'The Friend Zone' by Kristen Callihan is the second book in the 'Game On' series, which follows a football player who begins a friendship over texts with his agent's daughter. The story unfolds as the main characters, Gray and Ivy, establish a close friendship through text exchanges before meeting in person, leading to a friends-to-lovers romance. The book features witty banter, a slow burn romance, and a hot phone sex scene, all set in a sports romance backdrop.

Characters:

The characters are intricately developed, with Gray evolving from a carefree player to a devoted friend and romantic partner, while Ivy embarks on her own path to self-discovery.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by witty dialogue and an emotional depth, utilizing a dual perspective to engage readers with the characters' inner thoughts.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers around the transformation of friendship into romance, accompanied by significant themes like personal growth and the influence of past experiences.

Setting:

The contemporary setting blends college life with nascent professionalism, starting with text interactions before leading to in-person meetings.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, fostering a slow build of romance interspersed with humor and depth, keeping readers engaged throughout the evolution of the relationship.

Most people hate the airport. I get that. You’re in a hurry, hauling around luggage, maybe afraid to fly, definitely annoyed by the heinous TSA lines. And yet, for me, there’s an air of excitement to ...

Notes:

The story begins with text conversations between the two main characters, Gray and Ivy.

Gray and Ivy share a strong friendship that deepens when they meet in person.

Gray is characterized as a long-time player but changes after meeting Ivy.

The chemistry between Gray and Ivy is described as palpable and realistic.

Their romance develops slowly instead of being an instant love.

There are humorous moments in the book, including a laugh-out-loud Cheerio story.

The phone sex scene in the book is particularly memorable and praised for its buildup and anticipation.

Ivy is portrayed as a tall character, and her height is a notable trait in the romance.

The book deals with themes such as friendship, family, and personal discovery.

Kristen Callihan is a well-loved author, and readers show concern for her lack of recent updates.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes content warnings related to past traumas such as miscarriage, which may affect some readers.

Has Romance?

Yes, the book features a significant romantic element throughout its narrative.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Gray doesn't make friends with women. He has sex with them. Until Ivy.

The last thing star tight-end Gray Grayson wants to do is drive his agent's daughter's bubblegum pink car. But he needs the wheels and she's studying abroad. Something he explains when she sends him an irate text to let him know exactly how much pain she'll put him in if he crashes her beloved ride. Before he knows it, Ivy Mackenzie has become his best texting bud. But then Ivy comes home and everything goes haywire. Because the only thing Gray can think of is being with Ivy.

Ivy doesn't have sex with friends. Especially not with a certain football player. No matter how hot he makes her...

Gray drives Ivy crazy. He's irreverent, sex on a stick, and completely off limits. Because, Ivy has one golden rule: never get involved with one of her father's clients. A rule that's proving harder to keep now that Gray is doing his best to seduce her. Her best friend is fast becoming the most irresistible guy she's ever met.

Which means Gray is going to have to use all his skills to win Ivy's heart. Game on.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance with a HEA - Recommended for readers 18 and older. more

Ratings (17)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (4)

Reader Stats (42):

Read It (20)
Want To Read (14)
Not Interested (8)

1 comment(s)

katyana

Loved It

3 months

***3.5***

The stretch of emo wallowing rather than talking was a bit YA for me. But other than that I enjoyed it so we'll round up rather than down.

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The Friend Zone

Kristen Callihan

Book 2 in the series:Game On