The Friend Zone
Kristen loves her independence, and she’s not sure how she feels about her boyfriend moving in with her. He’s deployed most of the year and they’ve never spent significant time together. But he’s smart, handsome, accomplished, and–most importantly–doesn’t want children. She would love them, but her lifelong struggles with her period have finally brought her to the point of surgery that would make having kids impossible.
Her doubts about her relationship are amplified when she meets Josh. They get each other, and their chemistry is off the charts. But: he wants kids–and lots of them. As they grow closer, Kristen has to decide what she wants, and if she can accept being unable to give him a family.
Abby Jimenez has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors. She writes characters who try to navigate potential relationships while struggling with real issues, and they always have great chemistry. However, there were things here that just didn’t work.
First, the good: that chemistry! Jimenez always delivers here. She’s also great about weaving in character struggles that are often not addressed in romance novels (e.g., periods, anxiety, etc.).
The bad: she unfortunately employs the “not like other girls” cliche for Kristin–and Josh leans into it heavily, making them both less likable. Kristin was exceptionally frustrating in her inability to communicate. Finally, the ending was a disappointment, and I could see it especially bothering readers who might also be facing infertility.
Jimenez’s talent shows here, but I think she’s grown a lot as an author since this first novel.
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Publisher’s Description
Kristen Peterson doesn’t do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don’t get her. She’s also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.
Planning her best friend’s wedding is bittersweet for Kristen — especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He’s funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he’d be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.
The Friend Zone will have you laughing one moment and grabbing for tissues the next as it tackles the realities of infertility and loss with wit, heart, and a lot of sass.