I remember this book being hyped when it was released and that I have wanted to read it since then. But somehow I read the second book in the series last year, before reading this one, so I knew what is going to go with Sloan and Brandon (the best friends of MCs) and instead of the main couple, I was dreading that event to occur. And when it did occur, it was heartbreaking.

But moving on.. I wanted to love The Friend Zone like I loved [b:The Happy Ever After Playlist|50208350|The Happy Ever After Playlist (The Friend Zone, #2)|Abby Jimenez|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565190701l/50208350._SX50_SY75_.jpg|71646191]. But unfortunately, I loved this book only in bits.

- The MC, Kristen, frustrated me so much! I get from where she was coming from and all her reasoning for rejecting Josh again and again, but the repetitiveness of it annoyed me. She was just plain annoying after a certain point.
- The title of the book is really misleading because Josh had been friend-zoned for what.. just 10 minutes? And then he was simply ignored.
- Now that I know what Sloan's story is going to be in the second book, I still think that what happened with her arc in this book was totally unnecessary.
- I wish more page time was given t Kristen and her mom's relationship.
- There was literally 2 sex scene? and those two too were like pretty quick? The romance was so quick and despite my fondness for Josh, I couldn't get myself rooting for them romantically until after 2/3rd of the book.
- You DO feel that the author tried to get the HEA which is unrealistic and made Kristen worth for only that. But once you read the author's note, you might change your mind.

Now let's talk about a few things I really loved.
- I loved Josh, naturally.
- Loved the friends part between Josh and Kristen. Their banter was so fun and i enjoyed reading about their time together when they were just plain hanging out.
- I loved how fierce Sloan and Kristen were for each other - friends for life.
- Major part of this book is talking about periods and infertility and I think that has been handled quite well. I have never read a romance book or rather any other fiction that talks about fibroids and periods in such detail. I loved that author tried to address that.
- and that a female's worth is not only in producing children.
- Kristen's OCD is shown pretty well too.
- despite the unpopular opinion, I liked the ending. Not just because I am a sucker for HEA, but because it can be true to many.

This is an entertaining read for sure and I would recommend it. Kristen frustrated me a lot but other aspects were great.

This autobiographical journey of Ahmedi when she was merely 17 years or so, talks about her life since she was born in Kabul, Afghanistan to her current life (in 2005). This story was published after it was top voted in the ABC News' Good Morning America program. Farah's life is nothing but an inspiration; a life led by determination and hope to learn and see new things.

Farah was born near the end of the Soviet-Afghan War. 7 years old Farah was fascinated with everything her teacher told them about the outer world. One day while running late for school, she chooses a shortcut and accidentally steps upon a landline and it explodes. While being treated among the worst medical facilities, she got chosen by a program to be treated in Germany. But by the time she reached there, they had to amputate one of her legs and had to put a rod in the other one. After living in Germany for over 18 months alone, she returns to Afghanistan, now taken over by the Taliban. One day a rocket lands on her home killing her father and sisters. Fearing for their lives, her brothers had to flee, and later, Farah and her mother flee to Pakistan too. There they lived as refugees under harsh conditions until World Relief rescued them and provided them a home in Chicago. In the new country too, however, they struggled to keep up with the culture, language and medical bills. But Farah finds her guardian angel Alyce Litz who helped her in every way possible.

Farah's story shows the situation of war-torn countries, the struggles and lives they lose. But Farah also talks about the people who helped her along her journey- the people she would remember and the people who helped her shape the life she is living today. She talks about the time before the Taliban in her country when women were free and used to roam around and dress as per their wishes.

Farah, you brave girl, keep moving ❤️

Aww so adorable

I loved this so much and now I want to read The Friend Zone. And I learned a new term too - "complicated grief or persistent complex bereavement disorder”. Wow this was a ride.
Full review to come soon.
Rating: 4.5 stars (and once again I wish Goodreads introduce half-rating system)

Actual rating 3.5 stars