Just a Boyfriend by Sariah Wilson is the 2nd book in the End of the Line series, and a delightful story.  Ian “Bash” Sebastian and Ember Carson were high school sweethearts until their parents got married, and that ended their romance.  Four years later they meet again.  I love second chance romances, and rooting for the couple to rekindle their romance.  If your looking for a great escape, I highly recommend this book.  I plan on reading the 1st book, The End Zone, next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Didn’t reach the level of enjoyability that the first book did. I liked the characters but the slow burn was TOO slow. It felt like this book could have been summed up in a few chapters. Basically nothing happened the entire middle of the story. I liked the ending, it was sweet and insightful. I’m glad the characters for their HEA. 

I did enjoy the author’s venture into addiction, mental health and caring for someone with a terminal illness. Some of the content was too heavy for the light hearted rom-com nature of the book.

Bash and Ember (where do they come up with these names?) are attracted to each other in high school. Then their parents get married and a relationship is off limits. A few years later things change. A cute story overall, but would be best for a younger audience. Struggled to really care, especially about angst. Would still recommend.

Bash and Ember were just two teenagers in love in high school.  Until.... Their parents met and married.  Through the "always thinking of others" this young love was torn apart. Fate has a way of winning out and so this story goes.  Seemed a bit slow going but the characters were detailed and enjoyable.  "A copy of this book was provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley with no requirements for a review.  Comments here are my honest opinion." Although this is a series it reads well as a stand alone.

Just a boyfriend? More like secret-ex/best-friend-she-can't-get-over.

“You believed in the tooth fairy for the first nine years of your life. You can believe in yourself for the next two hours. Right. I totally could.”

I have not read the first book in this series, nor much else in the genre, and this was an oddly revelatory experience. From her Pride-and-Prejudice-loving mother, to a fancy for limericks, and friends who would of course end a game of monopoly with a communist revolt - reading about Ember is eerily like watching a reel of personal memories. And of course, she loves cake. I guess it’s be hard not to relate.

“Now that I have my own personal and very handsome food fairy, I need to know if I can make requests.”

One thing I think I might be missing from starting with the second book is a sense of conflict. This story is mostly fluff, and I suspect it pairs nicely with the angsty ending of the first book. 

As a note, in each other’s eyes, Ember and Bash are Perfect. Not a character flaw in sight. It got repetitive... but I liked them enough to get over it.

“And I am officially shipping you guys harder than FedEx.”

**Received eARC from Netgalley**

It truly takes talent to weave an unforgettable swoony romance filled with humor and mix it with an impossible family situation, that could be icky, but definitely isn't in this case, and this author has it. 

Bash and Ember have some very tricky hurdles to tackle, especially as they each realize that the sizzle and fire is still alive and well after several years apart, which makes it impossible to be friends, let alone stay apart any longer. I loved watching the characters struggle through their growing attraction, while attempted to appease their families. A lot of growth occurs, mainly as both Bash and Ember recognize that they're both adults and can jump after their respective hopes and dreams.

There were so many things that I loved about this book--from skydiving to math lessons to rekindling a fading ember--and getting caught! Sariah Wilson's books are amazing and entertaining, and I can always count on her to supply an amusing story, with lots of butterfly-inducing romance, that manages to stay on the clean side of the line. I can't wait for more of this deliciously swoony series!

Content: mild+ romance (steamy clean, some innuendo)

*I received a complimentary copy from Montake Publishing, through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

This is the second book in the End of the Line series by Sariah Wilson and I loved this one even more than the first. I connected with the characters so much and I was completely rooting for their romance. This was another clean NA romance, and the writing flowed as beautifully as the first installment. I highly recommend this if you happen to be looking for a clean sports romance about second chances and a sprinkle of forbidden desire. I can't wait for the next book in this series! Sariah Wilson has definitely become one of my new favorite authors. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Sariah Wilson has done it again! This book has all the elements of a truly wonderful romance.

