The Friend Zone Series by Abby Jimenez: Series Review

The Friend Zone series was the first three books released by bestselling author Abby Jimenez. With the release of The Friend Zone in 2019, readers were introduced to a writer who not only writes about love and romance but also the harder sides of life.

The Friend Zone (Book 1)

Synopsis from Goodreads

Kristen Petersen doesn’t do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don’t get her. She’s also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.

Planning her best friend’s wedding is bittersweet for Kristen — especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He’s funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he’d be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.

My Thoughts

CW/TW: death, infertility

Kristen is quite possibly the sassiest character I’ve met in ages. And I love it! Josh seems to love it about her. So it can’t be that bad, right?

Jimenez discusses infertility and doesn’t make light of Kristen’s experiences, thoughts, or feelings.

The Happy Ever After Playlist (Book 2)

Synopsis from Goodreads

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can’t seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a “take me home” look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker’s owner reaches out. He’s a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan’s not about to give up her dog without a fight. As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can’t deny a connection. There’s no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

My Thoughts

CW/TW: grief

A dog steals Sloan’s heart and helps lead her out of the grief she’s been stuck in for the past two years. Along the way, she finds herself again and finds there are good things to come if she would only open her heart to the possibilities.

Life’s Too Short (Book 3)

Synopsis from Goodreads

When Vanessa Price quit her job to pursue her dream of traveling the globe, she wasn’t expecting to gain millions of YouTube followers who shared her joy of seizing every moment. For her, living each day to its fullest isn’t just a motto. Her mother and sister never saw the age of 30, and Vanessa doesn’t want to take anything for granted.

But after her half-sister suddenly leaves Vanessa in custody of her infant daughter, life goes from “daily adventure” to “next-level bad” (now with bonus baby vomit in hair). The last person Vanessa expects to show up offering help is the hot lawyer next door, Adrian Copeland. After all, she barely knows him. No one warned her that he was the Secret Baby Tamer or that she’d be spending a whole lot of time with him and his geriatric Chihuahua.

Now she’s feeling things she’s vowed not to touch. Because the only thing worse than falling for Adrian is finding a little hope for a future she may never see.

My Thoughts

CW/TW: mental health, drug use, extended illnesses

Vanessa has dealt with a lot of death in her life–her mom, an aunt, and her older sister. They all died from a rare and aggressive disease. One that Vanessa is sure she has, and has been working to prepare her family for when she is not around. As such, she has always lived for today, not worrying about tomorrow, as it’s not promised.

Series Thoughts

While the Friend Zone series is considered a series, they are more of a companion series. Each of the books can be read independently of the others, and you could read them in any order. That said, characters from the previous books do appear in the following books. So there may be a few spoilers along the way.

I appreciate how Jimenez incorporates complex topics into her books and doesn’t make them feel like a joke or use them for entertainment. She even includes resources in the books if readers need more information for their personal use.

Yes, these books are romances, and yes, they have the ending you expect from that genre, but that doesn’t mean the reads are boring. The characters Jimenez writes are flawed, but that makes them all the more human. From Kristen’s sarcasm to Sloan’s grief, to Adrian’s workaholism, these characters are believable.

Honestly, I believe these books can be enjoyed by all readers, even those who aren’t fans of romance. Have you read the Friend Zone series? What did you think of the books individually, and as a whole series?

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.