Don't Want to Be Friends by Holly Kerr

Don't Want to Be Friends Reviews

• 
  Sandra

  Same story, different view. It was nice learning more about Neely and how secretly loving Dawson for 13 years hurt her.
  
  I was wondering if Grayson can help her getting over Dawson but the timing couldn't have been worse with him going to be the next Suitor soon.
  
  This book was fun to read but I never expected the latest twist and I don't want to spoil anything so read it for yourself 😉
  
  I received an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Sarah

  I received a copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily. Thank you!
  
  In this slow-paced romance, Neely, a former dancer who dropped out of school to travel the world with her best friends meets Grayson, an upcoming reality show star on a The Bachelor spinoff, The Suitor, at a wedding. They immediately hit it off and soon decide to fake date for a few weeks to help Neely get over her best friend, Dawson.
  
  While at first the large cast of characters was somewhat confusing and made them difficult to tell apart, I was eventually able to discern between them (by about the 20% mark.) Unfortunately, I ultimately found it difficult to really connect with any of the characters and the ending was a bit of a letdown. The entire book was spent building up a relationship between Grayson and Neely, and then all of the sudden she was dating her best friend. However, the plot was engaging and relatively interesting, and the book was free of major grammatical and spelling errors.
  
  The female relationships in this book were lacking somewhat. For someone who was so dedicated to her friends, Neely spent a lot of time criticizing her friend Shae (that rant to her mom was extremely rude and unacceptable) . Finally, while the Harry Potter reference at the beginning did serve to show readers how Neely felt, these references are largely overdone and I wish this could have been communicated another way.
  
  Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! Overall, I would recommend
  Don't Want to Be Friends to anyone looking for a quick and light read.
• 
  Faye

  This book is in the same universe as don't tell me you love me as it is the second book in the series yet is a retelling from a different perspective whilst focusing on Neely rather than Shae. The book follows Neely, Shae and Dawson as they return from their travels to attend a wedding. This is when Neely meets Grayson, someone who is looking for love however, Neely is too busy focused on someone else.
  
  I really enjoyed this book, It had me hooked and I kept wanting to read more and more. Despite it being a reselling of the first book, it still had me interested and invested in the characters. It was easy to follow along and easy to understand. I don't think you necessarily need to read the first book to get the main plot for this story, but I would still recommend reading the first book. 
  
  Neely as a character is such a strong independent woman, who puts her friend before herself to make sure that their life is going to their plan. Neely hardly thinks about what she wants, putting Shae first which at the time sounds reasonable as Shae was misdiagnosed and thought they were going to die. Neely met Grayson and I thought their relationship would be the one, they connected really well with each other and I liked their progression. With Neely, shes always loved Dawson and she could never let that go so in the last chapter or so, it was revealed that Dawson had always felt the same way and they both got their happy ending. But this made me feel sad about Grayson. I really did think that Neely and Grayson would be a thing as he was such a nice character. I guess I imagined a different ending so I did get a surprise thats for sure! I just wish Grayson had a good ending because he seems so sweet and genuine so he deserved to be with Neely (at least in my mind). So, the ending to me was bittersweet.
• 
  Kaye

  ✳️✳️ONE FANTASTIC ADVENTURE✳️✳️
  Burning bleepers boo! Holly hit the motherload, unleashing one helluva tumultuous rock-her-world wild ride, delivering this tantalizing rollercoaster with all the frills, thrills and scrumptious feels, tugging those heartstrings and rendering you speechless, flinging this jewel to staggering heights. Mayhem and shenanigans descend in a flurry of free-falls and close-calls while sketchy barriers and frayed perimeters solidify as limitations are amplified and enforced, secrets are revealed, revelations are unveiled and promises pledged, attentive to the dramatic and wicked turns unfolding, reaching deep for every fiber of strength in a fierce surge of preservation, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. A churning tempest full of captivating drama, riveting intrigue, underlying currents, heartbreak, electrifying suspense and intense situations converge, revving up the exuberance and vigor, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. The attraction and chemistry ignites with such intoxicating intensity, exploding with boundless emotions and infinite affection, kicking this jewel into a tailspin with mind-blowing results, uniting them to one another perfectly. The characters are complex, genuine and original with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity, adding enough spice for an extra punch. Throw in 100% on point realism, painting colorful scenarios so vividly descriptive with graphic detail its like you're living it with them instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Remarkable job Holly, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
• 
  Rebecca Hill

  Don't Want To Be Friends is the second book in Kerr's Don't sweet romance collection. This contemporary romance features Neely Scalzo and Grayson Grant.
  