Bash and Ember began dating in high school. Then Bash's dad married Ember's mom, making them step-brother and -sister. Neither parent knew that they had been dating and Bash's dad warned him about getting involved with his step-sister. Thus, the plot has set the stage for heartbreak. Jump forward 2 years and Bash and Ember are attending the same college. Feelings are reawakened causing a dilemma regarding their blended family.

This is a great coming-of-age story. There is angst that goes with young love; there is the matter of not wanting to disappoint one's parents; lessons involved in learning to forgive; and above all, being true to one's self. Just A Boyfriend is a fully developed story with fabulous characters and the HEA ending. This is a book that I will enjoy reading again! 5 stars.

This was a cute book. I enjoyed reading this one. Even though some of the characters from the first book were featured, it can be read by itself. It's a really cute romance book.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just a Boyfriend is Book 2 in the End of the Line series by Sariah Wilson. Characters from Book 1 do make small appearances throughout but it is not necessary to have read the first story in order to follow along here.

Bash and Ember are dating in high school when they learn that their parents eloped. An unfair comment by Bash's father leads to their break up and he moves away. Fast forward a few years and they are now adults and attending the same college. They start to become reacquainted and the feelings they once had for another resurface.

There was good chemistry between both characters and it was nice to see a storyline from Ms. Wilson that was a tad bit spicier, although certainly far from being too racey. The disappointing part of the story was their parents, especially Ember's mother, who seemed to like to railroad Ember. I felt that Ember and Bash should have firmly stood up for themselves earlier on in the story.

Unputdownable!

The second book in the End of the Line series, this book can be read independently, but why would your really want to miss The Friend Zone? There are a few cameo appearances from Logan and Jess. I especially love Jess and how she reams Bash about what he did wrong with Ember. I love seeing friends who have each other's backs!

So, Ember and Bash were dating in high school, when their single parents met and eloped in a short number of weeks. All of a sudden they're step-brother and sister and Bash's dad is warning him away. He moves out without explaining anything to Ember and they have little contact for four years. Flash forward four years, they're now at the same college in Seattle. Can their relationship move past misunderstandings, insecurities, and family dynamics?

I loved Ember and Bash together. I was rooting for them all the way! The chemistry was almost too hot for me, but I knew I could trust Sariah Wilson not to cross that line. She also did a great job forging a emotional connection along with the strong physical one.
I can't wait for more in this series!

Content: steamy clean (lots of making out, innuendo, no language)

Although this is part of a series, I believe you can read this as a stand a lone. You do learn about characters in the previous novels so I felt like I was so called caught up in their stories. Here we learn about Bash and Ember and their complicated love story. And I mean it is complicated with all the family dynamics. I really love Sariah Wilson as an author and loved her previous novels, this one I had a hard time connecting with. Not sure due to the YA theme which I have read before, I guess I don't know how I really feel about it. Will I still read her novels? Yes. This one was not for me.

Just a Boyfriend is the second book in Sariah Wilson's End of Line series. Like the first book, I loved this one! Ember and Bash have quite the history and find themselves reunited three years later. Will they be able to hold off the chemistry and stay just friends, or will they finally succumb to what they have always wanted? This was a quick, sweet romance that is perfect for sports romance lovers and those that prefer their romances sweet rather than sexy. I definitely recommend it!

I came across an advertisement for the first book of this series by happenstance, and it caught my eye. I've been a football fan since I was a little girl, BUT I wasn't a big fan of romance novels. They were corny, and I was never in the mood to deal with their ridiculous unrealistic portrayal of relationships. But I absolutely LOVED "The Friend Zone." It made me laugh aloud, and that's a hard thing for a book to do. 

