by Jane O’Reilly
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
The journey from friends to lovers starts with a very brave first step. Or a catalytic event. Sometimes both. After years of putting her life on hold, musician Ruby Thorpe is finally ready to leave the small English town she grew up in. She’s got it all planned — a job with the New York Philharmonic orchestra will fulfil her musical ambitions, and a few dates with a cute American guy should sort out her virginity, which has definitely outstayed its welcome. And she’s going to stop waiting for her best friend Jason to notice that she’s a girl. But Jason has a few surprises in store for Ruby, and she soon finds herself caught in a dilemma: can the right man turn up at the wrong time?
Perfect Timing by Jane O’Reilly delivered a fresh friendship to lover’s trope with a mix of personal growth, humor and self-discovery. I consumed this easy, and predictable read in a single evening.
Ruby Thrope has been in love with her best friend Jason since high school and is finally ready to move on. She is preparing to take a leap in her musical pursuits half way around the world and audition for the New York Philharmonic orchestra. It is time to stop waiting for Jason. She meets Jason for coffee to share her decisions, and his lovable dog accidentally destroys her cello. The tale that unfolds was sweet, and funny with moments of warmth, pain, and joy as these two try to figure it all out.
I immediately liked both Jason and Ruby. It is clear these two are best friends but also that they have deep feelings for each other. Ruby experiences many firsts from losing her virginity to finding herself. Jason was strong, dependable and late to the show but when he worked up the nerve, he certainly delivered. I loved Jason’s dog. He was sweet, ornery and added humor. The banter between Jason and Ruby was hilarious and kept me entertained. They both felt genuine allowing me to root for them. While the tale is relatively short the characters were developed and showed growth.
Perfect Timing flowed easily, and I quickly became caught up in the characters. It had moments of humor and a little angst, but nothing overdone. While completely predictable, the ride to my HEA was a pleasant one, and I would try this author again. The method the author used to give us background into the character was fun and allowed me to connect. There were a few twists, but these were quickly resolved due to the tale’s short length. I would have enjoyed more details in New York, with the orchestra and the couple’s relationship but the tale came together nicely. O’Reilly has a nice flow to her writing and her characters had a natural ease to them.
Perfect Timing would make a nice beach read or afternoon escape. I enjoyed the friends to lover’s trope and appreciated the likable characters O’Reilly created.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Michelle
Another friends to lovers book. Very nice. Sometimes you just want a nice predictable read. It sounds like even though you know what you are getting with this one, that it was still an enjoyable ride.
I think I am going to add this one to my TBR
Great review Kimba and thanks for bringing this one to my attention
Lark
A light contemporary romance set in England? That sounds really appealing right now! (Although the bit about her cello getting destroyed made me wince.)
Lily
I actually like the sound of this one because it sounds like something light i’d love to read this summer! Lovely review 🙂
aurian
Sometimes a nice sweet and predictable book is just what you need, something to make you smile. Thanks for the review Kimba!
Cyn
Aww, I do love the friends to lovers trope! Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back, relax and enjoy a predictably sweet HEA. Glad you enjoyed it!
ShootingStarsMag
Sometimes predictable books can still be loads of fun. I’m glad you liked the characters, and the dog sounds adorable.
Diana Leigh
Yep, it sounds perfect for a light beach read. I do enjoy a friends to lovers story line, but the losing her virginity thing, not so much. =)
Angela Adams
You took the words right out of my brain! As I’m reading the review, I’m saying to myself, “this sounds like a good beach book.” And, your review came to the same conclusion!! Thanks for the post.
Jenea
I like when there is friendship before it is turns into more. 🙂 Great review!
Henrietta
This sounds adorable – with the dog and cello! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Dre
Jason and Ruby’s story sounds like something that I would definitely like. And there’s a dog?! I love it when there’s a dog that actually does something, like add to the humor in the story (I love dogs!). Also, the fact that these two actually had deep feelings for each other that probably started from friendship sounds so amazing 😀 Perfect timing!
Stephanie
I love the friends to lovers trope so I’m going to have to give this one a try. Thanks for the review! I probably wouldn’t have heard of this read otherwise.
sherry fundin
Like you said, sounds like a sweet beach read.
Amir
Sometimes, all you need is a light, sweet romance with little angst. Pleasure reading is something I do often so I can totally get in the mood for this book and I’m glad that you found both characters likable. And you can’t go wrong with an adorable dog in the story! I’m more of a fan of the enemies-turned-lovers trope but I’ve read friends-to-lovers books that I also enjoyed so I’m definitely giving this a shot. Awesome review Kimba!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Ha! You knew that mentioning the dog you would have me wanting to read this! Well… you are right. LOL This sounds like a cute romantic summer read.
PurpleBook
I love books with friends to lovers theme, so this sounds great. I’ll definitely check it out 🙂
Heidi
Friends to lovers is always a great way to cultivate a romance as it makes it believable. You can’t go wrong with a simple, sweet read for summer.
Mary
Yay for friends-to-lovers! It’s a great trope when you can really feel the friendship. And it always helps to have an ornery dog around to keep the humor going.
Kim { Book Swoon }
Oh, this sounds like a great book to grab for poolside time! I always enjoy romances with the trope friends to lovers. Thanks, Kimba. Have a great weekend 🙂
Livia
Oh, Gawd, the friends to lovers trope scares the beejesus out of me, lol! But it sounds like a fun read, and I’m happy you enjoyed it. It’s already time to start planning those beach reads, huh? 🙂
Karen
Gah! I just came back form BEA with ALL the books but I’m going to go buy this one anyway. It sounds to adorable to pass up.
kindlemom1
This sounds like such a fun perfect summer read Kim. I need to add this one to my TBR pile.
Candace
I like the friends to lovers trope as well. Glad you enjoyed this! It’s nice to read some easier, lighter reads once in awhile.
Stephanie Faris
It does sound like a great beach read!
Jenny
YAY FRIENDS TO LOVERS! My very favorite trope after enemies to lovers:) I really like the sound of this one Kim, I need predictable in my romances because if they didn’t end up with the couple together I’d be furious. This definitely seems like a perfect vacation read since it’s relatively low on angst, so I’m adding it to my vacation list:)
Nick
Ooh! It’s got not only one of my favorite romance tropes, but it also has an adorable pet who seems like he brings the couple closer! I’m already hooked. 🙂
Great review, Kim!
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kimba. It sounds like you really liked this and I LOVE the predictability in romance it’s usually the angst I can do without! So this one sounds just right for me.
deb
Red Iza
I like friends to lovers stories, this one looks like a nice and easy story 🙂
Braine
I like the sound of this, easy breezy and the setting is quite unique. I love artsy, Farrah, culturally eloquent settings like this one. Now just any music but the philharmonic orchestra!
Carmel
Single serving reads are my absolute fav! Sometimes a predictable HEA isn’t the worst thing in the world when the journey to get there rocks. Happy Friday!
Jeann
Awww I adore a good best friend romance and this sounds great. Lovely review Kimba!
Wendy Darling
Eh, I almost always know exactly what’s going to happen in a romance novel, so that doesn’t bother me at all. I like these friendships-turning-into-love stories, though, so I’ll have to look for this one the next time I’m binging on romance!
Faye D'Social Potato
Thanks for your review, Kimba! I’m not sure if I want to read this right now</i<, but it sounds like something I'd love to read in a rainy day and when I feel like reading something light without any heavy drama. Thanks for bringing this to my attention! \o/
blodeuedd
This reminds me, I need to get back to my cute book 😉
Christy
I’m getting a tired of reading about characters wanting to lose their virginity, but this still sounds like a fun read.