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The Agency #1
Just Friends
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Violet Archer has her dream job at one of London’s top advertising agencies, and the fact she gets to work with Ethan Fraser every day makes it even better. He’s the best friend a girl could have. And she’s never even noticed how hot he is. Nope. Definitely not.
When a big night out deteriorates into a great big mess, Violet’s world starts to wobble like a drunk giraffe on stilts. She’s caught in a web of secrets, none of which are hers. And maybe she is starting to notice how hot Ethan is, after all. And sweet and kind and… oh dear.
Has Violet fallen for her best friend? Can their friendship survive yet another secret? And, the question Violet is most scared to ask, could Ethan have feelings for her too?
The Agency series is based in London and set in the exciting world of advertising. Following the intertwined lives of a group of kickass career women, the series is a heartwarming mix of angsty romance and laugh-out-loud humour. Each book is numbered chronologically in the series, but every title is a complete story in its own right.
FRIENDLY NOTE. All of Elizabeth's books feature realistic characters who do things real people do (like have sex) and say things real people say (like drop f-bombs).
Violet Archer has her dream job at one of London’s top advertising agencies, and the fact she gets to work with Ethan Fraser every day makes it even better. He’s the best friend a girl could have. And she’s never even noticed how hot he is. Nope. Definitely not.
When a big night out deteriorates into a great big mess, Violet’s world starts to wobble like a drunk giraffe on stilts. She’s caught in a web of secrets, none of which are hers. And maybe she is starting to notice how hot Ethan is, after all. And sweet and kind and… oh dear.
Has Violet fallen for her best friend? Can their friendship survive yet another secret? And, the question Violet is most scared to ask, could Ethan have feelings for her too?
The Agency series is based in London and set in the exciting world of advertising. Following the intertwined lives of a group of kickass career women, the series is a heartwarming mix of angsty romance and laugh-out-loud humour. Each book is numbered chronologically in the series, but every title is a complete story in its own right.
FRIENDLY NOTE. All of Elizabeth's books feature realistic characters who do things real people do (like have sex) and say things real people say (like drop f-bombs).
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2017
651 people are currently reading
1318 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
September 13, 2017
A different read for me, I'm used to the billionaire, dominating male and the mousey, retiring female, but this was something else, without the spoilers its a whirlwind, what will happen, what will they do! I feel a personal connection now and I'm invested in the story line! I can't wait for the next installment.
Elizabeth has written an engaging story you can relate to but with just enough lightheartedness and smut to keep you desperate for more.
Elizabeth has written an engaging story you can relate to but with just enough lightheartedness and smut to keep you desperate for more.
Read
June 17, 2018 DNF
50% down and do not like the leading man even a little bit, Couldn't invest more ! Distasteful and voyeuristic
50% down and do not like the leading man even a little bit, Couldn't invest more ! Distasteful and voyeuristic
September 15, 2020
It's too much. Sleazy bosses; drunk coworkers high on drugs; way too much sex.
The first chapter is off putting. It got better but neither the self-absorbed hero or the insecure but talented smart and beautiful heroine are enough to keep me going.
The first chapter is off putting. It got better but neither the self-absorbed hero or the insecure but talented smart and beautiful heroine are enough to keep me going.
September 25, 2017
Not sure I like any characters
In a way it seemed like this book had too much going on. Too much tragedy, too much plotting. At the same time it reminds me of a storyline I would have loved and found romantic back when I was in high school. But at the end of it, I simply hated how pretty much every bit ended and I hated how the love interest was one of those guys who decided what is best for the girl and that makes it okay to ignore her wishes time and again.
In a way it seemed like this book had too much going on. Too much tragedy, too much plotting. At the same time it reminds me of a storyline I would have loved and found romantic back when I was in high school. But at the end of it, I simply hated how pretty much every bit ended and I hated how the love interest was one of those guys who decided what is best for the girl and that makes it okay to ignore her wishes time and again.
March 31, 2021
TW for drug abuse, sexual harassment and abusive behaviour
•••••••••
It was just too fast paced for me, it was dramatic for NO reason, there was no chemistry and I just think a lot of the plot lines were so unnecessary. I didn’t like it at all. I did to begin with but the main character girl was annoying. The guy was annoying too. It wasn’t a rememberable story and I just didn’t enjoy it at all. I finished it for the sake of it to be honest.
