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Oliver and Erica: When Friends become Lovers
She was his best friend, his lover, his soulmate, and then he lost her. But soulmates can’t help but eternally search for each other. They are compelled to, to be able to feel whole again.
When young Oliver Blake meets the new Dutch girl in his small town, the free-spirited Erica Johansson, it marks the beginning of a unique friendship and an epic love. As young adults they struggle when they realize their feelings for each other have gone far beyond a beautiful friendship. And when they finally embark on the most intense romance, they become inseparable and realize they are perfect for each other in every way.
However, an unfortunate turn of events makes it all screech to an abrupt halt and despite a desperate Oliver begging her to stay, Erica flees to Europe to get as far away from him as possible. Oliver then packs a bag and takes a journey across Europe, as he attempts to find the love of his life back...
“Readers who hunger for romance will find their fix with Oliver and Erica. Both characters are beautiful and have adorable, endearing features and traits. Their romance is masterfully crafted, beginning with their childhood camaraderie and continuing with their first kiss in the treehouse. Their lovemaking scenes, intensified by their years of longing for one another, are beautiful and powerful. Their love for each other is palpable.” – David Aretha, award-winning author and editor.
When young Oliver Blake meets the new Dutch girl in his small town, the free-spirited Erica Johansson, it marks the beginning of a unique friendship and an epic love. As young adults they struggle when they realize their feelings for each other have gone far beyond a beautiful friendship. And when they finally embark on the most intense romance, they become inseparable and realize they are perfect for each other in every way.
However, an unfortunate turn of events makes it all screech to an abrupt halt and despite a desperate Oliver begging her to stay, Erica flees to Europe to get as far away from him as possible. Oliver then packs a bag and takes a journey across Europe, as he attempts to find the love of his life back...
“Readers who hunger for romance will find their fix with Oliver and Erica. Both characters are beautiful and have adorable, endearing features and traits. Their romance is masterfully crafted, beginning with their childhood camaraderie and continuing with their first kiss in the treehouse. Their lovemaking scenes, intensified by their years of longing for one another, are beautiful and powerful. Their love for each other is palpable.” – David Aretha, award-winning author and editor.
- GenresFictionContemporary
280 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2018
19 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Desiree Span
5 books19 followers Desiree Span is an emerging voice in contemporary romance and women's fiction, with novels praised as "must-reads," "heartbreaking," and "captivating."
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and a Caribbean mother, she was raised with the best of both cultures and surrounded by a mix of languages, traditions, and perspectives that continue to shape her storytelling. Her stories draw readers in with emotional depth, multicultural characters, and the kind of settings that stay with you. Her protagonists are deeply human—flawed, complex, and each facing their own struggles as they fight to earn the love and happily-ever-after they deserve.
She holds a master’s degree in English and Education and another in Film and Performing Arts. When she’s not teaching English, Desiree is working on her next novel or enjoying a cozy moment with a hot chocolate and a good book.
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and a Caribbean mother, she was raised with the best of both cultures and surrounded by a mix of languages, traditions, and perspectives that continue to shape her storytelling. Her stories draw readers in with emotional depth, multicultural characters, and the kind of settings that stay with you. Her protagonists are deeply human—flawed, complex, and each facing their own struggles as they fight to earn the love and happily-ever-after they deserve.
She holds a master’s degree in English and Education and another in Film and Performing Arts. When she’s not teaching English, Desiree is working on her next novel or enjoying a cozy moment with a hot chocolate and a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
dnf
November 28, 2018My fifth DNF ever since starting my blog - which is over one and a half year ago. I'd say that isn't all that bad but.. it's never fun to put a book on the DNF-shelf, right? Especially since I usually tell myself to read at least 100 pages before deciding to do so. With Oliver and Erica I didn't even make it to that mark. Let's see why!
Do note that the quotes included in this review are taken from an "unfinished copy" and are the quotes that made me DNF this novel in the first place. I do not agree with them in the slightest.
First off, I already had a bit of an issue with the writing. It simply didn't flow the way I'm used to in a contemporary novel. Jumping from the eighties to the nineties and then to 2015, going back and forth all the time, the story felt chopped up. Memories and anecdotes were shared that - I felt - weren't really all that important while I was reading them. I didn't get lost in the story, more often feeling annoyed at the way it was written. And that's not even mentioning how I couldn't figure out what age the characters were at those points in time?
