More Than Just Friends

Aston Falls #2

by Sara Jane Woodley

Nobody knows why I returned to my small, gossipy hometown of Aston Falls after graduating med school. Not even Ella.

She thinks that I’m a serial dater. A “never forever” kind of guy.

That I always saw her as my best friend, nothing more.

If only she knew.

After Ella temporarily moves into my spare bedroom, familiar feelings come rushing back. And when she proposes a fake relationship to appease her overly intrusive family, I can’t say no.

I’d do anything for Ella… even forever.

But, can we ever really be more than just friends?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com, Clean Romance

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2021

About the author

Sara Jane Woodley is a Sweet Romance author who is obsessed with Happily Ever Afters!

Inspired by the mountains, Sara Jane writes love stories set in the beautiful nature she hikes, bikes and skis in. Her clean romance books always feature sassy, strong female heroines and fun-filled, playful relationships.

Reviews

[Nainika Gupta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't as capturing as the first one, I didn't think. The characters were great, however, there wasn't anything new or exciting about their relationship that I literally didn't already get from the first one.

[Kathy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession. I have been in a reading funk lately. Every book I picked up just couldn't hold my attention. The struggle was real y'all! As I was going through all my books again for the umpteenth time, Ella and Austin started screaming at me and demanding that I read their book. Apparently they were done waiting for me to dive into their love story. Who says characters only speak to their creators? 😉

From the moment I started reading their love story, I was immersed into all things Ella and Austin. These two are the best of friends and have been since they were kids. They didn't do anything without the other by their side. When one of them needed lifting up, the other was the first one there. They were inseparable. Everyone around them could see how perfect they were for each other.

And you would think they would be able to see it too, right? Wrong. Y'all. These two are stubborn and refuse to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Never have two people been more perfect for each other. But fear and insecurities held them back.

I did love watching their relationship grow from best of friends to something more. I will admit that I was extremely frustrated with Ella and wanted to Gibbs slap her a few times. But in the end, she realized what she wanted, needed, and deserved, and set about getting her HEA with her best friend and love of her life.

I am seriously loving this series! It really makes me want to live in a small town. Not only do I love seeing old friends and catching up with them, but I also love meeting new ones. I cannot WAIT for JJ and Christian's story. Y'all. I see a lot of sass in the very near future! 😉😂

I just have to say that Ms. Woodley is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. She's been able to give me that much needed break from reality that we all so desperately need at times. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting, I saw these two pretty early on and think they're pretty perfect. What do you think?

[Alloverthebooks ✎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Than Friends . . .

Ella Williams and Austin Bell have been friends since childhood. But in that crazy situation where two people have crushes on each other, they remain silent so that neither rocks the “friendship boat”. As if a lifetime friendship might possibly be obliterated because they like each other a little bit more than friends. Anyway, they remained silent about it.

So when both of them have returned to their hometown, Ella temporarily moves into Austin’s spare bedroom. Getting pressure from the family about finding someone special in her life, she asks Austin to enter into a fake relationship with her so the family will back off. He is so supportive and brags to her mom about how wonderful Ella’s writing is, mentioning details of some of the articles she has written. She has never had anyone do that for her. She is always self-critical, but she saw he was really proud of her! He had always known exactly what she needed to hear. When he touched her back lightly as they walked over to get a drink, she almost melted. And as people looked at them together, she was so happy to be with him and imagined what it would be like if this relationship actually was real. How long would it take them both to realize it had been real the entire time?

Trying to protect a friendship as you become ready for the next phase of a relationship doesn’t mean you give up all that you have shared together over the years. Friendship actually enhances falling in love because you know each other so very well and caring for each other is natural after a lifetime of practice. Just keep those lines of communication open and that HEA will be perfect.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story 😍

Amazing! Swoony! Its so funny it definitely leans more RomCom to me. Dual POV. Fake dating. Childhood Friends to Lovers 🥰 Big romantic gesture.
Ella and Austin are 🤌🏻
Such a great story and series! I love all these characters so much! They're so sweet and cozy. They're like a big hug. Total comfort reads. Highly recommend anything by Sara Jane!

