Title: Friends Don’t Fall in Love
Author: Erin Hahn
Genre: Romance
Published On: October 17, 2023
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Source: digital (Netgalley)
Pages: 336
Synopsis:
Erin Hahn’s Friends Don’t Fall in Love is about long-time friends, taking chances, and finding out that, sometimes, your perfect person was right there in your corner all along.
Lorelai Jones had it a thriving country music career and a superstar fiancé. Then she played one teenie tiny protest song at a concert and ruined her entire future, including her impending celebrity marriage. But five years later, she refuses to be done with her dreams and calls up the one person who stuck by her, her dear friend and her former fiancé’s co-writer and bandmate, Craig.
Craig Boseman’s held a torch for Lorelai for years, but even he knows the backup bass player never gets the girl. Things are different now, though. Craig owns his own indie record label and his songwriting career is taking off. If he can confront his past and embrace his gifts, he might just be able to help Lorelai earn the comeback she deserves―and maybe win her heart in the process.
But when the two reunite to rebuild her career and finally scratch that itch that’s been building between them for years, Lorelai realizes a lot about what friends don’t do. For one, friends don’t have scratch-that-itch sex. They also don’t almost-kiss on street corners, publish secret erotic poetry about each other, have counter-top sex, write songs for each other, have no-strings motorcycle sex, or go on dates. And they sure as heck don’t fall in love… right?
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
“Look, as far as I can tell, as a very much nonexpert in relationships, people in love turn into idiots for each other.”
Erin Hahn, Friends Don’t Fall in Love
I breezed through this dual point-of-view story, especially enchanted by Lorelai’s love interest Craig, or Huck as he’s better known thanks to his horrible middle name Huckleberry (who does that to their child??), who is an absolute cinnamon roll, despite having his own flaws. Neither one of our leads is perfect, but that’s what keeps this story interesting and relatable.
While this romance contains the often dreaded miscommunication trope, thankfully it doesn’t drag out. However, I did laugh out loud when it took a preteen boy to point out to Huck that maybe they just needed to communicate.
Friends Don’t Fall in Love does touch on some serious subjects, like Lorelai’s recent celiac diagnosis, but it maintains a lighter touch. I wouldn’t have minded more depth, but it was also nice just staying on the surface.
Being set in Nashville, along with Lorelai’s and Huck’s jobs in the country music industry, there are a ton of music references. And some original song lyrics, which I thought were quite good, actually. Perhaps Erin Hahn moonlights as a songwriter?? AND just like in Built to Last, the chapter titles are song titles. I’m always a fan of books that tie into music, although I’m not a big fan of the celebrity trope. Lorelai’s and Huck’s celebrity status isn’t a big focus, though, so it didn’t influence my reading experience.
I did struggle a bit with why Lorelai longed to return to the country music scene when it had treated her so badly, but who am I to argue with a fictional character’s dream, right?!
If you were a fan of Built to Last (My Review), rest assured we get plenty of time with Shelby and Cameron, as well. Entertaining and relaxing, I had fun returning to this tight friend group.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
My Rating:
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(Levels inspired by The Well-Read Librarian from Sourcebooks)
About the Author
Erin Hahn
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.
A Song For A Book
Since I knew Hahn used song titles as her chapter titles in Built to Last, I quickly noticed them in Friends Don’t Fall in Love. And it took a little bit of digging, but I found the author’s playlist on Spotify. At least I assume it’s hers, since it bears her name. 😉 I’ll be sharing it below, but I’m choosing to highlight “We’re Not Friends” by Ingrid Andress.
…We’re a kiss at 2am that tastes like wine
We’re a ride home in the dark
With our fingers intertwined
You and me keep on tryna pretend
But you and me, yeah we gotta admit
We’re an extra set of clothes on the bedroom floor
Where I see you all the time
But still wanna see you more
You and me keep on tryna pretend
But you and me, mmm
We’re not friends
No, we’re not friends
Mmm, no…
Have you read Friends Don’t Fall in Love? Did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
Great review! I loved this book.
Yes! Now I want to know who the next one will be about. 🙂
It’s amazing how popular the miscommunication trope is. Glad you enjoyed this one as I am excited to read it
Yes… it seems much more popular than it used to be. Or maybe that’s just me. 😃
A kid pointing out that they just need to communicate? That’s hilarious. This sounds like a fun read.
I literally laughed out loud. 😂