I was only trying to help a friend. I swear. I was legit asking for a friend who was finally ready to date again.I knew what she wanted in a man — smart, funny, ambitious, well-read (no, the sports section doesn’t count), and plays a wicked game of badminton.So I did what any good friend would do. Posted it for her. It seemed like a good idea at the time — I’d weed through the candidates, and … candidates, and bring her my top picks.
But then he responded.
Is it wrong to date the guy I screened for my bestie? Not asking for a friend.
Indulge in the BOYFRIEND MATERIAL series! Three best friends. Three outrageous proposals. Three chances to fall in love. Three brand new standalones from Lauren Blakely!
more
It’s just an auto-yes!
I’ve made no secret about the fact that Lauren Blakely is one of my favorite authors of all time. There are many reasons why she has landed on this personal list of mine, but it all boils down to the simple fact that I always get something more than a happily ever after when reading her books. Of course, hers are always well-written, sexy romances about endearing characters swept up in engaging and fulfilling love stories. But Blakely kicks it up a notch with stellar storytelling, richly developed and fully-fleshed out characters, and she fills the pages with the kind of details that bring the story to life in the reader’s mind. Not just vivid descriptions of the background, locations and scenery, either. Blakely dives deeper by including all sorts of interesting, fun, quirky bits of trivia, facts and anecdotes that weave together with everything else to form the history of the characters and the couples. This next-level character and story development is often overlooked, but never by Blakely, and it’s one of my favorite things about her books—I always take away something more than a rewarding and satisfying happily ever after from them.
Asking For A Friend starts Blakely’s new Boyfriend Material series, and now that I’ve read the first book, the next two have skyrocketed right to the top of my list of most anticipated books of 2020. A workplace romance with a creative spin, I couldn’t help getting caught up in the natural chemistry between Linc and Amy. Their delicious banter, so witty and smart, was a fantastic build-up to what they would become. I loved how they clicked in person, but it was the unguarded, unexpected, unplanned way they connected through very modern-day means that really drew me in. The author alludes to the hook of the plot in the blurb, and I don’t want to go into more detail than she offered there, but I will say that I waited with heart-racing anticipation for them to connect the dots as their relationship built.
Blakely penned a story here that was so easy to get lost in. The connection between these characters was sincere and authentic, their attraction to each other visceral, and their longing for each other palpable. It had all these big-screen, romantic comedy feels as it played out on the page and in my mind. This is one of those rare kinds of stories that remind the reader of why they read romance—the kind of story that sends them in search of another romance novel.
I am so excited about this series. Asking For A Friend was romantic and sexy, sweet and sassy and everything I hope to feel and experience when I crack open a romance novel. A top favorite of the year, Asking For A Friend by Lauren Blakely gets five smooches from me!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
This is Lauren Blakely at her best! How could I not totally fall in love with a book nerd and word nerd! Highly recommend to all those who love a steamy witty romcom!
4.5 stars
Amy Summers’ day job as a junior editor is everything she could hope for but she’s also hoping to be promoted to editor now that there is finally an opening. Her challenge is learning to sell herself. She decides to practice her pitching skills while also helping her best friend get back into the dating world. She’ll set up a dating profile for her friend and screen all the potential dates, so Piper only meets the cream of the crop and wouldn’t you know her very first response seems to be exactly what she was looking for. But as the online flirting continues, she starts to wonder if he might just be perfect for her.
Linc Silvers is new to NYC, having just moved cross country to start over after a disastrous work/relationship situation. Though he is determined to avoid workplace entanglements again, he is immediately intrigued by one of his coworkers. Trying to keep his mind of the distraction, he sets up a dating profile online and begins talking to a woman who seems to be a perfect match.
Both in the office and online, these two have matching quick wits, nerdy natures, and a fast friendship. From their first meeting, these two have chemistry that they do their best to ignore. They know the company fraternization policy and between that and their own reasons for avoiding relationships, neither is looking for something new, but sometimes there is just too much serendipity in a situation to ignore.
This is a fun twist on office and online relationships, twisting the two tropes together in a way that is perfectly delightful. The side characters are a wonderful blend of familiar and new, with a new set introduced just for this series. I’m looking forward to Peyton and Tristan’s story as the interest hinted at in a few scenes is teasing!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Love takes a backseat to humor. Amy and Linc set about making your heart smile as only Lauren Blakely can. From their flirty first meeting to their cluelessly awkward courtship, Asking for a Friend keeps things light. Linc is perfect book boyfriend material in a slightly nerdy sort of way. Amy is a hint of what every woman should be. She embraces her awkwardness with confidence. She’s not afraid to let her insecurities shine. Blakely tempts readers with a less than perfect romance that gives the heart a break. With sweet characters and unforgettable storytelling, heaven is only one click away.
Meh. Didn’t really find this one too interesting. Couldn’t get into the characters or the romance all that much. This is probably most definitely a me thing. My rating doesn’t mean this book is terrible, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Loved the characters, banter and the cartoon references. Very entertaining and it.
