Review: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Dani's rating: 4 stars

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 279

Publication Date: February 25, 2014

Publisher: Point

Goodreads Synopsis:

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 usper close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan's friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize that 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 htey 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 htey always one fight away from not speaking again--and one kiss away from true love?

Dani's Review:

After reading a plethora of insta-love novels, this novel was surprisingly refreshing with its new take on the eternal "Can guys and girls be friends without dating?" question. Better Off Friends is an adorable, heartwarming, and FUN book. It explores the relationship between a boy and a girl who are best friends, but have to overcome some ups and downs because of their gender diffference. When Macallan and Levi first met in 7th grade and bonded through their shared love of the made-up BBC television show "Buggy and Floyd", their friendship seems to be unbreakable. As they move into high school, they face some unexpected problems: What happens when Levi is desperate for some "bro time" and Macallan dates a guy Levi dislikes? Uh oh...Is someone jealous? ;)

I loved the alternating POVs between Macallan and Levi because I could really understand what each character was going through, especially when Macallan ran away to spend the summer in Ireland with her grandparents after feeling abandoned by Levi, who was getting closer to his jock friends. Ladies, please do not run away to a far-off country if you feel like you're losing your best friend. There's this thing called talking where you move your mouth to create sound, please try it!

I love this quote:

"Just so we are remembering this correctly: When you kissed me I went home and splashed cold water on my face. When I tried to kiss you, you ran away to Ireland for the summer. "

Since this novel is a romantic comedy, it was also filled with tons of HUMOR! Elizabeth Eulberg's fantasy BBC show "Buggy and Floyd" apparently uses the punchline "Blimey if I...." as the punchline to every joke in each episode. So, Macallan and Levi constantly stick inside jokes about the show in their conversations that no one else, including their respective boyfriends and girlfriends, understands. Also, at the end of each chapter, there is a commentary from an older Macallan and Levi looking back at their younger selves and laughing at each other! It added a whole new level to the cuteness of this novel.

I really enjoyed Elizabeth Eulberg's writing style, not because it was especially unique or great, but because it made even the smallest events like going out to eat ice cream FUN. It's like her words have magic fairy dust that make everything hilarious! Oh wait, maybe it's just her awesome dialogue...

"Why do people always say L-O-L--aren't they supposed to be laughing? have we become that lazy a society?"

I'm not going to answer the "Do they end up dating?" question because duh that would be a spoiler! If you're looking for a light, sugary sweet, and happy pappy read, Better Off Friends is for you! It's not horribly cheesy because of the great writing and humor, but beware, it mirrors typical romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally. Overall, an adorable book for both teenagers and adults!