I want to preface this review by saying that I absolutely adore the SDIJ world and I was so glad to delve back into it and the characters who live in my head rent free.

Audre is now 16 and trying to make great strides in her life in being a high-flyer in all aspects of her academic life. I appreciate Audre's determination to give the personal parts of her life some attention and she does it in the classically fun way of making a list and roping Bash to help her.

One thing about Tia William is that she is going to write beautiful scenes describing the feeling of falling in love for the other person and she really shined when displaying this in Audre and Bash.
Bash is a refreshing MMC to read, delightfully queer and refreshing in his interests, I enjoyed reading about him finding himself and what he wants to do for his future now that he's Cali life behind.

The people-pleasing and high pressure expectations that Audre faced were realistic in their depiction of being the first born daughter who just wants to make her mother proud and every high achieving student could potentially relate to this.

I'm glad Audre found her love the same way Eva found hers and may the Mercy girls continue to do what others can't!

Oh how I LOVE Tia's romances. She's the queen at writing yearning and that moment when you realise you're head over heels in love with someone. And gosh, did she deliver that beautiful romance with Audre and Bash. My favourite parts of the book were watching them build this romantic connection. It was heartfelt and sweet to the age group. Audre was such a hilarious character in Seven Days in June and by far, an icon from the story. She continued to be an icon but Tia let us in to a much deeper side of Audre.

We got to see Audre, the people pleaser or the golden child, and the impact that's had on her. As a previous people pleaser myself, gosh did I relate so hard to Audre. My heart ached for her knowing she was carrying all this pressure on her shoulders and she still has so much life to live. And what's where Bash, a funsultant came in and swept her off her feet - as she deserved! I'm so glad we saw her break free of that pressure placed on her and seek her own narrative. It actually hurt to read how Eva and Shane projected their past onto Audre. It's so difficult to navigate having read the first book becuase you understand why they were so protective but I often found myself wanting to scream for Audre.

I can't not talk about Bash, because he was such a great character. I loved how different he was to usual love interests. So soft, loving and fiercely loyal to those he cares about. Tia explored how Bash breaks free from 'typical' male stereotypes and is someone completely different - and in the world we live in today it feels so much more reminiscent of the teenagers we see and know.

Overall, this was a lovely read and I'm so glad we got Audre and Bash's story. It was wonderful to catch up with my favourite couple from Seven Days in June.

I read Seven Days in June a bit ago and I absolutely loved it, so I was ecstatic to know that there was going to be a book specifically about Audre.

It was really nice to see that shift in Tia William's writing in her debut YA novel - I loved reading about Audre's life in this present time, as she was just a kid in Seven Days in June, so I really got to see her in a different light. I was obsessed with her relationship with Eva, and I'm glad to read about it again in this book!

I related to Audre's struggles, as a teen girl, as a woman in her late twenties. The anxiety, panic attacks, generational trauma, and even just suppressing feelings/communication out of fear of burdening a loved one. It was a real and raw storyline, delivered in a light / self-discovery-esque way.

This novel gives justice and acknowledges mental health in young adults which is so important because it shows how multi-layered teenagers actually are at such a vital stage in their personal development. I loved the contrast between Audre and Bash and how they were introduced in the book only for us to realise that they had quite a lot in common and were two kids who just "got each other".

Tia Williams, as always, does an excellent job at displaying a character's internal monologue. It was evident in A Love Song For Ricki Wilde, Seven Days In June, and now in Audre and Bash are Just Friends. Excellence, strength and vulnerability have always been at the forefront of the characters she writes which is exactly what I think resonates with readers like me.

Key take-away from this novel: "Nothing less than emotional honesty because anything less than that is cheating" - Audre Zora Maya Toni Mercy-Moore.

Thank you Tia Williams for this novel, Quercus Books and NetGalley for this ARC! I can't wait for this one to come out!

Spring is the perfect time for a YA romance and this did not disappoint!

I was locked in from the very first pages of the story. I absolutely loved reading from Audre's perspective, and could definitely relate to the high achiever/perfect daughter storyline so I felt for her quite deeply. Bash was absolutely charming, and their chemistry was off the charts. Definitely instant attraction, but nothing too overwhelming to where I didn't find it believable.

Loved the writing for the most part, though I felt the last 50 pages or so were quite rushed (especially the scene where Audre, Bash, Reshma and Clio all figure out what's been going on),but other than that the story flowed nicely.

Definitely a feel good book with some heartfelt and deep moments, absolutely loved it!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital copy of this book (now on to read Seven Days in June cause I did not realise these were interconnected......)

