The Friendly Disaster

Seashells and Sunsets #2

by Dineen Miller

He waited too long to admit how he feels and now she’s found a perfect match. Will this triangle of passion end in calamity or kisses?

Calen Cooper is a master at hiding his emotions. Having been in love with his best friend since their awkward middle school phase, the coffee shop owner is afraid to clue her in to his true desires. But when his bestie’s devastatingly bad dalliances take a worrying turn for the serious, Calen decides it’s time to make his well-hidden crush public.

Emma Price is a hot mess. With all of her romantic escapades ending in an absolute dumpster fire, the beautiful art teacher dreams of one day meeting a halfway-decent guy. So when she finally starts dating a man with a solid head on his shoulders, the starry-eyed hopeful can’t understand why her BFF continually shows his disapproval.

As Calen’s plan to attract visitors to Emma’s show pales in comparison to her new boyfriend’s connections, the besotted man fears he’ll never be enough. But when Emma’s eyes are opened to her platonic pal’s extreme efforts, she wonders if it’s wrong to keep him in the friend zone.

Can a bashful barista prove to a struggling artist that he’s soulmate material?

The Friendly Disaster is the feel-good second book in the Seashells and Sunsets romantic comedy series. If you like genuine characters, witty banter, and delightful tropical settings, then you’ll adore Dineen Miller’s heartwarming tale.

Buy The Friendly Disaster to risk it all for happily ever after today!

Genres: Rom Com, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2022

About the author

Dineen Miller is an award-winning and Amazon bestselling author who writes closed-door romantic comedies filled with swoony moments, snappy banter, and just enough awkward flirting to feel real. When she’s not writing happily ever afters, she’s hoarding yarn like a dragon, crocheting her way through a Netflix binge, or laughing at her husband’s punniest jokes (even when she pretends to roll her eyes). Life at home includes two quirky dogs, a yarn collection with its own zip code, and a husband who thinks he's hilarious (and he kind of is).

Want a free novella? Visit DineenMiller.com to sign up for her newsletter and snag your copy!

Reviews

[hadiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uhm? Not sure what to feel about this book. What I do know though, is that the book wasn’t all that good.

[Olivia Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you smile. Her books have brought joy to my life.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma and Calen - Sorting It Out . . .

Emma and Calen have been friends for so long and he’s always been there for her. Calen Cooper definitely wants more than the friend zone he is in. But he never spoke up. Neither wanted to mess up their friendship. And then Emma Price falls hard for someone else, Manny who is a chef at the local restaurant. Calen waits for the “inevitable” breakup, but this time, it doesn’t happen. Is she really serious about this guy? Calen just doesn’t seem to compete well with Manny.

When Emma finds out that Manny is heading for New York to check out a job as Head Chef at a new restaurant, she is not sure how she fits into this scenario. He had known for weeks, yet he was only now telling her. When she had to ask what this meant for their relationship, he said he wasn’t sure he could sustain a relationship right now. He “cared for” her – but hadn’t he told her he loved her? Now that feeling of distance she had sensed from him made sense. In his mind, he was already heading for New York and his new life… the one she wasn’t included in. She pushed him and started to run when her heel snagged. Before she fell, Calen had her in his arms. Would she reconcile with Manny? Or is this Calen’s chance to finally tell her how he feels and what he would like to happen between them? And is she ready to hear those words and tell him her feelings too?

