Some wallflowers are too beautiful to hide in the shadows forever. After growing up in the shadow of her vivacious sister, Layla Jenson believed she’d never measured up, preferring to live a quiet existence, dreaming of true love while watching life pass her by. When a member of her college football team suddenly asks her out, Layla is stunned but also hopeful. Maybe being the awkward girl who … stunned but also hopeful. Maybe being the awkward girl who struggles socially is an endearing quality after all?
Watching Layla date his teammate is a problem for Ethan Miller. Athletic and outgoing, he’s been best friends with Layla since childhood. He is the one person who sees her—who has always seen her. And as the stakes in the game change, Ethan is forced to face his feelings.
He’s left with a single choice—admit he’s in love with his best friend, or stand back and possibly lose her forever.
Disclaimer: Don’t let the cute cover fool you. Friend Zone is as steamy as it is sweet and contains scenes that will make you blush.
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Layla and Ethan have know each other since they where children were friends for years till he decided to leave the state for college and she was hurt and heartbroken. When Ethan comes back they try to be friends again but they both have feelings that can’t be put aside this time. Has things heat up between them will things from their past and present try and keep them apart? Amazing read from beginning to end. I laughed and cried and laughed some more. This book will keep you turning page after page to see what happens. Can’t wait to read more from this author
Friends to lovers, second chance, and seriously sweet romance what could be better?! Amali Rose stole my heart with Amongst The Wildflowers with her amazing writing bringing Ethan and Layla to life in a way that had me totally addicted to their story. Perfectly balancing with sugary sweet swooniness with a bit of drama to really hook you deep and pull you in I devoured this book in a matter of a couple hours unable to put it down!
I’ll tell you now, Ethan is a man you won’t be able to resist. The way he loves Layla, and has always loved her had my heart melting the second I met him. Even with the mistakes from his past his love for Layla pours from the pages and wraps you up in a blanket of warm fuzzy goodness. I adored Layla as much as I did Ethan. Her shy sweet personality hid a sassy side that rounded out a truly beautiful girl.
This author writes kick a$$ angst filled reads. They usually have a hidden depth of a message and are oh so steamy in the best of ways and never over the top. She puts her emotions into the characters being out of the bedroom more than in but that gives us a great feel for them. This time we have friends who have known each other and been constant companions from age 4 . . . families and all. . . until he. . . whoosh disappears. It’s when he reappears that things get, well interesting. With outside influences and distractions and a will and determination to make things right Ethan’s back.
I love the battle of wills but more importantly I like that Ethan silences the inner berating dialogue in Layla’s head. Layla deals with self-esteem issues and not real happy in her own body. These two together is how it’s supposed to be now he just has to convince her. Great read. Love this author’s style and her way of getting it done.
Love this author, these covers are amazing but the story is what keeps me coming back!
Amongst The Wildflowers was a great read. I love to read sweet collage romance with a friends to lovers story. The story was well written and flowed perfectly. Although in the beginning it took me a bit to catch on, but it didn’t take long at all. Once I got into it I could not put it down..
I love the characters; they were perfect! I love Layla’s sweet innocent personality and damn! Ethen was a hottie. Their friends were the cutest and so supportive and new that these two belonged together from day one. Ethan and Layla were best friends since they were children and both had feelings for one another. They would never tell each other until…the sparks flew.
This is my first read my Amali Rose and I am definitely not disappointed. I cannot wait to read more by her. Amongst The Wildflowers is the third book in the Fleur d’amour series but is a standalone. I recommend reading this one and am off to read books one and two now.
I loved this, it was hot and angsty. Layla is a great character, with relatable insecurities. I thought her pain and self doubt was well written and could feel along with her. Her and Ethan have been friends most of their lives and I love their chemistry.