💕 RCRS: 2-3 (brief/heavier kissing)

🗨 Some Quotes:
If no one was around to see you eat sketchy suitcase popcorn, did it really happen?

“You’re kidding, right?” I finally managed to croak.
At this, the smile fell right off Austin’s face. His gaze met mine and his eyes sparkled with the reflection of the stars.
His expression made my heart stop.
“I’m not joking, Els. It was always you.”

Ella and I were no longer just friends. This kiss sealed our fates.

[Arceli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance novel is extremely angsty. I loved the tension between the hero and the heroine. The romance was sweet and awesome. Loved this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Made Me Blush Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had me hooked from the beginning! I love childhood friends to lovers stories. Ella and Austin grew up together in the small mountain town of Aston Falls. While they both moved away for college they stayed the best of friends. Phone calls everyday and visits whenever possible kind of best friends.

Then one not so great breakup with a not so great guy plus Ella's little sister's wedding and a boatload of meddling relatives constantly trying to set her up with any random single guy in town leads to Ella and Austin to a fake dating situation that changed everything.

These two are so meant to be and their deep denial only makes it that much sweeter when they figure things out. Their attraction to each other is so strong and their chemistry is just intense enough to keep things smouldering between them. This is another amazingly fun read from Sara and a great addition to the Aston Falls series!

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Ella and Austin
- I'm already excited for the next book!
- Ella's fun- I like klutzy characters
- Austin is swoony
- ya know what I've learned from romance novels- leagues are stupid. Just saying. No one know what league they're in.
- I'm not good at picturing book characters but what I am picturing for Austin. 👌
- I love how in their own head they are
- okay, the scene after the rehearsal dinner. Be still my beating heart! 😍
- adorable
- the theater
- I love how well they know each other. It's beautiful.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than just friends - Sara Jane Woodley
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

It's been so long since I read a good friend's to lovers and this was a wonderful book.

Things I loved:

- The movie scene with the home videos was swoon worthy and original.

- Ella sharing her journal was so emotional and adorable!

- The friendship between Grace,Ella and JJ was so supportive and sweet.

- And the bond between Christian and Austin and Christian alone as a character was interesting and I can't wait for JJ and Christians book....hopefully.

Things I didn't love much

- The miscommunication even though I know it played a role in the story,felt too repeated. It was the commonly used one in many stories but I did like the way it all flowed through.

- The comparisons (like she looked like a owl...something along those lines) felt original but a tad bit wierd. But slowly I it grew on me.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The craziest part? Sometimes it seemed like she wanted the same thing. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and I was sure she felt it, too. But, feeling something and crossing the line were two entirely different things.”

More Than Just Friends is a sweet, small-town romance about denial, taking chances, and the blurring line between a decades-long friendship and a start to a beautiful love story.
When Ella visits her small hometown for her little sister’s wedding, she is put under pressure to be in a relationship of her own. But after things didn’t go well with her real date, she turns to the next best thing, a fake one. And the only one perfect to play the role is her young, successful, and swoony best friend, Austin Bell.

Ella is the klutzy bookworm who moved to the city to try to make it big as a journalist. Her main problem, she hates confrontation and is constantly self-critical. Austin, the doctor with a heart of gold, is typically labeled as the town’s most eligible bachelor, but Ella only knows him as the boy she grew up with. His main problem: he is known as the ‘never forever’ guy and doesn’t make exceptions.


Thoughts..

This is an innocent and feel-good romance that’s perfect if you’re looking for a quick and binge-able read. The plot was fast-paced, the story was mainly dramaless, and their love was adorable, so it constantly left me with good doses of serotonin. You can definitely imagine this as a rom-com movie from Netflix with the kind of chemistry where you know they’re destined to be together from the start. It immediately got me hooked from the beginning, and there were no boring scenes, so it was hard to say “one last chapter” without finishing five. The plot mainly revolved around them realizing their feelings, and their friends helping them realize it sooner.

Some of the scenarios were kind of predictable and cliche, but it never got uninteresting. (One of which was the line, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”) I also hoped more of the minor and supporting characters (like Sophie, Stevo, and Ella’s brothers) would have had more appearances. Besides that, the main thing that peeved me the most was the fact that the major problems they had stemmed from the lack of communication. Although it began to feel frustrating, I could somehow understand if I put myself in their shoes.

Overall, the whole story was just charming. I love the innocence of their relationship and the kind of strong and steadfast connection that’s full of surprise visits, daily phone calls, and rituals. You already know how close they are and how they have always regarded each other from the start. Although their constant denial and hesitation make it frustrating, it makes it all the more satisfying when everything is finally revealed.

This is the second book in the Aston Falls series, while the first book, More Than Second Chances, revolves around Austin’s twin sister and his best friend. Although this is my first book by Sara Jane Woodley, this reads as a stand-alone so you don’t have to read the previous book to enjoy this one on its own. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel and what she has in store for us. Sara Jane Woodley’s books are a definite go-to if you’re looking for a light and fun read that will have you immediately rooting for her characters and swooning for their stories.


Conclusion..

Less than rarely do I read romantic contemporaries, with my reading mood constantly craving for fantasy novels. But this sweet story is an exception. This book is perfect for people like me: those who don’t know where to begin but are interested in dipping their toes into the genre.

More Than Just Friends made me yearn for Ella and Austin’s connection: To have someone who you have known your whole life, and who knows you better than you think you know yourself. Anyone would be extremely lucky to have their relationship, but all good things come not without the insecurities and niggling doubt it has with starting it. I adored their friendship and blossoming romance, but it does make me wonder: How many rules are you willing to break for someone? And, is taking a chance on a once-in-a-lifetime love worth risking a friendship like no other?

A million thanks to Sara Jane Woodley for sending me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite of the whole series.

I have no idea where Ella got her loss self-esteem. She was beautiful and guys were hitting on her left & right. I knew there had to be feelings of more than love while they were in school. I mean Austin was hot too. And the fact that they talked every day as adults should have been a dead giveaway! Austin thought he was doing the right thing be letting Ella move to New York to go to college. She got a journalism degree but had a hard time finding work. Austin always wanted to be a doctor so he went to college in LA. However, he missed Ella. The first chance he got he moved back home. Austin had women throwing themselves at him. Yet none of them came close to what he felt for Ella. So he became a guy whose longest relationship with a woman was three months.

Ella's mom & aunts were constantly trying to set her up with complete strangers. Can you imagine? When she comes home for a month to attend & help prepare for her sisters wedding she has to stop them. What better way than to say she had a boyfriend? Ironically the same day this patient of Austin's who is like a predator around him tries to get him to go out with her. Mind you she was stalking him because it's late at night & she's outside his house. Austin lies & says Ella is his girlfriend. They talk that night & after setting ground rules decide to help each other out.

The rest of the story is funny & all about them learning to be in a relationship. And you will see how insecure Ella is because it almost cost her the love of her life! The ending is so good.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really nice. I felt great after reading it. It had closed door, best friends to lovers and fake relationship trope. I loved and envied Austin’s and Ella’s friendship very much. I don’t think that is existent in real life because it was so well written. This is the first book of ‘Sara Jane Woodley’ that I’ve read. I wanted to read her Legacy Inn series (young adult romance series by Sara Jane Woodley) but I was somewhat skeptical. However, I think after reading this book I’ll look into it.

Ella has to go to Aston Falls for her sister’s wedding right after she was dumped. She doesn't want to face her mother or her sister and tell them that she is single, so she decides to stay at her best friend's home. To avoid her mom's matchmakings she asks Austin to be her fake boyfriend till her sister's wedding.