•••••••••
It was just too fast paced for me, it was dramatic for NO reason, there was no chemistry and I just think a lot of the plot lines were so unnecessary. I didn’t like it at all. I did to begin with but the main character girl was annoying. The guy was annoying too. It wasn’t a rememberable story and I just didn’t enjoy it at all. I finished it for the sake of it to be honest.
September 22, 2017
This was a super funny book I picked up off IF - great humor, touching romance and outrageous side-kicks characters that kept me interested all the way through. The heroine was so funny and really strong/relatable I was cheering for her from the start. Hot hero too. Don't usually come across "best friend" love interest these days, but this was real and their bond was genuine and inspiring. Nice characterization all round and good writing
September 22, 2017
Just finished this book and LOVED it. Chic lit at its finest. It's light & funny, sassy and sexy! There's something about Violet that all of us can relate to! The only thing I don't like about it is that I have to wait for book #2 to find out more about these characters! Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.
September 27, 2019
DNF - the main characters are despicable. The content although I guess realistic in some circles was absolutely horrifying and I felt icky just reading the beginning about drugs, sex, and hedonistic parties of yuck.
Read
September 22, 2017DNF
This book is just nope for me. The plot feels too high schoolish for the characters (who are adults working in the corporate world btw).
This book is just nope for me. The plot feels too high schoolish for the characters (who are adults working in the corporate world btw).
Read
May 13, 2021DNF. It got super strange and dark quickly - kept hoping it would come around but halfway through it still hadn’t. Just not what I’m looking for from this type of book.
October 19, 2021
this was so boring, sooo boring. I can't believe I was able to finish this book, the protagonists are unbearable and the drama was so tiring, I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes...
November 15, 2018
WHEN FRIENDSHIP TURNS TO LOVE
As well as an entertaining read, Elizabeth Grey has created compelling characters, not least her main character, Violet, also known as Vi.
Vi is witty, funny and smart and you will laugh out loud at some of her dialogue.
But, she's human too, and Vi is gradually revealed to be a real woman.
Just like the rest of us - Vi is sometimes confident and sometimes a bit insecure.
The story opens with a steamy scene that turns comical as Vi tangles with the man of her dreams.
The dream turns to nightmare when Stuart turns out to be less of a man than she'd hoped for.
The evening ends prematurely, in more ways than one!
Vi takes a taxi trip to her friend Ethan's house to commiserate with him and creates a new law for herself by swearing herself off men until she's 30.
Ethan thinks that's a shame and here's where the trouble starts.
Does he fancy her?
Does she fancy him?
Could they?
Should they?
What follows is an entertaining adventure seen through the eyes of Vi as she negotiates the seemingly glamorous, but snake-filled world of advertising while trying hard not to break her no-men law.
Meanwhile, there's something going on between her and Ethan, something they don't dare speak about.
For readers who like smart, laugh out loud comedy, steamy romance and some dark dealings in the workplace.
Just FriendsElizabeth Grey has also written a prequel to this which is a lot of fun and a very entertaining read - 'Always YouAlways You.'
As well as an entertaining read, Elizabeth Grey has created compelling characters, not least her main character, Violet, also known as Vi.
Vi is witty, funny and smart and you will laugh out loud at some of her dialogue.
But, she's human too, and Vi is gradually revealed to be a real woman.
Just like the rest of us - Vi is sometimes confident and sometimes a bit insecure.
The story opens with a steamy scene that turns comical as Vi tangles with the man of her dreams.
The dream turns to nightmare when Stuart turns out to be less of a man than she'd hoped for.
The evening ends prematurely, in more ways than one!
Vi takes a taxi trip to her friend Ethan's house to commiserate with him and creates a new law for herself by swearing herself off men until she's 30.
Ethan thinks that's a shame and here's where the trouble starts.
Does he fancy her?
Does she fancy him?
Could they?
Should they?
What follows is an entertaining adventure seen through the eyes of Vi as she negotiates the seemingly glamorous, but snake-filled world of advertising while trying hard not to break her no-men law.
Meanwhile, there's something going on between her and Ethan, something they don't dare speak about.
For readers who like smart, laugh out loud comedy, steamy romance and some dark dealings in the workplace.
