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The Friend Zone
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Erin Mallon
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Women's Fiction
Publisher's Summary
Fall in love with this hilarious and heartwarming USA Today best-selling romantic comedy that LJ Shen calls "an absolute treat".
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.
The Friend Zone will have you laughing one moment and grabbing for tissues the next as it tackles the realities of infertility and loss with wit, heart, and a lot of sass.
"Your next favorite romantic comedy...The Friend Zone is that rare beach read with tons of heart that will make you laugh and cry in equal parts." (PopSugar)
"Your next rom-com to obsess and cry over." (Cosmopolitan)
Goodreads Choice Awards nominee - Best Romance, Best Debut
O, The Oprah Magazine Best Romance Novels of the year
Audie Award Finalist
USA Today best seller
Bookish Best Books of the year
SheReads Best Romances of the year
Women's Health Best Romance Novels of the year
Good Housekeeping Best New Books for Summer
PopSugar Best Books of Summer
Publishers Weekly Starred Review
Booklist Starred Review
Booklist Top 10 Romance Debuts of 2019
Critic Reviews
"Jimenez's dazzling debut is a brilliantly written romantic comedy that seamlessly toggles back and forth between scenes of laugh-out-loud, snarky wit and serious emotional issues without missing a beat, all the while delivering maximum reading satisfaction." (Booklist, starred review)
"Harnessing sass, heartfelt struggle, and unapologetic sexuality, Jimenez's debut is as hysterical as it is tear-jerking.... Jimenez manages to fulfill all expectations for a romantic comedy while refusing to sacrifice nuance. Biting wit and laugh-out-loud moments take priority, but the novel remains subtle in its sentimentality and sneaks up on the reader with unanticipated depth. Readers who have wrestled with infertility will find Kristen's anxieties and sorrows deeply relatable." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
"Jimenez tackles a myriad of issues in her debut and hits each one with depth and sensitivity. Kristen's take-no-prisoners attitude is smart and sassy and perfectly balanced by Josh's easygoing resourcefulness.... An excellent debut that combines wit, humor, and emotional intensity." (Kirkus)
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What listeners say about The Friend Zone
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Muditha
- 19-07-21
Awesome!
I love how All the author's books are connected and characters are existing in all her stories some how. I feel emence happiness in knowing that I know them. Loved the story. Give me realisation of importance of things in life. Though it will sounds dramatic, it is true.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Pragya Singhal
- 11-08-20
Easy read, some laughs, dragged ending
This wasn't as much fun as I expected it to be. Starting was fun, and the first half progressed really well. Boy-Girl meet, sparks fly, relationship develops, things complicate, friend zone begins and things finally conclude. It made me laugh a few times, some of the banter between the characters was really funny. Second half became more of pain and tragedy. Also Kristen's character was built up as someone who is sorted, but she turned messy later. That's why her behaviour in the second half reduced the stars I wanted to give this book. Josh was the saving grace. For a generation which makes money online and lives on instagram, they surely weren't doing a lot of straight talking with each other, causing a slight irritation. Read if you want a nice, sweet story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nova
- 14-06-19
Teddy and Erin
What an awesome story, so full of happiness and heartache. I really enjoyed the narration of course, it was Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon. I was surprised how fast this story flowed, I didn't cry but, I laughed a lot. There were definitely a few surprises thrown into the mix, it was a deep and touching audiobook. Well worth the Credit or the money to buy it.... I'll for sure go back to this story for relistening...⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
25 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Brooke Chapman
- 22-09-19
Disappointed
Every review I'd read here was five stars, loved it. I had high hopes for this book. The first half was fantastic. I couldn't wait to know what happened next and I stayed up until early morning hours to find out. Later, about 3/4 of the way through, my heart hurt and it never got much better. I figured this had a level of predictability and some things would go a certain way, but it was ultimately disappointing and sad to me. I hate to give three stars or less to anything because I know the authors put their souls into books and I don't like to critique it, but I so wish this book had ended differently. The first half reminded me of The Hating Game, it was so attracting and fun. The second half just made me cry more than I wanted to and almost made me wish I hadn't read it.
