Cover Image: Just a Boyfriend

Just a Boyfriend

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Member Reviews

I loved this book!! I read the first one and really liked it, but this one!!!!! I laughed out loud so many times. I genuinely LOVED both characters. I would recommend this book to everyone. Your heart will be be so happy when you are finished.

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Ian "Bash" Sabastian and Ember Carlson were high school sweethearts...until their single parents get married. This puts a halt to any possible relationship and Bash decides to move away. Now, after nearly four years, Bash has returned to Seattle for college football.

They agree to be friends to make family dinners less awkward. They're totally fine being friends, until they start dating other people. Should they admit their past to their parents? Is it time for them to have their own happily ever after?


I really enjoyed this book! The duel point of view is always a bonus. It was hilarious at times and also very emotional as Bash and Ember navigate their relationship. Ember needs to work through her abandonment issues to be able to trust that Bach will not leave her again. I've yet to be disappointed in a Sarah Wilson book! This was so good! I flew through this one!

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Just a Boyfriend didn't quite meet my expectations after The Friend Zone, which was excellent.

The back and forth between Bash and Ember went on for way too long. They didn't even kiss until the 70% mark! It was baffling since it was made clear early on that they were both pining after each other. The "taboo" element to their relationship was negligible at best, but seemed to be the point around which the author kept them separated emotionally and physically. There wasn't enough time spent with the characters connecting emotionally and physically. Too much misunderstanding and miscommunication. I needed them to actually get to know each other again, but the entire book was them sneaking little moments to ogle each other and pine about "what ifs" and then retreating into major denial!

I really struggled with Ember's continued stubborn refusal to see what was right in front of her. Even after Bash point blank told her that he had feelings for her and that he only left because of his dad's warning, she was absolutely convinced that he felt nothing.

Maybe the bigger problem was the head-scratching choice to make her weirdly self-conscious in the second half of the book. I had ZERO vibes from Ember that she was a character that would have self-esteem issues. They seemed to come out of nowhere.

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I was introduced to Bash in a previous book and I was excited to see he was getting his own story. This story pulled me in from the beginning and I could hardly put it down. I was a bit frustrated with the parents in this story. There is a lot of chemistry between Bash and Ember. Overall a great story and a fun read.

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I read an ARC of the first book in this series earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to this book releasing! I wasn't sure when it was releasing, but I was on Netgalley one day and saw it, so I started reading as soon as I had finished my current read! The synopsis sounded amazing and I love the cover! After reading this book, I can say that I enjoyed it! I was drawn in right from the first chapter and it only took me a few sittings to read! The plot also developed at the perfect pace, but I do wish that more had happened in it though! I felt like it stayed on one level and I was waiting for something big to happen! Lots of small things happened that held my interest though! There was a lot of romance in the plot as well and a lot of sexual tension between the two main characters! I also understood why they couldn't exactly be together because there was a big reason! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Ember was the main female character, and I felt for Ember in this book because she had history with her love interest and it was easy to see that she still had feelings for him! Ember also went through a lot in this book, but she stayed strong and kept going! She was also always there to support her family and her sisters and friends were very funny! Ian 'Bash' was the main male character and love interest of Ember! I'm not sure whether to refer to him as Ian or Bash lol, but I think I'll stick with his nickname! I liked Bash a lot in this book! It was easy to see that he had feelings for Ember, and he tried to stay away from her, but it was difficult for him! Bash also had a lot going on in this book and someone came back into his life that changed things for him! Ember helped him a lot through this, which is what he needed! I loved that this book was written from both Ember and Bash's point of views! I was sort of expecting it to be because the first book was written from dual point of view! The synopsis also gives the impression that it's going to be as well! It helped me connect more with Ember and Bash, which was a good thing as they were both dealing with their feelings for each other! It allowed for more things to happen in the plot as well, which helped as the characters didn't spend every second of the plot together and both went though their own situations! I can also completely understand why this book is a standalone! Everything was wrapped up and the plot was resolved! The ending was left at the perfect place as well! I'm not sure if there's going to be more books in this series or not because I can't find any information anywhere about more books! I still have all of this author's other books to read though, so I can't wait to check them out! I hope there's more books in this series as well! I also love the cover for this book a lot! I love how well it matches the cover for the first book and it really matches the book and the feel of it! The cover model is the perfect Ian as well!

