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 … 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.
more
This whole series is great, and this one might be my favorite!
Rex and Carolina are the epitome of true feeling avoidance so they don’t ruin their friendship. This is one of my absolute favorite tropes and it is so well done here! The banter between them is top notch and the path they take to figuring out their feelings completely real with some painful twists.
Fantastic read!
I really hate to say this, but Dallas has always been my favorite male of Blue Beech, but Rex Lane has just dethroned him. Rex is everything. He is insanely hot, a loyal friend, protective and smart.
Just Friends is AMAZING from the very start. Rex and Carolina’s story is addicting. I love everything about their friendship. They are two individuals who you wouldn’t expect to be friends, but they have a connection and it works for them. Their chemistry is off the charts (everyone can feel it) and their banter is on point. I could probably go on forever about how much I loved their friendship and the easy transition into something more.
Rex is afraid of commitment; he is afraid of ruining the best friendship he has ever had. He is fiercely protective of Carolina and when she is in trouble it shows just how far he is willing to go to protect her and to keep her safe.
Of course, with this being in Blue Beech there are many visits from main characters of other books in the series and I loved every single minute of it. The friendship and family feeling from all these characters is hands down the best thing ever.
Just Friends is an AMAZING best friends to lover’s romance, so if that is your jam then this is one book, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check out. It has the friendship, the love, the steam, some drama and amazing banter from the very beginning. This is a MUST READ book!
If I had to use one word to describe this book it would be fantastic. I absolutely devoured it, I just couldn’t stop reading. I laughed, wanted to smack some sense into the characters and loved them all at the same time. It was such a well written storyline and the characters were very well presented with enough information that you felt like you were living alongside them. A fantastic edition to the series.
Rex Lane does not disappoint! The baby Lane is just as swoony, and hot as we would expect him to be! Charity Ferrell does not disappoint with Just Friends, Rex and Carolina are the perfect addition to the series.
Carolina Adams and Rex Lane are the most unlikely pair of friends. The preachers daughter and the f**kboy of the school. Rex had no idea how his life would change when he afford to give Carolina $50 to write his English paper for him. Their friends to lovers story is a long and sometimes painfully journey but what a ride it was. Watching these two grow as people, and also as friends, then to a couple was fantastic. Their relationship is one we all wish we could have, best friends first and lovers second.
Rex the wild, badboy, playboy has a heart bigger than you could imagine, but only when it comes to Carolina Adams. Lina, baby had a wild side that only Rex Lane could bring out in her, even if he had no idea it was happening. But he was always there to pick up the pieces even if he didn’t know from what. These two are ride or die.
I was definitely a little shocked by Carolina’s secret, of all the things I had floating through my head it was not that. But let’s talk about how Rex swoops right in and takes charge. His feelings about her hiding it didn’t matter, all he knew was he had to fix it for his Lina!
Charity Ferrell delivered another hit in the Blue Beech series. The witty banter, sexual tension, love, friendship made this book everything. Ferrell as always brings back all the citizens of Blue Beech we love. Everything about Just Friends was perfect, the plot, the writing, the characters. Baby Lane was everything I hoped he would be, and Carolina was his perfect counterpart. I absolutely love all things Blue Beech and can’t wait to see who’s book she gives us next! 5 hot as h**l stars for Rex, Carolina and Charity Ferrell.
The story of Carolina and Rex was a fantastic way to pop my Charity Ferrell cherry.
Just Friends is a fantastic example of a friends to lovers tale. Carolina and Rex have a history dating back to high school and Rex will do absolutely anything to protect Carolina.
BUT…Carolina has a secret. A secret that I found it impossible to fully predict!
The romantic relationship that develops is long overdue but throughout its development and the ‘big secret reveal’ Rex continues to stand by Carolina’s side.
A beautiful example of just how good a ‘love match’ can be, especially with your best friend!
Review by: Jennifer
(5 stars)
Carolina and Rex have been best friends since high school, have been in love for pretty much the same amount of time, but, huge but, they are just best friends. After all the crap with Rex’s parents, which we got in a previous story, and finding out that he has a half-brother, Trey, Rex doesn’t trust himself to have a real relationship, scared that with his father’s genes he will follow in his footsteps relationship wise. So Rex’s alternative is to just have Carolina as his bestie, but when he agrees to be Carolina’s plus one for her cousins wedding, and a spur of the moment white lie that makes them a couple and the two are in for a huge change. Will they cross the line and blur the lines of friendship?
I really enjoyed this story, super entertaining! With drama, a bit of violence, some laughs and some super hot chemistry radiating from the pages; this was anything but boring. I give this 5 stars.
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Review by: Melanie
(5 stars)
Just Friends gives us the story of Rex and Carolina. Besties since high school, they’ve always loved each other but apart from one certain cherry popping, they’ve never acted on it, both committed to keeping their friendship healthy. What will happen though when friends doesn’t seem to be enough anymore, will Rex be willing to try the one thing he’s always been afraid of… a relationship?