4.75⭐️
This book was so swoon worthy and adorable, while also being very real with flawed characters, which I really liked. I also really enjoyed the setting, i really felt like I was running around Brooklyn with Bash and Audre. I highly recommend giving this a read, once it comes out and I will definitely be checking out more books from this author.

endless thanks to netgalley and quercus books for this e-ARC!

First off thank you to Tia for writing this book and giving me access to an Advanced Copy.

I read Seven Days in June a while ago and adored Audre as much as I adored the second chance romance that brought Eva and Shane back together.

In this book, we’re introduced to Audre in her own right and the Seven Days in June leads are now the supporting cast. It was a lovely journey seeing her work through an obsession with perfection, anxiety and young love.

Bash was a delight and while he’d been shrouded in that teen mystery, Tia does a good job in letting us know that he’s not a stereotypical bad boy… he’s not a bad boy at all.

Tia’s writing is beautiful and the characters, back stories, and side quests all come together for a beautiful story about a summer romance between two teens just trying to figure things out without having any idea what they’re doing.

It was also good to see Eva and Audre unpack family trauma and talk about how in the quest to break generational curses we often end up falling into similar traps and unhealthy habits.

This was a great coming of age story and a sound reminder not to judge book by its cover, to ask for help when you need it, and to communicate in your relationships with “nothing less than emotional honesty because anything less than that is cheating” (said by Audre in the book)

This was a 5 star read for me.

This book is so freaking cute omg!!
Such a breath of fresh air to read a YA romance like this.
I found my self feeling the emotions of the characters as I read laughing when they laugh, crying when they cry.
The sweet friendship of the main characters felt like a real, true teen romance reminding me of my first love, the bubbling feeling inside, the excitement!

First off, big thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC! I’m giving it a solid 4.5 stars because honestly, it’s just *so* cute and charming.
After reading *Seven Days in June*, I had high hopes for this one, and it totally delivered. If you’re into YA stories with great writing, a bit of drama, and characters who feel like real, messy, lovable people—you’re definitely gonna enjoy this. Audre and Bash have such great chemistry, and their personalities are layered and relatable. They’ve got their flaws (and yeah, there were definitely moments where I was frustrated, thus the 0.5 deduction), but that also just made them feel even more real to me. I also really enjoyed how Audre had frustrations with her mother (Eva) and we saw another side and another perspective of Eva than in Seven Days in June and that Eva wasn't just perfects but she was part of the plot.
I just love Bash so much—he’s thoughtful, sweet, and just really well-written. Audre is so relatable and I loved how she kind of is a therapist.
If you're in the mood for something that’s heartfelt but still light and fun, this one's a great pick. Definitely recommend it if you’re a YA fan who loves stories with real emotional depth but also that comforting, sweet vibe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus for the opportunity to read and review this arc of Audre & Bash Are Just Friends.

I really enjoyed the book, even though this is a YA book I feel that readers of all ages can relate. Tia Williams has such a great way of writing, I love that Audre got her own book.

I enjoyed the character development and particularly the relationship between Eva and Audre and how they learn best to communicate with one another.

I like that there are real life topics in this book such as mental health and complex parent/child relationships that both teens and adults can relate to.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone to read, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will always read a Tia Williams piece.

This is a book filled with joy and intricate teen experiences.

As a huge fan of Seven Days in June, seeing a fan favourite character get her own story brought me so much excitement! Audre is a character that so many will see themselves in: perfectionism and compassion. I loved the complexity of her relationship with Eva, the maternal love but the distance that time and distraction can cause was so emotional.

Meeting Bash felt refreshing! He is passionate and trustworthy. While he carries so much trauma from his past, his relationship with Audre showed his attempts to communicate healthily. He sets boundaries and is vulnerable on his own terms, like every teen they each make mistakes and it’s written so powerfully.

I also loved the themes of this book. Following Audre’s anxiety and generational trauma through multiple characters was a great way to feel the dimensions of these characters. Tia Williams writes these issues with such care and understanding that it had me tearing up with sadness for the characters but happiness for readers getting to see this representation.

There is a realistic lack of communication with characters trying to overcome so much without burdening the other. Yet while carrying this weight there is always an underlying bond between them of safety which I loved, Tia has mastered the art of subtlety.