Teddy Hamilton was a fantastic narrator. The three stars is for Erin Mallon, whose voice grated on my nerves. She talked with this attitude I didn't connect with and held the ends of words too long. "Chapter __, Kristennnn," every single time. I cared less as the story progressed, but it continuously bothered me. I'll definitely look out for Teddy's voice in the future, though.
24 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Susan
- 16-08-19
Good Story
I liked everything about this book except the woman who read the part of Kristin. I have returned other audiobooks that she has narrated because of her voice. It might just be me, but I find her voice to be snarky, sarcastic, condescending, and, at times, whiny. At first I thought she might be narrating in this way because the character’s personality is snarky. I’ve heard enough of her work to now know that it’s just the way her voice sounds. I kept the book because the story was intriguing enough to make me want to keep listening, even though I had to suffer through Kristin’s narration.
24 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-12-19
Clichéd
I feel like every other line of this book that Kristen would use to describe a scenario or personal trait was ripped from a basic girl's Facebook repost or early 2000's t-shirt. Not original or clever writing.
I wanted to like it but honestly, she was whiny and pathetic and everyone seemed to think she was so great. Even the narrator made her sound whiny. Thanks I was over it halfway through but forced my self to finish it. It tried to tackle tough real life issues- infertility, organ donation and rights of loved ones after death but it fell horribly flat of the real emotional depth and pain involved with those topics.
13 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ❤️🎧Cyndi Marie🎧❤️Audiobook Addicts❤️🎧
- 05-06-20
✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I really liked all of the characters, I found them relatable and loved how different they all were and I truly loved how Kristen was so far from perfect. And Josh might be the perfect me! I think that what I liked the most was that the story felt original, after thousands of contemporary romance books they all start to feel exactly the same and this one didn't. The subject matter really was hard and I know a lot of people feel like it should have been handled different but honestly I don't think there is a right way to handle this from the characters perspective, everyone is different and everyone has a different threshold for how much they can handle and how they handle it. I will say that I would have liked it even more if Kristen would have just talked to him instead of keeping it bottled up for sooooo long, that felt a little like drama added to the book for the sake of drama. I loved that it had a happy ending, while probably not very realistic, this is fiction and romance so I expect that.
The narration was perfect! I actually bought this book because of the narration team, they are my favorites!!
11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tbellz
- 15-06-19
Couldn’t stop listening
It was so easy to read and connect with these characters. Kristen’s struggles aren’t just about infertility, but about accepting true love into her life and believing that she deserves it. I laughed, and cried, and laughed more. I yelled at them and cried with them. My first thought when I finished the book was I want more, when does the next one get released?
The only thing I didn’t enjoy about the experience of listening to this book was Erin Mallon’s over-emphasis of the end of the word at the end of each sentence.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cassie
- 25-06-19
Sweet and funny and heartbreaking
Loved this book and it had me hooked from the first few minutes - from the strong female characters to the humor found around every corner. The dialogue was witty and i found myself laughing aloud. The story kept me guessing and I loved the ending. My only complaint was the female narrator, how she seemed to overemphasize the last syllable of every sentence. I was able to get passed it because I fell in love with these characters and the story so quickly.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mandi
- 19-06-19
Love Love Love
I loved this book so much! So very heart breaking but so real and just everything! I love Teddy and Erin together, they make every story come to life and they capture the character so well its amazing. This book will deliver on every single feel and you wont be disappointed,
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John
- 17-06-19
What a great first audiobook
I really really liked this book. I rarely listen to new authors and I’m so glad I did. Thanks Erin Mallon and Erin and Teddy did a great job narrating. I’m a new fan Abby 😊 thanks for the book
6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Paula Stephen
- 04-02-21
Good book but had a trigger for me.