This is my soapbox talk for my frustration with this particular trope. A man or woman should not “assume” that the other person had read their mind and automatically knows how they feel. I know these “didn’t know” misunderstandings are meant as a vehicle to cause some drama, but it’s frustrating. Open, trusting communication in any relationship is what keeps it healthy. Silence is deadly – it can kill a relationship quickly or prevent one from ever starting. Calen waiting for her to read his mind and know his feelings was non-productive. And fear of losing a friendship is a weak excuse for not opening up and being honest. But the story was well done otherwise and this is just my personal annoyance with the over-used trope.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers tropes are always fun to read. There is always someone secretly pining after their best friend and are too afraid to admit their feelings until they are faced with the fact of losing them. Although the general gist is always the same, it's the way the story is told that makes it interesting and enjoyable. This is exactly what Ms. Dineen accomplished with this charming story. Emma and Calen have been best friends since junior high. They have firmly been in the friend zone ever since. Calen, however, has secretly always wanted more but didn't want to risk their friendship by saying anything. He's always been there for her to help her pick up the pieces when her relationships failed. Only now Emma has fallen for someone and it looks like this relationship has a chance, and that terrifies Calen. Has he really lost his chance with her for good this time? The love triangle gets more and more interesting as Calen tries to do things for Emma and her new beau, Manny keeps overshadowing him. When Manny gets a new job offer, will Emma continue a long distance relationship with him, or will she finally realize what she's had right in front of her all these years?
This was a sweet and cute, engaging story and I had a fun time reading it. The characters were interesting and endearing and I was rooting for Calen the whole time!
Thank you to StoryOrigin and the author for providing a complimentary copy. This is my honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Emma and Calen have been friends since junior high... he's been a steady presence in her life (and she in his) for-ev-er but they've stayed in the 'friend zone.' Emma falls hard for yet another man and Calen is just waiting for the other shoe to drop and Emma to go to pieces. But it doesn't happen as quickly as anticipated... what's a guy to do?

This was a fun story that continues the adventures of the Pineapple Club; we do have cameo appearances from other characters out of the other books. Truly a lovely thread to weave through the series by having a 'main character' focus, but not losing sight of the other people who've gone before. I felt the book was a little slower than the first one, but it was still entertaining and there were some laugh-out-loud moments. Also some tender ones - like Emma dealing with her anxiety and how those who truly love her (and have self-assurance) are able to support her well. I hope we get to hear more about Nina in the next story (or soon).

If you like a light-hearted romance, this is for you.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

[Jennifer]

Calen has been starry, eye in love with Emma since they were in middle school together. She has no clue that he is in love with her, all she sees is her best friend in life. He has been a devoted friend and has seen her thru one disaster boyfriend and relationship after another. Just when he makes up his mind to said something she is with this new guy, so he begins to feel it's to late.
Emma has been in one after another hot tangle web of terrible boyfriends and relationships. All she dreams about is having a solid relationship with a guy who has his world together without all the drama that follows him. Is this to much to ask for in life? In walks this guy who has a solid plan in life and on the surface no drama. That is into he has a major issue with her best friend Calen. Little does he know the more he pushes and bad mouth Calen she begins to see him in a new light.
Is Calen the guy for her?.

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

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This can be a tricky romance trope to do well and Miller does a great job with Emma and Calen. Two long time best friends who seemingly decided that's all they'd ever be discover that perhaps there is more to their friendship.

Calen falls first as his love for Emma awakens as he watches her fall for another guy, Manny, the chef at the local restaurant. This relationship appears to be going well for Emma, unlike many of her previous ones, until it is tested. I wasn't sure how Emma would respond and Miller does a good job keeping us guessing as Emma explores her feelings for both men.

I liked Calen and Emma. They are very real with foibles and quirks that make them human and loveable. The Pineapple Club supporting cast continues to be likeable and Miller is doing a great job developing this series centred on this Main Street of Sarasota.

I'm looking forward to the next story in the series.

I was fortunate to receive a copy from the author with no expectation of a favourable review.

[Lindsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me author. Found on StoryOrigin. Friends to lovers/love triangle rom com.
This is the second book in the series but should be able to be read as a standalone. I was a little confused in the beginning; like I should know who the characters are already and what’s going on in the town.
Emma and Calen are best friends but Emma has recently met a new guy that she’s quickly falling for. Manny is the second love interest and a chef. These two seemed to be moving pretty fast until Manny gets a different job offer. Now Emma is questioning everything.
Calen has always been there for Emma. Always knows when she’s about to have a panic attack and how to calm her down quickly. He kept doing little things that were cute for Emma but Manny was overshadowing him. Will Emma do a long distance relationship or finally see what’s been right in front of her for years??
I did enjoy this story but I’m not sure if I will read anymore of the Pineapple club books.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since grade school Emma and Calen have been best friends. Calen has always been there to pick up the pieces when Emma needed him. To help her work through her panic attacks and more, because that's what best friends do. But it turns out being best friends isn't always enough as we witness hearts breaking when Emma falls in love with Manny.

A wonderful story about best friends, good friends, second chances, artistic endeavors, love interests, family, and selflessness. The characters are selfless and clueless as well at times. It was fun to watch Calen and Emma work to their own conclusions independently yet simultaneously. Funny at times, heart wrenching a few times, and delightful all the time, this is a book that makes the reader feel good, as well as satisfied when it's finished. I loved it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Chené Van der Merwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just so freaking SWEET! Seriously I think I got toothache.

Emma is such a relatable character, especially for people my age. Who is still trying to find their way through the dreams of what life would look like and the reality of what life really is. Like really I related so hard with this girl and having to discover new dreams when the ones you had gets shot down.

Don't even get me started on Calen. We all really need one like him 🤣 he is so sweet and patient and... Let's not forget handsome. He is the epitome of golden retriever friend/boyfriend and I could seriously use one like him in my life.

Really all in all this was such a cute romance that brought a smile to my face. A really quick read and a bunch of fun for in between your heavier books.

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

[Noreen Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.It had well written main characters whi have been best freinds since middle school and are always there for each other.
Emma is looking for love but always goes for the wrong guys who end up breaking her heart.Calen is always there for her picking up the peices.Calen thought he had gotten over his crush on Emma in high school,but realises he is in love with her.
Emma thinks she has finally found the perfect man in Manny and he confesses his feelings for her too.
Calen is there as always for Emma if she ever needs him,but needs to move on.
Will Emma realise she might have feelings for Calen before it's too late or will she lose him to someone else?
This is the first book i have read by Dineen and am looking forward to reading more books by her.

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

[Rose Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy to provide an honest review. At the end of a Desperate Deal Manny and Emma were openly flirting and we were left wondering would they get together. When Friendly Disaster opens we find that Emma is prone to falling for the wrong guy and getting hurt quite often. Her best male friend Calen and female friend Sheridan are there to pick up the pieces . Everyone is glad that this flirtation seems different and perhaps Emma has found true love. Is anything that simple? No Calen realizes that perhaps he is not so happy that Manny and Emma are together. Emma not sure she is thrilled with Calen"s new love interest and Manny is torn between Emma and a great opportunity. Find out what happens for yourself as you pick up the second installment of the Pineapple club.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends Calen and Emma didn’t consider deeper feelings for each other until they were in serious relationships with other people. Emma falls a little too fast for smooth talker chef Manny. He does care about her, but it seemed to me like he wanted her to change for him and doesn’t fully understand about her anxiety. Calen knows her better than anyone else, but I think he’s afraid to tell her how he feels and lose their friendship. There was a lot of back forth where both characters made assumptions about what the other was feeling. But there were some really sweet and romantic moments that made my heart melt.

[Carolyn Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, light book to read, kept me smiling the whole way through. The chapters would end on a note that kept me wanting to read more. My heart felt for the characters, they became real to me and I want to continue reading more books about Emma and Calen. "He would have to learn to change his orbit since Emma would no longer be his sun!" You can feel the emotion in those words. I wanted to give Calen a hug. Dineen did a wonderful job, such a talented author. Make your heart smile. Grab a a copy of this book, sit back, relax and read!

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her soulmate has been in front of her the whole time..

This is a fantastic read and I absolutely enjoyed Calen & Emma's story. I don't want to give away the story but I will say if you love romantic comedy that involves friends to lovers then I highly recommend reading this book.
Will Emma open her eyes & realise that her soulmate has been in front of her the whole time or will she continue keeping Calen in the friend zone? Worth 5 stars.

