I recieved a free digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions shown at emy own and given voluntarily.

So I went into this with low expectations since I'm not really a Friends to Lovers reader... I think it's generally not done well... But figured I'd give this a try as the blurb made it sound really good.

And honestly it wasn't bad for the majority of the book, until the big twist... At which point my opinion of our heroine sadly went right down hill. I really wanted to punch her and tell her she was beinc a bitch.

The book was sadly both very slow and over far too soon... The book only encompasses about a month and yet it felt like longer and yet it was so rushed.

I probably won't be reading the rest in the series

Loved the premise, and it started out great and seemed to be building toward something big. However, there was a a complete lack of introspection/no internal struggle when things got physical, and for a pair who have been BFFs for 20 years that seemed very off to me. Once it got physical there was this "your body is mine," "my body is yours" dynamic that I found very off-putting. If that's your jam, though, you'll love this book.

A good start to a series. Suppose to be one a month, and this is Mr. January from their calendar to raise money. Reece has always been a non-commitment kinda guy, but lately has been having thoughts about his best friend Jenna. Good build up to when they reach the next step, although ultimatums sometimes are a turn off for me, which this does have of course. Still though, would recommend this book and series. Looking forward to the next in the series.

What a start to J Kenner's new series!

Reece, Jenna, and Brent have been inseparable since they were kids. Then 8 months ago Reece realizes that his feelings for Jenna have changed and he no longer sees her just as their best friend. This happens the night before Jenna leaves Austin for LA, and now Jenna is back in Austin home for good and Reece realizes his feelings are stronger than ever. Now the bar that Brent and Reece work at could be shut down before the end of the year and the three best friends need to work together to help and try and save it and the feelings Reece has may not be as one-sided as he thinks.

Jenna has come home and needs to find a job ASAP - the good thing is that she is back with her best friends and she knows things will be ok. That is if she can keep her feelings towards Reece under control. She was not expecting to have her feelings change so suddenly 8 months ago but she knows she can't risk their feelings on a fling, and that's all it could ever be, or can it be more?

I love the idea that each book in this 12 book series be a different genre and book one is the classic friends of lovers scenario. The story is fast-paced and can easily be read in one sitting. That being said if I had 1 issue is that it does feel a tad rushed especially towards the end. The relationship between Reece and Jenna does feel authentic and I love that Brent is the voice of reason for them. We also get to meet quite a few secondary characters and I can't wait to see how their stories will unfold.

If Down on Me is a reliable indication, I have a feeling I'm really going to enjoy this 12 book series! There was a bit of information overload - but I suppose that's to be expected since this is the jump off for a fairly expansive series and the author had to introduce characters and the setting. As someone who has worked extensively in the food and beverage industry, I REALLY love the setting of The Fix and its place in the Austin, TX community. I also really love the vibe of friends and coworkers that become more like family over time, as well as the crisis that has them all working against the clock to save something so important to them all. The relationship between Reece, Brent, and Jenna was sweet and I loved the friends-to-lovers spin for Reece and Jenna. I can't wait to see single-dad Brent get his HEA! And because of the expert way many of the characters were introduced, I'm fully invested in the next 11 books in the series! 3.75 out of 5 wine glasses.