ARC Review: The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

Shelly's Book Corner received a review copy from NetGalley and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.

Kristen Peterson doesn't do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don't get her. She's also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.

Planning her best friend's wedding is bittersweet for Kristen -- especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He's funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he'd be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it's harder and harder to keep him at arm's length.

The Friend Zone will have you laughing one moment and grabbing for tissues the next as it tackles the realities of infertility and loss with wit, heart, and a lot of sass.

Review

This book has been one of my anticipated reads for the month and it didn’t disappoint! After reading the first chapter I was hooked. I loved Josh and Kristen so much. Their connection was instantaneous, their chemistry was off the charts and loved their banter in this book.

This story touches on infertility and the struggles some face. Kristen reminded me of my grandmother and mother who both suffered with the same issues as she did. I loved the way it was handled. My heart really aches for Kristen in this story because she feels she isn’t good enough because she can’t have kids and that she’s damaged goods. I loved when she finally let her guard down and let Josh love her fully imperfections and all.

Josh has been added to my book boyfriend list which I don’t take lightly. I loved how he didn’t shy away from the unpleasantness and was there for it all. Josh loved Kristen and never gave up even when it hurt and he was just perfection in this story.

As a long time reader of romance novels, this genre can get stale and Jimenez delivered such a refreshing and realistic read. This book had me all in my feels. I would laugh, smile, shake my head in frustration at the characters and then I was crying as I read. It’s been a long time since I’ve cried while reading a book.

I was in such a book slump and this book knocked it right out! Now I’m in a book hangover. I’ve been seeing a lot of good things about this book and its definitely worth the hype. Make sure to pick up a copy on release day. Jimenez knocked it out of the park with a well written, raw, realistic,heartwarming, debut novel.