⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: Winning My Best Friend’s Girl by Piper Rayne

Holy angsty! While I love that these authors know how to deliver tension and complicated relationships, I don’t read their books for nonstop angst – and that’s what this one is. These two have been dancing around their feelings for almost a decade, and the push/pull doesn’t stop once they come back into each other’s lives. I liked both of the characters as individuals and their shared history made for a deep connection, but the never-ending OM/OW drama, miscommunications, and refusal to see what’s between them definitely got in the way of my reading enjoyment.

The story follows Kingston, a firefighter who gave his heart away back in high school. He’s always been attracted to Stella but has never made his move because every time one of them was ready to take the leap, another obstacle would show up in their path. Now that Stella’s back in town after years away, Kingston realizes it might finally be time to move on. But the attraction is still there and the feelings remain, so that’s not an easy thing to do… even if history is repeating itself as Stella starts dating (another) one of Kingston’s friends.

I knew that this was going to be a complicated relationship, and it is definitely that. But so much time is spent focused on all of the reasons why these two aren’t together that the reasons why they SHOULD be are kind of pushed to the side. I get that they’re attracted to each other and there’s history there, but I needed more of the good times to show that the struggle was worth it. Instead I got a guy who immaturely encourages his friend to date the love of his life, and a woman who doesn’t do enough to stop history from repeating itself. I’m sure this will be a winner for many who love Rayne’s work, but I definitely struggled to stay connected. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review of this angsty romance.

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Imagine lying in a hospital bed and the doctor who pulls the curtain back to treat you is the one who got away. Even if you never really had her in the first place. She’s not only your high school crush, she’s the ex-girlfriend of your ex-best friend. The one girl you’ve always wanted.