Perfect for a tub read or a quick escape, Let’s Not Be Friends by Phoebe MacLeod is a sweet tale of do-overs, second chances, redemption, and recovery. 

Having continued success as an event planner, Sophie finally gets the ultimate challenge – planning her own wedding to the man of dreams. After saying “I do”, the story jumps four years into the future where we rejoin Sophie with her new title, in her new home, and living her new life. The true glimpse of what happens after the fairytale, we find that not all marriages end with “and they lived happily ever after”. In fact, what Sophie finds is her husband, James, with the groomer on top of a haystack! Distraught and enraged, Sophie seeks comfort in her mother-in-law to only discover how the family truly viewed her and what she could do for them in the long run!

Unlike most books that have the couple break up and the main character move on, Phoebe kept the story true to form. Sophie and James have it out and Sophie decides to give James another chance to redeem himself as a loving, devoted husband. Four weeks later, through a series of events and yet another blow-up, Sophie decides enough is enough and reclaims her dignity and self-respect. Now, Sophie has a second chance at the life she left behind four years ago. Through friends, family, and a chance run-in with a former boss, Sophie has the opportunity to take what she has learned about herself, love, commitment, and community to re-do her life and be the person she knows she is capable of being.

What I liked about the book: I loved how much Phoebe focused on the past and present relationship with Sophie and James. We didn’t fast forward to the divorce and suddenly Sophie was with Elliott, Phoebe wanted us to see the growth Sophie had to go through, the ups and downs, the breaking and rebuild, to be able to protect herself, trust herself, and then trust others before she finally let Elliott in. We also had a chance to learn about the others in her life, proving she wasn’t alone and it takes a village to get you through something that devastating. I also found it remarkable how the rich and those with titles, despite being above most, still find a way to feud. Her father was a billionaire and yet Rosalind still looked down on her and didn’t believe she was good enough for James. 

What I didn’t like about the book: I felt there was more of the story to tell. While I understand the primary focus of the book was the journey of rediscovering herself and the lessons she learned along the way, being designated as a romantic comedy, I felt like the book ended right when Sophie’s relationship with Elliott was beginning. We had so much time to look into her work relationship, her family dynamic, her former marriage, that I felt like the door was suddenly slammed shut when we were getting a glimpse into her current love life and the possibilities of the future. 

What I am indifferent about but feel I should mention: When I finished this book, the first thing I said was “What did I just read?” Here is why: in most books I feel there is huge character development based on the events that take place, situations that transform them so substantially, you want to stand up and applaud. In Sophie’s case, she just went back to who she always was. She was always capable of standing up for herself, having her own voice, and taking control of situations – her father emphasized the importance of independence all of her life. So when she left James, she pretty much continued the life she had four years prior. She went back to a job she already excelled at and back to friends and family that were always there. Yes, being completely on her own for the first time in years was a step forward but she began spending time with Elliott and the rest of her neighbors soon after so while living alone was fairly new, she quickly rectified that by having folks close to her to support her, as she had before. James never grew – he was an egotistical imbecile and still was by the end of the book. Rosalind never changed, she still looked down her nose at everyone. For this reason, I felt like the story was more event recollection than a prolific journey of self discovery and revelations.  Sophie mentioned the way she succeeded at her job was being able to psychoanalyze those around her and use that knowledge to interact. That logic overshadowed a sense of change in the story and promoted her ability to simply adapt. 

Let’s Not Friends is a wonderful tale for those who believe it’s never too late to begin again. Trust your inner voice, value your self-worth, and never feel like you have to settle.