King of the Friend Zone (Power of the Matchmaker) by Sheralyn Pratt

Esme Taylor has an amazing fiancé, a lifelong best friend, and a problem.

The problem stems from the fact that her best friend is named Hunter and, well. . .he’s kind of (totally) hot. It’s hate at first sight when her fiancé, Jon, and Hunter meet. Jon’s convinced that Hunter is in love with Esme, and that Hunter must be out of the picture if their upcoming marriage is to succeed.

Esme thinks Jon is paranoid.

The truth is, Jon’s not that far off. Hunter is in love with his best friend and always has been. What Jon has wrong, however, is that Hunter never had any plans of ruining Esme’s happily ever after. Hunter wants what’s best for Esme, even if that’s not him.

When Jon pushes hard to end Esme and Hunter’s friendship, opposition comes from the most unlikely of places. It’s an eccentric lady with a cookie cart who suggests a different solution to Esme’s problem: Hunter and Esme should give each other a chance.

They’ve both thought of the possibility over the years—of course they have. But with a ring already on Esme’s finger and a heap of hurt feelings and broken trust in the mix, there hasn’t been a worse time to explore the depths of their feelings for each other.

Both Esme and Hunter think it’s time to move on and leave childhood crushes in the past. The question is: Can one woman and the taste of one cookie change their minds?

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Can a male/female best friendship stay that way through life?  Chances really aren't that good.  One side will probably end up having stronger feelings at some point.  It's just the way things go.  Or, inevitably, one side moves on with a serious romantic relationship and that partner will be jealous of best friend.  It surely makes for a fantastic, classic love story with plenty of drama!

I love this Power of the Matchmaker series.  Each novel is independent yet connected by one character who makes an appearance in all the books.  Pearl is the matchmaker and I particularly loved her in this book.  She was perfect!  The whole kiss cookie was such a fun and creative idea.  LOVED it!

Esme and Hunter have been best friends their whole lives.  They have a history that runs deep and nobody knows them better than the other.  Both Hunter and Esme have had feelings stronger than friendship but neither one is willing to cross over that line to risk ruining the friendship that means so much to them.  It's maddening as a reader!  ha.  

I loved both Esme and Hunter.  Together and apart.  The struggle was real and I was nigh unto pulling my hair out for most of the book!  It was fantastic.  The pacing was good and I was caught up in the struggle for love.  

I also loved that some characters from a previous book by Sheralyn Pratt were included in this book.  Hello, old friends!

Overall, just a fun, diverting read!  It made me crazy, and happy, and swoony.