could go awry. Of course this leads to plenty of comedy, Christmas and steam. And let’s not forget the cameos from all our favorite characters, such as Thatch, Kline and Wes (and yes, Caplin, too).
Y’all I just loved Ava and Luke’s story so much. I’m normally not a huge fan of Friends to Lovers, but this one just did something for me! It had all the classical things that make Max Monroe’s romcoms everything we love about them: the perfect meet cute, humor, great banter and wit, amazing side character (Hello Guy, looking at your Christmas loving self! A laminated Christmas itinerary is so smart, doing it next year!) and so much more!
So if you’re looking for a holiday romance with lots of love, laughter and reunion of all our favorites, including the OG Billionaires and their ladies, then make sure you start this today!
Ava is desperate to bring a man home with her for not just Christmas, but her sisters wedding and her high school reunion. When she can’t find the perfect man through TapNext, she begs best friend and sexy pilot (and aspiring astronaut) Luke to go with her and pretend to be her boyfriend. I mean who else would fill that roll perfectly than him!? He knows her backwards and forwards and nothing, I mean nothing, could go awry. Of course this leads to plenty of comedy, Christmas and steam. And let’s not forget the cameos from all our favorite characters, such as Thatch, Kline and Wes (and yes, Caplin, too).
Y’all I just loved Ava and Luke’s story so much. I’m normally not a huge fan of Friends to Lovers, but this one just did something for me! It had all the classical things that make Max Monroe’s romcoms everything we love about them: the perfect meet cute, humor, great banter and wit, amazing side character (Hello Guy, looking at your Christmas loving self! A laminated Christmas itinerary is so smart, doing it next year!) and so much more!
So if you’re looking for a holiday romance with lots of love, laughter and reunion of all our favorites, including the OG Billionaires and their ladies, then make sure you start this today!
December 16, 2022
"Best friends don't kiss," I whisper.
"Well, they should." And then, he does. He. Kisses. Me."
What You'll Find:
✔️Holiday Rom Com
✔️Bestfriends to Lovers
✔️Fake Relationship
✔️Forced Proximity
✔️Dual POV
Ava and Luke have been bestfriends since college. With Ava's high school reunion, her sister's wedding and the holiday's all looming she decides a fake boyfriend is exactly what she needs to get through. Though when one disastrous date after another occurs to find said fake boyfriend, her bestfriend Luke comes to her rescue. But when fake dating leads to feelings, of course everything changes.
This was just the perfect holiday read I needed. Super cute and sweet. Funny, with a splash of steam. And even some tender heartfelt moments I was here for. I just loved their connection, even as friends. They way he's always been there for her, cared for her. She's a bit of a wild child lol and they balance each other out perfectly. They are both so sweet but kind of clueless too lol. I loved watching their connection change as they figured their feelings out. With fun side characters including cameo's from previous Max Monroe characters (some I've met and some I've yet to meet), this one was perfectly well rounded. Definitely check it out!
"But I'm starting to realize we were never just friends. We were always So. Much. More."
"Well, they should." And then, he does. He. Kisses. Me."
What You'll Find:
✔️Holiday Rom Com
✔️Bestfriends to Lovers
✔️Fake Relationship
✔️Forced Proximity
✔️Dual POV
Ava and Luke have been bestfriends since college. With Ava's high school reunion, her sister's wedding and the holiday's all looming she decides a fake boyfriend is exactly what she needs to get through. Though when one disastrous date after another occurs to find said fake boyfriend, her bestfriend Luke comes to her rescue. But when fake dating leads to feelings, of course everything changes.
This was just the perfect holiday read I needed. Super cute and sweet. Funny, with a splash of steam. And even some tender heartfelt moments I was here for. I just loved their connection, even as friends. They way he's always been there for her, cared for her. She's a bit of a wild child lol and they balance each other out perfectly. They are both so sweet but kind of clueless too lol. I loved watching their connection change as they figured their feelings out. With fun side characters including cameo's from previous Max Monroe characters (some I've met and some I've yet to meet), this one was perfectly well rounded. Definitely check it out!
"But I'm starting to realize we were never just friends. We were always So. Much. More."
December 5, 2020
Wholesome and sweet. What more could you really ask for? Cliched for sure, but I can never resist.
December 4, 2020
4.5 friends to lovers stars
Another hit by the fabolous duo! Ava and Luke have been friends for fifteen years. Luke is the epitome of a great guy. He is always there for Ava. Whether it's rescuing her from starting fires in her dorm to getting her home safely after a night of drinking. Ava is an aspiring artist who has a hard time saying no. I loved seeing these two go from friends to lovers. Ava's aunt's were hilarious. This was a great read that'll make you laugh and swoon!
