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Not Just Friends
by
Leaving home to go to university is an exciting phase in anyone’s life. One that’s full of new places, new friends, and new experiences. But Lewis is not prepared for the sudden and intense crush he develops on his out-and-proud flatmate, Max—given that Lewis had always assumed he was straight. Max starts dating another guy, and Lewis’s jealousy at seeing them together for
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Paperback, 200 pages
Published
February 24th 2014
by Dreamspinner Press
(first published February 23rd 2014)
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Showing 1-30
College stories are a favourite of mine, English or American I just love stories about young love so I was pretty sure when I read the blurb that this was going to be right up my street, and my intuition wasn't wrong...it was a winner! When Lewis first arrives at his new college in Bristol, he meets three of his new roommates Dean, Rob and Andreas and they spend a few hours after they've moved their stuff in, eating pizza and getting to know each other. They seem like nice enough guys so Lewis i
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4.25 stars
This was a tender first-love, discover-your-sexuality kind of story. It's YA, and the MCs are young (18/19, in their first year at uni), so there's not a lot of steam but layers of sexual tension and sexual discovery.
Max and Lewis are flat mates. Max is a little flamboyant and proudly out of the closet. He puts on a brave front, but he's vulnerable and scared of getting hurt. Lewis assumes he's straight, although he hasn't had much experience sexually. He's shy, a little naive and awk ...more
This was a tender first-love, discover-your-sexuality kind of story. It's YA, and the MCs are young (18/19, in their first year at uni), so there's not a lot of steam but layers of sexual tension and sexual discovery.
Max and Lewis are flat mates. Max is a little flamboyant and proudly out of the closet. He puts on a brave front, but he's vulnerable and scared of getting hurt. Lewis assumes he's straight, although he hasn't had much experience sexually. He's shy, a little naive and awk ...more
***4 Loveable Lewis Stars***
This was a great coming of age and self-discovery story. Told entirely from Lewis' point of view, we watch through his eyes as he deals with going away to college and being away from home for the first time, and discovering that he's gay and his winding path of what that means.
What I loved most was that he was so incredibly endearing and loveable throughout the entire book. You feel every up and down with him, from moments of happiness to anxiety to euphoria to sadne ...more
3.5--Coming Out--Stars!!
Another MM read for the win column. Was it my favorite MM read?? Nah, probably not. But it was still enjoyable.
The story takes place in London so I get confused with all of the lingo. The story is told from Lewis' POV. Lewis is just starting college and moving in to his flat. He has four flat mates one of which is Max.
Lewis has never considered himself to be gay. He dated a girl throughout high school only breaking things off when he left for college. But he never felt ...more
Another MM read for the win column. Was it my favorite MM read?? Nah, probably not. But it was still enjoyable.
The story takes place in London so I get confused with all of the lingo. The story is told from Lewis' POV. Lewis is just starting college and moving in to his flat. He has four flat mates one of which is Max.
Lewis has never considered himself to be gay. He dated a girl throughout high school only breaking things off when he left for college. But he never felt ...more
Well I liked the sound of this one from the blurb on DsP's website so I pre-ordered, and am so glad I did. 5 stars from me for this sweet, fluffy and sexy read from Jay Northcote.
The story is told from the POV of Lewis, who has just arrived at University in Bristol to start his English Lit degree and is meeting up with his flatmates for the first time. Dean, Andreas and Rob more or less arrive at the same time as Lewis and they end up waiting for the 5th flatmate, who turns up 2 hours later th ...more
The story is told from the POV of Lewis, who has just arrived at University in Bristol to start his English Lit degree and is meeting up with his flatmates for the first time. Dean, Andreas and Rob more or less arrive at the same time as Lewis and they end up waiting for the 5th flatmate, who turns up 2 hours later th ...more
This is my first Jay Northcote book, and I loved it! I love her style and the story! I will read more of this author for sure!
