Almost Just Friends: A Novel

Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis Wildstone #4 Complex story of two families that have loved, lost and dealt with more than most are able to and still have still managed come out strong, focused and fulfilled by the end of the book. What I liked: * Cam – I really like this man who has a calm strong and giving demeanor as well as a quirky hot spark. He is just what Piper, her family and his father need. He is a leader and also someone who sees what is needed and then provides it seamlessly. * Piper – This woman was smart, strong and giving to the point that she almost seemed to have lost herself sometimes creating lists to hold things together...LOTS of lists. She did have a dream but wondered, when her siblings returned, if she would need to give that dream up. Her fears made her so human and yet did not detract from her strength * Piper’s siblings – they had been through an awful lot, acted out in many ways and yet found themselves and became truly wonderful adults * CJ – just what his partner needed * Emmit – Cam’s father was a man that was still a boy at heart and what an interesting person all in all * Rowan – never seen in person but very alive in this story – his impact was felt by all the main characters. * Everything really...even the harder bits What I did not like: * The hardships Camden, Rowan, Piper, Gavin and Winnie had to deal with while growing up. * Having to say goodbye to this group of people at the end of the story. Jill Shalvis is an author I love to read. Her stories are real and her characters people I can not only relate to but would love to have in my real life. I can’t wait for her books to be published and devour them as soon as they come my way. Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Collins Publishers for the ARC – This is my honest review. 5 Stars

Almost Just Friends was an amazingly sweet, fun and emotional love story. There is a tissue warning. Jill Shalvis put all her heart into this story. I felt everything these characters felt and more. Wow. I seriously loved every moment. But my favorite part of this story is Cam. I want a Cam in my life. He was everything. What an amazing guy. And how he took care of Piper melted my heart. They were so adorable together. Her with her insecurities and him with his patience and unwavering support. Ah, he's just so wonderful. But I didn't love just Cam's and Piper's relationship. I also loved the family relationships too. So much sadness and heartache Piper and her siblings went through but their journey to make things work for them now wasn't easy but their love for one another helped them along the way. And Gavin and his personal relationship with CJ, his first and only love. I loved this secondary second chance love story too. Gavin made some mistakes and CJ was still nursing his broken heart to trust Gavin again but I'm glad they got their HEA too. This was definitely a very sigh worthy story that will leave you so happy for everyone. I can't still can't stop smiling and thinking about this story. *I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

4.5* I think I just found my favorite Jill Shalvis book! I devoured Almost Just Friends in practically one sitting, only stopping for lunch and a quick cat nap (as I woke way too early on a Saturday!), then I was right back at it! I was not expecting this story to be as emotional as it was- Piper and Cam and Willow and Gavin, they all had me tearing up at one time or another. But there were laughs and feel good, make-your-heart-happy moments as well, which made for such a entertaining and heartwarming read. Even though this was essentially Piper and Cam's story, I loved that we were treated to points of view from all four characters, as they each had their own special stories to share. Both families have been through so much, it was great to see them all come together. Almost Just Friends was a wonderful story about family, about coming to terms with grief, about finding your way in life- no matter your age. *It was awesome to see the LGBTQ representation in this story- it’s not something you see a lot in traditionally published contemporary romances.