ilana’s review of Just Friends > Likes and Comments
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how did u end up getting a copy??
It’s on edelweiss for booksellers but if you make an account you can request a copy!
I just watched your TikTok about this, so I have no doubt it won’t be very good🥲
I'm still currently working on my book series anyone know where i can find beta readers?
I should’ve just watched your tiktok and kept curious because I just wasted an entire evening 😭
Girl I am 5% in and already agree. I am upset by how bad this book is.
Are we also forgetting that it's a debut novel? She will get better eventually and if not then that's NOT her fault.
the book ain't even published yet where are you getting copies
Goodreads isn't letting me reply properly but @Beth Austad ARCs for it are on NetGalley. They've requested it from the publisher.
@imvsrr1 it’s a novel. obviously it won’t be perfect if it’s the debut but novels are for you to READ!!
Was the quotes around author really necessary..? Everybody's gotta start somewhere, It's a début novel so yes, that makes her an author. After seeing a video about that petty tik tok, it really makes the whole review go from "I really didn't enjoy that book" to "I really don't like Haley Pham, so I'm gonna read her book and rip her to shreds in my review about it."
@Elizabeth I couldn’t find it on NetGalley
Everyone in this comment section must not know that even debute novels are suppose to be good, so many amazing first time authors have better writing and plot style but don’t get recognition on their work because they don’t have clout or a following
um how have you read it id it is not out yet
Remember Donna tartts debut novel was the secret history. Debut novels are meant to be good, not amazing but not terrible. When you write debut novels it’s often you’re done with your education, therefore the knowledge you’ve learned is supposed to show on the writing. Arguments that it’s her debut novel ja stupid. It’s not an excuse
She had to start somewhere she get better over time you don't have to be so harsh geez
And I agree that you did not have to put quotes around author, anyone who writes a book is an author
I saw you on tiktok a few seconds ago ehehe
What Kasim said.. have you even read this? Or are you just another jealous young girl hating on a young, successful and beautiful woman?
@omggbooklover for a book lover how do you not know arcs exist
um.. its not even out and your already hating as if you alr read it. which COULD be possible but i doubt it since haley only let a sparse amount of people read it.
I got an arc from NetGalley. I enjoyed the book and gave it 3.5.
guys there's this thing called arc which some readers get which basically means they get it early
Bit harsh for her FIRST book, plus it’s a dream for her to become an author. Let’s support her.
Brandon Sanderson talks about this in "Your Job as a Writer" (on youtube)
it's fine to think that, but let's not personally attack the author based on things that don't even have to do with the book.
Heyyyyy so get if you don’t like the book, but maybe you could be a bit more genial reviewing it? It’s Haley’s first book, and it’s her dream to be an author. I know and understand that a book may not be for everyone, but please try to be a bit kinder when reviewing
can y'all not say that it's okay to let an author publish a mediocre book because it's their 'debut'? debut does not = trash. the hunger games, the poppy war, legendborn etc were all debut novels. and while i'm sure it's haley's dream to be an author, it doesn't mean reviewers who SHE sent arcs of her book to aren't allowed to be critical of it, and of course people would be disappointed if she got a huge book deal for clunky and clearly mediocre writing like “I have to yield to a conglomerate of pedestrians.”
can you guys stop defending this book based on the fact that haley worked hard and really wants to be an author and this is her debut? the only thing that deserves a good review is a good BOOK. just because it's a debut doesn't mean it has to be bad. and the fact that it's her dream doesn't mean anything. there are thousands if not millions of people who want to be authors. just wanting to be an author doesn't mean everyone should treat you with kiddie gloves. you guys do know that she's an adult woman traditionally publishing a book that she chose to write and not like, a 5 year old who's been forced up on stage to perform? she's got a book deal with atria. she's not a helpless little baby. of course people are going to expect polished writing from a big 5 publisher.
most people are meant to be readers, but only a few are meant to be authors
I saw the video of your review on someone else’s channel. It looks like you only read the book to criticize it chapter by chapter. That was your mission. It’s obvious you deeply dislike Haley and found the opportunity to let the world know. It didn’t look like it had anything to do with the book. You admit in your video that you’re been harsh and then proceed to say why, you’re mad Haley got a publishing deal for been famous 🤷🏻♀️ You sound jealous and hateful and went out of your way to make the video. It’s ok not to like a book and rate it 1 star, but the way you went about it in your video, tells me it’s a personal dislike for the author rather than the book.
