Review | Friends Don't Fall In Love by Erin Hahn
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Friends Don't Fall In Love by Erin Hahn
2023 Publication Date: October 17
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Contemporary Romance Books
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books of 2023 | Best Contemporary Romance Novels
Table of Contents
T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW
A Must-Read Contemporary Romance Novel by Erin Hahn...
Ah, romance novels... They always seem to hold a special place in our hearts and minds. For those who can't resist a good dose of swooning, I have fantastic news. Erin Hahn’s Friends Don’t Fall in Love is an unforgettable contemporary romance novel that will keep you invested until the very last page.
Let's take a deep dive into why this book should be on your TBR list today...
Plot Points
The story follows the lives of Lorelai Jones and Craig Boseman. Lorelai is a former successful country music star with a bright future ahead of her. Craig, on the other hand, is a best friend and former bandmate of Lorelai's ex-fiancé. When Lorelai's world crashes down around her after a spontaneous moment at one of her concerts, she finds both her career and her celebrity romance engagement in the dumpster. She turns to Craig for support, and they begin navigating the often treacherous (and vulnerable) path of friends-to-lovers romance with tons of angst and "what ifs" at every turn.
Standout Features of Friends Don’t Fall in Love
• Rich Development of Main Characters
One of the things that stood out to me the most about Friends Don’t Fall in Love is the rich development of the main characters. Hahn does an excellent job constructing the plot and arc of the romantic relationship between them. Each character is given their own unique motivations and struggles to overcome, making each of them feel real and relatable.
But what makes Friends Don't Fall in Love so compelling is the undeniable chemistry between Lorelai and Craig. Hahn has a real talent for writing believable, three-dimensional characters that readers will root for from the very start.
Whether they're arguing, flirting, or simply spending time together, their interactions feel natural and realistic... and ring authentically “real life” true to these two being lifelong friends before any romance vibe starts to spark. It's easy to understand why they care so much about each other, even if they don't realize it yet.
And I dare you to not start thinking about whether you have a best friend that might be the answer to your romantic wildest dreams!... Who knows? Your actual "first love" may have been your best friend all along...
• Witty Banter and Humorous Dialogue
Another aspect of this book that deserves high praise is the witty banter and humorous tone of the dialogue. Hahn’s writing is smart and snappy, and she adds plenty of pop-culture references that will have readers chuckling in agreement. The dialogue flows exceptionally well, and there's never a dull moment in the story.
Erin Hahn has a real knack for dialogue, and her witty banter is both hilarious and heartwarming... A tough balance to stay on point with, as often witty banter will tip too far over into sarcasm which can really destroy the "heartwarming" factor. But, Hahn masterfully walks that razor's edge like a pro... And we, as readers, are grateful to swiftly turn the pages with each chapter burrowing these characters (and their experiences) deeper into our hearts.
Even in the most emotional scenes, she manages to inject humor and levity without undercutting the gravity of the situation. The result is a book that is simultaneously laugh out loud funny and thought-provoking.
Readers will find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering for Lorelai and Craig every step of the way.
• Pacing On Point
What also sets Friends Don't Fall in Love apart from other romance novels is the pacing. It doesn't rush into the romance, which allows the reader to fully invest in the characters and their story before they confess their feelings to each other. The work Hahn puts into the story world-building makes their eventual union all the more satisfying.
• Rave Reviews from Both Critics and Readers
It's also worth noting that Friends Don't Fall in Love has received rave reviews from both critics and readers alike... Including being named one of my T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Best Contemporary Romance Books.
This book is a perfect example of why contemporary romance is such a popular and enduring genre.
Why, you may ask?... Contemporary Romance speaks to universal human experiences, like the pain of loss and the joy of falling in love, in a way that is both accessible and emotionally resonant. This speaks to what readers are often looking for, which is the combination of a great story with a "bridge" of shared experiences from their own lives and the lives of the characters.
• Music, Music, Music
Every time a new Erin Hahn book is announced, I know my iTunes playlist is about to get an injection of new music playlist suggestions... And once again, Erin does not disappoint!
Keep your highlighter close and ready to make note of all of the new, classic and nostalgic fab country music playlist suggestions that you will want to add to your favorite music playlist... Nobody does this better than Erin Hahn...
At the end of the day, Friends Don't Fall in Love is a perfect must-read for any fan of the contemporary romance genre looking for best book recommendations. Erin Hahn’s beautifully written characters, rich world-building, and witty dialogue blend effortlessly to create a story that stays with you long after you finish it.
Whether you're a dedicated romance reader or a newbie to the genre, this book is a gem that should be in your TBR pile today!
Buckle up and get ready for an emotional ride that will leave your heart full, your emotions soaring and your toes tapping to wonderful country music playlist suggestions!... ✨😎✨
♡ T.I.M.E. TIP
This book is an interconnected romance with Erin Hahn's previous book, Built To Last... Meaning each book are considered standalone books, but some characters are interconnected between the books… As for me, I started with Built To Last and recommend reading in order, as you get the opportunity to read more of each characters' backstories and how they weave in and out of the overall timelines... ✨😎✨
BOOK DETAILS
Pages: 336
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Friends To Lovers Romance | Steamy Romance | Interconnected Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Extra Hot Spicy)
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Nashville, TN (US)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin
IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Built To Last by Erin Hahn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Interconnected Romance Books In Order:
Movie: A Lot Like Love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MORE T.I.M.E. TOP BOOK PICKS from…
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Two long-time friends who find themselves falling for each other in unexpected ways. With witty banter, heartfelt emotions, and plenty of steamy scenes, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves romantic fiction...
The book opens with Lorelai Jones, a country music star who has just lost everything. Her career, her fiancé, and her sense of self-worth are all in shambles after she sings a protest song at a concert.
Desperate to reclaim her life and her dreams, she reaches out to Craig Boseman, a best friend and bandmate of her ex-fiancé. What follows is a beautifully written story about two people who discover that they might have been perfect for each other all along.
Erin Hahn's Friends Don't Fall in Love is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary romances. With its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and witty writing style, this book is sure to capture your heart.
Whether you're a fan of the contemporary romance genre or simply looking for a great summer read, Friends Don't Fall in Love is the perfect choice.
So grab a copy and settle in for a heartfelt, steamy, and thoroughly enjoyable ride...
BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
The importance of communication in relationships.
Throughout the book, Lorelai and Craig struggle with opening up to each other about their feelings and past experiences. This leads to misunderstandings and challenges as their relationship develops. However, as each main character learns to communicate effectively, we can "step into their shoes" in how each step forward... or backward... can potentially play out.
The beauty of taking risks.
Lorelai and Craig's journey towards love (and their respective careers) is not easy, but it ultimately pays off… Explores the power of taking risks and being vulnerable enough to stay rooted in what your heart is telling you to find true happiness.
The healing power of music.
Music is a central theme in this book, with both main characters being musicians. Playing and creating music allows them to express their emotions and cope with challenges in their lives... An effective reminder of the therapeutic value of art and creativity.
BOOK QUOTE
"I'll never be done with you..." — Friends Don't Fall In Love by Erin Hahn
Erin Hahn | Photo by Erin Hahn
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ERIN HAHN is the author of the young adult novels You'd Be Mine, More Than Maybe, and Never Saw You Coming as well as the adult romance Built to Last. Romance is her vibe, grunge is her soundtrack and fall is her signature color. She fell for her flannel-clad college sweetheart the very first day of school and together, they have two hilarious kids who keep her humble. She lives outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has a cat named Gus who plays fetch and a dog named June who doesn't.
Learn more online at Erin Hahn
More T.I.M.E. Book Reviews on Erin Hahn Books…
LISTEN TO MUSIC PLAYLIST
VIDEO MUSIC PLAYLIST | Curated by Erin Hahn
for “Friends Don’t Fall In Love”
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Friends Don’t Fall In Love - Music Playlist | Curated by Erin Hahn
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