Book Description:
Lily took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to pass out from her now-galloping heart. She was thirty-three years old and way beyond having issues seeing an ex. Even the ex. She was going to just ignore Matt and enjoy her best friend’s wedding…
Lily is fine. Really, truly, she’s ok. She might have to attend her best friend’s wedding with the ex-boyfriend she never got over, on a gorgeous Greek island that’s so small it’s impossible to avoid him, but she is determined to be friendly.
And Matt, too, is completely and utterly fine. Lily may have broken his heart, but he moved on. And surely they can be amicable, as this week is about his best friend’s wedding too? So he will be civil, stay out of her way as much as he can, and get on with the celebrations.
But then the wedding comes under threat, and Matt and Lily are thrown together in the efforts to save the day and – yet again – sparks fly. What happens when you try to repeat the past though? Can a holiday romance turn into a lasting love, for the second time? Or are Lily and Matt destined to remain just friends, forever?
A totally gorgeous, escapist holiday will-they-won’t-they romantic comedy for fans of One Day in December, This Time Next Year and Paige Toon.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Just Friends' by Jo Lovett.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Jo Lovett, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 14th March 2022.
This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The House Swap', 'The First Time We Met' and 'The Mistletoe Pact' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this books is 'A totally gorgeous, escapist holiday will-they-won’t-they romantic comedy for fans of One Day in December, This Time Next Year and Paige Toon.' I am a huge fan of 'This Time Next Year' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Jo and if this is half as good as 'The House Swap', 'The First Time We Met' and 'The Mistletoe Pact' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 23 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London, UK 🇬🇧 and Greece 🇬🇷 . The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Lily and Matt. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! Absolutely LOVED this book. Yet another stunner by the very talented Jo!!!
Awww!!! Absolutely perfect!!! Another absolutely gorgeous book from the amazing Jo Lovett!!! Absolutely stunningly romcom heartwarmer!!!
This book is beautifully written and completely absorbs you in the stunning atmosphere of the Greece and really sucks you in with the vivid descriptions leaving you feeling the sand between your toes, the sun in your face and the live filling your heart. The synopsis and cover suits the storyline perfectly.
The storyline is authentic and realistic as well as easy to read and heartwarming. I loved it straight away and was hooked immediately!!! A true heart warning, addictive page turner!! It was fast paced with plenty of events going on throughout and it kept me hooked from start to end, I read it in one sitting. It really made me feel like I was with Lily and Matt throughout the storyline going through all the emotions with them The storyline was filled with a range of emotions and was heartwarming, devastating and had lost and new love, relationships, family, friendship and history all going on in this beautiful book. It felt like a lovely break away from a rainy Wales!! I loved going on the Greek adventure and then relaxing in the sun. It made me laugh, cry and filled me with a warm fuzzy feeling all at different times. I loved how the story ended!!! If you are planning to read this I would definitely recommend clearing your schedules. It is perfect to read curled up on the sofa in front of the fire with a nice hot chocolate or cup of tea. I was completely absorbed in the realistic storyline and although it was filled with love, romance and happiness there was definitely some suspense, tension but also loads of laughter in the air!! This would make an absolutely stunning movie which I would love to see come to the big screen!!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters were all unique with their own realistic traits, strengths and weaknesses. It was intriguing to watch Lily and Matts's friendship and relationship grow, develop and change throughout the the storyline. It was also intriguing to see how not only Lily and Matt's relationship change throughout the book but also Meg's relationship with Pythagoras and Carole and Norm's relationship. I absolutely loved watching Lily go from strength to strength and I'm glad she finally found the courage to tell Matt and her mum how she really felt. I enjoyed watching the relations between Lily and Matt's change from exes to lovers, back to friendship and much more. It wasn't just Lily and Matt that I enjoyed getting to know but also bridezilla Tina, Lovelorn Meg, say it as it is Aaliyah, wild Carole and the long suffering Norm. Each character had their own unique personalities and each left their own impressions on me. I became completely invested in Lily and Matt. All characters worked perfectly with the storyline and I would love to meet them again and hope to see this made into a series or even a movie!!!
Congratulations Jo on yet another absolutely fantastic rom com heart warmer. There's a good reason you are one of my favourite authors!!! Here's to yet another success 🥂!!!
Overall a heart warming page turner filled love, snow, comedy, friendship and everything you could want in an epic rom com.
Genres covered in this novel include Romance Novel, Humorous Fiction, Contemporary Romance and Holiday Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of One Day in December, This Time Next Year, Paige Toon, Beth O’Leary, Bridget Jones, fans of Jo's previous books and just anyone who loves a good read!!
320 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@JoLovett @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
Jo Lovett lives in London with her family. She worked in Corporate Tax before taking a longer-than-expected career break to have more-than-expected children (five). She started writing romantic comedy when she realised that she was regularly begging her oldest son to let her do his English homework but she wasn't actually that interested in haunted houses or Macbeth. Jo was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping/ Orion First Novel Competition 2018 and shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print Award 2019. When she can escape from her laundry mountain and childcare, she enjoys reading, tennis and wine. https://twitter.com/JoLovettWrites
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B09PSSWK1Jsocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/HwmN50IcA88
Kobo: http://ow.ly/8BSs50IcA8a
Google: http://ow.ly/fSFy50IcA89
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