My Best Friend and My Odd Side Job: A Friends to Lovers Sweet Romantic Comedy Novella

Trouble in Love #1

by Jessie Cal

Best friends. A fake date. A real kiss. And a disastrous wedding.

On the verge of burning out due to juggling multiple odd jobs—including working as a wedding stopper—Faye Stensen finally gets a call from her dream job in the fashion industry. But not as a fashion designer. Instead, they want her to stop a wedding. And not just any wedding. No. It’s the wedding of her best friend’s boss. The same wedding which she agreed to be her best friend's fake girlfriend. Oh, boy. Now, she must figure out a way to further her career without ruining her best friend’s future. Or their future together.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Novella, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary

164 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2020

Reviews

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 This was a cute chick flick about Faye and Ralph, who have been best friends forever. Faye is outgoing, a little wild, and a lot flaky (in a fun way). Ralph is steady, loyal, and Faye’s complement. When he begs Faye to do him a favor (a first for him), Faye is hesitant, but finally agrees. Ralph wouldn’t ask her to be his fake girlfriend to his boss’s wedding unless it was an emergency. And she has to have his back. But sparks ignite somewhere along the way and the plot thickens when Faye’s odd side job lands her in a messy web that might ruin everything between her and Ralph. This was super cute and funny. I loved the whole story except the ending. It came off a little forced and hokey with some name-dropping that added absolutely nothing to the story. Anyway, the rest was fun and super enjoyable.

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main characters have zero chemistry and her job should be illegal.

[Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by Jessie Cal and I liked it. It is a clean romance about Faye, an aspiring designer, who has odd side jobs to make ends meet. Breaking up weddings is her latest money maker on the side. Ralph, Faye's neighbor and best friend, has an issue and needs Faye to be his fake girlfriend for a weekend during his boss's wedding...and she can't work. But Faye gets an opportunity she can't refuse. Is her friendship worth the trouble?

The story is told in Faye's POV. The story is a quick read that is light and funny. Faye's relationship with Ralph is easy because they've known each other a long time. While the story was a nice read, it did not whisk me away or suck me in. This is a beach or rainy day read that will leave a smile on your face.

I received a free copy of the book from BookSprout in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Arceli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this novel. It was short abs sweet. I loved Ralph and Faye as friends and a couple. The novel was sweet and had nice moments. The only problem was the ending was very rushed.

[Lindsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faye and Ralph are an interesting couple but they work so well together. I didn’t expect this story to be so short but a lot happened in 7 chapters.
I loved that this was a romantic comedy and kept me entertained from the beginning. I have never heard of a wedding stopper being a job but Faye seems to enjoy it. I loved the friendship between Faye and Ralph. It was really cool to see Faye be able to show off the fashion designer in her also. I thought this story was well written and the ending was good for everyone.
I was a little confused by this story though and the characters that just came out of nowhere. Thankfully this is only the first book so we will learn more about all her sisters.

[Judith Barillas · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a few “brushstrokes” (aka paragraphs) Jessie paints a picture of Faye, the main character. I was immediately entranced. She’s wonderful and quirky. She gets into hilarious trouble without even trying. Her best friend, Ralph, is her opposite. When they both begin to notice each other the story really gets comical! Hang on for a fun, romantic ride! Jessie Cal is my new, favorite author!!

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faye is a fun and entertaining heroine, her antics made me chuckle - and sometimes outright (snort-)laugh. She is well matched with her longtime best friend Ralph who's been carrying a torch for her for a loooong time.
Add a pretend relationship plus forced proximity at a destination wedding to the mix, a bridezilla, and a couple other hiccups, and you get an equally funny and sweet story.
Although this is definitely a standalone story, it looks like it might be the beginning of a series - will all the sisters get their own books?

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed a lot through this one. Who takes jobs that require you to ruin someone's wedding? Faye. And how many people actually hire her to do the job. Many, it seems. She wants to be a fashion designer but can't break into the industry. Her boyfriend invites her to join him to attend his boss's wedding & makes her promise she won't take a "destroy a wedding" job that weekend. You won't believe what happens to her career at that wedding. As I said, this is very funny. Highly recommend. I received an ARC. This is my voluntary, honest opinion.

[Willie-mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Jessie Cal. It won't be my last time reading this author. Her story was well written, funny, charming and entertaining. The main characters blended well with each other and their supporting cast. I laughed quite a bit while reading this story. It was lighthearted and sexy at the same time.

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

[Alessandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read to relax... The characters could have been better developed, but all things considered it's a nice story, engaging enough, I liked it! I read it in maybe three hours straight :)

[Danae · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5
💧5
It’s cute, but the romance felt awkward. I mean Faye suddenly finding him attractive because a bruise makes him look like a bad boy. Also, I would like to add that Ralph would have never gotten the bruise in the first place if Faye had done her homework and known what the bride and groom looked like for the wedding Faye was trying to stop.
You know for foster sisters supposed to be like sisters they sure don’t interact a lot with each other. They only show up when it’s convenient for the story (or the author suddenly realized she mentioned them, but never had any interactions so quickly added it on in the end).
I am curious about continuing the series because I want to meet the sisters (lord knows this book didn’t).
Also, why the heck would you make a living stopping weddings? Are you that heartless Faye?

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very surprised with this story. I picked it up because I was intrigued by her being a wedding stopper. And that was a really funny plot to me. The thought that someone could get paid to deliver a message to the bride or groom was very interesting, and definitely something you would see in a romantic comedy. Faye is just an average sexy black woman who falls in love with her best friend. No racial controversy, which was very refreshing to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a light read that you could finish in one sitting. It's less than 10 chapters, but you will be laughing through most of them. Enjoy it. Will be looking for more book by this author.

[Susan Saltos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. I wish there would have been more background on the main characters. We know little about Faye and her family (she has foster sisters). We know nothing about Ralph's background except he grew up with Faye. I wanted to know more about both characters. I would have appreciated more scenes between Faye and Ralph especially since they were developing feelings for each other. It was more what was happening around them (her job, the wedding they were attending) than what they were feeling and them trying to be more than friends together. I think it would have been better if it had been a longer novel with more detail on their relationship. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story.

[Claudia Ivory · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a funny and witty romantic comedy, you will love this story! Faye is a very comical and scattered brain character. Ralph, on the other hand, is super laid back and knows exactly how to handle her. They've been best friends since grade school. So, when he asks her to be his fake girlfriend and plus-one to his boss' wedding, he thinks is going to be a piece of cake... until he realizes Faye has a secret he doesn't know about. This was a page-turner, and it had me laughing the whole time! I highly recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a witty and clumsy romance.

[Cait M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best friends and neighbours Faye and Ralph have known each other since kindergarten. Ralph convinces Faye to pose as his girlfriend for his business partner's wedding.

Faye is a wannabe fashion designer but has a side job as a wedding-stopper. She gets hired to arrive at weddings and give a message to the bride or groom from someone who wants to confess their love before it's too late.

Unfortunately for Ralph and Faye, just as they realise that they want their fake relationship to be real, Faye gets a job offer she can't refuse.

A quick, easy read that is sweet and clean.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun side job

This is the funniest story! I laughed out loud multiple times, to the point I think my husband was ready to send me to another room to read. 😂 (Five stars minus one for infrequent bad language. Also closed door romance.)

5 stars = the book was fantastic and made me laugh out loud/cry.
4 stars = the book was awesome. No complaints.
3 stars = the book was great, but there was just something off about it.
2 stars = the book was pretty bad, although it had some redeeming qualities.
1 star = the book was awful and should be kindling for a fire.

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was surprisingly funny! It's lighthearted and witty. Faye wants to be a fashion designer but in the meantime she's working as a wedding stopper who delivers messages to the bride or groom from someone else. Ralph is her best friend who just got a promotion from his boss. He's invited to a wedding and Faye is his plus one. But then she's asked to stop yet another wedding... I laughed the whole time. And their chemistry is super mega cute. Loved every minute of it!

[LaQuale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book's got humor and romance and lots of trouble. If you're looking for a funny and witty and lighthearted romance that you can read in a few hours, you will love this story! Faye and Ralph are complete opposites, but they fit so well together. I was able to see this story like a movie in my head. They sounded like real people to me, and I loved spending time with them. Jessie Cal is a new favorite author for me. Look forward to her other books. Especially the next book in this series.

[Reading Cave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faye is a last-minute wedding messenger. And although it is an odd side job, it is very fitting for a romantic comedy. The more ridiculous, the better. I laughed the whole time and it was very refreshing. It also includes very loveably tropes such as best friends to lovers and fake relationship. This was a very unique story, refreshing, witty, and the chemistry between the characters was spot on! I have found a new author to follow and will be looking forward to more of her stories.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends. A fake date. A real kiss. And a disastrous wedding.
This was a fun read, Faye has a side job while she tries to get a break in the fashion industry. Ralph is her best friend and neighbor and asks her to pretend to be his date for his boss's wedding.
It's a short rom-com that packs a lot.

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

[H. James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this sweet romance. No curse words, no sex on the page, but lots of tension! I loved their chemistry. They fit so well together even though they couldn't be more different. This is story that will leave a smile on your face long after the last page. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a few good chuckles. Loved it.

[Keppler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wedding stopper. That caught my attention immediately, and I just had to read it. I was so glad I did because this book made me laugh from beginning to end, and the fake relationship with her best friend had me head of heels in love, cheering for them. I will look forward to reading more from this author.

[Rhanway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious, touching lyrical story you will read in one sitting:)

Thoroughly enjoyable story of childhood friends and now next door apartment best friends with lots of laughs and heartwarming moments. I will read more of Jesse Cal's books for an uplifting afternoon or evening, truly rewarding!

[Tamera Westhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted it to be a Sweeter Romance

This was a bit too steamy for my taste. I loved the characters, but didn’t love the making out and her getting drunk and thinking that they had slept together and she didn’t remember it. Not my favorite. I’ll try the next book to see if it’s sweet or not.

[♏Vanessa♏ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t like the fmc much but her best friend and future love interest was adorable and so patient with her. I wish I got to see more of her side job which was indeed peculiar and I feel the author could’ve explored the many possibilities in that way more.
The romance itself was lukewarm at best. But the story was fun and very short.
Great narration.
Included on audible + catalogue

[Lesa Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall 4/5
Spice 1/5

This was a funny book. The spice is low only kissing. But oh man could it have been spicier after that kiss. 2 best friends fake dating. 1 was in love with the other from day 1 the other had to see it from the fake dating.

Omg her side job of being a wedding stopper so hilarious. I wonder if it is a real job lol.

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

I enjoyed reading Faye and Ralph’s story. The story has twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and intrigued. I can’t wait to continue on with Judy and Jared’s story when it is available!

[Bex’s reading corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short sweet and cute

Short, sweet, clean and cute book. Reminded me a bit of 27 dresses but in reverse. Made me laugh and made me smile but the ending seemed rushed compared to the rest of the book, but will definitely go on to read book two.

[Christene Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and silly

Ralph should have found him somebody else all those years, Faye was mentally challenged. Faye was silly and thought only of herself. Ralph was stable but not strong when it came to Faye.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quick read

This is a fun short read. It was perfect it you want something light and fun.
Yes, there could of been a little more character development, but the plot was sweet and I enjoyed the romance.