What do you think?
Rate this book
California Dreamin' #4
Belonging With Her Best Friend
I love three things in this world more than life itself:
1. My family and housemates (both current and former)
2. Musicals
3. My best friend, Eric Moody
The first two are no surprise to anyone who knows me.
The third is a secret I’ll carry to my grave.
Because even though Eric fits in well with my crazy family and he’s the outgoing complement to my quiet self, we want different things.
I want him. He wants something I can never give. And I refuse to sacrifice his happiness for my own.
Most of the time, I manage to keep my feelings for him under lock and key—but things change when Eric moves in with me temporarily.
Now, he’s here all the time. And it’s harder and harder not to imagine what life together could be like … if only.
The final straw? When he starts helping me prepare for my (forced) lead role in a local musical.
Because yeah. You try holding back the tidal wave of feelings you’ve been keeping at bay when your sexy best friend offers to “practice kiss” you.
My fortitude is headed straight for the edge of a cliff—and the thrill of the impending fall has never felt so electrifying.
Or so terrifying.
Fans of Sarah Adams and Emma St. Clair will love this closed-door, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy with lots of sizzle and spice, but no on-page explicit content.
1. My family and housemates (both current and former)
2. Musicals
3. My best friend, Eric Moody
The first two are no surprise to anyone who knows me.
The third is a secret I’ll carry to my grave.
Because even though Eric fits in well with my crazy family and he’s the outgoing complement to my quiet self, we want different things.
I want him. He wants something I can never give. And I refuse to sacrifice his happiness for my own.
Most of the time, I manage to keep my feelings for him under lock and key—but things change when Eric moves in with me temporarily.
Now, he’s here all the time. And it’s harder and harder not to imagine what life together could be like … if only.
The final straw? When he starts helping me prepare for my (forced) lead role in a local musical.
Because yeah. You try holding back the tidal wave of feelings you’ve been keeping at bay when your sexy best friend offers to “practice kiss” you.
My fortitude is headed straight for the edge of a cliff—and the thrill of the impending fall has never felt so electrifying.
Or so terrifying.
Fans of Sarah Adams and Emma St. Clair will love this closed-door, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy with lots of sizzle and spice, but no on-page explicit content.
248 pages, ebook
Published June 20, 2022
209 people are currently reading
1071 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Canary
14 books268 followersKristin is a thirty-something wife and boy mom who functions best on peach tea and cookie dough ice cream. She writes closed-door romantic comedies with lots of sizzle and spice but no explicit on-page content. A desert dweller, she always has her eye on the next trip to a beach somewhere--and if she can't travel there in person, then you'd better believe she's going to write about it. Kristin is never fully satisfied with a movie, TV show, or book without a hefty dose of romance in it, and she's grateful to be living a true-life love story with her own crazy little family. Connect with her at KristinCanary.com/freebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
September 13, 2024
3.5⭐️ I liked this pretty good.
It was a bit slow but I liked that the characters had more depth than most rom-com characters do.
Romance was really good and I was invested in it.
Yay for friends to lovers trope done well!
Clean and no language.
It was a bit slow but I liked that the characters had more depth than most rom-com characters do.
Romance was really good and I was invested in it.
Yay for friends to lovers trope done well!
Clean and no language.
August 24, 2023
I can’t even begin to describe how much I enjoyed Belonging with her Best Friend by Kristin Canary! It was fun. It was sweet. It had me smiling and swooning each time I turned the page!
Eric and Shelby have been best friends since they were 9. As adults they are both teachers and still the best of friends. Only Shelby feels more for him. Does Eric feel the same way?
This book took me through so many emotions. I felt the hurt of their pasts that they are still working through. I felt the closeness of their friendship and the magic that happened as they realized their true feelings for each other. Their bond was incredible. True magic! I’m still swooning over their “pretend kiss” when Shelby needed to rehearse for her play and their trip to Hallmark Beach. There was also some great secondary characters my favorite being Burt who they met in Hallmark Beach.
I was interested in reading this because a theatre musical was part of the story. We are big theatre fans in my house but this book quickly became so much more than that for me as I got so involved in Shelby and Eric’s journey of learning they truly belonged to each other.
