Review: Rating: Top Shelf; from Guest Bartender, Kristin
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 29, 2013
This and more reviews at The Book Bar.coLe Sigh. First, I have to say that the description does not do this book justice. Now that I've read it, I'm surprised by some of the reviews that I've seen. I am usually one of the first people to complain when there are grammatical and spelling errors in a book, but I loved this story so much that they weren't enough to distract me from thoroughly enjoying it. Amazon says the book is being re-edited, so you can always wait if that's something that will bother you. Anyway, I was expecting a funny friends-to-lovers story, but it was so much more than that to me. I fell in love with the characters, there are a lot, and hope Belle Aurora is planning on giving each of them their own books!Nikolai (Nik) Leokov is the owner of a New York nightclub called The White Rabbit. He's a sexy, smart, and broody man with a shady past. His life revolves around his club, family, and friends. While he knows that someday he'd like to settle down with a nice woman, now is not the time. He is upfront with women regarding what he's willing to give (o's and nothing more) and he never lets it go beyond that. Anyone who crosses the line is dropped from his life without a second thought. To anyone outside his friends and family, he is ruthless and uncaring. The people who truly know him, however, know that he is fiercely loyal and there's nothing he wouldn't do for his family and friends. He keeps himself guarded from letting anyone else get too close. He's had too many experiences with people wanting him for his money, status, etc.Rage burns in the bottom of my gut. Sissy is a royal pain in my (rear). The only reason I keep her around is because she has a mouth like a Hoover. Sissy and I are not together but she has been my regular (have sexual relations with) for a few months. I have never kissed her on the mouth; she knows it's one of my rules. Sissy teases me by calling me Pretty Woman but I can see it hurts her. I don't really give a (excrement) if it hurts her, she knew what she was getting from the first time we had (have sexual relations with). I never once played games with her, I told her straight out that she and I were only (have sexual relations with) buddies. She agreed. End of story.Friend-zoned (Friend-Zoned #1). Aurora, BelleValentina (Tina) Tomic is the owner of a New York woman's clothing store called Safira. She's a cute, sexy, incredibly sweet, and goofy woman who is an extremely talented baker. Tina moved to New York from California after losing her mother and daughter in a tragic accident. She was heartbroken after the love of her life, Mia's father Jace, disappeared after finding out she was pregnant. She decided that she'd never make it through having her heart broken again, so she closed herself off to the possibility of love. Her best friends Natalie, Mimi, and Lola are always trying to set her up with men, but she is content with her life and doesn't want anything outside of friendship."Mom got hit first, she lived for three days before she gave up her fight. My baby died at the scene. Turns out she was also born with hemophilia. She got that from me. And she bled out. In her f (have sexual relations with)'n  stroller, Nick. My baby went out for her morning walk and died. The only thing that keeps me from going insane is knowing my mom is somewhere in the clouds playing peek-a-boo with Mia."Friend-zoned (Friend-Zoned #1). Aurora, BelleThe story begins with Tina watching Nik take a smoke break at his club across the street from Safira. She sees him outside three times a day and notices that while he's obviously handsome, she never sees him smile. She takes a bag of candy, attaches a note, and asks someone from the coffee shop next door to give it to Nik the next time he's outside. She watches him receive the note and is satisfied to see a small smile cross his face. Not realizing she wrote the note on Safira stationary, she thinks that was the end of it. Max, Nik's brother, shows up later asking who wrote the note. He tells Tina that "the boss" wants to see her. She is embarrassed and nervous not knowing what he wants, but reluctantly goes with him."So we can be friends, right?"Wait, what?I stare at her, a frown forming at my mouth.Did I...? Did I just get Friend-zoned?Friend-zoned (Friend-Zoned #1). Aurora, BelleNik thinks that whoever sent the candy to him is obviously working an angle to get something from him. He is wary of Tina and thinks that she's trying to hit on him. He can tell she's a nice girl and he doesn't do nice girls. When she suggests they be friends, he surprises himself by agreeing. It doesn't take long for Tina and her best friends (Natalie, Mimi, and Lola) to become friends with Nik and his family (Max, Trick, and Ghost).As soon as we got back into the conference room, Max looks right at me and says, "If you don't wife that girl, one of us will."I was surprised to see even Ghost nodding in agreement.Friend-zoned (Friend-Zoned #1). Aurora, BelleAs the relationships evolve, Nik's past comes back to haunt them and threatens to ruin everything.I was touched by the bonds that grew between all parties. It went beyond a story about just Nik and Tina. The secondary characters all felt just as important to me. I laughed, my mouth dropped open in surprise, I cried. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. Any book that can make me feel something is special in my mind. I bought the second book, Asher (Ghost) and Natalie's story,Love Thy Neighbor (Friend-Zoned), immediately after finishing this and can't wait for book #3!"The best thing that could've happened to us was you insisting we be friends. Now I really know you. You never acted like a woman trying to impress a man. You were my friend." He lightly flicks my nose. "My really good friend. And now that we're more it feels like it's just an extension of our friendship. So, no. it's not weird. It's amazing."Friend-zoned (Friend-Zoned #1). Aurora, Belle