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by Riss Neilson (June 11, 2024) – Many thanks to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the free audio and digital copies of this lovely friends-to-lovers romance.

Laniah Thompson and Issac Jordan grew up as neighbors and best friends in Providence. Bonded through joy and sadness, their friendship is integral to their lives even as they’ve evolved in very different ways. Laniah remains in Providence, owns a struggling small business with her mother, and is happiest during low-key nights at home. Issac is in California, where his art and modeling career has skyrocketed into a global personal brand. When Issac is home, he discovers that Lanaih’s business is struggling. While she refuses to accept financial support, Issac devises a plan – if he declares she is his girlfriend, his popularity could boost sales. And it does. They agree to keep up the ruse through the summer as it takes the pressure off him in the celebrity “Who’s dating who?” gossip columns. But as a summer of fake dating evolves, they both hunger for more while being fearful of risking their friendship.

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and Neilson does a fantastic job detailing the depth and meaning of their friendship, allowing us to truly see how they are woven into each other’s lives. A super slow-burn romance that combusts when they give into their feelings, there are also a lot of important plot lines related to leaning on those we love when things get hard, trusting our instincts, and fighting for what we believe.

The audiobook is a single narrator format, narrated by Fannie Corzo (The Long Game).

What are you reading this week?