This was such a sweet story. I loved how it started at school then jumped every few years until we got to a place where they might finally have a chance. Of course there has to be a bit of drama thrown in which I won’t spoil but add to that the sweet and romantic side and this was a really good story. It felt like a series end and if it was it ended perfectly and I really enjoyed it. If not, then I’ll be looking out for the next one, but for now I give Just Friends 5 stars.
I have read a few of this authors stories before and always enjoyed them so when I found a friends to lovers, I jumped on it. This story was wonderful. It has the amazing fresh well loved quality between these friends. The author really nailed the transitions from friends to lovers in a way that felt natural and very sexy.
I haven’t read this entire series but was never lost or missing anything so this is a true standalone. The humor and tensions really created the perfect maelstrom of emotions and feelings that pulled these two together brilliantly. I very much enjiyed this story. I received an ARC and I am leaving an honest review. 4.25 stars.
This is the first book I have read by Charity Ferrell and I was blown away. I was hooked after the first chapter. Then my eyes, heart, mind, and soul became encompassed in this story. I pulled an all-nighter to finish this book. The love that Rex and Caroline have for each other is a forever friends love. It doesn’t matter where they came from, how popular they are, or how different they are from each other they have a true, caring, and eternally devoted friendship. If you’ve ever fallen in love with your best friend, you know how you rather suffer in silence than lose them forever. At the same time that you both fight your feelings for each other, your friends and family laugh at you because you are so obvious. However, that fear keeps your eyes shielded from the truth. The trials, battles, arguments, laughter, sacrifices, and memories these two experiences together is a true heart-warming love story. If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. Hands down a top favorite of 2020.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Swoon-Worthy, Mandy@janise’s Jivin’ Book Blog
It all started with a school paper, but friendship is a fickle thing that you tend to like a garden and grow. But with Rex Lane and Carolina Adams its much more than that, It can grow into something more, but can these two friends finally agree that their friendship has flourished into something off the charts? Or is it just something they are not willing to cross the line with?
Charity Ferrell is a fun author to read, her characters flow well together, all with a passion that is swoon-worthy
“Just Friends” by new to me author Charity Ferrell is an intense friends to lovers read. Admittedly I am a not a huge fan of this particular trope, however, this book sucked me in and had me start and finish it in one sitting. First of all, I loved the main characters of Carolina and Rex both individually and most definitely together as ‘friends’. Rex is smart and sexy and slightly screwed up thanks to his father. Lina is highly motivated, cute and sexy in an unassuming way. She struggles with being the daughter of the town’s pastor and being the daughter her parents want. These two very different people form an incredible friendship filled with love, trust, understanding and acceptance. As the years pass, their bond grows stronger in ways that you can’t even imagine. While their friendship is cemented, their growing feelings for one another become a force to be reckoned with. When they give in to it, you find yourself breathing a sigh of relief as they finally get together. But things are not always as they seem as a secret she’s keeping may tear them apart. “Just Friends” is an incredible angst filled, friends to lovers read, if that is your jam, TBR this book and enjoy. (I read an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.)
Charity Ferrell strikes yet another romantic chord in my heart with her new release Just Friends. For those that follow my reviews, you’ll know I am a sucker for a good best friends to lovers story and this one is it!
Although, admittedly I forgot about old Rex and Carolina from previous books in Ferrell’s Blue Beech series. Now, before you panic, Ferrell is a smart cookie and wrote each one of these as if they are standalones. So no need to rush into thinking you have to read them all to read Rex and Carolina’s stories. These two are purely small side characters for the most part of the other books.
Ferrell starts this one off in the beginning… as in freshman year of high school. Which in my opinion was spectacular. Through the years, you see the depth, character and tension slowly burn it’s way to the surface between Rex and Carolina. This was not muddled down by history that didn’t matter. Every single pinpoint on Ferrell’s timeline built this story up to a pivotal moment between two friends. Riddled with some conflict, Ferrell truly rounds this one out with a whopping 5 stars from me. I was hooked from cover to cover. I truly hope this isn’t an end to a Blue Beech era.
Overall, Ferrell wrote an impeccable series filled with lots of different tropes, depth of character and interesting plot lines. With her first book, she was an unknown author to me. Finishing out this one, I can easily say I would recommend any of her books to a reader and continue to one click on name alone. I truly loved this friends to lovers story. We all know boys and girls can never just stay friends.
I first fell in love with Blue Beech and Charity Ferrell’s writing when I read Just Neighbors. I didn’t believe it was possible for anyone to take Kyle’s #1 book boyfriend position, but his baby brother Rex is so swooney he has kicked his big brother right off the pedestal. I’m in a complete book hangover after finishing Just Friends.
Just Friends begins in a walk down the history of Rex and Carolina’s amazing friendship. It starts off with Rex asking Carolina to write a paper for him, one he can clearly write himself. He’s a smart kid, right behind her in academic standing, but he just doesn’t want to. She doesn’t take his crap and he doesn’t take no for an answer and thus begins their lifelong friendship.
