Just Friends

By Haley Pham

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER This heartwarming and swoon-worthy second chance romance about childhood friends reconnecting as adults is the highly anticipated debut novel from YouTube creator Haley Pham.Blair and Declan were inseparable growing up--best friends who knew each other better than anyone else. But when an impulsive kiss took them from friends to something more, everything changed. Just as quickly as their romance started, one moment shattered it all, leaving them with nothing but heartbreak and silence. Now, four years later, Blair is back in their coastal hometown of Seabrook to support her mom and care for her great-aunt Lottie as her health declines. To make ends meet, Blair applies to work at a coffee shop--only to discover it's managed by none other than Declan. The boy she loved. The boy she lost. The boy who still makes her heart race. As Blair's path keeps crossing with Declan's, old wounds resurface, secrets are revealed, and sparks reignite. But could their future ever be free of their past? Told in dual timelines that unravel the magic and pain of first love, Just Friends is a moving, romantic story about second chances, the weight of dreams, and finding your way back to the people who feel like home.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1668095181
• ISBN13: 9781668095188
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

I dont give 5 stars lightly

Even if its a good book, it can normally expect a 3 or 4 from me, but just friends is truly deserving of 5 shooting stars. I have heard some not so great things about this book and I decided to read it for myself. I will say the writing can be a tad bit repetitive, but its not obvious or distracting. People need to chill in their criticism. Its amazing and especially amazing for a debut. I love the word choice and the sentence structure and how animated Haley Pham's paragraphs are. The plot itself was an adorable, slightly cheesy, feel good fluff piece and its not meant to be anything but. For what it is, its wonderful. All loose ends are tied up by the end and the slow burn is perfect. Its a second chance romance about two highschool sweethearts reconnecting after years of resentment toward eachother. The only part that I didnt love is the way things ended the first time. I feel like it all could have been resolved easily enough and miscommunication always gives me the ick. The characters never really needed a second chance if they just kept going with their first chance. But... *sigh*... they didnt, so I have to respect the authors decision. Anyway, five stars for sure.

just friends by haley pham

oh my goodness!!! sooo good for her first book. i loved how cute the romance was. i highly recommend for teen girls from 13-18 it’s amazing! super clean no swearing or spice. love her sooo dearly!!

Had such a good time

Grief is relatable, no matter who you are or what happened. Grief changes you but it’s up to you to decide which direction you want to go. That’s the beginning of this book and usually it’s the beginning that’s the hardest. You also get a glimpse of how devoted Blair is to her family and I just love that. I love the transition from grief to happiness because that tells me strength is within you and all you have to do is do your best to get over that hurdle. The writing was so good I couldn’t (or didn’t want to) put it down. I learned to care about their relationship and despite their own struggles, I was still rooting for them. What I thought was adorable was when they both thought the other one hated the other. I was waiting for them to get together but I was still hoped. I can’t believe this is her first book. She wrote this book like she’s done it for years. I loved watching her progress on YouTube. I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with. God job👏👏👏

Nooooooo!!!

Nooooo!! I just finished reading Just Friends and now I have to wait until Haley writes another book!!!! I loved the story, it was such a fun book to read!! Great plot, it made me cry, it made me smile, and I fell in love with the characters. I could feel the scenes, her descriptions were spot on. Thank you Haley Pham for such a great story!!! Please write more!!!