Another hit by the fabolous duo! Ava and Luke have been friends for fifteen years. Luke is the epitome of a great guy. He is always there for Ava. Whether it's rescuing her from starting fires in her dorm to getting her home safely after a night of drinking. Ava is an aspiring artist who has a hard time saying no. I loved seeing these two go from friends to lovers. Ava's aunt's were hilarious. This was a great read that'll make you laugh and swoon!
December 1, 2020
4.5 stars
December 3, 2020
5 SMOOCHES!
Max Monroe is an author I turn to when I need to read something that’s guaranteed to make me laugh, make me smile, a light-hearted and sexy romance, and there hasn’t been a single story of theirs that I haven’t enjoyed. Always hilarious, their romantic comedies pack a one-two punch of steam and story. Creatively imaginative plots, endearing characters and romances that are as heart-tugging as they are heart-pounding, Max and Monroe deliver the goods every single time. Teetering on the edge of ridiculous, the humor in their stories is the kind of stuff that makes me laugh audibly, so considered yourself warned should you attempt reading their books in public.
“Ride or die, baby.”
Best friends for fifteen years, Ava and Luke met on the first day of college and became fast friends as he rode to her rescue in what would become a recurring theme of their friendship. Ava, an art curator and aspiring artist, is a people pleaser. She shuns confrontation, she is incapable of telling people how she really feels, and she has a really difficult time saying no. All of that comes to a head in a single conversation with her high school nemesis, and Ava finds herself put on the spot and egged on by backhanded compliments that do little veil the insult. Next thing she knows, she’s not only heading home for Christmas and her baby sister’s holiday wedding, she’s also planning her high school reunion with said nemesis—and she will be bringing her non-existent boyfriend home with her to attend all of these festivities as well.
Luke, a pilot and a NASA candidate, has been the official "Ava Whisperer" for fifteen years. Bailing her out of bad dates, putting out her fires—literally—and calming her down is his specialty. I loved their friendship so much – it was genuine, it was real and it was precious. A perfect foundation for a romantic relationship, if they’d both just open their eyes, and hearts, to it. It takes the trip back to Ava’s childhood home with Luke in tow dutifully playing the role of her (fake) boyfriend for the ruse to turn real. Unfortunately, Luke’s harboring a secret that could change everything, and as he struggles with the changes that secret will bring, his eyes finally open to what his friends see.
Best Friends Don’t Kiss was an entertaining mix of sweet, sexy romance and the kind of laugh-out-loud, smiling from ear-to-ear humor that I have come crave Max Monroe. A light-hearted pleasure to read, I devoured Luke and Ava’s story with a smile stretched across my face as I swooned in my seat on the sofa. Five smooches from me for Best Friends Don’t Kiss by Max Monroe!
~Danielle Palumbo
Max Monroe is an author I turn to when I need to read something that’s guaranteed to make me laugh, make me smile, a light-hearted and sexy romance, and there hasn’t been a single story of theirs that I haven’t enjoyed. Always hilarious, their romantic comedies pack a one-two punch of steam and story. Creatively imaginative plots, endearing characters and romances that are as heart-tugging as they are heart-pounding, Max and Monroe deliver the goods every single time. Teetering on the edge of ridiculous, the humor in their stories is the kind of stuff that makes me laugh audibly, so considered yourself warned should you attempt reading their books in public.
“Ride or die, baby.”
Best friends for fifteen years, Ava and Luke met on the first day of college and became fast friends as he rode to her rescue in what would become a recurring theme of their friendship. Ava, an art curator and aspiring artist, is a people pleaser. She shuns confrontation, she is incapable of telling people how she really feels, and she has a really difficult time saying no. All of that comes to a head in a single conversation with her high school nemesis, and Ava finds herself put on the spot and egged on by backhanded compliments that do little veil the insult. Next thing she knows, she’s not only heading home for Christmas and her baby sister’s holiday wedding, she’s also planning her high school reunion with said nemesis—and she will be bringing her non-existent boyfriend home with her to attend all of these festivities as well.