Their friendship is one to hold in complete adoration. They are there for each other, ride or die, no matter what as the years go on. Even though Rex claims he can’t do relationships, he’s basically been in one with her since their friendship began. His greatest fear is losing Carolina, so taking that final step into something deeper is something he doesn’t want to do given his parents relationship is dysfunctional.
Carolina knows Rex better than anyone and visa versa. When a fake date goes further than they planned, pandora’s box has been opened, they find feelings unleashed and closing that lid once again impossible. It’s hard to go back and be just friends when they both know they are more and always have been.
Charity Ferrell once again wrote an amazing story filled with lots of love and heart.
Just Friends by Charity Ferrell a five-star read that you will want to me more than friends with. This is another great story about a man in Blue Beech and sits as number six in the Blue Beech series, but they can all be read as stand-alone as they are all about a different couple. Rex, my sweet Rex you really are a sweetheart, its just a shame that you have some growing up to do, I would love to be friends with you as I think you would be so swoon worthy, but dating you would push me way, way too far. Carolina you would be a great friend, even after everything she faces and hides, she really is sublime. Thank you Charity Ferrell for being amazing.
I seriously just love this whole series, but every book keeps getting better & better and this one is no different. Rex Lane is the perfect combo of sweet and sexy, and I just want him all to myself.
This is a friends to lovers romance blended with some drama and angst, creating the perfect mix of everything I love in a romance novel. Waiting for the inevitable of will they or won’t they and the impending explosion of their relationship. It was pure bliss.
5/5, highly recommend for romance lovers of all types. You won’t be disappointed by any of the Blue Beech men!
Another great book by Charity Ferrell. This book was about two friends who end up becoming more which is my absolute favorite trope to read about. Charity did a fantastic job creating the developing relationship, friendship, and connection between Carolina and Rex. Rex is absolutely perfect. He’s sexy, alpha, dirty talking, and the best friend any person could ask for. The connection that Carolina and Rex shared was palpable. It was all consuming. I could feel it come off the page. Charity really outdid herself. I read this in one day because it was that good.
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Wow!! This slow burn, friends to lovers was AMAZING! The chemistry and tension between Rex and Carolina was amazing and I couldn’t get enough of it! I had so many butterflies listening to Rex and Carolina’s story, and loved the history we got between these two and how they are in the future. The perfect friends to lovers story!
Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cook did such a great job bringing these two to life, and I love the added layers they bring out in their characters. These were two new narrators for me, and I loved their voices. I love when audio enhances a book, and this one absolutely sucked you into the Blue Beech world, and I couldn’t put this down!
Would recommend this story, this series and this author to anyone!
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, especially one that spans a few years. I love really getting to know them as friends and getting an idea of that relationship before they become lovers and this book was all of that. Carolina and Rex’s story starts in high school where they don’t really like each other and then blossoms through the years into a very dependent relationship with each other without ever crossing the lines. Their friendship was beautiful the way they depended on each other, looked out for each other and supported each other.
When something finally happens between them, no one is surprised. It is a new mystical part to their relationship and seems just right. But will Carolina’s past be the complication they cannot overcome.
I listened to this on Audible and I love a good emotional story to listen to. The narrators, Shedlock and Cook, did a phenomenal job portraying these characters throughout the years. They really made me feel like I was living through the story. Their voices were easy to listen to and made it a beautiful story to listen to.
4 “Gamer” Stars
Caroline and Rex’s book was another good one and concluded the Blue Beech Series in a strong way. Their friends to lovers romance was truly beautiful. I enjoyed how their friendship was always so important to them, making the idea of turning it into a romance difficult. It was apparent they had strong and real feelings for each other, but their special bond couldn’t be lost.
Rex was a very interesting hero with a carefree and funny attitude. He’s a cocky guy, but always there to help Carolina in her times of need. He was truly her savior in every way. As much as I enjoyed this story, I’ll admit that I felt Carolina was a little too naive in a few situations and it kind of bothered me at times.
Overall Just Friends was interesting with appearences of all the Blue Beech gang. This was such a fantastic series to read and I’m all ready for the next generation come next year!!
Audio Review: Just Friends (Blue Beech) by Charity Ferrell, Narrated by Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Cook
It’s easy get caught in the backstory of Rex and Lina. Ferrell knocks at the door of your heart and Shedlock and Cook blow the door wind open. Forget the cliches, ignore the overdone trope and remember the way these characters make you feel. I got lost in the heartache, captivated by the romance and couldn’t walk away from the drama that is Just Friends.
Wow!! Rex is everything I knew he would be… Totally swoon worthy book and I couldn’t put it down. I loved this book and all the characters.
Carolina and Rex are one of my most favorite couples! These two are so sweet and the friends to lovers story is the best. They have their struggles and obstacles that they have to overcome… But Rex will do anything to protect Carolina and that will have you loving him too!
If you haven’t read any of the Blue Beech series from Charity, I suggest you make it your next read. I love all her books.
If you enjoy audios, this audio book is done so well. I love the way the narrators brought one of my favorite couples to life!