Meet New Books
Book Cover

Blurred Lines

Book 1 in the series:Love Unexpectedly

Save:
Find on Amazon

"Blurred Lines" by Lauren Layne follows the story of best friends turned roommates, Parker and Ben, who navigate their relationship from platonic to friends with benefits to potentially something more. The book delves into themes of friendship, love, and the complexities of transitioning from friends to lovers. The writing style is described as engaging, humorous, and with a perfect balance of humor and depth, making it a compelling and easy read for fans of friends-to-lovers romance.

Characters:

The protagonist duo features complex personalities, with Parker's humor and relatability juxtaposed against Ben's insecurities, complemented by well-drawn supporting roles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by a clear and engaging style, utilizing dual perspectives to deepen emotional engagement and comedic interactions.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on the transformation of a long-standing friendship into a romantic relationship, catalyzed by a breakup, leading to a friends-with-benefits arrangement.

Setting:

The story unfolds in a contemporary Portland setting, emphasizing a relatable young adult lifestyle embedded in college experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing is consistent and engaging, allowing for a satisfying build-up of romantic tension and character development.
I guess technically they were platonic for a while. Stephen had a girlfriend named Libby Tittles, or something unfortunate like that, and Korie had this on-again-off-again thing with her junior high b...

Notes:

The story features a best friends to lovers trope, which is a popular theme in romance novels.
Parker and Ben have been best friends since their freshman year of college, living together for six years before complicating their relationship.
Parker initially tries to move on from a breakup by exploring casual sex, but she finds herself drawn to her best friend Ben instead.
The characters have great chemistry, with many reviewers noting the funny and comfortable nature of their intimate moments.
Ben struggles with self-esteem and is portrayed as a commitment-phobe, which adds complexity to his character.
The book alternates between the perspectives of Parker and Ben, allowing readers to see both characters' thoughts and feelings.
The author, Lauren Layne, is known for her humorous writing style that balances fun and emotional depth in her stories.
The relationship evolves from a platonic friendship to friends with benefits, leading to deeper feelings and eventual romance.
Several reviews mention that the story touches on themes of misunderstandings and miscommunication that often arise in friendships turned romantic.
Readers appreciated the underlying friendship between Parker and Ben, making their romantic development feel more believable.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central theme of the book, driving the plot with significant emotional and physical intimacy.

From The Publisher:

In a novel that's perfect for fans of Abbi Glines and Jessica Sorensen, USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne delivers a sexy take on the timeless question: Can a guy and a girl really be "just friends"?

When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate-and platonic. Six years later, they're still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland's trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker's boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben's no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can't seem to get the hang of casual sex-until she tries it with him.

The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker's ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can't go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to. more

Ratings (23)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (48):

Read It (25)
Want To Read (15)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (7)
 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.