This is a light read but does deal with some heavier topics like losing a mother, being an orphan, having children but in a light way with a lot of heart. Content is clean with just a little spice as the couple does make out and talks about being hungry for more than eggs but nothing ever goes further than that.
This book is the 4th book in Kristin Canary’s California Dreaming series but the first book I have read by the author It can definitely stand on its own but I for one can’t wait to go back and read her others as this has been a favorite for me.
I received this book for free from the author. Thank you Kristin Canary! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Eric and Shelby have been best friends since they were 9. As adults they are both teachers and still the best of friends. Only Shelby feels more for him. Does Eric feel the same way?
This book took me through so many emotions. I felt the hurt of their pasts that they are still working through. I felt the closeness of their friendship and the magic that happened as they realized their true feelings for each other. Their bond was incredible. True magic! I’m still swooning over their “pretend kiss” when Shelby needed to rehearse for her play and their trip to Hallmark Beach. There was also some great secondary characters my favorite being Burt who they met in Hallmark Beach.
I was interested in reading this because a theatre musical was part of the story. We are big theatre fans in my house but this book quickly became so much more than that for me as I got so involved in Shelby and Eric’s journey of learning they truly belonged to each other.
This is a light read but does deal with some heavier topics like losing a mother, being an orphan, having children but in a light way with a lot of heart. Content is clean with just a little spice as the couple does make out and talks about being hungry for more than eggs but nothing ever goes further than that.
This book is the 4th book in Kristin Canary’s California Dreaming series but the first book I have read by the author It can definitely stand on its own but I for one can’t wait to go back and read her others as this has been a favorite for me.
I received this book for free from the author. Thank you Kristin Canary! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 10, 2022
I would give it a lower rating, but there was no cheating.
Friends to lovers used to be my favorite trope, but there are so many issues within this type of story that is hard to find one that I like.
In this one we had the H who thought he wasn’t good enough for the h, but dated a lot. Even knowing he was in love with her. But she ~isn’t like the other girls~, so it was ok to date if the women weren’t Shelby, because they weren’t ~special~ like her.
Shelby, of course, dated ONE boy at age 15 and never dated again. Ever. She was 26. Of course the H chased the boys who liked the h (while dating other girls, mind you).
There is the negative motivation for Shelby not confessing her love to Erick. But I think she should’ve gone to see a doctor before making life altering decisions at 18.
Friends to lovers used to be my favorite trope, but there are so many issues within this type of story that is hard to find one that I like.
In this one we had the H who thought he wasn’t good enough for the h, but dated a lot. Even knowing he was in love with her. But she ~isn’t like the other girls~, so it was ok to date if the women weren’t Shelby, because they weren’t ~special~ like her.
Shelby, of course, dated ONE boy at age 15 and never dated again. Ever. She was 26. Of course the H chased the boys who liked the h (while dating other girls, mind you).
There is the negative motivation for Shelby not confessing her love to Erick. But I think she should’ve gone to see a doctor before making life altering decisions at 18.
June 23, 2022
This best friends to lovers sweet romance is absolutely adorable!
I always say that friends-to-lovers is not one of my favorite tropes but I have read so many good ones lately I may have to change my opinion! This one certainly changed my mind.
Eric and Shelby have been friends for 17 years. Both secretly want more and I was so glad that mutual pining was offset by the fact that they both had legitimate reasons for staying quiet.
I also loved
-theater backdrop
-the recipe
-stargazing on the beach( is there anything more romantic?)
-kisses in the rain (okay, maybe this is more romantic but it's pretty darn close)
-"Practice"
-the road trip
This is a seriously cute, clean romance that you can easily binge-read in an evening. Loved it and can't wait for the next book! 4.5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
I always say that friends-to-lovers is not one of my favorite tropes but I have read so many good ones lately I may have to change my opinion! This one certainly changed my mind.
Eric and Shelby have been friends for 17 years. Both secretly want more and I was so glad that mutual pining was offset by the fact that they both had legitimate reasons for staying quiet.
