The Friend Zone

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** Sometimes you come across a book that seems to embody everything you could want - it had best friends, friends to lovers, humor, heartbreak and it brought me to tears more than once. This highly anticipated debut novel from Abby Jimenez was as good as I had been hearing that it was. Kristen is a twenty-four year old woman who has started her own business, is enduring a two-year long distance relationship with her boyfriend who is in the military and she's helping to plan her best friend's upcoming wedding. She's feisty, strong, funny and is unfortunately facing a life changing surgery that will make her unable to bear children. Josh has just moved to town after breaking off a long-term relationship with his girlfriend. He's a firefighter and is thrilled to be working with his best friend at the firehouse even though the job isn't the most fun one he's ever had. Josh is smart, funny, kind, handsome and who doesn't want that in a guy? Kristen and Josh unknowingly meet one another in a fender bender before being properly introduced by their best friends where they realize that they are the maid of honor and best man in the upcoming wedding and will be spending a lot of time together. When Kristen talks about needing a carpenter to build the doggy stairs for her business, Josh's carpentry skills quickly become an asset to her meaning they end up spending quite a bit of time together. The chemistry between Kristen and Josh is evident from the outset. Josh knows he can't act on it since Kristen has a boyfriend, but Kristen in turn knows she's in trouble because of how drawn to Josh she is. Can these two manage to keep things in the friend zone? There was so much emotion in this book, both happy and sad. It was about friendships, forgiveness, not taking things for granted and also how not everything is black and white. I laughed, I cried, and I felt deeply. The realness in this book really got to me as well. Infertility is such an issue in our world today and I felt like Jimenez portrayed it in such a realistic way and brought attention to it, giving some a look at it that they may not have otherwise had. I highly recommend picking up this wonderful read!

I cannot tell you how much fun I had reading this one! I had a quiet afternoon in a waiting room and sat in the corner and grabbed an extra chair to put my feet up, and power read this from beginning to end and wanted more. I found myself laughing out loud and apologizing over my shoulder to the others around me but who cares! I was deep in a GREAT BOOK with Super-duper characters! Kristen will do anything for her friends and she is planning her best friend's wedding when she meets the best man, Josh. He is almost more than she can handle at this point in her life with what she is anticipating but his form of sexy/fun may be just what she needs. Will they or won't they figure out they belong together before they implode. This one is a MUST READ! I highly recommend!!!! **Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley(thank you for granting my wish)**

5 stars isn’t enough for this laugh out loud, beautifully honest, and sometimes heartbreaking novel. This book consumed me in the best way possible right from the start and I’m confident it will be one of my favorite reads ever. The Friend Zone was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019 and it was more captivating and moving than I ever could have imagined. It’s hard to believe that this is Abby Jimenez’s debut novel! I absolutely loved Josh and Kristen! They were both such perfectly imperfect people. Their struggles (individually and together) were so relatable and honest. They had the best witty banter and their playful barbs were so much fun. I loved how they each gave as good as they got. Things start off on the wrong foot for them, but as they spend more time together, that spark they felt ignites and they recognize that their attraction is more than just physical. They truly see the other and that feeling of being known is so powerful. The build up between these two was delicious and their chemistry was off the charts. I felt all the longing and every stolen moment between them. It was all worth the wait though because when things come to a head, they aren’t just hot, they’re nuclear! Without a doubt, Josh is a shoo-in for my book boyfriend hall of fame. He was everything I love in a hero - loving, considerate, loyal, understanding, funny, protective, intelligent, and an all around good guy. His thoughtfulness and unwavering patience only made him more endearing. Kristen was a fantastically complex heroine. I loved her blunt honesty and take no prisoners sarcasm, even though she mainly used it as armor to protect herself. She was fiercely loyal and cared so deeply and wholly for those that she loved. Her friendship with Sloan was unparalleled and I loved how they complemented each other so well. Yes, Kristen did frustrate me at times with the push and pull with Josh, but given her history and mindset, it made so much sense. One of the things I appreciated most about this book, is that the story was as much a love story between Kristen and Josh, as it was between Kristen and herself. The author’s sense of humor really shines and there are some truly hilarious moments and dialogue that had me cackling like a mad woman. (I’m looking at you Shawn! LOL ) The humor balanced the poignant and heartwrenching scenes so well and readers will definitely want to have some tissues handy for the last quarter or so of the book. Through the tears though, there is also a wonderful message of hope and unwavering love. I don’t think I will ever be able to adequately express how much I loved this book. It resonated and touched me in a way that few books have. It was like the author opened my chest and held my heart in her hands. I felt every emotion while reading this one. Jimenez tackled infertility in such a compassionate and truthful way. It was gut wrenching and painful, but to those that have had their lives touched in this way or are a part of this club that no one ever wants membership to, it’s also unflinchingly honest. Kristen’s feelings of worthlessness and not being good enough will sadly hit home for many, but that’s what makes this book so compelling. I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end as well since it gives greater insight into the story and characters. The epilogue brought everything together so wonderfully and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book, which features one of the beloved secondary characters who is sorely in need of their own happily ever after. Truly an incredible book and one that will stay with me. *I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*