I received an ARC for an honest opinion. This is the third story in the series and what an entertaining story it is. Layla and Ethan have a beautiful childhood friendship but neither wants to destroy the friendship by declaring their mutual feelings. Layla has always had to deal with bullying and fitting into societal norms; Ethan has always been there seeing how beautiful she truly is, if only she could see it. There chemistry is wonderful and with a few twists and turns this ends up being a beautiful feel good story. I would definitely recommend this book and series to others.
Layla and Ethan are an absolutely adorable mess, they continue to talk and try to re-build their relationship, but neither one is effectively communicating (AT ALL). I absolutely loved them, confused, in love, messing up on both of their parts, and finally getting it right. Wonderful writing and characters, I can not say how much I loved these two. The plot and writing pulled me in from the very first page and I could not put this book down. Fabulous story Amali Rose!!!
I Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book!
Amali Rose knows my heart. And she twisted it nice and good with this poignant love story between best friends. This was an amazing novel that literally takes your breath away!!!!
Kayla & Ethan were best friends from the age of 4. Amongst the wildflowers these two formed an unbreakable and loyal bond. However, not everything is as it seems. When Ethan leaves after high school graduation and attends a far away college, it’s the beginning of the end for these wildflower friends.
3 years later and into Layla’ s senior year at college, Ethan returns. It’s a rocky start for these two friends to form any type of connection. Once the connection is tethered, it seems that the dynamite is more explosive between them. Jealousy and insecurities plague these two along with a shiesty devil in the form of a female and a douchbag asking for trouble.
Layla and Ethan have a hard time navigating but the loyalty and chemistry is there but its really all up to trust. Can these two forget about the negative and focus on the positive? We shall see.
5 STARS
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Amongst the Wildflowers is all about second chances.
This friends to lovers, second chance romance was sweet.
Ethan and Layla have were bestfriends since they were young. Layla has loved Ethan since she was four.
When their feelings for eachother started growing stronger they both started pulling away. This miscommunication cost them years of separation.
When Layla sees Ethan again for the first time after so many years, well let’s just say all the hurt and anger of missing him comes back.
Their story is truly a sweet one.
Layla and Ethan have some pretty amazing history. The bond they share is incredible. To be honest i found myself a little jealous of it. Lol. They are literally life long friends and know everything there is to know about each other. That is what makes them the most perfect couple. They know all the ugly things and have seen each other in their most awkward moments. The 4 years apart should have put a giant wedge between them because of how it happened and the distance that was between them emotionally, physically and mentally but it didn’t even dull their bond. It is amazing. I am so glad they finally got over their own stubbornness and got together! Truly amazing storyline!! Kept me hooked to the very end! I literally couldn’t put it down!
This friends to lovers story had me glued to my kindle from the very first page! The story was well written, the plot was well planned and the characters were written with great depth. As I turned the pages I felt like Layla and Ethan jumped from the pages and pulled me right into their story as it unfolded!
4 Cranky Stars
Layla and Ethan fell in love in a field of wildflowers when they were just little kids. Too young to truly know what that kind of love is but it was still very real to them. They grew up as best friends with each one harboring feelings they were both too scared to admit.
Layla is just making it through college. She is still heart broken from Ethan just up and leaving her with no answers. She has self esteem issues and hides behind self-depreciation when things get tough. She knows she’s not the conventional skinny Barbie with blonde hair. When Ethan turns back up in her life asking for a chance she does so with trepidation.
Ethan has always loved Layla. She’s his best friend and most importantly the love of his life. He left on a whim when his feelings became too hard for him to deal with. Leaving Layla was his biggest regret. He makes a surprise appearance in her life and he will do anything to win her back. Ethan is not only navigating new waters with Layla he’s also trying to live his own life outside of his dads shadow.
I liked Layla with her flaws and all. I think no matter our size we all that have that voice that nags at us telling us we aren’t enough. We see some of the past characters in this series. Layla is Cassidys sister! I liked how Ethan just loved Layla. Tash honey I wish you would get attacked by a pack of badgers. Michael Bradshaw?? You suck a big one dude. I love Evie and how much she supports Layla and Ethan. Excellent story filled with love, one dirty mouthed boyfriend and real life issues.
