Love You Better

2.5 ⭐️ Not gonna lie, I was sorely disappointed by this one. I wish for just once that a friends to lovers book I read was ACTUALLY friends to lovers, not “oh I’ve loved her since I’ve met her and it was reciprocated but we just decided to stay friends blah blah blah”. The main characters also had no chemistry in my opinion and would’ve been better staying as friends, I feel like Ivy had more chemistry with Jesse in all honesty. Also Kelley’s attitude in high school was infuriating and controlling and gross and Ivy forgave him like it was nothing. No thanks. The pop culture references were my last straw. For the love of God, who uses the doge meme anymore? Actually made me put the book down for a second and reevaluate. But look, I finished the book and didn’t DNF so points for that ig.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and options are my own. Swoon. I ADORED this book. I adored this book so much that it’s on my list of favorite books from this year. Ivy and Kelley have such a great connection, friendship and relationship. I love how their relationship develops from purely friendship into something more serious. I became very invested in their story and didn’t ever want to put it down, even though life got in the way, multiple times. This is the second Friends to Lovers book I've read in the last week, shocker I know, and this book especially has been such a breath of fresh air and reminds me that my soul isn't dark and angsty all the time. It was compelling, well written and I still can't believe that this is a debut novel. I just can’t. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Omg I adored this book!! It’s funny and witty and sarcastic and sexy and REAL. If I would’ve not known this was a debut novel I wouldn’t believe it. It’s written so well. Structurally and content wise. There is CARE put into every word and sentence used to mold Ivy and Kelley’s story. Emotional at times yet so light at others, it’s a great balance of feels. And the tension? THICK and delicious AF. Ivy is a lovely and an incredibly down to earth heroine. I instantly clicked with her unique mix of drive and humor. We talk about strong heroines all the time, Ivy is the epitome of what I see as a realistic, bold and strong young woman. There’s no way you can’t like her. Equally smart, sassy and a blonde bombshell that comes with a best friend who provides some of the most epic girl banter! Her only true flaw being her overactive mind when it comes to taking the initial leap and even then was it really a flaw? She’s got a bit of all of us in her and is just so easy to connect to. My heart usually melts for the antihero, the bad guy with a chip on his shoulder but sometimes, sometimes, there’s a marshmallow who slides in and just fucking owns me. Kelley is pure perfection, a book husband. Passionate, kind, understanding with a filthy mouth. Gah. You can not ask for more in a hero. Look up “swoon worthy” in the dictionary, it’ll say “Kelley Allen Pierce”. Everything from his demeanor to his chosen profession to his obsession with Ivy is absolutely heavenly. I quickly became invested in this love story as well as the friend basis. I’m already dreaming of HEA’s to come. Love You Better is by far one of the best new releases I’ve read this year. I’ve never had a friends to lovers make me fall in love as hard as Kelley and Ivy did.