Friday, April 11, 2014

Review: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Title: Better Off Friends
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Point (February 25, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?







I have been a huge fan of When Harry Met Sally since the moment I was old enough to really understand it. My most favorite relationships are those that go from best friends to lovers. There is just something so pure and true about that kind of path in life. Something that is lasting and real to have the person you love more than yourself also be the one you call your best friend is just how it should be in life. It just makes sense in my world because, after all, my best friend also happens to be the one I love and want to spend the rest of my life with. 

Levi and Macallan very much had the whole Harry and Sally feel to me. They were friends first and foremost and everything both good and bad that comes from it. They had their struggles, their disagreements, their weak moments, their strong. The good, the bad, and the ugly. 

One thing I absolutely loved was the conversations between them thrown in between chapters, it reminded me a lot of the interviews in When Harry Met Sally. Seeing them argue and watching their dynamic, it was hard not to be wrapped up in their relationship and you couldn't help but wonder as their story played along, how it all was said and done.   How does this end for them? Friends? Lovers? Or nothing at all?

I have to say, I really loved this. It wasn't perfect by any means but goodness it was hard not loving it and being wrapped up in their story and rooting for them the whole way through. 

I think the author did a wonderful job on making this feel real. You could see Levi and Macallan struggle with their relationship with one another as well as with those they were dating and those in their inner circle. How the rest of the world perceived them and judged them. The stereotype of can a boy and a girl be friends without it turning into something more and what happens to the friendship when it does.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

36 comments:

  1. I LOVED THIS! And it was so cute and very When Harry Met Sally. Loved them talking about everything between chapters. I just love best friend romances and it was so cute how it started with them in middle school first meeting.

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  2. What's with all the male MCs named Levi? There's this one, and Fangirl, and I just read a review for another book with a Levi too. Anyway, glad you liked this one, I've got my eye on it ;)

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  3. Just added it to my tbr list :)

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  4. I like that this book takes a different approach to relationships. I'm kind of over the whole insta-love thing, and this sounds like a nice change. Great review!

    Carmel @ Rabid Reads

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    1. You know, I really am too which is why this was so refreshing to read. I love the best friends to lovers approach.

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  5. I so want to read this Ali!!!!! I've loved her previous books, she just writes such great characters and fun stories, so I need a copy of this asap. Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite romantic setups too (and one of the most believable for me), so I can't wait to see how things develop between Levi and Macallan:)

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  6. I've been meaning to pick up a copy, but it keeps slipping my mind. I'm so glad the reviews of this book so far has been consistent.

    Great review!

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    1. You should read it, it really was a cute story.

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  7. This sounds refreshing and unique and I love how realistic it sounds. Awesome review Ali :)

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  8. I really enjoyed this one for the most part as well. I've been all about the YA contemporaries that are on the lighter side and this one fit the bill!

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  9. I adored Harry and Sally, it came out when I was in high school so I had to read this one. I thought it was super cute, my only complaint was I thought the ending needed a bit more.

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    1. Yeah I do wish there had been just a little more to it but I still loved it. :)

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  10. Can you believe I have never seen When Harry Met Sally! I guess it was never a thing here and I was maybe too young then. But this one sounds really interesting and I love how cute it sounds. Great review, Ali :)

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    1. Oh goodness you need to fix that Tanja! It is sort of like an 80's classic. ;)

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  11. glad you enjoyed this one even with the imperfections!

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  12. this sounds really cute! I'm glad you liked it so much. I like the idea of friends becoming something more, because I'd want to date and eventually marry my best friend too.

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    1. I agree, those are the best relationships for sure.

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  13. I love that movie, if the book is anything like it, I know I'll like it too.
    Great review.

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    1. It really is and isn't all at the same time. I think you will like it.

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  14. OOOO...sounds right up my alley. I love it when friends become lovers as well. There just seems to be so much more to the relationship when it happens that way...even if we are talking about books and not real life..hehehe! Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend

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  15. Ahhhh I love When Harry Met Sally, Ali! It's one of my favorite rom-coms ever! You are the first person who has mentioned that in a review for this book, and maybe that's why this is the first time I've been seriously interested in picking this up. It sounds fantastic! Lovely review, thanks for putting this one back on my radar! :-)

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    1. Yay! I hope you do give it a try, it really does have that feel to it with the interviews in the chapters. I think you will like it Lauren.

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  16. I haven't seen the movie but I've heard that comparison! Sounds like a fun movie. I liked the relationship between the characters as well, although I really did expect them to (SPOILER) remain just friends.

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    1. Haha, and here I was hoping they wouldn't. ;)

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  17. Heh - yes, this book was so darn cute. I loved Macallan! I think the author played it very well.

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  18. Wonderful review. This sounds like something I would really enjoy.

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  19. I'm so glad that you enjoyed this! It's one that's really high on my tbr that I just haven't gotten to yet, but will be.

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    1. You will really love this Tressa and it is a clean read too which is really nice to have in this genre. ;)

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