I was looking forward to reading the second book in this series. I wasn’t sure what to expect for Bash’s story but he was a great character and had a lot of emotional depth and aspects to him that I didn’t expect. Sariah is always great with writing humor, sarcasm, snark, etc and she created some great situations and dialogue for the characters. This book had an interesting storyline and some intriguing tropes. I don’t really understand how they dated in high school for months and kept it a secret for no reason, but that was probably necessary to the storyline of the parents getting married. The rest of the characters in the book were fun to read about. I think the main characters grew and developed personally and together and dealt with some issues that might help other readers as well. Even though it’s fun to read fiction, it can be nice to read about real world problems and see how others cope and deal with them. I would say that this book is more pg-13 than some of her other books. It feels like there was a little more focus on the physical angst aspects of Bash and Ember missing each other and their physical relationship than the rest of the storyline (character traits and foundation for their relationship).  But you still wanted them to find their own happily ever after and finally get together. 
I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion but it did not impact my review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First book of the year. 2020 hasn’t started as gloriously as the previous one in the reading aspect of my life, but it hasn’t been horrible. When a book has almost everything I like in this kind of Romance novel and yet it fails to deliver a story that satiates me, something weird must have happened. Let’s see where the weirdness resides in this second book of the End of the Line saga!! (Spoliler alert: most likely the only weird stuff is the reader himself…).

We go back to the EOL college, where we met Logan and Jess, to follow the lives of a new couple in the making… or the re-making as in this case. We meet Bash, another football star who has fallen in disgrace due to the consumption of drugs. He ran away from home several years ago avoiding his problems, but it doesn’t matter how much of an athletic hunk you are…. problems run waaaay faster. That unavoidable issue has a face and a name: Ember. She was his highschool girlfriend, but had to break up with her when their parents got married. In order to please his father, Bash left his home to avoid Ember and never came back. Until now. Both of them go to the same college and even have some classes in common, so they are meant to find each other again. Will they be able to be just friends for the sake of their parents or the forbidden love will be too big to ignore?

In my previous review, I mentioned my love for slow cooked romances in a genre that tends to rush into things in a somehow unbelievable manner. So this story should have been my cup of tea, but this time the beverage lacks of a spoonful or two of sugar. Bash’s and Ember’s story is a very slow dance, but sadly I didn’t feel any kind of anticipation for their getting together. No butterflies in my stomach or the need of biting my nails. Being witness of the development of their relationship has been just an OK experience. It is not boring, but in several moments along the book the pages got a bit longer than physically possible. It was hard to keep the focus, because the dynamic between the characters is almost the same during the whole book. I know that in this kind of romances the reader has to wait for the spark that ignites the fire, but to make it interesting there has to be some “friction” in the meantime. The first book of the saga had a lot of banter in its arsenal to entertain me. That kind of sense of humor would have worked wonders in this book, but we only get a smidgen of it with this couple. Not enough to keep me truly engaged during the slowest times.

What is the source of my frustration with the book? In hindsight I can point out the characters as the main culprits. Being fair, more than the characters, it is the interactions between Ember and Bash. In separate corners of the world they are mostly great characters. Ember is funny, hardworking, too loyal and with a sarcastic drive that made me smile (one that hasn’t been properly exploited, though). Bash is the classic hugable giant of the Romance genre, with a heart as big as his biceps (you get the drill…). But when they are together, we get to see the other side of the coin. A side that I dind’t enjoy and even pissed me off a little bit. First of all, all the drama is based on them hiding to each other their feelings. That is not a problem per se, but with this couple it doesn’t make much sense. At first they are at odds with each other, but pretty soon they are capable of having serious conversations where they talk about everything. So, why don’t they tell each other the truth instead of agonizing like that? It’s like they are punishing themselves without an obvious reason (and we, readers, are the collateral damage). Secondly, I kind of hated their position where the parents were concerned. Bash in particular is so frigging cold towards Tricia and I don’t understand the need of it. It was awkward reading about it, taking into account the rol that plays Tricia’s illness. The same can be said of Ember and Doug. And don’t get me started about Bash’s way of not hurting his father. That was so selfish of him…