I've read this book almost non-stop, and in the end I felt a lightness in me... this book is delightful, lovely and beautiful! Lewis and Max have a sweet relationship... first as best mates and then as boyfriends! Max is gay and he has no problem with that, he is proud and open! Lewis doesn't knew he was gay, he had strange feelings in his past... but when he meets Max, h ...more
I've read this book almost non-stop, and in the end I felt a lightness in me... this book is delightful, lovely and beautiful! Lewis and Max have a sweet relationship... first as best mates and then as boyfriends! Max is gay and he has no problem with that, he is proud and open! Lewis doesn't knew he was gay, he had strange feelings in his past... but when he meets Max, h ...more
I have found a new happy place author to add to my list. This is my second book from Jay Northcote and I am solidly in love with her boys. They are sweet, sexy, adorable and just a bit confused and conflicted enough for me to get lost in them. Twice now her boys have taken me out of a book slump and made me remember why I love to read the boys who love boys.
Lewis is starting his life at University. Moving into his flat and meeting his new roommates provides a complexity of personalities that su ...more
Lewis is starting his life at University. Moving into his flat and meeting his new roommates provides a complexity of personalities that su ...more
Let's start with the cover
The cover is HOTT. straight up. just hottness.
I like me the cover
The story:
It had sexual tension which for me is a + in a book.
It had a virgin. Sigh. I love me virgin books. I should restate that. He was a virgin when it came to men. I love that.
The storyline was cute, a lil angsty, and of course it had a happy ending.
If you are looking for a light read, sweet and sexy you got it right here.
*Cheers*
The cover is HOTT. straight up. just hottness.
I like me the cover
The story:
It had sexual tension which for me is a + in a book.
It had a virgin. Sigh. I love me virgin books. I should restate that. He was a virgin when it came to men. I love that.
The storyline was cute, a lil angsty, and of course it had a happy ending.
If you are looking for a light read, sweet and sexy you got it right here.
*Cheers*
Sweet 3.5 YA "friends to lovers" stars
To friends
Or not to friends
That was the question
The book has just enough of everything to be sweet and a little dirty at the same time.
Nothing overly shocking happens, which makes it a perfect read for when you need some angst-light reading. There is wonderful tension created between Lewis and Max, and a really good story going on around them - quite enjoyable.
I liked that the book is British and all the British slang etc. Definitely had a younger feel to ...more
To friends
Or not to friends
That was the question
The book has just enough of everything to be sweet and a little dirty at the same time.
Nothing overly shocking happens, which makes it a perfect read for when you need some angst-light reading. There is wonderful tension created between Lewis and Max, and a really good story going on around them - quite enjoyable.
I liked that the book is British and all the British slang etc. Definitely had a younger feel to ...more
College is good for all sorts of things. Getting smashed on cheap alcohol. Hooking up with random strangers when smashed on cheap alcohol. Strangling your friends for ‘peer pressuring’ you into that last shot of cheap alcohol the night before a biology midterm that you barely studied for because you were too busy pining for your incredibly hot English prof and planning on how to woo him with your dazzling insight into the homoerotic subtext in Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend…. See, it is good for all
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4.5 stars What a lovely introduction to a new (to me) author! I'll immediately look into some other books by Mrs. Northcote. You know when you're reading a book, and you just have this silly shit eating grin on your face? Yeah, that. Or you're tearing up and rally want to just sob right along with a character but someone else is in the room so you bravely, but just barely, keep it together. That too.
This was so sweet and so funny. Despite my aforementioned repressed tears there wasn't too much a ...more
This was so sweet and so funny. Despite my aforementioned repressed tears there wasn't too much a ...more
I'm re-reading this one as Jay is releasing it with a new cover as he now has the rights back. Will pop a proper review on when I'm done.
Revised up to 4* as I'd forgotten just how sweet this book is! It's very much young adult though, the protagonists are at University (here in the UK that's aged 18 usually) and so everything is focused on learning to be independent of the parentals.
Lewis and Max are delightful though as a pair as they basically fumble their way into falling in love and it alway ...more
Revised up to 4* as I'd forgotten just how sweet this book is! It's very much young adult though, the protagonists are at University (here in the UK that's aged 18 usually) and so everything is focused on learning to be independent of the parentals.
Lewis and Max are delightful though as a pair as they basically fumble their way into falling in love and it alway ...more
Loved it. Jay Northcote has a smoothness to her writing I can only dream of. Lewis's struggles with his sexuality were superbly written, and Max's intervention was just right. The balance in this book between angst and fluff is perfect.
