The Best Friend Bargain

I received an early review copy from the author and am leaving an honest and unbiased review .
I love Crystal Kaswell . She writes angsty ,real characters that you can relate to.
I was engrossed in the storyline right away and didnt want to put it down once i’d started it. I read it in a matter of hours
I loved forest from previous books and Skye is a beautiful and funny side kick for him. Skye has been in unrequited love with forest for years but comes under the just friends banner from forest point of view to begin with.
Enter Mackenzie , the now ex ,who he caught cheating and Skye cousin. She has invited them both to her wedding and so they hatch a plan to pretend they are now an item.
You have to hate mack , she’s the ultimate mean girl. She constantly undermines Skye confidence and she made me seeth every time she appeared on the page.
I loved the chemistry between forest and Skye, the attraction between them sizzles and the slow burn , Will they won’t they left you turning the pages
This was a beautifully written book and I thoroughly recommend it.

We have two characters, Forest and Skye, that are determined to keep their relationship as best friends status but what happens when you agree on the safety of a fake relationship? Should be easy peasy, right? Wrong! Can Forest and Skye walk that fine line of fake for revenge? What happens when that line gets crossed and fake is not the only option? What an amazing web of past, present and maybe future characters in this book. Each and every one contributes and enhances this story and makes for a great reading experience. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Friends to lovers is my genre and this newest release just oozes great chemistry from start to finish. There is no better match than Forest and Skye, friendship that blossoms to so much more. I fell in love with their romance story with the emotions and heat level that you can’t miss and will be wanting more. Great storyline and amazing characters made this a must read! I can’t wait to see who will find their HEA next.

Fans Of The Inked Hearts Series Will Love This Spin-Off Series About Broken Bad Boy Tattoo Artists At A New Sister Shop! Forest And Skye’s Characters Are Beautifully Written.

This is the first book in the Inked Love series, which is a spin-off of the Inked Hearts series. It picks up where The Baby Bargain, book eight of Inked Hearts series, leaves off. There Chase agreed to help Ariel, his best friend’s sister, get pregnant. Here Chase is the manager of the new sister shop about a twenty minute walk away, and his best friend, Ariel’s brother Forest, gets his own book. As the book opens Ariel is roughly six months pregnant and has moved into Chase’s apartment. Forest and Ariel’s younger brother Holden, as well as Holden’s friends, work at Inked Love along with Chase.

Don’t forget to download the extended epilogue! Instructions are at the back of the book.

Forest Ballard, twenty-eight, works at Inked Love tattoo parlor alongside his younger brother Holden and Chase Keating – his high school friend, basketball buddy, soon to be brother-in-law, and manager. The tall, stoic neat freak has wanted to be a tattoo artist since he was kid. He had tried to pursue a more practical career, tried college, but in the end he couldn’t let go of his dream. His mother had died of cancer when he was a teen and his father couldn’t cope with the loss, so as the eldest of three he took charge of the household, bearing enormous responsibility for his age until suddenly everyone had grown up. His father is functioning again and travels frequently for work. Ariel, nearly twenty-five, has moved out. Holden, just twenty-one, has his own apartment. Forest has an apartment in West LA, too, but he neglects it most of the time, opting instead to stay in his childhood home. Holden often stays there, too, but the real reason that keeps Forest at home is his long-time neighbor and best friend. Skye.

The broken heart tattooed on his chest reflects his inner turmoil. His relationship with Mackenzie Davis ended three years ago when he walked in on her with another man. But his brain is stuck on repeat and replays that scene in his head constantly, experiencing the betrayal over and over again. He lacks the closure to move on. He tried. Clients literally proposition him daily – and being the bad boy of their dreams for a night became empty after six months of one nighters. It has been two years since he was with a woman. His constant is his neighbor and best friend Skye. She stood by him through the breakup and understands everything. She knows about his fear of intimacy, his trust issues, his feelings of inadequacy. But he has a big problem. He can’t stop fantasizing about Skye. And he can’t act on it because he can’t ruin their friendship. He knows she doesn’t feel that way about him. Even if she did, he will ruin it because he is incapable of love and she deserves better.

Skye Kim, twenty-five, has tried to put her degree in film studies to work. It was her dream growing up to work in film and television. But the industry is hyper competitive and pay is little to non-existent. Although she has wonderful, supportive parents, she hopes to someday make enough to have a place of her own, so it is time to look towards other career opportunities. Her blog, Princess Skye’s Plus-Size Fashions, reviews plus-size fashion for real women like her who aren’t interested in conventional clothing. Her full hourglass figure is hard to shop for and the selection of clothes that suit her tastes is even more limited. Her blog satisfies a niche without competitors, so she has picked up a considerable following of like-minded women – and men, apparently, if what Holden says is true. She got the name from her best friend and forever crush Forest, who calls her a goth princess. She makes enough from ads to provide spending money, plus more free clothes than she can wear, but she sees an opportunity to turn it into a career as a model and photographer for her blog.