Luke, a pilot and a NASA candidate, has been the official "Ava Whisperer" for fifteen years. Bailing her out of bad dates, putting out her fires—literally—and calming her down is his specialty. I loved their friendship so much – it was genuine, it was real and it was precious. A perfect foundation for a romantic relationship, if they’d both just open their eyes, and hearts, to it. It takes the trip back to Ava’s childhood home with Luke in tow dutifully playing the role of her (fake) boyfriend for the ruse to turn real. Unfortunately, Luke’s harboring a secret that could change everything, and as he struggles with the changes that secret will bring, his eyes finally open to what his friends see.
Best Friends Don’t Kiss was an entertaining mix of sweet, sexy romance and the kind of laugh-out-loud, smiling from ear-to-ear humor that I have come crave Max Monroe. A light-hearted pleasure to read, I devoured Luke and Ava’s story with a smile stretched across my face as I swooned in my seat on the sofa. Five smooches from me for Best Friends Don’t Kiss by Max Monroe!
~Danielle Palumbo
November 26, 2020
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One day, I decided to read some of Max Monroe’s GoodReads reviews, and I was astounded. For the most part, the readers are like me: in fluffing love with Max Monroe’s brand of romantic comedy. My book bestie, Melissa, and I celebrate when an upcoming release day is nigh for one of their books. For those of you who adore them, you know the power their books hold in your life: they are the perfect medicine for what ails the doldrums of your life. For those of you who haven’t read Max Monroe, go back to the beginning and start with Tapping the Billionaire. Then, we can talk when you’ve read their billionaire booklist. Because I think most of you will agree: Max Monroe bring the funny and tickle your humerus bone to delight.
But I digress.
So I was reading their reviews on a day when I was procrastinating on my grading, and I was SHOCKED with a capital S. There are people who don’t find the comedy of this superduo’s romances funny. They talked about the contrived nature of their whimsy. And I was reminded that some witticisms are completely lost on people. In a world that often seems dark and depressing, that makes me sad because I think if you asked Max Monroe about their reasons for writing romance, they would tell you it is to bring light and life into this oftentimes depressing world. And whether you feel their humor is contrived or derivative, or you lack a sense of humor, what Max Monroe do continuously is write romances that make you feel all squishy inside. Not everything in romancelandia needs to be so serious. Not that Max Monroe don’t infuse solemnity into their story-telling, because they do. In fact, they made me tear up in their newest book, Best Friends Don’t Kiss. However, they simply write characters whom you can’t help but adore with heroes and heroines who adore each other and who have stories that feel real but imaginary at the same time. For me, that is the magic of a Max Monroe romance, and this reader will buy their stories, over and over again, because they infuse joy and happiness into my sometimes difficult life. And why does this matter here in this review? Because their newest book, Best Friends Don’t Kiss (BFDK) exemplifies Max Monroe’s mission of writing romance that just plain makes you feel good.
As I was reading BFDK, I was taking notes. I do that often when I read because I’m middle-aged and my memory isn’t the best, so I’ve decided for the purposes of this review to share them with you. For your reference, this is a 5 star read for me, so let’s get that out of the way. But to understand why I love this book and why you should read it, here goes with my notes:
*Do you ever think that the Max Monroe billionaires are this living breathing collective organism? And they exist solely to spread smiles everywhere? I don’t know that Max Monroe can ever fully leave them because as a group they call out to Max Monroe’s fans. I wonder if Max Monroe feel shackled to that crew of love-obsessed crazies. Because I think it’s a requirement not for Max Monroe to write one book a year (or maybe even more) with this group in tow. And thankfully, BFDK has the version of them we love, especially Thatch.
*Part of the story is set in New York, and part of it is set in Vermont where Ava, the heroine’s family resides. Ava wants a “white Christmas” in Vermont, and weaving their magic, Max Monroe make it snow on Christmas Day, which gives me all the feels because I feel this strong allusion to my favorite Christmas movie, White Christmas. As Ava and Luke gaze on the falling snow, I thought of the song in that movie: “snow, snow, snow, snow, SNOOOOOWWWW.” At that moment, this feeling of nostalgia and peace blanketed me.
*I continue to adore Kline Brooks, the OG billionaire. I can’t get away from it even though Max Monroe craft heroes who you fall for. In this book, Luke London follows that tradition. For one, I go into heat over alliterative heroic names. That guaranteed my buy-in. That he (1) sees Ava clearly, (2) anticipates her wants and needs, (3) adores her even as a friend, and (4) falls heartwarmingly in love with this quirky artist makes him a swoony hero. Kline reigns supreme as my favorite Max Monroe hero, but Luke ain’t so bad. If you leave this book without some adoration or admiration for Luke London, then your heart may be dead. (just kidding...well, maybe).