Of course, this is a romance book so we must discuss this fun and at times even goofy plot! I adored the dynamic between Audre and Bash immediately, they have chemistry romantically but also so much connection platonically despite their differences. I loved the classic moments of teenage awkwardness being mixed with the serious vulnerabilities that they are willing to share together. Their relationship builds so slowly with such depth that readers will be head over heels without realising it. Their story is wrapped up so perfectly and I can’t wait to be able to discuss the story with so many people who I am sure are going to love them!

Thank you Tia Williams for putting together such a sweet and emotional book, and for trusting me to be an ARC reader!

Main characters
Audre
Bash

Storyline
Could Audre Mercy-Moore's life get any worst, her dad cancelled her Malibu beach holiday and now she has to stay home with her mom, stepdad, and baby sister.

And on top of that she has a self - help book to start and finish so she can get into her dream university.

In walks in Bash Henry the person to help her experience 'Fun' , Audre hires him as her ' Fun Consultant'

Can they stay professional despite their obvious connection?

Thoughts
This was a lovely young adult romance, Tia Williams is a great author who knows how to build stories that make you want to jump into the book.

La historia no está mal y me gusta que traten cosas como lo que puede ocurrir si pones demasiada presión en tus hijos, el perfeccionismo, pasar de ser hija única a tener un bebé, el fanatismo religioso y el autodescubrimiento cuando eres un adolescente. Pero aun así no terminó de engancharme y la novela se me acabó haciendo pesada.

A pesar de que entiendo a Audrey, a veces se me hacía un poco insoportable. Entiendo que se sienta desplazada por lo que conlleva dejar de ser hija única en plena adolescencia, pero a veces su comportamiento me pareció demasiado infantil. De hecho, tenía que recordarme a mí misma que era una adolescente y no una niña. Tampoco entiendo la relación con su amiga, la verdad. Bash, en cambio, sí que me ha parecido más interesante y me ha gustado todo el trasfondo de su historia.

En cuanto a la madre de Audrey, entiendo que está acostumbrándose a ser una familia de cuatro pero hay ciertas cosas que me han parecido terribles. Como el no tener tiempo para escuchar a tu hija, no ir a verla cuando tiene algo importante y, en definitiva, dejarla un lado. A pesar de eso, sí que entiendo sus enfados y están justificados, sobre todo porque no está acostumbrada a que su hija tenga ese tipo de comportamientos,

A partir de la segunda mitad de la trama me enganché más a la trama, pero el principio se me hizo bastante largo y no terminé de entrar en la trama. Aún así, es un libro entretenido que estoy segura de que gustará a la gente, pero no está hecho para mí.

I was excited to read Audre's story after loving her character in Seven Days in June. I don't often read YA but will read anything by Tia Williams and I am so glad I decided to make the exception. This was an absolutely delightful read and I really enjoyed it, Even as a 38yo woman I found so much to relate to, especially being a former gifted child crushed under the pressure of perfection (like Audre). I thought the exploration of a variety of topics was beautifully done, from changing family dynamics, to mental health, to the pressures on teenagers these days, it all felt so honest and thought provoking.

The only reason this was a 4 star rather than a 5 star for me was because this is described as a YA romcom but I didn't find it especially funny. I think it might be better described as a YA romance, I feel like it was mostly serious and occasionally amusing.

This has been one of my most anticipated reads since it was announced. I absolutely adored Seven Days in June , which is where we first met Audre. I love Tia Williams’ writing and was curious to see how it would translate to a YA setting.

It turns out, pretty well. There were some absolute gut punch scenes in this book. Anyone who was considered a ‘gifted’ child, is addicted to perfection or had to take on a parental role as a child will relate so much to Audre’s struggles. I found myself getting so frustrated at Eva along with Audre, which made me so sad because I loved Eva’s character so much in SDiJ and I adored her relationship with Audre. The more I read, though, the more I realised how crucial hearing this perspective on the relationship was. Because in reality, a Gilmore Girls-esque mother/daughter relationship is not all sunshine and roses and becoming parentified at an early age (in Audre’s case, due to Eva’s chronic illness) usually has negative and long-lasting consequences for the child. It was really refreshing to see these explored in as much depth as they were here and I think it will be really powerful for young people who read this to see themselves represented in this way and to know that they are worthy and valuable because of who they are, not because of what they can provide.

I felt this book handled the theme of change (new family members, new friends, renovations, changing summer plans) from the perspective of a teenager really well. I really enjoyed watching Bash and Audre’s friendship blossom, their text conversations added fun little breaks from the narrative setting as did the excerpts from Audre’s self-help book. I really liked Reshma and Clio as side characters but I felt they could have been utilised more effectively, as much as I think they make a cute couple their chapters felt a little rushed.

