{Review} The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez (@AuthorAbbyJim @ReadForeverPub)

Kristen Peterson 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.

​Kristen Peterson is as no nonsense as a girl can get. She’s up front about everything and loyal to a fault.  That’s always been the way that she approached all of her relationships – with her nutty dog, her friends and with her longtime boyfriend.
 
It never mattered to Kristen that Tyler was never at home because that time was coming to an end.  His deployment was almost over and then they could finally begin living the life that they always planned.  Cheating was something that she would never even consider.  Until she meets Josh.
 
Josh Copeland is a South Dakota transplant with a smile that makes her weak in the knees.  Not only is he the Best Man at her best friend’s wedding, he works at the same fire station as her fiancé.  So there’s no escaping the wild chemistry between them.  
 
But even when her relationship with Tyler comes to an abrupt halt, she struggles with the knowledge that she could never give Josh the one thing that he’s always wanted – a family of his own.  
 
Josh isn’t going to let Kristen walk away without a fight.  He’s going to prove to her that family isn’t just about blood.  It’s also about the heart and soul.

“Okay. You’ve piqued my interest. I’ll test your theory.” 

“And if I’m right?” 

“Then I’ll tell you that you were right.” 

She twisted her lips to one side. “No. Not good enough. If I’m right, you pose in some website pictures with my dog satchels. I need a male model.” 

Oh God, what have I gotten myself into? “Somehow this whole deal feels like I’m the loser.” I chuckled. Whatever. I was a good sport. 

“How are you the loser? I’m giving you the opportunity to use my highly trained hunting dog to lure scores of women into your bed.” 

I smirked. “You know, without sounding like an asshole, I don’t really have a hard time getting women.” 

She tilted her head. “Yeah, I can see that. You have the whole sexy fireman thing going for you.” She waved a hand over my body. 

I took a drink of my soda and grinned at her. “So you think I’m sexy, huh?” 
​
She pivoted to face me full on. “There’s something you should know about me, Josh. I say what I think. I don’t have a coy bone in my body. Yes, you’re sexy. Enjoy the compliment because you won’t always like what I say to you, and I won’t care one way or the other if you do or don’t.”

The Friend Zone isn’t exactly the book that I thought it would be.  Yes, it’s a snarky romantic comedy with plenty of whip smart banter between its one-of-a-kind characters.  It’s also a heartfelt struggle of woman who feels unworthy of love because of infertility. Everything in the book is colored with just a little bit of sadness as a result.  
 
Not to say that there aren’t moments that will move you to both laughter and to tears all on their own.  But in the end, you might also feel a little bit of hope shining through...

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