Austin is a doctor in Aston Falls. He trained in LA and returns to Aston Falls because of a secret he has vowed to take to his grave. When his best friend needs a place to stay he offers his guest room for her. To put of a woman constantly approaching him he tells her he has a girlfriend. When Ella proposes the idea of a fake relationship, he immediately agrees.

They begin spending more time together and revealing stories from their past the attraction is undeniable. They both had been crushing on each other for a long time, since their High School days.

In the end, I was kind of afraid of a not-HEA. But thankfully, I gathered enough patience to read ahead and was rewarded with a HEA. It was great seeing Ella getting past her insecurities. Looking forward for the next book in this series, considering it has a enemies to lovers trope.

There were a couple of sweet kisses and nothing more. It can be read by ages 12+.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara (bookish_tmb) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Ella and Austin’s story! It is the perfect best friends to lovers story, with the added bonus of a fake relationship. Ella and Austin have been best friends for years. Ella is tired of her mom always setting her up, and Austin is sick of one of his patients hitting on him. They decide to start a fake relationship, which eventually starts to feel real.

Some things I really enjoyed:
I always love a good best friends to lovers story because the characters already know each other. It’s just waiting for them to figure out they belong together. The chemistry between Ella and Austin is perfect. I could not wait for them to have their first kiss! And the kiss scenes are great.

I Iove the friendships in this story. Christian calls Austin out exactly when he needs it, and Grace does the same for Ella. That’s what good friends do.

I love that Austin is supportive of Ella. He’s all in and wants to do all that he can to help her see how amazing she is. They truly make each other better.

The grand gesture at the end was so sweet, and a great wrap up.

I enjoyed this book!
I received an ARC of this book, and all thoughts are my own.

[Tayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm getting really bad at reviewing my books on time these days, so let's see if I remember enough to lend some thoughts on this one.

This was your run of the mill friends to more story. Austin and Ella are best friends and at different stages in their life have contemplated more about the other person but never acted on it. This changes when Ella is back in town for her sister's wedding and needs a buffer between her and her meddlesome family - enter Austin as the fake boyfriend. Through the process their fake romance turns real until Ella's insecurities get in the way.

This was a true 3 star read for me. I say true, because lately I've randomly been reading a lot of objectively great books that either didn't stick the landing or I simply didn't connect with. Anyway this was a true middle of the road read. Didn't connect with it, but also had no bad feelings about it either. If I was to be critical I would say I found it a little boring and the pacing was a little off in terms of building momentum in the story.

I won't be back for the rest of the series since I just don't feel like this is my style.

[Chelsea | chelseadennreads Dennison · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Ella and Austin have been best friends their wholes lives. When Ella returns to Aston Falls for her sister’s wedding (unemployed and newly single), her mom and aunts quickly begin setting her up with eligible bachelors. Everyone in Aston Falls keeps trying to set Austin up, even though he’s a “never forever” guy. So Austin and Ella decide to fake date to get everyone off their backs. Sure fire plan right? But what about when those fake feelings become real and you start to feel like more than just friends?

This is the second book in the Aston Falls series and it was such a sweet read. Austin was honestly such a great main character. These Aston Falls guys are just too good. I really enjoyed his character and I loved his and Ella’s friendship. Ella was extremely frustrating for a good 1/4 of the book. I just wanted her to give herself some credit and realize how worthy of a good man she was. But overall I did like Ella and I loved that she had a friend like Grace who gave her a kick in the tail when she needed it.

I really can’t wait to read book 3 because it’s enemies to lovers and I have loved all the banter between JJ and Christian!

4⭐️
💗Clean Romance

[Turn The Page Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the cutest, small town friends to lovers story I have read. I love Ella and Austin, these two have been friends from childhood and even though both have had crushes on the other they never acted on it because their friendship meant so much to them. I love that they treasured each other so much that they didn’t want to risk losing the other one by admitting their feelings. I love this story because we get the angst of wanting and not having, theres a cooking together scene where they hold back (theres a few scenes of one of them holding back from touching or something) that absolutely killed me, but then we get to witness the precipice when they go over that line together. Of course things aren’t always perfect but once they work things through it’s all good. I absolutely love these two’s traditions especially their movie theater dates, I’m in love with their friends and the secondary characters too and I can not wait for the next story in the series.