Skye hasn’t been with a man since her last relationship ended in college, three years ago. Her friendship with Forest is everything. Her parents insist they are dating and don’t understand why she doesn’t admit it, no matter how hard she tries to explain that they are just friends. They spend all their time together. She sleeps over with him routinely. But they have only ever been friends and she accepts that. She knows he only sleeps with model types, so it won’t happen with them. Although she can’t deny some insecurity, Skye is mostly happy with her body. But her cousin Mack’s words have a way of eating at her, and Mack never passes on an opportunity to shame her. Or to make her feel badly in any capacity. What Mack did to break Forest’s heart had been the last straw, but turning her back on family is complicated.

Forest and Skye’s story is raw and real. Forest’s melancholy and the constant narrative in his head make him the ultimate broody bad boy. The depth of his hurt is palpable. His need for answers, for closure, or for some idea or event to grab hold of him and free him from the prison of his mind is desperate, and he simply cannot move on without it no matter how nauseated thoughts of Mack make him. But Skye’s faithful friendship and steadfast support are his safe harbor. She is selfless in her support no matter how much it hurts her personally. They have a healthy relationship, because he reciprocates as he selflessly loves to please her. She satisifes his need to be a caretaker, even though she doesn’t rely on him.

Forest and Skye make a bargain to have a fake relationship when Mack announces she will soon marry the man she cheated on Forest with and asks them to attend. Neither wants to face her alone. Whether Mack has changed her ways and wants to put the past in the past as she claims, or is still a manipulative narcissist, remains to be seen. Forest and Skye face temptation while faking their status, and soon explore their real feelings. Both conscientious and both having gone years without sleeping with anyone, neither takes it lightly. Yet Mack remains a lingering threat to their happiness as they navigate what they mean to one another.

The banter in this story is outrageous! Lots of dirty talk takes place, and not just between Forest and Skye. Forest’s inner dialogue adds considerably to the sense of authenticity. Skye’s strength in spite of her insecurity is admirable and real. As a curvy half Korean goth princess, she faces criticism from many directions, and although she cares, she doesn’t let it keep her down. Together, Forest and Skye take a solid friendship and make it so much more, earning their well-deserved happy ending.

There are several points that merit mention. *Spoilers* First, Mack’s eyes are hazel, then later are brown. Second, Forest promises a drink to a female client, but it is never revisited and feels incomplete. Did he sleep with her? Turn her down after the drink? Also, it could have potentially made him look like a cheater and ruined the agreement with Skye had his date become known to Mack. Third, the ambush of Forest and Skye by Holden, Ariel, and Mr. Kim felt odd and out of place, particularly since it is basically a continuation of an earlier conversation the couple had with Mr. Kim, which was intrusive given they just announced they are dating – not that they are engaged. Mr. Kim’s questioning in front of Forest and his siblings feels awkward. The directness of his concerns feels more appropriate for a private audience. Fourth, it drags a bit near the end. It begins to feel like long scenes linked together rather than a story, especially during the hotel shoot when they get careless in public – with family nearby. It felt contrived. Fifth, Mack’s age isn’t given, but knowing her age would help to better understand her relationships with both Forest and Skye. It is only possible to deduce that she is at least twenty-six. Sixth, knowing more about Forest and Mack’s relationship – how long they were together, how long they were happy, how long they lived together, and Skye’s relationship with each during that time, etc. – would be helpful and add context. Seventh, it is a little funky that Chase’s best friend (from The Baby Bargain) was Forest but Forest’s was Skye. It would have been nice for it to be explained in a way that doesn’t make Forest look like he doesn’t appreciate Chase’s friendship as much as Chase appreciates his. Despite these points, the depth of the characters and wild dialogue make this book truly worthwhile.

This book is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple. It is character-driven, with wonderfully developed characters. Forest and Skye are easy to love and their characters are beautifully written. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Forest and Skye. I rate this book four stars.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Best Friend Bargain by Crystal Kaswell is a great read. interesting,fun,sweet and sexy friends to lovers romance story of forest and skye, a fake romance between two friends who secretly inlove with each other.love it! well done!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I Loved this story,
Friends to Lovers is one of my favourite things to read and Crystal Kaswell has written a Sweet,funny,sexy and endearing one,that I devoured completely.
Skye and Forrest are a perfect combination.
Two best friends that play pretend relationship for Skye’s cousin’s wedding,but soon enough what was Fake soon becomes real ,
But not without its problems first.
Crystals words always captivate me I love her writing style ,her characters always enthrall me ,they are real and relatable and her Romance stories never Disappoint me they take me on such a journey and I enjoy the ride everytime.
The Best Friend bargain was another hit for me and a fantasic addition to this series.
I highly recommend it.

