Better Off Friends is the story of Macallan and Levi and it explores the age-old question: can guys and girls ever be just friends?
Macallan and Levi meet in middle school when Levi moves from California to Wisconsin and they almost instantly become friends. The story continues and evolves as they move through middle school and high school and realize that they may have more than just friendship feelings for each other.
I read this book at a time when my oldest daughter was dealing with a broken relationship and I am happy to be passing this book on to her as soon as I finish this blog for a couple of reasons.
1. This book reminds us how important friendship is to a relationship. I am convinced that my marriage has lasted as long as it has because I was friends with my husband for a year before we started dating. Friendship is an essential ingredient in a relationship.
2. This story details how complicated real relationships are. They are not easy and you have to work at them. Love is not all sunshine and unicorns and I think too many people these days think that if a relationship gets tough, it's time to get out. Wrong. It's time to roll up your sleeves and fix it. (Unless you really are just dating, then yes, it may be wise to just get out and move on.)
3. The story is told in alternating chapters by Macallan and Levi. Getting the first person male perspective on relationships (or female if you are a male reader) is enlightening. Knowing what boys thinking is eye-opening.
This is clearly a book written for young adults, but it was recommended to me by a middle school teacher so that makes perfect sense. The timing of this read could not have been better, however, and I am about to hand it off to my 17 year old who swears she's never going to date again. Maybe this book will help her to come around to the idea again one day.
Happy reading, friends!
-Dodie
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