  Neely is in love with her best friend, Dawson Jacinto. She's spent years watching him date women, wishing he would choose her, but alas her love for him is unrequited.
  
  "I want Dawson to see me - see the love I have for him, see how good we'd be together. I want him to look at me and know that I'm the one he's meant to be with. And I want him to see all this without saying a word to him."
  
  "I need to get over him. I need to get him out of my heart, except for the safe spot reserved for friends and family. For Dawson to remain my best friend, I need to stop loving him."
  
  When Neely meets Grayson at her brother's wedding, he is quickly drawn to her. He is clearly interested in getting to know her, and she is tired of coveting what she cannot have. Neely asks Grayson to help her fall out of love with Dawson, and he is all too happy to try. Can they fake it 'til they make it?
  
  Kerr delivers another HEA, but with a twist. Curious? Go check it out for yourself.
• 
  Emily Pennington

  Neely has dedicated all of her time and support to her best friend, Shae, traveling the globe for their travel vlog with their mutual friend Dawson. But Neely needs to “fall out of love” because this one is going nowhere and she doesn’t want to be painfully aware of Dawson’s love life with others.
  
  Having loved Dawson all this time, Neely is at a crossroads and needs to decide what to do to fix this. Would it make sense to find a distraction? Former baseball player Grayson Grant will be on a reality show “The Suitor” to find his true love. But he has 6 weeks free and the enthusiasm to work on Neely’s heart to get her out of love. All she needs is help to forget all about Dawson. Sounds simple, right? Can she fall out of love with Dawson? Can she avoid falling instead for Grayson? Life can get so complicated!
  
• 
  Paula Williams

  This is the second book in the Don’t Sweet Romance series. While it’s always helpful to read series books in order, this one certainly can be read as a stand alone. The same story as in Book 1, but from a different point of view is an interesting take and to show what different characters are going through at the same time. I enjoyed learning more about Neely as I read her story on her journey to love. The question is, will it be with Dawson, her forever crush, or Grayson, the new guy, who’s also cast as The Suitor, but trying to help her out of her rut before his gig starts? Many interesting events from Neely’s perspective, with a twist I didn’t expect!
  
  I received an advanced copy to read and give my honest review.
• 
  Mindy

  Not what I was hoping for
  
  Having read a later book by Ms Kerr I knew the ending so my rating for this book is not as harsh it would have been if I did have the future look. Story has good characters, flirting and was well written, but...stop reading if you don't like spoilers!
  
  Spoiler alert: I didn't enjoy getting invested in a couple who would go two different ways at the end, because I read Grayson's book where he was the hero that got the girl I knew this book would not in a HEA between Neely and Grayson. For me this story took a turn as a bait and switch with heroes, I would have like to get to know Nearly and Dawson (or him as his own character) as a couple rather than Neely and Grayson not becoming a couple.
  
  Volunteer KU based review
• 
  Kristen Lewendon

  I don’t know how I feel about this book. It’s a love triangle that isn’t, but is. But isn’t. But is…. I was deeply invested in the characters. After getting to know Neely in the previous book, I knew I wanted to see what it would take to get her to her own happily ever after. This was a well-written story that I absolutely couldn’t put down. However, there’s a twist in the tale that leaves me feeling deeply conflicted. I’m not sure what’s going to happen next for these characters. All I do know for certain is that I’m desperate to find out what it is.
  I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
• 
  Laura Carter-Alexander

  Tired of her long-time crush on her best friend, Dawson, Neely devises a plan to try to stop being in love with him. And she has the perfect candidate in mind. The gorgeous former athlete, Grayson. But he is hiding a secret of his own. Grayson only has six weeks left until he returns to the spotlight of a show called The Suitor. He agrees to her plan thinking that it would be a good way to spend the time he has leading up to the show.
  
