Reviews

Never date your best friend by Jules Barnard

joysreads's review against another edition

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3.0

3 ⭐️

lannklein's review against another edition

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1.0

By the 30-minute mark, I was wishing desperately for a spontaneous case of hearing loss. I should have thrown in the towel, but I had already invested 30 minutes of my time into this, what’s a couple of hours more? Masochism takes over and I speed up the playback and listen through to the very end.


This book comes off like it was written by a 15-year-old girl who just found out what smut was and wanted to prove she can play with adults. This comes through in the writing style, the personalities of the characters, and even the voice acting.


1. How exactly would Zach and Nessa qualify as “best friends” as described in the title of the book? They know almost nothing about each other and don’t seem to socialize when their large group of friends isn’t around. Sure, they attend all the same functions and work in the same place, but so does everyone else in their group. Oh, I get it. Zach uses generic nicknames for Nessa which are based on surface characteristics which obviously means they confide in one another when they are struggling. Except for, you know, the fact that they don’t.


2. What was the point of Zach’s backstories? Why bring up ongoing sexual abuse that started when he was a minor and continues to go on without any real intention of examination or conclusion? If the author wanted to write porn without a plot, just do it, don’t use sexual abuse as a throwaway plotline.


3. Are we supposed to overlook the fact that Nessa is a sexual predator who forces her sexual advances on Zach without his consent and then manipulates his emotions to get what she wants? Let me get this straight; we are supposed to hate sexual predator Alexa, but love sexual predator Nessa? It is because Nessa is younger and closer to Zach’s age that her actions are acceptable? Is it because Zach has a preference for who is administering the abuse and manipulation? How about we hate both of the sexual abusers in this story?


4. Emily Bauer’s voice for this role sounds almost tween-like. Zachary Webber’s voice in this role is fine, but when he is voicing Alexa’s lines he comes off more like a Camp Gay troupe.


DO NOT waste your time and brain cells on this book.

prfctlymismtchd's review against another edition

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4.0

The Never Date Series..... I read them a while ago and I can honestly say I remember a few characters, that the books were steamy but sadly I remember very few plot points, and the books sort of merge into one in my mind. That said I tore through all of them so I did enjoy them. They just weren't books that had staying power for me.

All of the above said I remember Zach and Nessa's story and the longing etc. This is the one book of the series I'd definitely read again.

crysrose0527's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shannonandherbooks's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was was really cute. I wish it was a bit longer, I would have liked a bit more of Nessa & Zack’s story. 

bethersjayne's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

luckeducke42's review against another edition

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4.0

It was a cute story; I can’t call it a book because it was so short. I think there was so much room for more. The other books in this series were long, more drawn out, and more complex. This specific story could have been bigger. There is so much more they could have done. However, it was still a good story and fits the series theme. I still love the series, the book, and the author.

bernluvsbooks's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

atpsnty's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.0