Strictly Friends

Frances Mensah Williams

She’s travelled halfway round the world to paradise. But has it been on her doorstep all along?

When Ruby Lamont’s young son Jake starts telling tall tales about the dad who walked out on them six years ago, it’s time to find out the truth. It’s not that she wants Kenny back in her life—her charming commitment-phobe Griffin, has always been more of a father-figure to Jake—but if she can understand why Kenny broke her heart, perhaps she can finally move on.

Their journey takes them to heart-shaped Sorrel Island, a Caribbean paradise that according to legend was created as an enchanted refuge for lovers. For no-nonsense Ruby, romance is the last thing on her mind. Spoiling for a fight, she confronts her runaway ex, but he’s a changed man, or so he claims. With Kenny seemingly having turned a new leaf, Griffin shows up out of the blue and the tropical heat builds to an inferno.

With sparks of lust and jealousy flying in all directions, Ruby has to wonder whether the magic of Sorrel Island is more than just a legend. As the truth of Kenny’s departure—and Griffin’s arrival—spills out, Ruby must discover whether people really can change—or if she is just destined for heartbreak.

Media Reviews

“I adore Frances’s books. Strictly Friends is the perfect romance: it has three fascinating hunky love interests and a setting that will make you want to run out and buy a plane ticket for the Caribbean. But it’s more than all that. Ruby is the perfect heroine of our time, feisty, successful, fun, stunning in heels, and yet vulnerable, lacking true self-belief. She is a wonderful, loyal mother to the cutest boy; she is the friend you want to spend time with. Yet in her quiet moments, she represents us all, questioning, unsure, rushing forward into uncertainty. Like the island sunshine and the samba dancing on the beach and the sweet rum punch, I enjoyed every moment of this delightful book.” ―Judy Leigh, USA Today bestselling author
“I enjoyed Strictly Friends very much. It’s an easy read that takes you to a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea. The protagonist is likeable and vulnerable, and this sweet story has the happy ending that we all love in a romance novel.” ―Vasundra Tailor, author of The Secret of Elephants
“A heart-warming, gorgeous novel about how two flawed characters learn to accept each other and themselves. A perfect curl-up-in bed read.” ―Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?