The Friend Zone
4.3 | 70,745 ratings
Price: 22.04
Last update: 01-15-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Booklover_lexHeartbreakingly Amazing.I started The Friend Zone yesterday, with a watermelon freeze (mixed with white wine) because I knew I was going to need it with this one.
** I do want to warn you before you decide to read this book. Kristen, the main character, has fertility problems which is a heavy theme through the book and if this is something that triggers you, you may want to steer clear**
Synopsis:
Kristen Peterson is a tell it like it is, no drama, no BS kind of woman. Except when it comes to her secret. She is having a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to ever have children. Which is why her military boyfriend is perfect for her since he doesn't want kids, and is the only one who knows her secret. Kristen scheduled her procedure the week after her best friends wedding. Which is also when her boyfriend will be officially retired from the military to help her recover. All she has to do is get through helping Sloan get married.
Joshua Copeland is the best man and Brandon's best friend. Josh moves after his messy break up with Celeste, leaving her with the house and all their belongings while he gets stuck with the bills. On his way into town he has a run in with a beautiful stranger whom he thinks he will never see again. Turns out, when he shows up to Brandon and Sloan's house, he does see her again. She happens to be the Maid Of Honor.
As Kristen and Josh grow closer, Kristen learns that he can keep up with her snarky, sarcastic personality and is always one step ahead of her Hangry temper. Even her dog Stuntman Mike, who hates her boyfriend, loves Josh. The only issue is that Josh has expressed how he wants a baseball team size of a family. Kristen knows she must keep him at arms length because her attraction only grows for him, but she knows she can never give him what he wants. Plus, she is in a relationship with a man who will be returning home soon and she won't have to feel guilty for not providing him with children since he doesn't want them anyway. He is the safe bet. But the more time she spends with Josh.. the harder and harder it gets to pretend she doesn't have feelings for him.
Review:
I don't even know where to start.. this book was EVERYTHING. For being a debut novel it was so beautifully written. I can't wait to see what Abby Jimenez will create next. Kristen from the very beginning captured my attention and I could instantly feel her struggle. There were plenty of moments through this book where I laughed out loud because Kristen's humor was so spot on. I always find it interesting in books where each chapter is told from the opposite's point of view. Sometimes when a author does this, it takes away from the story. That was not the case here! Kristen is struggling with her secret that no one knows, which influences her actions toward Josh. Josh thinks that she is doing these things for different reasons, that possibly mean maybe she really isn't all that into him. It gave so much more to the story to be able to understand each persons motivations, thoughts, reasonings. I fell in love with the both of them!
I rarely get emotional when reading. Almost NEVER. But this book... had me sobbing so hard I had to go get a donut because I wanted something sugary and comforting. This book rips you at the seams of your core. Such a powerful story of infertility, loss, love, heartbreak, and a whole lot of humor to heal those wounds after Abby Jimenez cuts a piece of your heart open. This will probably be my absolute favorite book of 2019 hands down. Please go read! - Lettys LibraryHeartfelt, Laugh-Out-Loud, and Tear-Worthy RomanceAbby Jimenez has a gift for crafting deeply emotional and incredibly realistic contemporary romances, and The Friend Zone is no exception. This book had me feeling everything—I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, and I fell in love right along with the characters.
Kristen’s fiery attitude immediately pulled me in. She’s strong, independent, and fiercely loyal, but she also has walls up that make it impossible not to get frustrated with her at times. And then there’s Josh. Sweet, patient, absolutely wonderful Josh. I was rooting for him so hard, even when Kristen kept pushing him away. Their chemistry was undeniable, their banter was sharp and hilarious, and their emotional struggles felt so raw and real. Jimenez doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and that depth is what makes this book so compelling.
The audiobook performance? Perfection. I mean, what more can I say? It’s Teddy Hamilton. He always delivers, bringing Josh to life with his signature warmth and charm. And Erin Mallon? She absolutely owned Kristen’s character, capturing every bit of her sass, vulnerability, and humor. Together, their narration elevated this story to a whole new level, making every moment feel even more intense and heartfelt.
This book put my emotions through the wringer in the best way possible. It’s funny, heart-wrenching, and beautifully written. If you’re looking for a contemporary romance that feels real—flaws, heartbreak, and all—The Friend Zone is a must-listen. - sitandreadWONDERFUL READ! LOVED IT!I HAVE READ THIS AUTHOR BEFORE AND SHE NEVER DISAPPOINTS.
THIS BOOK HELD MY INTEREST AND WAS VERY ENTERTAINING.
I FOUND MYSELF LAUGHING AND CRYING AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.
LOVED IT! - Jeeves Reads RomanceLoved some things, HATED othersI am so undeniably torn about this book. I was granted an extended preview before the book was published and was absolutely HOOKED on the story. It was funny and light with sizzling chemistry between our couple and the promise of plenty of depth to the relationship. As time went on and The Friend Zone continued to gather critical acclaim, I wanted to read it more and more. So when I finally sat down to do so... I was kind of devastated to discover that I had some major issues with the heroine, Kristen. She sucked all the chemistry out of the relationship by unleashing some of my least favorite things - emotional cheating, friends with benefits (when there are clearly feelings involved), dishonesty towards the hero, and pushing him to see other women. If their relationship was supposed to be based on friendship, then Kristen is a HORRIBLE friend to Josh.
That being said, I loved a whole lot about the book. There are some great moments, especially early on as Kristen and Josh start to fall for each other. The writing itself is really solid, especially for a debut novel. I also loved the infertility storyline (which is a major part of the book), because it’s not something you read about often in romance novels and it was done really well (until the ending). I just wish Kristen had been more honest with Josh, because it was obvious that he had feelings for her and her continued insistence that their relationship was only about sex really grated after awhile. Plus, she wasn’t there for him during a time in his life when he could’ve used a friend in a big way. She’s honestly not very nice to either guy in her life, and the way her breakup with Tyler was handled left a definite bad taste in my mouth.
Ultimately, what starts out as a promising, light and fun rom com turns into a serious angst fest with a heroine who thinks she knows best. A lot of the drama could’ve been solved if she was just honest with the guys in her life (poor Josh goes through SO MUCH HEARTACHE because Kristen kept him out of the loop). Clearly, this book sparked a reaction in me, which means that it was successful in some way. I am actually looking forward to reading the author’s next book because the potential for greatness is definitely there.
Let me leave you with this tip: if you haven’t read The Friend Zone yet (but plan to), do NOT read the blurb for Abby Jimenez’s next book.