Release Blitz + Review: "Not Just Friends" by T. Gephart

I am very happy to join the release blitz celebrating "Not Just Friends" by T. Gephart, book #3 of the Hot in the City series. The events of this book overlap with those of book #2 ("One Click Love") and characters from earlier in the series make cameo appearances here, but it still reads as a total standalone. Readers who haven't yet picked up the first two books will be able to jump in here with no problems.

"Not Just Friends" was a funny, steamy story featuring likeable characters and a well-crafted friends-to-lovers romance between nightclub manager Presley Tibbs and her brother's best friend, firefighter Jared Leighton. Presley and Jared's chemistry was off the charts from the very beginning, but they were forced to keep their relationship a secret from Presley's overprotective brother, Tibbs, while he focused on tracking down her ex-boyfriend and making sure that he was arrested for threatening Presley. 

 

I really admired Presley's independence and tenacity in this story as she pursued her dreams of expanding the club she managed, Diablo, and gaining equity in the business. She didn't let anything stand in her way, even the crazy ex-boyfriend who pulled a gun on her! I really felt bad for the difficulties she faced near the end of the story, however. Thank goodness she had Jared and her family to lean on! Jared was such a good guy; he looked out for Presley even before they started dating, and despite the fact that he had been attracted to her for years, he never made a move on her because he valued his friendship with her brother so much. Presley finally made it clear that she chose who she dated, not her brother, and managed to convince Jared to give their relationship a shot.

Overall, I enjoyed "Not Just Friends" and recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series! (I'm not-so-secretly hoping Presley's brother Tibbs will find love next. He was kind of a manwhore when he wasn't being overprotective of his sister, but despite that, I really liked him.) 

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Not Just Friends"

A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone.

Jared Leighton
Presley, I screwed up, I’m sorry. You were vulnerable and I was supposed to be the good guy. Last thing I ever wanted to do was betray your trust, or worse, hurt you. I should never have even kissed you, let alone . . . yeah, well we both know how that ended. You’re my best friend’s sister for Christ’s sake, what was I even thinking? Clearly, I wasn’t. I’m so mad at myself, I want to break my own legs, save Tibbs the trouble. So yeah, I know this isn’t much of an apology, but I needed to make sure you’re okay. Let me know things are still cool between us or at least, what I can do to make it up to you. And it’s probably for the best if we keep this between just us. I swear on my mother, I’ll never touch you again.

Presley Tibbs
Leighton, not sure who you thought you were with last night, but it wasn’t some vulnerable little girl who needs protecting. I assumed that was pretty clear when I took you to MY bed. Don’t pretend that last night wasn’t exactly what we both wanted. We’ve been flirting with each other for years, and I finally got tired of playing games. As for my brother, he doesn’t and will never have a say in who I invite into my life or body—not his business. But if you’re scared that’s your hang up not mine. So save your apology, and your good intentions, and don’t treat me like I’m a woman who didn’t know what she was doing. Oh, and tell your mother I said hi.