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The story of Bash and Ember - they were high school sweethearts until their parents ended up getting together.

Now they are both at college together, will they get a second chance or stay just friends?

I liked how it was told from both of their points of view.

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3 stars
I struggled with this book a little. I could not get over the whole "step" family aspect. I know it is not a big deal for some, but for me it just felt wrong, no matter the situation.

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Thanks to Netgalley for free ARC in return for honest review.
My first book by the author and do I just love it.
Ember and Bash are love. I love their banters.
The taboo topic was sensitively handled and I thoroughly enjoyed it

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The review will be published on the publication date.

Ein netter, recht typischer NA-College-Liebesroman

Von Zeit zu Zeit lese ich New Adult Bücher recht gerne, vor allem wenn sie am College spielen, da ich diese Zeit des Aufbruchs und Wandels spannend finde.

„Just a boyfriend“ wird als „warm, witty, and unpredictable“ beschrieben, was durchaus treffend ist. Wobei bei ich sagen muss, dass bezogen auf alle drei Beschreibungen noch viel Potential nach oben war. Vor allem empfand ich den Verlauf der Geschichte nicht wirklich unvorhersehbar, aber gut. Dafür habe ich vielleicht auch schon zu viele solcher Bücher gelesen.

Der Roman ist sehr leicht und gut zu lesen, die verwendete Sprache ist nicht kompliziert. Dies trifft auch auf den Satzbau zu.

Teils erschienen mir die Reaktionen der Charaktere (aller!) etwas überzogen. Dadurch war das Lesen manchmal anstrengender als erhofft.

Wer gerne recht typische NA-Liebesromane liest, die sich mit Charakteren im College-Alter und ihren Familien beschäftigen, der kann hier zugreifen. Ich würde nur vielleicht meine Erwartungen etwas nach unten schrauben und kein Meisterwerk des Genres erwarten.

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Blended family dynamics can often be awkward, however, when you're newly blended family also includes your boyfriend- there are definitely no clear rules to follow. Bash and Ember put a pause on their relationship as Bash flees halfway across the country to live with his grandparents.

Fast forward to college, Ember soon finds out Bash is returning home and he'll be attending the same college as Ember. Trouble is...no one knows about their past- parents included. Bash and Ember now need to decide will they move past their clouded history or take a chance on one another.

This was a cute story about love and all the hiccups in between that occur in relationships. Both Bash and Ember grow as individuals and become more confident in what they want. I enjoyed their journey and would definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys a light-hearted novel.

I would rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #NetGalley

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After disappearing without a word to her four years ago, Bash is back in Ember's life. Although it's not like he really left, her mom married his dad while they were in high school. Taken completely by surprise by their parents' decision, they knew that they couldn't be together anymore after a few months of dating. Needing space to collect himself Bash moved in with his grandparents across the country. Now he's home for college, and all of the old feelings and hurts are still there for them both.

This was such a sweet book. Ember was relatable in her insecurities, and her need to please her mom, especially after feeling like they'd been given a second chance with her mom's cancer in remission. Her need to be loved and please others was heartbreaking, and it was so wonderful to see her learn that even if they disagree, her happiness is important too. Bash was not without issue, his mom's abandonment and reappearance in his life is definitely a tough subject to tackle and his hesitance to forgive is understandable. This is such a sweet and angsty read, my heart hurting for them all of life's struggles, Bash's patience, Ember's fear, it all came together beautifully in the end.

