USA Today Bestseller
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Wildstone with the touching story of finding your place in the world—and the people who make it home.Piper Manning’s about as tough as they come, she’s had to be. She raised her siblings and they’ve thankfully flown the coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and … coop. All she has to do is finish fixing up the lake house her grandparents left her, sell it, and then she’s free.
When a massive storm hits, she runs into a tall, dark and brooding stranger, Camden Reid. There’s a spark there, one that shocks her. Surprising her further, her sister and brother return, each of them holding their own secrets. The smart move would be for Piper to ignore them all but Cam unleashes emotions deep inside of her that she can’t deny, making her yearn for something she doesn’t understand. And her siblings…well, they need each other.
Only when the secrets come out, it changes everything Piper thinks she knows about her family, herself…and Cam. Can she find a way to outrun the demons? The answer is closer than she thinks—just as the new life she craves may have already begun.
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My second favorite book of the year! I love Jill’s ability to weave a wonderful story with characters that you want to see overcome their problems and find the love and happiness they deserve! This is another one of those stories that just gives you all the feels. I can’t wait for her next novel!
Another wonderful story by Jill Shalvis with endearing characters, exploring family dynamics of sightly dysfunctional families (aren’t we all?).
Piper, and her younger siblings Gavin and Winnie lived an interesting nomadic life with their parents, who traveled the world providing health care to those who needed it until, they were sent to Wildstone California to stay with their grandparents, from the Congo ahead of their parents after Gavin’s friends was killed by rebels and a storm was coming. Their parents were killed in the storm and at the age of 13, it was Piper that ended up raising her sibs. And they did not make it easy for her. Her coping mechanism is lists and journals. She works as an EMT, but her dream is to go to college to get a degree as a Physician’s Assistant. Now that they have finally left home, she wants to fix up the property and sell it so she can afford the tuition. But suddenly they have both come back home and are not being honest about why.
Her next door neighbor is Emmitt, who owns the marina. His youngest son, Rowan, Winnie’s best friend, recently died in a car accident, and his oldest son, Camden has come to Wildstone to check on his father and fulfill his brother’s dying wish. Their mother had been bipolar and knowing that she was not good about staying on her meds, when they divorced, Cam went to live with her on the east coast.
Piper and Cam are immediately attracted to each other, and thinking that he is only temporary, Piper gives into a fling. But Cam is looking into settling down. Both feel that they have failed the people they love, not realizing that those people had failed them too.
This is a beautifully written tale.
I really enjoy Jill Shalvis’ books & this one was heartwarming about family. She had me laughing & crying. A little more drama in this story but Wildstone is a family place.
So many facets to this story. Piper and Camden, of course, were the main focus of this story, but relationships among all of the characters – Piper’s siblings, Camden and his dad – added so many extra layers. Almost Just Friends is a story of romance, but also of family bonds, forgiveness and healing. Loved the inclusion of the reunion of Piper’s brother and his ex boyfriend – it’s nice to see LGBTQ inclusion in “mainstream” genres.
Another compelling page flipper!
I am such a fan of Jill Shalvis! She writes such relatable, wonderful characters. You get so hooked into there lives. You literally can’t stop reading. She has such an amazing ability to bring to story to life.
I will read every single Jill Shalvis book. Each and every one is such an enjoyable journey.
I want to preface before I continue with my review that Jill Shalvis is one of my all-time favorite authors and has soooo many amazing books. Here is the bad part, this one just wasn’t one of my favorites (cringe). I hate even having to write that as this author has provided hours and hours and hours of fantastic reading time for me over the years. I really liked the way the story began. Piper and Cam had instant chemistry and I thought for sure this was going to be the set up for a great angsty romance. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot of angst but sadly I felt like it was mostly with Piper’s siblings and not between the two main characters. There was still lots of Shalvis’s trademark witty banter that I just adore but there was just so much outside drama going on in this book that I started to find it hard to keep myself engaged in the story. In fact, I felt like we got away from Piper and Cam for a while and the book focused on Gavin and his life for longer than I needed. All of the outside drama with the siblings just kind of took the fire out of the book for me.
On the positive side, this book still had a good amount of the banter, laughter, and clever writing style that so many of us have come to love from Shalvis and I look forward to her next book!
