Book Review: Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Title: Better Off Friends
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Pages: 288
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary

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

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

Having read The Lonely Hearts Club and loving it, then passing it on to my teenage daughter, who loved it as well, I was very excited to read another Elizabeth Eulberg book. Better Off Friends did not disappoint. This novel to me was one of those good-feely books that can take you back to a time when figuring out if that guy friend you secretly liked, likes you back, was the biggest of your worries. Those innocent years before the stress of going to college and figuring out what you wanted to do with the rest of your life. This book took me there, and it was a wonderful ride.

When I first started reading, it took me by surprise to see that Macallan and Levi were actually starting out by telling the story together, in alternating POV chapters, but with each chapter ending in a little banter between the two of them reminiscing. This really got my attention and gave mental of picture of maybe them telling their story to their now children. The storytelling is also done in a span of about 5 years, from the time that Levi moved to the midwest when they were in Junior High, all the way through High School, so you really feel like you watch them grow up. It was beyond cute. 

I really connected with Macallan, being that girl that won't take anyone's BS and stood for what she thought was right. She is also the girl that can be friends with a guy and not let it get weird, very much like I am. I also really loved Levi and felt for him with his struggle to fit in to the new school culture and trying to get in with the popular crowd. I also wanted to smack him around a little bit when he started ignoring Macallan just because he wanted to hang with the guys.

I definitely recommend Better Off Friends to anyone who enjoys a good contemporary or a sweet, innocent love story that grows from a pure childhood friendship. This book is definitely going on my shelf as one that I will be recommending. Simply beautiful.