To those saying to stop being so critical on her first book….how is that going to better her as an author if she gets no real criticism. All you little fans think you’re doing her good when you’re actually not. Every first time author starts somewhere. If someone thinks the book isn’t good then that’s the readers opinion. I haven’t read the book, but I can say the book cover looks generic, and doesn’t stand out from any other contemporary romance book. It seems like she wanted to put something out just like her favorite author Emily Henry and not something unique, different, or something that represents herself. But what do I know 🙄
How did you read it? The book isn’t out yet??
It’s literally her debut 💀
Lauren do you not know what an arc is? These are the people telling us to not engage in literary criticism btw
Thank you for an honest review!! I will not be wasting time on this book
people not even knowing the concepts of arcs and yet are telling book reviewers to be nicer because they love the author . lol what a joke
I Don't get the comments. Hey, a bad book is a bad book despite if you like the author or not. Because of you lot defending blindly this woman, I really don't want to read this book...
No one owes it to an author to be 'nice'. You should have a good, publishable book if you want to debut I feel like in this case being a youtuber and having a huge fan following gave them a free pass- which not entirely their mistake- I feel like their agent is just as responsible. All this comes around to a writing advice video I saw "Never publish your first ever book" I feel like it should be mandatory for authors to write some ffs before getting published because that's how you learn!!
I think this review was harsh, I mean Haley is a real person with real feelings. There's no need to be so rude. I understand you didnt enjoy this book but thats no reason to take it out on the author, like I also saw your video and theres no need to bring in her video and judge her for liking different words. I love Haley, and im immediately going to read her book no matter what some review says. Also I think its important to keep in mind that this is her very first book, like she put so much work into this book. So please just be nicer.
its not Even out yet so like how would you even know
Honestly I feel like you just read the book to criticize it. I saw your video, you really criticized her for using a thesaurus?? I’m not saying you don’t have a right to your opinion I just feel like this review and your video was very harsh. Also, if your main genre isn’t romance, don’t read a book with that genre and then go and hate on it. I see some people saying they won’t be giving this book a chance because of YOUR review, when I know for a fact this review was full of criticism even if you really didn’t like it, it’s just too much.
First of all it’s not even out yet, so I don’t know how you read it but ok your review was really rude, if you want to not come off as a extreamly rude person maybe for the next time you read a blurb of a book and you know you don t like the type of book why would you waste your time with this book in the first place and who care if she used a thesaurus shes trying to make her book the best it could be and why do you care if she’s a “Emily Henry wannabe” if you have watched Haley’s videos you would know she loves Emily Henry and she probably used Emily Henry as a big inspiration to her book, it’s also her debut book so before you go judging other people books you need to take a good look at yourself.
There are a lot of commentators on here who have never heard of an advanced reader copy and it shows. 🥴 Also, to the person that said you shouldn’t write a negative 1⭐️ review because Haley Pham is a real person…. Opposed to….? So are other authors not real people? Have you never left a negative review for a book you didn’t like? Have you never left a 1⭐️ rating before?
Athena, you’re so right the review was harsh but you are allowed to say your opinion and give a book a 1 star review of course but the review did come of extreamly rude and she could have worded it a bit less rude and honestly kind of insulting towards the author and her writing of course a review doesn’t have to be so nice if you don’t like it but just honestly she really could have worded it differently
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janessa
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Aug 12, 2025 03:53PM
how did u end up getting a copy??