If you like cute and sweet small town romances and the friends to lover trope you’ll enjoy this read.

[Default_mode_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot of buzz from fellow readers about this book, and when I started reading this I couldn't put it down. This is a small-town romance, best friends to lovers, taking the leap and starting something beautiful.

Ella and Austin are adorable together, they have been best friends all throughout, their chemistry is amazing, the way they know each other and the stuff Austin does is just undeniably cute.

Things I love about this story:
1. The leads didn't wait till the end to confess their mutual liking, we did get to see a glimpse of their insecurities after they started dating.
2. The way the plot was well placed with no hurrying and at the same time didn't miss anything, covering all the important aspects and the feelings, I wasn't bored even for a sec.
3. Reading this book was like watching a movie, it was so well narrated.

This book made me smile, I loved every character in the book be it Sophie, Stevo, Christian, JJ, everyone.
This is my first book by the author, now I am going hoard on the other books of Sara Jane Woodley.

Overall Ella and Austin are cute, have great chemistry, if you love a friends-to-lovers trope or fake dating or small-town romance then this is definitely the book you need to pick up.

I need to read Christian and JJ's story at the earliest :D

[Chicken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐

This book was incredible. I’ve loved Sara’s books ever since the beginning and couldn’t wait for Austin and Ella after reading about them in the first book. I liked seeing characters that I’ve seen before come in this story. While this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, though since the first book is so good, I recommend you read both. Austin and Ella were such good characters. They had incredible chemistry and were super fun to read about. I loved all the moments that made this story whole. I liked how Austin was able to tackle his fear of speaking and Ella, even though she was a bit insecure, was still trying to be best version of herself. This is a great best friends to lovers romance. I cannot wait for the next book.

I received a review copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennah Sobevski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy that Austin and Ella got their own book, and it didn’t disappoint. Their mutual love for each other was obvious from More Than Second Chances =)

I love the childhood best friends to lovers and fake dating storyline, and my gosh Austin is just the sweetest! He doesn’t care about other people’s perceptions, he only cares about Ella, and making her happy. She just needs to believe that she’s good enough for him!

Poor Ella, her life was a mess - breaking up with Zac (although it was kind of weird that she was so upset when they’d only gone out on one date), losing her job, and having to go home to Aston Falls for her sister’s wedding. I laughed at poor Stevo, the guy her mother tried to set her up with. She just needed to see herself the way Austin saw her. Imperfectly perfect!

I loved the movie theatre - so sweet!!!

[Evy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our next stop was Aston Falls, we already met most of the characters but this time we got to meet Austin, the local doctor and Ella, his best friend.
They have been in love with each other dor years but were to afraid to admit it.
During this book we can follow their love path, it was a bumpy road but they arrived at their destination and that’s all that matters. Although Ella’s behavior was sometimes a bit of a bummer on the story but Austin made it better every time. Their first kiss was so sweet and romantic thanks to the setting as well!
I’m also curious to read the next story between JJ and Christian…
Again a great series by Sara Jane!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberley Mcclintock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Jane Woodley is a new to me author that I discovered through Bookstagram. After reading the first two books in her Aston Falls series, Sara has became an auto-buy author for me.

Mine Than Just Friends is the second book in the series. I loved book this there are so many fantastic tropes in the story; friends-to-lovers, fake relationship, best-friends-sibling. All of these tropes together make a great story.

For me the sign of a great contemporary romance is onethat makes me laugh, cry and swoon. Well, More Than Just Friends made me do all three. I think there was even a time when I did all there at once.