Thankfully, the extended cast is a good one and even a great one (the little sisters are a blast). We get to enjoy the presence of Logan and Jess in several moments, which is always good. And we also have the cameos of the peculiar couple formed by Ford and Keilani. Even though that last couple is fun, it kind of annoyed me to read such huge development on their relationship. It upsets me because it looks like they are going to have their own book and I have no idea what is left to tell… There is another couple that deserves a mention: Bethany and Woodby. I’m not sure if they were meant as the comic relief, but if that is the case, it was a total failure. Their personalities are too exagerated and twisted for my enjoyment.

It is not a bad book, but it leans too heavily in just OK in all its departments. The first one was superior in everything. In any case, an easy-to-read story that is more than enough to keep you busy for a little while.

4.5 stars rounded up.

When I saw this latest book by Sariah Wilson was available on NetGalley I immediately requested to read it, as I loved the previous book in this series. If you read The Friend Zone you may remember Logan's roommate Bash. Well this is his story.

Bash and Ember have so much chemistry, even when they're trying to avoid to being around each other people think they're a couple. One way Bash and Ember try to deal with not dating each other is to find dates for each other, then go a double date together. I don't know why they thought that was a good idea, but the experiment was a giant crash and burn with their respective dates hitting it off and becoming a couple, which lead to a hilarious idea from Bash "Maybe we can hire ourselves out as reverse matchmakers. Can't find Love? Come on a double date with us and find the man of your dreams? Hint, it won't be me."

The hurts and doubts caused when Bash left home to live with his grandparents are still there and need to be dealt with. It's one of several discussions Ember and Bash would probably rather not have, but can't avoid if they want to be together. Bash didn't hurt Ember on purpose, he was only 16 or 17 at the time and thought he was doing the right thing. I had a feeling Bash and Ember's parents and siblings would find out about their relationship before they had a chance to tell them. In a weird way it was a good thing because it forced Ember to talk with her mother.

Speaking of Ember and her mother--Ember was definitely a mom pleaser, but there's no way I would've gone skydiving just because it was on my mom's bucket-list. The talk Ember and her mother had after her family discovered she and Bash were dating was much needed, and Ember and her mom's relationship will be more balanced in the future.

I loved Ember and Bash. They were so alike--both played sports and loved food, and had a great sense of humor. I liked that we got to see Logan and Jess in this book and they had great advice for Bash and Ember. I love the humor the author puts in her books and I had several laugh a loud moments while reading this one.

Thanks to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Just A Boyfriend it's fair to say, takes a number of different tropes, step siblings, second chances and college romance and brings them altogether for a tale that is fun filled, pretty clean and light on the angst; and although it wasn't what I was expecting it was great to read. Equally, all the characters were likable, and certainly Bash and Ember had some really nice qualities, and chemistry going on. And with plenty of obstacles in their way, and lots of incite into what both Ember and Bash were thinking, I was easily engaged and I did enjoy this story a lot. Which is why I would happily recommend it to others.

Sariah Wilson made another touchdown with this step-sibling romance. There's a little twist to this story, however, they were dating well before their parents started dating, then up and married. Then Bash left home to go to college and they have not been in contact for close to 4 years. I loved this story. Sariah has a way of keeping you engaged with great characters and bantering between the main characters. It is great to see Bash have his own story!

I was provided an advanced reader cop by the publisher and NetGalley. I have voluntarily provided an honest review.

Bash and Ember have a problem. They haven't seen each other in almost 4 years - when Bash moved across the country, to get as far away from Ember as possible. Why? Because they were secretly dating and their parents met - and got married!

Just a Boy Friend is a second chance romance of the epic kind. When Bash moves back home he didn't think he would see Ember that much. But when he finds out she's going to his school and in some of his class no less, well things get a little sticky. 

