Between Friends & Lovers
A Novel
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4.5 • 92 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
"Between Friends & Lovers was an absolute joy to read, with messy, realistic, and deeply lovable characters... Obuobi’s perfect balance of humor and wisdom made this one a true standout.” — Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author
An influencer, an actor, and a writer navigate the messy ins and outs of friendship and romance in a world where social media demands perfection—or at least the appearance of it—in this swoon-worthy love story for readers of Kennedy Ryan and Carley Fortune.
To her thousands of Instagram followers, Josephine Boateng is the brilliant, dazzling self-love expert, Dr. Jojo. But off-camera, Jo’s grappling with the intense pressures of her career and her love life is nonexistent thanks to an unrequited crush on her best friend, rom-com heartthrob Ezra Adelman.
Then Ezra shows up to his thirtieth birthday party with her childhood bully on his arm—and Jo realizes it’s finally time to take her own advice. Enter Malcom Waters, the world’s newest literary darling. An introvert by nature, he would rather be home than trying to impress execs and celebs at a swanky Hollywood party. Until he bumps into Jo, and the two of them quickly realize their chemistry is too good to ignore.
But for all three, the line between private and public is as blurred as the one between friendship and love—especially when Ezra decides he might want something more with Jo. The question is, can any of them risk defining those lines to create something real?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Settle in for this steamy love triangle between a writer, an actor, and an influencer. Physician and medical advice influencer Dr. Josephine Boateng has been quietly in love with her best friend, Ezra, since college. So when she meets socially awkward best-selling author Malcolm Waters, she doesn’t know how to cope with their instant spark—at least at first. But pretty soon, Ezra realizes his own true feelings for Jo, sending her into a very public tailspin over her confused feelings for both men (thanks to social media). We loved getting to know the self-reliant but vulnerable Jo, a woman projecting confidence over a fragile self-image, and Malcolm, a man still discovering just what a great catch he is. Jo’s choice is obvious, but we had a sizzlingly good time reading along until she made it.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Love and mental health intertwine in this heartfelt romance from Obuobi (On Rotation). Dr. Josephine Boateng captivates her Instagram followers with approachable medical advice. Offline, she grapples with career uncertainty, exhausted by the medical industry's bureaucracy and the absence of mental health support. Josephine's life is complicated further when she confesses her feelings for her celebrity best friend, actor Ezra Adelman, at his 30th birthday party, and he doesn't reciprocate. Seeking a quiet corner of the party to collect herself, Josephine stumbles upon awkward writer Malcolm Waters, who was invited by Ezra's mother to discuss Ezra adapting his bestselling debut novel into a movie. Attraction sparks, and Josephine hopes for an easy one-night stand to get her crush on Ezra out of her system. But Malcolm doesn't do casual and convinces Josephine to try dating. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the growing intimacy between them comes to a screeching halt when Josephine disappears after getting a distressing call from her estranged mother. Obuobi tactfully addresses Josephine's mental health struggles and conjures the ideal supportive partner in swoony Malcolm. The narrative's depth enhances rather than overshadows the protagonists' believable bond. This layered romance is sure to win fans.
Customer Reviews
Amazing!
This was a wonderful story! I’m so happy I found this book. It was a great, immersive read and definitely made me kick my feet a few times. Love it!
Let’s Go OBUOBI!
YASSSSSSSSSS THIS WAS A LOVE STORY. A complex, anxiety inducing, true understanding and unconditional love story. Malcolm is a Man’s Man. Oh I wish this love for every woman deserving. What a fairy tale, and the twist! Honestly not to play naive I never saw it coming, which may say more to the relation I felt with Jo. But this was a book about choices, who we choose to be, when it’s rough, and how we make it to the other side. My 2nd greatest read of 2025.