I could not put this book down. What’s not to love about two amazingly nerdy bookworms who fall in love at the spot? Highly recommend it.
5 A New Series and New Characters to Love Stars!!!
I adore nothing more than reading a Lauren Blakely book and have been known to do re-reads throughout the year when I’m in a reading slump and while this is my first time reading this newest book by Ms. Blakely, it’s definitely going to be in my regular rotation of books I turn to to lift my spirits!
Linc and Amy meet at work when Linc moves to NYC and while there’s an immediate connection between them, they refuse to have an office romance. But it doesn’t stop them from becoming great friends. I loved Amy so much, she’s witty, funny, caring and earns a living doing what she loves most…reading. And oh my stars Linc is a “man about town” so to speak, handsome, sexy, great sense of humor and caring not only about Amy but those around him. This is a match made in heaven…even if it takes a while to get there.
This book was so much fun to read as are all of Ms. Blakely’s books. I’ve come to rely on her for my source of rom-com’s because she’s so darn good at writing them. They’re believable, charming and irresistible. I love that this book was a slow-burn too. It flows effortlessly and I found myself constantly smiling while reading this one…from badminton to hula-hooping these two have the most fun possible!!
Another great start to a wonderful series by the fabulous Ms. Blakely!!
Linc and Amy are amazing!! They are both word smiths they both are avid book fans and work in the industry. I enjoyed the banter between them and the awesome chemistry that was apparent from their first meeting. The author does an amazing job of drawing you in from the beginning and keeping you intrigued throughout.
This book is funny, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
So romantic! Loved!
Ah ha! So I’m not the only girl who had a love affair with my trusty thesaurus!! I don’t have Amy’s gift of gab and I’ve never fallen for a guy I picked out for a really good friend but I sure had one hell of a great time reading this fast paced, flirty and oh-so-fabulous peek into the Blakely brain and it was awesome! I don’t know how she keeps topping her last book but I’m so freaking happy she does it each and every time. Amy and Linc’s story was ‘da bomb!
This book by far is one of my top reads of 2019.And who shouldn’t it be? Lauren Blakely has brought a story that any book lover would love with two characters that absolutely love and work with BOOKS. Amy Summers is a lover of her thesaurus and brings amazing book titles a d books to life with her job. She’s funny, a good friend, hard work, and she’s looking to move up in her job. But when Clark Kent aka Linc Silver(try saying his name without Swooning over it…. you won’t.) starts working at her job things change. Linc is every book lovers dream guy. His a lover of books, his confident, charming, sexy, and a Ping-Pong Master. The chemistry between these two is undeniable. And no matter how they fight it,fate brings them together by only Asking for a Friend through a dating App. Lauren is the Queen of Rom/Com and she proves it every time through her books.
Lauren has once again knocked this couple out of the RomCom park! Linc has moved across the country for a fresh start. New job, new home and oh yes new co-workers. He knows that his main focus should be on his new position in the publishing world but his cute, quirky co-worker Amy can be very distracting. Amy is the best girlfriend she is even trying to get her bestie back out in the dating world by creating a profile for her but she soon begins to realize that she may like this hand picked date for her gal pal . Amy has also found herself in quite the predicament. She has all the feels for the handsome, funny new guy in the office ! They are quite a match made in witty banter heaven!!!! I truly had all the tingles watching this couple unfold and interact !!! Get ready to fall in love with Amy and Linc .
~~Michele McMullen ~~
What a wonderfully funny, touching, whimsical, quirky, romantic story! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
5 Cranky Stars
This story made my heart so happy that I had to read it twice. Words can describe anything and this book give us a world where words are everything.
Amy is a bubbly word loving woman who I’d love to be friends with. She embarks on the challenge of finding her bestie a date when the tables turned on her in the best way.
Linc just moved across the country to escape the disaster of a failed office romance. His one rule is no fishing in the office pond. Everything changes when Amy starts slinging words, cat memes and skirts with pockets in his direction.
I can’t recommend this book enough. The characters are dishy (yep, borrowed that word from Amy) and loveable. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Lauren Blakely has done it again. A fantastic story about Linc and Amy. A definite must read. Highly recommend!!!
OMG!!! The words! The snark! The witty banter! Asking For a Friend will make you snort. Make sure you have tissues around. Not for your tears but for whatever you’re eating or drinking. Believe me, they WILL come out of your nose.
Asking For a Friend was the fantastic start to the new Boyfriend Material series that utterly captivated me.
The chemistry between Linc and Amy was instant and undeniable. I loved their witty banter, flirty exchanges and all together delightful slowburn. Every time these two were together I found myself grinning like crazy and hoping they’d figure out what was truly going on.
Linc Silvers was everything I dream of in a book boyfriend and I truly want to know where I can find my own Linc? Amy was a true gem and I loved her quirky book references and zest for life.
With characters you’ll love from the start and a truly entertaining storyline Asking For a Friend was a delightful, feel good read that left me eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.