Just FriendsElizabeth Grey has also written a prequel to this which is a lot of fun and a very entertaining read - 'Always YouAlways You.'
April 29, 2020
Violet Archer is great at her job at one of London's top advertising agencies and working with her best friend, Ethan Fraser, every day makes it nearly perfect. He's the best friend she's ever had so it's inconvenient when she starts to notice how attractive he is. When a big night for the agency has consequences that threaten to derail everything she's worked for, Violet finds herself entangled in the sticky web of other people's secrets. All the while she falls harder and harder for Ethan, but she's terrified their friendship won't survive either the secrets or her developing feelings, which she's sure Ethan could never return.
This book was quite a step away from my usual reads, but I found it refreshing. It had me laughing and snickering like a maniac on the running trail and made the miles go by faster. Both Ethan and Violet were charming but oh so flawed in their own ways and they each made me want to scream at them for various reasons. They did show quite a bit more development than I would've expected from such a light-hearted book, which was lovely, but some of Ethan's behavior was a bit out there and very nearly unforgivable for me. Fortunately, he did redeem himself quite a bit in the end, though perhaps not quite enough, which I'm sure is leaving the doors open for the next book in the series. I'm not really a fan of sagas (I prefer my characters to get their HEA for good in one book) but this ended well enough to be satisfying, though I still may pick up the next book. I loved the humor in this one and the narration was great and added to its charm.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was quite a step away from my usual reads, but I found it refreshing. It had me laughing and snickering like a maniac on the running trail and made the miles go by faster. Both Ethan and Violet were charming but oh so flawed in their own ways and they each made me want to scream at them for various reasons. They did show quite a bit more development than I would've expected from such a light-hearted book, which was lovely, but some of Ethan's behavior was a bit out there and very nearly unforgivable for me. Fortunately, he did redeem himself quite a bit in the end, though perhaps not quite enough, which I'm sure is leaving the doors open for the next book in the series. I'm not really a fan of sagas (I prefer my characters to get their HEA for good in one book) but this ended well enough to be satisfying, though I still may pick up the next book. I loved the humor in this one and the narration was great and added to its charm.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 2, 2021
I was disappointed by this, perhaps I should have read more reviews. From the description, I thought I was getting a heartwarming contemporary romantic comedy of the coworker slash friends to lovers tropes. Instead I found myself dumped into a drama rife with beyond normal realistic lives- an incredibly toxic work environment, with disrespectful colleagues as the least offensive issue. If I were faced with any one of these circumstances, surely I would need some therapy, but the author has piled on so many turbulent events, treachery, professional and sexual harassment, not to mention substance abuse... it became hard to handle, and I found that I did not hold much empathy or respect for how the protagonist handled all of it. Maybe that's just my background and perspective on life and healthy decision making, but it nonetheless made the "switch flipped" moment at the end even harder to buy. I kept reading rather than give up half way through because I kept hoping for a brighter turnout, for an upstanding person or influence to set Vi on a better path or coach her out of the viscous cycle of her own inner voice and misguided choices. But that satisfaction never came, and I didn't like how anything was "resolved", if it can be called so.
I am glad this was only a borrow and not lost money, or I would feel I had been sold on false premises. A friends to lovers journey yes, but not in anyway heartwarming. Web of secrets, gossip, and angst: check, check, and check. Kickass career women, well, perhaps Stella is, but not the star of the novel. But it never inspired me to laugh out loud, only to cringe and gape/frown in horror.
I am glad this was only a borrow and not lost money, or I would feel I had been sold on false premises. A friends to lovers journey yes, but not in anyway heartwarming. Web of secrets, gossip, and angst: check, check, and check. Kickass career women, well, perhaps Stella is, but not the star of the novel. But it never inspired me to laugh out loud, only to cringe and gape/frown in horror.