*The careful plotting of this book showcases Max Monroe’s ability to build the appropriate tension and release. This book is a slow-burn, but Ava and Luke’s chemistry peaks at the most perfect moment. Max Monroe hold you in their thrall until the right time, and that illustrates their abilities as authors to draw in their reader, suspend them in their story, and leave them with a book hangover, pining for more of their hero and heroine’s story. This is the case with BFDK. I want a bonus scene beyond Ava and Luke’s epilogue which does a beautiful job of showing us their life together. Max Monroe have invested me in their life that they make me want more. Call me greedy.
*Beyond the cast of billionaires, Max Monroe have created a zany cast of characters in the form of Ava’s family. Add to that the salt of a mean girl posse at a 15-year class reunion, and you have this world of people who add color to Luke and Ava’s story. They make you laugh and cringe and feel anger and tear up. This creates a further investment into Luke and Ava’s journey.
Honestly, I could keep writing about all the ways that Best Friends Don’t Kiss touched my heart. Some of the early reviewers have talked about how this is the perfect book for right now, in the midst of a pandemic, days after a contentious election, with the holidays before us. And they aren’t wrong. This book feels like a little bit of magic right now, the type of magic that seems like it might stay with you for a bit of time, shining light into a world that needs it. There is no doubt that Max Monroe have done it again.
One day, I decided to read some of Max Monroe’s GoodReads reviews, and I was astounded. For the most part, the readers are like me: in fluffing love with Max Monroe’s brand of romantic comedy. My book bestie, Melissa, and I celebrate when an upcoming release day is nigh for one of their books. For those of you who adore them, you know the power their books hold in your life: they are the perfect medicine for what ails the doldrums of your life. For those of you who haven’t read Max Monroe, go back to the beginning and start with Tapping the Billionaire. Then, we can talk when you’ve read their billionaire booklist. Because I think most of you will agree: Max Monroe bring the funny and tickle your humerus bone to delight.
But I digress.
So I was reading their reviews on a day when I was procrastinating on my grading, and I was SHOCKED with a capital S. There are people who don’t find the comedy of this superduo’s romances funny. They talked about the contrived nature of their whimsy. And I was reminded that some witticisms are completely lost on people. In a world that often seems dark and depressing, that makes me sad because I think if you asked Max Monroe about their reasons for writing romance, they would tell you it is to bring light and life into this oftentimes depressing world. And whether you feel their humor is contrived or derivative, or you lack a sense of humor, what Max Monroe do continuously is write romances that make you feel all squishy inside. Not everything in romancelandia needs to be so serious. Not that Max Monroe don’t infuse solemnity into their story-telling, because they do. In fact, they made me tear up in their newest book, Best Friends Don’t Kiss. However, they simply write characters whom you can’t help but adore with heroes and heroines who adore each other and who have stories that feel real but imaginary at the same time. For me, that is the magic of a Max Monroe romance, and this reader will buy their stories, over and over again, because they infuse joy and happiness into my sometimes difficult life. And why does this matter here in this review? Because their newest book, Best Friends Don’t Kiss (BFDK) exemplifies Max Monroe’s mission of writing romance that just plain makes you feel good.
As I was reading BFDK, I was taking notes. I do that often when I read because I’m middle-aged and my memory isn’t the best, so I’ve decided for the purposes of this review to share them with you. For your reference, this is a 5 star read for me, so let’s get that out of the way. But to understand why I love this book and why you should read it, here goes with my notes:
*Do you ever think that the Max Monroe billionaires are this living breathing collective organism? And they exist solely to spread smiles everywhere? I don’t know that Max Monroe can ever fully leave them because as a group they call out to Max Monroe’s fans. I wonder if Max Monroe feel shackled to that crew of love-obsessed crazies. Because I think it’s a requirement not for Max Monroe to write one book a year (or maybe even more) with this group in tow. And thankfully, BFDK has the version of them we love, especially Thatch.
*Part of the story is set in New York, and part of it is set in Vermont where Ava, the heroine’s family resides. Ava wants a “white Christmas” in Vermont, and weaving their magic, Max Monroe make it snow on Christmas Day, which gives me all the feels because I feel this strong allusion to my favorite Christmas movie, White Christmas. As Ava and Luke gaze on the falling snow, I thought of the song in that movie: “snow, snow, snow, snow, SNOOOOOWWWW.” At that moment, this feeling of nostalgia and peace blanketed me.
