The Friend Zone
4.7
57
5
1
Paperback
USD
13.49
$13.49
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781538715604 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Grand Central Publishing |
| Publication date: | 06/11/2019 |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Sales rank: | 5,781 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.10(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.20(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
The Friend Zone
4.7 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
57 reviews.
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loved+it%2C
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I+have+not+read+a+book+that+tore+at+my+heart+as+much+as+this+one+in+a+long+time.++I+believe+that+this+is+the+first+book+written+by+this+author+and+it+was+incredible.++It+was+funny+and+heartbreaking%2C+just+like+real+life.++I+signed+up+to+be+on+Ms.+Jimenez%27s+newsletter+because+I+do+not+want+to+miss+her+next+book.++I+highly+recommend+this+book.+Just+have+tissues+nearby.++This+is+a+very+talented+author.
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Funny%2C+sexy%2C+lovely%2C+and+real.+Parts+made+me+bust+out+laughing%2C+like+at+work+when+I+was+reading+it+on+my+phone+instead+of+working+because+I+couldn%27t+put+it+down.+But+not+just+funny%2C+it+made+me+feel+ALL+THE+THINGS.+So+good.+
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I+started+reading+this+book+at+4am+due+to+good+old+fashioned+insomnia+and+I+just+finished+it+at+8am.+I+never+do+that%21+I+went+into+it+looking+for+some+light+and+fluffy+chick+lit+to+help+me+sleep+and+was+blown+away.+I+came+away+with+so+much+more.+This+story+and+the+things+it+made+me+feel+were+phenomenal.+I+would+highly+recommend+to+anyone.
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I+love+when+a+new+author+takes+the+time+to+really+develop+her+characters+while+telling+a+relatable+story.+I+laughed%2C+I+cringed%2C+I+fell+in+love%2C+and+I+got+my+heart+broken+within+these+pages.+Well+written%21%21%0A
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Terrific beach read. A funny, sad, and unputdownable love story.
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If you follow Abby you know her sense of humor and this book is so like her. She tells the story with great humor but she has a way of writing so you feel all of Kristen, Josh and Sloan’s pain. I didn’t want to read it to fast because I didn’t want the book to end.
I liked the way she told the story so you understood what each of them were thinking and feel in each situation. This is a must read book but make sure you have tissues because your going to need them.
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Couldn’t put this down. Finished it in a day. Can’t wait to read her next books!
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Absolutely+loved+this+book.+It+was+relatable%2C+funny%2C+cute%2C+and+I+couldnt+out+it+down.+It+was+told+very+well+and+made+me+laugh+and+cry.+Highly+recommend+it%21+
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Such a great book. Heart wrenching and heart warming. A MUST READ
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The+characters+are+very+endearing+and+believable.++It%27s+an+easy+read+that+is+well-written+and+full+of+emotion.+I+highly+recommend+it%21
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contains+all+elements+of+a+good+story%2C+funny%2C+sad+at+times%2C+good+dialogue%2C++even+the+authors+notes+at+the+end+were+fabulous%21%21ENJOY
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I+can%27t+recommended+this+book+enough%21+I+love+the+characters+so+much+I+wish+I+could+hang+out+with+them%21+The+story+is+told+in+such+an+honest+way.++I%27m+already+looking+forward+to+the+next+book+from+the+author.++Please+read+it.+You+won%27t+regret+it%21
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5 stars isn’t enough for this laugh out loud, beautifully honest, and sometimes heartbreaking novel. This book consumed me in the best way possible right from the start and I’m confident it will be one of my favorite reads ever. The Friend Zone was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019 and it was more captivating and moving than I ever could have imagined. It’s hard to believe that this is Abby Jimenez’s debut novel!
I absolutely loved Josh and Kristen! They were both such perfectly imperfect people. Their struggles (individually and together) were so relatable and honest. They had the best witty banter and their playful barbs were so much fun. I loved how they each gave as good as they got. Things start off on the wrong foot for them, but as they spend more time together, that spark they felt ignites and they recognize that their attraction is more than just physical. They truly see the other and that feeling of being known is so powerful. The build up between these two was delicious and their chemistry was off the charts. I felt all the longing and every stolen moment between them. It was all worth the wait though because when things come to a head, they aren’t just hot, they’re nuclear!
Without a doubt, Josh is a shoo-in for my book boyfriend hall of fame. He was everything I love in a hero - loving, considerate, loyal, understanding, funny, protective, intelligent, and an all around good guy. His thoughtfulness and unwavering patience only made him more endearing. Kristen was a fantastically complex heroine. I loved her blunt honesty and take no prisoners sarcasm, even though she mainly used it as armor to protect herself. She was fiercely loyal and cared so deeply and wholly for those that she loved. Her friendship with Sloan was unparalleled and I loved how they complemented each other so well. Yes, Kristen did frustrate me at times with the push and pull with Josh, but given her history and mindset, it made so much sense. One of the things I appreciated most about this book, is that the story was as much a love story between Kristen and Josh, as it was between Kristen and herself.
The author’s sense of humor really shines and there are some truly hilarious moments and dialogue that had me cackling like a mad woman. (I’m looking at you Shawn! LOL ) The humor balanced the poignant and heartwrenching scenes so well and readers will definitely want to have some tissues handy for the last quarter or so of the book. Through the tears though, there is also a wonderful message of hope and unwavering love. I don’t think I will ever be able to adequately express how much I loved this book. It resonated and touched me in a way that few books have. It was like the author opened my chest and held my heart in her hands. I felt every emotion while reading this one. Jimenez tackled infertility in such a compassionate and truthful way. It was gut wrenching and painful, but to those that have had their lives touched in this way or are a part of this club that no one ever wants membership to, it’s also unflinchingly honest. Kristen’s feelings of worthlessness and not being good enough will sadly hit home for many, but that’s what makes this book so compelling. I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end as well since it gives greater insight into the story and characters. The epilogue brought everything together so wonderfully and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book! Truly an incredible book and one that will stay with me.
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5 Star Review of The Friend Zone by Abby Jiminez
I find it so hard to believe that The Friend Zone is Abby Jiminez debut novel.
What an emotional roller coaster of a read this book was. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down as I laughed and cried.
Fate works in mysterious ways as Josh and Kristen meet over a car accident, shocked even more to discover that they are both in the same wedding party.
The friendship they strike up is deep and meaningful; despite their attraction to one another, they focus on being friends first.
Josh longs to settle down and have a big family and Kristen knows that is something she cannot give him, children. She loves him to much to stand in the way of his dreams.
There were times I ugly cried while reading this book, times when I laughed out loud and times when I just sat there feeling Kristen’s pain. The banter between Josh and Kristen was fabulous and I loved their friendship.
This story was well written and real. The situation that they find themselves is one millions of couples face every day and Abby Jiminez handled it with respect and realism.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
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The Friend Zone was one of my favorite debut books this year. The characters were just so great, and the story ended up being so touching. I will admit I shed a few tears in the end. It all just felt so real and not like a typical HEA. One of the first books I plan to read next year is Abby Jimenez's follow-up, The Happy Ever After Playlist.
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Contrary to what the publisher’s blurb and cartoonish cover lead you to believe, this is not a light-hearted piece of chick lit. Yes, there are many humorous moments and the wonderful banter between the main couple, but there’s also heartbreak and baggage galore. Kristen and Josh meet when he rear-ends her car. She’s snarky from the start and he loves it. He has 6 older sisters, so he’s well-trained in how to deal with women’s moods. When they meet up at the fire station where Josh has just begun working (after a break-up and subsequent move from S. Dakota to LA), they realize that they’re best man and maid of honor at their best friends’ upcoming wedding. Although there’s an immediate attraction, Kristen is awaiting the arrival of her long-distance Marine boyfriend Tyler who is leaving the military and moving in with her. When she hires Josh to build doggy steps for her (working out of her garage), the close proximity makes her begin to wonder why she’s settling for Tyler. However, she’s aware that Josh wants a baseball team worth of kids and, due to uterine fibroid tumors, she’s scheduled a hysterectomy for just after the wedding. So, she friend zones him (with benefits) but refuses to tell him why, even as their feelings for each other intensify. Is there any chance for a happily-ever-after if she’s not willing to share her secret believing that he’ll resent her for giving up his dreams?
There’s so much more to this story than just a run-of-the-mill romance with conflict and misunderstandings. Yes, there are LOL moments, but there are tear-inducing plot twists as well. The issue of infertility is handled well, although the ending is a bit of a cop-out, and the anguish the couple feels is visceral. Jimenez’s writing is compelling, and she does a wonderful job of balancing all of the emotional elements, even if Kristen’s stubbornness gets frustrating at times. If you’re a fan of Christina Lauren, pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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Kristen Peterson is one of those girls that is effortlessly beautiful, sarcastically funny, and everyone’s best friend. The moment Josh Copeland meets her he knows she’s the woman for him. With her boyfriend on deployment, Kristen has plenty of time to hang with her best friend helping her plan her wedding. As the maid of honor to Josh’s best man, they are thrown together on many occasions and develop an easy friendship that could turn into so much more, except for two things. Her boyfriend and the fact that she has a medical condition that will make her unable to have children.
This was one of those books that is a delight to read at least for the first half of the book. I loved Kristen’s personality. She was so freaking funny but also had so much heart. She and Josh together were really effortless and the tension that built between them as she fought to keep that wall up was extreme! As the second half of the book rolled along I’ll admit to moments where I wanted to kick her in the shins to just make her get over herself and give him a chance. Thankfully the tender moments outweighed the frustrating, but I did seriously question my resolve to finish this book.
With the exception of a lack of communication skills, Josh was the perfect guy. Handsome, had a great job, and a good personality. The fact he was so nice was kind of unreal but knowing I was reading a fantasy filled romance novel I let myself enjoy his wonderfulness. There were a couple of tense emotion filled scenes where he just shone and I again wanted to kick Kristen in the shins because her reactions just didn’t make sense! LOL! Who wouldn’t want to do everything in their power to be with this guy?
Thankfully, knowing this is a romance and a happy ending is pretty much guaranteed I chose to enjoy the ride and not question things too much. The ending was happy just as I’d hoped and this amazing couple fought through adversity and then some… to finally get that happy ending. The Friend Zone had moments of hilarity mixed with tension filled heartbreak. I hit all points on the emotional spectrum and still enjoyed the novel. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Loved the flow and ease this book had.
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I was able to read a few chapter preview of this book earlier in the year. It annoyed me at the time because I only had a few chapters in my hands…and I wanted to read the rest of the book right away. It grabbed me from the beginning. It was a little like torture to wait for the release date. But in the end, it was worth the wait!
I’m sure that’s not enough to go by alone, but if it is, no need to read the rest of this review. Just go read the book. If you need more, here it is.
What caught my attention right away was the characters. Both Josh and Kristen were such real, fully-fleshed out people. I’ve read realistic characters before. And well developed ones. But with these two, I felt that I got even more inside their heads, motivations, and knew how they ticked early on. They did what they did throughout the book because of who they are and no one action stood out as out-of-place to help the plot move.
Another thing I couldn’t get enough of was the overall story. You’ll see in other reviews and interviews with the author why this story stands out from many other romances. Kristen’s condition isn’t often one found in books, etc. I won’t get into that here since others have covered it better than I can. To put it simply, I feel that the author’s choice to right this story the way she did, with her characters dealing with relationship and personal struggles and writing the ending that she did must not have been easy to do. This book packs a real punch, especially in the later half. It doesn’t shy away from bringing on some tears for unexpected reasons. I thank the author for that.
I’m so glad I had the chance to read The Friend Zone. I’m going to read Jimenez’s next book when it comes out next year. I know it will be a great book, even if it may be a challenge for those who’ve read The Friend Zone already. Jimenez is a great author and it’ll be hard to not pick up anything she writes as soon as it’s available.
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The Friend Zone is a great story that will take you on an emotional roller coaster. It was so easy to get emotionally wrapped up in the characters and their life events. I will warn that this book has quite a bit of colorful language, which was a bit of a drawback for me. The people I interact with on a day to day basis don't generally swear as a part of their normal day-to-day speech and you don't usually find this volume of casual swearing in other novels of the same genre. It actually seemed to take away from the flow of the story for me, but others may not have a problem with this. At times, I found myself frustrated with the main character for all the games she played with her love interest, but she eventually found her way. This book is a hilarious, heart-wrenching story and was difficult to put down. I am looking forward to the next book in the series: Happy Ever After Playlist.
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Amazing book! A MUST READ. i was not expecting this when I first picked it up but just wow. I binged it in 3 days!! I couldn't put it down.
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couldn't put it down! Real laugh out loud moments, tears rolling down your face the next. You can literally feel every emotion. Can't wait for more!!!
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Kristen is the best friend all of us want. She really would do anything for her friends. So when Kristen falls for Jake, she doesn’t want him to settle for her. After all, she can’t give him what he really wants in life.
The story is one of personal growth and finding love. Kristen lives daily with a medical issue which hampers her ability to enjoy life to its fullest and so has chosen to have a significant medical intervention. But Kristen isn’t just about her medical problem. She is a lovable, sharp-witted young woman who you cannot help but admire. The book is filled with humour, love and respect. It discusses the difficult matters of infertility and loss in a dignified manner. I don’t want to say to much more here as to give this wonderful story away.
I absolutely loved this book. I listened to the audiobook version and appreciated the choice of narrators, which for me even takes the story up another notch. i cannot wait to read the next book in the series due out in 2020.
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It's no secret that my favorite genres are mysteries and thrillers. But to temper all that mayhem, I really enjoy a good chick lit, romantic kinda read. I had been seeing lots of positive reviews about Abby Jimenez's debut novel - The Friend Zone, so I made it my next 'light' read.
Kristen's fiancee is deployed in the Middle East. He's on one last tour and then coming home. The plan is to move in together and see what the future will bring. They've both agreed on one thing though - no children. But in Kristen's case, it's a medical impossibility. She's come to terms with it......kinda. Sorta.
But then she meets Josh, the best man in her friend Sloan's wedding. And initially there's no love lost between the two of them. Until about fifty pages in and yes, you got it - there's definitely some attraction there. This back and forth carries on as the two become friends. Only friends, 'cause you know there's a fiancee. But, the reader just knows that that attraction is only going to grow....
I applaud Jimenez for her plotting. Giving Kristen this medical issue allows Jimenez to explore the emotional issues that accompany infertility and the journey to self-love and acceptance.
The dialogue is sharp and snappy. The characters were okay and I only wished them the best. But. Yes, there's a but. I had a hard time connecting with Kristen. IMO she was overwritten - too sassy, too rude, too irritating, just too much all round. I wish we knew more of Josh than the 'hunky guy hopelessly in love from first meeting with cute lead character with issues." And while the back and forth builds the romantic tension and the hope that love will triumph in the end, I grew tired of the repetitiveness after awhile and wanted things to just move along a little faster. For gosh sakes, just tell him the truth. When I got to the ending? Sorry, it just left me flat after focusing so much on infertility. And the ending for friend Sloan? Didn't like it either - but it opens the door for 2020's release - The Happily Ever After Playlist.
The Friend Zone was just okay for this reader. I am in the minority on this one though - The Friend Zone has made the USA Today Bestseller list.
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