I LOVE how Jill Shalvis’ books aren’t just about 1 character or 1 couple. Yes, there are main characters but especially in this series, and this book, do you get to read about Piper’s brother and sister and just the family dynamic.
Piper is the backbone of her family. She’s the one who took care of her brother and sister when she comes of age. Still entirely too young to take on such responsibility. But in the years since, Piper has been loving life her way. Until her family comes back home and she learns that her siblings aren’t kids any longer. Add in an unexpectedly attraction to mystery man Camden, and Piper is in for some changes.
I love the Wildstone series and truly hope there will be more coming!!!
Jill Shalvis doesn’t just write characters; she writes life-like characters. We don’t just see the pretty, fun parts of love and what makes a family. We get the messy, complicated parts too. The parts that make you appreciate what is meant by unconditional love. That is what Ms. Shalvis writes and writes so well. I was thoroughly taken with Piper, Cam and their families. Piper and Cam were both take-charge, dependable people who were always taking care of everyone else. I loved how this story taught them that they didn’t always need to be the ones sacrificing and giving up for others; that their families found joy in being able to reciprocate and take care of Piper and Cam for a change. I loved the ever-changing dynamics of this family. Such a well-written, emotional read.
Happy to report that the continuation of the Wildstone series by Jill Shalvis does not disappoint. From practically the very first word in Almost Just Friends I was captivated. I found the story had many solid story lines which kept my interest. This story is the fourth book in the Wildstone series but rest assured, it can be read as a stand alone.
Piper is a strong woman… she has had to be since her teen years (she was just 13) with looking after her younger siblings following the death of their parents. Now that they are grown and on their own, she is looking forward to finally pursuing her dreams (after fixing up and selling the lakeside home). Before that can happen, a storm hits and causes destruction and mayhem at the lakeside home. Well, the storm isn’t the only thing that causes mayhem… Camden Reid provides a totally different type of mayhem 🙂 And then Piper’s siblings come home – each with their own challenges and secrets. Trust me…everyone has a secret in this book – but that is what was so interesting and kept me reading far later every evening than I should have.
What I found with this book (as with the majority of Ms. Shalvis’ books in fact) is that I was able to immerse myself in the story and feel SO many different emotions throughout the story: sadness, heartache, love, understanding and let me not forget to mention that there were times when I could not help but laugh! There was also romance – as to be expected – between Piper and Cam, but also between Piper’s brother Gavin and his first boyfriend.
One particular heading under chapter 11 really spoke to me:
“When I say whatever, I really mean screw you.”
Piper’s list’s and her bucket list (and hr bucket list of wishes AND a secret secret bucket list of wishes!) provided some chuckles:
• Occasionally maybe make an effort to look nice.
• Don’t cut your own bangs no matter how sad you are.
• Never, ever, EVER, under any circumstances fall in love.
While there were lighter moments within the story there were also topics, which I found quite heavy – for example having Piper come to terms with her parent’s death or Cam trying to forgive himself for being mad at his brother when his brother passed away.
Almost Just Friends was a delightful read with many layers that kept this reader engaged throughout. As a tried and true fan of Ms. Shalvis, I must say that to date this is by far the best one yet.
I would also like to say that I love the name of the book – Almost Just Friends. It really suits the book.
I love the Wildstone series and I have been anticipating this book for a good year since I knew it was coming out. I loved the 1)Plot 2) Storyline 3) Characters. I could’ve finished this in one night, but I was sick and had to stretch it into several days. The characters are interwoven into the plotline so intricately that I fell back in love with the whole series again and decided to start Book 1 again. I have really come to love all of JS books. I would recommend this as my first 5-star of 2020.
Almost Just Friends is the latest offering by prolific author Jill Shalvis. Piper Manning is finally at a point where, at almost 30, she finally has come to the point where she can claim her life for herself. She has worked as an EMT and has dreams of becoming a physician’s assistant.
She and her brother, Gavin, and sister, Winnie, were sent home from a war torn area where their Doctors Without Borders parents were working with the expectation that the parents would be joining the children in just a few days at their grandparents home in Wildstone, CA. However, they did not escape when a flood hit before they were set to leave. The kids were raised by their grandparents until their loss when Piper was 18, Gavin 15, and Winnie not yet a teen.
