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Lovers and Friends is a contemporary romance which covers themes of love, friendship, loss, and redemption. It follows Nelly and Oliver, Nelly who is best friends with India who is also Oliver’s Sister, over the years they are constantly being pushed together and pulled apart. When a devastating incident is thrown their way their worlds are thrown together, what are they willing to risk for each other?
Feeling very grateful to have been sent this book by the author who also mentioned that it would be perfect for anyone who loved Magnolia parks, normal people, and Conversations at night, which if you’ve seen my review for normal people you know this would be right up my alley!
This book really surprised me, had me tearing up many times and my jaw dropping with a major twist that I did NOT see coming
I really related to Nelly especially with her anxiety and overthinking, I also will never recover from her and India’s friendship ( that’s all that I can say without giving spoilers). I just really wanted to shake all the characters, they were all frustrating at many times but that’s what made the story so raw and heartbreaking.
The second half of the book did get a bit repetitive in both pov’s but overall the book was very well written and I would recommend especially if you love One Day vibes.
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If you loved One Day then you will adore this book!!! I really resonated with Nelly so much, the panic attacks and the overthinking etc. this book does have a lot of triggers such as suicide, grief, SA, and domestic abuse. But it’s also a gorgeous love story of how to friends become lovers over the span of 10 years. I was kindly sent this book by Abi herself and I’m so glad she sent me it as I really enjoyed it
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this book was wonderful. I was lucky enough to receive a copy from the author (thank you Abi!) - it’s hard to believe this is her debut novel! the vibes of this book are definitely giving normal people x magnolia parks - there is not only romance in this book, but depictions of abusive relationships, grief, and healing. the mistakes made by the characters are sometimes difficult to read, but in a great way - this story shows that people are imperfect and how everyone deals with grief differently. I would definitely recommend this book to my besties that enjoyed normal people, and for those looking for a romance with some deeper themes weaved throughout.
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First and foremost I must say thank you @gabriele.emilija because this book wasn’t on my radar until I saw her post about it. I am sooo glad I picked it up!
My question is WHY are there not more people talking about Lovers & Friends?! If you enjoy emotionally devastating, character-driven novels like Normal People or Conversations at Night, you’ll love this one too.
This is such a delicate and complex story of love, friendship, loss and grief. Abigail Maskall so perfectly captures how a connection between two people can be so deep it only makes sense to them.
The story follows Nelly, India and Oliver over the course of a decade, from university to London, European holidays and everything in between. India and Oliver are siblings, while India is Nelly’s best friend. This creates a complex dynamic as Nelly and Oliver navigate what they mean to each other.
These characters are messy and imperfect. They are stubborn and make mistakes, but that’s what makes them feel so relatable and real.
At its core, Lovers & Friends is a story about yearning for someone who is so right, always at the wrong time. I will be thinking about Nelly, Olivia and India for a very long time.
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This book is an effortlessly brilliant read. If you’re a fan of books like One Day, this one will definitely resonate with you.
The story follows three characters: Nelly, India, and Oliver. India and Oliver are siblings, and Nelly is India’s best friend. Told in third person, the book captures their lives in snapshots, spanning across years and moments that shape them.
The central focus is on Nelly and Oliver's love story. Their connection is undeniable, but timing is never on their side. We also witness India and her life with Nelly by her side, and the tragic events she faces.
Despite the heartbreak explored throughout this book, there is also a sense of hope and healing which is captured perfectly through Nelly & Oliver’s relationship.
This book is raw and heartbreaking, a powerful exploration of grief, love, and resilience. It will tear you apart and rebuild you, leaving you emotionally drained but profoundly moved.
A definite 5-star read, Lovers and Friends is brilliantly written. Abi Maskall is an incredibly talented writer, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. This book deserves more recognition and love.
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I was extremely lucky to have a copy of this book sent to me by the author who explained that: “This is a contemporary romance novel about three characters, which covers themes of love, friendship, loss, and redemption. I think it's perfect for anyone that loves books like Magnolia Parks, Normal People, or Conversations at Night.”
Personally, I feel that for anyone looking for normal people x one day vibes fix then this book will be perfect for you. I loved the atmosphere surrounding Cambridge university student life and European summer holidays, alongside the angst and complexities within our main characters relationships.
Although I loved this book, from 60% onwards I felt that it lost its way a little, with repetitive POV from both characters, the will they/won’t they dynamic becoming frustrating due to lack of character self awareness and selfishness (on reflection I recognised this as human flaws in all of us in highly emotional situations - but still annoying!) and lastly on occasion some fade to black moments in between each time entry, which I would really have loved to have read about.
Nevertheless, I felt that the story was written well and I especially loved India’s and Nelly’s relationship depicting how soulmates can sometimes be your best friend as well as your biggest heartbreak.
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A poignant exploration of love, loss, and the intricacies of human connection. This contemporary romance paints a beautifully poetic yet heartbreakingly raw picture of relationships, offering readers a bittersweet narrative about love that always seems to exist at the wrong time.
At its core, the story navigates themes of grief and the complications that arise in navigating relationships while processing loss. Maskall masterfully captures the essence of a love that feels right yet is persistently out of sync with life’s circumstances. The book’s lyrical prose creates a visceral emotional experience, pulling readers into the depth of its characters’ vulnerabilities.
The dynamic between the protagonists —Nelly, a sensible and academic figure, and Oliver, a charming yet seemingly egotistical counterpart — is central to the novel. Their evolving relationship, marked by misunderstandings and unexpected moments of tenderness, feels authentic and deeply human. These characters embody a sense of longing and emotional conflict that resonates universally.
What elevates ‘Lovers and Friends’ is its poetic beauty. Maskall’s writing style is evocative, weaving themes of love and loss with an elegance that makes the heartbreak feel both exquisite and devastating. The story’s emotional weight is balanced by moments of warmth and connection, leaving readers reflecting on the complexities of timing and the nature of love.
While the book’s emotional intensity might not appeal to everyone, readers who appreciate character-driven narratives with profound emotional depth will find this book deeply rewarding. Its exploration of relationships — romantic, familial, and platonic — is both intricate and relatable.
This debut is a stunning testament to Abigail Maskall’s potential as a storyteller, offering a heartbreakingly beautiful tale that lingers long after the final page.
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I was extremely lucky to have a copy of this book sent to me by the author who explained that: “This is a contemporary romance novel about three characters, which covers themes of love, friendship, loss, and redemption. I think it's perfect for anyone that loves books like Magnolia Parks, Normal People, or Conversations at Night.”
Personally, I feel that for anyone looking for normal people x one day vibes fix then this book will be perfect for you. I loved the atmosphere surrounding Cambridge university student life and European summer holidays, alongside the angst and complexities within our main characters relationships.
Although I loved this book, from 60% onwards I felt that it lost its way a little, with repetitive POV from both characters, the will they/won’t they dynamic becoming frustrating due to lack of character self awareness and selfishness (on reflection I recognised this as human flaws in all of us in highly emotional situations - but still annoying!) and lastly on occasion some fade to black moments in between each time entry, which I would really have loved to have read about.
Nevertheless, I felt that the story was written well and I especially loved India’s and Nelly’s relationship depicting how soulmates can sometimes be your best friend as well as your biggest heartbreak.
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