Ember thinks he moved across the country because he didn't like her. But the thing is he was actually in love with her. And hasn't been able to shake it, even by moving across the United States. Now that Bash is back, Ember's old feelings are making a comeback. But can the two of them be just friends, especially when they both still have feelings for each other?

I loved Bash and Ember together. They had a LOT of emotions and secrets that were kept. The only thing that kept me from giving this a 5 star was that it took FOREVER for them to finally get back together. I thought that part of the story could have moved along a little faster. But it was a good book, with characters that were fun, witty and full of emotion. This was my first book by Sariah Wilson and I will definitely be going back to check out the rest of the series.

Have to go with a 3.6 for this one...

Honestly, not on the same tier as the first book in this series, but still gripped my attention and kept it.

For what it's worth, I really did enjoy this story. I never can go wrong with a step-sibling romance, especially since this story was written in such a clever way. I could not stop laughing and gushing over the snark and sarcasm...gah it was such a treat.

Totally would buy this and recommend as a quick and light read that isn't too hard to follow and easy to pick up right off the bat.

Just a Boyfriend is seriously underestimating.  Lol. Here at End of the Line college we pride our selves on being more than JUST anything.

Sariah wilson did it again. She made me a believer of romance,  all things wonderful, and that real people can eat whatever the hell they want to, even if Woodby says otherwise.

Just a Boyfriend checks off more of my boxes than I realized. Probably because I didnt even read the blurb...You see I read The Friend Zone a d knew I needed more EOL experience.  This junior college is all about second chances and subsequently romance- just don't tell Coach!

Bash and Ember fall into my absolute favorite no shame trope,  stepbrother romance. I will have your pitchforks down in a second- they fell in love first. No judging these kids when their parents sabotaged their happily ever after before. Now it's up to Bash and Ember to decide if they will let anyone sabotage their future.

Swoon with me over cake, bacon, and buffets while these two figure it all out. Being just friends certainly has its advantages...

Well-written Young Adult/New Adult romance novel.
The premise is interesting - two high school sweethearts that suddenly become step-siblings. They are separated for a while, then reunite and try to get along as siblings to create family harmony. 
As a YA romance, this is a strictly PG-13 read, and the focus is on the development of the relationship, navigating their feelings, growing up and finding the HEA. Ember and Bash are sweet together. They speak their feelings well for younger characters at some times, so they don't read as immature the entire book, which is a major bonus for me. There are the regular New Adult book characteristics - some immaturity, not communicating well with each other, petty jealousy, but the author has Bash and Ember navigate them in a way that is not off-putting at all. 
I would recommend this for a younger reading audience. It was an enjoyable book, but not going to appeal to more mature readers. There is definitely a large audience base for this novel, and it is a well-written book in this genre.

I loved the first book of this series, and the second did not disappoint. The book does a great job of telling a story of two lost lovers finding their way back to each other at EOL. I really hope there is another book in this series.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-book copy!

I loved, loved, loved this book!  The characters are so fun and like able! 

 Ember is sarcastic and witty but kind hearted and caring.  Both characters struggle with not disappointing their parents, while still finding happiness for themselves.  It makes it more complicated when you’re dad (Bashes) decides to marry your girlfriends mother your senior year of high school!  Ember and Dash fight their feelings through the book.  There’s a lot of soul searching and growing with both characters.  

This is the first romance book I’ve read that discusses mental illness (depression) and addiction of a main character...it was very unexpected! The book is written from both Embers and Dashes point of view.  This definitely falls in the new adult category.  The characters are in college and there’s some streams, slow-burning romance scenes, but nothing explicit and no curse words.  It was a refreshing look at what love can overcome with a very happy ending 💕!

Complementary copy given for honest review. 
A chaste book for younger readers. It is a sweet book that has romance but lacks heat. It is something I would buy for a young adult.

