The Best Friend’s Guide to Taking Risks by Kadie Scott & Nicole Flockton

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys an all consuming friend-to-lovers romance. It will leave you smiling, giggling, and blushing from the chemistry between these two entertaining and lovable characters.

What’s it About? 

Everyone knows that the biggest risk you can take with your best friend is to cross a certain line.

When it comes to relationships, Hunter Lancing is not a risk taker. Between his parents’ terrible divorce and his own bad decisions, he’s been burned. Computers make more sense to him. Everything has a rule. Everything is defined. Like his computers, his best friend is defined, constant, and comes with rules he won’t break.

Part-time children’s party princess Natalie Morgan dances to the beat of a drum no one else can hear. The only person who truly gets her and is never scared off by her sometimes zany ideas is Hunter. But she has a big problem. Natalie keeps having all these…feelings…for her bestie.

But on a weekend getaway, a game of risky dares and one-upmanship that was supposed to just be for laughs may just end up with both of them crossing the friend zone line.

First Impressions

Natalie and Hunter have always been close friends, nothing more, but after a few interesting turn of events they can’t help but start to see each other in a different light. From Natalie running to her bestie for comfort following a tough day at work, to the possibility of Hunter leaving town…and maybe an unexpected glimpse or two of what’s lying in wait underneath their clothes, all of these moments combine to push their friendship into another category entirely. So much more than a simple friends-to-lovers romance, The Best Friend’s Guide to Taking Risks also presents us with a delightful case of opposites attract. The fact Natalie and Hunter’s personalities are so different from each other helps explain why it took so long for these two characters with such an obvious connection to take things to the next stage in their relationship.

Hunter is a rule follower, constantly looking to his computers and code for the answer. A straight-laced nerd, if you will. Natalie couldn’t be more distinct. She’s the fun-loving, energetic, children’s party princess. In spite of their differences, these two have no trouble turning to one another when it matters most. She helps him remember to play and let his hair down every once in a while. To look behind the code on the computer screen in front of him. Hunter might think Natalie does things that are off-the-wall, but he never judges her for it, or demand she tone things down. When others judge and look down upon her quirky ways, he manages to pull her back up again. He lets Natalie be…Natalie. And she loves him for it, just as much as he loves her for this whimsicality. They compliment each other even though they seem mismatched on the surface, and it’s during a short trip to Austin, Texas, as Hunter contemplates a possible future move there, that his relationship with Natalie is finally knocked into fifth gear.

The Perfect Blend of Comedy and Warmth

The true accomplishment of this book came from the idyllic blend of silliness with grounded emotional moments. There were some exceptional examples of our characters responding to perceived crises or dramatic moments in relatable, “believable” ways. When Natalie discovers that her best friend (who she is just now starting to feel the stirrings of something more for) mentions how he might be moving several states away, her response isn’t to throw a temper tantrum, declare that the move could break their connection, or highlight all the reasons why he should stay. Instead, she travels with him to show her support, and demonstrate how she only has his best interests at heart. She brings along her sparkling personality in an attempt to highlight all the great things Austin could potentially offer, even though the idea of him moving away is a difficult reality for her to face. If it’s ultimately what he wants, she’ll stand by his side as he makes the decision. Mixed in with her words of encouragement was an over-the-top card game which forced both Natalie and Hunter to engage in a slew of hilarious, and oftentimes embarrassing “risks”. The continuation of these playful hijinks throughout their time together in Austin, as well as upon their return to Sacramento, was undoubtedly a highlight of the novel. We can’t help but blush in embarrassment right alongside Hunter, yet also admire Natalie’s ability to role with the punches throughout the game. 

Another critical development in Hunter and Natalie’s relationship, beyond them finally taking things to the next level in Austin, was in the aftermath of their passionate night together. I loved how we saw both of them internally struggle over how this might forever alter their friendship, but they ultimately verbalized how much they meant to the other, and admitted that they want to see where this thing might lead. When various relationships from Hunter’s past, including that of his ex-wife and his divorced parents, threaten to intrude upon his newfound physical connection with Natalie, we once again see him question how this might affect his future with his best friend. In some moments, he can clearly distinguish how his past is different from his present with Natalie, and convince himself to push forward in their relationship. In others, the uncertainties and fears overwhelm his ability to act with his heart rather than with his head. Throughout it all, Natalie never fails in her ability to notice when he’s struggling, offer her support or comfort, and in many cases is successful in talking through every new concern that might face them together as a couple. In the end there is only one pressing matter from his past which threatens to tear them apart. However, similar to the beginning when we saw how the prospect of being without Hunter impacted Natalie’s perspective, Hunter too must see a glimpse of how things would be forever altered if she wasn’t present in his life anymore. Is he willing to take that risk?

*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*

Series: Stand-alone (for the moment?). I need this to be a series featuring Natalie’s sisters. Please and thank you.

Final Impressions: On the whole this is a light-hearted and hilarious read that shows how two friends can unexpectedly start to view their relationship in a different light. In spite of all the silly moments, from embarrassing risk cards to a knight-in-shining-armor costume, this read did successfully manage to weave in some beautiful emotional displays of love, fear and friendship. I also appreciated how the authors threw several of my pre-conceived romance novel expectations out the window, such as avoiding misunderstandings or arguments over minor issues, while still throwing in some beloved tried and true tropes along the way. If you’re headed to the beach, you won’t want to leave this one behind!

Smut Level: This is the perfect example of a sweet read with a LOT of heat.

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. 272 Pages.