JUST FRIENDS
by Monica Murphy
Publication Date: September 13, 2016
Published by Everafter Romance
Pages: 330
Source: Social Butterfly PR
Synopsis
It’s the end of summer. Just before I start senior year with my two best friends in the whole world. Dustin and Emily are everything to me. We’ve been inseparable since middle school, and when we’re together, nothing can go wrong.
But things aren’t always what they seem. Em’s turned into a drunken mess who parties too much. Dustin and I have hooked up a few times—and now he’s ready to take our relationship to the next level. Yet I’m not sure I want things to change. I’m scared if I take it any further with Dustin, our friendship will be ruined forever. Then there’s Ryan. The new guy. He’s hot. He flirts way too much. And Em has totally set her sights on him.
So when my best friend betrays me in the worst possible way, guess who’s there to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart? Ryan. But he’s so confusing. Annoying. Sweet. Sexy. I want to trust him, yet he makes it so hard. What I really want is for everything to go back to the way it was before.
Before I found out that best friends make the worst kind of enemies.
My Thoughts
Is is ever really possible to be "Just Friends"?
Books like JUST FRIENDS are some of the reasons I continue to read YA as an adult. It is full of all of the juicy drama - a lot of the time over the top but this really happens drama - that I'm thankful that I don't have to deal with in my adult life. I tore through the pages from the beginning until the very end because this book was like candy - I couldn't get enough.
I loved reading about the friendships even when they were were falling apart and the romance or fauxmance and hot and heavy times. But most of all, I loved all of the "What are they thinking" moments. I'll say it again, I love the drama! There were so many times when I would say to the main character Liv, "Oh girl, you have to know better. Please know better."
One thing that I could completely relate to (from my own teenage experience) was the friendship betrayal and how Liv found it so difficult to not be friends with Em after everything that happened when they were completely ingrained in each others lives. I really felt for their friendship and wanted to know the circumstances that led up to the betrayal.
But JUST FRIENDS is about more than friendships and betrayals and heartache and hook-ups. We get glimpses into Liv's family life and I think that there is a bigger story just waiting to be told.
Favorite Quote:
"Adults think we're not paying attention, but we so are. They also believe we don't understand what's going on, but that's a lie they tell themselves to feel better about their decision." - Liv's thought about her parents divorce when she was eleven.
There is a lot going on that remains open ended, unexplored, and left me asking questions. Even though the story will continue with another book in the series, I think that more details could have been provided. I don't mind a cliffhanger ending (and there certainly is one), but some questions could have been answered.
JUST FRIENDS is the first book by Monica Murphy that I've read and even though I wanted more from it, it kept me entertained throughout. I can't wait to read more about Liv, Em, Ryan, Dustin, and Amanda. I loved that girl! Readers who like their books full of drama and angst will love this book.
Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Quotes were taken from the e-ARC and may differ from the final published version. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
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