Between Friends & Lovers

A Novel

By: Shirlene Obuobi

Narrated by: JD Jackson, Mela Lee

""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?

©2024 Shirlene Obuobi (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK!

ughhh! This was such swoon worthy and wholesome love story. Beautifully written. This author has gained a new fan!

The introduction of this book is the purest description of what it feels like to be a black woman in “Today’s America”…

From the very beginning I really enjoyed this book. It gives a great adaptation of what is a constant in a black woman’s world. What she sees; what other people don’t; how we interpret all of it…expected to be there for everyone else when NObody is ever there for us. It’s exhausting to say the least…but it’s a daily struggle. No matter what the profession; you’re always the strong one; the person trying to prove themselves at home & in other settings (work; public…social media!).

Great read; awesome relatable story!

Amazing!!!

Just one of the best I’ve heard in a long time! Just so well written and well told. So realistic. Bravo!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I couldn’t put this one down. The journey was beautifully written and I found myself throughout the book which only pushed it up another star for me. You really are worthy of love.

Bad male reader

Mal’s “voice” was terrible. It didn’t fit him at all. It was draggy and singsongy. It almost ruined a great story.

10/10 Recommend

I loved this book so much! I literally couldn’t put it down! JoJo & Mal have my heart forever!

complex

this book needs alternative universes where Jo and Ezra connect. I was hoping for a win for either man

Amazing!

This was the best book I've read/listened to in awhile. I felt like this was real life and I was transported to within their lives.

A good recommendation!

So I'm giving this a 3.75 ⭐but I rounded up to a 4.
A really good solid story. Ezra PISSED ME OFF 98% of the story because sir... do not play with people's feelings. Malcomb reminded me to Shawn from Fast by Millie Bellizaire (my fave book of 2024) with how he loved Joe. I honestly feel like that type of MMC is my all time fave because everyone should be loved the way they expressed love.

This is my first book by this author but I would definitely be interested in reading more from her. The story felt realistic and annoying (at times), but that's life right? First (completed) book of 2025 and I'm not mad at it. I think I was in a slump, but this def got my reading juices flowing again.

I'd def recommend it!

Sooooo Good!!

What an amazing listen. I loved the story, the push and pull of the main characters, and the build up to the epilogue. I was hooked within the first minute!