Hello everyone!
I am back with another book review, today it is The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez. Thanks so much to Hachette Book Group Canada for sending a copy of this book my way for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own.
This book follows Kristen, a girl who has no time for guys who don't get her. She knows what she wants and what she can't have. After a lifetime of horrible periods, Kristen is facing a medical procedure that would prevent her from having kids. When she meets Josh, or more like, when he rear-ends her in her best friend's fiancé's new truck, she is less than impressed. She is even less impressed when she finds out he is the best man to her maid of honour at the wedding. Sparks begin to fly but between her deployed boyfriend and the procedure she's facing, Kristen doesn't want to take a chance. Josh, who can't stop talking about a big family, however, finds it hard to keep things friendly. Kristen has a choice to make, and it's not just for herself.
Right off the bat, I knew I was going to love this book based on the premise. While this one wasn't an enemies-to-lovers story for very long, it was more of an enemies-to-tolerable friendship, I loved the rom-com components. From the meet-cute to the tension in their banter, I loved every second of Kristen and Josh's interactions.
I also really loved that this book covered a lot of deeper, heavier topics, including infertility. It's not really something I've read a lot about in fiction, especially romance novels. These aspects made the book so much more than just a fluffy romance. Sure, it had those moments too, but it also really tugged at my heartstrings. I won't say too much more about that because of spoilers but just know that there is a lot more going on here.
I really enjoyed the writing style of this one, this was Jimenez's debut novel, although there was a tease of another book coming in the next couple of years and I already know I will be picking it up. It was witty without being tiresome, steamy without being over the top, and emotional without being overpowering.
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it!