*I continue to adore Kline Brooks, the OG billionaire. I can’t get away from it even though Max Monroe craft heroes who you fall for. In this book, Luke London follows that tradition. For one, I go into heat over alliterative heroic names. That guaranteed my buy-in. That he (1) sees Ava clearly, (2) anticipates her wants and needs, (3) adores her even as a friend, and (4) falls heartwarmingly in love with this quirky artist makes him a swoony hero. Kline reigns supreme as my favorite Max Monroe hero, but Luke ain’t so bad. If you leave this book without some adoration or admiration for Luke London, then your heart may be dead. (just kidding...well, maybe).
*The careful plotting of this book showcases Max Monroe’s ability to build the appropriate tension and release. This book is a slow-burn, but Ava and Luke’s chemistry peaks at the most perfect moment. Max Monroe hold you in their thrall until the right time, and that illustrates their abilities as authors to draw in their reader, suspend them in their story, and leave them with a book hangover, pining for more of their hero and heroine’s story. This is the case with BFDK. I want a bonus scene beyond Ava and Luke’s epilogue which does a beautiful job of showing us their life together. Max Monroe have invested me in their life that they make me want more. Call me greedy.
*Beyond the cast of billionaires, Max Monroe have created a zany cast of characters in the form of Ava’s family. Add to that the salt of a mean girl posse at a 15-year class reunion, and you have this world of people who add color to Luke and Ava’s story. They make you laugh and cringe and feel anger and tear up. This creates a further investment into Luke and Ava’s journey.
Honestly, I could keep writing about all the ways that Best Friends Don’t Kiss touched my heart. Some of the early reviewers have talked about how this is the perfect book for right now, in the midst of a pandemic, days after a contentious election, with the holidays before us. And they aren’t wrong. This book feels like a little bit of magic right now, the type of magic that seems like it might stay with you for a bit of time, shining light into a world that needs it. There is no doubt that Max Monroe have done it again.
November 24, 2020
Queens have done it again - this was another fabulous read. It was funny, sweet and sad at times but at the end it was simply amazing story about two people who were looking but not really seeing what was in front of them for over 15 years.
The friendship that Ava and Luke had, which turned into a HEA is (in my opinion) the best kind of relationship . I absolutely loved them. They made me smile so big I looked like Joker. And don't even get me started on the cameos from former books and her family. This is probably my favorite romcom so far in 2020.
***Review copy received from the author for an honest opinion ***
The friendship that Ava and Luke had, which turned into a HEA is (in my opinion) the best kind of relationship . I absolutely loved them. They made me smile so big I looked like Joker. And don't even get me started on the cameos from former books and her family. This is probably my favorite romcom so far in 2020.
***Review copy received from the author for an honest opinion ***
December 7, 2020
Meh, it was ok.
Not my favorite friends to lovers book I’ve read. It takes them 15 LONG years to get to the point where they act on their hidden feelings. Ugh. And we don’t even get a kiss until around 75% in. Also, this wasn’t all that funny. Usually their books are hilarious. I didn’t feel this one.
Epilogue was good
Not my favorite friends to lovers book I’ve read. It takes them 15 LONG years to get to the point where they act on their hidden feelings. Ugh. And we don’t even get a kiss until around 75% in. Also, this wasn’t all that funny. Usually their books are hilarious. I didn’t feel this one.
Epilogue was good
December 7, 2020
Hallmark channel worthy!
Omg I swear this is oh so Hallmark channel worthy! Come on peple...I freakin laugh too much, swooned, shed a tear or too and moreeee. Love, love, love this story. Talk about bff to lovers! Hands down one of the best rom-com stories! I can't wait to read more Max Monroe.....awesome read peepz!
Omg I swear this is oh so Hallmark channel worthy! Come on peple...I freakin laugh too much, swooned, shed a tear or too and moreeee. Love, love, love this story. Talk about bff to lovers! Hands down one of the best rom-com stories! I can't wait to read more Max Monroe.....awesome read peepz!
November 30, 2020
This was a fluffing good read. Christmasy, best friends to lovers, and fake dating are included. New, fun characters and appearances from old, loveable ones. This book was a wonderful read.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
February 24, 2021
I love a good friends to lovers story and this was done so well! I loved the history and the chemistry between Ava and Luke (OMG, Luke was so yummy. Like, sex on a stick. Unf.) The story itself was funny and absolutely adorable. Sweet, with loads of holiday goodness. Really entertaining!
