When it comes to reading books I don’t have rules. I read whatever I fancy reading.
Having said that I don’t often read romantic comedy but that’s not a rule. I do read it if it has an engaging story with smart, strong female characters.
Just Friends by Elizabeth Grey is one of those. It was highly recommended by a good friend who told me she laughed out loud and that this wasn’t your average romantic comedy.
I needed cheering up and wanted to read something different. So, how could I resist?
Set in the UK, Just Friends is part one of the Agency Series – a series set in the advertising world – a world filled with fun, creativity and a selection of snarks and sharks of both sexes.
The main character is Violet. She certainly is a strong and compelling character and like most interesting characters – she’s a little bit complicated.
A complicated character is the best sort – keeping our interest as they gradually reveal layers of themselves when the story unfolds.
Violet certainly does that.
At the beginning of the story, Violet has a steamy encounter with the man of her dreams. However, the steam gives way to something different and we cringe with her when the dream comes crashing down.
Then comes the rule.
Unlike me, Violet likes to make rules and after this disappointing encounter, she makes a rule for herself. She’s swearing off men and she’s determined she’s going to stick to this rule.
Her loyal friend, Ethan is surprised to hear this.
Ethan is one of the few men she trusts. She’s never been attracted to him and assumes he feels the same way.
The relationship between them is based on friendship and loyalty.
Violet needs loyalty. Her agency is highly competitive. Some of her colleagues play their own warped version of office politics and Violet needs to watch her back. In a workplace where loyalty is thin Violet needs a friend like Ethan.
Things get complicated for Violet when she begins to realise something about Ethan. Why hasn’t she noticed this before?
She is guided by her own rule but is Violet really going to build a life around cats and box sets? Well, you’ll have to read it and find out!
I enjoyed reading about Violet. She’s a real woman and so of course, she’s not perfect. But what she does have is a smart attitude to life. She’s a quick thinker and needs to be to survive in advertising. This is reflected in some really great dialogue.
It’s this dialogue that made the book shine for me. It’s funny, smart and believable. My friend said I’d laugh out loud and I did.
I recommend Just Friends for readers who like smart, laugh out loud comedy, steamy romance with an undercurrent of some dark dealings in the workplace.
Get Just Friends from Amazon.com
Get Just Friends from Amazon.co.uk
P.S. To learn more about Elizabeth Grey and her agency series visit her at www.elizabeth-grey.com
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