Piper took over the role of childcare completely at that time, first putting Gavin through college and now Winnie had begun college, too. Having inherited the large lakeside home and cottages, Piper is working to get the property ready to sell so she, too, can pursue her goals.
On Piper’s 30th birthday things begin to change. She meets the son of her dear neighbor Emmitt and is smitten; and both siblings come home with no plans to leave. How will Piper pursue her interests and still be there for her siblings as she has always been?
This is such a great story! These characters kept me reading until late because I really cared how their stories would unfold. This is a very good book that I enjoyed very much. I do recommend it!
This is the latest installment in one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors! As usual, I enjoyed it! There were some tears & an a little issue on my part, but all in all, it’s great. My only issue is mostly just my preference – when I’m reading a romance, I prefer the simplicity of just the hero & heroine’s viewpoints. Anything more adds some confusion. But a lot of authors seem to be adding extra viewpoints, so maybe I’m in the minority. It was still a great book with lots of sweet and fun moments! Hope there’s more still to come in this series!
**I was given a free ARC provided by the author/publisher in exchange for my honest review. And honestly, it’s adorable!
Jill Shalvis has this innate ability to write stories that pull you in right from the start and don’t let you up for air until the end. Her stories are so relatable and truly show family dynamics perfectly.
Piper isn’t looking for serious. At all she’s got plans for her life and future, and getting involved with the hottie next door aren’t included in those plans. Cam is only home for a short time. He has a big commitment he needs to stick to and cannot deal with distractions. And Piper is pure distraction to his plans.
Loved this book from the get go. Yes, I truly love my family, however, things can be complex and complicated with them even when we don’t want them to be. But at the end of the day, we love them through everything. Even the ugly.
Pick up this book. You won’t want to put it down!
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars!
I laughed. I cried. Multiple times for both. This book has every emotion and then some.
The sense of family and belonging that everyone in both the Manning & Hayes family are looking for is so apparent all throughout the book. The way they find it with each other is absolutely beautiful.
Oh this family, giving me all the feels. Piper has been taking care of everyone, except for herself, for years. Raising her two younger siblings since the death of their grandparents, who were raising them since their parents death, has her burning the candle at both ends. Now she sees a light at the end of the tunnel if she can hold it together long enough to make it.
Cam heads home to Wildstone to spend some time with her father after his brother dies. He has some time off from work and wants to get things right with his dad. It isn’t like they aren’t close but when his parents divorced, he went with their mom and Rowan went with their dad. He has missed a lot of time of the years and wants to make up for some of it now. He figures a quick stop in for a week or two and he will pass through again at some point. What he doesn’t count on is Piper.
Piper likes her lists, many lists, they keep her calm and focused. Meeting hot guy aka Cam, isn’t on her list. But maybe she needs to start a new list. Getting her progress back when both her siblings show up unannounced and full of secrets is the least of her problems. Another big problem is the way Cam is making her feel like she wants to ditch those lists and just be.
I love the way Ms. Shalvis tells a story. She gets you right into the thick of things with each character where you feel almost a part of the story as it progresses. I felt right there in the middle of all the fights, secret telling, shocks and betrayals. 5 stars for this return to Wildstone. I voluntarily read an advance copy without expectations; all opinions expressed are my own.
This was an incredible story. Piper had her childhood ripped away from her, twice, and then had to raise her siblings in the aftermath. After all these years she finally feels like her siblings are on the right track in their lives so she can finally go find a life of her own. Then a storm hits and she meets Cam – then her siblings come home with secrets. Everything she had planned is falling apart but sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be even better than before.
I loved the strength of Piper’s character. At 30 years old she’s dealt with some hard blows in life and is a bit closed off because of it. Because life has taught her to count on no one but herself and that she has to be a rock for her family. She certainly needed to learn how to open up – not only to others but to herself – and to realize that having emotions is not a bad thing.
Gavin’s character left me wanting to give him a big hug followed by a smack on the back of the head. I assume that was Piper’s constant feeling towards him (and Winnie) as well. I loved how he was growing up and realizing how much Piper had given up for him and Win. He wanted to fix things so they were all on a level playing field – but him and Win didn’t go about it the right way all the time.
