This was a quick, cute, and enjoyable read. I loved watching Ruby learn to love herself and prioritize herself as well as her son. There were a lot of romantic options for her, which would be far more overwhelming for me than she seemed to think it was. I liked that though that was a main plot point, it also focused on everyone’s individual character growth as well! It made each character much more dimensional and likeable.

Anyone would enjoy this book. This is not my preferred kind of book but I was thoroughly entertained. I couldn't put the book down till I finished it. It didn't feel slow at any point. I enjoyed the progression of the plot, though Ruby's stubbornness was very annoying. The romance was really sweet. I enjoyed shipping her with all three men. The ending was satisfying. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a casual read.

I found this story to be charming. There were moments where I wanted to slap Ruby because of her attitude. But she and her son deserved answers from her ex. Once she got her answers and a lot more than she bargained for, the book flew by.

Ruby has her hands full when she sets foot on Sorrel Island. Confronting her ex Kenny who walked away from her and her son with no explanation, meeting famous painter Mac and becoming his muse and learning that her best friend Griffin has held a secret from her for years. Strictly Friends takes un on the highs and lows of the long term effects of childhood bullying, the struggle to come to grips with being abandoned and wondering if you are enough and the nee found attention from suitors in unlikely places.

Readers will enjoy this light natured tale of love, friendship and forgiveness. I recommend this book to reader’s .

Strictly Friends by Frances Mensah Williams was a cute Friends-to-Lovers story.
Fun characters that made for a fun and light read.
The romance was just right and the character growth was spot-on.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loved the idea of this book and friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes in a romance, however this book just isn't for me. I found myself zoning in and out with how much descriptive writing there was, I feel like it was a little too much and it just couldn't keep my attention.

That being said, the idea of the book was fantastic and relatable in some parts!

Now I really enjoyed this read and need to go on vacation like Ruby but she surely got on my nerves with her attitude. Then she was the reason why Kenny left like girl don’t nobody wants to play second best over here making my baby Kenny feel worthless🥺. Overall I enjoyed the connections she made on the island and finally got closure and revelations.

A lovely friends to lovers romance. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I liked the premise of this book and the synopsis really appealed to me. I also really liked the majority of the characters, however the start of the book was really quite dramatic in comparison to the actual plot and I felt it was far too predictable. I thought Ruby overreacted slightly to the (totally expected) thing that Griffin apparently did. I say apparently because he just didn’t tell her something that actually could have been really embarrassing for him. To react as she did only to do a 180 by the end of the book felt a bit hurried to be honest. I enjoyed the book but ultimately probably wouldn’t read it again.

Yeah this w as a wonderful love story of how people fought all odds to come together to be together . I love the characters and the storyline. This boll was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

This book was just too descriptive for me to the point that I don't even care about the characters and what's happening because I'm bored already. Our hero and heroine doesn't feel like real people to me, and they don't even have chemistry together. Unfortunately, this one's not for me.

I enjoyed this book! I was drawn to it by the cute cartoon cover (as I usually am) and was glad to be able to read it early. It wasn't my favorite book ever or even one that is super memorable but I enjoyed it while I was reading!

I like a good friends to lovers book!
The first half of the book is a little hard to get through and somewhat confusing

From the beginning their friendship was comic, hence the Ruby and Griffin show.
Everyone can see the chemistry except Ruby of course. But there’s a secret that looms around from Ruby’s past and I willed myself to finish it just to find out what that big reveal was.

I was looking forward to this book but it fell flat in many ways. I want to start off by saying that the descriptions of the settings throughout the book were beautiful. It was as if I was transported there, watching the characters from a distance. I also fell in love with the supporting characters as they were fun.

With that being said, I think the main characters fell flat along with the relationships that they held between them. Basically, they just seemed shallow. Also I felt like things were being told and not shown.

All in all, I think if you need a vacation read, this could be for you. Or if you need a pick-me-up book.

Since I cannot rate books in terms of percentages, I’ll round up to three stars.

Friends to lovers isn’t usually my bag but I absolutely loved this.

I read this in freezing cold and wet November so loved imagining the beautiful sunny shores of Sorrell Island. The characters were so nuanced and human I found myself relating to them, even the side characters were brilliantly funny and well rounded in this tale of escapism.

Ruby always wondered why Kenny left her and their son, Jake. Finding out he lives in the beautiful Caribbean shores of Sorrell Island and with Jake making up tall tales about his father she decides to pay him a visit. With best friend Griffin along for the ride and a chance meeting with a famous artist who wants to paint her, can Ruby put her past behind her and believe in herself?

Ruby was a brilliantly flawed main protagonist and I loved following her self development and seeing her journey.

This would make a fab holiday read but also a great novel for anyone needing a change of scenery and some loving vibes from the island of hearts!

The premise of this book was really interesting. I really liked Ruby's Character and the care she has for her son. If I'm being honest, I struggled through the first half of the book, but enjoyed the ending. So, if you're willing to stick it out and keep going I'd say the latter half is worth it and you should definitely pick it up!

I really find the premise of this book very promising. It starts off very funny and has a likeable set of characters. I'm very keen to find out what happens when Jake meets his father, and am rooting for them to find out what happened!