Not Here to Stay Friends

By: Kaitlyn Hill

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Steven Molony

Two childhood best friends reunite in L.A. the summer before senior year—but when one of them ends up starring on a teen reality dating show, their feelings for each other get complicated. Perfect for fans of friends-to-lovers rom-coms and The Bachelor!

Sloane McKinney feels like a background character in her own life. But this summer will be different, because she’s spending it with her childhood best friend, Liam Daniels, in her dream city, Los Angeles. Sure, she’s surprised to find that Liam just happens to have had a Hot Guy glow-up since she last saw him, but so what? A little attraction won’t ruin her plans for their fun—and completely platonic—reunion.

What might, however, is that Liam has been roped into working for his producer dad’s new teen reality dating show, Aspen Woods’s Future Leading Lady. It turns out the show is one contestant short . . . and Sloane is the perfect last-minute addition.

But it’s behind the scenes where the drama really picks up. Because wanting to kiss your best friend? That’s a plot twist neither Sloane nor Liam ever saw coming.

©2023 Kaitlyn Hill (P)2023 Listening Library

Critic reviews

One of Seventeen's Most Anticipated Young Adult Books of 2023
One of Girls' Life's 2023 Rom-Coms You Need to Add to Your TBR List

"Not Here To Stay Friends gives huge friends-to-lovers feels with a big dose of girl power, and the twists and turns feel as wild as a reality TV finale. You will root for Liam and Sloane from start to happily ever after.”—Samantha Markum, author of This May End Badly

The attraction between [Sloane and Liam] simmers in just the right way... An absorbing, well-drawn read about a meaningful friendship and growing passion."—Kirkus Reviews

"Swoon-worthy... Not Here to Stay Friends reminds me of the breathless excitement that comes with being a teenager in love.”—Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Dial A for Aunties and Well, That Was Unexpected

this was a good read

this was a fast and cute read. was expecting it to have older characters was surprised that it was teenagers. but i liked it all the same. if you like books around reality tv this is for you

Love Brittany Pressley

I would listen yo BP read almost anything, she's delightful!! I struggled with the male narrator. Not terrible, but not great.
Story was cute, but highly predictable and the characters denying or pretending not to recognize their feelings got old pretty fast.

This one's a winner.

Okay, so the premise is AMAZING. Just absolutely a fun story. A lot of delicious angst, and the story ended in the best possible way on every level.

Loved the story and both narrators!

I really enjoyed Kaitlyn Hill’s first book, Love From Scratch, and was so excited for the second one! And extra excited when I saw how trope it was. She did such a good job with something a little more quiet and unconventional, really made me think along with the romance, so I was looking forward to what she would do with something more dramatic and flashy.

And Not Here to Stay Friends did not disappoint! And here’s something, it’s not only friends-to-lovers, it’s CHILDHOOD-friends-to-lovers which is a whole other level of pining and romance. And Kaitlyn Hill knows exactly why that trope is so good and she digs in deep. Meanwhile, she still maintains a down-to-earth tone and approach that can be hard to find.

Loved it! I’m a big re-reader and I know I’ll be listening to this one often.

Also!! It’s Dual POV and the two narrators had great performances! I really sunk into the story and their voices carried me through. Liam’s narrator especially was so piney. I loved seeing Sloane through his eyes and the actor really enhanced that part of the story.

Nice Idea.. Could've Been Better

I wanted to like this book more than I did because I like books about reality TV shows.. but I couldn't root for anyone here
So the story is about Sadie and Liam, they are childhood friends and never grew distant even though they haven't met in two years.. this summer Sadie is coming to California and she is ready to spend the summer with Liam, but with a twist of fate she ends up participating in a TV reality show where she can win the heart of the teen heartthrob Aspen, but as the show goes on, Sadie realizes that her feelings to Liam are more than friendship
I like friends to lovers story, and this is a new realization to me, but what I don't like is friends who kiss and suddenly BAM they are in love .. it felt really sudden to me how one moment they were cool with each other and after they kiss they are in love ?
it's a good enough book and I finished it in one sitting but I expected better