The worst thing for me, though, was when I came across one piece of text where I highlighted three quotes I could not for the life of me ignore. The first one I used as my first quote in this review. Acephobic much?
The second one is right above this paragraph and grossed me out so much. They're supposed to be childhood best friends and then that behavior? Yeah, no. The third one - and for me the final drop - is the one beneath this paragraph. He didn't have that conversation at all - or at least it wasn't mentioned in the book that it actually happened. To me, that pretty much equals lying about someone else's sexuality to mess things up and that's so, so wrong. I honestly felt like throwing my Kindle aside. Sure, he felt ashamed of it - or so he states - but I just.. can't.
I am not going to rate this novel because I barely read 16% but I did want to share my thoughts and, more specifically, the quotes I had such issues with.
Do note that the quotes included in this review are taken from an "unfinished copy" and are the quotes that made me DNF this novel in the first place. I do not agree with them in the slightest.
She was either dating someone or telling me about the asshole she didn't want to date and I believed I had blown it by letting my rekindled relationship with her turn into one of her seeing me as some kind of asexual best friend she could always count on.
First off, I already had a bit of an issue with the writing. It simply didn't flow the way I'm used to in a contemporary novel. Jumping from the eighties to the nineties and then to 2015, going back and forth all the time, the story felt chopped up. Memories and anecdotes were shared that - I felt - weren't really all that important while I was reading them. I didn't get lost in the story, more often feeling annoyed at the way it was written. And that's not even mentioning how I couldn't figure out what age the characters were at those points in time?
Every time she announced to seeing someone I would panic and think of ways to disrupt whatever was going on between her and the new guy by deliberately being the third wheel, suggesting double dating, or even faking ill, calling her up to ask her to come over with aspirin.
The worst thing for me, though, was when I came across one piece of text where I highlighted three quotes I could not for the life of me ignore. The first one I used as my first quote in this review. Acephobic much?
The second one is right above this paragraph and grossed me out so much. They're supposed to be childhood best friends and then that behavior? Yeah, no. The third one - and for me the final drop - is the one beneath this paragraph. He didn't have that conversation at all - or at least it wasn't mentioned in the book that it actually happened. To me, that pretty much equals lying about someone else's sexuality to mess things up and that's so, so wrong. I honestly felt like throwing my Kindle aside. Sure, he felt ashamed of it - or so he states - but I just.. can't.
Without so much as blinking, I told her I had been talking to this girl at the party last night who claimed to be Greg's ex-girlfriend (Greg: guy she had dated for a while now and slept with after the party that night) and that she knew for a fact that Greg was gay. That he didn't dare come out of the closet and wasn't willing to talk about it with anyone else. He was having a rough time coming to terms with his sexuality. I surprised myself for how easy that all came out of my mouth.
I am not going to rate this novel because I barely read 16% but I did want to share my thoughts and, more specifically, the quotes I had such issues with.
February 21, 2022
I'm not sure where to start with this one. I read this as an ARC book. I totally understand that the author is still cleaning the book up, but this was painful. What could have been a great 2nd chance at love book, turned in to trying to keep up with all the jumping around from past to present and trying to make sense. I have read my fair share of books that jump back-and-forth from past to present, but for some reason this book just didn't work for me. I also feel like it didn't flow. Some of the quotes were just ugh! Also, I could not get into the characters. I was really happy to finish this book so I could move on.
August 25, 2018
My issue with this book was Erica. Don't get me wrong Oliver had some issues too. However, Erica was a horrible person. I had hoped that when she got older she wouldn't be such a witch with a b but I was wrong. Plus the fact that she . I thought these two were a little too dysfunctional for each other. Which made it hard for me to root for them.
July 12, 2022
Oliver and Erica is such a great book that highlights all the aspects of being in love with your best friend. I loved how the story follows Oliver and Erica and gives us background to be able to follow along and enjoy. This book had me sad, happy, & all around emotional.
September 10, 2022
OLIVER AND ERICA
BLURB :
Oliver and Erica meet for the first time in a small town when they were little and ever since they were inseparable. They had a unique bond, and they were the best friends anyone could ever have. But as years later they get to know that they've already gone far beyond friendship. This beautiful relationship has grown more intense in these lovely years.
Plans are made, dreams are dreamt, hopes are up and with lots and lots of love and expectations this lovely couple move in together. But unfortunate turn on events shatters all of it. Something that Oliver did screws them and it made Erica hate him so much that she flees to Europe just to get far from him as possible. With hope to get Erica back, Oliver sets out to Europe too.
But Erica made it clear not to pursue her and that she hated her for what he did to her. They both moves on in their life. Erica is married and with two beautiful daughters. So does Oliver.
Will Oliver and Erica ever meet again? Will they be able to get back each other? Or will they cherish those beautiful moments of their past and move on once and for all?
MY THOUGHTS :
This was a quick read. The timeline was little confusing and it was hard to check which happens when.
The part where they both were together was incredible and lovely but when it followed by a series of stupid choices, I found myself swearing at the characters.
They could've talked it out and made it work but nothing works out easily in a novel right!? There was only one part where I cried, spoiler alert (When the baby boy died ). And I took a break from the book for atleast a week.
The part where Erica moves on and gets married was also good. Her husband was nothing but perfect and treated her like a queen. But I hated that even after all those lovely things she ended up making bad choices.
This is a pretty good book and if you like second chance, friends to lovers, this might be for you
BLURB :
Oliver and Erica meet for the first time in a small town when they were little and ever since they were inseparable. They had a unique bond, and they were the best friends anyone could ever have. But as years later they get to know that they've already gone far beyond friendship. This beautiful relationship has grown more intense in these lovely years.
Plans are made, dreams are dreamt, hopes are up and with lots and lots of love and expectations this lovely couple move in together. But unfortunate turn on events shatters all of it. Something that Oliver did screws them and it made Erica hate him so much that she flees to Europe just to get far from him as possible. With hope to get Erica back, Oliver sets out to Europe too.
But Erica made it clear not to pursue her and that she hated her for what he did to her. They both moves on in their life. Erica is married and with two beautiful daughters. So does Oliver.
Will Oliver and Erica ever meet again? Will they be able to get back each other? Or will they cherish those beautiful moments of their past and move on once and for all?
MY THOUGHTS :
This was a quick read. The timeline was little confusing and it was hard to check which happens when.
The part where they both were together was incredible and lovely but when it followed by a series of stupid choices, I found myself swearing at the characters.
They could've talked it out and made it work but nothing works out easily in a novel right!? There was only one part where I cried, spoiler alert (When the baby boy died ). And I took a break from the book for atleast a week.
The part where Erica moves on and gets married was also good. Her husband was nothing but perfect and treated her like a queen. But I hated that even after all those lovely things she ended up making bad choices.
This is a pretty good book and if you like second chance, friends to lovers, this might be for you
March 7, 2020
A/N: has minor spoilers because I can't talk about certain issues without them. 🦄🦄🦄
Oliver and Erica, the dynamic duo, best friends and possibly soulmates.
Fate sends them on different paths of life after one mistake by Oliver tarnishes their relationship causing Erica to leave for Europe.
Years later Erica returns home and reminisces the time she shared with Oliver over the years.
Will this turbulent friendship blossom into love?
🦄🦄🦄
Oliver and Erica is a romance novel by Desiree Span.
This book started out with one of those basic friends to lovers tropes that I loved because it's one of my favourite things to read.
What I'm not a fan are the events that take place to see whether or not they belong together.
I would have understood if it took place during their teenage years or even in their twenties, but it happens later in life and involves cheating which I do not condone.
I don't really like the characters a lot, and it turned from being a friend's to lovers story to a story about two people who are toxic together.
Erica is definitely not my favourite because she seems entitled and does everything to make her life feel secure but has no problem disrupting others lives.
The timeline skips from past to present which wasn't all that bad because it made me want to know more about them.
I wish the ending was different because I really enjoyed reading Oliver and Erica's friendship blossom.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 6/10
Melina L.
Oliver and Erica, the dynamic duo, best friends and possibly soulmates.
Fate sends them on different paths of life after one mistake by Oliver tarnishes their relationship causing Erica to leave for Europe.
Years later Erica returns home and reminisces the time she shared with Oliver over the years.
Will this turbulent friendship blossom into love?
🦄🦄🦄
Oliver and Erica is a romance novel by Desiree Span.
This book started out with one of those basic friends to lovers tropes that I loved because it's one of my favourite things to read.
What I'm not a fan are the events that take place to see whether or not they belong together.
I would have understood if it took place during their teenage years or even in their twenties, but it happens later in life and involves cheating which I do not condone.
I don't really like the characters a lot, and it turned from being a friend's to lovers story to a story about two people who are toxic together.
Erica is definitely not my favourite because she seems entitled and does everything to make her life feel secure but has no problem disrupting others lives.
The timeline skips from past to present which wasn't all that bad because it made me want to know more about them.
I wish the ending was different because I really enjoyed reading Oliver and Erica's friendship blossom.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 6/10
Melina L.
March 24, 2025
🎧𝕆𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔼𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒 𝕓𝕪 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕖 𝕊𝕡𝕒𝕟 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨🎧
𝟜⭐️/𝟝⭐️
✦ ✧ ✦ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✦ ✧ ✦
🎈𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒪𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉𝓈 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒟𝓊𝓉𝒸𝒽 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁 𝐸𝓇𝒾𝒸𝒶 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝒶 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇. 𝐻𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓊𝓃𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓊𝓃𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝒪𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐸𝓇𝒾𝒸𝒶 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝑒𝓅𝒶𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈.
🎈ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇʀɪᴄᴀ, ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ʜᴀᴅ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴛᴜʀɴ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴘᴏꜱɪᴛɪᴠᴇʟʏ. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘꜱ ᴇᴠᴏʟᴠᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ᴀᴅᴀᴍ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ. ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴄɪꜱɪᴏɴꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴅ ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴍɪɴᴅ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ꜰɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ʟᴏʟ. ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪꜰ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴇᴘᴀʀᴀᴛᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ᴄᴀɴᴛ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ ɴᴀɪʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ꜱᴀᴅ ᴅᴇꜱᴘᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴏʀʀɪᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴀʏ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ. ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴏᴋ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴡꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇɴ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ɢᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀʀᴄ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴘʜʏꜱɪᴄᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴘʏ.
✦ ✧ ✦ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✦ ✧ ✦
𝟜⭐️/𝟝⭐️
✦ ✧ ✦ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦ ✦ ✧ ✦
🎈𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒪𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉𝓈 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒟𝓊𝓉𝒸𝒽 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁 𝐸𝓇𝒾𝒸𝒶 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝒶 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅 𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝓇𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇. 𝐻𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓊𝓃𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓊𝓃𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝒪𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐸𝓇𝒾𝒸𝒶 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝑒𝓅𝒶𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈.
🎈ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇʀɪᴄᴀ, ɪ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪᴛ ʜᴀᴅ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴛᴜʀɴ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴘᴏꜱɪᴛɪᴠᴇʟʏ. ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘꜱ ᴇᴠᴏʟᴠᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ᴀᴅᴀᴍ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ. ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴄɪꜱɪᴏɴꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴅ ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴍɪɴᴅ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ꜰɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ʟᴏʟ. ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪꜰ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴇᴘᴀʀᴀᴛᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ᴄᴀɴᴛ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ ɴᴀɪʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ. ɪ ᴡᴀꜱ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ꜱᴀᴅ ᴅᴇꜱᴘᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴏʀʀɪᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ꜱᴏ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ꜱᴀʏ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ. ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴏᴋ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴡꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇɴ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ. ɪ ᴀᴍ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ɢᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀʀᴄ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴘʜʏꜱɪᴄᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴘʏ.
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August 27, 2018
2.5*
Oliver and Erica grew up together and shared a special bond.
They eventually became lovers, and indeed fell in love. Then it all went wrong.
Would they be given a second chance?
It takes years to find the answer to this question.....I felt every one of those years as the plot moved at a snail's pace...so much so that I was tempted to not finish the book.
As the story involved cheating I finished the book somewhat less than impressed.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book via Hidden Gems.
Oliver and Erica grew up together and shared a special bond.
They eventually became lovers, and indeed fell in love. Then it all went wrong.
Would they be given a second chance?
It takes years to find the answer to this question.....I felt every one of those years as the plot moved at a snail's pace...so much so that I was tempted to not finish the book.
As the story involved cheating I finished the book somewhat less than impressed.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book via Hidden Gems.
October 16, 2024
Thank you for the ARC Desiree Span!
Friendship Love Loss
Oliver and Erica are childhood best-friends to lovers.
Ummmm honestly it was a good story but I didn't like the characters that much. Specially Erica! Her only one fault destroyed 2 people's life. I really loved Oliver tough. He was the sweetest. He really suffered badly for Erica. Tough he did something bad while he wasn't in good condition but still.
And Erica didn't even try to understand him, only left.
I'm only giving 4 stars for Ollyy!!
Well it was emotional and for me the ending wasn't a happy ending.
Friendship Love Loss
Oliver and Erica are childhood best-friends to lovers.
Ummmm honestly it was a good story but I didn't like the characters that much. Specially Erica! Her only one fault destroyed 2 people's life. I really loved Oliver tough. He was the sweetest. He really suffered badly for Erica. Tough he did something bad while he wasn't in good condition but still.
And Erica didn't even try to understand him, only left.
I'm only giving 4 stars for Ollyy!!
Well it was emotional and for me the ending wasn't a happy ending.
February 28, 2022
💜 BOOK REVIEW 💜
First, thanks for the ARC 😊
Oliver and Erica grow up together as best friends until they can no longer fight their feelings. They end up going separate ways and start new lives until they meet again years later. This book jumps back and forth from the 80s, 90s to 2000s. Slightly confusing at first. The readers get to grow up with the characters and I enjoyed the dual point of view.
Oliver was such a sweetheart but it broke my heart with how Erica treated him.
- Cheating
-Friends to lovers
-Second chance
KU 🚫
4 🌟
🌶 🌶
First, thanks for the ARC 😊
Oliver and Erica grow up together as best friends until they can no longer fight their feelings. They end up going separate ways and start new lives until they meet again years later. This book jumps back and forth from the 80s, 90s to 2000s. Slightly confusing at first. The readers get to grow up with the characters and I enjoyed the dual point of view.
Oliver was such a sweetheart but it broke my heart with how Erica treated him.
- Cheating
-Friends to lovers
-Second chance
KU 🚫
4 🌟
🌶 🌶
February 21, 2019
I loved it!
It's a well-written romance and I liked the way the author played with the chronological timeline.
The main characters' flaws and virtues made them feel real, and the author has you rooting for them until the end.
Oliver and Erica will remain one of my favorites for a long time to come!
It's a well-written romance and I liked the way the author played with the chronological timeline.
The main characters' flaws and virtues made them feel real, and the author has you rooting for them until the end.
Oliver and Erica will remain one of my favorites for a long time to come!
April 21, 2023
She was his best friend, lover, soulmate, and then he lost her. But soulmates can’t help but eternally search for each other. When young Oliver Blake meets the new Dutch girl in his small town, the free-spirited Erica Johansson, it marks the beginning of a unique friendship and an epic love. As young adults they struggle when they realize their feelings for each other have gone far beyond a beautiful friendship. An emotional roller coaster of a book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
July 18, 2018
More than a simple read
I was not expecting a friend's to lovers story that took years and many wrong turns. There is marriage, kids, regret, cheating, death, and so much drama.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know the ending but wants to take a journey through years to get there. Not for fans who don't like cheating.
I was not expecting a friend's to lovers story that took years and many wrong turns. There is marriage, kids, regret, cheating, death, and so much drama.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know the ending but wants to take a journey through years to get there. Not for fans who don't like cheating.
October 1, 2025
I didnt like the FML at all, so indecisive and selfish. However, Oliver is great! But me looking from an adult point of view: People like Erica exist and it was a tumultous Journey and most of it frustrated me. Some stories have diffcult Journey and man years pass. it cant be all sunshine and its nice to read the other side of green grass.
June 13, 2024
It was very slow for me for almost the first half of the book. I loved the characters but their storyline felt a bit all over to me. The story did have me guessing on what would happen next!
Read
February 4, 2025[nudity, adult situations, premarital sex, sexually explicit, adultery and open relationships, offensive language/ profuse swearing, drug/alcohol/smoking, mature themes, lying, depression]
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