I also loved
-theater backdrop
-the recipe
-stargazing on the beach( is there anything more romantic?)
-kisses in the rain (okay, maybe this is more romantic but it's pretty darn close)
-"Practice"
-the road trip
This is a seriously cute, clean romance that you can easily binge-read in an evening. Loved it and can't wait for the next book! 4.5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.
June 22, 2022
this was such a heartwarming friends to lovers that addressed everything from grief, adoption, genetic disease, musical theatre, and a cute inn called the Purple Seashell, and was so binge-worthy that I read it in one afternoon. Eric and Shelby made me smile, laugh, and go "aww" at their lovely friendship and relationship! Even though it is a romcom, it doesn't shy away from hard topics and definitely takes you on an emotional ride.
Thanks for the ARC!
Thanks for the ARC!
May 21, 2022
Oh, this was a delightful, romantic, swoony, sweet read. I absolutely love her writing style and she always has me hooked from the first line. She has left us such an intriguing teaser for the next book in the series and I wonder how I will possibly have the patience to wait for its release! I recommend all of her books and I may just go back and read them all again…
June 14, 2022
Shelby and Eric have great chemistry! I enjoyed the school play rehearsals. The tension for this book is a unique and somewhat heavy topic for a romcom but it worked! Fun updates all the characters in the California Dreaming series!
December 1, 2022
friends to lovers is such a great trope! but i wanted angst!!
they've been best friends since childhood, and the heroine has been in love with him basically since day one, but there's a reason why she doesn't tell him. now they become roommates and they can't seem to fight the feelings.
they've been best friends since childhood, and the heroine has been in love with him basically since day one, but there's a reason why she doesn't tell him. now they become roommates and they can't seem to fight the feelings.
November 8, 2025
I'm not sure I read these in order but I don't think it mattered. These are great romances, light with enough depth, but not too heavy. They're realistic and fun and the characters have great interactions.
September 24, 2024
Eric and Shelby are BFFs and both have some history that keeps them from being anything more. This was filled with fake kisses and the magic that comes from taking a step in faith to an unknown future. This was also on my backlist!
January 24, 2023
Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, so obviously when Kristin reached out to me to read her latest book in her California Dreamin' series I was all in!
This is a romance between two friends who have been inseparable for 17 years! You know they love each other, their friends know they are meant to be but these two cannot get it together for fear of ruining their amazing friendship. Now if someone could just get the guts to take it to something more? It might be even better!
What I loved about these sweet romance:
-short and bingeable!
-star gazing, road trip with a one bed scenario
-cute flirty banter and chemistry
-great kissing scenes without getting too spicy
-a fun school theater setting and both characters are teachers!
I loved the back story into each character...with Shelby seeking connection to her mom while also dealing with a genetic hardship and Eric....a past foster kid looking for any chance of blood relations.
The coming together was fun. With friends to lovers you can always expect a flip flop of committing to tell the other person how they feel and some miscommunication but I think this was well done and made the journey fun. Can't wait to read the next book.
This is a romance between two friends who have been inseparable for 17 years! You know they love each other, their friends know they are meant to be but these two cannot get it together for fear of ruining their amazing friendship. Now if someone could just get the guts to take it to something more? It might be even better!
What I loved about these sweet romance:
-short and bingeable!
-star gazing, road trip with a one bed scenario
-cute flirty banter and chemistry
-great kissing scenes without getting too spicy
-a fun school theater setting and both characters are teachers!
I loved the back story into each character...with Shelby seeking connection to her mom while also dealing with a genetic hardship and Eric....a past foster kid looking for any chance of blood relations.
The coming together was fun. With friends to lovers you can always expect a flip flop of committing to tell the other person how they feel and some miscommunication but I think this was well done and made the journey fun. Can't wait to read the next book.
March 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: romcom
Content: kisses only; grief from loss of a parent; MC who grew up in foster care
I am such a fan of this friend group! It has been so fun to see each of their stories pan out. Typically friends to lovers is not my favorite of tropes but this book was so sweet! I loved:
-the almost kiss in the hallway😍
-the finally acknowledging their feelings 🥰
Favorite Quotes
🎤 "You may have tried to bury your voice, but it has shone through in everything you do. You have such a light, and I'm not just talking about singing. You're always taking the backstage to others, letting them have the spotlight." Then my best friend leans in closer- so close I can feel his warm breath on my lips. "But don't you know you're the brightest star of them all?"
