No one tells you what happens when you fall in love with your best friend. They don’t tell you it’s like waiting for the answer to a question no one can hear you ask. Meet Brynn Darling. Successful event coordinator. Celebrity friends. At the top of her game. But after many failed attempts at finding love, and a realization that her best friend is clueless, she’s ready to move on. Easton Cole has …
Easton Cole has been in the friend zone since . . . well, forever. He fills the void with unimportant people and never gets attached. That is until Brynn begins seeing a guy who threatens everything he’s ever wanted.
All bets are off.
Maybe it’ll never happen.
Maybe she’ll fall in love.
Maybe they’ll get their ever after . . . after all.
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A sweet and adorable story of friends to lovers. This was a quick read, but packed a lot into it!!
4 stars
Best friends to lovers trope is a winner for a reason. I have a theory that if a character can love someone from childhood to adulthood that it makes it easier for the reader to fall in love with them too. Makes sense, right? Well it definitely worked with Easton and Brynn (and brother extraordinaire, Bennett), they were very likable characters even when they frustrated me so much I wanted to choke them out.
Easton and Brynn have been friends since babyhood, growing up together and now working at the same company. There have been some tough times but they are friends to the end through thick and thin. They have cool jobs putting on conventions (think Comicon) which puts them in close proximity to stars playing their favorite shows, like Jude Acklin of mega hit show UnNatural…who just happens to take a shine to our lovable heroine.
It takes a little competition in the love department for Easton to realize he’s been on the sidelines forever and if he wants the girl, he better get in the game. While the love triangle frustrated me to no end, I really enjoyed the characters and getting Easton’s backstory. Great read with lots of laughs, few tears and even some geeking out.
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Cassie Graham is another new-to-me author, and I relished every page of this original, sweet and heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance. The heroine is a self-proclaimed nerd, who has always been attracted to the man who is her friend, coworker, neighbor and brother’s best friend. She’s successfully ignored her feelings and has been content to stay in the friend-zone, but when he shows interest in her, she’s more than willing to allow things to turn physical. The change in their relationship forces both of them to recognize their feelings, but both are hesitant to be the one to jump first and risk a possible broken heart. Maybe Ever After is a truly feel-good reading experience.
Recommendation appeared @ Frolic on January 14
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
So, I loved the Comic-Con aspect to this story so much! Now, names were changed, but basically they were doing conventions for a tv show a lot like one of my favorites, Supernatural. Only in this world, the obvious play on my favorite actor on the show, Jensen Ackles, is single. And he’s into our main character Brynn. Like, seriously interested! But I got so mad at Easton. He honestly was being stupid in how he acted toward Brynn. Like, he kind of wanted her, but he thought his past or something meant he wasn’t good for her? And really, he’s the one who keeps pushing her away, even as he tries to keep her for himself.
While the characters and the dialogue and all the tv show and convention stuff kept me turning pages as fast as I could, that little part with Easton did irritate me. It was a usual type of issue in a lot of romances, something you’ve probably heard me complain about before. It’s probably the main thing that kept me from giving it a 5, because really I enjoyed the story a lot. The author is one I will probably look to read more from in the future, or go back and try some of her other titles as I get a chance. I would recommend this as a fun, sexy, and easy read. Give it a try!
Friends (clueless ones) to lovers is such a fun genre. This new-to-me author kept me entertained as she weaved a tale of what happens when the time never seems to be right to man up (well, lady up) and tell the person you’ve harbored feelings for them for years. And then to find out that feelings are shared? WHOA!
There are a few twists in this story which made me a bit uncomfortable (you’ll have to read the story to see what I mean), but I think it only added to the holy crap factor. And it certainly makes the characters more interesting. Do they make some questionable choices? Sure, but that’s pretty human.
As a first time reader of Graham, I really enjoyed her writing style. The cadence of character and plot development was perfect for the genre. Overall, the story was a lot of fun (sad at times, but hey, that’s life) and a great read!
WOW! This book was refreshing for me because it wasn’t your typical romance type book setting.
Brynn & Easton have been besties for life, along with her twin brother (whose name escapes me at the moment, but that isn’t needed for the review, so on I go). They grew up together and have been close for years! All three live in California now, in the same building, and are still super close.
A fun addition to this story is what Brynn & Easton do – they work for a company that puts on conventions. UnNatural Conventions! Got some fun behind the scenes looks.
Sparks *may* be kindling beneath the surface for both of them, and probably have been for years, before an expected road trip puts them in the perfect scenario to act on them.
Enter Jude Acklin, an actor on UnNatural and all around good guy, who falls for Brynn. The love triangle will have you pulling your hair out and talking out loud to Brynn! Okay, maybe even yelling at her and wanting to shake her.
Interesting characters. Fun setting. Enough angst to make you “feel-y”. And I definitely knew where I wanted her to land! Great read to kick off 2019!!
What a book. From the prologue I was absolutely obsessed with this book. I normally steer away from these tropes because they’re so hard to understand, but the way this was written was so beautiful. Easton is such a good guy, he’s a man’s man who has had a hard life growing up and he’s attached to Brynn because she’s been with him through it all. The fact that she was oblivious about they’re compatibility was what I loved so much. When things get tricky, they don’t hold back their opinions or feelings.
