Friends become more than lovers in this angsty and charming romance that readers get to be a part of throughout many years in a sweet and sensual story. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Just Friends by Charity Ferrell, along with my opinions of it, then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this sixth installment in the Blue Beech series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC, a signed book, along with a Kindle Fire!
Someone should have warned me about falling in love with my best friend.
Carolina
Little did I know when Rex came to my locker attempting to bribe me, that he’d turn into my everything.
We’d become best friends. I’d steal his heart. He’d steal mine.
Nothing has changed in the years of our friendship.
Not our connection, not our feelings, or that we still hold each other’s hearts.
But his heart isn’t the only thing I’ve kept.
The secret I’m hiding could shatter the only man I’ve ever loved.
Rex
I’ve loved Carolina since the day she called my bluff.
Our friendship always came first.
She believed in me when no one else did.
I tucked away my feelings because I couldn’t survive a life without her.
We crossed the line once, and I swore it’d never happen again.
As time passes, the harder it becomes to live up to that promise.
Until finally, there’s no holding back.
EXCERPT:
Carolina
High School—Sophomore Year
“I’ll pay you fifty bucks to write my English paper.”
I slam my locker shut before shifting to face the brave soul who asked that.
I don’t cheat.
I don’t break rules.
Everyone knows this.
He’s casually leaning against the locker next to mine. A smirk is spread across his face, as if he expects me to squeal in delight that he’s asking me for a favor.
Not happening, homeboy.
Homeboy is Rex Lane.
Our school’s arrogant fuckboy.
A guy I’m not writing a paper for.
I mock his smile. “I’ll charge you fifty bucks not to rat you out for homework bribery.”
“Homework bribery?” He flashes a brighter I’m a nice guy; do what I’m asking grin.
I firmly nod. “Yes.” I motion down the hallway. “Now, go away. Having this stupid conversation with you is wasting my valuable study time.”
I count on my rudeness to scare him off, but when his eyes brighten in amusement, I know I’m wrong.
Crap.
I have two high school goals in life...
2. Become class valedictorian
1. Do not gain Rex’s or any popular guy’s attention.
Luckily, he caught me after the class bell rang, so no one is around to witness this unfortunate encounter.
“Come on, Carolina,” he pleads. “Prove to me the rumors about you aren’t true.”
I stiffen. “Rumors?” I deliver a stern look. “What rumors?”
I mind my business. Don’t gossip. Stay in my lane.
All of this to prevent rumors from circulating about me.
He licks his lips, leaning in closer, and lowers his voice. “The rumors that you have a stick up your ass and lack personality.”
This jerk.
There might be a stick up my ass, but I’m going to shove my foot up his.
I narrow my eyes, and my response releases in a hiss, “Really? You want to talk about rumors? Maybe I should believe the rumors about you.”
“The rumors that say I’m cool as fuck? A terrific lay? Fucking hilarious?”
Our high school halls flood with rumors about him.
The one that he sports an overinflated ego is officially confirmed.
“Negative,” I reply. “The rumors that you’re a sucky lay with a small penis.”
This is a lie—a rumor I’ve never heard—but hey, if he wants to talk crap, so can I.
“Lies, babe, all lies. I’m more than happy to present the evidence to back up my claim.” He retreats a step, dropping his hand to the crotch of his jeans, and tugs at his zipper.
I do another quick scan of the hallway before loudly snorting. “You won’t do it.”
He flinches, that smug smile slipping off his lips. “Huh?”
“You won’t do it.” I nod toward his crotch. “You won’t unzip your pants and present your evidence.” I park my hands on my waist and kick my foot out.
He gapes at me, speechless.
“Pull it out or go away.” I dismissively wave my hand. “I have a test in ten minutes, and you, standing in front of me with your hand on your junk, aren’t helping me ace it. Go beg another girl to write your paper because you lack a brain … and according to the girls’ locker room gossip, a decent penis size.”
He drops his hand from his crotch, his smile returning. “Looks like Little Miss Innocent might not be as uptight as she leads on. There’s some personality hidden underneath those awful, itchy-looking sweaters of yours.” He makes a show of eyeing me up and down.
I opt out of giving him hell over the uptight comment. The faster he goes away, the better.
“No, she has a low annoyance tolerance.”
He steeples his hands into a praying motion. “Say yes to writing my paper, and then you can go about your studying, sweater-wearing ways.”
“No.”