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

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and Calen have been best friends forever. He is her rock when she has panic attacks and he sympathizes with her when her relationships end. Emma encourages Calen in his poetry, but both of them are hiding their true feelings. With the help of friends, family and dates, Emma and Calen just might figure out the truth before lives are permanently entangled wrongly. This book is quirky and fun. I enjoyed getting to know the people of The Pineapple Club and I think anyone will enjoy it too.

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

[Tiffany Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is frustrating, deep, humorous, and even mushy at parts.
Making it a HIT for brilliant author.
Emma is an artist with panic attacks.
Cale is also an artist of the prose type, and Emma’s best friend. The one who calms her when a panic attack begins.
Much to his chagrin- he remains in the friend zone for quite awhile.
When Emma starts to date Manny, a chef, Calen’s world starts to crumble.
Will Emma be there to help pick up the pieces?
Or is Calen destined to just be a friend?
Figure it out with the characters.
EXCELLENT READ

[Ashley Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. Calen and Emma are perfect for each other. The story flowed so well. I loved seeing them grow more comfortable and open with their feelings for each other. Calen is book boyfriend goals, and Emma’s anxiety is so relatable. I hope we see more of Mav & Nina in the next book(fingers crossed that there is one).

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clean romance is book 2 in the Pineapple Club series.
Art teacher Emma suffers from panic attacks, can't find a man who can handle that and falls hard & fast for each man she dates.
Her best friend, Calen, is the only one who can help her through her attacks and has secretly loved her forever.
This was a great friends to lovers story with wonderful friends and compassion thrown in. An all around good read.
I received a free copy from StoryOrigin and this is my voluntary review.

[Reading_with_dani93 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a super cute story and I loved the characters. Once I started reading this I could not put it down. The story flowed so well even though I did not read the first book I felt like I knew what was going on. I felt like the characters were relatable to real life and for me that makes books easier to read. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by Dineen Miller in the future.

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

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends or More

How does one change how they see someone else? Emma and Calen have been lifelong friends, only now that relationship may be in jeopardy. Emma creates with paints, Calen with words, and Manny with food. And Manny may be pulling Emma away permanently. There are many emotions swirling in this story, and the author does a good job handling them all sensitively. It's a sweet story with a happy ending.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

They're best friends, but Emma seems to be a bit flighty.
Calen has always been there for Emma ever since he held her up emotionally after she had a breakup with a boy in their younger years.
Best friends forever... until Manny comes into the picture. That's when things get a little shaky.
Good book.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calen is really trying hard to get Emma's attention after he decides to be courageous with his feelings. It almost seems like it it too late. This is an interesting story to see how things can change in the blink of an eye or when you make a decision. This was a lot of fun to read with a lot of wit.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming, sweet, friends to lovers story. It has interesting characters with great chemistry. I enjoyed the love triangle storyline. The book is an easy read and well written with humor, love and just enough drama.

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

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, this story was incredible. I read this one in one sitting. From start to finish it pulled me and made me laugh. The only reason why I'm giving it four stars is because it was written in the third person which is a deal breaker for me.

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

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can best friends Calen and Emma be anything more than best friends? If they try to date each other will it destroy their friendship? Check out all their ups and downs. This story had a great plot and realistic characters. You can never go wrong with a Dineen Miller read.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and Calen had been best friends since middle school. They had a special relationship and hidden feelings. Both were afraid to say anything about what they were feeling. Everyone can see it but them. Follow them through this interesting relationship and see what happens.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Friendly Disaster by Dineen Miller is a good, and enjoyable sweet friends to lovers romantic comedy read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

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

[Christina Bowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a cute, fun book. I really liked Caleb and Emma and I was mostly happy with their story and how everything wrapped up.

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

[Geraldine Streit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is cute but a little to wholesome and predictable for my taste. Characters are fine, just missing a bit of sparkles.

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