November 26, 2020
There are many friends-to-lovers and “pretend your mine” books out there, but Best Friends Don’t Kiss by Max Monroe is not to be missed, especially if you are a fan of this genre or stories that include the magic of Christmas stories like I am. I make sure I am all set in my personal life before starting anything by this author duo, because the writing just pulls me in from the very first page, and I am going to want to read straight through.
Ava and Luke London literally crash into each other at Columbia, and form an immediately kinship. Ava is so lovable and sweet, and is majoring in Art History. Luke is acutely focused majoring in aeronautical engineering with the goal of becoming a pilot, then being accepted into NASA one day. Obviously both are super smart to have been accepted to an Ivy League university, but you would never know it by their humble nature and easy going personalities.
Flash forward 15 years into the future and they are BFF and next-door neighbors. I read about 250 books a year, and let me tell you in no uncertain terms that Luke is the book boyfriend you will dream about! They are just friends of course, but are so perfectly in sync with each other and so supportive.
I love how he realizes her self-doubt professionally and gently encourages her and lets her know how special she is. He calls her out on being a people pleasure, and when she gets herself in trouble by announcing to Callie, the resident mean girl, that she has a boyfriend to escort her to her 15-year high school reunion, it’s her BFF to the rescue. He is just so thoughtful and swoony, reassuring and protective, honorable and honest, and knows he just feels complete in her presence.
I have read most of Max Monroe’s books, and this is a total standalone, but I LOVE that the men and women from the Bad Boy Billionaires series come to know Luke as are supporting characters as he is their personal pilot. The Billionaire Book Club is one of my favorite books as this group of friends read romance books to get to know women better. So funny! This time, they are all happily married and offer Luke insight on getting the girl.
Ava realizes what a catch Luke is and although it may have taken them a while, once they begin “fake dating” in her hometown in Vermont over the holidays, these two grow even closer. He totally disregards her wanting a list of rules such as “Best Friends Don’t Kiss,” and when she whispers these words to him and he answers, “They do,” I felt my knees buckle and I was sitting down! And once they are intimate, there is no turning back. I don’t think there is anything better than when two people connect who are truly soul mates, and these two have it all–the insane chemistry, the comfort of knowing each other so well and actually liking and respecting each other, and the super hot sexy times!
I loved her close relationship with her family, and how they were routing for these two for years! I love Luke’s special holiday gift to her family and how he went out of his way so she could realize her dream of being an accomplished artist. As an art curator for the Met in NYC, I loved how we toured the various museums and got a taste of fine art through Ava’s eyes, and how Luke could just sit for hours entranced watching her sketch. I also loved how he often came to her rescue and loved her completely, even when she was a known plant killer. LOL.
Luke is so focused and determined to make it as an astronaut, and this man with a plan is so close to his dream coming to fruition, but is keeping a giant secret from his BFF and love of his life. But have no fear, Max Monroe will not let you down, and Best Friends Don’t Kiss ends in a wonderful, giddy, HEA. Best Friends Do Kiss and it’s the best kind.
Ava and Luke London literally crash into each other at Columbia, and form an immediately kinship. Ava is so lovable and sweet, and is majoring in Art History. Luke is acutely focused majoring in aeronautical engineering with the goal of becoming a pilot, then being accepted into NASA one day. Obviously both are super smart to have been accepted to an Ivy League university, but you would never know it by their humble nature and easy going personalities.
Flash forward 15 years into the future and they are BFF and next-door neighbors. I read about 250 books a year, and let me tell you in no uncertain terms that Luke is the book boyfriend you will dream about! They are just friends of course, but are so perfectly in sync with each other and so supportive.
I love how he realizes her self-doubt professionally and gently encourages her and lets her know how special she is. He calls her out on being a people pleasure, and when she gets herself in trouble by announcing to Callie, the resident mean girl, that she has a boyfriend to escort her to her 15-year high school reunion, it’s her BFF to the rescue. He is just so thoughtful and swoony, reassuring and protective, honorable and honest, and knows he just feels complete in her presence.
I have read most of Max Monroe’s books, and this is a total standalone, but I LOVE that the men and women from the Bad Boy Billionaires series come to know Luke as are supporting characters as he is their personal pilot. The Billionaire Book Club is one of my favorite books as this group of friends read romance books to get to know women better. So funny! This time, they are all happily married and offer Luke insight on getting the girl.
Ava realizes what a catch Luke is and although it may have taken them a while, once they begin “fake dating” in her hometown in Vermont over the holidays, these two grow even closer. He totally disregards her wanting a list of rules such as “Best Friends Don’t Kiss,” and when she whispers these words to him and he answers, “They do,” I felt my knees buckle and I was sitting down! And once they are intimate, there is no turning back. I don’t think there is anything better than when two people connect who are truly soul mates, and these two have it all–the insane chemistry, the comfort of knowing each other so well and actually liking and respecting each other, and the super hot sexy times!
I loved her close relationship with her family, and how they were routing for these two for years! I love Luke’s special holiday gift to her family and how he went out of his way so she could realize her dream of being an accomplished artist. As an art curator for the Met in NYC, I loved how we toured the various museums and got a taste of fine art through Ava’s eyes, and how Luke could just sit for hours entranced watching her sketch. I also loved how he often came to her rescue and loved her completely, even when she was a known plant killer. LOL.
Luke is so focused and determined to make it as an astronaut, and this man with a plan is so close to his dream coming to fruition, but is keeping a giant secret from his BFF and love of his life. But have no fear, Max Monroe will not let you down, and Best Friends Don’t Kiss ends in a wonderful, giddy, HEA. Best Friends Do Kiss and it’s the best kind.
November 28, 2020
I love Max Monroe, the dynamic writing duo that have, in recent years become a mainstay in the world of contemporary romantic comedies. They write funny, quirky characters who often get themselves into ridiculous situations that the reader can’t help but laugh at. Their writing is relatable and down to earth. I mean, they include references to Gilmore Girls and Titanic and all those girly things that make me want to be their best friends in real life. (Seriously MM, message me…) Their books are definitely my go-tos for when I need a pick-me-up. So I was definitely excited to read their newest book, Best Friends Don’t Kiss, which releases today! Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint - or that intro would have been awkward.
Best Friends Don’t Kiss is a mixture of the movies When Harry Met Sally, The Wedding Date and it also reminded me of Maid of Honor - all really fun Rom-Coms that I love. It is so nice to find authors that can take the best of those funny, sappy movies and put their own spin on it. And I am not saying sappy in a disparaging way. I love those types of movies - in fact, I feel the need for a binge watch coming on. In Best Friends Don’t Kiss (hereafter known as BFDK), we meet Ava and Luke, who had an adorable meet-cute in college and have been best friends ever since. But that’s all they are - Best Friends. That’s it, just friends. Right…of course we can see through that a mile away. But the question is, can they?
It all comes to a head when Ava, a people-pleaser to the nth degree, gets roped into helping to plan her high school reunion with her high school nemesis, a girl who made her life hell once upon a time. Not only does she have this reunion to look forward to, but she also has her little sister’s wedding - all within a couple of weeks. And, to save face, Ava kind of, sort of, lies about having a kind of, sort of serious boyfriend. So, she has just a few weeks to find this perfect guy so that she can hold her head up high at her reunion and keep her meddling family off her back. Can she find that special someone, or will Luke have to jump in and save the day as always? And if he does, how will they make sure not to blur the lines between couple and best friend?
What I loved about this book is that within a few pages, I was immediately invested in these characters and their futures. I found them charming and I loved their shared history. I saw a bit of myself in Ava, but I often found myself on Luke’s side. And speaking of Luke - all I can say is yum. I mean, he’s a pilot on his way to becoming an astronaut. That’s hot. But aside from the physical, he's such a great guy - definitely book boyfriend material. And for fans of Max Monroe, you’ll be happy to know that there are some fun cameos from their previous books - but you can definitely read this as a standalone. You may not get some of the inside jokes, but that’s okay, because after reading BFDK, you’re going to go pick up their entire catalogue - I’m sure. It was funny, sweet, charming, and exactly what is needed to finish off this disastrous year.
BFDK releases today and I know you’re on your way to download it as we speak. Thanks so much to Max Monroe and to @socialbutterflypr for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really, truly loved it!
Best Friends Don’t Kiss is a mixture of the movies When Harry Met Sally, The Wedding Date and it also reminded me of Maid of Honor - all really fun Rom-Coms that I love. It is so nice to find authors that can take the best of those funny, sappy movies and put their own spin on it. And I am not saying sappy in a disparaging way. I love those types of movies - in fact, I feel the need for a binge watch coming on. In Best Friends Don’t Kiss (hereafter known as BFDK), we meet Ava and Luke, who had an adorable meet-cute in college and have been best friends ever since. But that’s all they are - Best Friends. That’s it, just friends. Right…of course we can see through that a mile away. But the question is, can they?
