Almost Just Friends

What an interesting and different romance read! I have to admit; I started off really confused at the beginning of this story, but as the storyline continued the pieces started to connect together. Piper is the foundation of her family that consists of her two siblings. After her parents and then grandparents pass away, she takes on the role of parent to her brother and sister, although she was parenting them long before then. Finally attempting to take control of her life and make decisions for herself, her siblings return home with their own set of secrets that finally come to light. Through those secrets being revealed these siblings are able to heal from not only their pasts, but the decisions they’ve made in life so far. This story was definitely a little prolonged for me, I felt that it was long-winded and definitely could have been shortened down but overall it wasn’t necessarily a romance book but rather focused on the family bond. With that being said, I was definitely happy for both Piper and her brother for finding love, but I wish we got an update on her sister and what happened with her HEA and if she ever got one. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Family circumstances caused both Piper and Cam to grow up and be responsible for others at a young age. For Cam is was helping monitor his mother’s illness. For Piper it was helping raise her siblings. After living those rolls for many years it is hard for them to have a different, more equal relationship with their family members. Trusting each other in a relationship is unexpected for both of them. Falling in love is the last thing they wanted to happen. This story is a slight departure from other Jill Shalvis’ books. This one includes a few love stories, not all of them “traditional” romances. I enjoyed reading about the various relationships and their varied dynamics. A dark back story and heavy emotions also feels different from Shalvis’ other books. The character’s flaws make them more real and they have a deeper connection to each other.

Another amazing Jill Shalvis story! I REALLY loved Piper and Camden and their walk towards being a couple. They both had some serious baggage to unpack, and then throw in the additional withholding of information from her siblings, Piper had a lot of mental energy invested. Cam was wonderful with his need to help and see things through for his brother. It's almost too bad that these Wildstone books don't really interconnect, since it would be awesome to see how these characters are doing down the road.

Piper pulled at my heartstrings from page one. She's obviously has a lot of control issues, but who wouldn't when they are basically handed the responsibility of two younger siblings at age 13? And neither her brother Gavin nor her sister Winnie were/are easy siblings to deal with! As soon as she meets Cam at the bar, the reader could feel the sparks shooting off the page! These two balance each other out, even if Piper is more than a bit gun shy and reluctant to put a name to those tummy flutters! I warmed up to Gavin right away, but honestly, I wanted to smack Winnie! Yes, she's young but she's extremely immature and kind of flighty. There are a lot of secrets to be discovered in this little family, as well as a few from Cam and his dad Emmitt. I sat and read this book all in one day...there was no way I was going to walk away before I read the last page! It was filled with both Shalvis' signature humor as well as little moments that touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes. I loved Almost Just Friends and give it a very enthusiastic 5 stars!

Cam is a Hot military guy who has a tortured soul Piper is a fixer who shoved all the feels away. Together they shouldn’t work....but oh boy do they! Wildstone is a place filled with heart aches, joy, laughter, LOVE and well life!

I have really enjoyed all of the Jill Shalvis books I have read but Almost Just Friends has to be one of her best works. I fell in love with the characters. The family of Piper Manning is broken and has suffered much tragedy. Piper’s siblings are dealing with more than she knows. Piper meets someone new to town only to find out he is her neighbor’s son. Cam has also suffered loss in his life. But he is learning life lessons as a result. I was intrigued from the first paragraph of this book and could not put it down. This must read 5 star book from Jill Shalvis will keep you riveted.

Goodness gracious great balls of fire!!! Jill Shalvis heated up the pages in Almost Just Friends. I am not talking about sexually even though there was some of that. She rocked the boat on this one. I am talking about sibling relationships. I am talking about a parent and child relationships. I am talking about guardian and charges. I am talking drama, so much drama. Piper Manning lives a quiet life on the lake while working as an EMT in Wildstone. She has raised her siblings. She has put her sister through University. Now it is her turn. All she has to do is sell her grandmother's home and cottages. Major storms blow in and plans blow away as secrets are revealed. Secrets aren't just held by her siblings although theirs are doozies. Piper thinks the new guy has come home to check on his dad after his brother died in a car accident. Cam lets Piper believe that is why he is in Wildstone. Cam, Gavin, and Secrets pile up. The longer you wait the harder it is survive the fallout.

This is a powerful story of family dynamics, misunderstandings and laughter. I’m running out of words to describe Ms. Shalvis’s talent for story telling and ringing every emotion from her readers. Piper Manning is an EMT in Wildstone, California where she spent her growing up years. She and her brother Gavin and sister Winnie landed at their Grandma’s after their parents died, and she pretty much raised them. Now she’s working to fix up the house to sell and get on with her life. Her siblings are settled, or so she thought. Cam Hayes works for the DEA and is a Coast Guard Reservist. His parents separated and he grew up with his Mom, his brother Rowan with his Dad Emmitt in Wildestone. Cam is back visiting with his Dad trying to get past the death of his brother. Cam met Piper in a bar with her friends celebrating her birthday....something she did not want to do. He was random Hot Guy to Piper. She visits her next door neighbor every day to check on him, he was recently diagnosed as a new diabetic, and doesn’t like to follow her rules. There she meets Hot Guy, who she finds out is Cam. Despite neither of them wanting to complicate their lives, Cam and Piper have an immediate attraction. Their banter is hilarious, and and soon they can’t deny their romance. Add the return of her siblings, each with their own issues, wondering just how long Cam will stay, and her wanting to control everything this story totally entertained me. It can be read as a stand-alone, no cliffhanger and of course a HEA. I highly recommend this and all Ms. Shalvis’s series. Pat Fordyce

Piper Manning was had to raise her brother and sister now she is ready to follow her dream. Suddenly both her brother and sister return home. I love how they learned to listen and become stronger as a family. Cam needed a home and he found that with Piper!! Love this series.

What can I say? Jill Shalvis never disappoints me. I like her writing, her depth of characters, and unforeseen situations that they get into. Cam was almost too good to be true. He seemed to be everything that you would want in a partner; steady, reliable, and sexy. Except that he thought he had things to atone for. Piper was so closed off emotionally. She had every reason to be but Cam and the rest of her family had to work really hard to get Piper to start letting go. As usual, this one’s another winner!