I adored both MC's, especially Max, but more than that, I really enjoyed the setting and the very real sense that I was right there with them, eating pot noodle in a grotty student flat.
5 Stars.
I adored both MC's, especially Max, but more than that, I really enjoyed the setting and the very real sense that I was right there with them, eating pot noodle in a grotty student flat.
5 Stars.
Meh.
I liked the characters, but I've read nearly this exact same story probably 10 times before, except this time it was set in the UK, so I got to hear a lot about having tea, eating beans on toast and fears about "making a tit of ones self."
I liked the characters, but I've read nearly this exact same story probably 10 times before, except this time it was set in the UK, so I got to hear a lot about having tea, eating beans on toast and fears about "making a tit of ones self."
Jay Northcote is going on my fave authors list.
This was so good!
This was so good!
This is a very straightforward story of a British university freshman discovering his sexuality, dealing with his attraction to one of his flat-mates, and coping with all the changes in his life. It's well done, the MCs are appealing, and although the bit of misunderstanding that drives the plot lasts a little long, there is no manufactured angst or melodrama here. It's quite realistic, and the British flavor is nicely done. The authentic feel of freshman student life is a plus.
The author manag ...more
The author manag ...more
*** 3.5 Stars ***
This story's strength lies in it's realism. The characters and sense of place are so strong that it really could have been anyone's first semester at university. Unfortunately, the familiarity also acted as a bit of a double-edged sword; it made the story feel a little one-note emotionally for me. I was waiting for something super sweet or sexy or over the top cute or guilelessly dirty or a tinge of real heartbreak - something just a little bit "more" - but I never quite got the ...more
This story's strength lies in it's realism. The characters and sense of place are so strong that it really could have been anyone's first semester at university. Unfortunately, the familiarity also acted as a bit of a double-edged sword; it made the story feel a little one-note emotionally for me. I was waiting for something super sweet or sexy or over the top cute or guilelessly dirty or a tinge of real heartbreak - something just a little bit "more" - but I never quite got the ...more
Finally finished - it felt as if I was reading this story forever, only just realizing it was only for 2 days. Somehow these Dear Author prompts came between me and this book. Anyway, it was a nice, uneventful story, meandering along from both MCs meeting til becoming a couple. Nice to follow along, nothing spectacular and I think with the right frame of mind I would have enjoyed it even more. If you are looking for a feeling-good, low-angst story, this is it.
3.25 stars
YA is not my normal type of story, but the blurb interested me so I gave it a try. The best way I can describe the story is nice and sweet. Not much conflict and I did like getting to know the characters and their interactions, however there was nothing that really stood out and made me keep reading until I finished.
YA is not my normal type of story, but the blurb interested me so I gave it a try. The best way I can describe the story is nice and sweet. Not much conflict and I did like getting to know the characters and their interactions, however there was nothing that really stood out and made me keep reading until I finished.
Jay Northcote is definitely a new author to look out for! I loved this! I love the story, the setting, the characters - everything just pulled me in and I stayed up until 1am just to finish it (which wasn't such a great idea because I had a ten hour shift the next day and I was pretty much a zombie by the end of it). But I just had to see Lewis and Max finally pull their heads out of their butts and finally be honest about how they felt for each other. I needed it! I loved how well written this
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Not sure if something is wrong with the book itself, or it's me.
I didn't finish it, dnf-ing at 50%, so I can't write a full review and the two sentences below will have to do it.
The reason I bailed out half way into the story is your every day unremarkable routine that the characters are going through. I guess it could be a comfort read for some readers, but routine in my books kills me.
I didn't finish it, dnf-ing at 50%, so I can't write a full review and the two sentences below will have to do it.
The reason I bailed out half way into the story is your every day unremarkable routine that the characters are going through. I guess it could be a comfort read for some readers, but routine in my books kills me.
I really want to give this book 5 stars but after reading it, I feel like there's still something missing in the story line. At the last chapters of the book it felt kinda rushed. But all in all it really is a great and teasing coffee-table-book-read! :)
I need a Lewis (Tomlinson) in my life too.