This second book continued that tradition. I received a copy from NetGalley, and my word, I loved it. I absorbed every word. It wasn't quite as humorous as "The Friend Zone," but it wasn't any less entertaining. The people and relationships were believable. Bash and Ember were forced to face some tough choices and circumstances, but they never gave up. What I loved was that neither of them was perfect. They'd both had hard lives, sure, but they persevered.  Maybe they had lives that were a little TOO hard and a little TOO awkward to be realistic (have you ever noticed that romance characters seem to have the WORST histories?!). They didn't just lean on each other; they also had friends and family who at times supported them BUT also stood in their ways...just like in real life. 

I'll mention, though, that this one seemed to be drawn out a bit. Plus, there were times I felt like hormones reigned over the characters' better judgment. Maybe it's hard for me to relate completely to the characters because I've never felt that type of love, but it seemed a bit...I don't know, OUT THERE, that the characters couldn't get over each other after three years. And it's not just a spark that exists between them even after all the time; it's a wildfire. I feel like after an extended period of times, if you don't fan the flames, they eventually die. That doesn't happen here. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I'd definitely read it again. I enjoyed the humor. Everything was SO clever, and it made me chuckle. I liked that it was a CLEAN romance (to be honest, I skip all the bedroom scenes in the "regular" romance novels). Now, if you excuse me, I need to go request more books by Sariah Wilson from my library.

3.5 stars 

Sariah Wilson’s 'Just a Boyfriend' is a wholesome romance with simmering chemistry that doesn’t quite come to a boil. 

Ember and Bash fell in love in high school. Just before they planned to take their relationship public, they discover that their single parents have eloped. Now expected to be the perfect step-siblings, Bash takes off, only to find himself reunited with Ember three years later. This time, will they able to be friends? Or will they succumb to the irresistible pull that keeps drawing them back together?

'Just a Boyfriend' is the epitome of a slow burn, and I am here for it. The only reason this isn’t a four star read for me is because I felt that there was a lot of sexual tension that built up between Ember and Bash that never fully got released. I appreciate that Wilson is going for more of a clean romance vibe without explicit scenes, but I still feel like there could have been something more that happened (even if it was off-book) between Ember and Bash as a payoff to the reader. That aside, it’s an entertaining story, with a lot of witty moments. I particularly loved Ember’s sister, Lauren, and thought she had a lot of hilarious lines throughout.

In all, this is the perfect novel for those who love all the romance, but appreciate a swear-free, explicit scene-free story. I could totally see this being made into a movie. 

**Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake Romance for sending me a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

Oh my! I think that's a great way to sum up this book. If you're a Sariah Wilson fan you'll understand. If you read the first book in this series, then you're in for a treat because it's Bash's turn for his story! Woohoo! I was so excited for this one. And really soon the third book will be coming out with the other couple that I loved seeing in the first two books.

The opening set the stage and hooked my completely. Bash and Ember...they haven't seen each other in several years. There's a somewhat good reason for that. And neither one of them have been able to forget the other or move on. They try to act like everything is great on the surface, especially to keep up appearances for their families, but underneath the emotions and struggles and heartache and yearning and love is all still there. Now that they're back in each other's lives they have to figure this all out or left skirting around the issue and just pretending to live.

You can read the synopsis and read the book to get more info. Lol! I just don't want to spoil anything in this one. These two characters were great! There's family struggles in both of their lives from before they ever met. They're still healing from those pains. But add into everything the dynamics of their families and pressure from parents...it keeps building but, the center cannot hold, things fall apart. In a very delicious way, I might say!

The scene where everything is discovered. Oh my heart! But oh my heart throughout the whole book with the aching and pain from these two characters. Then when everything comes out into the open, it's an Oh my heart in a good way. Painful but oh so good and freeing for Bash and Ember.

Some scenes I really enjoyed (All of it-ok, I'll just list a couple)...skydiving, dance lessons, math lessons, Thanksgiving, the family football game, the gala, the dress, visiting mom, and any scene with Bash and Ember in it *shrugs-I can't help myself*.

Thanks Sariah Wilson for another heart melting (in a sad and happy way) read that had me feeling all the emotions and had me cheering on these two characters!

