Reviews

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

emmsbookshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Audre and Bash are Just Friends is a spin off of sorts from Tia Williams novel Seven Days in June, which focuses on Eva and Shane.  In it, Audre featured heavily and the reader was able to experience a chapter from Audre’s perspective. I was incredibly eager to be able to get a whole book that focuses on Audre.  This book didn’t disappoint, it was a coming of age story that touches on teenage angst, family complexities and being an age gap sister.

I liked Audre, I thought she was witty and insightful.  Whilst at times I thought her behaviour was a bit bratty, I also think it was a more than valid response to the massive upheaval that had occurred in every aspect of her life, with her most sacred rituals and routines discarded by both sets of parents.  Having read from Eva’s perspective, it was also interesting to see just how sheltered and innocent Audre really was.  Bash too, was a likeable character.  I particularly liked his style, his outfit descriptions were always so vivid and unique and I enjoyed his attitude towards tattoos.  From his very first POV his melancholy really leapt up from the page and spent much of the book hoping someone would give him the hug he needed.

The writing was excellent, it felt like each word was carefully chosen (sometimes with the aim and purpose of punching me directly in the feelings) and each character was given such a unique voice.  The snippets of Eva and Shane were such a treat, I loved getting to see them exist in their happily ever after.  The dialogue sounded realistic to my interactions with teens, I didn’t feel like it was adults talking and it also didn’t make me cringe to my core.

I loved the story and strongly recommend it.  Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own

josm11's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I thought this book was very sweet, the romance was well developed, the characters were diverse, and the language used felt authentic and accurate to current Gen Z culture. 
I particularly enjoyed Audre’s character. She was very well written and relatable, and was very easy to root for. I thought it was impressive how real the author made her feel. As for Bash, he wasn’t my favourite. I thought the “bad boy boyfriend who isn’t actually bad” aesthetic was a bit overplayed, but he was still sweet nonetheless. 
I do have some criticisms- I didn’t like Reshma. Her personality felt just a little too stuck up, and we didn’t get to know her enough for me to really understand her. Also, as much as I love how she was queer and had a relationship with Clio, there just didn’t feel like much buildup or development in their romance. One second they bump into each other on the streets, and the next they were dating. 
I also thought the book relied a bit too heavily on pop culture references and that they were a bit unnecessary. 
Overall, my biggest issue with the book was the amount of drug use. Mind you, these are 15, 16, 17 year olds we’re reading about, and they were vaping, smoking, drinking, and doing drugs/mushrooms like it was nobody’s business. Bash’s mother even offers to smoke pot with him at a point in the book. I wish this was left out or at least downplayed in the book because it made me uncomfortable how normalized it was to the characters. 
Still, this book was amazing! A cute, contemporary, urban take on romance, with a believable storyline and characters. I hope to read more by Tia, and I was honoured to receive this eARC from NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

catsbooksandcoffee12's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was such a cute read . I love Audre and Bash so much. 

brittneyandalicebookclub's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Audre & Bash Are Just Friends
By Tia Williams

YA romance

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️


Audre is the perfect, determined girl at school, and a therapist in the making.

When given a challenge to help her branch out and live a little, she hires Bash. Bash isn't relationship material, and she needs to finish her self-help book; but what will happen when sparks start to fly?

❤️ I wanted to love this book, and the first half of the book, I did! I flew through it, loving this challenge and the humor that went into it. It was fast-paced and so cute! I did enjoy The ending as well


💔 And then I'm not sure where it went wrong, but it started dragging and I just didn't like the second half. The "theraizing" quit being cute, Audre felt like a brat to all her family and friends, Bash is a liar and bad influence disguised as fun. It just quit working for me! 

🎀 I was the straight A, never in trouble high schooler. As an adult, I've felt like I missed out on a lot of experiences. I loved the idea of a list to break free, but I dont like how far it went past the list. Tattoos given by someone underage isn't cool. Hating baby siblings for being born is super childish. This is definitely a YA read, but there's so many others I'd refer my daughter read when she's older.

cm4657's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.5

There’s something special about a romance like this one. 
I love the character depth and building between the two main characters. Their relationship with each other forces themselves to confront aspects of their lives and character they don’t want to. Also I loved seeing Eva and Shane again in this completely different light from their child who has been left out of important conversations *genius* 

Thanks NetGalley for an early copy of this book to review!  

renreadsalot's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“Bash and Audre were definitely, absolutely, not just friends“

I received an ARC copy and I first want to say I’m so grateful to the publishers! I didn’t want this book to end! It was so much fun, it was swoon worthy, it was emotional, it was the best thing of ride. Everything you expect out of a book. The theme of 7 throughout the book, bash’s personal relationships, the things he was hiding, audre’s relationships and discovering her past and how they found each other, PERFECTION. It was all so well written, easily a 5 star read! I will be rereading in May and purchasing a copy!
what do I have to do to get an Audre and Bash sequel or novella?

favourite quotes

“He looked like hers”

“The past was behind him. Audre was his future. And he couldn’t get to her fast enough”

louloveslit's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book gave me all the feels!! A heartwarming YA romance set against the backdrop of a gorgeous summer, it was beautifully written, deeply engaging and effortlessly tackled serious themes with a lighthearted touch.

I loved experiencing the story through Audre’s perspective- getting to see the world from her POV was a highlight. It was also wonderful to catch up with Audre, Shane and Eva after seven days (my fave couple)

I devoured this book in under 24 hours, completely unable to put it down. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a captivating, feel-good read!

4 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

jpreads6's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I never knew getting tattooed could be SO sensual

britts_bitesn_books104's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Tia Williams does an excellent job of creating characters that are human.  They are flawed, sweet, messy, and endearing.  

skimreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted

5.0