The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan

The Friend Zone (Game on, #2)

by Kristen Callihan

Gray doesn’t make friends with women. He has sex with them. Until Ivy.

The last thing star tight-end Gray Grayson wants to do is drive his agent’s daughter’s bubblegum pink car. But he needs the wheels and she’s studying abroad. Something he explains when she sends him an irate text to let him know exactly how much pain she’ll put him in if he crashes her beloved ride. Before he knows it, Ivy Mackenzie has become his best texting bud. But then Ivy comes home and everything goes haywire. Because the only thing Gray can think of is being with Ivy.

Ivy doesn’t have sex with friends. Especially not with a certain football player. No matter how hot he makes her… Gray drives Ivy crazy. He’s irreverent, sex on a stick, and completely off limits. Because, Ivy has one golden rule: never get involved with one of her father’s clients. A rule that’s proving harder to keep now that Gray is doing his best to seduce her. Her best friend is fast becoming the most irresistible guy she’s ever met. Which means Gray is going to have to use all his skills to win Ivy’s heart. Game on.

Reviewed by whisperingchapters on

4 of 5 stars

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This review was first published on Latte Nights Reviews.

"You are the happiness I never realized I needed."

I'm so glad I gave this one a chance since I didn't really like the first book. This one, though, was great! Right from the start I was hooked with the text conversations that were going on. Those were definitely fun to read about—I had a huge grin on my face while reading their witty banter. The chemistry between Gray and Ivy is palpable as soon as they meet. You would think that since they haven't met face to face things would be awkward. Well, let me put your worries aside and let you know that these two characters have a very strong bond as soon as they meet for the first time. Their friendship is what any girl would look like to have with a guy. The reason being that Gray is always there for Ivy, even when she is sick. He was always there during her time of need, helping her with everything and anything. Ivy is a stubborn woman so Gray had his hands full but he didn't care. He just loved being there for her and loved her company.

I've just officially met Ivy Mackenzie, and I realize I've missed her for what seems like years.

Gray has been a player for a long time. Apparently, it had been for so long that it started to bother Ivy a lot because Gray couldn't see himself as a one woman kind of guy... That is, until he met Ivy. On this book, you get to see the vulnerable side of Gray that we hadn't seen before and it will make you fall for him, if you haven't already. I mean, the guy cooks! Anyways, I believe that Gray made Ivy a better person and made her realize what she really wanted out of life. He showed her the way to self-discovery and Ivy learned to own it.

Make me stop, Ivy. Be the one who makes it all stop.

The plot was interesting and kept me going until the very end. The Friend Zone focuses on friendship, family and the past—one that Gray isn't ready to deal with yet. Sometimes people forget, me included, that these stories have these powerful messages or just powerful stories that one doesn't forget easily. While a story can be fun, like this one, it will also have real life feelings and real life situations that will have it's readers seeing themselves in these characters. These characters were real and got to be fully developed, in my opinion.

The romance was spectacular. It wasn't insta-love! You hear that, guys? It wasn't insta-love!! Let's celebrate! *throws confetti* Anyway, there was an attraction that was built quickly but it was instantaneous. The romance was built very slowly and developed at a very realistic pace that readers will enjoy. When everything clicks into place, you will be so far gone into it [the romance] that will swoon at every detail.

"I'm crazy about you, Ivy. You have to know that. I'm so lost in you, I don't ever want to find my way back."

There were so many funny, laugh-out-loud moments in this story. There are comments that the characters make that will have you bursting with laughter. There's a specific story that is told that will have you full on laughing, rolling on the floor, too. In case you're interested, it is the Cheerio story! I honestly couldn't stop laughing. This book put me in such a good mood while reading. If you are looking for a very funny and romantic story, then you have to read The Friend Zone!

"Seriously, Iv... You could climb him like Everest, make base camp at his cock, and tackle the rest in the morning."

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 10 July, 2015: Finished reading
  • 10 July, 2015: Reviewed