🎤 "Shelby Phillips, there is nothing that I want more in this life than you."
🎤 "In trying to protect yourself from future pain, you can easily lose your joy and isn't finding joy what life is supposed to be about?”
🎤 “I'm open to whatever our future brings. Whatever discussions we need to have, whatever trials we need to face. I just want to face them head-on with you.
And only you."
P.S. After that epilogue with Alexis’s interaction with “Daxy” and Lilith…I am quite looking forward to book six!!!
#bookstagram #bookworm #amreading #bookrecs #booksbooksbooks #ilovereading #weeklywhitakerreads #kristincanary #belongingwithherbestfriend #californiadreamingseries #romcomsforlife
Genre: romcom
Content: kisses only; grief from loss of a parent; MC who grew up in foster care
I am such a fan of this friend group! It has been so fun to see each of their stories pan out. Typically friends to lovers is not my favorite of tropes but this book was so sweet! I loved:
-the almost kiss in the hallway😍
-the finally acknowledging their feelings 🥰
Favorite Quotes
🎤 "You may have tried to bury your voice, but it has shone through in everything you do. You have such a light, and I'm not just talking about singing. You're always taking the backstage to others, letting them have the spotlight." Then my best friend leans in closer- so close I can feel his warm breath on my lips. "But don't you know you're the brightest star of them all?"
🎤 "Shelby Phillips, there is nothing that I want more in this life than you."
🎤 "In trying to protect yourself from future pain, you can easily lose your joy and isn't finding joy what life is supposed to be about?”
🎤 “I'm open to whatever our future brings. Whatever discussions we need to have, whatever trials we need to face. I just want to face them head-on with you.
And only you."
P.S. After that epilogue with Alexis’s interaction with “Daxy” and Lilith…I am quite looking forward to book six!!!
#bookstagram #bookworm #amreading #bookrecs #booksbooksbooks #ilovereading #weeklywhitakerreads #kristincanary #belongingwithherbestfriend #californiadreamingseries #romcomsforlife
July 6, 2022
Best friends to lovers with all the swoon, emotions, and event one could want in a books. Kristin Canary caught my attention from the very start and pulled at my heart strings through the whole book.
Eric and Shelby’s friendship has kept them close since they were 9. Secretly they’ve both had a crush on each other for years. Watching them realize that it’s more than a crush and figuring out how to communicate that without destroying their friendship is such a fun and adorable story to watch play out.
Plus, getting to watch Shelby grow and discover just how strong she really is inspires the reader. And Eric, he’s all the swoon and gentleman you could want in the leasing man. He has all the heart and watching him really come to accept those around him is heartwarming.
Great story with fantastic side characters that help the two lovebirds along in their love story. Such a fun read and I can’t wait to see what happens for the next friend in California Dreamin’.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. A review was not required and all opinions are my own.
Eric and Shelby’s friendship has kept them close since they were 9. Secretly they’ve both had a crush on each other for years. Watching them realize that it’s more than a crush and figuring out how to communicate that without destroying their friendship is such a fun and adorable story to watch play out.
Plus, getting to watch Shelby grow and discover just how strong she really is inspires the reader. And Eric, he’s all the swoon and gentleman you could want in the leasing man. He has all the heart and watching him really come to accept those around him is heartwarming.
Great story with fantastic side characters that help the two lovebirds along in their love story. Such a fun read and I can’t wait to see what happens for the next friend in California Dreamin’.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. A review was not required and all opinions are my own.
June 10, 2022
Belonging With Her Best Friend is the 4th book in the California Dreamin' series and it is a sweet edition to the set.
The story revolves around Shelby and Eric, who have been best friends since grade school. While they are both secretly in love with each other, neither is willing to say the actual words and take the next step, as it might ruin their "found family" situation.