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It’s on edelweiss for booksellers but if you make an account you can request a copy!
I just watched your TikTok about this, so I have no doubt it won’t be very good🥲
I'm still currently working on my book series anyone know where i can find beta readers?
I should’ve just watched your tiktok and kept curious because I just wasted an entire evening 😭
Girl I am 5% in and already agree. I am upset by how bad this book is.
Are we also forgetting that it's a debut novel? She will get better eventually and if not then that's NOT her fault.
the book ain't even published yet where are you getting copies
Goodreads isn't letting me reply properly but @Beth Austad ARCs for it are on NetGalley. They've requested it from the publisher.
@imvsrr1 it’s a novel. obviously it won’t be perfect if it’s the debut but novels are for you to READ!!
Was the quotes around author really necessary..? Everybody's gotta start somewhere, It's a début novel so yes, that makes her an author. After seeing a video about that petty tik tok, it really makes the whole review go from "I really didn't enjoy that book" to "I really don't like Haley Pham, so I'm gonna read her book and rip her to shreds in my review about it."
@Elizabeth I couldn’t find it on NetGalley
Everyone in this comment section must not know that even debute novels are suppose to be good, so many amazing first time authors have better writing and plot style but don’t get recognition on their work because they don’t have clout or a following
um how have you read it id it is not out yet
Remember Donna tartts debut novel was the secret history. Debut novels are meant to be good, not amazing but not terrible. When you write debut novels it’s often you’re done with your education, therefore the knowledge you’ve learned is supposed to show on the writing. Arguments that it’s her debut novel ja stupid. It’s not an excuse
She had to start somewhere she get better over time you don't have to be so harsh geez
And I agree that you did not have to put quotes around author, anyone who writes a book is an author
I saw you on tiktok a few seconds ago ehehe
What Kasim said.. have you even read this? Or are you just another jealous young girl hating on a young, successful and beautiful woman?
@omggbooklover for a book lover how do you not know arcs exist
um.. its not even out and your already hating as if you alr read it. which COULD be possible but i doubt it since haley only let a sparse amount of people read it.
I got an arc from NetGalley. I enjoyed the book and gave it 3.5.
guys there's this thing called arc which some readers get which basically means they get it early
Bit harsh for her FIRST book, plus it’s a dream for her to become an author. Let’s support her.
Brandon Sanderson talks about this in "Your Job as a Writer" (on youtube)
it's fine to think that, but let's not personally attack the author based on things that don't even have to do with the book.
Heyyyyy so get if you don’t like the book, but maybe you could be a bit more genial reviewing it? It’s Haley’s first book, and it’s her dream to be an author. I know and understand that a book may not be for everyone, but please try to be a bit kinder when reviewing
can y'all not say that it's okay to let an author publish a mediocre book because it's their 'debut'? debut does not = trash. the hunger games, the poppy war, legendborn etc were all debut novels. and while i'm sure it's haley's dream to be an author, it doesn't mean reviewers who SHE sent arcs of her book to aren't allowed to be critical of it, and of course people would be disappointed if she got a huge book deal for clunky and clearly mediocre writing like “I have to yield to a conglomerate of pedestrians.”
can you guys stop defending this book based on the fact that haley worked hard and really wants to be an author and this is her debut? the only thing that deserves a good review is a good BOOK. just because it's a debut doesn't mean it has to be bad. and the fact that it's her dream doesn't mean anything. there are thousands if not millions of people who want to be authors. just wanting to be an author doesn't mean everyone should treat you with kiddie gloves. you guys do know that she's an adult woman traditionally publishing a book that she chose to write and not like, a 5 year old who's been forced up on stage to perform? she's got a book deal with atria. she's not a helpless little baby. of course people are going to expect polished writing from a big 5 publisher.
most people are meant to be readers, but only a few are meant to be authors
I saw the video of your review on someone else’s channel. It looks like you only read the book to criticize it chapter by chapter. That was your mission. It’s obvious you deeply dislike Haley and found the opportunity to let the world know. It didn’t look like it had anything to do with the book. You admit in your video that you’re been harsh and then proceed to say why, you’re mad Haley got a publishing deal for been famous 🤷🏻♀️ You sound jealous and hateful and went out of your way to make the video. It’s ok not to like a book and rate it 1 star, but the way you went about it in your video, tells me it’s a personal dislike for the author rather than the book.
