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A review by gammys_reads
Barely Even Friends: A Novel by Mae Bennett
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Thank you NetGalley, Mae Bennett, and Alcove Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a sweet modern retelling of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast, infused with a contemporary twist and loaded with Taylor Swift references!! "Barely Even Friends" chronicles the journey of Bellamy and Oliver as they renovate an old estate, potentially transforming not only the property but also their own lives in the process. Brimming with mutual longing, palpable tension, witty banter, and chemistry. Both of the main characters are richly developed with genuine struggles to overcome, making it easy to root for them until the very end. I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to explore more from this author!!
<I>Tropes/Themes:</I>
💜Beauty and the Beast Retelling
💜Grumpy/Sunshine
💜Frenemies to Lovers
💜Slow Burn Romance
💜Forced Proximity
💜Only One Bed
💜Plus Size Representation
💜Sassy AI
💜Swiftie References
<I>Synopsis:</I>
Bellamy Price is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to lead the restoration of the enigmatic Killington Estate. With the chance to make a name for herself in a male-dominated industry, she's determined to meet the owner's ambitious timeline. However, upon arriving at the crumbling mansion, she finds it already occupied by Oliver Killington, the heir nursing his own traumas. Initially resistant to Bellamy's presence, Oliver eventually forms a cautious truce with her. As they work together to restore the estate, sparks fly, leading Bellamy to confront the walls she's built around herself.
Oliver, a grouchy recluse who struggles to believe he deserves love, undergoes a remarkable personal transformation throughout the story, which was truly captivating to witness. On the other hand, Bellamy, a strong, loving, and hardworking individual, has never had a place she could truly call home. Seeing these two characters bravely confront and embrace the love they've long feared and avoided was incredibly moving. Their journey highlights how they bring out the best in each other.
Overall, it's a delightfully sweet rom-com that is a tale of love, healing, and dismantling the barriers we construct within ourselves. I highly recommend this well written modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a sweet modern retelling of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast, infused with a contemporary twist and loaded with Taylor Swift references!! "Barely Even Friends" chronicles the journey of Bellamy and Oliver as they renovate an old estate, potentially transforming not only the property but also their own lives in the process. Brimming with mutual longing, palpable tension, witty banter, and chemistry. Both of the main characters are richly developed with genuine struggles to overcome, making it easy to root for them until the very end. I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to explore more from this author!!
<I>Tropes/Themes:</I>
💜Beauty and the Beast Retelling
💜Grumpy/Sunshine
💜Frenemies to Lovers
💜Slow Burn Romance
💜Forced Proximity
💜Only One Bed
💜Plus Size Representation
💜Sassy AI
💜Swiftie References
<I>Synopsis:</I>
Bellamy Price is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to lead the restoration of the enigmatic Killington Estate. With the chance to make a name for herself in a male-dominated industry, she's determined to meet the owner's ambitious timeline. However, upon arriving at the crumbling mansion, she finds it already occupied by Oliver Killington, the heir nursing his own traumas. Initially resistant to Bellamy's presence, Oliver eventually forms a cautious truce with her. As they work together to restore the estate, sparks fly, leading Bellamy to confront the walls she's built around herself.
Oliver, a grouchy recluse who struggles to believe he deserves love, undergoes a remarkable personal transformation throughout the story, which was truly captivating to witness. On the other hand, Bellamy, a strong, loving, and hardworking individual, has never had a place she could truly call home. Seeing these two characters bravely confront and embrace the love they've long feared and avoided was incredibly moving. Their journey highlights how they bring out the best in each other.
Overall, it's a delightfully sweet rom-com that is a tale of love, healing, and dismantling the barriers we construct within ourselves. I highly recommend this well written modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️