Content: Cleanish (maybe I should say steamy clean)- there was no sex but the kisses were a little steamier. Some mild innuendos.

I received a copy from the publisher, Montlake Romance, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Just a Boyfriendis the second book in Sariah Wilson's NA series 'End of the Line'. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was excited to get to this one. I didn't love it quite as much as the first, but it was still really enjoyable read.

Ember and Bash fell in love in high school and were getting ready to go to prom together. That is, until their parents had a whirl wind romance and married only months after meeting. Neither parent knew Bash and Ember were dating, and Bash thought it would be easier to leave.

Now, after years apart, they're at the same college. Ember and Bash are totally off limits, but they have so much chemistry and truly care for one another. It's quite the conundrum. They struggle with their feelings, that won't go away even though both of them know being together would be complicated.

This is not your typical step brother romance. It's a sweet, easy read that I would call a clean romance, much like the first. I liked Bash and Ember both and I'm hoping there are more books in this series to come!

Things that bummed me out: there is no current mention of a third book... and the relationship I sort of expected to see a book about was instead mashed into one or two chapters.  It almost detracted from the book rather than add the “insight” it was meant to add.

Warnings: there is no actual sex.  That being said, some have issues with “step fantasy” relationship.  It’s sort of a key feature in this book.  Other light topics include: terminally ill parents, codependency issues between parents and children, addiction.

Things I liked: Ember’s snarky attitude and her healthy love of food.  The dedication both Ember and Bash showed their family unit as a whole.  Bash’s ridiculous alternative swear words.

Overall, both books in the series should probably be read with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a box of tissues.  Or Jessica and Ember would probably say pizza and cake are more fitting.  But it’s the “kind of crying to purge and end up in a great spot” type thing.

I just finished reading just a boyfriend. I have enjoyed other books by this author, and this one didn’t disappoint. This is the story of a boy and a girl who were dating them become part of a blended family. There are years between the blending of the family and when this book takes place although we do have flashbacks to the past. I’ve read other books with this plot,And this one does a very good job of it. I have the first book in the series, but I haven’t read it yet. This book really makes me look forward to reading the first one. There is a little bit about the couple from the first book in this book, but this one doesn’t spoil the plot of the first one.   This book is well written with likable H an h.  4.5 stars.

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure at first if I was going to love this book as much as the others from Sariah Wilson because of the step-siblings element. It's a plot line that could lean way too far into cringey or even downright dirty territory, and Sariah writes such sweet romances that it felt like an odd choice for her. That being said, as soon as the way Bash and Ember got together was explained I was on board. The fact that they were a couple before their parents even met and that they didn't spend any of their growing up years, or even any time at all, living together as siblings took away the uneasiness of the step-sibling issue and made it into just another set of star crossed lovers who have the perfect relationship until a major wrench gets thrown in their path.

Bash and Ember's story was bittersweet and tender, as well as hilarious and heartfelt. It was so adorable that she already liked him and secretly called him her boyfriend with her friends and that he liked her all along, too. Their high school relationship was incredibly sweet, which made the fact that their parents sudden marriage tore them apart even more heartbreaking. Years later, their feelings for each other were just as strong. And not only were they physically drawn to each other, but they understood each other and really knew one another's quirks, hopes, dreams and insecurities. I loved how Bash supported and encouraged Ember to stand up for herself and Ember pushed Bash towards forgiving his mother and letting go of his anger. They brought out the best in each other and were each other's cheerleaders, and that best friends element is what really makes a great romantic connection even better. 

I shouldn't be surprised that I loved this book- I love everything Sariah has ever written. But she did surprise me in the way she was able to take a trope that I don't care for and make it into something I could not only get behind, but I could root incredibly hard for. Her character development from the high school back story through to the end proved that Bash and Ember were soul mates, and no matter how messy the family situation got, nothing could keep them apart. I can't wait to read more in this End of the Line series, as well as absolutely ANYTHING else Sariah decides to put out there. She will always be a one-click buy author for me.