4.5 Stars
Another stellar story in the Fleurs d’Amour series. This book had heart, angst, and enough emotion to keep a reader going for days.
Layla and Ethan became best friends when they were both children. They fell in love with each other when they were only four years old, but neither knew how the other felt. Through the years, they grew together, depended on one another, still loving each other without giving voice to their feelings.
When Ethan decides to go away for college, Layla is devastated. Her insecurities are compounded by the feeling of abandonment by her best friend and childhood love.
After not hearing from him for years, Ethan comes home to fix things with her and to finally claim the girl he has always wanted. Although still plagued with insecurities, Layla is stronger now than when Ethan left. She is jaded and refuses to give in to him easily. Ethan’s persistence and devotion will be put to the test and Layla’s trust will be pushed to its limits.
Pick up a copy today to find out if these two former childhood friends will find their way to their forever together.
Oh my gosh! Amongst the Wildflowers has been worth the wait! Such an elegant, beautiful, heartfelt story of two people who were best friends when they were kids. Over time hearts were broken, but they found their way back becoming stronger than before. I have been able to relate to characters before, but with each of Amali’s stories I have found a piece of myself in each one. Wildflowers shows that everyone deserves the chance to be loved, and sometimes it’s staring us in the face for so long before we finally realize it.
This story is a amazing read that has amazing chemistry between the the love found throughout this story. This story will have you hooked and loving this story from the very first page tell the ending.
A first read from Amali Rose for me, but I have loved these book covers for a while now. They are gorgeous.
Ok to the meat and potatoes. This book was so very good. I loved Ethan and Layla. There was so much history for them.
There were funny parts in the book, parts that made me smile and parts that made me sad. I loved Ethans nickname for Layla and I did not like Michael very much!
This was a great introduction for me to the wonderful world of Amali Rose.
I will be reading more and I am sure loving them!
This romance is filled with poignancy and beauty. An emotionally intense storyline will touch your heart as Layla and Ethan work towards the HEA they have always wanted and so richly deserve. An absolutely wonderful read.
Layla Jensen is attending college and has a small crush on the college quarterback, Michael Bradshaw but know she will never stand a chance. That is until he shows up back in her life.
Ethan Miller was best friends with Layla Jensen until he all of a sudden disappeared and she never heard from him again until he shows up in one of her classes and sits down beside her. Now he has gone all protective over Layla and she is confused on why.
When Michael asks Layla for a date she accepts but does he have an ulterior motive and is there a reason that Ethan is jealous?
Can Layla discover what her heart wants and will she be able to open up and trust Ethan again after he left her in the past?
This was such a great book about overcoming the past and beliefs in yourself to view yourself in a much more positive light.
Layla was great but definitely had some issues with self esteem. She worked hard at school and stuck to herself and her best friend Mia. I was wondering about Michael and why all of a sudden he acted interested in her but everything made sense soon.
Ethan was awesome and I loved how protective he was over Layla and you could tell how much he cared about her. I thought it was funny that he never directly said anything to her as they both cared in high school and nobody ever took the first step – so frustrating!!
Tash was pure awful and I had no idea why she kept being so cruel to Layla. It was obvious that she was jealous but she made me so mad! Everything she did was full of malice and she needed to give her head a shake for sure!
I loved when Ethan finally opens up to Layla about everything and things begin but then I was so mad at Layla for her actions after when she was thinking things through. Then everything exploded again and I was freaking out a little.
The ending made me super happy and I am really enjoying this series! – By Rebecca
This is the third book in the Fleur D’Amour Series. This story, a beautiful and sweet second chance love story, can be read as a standalone. The main characters, Ethan and Layla, are lovable and their chemistry is strong. The story is believable and beautifully written, as always with Amali Rose. The storyline has angst, heartbreaking scenes, but so much love and a heartwarming HEA. I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.