August 5, 2021
I read the blurb and thought this sounds hilarious. Realistic people that are not afraid to curse is so my thing. Unless everyone in the world is an alcoholic/druggy/sex addict/sex offender/thief this is not realistic. Some of it could happen. But if all businesses ran like this corporations wouldn't be a thing. The working world would not exist. Ethan is a few things I cannot say because they will deny my review. He uses women like tissues, and then he uses emotional scheming to make Violet give him his way. He is a creep. And even though she needs therapy and rehab for alcoholism she has a good heart and can do way better. Forcing her to leave their job with him because he needs her and into a position she doesn't want so he can have her by his side while pretending not to be involved so he can have his big shiny moment is by far the most sexist thing I can think of. And she already was sexually harassed by Ridley. Author doesn't she deserve better? If this was my friend and she was giving up everything for a guy that wants her to hide their relationship for his career I would say run sweetie. Run. Cut that shit from your life and move on because you deserve way freaking better. So yeah read this if you enjoy sexual harassment, more drug and alcohol than a bar gives out in a night (and that's at home not just the bars/cafes they go to), and no good examples of decent people. Max wouldn't be so bad if he didn't do drugs every time he was upset. And despite my saying that I would have rather had Violet end up with him.
August 4, 2021
Disappointed . . .
Violet Archer has her dream job at an advertising agency and her friend, Ethan Fraser, makes it perfect. But Violet gets caught up in other people’s secrets and her insecurities kick in. And to make it worse, she is noticing Ethan as more than a friend now. Will they be another “secret”? Or doesn’t he even feel that way about her?
This series just doesn’t draw me in. I accidentally started with Book 2 and didn’t really like it much. I had hopes maybe catching up with this one would make me like the characters more, but it hasn’t. Once again, the story moves at a good pace but wasn’t one of my favorite reads.
Violet Archer has her dream job at an advertising agency and her friend, Ethan Fraser, makes it perfect. But Violet gets caught up in other people’s secrets and her insecurities kick in. And to make it worse, she is noticing Ethan as more than a friend now. Will they be another “secret”? Or doesn’t he even feel that way about her?
This series just doesn’t draw me in. I accidentally started with Book 2 and didn’t really like it much. I had hopes maybe catching up with this one would make me like the characters more, but it hasn’t. Once again, the story moves at a good pace but wasn’t one of my favorite reads.
December 30, 2017
Love love love this book!! Seriously, there is not a dull moment in this story and it kept me riveting all the way through. The author doesn't mess about and manages to pack a romantic comedy with tons of action and conflict to keep us engaged and rooting for Violet all the way through. I can't wait for the next in the series as by the end, I didn't want it to end! And really connected with all of the characters and Violet's particular predicament of the heart.
November 4, 2017
Really enjoyed this, a great debut novel. Loved the main character, Violet. She was strong, witty and very relatable. It was really well written and made me laugh out loud in places. If you like a nice easy read, but with some laughs and a bit of raunch then this is for you. Looking forward to what happens next for Violet and Ethan.
July 18, 2020
Dnf at 30%. I really tried with this one. I'm more forgiving of friends to lovers books because it is my favourite romance trope but this was a hot mess. There seemed to be about three different story lines, none of which were told with any sort of cohesion. Normally I blow through these books fairly quickly but I was actively avoiding my kindle because of this, so clearly time to move on.
April 2, 2019
This book would have received more stars, it was just the slow plot that drew me back. Having not enjoyed it, I left it un finished at 75% on my kindle app. A good story if you like a slow build up but definitely not for me.
October 13, 2021
DNF after16%
I really tried but it was one of those things where you saw where the story was going but you could tell it was going to be a long painful journey and I honestly didn't care to take it.
I really tried but it was one of those things where you saw where the story was going but you could tell it was going to be a long painful journey and I honestly didn't care to take it.
November 22, 2019
Incredibly funny and romantic! A feel-good romance I highly recommend!
March 25, 2020
The first page was so awful with a sex I deleted the book!!!!
December 7, 2020
This was kind of a hot mess for me. Everything was always at a 10 in drama so nothing had any weight or impact. There were like 30 different plots and it all just felt so hectic.
January 30, 2021
Big fat DNF!
March 14, 2021
I couldn’t make it past chapter 3. Honestly this book was disgusting!
April 6, 2021
Yikes. Glad this was an Amazon freebie. Not a likeable character in the bunch, ridiculous plot. Just terrible.
May 16, 2021
DNF... I just can’t force myself through this anymore
September 2, 2021
Entirely bored. Was forcing myself to read. I NEVER leave a book unread. So this is sad for me. Just couldn’t keep going.
May 18, 2022
There is just a lot going on and the characters were way too plain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews