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Intimate Friends
What happens when friendship turns into love?
Emma Whitten and Noah Jordan are high school teachers and best friends. Emma is about to leave for graduate school in England, wanting to assert her independence after a nasty break-up with her longtime boyfriend.
Noah, a math nerd, has been in love with Emma for quite some time, but keeps his feelings hidden, believing that she sees him as just a buddy. But after an afternoon of friendship slips into an evening of passion, Emma begins to see geeky Noah in a new light, and Noah begins to believe that they can be more than just friends.
Will Emma choose to move to England as planned, or acknowledge her growing feelings for Noah and find the will to stay?
Emma Whitten and Noah Jordan are high school teachers and best friends. Emma is about to leave for graduate school in England, wanting to assert her independence after a nasty break-up with her longtime boyfriend.
Noah, a math nerd, has been in love with Emma for quite some time, but keeps his feelings hidden, believing that she sees him as just a buddy. But after an afternoon of friendship slips into an evening of passion, Emma begins to see geeky Noah in a new light, and Noah begins to believe that they can be more than just friends.
Will Emma choose to move to England as planned, or acknowledge her growing feelings for Noah and find the will to stay?
47 pages, ebook
First published July 20, 2011
64 people want to read
About the author
Claire Matthews
17 books35 followersClaire Matthews caught the writing bug soon after her youngest daughter started school. After her first five stories were accepted for publication, Claire realized that this was more than just a hobby, and set up shop in her attic with an old TV table, an ancient laptop, and a well-worn thesaurus.
Focusing on short contemporary romance, Claire finds time to write between teaching political science at a nearby community college and caring for her two demanding daughters, her slightly neglected husband, and her anti-social dog.
Focusing on short contemporary romance, Claire finds time to write between teaching political science at a nearby community college and caring for her two demanding daughters, her slightly neglected husband, and her anti-social dog.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 20, 2011
4.5 stars
The perfect way to describe this friends-to-lovers novella is short and sweet. The fact that I enjoyed it and am giving it a high rating is saying something, because normally romance novellas don’t do it for me. With romances, I need substantial character and relationship development, and just by default, it’s very difficult – if not impossible – to deliver that with a short book form like a novella. Claire Matthews’ Intimate Friends proved to be an exception, and an absolutely lovely one at that. One of the things I loved was that from the beginning, Emma and Noah’s friendship feels authentic; you really do get the sense that you’re looking in on two people who know each other very well and care about one another.
Emma and Noah are best friends and teach at the same high school in Austin, Texas. Emma is a friendly girl-next-door type heroine and a lover of English literature; Noah is a sweet beta hero and math teacher, who in many ways appears to be your stereotypical nerd – though that does not extend to the bedroom *wink* *wink*. Both of them ended serious relationships about a year ago and neither has since reentered the dating world. What has happened in the meanwhile is that Noah’s feelings towards Emma have coalesced and grown into full-blown romantic love (see sigh-worthy quote below). He is afraid of jeopardizing their friendship and that Emma does not return his feelings, so despite his love for her, he has so far remained silent on the matter. Until … well, read the book to find out!
The story is so short that writing too much of a summary will make reading it seem repetitive, so I’ll stop there. It’s very enjoyable watching Noah and Emma’s relationship move beyond friendship. One of the things that is a definite plus about novellas is the lack of room to throw in tons of obstacles, Big Misunderstandings, or Things Left Unsaid, and luckily Matthews didn’t even try. The obstacle they do have to overcome is a realistic one that fits with the story and characters. Even when they’re facing it, they’re still open about their feelings for one another – there’s no pretending or covering up or deflecting for their own sake or their partner’s. A hero and heroine acting maturely about their relationship: what a nice change!
Intimate Friends is short – only 47 pages – and as with most novellas, I was left wanting more. However, the fact that I wished it was longer, yet greatly enjoyed it despite its (lack of) length, is noteworthy. There are interesting and engaging main characters, sweet scenes, funny dialogue, and some nice sizzling chemistry: what’s not to like?
{ Favorite Quotes }
This review is of a copy provided by the author to Fiction Vixen Book Reviews.
Review originally posted on the Fiction Vixen website.
The perfect way to describe this friends-to-lovers novella is short and sweet. The fact that I enjoyed it and am giving it a high rating is saying something, because normally romance novellas don’t do it for me. With romances, I need substantial character and relationship development, and just by default, it’s very difficult – if not impossible – to deliver that with a short book form like a novella. Claire Matthews’ Intimate Friends proved to be an exception, and an absolutely lovely one at that. One of the things I loved was that from the beginning, Emma and Noah’s friendship feels authentic; you really do get the sense that you’re looking in on two people who know each other very well and care about one another.
Emma and Noah are best friends and teach at the same high school in Austin, Texas. Emma is a friendly girl-next-door type heroine and a lover of English literature; Noah is a sweet beta hero and math teacher, who in many ways appears to be your stereotypical nerd – though that does not extend to the bedroom *wink* *wink*. Both of them ended serious relationships about a year ago and neither has since reentered the dating world. What has happened in the meanwhile is that Noah’s feelings towards Emma have coalesced and grown into full-blown romantic love (see sigh-worthy quote below). He is afraid of jeopardizing their friendship and that Emma does not return his feelings, so despite his love for her, he has so far remained silent on the matter. Until … well, read the book to find out!
The story is so short that writing too much of a summary will make reading it seem repetitive, so I’ll stop there. It’s very enjoyable watching Noah and Emma’s relationship move beyond friendship. One of the things that is a definite plus about novellas is the lack of room to throw in tons of obstacles, Big Misunderstandings, or Things Left Unsaid, and luckily Matthews didn’t even try. The obstacle they do have to overcome is a realistic one that fits with the story and characters. Even when they’re facing it, they’re still open about their feelings for one another – there’s no pretending or covering up or deflecting for their own sake or their partner’s. A hero and heroine acting maturely about their relationship: what a nice change!
Intimate Friends is short – only 47 pages – and as with most novellas, I was left wanting more. However, the fact that I wished it was longer, yet greatly enjoyed it despite its (lack of) length, is noteworthy. There are interesting and engaging main characters, sweet scenes, funny dialogue, and some nice sizzling chemistry: what’s not to like?
{ Favorite Quotes }
It was so stupid, and random, but at that second, with the morning sun hitting her auburn hair, and her huge brown eyes fixed on him, the lock flew off the “do-not-allow-yourself-to-even-think-about-it” portion of his brain, and every feeling he ever had for her—feelings he never even realized he had for her—flooded over him like a tidal wave. Love, tenderness, desire—it hit him so hard he had to excuse himself, go to the men’s room, rest his forehead against the cool metal of the bathroom stall, breathing heavily, wondering what the hell had just happened. It left him exhausted and spent, as if he’d just run a hundred miles.
And almost a year later, he was still exhausted, spent, frustrated … and madly in love.
(p.7-8)
“I’m just—” She paused, taking another sip of her drink. “I’m just…wondering if there’s anyone out there who will ever love me enough to—” She was mortified to find that tears were blurring her vision, and her throat was dangerously tight.
“Emma,” he whispered, moving slowly toward her.
“Ugh, please don’t.” She half laughed, half sobbed, jumping down from the counter and turning her back to him. “God, could I be more pathetic? Just forget I said anything. Let’s make dinner.” She opened the refrigerator, but he moved behind her and closed it with an arm over her shoulder. Then he spun her around to face him.
“Let’s get one thing straight first,” he said, his voice low and gentle, his breath soft against her face. “You are a beautiful, amazing, sexy woman. Any man would be lucky to have you.” His glasses slid down his nose, and before he could push them back up, Emma pulled them from his face and set them on the countertop, their eyes still locked. And suddenly Noah wasn’t her geeky best friend at all, but a man whose eyes trapped her, whose smell intoxicated her, whose full lips made tingly shivers run down her spine. She leaned forward slightly, and he froze, his eyes flashing with sudden comprehension.
(p.14)
This review is of a copy provided by the author to Fiction Vixen Book Reviews.
Review originally posted on the Fiction Vixen website.
September 13, 2011
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Intimate Friends is a story of friends who are secretly crushing on each other but lack the assertiveness to approach the other. When one of them finds that assertiveness, the fireworks begin.
Emma is a serious minded schoolteacher who dreams of studying Chaucer in England. She’s crushing on Noah whose “dorky good looks charm her.” Well, right there the story wins my love because I like non-standard situations. I also like when an author writes a good beta hero. Noah is definitely that! He’s sensitive and bookish but strong when he needs to be. In addition to being a beta-best-friend type, he’s also sort of an absent-minded professor type, in the most charming way possible.
But love for these two is blossoming just as Emily is poised to make a change of life decision that she has been dreaming of forever and their love seems doomed. Still they cannot resist consummating their fierce desires for each other. The sex was hot and just what one would expect from an erotic romance. There was plenty of emotion and angst as the story progresses. Lots of creative vanilla naughtiness between them.
There are no external baddies who make trouble for the couple. All their conflict comes from their conflicting desires. This is wonderful character driven romance. Ms. Matthews does a great job of showing their developing love and how they come to solve their differences and find their way to a happy ending.
For anyone who ever had a secret crush on their math teacher, for anyone who ever wondered what happens when nerdy but attractive two schoolteachers get together, Ms. Matthews delivers the scoop. For those who like their sweet and sexy mixed together in just the right measure, don’t miss this one.
Intimate Friends is a story of friends who are secretly crushing on each other but lack the assertiveness to approach the other. When one of them finds that assertiveness, the fireworks begin.
Emma is a serious minded schoolteacher who dreams of studying Chaucer in England. She’s crushing on Noah whose “dorky good looks charm her.” Well, right there the story wins my love because I like non-standard situations. I also like when an author writes a good beta hero. Noah is definitely that! He’s sensitive and bookish but strong when he needs to be. In addition to being a beta-best-friend type, he’s also sort of an absent-minded professor type, in the most charming way possible.
But love for these two is blossoming just as Emily is poised to make a change of life decision that she has been dreaming of forever and their love seems doomed. Still they cannot resist consummating their fierce desires for each other. The sex was hot and just what one would expect from an erotic romance. There was plenty of emotion and angst as the story progresses. Lots of creative vanilla naughtiness between them.
There are no external baddies who make trouble for the couple. All their conflict comes from their conflicting desires. This is wonderful character driven romance. Ms. Matthews does a great job of showing their developing love and how they come to solve their differences and find their way to a happy ending.
For anyone who ever had a secret crush on their math teacher, for anyone who ever wondered what happens when nerdy but attractive two schoolteachers get together, Ms. Matthews delivers the scoop. For those who like their sweet and sexy mixed together in just the right measure, don’t miss this one.
July 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this short story. It a friends to lovers with a great steadfast nerdy hero and a heroine who finally realizes the wonderful man before her. The hero is awesome--sweet and then a great dirty talker in bed. If you are looking for a quick lovely romance, this book is a good choice.
January 26, 2018
The cover doesn't do justice to this lovely story.
I want a Noah >.<
I want a Noah >.<
February 7, 2021
Cute story, delivered what I thought it would.
August 20, 2011
My Review:
It's no secret that this is my favorite trope...friends to lovers. This is another good one!
After running into her ex-boyfriend with his new fiance, Emma has spent the afternoon drowning her sorrows forgetting her evening plans with Noah. When he arrives, she is drunk, sad, and needing validation. Noah has been in love with Emma forever so when she puts the moves on him, he doesn't have the willpower to turn her away. This one night of passion turns into a powerful affair with incredible sex...the friendship was already there in this relationship, and adding in the incredible sex, just makes everything perfect...except for Emma is about to leave for a 2 year course in England.
Noah was incredible in this book. He always knew exactly what Emma needed when she needed it. When she was feeling awkward, he didn't allow her to wallow in that. Sweet, sexy, funny....really a perfect guy. He knows what he wants with Emma...he's been there mentally for a long time, and now that he has her where he wants her, he is not going to let her go without a fight.
