Review: They're Strictly Friends by Chloe Liese
SYNOPSIS:
Outright enmity between France and England might be long past, but merry war betwixt two people from bookends of the English Channel comes easily to Lucas and Elodie. Verbal sparring, witty jabs, and a feverish dance of mutual interest, their friendship is a model uneasy détente.
Lucas Edwards is the consummate English gentleman…most of the time. He might get a bit tetchy when his office is a mess, and he’s rather particular about his ties, but otherwise he’s as affable as afternoon tea. That is until a grim diagnosis sets his future on a downward slope. And while Elodie Bertrand might be the only woman he wants—brilliant math-mind, decadent curves, a Parisian flair for butchering British idioms as well as turning Scrabble into a war of words—she’s the last person he’s willing to make a variable in his negative trajectory.
As far as Elodie can project, she and Lucas Edwards will forever exist torturously tangential. No matter that Lucas’ keen intellect, dry wit, his penchant for Shakespeare and innuendo equally infuriate and enamor her. Because, while he might be deliciously tall and dashing, not to mention the most chivalrous man she knows, Lucas has made it quite clear they must remain “strictly friends”. But when circumstances throw them together, Elodie quickly deduces Lucas isn’t putting her off out of disinterest. In fact, after plotting the points of their every intersection, only one solution remains: he actually feels quite the opposite…
Review:
Where do I start? Firstly, I have been anticipating reading Lucas & Elodie's story since finishing the Tough Love series where I first met them. I fell so hard for Lucas nearly immediately and Elodie barged right in easily. Elodie is one of the strongest heroines I have read, highly intelligent and headstrong but also vulnerable and caring.
As the story begins, Lucas has learned of a life altering diagnosis. He already cares deeply for Elodie but holds her at an arms length convinced she will resent him over time. Elodie, ever committed to pursuing what she wants, doesn't allow Lucas to make grand decisions without her. Doesn't she get a say? she asks. Lucas and Elodie clearly had amazing chemistry.
As the story continues, you get a glimpse into love and life with all its hardships along with happiness. There was absolute swoonworthy love and kindhearted moments mixed realistic obstacles that completely wrenched my heart. I felt literally everything for these characters, their losses were my losses, their victories were my victories. When a book can make feel so much, it is a true gem.
Other reasons this book gets all the stars:
-Extraordinary friendships. True platonic love between Nairne, Zed, Lucas, and Elodie. They all shared experiences with each other, helping one another overcome devastation and heartache.
-Representation. Learning to live with a disability, learning to be the partner to someone with a disability. Going through the pain of a miscarriage and the grieving process it involves.
-Beautifully written sexy times. This book didn't feel overtly sexual and I think it's because Chloe wrote with stunning eroticism that blended easily into the story and felt so real and beautiful.
I cannot wait to see what else Chloe has in store for us. Each of her books get better and better.
Read more about Chloe Liese here!
