Sally Blakely’s Friends to Lovers – Book Review of a Stunning Debut

Friends to Lovers is a heartfelt, slow-burn romance about childhood best friends navigating second chances, emotional tension, and the possibility of turning a lifelong bond into lasting love.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Canary Street Press and Edelweiss + for the ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Joni and Ren have been best friends since childhood, maintaining their bond through a yearly tradition of being each other’s plus-ones for wedding season—even after Joni moves across the country. But when their friendship is shattered by a crossed line, everything changes. Now, reunited at their families’ summer home for Joni’s sister’s wedding, Joni is determined to make the week perfect—even if it means pretending to be friends with Ren while avoiding the painful truth behind their fallout. As old memories resurface and lingering feelings grow harder to ignore, Joni must decide whether to let Ren go or fight for the love that might still be between them.

My Thoughts:

It’s been a while since a debut hit me quite like Friends to Lovers did. Sally Blakely’s thoughtful, tender storytelling brings to life a friends-to-lovers romance that feels both familiar and refreshingly genuine. Told through a dual narrative, this novel follows childhood best friends Joni and Ren—two people who have been each other’s constants through life’s many changes.

Their bond is deep-rooted. Their families are best friends, they’ve grown up spending summers together at a shared home on the Oregon coast, and they’ve made a tradition of being each other’s plus-ones during wedding season. It’s a sweet idea that feels almost romantic on its own. But when one wedding weekend changes everything, that unshakeable friendship begins to unravel.

Years later, Joni returns to Oregon for her sister’s wedding, determined to make the week perfect—even if it means pretending with Ren. But pretending to be close with someone who once held your heart so completely? That’s easier said than done.

Blakely beautifully captures the ache and longing that comes from unresolved feelings. The romantic tension between Joni and Ren—full of push and pull, hesitation and hope—is the beating heart of this novel. I found myself completely invested in their story, rooting for them through every look, every shared memory, every near-confession.

I also adored the setting. The Oregon coast makes for a perfect backdrop, rich with nostalgia and emotional weight. I loved the idea of two families sharing a summer home for years and still genuinely enjoying each other’s company—it added a layer of warmth and grounding to the entire story. And for those who appreciate a wedding vibe, this book is full of them, complete with all the activities and music that make a celebration feel real. The songs referenced throughout added a lovely, sentimental touch.

Though there’s one brief scene of intimacy, it’s easy to skip without losing the thread of the story. What truly shines here is the emotional intimacy—the history, the shared laughter, and the heartbreak that lingers between them.

Final Thoughts:

Friends to Lovers is a story of second chances, timing, and the courage it takes to turn a lifelong friendship into something more. If you love a slow burn with depth and heart, this one’s for you.

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