3.5 stars
Skye has been in love with Forest for forever. She was crushed when her cousin – Mack – promised she would never go there but did anyway. Mack cheating on Forest, broke his heart and then to rub salt into the wound, she invites him to the wedding of the guy she left him for.
What’s a heartbroken guy to do to prove he’s over his ex? Fake a relationship with your best friend of course.
Skye goes along with the plan because she has her own grievances with her cousin.
The two can’t fight their attraction towards each other for long and the fake relationship becomes real.
But neither of them can admit how they really feel because they believe each other would never want more in the long run until it all comes to ahead one drunken night and they’re forced to deal with feelings.

I did feel like there could have been more to certain parts of the story. Like when Mack seemed to be flirting with Forest senecio. And when Skye leaves the hotel because Forest couldn’t admit just yet that he loved her. Those two scenes worked themselves out pretty quickly.
Mack seemed like she was trying to break them up from the get go and in my opinion it felt like she was jealous and wanted Forest back and there was this build up like she was going to try something but didn’t even attempt to when given the chance multiple times.
A best friends to lovers story.
The flirting, the sexual tension, then the never ending heat when they were finally together. *Fanning self*
I’m so glad this wasn’t one of those stories where the guy was embarrassed to be seen with her in the beginning. Forest didn’t shy away from his feelings for Skye. It was also quite funny to read Holden’s very voiced opinions.
I’m excited to read Holden’s book to see if someone can live up to his dirty mind.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I enjoyed this story. The characters (for the most part) were likable and easy to relate to.

Forest is best friends with Skye. When his ex calls to tell him she’s getting married, he tells her that he’s in a relationship with Skye. When he tells Skye about what he did, she is happy to play along even after he decides that he wants to back out. Forest trusts Skye and doesn’t want to risk losing the only person that understands him. After he brought up the idea of the fake boyfriend, Skye decided she was bringing a fake boyfriend even if it wasn’t Forest. The idea of letting some other guy hold her, touch her, kiss her, is just unthinkable. Forest decides that he has to do it. He finds it too easy to wrap is arms around her or kiss her neck. When they kiss, it makes him realize that he needs her.

This was a great story about best friends that were in love with each other, but didn’t want to say that or act on it and risk their friendship. I got annoyed with both Skye and Forest off and on throughout the book, because of communication and lack thereof! I did like the way they figured out the way they really felt for each other. I enjoyed Forest telling off his ex, even though I wish that Skye had done the same thing. I loved their happy ever after. I definitely recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Kind of painful as it took Forest a LONG time to finally stand up to the devious and selfish Mackenzie, the ex love of his life. He constantly thought about her, and while he had stopped yearning for a relationship with her, he was still tied up emotionally.
I kept thinking that there would be some kind of redeeming moment for her as there seemed to be glimpses of humanity beneath her self centered mean girl persona.
It was sad the way Skye missed her relationship with her cousin who was like a sister to her. Mack’s betrayal in pursuing Skye’s crush was hurtful and scarring. I hated the sly way that Mack always threw body shaming comments throughout their time together.
The scenes between Forest and Skye were graphic and full of chemistry and their growing relationship was sweet.
I guess I’m a bit more bloodthirsty than the author, but I really wanted. Mack to suffer a bit more for her hurtful ways. Even though Forest stood up to her for Skye’s sake, he continued to believe that Mack was not vindictive. Huh.
Once Forest got his priorities straight, this sweet couple was able to soar to their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

When I comment on a book I try to weigh how good the book is without letting too much personal preference cloud my judgement. This is a very well written book. The characters are multilayered, in my mind’s eye I can “see” their color and vibrancy or lack thereof. It is much more than just two people that used to know each other meeting again under different circumstances and starting a different kind of relationship.

I just could not get into the book at first. There are a few romance genres I avoid and one is bullying. Bullying is not the main theme in this book, but Mack and Skye had a history of it. I liked that Skye had been able to put that aside and be a confident woman. The interactions between brothers Holden and Forest kept confirming my initial dislike of Forest for letting Mack and Holden get the better of him.

What kept me reading was the anticipation of the main event the book centered around. I was not disappointed in how it turned out, so while I was conflicted with a few elements of the book personally, I have to recommend it as a very good book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.