#TBRTrending: Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley
As we edge ever close to the end of January, we’re almost done talking about underrated 2022 releases including Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley.
Sequels usually aren’t featured on #TBRTrending yet this one is part of an interconnected standalone series. Entitled Ponto Beach Reunion series, it follows this group of friends who all lived in Ponto Beach and went to high school there. Most of them talk and hang out frequently although the ones who don’t usually end up in a romance.
All in all, this is a really fun series and one I’d recommend checking out. The first book is called Love, Comment, Subscribe and it’s a romance between two Youtubers who sort of only tolerated each other because of mutual friends.
With how much I enjoyed the first book, I knew I had to feature book 2 as it’s a 2022 release and it’s one I wish more people had picked up.
This week’s #TBRTRending pick is Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley.
I’m sure most of us know that feeling of reading a book when we need it and for me, that’s what Gouda Friends was. I was frankly having a terrible day and listening to this while I was working actually made the day much better. Plus this one ended up being a new favorite.
Gouda Friends follows Tam who dumps her boyfriend and quits her job after two horrible experiences with both. She reaches out to Josh, her best friend and the two decide to help Tam get herself in order as she did with Josh. With all of that, the two are spending so much time together and working together on things that romance is inevitable.
Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Gouda Friends does it so well. It’s clear these two really do love and respect their friendships but they know they can’t hide their feelings for much longer. It’s just so delightful when they finally give in and decide to give a relationship a chance.
The book also features a lot of Tam and Josh working on themselves. Josh is trying to grow his business while Tam is trying to get her life back on track. It’s honestly so comforting to see characters who don’t have it all together. Despite the two working on themselves, they were always there for each other and always the other’s cheerleader.
Obviously, there was a third-act conflict but it was surprisingly realistic. I’m sure it’s something other couples have had to deal with. While it was slightly annoying, it didn’t hamper my enjoyment enough to give this book lower than a 5-star.
Honestly, if you’re a Kindle Unlimited user, then you need to download Gouda Friends ASAP. It’s one of the gems that has Read and Listen, too. The audiobook is the way I consumed it and I adored it so if you like good food and an amazing friends-to-lovers story, then you need to read this.
Do you plan on reading Gouda Friends by Cathy Yardley in 2023? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.