Title: Better Off Friends
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Release date: February 25, 2014
Publisher: Point
Pages: 288
Source: Netgalley/Publisher
Reading level: YA
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY . . . for teens, from romantic comedy star Elizabeth Eulberg.
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.
Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?
From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?
It’s become pretty hard to impress me with contemporary novels lately. I read so many of them that the stories and things just stop being unique. That was so not the case with Better Off Friends. I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Eulberg since her debut novel but I’m pretty sure I have a new favorite from her.
Macallan and Levi have an odd relationship. It’s clear from the start that they really are just friends. The book shows how they meet and how they become friends as well as how that friendship develops over the years. They go through boyfriends and girlfriends and no matter what, they are always there for each other. They stand by each other through thick and thin and they have one of the best friendships I’ve read about in a long time. They get each others jokes, they like the same things, and they never tire of each others company.
The chemistry between them wasn’t always there but it was easy to see that they would be good together. As they grew older though, things started to change between them and they definitely started to see a change in how they felt about each other. The chemistry between them was very real. Their relationship was so comfortable that they were able to be themselves with each other. I didn’t think it had to necessarily go in a romantic way but it definitely worked for them.
The story itself was very cutesy but that’s what I was hoping for. Macallan and Levi both realize (at different times) how they feel about each other and what happens after that was pretty hilarious. Their timing never seems to be right. One of them is always managing to screw things up royally. There were a lot of more serious moments in the story but it helped balance out the funny parts. I never felt like it was too serious or too light hearted. There were some times when I really just wanted to hit both Macallan and Levi though. It took them a while to see things that were right in front of their faces.
Overall, Elizabeth Eulberg has written another wonderful young adult contemporary novel that I highly recommend. If you haven’t read anything by her yet, start with this one!
What others are saying about Better Off Friends:
Confessions of a Book Addict’s review: “So, if you are a fan of the Pacey/Joey type of romance where they are best friends first and if you are like me and are a huge fan of When Harry Met Sally, then you must check out Better Off Friends.”
Other reviews for this author:
So happy you loved this! I keep seeing this book everywhere and I really want to read it soon so it’s great to hear how many bloggers are loving it!
This one looks really cute! I’m going to have check it out. 🙂
-Maria
in The Book Nook
This looks super cute, and I’ve been on a light and cutesy read kick, so I definitely want to add this to my reading list! I’ve been seeing a lot of good things about it.
I’m not really sure if I want to read this. I really liked Eulberg’s Prom & Prejudice and The Lonely Hearts Club, but I wasn’t really a big fan of Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality. I do like the When Harry Met Sally reference though. Who doesn’t love that movie?
I’ve been looking for a nice fluffy read, and this one looks like a good option!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!! The characters and the story focus on what’s important – friendship and love and doing the right thing for the people you care about.
Elizabeth Eulberg is so talented at creating real characters who instantly get the reader’s attention and love.
Lovely review 🙂