To those saying to stop being so critical on her first book….how is that going to better her as an author if she gets no real criticism. All you little fans think you’re doing her good when you’re actually not. Every first time author starts somewhere. If someone thinks the book isn’t good then that’s the readers opinion. I haven’t read the book, but I can say the book cover looks generic, and doesn’t stand out from any other contemporary romance book. It seems like she wanted to put something out just like her favorite author Emily Henry and not something unique, different, or something that represents herself. But what do I know 🙄
How did you read it? The book isn’t out yet??
It’s literally her debut 💀
Lauren do you not know what an arc is? These are the people telling us to not engage in literary criticism btw
Thank you for an honest review!! I will not be wasting time on this book
people not even knowing the concepts of arcs and yet are telling book reviewers to be nicer because they love the author . lol what a joke
I Don't get the comments. Hey, a bad book is a bad book despite if you like the author or not. Because of you lot defending blindly this woman, I really don't want to read this book...
No one owes it to an author to be 'nice'. You should have a good, publishable book if you want to debut I feel like in this case being a youtuber and having a huge fan following gave them a free pass- which not entirely their mistake- I feel like their agent is just as responsible. All this comes around to a writing advice video I saw "Never publish your first ever book" I feel like it should be mandatory for authors to write some ffs before getting published because that's how you learn!!
I think this review was harsh, I mean Haley is a real person with real feelings. There's no need to be so rude. I understand you didnt enjoy this book but thats no reason to take it out on the author, like I also saw your video and theres no need to bring in her video and judge her for liking different words. I love Haley, and im immediately going to read her book no matter what some review says. Also I think its important to keep in mind that this is her very first book, like she put so much work into this book. So please just be nicer.
its not Even out yet so like how would you even know
message 46:
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⋆˚࿔ 𝓛𝓲𝔃𝔃𝓲𝓮 ˚⋆
(last edited Oct 24, 2025 05:15PM)
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Honestly I feel like you just read the book to criticize it. I saw your video, you really criticized her for using a thesaurus?? I’m not saying you don’t have a right to your opinion I just feel like this review and your video was very harsh. Also, if your main genre isn’t romance, don’t read a book with that genre and then go and hate on it. I see some people saying they won’t be giving this book a chance because of YOUR review, when I know for a fact this review was full of criticism even if you really didn’t like it, it’s just too much.
First of all it’s not even out yet, so I don’t know how you read it but ok your review was really rude, if you want to not come off as a extreamly rude person maybe for the next time you read a blurb of a book and you know you don t like the type of book why would you waste your time with this book in the first place and who care if she used a thesaurus shes trying to make her book the best it could be and why do you care if she’s a “Emily Henry wannabe” if you have watched Haley’s videos you would know she loves Emily Henry and she probably used Emily Henry as a big inspiration to her book, it’s also her debut book so before you go judging other people books you need to take a good look at yourself.
There are a lot of commentators on here who have never heard of an advanced reader copy and it shows. 🥴 Also, to the person that said you shouldn’t write a negative 1⭐️ review because Haley Pham is a real person…. Opposed to….? So are other authors not real people? Have you never left a negative review for a book you didn’t like? Have you never left a 1⭐️ rating before?
Athena, you’re so right the review was harsh but you are allowed to say your opinion and give a book a 1 star review of course but the review did come of extreamly rude and she could have worded it a bit less rude and honestly kind of insulting towards the author and her writing of course a review doesn’t have to be so nice if you don’t like it but just honestly she really could have worded it differently
