Hi there! I’m here to talk about an adorable friends-to-lovers YA contemporary romance that features a bachelor-type reality show! **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
So when organizing my advanced copies I need to read for the next quarter (April through June), I noticed that I had requested, and had been approved for Not Here to Stay Friends by Kaitlyn Hill. I remember seeing her debut novel Love From Scratch, around the bookish-sphere when it was released in 2022, but couldn’t quite recall why I had been interested in this one. Re-reading the synopsis, I deduced it was probably because it featured a Bachelor-type show in a YA setting, featured a friends to lovers romance, and that combination sounds like something I would absolutely be on board to read any day. And I’m so glad I gave it a chance!
Sloane McKinney and Liam Daniels have been best friends since childhood, but haven’t seen in each other in person in nearly five years. That all changes when Sloane arrives at LAX prepared to spend the summer seeing the sites, and what she finds is that Liam has possibly had a Hot Guy glow-up, fueling just a tiny bit of attraction on her part. Sloane’s plans change, though, when she finds out Liam has been roped into working for his dad as a PA on a reality dating show featuring the main character, Aspen Woods, from their favorite show The Cove. Things take an even bigger turn when a miscalculation leaves the show one contestant short, and Sloane becomes the perfect last-minute addition. When the cameras are rolling, Sloane can’t help to feel the whirlwind of teen heartthrob, Aspen, but when the cameras are off? Well, that’s where the drama really starts to kick in.
I really do love when books have multiple perspectives – so we get to be in the minds of both Sloane and Liam in first person. I think this really helped to highlight the confusing feelings that come with realizing you’re starting to think of your best friend in a more romantic light. Both believe the other don’t feel the same, but we get to see them work out their feelings in their heads in real time. Whenever a friends-to-lovers romance trope is used, or a relationship is already established between characters prior to the start of the novel, it can be hard to sell the already-present chemistry, but with inside jokes and stories of past vacations and trips and just time spent together, both shared in verbal and mental dialogue, I think Sloane and Liam’s friendship was built up really well. They know each other incredibly well, and it’s clear to everyone else that they’d be good for each other, but both are too afraid to risk their friendship, and also things can be pretty confusing when you’re on a dating show, supposed to be falling for the main guy but actually have feelings for a PA. With the reality dating show, Aspen Woods Future Leading Lady, or should I say AWFLL, we don’t get a full exploration of the other contestants all that much, with the exception of Sloane’s roommates, Bree, Alicia, and Hattie, and Peyton, who was set up to be the antagonist contestant. But overall, drama between the other girls was minimal, with the exception of one house becoming too competitive during a game of charades. Even Peyton, who at times was a force against Sloane, knew never to take things too far, and came around in the end with the resolution of the show. I don’t want to say too much in regards to how it all ends, as it’s great to see it all play out in real time, but I will say that the show had a unique ending that I haven’t seen in any books that feature the Bachelor-type show trope (at least the few that I’ve read). People truly came together and it certainly made for a show-stopping conclusion. And speaking as sparsely as I can, I will appreciate that some people who had a hand in some not-great actions did face consequences for them, and they were not brushed under the rug.
I also wanted to highlight the relationship Sloane and Liam have with their parents, and how their interests often were overlooked or ignored, and how throughout the course of the show both find solace in adults who help them strive to achieve their dreams. Sloane is a middle child, between an older class president, homecoming king, soccer star brother and a younger pageant queen sister. Slone loves writing and hates being in the spotlight, which means she tends to blend into the background and is often ignored in her household. On one of her single dates with Aspen, as he takes her on a tour of The Cove set, he introduces her to a writer on the show who answers all her questions, encourages her in many ways, and, after all is said and done, fulfills a promise to introduce her to other writers for the show and in the industry. Liam, on the other hand, is skilled and woodworking, and loves to tinker in his workshop. He wants to open an online shop and sell his wares. But since his parents recent divorce, his mom moved out and has been distant, and his dad makes snarky comments and digs about playing with toys in the attic. While roaming the set, Liam comes across Garrett, a set-builder for The Cove who was called in to help with sets on the reality show as needed. Garrett is someone who doesn’t treat Liam like he’s just a PA, lets him assist with projects (with supervision), invites him to see his garage workshop, and encourages him to start that online business if it’s something he really wants to do. Liam and Sloane both help each other see their true potentials, but it’s always good to have an adult, especially someone in that chosen field, to look to for support. Towards the end of the book it is hinted that both Liam and Sloane’s relationships with their parents improve with communication and therapy, and I think it’s really good to have it mentioned how it’s important to have that open line of communication, even if it isn’t easy at first and things take time to improve.
In conclusion, this was such a sweet YA childhood friends-to-lovers contemporary romance that would be perfect for any teen reader, and especially those who look for Bachelor-type shows in their books. Sloane and Liam both come a long way throughout the course of the book, and that growth, and their growing connection, was truly delightful to see. Not Here to Stay Friends is set to be released on April 4th, 2023, which is the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday and consider picking up a copy for yourself! *Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Delacorte Press, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Where to find Not Here to Stay Friends:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Penguin Random House
Kaitlyn Hill’s site
Thoughts About Things 