It was my favorite book by Cassie Graham that I’ve read.
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this friends to lovers story. I loved Byrnn’s quirkiness and nerdy side. I liked the goofy side of the characters. Brynn and Easton are keeping their true feelings a secret and it may just cost them their friendship. Their friendship will be tested. Great characters that instantly pulled me into the story. This book had a lot of heart and feels along with humor. It’s definitely one you don’t want to pass up.
I am a huge sucker for friends to lovers romances and once I read the synopsis for Maybe Ever After, I just knew I had to check it out. I mean, it sounded like it was going to check off all my boxes.
Maybe Ever After had a really promising start. Once again, I must tell you that friends to lovers romances are my jam. I just love them. There’s just something about the angst and drama that follows when one character has been secretly pinning away for the other. I just can’t get enough. After reading the first chapter, I was hooked. I wanted to see what had happened to Brynn and Easton; how did they get the point they were at in that first chapter?? Brynn was adorably cute and totally clueless. She was the definition of a nerd and the kind of girl I’d be happy to call my friend. But, when it comes to men, she is totally clueless!! And then there is Easton. He hasn’t had the best life and doesn’t believe in relationships or letting anyone get close. He feels like he’s been friend zoned by Brynn, but it turns out he’s just as clueless as she is. By the time Easton clues in to his and Byrnn’s feelings, it looks like it will be too late. All bets are off in the game of love and it was a lot of fun watching these two figure things out.
I thought this book was an ok read. I loved watching Brynn and Easton stumble through and try to figure things out. I will say that the two of them made me a little crazy. Many, many times, I wanted to shake both of them. I didn’t agree with most of Brynn’s actions. In fact, a lot of them left me feeling very conflicted. On the one hand, I appreciated how open she was about things and never really lead anyone on, but at the same time, her actions would leave me shaking my head. And that’s all I’m going to say about that. My only other issue was the end of the story. I felt like the last 20 or so % was rushed. I wanted more from our characters than what we got and I felt slightly disappointed with how quickly it all wrapped up.
Overall, this book was kind of hit and miss for me. It was written well and I did enjoy the characters. I thought the setting was fun and unique. I loved the idea of the book, but in the end, I was just left wanting more. This is my first book by this author and even though it wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I’m still glad I checked it out and would be open to checking out another book of hers in the future.
Maybe Ever After (friends to lovers romance)
5++ Stars
OMG! I absolutely fell in love with the characters! There is so much angst and a really really great love story! I couldn’t put the book down. It is very captivating! Very entertaining!
Brynn and Easton~ besties when young, finally realize they have feelings for one another
“I loved everything about him. The good. The bad. The unpleasant. And everything in between.”
I do highly recommend! You definitely won’t be disappointed! A MUST READ!!
This is the first book I have read by Cassie Graham, and now I can’t wait to devour the rest!
Maybe Ever After is the story of Brynn and Easton, best friends and colleagues who secretly harbor more than friendly feelings for one another. Unfortunately, they are both too blind to see it…and both too afraid to do anything about it.
Enter Jude Acklin, star of the hit TV series UnNatural. When he starts showing an interest in Brynn, what follows is a love triangle of epic and angst-filled proportions! Both men are lovable in their own way, but I have to say I was definitely rooting for one more than the other. Brynn is often clueless and naive, and her inability to see what is right in front of her had me, more often than not, wanting to reach into the book and shake her!
What I really loved about this book is all of the references to various fandoms. It warmed by nerdish heart! In addition, there is a realness to all of the characters, including Jude, which makes it so much easier to relate to and connect with them. I will certainly be adding this one to my re-read pile!
Maybe Ever After was such a great read! By the end of the book I felt like I personally knew the characters. I freaking loved Easton and Brynn. They were so relatable, and quirky, emotional and very well developed. This book definitely kept my interest throughout. As the story continued on I felt closer and closer to the characters and was able to understand and relate more with them and why they were doing what they were doing/ or going through. I highly recommend that you give Maybe Ever After a shot, it won’t disappoint!
When the going gets tough they have each others back, but are they ready for something more? When best friends become a heart’s desire are when the lines between heart and head become more than a little blurred. Maybe Ever After is the road less traveled. Brynn and Easton know the risks, yet still hunger for more. Graham stirs up the obvious emotions with a friends to lovers romance. If not a romantic this sentimental roller-coaster ride will make a believer out of you.
Fun friends to lovers novel!
Maybe Ever After by Cassie Graham is a fun, friends to lovers novel. Brynn is a sweet nerdy dork. Easton is her best friend, and he is Brynn’s opposite! He’s confident and…he’s been in the Friend-zone with Brynn forever. What he doesn’t know is that Brynn has had a crush on Easton forever! But neither can act on their feelings, or they’re afraid to without losing their friendship. When Jude Acklin, (star of the hit TV series UnNatural) shows an interest in Brynn, Easton can’t take it anymore.
I really enjoyed this book. The plot was fun and I could really relate with Brynn. I found the writing was well done, and I enjoyed the flow. This is my first book from Cassie Graham, but I am sure I won’t be my last!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.