It all comes to a head when Ava, a people-pleaser to the nth degree, gets roped into helping to plan her high school reunion with her high school nemesis, a girl who made her life hell once upon a time. Not only does she have this reunion to look forward to, but she also has her little sister’s wedding - all within a couple of weeks. And, to save face, Ava kind of, sort of, lies about having a kind of, sort of serious boyfriend. So, she has just a few weeks to find this perfect guy so that she can hold her head up high at her reunion and keep her meddling family off her back. Can she find that special someone, or will Luke have to jump in and save the day as always? And if he does, how will they make sure not to blur the lines between couple and best friend?
What I loved about this book is that within a few pages, I was immediately invested in these characters and their futures. I found them charming and I loved their shared history. I saw a bit of myself in Ava, but I often found myself on Luke’s side. And speaking of Luke - all I can say is yum. I mean, he’s a pilot on his way to becoming an astronaut. That’s hot. But aside from the physical, he's such a great guy - definitely book boyfriend material. And for fans of Max Monroe, you’ll be happy to know that there are some fun cameos from their previous books - but you can definitely read this as a standalone. You may not get some of the inside jokes, but that’s okay, because after reading BFDK, you’re going to go pick up their entire catalogue - I’m sure. It was funny, sweet, charming, and exactly what is needed to finish off this disastrous year.
BFDK releases today and I know you’re on your way to download it as we speak. Thanks so much to Max Monroe and to @socialbutterflypr for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really, truly loved it!
December 2, 2021
4.5 stars
That's more like it! I picked this book up right after finishing another Max Monroe that was pretty good, but not what I hoped for. While this was nowhere near as funny as I was hoping (that's what I expect from Max Monroe) it was a really great friends-to-lovers romance and I fell in love with these characters!
Ava is an aspiring artist - adorable, talented, but lacking confidence and hating confrontation - starting at Columbia when she meets Luke - a sexy, super smart, super driven, Columbia Engineering student with NASA aspirations. She's runs into him when she has quite literally started a fire in her dorm room and is running in panic. And they become best friends. We get to see that friendship mostly in the present day - 15 years later - though also through a few flashbacks. And while it's incredibly obvious to everyone they know that they should be together, Ava and Luke are blind to it. Until Ava's desperation to have a boyfriend for a school reunion/her sister's wedding leader to them faking a relationship... until it's not so fake after all.
I loved watching Ava stumble her way through online dating. I loved watching Luke push towards his dream of being a NASA astronaut. I loved their friendship and Ava's family. Especially since we get to spend Christmas with her family and they celebrate epically. It's just one of those super sweet romances that could be a Christmas Hallmark movie (which I love).
The narration by Nelson Hobbs and Elizabeth Hart was equally great. I think this is my first time listening to both of them, but I hope it's not my last. They were a good balance to each other, delivering both POVs with complimentary voices.
Qualifies for COYER Fall Scavenger Hunt Item #19 - Read a book by an author you've previously given 5 stars.
That's more like it! I picked this book up right after finishing another Max Monroe that was pretty good, but not what I hoped for. While this was nowhere near as funny as I was hoping (that's what I expect from Max Monroe) it was a really great friends-to-lovers romance and I fell in love with these characters!
Ava is an aspiring artist - adorable, talented, but lacking confidence and hating confrontation - starting at Columbia when she meets Luke - a sexy, super smart, super driven, Columbia Engineering student with NASA aspirations. She's runs into him when she has quite literally started a fire in her dorm room and is running in panic. And they become best friends. We get to see that friendship mostly in the present day - 15 years later - though also through a few flashbacks. And while it's incredibly obvious to everyone they know that they should be together, Ava and Luke are blind to it. Until Ava's desperation to have a boyfriend for a school reunion/her sister's wedding leader to them faking a relationship... until it's not so fake after all.
I loved watching Ava stumble her way through online dating. I loved watching Luke push towards his dream of being a NASA astronaut. I loved their friendship and Ava's family. Especially since we get to spend Christmas with her family and they celebrate epically. It's just one of those super sweet romances that could be a Christmas Hallmark movie (which I love).
The narration by Nelson Hobbs and Elizabeth Hart was equally great. I think this is my first time listening to both of them, but I hope it's not my last. They were a good balance to each other, delivering both POVs with complimentary voices.
Qualifies for COYER Fall Scavenger Hunt Item #19 - Read a book by an author you've previously given 5 stars.
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