If you are looking for your nextcontemporary romance series then look no further than the Aston Falls series. It has everything you will want. A sweet, friendly small-town, great characters, awesome tropes, fantastic writing, happy ever after and so much more. You really don’t want to miss this series.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Austin and Ella are best friends since high school and they even went to prom together but they never dated. Now Ella is back in town for a wedding. Her mom wants to set her up with jerks and Austin has an insistent admirer he wants to get rid of, so a fake relationship solves some problems for both of them.

This is quite sweet and cute and I liked it a lot. Their deep friendship shows although Ella has some doubts before everything falls together.

Most of it is familiar if you have read books in the friends to lovers fake relationship trope before but it made me smile and I would consider reading other books by this author. JJ and Christopher are the next I think. I received an ARC that is well edited; I caught only one typo.

Steam level: Kissing.

[Crystal Saldana · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to say a huge thank you to the author for sending me a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review!

This was the perfect, feel-good romance read that I needed. It was written so beautifully and you couldn't help rooting for the two characters to end up together. The scenes between the two were so intimate and innocent. I also loved the other characters throughout the book, specifically Grace and JJ. Their friendship felt so genuine, and it felt like they could've been your friends as well.

This is the perfect read for anyone who loves fake dating or friends to lovers tropes!

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read, a closed door, friends to lovers, best friends brother with a bit of a fake relationship story. We say Ella and Austin in book #1 of the Aston Falls series. They have been friends forever and have managed to stay close despite going away to college and a bit of a distance between them. They have spent more years than they could count denying their feelings for each other. Their chemistry was so strong and their friendship was one of the sweetest ever. This was a beautiful story that was funny and sweet, it had meddling family members, supportive best friends and a much deserved HEA.

[Rachel (Rrbookreviews) · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:
Review: 2.5/5. ⭐️
Steam: 0/5🔥

This is a small town romance book by @authorsarajanewoodley

This book is really sweet and innocent. It’s very different than books I normally read.

Best friends Austin and Ella are clearly meant to be together from the beginning. He’s a successful doctor and she is a writer. They’ve been best friends since childhood. Who doesn’t love that!?

If you’re looking for a #smalltownromance with a lot of back and forth on best friends having feelings for each other than this is the book to read. I wouldn’t rule out reading another book in the series, I just know that it’s a very clean romance with a lot of back and forth.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new to me author whose writing I truly enjoyed. A friends to lovers story line that pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages to see how things turn out. The characters are amazing, enjoyable, and fun to get to know. The small town location is perfect for the story and lives up to what small town life is truly like. Yes everyone knows everyone and what everyone is doing. Don't hesitate to grab your copy today so you can curl up in your favorite reading spot with a good book and your favorite summertime beverage and get lost in a great story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet love story of best friends

Ella and Austin had been best friends since a very young age, so it was only natural to her to stay at Austin’s home when she returned home for her sister’s wedding. When her mother and Aunts try to set her up with another looser for a date, Els blurted out that she already has a boyfriend, and it’s Austin.What a happy turn of events that Austin only has eyes for Els.
Of course love is never simple!
Wonderful characters that are friends and families of the couple, as well as Ella and Austin.The author had such fun ways of moving the story forward, especially near the end. Delightfully sweet fun story!

[Paulina de Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the ARC for this book and I have to say, I love the fake dating trope. The story picks up on Austin and Ella’s relationship how they evolve from best friends to something more. I love how klutzy Ella can be and how relatable she is as a character. The deep friendship they both have is wonderful. It was lovely to go back to Aston Falls again. To see where Grace and Nicholas are now and to see this new relationship evolve. I also can’t wait to see how JJ and Christian are going to interact in the next one.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Austin and Ella’s story! Their friendship was cute and the way they quickly went from fake dating to real dating. I was annoyed by Ella’s shutting down in the third act and refusing to talk to anyone (though it’s a very typical way the best friend’s to lovers is written it’s just very overused in my opinion). But even though it seemed to quick and easy, their “grand gestures” for each other were cute, and I loved the epilogue looking into the future. I’m already looking forward to JJ and Christian and their incessant bickering to come in the next book!