Cam’s character was another I wanted to scoop up into a hug. He’d had an interesting childhood and recently a heartbreaking loss of his younger brother. Cam is intrigued by Piper – he wants to know all her secrets and realizes early on that it’s going to be a tough fight to learn them. Cam and Piper were a complicated pair – bringing out the best in each other which scared them both. These two had quite the journey to learn that sometimes trusting yourself is just as scary as trusting another person.
This was a captivating read of a complicated family – a family that loves fiercely even as they keep secrets to protect each other. Great characters, realistic issues, sibling drama, and a wonderful story.
5 Stars
I was pulled right into this story. The story has pain, secrets, second chances, and heartbreak.
If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first:
Lost and Found Sisters (Wildstone, #1)
The Good Luck Sister (Wildstone #1.5)
Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone #2)
The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone #3)
This is Piper’s story. Piper is almost done fulfilling her duties as she sees them. She has raised her siblings and they have left. Now she needs to fix up the lake house and she will be free. When she meets Camden there is a pull, but she tries to ignore it. When secrets are revealed she might need not only her siblings but also Cam tog et her through it. She never though she would have a future with someone, but Cam makes her feel all kinds of things. But will the demons she uncovered make her run from the future she could have had?
I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next story from this author.
Wow! I received this ARC in November but waited to read it until my Christmas break. And I have read it three times since I started it. Yes, it is that good. I mean Ms. Shalvis always writes fantastic novels but this one just hit all the right notes with me and had me reading it back to back to back.
Piper Manning grew up in Wildstone and has stayed there as a EMT. She pretty much took care of her younger two siblings and was both their older sister and their parent. And she might have a few issues as a result. And no one can ever call her a gourmet cook, although she can whip up a mean mac ‘n’ cheese with cut up hot dogs. And Piper is very skeptical of men and love as well. But she does care about her people, especially her neighbor, Emmitt.
Cam Hughes is a DEA agent and Coast Guard reservist who is really a Wildstone boy despite having grown up in North Carolina. His parents separated when he and his younger brother were young and the boys were split between their parents. Cam being the older of the two boys went to live on the east coast with his mother. Having served in the Coast Guard, he has moved agencies and is now in the DEA. But he is in Wildstone to spend some time with his dad, Emmitt, after the death of his younger brother.
Piper encounter Cam on a dark and stormy night and has a close encounter with the hot, sexy, stranger. These are the only types of encounters she will allow herself. And she is beyond shocked to discover her hot, sexy guy is next door when she goes to check on Emmitt. And even more shocked to discover he is Emmitt’s son and planning to stay around for awhile.
Throw in her younger brother Garrett coming back home with his own secrets including trying to stay sober and still in love with his high school boyfriend who has become a hot and sexy cop. Her younger sister, Winnie, is back home and pregnant but not willing to tell Piper just yet although Garrett has it figured out. Nor is Winnie willing to tell anyone but Cam that the father is Rowan, his brother.
With all of these secrets and issues, plus the wonderful wild scenery and a few of the eccentric characters of Wildstone, this book is a wonderful addition to the Wildstone series. Each book in this series can be read as a stand alone although reading them all is always encouraged since you have a chance to meet the other wonderful wacky characters of this unique town.
I did receive a copy of this novel in advance from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Every book that Shalvis rights she honestly gets better and better. Her stories that she writes allow me to escape from the reality that I live and escape to an amazing town that I only wish that I could live in.
The two main characters in this book Piper and Camden like many of her other characters each had their own characteristics that stood out to me and wanted me to read more. The character development as always was outstanding for both main and supporting characters.
In addition to the characters I also enjoyed the storyline. She did a great job of keep you hooked with the the romance but she also include the story of family. I really enjoyed that. To me it gives depth.
This book is a must read for any Jill Shalvis fan or any person who loves contemporary romance.
A must read!!! Piper raised her brother and sister and now she is finally ready for the next chapter in her life. She is going to go to PA school but a wrench is thrown in her plans. Her brother and sister have returned home with secrets and a new man comes into her life, Cam.
This story is full of family, many laugh out moments, secrets and more secrets and a wonderful romance of Piper and Cam. This is a hard book to put down. This story dealt with many issues that I could relate to.
This is the fourth book set in the town of Wildstone, can’t believe it is fictional. All books are stand alone. I highly recommend this story.