The Friend Zone

By: Abby Jimenez

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Erin Mallon

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Fall in love with this hilarious and heartwarming USA Today best-selling romantic comedy that LJ Shen calls "an absolute treat".

Kristen Petersen 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.

"Your next favorite romantic comedy...The Friend Zone is that rare beach read with tons of heart that will make you laugh and cry in equal parts." (PopSugar)

"Your next rom-com to obsess and cry over." (Cosmopolitan)

Goodreads Choice Awards nominee - Best Romance, Best Debut

O, The Oprah Magazine Best Romance Novels of the year

Audie Award Finalist

USA Today best seller

Bookish Best Books of the year

SheReads Best Romances of the year

Women's Health Best Romance Novels of the year

Good Housekeeping Best New Books for Summer

PopSugar Best Books of Summer

Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Booklist Starred Review

Booklist Top 10 Romance Debuts of 2019

©2019 Abby Jimenez (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Jimenez's dazzling debut is a brilliantly written romantic comedy that seamlessly toggles back and forth between scenes of laugh-out-loud, snarky wit and serious emotional issues without missing a beat, all the while delivering maximum reading satisfaction."—Booklist, Starred Review

"Harnessing sass, heartfelt struggle, and unapologetic sexuality, Jimenez's debut is as hysterical as it is tear-jerking...Jimenez manages to fulfill all expectations for a romantic comedy while refusing to sacrifice nuance. Biting wit and laugh-out-loud moments take priority, but the novel remains subtle in its sentimentality and sneaks up on the reader with unanticipated depth. Readers who have wrestled with infertility will find Kristen's anxieties and sorrows deeply relatable."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"The Friend Zone is a beautiful tale of learning to accept the love you deserve and finding a path to self-acceptance along the way....a zippy, instantly recognizable voice and fresh, funny characters."—Entertainment Weekly

Mixed feelings on this book

This was a hard one to decide how I felt about it. Starting with narration - I really liked Teddy speaking for Josh but didn’t always care for his interpretation of Kristin. Not because of his voice but more so because it didn’t match/mesh well with the voice of Kristin’s narrator and how she made the character sound almost like a different person then he did at times. Erin, narrator of Kristin, was very difficult to like. I didn’t actually start liking listening to her until half way through the book - and even then I HATED when she would speak for other characters - her voice for Josh or Tyler was awful!! Overall listening wise - I always liked him and I got used to her (it helped when Tyler’s voice wasn’t coming up anymore).

Now the story...

At times the constant emphasis of Kristin’s medical issues were irritating, necessary but it could’ve been toned down little bit sometimes and still managed to have the same point get across. The story ended happy, kind of. But the turns that happened to get there were awful. Characters we lost - I wasn’t pleased. But my most irritating point was how much sh*t Kristin threw at Josh - she was so pull you in just to push you away over and over. By the end I had emotional whiplash and I was over her!

Negatives being said - I did love the love connection. I loved Josh and Kristin’s witty and fun relationship and how it was so naturally meant to be. I like the meet cute in the beginning, the blessing in the end. I liked the friendships surrounding them. And when they’d finally get together I’d have a sigh of ‘finally’ (except it usually followed by Kristin pushing him away and me being irritated).

All in all - very mixed review but I hope it helps.

Wonderfully written

This book was very cute, very real very emotional and very funny! the characters are bright amd whitey. its almost exhausting that we as women love to self sabotage our happiness at the sake of a man...i too feel victim to this.. we say were real and yet it always seems to happen.. love this story line..shows things aren't always easy, but if you fight for what you love it will come to you!!

Love, love, love

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll love it.
Abby is an amazing author, enjoy the book y'all.

Fantastic story

The only complaint about this book I have is that it made me look like a crazy person at work! I drive a motor coach/tour bus and listen to books as I drive. I got a few strange looks when I just randomly burst out laughing and some worried ones when I got teary eyed😂. But the story was heartfelt and genuine.

Roller-Coaster Ride

There were some funny parts, some really sweet parts, some tear jerker parts, and a lot frustrating parts. I am really sure this is actually a romantic comedy maybe but it definitely belongs in the romance genre of books. I would put it more with contemporary or feel good romance. I definitely loved the writing style and enjoyed the book but much the subject material is too serious. I loved the characters because they are very relatable and down to earth. I would put Abby Jimenez up there with some of Molly Harper's stuff but mostly Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward. All whom I enjoy reading and listening to. Abby Jimenez or her editors did a great job with her narators selection. I hope she what other books she will come out with next.

Loved the book

Such a cute story. Finished listening to it in less than a week! The female voice bothered me a bit, specifically when she was imitating a male voice, but not enough to make me stop listening.

Always and no matter what...

Must read, Kindle, Audible, and consume this poignant book.The narration by Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon made the characters three dimensional. Abby Jimenez has a gift of plain spoken introspection. The story is of acceptance of self. Accepting yourself no matter condition you are in at any given time. The book drives home how hard it is to accept ourselves. Joshua and Kristin yin/yang love story is a sweet, sorrowful, and soulful read. After reading this book, you'll want to hug those you love, and ask yourself honestly where am I on the "always and no matter what" scale.

This one was good

This was a good book. It's a romance novel, no doubt, but had enough realistic drama and tension that it didn't feel like I was reading a cheesy romance novel. If you liked this, you may enjoy One Day in December, Fight or Flight, and Alaska Wild as well.

**4 stars**

First official book review! I love a good #chicklit and this was definitely one that I recommend. I love that it touched the deeper issue of infertility, and while some may not like the ending....as someone who works in Women's Health and sees the exact same outcome I think that it was perfect. I did feel at some point the push and pull was a bit much but it was understandable.

loved this story but it was a touch listen..

This was a really good story but there were events that tore my heart to pieces and then made me over joyed even in the face of tragedy. I am glad that I listed but the story takes very different turns that neither the description nor the storyline prepares you for.

Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon are two of my favorite narrators and they made these characters come alive.