Almost Just Friends: A Novel

I was completely captivated by every page of this book. Jill Shalvis demonstrates exceptional storytelling prowess, crafting a narrative that beautifully explores themes of personal strength and resilience. Her writing style is both engaging and inspiring, drawing readers into a compelling journey of empowerment and growth.

I’ve just come back from a 10-day cruise with my family. Not just my little family, my whole bloody family. There were 15 of us in total, setting sail to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Congratulations, Mum and Dad on surviving and conquering 50 years of wedded bliss. Love you both so much and I’m proud to be your daughter. BUT 10 DAYS STUCK ON A BOAT…BLOODY HELL, THAT WAS HARD WORK! I love them… but, geez, I don’t like them sometimes. Family dynamics are a wonderful thing. One day we’re all happy, happy, joy, joy (that could have been the wine talking). The next day, there are tears, tantrums and screaming matches (too many wine days, not enough water days). I guess it’s been a wee while since I’ve spent days with my sisters and parents. We love, trust and care for each other which gives us the freedom to be honest, straight-forward and even a little blunt. Honestly, a lot of it was a blast and I loved spending time with my family but I’ve never been so bloody happy to be home from a holiday. It cracked me up that again, Jill Shalvis has written something so relevant to me and my life. Almost Just Friends is all about family dynamics. I recognised the bossy elder sister who lectures instead of listens. I know that little sister who is determined to be strong and independent… with a little help from family. I may also be somewhat like the middle “peacekeeper” who has been known to go off the rails but never meant to be a burden. Now, all these traits do…

Piper Manning has raised her siblings after the death of their parents and then her grandparents and finally is ready to leave Wildstone to pursue her dream of becoming a physician assistant after she sells the family property. Unexpectedly her siblings return home with secrets that will impact her ability to leave. Then there is her neighbor's son, Camden Hayes, who complicates her life with the attraction that develops between them. This was a really enjoyable story with realistic characters and family dynamics.

This was an incredible story. Piper had her childhood ripped away from her, twice, and then had to raise her siblings in the aftermath. After all these years she finally feels like her siblings are on the right track in their lives so she can finally go find a life of her own. Then a storm hits and she meets Cam - then her siblings come home with secrets. Everything she had planned is falling apart but sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be even better than before. I loved the strength of Piper's character. At 30 years old she's dealt with some hard blows in life and is a bit closed off because of it. Because life has taught her to count on no one but herself and that she has to be a rock for her family. She certainly needed to learn how to open up - not only to others but to herself - and to realize that having emotions is not a bad thing. Gavin's character left me wanting to give him a big hug followed by a smack on the back of the head. I assume that was Piper's constant feeling towards him (and Winnie) as well. I loved how he was growing up and realizing how much Piper had given up for him and Win. He wanted to fix things so they were all on a level playing field - but him and Win didn't go about it the right way all the time. Cam's character was another I wanted to scoop up into a hug. He'd had an interesting childhood and recently a heartbreaking loss of his younger brother. Cam is intrigued by Piper - he wants to know all her secrets and realizes early…

Wow! I received this ARC in November but waited to read it until my Christmas break. And I have read it three times since I started it. Yes, it is that good. I mean Ms. Shalvis always writes fantastic novels but this one just hit all the right notes with me and had me reading it back to back to back. Piper Manning grew up in Wildstone and has stayed there as a EMT. She pretty much took care of her younger two siblings and was both their older sister and their parent. And she might have a few issues as a result. And no one can ever call her a gourmet cook, although she can whip up a mean mac 'n' cheese with cut up hot dogs. And Piper is very skeptical of men and love as well. But she does care about her people, especially her neighbor, Emmitt. Cam Hughes is a DEA agent and Coast Guard reservist who is really a Wildstone boy despite having grown up in North Carolina. His parents separated when he and his younger brother were young and the boys were split between their parents. Cam being the older of the two boys went to live on the east coast with his mother. Having served in the Coast Guard, he has moved agencies and is now in the DEA. But he is in Wildstone to spend some time with his dad, Emmitt, after the death of his younger brother. Piper encounter Cam on a dark and stormy night and has a close encounter with the hot, sexy, stranger. These are the only types of encounters she will allow herself. And she is beyond shocked to discover her hot, sexy guy is next door when…