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Just a Boyfriend by Sariah Wilson a five-star read that’s not just another story, but the one. This is number two in the End of the Line series, but could be read as stand-alone, there are characters popping up so if you hate spoilers do read them in order, but of you don’t mind then you don’t have to worry. Sariah Wilson has become a go to author for me, she writes a lovely clean romance with enough heat and strength to it that you don’t need anything extra. Ian ‘Bash’ Sebastian will wow you, with his journey, he will show you his softness that hides beneath the big burley football player who could probably eat my body weight as a starter, a man who could wrap me in his arms and make me forget the world. (I may have an even bigger crush on him as the description of him is so similar to my Sunday delivery driver, I plan them so I get to see him over anyone else) Ember Carlson surprised me, the more we got to know her and the more we got to see why she is the woman she is made my heart break for her. As the story went on, I fell more in love with Ember, she just blew me away and in the end. This is a great romance, but even more it’s a great story.

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When I saw Just A Boyfriend on Netgalley I knew I wanted to read it. I loved the colors and look of the cover. Luckily, the story inside was just as good as what was on the outside!

Sarah Wilson has a really great writing style.I loved the way her words flowed and the way she wrote her characters.

I am really looking forward to reading more books from her!

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Just a Boyfriend is an adorable second chance romance. Bash and Ember were great characters that everyone will be rooting for till the last chapter.

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This book was one wholesome journey of 'Bash' and Ember, I loved the dual perspective of their book and seeing them both slowly develop feelings for each other. It was at times where I wanted to yell at Bash and Ember going "you guys like each other! show it!", the chemistry and the love between them were so evident when reading their perspectives as the story progressed the feelings became even more evident and even more intense.

Ian often referred to his by his nickname 'Bash' has always loved Ember his highschool sweetheart. But things change after Bash's Dad and Ember's mom marry each other in a surprise vegas wedding not long after dating which means the two families have to integrate and live under the same roof. Their marriage would mean Bash's and Ember's relationship would be illicit as they are not step-siblings even despite them dating before their parents got married to each other. In an attempt to conserve his Dad's happiness, Bash makes the decision to leave Ember and move to his grandparents so his dad will never find out about him and Ember.

Now, he's back and on his way to becoming a football star at the EOL college, and surprise it happens to be the same one Ember is going to major in nursing. Thrown together in the mix of family events and class schedules, both realise they are slowly falling in love with each other again, however, Ember struggles to forgive him after he left her with a broken heart. Ember afraid that she will disrupt her mother's happiness is scared to be abandon again, and as a result, refuses to be anything else than friends with Bash despite her knowing that she wants more than that.

Without spoiling, I'm going to say love conquers all. Sariah Wilson has written this book immaculately and beautifully conveying the strong emotions between Bash and Ember. This book is one to read if you want a sweet yet fulfilling romantic drama between two teens attempting to find love between each other. Absolutely loved the story between these two and will definitely be reading more of Sariah's books!

I was generously provided with an ARC of this novel by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and views expressed are my own.

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Another fabulous sweet romance from Sariah Wilson. This is the second in the EOL series but both can be read as standalones. Really enjoyed this. Very positive, good characters, world building and plot. Definitely recommend reading it.

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When these two were first together they were high school sweethearts but then their live turned to a forbidden live since their parents got married. Things had to change between the two and it wasn’t easy for either of them. These two have to navigate their lives differently with each other and boy do they go through hell. This book is entertaining. A low level of heat romance with a great story.

I would recommend to any romance reader.

*I was given a free advanced copy of this book by Net Galley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.*

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This book was a great addition to the series. A different spin on the forbidden love trope. I liked the flirty, witty, behavior between the two main characters. Had a hard time putting this book down.

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Another winner from Sariah Wilson! I loved this story, especially Bash, and stayed up way too long reading it I couldn't put it down! If you like funny slow burn romances, pick this one up!

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Cute story! A new-to-me author that I will definitely be looking into. I don't typically enjoy YA romance, but the hero and heroine were mature for their age. Recommended!

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