Book Review: Not Here to Stay Friends

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Main Genre: Romance

This was such a fun and refreshing read. I enjoyed reading this book a lot, especially because of how much I laughed and because I loved the creativity. This is definitely a feel-good book and I’m always up to reading sweet friends-to-lovers like this one.

Read on for more details.

Synopsis:

This friends-to-lovers spin on The Bachelor follows two childhood besties reuniting to spend the summer in L.A. after five years apart—but when they both get involved with a teen reality dating show, their lives take an unexpected turn for the unreal.

Sloane McKinney feels like a background character in her own life. But this summer will be different, because she’s spending it with her childhood best friend, Liam Daniels, in her dream city, Los Angeles. Sure, she’s surprised to find that Liam just happens to have had a Hot Guy glow-up since she last saw him, but so what? A little attraction won’t ruin her plans for their fun—and completely platonic—reunion.

What might, however, is that Liam has been roped into working for his producer dad’s new teen reality dating show, Aspen Woods’s Future Leading Lady. Liam figures Sloane can still hang out with him on set while he fetches coffee for the film crew, or whatever it is that production assistants do. Except it turns out the show is one contestant short . . . and Sloane is the perfect last-minute addition.

Once cameras are rolling, the whirlwind of dating teen heartthrob Aspen Woods feels way more real than Sloane expected, and Liam doesn’t exactly enjoy watching it all unfold. But it’s behind the scenes where the drama really picks up. . . .

Because wanting to kiss your best friend? That’s a plot twist neither Sloane nor Liam ever saw coming.

Review:

Salone is a sweetheart. She has a bubbly, outgoing personality especially around her childhood best friend Liam. She’s also a bit awkward sometimes in a cute way. Salone wants to be a screenwriter and Liam’s father makes a deal with her. He was suddenly short one girl in his new dating show, “Aspen Wood’s Future Leading Lady” (AWFLL for short) and Salone helped him out by agreeing that she would participate and try to make it to the top four and, in return, Liam’s dad would hook her up with some Hollywood screenwriters he’s in touch with. Fair deal, right? Salone didn’t know how crazy her life would become once she started the reality show.

Liam is also sweet, but he doesn’t show it as easily. He cares for Salone a lot, and not just as a friend, so the idea of Salone participating in a dating show with a popular and very attractive actor is not the most ideal idea for him. Salone seems to want to do it, so he doesn’t make a big fuss out of it. He’s going to be on set anyways, but just backstage rather than front stage with Salone. Liam would rather be doing his woodworking than working on set, but his father doesn’t consider his woodworking as anything impressive and would rather have Liam working with him. 

Salone and Liam were a slow burn for sure. They took their sweet time confessing, not that I mind, but it was a little frustrating having them feel like they like each other but just can’t confess. At the same time, I understand their hesitance as confessing could ruin their friendship. I do have to say Liam definitely fell harder than Salone. Salone did realize she liked Liam eventually, but not as quickly as Liam or as strongly. Liam did do some things that he shouldn’t have because he wanted what was best for her, but in the end that was what got him to end up confessing to her. 

The plot was fast-paced and super fun! The dating reality tv show was such a good topic to write the story around. The different dates that the characters went on were fun to read about because of the diverse activities they participated in. Aspen was kind of charming in the way, especially more towards the beginning. By the end of the story, everyone in the book and myself, hated Aspen with a burning passion. Some of the other girls in the story were also absolutely awesome. They supported Salone when she wasn’t sure whether she liked Liam while trying to win Aspen’s heart (well not really but that’s what she was supposed to act like she was doing). I have to say, the last few chapters of the book solidified my 5 stars. Those chapters were hilarious, clever, and a satisfying ending to this story. 

I liked how I got to see both perspectives, Salone and Liam’s. I especially love seeing the boys’ povs. Salone couldn’t believe she was falling for her childhood best friend while Liam couldn’t deal with Aspen and Salone hanging out and spending time together. They both found themselves falling more and more for each other, it was so adorable! Some could find some parts more cringy than cute, but keep in mind this is a ya book! I personally think the author executed the scenes in a way that weren’t super immature or cringy. 

Overall, I almost went into a reading slump after finishing this one because I didn’t think I’d find a book nearly as good as this (spoiler alert: I did!). If you’re looking for something different and new, this is a great book to pick up. It will leave you feeling giddy and cozy on the inside. 

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