Shelby and Eric's story tackles quite a few heavy subject matters. Thankfully we are blessed with humor and the potential of kissing (and then actual swoon worthy kissing) to help us through their story.
As any great HEA, there is one point when things aren't looking good for our couple, but thankfully they are mature enough to actually talk things over.
I loved how things just happened to fall into place during their weekend away. It makes me want to pack my bags and head to San Diego with my best friend (Mr. J) All in all, this is a great addition to your beach bag this summer. And do yourself a favor, read the previous books in the series, though it's not necessary.
This is my 2nd favorite story in the series - Sorry Kristin :) - but I did appreciate the shout outs to the other series.
Thank you to Kristin Canary for my advance copy of Belonging With Her Best Friend. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story revolves around Shelby and Eric, who have been best friends since grade school. While they are both secretly in love with each other, neither is willing to say the actual words and take the next step, as it might ruin their "found family" situation.
Shelby and Eric's story tackles quite a few heavy subject matters. Thankfully we are blessed with humor and the potential of kissing (and then actual swoon worthy kissing) to help us through their story.
As any great HEA, there is one point when things aren't looking good for our couple, but thankfully they are mature enough to actually talk things over.
I loved how things just happened to fall into place during their weekend away. It makes me want to pack my bags and head to San Diego with my best friend (Mr. J) All in all, this is a great addition to your beach bag this summer. And do yourself a favor, read the previous books in the series, though it's not necessary.
This is my 2nd favorite story in the series - Sorry Kristin :) - but I did appreciate the shout outs to the other series.
Thank you to Kristin Canary for my advance copy of Belonging With Her Best Friend. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 18, 2022
I’ve been anticipating Shelby and Eric’s story since book one and I loved it! The best friends to lovers trope is becoming one of my favorites. Especially when everyone else knows that they’re going to end up together. I really liked the plot line of Shelby’s singing and how it changed after her mom died. Watching her get her confidence back was awesome. Her reasoning for why her and Eric couldn’t be together and her fear made sense. I liked that it wasn’t just the usual “afraid to ruin their friendship” situation that always happens in this trope. It was nice.
Shelby and Eric are so cute together. I love the history that comes with a best friends romance, they just understand each other perfectly.
Them getting stranded, staying at the hotel, and going to that festival was my favorite part!! Them pretending to be married, the recipe, the stars!! It was so much fun. And there wasn’t really a third act break up which was amazing! The end was so cute. I read the bonus chapter and it was the perfect end!!
I’m so curious about Alexis’ story and can’t wait to start it!
Shelby and Eric are so cute together. I love the history that comes with a best friends romance, they just understand each other perfectly.
Them getting stranded, staying at the hotel, and going to that festival was my favorite part!! Them pretending to be married, the recipe, the stars!! It was so much fun. And there wasn’t really a third act break up which was amazing! The end was so cute. I read the bonus chapter and it was the perfect end!!
I’m so curious about Alexis’ story and can’t wait to start it!
July 5, 2022
Belonging with Her Best Friend by Kristin Canary
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
______________________________________________________________
Story Notes
I just loved reading this story. It had musicals, sweet friends, an adorable couple and some swoony kisses to make it the absolute best. I really enjoyed the fun banter between friends but especially between Shelby and Eric. They loved each other well, first as friends then as more than friends and it just made me so happy. This is kind of story you read if you want to smile and swoon a lot with the characters. The only thing I wish it had was dual POV so I could see Eric’s side of things too. But Kristin did a good job of conveying a lot of that through their conversations. And there were some good ones included that I know other readers will enjoy for sure. Definitely add this to your #summertbr it’s one you won’t want to miss out on reading. I can hardly wait for Alexis’ story to come out….I just know it’s going to be hilarious!!