  Whether their relationship ends up platonic or romantic, Grayson has a decision to make as his contract demands he stays single until after the show. What happens when family and friends slowly become concerned over their relationship?
• 
  Lisa Benison

  Read Don't Stop Me Now Immediately After!
  
  This book is extremely intermingled with Don't Stop Me Now, which I read right after, and did answer all of the questions, but I feel very strongly with all of the overlap, confusion, and different points of view these two books should have either been re-worked as one longer book with all the stories intermingled or as two separate stories with HEAs and just repeating characters. I did like all of the characters, and enjoyed others in the series, but I found these a slog and repetitive. Fortunately they are available on KU so I could skip through the parts that repeated.
• 
  Cherokee - Books With A Chance

  I liked the idea of the story, and naturally it would have been to cliche for the M.C. to fall in love from the fake relationship, but.. it left me unsatisfied.
  
  Thats about the only emotion I felt. I didn't get sucked into the characters emotions like I would normally. I had a hard time setting scenes or visualizing characters.
  
  Neely is still in Shea's shadow, and I don't think Dawson deserves her.
  Grayson on the other hand did all things right. I want to hear more from him. Why didn't he get his HEA?
• 
  Nati

  Neely’s has been on hold since her best friend Shae discovered she was going to die. They’ve been traveling all around the world with their best friend Dawson. But Neely is been in love with Dawson all her life. Can she face her feelings and probably ruin their friendship or will Grayson help her forget about Dawson? A great story about friendship, family, facing your fears and living your live to the fullest.
• 
  Janet Graham

  Romantic Comedy Redux
  When I began reading this book I just knew that I had read it before. I went through my notes and no, I hadn't. Then it hit me. This book is the same as book 1 but from a different point of view. Once I realized that I relaxed and enjoyed the book. While very little new really happens, it is different experiencing it all from a different angle and with different insights. What a fresh idea! I received this ARC book for free from Booksprout and this is my honest review.
  
• 
  K Huskić

  It took me a minute to understand/realise that this was the same story as Shae's (book 1) but told from Neely's viewpoint, with her own relationship dramas. Unfortunately, it just felt as though I had read it all before.
  
  I liked Neely in the first book, and enjoyed getting to know her a bit more in this one, however the story just didn't play out how I thought it would. I was actually disappointed in the ending. I love Holly's books, but this one just didn't do it for me.
• 
  Vinessa

  Reading about the intense feelings in this book the push and pull. I welcomed the trials of broken souls, the emotional drama and thr building and repairing and the unexpected passion. The chemistry between the H and h is undeniable and unexpected. The  misunderstandings lead to a bit of wasted time. Connecting with the characters may come easy in this story, following the plot might not be
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
  
• 
  Amber Pickerill

  I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
  This is the second book in the don't series! We get to see more of Emmett and Shae but this book is Grayson and Neely! Neely is trying to get over someone and Grayson is getting ready to be on a reality dating show, the suitor. Grayson can't really be involved and Neelys heart belongs to another. This is truly the best friendship!
  I loved getting to see more of the characters and I can't wait for Dawson's and Peppers story!
• 
  Michelle

  Don't Want To Be Friends is Neely's story and how she has loved Dawson for years but now it's time for Neely to be loved. Grayson is a former baseball player and the soon to be star of the reality show The Suitor. Until then he will gladly help Neely get over Dawson. The storyline is good, the characters are well developed and the ending is interesting. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
• 
  Kristi

  An enjoyable, heartwarming romance that's well written and easy to get swept up in. The characters are engaging, well developed, easy to get to know and have strong chemistry together. The story flows smoothly through the pages and holds your interest.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.