Review: Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G

Just friends.

We’re just friends.

No, really. She’s just my best friend... 

Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we “hated” each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses, first “times,” and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other…)

Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line.

Never thought about it.

Never wanted to.

Until one night changed everything.

At least, it should’ve ...

Just friends.

We’re just friends.

I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still “just” my best friend…

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

I really enjoyed Whitney's Reasonable Doubt series, so when I heard she was releasing a friends to lovers book, I knew I had to read it. This trope is my weakness and this book was sweet, funny, sexy, emotional....I LOVED it! 

Arizona, Ari for short, and Carter have been best friends since the 4th or 5th grade. (It changes depending on who you ask.) They live their separate lives, but at the end of the day they always end up together, hanging out or going to their favorite diner. The two of them are so close that most people can't believe that they are JUST friends. The two of them go about relationships very differently. Carter is a bit of a manwhore and while Ari dates, she doesn't sleep with just anyone. She actually has a spreadsheet (I love Ari!) that contains characteristics she likes her boyfriends to have...if they can meet her criteria, she will sleep with them. Like I said, VERY different.  

The two of them getting together starts off (kind of) innocently. One night at a house party (yes, alcohol was involved) that Carter and his roommate throw, Ari and Carter end up dancing and at a moment when the lights go out, the two of them kiss. And an innocent kiss it was not. They kiss in a way that made me think "Oooooh they are so gonna do it." It doesn't happen that night, but they do eventually have sex. And it's awesome. They fall into a pseudo relationship, but they are determined to not let the sex get in the way of their amazing friendship. But of course that is always easier said than done. 

What I LOVED about this book are the little glimpses into Ari & Carter's friendship over the years. Especially, when they were much younger. My favorite moment comes when they are in the 5th grade and they are preparing for their first kiss. With other people. They sneak into the janitor's closet to talk about and it is ADORABLE. We also get to see their friendship mature over the years and how they really have been their for each other through everything. 

Of course Carter ends up being a big bonehead and things between them go south. I won't say any more than that, but I will share a conversation he has with his cousin. 

“One,” he said, counting off on his fingers. “In sixth grade, she threw a birthday party and you were the only one who came.”

“So?”

“So, for your birthday party, you only invited her to get back at all the people who dissed her the year before. You even gave her the invitation in front of everyone at school, including your ‘first-kiss’ girlfriend.”

“I was just being a good friend.”

“Two, you can’t last in any relationship because you subconsciously compare every woman you date to Ari, even when you know you’ll never be completely open with them if they do measure up.”

“I have an unfortunate tendency to pick bat-shit crazy women. I never compare them to Ari.”

“Three, if she calls you, you answer immediately and then you go running to wherever she is if she asks you to.”

“Any best friend would do that.”

“In the middle of a date? Or right after sex with his girlfriend?” He crossed his arms. “I don’t think so.”

I said nothing.

“That’s what I thought. Now that you’re somewhat accepting of the truth, do you want the most obvious fucking reason that you’re in love with Arizona and always have been?”

“Not really.”

”He grabbed my arm and pointed to the small state of Arizona-shaped tattoo. “Any reason why you’ve never covered that or etched over it like any of your other ones? There’s no sign or remnant of those old ‘Carter and Jane’or ‘Rose forever’tattoos anymore... ”

“It’s become a drunken memory. It makes for a good story.”

“For who, Carter? No future wife or girlfriend is going to think that’s a good story and you fucking know it.”

”I shrugged. “None of my previous girlfriends have ever complained to me about it before.”

“That’s because none of your previous girlfriends were ever smart enough to know all the states that make up America. They’d probably be shocked to know that there was one called Arizona in the first place.”

I tried to think of a rebuttal, but I couldn’t find one.

“You know what? Let’s get out of here...” He actually sounded sympathetic. “You’ve got it bad, and I’m going to need a better wingman while I’m on this trip. Pussy whipped and love sick Carter is not going to help me at all...”

Carter's friend and roommate Josh was my favorite secondary character. Ari and Josh has a love/hate relationship that had me laughing out loud multiple times. He was fascinated by Carter and Ari's friendship and at one point convinces Carter to go out with him so he can find a girl to just be his friend. It doesn't go well. Maybe Josh will get his own book?  Pretty please?  **fingers crossed**

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00WW5LL8G