I know there are a couple cries over how infertility was handled poorly here but read the Author’s Note to understand more about the intent. (And Sloan and Brandon, as well) And to highlight menstrual problems and infertility in this book is such a special thing because these are not things that are told often enough. I was practically bawling at dawn in my bed reading the latter parts of this book. The bumps and loss that the characters experienced lent more dimension and realistic direction to the story. I didn’t expect to love The Friend Zone this much. I thought I was signing up for fluff and easy romance, but this book gave me so much more. It’s the sort of twist that just blows up in your face even when you know it will happen eventually (as mentioned, I read the second book first). Then I re-read this but that didn’t make it any easier the second time around.

I initially sped-read this in the wee hours of the morning and I found myself overwhelmed with feelings. This took a surprisingly emotional turn by the last quarter of the book and I wasn’t prepared for it. It started out with silly banters (which I loved), some awkward encounters straight out of a quintessential romcom – and then it went hard, too hard through to the end. She’s a perfectionist with a crippling need for approval, a product of her mother setting the bar too high for her that she now thinks she needs to be perfect to be good enough for anyone” – something that hits too close to home more than I would like. I love how practical she is (though in some ways, it hinders her ability to be actually happy). A sarcastic, no nonsense lady – it’s not too hard to like her as a protagonist. Kristen is such a breath of fresh air as a heroine. I already expected to like it because of how I much I adored The Happy Ever After Playlist but this book felt more fleshed out and I honestly enjoyed it more. “Love is not a checklist of pros versus cons.

The Friend Zone will have you laughing one moment and grabbing for tissues the next as it tackles the realities of infertility and loss with wit, heart, and a lot of sass.(via Goodreads) THOUGHTS Kristen knows he’d be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. He’s funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Planning her best friend’s wedding is bittersweet for Kristen-especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. She’s also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.

Kristen Petersen doesn’t do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don’t get her.

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