A Friendly Flirtation by Christine Warner Pages: 244
Published by Entangled Publishing on February 15, 2016
Series: Friends First #3
Genres: adult, contemporary, Romance
Source: eARC from Publisher
One kiss can change your life...
Allison Hall is fed up with being a social outcast. Even at the tech company where she works for her brother and his best friend, Jared, she's the invisible nerdy girl. What she needs is confidence-and that requires a makeover and dating tips. And she knows just the man to help...
Jared Esterly is shocked when Allison asks for his assistance and turns her down, knowing that her brother-his business partner and best friend, Nick-would kill him if he dated her, even if it is just for practice. But when Al's attempt to make changes on her own fails spectacularly, Jared reluctantly steps in. Things heat up quickly, and soon lessons move from the salon to the bedroom.
When overprotective big-brother Nick discovers Jared is dating Allison, their friendship and business partnership sour. Allison, consumed by guilt, must make a choice: stay with Jared, even though that means ruining his friendship with Nick and possibly his career, or leave the one man who sets her on fire.
A Friendly Flirtation is the third book in Friends First series by Christine Warner. I had no idea even while I was reading A Friendly Flirtation that it was the third book in a series, so I am can confidently say that each book reads 100% as a standalone. I really enjoyed A Friendly Flirtation; it was well written, had great characters and was a trope that I have really been enjoying lately. In fact, I want to read more best friend’s sister stories. (so leave me recommendations of your favorites in the comments below.) The first two books in the series are about Jared’s brothers. They each do make a guest appearance in the story in one scene, but other than that they don’t really play any type of role.
A Friendly Flirtation is told in dual narrative between Alison and Jared, although there were more chapters from Allison’s point of view. I really enjoyed that this story didn’t start off on a completely predictable foot. We start the story by Alison asking Jared for his help with her makeover that the summary alludes too, and Jared completely shoots her down. I was thinking, “ooh interesting” now how is she going to get his help? I thought he would have agreed, that is the typical course that this kind of story runs. But no, Alison is determined on her journey of self improvement and she decides to go at it alone. That made my admiration for her skyrocket. I loved her.
I was a little wary of Jared after the real makeover of Alison because he seemed a little insta loveish, and I didn’t know what to do with him. But he very quickly won me over because he is such an open and genuine person, you can’t help but like him. A Friendly Flirtation is a light hearted and fun, quick read.
Bottom line: if you love contemporary romances with quirky characters, and you can’t pass up a good makeover story, A Friendly Flirtation is a fun read that you should not miss out on. It is great for fans of the falling for your best friend’s sibling trope.
A fun and flirty read. @BookBriefs reviews {Review} A Friendly Flirtation by @ChristinesWords @EntangledPub Share on X
About Christine Warner
Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her family, three laptops (she might have a slight addiction, or maybe it’s a fear of one imploding from overuse) and a much loved assortment of furry friends.
Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmetic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy heroines.
A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and her website at christine-warner.com.
Ohhh yes! I <3 girl nerd books and the best friend's sister. This is going to be a must read for me 😀
This does sound like a fun read! Great for the summer’s lighter reading days.