The pacing felt a little off at times throughout this book - there would be chapters where nothing really happened and then we were hit with reveal after reveal in the last 15% of the book. The pacing issues weren’t significant enough to hamper my overall enjoyment of the book though, and it’s one I’ll probably recommend moving forward!

Finally I know not everyone loves cartoon covers, but I do and this has to be one of my favourites! The art style is so cute and captures Audre and Bash so well.

Audre & Bash Are Just Friends releases in May!

{ARC - huge thanks to Quercus Books for the early review copy!}

I devoured Audre + Bash the same way I did when I read Seven Days in June (and all of Tia’s other books to be fair!) This does not read like a YA certainly none of the YA I read as a teen. It handles the complexities of growing up and being relatable but also swoon worthy romantic chemistry between Audre and Bash. It’s exactly what I hoped it would be in terms of picking up where Seven Days in June left us 🩵

Do not read unless you’ve picked up Seven Days in June, or do but just know you’ll miss out on all the joy ✨

Thank you so much to Quercus for the opportunity to read this before it’s released on 20th May 2025, I can’t wait to reread this on audiobook! 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

This is just such a charming read that blends romance, friendship, and self-discovery.

The book follows Audre and Bash, two best friends who insist they’re just friends until life, emotions, and undeniable chemistry surprises them. The book manages to blend in humour and warmth but at the same time be heartfelt and cover depth and feelings well. The novel has lots of banter filled dialogue that makes the characters relatable and it gave me cause to laugh several times as well as have that tummy clenching moment when something is quite swoon worthy.

The book is a real feel-good romance with a dash of real-life complexity. It left me smiling.

now i get it why audre is their fan favorite in seven days in june... her character is so lively and positive (but deep inside, she has panic attacks). bash, too. his back story got me bawling that my pillow left a wet spot in it. their chemistry is so cute. and i love how both characters didn't give up their own paths despite the comments from their parents.

but the amount of gen z slangs is sending me. looks like i'm reading a book written by a gen z author. also, the reshma x clio moments is lacking for me, and i want to expect more moments with them 😭

but well, i'm just here for the cutesy moment between audre and bash 🤭

I thought this book was really cute, I'm not the biggest fan of YA but I enjoyed this. The only thing I don't really like is the amount of pop culture references that were used. It really can take you of the story sometimes. Thank you for allowing me to read it early!

I loved Seven Days in June and was so excited to learn more about Audre! The writing style was fantastic, characterisation was well rounded and the romance itself was so cute. Williams maintains her impressive ability to balance the serious with the light hearted and overall this was a wonderful read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book was… okay. 🤷🏽‍♀️📖 I don’t think it was bad at all, but it wasn’t really my thing. If I compare it to books I’ve given four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐, it just doesn’t quite match up, so this is a solid 3 ⭐ for me. The writing is good ✍🏽, the story is interesting 🧐, but I just couldn’t get into it. 😶

Now, Audre. 😵‍💫 I get that she’s dealing with a lot, but some of her behavior just didn’t sit right with me. 🚩 The sibling jealousy? 😒 I understand why she feels that way—her sister is getting a different kind of treatment than she did—but the girl is literally a baby 👶🏽🍼. It’s not her fault. The way Audre harbors these weird resentments isn’t fair. 😬 That being said, I totally get her frustration about not having her own space. 🚪➡️🚪 Her room got split in half, and that would annoy me too. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Her panic attack scene… 😕 I didn’t love how it was written. I wish there had been more of an explanation of how she felt when she was with Bash. 😵‍💫💨 Panic attacks aren’t always predictable, but the way it was thrown in felt a bit random. 🤷🏽‍♀️ To me, it read more like an emotional overload 😖 or overstimulation rather than a full-blown panic attack. And then Bash asked her what she was anxious about right after, which makes me think the book kind of blurred the lines between anxiety 😟 and panic attacks. 💭

And then there’s Audre and her mom. 😬 I don’t think Audre really respects her. The way she straight-up told her mom she was overreacting? Ma’am. 🚨 No, she wasn’t. 😤 Audre had a responsibility 📋 and should have prioritized it, but instead, she wanted her mom to be worried about her 🤦🏽‍♀️ while also arguing about one of the few rules her mom had. 🚫 She’s giving self-centered 👑 (which I’ll blame on her being an only child until 16 🍼➡️👧🏽), but still. When you’re part of a family, things don’t always go your way. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC! 💬🐇📚✨