A review by beate251
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Jesus wept, what have I just read? Abby Jimenez' debut novel, that's what. I loved the author's latest, "Just for the Summer" and gave it 5 stars. This is nothing like it.

It is chock full of misunderstandings & miscommunication (the tropes I hate the most) and a character who decides she knows what's best for another character while that character is incessantly protesting that she's wrong. Kristen emotionally cheats on her long-distance boyfriend Tyler (who is selfish and disrespectful himself), by falling hard in love with Josh but because he wants kids and she can't have any, she first ghosts him then pushes him away. Or the other way round. It happens a lot because she blows hot and cold. So I was on Josh's side for a while but he is another male character who doesn't know when to give up or take a woman's feelings seriously. Also, he owns a gun and Kristen finds that sexy - an attitude so alien to me that I can't compute it. I actually don't read many American authors because often the experiences feel so unfamiliar. Abby Jimenez had been an exception - now I'm not so sure anymore. Also, it's "firefighter", not "fireman", and it's a vocation - if you just moan about the people who call you out, why are you doing it?

And, what the heck was the storyline with Brandon? It's kind of cold to
kill off a character
just so you have a storyline for the next book. It came quite out of the blue but I am heartless enough to say at least it interrupted the constant exhausting "I love him so much but I can't be with him" and "why doesn't she love me?" angst for five minutes. 

Apparently Kristen does not feel worthy of love without the ability of giving birth because her cartoon villain of a mother had put her down all her life. But it doesn't matter because Josh loves her and her uniqueness, which manifests in her simply being outspoken, sarcastic and getting hangry. 🙄

It annoys me not just that there was a
surprise pregnancy
but also that it was so predictable. I knew about 100 pages before Kristen herself did. 

Basically, if you're someone battling with fertility issues, this book is not for you. Seriously, walk away now.
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