The NerdHerd Reads: Better off Friends {by Elizabeth Eulberg}

Title: Better off Friends

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.
Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?
From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

I loved this book. It was so cute and fun, and just an all-around feel good book. I didn't want to put it down, I just wanted to keep reading when I first picked it up. It definitely draws you in from the beginning, and keeps you until the very end.

The book starts when Macallan and Levi are in seventh grade, which is one of the things that draws you in. I usually don't read books with characters that young, nor do you really see a lot of books that have that long of a time span. I loved seeing their friendship grow and change as they do in the transition from preteen to teen/middle school to high school (junior high? We call it middle school where I'm from).

I loved the dual perspectives. Sometimes it doesn't work, but this time it really, really did. The best part, though, was the little back-and-forths between Macallan and Levi at the end of each chapter. I feel like that was what really made this book. It was just a lot of fun, and definitely developed the MC's even more. The banter between the two was hilarious, realistic, and cute.

Both of the characters were also developed in their own right. Levi is this calm, collected, California dude. Macallan is strong and independent, even if she can be stubborn. They balance each other out perfectly, and bring even more depth to each other's character. I also love the strong element of family and friends portrayed in the book. I think it's really great that Eulberg showcases really strong family figures for both Levi and Macallan.

There are also going to be times when you want to smack one or both of them upside the head. They make bad decisions, but also figure out the right ones. This book will give you all the feelings as you watch Macallan and Levi grow as characters and in their relationship. But in a good way.

(And also, the Buggy and Floyd thing. LOVED it. I mean, it's exactly how my friends and I act when nerding out about things. Sherlock and Watson, anyone?)

So yes. You need this book. You need these feels. All of them. All the things. Just do it.

I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I also won a copy from the lovely ladies at Fic Fare because everyone is awesome. This does not affect my opinion in any way. Except, of course, to think that everyone is awesome.

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