I was able to review an arc to this book thanks to NetGalley. Just a boyfriend is the second book in the End of the Line series. I really enjoyed the first book, so I was excited when I saw this one. This book features Bash and Ember. They were high school sweethearts who kept it under wraps until the prom where they were going to come out to their friends and family. Needless to say their parents met and fell hard and eloped right before the prom. Ember was moving in to Bash's house and Bash decided to leave so their parents would be happy. 

The story then brings us to 4 years later when Ember and Bash end up at the same college. They skirt around their feelings and try to be friends with each other. I love a good second chance romance book. They tried to hide their feelings for their family members to be happy. I'll leave it at that for now so you can see how it all played out ;). I enjoyed this book, and would like it if there were more in the series :).

The dialogue is between the two characters, which I really enjoy because you get to see an inside perspective to what each other is feeling and thinking. 

** I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the series so if you hate spoilers read them in order otherwise it can be read as a stand alone

My best description of this book would be sweet chaste with a touch of heat Things are hinted art more than actually written about it is the characters that make the story not the bedroom action. Ian ‘Bash’ Sebastian may be a big tough footy player but he has a heart of gold inside an that heart is all Ember Carlson yes she came across a little bitchy at first but as you get to know her better and learn her back story she grows on you. There is plenty of banter and Laugh out moments to keep you engaged throughout A wonderful fun summer read

This was a cute story, not my most favorite from Sariah Wilson. The story line and banter between bash and ember, keeps you turning the pages.  There was angst humor and a difficult dynamic the hero and heroine have to navigate through 

Thank you netgalley and Sariah Wilson for my ARC

Bash was secretly dating and fell in love with Ember when they were in high school but when their parents got married he decided to do the honorable thing and not cause any waves and unable to be near Ember without being with her he left home.    While he was away his life escalated into a downward spiral and he is now attending college near his hometown and trying to repair the relationship with his family.

Ember was devastated when Bash left and blames herself.    She has spent the last three years trying to move forward with her life but having him return and finding out they are attending the same college is tearing the wounds that never really healed wide open.

This is sweet story about love, family and finding out what truly makes you happy.    Both Ember and Bash are so considerate of others that they put themselves last until they spend time together and realize that only they can control the direction of their futures.

As much as I love Sariah Wilson, I just couldn't manage to finish this one.  I made several attempts to read it, but couldn't get past the first few chapters.  The parents of the two main characters and how they tried to manipulate the lives of the characters, all the while entering into a relationship they should have stayed away from themselves....sorry, I just couldn't move on with it.

DNF at 50%.

Bash and Ember were passionately in love, until their single parents also fell in love and got married. Now four years later they have done everything in their power to stay far far away from each other until circumstances conspire to bring Bash back to Seattle and EOL college with Ember.

There's angst up the wazoo, step-sibling love, mother with cancer, other mother with drug addiction issues, Bash getting kicked off the football squad for recreational drug use, depression, and more.

And yet ... it just didn't grab hold of me, I didn't feel anything for Bash or Ember (and stupid names!), their love felt vaguely icky and at half-way through the book I didn't care to continue.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Great book! Lots of chemistry between the hero and heroine. Funny too. I laughed out loud several times. One of my favorite authors. Didn't disappoint.

I loved The Friend Zone, so when I saw Bash was getting a story I jumped all over this story. I LOVED and DEVOURED this book. Bash and Ember were truly fantastic and I was completely hooked on their story.
Ember is amazing. She is loyal, smart, talented, lover of food. She cares about her family and her friends and will truly do anything for them, even if it means she has to face her fears. She is real and relatable. She is the girl you will want to be best friends with. Bash is a character that you can’t help but love. Like Ember, he is a loyal and will do anything for his family, even if he means giving up his own happiness. 
The two of them had so much chemistry. They have a history, however, events occurred that completely shattered their young lives. They have a chance to make things better in the future, but will they take it? This was such a slow burn and there were so many times where I was yelling at them to just give in to what they both feel and to admit their true feelings. 
Just a Boyfriend is a second chance romance, with a twist of step sibling mixed in. I loved this story and these characters. I can’t wait to see what is in store of the EOL crew!