Friendly Fire

Friendly Fire (Never Just Friends #4)

by Saxon James

Rafe

It started in high school.

We grew apart. Bit by bit, then all at once.

The friend who was my ride or die suddenly wanted nothing to do with me.

Now Cam’s back from college, living in the house next door, and pulling stupid pranks just to annoy me.

Between my intense family and my failing relationship, I’m struggling enough without his antics.

But Cam won’t go away. And I’m not so sure I want him to.

Cam

It started with a smile.

A touch.

A shared look of mischief.

Rafael Ortega stole my heart before I realized it was mine to give away.

We were best friends from the time we were in diapers right up until the unthinkable happened: he started dating.

I put distance between us to save myself, but now I’m back, willing to do anything for his attention again.

Because the only thing worse than Rafe breaking my heart …

Is him not getting a chance to.

NERDY THOUGHTS

Never Just Friends has been a great series, and it finishes so well with "Friendly Fire." With the much-loved childhood best-friends-to-lovers trope, this novel delves into the struggle of separation and the journey of finding oneself and coming to terms with your sexuality and personal identity.

Rafe and Cam present as opposites, not only in their personalities but where they're at in their personal journeys. The author delves into sexuality and identity with thoughtful consideration, exploring asexuality and grey-sexuality and staying true to her characters, and reaffirming one mould most definitely does not fit all.

The narrative includes flashbacks, providing the reader with essential insight into the protagonists' shared history. The details are weaved through well and help to add depth to their relationship and their personalities.

There's little relationship angst, which I appreciated, though there's plenty of personal conflicts as well as rumbles of uncertainty between the protagonists and their friends and family members.

Bottom line: "Friendly Fire" is a sweet and sexy romance, filled with well-timed humour.