“Sixty bucks and a bonus of proving I’m well-endowed when we’re in private.”
I dramatically gag. “Gross.” As much as I don’t want to deal with him, I could use the cash. “Seventy-five, and I’ll help you write the paper, but you’re doing it yourself. I don’t cheat.” I signal to his jeans. “And keep your micropenis to yourself. I’d rather fail every class than have you prove you’re well-endowed.”
“Paying you to help me write the paper defeats the point of paying you.”
“Really? With that brilliance of yours, you shouldn’t need me to write your paper.”
He laughs.
“Why are you even asking me? You’re in line—behind me—to be class valedictorian. You can easily write your own paper.” I reach forward to pat his shoulder. “I have faith in you, petite-penis buddy.”
“Never said I couldn’t write the boring-ass paper. I’d just rather not. I’m a busy guy who doesn’t give two shits about Shakespeare.”
“Eighty dollars,” I blurt out.
“Eighty? What the fuck? You can’t up the ante like that.”
“I can, and the longer you waste my time, the higher the price.” I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this, but hey, money talks. “Eighty dollars. Meet me at the library after school.”
“The library sucks. My house.”
I shake my head. “You’re high if you think I’m going to your house.”
“If I’m paying eighty dollars, which is fucking insane, at least give a guy the privacy of his own home.”
I thrust my finger toward him. “You’d better not try any funny business.”
He rubs his palms together. “This is homework, Carolina. Get your virginal mind out of the gutter.”
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
When it comes to friends to lovers romances, I can’t get enough! I’m drawn to the heartfelt connection that builds through the years and ultimately makes for an entertaining ride. Rex and Carolina are a delightful pair with interactions that made me smile while shedding a tear or two when a secret she’s been keeping can no longer be ignored. From the first page to the last Ms. Ferrell has crafted a charming and heartwarming tale with a romance that kept me glued to the pages while cheering these two opposites on to realize where their HEA lies...and be willing to go after it.
Rex Lane is the perfect book boyfriend...heck, he’s just perfect period! He comes from a family of wealth, the son of the mayor, and is known for being outgoing, sexy, and popular. Behind that likable facade is also a young man with a heart of gold, someone who’s caring and supportive of those he loves. He’s always just a phone call away and always puts Carolina first. When the story started during their teen years it was clear that he was drawn to Carolina, and her “librarian” looks, and he quickly charmed his way into her heart...and ours. With each turn of the page readers frequently got a glimpse into his heart, and his feelings for her, and I agree that she’s his person. I just wish he could’ve seen his loving qualities sooner so I could’ve enjoyed their togetherness longer. With a father who’s a serial cheater Rex worries he would be the same and it’s that fear, and his protectiveness, that keeps him in the friend-zone for so long despite his clear love for her. Even as just her friend Rex was still one of the most romantic heroes I’ve read in a long time and I could read book after book with him as the lead.
Carolina Adams is the proverbial ”preacher’s daughter” with her glasses, sweaters, and plain way of dressing to keep from garnering attention. She’s a stressed-out young woman too because of her parent’s expectations. She spends all her time studying...at least until she starts an unexpected friendship with the personable and fun-loving Rex. It’s a friendship that utterly sparkled, taking a surprising turn of trust for one night, before becoming more intense. Her time with Rex had her coming out of her shell, trying to experience more out of life, and while some of the results were good there was a relationship with a manipulative man whose threats hung over her through most of the story. Rex also empowered her on many levels and when it came to that villain I cheered her on as she finally held him accountable for what he did. On a whole I found Carolina an immensely appealing heroine who grows as the story progresses. She takes a lot of emotional hits along the way though, from her parents to the villainous mystery man, which made me especially grateful for Rex’s unwavering love and support.
With witty banter and a sizzling connection Rex and Carolina made themselves an unforgettable couple. Their interactions were both fun and flirty, as well as heartwarming, and I couldn’t get enough of them as friends. I especially enjoyed Carolina giving as good as she got from Rex, never letting him become too arrogant. As lovers they further scorched up the pages and I found their interactions in the bedroom well worth the wait. Though this is the sixth book in the Blue Beech series it stands strongly on its own, but with such a wonderful couple found here I’ll definitely be getting the other books in this series!
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Charity resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. She grew up riding her bicycle to the town's public library, and reading anything she could get her hands on. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, spending time with her family, or caving into her online shopping addiction.
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