Emma, on the other hand, is not quite there. She is not used to thinking about her buddy Noah as anything other than a friend. The transition is not a smooth one and she has been planning this move for a year now...one month of passion is not enough time to alter her entire life plan.
This is a sweet little read. It doesn't take much time....maybe an hour or two. It's great for a night when you simply need a happy feel-good romance.
It's no secret that this is my favorite trope...friends to lovers. This is another good one!
After running into her ex-boyfriend with his new fiance, Emma has spent the afternoon drowning her sorrows forgetting her evening plans with Noah. When he arrives, she is drunk, sad, and needing validation. Noah has been in love with Emma forever so when she puts the moves on him, he doesn't have the willpower to turn her away. This one night of passion turns into a powerful affair with incredible sex...the friendship was already there in this relationship, and adding in the incredible sex, just makes everything perfect...except for Emma is about to leave for a 2 year course in England.
Noah was incredible in this book. He always knew exactly what Emma needed when she needed it. When she was feeling awkward, he didn't allow her to wallow in that. Sweet, sexy, funny....really a perfect guy. He knows what he wants with Emma...he's been there mentally for a long time, and now that he has her where he wants her, he is not going to let her go without a fight.
Emma, on the other hand, is not quite there. She is not used to thinking about her buddy Noah as anything other than a friend. The transition is not a smooth one and she has been planning this move for a year now...one month of passion is not enough time to alter her entire life plan.
This is a sweet little read. It doesn't take much time....maybe an hour or two. It's great for a night when you simply need a happy feel-good romance.
January 25, 2012
Reviewed By~EmmaRae
Review Copy Provided By~Publisher
I'm giving a 50 page novella five stars. The world is definitely ending in 2012. Never again will I make excuses for novellas not having character development or much plot or anything else we look for in a book. This book has raised the bar for everything under 100 pages I ever read in the future.
This teeny tiny quickie had it all. It made me laugh, made me sad, got me vested in the characters, and didn't make me feel like something was missing. The characters were developed and had history. The dialogue was entertaining and witty. The chemistry was steamy. The struggles made me want to cry. None of these statements have the qualifier “for a short book”. This author is going to the TOP of my to-be-read list.
Favorite Quote: “He was as sophisticated as a Muppet”
Review Copy Provided By~Publisher
I'm giving a 50 page novella five stars. The world is definitely ending in 2012. Never again will I make excuses for novellas not having character development or much plot or anything else we look for in a book. This book has raised the bar for everything under 100 pages I ever read in the future.
This teeny tiny quickie had it all. It made me laugh, made me sad, got me vested in the characters, and didn't make me feel like something was missing. The characters were developed and had history. The dialogue was entertaining and witty. The chemistry was steamy. The struggles made me want to cry. None of these statements have the qualifier “for a short book”. This author is going to the TOP of my to-be-read list.
Favorite Quote: “He was as sophisticated as a Muppet”
September 22, 2011
Right from the beginning of this book, you want these two friends to become more than just friends. Noah and Emma seem like the perfect couple. Their personalities and actions made them fun characters to read about and root for. The intimate scenes were beautifully written, ranging from sweet to spicy, and they fit well with this couple. There were a few time sequences I found a bit confusing, but this was still a fun afternoon read.
Jane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance and More
https://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Boo...
Jane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance and More
https://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Boo...
August 20, 2011
I tried but I just couldn't get in to this short story. Novellas are tricky. The plot has to be riveting and the characters have to be vivid or the reader will lose interest pretty quick. Sadly, those two essential elements were missing in this short story. And by the time I started to care- the story was over.
September 18, 2011
Check out my review at: Nocturne Romance Reads
August 16, 2011
This is a strong 3, maybe even close to 4.
I think it needed to be longer - but it is cute.
Review to come
I think it needed to be longer - but it is cute.
Review to come
March 30, 2012
Short, sweet and sexy.
July 24, 2012
It definitely was a quick and short read, nonetheless a romantic and fluffy story..
March 21, 2012
I am loving these little quick reads! This one is so sweet. I love when the Geek/Nerd wins!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews