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2026 Book 4 - Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakey

It’s definitely reminiscent of Happy Place, but it was still an enjoyable read. Joni and Ren are besties from childhood. They agree to be each others’ plus-ones for weddings to ensure they stay connected after Joni moves across the country for a new job. The description said dual narrative, so I expected it to alternate between Joni and Ren’s point of view, but it was between past and present. The mystery of why they had such a huge falling out kept me reading. 

Currently, Joni and Ren are forced together at their family’s shared beach house, for the wedding of Joni’s sister and Ren’s best friend. (At least I think - the side characters were a little indecipherable.) The book goes back and forth between Joni and Ren as they are now, basically barely on speaking terms after 2 1/2 of no contact, and the past, when they were inseparable. Only Joni’s sister knows Joni and Ren are no longer friends, and no one knows why. 

The romance could have been stronger, but the weaving of timelines and showing of their friendship was solid. Joni blows up their budding relationship when she learns Ren plans to quit his dream job to be with her. One of those, if they could just have an honest conversation then the book would be ten pages long, situations. Sigh. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book, but I’d still happily read another from this author. 

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