Spoiler Alert! A solid romantic comedy with flawed characters and witty banter. The one very sad event in the book unfortunately was a trigger for me. The book description or reviews did not mention it so I unfortunately was left to deal with it. My son died of a motorcycle accident and a flood of memories and pain hit me. I was able to finish the book. I hope this review will spare reliving of this sorrow for someone else.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 11-07-20
An emotional roller coaster
Good story line. Really kept me wanting to listen more. The main characters ware really funny, with good humour. Narrators did a great job.The emotional aspects of the story develop gradually and towards the end they reach critical level. Found myself crying. One of my favourite reads so far.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Courtney nott
- 07-04-21
Lighthearted and enjoyable
Used my credit accidentally on this audio book but I was surprised how quickly I was hooked. I personally love Abby Jimenez style. There is a journey of enemies to friends , to then friends to lovers and I was along for the entire ride jumping back and fourth. I have seen some negative reviews due to the fertility issues and PCOS but I believe it was portrayed realistically and as for the ending many people seemed negative towards, it’s a feel good book that is there to give you hope. I really enjoyed this and will be keeping my eye out for Abby Jimenez.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jacqueline Torr
- 26-02-21
Wow
So I have only just discovered Abby's books and I'm a massive fan - can't wait for the next one! If you are a fan of Sarah morgan then you will love Abby's books! I read them in the wrong order and (huge spoiler alert!!!) I was glad I already knew Sloan got her happy ever after!! Excellent narration too. Roll on April and the next book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mk
- 07-02-21
Love this book
I’ve not finished this book yet. I still have about an hr to go I had to have a minute and just had to write a review. This book is awesome it’s a love story that is a roller coaster of emotions I’ve laughed and cried. It’s actually quite a real story both male and female caricatures are relatable. I’m going to look into other books by this author because her writing is amazing. Everyone needs to read this book best book I’ve listened to in a long time and I love both narrators.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MissBehaving
- 19-12-20
Funny, heartbreaking and real
I loved this book! The story is one of the most real ones I’ve heard in a long time. I love the characters and the plot twists and I have both laughed out loud and cried during the read. I truly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience a sweet book that is well written and relatable.
The only minus is the female narrators voice melody which somewhat annoys me from time to time. But that probably could be the result of me never having heard that kind of accent before and therefore not something that might annoy anyone else. Aside from that she does a kick ass “male” voice so if it something that you worry might annoy, it’s still totally worth the listen. 😊
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 15-02-21
ok-ish
spoiler Unsatisfying consequences for likeable characters and the main character seriously needs to see a psychiatrist. She is seriously high maintenance for the guy. Not the light joyful reading I expected.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 16-10-20
Laugh, cry, you'll do it all
Laugh, cry, you'll do it all. It was almost realistic in the sense of Kristen playing with Josh's heart, even with a good reason. I found her character a bit selfish. The side characters of the best friends made you smile and cry. I liked Josh voice but as you became annoyed with Kristen her voice annoyed me. But what a loyal friendship they have with their best friends.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Sandra C
- 28-09-20
Left me scratching my head
Kristin is a strong, self assured woman who suffers from gynaecological issues that mean she won't be able to bear children. Shes also a proper dick head who can't make up her mind and needlessly flip flops on making a decision. Along comes Josh, youngest to 6 sisters and looking forward to having a large family of his own. Your typical hot guy who is genuinely good, kind, thoughtful and respectful (ahem, yes its fiction).
They fall for each other and romance and subsequent drama ensues.
What I struggled with was the ending.
Without giving away spoilers, I have to say that I was super irritated at the situation in which Kristen and Josh end up in. I was engaged with the story all the way up to that point, and then I was like "wtf". Write a different ending please Ms Jimenez.
Teddy Hamilton has a great voice but Erin Mallon was a struggle to listen to. She has an angry voice with a snarky quality that isn't easy on the ear.
So the book loses 1 star for the ending and another star for Erin Mallon. ⭐⭐⭐