Just Read: “The Friend Zone” by Abby Jimenez

Read June 20, 2020 – June 21, 2020

Abby Jimenez has published two novels and owns a successful bakery in Minnesota. Her second novel, The Happy Ever After Playlist, is what drew my attention to this one. When I realized that The Friend Zone was a sort of prequel to her second novel, I decided to start here because it looked pretty interesting. DO NOT, I repeat do not, read the synopsis of her second novel if you plan to read her first because you’ll have an aspect of it spoiled. In fact, don’t even read the review I am posting for it later in the week if you are planning to read this book because it’ll just give away a major plot point. 

What is it about? 

This story is about a girl in her mid-twenties, Kristen, who owns a small dog-centered business that she runs online from California. Kristen is bold and straightforward and is in a long-distance relationship that causes complications when she meets Josh. She has one friend, Sloan, and doesn’t trust many people but this new guy relentlessly tries to weasel his way in. The meet-cute happens right at the beginning of the novel and you get to see narrative from both Kristen’s and Josh’s point of view, alternating each chapter. 

Kristen has the worst periods, ones that seriously make you thankful if your cycle lasts less than a week! SORRY GUYS, I know periods aren’t your thing but you need to know it isn’t fun. Her periods are so terrible that it’s classified a medical condition that makes it near impossible to have kids. Unfortunately, the charming FIREFIGHTER, did I mention he was a firefighter?, Josh wants to have enough kids to fill a baseball team and Kristen can’t indulge him. Sucks that they’re both in the wedding party of Slone’s upcoming nuptials…

What does it have?

• Long Distance Relationship Drama
• Best Female Friendships
• The “Dream Guy” (for Kristen, at least)
• Love & Loss

I would say I was pleasantly surprised but I actually wasn’t… this looked like something I would enjoy and it absolutely was. Jimenez writes a hilarious and stubborn leading lady and a leading guy that says all the things you wish a guy would say to you (if you’re into guys, of course). Kristen was such a relatable character, saying things like, “I’d probably end up being that crazy aunt who wore veiled hats and smelled like mothballs with ten small dogs” (The Friend Zone). I feel this in my SOUL! Where can I buy these veiled hats?? Someone send me a link LOL

Is it worth reading?

Yasssssss. If you like rom-coms, this is definitely going to be up your alley. You’ll laugh – a lot – and cry – also a lot – and you may even want to read Abby Jimenez’s second novel, The Happy Ever After Playlist, which follows Kristen’s best friend, Sloan. If for some reason you hate romance novels because your heart is frozen over this may help thaw you out ❤

Let me know in the comments below if you found this review helpful! Feedback gives me an idea of what info you want to see in This Just Read posts 🙂