I need a Lewis (Tomlinson) in my life too.
4 Stars
4 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
This was a sweet little read about flatmates in their first year of Uni. Yes, this book is very English. Which I loved. Between the way the characters speak and the partying and hooking up in this book, it definitely set the scene. This is the first book, for me, by this author but I'll be checking out others. It just had a nice and easy flow to it. Good build and tension between the MCs. Likable secondary characters that support the story. There is ...more
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
This was a sweet little read about flatmates in their first year of Uni. Yes, this book is very English. Which I loved. Between the way the characters speak and the partying and hooking up in this book, it definitely set the scene. This is the first book, for me, by this author but I'll be checking out others. It just had a nice and easy flow to it. Good build and tension between the MCs. Likable secondary characters that support the story. There is ...more
This was a really sweet coming out/coming of age story with good sexual tension, humor and the right amount of angst.
The men are starting university and among the five roommates are out and proud Max and Lewis, who just broke up with his girlfriend before starting school. It immediately becomes apparent that Lewis has a crush on Max, and thinking back over the last few years, perhaps this isn't the first boy crush he's had. While Lewis and Max become fast friends, Lewis becomes increasingly awa ...more
The men are starting university and among the five roommates are out and proud Max and Lewis, who just broke up with his girlfriend before starting school. It immediately becomes apparent that Lewis has a crush on Max, and thinking back over the last few years, perhaps this isn't the first boy crush he's had. While Lewis and Max become fast friends, Lewis becomes increasingly awa ...more
Aww this was sweet! Having moved to England for uni recently, I could totally relate to the whole flatmate/college situation, and I have to say it was depicted in an extremely realistic way. I enjoyed reading about the flatmates' interactions and different personalities, and of course, about Lewis and Max. They took a while to get on the same page, or realise that they were already on the same page I should say, but they got there eventually, and the ride was worth it. I got impatient for a litt
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This was a very sedate story about a college boy coming to terms with his sexuality and his school life. This will not rock anybody's boat, nor will it bring out any strong emotions. It is pretty straightforward and non-dramatic. That's probably why I was just hoping for the characters to get on with their nonsense and move on already after a certain misunderstanding (must there always be a misunderstanding?) that was way too long in my opinion.
This reading was the equivalent of taking a slow st ...more
This reading was the equivalent of taking a slow st ...more
Mar 03, 2014
Heather K (dentist in my spare time)
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
bought-but-haven-t-read-yet,
free
@dreamspinners: Not Just Friends by @Jay_Northcote is FREE for one hour ONLY until 4pm est in today's #tweetaway. http://t.co/Q0LLduozxx #NewAdult #Romance #MM
Beautiful!!
But I wish it had more happy moments ~
3,5 *
But I wish it had more happy moments ~
3,5 *
This book has overtaken my life for the last few days, and I don’t have the words to praise it enough!
I’m familiar with the author’s previous work, so I was expecting a sexy, fast-paced and soul-cheering read, but this book has exceeded all my expectations.
Lewis is a freshman starting his literature studies in Bristol. He shares a flat with three other students, and among piles of dirty dishes, instant noodles, and loads of booze he tries to find his own place in the new, adult world. He also ...more
I’m familiar with the author’s previous work, so I was expecting a sexy, fast-paced and soul-cheering read, but this book has exceeded all my expectations.
Lewis is a freshman starting his literature studies in Bristol. He shares a flat with three other students, and among piles of dirty dishes, instant noodles, and loads of booze he tries to find his own place in the new, adult world. He also ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Million More Pages: Not Just Friends: May 5 | 17 | 21 | May 10, 2015 04:28PM | |
| The Backlot Gay B...: Not Just Friends by Jay Northcote | 1 | 12 | Nov 10, 2014 03:52AM | |
| Dreamspinner Press: Not Just Friends by Jay Northcote | 1 | 10 | Feb 24, 2014 07:39PM |
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I don't hang out on Goodreads much, so if you'd like to connect with me then Twitter, Facebook or an email is usually best :) All my contact details are on my website.
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website c ...more
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website c ...more
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