Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Not Just Friends 
AUTHOR: Jay Northcote
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 235 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2018
BLURB:
Is it worth risking a friendship for a chance at love?
Leaving home to go to university is an exciting phase in anyone’s life. One that’s full of new places, new friends, and new experiences. But Lewis isn’t prepared for the sudden and intense crush he develops on his out-and-proud flatmate, Max, because Lewis had always assumed he was straight.
Max starts dating another guy, and Lewis’s jealousy at seeing them together forces him to confront his growing attraction. When Max’s relationship goes awry, Lewis is the one to comfort him and one thing leads to another. After a night together, Lewis is devastated that Max wants to go back to being just friends.
Lewis tries his best to move on and their friendship survives, but the feelings he has for Max don’t go away. He faces other challenges as he deals with coming out to his parents, and needs Max’s support more than ever. But Lewis isn’t the only one who’s conflicted. When Max finally admits he cares for Lewis too, Lewis must decide whether he dares risk his heart again on being more than just friends.
REVIEW:
From the first day of meeting at University – flatmates Max and Lewis have chemistry. However, Max is out and proud. Lewis thinks he’s straight but has questions.
Not Just Friends is a delightful university-based journey of discovery and love. Set in the UK, at Bristol University, which is not far from the UK LGBT Meet. The story is told in the third person from Lewis’s POV and is technically sound. It was nice to read a book written in this way as there seems to have been a recent trend of stories written in the first person with alternating dedicated chapters. The third person is my favoured writing/reading method.
The early chapters detail the boys getting to know each other during the first days of arriving on campus. After, between coursework, and socialising, there are periods of reflection on life. During these times, Lewis analyses decisions and feelings he had at an age when he couldn’t understand them. All this happens while he watches Max being a social butterfly, quickly finding someone to share a bed with. So, he settles to be Max’s best friend, until one night when the inevitable happens. But, in the morning, Max prefers to stay friends rather than become lovers. Lewis is then caught up in knots figuring out what he wants to do, while unable to move on from Max.
The extended cast is delightful. Lewis is not as outgoing as the others in his flat, but there is plenty of banter and interest provided by the other lads, who range in personality from the astute open-minded to the sweet, protective Neanderthal.
I found this story particularly interesting because, I am familiar with Bristol University, and have a daughter at Nottingham Uni. The typically British dialogue, phrasing and overall ambience of the novel resonated with me.
This story is Lewis’s voyage of discovery. I felt for him during periods of conflict, rooted for him when he dealt with coming out, and fist pumped the air when he stood up for himself. The emotional conflict and resulting actions were Goldilocks moments – not too less, not too much – just right. The heat rating is good, too.
I think any person who has been to university or has children there, will connect with Not Just Friends – If for no other reason than the uni experience. Reading the inner conflicts of Lewis and hoping he gets the dream, makes the story all the more juicy.
RATING: 
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