Book Review: Barely Even Friends

It’s always fun to review a book when I know the author, and this is one of those! Mae and I were both KissPitch Mentees in 2022, and now her book is almost out in the world!

BARELY EVEN FRIENDS is a super fun Beauty and the Beast retelling, which has always been one of my favorite Disney movies. (I mean that library? How could it not be!)

Bellamy Price has taken on the role as lead contractor for a huge renovation job at Killington Estate. There is a lot of mystery around the house — the parents were killed in a car crash years before, and the son, who was also in the car, hasn’t been seen since. Bellamy hopes if she does well on this job, she’ll be able to make a name for herself.

When Bellamy arrives at the estate, she discovers an unexpected hiccup in her plan — Oliver Killington, the missing son and heir to the Killington empire is living in the house and refuses to leave. Not only does Belle have to deal with him, but she also has a tight timeline to restore the house to make Oliver’s grandfather happy.

Oliver doesn’t make things easy for Belle, but they come together once they both learn they have ridiculous demands from Oliver’s grandfather. And then, sparks fly for the two.

But Bellamy isn’t one for putting down roots anywhere. And Oliver doesn’t trust anyone at all. Can they find a way to let each other in?

This was such a fun (and steamy!) read! There’s also an odd butler, a cook, and an AI voice who is all over the house and really funny. I’ve really gotten into grumpy / sunshine in the last year or so, and this is a great one. And of course there’s only one bed (in a mansion! Don’t ask, just read it!)

BARELY EVEN FRIENDS comes out June 4th, so make sure to grab a copy!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Alcove for my ARC.