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FIRST-TIME novelists and longtime friends, Laura Tait and Jimmy Rice narrate a character each as they take on the long-asked question: Can men and women ever just be friends? Alex and Holly are teenage besties who lose touch and don’t rekindle their friendship until they’re almost 30. I instantly warmed to the characters: Alex Tyler, a teacher plans to save the world one messed up teenager at a time, with his dry wit and secret love for Holly the-one-that-got-away Gordon.

While Holly is headstrong and ambitious, but hiding behind her job as a PA as well as hiding a ‘relationship’ with her boss, oblivious as to what’s right under her nose (Alex, that is). The book jumps from present day back to their school days, effortlessly weaving their love story – but not in a cringey way.

The familiarity of the supporting characters made me warm with the turn of every page, everyone has an office witch (Melissa), dishy boss (Richard) and quick-witted friend (Jemma). Overall, it’s a great read and the storyline had me on tenterhooks right until the end

Stephanie Lowe