I received this temporary complimentary ARC from Kristin via BookFunnel. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review but am most pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this Review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
______________________________________________________________
Story Notes
I just loved reading this story. It had musicals, sweet friends, an adorable couple and some swoony kisses to make it the absolute best. I really enjoyed the fun banter between friends but especially between Shelby and Eric. They loved each other well, first as friends then as more than friends and it just made me so happy. This is kind of story you read if you want to smile and swoon a lot with the characters. The only thing I wish it had was dual POV so I could see Eric’s side of things too. But Kristin did a good job of conveying a lot of that through their conversations. And there were some good ones included that I know other readers will enjoy for sure. Definitely add this to your #summertbr it’s one you won’t want to miss out on reading. I can hardly wait for Alexis’ story to come out….I just know it’s going to be hilarious!!
I received this temporary complimentary ARC from Kristin via BookFunnel. I am not required by anyone to write a positive review but am most pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this Review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
August 21, 2022
Shelby loves Eric, but does he love her? They've been the best of friends since childhood and she can't stand the thought of losing him. The only thing is that this summer, it's harder to stuff those feelings down when he is everywhere.
The only things that didn't work for me are that her genetic predisposition is never expounded on - as in I don't even know what it's called because it's not named directly - and something that I don't care for in the friends-to-lovers trope in general, which makes it an absolute "me" thing. It bothers me when a character is so wishy-washy (I love him, I don't deserve him, I love him, etc) on a repetitive cycle.
Outside of that, this was a very fast, pleasant read with so many good moments between Shelby and Eric. I loved the car washing shenanigans, the trip to see a family member, and all of the yummy kissing scenes. I'd easily pick up another book by her in the future, especially if it's one of my more favorite tropes.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
The only things that didn't work for me are that her genetic predisposition is never expounded on - as in I don't even know what it's called because it's not named directly - and something that I don't care for in the friends-to-lovers trope in general, which makes it an absolute "me" thing. It bothers me when a character is so wishy-washy (I love him, I don't deserve him, I love him, etc) on a repetitive cycle.
Outside of that, this was a very fast, pleasant read with so many good moments between Shelby and Eric. I loved the car washing shenanigans, the trip to see a family member, and all of the yummy kissing scenes. I'd easily pick up another book by her in the future, especially if it's one of my more favorite tropes.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
July 10, 2022
Enjoyed!!
This was a fun and heartwarming read. I loved the support from Shelby’s family and friends. There were so many witty comments in this story that I was smiling all the way through. I also loved the shoutout to Hallmark movies and getting stranded in a delightful town filled with all things Christmas! I do wish Shelby would have been honest much sooner with her “best friend” about her feelings. I look forward to reading more from Kristin Canary!
This was a fun and heartwarming read. I loved the support from Shelby’s family and friends. There were so many witty comments in this story that I was smiling all the way through. I also loved the shoutout to Hallmark movies and getting stranded in a delightful town filled with all things Christmas! I do wish Shelby would have been honest much sooner with her “best friend” about her feelings. I look forward to reading more from Kristin Canary!
June 18, 2022
Thank you Kristin for an ARC of this one! It was so cute!! Cheesy and predictable but I LOVED it! Couldn’t put it down. I loved all of the characters and the friends to lovers trope. It was a perfect summer read!
July 17, 2022
Another sweet book in the series! I liked that this one veered off from the other books a bit in the plot line. The first 3 were a bit similar with the parental conflicts with the main characters. This had a slow burn. It was a sweet story, and it had great thoughts about courage and bravery.
November 30, 2022
oh this made me so emotional! can't resist a best friends to lovers story, especially one that was written so beautifully. really love all the characters in the series and this special group of housemates.
June 22, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
this was a cute best friends to lovers wholesome romance
this was a cute best friends to lovers wholesome romance
November 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this story.
Content: clean - passionate kissing
Content: clean - passionate kissing
May 12, 2025
Not enough theatre or musical content for me, though I was moved by the hero's quest for biological family.
June 14, 2022
I'm a big fan of friends-to-more romance and this book hit the spot for me. It was just the kind of read I was needing and I really enjoyed it.
I was glad to see that Shelby and Eric both had valid/believable reasons for not telling each other how they felt. The way the romantic tension built up to that first kiss was wonderful and what a first kiss it was. I loved the Hallmark beach town and the forced proximity it provided.
A cute, clean romance, I recommend this novel. I have enjoyed this series and cannot wait for the next one. Each can be read as a standalone, though it’s fun to see the friend connections and cameos.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 4.5 stars.
I was glad to see that Shelby and Eric both had valid/believable reasons for not telling each other how they felt. The way the romantic tension built up to that first kiss was wonderful and what a first kiss it was. I loved the Hallmark beach town and the forced proximity it provided.
A cute, clean romance, I recommend this novel. I have enjoyed this series and cannot wait for the next one. Each can be read as a standalone, though it’s fun to see the friend connections and cameos.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 4.5 stars.
May 11, 2025
Took me a little bit to settle into, but mostly a really solid friends to lovers. Would’ve loved Eric’s POV!! But it didn’t feel hard to know how he was feeling most of the time. Sometimes Shelby goes a little too hard on the self-deprecation, which wears on me quickly in FMCs.
October 19, 2025
This is a sweet & quick best friends to lovers romance that tackles some tough topics.
May 21, 2022
Sometimes I love to read a rom-com as a break from life. This one was a great break! I loved escaping to San Diego. And to Shelby’s problems, instead of my own.
I loved Shelby. She’s been in love with her best friend, Eric, for a long time. Everyone around her knows it. But Shelby doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. And she also has a secret that she thinks Eric won’t like her any more for. I really loved the way she wanted to be like her mom, kind, loving, brave. And she couldn’t even see that she was already those things.
I liked that Eric was willing to let Shelby have her space. But he was always there for her. These two worked so well together. They calmed each other when they needed calm. And could see what the other needed without having to be told.
I loved the other friends in this book. They each have their own book and story. I’ve only read this one and Saving the Secret Prince, but I need to read more. And they can be read as stand alones without a problem.
This is a great book that I didn’t want to put down!
I loved Shelby. She’s been in love with her best friend, Eric, for a long time. Everyone around her knows it. But Shelby doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. And she also has a secret that she thinks Eric won’t like her any more for. I really loved the way she wanted to be like her mom, kind, loving, brave. And she couldn’t even see that she was already those things.
I liked that Eric was willing to let Shelby have her space. But he was always there for her. These two worked so well together. They calmed each other when they needed calm. And could see what the other needed without having to be told.
I loved the other friends in this book. They each have their own book and story. I’ve only read this one and Saving the Secret Prince, but I need to read more. And they can be read as stand alones without a problem.
This is a great book that I didn’t want to put down!
Read
June 20, 2022I’ve enjoyed this whole series, but I especially enjoyed this book. It was such a well done friends to lovers.
Yes, there was the “Are you blind?” and “say what you need to say!” thoughts going through my head. (That’s the pep talk song my husband used before talking to me. 😂 ).
There was also so much more, which is what made me love this book.
Shelby in my opinion has legitimate reasons for shying away from Eric. Eric is understandably hesitant to address things given his experience and situation.
I think my favorite part of this book was Eric and Shelby. Nothing they did, but who they were. They were written to be loved. This book took you through the emotions of the things they were facing! Am I now attached to fictional characters? Yes. Yes I am.
Yes, there was the “Are you blind?” and “say what you need to say!” thoughts going through my head. (That’s the pep talk song my husband used before talking to me. 😂 ).
There was also so much more, which is what made me love this book.
Shelby in my opinion has legitimate reasons for shying away from Eric. Eric is understandably hesitant to address things given his experience and situation.
I think my favorite part of this book was Eric and Shelby. Nothing they did, but who they were. They were written to be loved. This book took you through the emotions of the things they were facing! Am I now attached to fictional characters? Yes. Yes I am.
June 3, 2022
Belonging With Her Best Friend had my interest from start to finish. I really enjoyed how the story played out and the friendships within the book. This book had me smiling so much, chuckling at their cute banter, and feeling the pain of Shelbys secret. I do wish there was a little more detail and explanation in regards to Shelbys secret though. It was really nice that it was her friends and dads words of wisdom that helped her come to a more realistic perspective. Eric is the best kind of friend and man you would want in your life. I absolutely loved Eric and Shelby.
*ARC Read, all thoughts and opinions are my own*
*ARC Read, all thoughts and opinions are my own*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews